CHAPTER VI.
KIT'S POOR PROSPECTS.
There was one of the spectators who did not admire Kit's heroic conduct, nor join in the applause which was so liberally showered upon him. This was Ralph Watson, who sat on the opposite side of the tent, with his chum, James Schuyler, a boy who had recently come to Smyrna from the city of New York. Ralph had been very pale when the lion first made his appearance in the arena, and trembled with fear, and no one had felt greater relief when the danger was past. But, being naturally of a jealous disposition, he was very much annoyed by the sudden popularity won by Kit.
"Isn't that your cousin?" asked James Schuyler.
"Yes," answered Ralph shortly.
"What a brave boy he is!"
Ralph shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't see much bravery about it," he said. "It isn't as if the lion was a wild one in his native forest. This one was tame."
"He didn't look very tame to me," rejoined James, who, though rather snobbish, was willing to admit the danger they had all incurred. "The people didn't think so either. Hear them cheer your cousin."
"It will make him terribly conceited. He will actually think he's a hero."
"I wouldn't have given much for any of our lives if he hadn't jumped into the ring, and blinded the lion."