The lions had returned and found one cub dead and the other gone.
"Into the fence!--back into the fence!" I cried, and we sprang over the thorn-bushes where those with us were making ready their spears, trembling as they handled them with fear and the cold of the morning.

We looked up.

There, down the side of the cliff, came the lions, bounding on the scent of him who had robbed them of their young.

The lion ran first, and as he came he roared; then followed the lioness, but she did not roar, for in her mouth was the cub that Umslopogaas had assegaied in the cave.

Now they drew near, mad with fury, their manes bristling, and lashing their flanks with their long tails.
"Curse you for a fool, son of Mopo," said one of the men with me to Umslopogaas; "presently I will beat you till the blood comes for this trick." "First beat the lions, then beat me if you can," answered the lad, "and wait to curse till you have done both." Now the lions were close to us; they came to the body of the second cub, that lay outside the fence of thorns.