The cub came across it suddenly.

It was his own fault.

He had been careless.

He had left the cave and run down to the stream to drink.

 He was heavy with sleep. (He had been out all night on the meat-trail, and had just awakened.).  The trail to the pool was familiar for him.

He had travelled it often, and nothing had ever happened on it.

He went down past the pine, crossed the open space, and ran amongst the trees. Suddenly, he saw and smelt something unusual.

Before him there were five live things. They were sitting silently. He had never seen them before.

It was his first glimpse of mankind.

But at the sight of him the five men did not spring to their feet, nor show their teeth, nor snarl.

They did not move, but sat their silently and angrily.

Nor did the cub move.

He was going to run away, following his instinct, but suddenly he felt another counter instinct, a great awe descended upon him.

He was beaten down to movelessness by a great sense of his own weakness and littleness.