one moment they were dragging their steps through leaves and grass , and the next two beastly sounds erupted at once , a hostile growl and a retching and suddenly lorn was on the ground , cluthing his slit throat in a vain attempt to stop the river of blood that leaked through his fingers , while a few steps away , head lowered and knees bent in an attitude suggesting both fierce defence and ferocious enmity , stood a female fault , naked save a sheepskin out of which her grimy udders spilled and swung , stinking of dung , and brandishing a blade darkened by lorns blood .