"Did you see him kill any one?" asked the scared Tom, somewhat confused by the tremendous narrative of his friend.
"Did I see him kill any one? I should say I did. I seed him kill more than forty!"
"Did he eat 'em all?"
"Of course he did! That is, all but their boots and shoes. He don't seem to like leather," added Jim thoughtfully; "for I noticed that when the men were going down his throat, he kind of shet his jaws, so as to slip off their boots."
"Jim, he must be a big tiger to hold so many folks inside of him."
"Course he is! The biggest that was ever catched in Greenland! He didn't not only swaller the men and boys and women that I'm telling you 'bout, but he took in horses, cows, dogs, and anything in his way. If I ain't mistook, he swallered Mr. MacDowell's two horses with him."
"No, he didn't; for they went by a few minutes ago. But, Jim, what makes you in such a hurry?"
"I'm trying to get away from Tippo Sahib," replied the frightened lad, glancing furtively again toward the village.
"Where's the tiger now?"
"He ain't fur off, and," added Jim, speaking the truth this time, "the tiger's coming this way, and will soon be here."