about nine in the evening
He was now on _ terra firma _ , and all his trials appeared to have reached a happy termination ; but here again he was doomed to disappointment . `` Bow , wow , wow-er , woo , row ! '' barked and growled the squire 's big bull dog , when he came to realize that some unusual occurrences were transpiring . The animal was a savage brute , and was kept chained in the barn during the day , and turned loose when the squire made his last visit to the cattle about nine in the evening . Tom was thoroughly alarmed when this new enemy confronted him ; but fortunately he had the self-possession to stand his ground , and not attempt to run away , otherwise the dog would probably have torn him in pieces . `` Come here , Tige ! Poor fellow !