Then, presently, they swept up the red sand, and tying a rope to the legs of the limp tiger, dragged him away.

They had done this kind of work before, and each knew his part.

Presently Antipater called two of them.
"Bring that girl Cyran--she that chants of her new king," said he, as they ran to do his bidding.
"Noble prince, the strange god is again at work in me," said Vergilius, with rising ire.

"I could not bear to see you put her with the leopard; I should rather face him myself." "You!" said the other, tauntingly, and with a shrewd purpose.

The youths turned to see if Vergilius would really accept the challenge.
No man had ever faced a black leopard at close quarters without suffering death or injury.
"I," said Vergilius, promptly.