The trainer had been forced against the bars at the back of the
cage by the animal, whose length was more than the width of the
cage itself.

In an unsuspected moment the beast had sprung upon the
unfortunate man, and with one sweep of his powerful paw had laid
the man low.

With a growl of savage joy, the brute settled back against the
bars of the cage near which the lads were standing.

Women shrieked and men grew pale as they stood helpless to do
aught to avert the impending tragedy.

Teddy slipped out from under the rope, his face ashen gray. But
Phil stood his ground. He felt that he _must_ do something.

Then his opportunity came. The beast's great silken tail popped
out through the bars against which he was backing.

Phil Forrest, without an instant's thought of the danger into
which he was placing himself, sprang forward.

His hands closed over the tail, which he twisted about his right
arm in a flash, at the same time throwing up his feet and bracing
them against a wheel of the wagon.

No sooner had he done so than Bengal, uttering a frightful roar,
whirled. The force of the jerk as the brute turned hurled Phil
Forrest against the bars of the cage with a crash, and Bengal's