Humans, thought Tanglemane, Always so suspicious. She just turned her gaze up at the speaking one and listened patiently. "But... Monster..." But the human was speaking again. She furrowed her brow with some degree of perplexity as he tried to negotiate. "I... Yes... But..." Still, he was being polite in calling her a majestic creature. Still, his disbelief just had to be dealt with.
So, the sphinx turned away and broke into a trot. Closer and closer to the cliff she came and she slowed to a cautious walk. Then, quite suddenly, *sproing!*. Up she jumped, straight into the air, wings spreading and then sweeping. From the caves emerged not one, but four gigantic crabs, claws waving as they rushed forward to make a snack of her. Back the sphinx fluttered and just flew away, circling back towards the humans. One pass overhead and then she dropping back down to the ground and skidding into a trot on the sand. Soon she was in front of the humans again and she turned and pointed with the paw at the four crabs, each the size of a hay wagon and rather well armored in those shells. Fortunately, the crabs were also rather poor of sight.
"That is him. Clack clack omnomnom. He would eat you up, and then alas for what is in the box." She looked towards the chest and her tail swished with her excessive curiosity. Hmm. But she turned her attention back to the man to answer his most poignant question. "I like gold. Perhaps the warning is worth a bit? Kindly sphinxes are rare!" Or, unheard of by some reports. She edged closer, sniffing. She can smell gold and silver as well as a raccoon can smell garbage. She put a paw on the rock he was sitting on and said solemnly, "I don't need stuff, I don't think. I have no thumbs to use them. But a bit of gold. It is good for me." Her tail swished then, "Are you burying that box? It is full of gold? If you don't want it, I'll take it. Don't bury it! Why are you doing such a thing?"