They slowly drove up, keeping as quiet as possible towards the rocks, keeping in the dark shadows. Nobody spoke and smoking was not allowed in case the whiff of tobacco in the air alerted the animals to their presence.
The guard Tabu, who had been keeping watch for them, in case the family moved, had alerted them that this was the time to move in. The leopard was looking uneasy, and might move her cubs in the night. He was afraid he might miss them. Sometimes he had already drifted off to sleep. Watching and waiting was getting tiring, and last night he had had a sip of the local brew, which had dulled his senses. He had nearly missed the she leopard arriving back at the cave. If he lost them he knew the 'Big Bwana' would probably shoot him and feed him to the leopard! He was going to be well paid, enough he thought to never have to work again. He could just tend to his herd of three cows, maybe buy a few more and drink with the other men under the tree in their little village. He might even be made 'chief'
In the distance he heard the vehicle stop. They would now come by foot so as not to make any noise.
He felt a little sad. He had come to enjoy seeing this strange little cub. The way the sun hit the fur and made it shimmer like the pink in a new morning sky. And her pretty white tuft of hair at the end of the tale which he had never seen before on a leopard. But he wanted the money, he had a family, and he wanted the prestige of being ' a man of means', so he got up from his hiding place and went to meet up with them.
Piet had his binoculars out and was scanning the area carefully. The guard they had hired had told them the leopard had come back without a kill, they would all be hungry, so the 'she one' would go hunting again.
Piet spoke to the man at his side. " We will watch and wait until we see the leopard. I want to see the cubs again as well. I know she has been bringing them out. We will wait until we see the female leave, and then go in for the cubs. I have another buyer for the little male one if the Arab does not want them both. But with these, I know he will want them both for his private collection." The bidding for the cub had been beyond Piet's expectations, they could both retire.
"Let us check we have everything we need, you cannot always rely on the local labour to think ahead in case of problems.This is one I do not want to go wrong. I must also check in with the buyer".
Patel nodded and they made their way off. " Samson will let us know on the radio when the time comes" Van Piet said swatting a fly from his face."We will have to be quick, there have been reports of poaching here for ivory and the police may still be around, but I want these, I will not leave without them" He was pleased that his enquiries for a leopard cub to some of the locals, who when out poaching, acted as eyes for his business. He paid well for any information and that kept them loyal to him.
They had both been lucky enough to see the cubs, it might only have been a fleeting glimpse each time, but enough to reassure them. The guard Tabu, spoke of them with pride. "That "one very special little baby. Never seen one like it before or my friends. Not that I have talked Bwana" he said looking worried in case he had.
Van Piet smiled.' No, the little she one was special.'
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I am gradually filling in and bringing out the fur, and slowly making my way across and down the head. It always starts to feel alive once you start on the eyes.
Hope you will join me again next week.
What will happen to the cubs, and will the tiger have eyes?
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