eight o'clock
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 .