"I have seen no one." "Then how came the monster to grief ?" "I pounded her foot with a stone--as hard as I could strike.

Did you not hear her cry ?" "Well, you are a brave woman!" I answered.

"I thought it was you gave the cry!" "It was the leopardess." "I never heard such a sound from the throat of an animal! it was like the scream of a woman in torture!" "My voice was gone; I could not have shrieked to save my baby! When I saw the horrid mouth at my darling's little white neck, I caught up a stone and mashed her lame foot." "Tell me about the creature," I said; "I am a stranger in these parts." "You will soon know about her if you are going to Bulika!" she answered.
"Now, I must never go back there!" "Yes, I am going to Bulika," I said, "-- to see the princess." "Have a care; you had better not go!--But perhaps you are--! The princess is a very good, kind woman!" I heard a little movement.

Clouds had by this time gathered so thick over the moon that I could scarcely see my companion: I feared she was rising to run from me.
"You are in no danger of any sort from me," I said.

"What oath would you like me to take ?" "I know by your speech that you are not of the people of Bulika," she replied; "I will trust you!--I am not of them, either, else I should not be able: they never trust any one--If only I could see you! But I like your voice!--There, my darling is asleep! The foul beast has not hurt her!--Yes: it was my baby she was after!" she went on, caressing the child.