Then she came out again, and went away with her mate to seek food, and soon we heard them roaring in the distance.

Now we stacked up the fire and went to sleep in our enclosure of thorns without fear, for we knew that the lions were far away eating game.

But Umslopogaas did not sleep, for he had determined that he would fetch the cub which Nada had desired, and, being young and foolhardy, he did not think of the danger which he would bring upon himself and all of us.

He knew no fear, and now, as ever, if Nada spoke a word, nay, even if she thought of a thing to desire it, he would not rest till it was won for her.

So while we slept Umslopogaas crept like a snake from the fence of thorns, and, taking an assegai in his hand, he slipped away to the foot of the cliff where the lions had their den.
Then he climbed the cliff, and, coming to the cave, entered there and groped his way into it.