to
greet the boy who had averted such a tragedy.

Mechanically Kit followed Mr. Barlow, who led him again into the arena.
Then the manager cleared his throat, and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have nothing to show you here to-night that is
better worth your attention than the young man whose heroic act you
have just witnessed and profited by. I introduce to you the boy hero,
Kit Watson!"

"Speech! speech!" exclaimed the spectators, after a liberal meed of
applause.

Kit stood erect, and spoke modestly.

"I don't pretend to be a hero," he said. "I was as much frightened as
anybody, but I thought of the snuff in my pocket, and I recalled to mind
a story of a man who subdued a lunatic by means of it. So, on the
impulse of the moment, I jumped into the ring. I am very much obliged to
you for your cheers, and I wish I was as brave as you seem to think. I
won't take up any more of your time, for I know you want the show to go
on."

Kit retired amid a burst of applause, and resumed his seat.

The entertainment of the evening now proceeded, greatly to the
satisfaction of the crowded ranks of spectators. But from time to time
glances were cast towards the seat which Kit occupied.

"Kit," whispered Dan, "I am proud of you! I didn't think you had it in
you."

"Don't say any more, Dan, or I shall become so vain you can't endure me.
Look! there are our friends, the acrobats."

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 s