Then the whisperings swarmed in upon them.

A creak of a branch, the turn of a leaf, the scraping of creeping insects, the whizzing of moths, and the murmur of the forest, all seemed to them the whisperings of stealthy foes.

Every now and again they moistened their lips, which dried after the repeated spells during which they held their breath, while intently listening for the footfalls of the enemy.
Then, with a feeling of relief, they heard an unmistakable wouf! That, at least, was a tangible sound--the sound of a startled animal.
Presently they heard its footsteps, as it came cautiously forward, a little way at a time.

Once more the fingers coiled round the triggers, and the barrels were raised.
Then came a yelp, this time of fear, followed by the leopard's terrible scream.

Some animal darted by the opening, so close that they could see the gleam of its eyes as it glanced in upon them, and after it with a bound went a larger form.