ylvania."

"How was that?"

"The man ventured too near the cage. The lion stretched out his claws,
and fastened them in the man's shoulder, lacerating it fearfully before
he could be released. He came near dying of blood poisoning."

Kit and Dan sheered off. The lion looked wicked enough to kill a dozen
men.

At eight o'clock the performance commenced. First there was a procession
of elephants and horses, the latter carrying the bareback riders and
other members of the circus, with the curiosities and freaks. Then came
two bareback riders, who jumped through hoops, and over banners, and
performed somersaults, to the wondering delight of the boys. Then came
tumblers, and in preparation for another scene a gaudily dressed clown
entered the ring. Suddenly there was heard a deep baying sound, which
struck terror into every heart. It was the lion; but seemed close at
hand. In an instant a dark, cat-like form, rushing down the aisle,
sprang into the ring.

The great Numidian lion had broken from his cage, and the life of every
one in the audience was in peril. Ladies shrieked, strong men grew pale,
and all wildly looked about for some way of escape.

Striking down the clown, and standing with one foot on the prostrate
form, the lion's cruel eyes wandered slowly over the vast assemblage.

Only ten feet from him, in front seats, sat Kit and Dan.

Kit rose in his seat pale and excited, but with a resolute fire in his
eyes. He had thought of a way to vanquish the lion.

CHAPTER V.

HOW KIT VANQUISHED THE LION.

The danger was imminent. Under the canvas there were at least two
thousand spectators. Smyrna had less than five thousand inhabitants, but
from towns around there were numerous excursion parties, which helped to
swell the number present. Had these people foreseen the terrible scene
not down on the bills, they would have remained at home and locked the
doors of their houses. But danger is seldom anticipated and peril
generally finds us unprepared.

Dan Clark saw Kit about to leave his seat.

"Where are you going?" he cried.

"I am going into the arena."

"What? Are you out of your head?" asked Dan, and he took hold of Kit to
detain him. But the boy tore himself from the grasp of his friend, and
with blanched brow, for he knew full well the risk he ran, he sprang
over the parapet, and in an instant he stood in the sawdust circle
facing the angry monarch of the wilds, whose presence had struck terro