The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling This eBook is for the use of anyone

anywhere at no cost and with al ost no restrictions whatsoe!er" #ou ay copy it, gi!e it away or re$use it under the ter s of the Project Gutenberg %icense included with this eBook or online at www"gutenberg"org Title& The Jungle Book 'uthor& Rudyard Kipling Release (ate& January )*, +,,* -EBook .+/*0 %ast 1pdated& 2o!e ber 3, +,)+ %anguage& English 4haracter set encoding& '5466 777 5T'RT 89 T:65 PR8JE4T G1TE2BERG EB88K T:E J12G%E B88K 777

Produced by 'n 'nony ous ;olunteer and (a!id <idger

THE JUNGLE BOOK

By Rudyard Kipling

Contents
Mowgli's Brothers Hunting-Song of the Seeonee Pack Kaa's Hunting Road-Song of the Bandar-Log "Tiger! Tiger!"

Mowgli's Song The hite Seal

Lukannon "Rikki-Tikki-Ta!i" "ar#ee's $hant Too%ai of the &le'hants Shi! and the (rassho''er Her Ma)est*'s Ser!ants Parade Song of the $a%' +ni%als

Mowgli's Brot ers

2ow Rann the Kite brings ho e the night That =ang the Bat sets free> The herds are shut in byre and hut 9or loosed till dawn are we" This is the hour of pride and power, Talon and tush and claw" 8h, hear the call?>Good hunting all That keep the Jungle %aw? 2ight$5ong in the Jungle

-t was se!en o'clock of a !er* war% e!ening in the Seeonee hills when .ather olf woke u' fro% his da*'s rest/ scratched hi%self/ *awned/ and s'read out his 'aws one after the other to get rid of the slee'* feeling in their ti's0 Mother olf la* with her 1ig gra* nose dro''ed across her four tu%1ling/ s2uealing cu1s/ and the %oon shone into the %outh of the ca!e where the* all li!ed0 "+ugrh!" said .ather olf0 "-t is ti%e to hunt again0" He was going to s'ring down hill when a little shadow with a 1ush* tail crossed the threshold and whined3 "(ood luck go with *ou/ 4 $hief of the ol!es0 +nd good luck and strong white teeth go with no1le children that the* %a* ne!er forget the hungr* in this world0" -t was the )ackal5Ta1a2ui/ the "ish-licker5and the wol!es of -ndia des'ise Ta1a2ui 1ecause he runs a1out %aking %ischief/ and telling tales/ and eating rags and 'ieces of leather fro% the !illage ru11ish-hea's0 But the* are afraid of hi% too/ 1ecause Ta1a2ui/ %ore than an*one else in the )ungle/ is a't to go %ad/ and then he forgets that he was e!er afraid of an*one/ and runs through the forest 1iting e!er*thing in his wa*0 &!en the tiger runs and hides when little Ta1a2ui goes %ad/ for %adness is the %ost disgraceful thing that can o!ertake a wild creature0 e call it h*dro'ho1ia/ 1ut

the* call it dewanee5the %adness5and run0 "&nter/ then/ and look/" said .ather olf stiffl*/ "1ut there is no food here0" ".or a wolf/ no/" said Ta1a2ui/ "1ut for so %ean a 'erson as %*self a dr* 1one is a good feast0 ho are we/ the (idur-log 6the )ackal 'eo'le7/ to 'ick and choose8" He scuttled to the 1ack of the ca!e/ where he found the 1one of a 1uck with so%e %eat on it/ and sat cracking the end %erril*0 "+ll thanks for this good %eal/" he said/ licking his li's0 "How 1eautiful are the no1le children! How large are their e*es! +nd so *oung too! -ndeed/ indeed/ - %ight ha!e re%e%1ered that the children of kings are %en fro% the 1eginning0" 9ow/ Ta1a2ui knew as well as an*one else that there is nothing so unluck* as to co%'li%ent children to their faces0 -t 'leased hi% to see Mother and .ather olf look unco%forta1le0 Ta1a2ui sat still/ re)oicing in the %ischief that he had %ade/ and then he said s'itefull*3 "Shere Khan/ the Big 4ne/ has shifted his hunting grounds0 He will hunt a%ong these hills for the ne:t %oon/ so he has told %e0" Shere Khan was the tiger who li!ed near the aingunga Ri!er/ twent* %iles awa*0 "He has no right!" .ather olf 1egan angril*5"B* the Law of the ;ungle he has no right to change his 2uarters without due warning0 He will frighten e!er* head of ga%e within ten %iles/ and -5ha!e to kill for two/ these da*s0" "His %other did not call hi% Lungri 6the La%e 4ne7 for nothing/" said Mother olf 2uietl*0 "He has 1een la%e in one foot fro% his 1irth0 That is wh* he has onl* killed cattle0 9ow the !illagers of the aingunga are angr* with hi%/ and he has co%e here to %ake our !illagers angr*0 The* will scour the )ungle for hi% when he is far awa*/ and we and our children %ust run when the grass is set alight0 -ndeed/ we are !er* grateful to Shere Khan!" "Shall - tell hi% of *our gratitude8" said Ta1a2ui0 "4ut!" sna''ed .ather night0" olf0 "4ut and hunt with th* %aster0 Thou hast done har% enough for one

"- go/" said Ta1a2ui 2uietl*0 "<e can hear Shere Khan 1elow in the thickets0 - %ight ha!e sa!ed %*self the %essage0" .ather olf listened/ and 1elow in the !alle* that ran down to a little ri!er he heard the dr*/ angr*/ snarl*/ singsong whine of a tiger who has caught nothing and does not care if all the )ungle knows it0 "The fool!" said .ather olf0 "To 1egin a night's work with that noise! "oes he think that our 1uck are like his fat aingunga 1ullocks8" "H'sh0 -t is neither 1ullock nor 1uck he hunts to-night/" said Mother olf0 "-t is Man0" The whine had changed to a sort of hu%%ing 'urr that see%ed to co%e fro% e!er* 2uarter of the co%'ass0 -t was the noise that 1ewilders woodcutters and g*'sies slee'ing in the o'en/ and %akes the% run so%eti%es into the !er* %outh of the tiger0 "Man!" said .ather olf/ showing all his white teeth0 ".augh! +re there not enough 1eetles and frogs in the tanks that he %ust eat Man/ and on our ground too!" The Law of the ;ungle/ which ne!er orders an*thing without a reason/ for1ids e!er* 1east to eat Man e:ce't when he is killing to show his children how to kill/ and then he %ust hunt outside the hunting grounds of his 'ack or tri1e0 The real reason for this is that %an-killing %eans/ sooner or later/ the arri!al of white %en on ele'hants/ with guns/ and hundreds of 1rown %en with gongs and rockets and torches0 Then e!er*1od* in the )ungle suffers0 The reason the 1easts gi!e a%ong the%sel!es is that Man is the weakest and %ost defenseless of all li!ing things/ and it is

uns'orts%anlike to touch hi%0 The* sa* too5and it is true5that %an-eaters 1eco%e %ang*/ and lose their teeth0 The 'urr grew louder/ and ended in the full-throated "+aarh!" of the tiger's charge0 Then there was a howl5an untigerish howl5fro% Shere Khan0 "He has %issed/" said Mother olf0 " hat is it8" .ather olf ran out a few 'aces and heard Shere Khan %uttering and %u%1ling sa!agel* as he tu%1led a1out in the scru10 "The fool has had no %ore sense than to )u%' at a woodcutter's ca%'fire/ and has 1urned his feet/" said .ather olf with a grunt0 "Ta1a2ui is with hi%0" "So%ething is co%ing u'hill/" said Mother olf/ twitching one ear0 "(et read*0" The 1ushes rustled a little in the thicket/ and .ather olf dro''ed with his haunches under hi%/ read* for his lea'0 Then/ if *ou had 1een watching/ *ou would ha!e seen the %ost wonderful thing in the world5the wolf checked in %id-s'ring0 He %ade his 1ound 1efore he saw what it was he was )u%'ing at/ and then he tried to sto' hi%self0 The result was that he shot u' straight into the air for four or fi!e feet/ landing al%ost where he left ground0 "Man!" he sna''ed0 "+ %an's cu10 Look!" "irectl* in front of hi%/ holding on 1* a low 1ranch/ stood a naked 1rown 1a1* who could )ust walk5as soft and as di%'led a little ato% as e!er ca%e to a wolf's ca!e at night0 He looked u' into .ather olf's face/ and laughed0 "-s that a %an's cu18" said Mother olf0 "- ha!e ne!er seen one0 Bring it here0" + olf accusto%ed to %o!ing his own cu1s can/ if necessar*/ %outh an egg without 1reaking it/ and though .ather olf's )aws closed right on the child's 1ack not a tooth e!en scratched the skin as he laid it down a%ong the cu1s0 "How little! How naked/ and5how 1old!" said Mother olf softl*0 The 1a1* was 'ushing his wa* 1etween the cu1s to get close to the war% hide0 "+hai! He is taking his %eal with the others0 +nd so this is a %an's cu10 9ow/ was there e!er a wolf that could 1oast of a %an's cu1 a%ong her children8" "- ha!e heard now and again of such a thing/ 1ut ne!er in our Pack or in %* ti%e/" said .ather olf0 "He is altogether without hair/ and - could kill hi% with a touch of %* foot0 But see/ he looks u' and is not afraid0" The %oonlight was 1locked out of the %outh of the ca!e/ for Shere Khan's great s2uare head and shoulders were thrust into the entrance0 Ta1a2ui/ 1ehind hi%/ was s2ueaking3 "M* lord/ %* lord/ it went in here!" "Shere Khan does us great honor/" said .ather Shere Khan need8" olf/ 1ut his e*es were !er* angr*0 " hat does

"M* 2uarr*0 + %an's cu1 went this wa*/" said Shere Khan0 "-ts 'arents ha!e run off0 (i!e it to %e0" Shere Khan had )u%'ed at a woodcutter's ca%'fire/ as .ather olf had said/ and was furious fro% the 'ain of his 1urned feet0 But .ather olf knew that the %outh of the ca!e was too narrow for a tiger to co%e in 1*0 &!en where he was/ Shere Khan's shoulders and fore'aws were cra%'ed for want of roo%/ as a %an's would 1e if he tried to fight in a 1arrel0 "The ol!es are a free 'eo'le/" said .ather olf0 "The* take orders fro% the Head of the Pack/ and not fro% an* stri'ed cattle-killer0 The %an's cu1 is ours5to kill if we choose0" "<e choose and *e do not choose! hat talk is this of choosing8 B* the 1ull that - killed/ a% - to stand nosing into *our dog's den for %* fair dues8 -t is -/ Shere Khan/ who s'eak!"

The tiger's roar filled the ca!e with thunder0 Mother olf shook herself clear of the cu1s and s'rang forward/ her e*es/ like two green %oons in the darkness/ facing the 1la#ing e*es of Shere Khan0 "+nd it is -/ Raksha 6The "e%on7/ who answers0 The %an's cu1 is %ine/ Lungri5%ine to %e! He shall not 1e killed0 He shall li!e to run with the Pack and to hunt with the Pack= and in the end/ look *ou/ hunter of little naked cu1s5frog-eater5fish-killer5he shall hunt thee! 9ow get hence/ or 1* the Sa%1hur that - killed >- eat no star!ed cattle?/ 1ack thou goest to th* %other/ 1urned 1east of the )ungle/ la%er than e!er thou ca%est into the world! (o!" .ather olf looked on a%a#ed0 He had al%ost forgotten the da*s when he won Mother olf in fair fight fro% fi!e other wol!es/ when she ran in the Pack and was not called The "e%on for co%'li%ent's sake0 Shere Khan %ight ha!e faced .ather olf/ 1ut he could not stand u' against Mother olf/ for he knew that where he was she had all the ad!antage of the ground/ and would fight to the death0 So he 1acked out of the ca!e %outh growling/ and when he was clear he shouted3 "&ach dog 1arks in his own *ard! e will see what the Pack will sa* to this fostering of %an-cu1s0 The cu1 is %ine/ and to %* teeth he will co%e in the end/ 4 1ush-tailed thie!es!" Mother olf threw herself down 'anting a%ong the cu1s/ and .ather olf said to her gra!el*3 ilt thou still kee' hi%/ "Shere Khan s'eaks this %uch truth0 The cu1 %ust 1e shown to the Pack0 Mother8"

"Kee' hi%!" she gas'ed0 "He ca%e naked/ 1* night/ alone and !er* hungr*= *et he was not afraid! Look/ he has 'ushed one of %* 1a1es to one side alread*0 +nd that la%e 1utcher would ha!e killed hi% and would ha!e run off to the aingunga while the !illagers here hunted through all our lairs in re!enge! Kee' hi%8 +ssuredl* - will kee' hi%0 Lie still/ little frog0 4 thou Mowgli5for Mowgli the .rog - will call thee5the ti%e will co%e when thou wilt hunt Shere Khan as he has hunted thee0" "But what will our Pack sa*8" said .ather olf0 The Law of the ;ungle la*s down !er* clearl* that an* wolf %a*/ when he %arries/ withdraw fro% the Pack he 1elongs to0 But as soon as his cu1s are old enough to stand on their feet he %ust 1ring the% to the Pack $ouncil/ which is generall* held once a %onth at full %oon/ in order that the other wol!es %a* identif* the%0 +fter that ins'ection the cu1s are free to run where the* 'lease/ and until the* ha!e killed their first 1uck no e:cuse is acce'ted if a grown wolf of the Pack kills one of the%0 The 'unish%ent is death where the %urderer can 1e found= and if *ou think for a %inute *ou will see that this %ust 1e so0 .ather olf waited till his cu1s could run a little/ and then on the night of the Pack Meeting took the% and Mowgli and Mother olf to the $ouncil Rock5a hillto' co!ered with stones and 1oulders where a hundred wol!es could hide0 +kela/ the great gra* Lone olf/ who led all the Pack 1* strength and cunning/ la* out at full length on his rock/ and 1elow hi% sat fort* or %ore wol!es of e!er* si#e and color/ fro% 1adger-colored !eterans who could handle a 1uck alone to *oung 1lack three-*ear-olds who thought the* could0 The Lone olf had led the% for a *ear now0 He had fallen twice into a wolf tra' in his *outh/ and once he had 1een 1eaten and left for dead= so he knew the %anners and custo%s of %en0 There was !er* little talking at the Rock0 The cu1s tu%1led o!er each other in the center of the circle where their %others and fathers sat/ and now and again a senior wolf would go 2uietl* u' to a cu1/ look at hi% carefull*/ and return to his 'lace on noiseless feet0 So%eti%es a %other would 'ush her cu1 far out into the %oonlight to 1e sure that he had not 1een o!erlooked0 +kela fro% his rock would cr*3 "<e know the Law5*e know the Law0 Look well/ 4 ol!es!" +nd the an:ious %others would take u' the call3 "Look5look well/ 4 ol!es!" +t last5and Mother olf's neck 1ristles lifted as the ti%e ca%e5.ather olf 'ushed "Mowgli the .rog/" as the* called hi%/ into the center/ where he sat laughing and 'la*ing with so%e 'e11les that glistened in the %oonlight0 +kela ne!er raised his head fro% his 'aws/ 1ut went on with the %onotonous cr*3 "Look well!" +

%uffled roar ca%e u' fro% 1ehind the rocks5the !oice of Shere Khan cr*ing3 "The cu1 is %ine0 (i!e hi% to %e0 hat ha!e the .ree Peo'le to do with a %an's cu18" +kela ne!er e!en twitched his ears0 +ll he said was3 "Look well/ 4 ol!es! hat ha!e the .ree Peo'le to do with the orders of an* sa!e the .ree Peo'le8 Look well!" There was a chorus of dee' growls/ and a *oung wolf in his fourth *ear flung 1ack Shere Khan's 2uestion to +kela3 " hat ha!e the .ree Peo'le to do with a %an's cu18" 9ow/ the Law of the ;ungle la*s down that if there is an* dis'ute as to the right of a cu1 to 1e acce'ted 1* the Pack/ he %ust 1e s'oken for 1* at least two %e%1ers of the Pack who are not his father and %other0 " ho s'eaks for this cu18" said +kela0 "+%ong the .ree Peo'le who s'eaks8" There was no answer and Mother olf got read* for what she knew would 1e her last fight/ if things ca%e to fighting0 Then the onl* other creature who is allowed at the Pack $ouncil5Baloo/ the slee'* 1rown 1ear who teaches the wolf cu1s the Law of the ;ungle3 old Baloo/ who can co%e and go where he 'leases 1ecause he eats onl* nuts and roots and hone*5rose u'on his hind 2uarters and grunted0 "The %an's cu15the %an's cu18" he said0 "- s'eak for the %an's cu10 There is no har% in a %an's cu10 - ha!e no gift of words/ 1ut - s'eak the truth0 Let hi% run with the Pack/ and 1e entered with the others0 - %*self will teach hi%0" " e need *et another/" said +kela0 "Baloo has s'oken/ and he is our teacher for the *oung cu1s0 ho s'eaks 1esides Baloo8" + 1lack shadow dro''ed down into the circle0 -t was Bagheera the Black Panther/ ink* 1lack all o!er/ 1ut with the 'anther %arkings showing u' in certain lights like the 'attern of watered silk0 &!er*1od* knew Bagheera/ and no1od* cared to cross his 'ath= for he was as cunning as Ta1a2ui/ as 1old as the wild 1uffalo/ and as reckless as the wounded ele'hant0 But he had a !oice as soft as wild hone* dri''ing fro% a tree/ and a skin softer than down0 "4 +kela/ and *e the .ree Peo'le/" he 'urred/ "- ha!e no right in *our asse%1l*/ 1ut the Law of the ;ungle sa*s that if there is a dou1t which is not a killing %atter in regard to a new cu1/ the life of that cu1 %a* 1e 1ought at a 'rice0 +nd the Law does not sa* who %a* or %a* not 'a* that 'rice0 +% - right8" "(ood! (ood!" said the *oung wol!es/ who are alwa*s hungr*0 "Listen to Bagheera0 The cu1 can 1e 1ought for a 'rice0 -t is the Law0" "Knowing that - ha!e no right to s'eak here/ - ask *our lea!e0" "S'eak then/" cried twent* !oices0 "To kill a naked cu1 is sha%e0 Besides/ he %a* %ake 1etter s'ort for *ou when he is grown0 Baloo has s'oken in his 1ehalf0 9ow to Baloo's word - will add one 1ull/ and a fat one/ newl* killed/ not half a %ile fro% here/ if *e will acce't the %an's cu1 according to the Law0 -s it difficult8" There was a cla%or of scores of !oices/ sa*ing3 " hat %atter8 He will die in the winter rains0 He will scorch in the sun0 hat har% can a naked frog do us8 Let hi% run with the Pack0 here is the 1ull/ Bagheera8 Let hi% 1e acce'ted0" +nd then ca%e +kela's dee' 1a*/ cr*ing3 "Look well5look well/ 4 ol!es!" Mowgli was still dee'l* interested in the 'e11les/ and he did not notice when the wol!es ca%e and looked at hi% one 1* one0 +t last the* all went down the hill for the dead 1ull/ and onl* +kela/ Bagheera/ Baloo/ and Mowgli's own wol!es were left0 Shere Khan roared still in the night/ for he was !er* angr* that Mowgli had not 1een handed o!er to hi%0 "+*/ roar well/" said Bagheera/ under his whiskers/ "for the ti%e will co%e when this naked thing will %ake thee roar to another tune/ or - know nothing of %an0" "-t was well done/" said +kela0 "Men and their cu1s are !er* wise0 He %a* 1e a hel' in ti%e0"

"Trul*/ a hel' in ti%e of need= for none can ho'e to lead the Pack fore!er/" said Bagheera0 +kela said nothing0 He was thinking of the ti%e that co%es to e!er* leader of e!er* 'ack when his strength goes fro% hi% and he gets fee1ler and fee1ler/ till at last he is killed 1* the wol!es and a new leader co%es u'5to 1e killed in his turn0 "Take hi% awa*/" he said to .ather olf/ "and train hi% as 1efits one of the .ree Peo'le0" olf Pack for the 'rice of a 1ull and on +nd that is how Mowgli was entered into the Seeonee Baloo's good word0

9ow *ou %ust 1e content to ski' ten or ele!en whole *ears/ and onl* guess at all the wonderful life that Mowgli led a%ong the wol!es/ 1ecause if it were written out it would fill e!er so %an* 1ooks0 He grew u' with the cu1s/ though the*/ of course/ were grown wol!es al%ost 1efore he was a child0 +nd .ather olf taught hi% his 1usiness/ and the %eaning of things in the )ungle/ till e!er* rustle in the grass/ e!er* 1reath of the war% night air/ e!er* note of the owls a1o!e his head/ e!er* scratch of a 1at's claws as it roosted for a while in a tree/ and e!er* s'lash of e!er* little fish )u%'ing in a 'ool %eant )ust as %uch to hi% as the work of his office %eans to a 1usiness %an0 hen he was not learning he sat out in the sun and sle't/ and ate and went to slee' again0 hen he felt dirt* or hot he swa% in the forest 'ools= and when he wanted hone* >Baloo told hi% that hone* and nuts were )ust as 'leasant to eat as raw %eat? he cli%1ed u' for it/ and that Bagheera showed hi% how to do0 Bagheera would lie out on a 1ranch and call/ "$o%e along/ Little Brother/" and at first Mowgli would cling like the sloth/ 1ut afterward he would fling hi%self through the 1ranches al%ost as 1oldl* as the gra* a'e0 He took his 'lace at the $ouncil Rock/ too/ when the Pack %et/ and there he disco!ered that if he stared hard at an* wolf/ the wolf would 1e forced to dro' his e*es/ and so he used to stare for fun0 +t other ti%es he would 'ick the long thorns out of the 'ads of his friends/ for wol!es suffer terri1l* fro% thorns and 1urs in their coats0 He would go down the hillside into the culti!ated lands 1* night/ and look !er* curiousl* at the !illagers in their huts/ 1ut he had a %istrust of %en 1ecause Bagheera showed hi% a s2uare 1o: with a dro' gate so cunningl* hidden in the )ungle that he nearl* walked into it/ and told hi% that it was a tra'0 He lo!ed 1etter than an*thing else to go with Bagheera into the dark war% heart of the forest/ to slee' all through the drows* da*/ and at night see how Bagheera did his killing0 Bagheera killed right and left as he felt hungr*/ and so did Mowgli5with one e:ce'tion0 +s soon as he was old enough to understand things/ Bagheera told hi% that he %ust ne!er touch cattle 1ecause he had 1een 1ought into the Pack at the 'rice of a 1ull's life0 "+ll the )ungle is thine/" said Bagheera/ "and thou canst kill e!er*thing that thou art strong enough to kill= 1ut for the sake of the 1ull that 1ought thee thou %ust ne!er kill or eat an* cattle *oung or old0 That is the Law of the ;ungle0" Mowgli o1e*ed faithfull*0 +nd he grew and grew strong as a 1o* %ust grow who does not know that he is learning an* lessons/ and who has nothing in the world to think of e:ce't things to eat0 Mother olf told hi% once or twice that Shere Khan was not a creature to 1e trusted/ and that so%e da* he %ust kill Shere Khan0 But though a *oung wolf would ha!e re%e%1ered that ad!ice e!er* hour/ Mowgli forgot it 1ecause he was onl* a 1o*5though he would ha!e called hi%self a wolf if he had 1een a1le to s'eak in an* hu%an tongue0 Shere Khan was alwa*s crossing his 'ath in the )ungle/ for as +kela grew older and fee1ler the la%e tiger had co%e to 1e great friends with the *ounger wol!es of the Pack/ who followed hi% for scra's/ a thing +kela would ne!er ha!e allowed if he had dared to 'ush his authorit* to the 'ro'er 1ounds0 Then Shere Khan would flatter the% and wonder that such fine *oung hunters were content to 1e led 1* a d*ing wolf and a %an's cu10 "The* tell %e/" Shere Khan would sa*/ "that at $ouncil *e dare not look hi% 1etween the e*es0" +nd the *oung wol!es would growl and 1ristle0 Bagheera/ who had e*es and ears e!er*where/ knew so%ething of this/ and once or twice he told Mowgli in so %an* words that Shere Khan would kill hi% so%e da*0 Mowgli would laugh and answer3 "- ha!e the Pack and - ha!e thee= and Baloo/ though he is so la#*/ %ight strike a 1low or two for %* sake0 h* should - 1e afraid8"

-t was one !er* war% da* that a new notion ca%e to Bagheera51orn of so%ething that he had heard0 Perha's -kki the Porcu'ine had told hi%= 1ut he said to Mowgli when the* were dee' in the )ungle/ as the 1o* la* with his head on Bagheera's 1eautiful 1lack skin/ "Little Brother/ how often ha!e - told thee that Shere Khan is th* ene%*8" "+s %an* ti%es as there are nuts on that 'al%/" said Mowgli/ who/ naturall*/ could not count0 " hat of it8 - a% slee'*/ Bagheera/ and Shere Khan is all long tail and loud talk5like Mao/ the Peacock0" "But this is no ti%e for slee'ing0 Baloo knows it= - know it= the Pack know it= and e!en the foolish/ foolish deer know0 Ta1a2ui has told thee too0" "Ho! ho!" said Mowgli0 "Ta1a2ui ca%e to %e not long ago with so%e rude talk that - was a naked %an's cu1 and not fit to dig 'ig-nuts0 But - caught Ta1a2ui 1* the tail and swung hi% twice against a 'al%-tree to teach hi% 1etter %anners0" "That was foolishness/ for though Ta1a2ui is a %ischief-%aker/ he would ha!e told thee of so%ething that concerned thee closel*0 4'en those e*es/ Little Brother0 Shere Khan dare not kill thee in the )ungle0 But re%e%1er/ +kela is !er* old/ and soon the da* co%es when he cannot kill his 1uck/ and then he will 1e leader no %ore0 Man* of the wol!es that looked thee o!er when thou wast 1rought to the $ouncil first are old too/ and the *oung wol!es 1elie!e/ as Shere Khan has taught the%/ that a %an-cu1 has no 'lace with the Pack0 -n a little ti%e thou wilt 1e a %an0" "+nd what is a %an that he should not run with his 1rothers8" said Mowgli0 "- was 1orn in the )ungle0 - ha!e o1e*ed the Law of the ;ungle/ and there is no wolf of ours fro% whose 'aws - ha!e not 'ulled a thorn0 Surel* the* are %* 1rothers!" Bagheera stretched hi%self at full length and half shut his e*es0 "Little Brother/" said he/ "feel under %* )aw0" Mowgli 'ut u' his strong 1rown hand/ and )ust under Bagheera's silk* chin/ where the giant rolling %uscles were all hid 1* the gloss* hair/ he ca%e u'on a little 1ald s'ot0 "There is no one in the )ungle that knows that -/ Bagheera/ carr* that %ark5the %ark of the collar= and *et/ Little Brother/ - was 1orn a%ong %en/ and it was a%ong %en that %* %other died5in the cages of the king's 'alace at 4ode*'ore0 -t was 1ecause of this that - 'aid the 'rice for thee at the $ouncil when thou wast a little naked cu10 <es/ - too was 1orn a%ong %en0 - had ne!er seen the )ungle0 The* fed %e 1ehind 1ars fro% an iron 'an till one night - felt that - was Bagheera5the Panther5and no %an's 'la*thing/ and - 1roke the sill* lock with one 1low of %* 'aw and ca%e awa*0 +nd 1ecause - had learned the wa*s of %en/ - 1eca%e %ore terri1le in the )ungle than Shere Khan0 -s it not so8" "<es/" said Mowgli/ "all the )ungle fear Bagheera5all e:ce't Mowgli0" "4h/ thou art a %an's cu1/" said the Black Panther !er* tenderl*0 "+nd e!en as - returned to %* )ungle/ so thou %ust go 1ack to %en at last5to the %en who are th* 1rothers5if thou art not killed in the $ouncil0" "But wh*51ut wh* should an* wish to kill %e8" said Mowgli0 "Look at %e/" said Bagheera0 +nd Mowgli looked at hi% steadil* 1etween the e*es0 The 1ig 'anther turned his head awa* in half a %inute0 "That is wh*/" he said/ shifting his 'aw on the lea!es0 "9ot e!en - can look thee 1etween the e*es/ and - was 1orn a%ong %en/ and - lo!e thee/ Little Brother0 The others the* hate thee 1ecause their e*es cannot %eet thine= 1ecause thou art wise= 1ecause thou hast 'ulled out thorns fro% their feet5 1ecause thou art a %an0" "- did not know these things/" said Mowgli sullenl*/ and he frowned under his hea!* 1lack e*e1rows0

" hat is the Law of the ;ungle8 Strike first and then gi!e tongue0 B* th* !er* carelessness the* know that thou art a %an0 But 1e wise0 -t is in %* heart that when +kela %isses his ne:t kill5and at each hunt it costs hi% %ore to 'in the 1uck5the Pack will turn against hi% and against thee0 The* will hold a )ungle $ouncil at the Rock/ and then5and then5- ha!e it!" said Bagheera/ lea'ing u'0 "(o thou down 2uickl* to the %en's huts in the !alle*/ and take so%e of the Red .lower which the* grow there/ so that when the ti%e co%es thou %a*est ha!e e!en a stronger friend than - or Baloo or those of the Pack that lo!e thee0 (et the Red .lower0" B* Red .lower Bagheera %eant fire/ onl* no creature in the )ungle will call fire 1* its 'ro'er na%e0 &!er* 1east li!es in deadl* fear of it/ and in!ents a hundred wa*s of descri1ing it0 "The Red .lower8" said Mowgli0 "That grows outside their huts in the twilight0 - will get so%e0" "There s'eaks the %an's cu1/" said Bagheera 'roudl*0 "Re%e%1er that it grows in little 'ots0 (et one swiftl*/ and kee' it 1* thee for ti%e of need0" "(ood!" said Mowgli0 "- go0 But art thou sure/ 4 %* Bagheera"5he sli''ed his ar% around the s'lendid neck and looked dee' into the 1ig e*es5"art thou sure that all this is Shere Khan's doing8" "B* the Broken Lock that freed %e/ - a% sure/ Little Brother0" "Then/ 1* the Bull that 1ought %e/ - will 'a* Shere Khan full tale for this/ and it %a* 1e a little o!er/" said Mowgli/ and he 1ounded awa*0 "That is a %an0 That is all a %an/" said Bagheera to hi%self/ l*ing down again0 "4h/ Shere Khan/ ne!er was a 1lacker hunting than that frog-hunt of thine ten *ears ago!" Mowgli was far and far through the forest/ running hard/ and his heart was hot in hi%0 He ca%e to the ca!e as the e!ening %ist rose/ and drew 1reath/ and looked down the !alle*0 The cu1s were out/ 1ut Mother olf/ at the 1ack of the ca!e/ knew 1* his 1reathing that so%ething was trou1ling her frog0 " hat is it/ Son8" she said0 "So%e 1at's chatter of Shere Khan/" he called 1ack0 "- hunt a%ong the 'lowed fields tonight/" and he 'lunged downward through the 1ushes/ to the strea% at the 1otto% of the !alle*0 There he checked/ for he heard the *ell of the Pack hunting/ heard the 1ellow of a hunted Sa%1hur/ and the snort as the 1uck turned at 1a*0 Then there were wicked/ 1itter howls fro% the *oung wol!es3 "+kela! +kela! Let the Lone olf show his strength0 Roo% for the leader of the Pack! S'ring/ +kela!" The Lone olf %ust ha!e s'rung and %issed his hold/ for Mowgli heard the sna' of his teeth and then a *el' as the Sa%1hur knocked hi% o!er with his forefoot0 He did not wait for an*thing %ore/ 1ut dashed on= and the *ells grew fainter 1ehind hi% as he ran into the cro'lands where the !illagers li!ed0 "Bagheera s'oke truth/" he 'anted/ as he nestled down in so%e cattle fodder 1* the window of a hut0 "To-%orrow is one da* 1oth for +kela and for %e0" Then he 'ressed his face close to the window and watched the fire on the hearth0 He saw the hus1and%an's wife get u' and feed it in the night with 1lack lu%'s0 +nd when the %orning ca%e and the %ists were all white and cold/ he saw the %an's child 'ick u' a wicker 'ot 'lastered inside with earth/ fill it with lu%'s of red-hot charcoal/ 'ut it under his 1lanket/ and go out to tend the cows in the 1*re0 "-s that all8" said Mowgli0 "-f a cu1 can do it/ there is nothing to fear0" So he strode round the corner and %et the 1o*/ took the 'ot fro% his hand/ and disa''eared into the %ist while the 1o* howled with fear0 "The* are !er* like %e/" said Mowgli/ 1lowing into the 'ot as he had seen the wo%an do0 "This

thing will die if - do not gi!e it things to eat"= and he dro''ed twigs and dried 1ark on the red stuff0 Halfwa* u' the hill he %et Bagheera with the %orning dew shining like %oonstones on his coat0 "+kela has %issed/" said the Panther0 "The* would ha!e killed hi% last night/ 1ut the* needed thee also0 The* were looking for thee on the hill0" "- was a%ong the 'lowed lands0 - a% read*0 See!" Mowgli held u' the fire-'ot0 "(ood! 9ow/ - ha!e seen %en thrust a dr* 1ranch into that stuff/ and 'resentl* the Red .lower 1losso%ed at the end of it0 +rt thou not afraid8" "9o0 h* should - fear8 - re%e%1er now5if it is not a drea%5how/ 1efore - was a 1eside the Red .lower/ and it was war% and 'leasant0" olf/ - la*

+ll that da* Mowgli sat in the ca!e tending his fire 'ot and di''ing dr* 1ranches into it to see how the* looked0 He found a 1ranch that satisfied hi%/ and in the e!ening when Ta1a2ui ca%e to the ca!e and told hi% rudel* enough that he was wanted at the $ouncil Rock/ he laughed till Ta1a2ui ran awa*0 Then Mowgli went to the $ouncil/ still laughing0 +kela the Lone olf la* 1* the side of his rock as a sign that the leadershi' of the Pack was o'en/ and Shere Khan with his following of scra'-fed wol!es walked to and fro o'enl* 1eing flattered0 Bagheera la* close to Mowgli/ and the fire 'ot was 1etween Mowgli's knees0 hen the* were all gathered together/ Shere Khan 1egan to s'eak5a thing he would ne!er ha!e dared to do when +kela was in his 'ri%e0 "He has no right/" whis'ered Bagheera0 "Sa* so0 He is a dog's son0 He will 1e frightened0" Mowgli s'rang to his feet0 ".ree Peo'le/" he cried/ "does Shere Khan lead the Pack8 tiger to do with our leadershi'8" hat has a

"Seeing that the leadershi' is *et o'en/ and 1eing asked to s'eak5" Shere Khan 1egan0 "B* who%8" said Mowgli0 "+re we all )ackals/ to fawn on this cattle 1utcher8 The leadershi' of the Pack is with the Pack alone0" There were *ells of "Silence/ thou %an's cu1!" "Let hi% s'eak0 He has ke't our Law"= and at last the seniors of the Pack thundered3 "Let the "ead olf s'eak0" hen a leader of the Pack has %issed his kill/ he is called the "ead olf as long as he li!es/ which is not long0 +kela raised his old head wearil*35 ".ree Peo'le/ and *e too/ )ackals of Shere Khan/ for twel!e seasons - ha!e led *e to and fro% the kill/ and in all that ti%e not one has 1een tra''ed or %ai%ed0 9ow - ha!e %issed %* kill0 <e know how that 'lot was %ade0 <e know how *e 1rought %e u' to an untried 1uck to %ake %* weakness known0 -t was cle!erl* done0 <our right is to kill %e here on the $ouncil Rock/ now0 Therefore/ ask/ who co%es to %ake an end of the Lone olf8 .or it is %* right/ 1* the Law of the ;ungle/ that *e co%e one 1* one0" There was a long hush/ for no single wolf cared to fight +kela to the death0 Then Shere Khan roared3 "Bah! hat ha!e we to do with this toothless fool8 He is doo%ed to die! -t is the %an-cu1 who has li!ed too long0 .ree Peo'le/ he was %* %eat fro% the first0 (i!e hi% to %e0 - a% wear* of this %an-wolf foll*0 He has trou1led the )ungle for ten seasons0 (i!e %e the %an-cu1/ or - will hunt here alwa*s/ and not gi!e *ou one 1one0 He is a %an/ a %an's child/ and fro% the %arrow of %* 1ones - hate hi%!" Then %ore than half the Pack *elled3 "+ %an! + %an! his own 'lace0" hat has a %an to do with us8 Let hi% go to

"+nd turn all the 'eo'le of the !illages against us8" cla%ored Shere Khan0 "9o/ gi!e hi% to %e0 He is a %an/ and none of us can look hi% 1etween the e*es0" +kela lifted his head again and said/ "He has eaten our food0 He has sle't with us0 He has dri!en

ga%e for us0 He has 1roken no word of the Law of the ;ungle0" "+lso/ - 'aid for hi% with a 1ull when he was acce'ted0 The worth of a 1ull is little/ 1ut Bagheera's honor is so%ething that he will 'erha's fight for/" said Bagheera in his gentlest !oice0 "+ 1ull 'aid ten *ears ago!" the Pack snarled0 " hat do we care for 1ones ten *ears old8" "4r for a 'ledge8" said Bagheera/ his white teeth 1ared under his li'0 " ell are *e called the .ree Peo'le!" "9o %an's cu1 can run with the 'eo'le of the )ungle/" howled Shere Khan0 "(i!e hi% to %e!" "He is our 1rother in all 1ut 1lood/" +kela went on/ "and *e would kill hi% here! -n truth/ - ha!e li!ed too long0 So%e of *e are eaters of cattle/ and of others - ha!e heard that/ under Shere Khan's teaching/ *e go 1* dark night and snatch children fro% the !illager's doorste'0 Therefore - know *e to 1e cowards/ and it is to cowards - s'eak0 -t is certain that - %ust die/ and %* life is of no worth/ or - would offer that in the %an-cu1's 'lace0 But for the sake of the Honor of the Pack/5a little %atter that 1* 1eing without a leader *e ha!e forgotten/5- 'ro%ise that if *e let the %an-cu1 go to his own 'lace/ - will not/ when %* ti%e co%es to die/ 1are one tooth against *e0 - will die without fighting0 That will at least sa!e the Pack three li!es0 More - cannot do= 1ut if *e will/ - can sa!e *e the sha%e that co%es of killing a 1rother against who% there is no fault5a 1rother s'oken for and 1ought into the Pack according to the Law of the ;ungle0" "He is a %an5a %an5a %an!" snarled the Pack0 +nd %ost of the wol!es 1egan to gather round Shere Khan/ whose tail was 1eginning to switch0 "9ow the 1usiness is in th* hands/" said Bagheera to Mowgli0 " e can do no %ore e:ce't fight0" Mowgli stood u'right5the fire 'ot in his hands0 Then he stretched out his ar%s/ and *awned in the face of the $ouncil= 1ut he was furious with rage and sorrow/ for/ wolflike/ the wol!es had ne!er told hi% how the* hated hi%0 "Listen *ou!" he cried0 "There is no need for this dog's )a11er0 <e ha!e told %e so often tonight that - a% a %an >and indeed - would ha!e 1een a wolf with *ou to %* life's end? that - feel *our words are true0 So - do not call *e %* 1rothers an* %ore/ 1ut sag 6dogs7/ as a %an should0 hat *e will do/ and what *e will not do/ is not *ours to sa*0 That %atter is with %e= and that we %a* see the %atter %ore 'lainl*/ -/ the %an/ ha!e 1rought here a little of the Red .lower which *e/ dogs/ fear0" He flung the fire 'ot on the ground/ and so%e of the red coals lit a tuft of dried %oss that flared u'/ as all the $ouncil drew 1ack in terror 1efore the lea'ing fla%es0 Mowgli thrust his dead 1ranch into the fire till the twigs lit and crackled/ and whirled it a1o!e his head a%ong the cowering wol!es0 "Thou art the %aster/" said Bagheera in an undertone0 "Sa!e +kela fro% the death0 He was e!er th* friend0" +kela/ the gri% old wolf who had ne!er asked for %erc* in his life/ ga!e one 'iteous look at Mowgli as the 1o* stood all naked/ his long 1lack hair tossing o!er his shoulders in the light of the 1la#ing 1ranch that %ade the shadows )u%' and 2ui!er0 "(ood!" said Mowgli/ staring round slowl*0 "- see that *e are dogs0 - go fro% *ou to %* own 'eo'le 5if the* 1e %* own 'eo'le0 The )ungle is shut to %e/ and - %ust forget *our talk and *our co%'anionshi'0 But - will 1e %ore %erciful than *e are0 Because - was all 1ut *our 1rother in 1lood/ - 'ro%ise that when - a% a %an a%ong %en - will not 1etra* *e to %en as *e ha!e 1etra*ed %e0" He kicked the fire with his foot/ and the s'arks flew u'0 "There shall 1e no war 1etween an* of us in the Pack0 But here is a de1t to 'a* 1efore - go0" He strode forward to where Shere Khan sat 1linking stu'idl* at the fla%es/ and caught hi% 1* the tuft on his chin0 Bagheera followed in case of accidents0 "@'/ dog!" Mowgli cried0 "@'/ when a %an s'eaks/ or - will set that coat a1la#e!" Shere Khan's ears la* flat 1ack on his head/ and he shut his e*es/ for the 1la#ing 1ranch was !er*

near0 "This cattle-killer said he would kill %e in the $ouncil 1ecause he had not killed %e when - was a cu10 Thus and thus/ then/ do we 1eat dogs when we are %en0 Stir a whisker/ Lungri/ and - ra% the Red .lower down th* gullet!" He 1eat Shere Khan o!er the head with the 1ranch/ and the tiger whi%'ered and whined in an agon* of fear0 "Pah! Singed )ungle cat5go now! But re%e%1er when ne:t - co%e to the $ouncil Rock/ as a %an should co%e/ it will 1e with Shere Khan's hide on %* head0 .or the rest/ +kela goes free to li!e as he 'leases0 <e will not kill hi%/ 1ecause that is not %* will0 9or do - think that *e will sit here an* longer/ lolling out *our tongues as though *e were so%e1odies/ instead of dogs who% - dri!e out5 thus! (o!" The fire was 1urning furiousl* at the end of the 1ranch/ and Mowgli struck right and left round the circle/ and the wol!es ran howling with the s'arks 1urning their fur0 +t last there were onl* +kela/ Bagheera/ and 'erha's ten wol!es that had taken Mowgli's 'art0 Then so%ething 1egan to hurt Mowgli inside hi%/ as he had ne!er 1een hurt in his life 1efore/ and he caught his 1reath and so11ed/ and the tears ran down his face0 " hat is it8 hat is it8" he said0 "- do not wish to lea!e the )ungle/ and - do not know what this is0 +% - d*ing/ Bagheera8" "9o/ Little Brother0 That is onl* tears such as %en use/" said Bagheera0 "9ow - know thou art a %an/ and a %an's cu1 no longer0 The )ungle is shut indeed to thee henceforward0 Let the% fall/ Mowgli0 The* are onl* tears0" So Mowgli sat and cried as though his heart would 1reak= and he had ne!er cried in all his life 1efore0 "9ow/" he said/ "- will go to %en0 But first - %ust sa* farewell to %* %other0" +nd he went to the ca!e where she li!ed with .ather olf/ and he cried on her coat/ while the four cu1s howled %isera1l*0 "<e will not forget %e8" said Mowgli0 "9e!er while we can follow a trail/" said the cu1s0 "$o%e to the foot of the hill when thou art a %an/ and we will talk to thee= and we will co%e into the cro'lands to 'la* with thee 1* night0" "$o%e soon!" said .ather and -0" olf0 "4h/ wise little frog/ co%e again soon= for we 1e old/ th* %other

"$o%e soon/" said Mother olf/ "little naked son of %ine0 .or/ listen/ child of %an/ - lo!ed thee %ore than e!er - lo!ed %* cu1s0" "- will surel* co%e/" said Mowgli0 "+nd when - co%e it will 1e to la* out Shere Khan's hide u'on the $ouncil Rock0 "o not forget %e! Tell the% in the )ungle ne!er to forget %e!" The dawn was 1eginning to 1reak when Mowgli went down the hillside alone/ to %eet those %*sterious things that are called %en0

Hunting!"ong o# t e "eeonee $a%&

's the dawn was breaking the 5a bhur belled 8nce, twice and again? 'nd a doe leaped up, and a doe leaped up 9ro the pond in the wood where the wild deer sup" This 6, scouting alone, beheld, 8nce, twice and again? 's the dawn was breaking the 5a bhur belled

8nce, twice and again? 'nd a wolf stole back, and a wolf stole back To carry the word to the waiting pack, 'nd we sought and we found and we bayed on his track 8nce, twice and again? 's the dawn was breaking the <olf Pack yelled 8nce, twice and again? 9eet in the jungle that lea!e no ark? Eyes that can see in the dark>the dark? Tongue>gi!e tongue to it? :ark? 8 hark? 8nce, twice and again?

Kaa's Hunting
:is spots are the joy of the %eopard& his horns are the Buffalo@s pride" Be clean, for the strength of the hunter is known by the gloss of his hide" 6f ye find that the Bullock can toss you, or the hea!y$browed 5a bhur can goreA #e need not stop work to infor us& we knew it ten seasons before" 8ppress not the cubs of the stranger, but hail the as 5ister and Brother, 9or though they are little and fubsy, it ay be the Bear is their other" BThere is none like to e?B says the 4ub in the pride of his earliest killA But the jungle is large and the 4ub he is s all" %et hi think and be still" =aCi s of Baloo

+ll that is told here ha''ened so%e ti%e 1efore Mowgli was turned out of the Seeonee olf Pack/ or re!enged hi%self on Shere Khan the tiger0 -t was in the da*s when Baloo was teaching hi% the Law of the ;ungle0 The 1ig/ serious/ old 1rown 1ear was delighted to ha!e so 2uick a 'u'il/ for the *oung wol!es will onl* learn as %uch of the Law of the ;ungle as a''lies to their own 'ack and tri1e/ and run awa* as soon as the* can re'eat the Hunting Aerse5".eet that %ake no noise= e*es that can see in the dark= ears that can hear the winds in their lairs/ and shar' white teeth/ all these things are the %arks of our 1rothers e:ce't Ta1a2ui the ;ackal and the H*aena who% we hate0" But Mowgli/ as a %an-cu1/ had to learn a great deal %ore than this0 So%eti%es Bagheera the Black Panther would co%e lounging through the )ungle to see how his 'et was getting on/ and would 'urr with his head against a tree while Mowgli recited the da*'s lesson to Baloo0 The 1o* could cli%1 al%ost as well as he could swi%/ and swi% al%ost as well as he could run0 So Baloo/ the Teacher of the Law/ taught hi% the ood and ater Laws3 how to tell a rotten 1ranch fro% a sound one= how to s'eak 'olitel* to the wild 1ees when he ca%e u'on a hi!e of the% fift* feet a1o!e ground= what to sa* to Mang the Bat when he distur1ed hi% in the 1ranches at %idda*= and how to warn the water-snakes in the 'ools 1efore he s'lashed down a%ong the%0 9one of the ;ungle Peo'le like 1eing distur1ed/ and all are !er* read* to fl* at an intruder0 Then/ too/ Mowgli was taught the Strangers' Hunting $all/ which %ust 1e re'eated aloud till it is answered/ whene!er one of the ;ungle-Peo'le hunts outside his own grounds0 -t %eans/ translated/ "(i!e %e lea!e to hunt here 1ecause - a% hungr*0" +nd the answer is/ "Hunt then for food/ 1ut not for 'leasure0"

+ll this will show *ou how %uch Mowgli had to learn 1* heart/ and he grew !er* tired of sa*ing the sa%e thing o!er a hundred ti%es0 But/ as Baloo said to Bagheera/ one da* when Mowgli had 1een cuffed and run off in a te%'er/ "+ %an's cu1 is a %an's cu1/ and he %ust learn all the Law of the ;ungle0" "But think how s%all he is/" said the Black Panther/ who would ha!e s'oiled Mowgli if he had had his own wa*0 "How can his little head carr* all th* long talk8" "-s there an*thing in the )ungle too little to 1e killed8 9o0 That is wh* - teach hi% these things/ and that is wh* - hit hi%/ !er* softl*/ when he forgets0" "Softl*! hat dost thou know of softness/ old -ron-feet8" Bagheera grunted0 "His face is all 1ruised toda* 1* th*5softness0 @gh0" "Better he should 1e 1ruised fro% head to foot 1* %e who lo!e hi% than that he should co%e to har% through ignorance/" Baloo answered !er* earnestl*0 "- a% now teaching hi% the Master ords of the ;ungle that shall 'rotect hi% with the 1irds and the Snake Peo'le/ and all that hunt on four feet/ e:ce't his own 'ack0 He can now clai% 'rotection/ if he will onl* re%e%1er the words/ fro% all in the )ungle0 -s not that worth a little 1eating8" " ell/ look to it then that thou dost not kill the %an-cu10 He is no tree trunk to shar'en th* 1lunt claws u'on0 But what are those Master ords8 - a% %ore likel* to gi!e hel' than to ask it"5 Bagheera stretched out one 'aw and ad%ired the steel-1lue/ ri''ing-chisel talons at the end of it 5"still - should like to know0" "- will call Mowgli and he shall sa* the%5if he will0 $o%e/ Little Brother!" "M* head is ringing like a 1ee tree/" said a sullen little !oice o!er their heads/ and Mowgli slid down a tree trunk !er* angr* and indignant/ adding as he reached the ground3 "- co%e for Bagheera and not for thee/ fat old Baloo!" "That is all one to %e/" said Baloo/ though he was hurt and grie!ed0 "Tell Bagheera/ then/ the Master ords of the ;ungle that - ha!e taught thee this da*0" "Master ords for which 'eo'le8" said Mowgli/ delighted to show off0 "The )ungle has %an* tongues0 - know the% all0" "+ little thou knowest/ 1ut not %uch0 See/ 4 Bagheera/ the* ne!er thank their teacher0 9ot one s%all wolfling has e!er co%e 1ack to thank old Baloo for his teachings0 Sa* the word for the Hunting-Peo'le/ then5great scholar0" " e 1e of one 1lood/ *e and -/" said Mowgli/ gi!ing the words the Bear accent which all the Hunting Peo'le use0 "(ood0 9ow for the 1irds0" Mowgli re'eated/ with the Kite's whistle at the end of the sentence0 "9ow for the Snake-Peo'le/" said Bagheera0 The answer was a 'erfectl* indescri1a1le hiss/ and Mowgli kicked u' his feet 1ehind/ cla''ed his hands together to a''laud hi%self/ and )u%'ed on to Bagheera's 1ack/ where he sat sidewa*s/ dru%%ing with his heels on the gloss* skin and %aking the worst faces he could think of at Baloo0 "There5there! That was worth a little 1ruise/" said the 1rown 1ear tenderl*0 "So%e da* thou wilt re%e%1er %e0" Then he turned aside to tell Bagheera how he had 1egged the Master ords fro% Hathi the ild &le'hant/ who knows all a1out these things/ and how Hathi had taken Mowgli down to a 'ool to get the Snake ord fro% a water-snake/ 1ecause Baloo could not 'ronounce it/ and how Mowgli was now reasona1l* safe against all accidents in the )ungle/ 1ecause neither snake/ 1ird/ nor 1east would hurt hi%0 "9o one then is to 1e feared/" Baloo wound u'/ 'atting his 1ig furr* sto%ach with 'ride0

"&:ce't his own tri1e/" said Bagheera/ under his 1reath= and then aloud to Mowgli/ "Ha!e a care for %* ri1s/ Little Brother! hat is all this dancing u' and down8" Mowgli had 1een tr*ing to %ake hi%self heard 1* 'ulling at Bagheera's shoulder fur and kicking hard0 hen the two listened to hi% he was shouting at the to' of his !oice/ "+nd so - shall ha!e a tri1e of %* own/ and lead the% through the 1ranches all da* long0" " hat is this new foll*/ little drea%er of drea%s8" said Bagheera0 "<es/ and throw 1ranches and dirt at old Baloo/" Mowgli went on0 "The* ha!e 'ro%ised %e this0 +h!" " hoof!" Baloo's 1ig 'aw scoo'ed Mowgli off Bagheera's 1ack/ and as the 1o* la* 1etween the 1ig fore-'aws he could see the Bear was angr*0 "Mowgli/" said Baloo/ "thou hast 1een talking with the Bandar-log5the Monke* Peo'le0" Mowgli looked at Bagheera to see if the Panther was angr* too/ and Bagheera's e*es were as hard as )ade stones0 "Thou hast 1een with the Monke* Peo'le5the gra* a'es5the 'eo'le without a law5the eaters of e!er*thing0 That is great sha%e0" " hen Baloo hurt %* head/" said Mowgli >he was still on his 1ack?/ "- went awa*/ and the gra* a'es ca%e down fro% the trees and had 'it* on %e0 9o one else cared0" He snuffled a little0 "The 'it* of the Monke* Peo'le!" Baloo snorted0 "The stillness of the %ountain strea%! The cool of the su%%er sun! +nd then/ %an-cu18" "+nd then/ and then/ the* ga!e %e nuts and 'leasant things to eat/ and the*5the* carried %e in their ar%s u' to the to' of the trees and said - was their 1lood 1rother e:ce't that - had no tail/ and should 1e their leader so%e da*0" "The* ha!e no leader/" said Bagheera0 "The* lie0 The* ha!e alwa*s lied0" "The* were !er* kind and 1ade %e co%e again0 h* ha!e - ne!er 1een taken a%ong the Monke* Peo'le8 The* stand on their feet as - do0 The* do not hit %e with their hard 'aws0 The* 'la* all da*0 Let %e get u'! Bad Baloo/ let %e u'! - will 'la* with the% again0" "Listen/ %an-cu1/" said the Bear/ and his !oice ru%1led like thunder on a hot night0 "- ha!e taught thee all the Law of the ;ungle for all the 'eo'les of the )ungle5e:ce't the Monke*-.olk who li!e in the trees0 The* ha!e no law0 The* are outcasts0 The* ha!e no s'eech of their own/ 1ut use the stolen words which the* o!erhear when the* listen/ and 'ee'/ and wait u' a1o!e in the 1ranches0 Their wa* is not our wa*0 The* are without leaders0 The* ha!e no re%e%1rance0 The* 1oast and chatter and 'retend that the* are a great 'eo'le a1out to do great affairs in the )ungle/ 1ut the falling of a nut turns their %inds to laughter and all is forgotten0 e of the )ungle ha!e no dealings with the%0 e do not drink where the %onke*s drink= we do not go where the %onke*s go= we do not hunt where the* hunt= we do not die where the* die0 Hast thou e!er heard %e s'eak of the Bandar-log till toda*8" "9o/" said Mowgli in a whis'er/ for the forest was !er* still now Baloo had finished0 "The ;ungle-Peo'le 'ut the% out of their %ouths and out of their %inds0 The* are !er* %an*/ e!il/ dirt*/ sha%eless/ and the* desire/ if the* ha!e an* fi:ed desire/ to 1e noticed 1* the ;ungle Peo'le0 But we do not notice the% e!en when the* throw nuts and filth on our heads0" He had hardl* s'oken when a shower of nuts and twigs s'attered down through the 1ranches= and the* could hear coughings and howlings and angr* )u%'ings high u' in the air a%ong the thin 1ranches0 "The Monke*-Peo'le are for1idden/" said Baloo/ "for1idden to the ;ungle-Peo'le0 Re%e%1er0"

".or1idden/" said Bagheera/ "1ut - still think Baloo should ha!e warned thee against the%0" "-5-8 How was - to guess he would 'la* with such dirt0 The Monke* Peo'le! .augh!" + fresh shower ca%e down on their heads and the two trotted awa*/ taking Mowgli with the%0 hat Baloo had said a1out the %onke*s was 'erfectl* true0 The* 1elonged to the tree-to's/ and as 1easts !er* seldo% look u'/ there was no occasion for the %onke*s and the ;ungle-Peo'le to cross each other's 'ath0 But whene!er the* found a sick wolf/ or a wounded tiger/ or 1ear/ the %onke*s would tor%ent hi%/ and would throw sticks and nuts at an* 1east for fun and in the ho'e of 1eing noticed0 Then the* would howl and shriek senseless songs/ and in!ite the ;ungle-Peo'le to cli%1 u' their trees and fight the%/ or would start furious 1attles o!er nothing a%ong the%sel!es/ and lea!e the dead %onke*s where the ;ungle-Peo'le could see the%0 The* were alwa*s )ust going to ha!e a leader/ and laws and custo%s of their own/ 1ut the* ne!er did/ 1ecause their %e%ories would not hold o!er fro% da* to da*/ and so the* co%'ro%ised things 1* %aking u' a sa*ing/ " hat the Bandar-log think now the )ungle will think later/" and that co%forted the% a great deal0 9one of the 1easts could reach the%/ 1ut on the other hand none of the 1easts would notice the%/ and that was wh* the* were so 'leased when Mowgli ca%e to 'la* with the%/ and the* heard how angr* Baloo was0 The* ne!er %eant to do an* %ore5the Bandar-log ne!er %ean an*thing at all= 1ut one of the% in!ented what see%ed to hi% a 1rilliant idea/ and he told all the others that Mowgli would 1e a useful 'erson to kee' in the tri1e/ 1ecause he could wea!e sticks together for 'rotection fro% the wind= so/ if the* caught hi%/ the* could %ake hi% teach the%0 4f course Mowgli/ as a woodcutter's child/ inherited all sorts of instincts/ and used to %ake little huts of fallen 1ranches without thinking how he ca%e to do it0 The Monke*-Peo'le/ watching in the trees/ considered his 'la* %ost wonderful0 This ti%e/ the* said/ the* were reall* going to ha!e a leader and 1eco%e the wisest 'eo'le in the )ungle5so wise that e!er*one else would notice and en!* the%0 Therefore the* followed Baloo and Bagheera and Mowgli through the )ungle !er* 2uietl* till it was ti%e for the %idda* na'/ and Mowgli/ who was !er* %uch asha%ed of hi%self/ sle't 1etween the Panther and the Bear/ resol!ing to ha!e no %ore to do with the Monke* Peo'le0 The ne:t thing he re%e%1ered was feeling hands on his legs and ar%s5hard/ strong/ little hands5 and then a swash of 1ranches in his face/ and then he was staring down through the swa*ing 1oughs as Baloo woke the )ungle with his dee' cries and Bagheera 1ounded u' the trunk with e!er* tooth 1ared0 The Bandar-log howled with triu%'h and scuffled awa* to the u''er 1ranches where Bagheera dared not follow/ shouting3 "He has noticed us! Bagheera has noticed us0 +ll the ;unglePeo'le ad%ire us for our skill and our cunning0" Then the* 1egan their flight= and the flight of the Monke*-Peo'le through tree-land is one of the things no1od* can descri1e0 The* ha!e their regular roads and crossroads/ u' hills and down hills/ all laid out fro% fift* to se!ent* or a hundred feet a1o!e ground/ and 1* these the* can tra!el e!en at night if necessar*0 Two of the strongest %onke*s caught Mowgli under the ar%s and swung off with hi% through the treeto's/ twent* feet at a 1ound0 Had the* 1een alone the* could ha!e gone twice as fast/ 1ut the 1o*'s weight held the% 1ack0 Sick and gidd* as Mowgli was he could not hel' en)o*ing the wild rush/ though the gli%'ses of earth far down 1elow frightened hi%/ and the terri1le check and )erk at the end of the swing o!er nothing 1ut e%'t* air 1rought his heart 1etween his teeth0 His escort would rush hi% u' a tree till he felt the thinnest to'%ost 1ranches crackle and 1end under the%/ and then with a cough and a whoo' would fling the%sel!es into the air outward and downward/ and 1ring u'/ hanging 1* their hands or their feet to the lower li%1s of the ne:t tree0 So%eti%es he could see for %iles and %iles across the still green )ungle/ as a %an on the to' of a %ast can see for %iles across the sea/ and then the 1ranches and lea!es would lash hi% across the face/ and he and his two guards would 1e al%ost down to earth again0 So/ 1ounding and crashing and whoo'ing and *elling/ the whole tri1e of Bandar-log swe't along the tree-roads with Mowgli their 'risoner0 .or a ti%e he was afraid of 1eing dro''ed0 Then he grew angr* 1ut knew 1etter than to struggle/ and then he 1egan to think0 The first thing was to send 1ack word to Baloo and Bagheera/ for/ at the

'ace the %onke*s were going/ he knew his friends would 1e left far 1ehind0 -t was useless to look down/ for he could onl* see the to'sides of the 1ranches/ so he stared u'ward and saw/ far awa* in the 1lue/ Rann the Kite 1alancing and wheeling as he ke't watch o!er the )ungle waiting for things to die0 Rann saw that the %onke*s were carr*ing so%ething/ and dro''ed a few hundred *ards to find out whether their load was good to eat0 He whistled with sur'rise when he saw Mowgli 1eing dragged u' to a treeto' and heard hi% gi!e the Kite call for5" e 1e of one 1lood/ thou and -0" The wa!es of the 1ranches closed o!er the 1o*/ 1ut Rann 1alanced awa* to the ne:t tree in ti%e to see the little 1rown face co%e u' again0 "Mark %* trail!" Mowgli shouted0 "Tell Baloo of the Seeonee Pack and Bagheera of the $ouncil Rock0" "-n whose na%e/ Brother8" Rann had ne!er seen Mowgli 1efore/ though of course he had heard of hi%0 "Mowgli/ the .rog0 Man-cu1 the* call %e! Mark %* trail!" The last words were shrieked as he was 1eing swung through the air/ 1ut Rann nodded and rose u' till he looked no 1igger than a s'eck of dust/ and there he hung/ watching with his telesco'e e*es the swa*ing of the treeto's as Mowgli's escort whirled along0 "The* ne!er go far/" he said with a chuckle0 "The* ne!er do what the* set out to do0 +lwa*s 'ecking at new things are the Bandar-log0 This ti%e/ if - ha!e an* e*e-sight/ the* ha!e 'ecked down trou1le for the%sel!es/ for Baloo is no fledgling and Bagheera can/ as - know/ kill %ore than goats0" So he rocked on his wings/ his feet gathered u' under hi%/ and waited0 Meanti%e/ Baloo and Bagheera were furious with rage and grief0 Bagheera cli%1ed as he had ne!er cli%1ed 1efore/ 1ut the thin 1ranches 1roke 1eneath his weight/ and he sli''ed down/ his claws full of 1ark0 " h* didst thou not warn the %an-cu18" he roared to 'oor Baloo/ who had set off at a clu%s* trot in the ho'e of o!ertaking the %onke*s0 " hat was the use of half sla*ing hi% with 1lows if thou didst not warn hi%8" "Haste! 4 haste! e5we %a* catch the% *et!" Baloo 'anted0 "+t that s'eed! -t would not tire a wounded cow0 Teacher of the Law5cu1-1eater5a %ile of that rolling to and fro would 1urst thee o'en0 Sit still and think! Make a 'lan0 This is no ti%e for chasing0 The* %a* dro' hi% if we follow too close0" "+rrula! hoo! The* %a* ha!e dro''ed hi% alread*/ 1eing tired of carr*ing hi%0 ho can trust the Bandar-log8 Put dead 1ats on %* head! (i!e %e 1lack 1ones to eat! Roll %e into the hi!es of the wild 1ees that - %a* 1e stung to death/ and 1ur* %e with the H*aena/ for - a% %ost %isera1le of 1ears! +rulala! ahooa! 4 Mowgli/ Mowgli! h* did - not warn thee against the Monke*-.olk instead of 1reaking th* head8 9ow 'erha's - %a* ha!e knocked the da*'s lesson out of his %ind/ and he will 1e alone in the )ungle without the Master ords0" Baloo clas'ed his 'aws o!er his ears and rolled to and fro %oaning0 "+t least he ga!e %e all the ords correctl* a little ti%e ago/" said Bagheera i%'atientl*0 "Baloo/ thou hast neither %e%or* nor res'ect0 hat would the )ungle think if -/ the Black Panther/ curled %*self u' like -kki the Porcu'ine/ and howled8" " hat do - care what the )ungle thinks8 He %a* 1e dead 1* now0" "@nless and until the* dro' hi% fro% the 1ranches in s'ort/ or kill hi% out of idleness/ - ha!e no fear for the %an-cu10 He is wise and well taught/ and a1o!e all he has the e*es that %ake the ;ungle-Peo'le afraid0 But >and it is a great e!il? he is in the 'ower of the Bandar-log/ and the*/ 1ecause the* li!e in trees/ ha!e no fear of an* of our 'eo'le0" Bagheera licked one fore'aw thoughtfull*0 ".ool that - a%! 4h/ fat/ 1rown/ root-digging fool that - a%/" said Baloo/ uncoiling hi%self with a

)erk/ "it is true what Hathi the ild &le'hant sa*s3 BTo each his own fear'= and the*/ the Bandar-log/ fear Kaa the Rock Snake0 He can cli%1 as well as the* can0 He steals the *oung %onke*s in the night0 The whis'er of his na%e %akes their wicked tails cold0 Let us go to Kaa0" " hat will he do for us8 He is not of our tri1e/ 1eing footless5and with %ost e!il e*es/" said Bagheera0 "He is !er* old and !er* cunning0 +1o!e all/ he is alwa*s hungr*/" said Baloo ho'efull*0 "Pro%ise hi% %an* goats0" "He slee's for a full %onth after he has once eaten0 He %a* 1e aslee' now/ and e!en were he awake what if he would rather kill his own goats8" Bagheera/ who did not know %uch a1out Kaa/ was naturall* sus'icious0 "Then in that case/ thou and - together/ old hunter/ %ight %ake hi% see reason0" Here Baloo ru11ed his faded 1rown shoulder against the Panther/ and the* went off to look for Kaa the Rock P*thon0 The* found hi% stretched out on a war% ledge in the afternoon sun/ ad%iring his 1eautiful new coat/ for he had 1een in retire%ent for the last ten da*s changing his skin/ and now he was !er* s'lendid5darting his 1ig 1lunt-nosed head along the ground/ and twisting the thirt* feet of his 1od* into fantastic knots and cur!es/ and licking his li's as he thought of his dinner to co%e0 "He has not eaten/" said Baloo/ with a grunt of relief/ as soon as he saw the 1eautifull* %ottled 1rown and *ellow )acket0 "Be careful/ Bagheera! He is alwa*s a little 1lind after he has changed his skin/ and !er* 2uick to strike0" Kaa was not a 'oison snake5in fact he rather des'ised the 'oison snakes as cowards51ut his strength la* in his hug/ and when he had once la''ed his huge coils round an*1od* there was no %ore to 1e said0 "(ood hunting!" cried Baloo/ sitting u' on his haunches0 Like all snakes of his 1reed Kaa was rather deaf/ and did not hear the call at first0 Then he curled u' read* for an* accident/ his head lowered0 "(ood hunting for us all/" he answered0 "4ho/ Baloo/ what dost thou do here8 (ood hunting/ Bagheera0 4ne of us at least needs food0 -s there an* news of ga%e afoot8 + doe now/ or e!en a *oung 1uck8 - a% as e%'t* as a dried well0" " e are hunting/" said Baloo carelessl*0 He knew that *ou %ust not hurr* Kaa0 He is too 1ig0 "(i!e %e 'er%ission to co%e with *ou/" said Kaa0 "+ 1low %ore or less is nothing to thee/ Bagheera or Baloo/ 1ut -5- ha!e to wait and wait for da*s in a wood-'ath and cli%1 half a night on the %ere chance of a *oung a'e0 Psshaw! The 1ranches are not what the* were when - was *oung0 Rotten twigs and dr* 1oughs are the* all0" "Ma*1e th* great weight has so%ething to do with the %atter/" said Baloo0 "- a% a fair length5a fair length/" said Kaa with a little 'ride0 "But for all that/ it is the fault of this new-grown ti%1er0 - ca%e !er* near to falling on %* last hunt5!er* near indeed5and the noise of %* sli''ing/ for %* tail was not tight wra''ed around the tree/ waked the Bandar-log/ and the* called %e %ost e!il na%es0" ".ootless/ *ellow earth-wor%/" said Bagheera under his whiskers/ as though he were tr*ing to re%e%1er so%ething0 "Sssss! Ha!e the* e!er called %e that8" said Kaa0 "So%ething of that kind it was that the* shouted to us last %oon/ 1ut we ne!er noticed the%0 The* will sa* an*thing5e!en that thou hast lost all th* teeth/ and wilt not face an*thing 1igger than a kid/ 1ecause >the* are indeed sha%eless/ these Bandar-log?51ecause thou art afraid of the he-goat's horns/" Bagheera went on sweetl*0 9ow a snake/ es'eciall* a war* old '*thon like Kaa/ !er* seldo% shows that he is angr*/ 1ut Baloo

and Bagheera could see the 1ig swallowing %uscles on either side of Kaa's throat ri''le and 1ulge0 "The Bandar-log ha!e shifted their grounds/" he said 2uietl*0 " hen - ca%e u' into the sun toda* heard the% whoo'ing a%ong the tree-to's0" "-t5it is the Bandar-log that we follow now/" said Baloo/ 1ut the words stuck in his throat/ for that was the first ti%e in his %e%or* that one of the ;ungle-Peo'le had owned to 1eing interested in the doings of the %onke*s0 "Be*ond dou1t then it is no s%all thing that takes two such hunters5leaders in their own )ungle a% certain5on the trail of the Bandar-log/" Kaa re'lied courteousl*/ as he swelled with curiosit*0 "-ndeed/" Baloo 1egan/ "- a% no %ore than the old and so%eti%es !er* foolish Teacher of the Law to the Seeonee wolf-cu1s/ and Bagheera here5" "-s Bagheera/" said the Black Panther/ and his )aws shut with a sna'/ for he did not 1elie!e in 1eing hu%1le0 "The trou1le is this/ Kaa0 Those nut-stealers and 'ickers of 'al% lea!es ha!e stolen awa* our %an-cu1 of who% thou hast 'erha's heard0" "- heard so%e news fro% -kki >his 2uills %ake hi% 'resu%'tuous? of a %an-thing that was entered into a wolf 'ack/ 1ut - did not 1elie!e0 -kki is full of stories half heard and !er* 1adl* told0" "But it is true0 He is such a %an-cu1 as ne!er was/" said Baloo0 "The 1est and wisest and 1oldest of %an-cu1s5%* own 'u'il/ who shall %ake the na%e of Baloo fa%ous through all the )ungles= and 1esides/ -5we5lo!e hi%/ Kaa0" "Ts! Ts!" said Kaa/ wea!ing his head to and fro0 "- also ha!e known what lo!e is0 There are tales could tell that5" "That need a clear night when we are all well fed to 'raise 'ro'erl*/" said Bagheera 2uickl*0 "4ur %an-cu1 is in the hands of the Bandar-log now/ and we know that of all the ;ungle-Peo'le the* fear Kaa alone0" "The* fear %e alone0 The* ha!e good reason/" said Kaa0 "$hattering/ foolish/ !ain5!ain/ foolish/ and chattering/ are the %onke*s0 But a %an-thing in their hands is in no good luck0 The* grow tired of the nuts the* 'ick/ and throw the% down0 The* carr* a 1ranch half a da*/ %eaning to do great things with it/ and then the* sna' it in two0 That %an-thing is not to 1e en!ied0 The* called %e also 5B*ellow fish' was it not8" " or%5wor%5earth-wor%/" said Bagheera/ "as well as other things which - cannot now sa* for sha%e0" " e %ust re%ind the% to s'eak well of their %aster0 +aa-ss'! %e%ories0 9ow/ whither went the* with the cu18" e %ust hel' their wandering

"The )ungle alone knows0 Toward the sunset/ - 1elie!e/" said Baloo0 " e had thought that thou wouldst know/ Kaa0" "-8 How8 - take the% when the* co%e in %* wa*/ 1ut - do not hunt the Bandar-log/ or frogs5or green scu% on a water-hole/ for that %atter0" "@'/ @'! @'/ @'! Hillo! -llo! -llo/ look u'/ Baloo of the Seeonee olf Pack!" Baloo looked u' to see where the !oice ca%e fro%/ and there was Rann the Kite/ swee'ing down with the sun shining on the u'turned flanges of his wings0 -t was near Rann's 1edti%e/ 1ut he had ranged all o!er the )ungle looking for the Bear and had %issed hi% in the thick foliage0 " hat is it8" said Baloo0 "- ha!e seen Mowgli a%ong the Bandar-log0 He 1ade %e tell *ou0 - watched0 The Bandar-log ha!e taken hi% 1e*ond the ri!er to the %onke* cit*5to the $old Lairs0 The* %a* sta* there for a night/ or ten nights/ or an hour0 - ha!e told the 1ats to watch through the dark ti%e0 That is %* %essage0

(ood hunting/ all *ou 1elow!" ".ull gorge and a dee' slee' to *ou/ Rann/" cried Bagheera0 "- will re%e%1er thee in %* ne:t kill/ and 'ut aside the head for thee alone/ 4 1est of kites!" "-t is nothing0 -t is nothing0 The 1o* held the Master circled u' again to his roost0 ord0 - could ha!e done no less/" and Rann

"He has not forgotten to use his tongue/" said Baloo with a chuckle of 'ride0 "To think of one so *oung re%e%1ering the Master ord for the 1irds too while he was 1eing 'ulled across trees!" "-t was %ost fir%l* dri!en into hi%/" said Bagheera0 "But - a% 'roud of hi%/ and now we %ust go to the $old Lairs0" The* all knew where that 'lace was/ 1ut few of the ;ungle Peo'le e!er went there/ 1ecause what the* called the $old Lairs was an old deserted cit*/ lost and 1uried in the )ungle/ and 1easts seldo% use a 'lace that %en ha!e once used0 The wild 1oar will/ 1ut the hunting tri1es do not0 Besides/ the %onke*s li!ed there as %uch as the* could 1e said to li!e an*where/ and no self-res'ecting ani%al would co%e within e*eshot of it e:ce't in ti%es of drought/ when the half-ruined tanks and reser!oirs held a little water0 "-t is half a night's )ourne*5at full s'eed/" said Bagheera/ and Baloo looked !er* serious0 "- will go as fast as - can/" he said an:iousl*0 " e dare not wait for thee0 .ollow/ Baloo0 e %ust go on the 2uick-foot5Kaa and -0" ".eet or no feet/ - can kee' a1reast of all th* four/" said Kaa shortl*0 Baloo %ade one effort to hurr*/ 1ut had to sit down 'anting/ and so the* left hi% to co%e on later/ while Bagheera hurried forward/ at the 2uick 'anther-canter0 Kaa said nothing/ 1ut/ stri!e as Bagheera %ight/ the huge Rock-'*thon held le!el with hi%0 hen the* ca%e to a hill strea%/ Bagheera gained/ 1ecause he 1ounded across while Kaa swa%/ his head and two feet of his neck clearing the water/ 1ut on le!el ground Kaa %ade u' the distance0 "B* the Broken Lock that freed %e/" said Bagheera/ when twilight had fallen/ "thou art no slow goer!" "- a% hungr*/" said Kaa0 "Besides/ the* called %e s'eckled frog0" " or%5earth-wor%/ and *ellow to 1oot0" "+ll one0 Let us go on/" and Kaa see%ed to 'our hi%self along the ground/ finding the shortest road with his stead* e*es/ and kee'ing to it0 -n the $old Lairs the Monke*-Peo'le were not thinking of Mowgli's friends at all0 The* had 1rought the 1o* to the Lost $it*/ and were !er* %uch 'leased with the%sel!es for the ti%e0 Mowgli had ne!er seen an -ndian cit* 1efore/ and though this was al%ost a hea' of ruins it see%ed !er* wonderful and s'lendid0 So%e king had 1uilt it long ago on a little hill0 <ou could still trace the stone causewa*s that led u' to the ruined gates where the last s'linters of wood hung to the worn/ rusted hinges0 Trees had grown into and out of the walls= the 1attle%ents were tu%1led down and deca*ed/ and wild cree'ers hung out of the windows of the towers on the walls in 1ush* hanging clu%'s0 + great roofless 'alace crowned the hill/ and the %ar1le of the court*ards and the fountains was s'lit/ and stained with red and green/ and the !er* co11lestones in the court*ard where the king's ele'hants used to li!e had 1een thrust u' and a'art 1* grasses and *oung trees0 .ro% the 'alace *ou could see the rows and rows of roofless houses that %ade u' the cit* looking like e%'t* hone*co%1s filled with 1lackness= the sha'eless 1lock of stone that had 1een an idol in the s2uare where four roads %et= the 'its and di%'les at street corners where the 'u1lic wells once stood/ and the shattered do%es of te%'les with wild figs s'routing on their sides0 The %onke*s called the 'lace their cit*/ and 'retended to des'ise the ;ungle-Peo'le 1ecause the* li!ed in the forest0 +nd *et

the* ne!er knew what the 1uildings were %ade for nor how to use the%0 The* would sit in circles on the hall of the king's council cha%1er/ and scratch for fleas and 'retend to 1e %en= or the* would run in and out of the roofless houses and collect 'ieces of 'laster and old 1ricks in a corner/ and forget where the* had hidden the%/ and fight and cr* in scuffling crowds/ and then 1reak off to 'la* u' and down the terraces of the king's garden/ where the* would shake the rose trees and the oranges in s'ort to see the fruit and flowers fall0 The* e:'lored all the 'assages and dark tunnels in the 'alace and the hundreds of little dark roo%s/ 1ut the* ne!er re%e%1ered what the* had seen and what the* had not= and so drifted a1out in ones and twos or crowds telling each other that the* were doing as %en did0 The* drank at the tanks and %ade the water all %udd*/ and then the* fought o!er it/ and then the* would all rush together in %o1s and shout3 "There is no one in the )ungle so wise and good and cle!er and strong and gentle as the Bandar-log0" Then all would 1egin again till the* grew tired of the cit* and went 1ack to the tree-to's/ ho'ing the ;ungle-Peo'le would notice the%0 Mowgli/ who had 1een trained under the Law of the ;ungle/ did not like or understand this kind of life0 The %onke*s dragged hi% into the $old Lairs late in the afternoon/ and instead of going to slee'/ as Mowgli would ha!e done after a long )ourne*/ the* )oined hands and danced a1out and sang their foolish songs0 4ne of the %onke*s %ade a s'eech and told his co%'anions that Mowgli's ca'ture %arked a new thing in the histor* of the Bandar-log/ for Mowgli was going to show the% how to wea!e sticks and canes together as a 'rotection against rain and cold0 Mowgli 'icked u' so%e cree'ers and 1egan to work the% in and out/ and the %onke*s tried to i%itate= 1ut in a !er* few %inutes the* lost interest and 1egan to 'ull their friends' tails or )u%' u' and down on all fours/ coughing0 "- wish to eat/" said Mowgli0 "- a% a stranger in this 'art of the )ungle0 Bring %e food/ or gi!e %e lea!e to hunt here0" Twent* or thirt* %onke*s 1ounded awa* to 1ring hi% nuts and wild 'aw'aws0 But the* fell to fighting on the road/ and it was too %uch trou1le to go 1ack with what was left of the fruit0 Mowgli was sore and angr* as well as hungr*/ and he roa%ed through the e%'t* cit* gi!ing the Strangers' Hunting $all fro% ti%e to ti%e/ 1ut no one answered hi%/ and Mowgli felt that he had reached a !er* 1ad 'lace indeed0 "+ll that Baloo has said a1out the Bandar-log is true/" he thought to hi%self0 "The* ha!e no Law/ no Hunting $all/ and no leaders5nothing 1ut foolish words and little 'icking thie!ish hands0 So if - a% star!ed or killed here/ it will 1e all %* own fault0 But - %ust tr* to return to %* own )ungle0 Baloo will surel* 1eat %e/ 1ut that is 1etter than chasing sill* rose lea!es with the Bandar-log0" 9o sooner had he walked to the cit* wall than the %onke*s 'ulled hi% 1ack/ telling hi% that he did not know how ha''* he was/ and 'inching hi% to %ake hi% grateful0 He set his teeth and said nothing/ 1ut went with the shouting %onke*s to a terrace a1o!e the red sandstone reser!oirs that were half-full of rain water0 There was a ruined su%%er-house of white %ar1le in the center of the terrace/ 1uilt for 2ueens dead a hundred *ears ago0 The do%ed roof had half fallen in and 1locked u' the underground 'assage fro% the 'alace 1* which the 2ueens used to enter0 But the walls were %ade of screens of %ar1le tracer*51eautiful %ilk-white fretwork/ set with agates and cornelians and )as'er and la'is la#uli/ and as the %oon ca%e u' 1ehind the hill it shone through the o'en work/ casting shadows on the ground like 1lack !el!et e%1roider*0 Sore/ slee'*/ and hungr* as he was/ Mowgli could not hel' laughing when the Bandar-log 1egan/ twent* at a ti%e/ to tell hi% how great and wise and strong and gentle the* were/ and how foolish he was to wish to lea!e the%0 " e are great0 e are free0 e are wonderful0 e are the %ost wonderful 'eo'le in all the )ungle! e all sa* so/ and so it %ust 1e true/" the* shouted0 "9ow as *ou are a new listener and can carr* our words 1ack to the ;ungle-Peo'le so that the* %a* notice us in future/ we will tell *ou all a1out our %ost e:cellent sel!es0" Mowgli %ade no o1)ection/ and the %onke*s gathered 1* hundreds and hundreds on the terrace to listen to their own s'eakers singing the 'raises of the Bandar-log/ and whene!er a s'eaker sto''ed for want of 1reath the* would all shout together3 "This is true= we all sa* so0" Mowgli nodded and 1linked/ and said "<es" when the* asked hi% a 2uestion/ and his head s'un with the noise0 "Ta1a2ui the ;ackal %ust ha!e 1itten all these 'eo'le/" he said to hi%self/ "and now

the* ha!e %adness0 $ertainl* this is dewanee/ the %adness0 "o the* ne!er go to slee'8 9ow there is a cloud co%ing to co!er that %oon0 -f it were onl* a 1ig enough cloud - %ight tr* to run awa* in the darkness0 But - a% tired0" That sa%e cloud was 1eing watched 1* two good friends in the ruined ditch 1elow the cit* wall/ for Bagheera and Kaa/ knowing well how dangerous the Monke*-Peo'le were in large nu%1ers/ did not wish to run an* risks0 The %onke*s ne!er fight unless the* are a hundred to one/ and few in the )ungle care for those odds0 "- will go to the west wall/" Kaa whis'ered/ "and co%e down swiftl* with the slo'e of the ground in %* fa!or0 The* will not throw the%sel!es u'on %* 1ack in their hundreds/ 1ut5" "- know it/" said Bagheera0 " ould that Baloo were here/ 1ut we %ust do what we can0 hen that cloud co!ers the %oon - shall go to the terrace0 The* hold so%e sort of council there o!er the 1o*0" "(ood hunting/" said Kaa gri%l*/ and glided awa* to the west wall0 That ha''ened to 1e the least ruined of an*/ and the 1ig snake was dela*ed awhile 1efore he could find a wa* u' the stones0 The cloud hid the %oon/ and as Mowgli wondered what would co%e ne:t he heard Bagheera's light feet on the terrace0 The Black Panther had raced u' the slo'e al%ost without a sound and was striking5 he knew 1etter than to waste ti%e in 1iting5right and left a%ong the %onke*s/ who were seated round Mowgli in circles fift* and si:t* dee'0 There was a howl of fright and rage/ and then as Bagheera tri''ed on the rolling kicking 1odies 1eneath hi%/ a %onke* shouted3 "There is onl* one here! Kill hi%! Kill0" + scuffling %ass of %onke*s/ 1iting/ scratching/ tearing/ and 'ulling/ closed o!er Bagheera/ while fi!e or si: laid hold of Mowgli/ dragged hi% u' the wall of the su%%erhouse and 'ushed hi% through the hole of the 1roken do%e0 + %an-trained 1o* would ha!e 1een 1adl* 1ruised/ for the fall was a good fifteen feet/ 1ut Mowgli fell as Baloo had taught hi% to fall/ and landed on his feet0 "Sta* there/" shouted the %onke*s/ "till we ha!e killed th* friends/ and later we will 'la* with thee 5if the Poison-Peo'le lea!e thee ali!e0" " e 1e of one 1lood/ *e and -/" said Mowgli/ 2uickl* gi!ing the Snake's $all0 He could hear rustling and hissing in the ru11ish all round hi% and ga!e the $all a second ti%e/ to %ake sure0 "&!en ssso! "own hoods all!" said half a do#en low !oices >e!er* ruin in -ndia 1eco%es sooner or later a dwelling 'lace of snakes/ and the old su%%erhouse was ali!e with co1ras?0 "Stand still/ Little Brother/ for th* feet %a* do us har%0" Mowgli stood as 2uietl* as he could/ 'eering through the o'en work and listening to the furious din of the fight round the Black Panther5the *ells and chatterings and scufflings/ and Bagheera's dee'/ hoarse cough as he 1acked and 1ucked and twisted and 'lunged under the hea's of his ene%ies0 .or the first ti%e since he was 1orn/ Bagheera was fighting for his life0 "Baloo %ust 1e at hand= Bagheera would not ha!e co%e alone/" Mowgli thought0 +nd then he called aloud3 "To the tank/ Bagheera0 Roll to the water tanks0 Roll and 'lunge! (et to the water!" Bagheera heard/ and the cr* that told hi% Mowgli was safe ga!e hi% new courage0 He worked his wa* des'eratel*/ inch 1* inch/ straight for the reser!oirs/ halting in silence0 Then fro% the ruined wall nearest the )ungle rose u' the ru%1ling war-shout of Baloo0 The old Bear had done his 1est/ 1ut he could not co%e 1efore0 "Bagheera/" he shouted/ "- a% here0 - cli%1! - haste! +huwora! The stones sli' under %* feet! ait %* co%ing/ 4 %ost infa%ous Bandar-log!" He 'anted u' the terrace onl* to disa''ear to the head in a wa!e of %onke*s/ 1ut he threw hi%self s2uarel* on his haunches/ and/ s'reading out his fore'aws/ hugged as %an* as he could hold/ and then 1egan to hit with a regular 1at-1at-1at/ like the fli''ing strokes of a 'addle wheel0 + crash and a s'lash told Mowgli that Bagheera had fought his wa* to the tank where the %onke*s could not follow0 The Panther la* gas'ing for 1reath/ his head )ust out of the water/ while the %onke*s stood three dee' on the red ste's/ dancing u' and down with rage/ read* to s'ring u'on hi% fro% all sides if he ca%e out to hel' Baloo0 -t was then that Bagheera lifted u' his dri''ing chin/ and in des'air ga!e the Snake's

$all for 'rotection5" e 1e of one 1lood/ *e and -"5for he 1elie!ed that Kaa had turned tail at the last %inute0 &!en Baloo/ half s%othered under the %onke*s on the edge of the terrace/ could not hel' chuckling as he heard the Black Panther asking for hel'0 Kaa had onl* )ust worked his wa* o!er the west wall/ landing with a wrench that dislodged a co'ing stone into the ditch0 He had no intention of losing an* ad!antage of the ground/ and coiled and uncoiled hi%self once or twice/ to 1e sure that e!er* foot of his long 1od* was in working order0 +ll that while the fight with Baloo went on/ and the %onke*s *elled in the tank round Bagheera/ and Mang the Bat/ fl*ing to and fro/ carried the news of the great 1attle o!er the )ungle/ till e!en Hathi the ild &le'hant tru%'eted/ and/ far awa*/ scattered 1ands of the Monke*-.olk woke and ca%e lea'ing along the tree-roads to hel' their co%rades in the $old Lairs/ and the noise of the fight roused all the da* 1irds for %iles round0 Then Kaa ca%e straight/ 2uickl*/ and an:ious to kill0 The fighting strength of a '*thon is in the dri!ing 1low of his head 1acked 1* all the strength and weight of his 1od*0 -f *ou can i%agine a lance/ or a 1attering ra%/ or a ha%%er weighing nearl* half a ton dri!en 1* a cool/ 2uiet %ind li!ing in the handle of it/ *ou can roughl* i%agine what Kaa was like when he fought0 + '*thon four or fi!e feet long can knock a %an down if he hits hi% fairl* in the chest/ and Kaa was thirt* feet long/ as *ou know0 His first stroke was deli!ered into the heart of the crowd round Baloo0 -t was sent ho%e with shut %outh in silence/ and there was no need of a second0 The %onke*s scattered with cries of5"Kaa! -t is Kaa! Run! Run!" (enerations of %onke*s had 1een scared into good 1eha!ior 1* the stories their elders told the% of Kaa/ the night thief/ who could sli' along the 1ranches as 2uietl* as %oss grows/ and steal awa* the strongest %onke* that e!er li!ed= of old Kaa/ who could %ake hi%self look so like a dead 1ranch or a rotten stu%' that the wisest were decei!ed/ till the 1ranch caught the%0 Kaa was e!er*thing that the %onke*s feared in the )ungle/ for none of the% knew the li%its of his 'ower/ none of the% could look hi% in the face/ and none had e!er co%e ali!e out of his hug0 +nd so the* ran/ sta%%ering with terror/ to the walls and the roofs of the houses/ and Baloo drew a dee' 1reath of relief0 His fur was %uch thicker than Bagheera's/ 1ut he had suffered sorel* in the fight0 Then Kaa o'ened his %outh for the first ti%e and s'oke one long hissing word/ and the far-awa* %onke*s/ hurr*ing to the defense of the $old Lairs/ sta*ed where the* were/ cowering/ till the loaded 1ranches 1ent and crackled under the%0 The %onke*s on the walls and the e%'t* houses sto''ed their cries/ and in the stillness that fell u'on the cit* Mowgli heard Bagheera shaking his wet sides as he ca%e u' fro% the tank0 Then the cla%or 1roke out again0 The %onke*s lea'ed higher u' the walls0 The* clung around the necks of the 1ig stone idols and shrieked as the* ski''ed along the 1attle%ents/ while Mowgli/ dancing in the su%%erhouse/ 'ut his e*e to the screenwork and hooted owl-fashion 1etween his front teeth/ to show his derision and conte%'t0 "(et the %an-cu1 out of that tra'= - can do no %ore/" Bagheera gas'ed0 "Let us take the %an-cu1 and go0 The* %a* attack again0" "The* will not %o!e till - order the%0 Sta* *ou sssso!" Kaa hissed/ and the cit* was silent once %ore0 "- could not co%e 1efore/ Brother/ 1ut - think - heard thee call"5this was to Bagheera0 "-5- %a* ha!e cried out in the 1attle/" Bagheera answered0 "Baloo/ art thou hurt8 "- a% not sure that the* did not 'ull %e into a hundred little 1earlings/" said Baloo/ gra!el* shaking one leg after the other0 " ow! - a% sore0 Kaa/ we owe thee/ - think/ our li!es5Bagheera and -0" "9o %atter0 here is the %anling8" "Here/ in a tra'0 - cannot cli%1 out/" cried Mowgli0 The cur!e of the 1roken do%e was a1o!e his head0 "Take hi% awa*0 He dances like Mao the Peacock0 He will crush our *oung/" said the co1ras inside0 "Hah!" said Kaa with a chuckle/ "he has friends e!er*where/ this %anling0 Stand 1ack/ %anling0 +nd hide *ou/ 4 Poison Peo'le0 - 1reak down the wall0" Kaa looked carefull* till he found a discolored crack in the %ar1le tracer* showing a weak s'ot/

%ade two or three light ta's with his head to get the distance/ and then lifting u' si: feet of his 1od* clear of the ground/ sent ho%e half a do#en full-'ower s%ashing 1lows/ nose-first0 The screen-work 1roke and fell awa* in a cloud of dust and ru11ish/ and Mowgli lea'ed through the o'ening and flung hi%self 1etween Baloo and Bagheera5an ar% around each 1ig neck0 "+rt thou hurt8" said Baloo/ hugging hi% softl*0 "- a% sore/ hungr*/ and not a little 1ruised0 But/ oh/ the* ha!e handled *e grie!ousl*/ %* Brothers! <e 1leed0" "4thers also/" said Bagheera/ licking his li's and looking at the %onke*-dead on the terrace and round the tank0 "-t is nothing/ it is nothing/ if thou art safe/ oh/ %* 'ride of all little frogs!" whi%'ered Baloo0 "4f that we shall )udge later/" said Bagheera/ in a dr* !oice that Mowgli did not at all like0 "But here is Kaa to who% we owe the 1attle and thou owest th* life0 Thank hi% according to our custo%s/ Mowgli0" Mowgli turned and saw the great P*thon's head swa*ing a foot a1o!e his own0 "So this is the %anling/" said Kaa0 "Aer* soft is his skin/ and he is not unlike the Bandar-log0 Ha!e a care/ %anling/ that - do not %istake thee for a %onke* so%e twilight when - ha!e newl* changed %* coat0" " e 1e one 1lood/ thou and -/" Mowgli answered0 "- take %* life fro% thee tonight0 M* kill shall 1e th* kill if e!er thou art hungr*/ 4 Kaa0" "+ll thanks/ Little Brother/" said Kaa/ though his e*es twinkled0 "+nd what %a* so 1old a hunter kill8 - ask that - %a* follow when ne:t he goes a1road0" "- kill nothing/5- a% too little/51ut - dri!e goats toward such as can use the%0 hen thou art e%'t* co%e to %e and see if - s'eak the truth0 - ha!e so%e skill in these 6he held out his hands7/ and if e!er thou art in a tra'/ - %a* 'a* the de1t which - owe to thee/ to Bagheera/ and to Baloo/ here0 (ood hunting to *e all/ %* %asters0" " ell said/" growled Baloo/ for Mowgli had returned thanks !er* 'rettil*0 The P*thon dro''ed his head lightl* for a %inute on Mowgli's shoulder0 "+ 1ra!e heart and a courteous tongue/" said he0 "The* shall carr* thee far through the )ungle/ %anling0 But now go hence 2uickl* with th* friends0 (o and slee'/ for the %oon sets/ and what follows it is not well that thou shouldst see0" The %oon was sinking 1ehind the hills and the lines of tre%1ling %onke*s huddled together on the walls and 1attle%ents looked like ragged shak* fringes of things0 Baloo went down to the tank for a drink and Bagheera 1egan to 'ut his fur in order/ as Kaa glided out into the center of the terrace and 1rought his )aws together with a ringing sna' that drew all the %onke*s' e*es u'on hi%0 "The %oon sets/" he said0 "-s there *et light enough to see8" .ro% the walls ca%e a %oan like the wind in the tree-to's5" e see/ 4 Kaa0" "(ood0 Begins now the dance5the "ance of the Hunger of Kaa0 Sit still and watch0" He turned twice or thrice in a 1ig circle/ wea!ing his head fro% right to left0 Then he 1egan %aking loo's and figures of eight with his 1od*/ and soft/ oo#* triangles that %elted into s2uares and fi!esided figures/ and coiled %ounds/ ne!er resting/ ne!er hurr*ing/ and ne!er sto''ing his low hu%%ing song0 -t grew darker and darker/ till at last the dragging/ shifting coils disa''eared/ 1ut the* could hear the rustle of the scales0 Baloo and Bagheera stood still as stone/ growling in their throats/ their neck hair 1ristling/ and Mowgli watched and wondered0 "Bandar-log/" said the !oice of Kaa at last/ "can *e stir foot or hand without %* order8 S'eak!"

" ithout th* order we cannot stir foot or hand/ 4 Kaa!" "(ood! $o%e all one 'ace nearer to %e0" The lines of the %onke*s swa*ed forward hel'lessl*/ and Baloo and Bagheera took one stiff ste' forward with the%0 "9earer!" hissed Kaa/ and the* all %o!ed again0 Mowgli laid his hands on Baloo and Bagheera to get the% awa*/ and the two great 1easts started as though the* had 1een waked fro% a drea%0 "Kee' th* hand on %* shoulder/" Bagheera whis'ered0 "Kee' it there/ or - %ust go 1ack5%ust go 1ack to Kaa0 +ah!" "-t is onl* old Kaa %aking circles on the dust/" said Mowgli0 "Let us go0" +nd the three sli''ed off through a ga' in the walls to the )ungle0 " hoof!" said Baloo/ when he stood under the still trees again0 "9e!er %ore will - %ake an all* of Kaa/" and he shook hi%self all o!er0 "He knows %ore than we/" said Bagheera/ tre%1ling0 "-n a little ti%e/ had - sta*ed/ - should ha!e walked down his throat0" "Man* will walk 1* that road 1efore the %oon rises again/" said Baloo0 "He will ha!e good hunting 5after his own fashion0" "But what was the %eaning of it all8" said Mowgli/ who did not know an*thing of a '*thon's 'owers of fascination0 "- saw no %ore than a 1ig snake %aking foolish circles till the dark ca%e0 +nd his nose was all sore0 Ho! Ho!" "Mowgli/" said Bagheera angril*/ "his nose was sore on th* account/ as %* ears and sides and 'aws/ and Baloo's neck and shoulders are 1itten on th* account0 9either Baloo nor Bagheera will 1e a1le to hunt with 'leasure for %an* da*s0" "-t is nothing/" said Baloo= "we ha!e the %an-cu1 again0" "True/ 1ut he has cost us hea!il* in ti%e which %ight ha!e 1een s'ent in good hunting/ in wounds/ in hair5- a% half 'lucked along %* 1ack5and last of all/ in honor0 .or/ re%e%1er/ Mowgli/ -/ who a% the Black Panther/ was forced to call u'on Kaa for 'rotection/ and Baloo and - were 1oth %ade stu'id as little 1irds 1* the Hunger "ance0 +ll this/ %an-cu1/ ca%e of th* 'la*ing with the Bandarlog0" "True/ it is true/" said Mowgli sorrowfull*0 "- a% an e!il %an-cu1/ and %* sto%ach is sad in %e0" "Mf! hat sa*s the Law of the ;ungle/ Baloo8" Baloo did not wish to 1ring Mowgli into an* %ore trou1le/ 1ut he could not ta%'er with the Law/ so he %u%1led3 "Sorrow ne!er sta*s 'unish%ent0 But re%e%1er/ Bagheera/ he is !er* little0" "- will re%e%1er0 But he has done %ischief/ and 1lows %ust 1e dealt now0 Mowgli/ hast thou an*thing to sa*8" "9othing0 - did wrong0 Baloo and thou are wounded0 -t is )ust0" Bagheera ga!e hi% half a do#en lo!e-ta's fro% a 'anther's 'oint of !iew >the* would hardl* ha!e waked one of his own cu1s?/ 1ut for a se!en-*ear-old 1o* the* a%ounted to as se!ere a 1eating as *ou could wish to a!oid0 hen it was all o!er Mowgli snee#ed/ and 'icked hi%self u' without a word0 "9ow/" said Bagheera/ ")u%' on %* 1ack/ Little Brother/ and we will go ho%e0" 4ne of the 1eauties of ;ungle Law is that 'unish%ent settles all scores0 There is no nagging afterward0

Mowgli laid his head down on Bagheera's 1ack and sle't so dee'l* that he ne!er waked when he was 'ut down in the ho%e-ca!e0

Road!"ong o# t e Bandar!Log
:ere we go in a flung festoon, :alf$way up to the jealous oon? (on@t you en!y our pranceful bandsD (on@t you wish you had eCtra handsD <ouldn@t you like if your tails were>so> 4ur!ed in the shape of a 4upid@s bowD 2ow you@re angry, but>ne!er ind, Brother, thy tail hangs down behind? :ere we sit in a branchy row, Thinking of beautiful things we knowA (rea ing of deeds that we ean to do, 'll co plete, in a inute or two> 5o ething noble and wise and good, (one by erely wishing we could" <e@!e forgotten, but>ne!er ind, Brother, thy tail hangs down behind? 'll the talk we e!er ha!e heard 1ttered by bat or beast or bird> :ide or fin or scale or feather> Jabber it Euickly and all together? ECcellent? <onderful? 8nce again? 2ow we are talking just like en? %et@s pretend we are """ ne!er ind, Brother, thy tail hangs down behind? This is the way of the =onkey$kind" Then join our leaping lines that scu fish through the pines, That rocket by where, light and high, the wild grape swings" By the rubbish in our wake, and the noble noise we ake, Be sure, be sure, we@re going to do so e splendid things?

'Tiger( Tiger('
<hat of the hunting, hunter boldD Brother, the watch was long and cold" <hat of the Euarry ye went to killD Brother, he crops in the jungle still" <here is the power that ade your prideD Brother, it ebbs fro y flank and side" <here is the haste that ye hurry byD Brother, 6 go to y lair>to die"

9ow we %ust go 1ack to the first tale0 hen Mowgli left the wolf's ca!e after the fight with the Pack at the $ouncil Rock/ he went down to the 'lowed lands where the !illagers li!ed/ 1ut he would

not sto' there 1ecause it was too near to the )ungle/ and he knew that he had %ade at least one 1ad ene%* at the $ouncil0 So he hurried on/ kee'ing to the rough road that ran down the !alle*/ and followed it at a stead* )og-trot for nearl* twent* %iles/ till he ca%e to a countr* that he did not know0 The !alle* o'ened out into a great 'lain dotted o!er with rocks and cut u' 1* ra!ines0 +t one end stood a little !illage/ and at the other the thick )ungle ca%e down in a swee' to the gra#inggrounds/ and sto''ed there as though it had 1een cut off with a hoe0 +ll o!er the 'lain/ cattle and 1uffaloes were gra#ing/ and when the little 1o*s in charge of the herds saw Mowgli the* shouted and ran awa*/ and the *ellow 'ariah dogs that hang a1out e!er* -ndian !illage 1arked0 Mowgli walked on/ for he was feeling hungr*/ and when he ca%e to the !illage gate he saw the 1ig thorn1ush that was drawn u' 1efore the gate at twilight/ 'ushed to one side0 "@%'h!" he said/ for he had co%e across %ore than one such 1arricade in his night ra%1les after things to eat0 "So %en are afraid of the Peo'le of the ;ungle here also0" He sat down 1* the gate/ and when a %an ca%e out he stood u'/ o'ened his %outh/ and 'ointed down it to show that he wanted food0 The %an stared/ and ran 1ack u' the one street of the !illage shouting for the 'riest/ who was a 1ig/ fat %an dressed in white/ with a red and *ellow %ark on his forehead0 The 'riest ca%e to the gate/ and with hi% at least a hundred 'eo'le/ who stared and talked and shouted and 'ointed at Mowgli0 "The* ha!e no %anners/ these Men .olk/" said Mowgli to hi%self0 "4nl* the gra* a'e would 1eha!e as the* do0" So he threw 1ack his long hair and frowned at the crowd0 " hat is there to 1e afraid of8" said the 'riest0 "Look at the %arks on his ar%s and legs0 The* are the 1ites of wol!es0 He is 1ut a wolf-child run awa* fro% the )ungle0" 4f course/ in 'la*ing together/ the cu1s had often ni''ed Mowgli harder than the* intended/ and there were white scars all o!er his ar%s and legs0 But he would ha!e 1een the last 'erson in the world to call these 1ites/ for he knew what real 1iting %eant0 "+rre! +rre!" said two or three wo%en together0 "To 1e 1itten 1* wol!es/ 'oor child! He is a handso%e 1o*0 He has e*es like red fire0 B* %* honor/ Messua/ he is not unlike th* 1o* that was taken 1* the tiger0" "Let %e look/" said a wo%an with hea!* co''er rings on her wrists and ankles/ and she 'eered at Mowgli under the 'al% of her hand0 "-ndeed he is not0 He is thinner/ 1ut he has the !er* look of %* 1o*0" The 'riest was a cle!er %an/ and he knew that Messua was wife to the richest !illager in the 'lace0 So he looked u' at the sk* for a %inute and said sole%nl*3 " hat the )ungle has taken the )ungle has restored0 Take the 1o* into th* house/ %* sister/ and forget not to honor the 'riest who sees so far into the li!es of %en0" "B* the Bull that 1ought %e/" said Mowgli to hi%self/ "1ut all this talking is like another lookingo!er 1* the Pack! ell/ if - a% a %an/ a %an - %ust 1eco%e0" The crowd 'arted as the wo%an 1eckoned Mowgli to her hut/ where there was a red lac2uered 1edstead/ a great earthen grain chest with funn* raised 'atterns on it/ half a do#en co''er cooking 'ots/ an i%age of a Hindu god in a little alco!e/ and on the wall a real looking glass/ such as the* sell at the countr* fairs0 She ga!e hi% a long drink of %ilk and so%e 1read/ and then she laid her hand on his head and looked into his e*es= for she thought 'erha's that he %ight 1e her real son co%e 1ack fro% the )ungle where the tiger had taken hi%0 So she said/ "9athoo/ 4 9athoo!" Mowgli did not show that he knew the na%e0 ""ost thou not re%e%1er the da* when - ga!e thee th* new shoes8" She touched his foot/ and it was al%ost as hard as horn0 "9o/" she said sorrowfull*/ "those feet ha!e ne!er worn shoes/ 1ut thou art !er* like %* 9athoo/ and thou shalt 1e %* son0" Mowgli was uneas*/ 1ecause he had ne!er 1een under a roof 1efore0 But as he looked at the thatch/ he saw that he could tear it out an* ti%e if he wanted to get awa*/ and that the window had no

fastenings0 " hat is the good of a %an/" he said to hi%self at last/ "if he does not understand %an's talk8 9ow - a% as sill* and du%1 as a %an would 1e with us in the )ungle0 - %ust s'eak their talk0" -t was not for fun that he had learned while he was with the wol!es to i%itate the challenge of 1ucks in the )ungle and the grunt of the little wild 'ig0 So/ as soon as Messua 'ronounced a word Mowgli would i%itate it al%ost 'erfectl*/ and 1efore dark he had learned the na%es of %an* things in the hut0 There was a difficult* at 1edti%e/ 1ecause Mowgli would not slee' under an*thing that looked so like a 'anther tra' as that hut/ and when the* shut the door he went through the window0 "(i!e hi% his will/" said Messua's hus1and0 "Re%e%1er he can ne!er till now ha!e sle't on a 1ed0 -f he is indeed sent in the 'lace of our son he will not run awa*0" So Mowgli stretched hi%self in so%e long/ clean grass at the edge of the field/ 1ut 1efore he had closed his e*es a soft gra* nose 'oked hi% under the chin0 "Phew!" said (ra* Brother >he was the eldest of Mother olf's cu1s?0 "This is a 'oor reward for following thee twent* %iles0 Thou s%ellest of wood s%oke and cattle5altogether like a %an alread*0 ake/ Little Brother= - 1ring news0" "+re all well in the )ungle8" said Mowgli/ hugging hi%0 "+ll e:ce't the wol!es that were 1urned with the Red .lower0 9ow/ listen0 Shere Khan has gone awa* to hunt far off till his coat grows again/ for he is 1adl* singed0 hen he returns he swears that he will la* th* 1ones in the aingunga0" "There are two words to that0 - also ha!e %ade a little 'ro%ise0 But news is alwa*s good0 - a% tired to-night/5!er* tired with new things/ (ra* Brother/51ut 1ring %e the news alwa*s0" "Thou wilt not forget that thou art a wolf8 Men will not %ake thee forget8" said (ra* Brother an:iousl*0 "9e!er0 - will alwa*s re%e%1er that - lo!e thee and all in our ca!e0 But also - will alwa*s re%e%1er that - ha!e 1een cast out of the Pack0" "+nd that thou %a*est 1e cast out of another 'ack0 Men are onl* %en/ Little Brother/ and their talk is like the talk of frogs in a 'ond0 hen - co%e down here again/ - will wait for thee in the 1a%1oos at the edge of the gra#ing-ground0" .or three %onths after that night Mowgli hardl* e!er left the !illage gate/ he was so 1us* learning the wa*s and custo%s of %en0 .irst he had to wear a cloth round hi%/ which anno*ed hi% horri1l*= and then he had to learn a1out %one*/ which he did not in the least understand/ and a1out 'lowing/ of which he did not see the use0 Then the little children in the !illage %ade hi% !er* angr*0 Luckil*/ the Law of the ;ungle had taught hi% to kee' his te%'er/ for in the )ungle life and food de'end on kee'ing *our te%'er= 1ut when the* %ade fun of hi% 1ecause he would not 'la* ga%es or fl* kites/ or 1ecause he %is'ronounced so%e word/ onl* the knowledge that it was uns'orts%anlike to kill little naked cu1s ke't hi% fro% 'icking the% u' and 1reaking the% in two0 He did not know his own strength in the least0 -n the )ungle he knew he was weak co%'ared with the 1easts/ 1ut in the !illage 'eo'le said that he was as strong as a 1ull0 +nd Mowgli had not the faintest idea of the difference that caste %akes 1etween %an and %an0 hen the 'otter's donke* sli''ed in the cla* 'it/ Mowgli hauled it out 1* the tail/ and hel'ed to stack the 'ots for their )ourne* to the %arket at Khanhiwara0 That was !er* shocking/ too/ for the 'otter is a low-caste %an/ and his donke* is worse0 hen the 'riest scolded hi%/ Mowgli threatened to 'ut hi% on the donke* too/ and the 'riest told Messua's hus1and that Mowgli had 1etter 1e set to work as soon as 'ossi1le= and the !illage head-%an told Mowgli that he would ha!e to go out with the 1uffaloes ne:t da*/ and herd the% while the* gra#ed0 9o one was %ore 'leased than Mowgli= and that night/ 1ecause he had 1een a''ointed a ser!ant of the !illage/ as it were/ he went off to a circle that %et e!er* e!ening on a %asonr* 'latfor% under a great fig-tree0 -t was the !illage clu1/

and the head-%an and the watch%an and the 1ar1er/ who knew all the gossi' of the !illage/ and old Buldeo/ the !illage hunter/ who had a Tower %usket/ %et and s%oked0 The %onke*s sat and talked in the u''er 1ranches/ and there was a hole under the 'latfor% where a co1ra li!ed/ and he had his little 'latter of %ilk e!er* night 1ecause he was sacred= and the old %en sat around the tree and talked/ and 'ulled at the 1ig hu2as >the water-'i'es? till far into the night0 The* told wonderful tales of gods and %en and ghosts= and Buldeo told e!en %ore wonderful ones of the wa*s of 1easts in the )ungle/ till the e*es of the children sitting outside the circle 1ulged out of their heads0 Most of the tales were a1out ani%als/ for the )ungle was alwa*s at their door0 The deer and the wild 'ig gru11ed u' their cro's/ and now and again the tiger carried off a %an at twilight/ within sight of the !illage gates0 Mowgli/ who naturall* knew so%ething a1out what the* were talking of/ had to co!er his face not to show that he was laughing/ while Buldeo/ the Tower %usket across his knees/ cli%1ed on fro% one wonderful stor* to another/ and Mowgli's shoulders shook0 Buldeo was e:'laining how the tiger that had carried awa* Messua's son was a ghost-tiger/ and his 1od* was inha1ited 1* the ghost of a wicked/ old %one*-lender/ who had died so%e *ears ago0 "+nd - know that this is true/" he said/ "1ecause Purun "ass alwa*s li%'ed fro% the 1low that he got in a riot when his account 1ooks were 1urned/ and the tiger that - s'eak of he li%'s/ too/ for the tracks of his 'ads are une2ual0" "True/ true/ that %ust 1e the truth/" said the gra*-1eards/ nodding together0 "+re all these tales such co1we1s and %oon talk8" said Mowgli0 "That tiger li%'s 1ecause he was 1orn la%e/ as e!er*one knows0 To talk of the soul of a %one*-lender in a 1east that ne!er had the courage of a )ackal is child's talk0" Buldeo was s'eechless with sur'rise for a %o%ent/ and the head-%an stared0 "4ho! -t is the )ungle 1rat/ is it8" said Buldeo0 "-f thou art so wise/ 1etter 1ring his hide to Khanhiwara/ for the (o!ern%ent has set a hundred ru'ees on his life0 Better still/ talk not when th* elders s'eak0" Mowgli rose to go0 "+ll the e!ening - ha!e lain here listening/" he called 1ack o!er his shoulder/ "and/ e:ce't once or twice/ Buldeo has not said one word of truth concerning the )ungle/ which is at his !er* doors0 How/ then/ shall - 1elie!e the tales of ghosts and gods and go1lins which he sa*s he has seen8" "-t is full ti%e that 1o* went to herding/" said the head-%an/ while Buldeo 'uffed and snorted at Mowgli's i%'ertinence0 The custo% of %ost -ndian !illages is for a few 1o*s to take the cattle and 1uffaloes out to gra#e in the earl* %orning/ and 1ring the% 1ack at night0 The !er* cattle that would tra%'le a white %an to death allow the%sel!es to 1e 1anged and 1ullied and shouted at 1* children that hardl* co%e u' to their noses0 So long as the 1o*s kee' with the herds the* are safe/ for not e!en the tiger will charge a %o1 of cattle0 But if the* straggle to 'ick flowers or hunt li#ards/ the* are so%eti%es carried off0 Mowgli went through the !illage street in the dawn/ sitting on the 1ack of Ra%a/ the great herd 1ull0 The slat*-1lue 1uffaloes/ with their long/ 1ackward-swee'ing horns and sa!age e*es/ rose out their 1*res/ one 1* one/ and followed hi%/ and Mowgli %ade it !er* clear to the children with hi% that he was the %aster0 He 1eat the 1uffaloes with a long/ 'olished 1a%1oo/ and told Ka%*a/ one of the 1o*s/ to gra#e the cattle 1* the%sel!es/ while he went on with the 1uffaloes/ and to 1e !er* careful not to stra* awa* fro% the herd0 +n -ndian gra#ing ground is all rocks and scru1 and tussocks and little ra!ines/ a%ong which the herds scatter and disa''ear0 The 1uffaloes generall* kee' to the 'ools and %udd* 'laces/ where the* lie wallowing or 1asking in the war% %ud for hours0 Mowgli dro!e the% on to the edge of the 'lain where the aingunga ca%e out of the )ungle= then he dro''ed fro% Ra%a's neck/ trotted off to a 1a%1oo clu%'/ and found (ra* Brother0 "+h/" said (ra* Brother/ "- ha!e waited here !er* %an*

da*s0

hat is the %eaning of this cattle-herding work8" hat news of Shere Khan8"

"-t is an order/" said Mowgli0 "- a% a !illage herd for a while0

"He has co%e 1ack to this countr*/ and has waited here a long ti%e for thee0 9ow he has gone off again/ for the ga%e is scarce0 But he %eans to kill thee0" "Aer* good/" said Mowgli0 "So long as he is awa* do thou or one of the four 1rothers sit on that rock/ so that - can see thee as - co%e out of the !illage0 hen he co%es 1ack wait for %e in the ra!ine 1* the dhak tree in the center of the 'lain0 e need not walk into Shere Khan's %outh0" Then Mowgli 'icked out a shad* 'lace/ and la* down and sle't while the 1uffaloes gra#ed round hi%0 Herding in -ndia is one of the la#iest things in the world0 The cattle %o!e and crunch/ and lie down/ and %o!e on again/ and the* do not e!en low0 The* onl* grunt/ and the 1uffaloes !er* seldo% sa* an*thing/ 1ut get down into the %udd* 'ools one after another/ and work their wa* into the %ud till onl* their noses and staring china-1lue e*es show a1o!e the surface/ and then the* lie like logs0 The sun %akes the rocks dance in the heat/ and the herd children hear one kite >ne!er an* %ore? whistling al%ost out of sight o!erhead/ and the* know that if the* died/ or a cow died/ that kite would swee' down/ and the ne:t kite %iles awa* would see hi% dro' and follow/ and the ne:t/ and the ne:t/ and al%ost 1efore the* were dead there would 1e a score of hungr* kites co%e out of nowhere0 Then the* slee' and wake and slee' again/ and wea!e little 1askets of dried grass and 'ut grassho''ers in the%= or catch two 'ra*ing %antises and %ake the% fight= or string a necklace of red and 1lack )ungle nuts= or watch a li#ard 1asking on a rock/ or a snake hunting a frog near the wallows0 Then the* sing long/ long songs with odd nati!e 2ua!ers at the end of the%/ and the da* see%s longer than %ost 'eo'le's whole li!es/ and 'erha's the* %ake a %ud castle with %ud figures of %en and horses and 1uffaloes/ and 'ut reeds into the %en's hands/ and 'retend that the* are kings and the figures are their ar%ies/ or that the* are gods to 1e worshi'ed0 Then e!ening co%es and the children call/ and the 1uffaloes lu%1er u' out of the stick* %ud with noises like gunshots going off one after the other/ and the* all string across the gra* 'lain 1ack to the twinkling !illage lights0 "a* after da* Mowgli would lead the 1uffaloes out to their wallows/ and da* after da* he would see (ra* Brother's 1ack a %ile and a half awa* across the 'lain >so he knew that Shere Khan had not co%e 1ack?/ and da* after da* he would lie on the grass listening to the noises round hi%/ and drea%ing of old da*s in the )ungle0 -f Shere Khan had %ade a false ste' with his la%e 'aw u' in the )ungles 1* the aingunga/ Mowgli would ha!e heard hi% in those long/ still %ornings0 +t last a da* ca%e when he did not see (ra* Brother at the signal 'lace/ and he laughed and headed the 1uffaloes for the ra!ine 1* the dhk tree/ which was all co!ered with golden-red flowers0 There sat (ra* Brother/ e!er* 1ristle on his 1ack lifted0 "He has hidden for a %onth to throw thee off th* guard0 He crossed the ranges last night with Ta1a2ui/ hot-foot on th* trail/" said the olf/ 'anting0 Mowgli frowned0 "- a% not afraid of Shere Khan/ 1ut Ta1a2ui is !er* cunning0" "Ha!e no fear/" said (ra* Brother/ licking his li's a little0 "- %et Ta1a2ui in the dawn0 9ow he is telling all his wisdo% to the kites/ 1ut he told %e e!er*thing 1efore - 1roke his 1ack0 Shere Khan's 'lan is to wait for thee at the !illage gate this e!ening5for thee and for no one else0 He is l*ing u' now/ in the 1ig dr* ra!ine of the aingunga0" "Has he eaten toda*/ or does he hunt e%'t*8" said Mowgli/ for the answer %eant life and death to hi%0 "He killed at dawn/5a 'ig/5and he has drunk too0 Re%e%1er/ Shere Khan could ne!er fast/ e!en for the sake of re!enge0" "4h! .ool/ fool! hat a cu1's cu1 it is! &aten and drunk too/ and he thinks that - shall wait till he has sle't! 9ow/ where does he lie u'8 -f there were 1ut ten of us we %ight 'ull hi% down as he lies0 These 1uffaloes will not charge unless the* wind hi%/ and - cannot s'eak their language0 $an we

get 1ehind his track so that the* %a* s%ell it8" "He swa% far down the aingunga to cut that off/" said (ra* Brother0 "Ta1a2ui told hi% that/ - know0 He would ne!er ha!e thought of it alone0" Mowgli stood with his finger in his %outh/ thinking0 "The 1ig ra!ine of the aingunga0 That o'ens out on the 'lain not half a %ile fro% here0 - can take the herd round through the )ungle to the head of the ra!ine and then swee' down51ut he would slink out at the foot0 e %ust 1lock that end0 (ra* Brother/ canst thou cut the herd in two for %e8" "9ot -/ 'erha's51ut - ha!e 1rought a wise hel'er0" (ra* Brother trotted off and dro''ed into a hole0 Then there lifted u' a huge gra* head that Mowgli knew well/ and the hot air was filled with the %ost desolate cr* of all the )ungle5the hunting howl of a wolf at %idda*0 "+kela! +kela!" said Mowgli/ cla''ing his hands0 "- %ight ha!e known that thou wouldst not forget %e0 e ha!e a 1ig work in hand0 $ut the herd in two/ +kela0 Kee' the cows and cal!es together/ and the 1ulls and the 'low 1uffaloes 1* the%sel!es0" The two wol!es ran/ ladies'-chain fashion/ in and out of the herd/ which snorted and threw u' its head/ and se'arated into two clu%'s0 -n one/ the cow-1uffaloes stood with their cal!es in the center/ and glared and 'awed/ read*/ if a wolf would onl* sta* still/ to charge down and tra%'le the life out of hi%0 -n the other/ the 1ulls and the *oung 1ulls snorted and sta%'ed/ 1ut though the* looked %ore i%'osing the* were %uch less dangerous/ for the* had no cal!es to 'rotect0 9o si: %en could ha!e di!ided the herd so neatl*0 " hat orders!" 'anted +kela0 "The* are tr*ing to )oin again0" Mowgli sli''ed on to Ra%a's 1ack0 ""ri!e the 1ulls awa* to the left/ +kela0 (ra* Brother/ when we are gone/ hold the cows together/ and dri!e the% into the foot of the ra!ine0" "How far8" said (ra* Brother/ 'anting and sna''ing0 "Till the sides are higher than Shere Khan can )u%'/" shouted Mowgli0 "Kee' the% there till we co%e down0" The 1ulls swe't off as +kela 1a*ed/ and (ra* Brother sto''ed in front of the cows0 The* charged down on hi%/ and he ran )ust 1efore the% to the foot of the ra!ine/ as +kela dro!e the 1ulls far to the left0 " ell done! +nother charge and the* are fairl* started0 $areful/ now5careful/ +kela0 + sna' too %uch and the 1ulls will charge0 Hu)ah! This is wilder work than dri!ing 1lack-1uck0 "idst thou think these creatures could %o!e so swiftl*8" Mowgli called0 "- ha!e5ha!e hunted these too in %* ti%e/" gas'ed +kela in the dust0 "Shall - turn the% into the )ungle8" "+*! Turn0 Swiftl* turn the%! Ra%a is %ad with rage0 4h/ if - could onl* tell hi% what - need of hi% to-da*0" The 1ulls were turned/ to the right this ti%e/ and crashed into the standing thicket0 The other herd children/ watching with the cattle half a %ile awa*/ hurried to the !illage as fast as their legs could carr* the%/ cr*ing that the 1uffaloes had gone %ad and run awa*0 But Mowgli's 'lan was si%'le enough0 +ll he wanted to do was to %ake a 1ig circle u'hill and get at the head of the ra!ine/ and then take the 1ulls down it and catch Shere Khan 1etween the 1ulls and the cows= for he knew that after a %eal and a full drink Shere Khan would not 1e in an* condition to fight or to cla%1er u' the sides of the ra!ine0 He was soothing the 1uffaloes now 1* !oice/ and +kela had dro''ed far to the rear/ onl* whi%'ering once or twice to hurr* the rear-guard0 -t was a long/ long circle/ for the* did not wish to get too near the ra!ine and gi!e Shere Khan warning0 +t last Mowgli rounded u' the 1ewildered herd at the head of the ra!ine on a grass* 'atch that slo'ed stee'l* down to the ra!ine itself0 .ro% that height *ou could see across the to's of the trees down to the 'lain 1elow= 1ut what Mowgli looked at was the sides of the ra!ine/ and he saw

with a great deal of satisfaction that the* ran nearl* straight u' and down/ while the !ines and cree'ers that hung o!er the% would gi!e no foothold to a tiger who wanted to get out0 "Let the% 1reathe/ +kela/" he said/ holding u' his hand0 "The* ha!e not winded hi% *et0 Let the% 1reathe0 - %ust tell Shere Khan who co%es0 e ha!e hi% in the tra'0" He 'ut his hands to his %outh and shouted down the ra!ine5it was al%ost like shouting down a tunnel5and the echoes )u%'ed fro% rock to rock0 +fter a long ti%e there ca%e 1ack the drawling/ slee'* snarl of a full-fed tiger )ust wakened0 " ho calls8" said Shere Khan/ and a s'lendid 'eacock fluttered u' out of the ra!ine screeching0 "-/ Mowgli0 $attle thief/ it is ti%e to co%e to the $ouncil Rock! "own5hurr* the% down/ +kela! "own/ Ra%a/ down!" The herd 'aused for an instant at the edge of the slo'e/ 1ut +kela ga!e tongue in the full hunting*ell/ and the* 'itched o!er one after the other/ )ust as stea%ers shoot ra'ids/ the sand and stones s'urting u' round the%0 4nce started/ there was no chance of sto''ing/ and 1efore the* were fairl* in the 1ed of the ra!ine Ra%a winded Shere Khan and 1ellowed0 "Ha! Ha!" said Mowgli/ on his 1ack0 "9ow thou knowest!" and the torrent of 1lack horns/ foa%ing %u##les/ and staring e*es whirled down the ra!ine )ust as 1oulders go down in floodti%e= the weaker 1uffaloes 1eing shouldered out to the sides of the ra!ine where the* tore through the cree'ers0 The* knew what the 1usiness was 1efore the%5the terri1le charge of the 1uffalo herd against which no tiger can ho'e to stand0 Shere Khan heard the thunder of their hoofs/ 'icked hi%self u'/ and lu%1ered down the ra!ine/ looking fro% side to side for so%e wa* of esca'e/ 1ut the walls of the ra!ine were straight and he had to hold on/ hea!* with his dinner and his drink/ willing to do an*thing rather than fight0 The herd s'lashed through the 'ool he had )ust left/ 1ellowing till the narrow cut rang0 Mowgli heard an answering 1ellow fro% the foot of the ra!ine/ saw Shere Khan turn >the tiger knew if the worst ca%e to the worst it was 1etter to %eet the 1ulls than the cows with their cal!es?/ and then Ra%a tri''ed/ stu%1led/ and went on again o!er so%ething soft/ and/ with the 1ulls at his heels/ crashed full into the other herd/ while the weaker 1uffaloes were lifted clean off their feet 1* the shock of the %eeting0 That charge carried 1oth herds out into the 'lain/ goring and sta%'ing and snorting0 Mowgli watched his ti%e/ and sli''ed off Ra%a's neck/ la*ing a1out hi% right and left with his stick0 "Cuick/ +kela! Break the% u'0 Scatter the%/ or the* will 1e fighting one another0 "ri!e the% awa*/ +kela0 Hai/ Ra%a! Hai/ hai/ hai! %* children0 Softl* now/ softl*! -t is all o!er0" +kela and (ra* Brother ran to and fro ni''ing the 1uffaloes' legs/ and though the herd wheeled once to charge u' the ra!ine again/ Mowgli %anaged to turn Ra%a/ and the others followed hi% to the wallows0 Shere Khan needed no %ore tra%'ling0 He was dead/ and the kites were co%ing for hi% alread*0 "Brothers/ that was a dog's death/" said Mowgli/ feeling for the knife he alwa*s carried in a sheath round his neck now that he li!ed with %en0 "But he would ne!er ha!e shown fight0 His hide will look well on the $ouncil Rock0 e %ust get to work swiftl*0" + 1o* trained a%ong %en would ne!er ha!e drea%ed of skinning a ten-foot tiger alone/ 1ut Mowgli knew 1etter than an*one else how an ani%al's skin is fitted on/ and how it can 1e taken off0 But it was hard work/ and Mowgli slashed and tore and grunted for an hour/ while the wol!es lolled out their tongues/ or ca%e forward and tugged as he ordered the%0 Presentl* a hand fell on his shoulder/ and looking u' he saw Buldeo with the Tower %usket0 The children had told the !illage a1out the 1uffalo sta%'ede/ and Buldeo went out angril*/ onl* too an:ious to correct Mowgli for not taking 1etter care of the herd0 The wol!es dro''ed out of sight as soon as the* saw the %an co%ing0 " hat is this foll*8" said Buldeo angril*0 "To think that thou canst skin a tiger! here did the 1uffaloes kill hi%8 -t is the La%e Tiger too/ and there is a hundred ru'ees on his head0 ell/ well/

we will o!erlook th* letting the herd run off/ and 'erha's - will gi!e thee one of the ru'ees of the reward when - ha!e taken the skin to Khanhiwara0" He fu%1led in his waist cloth for flint and steel/ and stoo'ed down to singe Shere Khan's whiskers0 Most nati!e hunters alwa*s singe a tiger's whiskers to 're!ent his ghost fro% haunting the%0 "Hu%!" said Mowgli/ half to hi%self as he ri''ed 1ack the skin of a fore'aw0 "So thou wilt take the hide to Khanhiwara for the reward/ and 'erha's gi!e %e one ru'ee8 9ow it is in %* %ind that need the skin for %* own use0 Heh! 4ld %an/ take awa* that fire!" " hat talk is this to the chief hunter of the !illage8 Th* luck and the stu'idit* of th* 1uffaloes ha!e hel'ed thee to this kill0 The tiger has )ust fed/ or he would ha!e gone twent* %iles 1* this ti%e0 Thou canst not e!en skin hi% 'ro'erl*/ little 1eggar 1rat/ and forsooth -/ Buldeo/ %ust 1e told not to singe his whiskers0 Mowgli/ - will not gi!e thee one anna of the reward/ 1ut onl* a !er* 1ig 1eating0 Lea!e the carcass!" "B* the Bull that 1ought %e/" said Mowgli/ who was tr*ing to get at the shoulder/ "%ust - sta* 1a11ling to an old a'e all noon8 Here/ +kela/ this %an 'lagues %e0" Buldeo/ who was still stoo'ing o!er Shere Khan's head/ found hi%self s'rawling on the grass/ with a gra* wolf standing o!er hi%/ while Mowgli went on skinning as though he were alone in all -ndia0 "<e-es/" he said/ 1etween his teeth0 "Thou art altogether right/ Buldeo0 Thou wilt ne!er gi!e %e one anna of the reward0 There is an old war 1etween this la%e tiger and %*self5a !er* old war/ and5ha!e won0" To do Buldeo )ustice/ if he had 1een ten *ears *ounger he would ha!e taken his chance with +kela had he %et the wolf in the woods/ 1ut a wolf who o1e*ed the orders of this 1o* who had 'ri!ate wars with %an-eating tigers was not a co%%on ani%al0 -t was sorcer*/ %agic of the worst kind/ thought Buldeo/ and he wondered whether the a%ulet round his neck would 'rotect hi%0 He la* as still as still/ e:'ecting e!er* %inute to see Mowgli turn into a tiger too0 "Mahara)! (reat King/" he said at last in a husk* whis'er0 "<es/" said Mowgli/ without turning his head/ chuckling a little0 "- a% an old %an0 - did not know that thou wast an*thing %ore than a herds1o*0 Ma* - rise u' and go awa*/ or will th* ser!ant tear %e to 'ieces8" "(o/ and 'eace go with thee0 4nl*/ another ti%e do not %eddle with %* ga%e0 Let hi% go/ +kela0" Buldeo ho11led awa* to the !illage as fast as he could/ looking 1ack o!er his shoulder in case Mowgli should change into so%ething terri1le0 hen he got to the !illage he told a tale of %agic and enchant%ent and sorcer* that %ade the 'riest look !er* gra!e0 Mowgli went on with his work/ 1ut it was nearl* twilight 1efore he and the wol!es had drawn the great ga* skin clear of the 1od*0 "9ow we %ust hide this and take the 1uffaloes ho%e! Hel' %e to herd the%/ +kela0" The herd rounded u' in the %ist* twilight/ and when the* got near the !illage Mowgli saw lights/ and heard the conches and 1ells in the te%'le 1lowing and 1anging0 Half the !illage see%ed to 1e waiting for hi% 1* the gate0 "That is 1ecause - ha!e killed Shere Khan/" he said to hi%self0 But a shower of stones whistled a1out his ears/ and the !illagers shouted3 "Sorcerer! olf's 1rat! ;ungle de%on! (o awa*! (et hence 2uickl* or the 'riest will turn thee into a wolf again0 Shoot/ Buldeo/ shoot!" The old Tower %usket went off with a 1ang/ and a *oung 1uffalo 1ellowed in 'ain0 "More sorcer*!" shouted the !illagers0 "He can turn 1ullets0 Buldeo/ that was th* 1uffalo0" "9ow what is this8" said Mowgli/ 1ewildered/ as the stones flew thicker0

"The* are not unlike the Pack/ these 1rothers of thine/" said +kela/ sitting down co%'osedl*0 "-t is in %* head that/ if 1ullets %ean an*thing/ the* would cast thee out0" " olf! olf's cu1! (o awa*!" shouted the 'riest/ wa!ing a s'rig of the sacred tulsi 'lant0 "+gain8 Last ti%e it was 1ecause - was a %an0 This ti%e it is 1ecause - a% a wolf0 Let us go/ +kela0" + wo%an5it was Messua5ran across to the herd/ and cried3 "4h/ %* son/ %* son! The* sa* thou art a sorcerer who can turn hi%self into a 1east at will0 - do not 1elie!e/ 1ut go awa* or the* will kill thee0 Buldeo sa*s thou art a wi#ard/ 1ut - know thou hast a!enged 9athoo's death0" "$o%e 1ack/ Messua!" shouted the crowd0 "$o%e 1ack/ or we will stone thee0" Mowgli laughed a little short ugl* laugh/ for a stone had hit hi% in the %outh0 "Run 1ack/ Messua0 This is one of the foolish tales the* tell under the 1ig tree at dusk0 - ha!e at least 'aid for th* son's life0 .arewell= and run 2uickl*/ for - shall send the herd in %ore swiftl* than their 1rick1ats0 - a% no wi#ard/ Messua0 .arewell!" "9ow/ once %ore/ +kela/" he cried0 "Bring the herd in0" The 1uffaloes were an:ious enough to get to the !illage0 The* hardl* needed +kela's *ell/ 1ut charged through the gate like a whirlwind/ scattering the crowd right and left0 "Kee' count!" shouted Mowgli scornfull*0 "-t %a* 1e that - ha!e stolen one of the%0 Kee' count/ for - will do *our herding no %ore0 .are *ou well/ children of %en/ and thank Messua that - do not co%e in with %* wol!es and hunt *ou u' and down *our street0" He turned on his heel and walked awa* with the Lone olf/ and as he looked u' at the stars he felt ha''*0 "9o %ore slee'ing in tra's for %e/ +kela0 Let us get Shere Khan's skin and go awa*0 9o/ we will not hurt the !illage/ for Messua was kind to %e0" hen the %oon rose o!er the 'lain/ %aking it look all %ilk*/ the horrified !illagers saw Mowgli/ with two wol!es at his heels and a 1undle on his head/ trotting across at the stead* wolf's trot that eats u' the long %iles like fire0 Then the* 1anged the te%'le 1ells and 1lew the conches louder than e!er0 +nd Messua cried/ and Buldeo e%1roidered the stor* of his ad!entures in the )ungle/ till he ended 1* sa*ing that +kela stood u' on his hind legs and talked like a %an0 The %oon was )ust going down when Mowgli and the two wol!es ca%e to the hill of the $ouncil Rock/ and the* sto''ed at Mother olf's ca!e0 "The* ha!e cast %e out fro% the Man-Pack/ Mother/" shouted Mowgli/ "1ut - co%e with the hide of Shere Khan to kee' %* word0" Mother olf walked stiffl* fro% the ca!e with the cu1s 1ehind her/ and her e*es glowed as she saw the skin0 "- told hi% on that da*/ when he cra%%ed his head and shoulders into this ca!e/ hunting for th* life/ Little .rog5- told hi% that the hunter would 1e the hunted0 -t is well done0" "Little Brother/ it is well done/" said a dee' !oice in the thicket0 " e were lonel* in the )ungle without thee/" and Bagheera ca%e running to Mowgli's 1are feet0 The* cla%1ered u' the $ouncil Rock together/ and Mowgli s'read the skin out on the flat stone where +kela used to sit/ and 'egged it down with four sli!ers of 1a%1oo/ and +kela la* down u'on it/ and called the old call to the $ouncil/ "Look5look well/ 4 ol!es/" e:actl* as he had called when Mowgli was first 1rought there0 &!er since +kela had 1een de'osed/ the Pack had 1een without a leader/ hunting and fighting at their own 'leasure0 But the* answered the call fro% ha1it= and so%e of the% were la%e fro% the tra's the* had fallen into/ and so%e li%'ed fro% shot wounds/ and so%e were %ang* fro% eating 1ad food/ and %an* were %issing0 But the* ca%e to the $ouncil Rock/ all that were left of the%/

and saw Shere Khan's stri'ed hide on the rock/ and the huge claws dangling at the end of the e%'t* dangling feet0 -t was then that Mowgli %ade u' a song that ca%e u' into his throat all 1* itself/ and he shouted it aloud/ lea'ing u' and down on the rattling skin/ and 1eating ti%e with his heels till he had no %ore 1reath left/ while (ra* Brother and +kela howled 1etween the !erses0 "Look well/ 4 ol!es0 Ha!e - ke't %* word8" said Mowgli0 +nd the wol!es 1a*ed "<es/" and one tattered wolf howled3 "Lead us again/ 4 +kela0 Lead us again/ 4 Man-cu1/ for we 1e sick of this lawlessness/ and we would 1e the .ree Peo'le once %ore0" "9a*/" 'urred Bagheera/ "that %a* not 1e0 hen *e are full-fed/ the %adness %a* co%e u'on *ou again0 9ot for nothing are *e called the .ree Peo'le0 <e fought for freedo%/ and it is *ours0 &at it/ 4 ol!es0" "Man-Pack and olf-Pack ha!e cast %e out/" said Mowgli0 "9ow - will hunt alone in the )ungle0" "+nd we will hunt with thee/" said the four cu1s0 So Mowgli went awa* and hunted with the four cu1s in the )ungle fro% that da* on0 But he was not alwa*s alone/ 1ecause/ *ears afterward/ he 1eca%e a %an and %arried0 But that is a stor* for grown-u's0

Mowgli's "ong
T:'T :E 5'2G 'T T:E 481246% R84K <:E2 :E ('24E( 82 5:ERE K:'2@5 :6(E The 5ong of =owgli>6, =owgli, a singing" listen to the things 6 ha!e done" %et the jungle

5here Khan said he would kill>would kill? 't the gates in the twilight he would kill =owgli, the 9rog? :e ate and he drank" (rink deep, 5here Khan, for when wilt thou drink againD 5leep and drea of the kill" 6 a alone on the graFing$grounds" Gray Brother, co e to 4o e to e, %one <olf, for there is big ga e afoot? e?

Bring up the great bull buffaloes, the blue$skinned herd bulls with the angry eyes" (ri!e the to and fro as 6 order" 5leepest thou still, 5here KhanD and the bulls are behind" <ake, oh, wake? :ere co e 6, <aters of

Ra a, the King of the Buffaloes, sta ped with his foot" the <aingunga, whither went 5here KhanD

:e is not 6kki to dig holes, nor =ao, the Peacock, that he should fly" :e is not =ang the Bat, to hang in the branches" %ittle ba boos that creak together, tell e where he ranD 8w? :e is there" 'hoo? :e is there" lies the %a e 8ne? 1p, 5here Khan? :ere is 1nder the feet of Ra a

1p and kill?

eatA break the necks of the bulls?

:sh? :e is asleep" <e will not wake hi , for his strength is !ery great" The kites ha!e co e down to see it" The black ants ha!e co e up to know it" There is a great asse bly in his honor" 'lala? 6 ha!e no cloth to wrap e" The kites will see that 6 a naked" 6 a asha ed to eet all these people" %end e thy coat, 5here Khan" %end ay go to the 4ouncil Rock" e thy gay striped coat that 6

By the Bull that bought e 6 ade a pro ise>a little pro ise" 8nly thy coat is lacking before 6 keep y word" <ith the knife, with the knife that en use, with the knife of the hunter, 6 will stoop down for y gift" <aters of the <aingunga, 5here Khan gi!es that he bears e" Pull, Gray Brother? the hide of 5here Khan" e his coat for the lo!e Pull, 'kela? :ea!y is

The =an Pack are angry" They throw stones and talk child@s talk" =y outh is bleeding" %et e run away" Through the night, through the hot night, run swiftly with e, y brothers" <e will lea!e the lights of the !illage and go to the low oon" <aters of the <aingunga, the =an$Pack ha!e cast e out" the no har , but they were afraid of e" <hyD 6 did e and

<olf Pack, ye ha!e cast e out too" The jungle is shut to the !illage gates are shut" <hyD

's =ang flies between the beasts and birds, so fly 6 between the !illage and the jungle" <hyD 6 dance on the hide of 5here Khan, but y heart is !ery hea!y" =y outh is cut and wounded with the stones fro the !illage, but y heart is !ery light, because 6 ha!e co e back to the jungle" <hyD These two things fight together in spring" The water co es out of falls" <hyD 6 a e as the snakes fight in the y eyesA yet 6 laugh while it y feet" %ook>look

two =owglis, but the hide of 5here Khan is under

'll the jungle knows that 6 ha!e killed 5here Khan" well, 8 <ol!es? 'hae?

=y heart is hea!y with the things that 6 do not understand"

T e ) ite "eal
8h? hush thee, y baby, the night is behind us, 'nd black are the waters that sparkled so green"

The

oon, o@er the co bers, looks downward to find us 't rest in the hollows that rustle between" <here billow eets billow, then soft be thy pillow, 'h, weary wee flipperling, curl at thy ease? The stor shall not wake thee, nor shark o!ertake thee, 'sleep in the ar s of the slow$swinging seas? 5eal %ullaby

+ll these things ha''ened se!eral *ears ago at a 'lace called 9o!astoshnah/ or 9orth &ast Point/ on the -sland of St0 Paul/ awa* and awa* in the Bering Sea0 Li%%ershin/ the inter ren/ told %e the tale when he was 1lown on to the rigging of a stea%er going to ;a'an/ and - took hi% down into %* ca1in and war%ed and fed hi% for a cou'le of da*s till he was fit to fl* 1ack to St0 Paul's again0 Li%%ershin is a !er* 2uaint little 1ird/ 1ut he knows how to tell the truth0 9o1od* co%es to 9o!astoshnah e:ce't on 1usiness/ and the onl* 'eo'le who ha!e regular 1usiness there are the seals0 The* co%e in the su%%er %onths 1* hundreds and hundreds of thousands out of the cold gra* sea0 .or 9o!astoshnah Beach has the finest acco%%odation for seals of an* 'lace in all the world0 Sea $atch knew that/ and e!er* s'ring would swi% fro% whate!er 'lace he ha''ened to 1e in5 would swi% like a tor'edo-1oat straight for 9o!astoshnah and s'end a %onth fighting with his co%'anions for a good 'lace on the rocks/ as close to the sea as 'ossi1le0 Sea $atch was fifteen *ears old/ a huge gra* fur seal with al%ost a %ane on his shoulders/ and long/ wicked dog teeth0 hen he hea!ed hi%self u' on his front fli''ers he stood %ore than four feet clear of the ground/ and his weight/ if an*one had 1een 1old enough to weigh hi%/ was nearl* se!en hundred 'ounds0 He was scarred all o!er with the %arks of sa!age fights/ 1ut he was alwa*s read* for )ust one fight %ore0 He would 'ut his head on one side/ as though he were afraid to look his ene%* in the face= then he would shoot it out like lightning/ and when the 1ig teeth were fir%l* fi:ed on the other seal's neck/ the other seal %ight get awa* if he could/ 1ut Sea $atch would not hel' hi%0 <et Sea $atch ne!er chased a 1eaten seal/ for that was against the Rules of the Beach0 He onl* wanted roo% 1* the sea for his nurser*0 But as there were fort* or fift* thousand other seals hunting for the sa%e thing each s'ring/ the whistling/ 1ellowing/ roaring/ and 1lowing on the 1each was so%ething frightful0 .ro% a little hill called Hutchinson's Hill/ *ou could look o!er three and a half %iles of ground co!ered with fighting seals= and the surf was dotted all o!er with the heads of seals hurr*ing to land and 1egin their share of the fighting0 The* fought in the 1reakers/ the* fought in the sand/ and the* fought on the s%ooth-worn 1asalt rocks of the nurseries/ for the* were )ust as stu'id and unacco%%odating as %en0 Their wi!es ne!er ca%e to the island until late in Ma* or earl* in ;une/ for the* did not care to 1e torn to 'ieces= and the *oung two-/ three-/ and four-*ear-old seals who had not 1egun housekee'ing went inland a1out half a %ile through the ranks of the fighters and 'la*ed a1out on the sand dunes in dro!es and legions/ and ru11ed off e!er* single green thing that grew0 The* were called the holluschickie5the 1achelors5and there were 'erha's two or three hundred thousand of the% at 9o!astoshnah alone0 Sea $atch had )ust finished his fort*-fifth fight one s'ring when Matkah/ his soft/ sleek/ gentle-e*ed wife/ ca%e u' out of the sea/ and he caught her 1* the scruff of the neck and du%'ed her down on his reser!ation/ sa*ing gruffl*3 "Late as usual0 here ha!e *ou 1een8" -t was not the fashion for Sea $atch to eat an*thing during the four %onths he sta*ed on the 1eaches/ and so his te%'er was generall* 1ad0 Matkah knew 1etter than to answer 1ack0 She looked round and cooed3 "How thoughtful of *ou0 <ou'!e taken the old 'lace again0" "- should think - had/" said Sea $atch0 "Look at %e!" He was scratched and 1leeding in twent* 'laces= one e*e was al%ost out/ and his sides were torn to

ri11ons0 "4h/ *ou %en/ *ou %en!" Matkah said/ fanning herself with her hind fli''er0 " h* can't *ou 1e sensi1le and settle *our 'laces 2uietl*8 <ou look as though *ou had 1een fighting with the Killer hale0" "- ha!en't 1een doing an*thing 1ut fight since the %iddle of Ma*0 The 1each is disgracefull* crowded this season0 -'!e %et at least a hundred seals fro% Lukannon Beach/ house hunting0 can't 'eo'le sta* where the* 1elong8" "-'!e often thought we should 1e %uch ha''ier if we hauled out at 4tter -sland instead of this crowded 'lace/" said Matkah0 "Bah! 4nl* the holluschickie go to 4tter -sland0 -f we went there the* would sa* we were afraid0 e %ust 'reser!e a''earances/ %* dear0" Sea $atch sunk his head 'roudl* 1etween his fat shoulders and 'retended to go to slee' for a few %inutes/ 1ut all the ti%e he was kee'ing a shar' lookout for a fight0 9ow that all the seals and their wi!es were on the land/ *ou could hear their cla%or %iles out to sea a1o!e the loudest gales0 +t the lowest counting there were o!er a %illion seals on the 1each5old seals/ %other seals/ tin* 1a1ies/ and holluschickie/ fighting/ scuffling/ 1leating/ crawling/ and 'la*ing together5going down to the sea and co%ing u' fro% it in gangs and regi%ents/ l*ing o!er e!er* foot of ground as far as the e*e could reach/ and skir%ishing a1out in 1rigades through the fog0 -t is nearl* alwa*s fogg* at 9o!astoshnah/ e:ce't when the sun co%es out and %akes e!er*thing look all 'earl* and rain1owcolored for a little while0 Kotick/ Matkah's 1a1*/ was 1orn in the %iddle of that confusion/ and he was all head and shoulders/ with 'ale/ water* 1lue e*es/ as tin* seals %ust 1e/ 1ut there was so%ething a1out his coat that %ade his %other look at hi% !er* closel*0 "Sea $atch/" she said/ at last/ "our 1a1*'s going to 1e white!" "&%'t* cla%-shells and dr* seaweed!" snorted Sea $atch0 "There ne!er has 1een such a thing in the world as a white seal0" "- can't hel' that/" said Matkah= "there's going to 1e now0" +nd she sang the low/ crooning seal song that all the %other seals sing to their 1a1ies3
#ou ustn@t swi till you@re siC weeks old, 8r your head will be sunk by your heelsA 'nd su er gales and Killer <hales 're bad for baby seals" 're bad for baby seals, dear rat, 's bad as bad can beA But splash and grow strong, 'nd you can@t be wrong" 4hild of the 8pen 5ea?

h*

4f course the little fellow did not understand the words at first0 He 'addled and scra%1led a1out 1* his %other's side/ and learned to scuffle out of the wa* when his father was fighting with another seal/ and the two rolled and roared u' and down the sli''er* rocks0 Matkah used to go to sea to get things to eat/ and the 1a1* was fed onl* once in two da*s/ 1ut then he ate all he could and thro!e u'on it0 The first thing he did was to crawl inland/ and there he %et tens of thousands of 1a1ies of his own age/ and the* 'la*ed together like 'u''ies/ went to slee' on the clean sand/ and 'la*ed again0 The old 'eo'le in the nurseries took no notice of the%/ and the holluschickie ke't to their own grounds/ and the 1a1ies had a 1eautiful 'la*ti%e0 hen Matkah ca%e 1ack fro% her dee'-sea fishing she would go straight to their 'la*ground and

call as a shee' calls for a la%1/ and wait until she heard Kotick 1leat0 Then she would take the straightest of straight lines in his direction/ striking out with her fore fli''ers and knocking the *oungsters head o!er heels right and left0 There were alwa*s a few hundred %others hunting for their children through the 'la*grounds/ and the 1a1ies were ke't li!el*0 But/ as Matkah told Kotick/ "So long as *ou don't lie in %udd* water and get %ange/ or ru1 the hard sand into a cut or scratch/ and so long as *ou ne!er go swi%%ing when there is a hea!* sea/ nothing will hurt *ou here0" Little seals can no %ore swi% than little children/ 1ut the* are unha''* till the* learn0 The first ti%e that Kotick went down to the sea a wa!e carried hi% out 1e*ond his de'th/ and his 1ig head sank and his little hind fli''ers flew u' e:actl* as his %other had told hi% in the song/ and if the ne:t wa!e had not thrown hi% 1ack again he would ha!e drowned0 +fter that/ he learned to lie in a 1each 'ool and let the wash of the wa!es )ust co!er hi% and lift hi% u' while he 'addled/ 1ut he alwa*s ke't his e*e o'en for 1ig wa!es that %ight hurt0 He was two weeks learning to use his fli''ers= and all that while he floundered in and out of the water/ and coughed and grunted and crawled u' the 1each and took catna's on the sand/ and went 1ack again/ until at last he found that he trul* 1elonged to the water0 Then *ou can i%agine the ti%es that he had with his co%'anions/ ducking under the rollers= or co%ing in on to' of a co%1er and landing with a swash and a s'lutter as the 1ig wa!e went whirling far u' the 1each= or standing u' on his tail and scratching his head as the old 'eo'le did= or 'la*ing "-'% the King of the $astle" on sli''er*/ weed* rocks that )ust stuck out of the wash0 9ow and then he would see a thin fin/ like a 1ig shark's fin/ drifting along close to shore/ and he knew that that was the Killer hale/ the (ra%'us/ who eats *oung seals when he can get the%= and Kotick would head for the 1each like an arrow/ and the fin would )ig off slowl*/ as if it were looking for nothing at all0 Late in 4cto1er the seals 1egan to lea!e St0 Paul's for the dee' sea/ 1* fa%ilies and tri1es/ and there was no %ore fighting o!er the nurseries/ and the holluschickie 'la*ed an*where the* liked0 "9e:t *ear/" said Matkah to Kotick/ "*ou will 1e a holluschickie= 1ut this *ear *ou %ust learn how to catch fish0" The* set out together across the Pacific/ and Matkah showed Kotick how to slee' on his 1ack with his fli''ers tucked down 1* his side and his little nose )ust out of the water0 9o cradle is so co%forta1le as the long/ rocking swell of the Pacific0 hen Kotick felt his skin tingle all o!er/ Matkah told hi% he was learning the "feel of the water/" and that tingl*/ 'rickl* feelings %eant 1ad weather co%ing/ and he %ust swi% hard and get awa*0 "-n a little ti%e/" she said/ "*ou'll know where to swi% to/ 1ut )ust now we'll follow Sea Pig/ the Por'oise/ for he is !er* wise0" + school of 'or'oises were ducking and tearing through the water/ and little Kotick followed the% as fast as he could0 "How do *ou know where to go to8" he 'anted0 The leader of the school rolled his white e*e and ducked under0 "M* tail tingles/ *oungster/" he said0 "That %eans there's a gale 1ehind %e0 $o%e along! hen *ou're south of the Stick* ater 6he %eant the &2uator7 and *our tail tingles/ that %eans there's a gale in front of *ou and *ou %ust head north0 $o%e along! The water feels 1ad here0" This was one of !er* %an* things that Kotick learned/ and he was alwa*s learning0 Matkah taught hi% to follow the cod and the hali1ut along the under-sea 1anks and wrench the rockling out of his hole a%ong the weeds= how to skirt the wrecks l*ing a hundred fatho%s 1elow water and dart like a rifle 1ullet in at one 'orthole and out at another as the fishes ran= how to dance on the to' of the wa!es when the lightning was racing all o!er the sk*/ and wa!e his fli''er 'olitel* to the stu%'*tailed +l1atross and the Man-of-war Hawk as the* went down the wind= how to )u%' three or four feet clear of the water like a dol'hin/ fli''ers close to the side and tail cur!ed= to lea!e the fl*ing fish alone 1ecause the* are all 1on*= to take the shoulder-'iece out of a cod at full s'eed ten fatho%s dee'/ and ne!er to sto' and look at a 1oat or a shi'/ 1ut 'articularl* a row-1oat0 +t the end of si: %onths what Kotick did not know a1out dee'-sea fishing was not worth the knowing0 +nd all that

ti%e he ne!er set fli''er on dr* ground0 4ne da*/ howe!er/ as he was l*ing half aslee' in the war% water so%ewhere off the -sland of ;uan .ernande#/ he felt faint and la#* all o!er/ )ust as hu%an 'eo'le do when the s'ring is in their legs/ and he re%e%1ered the good fir% 1eaches of 9o!astoshnah se!en thousand %iles awa*/ the ga%es his co%'anions 'la*ed/ the s%ell of the seaweed/ the seal roar/ and the fighting0 That !er* %inute he turned north/ swi%%ing steadil*/ and as he went on he %et scores of his %ates/ all 1ound for the sa%e 'lace/ and the* said3 "(reeting/ Kotick! This *ear we are all holluschickie/ and we can dance the .ire-dance in the 1reakers off Lukannon and 'la* on the new grass0 But where did *ou get that coat8" Kotick's fur was al%ost 'ure white now/ and though he felt !er* 'roud of it/ he onl* said/ "Swi% 2uickl*! M* 1ones are aching for the land0" +nd so the* all ca%e to the 1eaches where the* had 1een 1orn/ and heard the old seals/ their fathers/ fighting in the rolling %ist0 That night Kotick danced the .ire-dance with the *earling seals0 The sea is full of fire on su%%er nights all the wa* down fro% 9o!astoshnah to Lukannon/ and each seal lea!es a wake like 1urning oil 1ehind hi% and a fla%ing flash when he )u%'s/ and the wa!es 1reak in great 'hos'horescent streaks and swirls0 Then the* went inland to the holluschickie grounds and rolled u' and down in the new wild wheat and told stories of what the* had done while the* had 1een at sea0 The* talked a1out the Pacific as 1o*s would talk a1out a wood that the* had 1een nutting in/ and if an*one had understood the% he could ha!e gone awa* and %ade such a chart of that ocean as ne!er was0 The three- and four-*ear-old holluschickie ro%'ed down fro% Hutchinson's Hill cr*ing3 "4ut of the wa*/ *oungsters! The sea is dee' and *ou don't know all that's in it *et0 ait till *ou'!e rounded the Horn0 Hi/ *ou *earling/ where did *ou get that white coat8" "- didn't get it/" said Kotick0 "-t grew0" +nd )ust as he was going to roll the s'eaker o!er/ a cou'le of 1lack-haired %en with flat red faces ca%e fro% 1ehind a sand dune/ and Kotick/ who had ne!er seen a %an 1efore/ coughed and lowered his head0 The holluschickie )ust 1undled off a few *ards and sat staring stu'idl*0 The %en were no less than Kerick Booterin/ the chief of the seal-hunters on the island/ and Patala%on/ his son0 The* ca%e fro% the little !illage not half a %ile fro% the sea nurseries/ and the* were deciding what seals the* would dri!e u' to the killing 'ens5for the seals were dri!en )ust like shee'5to 1e turned into seal-skin )ackets later on0 "Ho!" said Patala%on0 "Look! There's a white seal!" Kerick Booterin turned nearl* white under his oil and s%oke/ for he was an +leut/ and +leuts are not clean 'eo'le0 Then he 1egan to %utter a 'ra*er0 ""on't touch hi%/ Patala%on0 There has ne!er 1een a white seal since5since - was 1orn0 Perha's it is old Daharrof's ghost0 He was lost last *ear in the 1ig gale0" "-'% not going near hi%/" said Patala%on0 "He's unluck*0 "o *ou reall* think he is old Daharrof co%e 1ack8 - owe hi% for so%e gulls' eggs0" ""on't look at hi%/" said Kerick0 "Head off that dro!e of four-*ear-olds0 The %en ought to skin two hundred to-da*/ 1ut it's the 1eginning of the season and the* are new to the work0 + hundred will do0 Cuick!" Patala%on rattled a 'air of seal's shoulder 1ones in front of a herd of holluschickie and the* sto''ed dead/ 'uffing and 1lowing0 Then he ste''ed near and the seals 1egan to %o!e/ and Kerick headed the% inland/ and the* ne!er tried to get 1ack to their co%'anions0 Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of seals watched the% 1eing dri!en/ 1ut the* went on 'la*ing )ust the sa%e0 Kotick was the onl* one who asked 2uestions/ and none of his co%'anions could tell hi% an*thing/ e:ce't that the %en alwa*s dro!e seals in that wa* for si: weeks or two %onths of e!er* *ear0 "- a% going to follow/" he said/ and his e*es nearl* 'o''ed out of his head as he shuffled along in the wake of the herd0 "The white seal is co%ing after us/" cried Patala%on0 "That's the first ti%e a seal has e!er co%e to

the killing-grounds alone0" "Hsh! "on't look 1ehind *ou/" said Kerick0 "-t is Daharrof's ghost! - %ust s'eak to the 'riest a1out this0" The distance to the killing-grounds was onl* half a %ile/ 1ut it took an hour to co!er/ 1ecause if the seals went too fast Kerick knew that the* would get heated and then their fur would co%e off in 'atches when the* were skinned0 So the* went on !er* slowl*/ 'ast Sea Lion's 9eck/ 'ast e1ster House/ till the* ca%e to the Salt House )ust 1e*ond the sight of the seals on the 1each0 Kotick followed/ 'anting and wondering0 He thought that he was at the world's end/ 1ut the roar of the seal nurseries 1ehind hi% sounded as loud as the roar of a train in a tunnel0 Then Kerick sat down on the %oss and 'ulled out a hea!* 'ewter watch and let the dro!e cool off for thirt* %inutes/ and Kotick could hear the fog-dew dri''ing off the 1ri% of his ca'0 Then ten or twel!e %en/ each with an iron1ound clu1 three or four feet long/ ca%e u'/ and Kerick 'ointed out one or two of the dro!e that were 1itten 1* their co%'anions or too hot/ and the %en kicked those aside with their hea!* 1oots %ade of the skin of a walrus's throat/ and then Kerick said/ "Let go!" and then the %en clu11ed the seals on the head as fast as the* could0 Ten %inutes later little Kotick did not recogni#e his friends an* %ore/ for their skins were ri''ed off fro% the nose to the hind fli''ers/ whi''ed off and thrown down on the ground in a 'ile0 That was enough for Kotick0 He turned and gallo'ed >a seal can gallo' !er* swiftl* for a short ti%e? 1ack to the sea= his little new %ustache 1ristling with horror0 +t Sea Lion's 9eck/ where the great sea lions sit on the edge of the surf/ he flung hi%self fli''er-o!erhead into the cool water and rocked there/ gas'ing %isera1l*0 " hat's here8" said a sea lion gruffl*/ for as a rule the sea lions kee' the%sel!es to the%sel!es0 "Scoochnie! 4chen scoochnie!" >"-'% loneso%e/ !er* loneso%e!"? said Kotick0 "The*'re killing all the holluschickie on all the 1eaches!" The Sea Lion turned his head inshore0 "9onsense!" he said0 "<our friends are %aking as %uch noise as e!er0 <ou %ust ha!e seen old Kerick 'olishing off a dro!e0 He's done that for thirt* *ears0" "-t's horri1le/" said Kotick/ 1acking water as a wa!e went o!er hi%/ and stead*ing hi%self with a screw stroke of his fli''ers that 1rought hi% all standing within three inches of a )agged edge of rock0 " ell done for a *earling!" said the Sea Lion/ who could a''reciate good swi%%ing0 "- su''ose it is rather awful fro% *our wa* of looking at it/ 1ut if *ou seals will co%e here *ear after *ear/ of course the %en get to know of it/ and unless *ou can find an island where no %en e!er co%e *ou will alwa*s 1e dri!en0" "-sn't there an* such island8" 1egan Kotick0 "-'!e followed the 'oltoos 6the hali1ut7 for twent* *ears/ and - can't sa* -'!e found it *et0 But look here5*ou see% to ha!e a fondness for talking to *our 1etters5su''ose *ou go to alrus -slet and talk to Sea Aitch0 He %a* know so%ething0 "on't flounce off like that0 -t's a si:-%ile swi%/ and if were *ou - should haul out and take a na' first/ little one0" Kotick thought that that was good ad!ice/ so he swa% round to his own 1each/ hauled out/ and sle't for half an hour/ twitching all o!er/ as seals will0 Then he headed straight for alrus -slet/ a little low sheet of rock* island al%ost due northeast fro% 9o!astoshnah/ all ledges and rock and gulls' nests/ where the walrus herded 1* the%sel!es0 He landed close to old Sea Aitch5the 1ig/ ugl*/ 1loated/ 'i%'led/ fat-necked/ long-tusked walrus of the 9orth Pacific/ who has no %anners e:ce't when he is aslee'5as he was then/ with his hind fli''ers half in and half out of the surf0 " ake u'!" 1arked Kotick/ for the gulls were %aking a great noise0 "Hah! Ho! H%'h! hat's that8" said Sea Aitch/ and he struck the ne:t walrus a 1low with his tusks

and waked hi% u'/ and the ne:t struck the ne:t/ and so on till the* were all awake and staring in e!er* direction 1ut the right one0 "Hi! -t's %e/" said Kotick/ 1o11ing in the surf and looking like a little white slug0 " ell! Ma* - 1e5skinned!" said Sea Aitch/ and the* all looked at Kotick as *ou can fanc* a clu1 full of drows* old gentle%en would look at a little 1o*0 Kotick did not care to hear an* %ore a1out skinning )ust then= he had seen enough of it0 So he called out3 "-sn't there an* 'lace for seals to go where %en don't e!er co%e8" "(o and find out/" said Sea Aitch/ shutting his e*es0 "Run awa*0 e're 1us* here0" Kotick %ade his dol'hin-)u%' in the air and shouted as loud as he could3 "$la%-eater! $la%-eater!" He knew that Sea Aitch ne!er caught a fish in his life 1ut alwa*s rooted for cla%s and seaweed= though he 'retended to 1e a !er* terri1le 'erson0 9aturall* the $hickies and the (oo!erooskies and the &'atkas5the Burgo%aster (ulls and the Kittiwakes and the Puffins/ who are alwa*s looking for a chance to 1e rude/ took u' the cr*/ and5so Li%%ershin told %e5for nearl* fi!e %inutes *ou could not ha!e heard a gun fired on alrus -slet0 +ll the 'o'ulation was *elling and screa%ing "$la%-eater! Stareek 6old %an7!" while Sea Aitch rolled fro% side to side grunting and coughing0 "9ow will *ou tell8" said Kotick/ all out of 1reath0 "(o and ask Sea $ow/" said Sea Aitch0 "-f he is li!ing still/ he'll 1e a1le to tell *ou0" "How shall - know Sea $ow when - %eet hi%8" said Kotick/ sheering off0 "He's the onl* thing in the sea uglier than Sea Aitch/" screa%ed a Burgo%aster gull/ wheeling under Sea Aitch's nose0 "@glier/ and with worse %anners! Stareek!" Kotick swa% 1ack to 9o!astoshnah/ lea!ing the gulls to screa%0 There he found that no one s*%'athi#ed with hi% in his little atte%'t to disco!er a 2uiet 'lace for the seals0 The* told hi% that %en had alwa*s dri!en the holluschickie5it was 'art of the da*'s work5and that if he did not like to see ugl* things he should not ha!e gone to the killing grounds0 But none of the other seals had seen the killing/ and that %ade the difference 1etween hi% and his friends0 Besides/ Kotick was a white seal0 " hat *ou %ust do/" said old Sea $atch/ after he had heard his son's ad!entures/ "is to grow u' and 1e a 1ig seal like *our father/ and ha!e a nurser* on the 1each/ and then the* will lea!e *ou alone0 -n another fi!e *ears *ou ought to 1e a1le to fight for *ourself0" &!en gentle Matkah/ his %other/ said3 "<ou will ne!er 1e a1le to sto' the killing0 (o and 'la* in the sea/ Kotick0" +nd Kotick went off and danced the .ire-dance with a !er* hea!* little heart0 That autu%n he left the 1each as soon as he could/ and set off alone 1ecause of a notion in his 1ullet-head0 He was going to find Sea $ow/ if there was such a 'erson in the sea/ and he was going to find a 2uiet island with good fir% 1eaches for seals to li!e on/ where %en could not get at the%0 So he e:'lored and e:'lored 1* hi%self fro% the 9orth to the South Pacific/ swi%%ing as %uch as three hundred %iles in a da* and a night0 He %et with %ore ad!entures than can 1e told/ and narrowl* esca'ed 1eing caught 1* the Basking Shark/ and the S'otted Shark/ and the Ha%%erhead/ and he %et all the untrustworth* ruffians that loaf u' and down the seas/ and the hea!* 'olite fish/ and the scarlet s'otted scallo's that are %oored in one 'lace for hundreds of *ears/ and grow !er* 'roud of it= 1ut he ne!er %et Sea $ow/ and he ne!er found an island that he could fanc*0 -f the 1each was good and hard/ with a slo'e 1ehind it for seals to 'la* on/ there was alwa*s the s%oke of a whaler on the hori#on/ 1oiling down 1lu11er/ and Kotick knew what that %eant0 4r else he could see that seals had once !isited the island and 1een killed off/ and Kotick knew that where %en had co%e once the* would co%e again0 He 'icked u' with an old stu%'*-tailed al1atross/ who told hi% that Kerguelen -sland was the !er* 'lace for 'eace and 2uiet/ and when Kotick went down there he was all 1ut s%ashed to 'ieces against so%e wicked 1lack cliffs in a hea!* sleet-stor% with lightning and thunder0 <et as he 'ulled

out against the gale he could see that e!en there had once 1een a seal nurser*0 +nd it was so in all the other islands that he !isited0 Li%%ershin ga!e a long list of the%/ for he said that Kotick s'ent fi!e seasons e:'loring/ with a four %onths' rest each *ear at 9o!astoshnah/ when the holluschickie used to %ake fun of hi% and his i%aginar* islands0 He went to the (alla'agos/ a horrid dr* 'lace on the &2uator/ where he was nearl* 1aked to death= he went to the (eorgia -slands/ the 4rkne*s/ &%erald -sland/ Little 9ightingale -sland/ (ough's -sland/ Bou!et's -sland/ the $rossets/ and e!en to a little s'eck of an island south of the $a'e of (ood Ho'e0 But e!er*where the Peo'le of the Sea told hi% the sa%e things0 Seals had co%e to those islands once u'on a ti%e/ 1ut %en had killed the% all off0 &!en when he swa% thousands of %iles out of the Pacific and got to a 'lace called $a'e $orrientes >that was when he was co%ing 1ack fro% (ough's -sland?/ he found a few hundred %ang* seals on a rock and the* told hi% that %en ca%e there too0 That nearl* 1roke his heart/ and he headed round the Horn 1ack to his own 1eaches= and on his wa* north he hauled out on an island full of green trees/ where he found an old/ old seal who was d*ing/ and Kotick caught fish for hi% and told hi% all his sorrows0 "9ow/" said Kotick/ "- a% going 1ack to 9o!astoshnah/ and if - a% dri!en to the killing-'ens with the holluschickie - shall not care0" The old seal said/ "Tr* once %ore0 - a% the last of the Lost Rooker* of Masafuera/ and in the da*s when %en killed us 1* the hundred thousand there was a stor* on the 1eaches that so%e da* a white seal would co%e out of the 9orth and lead the seal 'eo'le to a 2uiet 'lace0 - a% old/ and - shall ne!er li!e to see that da*/ 1ut others will0 Tr* once %ore0" +nd Kotick curled u' his %ustache >it was a 1eaut*? and said/ "- a% the onl* white seal that has e!er 1een 1orn on the 1eaches/ and - a% the onl* seal/ 1lack or white/ who e!er thought of looking for new islands0" This cheered hi% i%%ensel*= and when he ca%e 1ack to 9o!astoshnah that su%%er/ Matkah/ his %other/ 1egged hi% to %arr* and settle down/ for he was no longer a holluschick 1ut a full-grown sea-catch/ with a curl* white %ane on his shoulders/ as hea!*/ as 1ig/ and as fierce as his father0 "(i!e %e another season/" he said0 "Re%e%1er/ Mother/ it is alwa*s the se!enth wa!e that goes farthest u' the 1each0" $uriousl* enough/ there was another seal who thought that she would 'ut off %arr*ing till the ne:t *ear/ and Kotick danced the .ire-dance with her all down Lukannon Beach the night 1efore he set off on his last e:'loration0 This ti%e he went westward/ 1ecause he had fallen on the trail of a great shoal of hali1ut/ and he needed at least one hundred 'ounds of fish a da* to kee' hi% in good condition0 He chased the% till he was tired/ and then he curled hi%self u' and went to slee' on the hollows of the ground swell that sets in to $o''er -sland0 He knew the coast 'erfectl* well/ so a1out %idnight/ when he felt hi%self gentl* 1u%'ed on a weed-1ed/ he said/ "H%/ tide's running strong tonight/" and turning o!er under water o'ened his e*es slowl* and stretched0 Then he )u%'ed like a cat/ for he saw huge things nosing a1out in the shoal water and 1rowsing on the hea!* fringes of the weeds0 "B* the (reat $o%1ers of Magellan!" he said/ 1eneath his %ustache0 " ho in the "ee' Sea are these 'eo'le8" The* were like no walrus/ sea lion/ seal/ 1ear/ whale/ shark/ fish/ s2uid/ or scallo' that Kotick had e!er seen 1efore0 The* were 1etween twent* and thirt* feet long/ and the* had no hind fli''ers/ 1ut a sho!el-like tail that looked as if it had 1een whittled out of wet leather0 Their heads were the %ost foolish-looking things *ou e!er saw/ and the* 1alanced on the ends of their tails in dee' water when the* weren't gra#ing/ 1owing sole%nl* to each other and wa!ing their front fli''ers as a fat %an wa!es his ar%0 "+he%!" said Kotick0 "(ood s'ort/ gentle%en8" The 1ig things answered 1* 1owing and wa!ing their fli''ers like the .rog .oot%an0 hen the* 1egan feeding again Kotick saw that their u''er li'

was s'lit into two 'ieces that the* could twitch a'art a1out a foot and 1ring together again with a whole 1ushel of seaweed 1etween the s'lits0 The* tucked the stuff into their %ouths and chu%'ed sole%nl*0 "Mess* st*le of feeding/ that/" said Kotick0 The* 1owed again/ and Kotick 1egan to lose his te%'er0 "Aer* good/" he said0 "-f *ou do ha''en to ha!e an e:tra )oint in *our front fli''er *ou needn't show off so0 - see *ou 1ow gracefull*/ 1ut - should like to know *our na%es0" The s'lit li's %o!ed and twitched= and the glass* green e*es stared/ 1ut the* did not s'eak0 " ell!" said Kotick0 "<ou're the onl* 'eo'le -'!e e!er %et uglier than Sea Aitch5and with worse %anners0" Then he re%e%1ered in a flash what the Burgo%aster gull had screa%ed to hi% when he was a little *earling at alrus -slet/ and he tu%1led 1ackward in the water/ for he knew that he had found Sea $ow at last0 The sea cows went on schloo'ing and gra#ing and chu%'ing in the weed/ and Kotick asked the% 2uestions in e!er* language that he had 'icked u' in his tra!els= and the Sea Peo'le talk nearl* as %an* languages as hu%an 1eings0 But the sea cows did not answer 1ecause Sea $ow cannot talk0 He has onl* si: 1ones in his neck where he ought to ha!e se!en/ and the* sa* under the sea that that 're!ents hi% fro% s'eaking e!en to his co%'anions0 But/ as *ou know/ he has an e:tra )oint in his forefli''er/ and 1* wa!ing it u' and down and a1out he %akes what answers to a sort of clu%s* telegra'hic code0 B* da*light Kotick's %ane was standing on end and his te%'er was gone where the dead cra1s go0 Then the Sea $ow 1egan to tra!el northward !er* slowl*/ sto''ing to hold a1surd 1owing councils fro% ti%e to ti%e/ and Kotick followed the%/ sa*ing to hi%self/ "Peo'le who are such idiots as these are would ha!e 1een killed long ago if the* hadn't found out so%e safe island0 +nd what is good enough for the Sea $ow is good enough for the Sea $atch0 +ll the sa%e/ - wish the*'d hurr*0" -t was wear* work for Kotick0 The herd ne!er went %ore than fort* or fift* %iles a da*/ and sto''ed to feed at night/ and ke't close to the shore all the ti%e= while Kotick swa% round the%/ and o!er the%/ and under the%/ 1ut he could not hurr* the% u' one-half %ile0 +s the* went farther north the* held a 1owing council e!er* few hours/ and Kotick nearl* 1it off his %ustache with i%'atience till he saw that the* were following u' a war% current of water/ and then he res'ected the% %ore0 4ne night the* sank through the shin* water5sank like stones5and for the first ti%e since he had known the% 1egan to swi% 2uickl*0 Kotick followed/ and the 'ace astonished hi%/ for he ne!er drea%ed that Sea $ow was an*thing of a swi%%er0 The* headed for a cliff 1* the shore5a cliff that ran down into dee' water/ and 'lunged into a dark hole at the foot of it/ twent* fatho%s under the sea0 -t was a long/ long swi%/ and Kotick 1adl* wanted fresh air 1efore he was out of the dark tunnel the* led hi% through0 "M* wig!" he said/ when he rose/ gas'ing and 'uffing/ into o'en water at the farther end0 "-t was a long di!e/ 1ut it was worth it0" The sea cows had se'arated and were 1rowsing la#il* along the edges of the finest 1eaches that Kotick had e!er seen0 There were long stretches of s%ooth-worn rock running for %iles/ e:actl* fitted to %ake seal-nurseries/ and there were 'la*-grounds of hard sand slo'ing inland 1ehind the%/ and there were rollers for seals to dance in/ and long grass to roll in/ and sand dunes to cli%1 u' and down/ and/ 1est of all/ Kotick knew 1* the feel of the water/ which ne!er decei!es a true sea catch/ that no %en had e!er co%e there0 The first thing he did was to assure hi%self that the fishing was good/ and then he swa% along the 1eaches and counted u' the delightful low sand* islands half hidden in the 1eautiful rolling fog0 +wa* to the northward/ out to sea/ ran a line of 1ars and shoals and rocks that would ne!er let a shi' co%e within si: %iles of the 1each/ and 1etween the islands and the %ainland was a stretch of dee' water that ran u' to the 'er'endicular cliffs/ and so%ewhere 1elow the cliffs was the %outh of the

tunnel0 "-t's 9o!astoshnah o!er again/ 1ut ten ti%es 1etter/" said Kotick0 "Sea $ow %ust 1e wiser than thought0 Men can't co%e down the cliffs/ e!en if there were an* %en= and the shoals to seaward would knock a shi' to s'linters0 -f an* 'lace in the sea is safe/ this is it0" He 1egan to think of the seal he had left 1ehind hi%/ 1ut though he was in a hurr* to go 1ack to 9o!astoshnah/ he thoroughl* e:'lored the new countr*/ so that he would 1e a1le to answer all 2uestions0 Then he di!ed and %ade sure of the %outh of the tunnel/ and raced through to the southward0 9o one 1ut a sea cow or a seal would ha!e drea%ed of there 1eing such a 'lace/ and when he looked 1ack at the cliffs e!en Kotick could hardl* 1elie!e that he had 1een under the%0 He was si: da*s going ho%e/ though he was not swi%%ing slowl*= and when he hauled out )ust a1o!e Sea Lion's 9eck the first 'erson he %et was the seal who had 1een waiting for hi%/ and she saw 1* the look in his e*es that he had found his island at last0 But the holluschickie and Sea $atch/ his father/ and all the other seals laughed at hi% when he told the% what he had disco!ered/ and a *oung seal a1out his own age said/ "This is all !er* well/ Kotick/ 1ut *ou can't co%e fro% no one knows where and order us off like this0 Re%e%1er we'!e 1een fighting for our nurseries/ and that's a thing *ou ne!er did0 <ou 'referred 'rowling a1out in the sea0" The other seals laughed at this/ and the *oung seal 1egan twisting his head fro% side to side0 He had )ust %arried that *ear/ and was %aking a great fuss a1out it0 "-'!e no nurser* to fight for/" said Kotick0 "- onl* want to show *ou all a 'lace where *ou will 1e safe0 hat's the use of fighting8" "4h/ if *ou're tr*ing to 1ack out/ of course -'!e no %ore to sa*/" said the *oung seal with an ugl* chuckle0 " ill *ou co%e with %e if - win8" said Kotick0 +nd a green light ca%e into his e*e/ for he was !er* angr* at ha!ing to fight at all0 "Aer* good/" said the *oung seal carelessl*0 "-f *ou win/ -'ll co%e0" He had no ti%e to change his %ind/ for Kotick's head was out and his teeth sunk in the 1lu11er of the *oung seal's neck0 Then he threw hi%self 1ack on his haunches and hauled his ene%* down the 1each/ shook hi%/ and knocked hi% o!er0 Then Kotick roared to the seals3 "-'!e done %* 1est for *ou these fi!e seasons 'ast0 -'!e found *ou the island where *ou'll 1e safe/ 1ut unless *our heads are dragged off *our sill* necks *ou won't 1elie!e0 -'% going to teach *ou now0 Look out for *oursel!es!" Li%%ershin told %e that ne!er in his life5and Li%%ershin sees ten thousand 1ig seals fighting e!er* *ear5ne!er in all his little life did he see an*thing like Kotick's charge into the nurseries0 He flung hi%self at the 1iggest sea catch he could find/ caught hi% 1* the throat/ choked hi% and 1u%'ed hi% and 1anged hi% till he grunted for %erc*/ and then threw hi% aside and attacked the ne:t0 <ou see/ Kotick had ne!er fasted for four %onths as the 1ig seals did e!er* *ear/ and his dee'sea swi%%ing tri's ke't hi% in 'erfect condition/ and/ 1est of all/ he had ne!er fought 1efore0 His curl* white %ane stood u' with rage/ and his e*es fla%ed/ and his 1ig dog teeth glistened/ and he was s'lendid to look at0 4ld Sea $atch/ his father/ saw hi% tearing 'ast/ hauling the gri##led old seals a1out as though the* had 1een hali1ut/ and u'setting the *oung 1achelors in all directions= and Sea $atch ga!e a roar and shouted3 "He %a* 1e a fool/ 1ut he is the 1est fighter on the 1eaches! "on't tackle *our father/ %* son! He's with *ou!" Kotick roared in answer/ and old Sea $atch waddled in with his %ustache on end/ 1lowing like a loco%oti!e/ while Matkah and the seal that was going to %arr* Kotick cowered down and ad%ired their %en-folk0 -t was a gorgeous fight/ for the two fought as long as there was a seal that dared lift

u' his head/ and when there were none the* 'araded grandl* u' and down the 1each side 1* side/ 1ellowing0 +t night/ )ust as the 9orthern Lights were winking and flashing through the fog/ Kotick cli%1ed a 1are rock and looked down on the scattered nurseries and the torn and 1leeding seals0 "9ow/" he said/ "-'!e taught *ou *our lesson0" "M* wig!" said old Sea $atch/ 1oosting hi%self u' stiffl*/ for he was fearfull* %auled0 "The Killer hale hi%self could not ha!e cut the% u' worse0 Son/ -'% 'roud of *ou/ and what's %ore/ -'ll co%e with *ou to *our island5if there is such a 'lace0" "Hear *ou/ fat 'igs of the sea0 *ou again/" roared Kotick0 ho co%es with %e to the Sea $ow's tunnel8 +nswer/ or - shall teach

There was a %ur%ur like the ri''le of the tide all u' and down the 1eaches0 " e will co%e/" said thousands of tired !oices0 " e will follow Kotick/ the hite Seal0" Then Kotick dro''ed his head 1etween his shoulders and shut his e*es 'roudl*0 He was not a white seal an* %ore/ 1ut red fro% head to tail0 +ll the sa%e he would ha!e scorned to look at or touch one of his wounds0 + week later he and his ar%* >nearl* ten thousand holluschickie and old seals? went awa* north to the Sea $ow's tunnel/ Kotick leading the%/ and the seals that sta*ed at 9o!astoshnah called the% idiots0 But ne:t s'ring/ when the* all %et off the fishing 1anks of the Pacific/ Kotick's seals told such tales of the new 1eaches 1e*ond Sea $ow's tunnel that %ore and %ore seals left 9o!astoshnah0 4f course it was not all done at once/ for the seals are not !er* cle!er/ and the* need a long ti%e to turn things o!er in their %inds/ 1ut *ear after *ear %ore seals went awa* fro% 9o!astoshnah/ and Lukannon/ and the other nurseries/ to the 2uiet/ sheltered 1eaches where Kotick sits all the su%%er through/ getting 1igger and fatter and stronger each *ear/ while the holluschickie 'la* around hi%/ in that sea where no %an co%es0

Lu&annon
This is the great dee'-sea song that all the St0 Paul seals sing when the* are heading 1ack to their 1eaches in the su%%er0 -t is a sort of !er* sad seal 9ational +nthe%0
6 et y ates in the orning Gand, oh, but 6 a old?H <here roaring on the ledges the su er ground$swell rolledA 6 heard the lift the chorus that drowned the breakers@ song> The Beaches of %ukannon>two illion !oices strong" The The The The song of pleasant stations beside the salt lagoons, song of blowing sEuadrons that shuffled down the dunes, song of idnight dances that churned the sea to fla e> Beaches of %ukannon>before the sealers ca e?

6 et y ates in the orning G6@ll ne!er eet the ore?HA They ca e and went in legions that darkened all the shore" 'nd o@er the foa $flecked offing as far as !oice could reach <e hailed the landing$parties and we sang the up the beach" The The The The Beaches of %ukannon>the winter wheat so tall> dripping, crinkled lichens, and the sea$fog drenching all? platfor s of our playground, all shining s ooth and worn? Beaches of %ukannon>the ho e where we were born?

6 et y =en shoot =en dri!e 'nd still

ates in the orning, a broken, scattered band" us in the water and club us on the landA us to the 5alt :ouse like silly sheep and ta e, we sing %ukannon>before the sealers ca e"

<heel down, wheel down to southwardA oh, Goo!erooska, go? 'nd tell the (eep$5ea ;iceroys the story of our woeA Ere, e pty as the shark@s egg the te pest flings ashore, The Beaches of %ukannon shall know their sons no ore?

'Ri&&i!Ti&&i!Ta*i'
't the hole where he went in Red$Eye called to <rinkle$5kin" :ear what little Red$Eye saith& B2ag, co e up and dance with death?B Eye to eye and head to head, GKeep the easure, 2ag"H This shall end when one is deadA G't thy pleasure, 2ag"H Turn for turn and twist for twist> GRun and hide thee, 2ag"H :ah? The hooded (eath has issed? G<oe betide thee, 2ag?H

This is the stor* of the great war that Rikki-tikki-ta!i fought single-handed/ through the 1ath-roo%s of the 1ig 1ungalow in Segowlee canton%ent0 "ar#ee/ the Tailor1ird/ hel'ed hi%/ and $huchundra/ the %usk-rat/ who ne!er co%es out into the %iddle of the floor/ 1ut alwa*s cree's round 1* the wall/ ga!e hi% ad!ice/ 1ut Rikki-tikki did the real fighting0 He was a %ongoose/ rather like a little cat in his fur and his tail/ 1ut 2uite like a weasel in his head and his ha1its0 His e*es and the end of his restless nose were 'ink0 He could scratch hi%self an*where he 'leased with an* leg/ front or 1ack/ that he chose to use0 He could fluff u' his tail till it looked like a 1ottle 1rush/ and his war cr* as he scuttled through the long grass was3 "Rikk-tikktikki-tikki-tchk!" 4ne da*/ a high su%%er flood washed hi% out of the 1urrow where he li!ed with his father and %other/ and carried hi%/ kicking and clucking/ down a roadside ditch0 He found a little wis' of grass floating there/ and clung to it till he lost his senses0 hen he re!i!ed/ he was l*ing in the hot sun on the %iddle of a garden 'ath/ !er* draggled indeed/ and a s%all 1o* was sa*ing/ "Here's a dead %ongoose0 Let's ha!e a funeral0" "9o/" said his %other/ "let's take hi% in and dr* hi%0 Perha's he isn't reall* dead0" The* took hi% into the house/ and a 1ig %an 'icked hi% u' 1etween his finger and thu%1 and said he was not dead 1ut half choked0 So the* wra''ed hi% in cotton wool/ and war%ed hi% o!er a little fire/ and he o'ened his e*es and snee#ed0 "9ow/" said the 1ig %an >he was an &nglish%an who had )ust %o!ed into the 1ungalow?/ "don't frighten hi%/ and we'll see what he'll do0" -t is the hardest thing in the world to frighten a %ongoose/ 1ecause he is eaten u' fro% nose to tail with curiosit*0 The %otto of all the %ongoose fa%il* is "Run and find out/" and Rikki-tikki was a true %ongoose0 He looked at the cotton wool/ decided that it was not good to eat/ ran all round the

ta1le/ sat u' and 'ut his fur in order/ scratched hi%self/ and )u%'ed on the s%all 1o*'s shoulder0 ""on't 1e frightened/ Tedd*/" said his father0 "That's his wa* of %aking friends0" "4uch! He's tickling under %* chin/" said Tedd*0 Rikki-tikki looked down 1etween the 1o*'s collar and neck/ snuffed at his ear/ and cli%1ed down to the floor/ where he sat ru11ing his nose0 "(ood gracious/" said Tedd*'s %other/ "and that's a wild creature! - su''ose he's so ta%e 1ecause we'!e 1een kind to hi%0" "+ll %ongooses are like that/" said her hus1and0 "-f Tedd* doesn't 'ick hi% u' 1* the tail/ or tr* to 'ut hi% in a cage/ he'll run in and out of the house all da* long0 Let's gi!e hi% so%ething to eat0" The* ga!e hi% a little 'iece of raw %eat0 Rikki-tikki liked it i%%ensel*/ and when it was finished he went out into the !eranda and sat in the sunshine and fluffed u' his fur to %ake it dr* to the roots0 Then he felt 1etter0 "There are %ore things to find out a1out in this house/" he said to hi%self/ "than all %* fa%il* could find out in all their li!es0 - shall certainl* sta* and find out0" He s'ent all that da* roa%ing o!er the house0 He nearl* drowned hi%self in the 1ath-tu1s/ 'ut his nose into the ink on a writing ta1le/ and 1urned it on the end of the 1ig %an's cigar/ for he cli%1ed u' in the 1ig %an's la' to see how writing was done0 +t nightfall he ran into Tedd*'s nurser* to watch how kerosene la%'s were lighted/ and when Tedd* went to 1ed Rikki-tikki cli%1ed u' too0 But he was a restless co%'anion/ 1ecause he had to get u' and attend to e!er* noise all through the night/ and find out what %ade it0 Tedd*'s %other and father ca%e in/ the last thing/ to look at their 1o*/ and Rikki-tikki was awake on the 'illow0 "- don't like that/" said Tedd*'s %other0 "He %a* 1ite the child0" "He'll do no such thing/" said the father0 "Tedd*'s safer with that little 1east than if he had a 1loodhound to watch hi%0 -f a snake ca%e into the nurser* now5" But Tedd*'s %other wouldn't think of an*thing so awful0 &arl* in the %orning Rikki-tikki ca%e to earl* 1reakfast in the !eranda riding on Tedd*'s shoulder/ and the* ga!e hi% 1anana and so%e 1oiled egg0 He sat on all their la's one after the other/ 1ecause e!er* well-1rought-u' %ongoose alwa*s ho'es to 1e a house %ongoose so%e da* and ha!e roo%s to run a1out in= and Rikki-tikki's %other >she used to li!e in the general's house at Segowlee? had carefull* told Rikki what to do if e!er he ca%e across white %en0 Then Rikki-tikki went out into the garden to see what was to 1e seen0 -t was a large garden/ onl* half culti!ated/ with 1ushes/ as 1ig as su%%er-houses/ of Marshal 9iel roses/ li%e and orange trees/ clu%'s of 1a%1oos/ and thickets of high grass0 Rikki-tikki licked his li's0 "This is a s'lendid hunting-ground/" he said/ and his tail grew 1ottle-1rush* at the thought of it/ and he scuttled u' and down the garden/ snuffing here and there till he heard !er* sorrowful !oices in a thorn-1ush0 -t was "ar#ee/ the Tailor1ird/ and his wife0 The* had %ade a 1eautiful nest 1* 'ulling two 1ig lea!es together and stitching the% u' the edges with fi1ers/ and had filled the hollow with cotton and down* fluff0 The nest swa*ed to and fro/ as the* sat on the ri% and cried0 " hat is the %atter8" asked Rikki-tikki0 " e are !er* %isera1le/" said "ar#ee0 "4ne of our 1a1ies fell out of the nest *esterda* and 9ag ate hi%0" "H'%!" said Rikki-tikki/ "that is !er* sad51ut - a% a stranger here0 ho is 9ag8" "ar#ee and his wife onl* cowered down in the nest without answering/ for fro% the thick grass at the foot of the 1ush there ca%e a low hiss5a horrid cold sound that %ade Rikki-tikki )u%' 1ack two clear feet0 Then inch 1* inch out of the grass rose u' the head and s'read hood of 9ag/ the 1ig 1lack co1ra/ and he was fi!e feet long fro% tongue to tail0 hen he had lifted one-third of hi%self

clear of the ground/ he sta*ed 1alancing to and fro e:actl* as a dandelion tuft 1alances in the wind/ and he looked at Rikki-tikki with the wicked snake's e*es that ne!er change their e:'ression/ whate!er the snake %a* 1e thinking of0 " ho is 9ag8" said he0 "- a% 9ag0 The great (od Brah% 'ut his %ark u'on all our 'eo'le/ when the first co1ra s'read his hood to kee' the sun off Brah% as he sle't0 Look/ and 1e afraid!" He s'read out his hood %ore than e!er/ and Rikki-tikki saw the s'ectacle-%ark on the 1ack of it that looks e:actl* like the e*e 'art of a hook-and-e*e fastening0 He was afraid for the %inute/ 1ut it is i%'ossi1le for a %ongoose to sta* frightened for an* length of ti%e/ and though Rikki-tikki had ne!er %et a li!e co1ra 1efore/ his %other had fed hi% on dead ones/ and he knew that all a grown %ongoose's 1usiness in life was to fight and eat snakes0 9ag knew that too and/ at the 1otto% of his cold heart/ he was afraid0 " ell/" said Rikki-tikki/ and his tail 1egan to fluff u' again/ "%arks or no %arks/ do *ou think it is right for *ou to eat fledglings out of a nest8" 9ag was thinking to hi%self/ and watching the least little %o!e%ent in the grass 1ehind Rikki-tikki0 He knew that %ongooses in the garden %eant death sooner or later for hi% and his fa%il*/ 1ut he wanted to get Rikki-tikki off his guard0 So he dro''ed his head a little/ and 'ut it on one side0 "Let us talk/" he said0 "<ou eat eggs0 h* should not - eat 1irds8" "Behind *ou! Look 1ehind *ou!" sang "ar#ee0 Rikki-tikki knew 1etter than to waste ti%e in staring0 He )u%'ed u' in the air as high as he could go/ and )ust under hi% whi##ed 1* the head of 9againa/ 9ag's wicked wife0 She had cre't u' 1ehind hi% as he was talking/ to %ake an end of hi%0 He heard her sa!age hiss as the stroke %issed0 He ca%e down al%ost across her 1ack/ and if he had 1een an old %ongoose he would ha!e known that then was the ti%e to 1reak her 1ack with one 1ite= 1ut he was afraid of the terri1le lashing return stroke of the co1ra0 He 1it/ indeed/ 1ut did not 1ite long enough/ and he )u%'ed clear of the whisking tail/ lea!ing 9againa torn and angr*0 " icked/ wicked "ar#ee!" said 9ag/ lashing u' as high as he could reach toward the nest in the thorn-1ush0 But "ar#ee had 1uilt it out of reach of snakes/ and it onl* swa*ed to and fro0 Rikki-tikki felt his e*es growing red and hot >when a %ongoose's e*es grow red/ he is angr*?/ and he sat 1ack on his tail and hind legs like a little kangaroo/ and looked all round hi%/ and chattered with rage0 But 9ag and 9againa had disa''eared into the grass0 hen a snake %isses its stroke/ it ne!er sa*s an*thing or gi!es an* sign of what it %eans to do ne:t0 Rikki-tikki did not care to follow the%/ for he did not feel sure that he could %anage two snakes at once0 So he trotted off to the gra!el 'ath near the house/ and sat down to think0 -t was a serious %atter for hi%0 -f *ou read the old 1ooks of natural histor*/ *ou will find the* sa* that when the %ongoose fights the snake and ha''ens to get 1itten/ he runs off and eats so%e her1 that cures hi%0 That is not true0 The !ictor* is onl* a %atter of 2uickness of e*e and 2uickness of foot5snake's 1low against %ongoose's )u%'5and as no e*e can follow the %otion of a snake's head when it strikes/ this %akes things %uch %ore wonderful than an* %agic her10 Rikki-tikki knew he was a *oung %ongoose/ and it %ade hi% all the %ore 'leased to think that he had %anaged to esca'e a 1low fro% 1ehind0 -t ga!e hi% confidence in hi%self/ and when Tedd* ca%e running down the 'ath/ Rikki-tikki was read* to 1e 'etted0 But )ust as Tedd* was stoo'ing/ so%ething wriggled a little in the dust/ and a tin* !oice said3 "Be careful0 - a% "eath!" -t was Karait/ the dust* 1rown snakeling that lies for choice on the dust* earth= and his 1ite is as dangerous as the co1ra's0 But he is so s%all that no1od* thinks of hi%/ and so he does the %ore har% to 'eo'le0 Rikki-tikki's e*es grew red again/ and he danced u' to Karait with the 'eculiar rocking/ swa*ing %otion that he had inherited fro% his fa%il*0 -t looks !er* funn*/ 1ut it is so 'erfectl* 1alanced a

gait that *ou can fl* off fro% it at an* angle *ou 'lease/ and in dealing with snakes this is an ad!antage0 -f Rikki-tikki had onl* known/ he was doing a %uch %ore dangerous thing than fighting 9ag/ for Karait is so s%all/ and can turn so 2uickl*/ that unless Rikki 1it hi% close to the 1ack of the head/ he would get the return stroke in his e*e or his li'0 But Rikki did not know0 His e*es were all red/ and he rocked 1ack and forth/ looking for a good 'lace to hold0 Karait struck out0 Rikki )u%'ed sidewa*s and tried to run in/ 1ut the wicked little dust* gra* head lashed within a fraction of his shoulder/ and he had to )u%' o!er the 1od*/ and the head followed his heels close0 Tedd* shouted to the house3 "4h/ look here! 4ur %ongoose is killing a snake0" +nd Rikki-tikki heard a screa% fro% Tedd*'s %other0 His father ran out with a stick/ 1ut 1* the ti%e he ca%e u'/ Karait had lunged out once too far/ and Rikki-tikki had s'rung/ )u%'ed on the snake's 1ack/ dro''ed his head far 1etween his forelegs/ 1itten as high u' the 1ack as he could get hold/ and rolled awa*0 That 1ite 'aral*#ed Karait/ and Rikki-tikki was )ust going to eat hi% u' fro% the tail/ after the custo% of his fa%il* at dinner/ when he re%e%1ered that a full %eal %akes a slow %ongoose/ and if he wanted all his strength and 2uickness read*/ he %ust kee' hi%self thin0 He went awa* for a dust 1ath under the castor-oil 1ushes/ while Tedd*'s father 1eat the dead Karait0 " hat is the use of that8" thought Rikki-tikki0 "- ha!e settled it all=" and then Tedd*'s %other 'icked hi% u' fro% the dust and hugged hi%/ cr*ing that he had sa!ed Tedd* fro% death/ and Tedd*'s father said that he was a 'ro!idence/ and Tedd* looked on with 1ig scared e*es0 Rikki-tikki was rather a%used at all the fuss/ which/ of course/ he did not understand0 Tedd*'s %other %ight )ust as well ha!e 'etted Tedd* for 'la*ing in the dust0 Rikki was thoroughl* en)o*ing hi%self0 That night at dinner/ walking to and fro a%ong the wine-glasses on the ta1le/ he %ight ha!e stuffed hi%self three ti%es o!er with nice things0 But he re%e%1ered 9ag and 9againa/ and though it was !er* 'leasant to 1e 'atted and 'etted 1* Tedd*'s %other/ and to sit on Tedd*'s shoulder/ his e*es would get red fro% ti%e to ti%e/ and he would go off into his long war cr* of "Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikkitchk!" Tedd* carried hi% off to 1ed/ and insisted on Rikki-tikki slee'ing under his chin0 Rikki-tikki was too well 1red to 1ite or scratch/ 1ut as soon as Tedd* was aslee' he went off for his nightl* walk round the house/ and in the dark he ran u' against $huchundra/ the %usk-rat/ cree'ing around 1* the wall0 $huchundra is a 1roken-hearted little 1east0 He whi%'ers and chee's all the night/ tr*ing to %ake u' his %ind to run into the %iddle of the roo%0 But he ne!er gets there0 ""on't kill %e/" said $huchundra/ al%ost wee'ing0 "Rikki-tikki/ don't kill %e!" ""o *ou think a snake-killer kills %uskrats8" said Rikki-tikki scornfull*0 "Those who kill snakes get killed 1* snakes/" said $huchundra/ %ore sorrowfull* than e!er0 "+nd how a% - to 1e sure that 9ag won't %istake %e for *ou so%e dark night8" "There's not the least danger/" said Rikki-tikki0 "But 9ag is in the garden/ and - know *ou don't go there0" "M* cousin $hua/ the rat/ told %e5" said $huchundra/ and then he sto''ed0 "Told *ou what8" "H'sh! 9ag is e!er*where/ Rikki-tikki0 <ou should ha!e talked to $hua in the garden0" "- didn't5so *ou %ust tell %e0 Cuick/ $huchundra/ or -'ll 1ite *ou!" $huchundra sat down and cried till the tears rolled off his whiskers0 "- a% a !er* 'oor %an/" he so11ed0 "- ne!er had s'irit enough to run out into the %iddle of the roo%0 H'sh! - %ustn't tell *ou an*thing0 $an't *ou hear/ Rikki-tikki8" Rikki-tikki listened0 The house was as still as still/ 1ut he thought he could )ust catch the faintest scratch-scratch in the world5a noise as faint as that of a was' walking on a window-'ane5the dr* scratch of a snake's scales on 1rick-work0

"That's 9ag or 9againa/" he said to hi%self/ "and he is crawling into the 1ath-roo% sluice0 <ou're right/ $huchundra= - should ha!e talked to $hua0" He stole off to Tedd*'s 1ath-roo%/ 1ut there was nothing there/ and then to Tedd*'s %other's 1athroo%0 +t the 1otto% of the s%ooth 'laster wall there was a 1rick 'ulled out to %ake a sluice for the 1ath water/ and as Rikki-tikki stole in 1* the %asonr* cur1 where the 1ath is 'ut/ he heard 9ag and 9againa whis'ering together outside in the %oonlight0 " hen the house is e%'tied of 'eo'le/" said 9againa to her hus1and/ "he will ha!e to go awa*/ and then the garden will 1e our own again0 (o in 2uietl*/ and re%e%1er that the 1ig %an who killed Karait is the first one to 1ite0 Then co%e out and tell %e/ and we will hunt for Rikki-tikki together0" "But are *ou sure that there is an*thing to 1e gained 1* killing the 'eo'le8" said 9ag0 "&!er*thing0 hen there were no 'eo'le in the 1ungalow/ did we ha!e an* %ongoose in the garden8 So long as the 1ungalow is e%'t*/ we are king and 2ueen of the garden= and re%e%1er that as soon as our eggs in the %elon 1ed hatch >as the* %a* to%orrow?/ our children will need roo% and 2uiet0" "- had not thought of that/" said 9ag0 "- will go/ 1ut there is no need that we should hunt for Rikkitikki afterward0 - will kill the 1ig %an and his wife/ and the child if - can/ and co%e awa* 2uietl*0 Then the 1ungalow will 1e e%'t*/ and Rikki-tikki will go0" Rikki-tikki tingled all o!er with rage and hatred at this/ and then 9ag's head ca%e through the sluice/ and his fi!e feet of cold 1od* followed it0 +ngr* as he was/ Rikki-tikki was !er* frightened as he saw the si#e of the 1ig co1ra0 9ag coiled hi%self u'/ raised his head/ and looked into the 1athroo% in the dark/ and Rikki could see his e*es glitter0 "9ow/ if - kill hi% here/ 9againa will know= and if - fight hi% on the o'en floor/ the odds are in his fa!or0 hat a% - to do8" said Rikki-tikki-ta!i0 9ag wa!ed to and fro/ and then Rikki-tikki heard hi% drinking fro% the 1iggest water-)ar that was used to fill the 1ath0 "That is good/" said the snake0 "9ow/ when Karait was killed/ the 1ig %an had a stick0 He %a* ha!e that stick still/ 1ut when he co%es in to 1athe in the %orning he will not ha!e a stick0 - shall wait here till he co%es0 9againa5do *ou hear %e85- shall wait here in the cool till da*ti%e0" There was no answer fro% outside/ so Rikki-tikki knew 9againa had gone awa*0 9ag coiled hi%self down/ coil 1* coil/ round the 1ulge at the 1otto% of the water )ar/ and Rikki-tikki sta*ed still as death0 +fter an hour he 1egan to %o!e/ %uscle 1* %uscle/ toward the )ar0 9ag was aslee'/ and Rikki-tikki looked at his 1ig 1ack/ wondering which would 1e the 1est 'lace for a good hold0 "-f don't 1reak his 1ack at the first )u%'/" said Rikki/ "he can still fight0 +nd if he fights54 Rikki!" He looked at the thickness of the neck 1elow the hood/ 1ut that was too %uch for hi%= and a 1ite near the tail would onl* %ake 9ag sa!age0 "-t %ust 1e the head"' he said at last= "the head a1o!e the hood0 +nd/ when - a% once there/ - %ust not let go0" Then he )u%'ed0 The head was l*ing a little clear of the water )ar/ under the cur!e of it= and/ as his teeth %et/ Rikki 1raced his 1ack against the 1ulge of the red earthenware to hold down the head0 This ga!e hi% )ust one second's 'urchase/ and he %ade the %ost of it0 Then he was 1attered to and fro as a rat is shaken 1* a dog5to and fro on the floor/ u' and down/ and around in great circles/ 1ut his e*es were red and he held on as the 1od* cart-whi''ed o!er the floor/ u'setting the tin di''er and the soa' dish and the flesh 1rush/ and 1anged against the tin side of the 1ath0 +s he held he closed his )aws tighter and tighter/ for he %ade sure he would 1e 1anged to death/ and/ for the honor of his fa%il*/ he 'referred to 1e found with his teeth locked0 He was di##*/ aching/ and felt shaken to 'ieces when so%ething went off like a thundercla' )ust 1ehind hi%0 + hot wind knocked hi% senseless and red fire singed his fur0 The 1ig %an had 1een wakened 1* the noise/ and had fired 1oth 1arrels of a shotgun into 9ag )ust 1ehind the hood0

Rikki-tikki held on with his e*es shut/ for now he was 2uite sure he was dead0 But the head did not %o!e/ and the 1ig %an 'icked hi% u' and said/ "-t's the %ongoose again/ +lice0 The little cha' has sa!ed our li!es now0" Then Tedd*'s %other ca%e in with a !er* white face/ and saw what was left of 9ag/ and Rikki-tikki dragged hi%self to Tedd*'s 1edroo% and s'ent half the rest of the night shaking hi%self tenderl* to find out whether he reall* was 1roken into fort* 'ieces/ as he fancied0 hen %orning ca%e he was !er* stiff/ 1ut well 'leased with his doings0 "9ow - ha!e 9againa to settle with/ and she will 1e worse than fi!e 9ags/ and there's no knowing when the eggs she s'oke of will hatch0 (oodness! - %ust go and see "ar#ee/" he said0 ithout waiting for 1reakfast/ Rikki-tikki ran to the thorn1ush where "ar#ee was singing a song of triu%'h at the to' of his !oice0 The news of 9ag's death was all o!er the garden/ for the swee'er had thrown the 1od* on the ru11ish-hea'0 "4h/ *ou stu'id tuft of feathers!" said Rikki-tikki angril*0 "-s this the ti%e to sing8" "9ag is dead5is dead5is dead!" sang "ar#ee0 "The !aliant Rikki-tikki caught hi% 1* the head and held fast0 The 1ig %an 1rought the 1ang-stick/ and 9ag fell in two 'ieces! He will ne!er eat %* 1a1ies again0" "+ll that's true enough0 But where's 9againa8" said Rikki-tikki/ looking carefull* round hi%0 "9againa ca%e to the 1athroo% sluice and called for 9ag/" "ar#ee went on/ "and 9ag ca%e out on the end of a stick5the swee'er 'icked hi% u' on the end of a stick and threw hi% u'on the ru11ish hea'0 Let us sing a1out the great/ the red-e*ed Rikki-tikki!" +nd "ar#ee filled his throat and sang0 "-f - could get u' to *our nest/ -'d roll *our 1a1ies out!" said Rikki-tikki0 "<ou don't know when to do the right thing at the right ti%e0 <ou're safe enough in *our nest there/ 1ut it's war for %e down here0 Sto' singing a %inute/ "ar#ee0" ".or the great/ the 1eautiful Rikki-tikki's sake - will sto'/" said "ar#ee0 " hat is it/ 4 Killer of the terri1le 9ag8" " here is 9againa/ for the third ti%e8" "4n the ru11ish hea' 1* the sta1les/ %ourning for 9ag0 (reat is Rikki-tikki with the white teeth0" "Bother %* white teeth! Ha!e *ou e!er heard where she kee's her eggs8" "-n the %elon 1ed/ on the end nearest the wall/ where the sun strikes nearl* all da*0 She hid the% there weeks ago0" "+nd *ou ne!er thought it worth while to tell %e8 The end nearest the wall/ *ou said8" "Rikki-tikki/ *ou are not going to eat her eggs8" "9ot eat e:actl*= no0 "ar#ee/ if *ou ha!e a grain of sense *ou will fl* off to the sta1les and 'retend that *our wing is 1roken/ and let 9againa chase *ou awa* to this 1ush0 - %ust get to the %elon-1ed/ and if - went there now she'd see %e0" "ar#ee was a feather-1rained little fellow who could ne!er hold %ore than one idea at a ti%e in his head0 +nd )ust 1ecause he knew that 9againa's children were 1orn in eggs like his own/ he didn't think at first that it was fair to kill the%0 But his wife was a sensi1le 1ird/ and she knew that co1ra's eggs %eant *oung co1ras later on0 So she flew off fro% the nest/ and left "ar#ee to kee' the 1a1ies war%/ and continue his song a1out the death of 9ag0 "ar#ee was !er* like a %an in so%e wa*s0 She fluttered in front of 9againa 1* the ru11ish hea' and cried out/ "4h/ %* wing is 1roken! The 1o* in the house threw a stone at %e and 1roke it0" Then she fluttered %ore des'eratel* than e!er0 9againa lifted u' her head and hissed/ "<ou warned Rikki-tikki when - would ha!e killed hi%0 -ndeed and trul*/ *ou'!e chosen a 1ad 'lace to 1e la%e in0" +nd she %o!ed toward "ar#ee's wife/

sli''ing along o!er the dust0 "The 1o* 1roke it with a stone!" shrieked "ar#ee's wife0 " ell! -t %a* 1e so%e consolation to *ou when *ou're dead to know that - shall settle accounts with the 1o*0 M* hus1and lies on the ru11ish hea' this %orning/ 1ut 1efore night the 1o* in the house will lie !er* still0 hat is the use of running awa*8 - a% sure to catch *ou0 Little fool/ look at %e!" "ar#ee's wife knew 1etter than to do that/ for a 1ird who looks at a snake's e*es gets so frightened that she cannot %o!e0 "ar#ee's wife fluttered on/ 'i'ing sorrowfull*/ and ne!er lea!ing the ground/ and 9againa 2uickened her 'ace0 Rikki-tikki heard the% going u' the 'ath fro% the sta1les/ and he raced for the end of the %elon 'atch near the wall0 There/ in the war% litter a1o!e the %elons/ !er* cunningl* hidden/ he found twent*-fi!e eggs/ a1out the si#e of a 1anta%'s eggs/ 1ut with whitish skin instead of shell0 "- was not a da* too soon/" he said/ for he could see the 1a1* co1ras curled u' inside the skin/ and he knew that the %inute the* were hatched the* could each kill a %an or a %ongoose0 He 1it off the to's of the eggs as fast as he could/ taking care to crush the *oung co1ras/ and turned o!er the litter fro% ti%e to ti%e to see whether he had %issed an*0 +t last there were onl* three eggs left/ and Rikki-tikki 1egan to chuckle to hi%self/ when he heard "ar#ee's wife screa%ing3 "Rikki-tikki/ - led 9againa toward the house/ and she has gone into the !eranda/ and5oh/ co%e 2uickl*5she %eans killing!" Rikki-tikki s%ashed two eggs/ and tu%1led 1ackward down the %elon-1ed with the third egg in his %outh/ and scuttled to the !eranda as hard as he could 'ut foot to the ground0 Tedd* and his %other and father were there at earl* 1reakfast/ 1ut Rikki-tikki saw that the* were not eating an*thing0 The* sat stone-still/ and their faces were white0 9againa was coiled u' on the %atting 1* Tedd*'s chair/ within eas* striking distance of Tedd*'s 1are leg/ and she was swa*ing to and fro/ singing a song of triu%'h0 "Son of the 1ig %an that killed 9ag/" she hissed/ "sta* still0 - a% not read* *et0 ait a little0 Kee' !er* still/ all *ou three! -f *ou %o!e - strike/ and if *ou do not %o!e - strike0 4h/ foolish 'eo'le/ who killed %* 9ag!" Tedd*'s e*es were fi:ed on his father/ and all his father could do was to whis'er/ "Sit still/ Tedd*0 <ou %ustn't %o!e0 Tedd*/ kee' still0" Then Rikki-tikki ca%e u' and cried/ "Turn round/ 9againa0 Turn and fight!" "+ll in good ti%e/" said she/ without %o!ing her e*es0 "- will settle %* account with *ou 'resentl*0 Look at *our friends/ Rikki-tikki0 The* are still and white0 The* are afraid0 The* dare not %o!e/ and if *ou co%e a ste' nearer - strike0" "Look at *our eggs/" said Rikki-tikki/ "in the %elon 1ed near the wall0 (o and look/ 9againa!" The 1ig snake turned half around/ and saw the egg on the !eranda0 "+h-h! (i!e it to %e/" she said0 Rikki-tikki 'ut his 'aws one on each side of the egg/ and his e*es were 1lood-red0 " hat 'rice for a snake's egg8 .or a *oung co1ra8 .or a *oung king co1ra8 .or the last5the !er* last of the 1rood8 The ants are eating all the others down 1* the %elon 1ed0" 9againa s'un clear round/ forgetting e!er*thing for the sake of the one egg0 Rikki-tikki saw Tedd*'s father shoot out a 1ig hand/ catch Tedd* 1* the shoulder/ and drag hi% across the little ta1le with the tea-cu's/ safe and out of reach of 9againa0 "Tricked! Tricked! Tricked! Rikk-tck-tck!" chuckled Rikki-tikki0 "The 1o* is safe/ and it was -5-5 - that caught 9ag 1* the hood last night in the 1athroo%0" Then he 1egan to )u%' u' and down/ all four feet together/ his head close to the floor0 "He threw %e to and fro/ 1ut he could not shake %e off0 He was dead 1efore the 1ig %an 1lew hi% in two0 - did it! Rikki-tikki-tck-tck! $o%e then/

9againa0 $o%e and fight with %e0 <ou shall not 1e a widow long0" 9againa saw that she had lost her chance of killing Tedd*/ and the egg la* 1etween Rikki-tikki's 'aws0 "(i!e %e the egg/ Rikki-tikki0 (i!e %e the last of %* eggs/ and - will go awa* and ne!er co%e 1ack/" she said/ lowering her hood0 "<es/ *ou will go awa*/ and *ou will ne!er co%e 1ack0 .or *ou will go to the ru11ish hea' with 9ag0 .ight/ widow! The 1ig %an has gone for his gun! .ight!" Rikki-tikki was 1ounding all round 9againa/ kee'ing )ust out of reach of her stroke/ his little e*es like hot coals0 9againa gathered herself together and flung out at hi%0 Rikki-tikki )u%'ed u' and 1ackward0 +gain and again and again she struck/ and each ti%e her head ca%e with a whack on the %atting of the !eranda and she gathered herself together like a watch s'ring0 Then Rikki-tikki danced in a circle to get 1ehind her/ and 9againa s'un round to kee' her head to his head/ so that the rustle of her tail on the %atting sounded like dr* lea!es 1lown along 1* the wind0 He had forgotten the egg0 -t still la* on the !eranda/ and 9againa ca%e nearer and nearer to it/ till at last/ while Rikki-tikki was drawing 1reath/ she caught it in her %outh/ turned to the !eranda ste's/ and flew like an arrow down the 'ath/ with Rikki-tikki 1ehind her0 hen the co1ra runs for her life/ she goes like a whi'-lash flicked across a horse's neck0 Rikki-tikki knew that he %ust catch her/ or all the trou1le would 1egin again0 She headed straight for the long grass 1* the thorn-1ush/ and as he was running Rikki-tikki heard "ar#ee still singing his foolish little song of triu%'h0 But "ar#ee's wife was wiser0 She flew off her nest as 9againa ca%e along/ and fla''ed her wings a1out 9againa's head0 -f "ar#ee had hel'ed the* %ight ha!e turned her/ 1ut 9againa onl* lowered her hood and went on0 Still/ the instant's dela* 1rought Rikkitikki u' to her/ and as she 'lunged into the rat-hole where she and 9ag used to li!e/ his little white teeth were clenched on her tail/ and he went down with her5and !er* few %ongooses/ howe!er wise and old the* %a* 1e/ care to follow a co1ra into its hole0 -t was dark in the hole= and Rikkitikki ne!er knew when it %ight o'en out and gi!e 9againa roo% to turn and strike at hi%0 He held on sa!agel*/ and stuck out his feet to act as 1rakes on the dark slo'e of the hot/ %oist earth0 Then the grass 1* the %outh of the hole sto''ed wa!ing/ and "ar#ee said/ "-t is all o!er with Rikkitikki! e %ust sing his death song0 Aaliant Rikki-tikki is dead! .or 9againa will surel* kill hi% underground0" So he sang a !er* %ournful song that he %ade u' on the s'ur of the %inute/ and )ust as he got to the %ost touching 'art/ the grass 2ui!ered again/ and Rikki-tikki/ co!ered with dirt/ dragged hi%self out of the hole leg 1* leg/ licking his whiskers0 "ar#ee sto''ed with a little shout0 Rikki-tikki shook so%e of the dust out of his fur and snee#ed0 "-t is all o!er/" he said0 "The widow will ne!er co%e out again0" +nd the red ants that li!e 1etween the grass ste%s heard hi%/ and 1egan to troo' down one after another to see if he had s'oken the truth0 Rikki-tikki curled hi%self u' in the grass and sle't where he was5sle't and sle't till it was late in the afternoon/ for he had done a hard da*'s work0 "9ow/" he said/ when he awoke/ "- will go 1ack to the house0 Tell the $o''ers%ith/ "ar#ee/ and he will tell the garden that 9againa is dead0" The $o''ers%ith is a 1ird who %akes a noise e:actl* like the 1eating of a little ha%%er on a co''er 'ot= and the reason he is alwa*s %aking it is 1ecause he is the town crier to e!er* -ndian garden/ and tells all the news to e!er*1od* who cares to listen0 +s Rikki-tikki went u' the 'ath/ he heard his "attention" notes like a tin* dinner gong/ and then the stead* ""ing-dong-tock! 9ag is dead5dong! 9againa is dead! "ing-dong-tock!" That set all the 1irds in the garden singing/ and the frogs croaking/ for 9ag and 9againa used to eat frogs as well as little 1irds0 hen Rikki got to the house/ Tedd* and Tedd*'s %other >she looked !er* white still/ for she had 1een fainting? and Tedd*'s father ca%e out and al%ost cried o!er hi%= and that night he ate all that was gi!en hi% till he could eat no %ore/ and went to 1ed on Tedd*'s shoulder/ where Tedd*'s

%other saw hi% when she ca%e to look late at night0 "He sa!ed our li!es and Tedd*'s life/" she said to her hus1and0 ";ust think/ he sa!ed all our li!es0" Rikki-tikki woke u' with a )u%'/ for the %ongooses are light slee'ers0 "4h/ it's *ou/" said he0 " hat are *ou 1othering for8 +ll the co1ras are dead0 +nd if the* weren't/ -'% here0" Rikki-tikki had a right to 1e 'roud of hi%self0 But he did not grow too 'roud/ and he ke't that garden as a %ongoose should kee' it/ with tooth and )u%' and s'ring and 1ite/ till ne!er a co1ra dared show its head inside the walls0

+ar,ee's C ant
G5ung in honor of Rikki$tikki$ta!iH 5inger and tailor a 6> (oubled the joys that 6 know> Proud of y lilt to the sky, Proud of the house that 6 sew> 8!er and under, so wea!e 6 y usic>so wea!e 6 the house that 6 sew" 5ing to your fledglings again, =other, oh lift up your head? E!il that plagued us is slain, (eath in the garden lies dead" Terror that hid in the roses is i potent>flung on the dung$hill and dead? <ho has deli!ered us, whoD Tell e his nest and his na e" Rikki, the !aliant, the true, Tikki, with eyeballs of fla e, Rikk$tikki$tikki, the i!ory$fanged, the hunter with eyeballs of fla e? Gi!e hi the Thanks of the Birds, Bowing with tail feathers spread? Praise hi with nightingale words> 2ay, 6 will praise hi instead" :ear? 6 will sing you the praise of the bottle$tailed Rikki, with eyeballs of red? G:ere Rikki$tikki interrupted, and the rest of the song is lost"H

Too-ai o# t e Elep ants

6 will re e ber what 6 was, 6 a sick of rope and chain> 6 will re e ber y old strength and all y forest affairs" 6 will not sell y back to an for a bundle of sugar$cane&

6 will go out to

y own kind, and the wood$folk in their lairs"

6 will go out until the day, until the orning break> 8ut to the wind@s untainted kiss, the water@s clean caressA 6 will forget y ankle$ring and snap y picket stake" 6 will re!isit y lost lo!es, and play ates asterless?

Kala 9ag/ which %eans Black Snake/ had ser!ed the -ndian (o!ern%ent in e!er* wa* that an ele'hant could ser!e it for fort*-se!en *ears/ and as he was full* twent* *ears old when he was caught/ that %akes hi% nearl* se!ent*5a ri'e age for an ele'hant0 He re%e%1ered 'ushing/ with a 1ig leather 'ad on his forehead/ at a gun stuck in dee' %ud/ and that was 1efore the +fghan ar of EFGH/ and he had not then co%e to his full strength0 His %other Radha P*ari/5Radha the darling/5who had 1een caught in the sa%e dri!e with Kala 9ag/ told hi%/ 1efore his little %ilk tusks had dro''ed out/ that ele'hants who were afraid alwa*s got hurt0 Kala 9ag knew that that ad!ice was good/ for the first ti%e that he saw a shell 1urst he 1acked/ screa%ing/ into a stand of 'iled rifles/ and the 1a*onets 'ricked hi% in all his softest 'laces0 So/ 1efore he was twent*-fi!e/ he ga!e u' 1eing afraid/ and so he was the 1est-lo!ed and the 1estlooked-after ele'hant in the ser!ice of the (o!ern%ent of -ndia0 He had carried tents/ twel!e hundred 'ounds' weight of tents/ on the %arch in @''er -ndia0 He had 1een hoisted into a shi' at the end of a stea% crane and taken for da*s across the water/ and %ade to carr* a %ortar on his 1ack in a strange and rock* countr* !er* far fro% -ndia/ and had seen the &%'eror Theodore l*ing dead in Magdala/ and had co%e 1ack again in the stea%er entitled/ so the soldiers said/ to the +1*ssinian ar %edal0 He had seen his fellow ele'hants die of cold and e'ile's* and star!ation and sunstroke u' at a 'lace called +li Mus)id/ ten *ears later= and afterward he had 1een sent down thousands of %iles south to haul and 'ile 1ig 1alks of teak in the ti%1er*ards at Moul%ein0 There he had half killed an insu1ordinate *oung ele'hant who was shirking his fair share of work0 +fter that he was taken off ti%1er-hauling/ and e%'lo*ed/ with a few score other ele'hants who were trained to the 1usiness/ in hel'ing to catch wild ele'hants a%ong the (aro hills0 &le'hants are !er* strictl* 'reser!ed 1* the -ndian (o!ern%ent0 There is one whole de'art%ent which does nothing else 1ut hunt the%/ and catch the%/ and 1reak the% in/ and send the% u' and down the countr* as the* are needed for work0 Kala 9ag stood ten fair feet at the shoulders/ and his tusks had 1een cut off short at fi!e feet/ and 1ound round the ends/ to 're!ent the% s'litting/ with 1ands of co''er= 1ut he could do %ore with those stu%'s than an* untrained ele'hant could do with the real shar'ened ones0 hen/ after weeks and weeks of cautious dri!ing of scattered ele'hants across the hills/ the fort* or fift* wild %onsters were dri!en into the last stockade/ and the 1ig dro' gate/ %ade of tree trunks lashed together/ )arred down 1ehind the%/ Kala 9ag/ at the word of co%%and/ would go into that flaring/ tru%'eting 'ande%oniu% >generall* at night/ when the flicker of the torches %ade it difficult to )udge distances?/ and/ 'icking out the 1iggest and wildest tusker of the %o1/ would ha%%er hi% and hustle hi% into 2uiet while the %en on the 1acks of the other ele'hants ro'ed and tied the s%aller ones0 There was nothing in the wa* of fighting that Kala 9ag/ the old wise Black Snake/ did not know/ for he had stood u' %ore than once in his ti%e to the charge of the wounded tiger/ and/ curling u' his soft trunk to 1e out of har%'s wa*/ had knocked the s'ringing 1rute sidewa*s in %id-air with a 2uick sickle cut of his head/ that he had in!ented all 1* hi%self= had knocked hi% o!er/ and kneeled u'on hi% with his huge knees till the life went out with a gas' and a howl/ and there was onl* a fluff* stri'ed thing on the ground for Kala 9ag to 'ull 1* the tail0 "<es/" said Big Too%ai/ his dri!er/ the son of Black Too%ai who had taken hi% to +1*ssinia/ and grandson of Too%ai of the &le'hants who had seen hi% caught/ "there is nothing that the Black Snake fears e:ce't %e0 He has seen three generations of us feed hi% and groo% hi%/ and he will li!e to see four0"

"He is afraid of %e also/" said Little Too%ai/ standing u' to his full height of four feet/ with onl* one rag u'on hi%0 He was ten *ears old/ the eldest son of Big Too%ai/ and/ according to custo%/ he would take his father's 'lace on Kala 9ag's neck when he grew u'/ and would handle the hea!* iron ankus/ the ele'hant goad/ that had 1een worn s%ooth 1* his father/ and his grandfather/ and his great-grandfather0 He knew what he was talking of= for he had 1een 1orn under Kala 9ag's shadow/ had 'la*ed with the end of his trunk 1efore he could walk/ had taken hi% down to water as soon as he could walk/ and Kala 9ag would no %ore ha!e drea%ed of diso1e*ing his shrill little orders than he would ha!e drea%ed of killing hi% on that da* when Big Too%ai carried the little 1rown 1a1* under Kala 9ag's tusks/ and told hi% to salute his %aster that was to 1e0 "<es/" said Little Too%ai/ "he is afraid of %e/" and he took long strides u' to Kala 9ag/ called hi% a fat old 'ig/ and %ade hi% lift u' his feet one after the other0 " ah!" said Little Too%ai/ "thou art a 1ig ele'hant/" and he wagged his fluff* head/ 2uoting his father0 "The (o!ern%ent %a* 'a* for ele'hants/ 1ut the* 1elong to us %ahouts0 hen thou art old/ Kala 9ag/ there will co%e so%e rich ra)ah/ and he will 1u* thee fro% the (o!ern%ent/ on account of th* si#e and th* %anners/ and then thou wilt ha!e nothing to do 1ut to carr* gold earrings in th* ears/ and a gold howdah on th* 1ack/ and a red cloth co!ered with gold on th* sides/ and walk at the head of the 'rocessions of the King0 Then - shall sit on th* neck/ 4 Kala 9ag/ with a sil!er ankus/ and %en will run 1efore us with golden sticks/ cr*ing/ BRoo% for the King's ele'hant!' That will 1e good/ Kala 9ag/ 1ut not so good as this hunting in the )ungles0" "@%'h!" said Big Too%ai0 "Thou art a 1o*/ and as wild as a 1uffalo-calf0 This running u' and down a%ong the hills is not the 1est (o!ern%ent ser!ice0 - a% getting old/ and - do not lo!e wild ele'hants0 (i!e %e 1rick ele'hant lines/ one stall to each ele'hant/ and 1ig stu%'s to tie the% to safel*/ and flat/ 1road roads to e:ercise u'on/ instead of this co%e-and-go ca%'ing0 +ha/ the $awn'ore 1arracks were good0 There was a 1a#aar close 1*/ and onl* three hours' work a da*0" Little Too%ai re%e%1ered the $awn'ore ele'hant-lines and said nothing0 He !er* %uch 'referred the ca%' life/ and hated those 1road/ flat roads/ with the dail* gru11ing for grass in the forage reser!e/ and the long hours when there was nothing to do e:ce't to watch Kala 9ag fidgeting in his 'ickets0 hat Little Too%ai liked was to scra%1le u' 1ridle 'aths that onl* an ele'hant could take= the di' into the !alle* 1elow= the gli%'ses of the wild ele'hants 1rowsing %iles awa*= the rush of the frightened 'ig and 'eacock under Kala 9ag's feet= the 1linding war% rains/ when all the hills and !alle*s s%oked= the 1eautiful %ist* %ornings when no1od* knew where the* would ca%' that night= the stead*/ cautious dri!e of the wild ele'hants/ and the %ad rush and 1la#e and hulla1aloo of the last night's dri!e/ when the ele'hants 'oured into the stockade like 1oulders in a landslide/ found that the* could not get out/ and flung the%sel!es at the hea!* 'osts onl* to 1e dri!en 1ack 1* *ells and flaring torches and !olle*s of 1lank cartridge0 &!en a little 1o* could 1e of use there/ and Too%ai was as useful as three 1o*s0 He would get his torch and wa!e it/ and *ell with the 1est0 But the reall* good ti%e ca%e when the dri!ing out 1egan/ and the Keddah5that is/ the stockade5looked like a 'icture of the end of the world/ and %en had to %ake signs to one another/ 1ecause the* could not hear the%sel!es s'eak0 Then Little Too%ai would cli%1 u' to the to' of one of the 2ui!ering stockade 'osts/ his sun-1leached 1rown hair fl*ing loose all o!er his shoulders/ and he looking like a go1lin in the torch-light0 +nd as soon as there was a lull *ou could hear his high-'itched *ells of encourage%ent to Kala 9ag/ a1o!e the tru%'eting and crashing/ and sna''ing of ro'es/ and groans of the tethered ele'hants0 "Mael/ %ael/ Kala 9ag! >(o on/ go on/ Black Snake!? "ant do! >(i!e hi% the tusk!? So%alo! So%alo! >$areful/ careful!? Maro! Mar! >Hit hi%/ hit hi%!? Mind the 'ost! +rre! +rre! Hai! <ai! K*a-a-ah!" he would shout/ and the 1ig fight 1etween Kala 9ag and the wild ele'hant would swa* to and fro across the Keddah/ and the old ele'hant catchers would wi'e the sweat out of their e*es/ and find ti%e to nod

to Little Too%ai wriggling with )o* on the to' of the 'osts0 He did %ore than wriggle0 4ne night he slid down fro% the 'ost and sli''ed in 1etween the ele'hants and threw u' the loose end of a ro'e/ which had dro''ed/ to a dri!er who was tr*ing to get a 'urchase on the leg of a kicking *oung calf >cal!es alwa*s gi!e %ore trou1le than full-grown ani%als?0 Kala 9ag saw hi%/ caught hi% in his trunk/ and handed hi% u' to Big Too%ai/ who sla''ed hi% then and there/ and 'ut hi% 1ack on the 'ost0 9e:t %orning he ga!e hi% a scolding and said/ "+re not good 1rick ele'hant lines and a little tent carr*ing enough/ that thou %ust needs go ele'hant catching on th* own account/ little worthless8 9ow those foolish hunters/ whose 'a* is less than %* 'a*/ ha!e s'oken to Petersen Sahi1 of the %atter0" Little Too%ai was frightened0 He did not know %uch of white %en/ 1ut Petersen Sahi1 was the greatest white %an in the world to hi%0 He was the head of all the Keddah o'erations5the %an who caught all the ele'hants for the (o!ern%ent of -ndia/ and who knew %ore a1out the wa*s of ele'hants than an* li!ing %an0 " hat5what will ha''en8" said Little Too%ai0 "Ha''en! The worst that can ha''en0 Petersen Sahi1 is a %ad%an0 &lse wh* should he go hunting these wild de!ils8 He %a* e!en re2uire thee to 1e an ele'hant catcher/ to slee' an*where in these fe!er-filled )ungles/ and at last to 1e tra%'led to death in the Keddah0 -t is well that this nonsense ends safel*0 9e:t week the catching is o!er/ and we of the 'lains are sent 1ack to our stations0 Then we will %arch on s%ooth roads/ and forget all this hunting0 But/ son/ - a% angr* that thou shouldst %eddle in the 1usiness that 1elongs to these dirt* +ssa%ese )ungle folk0 Kala 9ag will o1e* none 1ut %e/ so - %ust go with hi% into the Keddah/ 1ut he is onl* a fighting ele'hant/ and he does not hel' to ro'e the%0 So - sit at %* ease/ as 1efits a %ahout/5not a %ere hunter/5a %ahout/ - sa*/ and a %an who gets a 'ension at the end of his ser!ice0 -s the fa%il* of Too%ai of the &le'hants to 1e trodden underfoot in the dirt of a Keddah8 Bad one! icked one! orthless son! (o and wash Kala 9ag and attend to his ears/ and see that there are no thorns in his feet0 4r else Petersen Sahi1 will surel* catch thee and %ake thee a wild hunter5a follower of ele'hant's foot tracks/ a )ungle 1ear0 Bah! Sha%e! (o!" Little Too%ai went off without sa*ing a word/ 1ut he told Kala 9ag all his grie!ances while he was e:a%ining his feet0 "9o %atter/" said Little Too%ai/ turning u' the fringe of Kala 9ag's huge right ear0 "The* ha!e said %* na%e to Petersen Sahi1/ and 'erha's5and 'erha's5and 'erha's5who knows8 Hai! That is a 1ig thorn that - ha!e 'ulled out!" The ne:t few da*s were s'ent in getting the ele'hants together/ in walking the newl* caught wild ele'hants u' and down 1etween a cou'le of ta%e ones to 're!ent the% gi!ing too %uch trou1le on the downward %arch to the 'lains/ and in taking stock of the 1lankets and ro'es and things that had 1een worn out or lost in the forest0 Petersen Sahi1 ca%e in on his cle!er she-ele'hant Pud%ini= he had 1een 'a*ing off other ca%'s a%ong the hills/ for the season was co%ing to an end/ and there was a nati!e clerk sitting at a ta1le under a tree/ to 'a* the dri!ers their wages0 +s each %an was 'aid he went 1ack to his ele'hant/ and )oined the line that stood read* to start0 The catchers/ and hunters/ and 1eaters/ the %en of the regular Keddah/ who sta*ed in the )ungle *ear in and *ear out/ sat on the 1acks of the ele'hants that 1elonged to Petersen Sahi1's 'er%anent force/ or leaned against the trees with their guns across their ar%s/ and %ade fun of the dri!ers who were going awa*/ and laughed when the newl* caught ele'hants 1roke the line and ran a1out0 Big Too%ai went u' to the clerk with Little Too%ai 1ehind hi%/ and Machua +''a/ the head tracker/ said in an undertone to a friend of his/ "There goes one 'iece of good ele'hant stuff at least0 'Tis a 'it* to send that *oung )ungle-cock to %olt in the 'lains0" 9ow Petersen Sahi1 had ears all o!er hi%/ as a %an %ust ha!e who listens to the %ost silent of all li!ing things5the wild ele'hant0 He turned where he was l*ing all along on Pud%ini's 1ack and

said/ " hat is that8 - did not know of a %an a%ong the 'lains-dri!ers who had wit enough to ro'e e!en a dead ele'hant0" "This is not a %an/ 1ut a 1o*0 He went into the Keddah at the last dri!e/ and threw Bar%ao there the ro'e/ when we were tr*ing to get that *oung calf with the 1lotch on his shoulder awa* fro% his %other0" Machua +''a 'ointed at Little Too%ai/ and Petersen Sahi1 looked/ and Little Too%ai 1owed to the earth0 "He throw a ro'e8 He is s%aller than a 'icket-'in0 Little one/ what is th* na%e8" said Petersen Sahi10 Little Too%ai was too frightened to s'eak/ 1ut Kala 9ag was 1ehind hi%/ and Too%ai %ade a sign with his hand/ and the ele'hant caught hi% u' in his trunk and held hi% le!el with Pud%ini's forehead/ in front of the great Petersen Sahi10 Then Little Too%ai co!ered his face with his hands/ for he was onl* a child/ and e:ce't where ele'hants were concerned/ he was )ust as 1ashful as a child could 1e0 "4ho!" said Petersen Sahi1/ s%iling underneath his %ustache/ "and wh* didst thou teach th* ele'hant that trick8 as it to hel' thee steal green corn fro% the roofs of the houses when the ears are 'ut out to dr*8" "9ot green corn/ Protector of the Poor/5%elons/" said Little Too%ai/ and all the %en sitting a1out 1roke into a roar of laughter0 Most of the% had taught their ele'hants that trick when the* were 1o*s0 Little Too%ai was hanging eight feet u' in the air/ and he wished !er* %uch that he were eight feet underground0 "He is Too%ai/ %* son/ Sahi1/" said Big Too%ai/ scowling0 "He is a !er* 1ad 1o*/ and he will end in a )ail/ Sahi10" "4f that - ha!e %* dou1ts/" said Petersen Sahi10 "+ 1o* who can face a full Keddah at his age does not end in )ails0 See/ little one/ here are four annas to s'end in sweet%eats 1ecause thou hast a little head under that great thatch of hair0 -n ti%e thou %a*est 1eco%e a hunter too0" Big Too%ai scowled %ore than e!er0 "Re%e%1er/ though/ that Keddahs are not good for children to 'la* in/" Petersen Sahi1 went on0 "Must - ne!er go there/ Sahi18" asked Little Too%ai with a 1ig gas'0 "<es0" Petersen Sahi1 s%iled again0 " hen thou hast seen the ele'hants dance0 That is the 'ro'er ti%e0 $o%e to %e when thou hast seen the ele'hants dance/ and then - will let thee go into all the Keddahs0" There was another roar of laughter/ for that is an old )oke a%ong ele'hant-catchers/ and it %eans )ust ne!er0 There are great cleared flat 'laces hidden awa* in the forests that are called ele'hants' 1all-roo%s/ 1ut e!en these are onl* found 1* accident/ and no %an has e!er seen the ele'hants dance0 hen a dri!er 1oasts of his skill and 1ra!er* the other dri!ers sa*/ "+nd when didst thou see the ele'hants dance8" Kala 9ag 'ut Little Too%ai down/ and he 1owed to the earth again and went awa* with his father/ and ga!e the sil!er four-anna 'iece to his %other/ who was nursing his 1a1* 1rother/ and the* all were 'ut u' on Kala 9ag's 1ack/ and the line of grunting/ s2uealing ele'hants rolled down the hill 'ath to the 'lains0 -t was a !er* li!el* %arch on account of the new ele'hants/ who ga!e trou1le at e!er* ford/ and needed coa:ing or 1eating e!er* other %inute0 Big Too%ai 'rodded Kala 9ag s'itefull*/ for he was !er* angr*/ 1ut Little Too%ai was too ha''* to s'eak0 Petersen Sahi1 had noticed hi%/ and gi!en hi% %one*/ so he felt as a 'ri!ate soldier would feel if he had 1een called out of the ranks and 'raised 1* his co%%ander-in-chief0 " hat did Petersen Sahi1 %ean 1* the ele'hant dance8" he said/ at last/ softl* to his %other0

Big Too%ai heard hi% and grunted0 "That thou shouldst ne!er 1e one of these hill 1uffaloes of trackers0 That was what he %eant0 4h/ *ou in front/ what is 1locking the wa*8" +n +ssa%ese dri!er/ two or three ele'hants ahead/ turned round angril*/ cr*ing3 "Bring u' Kala 9ag/ and knock this *oungster of %ine into good 1eha!ior0 h* should Petersen Sahi1 ha!e chosen %e to go down with *ou donke*s of the rice fields8 La* *our 1east alongside/ Too%ai/ and let hi% 'rod with his tusks0 B* all the (ods of the Hills/ these new ele'hants are 'ossessed/ or else the* can s%ell their co%'anions in the )ungle0" Kala 9ag hit the new ele'hant in the ri1s and knocked the wind out of hi%/ as Big Too%ai said/ " e ha!e swe't the hills of wild ele'hants at the last catch0 -t is onl* *our carelessness in dri!ing0 Must - kee' order along the whole line8" "Hear hi%!" said the other dri!er0 " e ha!e swe't the hills! Ho! Ho! <ou are !er* wise/ *ou 'lains 'eo'le0 +n*one 1ut a %ud-head who ne!er saw the )ungle would know that the* know that the dri!es are ended for the season0 Therefore all the wild ele'hants to-night will51ut wh* should waste wisdo% on a ri!er-turtle8" " hat will the* do8" Little Too%ai called out0 "4he/ little one0 +rt thou there8 ell/ - will tell thee/ for thou hast a cool head0 The* will dance/ and it 1ehoo!es th* father/ who has swe't all the hills of all the ele'hants/ to dou1le-chain his 'ickets to-night0" " hat talk is this8" said Big Too%ai0 ".or fort* *ears/ father and son/ we ha!e tended ele'hants/ and we ha!e ne!er heard such %oonshine a1out dances0" "<es= 1ut a 'lains%an who li!es in a hut knows onl* the four walls of his hut0 ell/ lea!e th* ele'hants unshackled tonight and see what co%es0 +s for their dancing/ - ha!e seen the 'lace where 5Ba'ree-1a'! How %an* windings has the "ihang Ri!er8 Here is another ford/ and we %ust swi% the cal!es0 Sto' still/ *ou 1ehind there0" +nd in this wa*/ talking and wrangling and s'lashing through the ri!ers/ the* %ade their first %arch to a sort of recei!ing ca%' for the new ele'hants0 But the* lost their te%'ers long 1efore the* got there0 Then the ele'hants were chained 1* their hind legs to their 1ig stu%'s of 'ickets/ and e:tra ro'es were fitted to the new ele'hants/ and the fodder was 'iled 1efore the%/ and the hill dri!ers went 1ack to Petersen Sahi1 through the afternoon light/ telling the 'lains dri!ers to 1e e:tra careful that night/ and laughing when the 'lains dri!ers asked the reason0 Little Too%ai attended to Kala 9ag's su''er/ and as e!ening fell/ wandered through the ca%'/ uns'eaka1l* ha''*/ in search of a to%-to%0 hen an -ndian child's heart is full/ he does not run a1out and %ake a noise in an irregular fashion0 He sits down to a sort of re!el all 1* hi%self0 +nd Little Too%ai had 1een s'oken to 1* Petersen Sahi1! -f he had not found what he wanted/ - 1elie!e he would ha!e 1een ill0 But the sweet%eat seller in the ca%' lent hi% a little to%-to%5a dru% 1eaten with the flat of the hand5and he sat down/ cross-legged/ 1efore Kala 9ag as the stars 1egan to co%e out/ the to%-to% in his la'/ and he thu%'ed and he thu%'ed and he thu%'ed/ and the %ore he thought of the great honor that had 1een done to hi%/ the %ore he thu%'ed/ all alone a%ong the ele'hant fodder0 There was no tune and no words/ 1ut the thu%'ing %ade hi% ha''*0 The new ele'hants strained at their ro'es/ and s2uealed and tru%'eted fro% ti%e to ti%e/ and he could hear his %other in the ca%' hut 'utting his s%all 1rother to slee' with an old/ old song a1out the great (od Shi!/ who once told all the ani%als what the* should eat0 -t is a !er* soothing lulla1*/ and the first !erse sa*s3
5hi!, who poured the har!est and ade the winds to blow, 5itting at the doorways of a day of long ago, Ga!e to each his portion, food and toil and fate, 9ro the King upon the guddee to the Beggar at the gate" 'll things ade he>5hi!a the Preser!er" =ahadeo? =ahadeo? :e ade all>

Thorn for the ca el, fodder for the kine, 'nd other@s heart for sleepy head, 8 little son of

ine?

Little Too%ai ca%e in with a )o*ous tunk-a-tunk at the end of each !erse/ till he felt slee'* and stretched hi%self on the fodder at Kala 9ag's side0 +t last the ele'hants 1egan to lie down one after another as is their custo%/ till onl* Kala 9ag at the right of the line was left standing u'= and he rocked slowl* fro% side to side/ his ears 'ut forward to listen to the night wind as it 1lew !er* slowl* across the hills0 The air was full of all the night noises that/ taken together/ %ake one 1ig silence5the click of one 1a%1oo ste% against the other/ the rustle of so%ething ali!e in the undergrowth/ the scratch and s2uawk of a half-waked 1ird >1irds are awake in the night %uch %ore often than we i%agine?/ and the fall of water e!er so far awa*0 Little Too%ai sle't for so%e ti%e/ and when he waked it was 1rilliant %oonlight/ and Kala 9ag was still standing u' with his ears cocked0 Little Too%ai turned/ rustling in the fodder/ and watched the cur!e of his 1ig 1ack against half the stars in hea!en/ and while he watched he heard/ so far awa* that it sounded no %ore than a 'inhole of noise 'ricked through the stillness/ the "hoot-toot" of a wild ele'hant0 +ll the ele'hants in the lines )u%'ed u' as if the* had 1een shot/ and their grunts at last waked the slee'ing %ahouts/ and the* ca%e out and dro!e in the 'icket 'egs with 1ig %allets/ and tightened this ro'e and knotted that till all was 2uiet0 4ne new ele'hant had nearl* gru11ed u' his 'icket/ and Big Too%ai took off Kala 9ag's leg chain and shackled that ele'hant fore-foot to hind-foot/ 1ut sli''ed a loo' of grass string round Kala 9ag's leg/ and told hi% to re%e%1er that he was tied fast0 He knew that he and his father and his grandfather had done the !er* sa%e thing hundreds of ti%es 1efore0 Kala 9ag did not answer to the order 1* gurgling/ as he usuall* did0 He stood still/ looking out across the %oonlight/ his head a little raised and his ears s'read like fans/ u' to the great folds of the (aro hills0 "Tend to hi% if he grows restless in the night/" said Big Too%ai to Little Too%ai/ and he went into the hut and sle't0 Little Too%ai was )ust going to slee'/ too/ when he heard the coir string sna' with a little "tang/" and Kala 9ag rolled out of his 'ickets as slowl* and as silentl* as a cloud rolls out of the %outh of a !alle*0 Little Too%ai 'attered after hi%/ 1arefooted/ down the road in the %oonlight/ calling under his 1reath/ "Kala 9ag! Kala 9ag! Take %e with *ou/ 4 Kala 9ag!" The ele'hant turned/ without a sound/ took three strides 1ack to the 1o* in the %oonlight/ 'ut down his trunk/ swung hi% u' to his neck/ and al%ost 1efore Little Too%ai had settled his knees/ sli''ed into the forest0 There was one 1last of furious tru%'eting fro% the lines/ and then the silence shut down on e!er*thing/ and Kala 9ag 1egan to %o!e0 So%eti%es a tuft of high grass washed along his sides as a wa!e washes along the sides of a shi'/ and so%eti%es a cluster of wild-'e''er !ines would scra'e along his 1ack/ or a 1a%1oo would creak where his shoulder touched it0 But 1etween those ti%es he %o!ed a1solutel* without an* sound/ drifting through the thick (aro forest as though it had 1een s%oke0 He was going u'hill/ 1ut though Little Too%ai watched the stars in the rifts of the trees/ he could not tell in what direction0 Then Kala 9ag reached the crest of the ascent and sto''ed for a %inute/ and Little Too%ai could see the to's of the trees l*ing all s'eckled and furr* under the %oonlight for %iles and %iles/ and the 1lue-white %ist o!er the ri!er in the hollow0 Too%ai leaned forward and looked/ and he felt that the forest was awake 1elow hi%5awake and ali!e and crowded0 + 1ig 1rown fruit-eating 1at 1rushed 'ast his ear= a 'orcu'ine's 2uills rattled in the thicket= and in the darkness 1etween the tree ste%s he heard a hog-1ear digging hard in the %oist war% earth/ and snuffing as it digged0 Then the 1ranches closed o!er his head again/ and Kala 9ag 1egan to go down into the !alle*5not 2uietl* this ti%e/ 1ut as a runawa* gun goes down a stee' 1ank5in one rush0 The huge li%1s %o!ed as steadil* as 'istons/ eight feet to each stride/ and the wrinkled skin of the el1ow 'oints rustled0 The undergrowth on either side of hi% ri''ed with a noise like torn can!as/ and the sa'lings that he hea!ed awa* right and left with his shoulders s'rang 1ack again and 1anged hi% on the

flank/ and great trails of cree'ers/ all %atted together/ hung fro% his tusks as he threw his head fro% side to side and 'lowed out his 'athwa*0 Then Little Too%ai laid hi%self down close to the great neck lest a swinging 1ough should swee' hi% to the ground/ and he wished that he were 1ack in the lines again0 The grass 1egan to get s2uash*/ and Kala 9ag's feet sucked and s2uelched as he 'ut the% down/ and the night %ist at the 1otto% of the !alle* chilled Little Too%ai0 There was a s'lash and a tra%'le/ and the rush of running water/ and Kala 9ag strode through the 1ed of a ri!er/ feeling his wa* at each ste'0 +1o!e the noise of the water/ as it swirled round the ele'hant's legs/ Little Too%ai could hear %ore s'lashing and so%e tru%'eting 1oth u'strea% and down5great grunts and angr* snortings/ and all the %ist a1out hi% see%ed to 1e full of rolling/ wa!* shadows0 "+i!" he said/ half aloud/ his teeth chattering0 "The ele'hant-folk are out tonight0 -t is the dance/ then!" Kala 9ag swashed out of the water/ 1lew his trunk clear/ and 1egan another cli%10 But this ti%e he was not alone/ and he had not to %ake his 'ath0 That was %ade alread*/ si: feet wide/ in front of hi%/ where the 1ent )ungle-grass was tr*ing to reco!er itself and stand u'0 Man* ele'hants %ust ha!e gone that wa* onl* a few %inutes 1efore0 Little Too%ai looked 1ack/ and 1ehind hi% a great wild tusker with his little 'ig's e*es glowing like hot coals was )ust lifting hi%self out of the %ist* ri!er0 Then the trees closed u' again/ and the* went on and u'/ with tru%'etings and crashings/ and the sound of 1reaking 1ranches on e!er* side of the%0 +t last Kala 9ag stood still 1etween two tree-trunks at the !er* to' of the hill0 The* were 'art of a circle of trees that grew round an irregular s'ace of so%e three or four acres/ and in all that s'ace/ as Little Too%ai could see/ the ground had 1een tra%'led down as hard as a 1rick floor0 So%e trees grew in the center of the clearing/ 1ut their 1ark was ru11ed awa*/ and the white wood 1eneath showed all shin* and 'olished in the 'atches of %oonlight0 There were cree'ers hanging fro% the u''er 1ranches/ and the 1ells of the flowers of the cree'ers/ great wa:* white things like con!ol!uluses/ hung down fast aslee'0 But within the li%its of the clearing there was not a single 1lade of green5nothing 1ut the tra%'led earth0 The %oonlight showed it all iron gra*/ e:ce't where so%e ele'hants stood u'on it/ and their shadows were ink* 1lack0 Little Too%ai looked/ holding his 1reath/ with his e*es starting out of his head/ and as he looked/ %ore and %ore and %ore ele'hants swung out into the o'en fro% 1etween the tree trunks0 Little Too%ai could onl* count u' to ten/ and he counted again and again on his fingers till he lost count of the tens/ and his head 1egan to swi%0 4utside the clearing he could hear the% crashing in the undergrowth as the* worked their wa* u' the hillside/ 1ut as soon as the* were within the circle of the tree trunks the* %o!ed like ghosts0 There were white-tusked wild %ales/ with fallen lea!es and nuts and twigs l*ing in the wrinkles of their necks and the folds of their ears= fat/ slow-footed she-ele'hants/ with restless/ little 'ink* 1lack cal!es onl* three or four feet high running under their sto%achs= *oung ele'hants with their tusks )ust 1eginning to show/ and !er* 'roud of the%= lank*/ scragg* old-%aid ele'hants/ with their hollow an:ious faces/ and trunks like rough 1ark= sa!age old 1ull ele'hants/ scarred fro% shoulder to flank with great weals and cuts of 1*gone fights/ and the caked dirt of their solitar* %ud 1aths dro''ing fro% their shoulders= and there was one with a 1roken tusk and the %arks of the fullstroke/ the terri1le drawing scra'e/ of a tiger's claws on his side0 The* were standing head to head/ or walking to and fro across the ground in cou'les/ or rocking and swa*ing all 1* the%sel!es5scores and scores of ele'hants0 Too%ai knew that so long as he la* still on Kala 9ag's neck nothing would ha''en to hi%/ for e!en in the rush and scra%1le of a Keddah dri!e a wild ele'hant does not reach u' with his trunk and drag a %an off the neck of a ta%e ele'hant0 +nd these ele'hants were not thinking of %en that night0 4nce the* started and 'ut their ears forward when the* heard the chinking of a leg iron in the forest/ 1ut it was Pud%ini/ Petersen Sahi1's 'et ele'hant/ her chain sna''ed short off/ grunting/

snuffling u' the hillside0 She %ust ha!e 1roken her 'ickets and co%e straight fro% Petersen Sahi1's ca%'= and Little Too%ai saw another ele'hant/ one that he did not know/ with dee' ro'e galls on his 1ack and 1reast0 He/ too/ %ust ha!e run awa* fro% so%e ca%' in the hills a1out0 +t last there was no sound of an* %ore ele'hants %o!ing in the forest/ and Kala 9ag rolled out fro% his station 1etween the trees and went into the %iddle of the crowd/ clucking and gurgling/ and all the ele'hants 1egan to talk in their own tongue/ and to %o!e a1out0 Still l*ing down/ Little Too%ai looked down u'on scores and scores of 1road 1acks/ and wagging ears/ and tossing trunks/ and little rolling e*es0 He heard the click of tusks as the* crossed other tusks 1* accident/ and the dr* rustle of trunks twined together/ and the chafing of enor%ous sides and shoulders in the crowd/ and the incessant flick and hissh of the great tails0 Then a cloud ca%e o!er the %oon/ and he sat in 1lack darkness0 But the 2uiet/ stead* hustling and 'ushing and gurgling went on )ust the sa%e0 He knew that there were ele'hants all round Kala 9ag/ and that there was no chance of 1acking hi% out of the asse%1l*= so he set his teeth and shi!ered0 -n a Keddah at least there was torchlight and shouting/ 1ut here he was all alone in the dark/ and once a trunk ca%e u' and touched hi% on the knee0 Then an ele'hant tru%'eted/ and the* all took it u' for fi!e or ten terri1le seconds0 The dew fro% the trees a1o!e s'attered down like rain on the unseen 1acks/ and a dull 1oo%ing noise 1egan/ not !er* loud at first/ and Little Too%ai could not tell what it was0 But it grew and grew/ and Kala 9ag lifted u' one forefoot and then the other/ and 1rought the% down on the ground5one-two/ one-two/ as steadil* as tri'-ha%%ers0 The ele'hants were sta%'ing all together now/ and it sounded like a war dru% 1eaten at the %outh of a ca!e0 The dew fell fro% the trees till there was no %ore left to fall/ and the 1oo%ing went on/ and the ground rocked and shi!ered/ and Little Too%ai 'ut his hands u' to his ears to shut out the sound0 But it was all one gigantic )ar that ran through hi%5this sta%' of hundreds of hea!* feet on the raw earth0 4nce or twice he could feel Kala 9ag and all the others surge forward a few strides/ and the thu%'ing would change to the crushing sound of )uic* green things 1eing 1ruised/ 1ut in a %inute or two the 1oo% of feet on hard earth 1egan again0 + tree was creaking and groaning so%ewhere near hi%0 He 'ut out his ar% and felt the 1ark/ 1ut Kala 9ag %o!ed forward/ still tra%'ing/ and he could not tell where he was in the clearing0 There was no sound fro% the ele'hants/ e:ce't once/ when two or three little cal!es s2ueaked together0 Then he heard a thu%' and a shuffle/ and the 1oo%ing went on0 -t %ust ha!e lasted full* two hours/ and Little Too%ai ached in e!er* ner!e/ 1ut he knew 1* the s%ell of the night air that the dawn was co%ing0 The %orning 1roke in one sheet of 'ale *ellow 1ehind the green hills/ and the 1oo%ing sto''ed with the first ra*/ as though the light had 1een an order0 Before Little Too%ai had got the ringing out of his head/ 1efore e!en he had shifted his 'osition/ there was not an ele'hant in sight e:ce't Kala 9ag/ Pud%ini/ and the ele'hant with the ro'e-galls/ and there was neither sign nor rustle nor whis'er down the hillsides to show where the others had gone0 Little Too%ai stared again and again0 The clearing/ as he re%e%1ered it/ had grown in the night0 More trees stood in the %iddle of it/ 1ut the undergrowth and the )ungle grass at the sides had 1een rolled 1ack0 Little Too%ai stared once %ore0 9ow he understood the tra%'ling0 The ele'hants had sta%'ed out %ore roo%5had sta%'ed the thick grass and )uic* cane to trash/ the trash into sli!ers/ the sli!ers into tin* fi1ers/ and the fi1ers into hard earth0 " ah!" said Little Too%ai/ and his e*es were !er* hea!*0 "Kala 9ag/ %* lord/ let us kee' 1* Pud%ini and go to Petersen Sahi1's ca%'/ or - shall dro' fro% th* neck0" The third ele'hant watched the two go awa*/ snorted/ wheeled round/ and took his own 'ath0 He %a* ha!e 1elonged to so%e little nati!e king's esta1lish%ent/ fift* or si:t* or a hundred %iles awa*0 Two hours later/ as Petersen Sahi1 was eating earl* 1reakfast/ his ele'hants/ who had 1een dou1le chained that night/ 1egan to tru%'et/ and Pud%ini/ %ired to the shoulders/ with Kala 9ag/ !er* footsore/ sha%1led into the ca%'0 Little Too%ai's face was gra* and 'inched/ and his hair was full

of lea!es and drenched with dew/ 1ut he tried to salute Petersen Sahi1/ and cried faintl*3 "The dance 5the ele'hant dance! - ha!e seen it/ and5- die!" +s Kala 9ag sat down/ he slid off his neck in a dead faint0 But/ since nati!e children ha!e no ner!es worth s'eaking of/ in two hours he was l*ing !er* contentedl* in Petersen Sahi1's ha%%ock with Petersen Sahi1's shooting-coat under his head/ and a glass of war% %ilk/ a little 1rand*/ with a dash of 2uinine/ inside of hi%/ and while the old hair*/ scarred hunters of the )ungles sat three dee' 1efore hi%/ looking at hi% as though he were a s'irit/ he told his tale in short words/ as a child will/ and wound u' with3 "9ow/ if - lie in one word/ send %en to see/ and the* will find that the ele'hant folk ha!e tra%'led down %ore roo% in their dance-roo%/ and the* will find ten and ten/ and %an* ti%es ten/ tracks leading to that dance-roo%0 The* %ade %ore roo% with their feet0 - ha!e seen it0 Kala 9ag took %e/ and - saw0 +lso Kala 9ag is !er* leg-wear*!" Little Too%ai la* 1ack and sle't all through the long afternoon and into the twilight/ and while he sle't Petersen Sahi1 and Machua +''a followed the track of the two ele'hants for fifteen %iles across the hills0 Petersen Sahi1 had s'ent eighteen *ears in catching ele'hants/ and he had onl* once 1efore found such a dance-'lace0 Machua +''a had no need to look twice at the clearing to see what had 1een done there/ or to scratch with his toe in the 'acked/ ra%%ed earth0 "The child s'eaks truth/" said he0 "+ll this was done last night/ and - ha!e counted se!ent* tracks crossing the ri!er0 See/ Sahi1/ where Pud%ini's leg-iron cut the 1ark of that tree! <es= she was there too0" The* looked at one another and u' and down/ and the* wondered0 .or the wa*s of ele'hants are 1e*ond the wit of an* %an/ 1lack or white/ to fatho%0 ".ort* *ears and fi!e/" said Machua +''a/ "ha!e - followed %* lord/ the ele'hant/ 1ut ne!er ha!e heard that an* child of %an had seen what this child has seen0 B* all the (ods of the Hills/ it is5 what can we sa*8" and he shook his head0 hen the* got 1ack to ca%' it was ti%e for the e!ening %eal0 Petersen Sahi1 ate alone in his tent/ 1ut he ga!e orders that the ca%' should ha!e two shee' and so%e fowls/ as well as a dou1le ration of flour and rice and salt/ for he knew that there would 1e a feast0 Big Too%ai had co%e u' hotfoot fro% the ca%' in the 'lains to search for his son and his ele'hant/ and now that he had found the% he looked at the% as though he were afraid of the% 1oth0 +nd there was a feast 1* the 1la#ing ca%'fires in front of the lines of 'icketed ele'hants/ and Little Too%ai was the hero of it all0 +nd the 1ig 1rown ele'hant catchers/ the trackers and dri!ers and ro'ers/ and the %en who know all the secrets of 1reaking the wildest ele'hants/ 'assed hi% fro% one to the other/ and the* %arked his forehead with 1lood fro% the 1reast of a newl* killed )ungle-cock/ to show that he was a forester/ initiated and free of all the )ungles0 +nd at last/ when the fla%es died down/ and the red light of the logs %ade the ele'hants look as though the* had 1een di''ed in 1lood too/ Machua +''a/ the head of all the dri!ers of all the Keddahs5Machua +''a/ Petersen Sahi1's other self/ who had ne!er seen a %ade road in fort* *ears3 Machua +''a/ who was so great that he had no other na%e than Machua +''a/5lea'ed to his feet/ with Little Too%ai held high in the air a1o!e his head/ and shouted3 "Listen/ %* 1rothers0 Listen/ too/ *ou %* lords in the lines there/ for -/ Machua +''a/ a% s'eaking! This little one shall no %ore 1e called Little Too%ai/ 1ut Too%ai of the &le'hants/ as his great-grandfather was called 1efore hi%0 hat ne!er %an has seen he has seen through the long night/ and the fa!or of the ele'hant-folk and of the (ods of the ;ungles is with hi%0 He shall 1eco%e a great tracker0 He shall 1eco%e greater than -/ e!en -/ Machua +''a! He shall follow the new trail/ and the stale trail/ and the %i:ed trail/ with a clear e*e! He shall take no har% in the Keddah when he runs under their 1ellies to ro'e the wild tuskers= and if he sli's 1efore the feet of the charging 1ull ele'hant/ the 1ull ele'hant shall know who he is and shall not crush hi%0 +ihai! %* lords in the chains/"5he whirled

u' the line of 'ickets5"here is the little one that has seen *our dances in *our hidden 'laces/5the sight that ne!er %an saw! (i!e hi% honor/ %* lords! Salaa% karo/ %* children0 Make *our salute to Too%ai of the &le'hants! (unga Pershad/ ahaa! Hira (u)/ Birchi (u)/ Kuttar (u)/ ahaa! Pud%ini/ 5thou hast seen hi% at the dance/ and thou too/ Kala 9ag/ %* 'earl a%ong ele'hants!5ahaa! Together! To Too%ai of the &le'hants0 Barrao!" +nd at that last wild *ell the whole line flung u' their trunks till the ti's touched their foreheads/ and 1roke out into the full salute5the crashing tru%'et-'eal that onl* the Aicero* of -ndia hears/ the Salaa%ut of the Keddah0 But it was all for the sake of Little Too%ai/ who had seen what ne!er %an had seen 1efore5the dance of the ele'hants at night and alone in the heart of the (aro hills!

" i* and t e Grass opper

GThe song that Too ai@s other sang to the babyH 5hi!, who poured the har!est and ade the winds to blow, 5itting at the doorways of a day of long ago, Ga!e to each his portion, food and toil and fate, 9ro the King upon the guddee to the Beggar at the gate" 'll things ade he>5hi!a the Preser!er" =ahadeo? =ahadeo? :e ade all,> Thorn for the ca el, fodder for the kine, 'nd other@s heart for sleepy head, 8 little son of ine? <heat he ga!e to rich folk, illet to the poor, Broken scraps for holy en that beg fro door to doorA Battle to the tiger, carrion to the kite, 'nd rags and bones to wicked wol!es without the wall at night" 2aught he found too lofty, none he saw too low> Parbati beside hi watched the co e and goA Thought to cheat her husband, turning 5hi! to jest> 5tole the little grasshopper and hid it in her breast" 5o she tricked hi , 5hi!a the Preser!er" =ahadeo? =ahadeo? Turn and see" Tall are the ca els, hea!y are the kine, But this was %east of %ittle Things, 8 little son of ine? <hen the dole was ended, laughingly she said, B=aster, of a illion ouths, is not one unfedDB %aughing, 5hi! ade answer, B'll ha!e had their part, E!en he, the little one, hidden @neath thy heart"B 9ro her breast she plucked it, Parbati the thief, 5aw the %east of %ittle Things gnawed a new$grown leaf? 5aw and feared and wondered, aking prayer to 5hi!, <ho hath surely gi!en eat to all that li!e" 'll things ade he>5hi!a the Preser!er" =ahadeo? =ahadeo? :e ade all,> Thorn for the ca el, fodder for the kine, 'nd other@s heart for sleepy head, 8 little son of ine?

Her Ma.esty's "er*ants

#ou But #ou But can the can the work it out by 9ractions or by si ple Rule of Three, way of Tweedle$du is not the way of Tweedle$dee" twist it, you can turn it, you can plait it till you drop, way of Pilly <inky@s not the way of <inkie Pop?

-t had 1een raining hea!il* for one whole %onth5raining on a ca%' of thirt* thousand %en and thousands of ca%els/ ele'hants/ horses/ 1ullocks/ and %ules all gathered together at a 'lace called Rawal Pindi/ to 1e re!iewed 1* the Aicero* of -ndia0 He was recei!ing a !isit fro% the +%ir of +fghanistan5a wild king of a !er* wild countr*0 The +%ir had 1rought with hi% for a 1od*guard eight hundred %en and horses who had ne!er seen a ca%' or a loco%oti!e 1efore in their li!es5 sa!age %en and sa!age horses fro% so%ewhere at the 1ack of $entral +sia0 &!er* night a %o1 of these horses would 1e sure to 1reak their heel ro'es and sta%'ede u' and down the ca%' through the %ud in the dark/ or the ca%els would 1reak loose and run a1out and fall o!er the ro'es of the tents/ and *ou can i%agine how 'leasant that was for %en tr*ing to go to slee'0 M* tent la* far awa* fro% the ca%el lines/ and - thought it was safe0 But one night a %an 'o''ed his head in and shouted/ "(et out/ 2uick! The*'re co%ing! M* tent's gone!" - knew who "the*" were/ so - 'ut on %* 1oots and water'roof and scuttled out into the slush0 Little Ai:en/ %* fo: terrier/ went out through the other side= and then there was a roaring and a grunting and 1u11ling/ and - saw the tent ca!e in/ as the 'ole sna''ed/ and 1egin to dance a1out like a %ad ghost0 + ca%el had 1lundered into it/ and wet and angr* as - was/ - could not hel' laughing0 Then ran on/ 1ecause - did not know how %an* ca%els %ight ha!e got loose/ and 1efore long - was out of sight of the ca%'/ 'lowing %* wa* through the %ud0 +t last - fell o!er the tail-end of a gun/ and 1* that knew - was so%ewhere near the artiller* lines where the cannon were stacked at night0 +s - did not want to 'lowter a1out an* %ore in the dri##le and the dark/ - 'ut %* water'roof o!er the %u##le of one gun/ and %ade a sort of wigwa% with two or three ra%%ers that - found/ and la* along the tail of another gun/ wondering where Ai:en had got to/ and where - %ight 1e0 ;ust as - was getting read* to go to slee' - heard a )ingle of harness and a grunt/ and a %ule 'assed %e shaking his wet ears0 He 1elonged to a screw-gun 1atter*/ for - could hear the rattle of the stra's and rings and chains and things on his saddle 'ad0 The screw-guns are tin* little cannon %ade in two 'ieces/ that are screwed together when the ti%e co%es to use the%0 The* are taken u' %ountains/ an*where that a %ule can find a road/ and the* are !er* useful for fighting in rock* countr*0 Behind the %ule there was a ca%el/ with his 1ig soft feet s2uelching and sli''ing in the %ud/ and his neck 1o11ing to and fro like a stra*ed hen's0 Luckil*/ - knew enough of 1east language5not wild-1east language/ 1ut ca%'-1east language/ of course5fro% the nati!es to know what he was sa*ing0 He %ust ha!e 1een the one that flo''ed into %* tent/ for he called to the %ule/ " hat shall - do8 here shall - go8 - ha!e fought with a white thing that wa!ed/ and it took a stick and hit %e on the neck0" >That was %* 1roken tent 'ole/ and - was !er* glad to know it0? "Shall we run on8" "4h/ it was *ou/" said the %ule/ "*ou and *our friends/ that ha!e 1een distur1ing the ca%'8 +ll right0 <ou'll 1e 1eaten for this in the %orning0 But - %a* as well gi!e *ou so%ething on account now0" - heard the harness )ingle as the %ule 1acked and caught the ca%el two kicks in the ri1s that rang like a dru%0 "+nother ti%e/" he said/ "*ou'll know 1etter than to run through a %ule 1atter* at night/ shouting BThie!es and fire!' Sit down/ and kee' *our sill* neck 2uiet0" The ca%el dou1led u' ca%el-fashion/ like a two-foot rule/ and sat down whi%'ering0 There was a regular 1eat of hoofs in the darkness/ and a 1ig troo'-horse cantered u' as steadil* as though he

were on 'arade/ )u%'ed a gun tail/ and landed close to the %ule0 "-t's disgraceful/" he said/ 1lowing out his nostrils0 "Those ca%els ha!e racketed through our lines again5the third ti%e this week0 How's a horse to kee' his condition if he isn't allowed to slee'0 ho's here8" "-'% the 1reech-'iece %ule of nu%1er two gun of the .irst Screw Batter*/" said the %ule/ "and the other's one of *our friends0 He's waked %e u' too0 ho are *ou8" "9u%1er .ifteen/ & troo'/ 9inth Lancers5"ick $unliffe's horse0 Stand o!er a little/ there0" "4h/ 1eg *our 'ardon/" said the %ule0 "-t's too dark to see %uch0 +ren't these ca%els too sickening for an*thing8 - walked out of %* lines to get a little 'eace and 2uiet here0" "M* lords/" said the ca%el hu%1l*/ "we drea%ed 1ad drea%s in the night/ and we were !er* %uch afraid0 - a% onl* a 1aggage ca%el of the IJth 9ati!e -nfantr*/ and - a% not as 1ra!e as *ou are/ %* lords0" "Then wh* didn't *ou sta* and carr* 1aggage for the IJth 9ati!e -nfantr*/ instead of running all round the ca%'8" said the %ule0 "The* were such !er* 1ad drea%s/" said the ca%el0 "- a% sorr*0 Listen! on again8" hat is that8 Shall we run

"Sit down/" said the %ule/ "or *ou'll sna' *our long stick-legs 1etween the guns0" He cocked one ear and listened0 "Bullocks!" he said0 "(un 1ullocks0 4n %* word/ *ou and *our friends ha!e waked the ca%' !er* thoroughl*0 -t takes a good deal of 'rodding to 'ut u' a gun-1ullock0" - heard a chain dragging along the ground/ and a *oke of the great sulk* white 1ullocks that drag the hea!* siege guns when the ele'hants won't go an* nearer to the firing/ ca%e shouldering along together0 +nd al%ost ste''ing on the chain was another 1atter* %ule/ calling wildl* for "Bill*0" "That's one of our recruits/" said the old %ule to the troo' horse0 "He's calling for %e0 Here/ *oungster/ sto' s2uealing0 The dark ne!er hurt an*1od* *et0" The gun-1ullocks la* down together and 1egan chewing the cud/ 1ut the *oung %ule huddled close to Bill*0 "Things!" he said0 ".earful and horri1le/ Bill*! The* ca%e into our lines while we were aslee'0 "'*ou think the*'ll kill us8" "-'!e a !er* great %ind to gi!e *ou a nu%1er-one kicking/" said Bill*0 "The idea of a fourteen-hand %ule with *our training disgracing the 1atter* 1efore this gentle%an!" "(entl*/ gentl*!" said the troo'-horse0 "Re%e%1er the* are alwa*s like this to 1egin with0 The first ti%e - e!er saw a %an >it was in +ustralia when - was a three-*ear-old? - ran for half a da*/ and if -'d seen a ca%el/ - should ha!e 1een running still0" 9earl* all our horses for the &nglish ca!alr* are 1rought to -ndia fro% +ustralia/ and are 1roken in 1* the troo'ers the%sel!es0 "True enough/" said Bill*0 "Sto' shaking/ *oungster0 The first ti%e the* 'ut the full harness with all its chains on %* 1ack - stood on %* forelegs and kicked e!er* 1it of it off0 - hadn't learned the real science of kicking then/ 1ut the 1atter* said the* had ne!er seen an*thing like it0" "But this wasn't harness or an*thing that )ingled/" said the *oung %ule0 "<ou know - don't %ind that now/ Bill*0 -t was Things like trees/ and the* fell u' and down the lines and 1u11led= and %* headro'e 1roke/ and - couldn't find %* dri!er/ and - couldn't find *ou/ Bill*/ so - ran off with5with these gentle%en0" "H'%!" said Bill*0 "+s soon as - heard the ca%els were loose - ca%e awa* on %* own account0 hen a 1atter*5a screw-gun %ule calls gun-1ullocks gentle%en/ he %ust 1e !er* 1adl* shaken u'0

ho are *ou fellows on the ground there8" The gun 1ullocks rolled their cuds/ and answered 1oth together3 "The se!enth *oke of the first gun of the Big (un Batter*0 e were aslee' when the ca%els ca%e/ 1ut when we were tra%'led on we got u' and walked awa*0 -t is 1etter to lie 2uiet in the %ud than to 1e distur1ed on good 1edding0 e told *our friend here that there was nothing to 1e afraid of/ 1ut he knew so %uch that he thought otherwise0 ah!" The* went on chewing0 "That co%es of 1eing afraid/" said Bill*0 "<ou get laughed at 1* gun-1ullocks0 - ho'e *ou like it/ *oung un0" The *oung %ule's teeth sna''ed/ and - heard hi% sa* so%ething a1out not 1eing afraid of an* 1eef* old 1ullock in the world0 But the 1ullocks onl* clicked their horns together and went on chewing0 "9ow/ don't 1e angr* after *ou'!e 1een afraid0 That's the worst kind of cowardice/" said the troo'horse0 "+n*1od* can 1e forgi!en for 1eing scared in the night/ - think/ if the* see things the* don't understand0 e'!e 1roken out of our 'ickets/ again and again/ four hundred and fift* of us/ )ust 1ecause a new recruit got to telling tales of whi' snakes at ho%e in +ustralia till we were scared to death of the loose ends of our head-ro'es0" "That's all !er* well in ca%'/" said Bill*0 "-'% not a1o!e sta%'eding %*self/ for the fun of the thing/ when - ha!en't 1een out for a da* or two0 But what do *ou do on acti!e ser!ice8" "4h/ that's 2uite another set of new shoes/" said the troo' horse0 ""ick $unliffe's on %* 1ack then/ and dri!es his knees into %e/ and all - ha!e to do is to watch where - a% 'utting %* feet/ and to kee' %* hind legs well under %e/ and 1e 1ridle-wise0" " hat's 1ridle-wise8" said the *oung %ule0 "B* the Blue (u%s of the Back Blocks/" snorted the troo'-horse/ "do *ou %ean to sa* that *ou aren't taught to 1e 1ridle-wise in *our 1usiness8 How can *ou do an*thing/ unless *ou can s'in round at once when the rein is 'ressed on *our neck8 -t %eans life or death to *our %an/ and of course that's life and death to *ou0 (et round with *our hind legs under *ou the instant *ou feel the rein on *our neck0 -f *ou ha!en't roo% to swing round/ rear u' a little and co%e round on *our hind legs0 That's 1eing 1ridle-wise0" " e aren't taught that wa*/" said Bill* the %ule stiffl*0 " e're taught to o1e* the %an at our head3 ste' off when he sa*s so/ and ste' in when he sa*s so0 - su''ose it co%es to the sa%e thing0 9ow/ with all this fine fanc* 1usiness and rearing/ which %ust 1e !er* 1ad for *our hocks/ what do *ou do8" "That de'ends/" said the troo'-horse0 "(enerall* - ha!e to go in a%ong a lot of *elling/ hair* %en with kni!es5long shin* kni!es/ worse than the farrier's kni!es5and - ha!e to take care that "ick's 1oot is )ust touching the ne:t %an's 1oot without crushing it0 - can see "ick's lance to the right of %* right e*e/ and - know -'% safe0 - shouldn't care to 1e the %an or horse that stood u' to "ick and %e when we're in a hurr*0" ""on't the kni!es hurt8" said the *oung %ule0 " ell/ - got one cut across the chest once/ 1ut that wasn't "ick's fault5" "+ lot - should ha!e cared whose fault it was/ if it hurt!" said the *oung %ule0 "<ou %ust/" said the troo' horse0 "-f *ou don't trust *our %an/ *ou %a* as well run awa* at once0 That's what so%e of our horses do/ and - don't 1la%e the%0 +s - was sa*ing/ it wasn't "ick's fault0 The %an was l*ing on the ground/ and - stretched %*self not to tread on hi%/ and he slashed u' at %e0 9e:t ti%e - ha!e to go o!er a %an l*ing down - shall ste' on hi%5hard0" "H'%!" said Bill*0 "-t sounds !er* foolish0 Kni!es are dirt* things at an* ti%e0 The 'ro'er thing to

do is to cli%1 u' a %ountain with a well-1alanced saddle/ hang on 1* all four feet and *our ears too/ and cree' and crawl and wriggle along/ till *ou co%e out hundreds of feet a1o!e an*one else on a ledge where there's )ust roo% enough for *our hoofs0 Then *ou stand still and kee' 2uiet5ne!er ask a %an to hold *our head/ *oung un5kee' 2uiet while the guns are 1eing 'ut together/ and then *ou watch the little 'o''* shells dro' down into the tree-to's e!er so far 1elow0" ""on't *ou e!er tri'8" said the troo'-horse0 "The* sa* that when a %ule tri's *ou can s'lit a hen's ear/" said Bill*0 "9ow and again 'erha's a 1adl* 'acked saddle will u'set a %ule/ 1ut it's !er* seldo%0 - wish - could show *ou our 1usiness0 -t's 1eautiful0 h*/ it took %e three *ears to find out what the %en were dri!ing at0 The science of the thing is ne!er to show u' against the sk* line/ 1ecause/ if *ou do/ *ou %a* get fired at0 Re%e%1er that/ *oung un0 +lwa*s kee' hidden as %uch as 'ossi1le/ e!en if *ou ha!e to go a %ile out of *our wa*0 - lead the 1atter* when it co%es to that sort of cli%1ing0" ".ired at without the chance of running into the 'eo'le who are firing!" said the troo'-horse/ thinking hard0 "- couldn't stand that0 - should want to charge5with "ick0" "4h/ no/ *ou wouldn't0 <ou know that as soon as the guns are in 'osition the*'ll do all the charging0 That's scientific and neat0 But kni!es5'ah!" The 1aggage-ca%el had 1een 1o11ing his head to and fro for so%e ti%e 'ast/ an:ious to get a word in edgewise0 Then - heard hi% sa*/ as he cleared his throat/ ner!ousl*3 "-5-5- ha!e fought a little/ 1ut not in that cli%1ing wa* or that running wa*0" "9o0 9ow *ou %ention it/" said Bill*/ "*ou don't look as though *ou were %ade for cli%1ing or running5%uch0 ell/ how was it/ old Ha*-1ales8" "The 'ro'er wa*/" said the ca%el0 " e all sat down5" "4h/ %* cru''er and 1reast'late!" said the troo'-horse under his 1reath0 "Sat down!" " e sat down5a hundred of us/" the ca%el went on/ "in a 1ig s2uare/ and the %en 'iled our 'acks and saddles/ outside the s2uare/ and the* fired o!er our 1acks/ the %en did/ on all sides of the s2uare0" " hat sort of %en8 +n* %en that ca%e along8" said the troo'-horse0 "The* teach us in riding school to lie down and let our %asters fire across us/ 1ut "ick $unliffe is the onl* %an -'d trust to do that0 -t tickles %* girths/ and/ 1esides/ - can't see with %* head on the ground0" " hat does it %atter who fires across *ou8" said the ca%el0 "There are 'lent* of %en and 'lent* of other ca%els close 1*/ and a great %an* clouds of s%oke0 - a% not frightened then0 - sit still and wait0" "+nd *et/" said Bill*/ "*ou drea% 1ad drea%s and u'set the ca%' at night0 ell/ well! Before -'d lie down/ not to s'eak of sitting down/ and let a %an fire across %e/ %* heels and his head would ha!e so%ething to sa* to each other0 "id *ou e!er hear an*thing so awful as that8" There was a long silence/ and then one of the gun 1ullocks lifted u' his 1ig head and said/ "This is !er* foolish indeed0 There is onl* one wa* of fighting0" "4h/ go on/" said Bill*0 "Please don't %ind %e0 - su''ose *ou fellows fight standing on *our tails8" "4nl* one wa*/" said the two together0 >The* %ust ha!e 1een twins0? "This is that wa*0 To 'ut all twent* *oke of us to the 1ig gun as soon as Two Tails tru%'ets0" >"Two Tails" is ca%' slang for the ele'hant0? " hat does Two Tails tru%'et for8" said the *oung %ule0 "To show that he is not going an* nearer to the s%oke on the other side0 Two Tails is a great coward0 Then we tug the 1ig gun all together5He*a5Hullah! Hee*ah! Hullah! e do not cli%1 like cats

nor run like cal!es0 e go across the le!el 'lain/ twent* *oke of us/ till we are un*oked again/ and we gra#e while the 1ig guns talk across the 'lain to so%e town with %ud walls/ and 'ieces of the wall fall out/ and the dust goes u' as though %an* cattle were co%ing ho%e0" "4h! +nd *ou choose that ti%e for gra#ing8" said the *oung %ule0 "That ti%e or an* other0 &ating is alwa*s good0 e eat till we are *oked u' again and tug the gun 1ack to where Two Tails is waiting for it0 So%eti%es there are 1ig guns in the cit* that s'eak 1ack/ and so%e of us are killed/ and then there is all the %ore gra#ing for those that are left0 This is .ate0 9one the less/ Two Tails is a great coward0 That is the 'ro'er wa* to fight0 e are 1rothers fro% Ha'ur0 4ur father was a sacred 1ull of Shi!a0 e ha!e s'oken0" " ell/ -'!e certainl* learned so%ething tonight/" said the troo'-horse0 ""o *ou gentle%en of the screw-gun 1atter* feel inclined to eat when *ou are 1eing fired at with 1ig guns/ and Two Tails is 1ehind *ou8" "+1out as %uch as we feel inclined to sit down and let %en s'rawl all o!er us/ or run into 'eo'le with kni!es0 - ne!er heard such stuff0 + %ountain ledge/ a well-1alanced load/ a dri!er *ou can trust to let *ou 'ick *our own wa*/ and -'% *our %ule0 But5the other things5no!" said Bill*/ with a sta%' of his foot0 "4f course/" said the troo' horse/ "e!er*one is not %ade in the sa%e wa*/ and - can 2uite see that *our fa%il*/ on *our father's side/ would fail to understand a great %an* things0" "9e!er *ou %ind %* fa%il* on %* father's side/" said Bill* angril*/ for e!er* %ule hates to 1e re%inded that his father was a donke*0 "M* father was a Southern gentle%an/ and he could 'ull down and 1ite and kick into rags e!er* horse he ca%e across0 Re%e%1er that/ *ou 1ig 1rown Bru%1*!" Bru%1* %eans wild horse without an* 1reeding0 -%agine the feelings of Sunol if a car-horse called her a "skate/" and *ou can i%agine how the +ustralian horse felt0 - saw the white of his e*e glitter in the dark0 "See here/ *ou son of an i%'orted Malaga )ackass/" he said 1etween his teeth/ "-'d ha!e *ou know that -'% related on %* %other's side to $ar1ine/ winner of the Mel1ourne $u'/ and where - co%e fro% we aren't accusto%ed to 1eing ridden o!er roughshod 1* an* 'arrot-%outhed/ 'ig-headed %ule in a 'o'-gun 'ea-shooter 1atter*0 +re *ou read*8" "4n *our hind legs!" s2uealed Bill*0 The* 1oth reared u' facing each other/ and - was e:'ecting a furious fight/ when a gurgl*/ ru%1l* !oice/ called out of the darkness to the right5"$hildren/ what are *ou fighting a1out there8 Be 2uiet0" Both 1easts dro''ed down with a snort of disgust/ for neither horse nor %ule can 1ear to listen to an ele'hant's !oice0 "-t's Two Tails!" said the troo'-horse0 "- can't stand hi%0 + tail at each end isn't fair!" "M* feelings e:actl*/" said Bill*/ crowding into the troo'-horse for co%'an*0 " e're !er* alike in so%e things0" "- su''ose we'!e inherited the% fro% our %others/" said the troo' horse0 "-t's not worth 2uarreling a1out0 Hi! Two Tails/ are *ou tied u'8" "<es/" said Two Tails/ with a laugh all u' his trunk0 "-'% 'icketed for the night0 -'!e heard what *ou fellows ha!e 1een sa*ing0 But don't 1e afraid0 -'% not co%ing o!er0" The 1ullocks and the ca%el said/ half aloud/ "+fraid of Two Tails5what nonsense!" +nd the 1ullocks went on/ " e are sorr* that *ou heard/ 1ut it is true0 Two Tails/ wh* are *ou afraid of the guns when the* fire8" " ell/" said Two Tails/ ru11ing one hind leg against the other/ e:actl* like a little 1o* sa*ing a

'oe%/ "- don't 2uite know whether *ou'd understand0" " e don't/ 1ut we ha!e to 'ull the guns/" said the 1ullocks0 "- know it/ and - know *ou are a good deal 1ra!er than *ou think *ou are0 But it's different with %e0 M* 1atter* ca'tain called %e a Pach*der%atous +nachronis% the other da*0" "That's another wa* of fighting/ - su''ose8" said Bill*/ who was reco!ering his s'irits0 "<ou don't know what that %eans/ of course/ 1ut - do0 -t %eans 1etwi:t and 1etween/ and that is )ust where - a%0 - can see inside %* head what will ha''en when a shell 1ursts/ and *ou 1ullocks can't0" "- can/" said the troo'-horse0 "+t least a little 1it0 - tr* not to think a1out it0" "- can see %ore than *ou/ and - do think a1out it0 - know there's a great deal of %e to take care of/ and - know that no1od* knows how to cure %e when -'% sick0 +ll the* can do is to sto' %* dri!er's 'a* till - get well/ and - can't trust %* dri!er0" "+h!" said the troo' horse0 "That e:'lains it0 - can trust "ick0" "<ou could 'ut a whole regi%ent of "icks on %* 1ack without %aking %e feel an* 1etter0 - know )ust enough to 1e unco%forta1le/ and not enough to go on in s'ite of it0" " e do not understand/" said the 1ullocks0 "- know *ou don't0 -'% not talking to *ou0 <ou don't know what 1lood is0" " e do/" said the 1ullocks0 "-t is red stuff that soaks into the ground and s%ells0" The troo'-horse ga!e a kick and a 1ound and a snort0 ""on't talk of it/" he said0 "- can s%ell it now/ )ust thinking of it0 -t %akes %e want to run5when ha!en't "ick on %* 1ack0" "But it is not here/" said the ca%el and the 1ullocks0 " h* are *ou so stu'id8" "-t's !ile stuff/" said Bill*0 "- don't want to run/ 1ut - don't want to talk a1out it0" "There *ou are!" said Two Tails/ wa!ing his tail to e:'lain0 "Surel*0 <es/ we ha!e 1een here all night/" said the 1ullocks0 Two Tails sta%'ed his foot till the iron ring on it )ingled0 "4h/ -'% not talking to *ou0 <ou can't see inside *our heads0" "9o0 e see out of our four e*es/" said the 1ullocks0 " e see straight in front of us0" "-f - could do that and nothing else/ *ou wouldn't 1e needed to 'ull the 1ig guns at all0 -f - was like %* ca'tain5he can see things inside his head 1efore the firing 1egins/ and he shakes all o!er/ 1ut he knows too %uch to run awa*5if - was like hi% - could 'ull the guns0 But if - were as wise as all that - should ne!er 1e here0 - should 1e a king in the forest/ as - used to 1e/ slee'ing half the da* and 1athing when - liked0 - ha!en't had a good 1ath for a %onth0" "That's all !er* fine/" said Bill*0 "But gi!ing a thing a long na%e doesn't %ake it an* 1etter0" "H'sh!" said the troo' horse0 "- think - understand what Two Tails %eans0" "<ou'll understand 1etter in a %inute/" said Two Tails angril*0 "9ow *ou )ust e:'lain to %e wh* *ou don't like this!" He 1egan tru%'eting furiousl* at the to' of his tru%'et0 "Sto' that!" said Bill* and the troo' horse together/ and - could hear the% sta%' and shi!er0 +n ele'hant's tru%'eting is alwa*s nast*/ es'eciall* on a dark night0 "- shan't sto'/" said Two Tails0 " on't *ou e:'lain that/ 'lease8 Hhrr%'h! Rrrt! Rrr%'h! Rrrhha!" Then he sto''ed suddenl*/ and - heard a little whi%'er in the dark/ and knew that Ai:en had found

%e at last0 She knew as well as - did that if there is one thing in the world the ele'hant is %ore afraid of than another it is a little 1arking dog0 So she sto''ed to 1ull* Two Tails in his 'ickets/ and *a''ed round his 1ig feet0 Two Tails shuffled and s2ueaked0 "(o awa*/ little dog!" he said0 ""on't snuff at %* ankles/ or -'ll kick at *ou0 (ood little dog5nice little doggie/ then! (o ho%e/ *ou *el'ing little 1east! 4h/ wh* doesn't so%eone take her awa*8 She'll 1ite %e in a %inute0" "See%s to %e/" said Bill* to the troo' horse/ "that our friend Two Tails is afraid of %ost things0 9ow/ if - had a full %eal for e!er* dog -'!e kicked across the 'arade-ground - should 1e as fat as Two Tails nearl*0" - whistled/ and Ai:en ran u' to %e/ %udd* all o!er/ and licked %* nose/ and told %e a long tale a1out hunting for %e all through the ca%'0 - ne!er let her know that - understood 1east talk/ or she would ha!e taken all sorts of li1erties0 So - 1uttoned her into the 1reast of %* o!ercoat/ and Two Tails shuffled and sta%'ed and growled to hi%self0 "&:traordinar*! Most e:traordinar*!" he said0 "-t runs in our fa%il*0 9ow/ where has that nast* little 1east gone to8" - heard hi% feeling a1out with his trunk0 " e all see% to 1e affected in !arious wa*s/" he went on/ 1lowing his nose0 "9ow/ *ou gentle%en were alar%ed/ - 1elie!e/ when - tru%'eted0" "9ot alar%ed/ e:actl*/" said the troo'-horse/ "1ut it %ade %e feel as though - had hornets where %* saddle ought to 1e0 "on't 1egin again0" "-'% frightened of a little dog/ and the ca%el here is frightened 1* 1ad drea%s in the night0" "-t is !er* luck* for us that we ha!en't all got to fight in the sa%e wa*/" said the troo'-horse0 " hat - want to know/" said the *oung %ule/ who had 1een 2uiet for a long ti%e5"what - want to know is/ wh* we ha!e to fight at all0" "Because we're told to/" said the troo'-horse/ with a snort of conte%'t0 "4rders/" said Bill* the %ule/ and his teeth sna''ed0 "Huk% hai!" >-t is an order!?/ said the ca%el with a gurgle/ and Two Tails and the 1ullocks re'eated/ "Huk% hai!" "<es/ 1ut who gi!es the orders8" said the recruit-%ule0 "The %an who walks at *our head54r sits on *our 1ack54r holds the nose ro'e54r twists *our tail/" said Bill* and the troo'-horse and the ca%el and the 1ullocks one after the other0 "But who gi!es the% the orders8" "9ow *ou want to know too %uch/ *oung un/" said Bill*/ "and that is one wa* of getting kicked0 +ll *ou ha!e to do is to o1e* the %an at *our head and ask no 2uestions0" "He's 2uite right/" said Two Tails0 "- can't alwa*s o1e*/ 1ecause -'% 1etwi:t and 1etween0 But Bill*'s right0 41e* the %an ne:t to *ou who gi!es the order/ or *ou'll sto' all the 1atter*/ 1esides getting a thrashing0" The gun-1ullocks got u' to go0 "Morning is co%ing/" the* said0 " e will go 1ack to our lines0 -t is true that we onl* see out of our e*es/ and we are not !er* cle!er0 But still/ we are the onl* 'eo'le tonight who ha!e not 1een afraid0 (ood-night/ *ou 1ra!e 'eo'le0" 9o1od* answered/ and the troo'-horse said/ to change the con!ersation/ " here's that little dog8 + dog %eans a %an so%ewhere a1out0" "Here - a%/" *a''ed Ai:en/ "under the gun tail with %* %an0 <ou 1ig/ 1lundering 1east of a ca%el *ou/ *ou u'set our tent0 M* %an's !er* angr*0"

"Phew!" said the 1ullocks0 "He %ust 1e white!" "4f course he is/" said Ai:en0 ""o *ou su''ose -'% looked after 1* a 1lack 1ullock-dri!er8" "Huah! 4uach! @gh!" said the 1ullocks0 "Let us get awa* 2uickl*0" The* 'lunged forward in the %ud/ and %anaged so%ehow to run their *oke on the 'ole of an a%%unition wagon/ where it )a%%ed0 "9ow *ou ha!e done it/" said Bill* cal%l*0 ""on't struggle0 <ou're hung u' till da*light0 earth's the %atter8" hat on

The 1ullocks went off into the long hissing snorts that -ndian cattle gi!e/ and 'ushed and crowded and slued and sta%'ed and sli''ed and nearl* fell down in the %ud/ grunting sa!agel*0 "<ou'll 1reak *our necks in a %inute/" said the troo'-horse0 " hat's the %atter with white %en8 li!e with 'e%0" "The*5eat5us! Pull!" said the near 1ullock0 The *oke sna''ed with a twang/ and the* lu%1ered off together0 - ne!er knew 1efore what %ade -ndian cattle so scared of &nglish%en0 cattle-dri!er touches5and of course the cattle do not like it0 "Ma* - 1e flogged with %* own 'ad-chains! their heads8" said Bill*0 e eat 1eef5a thing that no

ho'd ha!e thought of two 1ig lu%'s like those losing

"9e!er %ind0 -'% going to look at this %an0 Most of the white %en/ - know/ ha!e things in their 'ockets/" said the troo'-horse0 "-'ll lea!e *ou/ then0 - can't sa* -'% o!er-fond of 'e% %*self0 Besides/ white %en who ha!en't a 'lace to slee' in are %ore than likel* to 1e thie!es/ and -'!e a good deal of (o!ern%ent 'ro'ert* on %* 1ack0 $o%e along/ *oung un/ and we'll go 1ack to our lines0 (ood-night/ +ustralia! See *ou on 'arade to-%orrow/ - su''ose0 (ood-night/ old Ha*-1ale!5tr* to control *our feelings/ won't *ou8 (ood-night/ Two Tails! -f *ou 'ass us on the ground to%orrow/ don't tru%'et0 -t s'oils our for%ation0" Bill* the Mule stu%'ed off with the swaggering li%' of an old ca%'aigner/ as the troo'-horse's head ca%e nu##ling into %* 1reast/ and - ga!e hi% 1iscuits/ while Ai:en/ who is a %ost conceited little dog/ told hi% fi1s a1out the scores of horses that she and - ke't0 "-'% co%ing to the 'arade to-%orrow in %* dog-cart/" she said0 " here will *ou 1e8" "4n the left hand of the second s2uadron0 - set the ti%e for all %* troo'/ little lad*/" he said 'olitel*0 "9ow - %ust go 1ack to "ick0 M* tail's all %udd*/ and he'll ha!e two hours' hard work dressing %e for 'arade0" The 1ig 'arade of all the thirt* thousand %en was held that afternoon/ and Ai:en and - had a good 'lace close to the Aicero* and the +%ir of +fghanistan/ with high/ 1ig 1lack hat of astrakhan wool and the great dia%ond star in the center0 The first 'art of the re!iew was all sunshine/ and the regi%ents went 1* in wa!e u'on wa!e of legs all %o!ing together/ and guns all in a line/ till our e*es grew di##*0 Then the ca!alr* ca%e u'/ to the 1eautiful ca!alr* canter of "Bonnie "undee/" and Ai:en cocked her ear where she sat on the dog-cart0 The second s2uadron of the Lancers shot 1*/ and there was the troo'-horse/ with his tail like s'un silk/ his head 'ulled into his 1reast/ one ear forward and one 1ack/ setting the ti%e for all his s2uadron/ his legs going as s%oothl* as walt# %usic0 Then the 1ig guns ca%e 1*/ and - saw Two Tails and two other ele'hants harnessed in line to a fort*-'ounder siege gun/ while twent* *oke of o:en walked 1ehind0 The se!enth 'air had a new *oke/ and the* looked rather stiff and tired0 Last ca%e the screw guns/ and Bill* the %ule carried hi%self as though he co%%anded all the troo's/ and his harness was oiled and 'olished till it winked0 - ga!e a cheer all 1* %*self for Bill* the %ule/ 1ut he ne!er looked right or left0

The rain 1egan to fall again/ and for a while it was too %ist* to see what the troo's were doing0 The* had %ade a 1ig half circle across the 'lain/ and were s'reading out into a line0 That line grew and grew and grew till it was three-2uarters of a %ile long fro% wing to wing5one solid wall of %en/ horses/ and guns0 Then it ca%e on straight toward the Aicero* and the +%ir/ and as it got nearer the ground 1egan to shake/ like the deck of a stea%er when the engines are going fast0 @nless *ou ha!e 1een there *ou cannot i%agine what a frightening effect this stead* co%e-down of troo's has on the s'ectators/ e!en when the* know it is onl* a re!iew0 - looked at the +%ir0 @' till then he had not shown the shadow of a sign of astonish%ent or an*thing else0 But now his e*es 1egan to get 1igger and 1igger/ and he 'icked u' the reins on his horse's neck and looked 1ehind hi%0 .or a %inute it see%ed as though he were going to draw his sword and slash his wa* out through the &nglish %en and wo%en in the carriages at the 1ack0 Then the ad!ance sto''ed dead/ the ground stood still/ the whole line saluted/ and thirt* 1ands 1egan to 'la* all together0 That was the end of the re!iew/ and the regi%ents went off to their ca%'s in the rain/ and an infantr* 1and struck u' with5
The ani als went in two by two, :urrah? The ani als went in two by two, The elephant and the battery ul@, and they all got into the 'rk 9or to get out of the rain?

Then - heard an old gri##led/ long-haired $entral +sian chief/ who had co%e down with the +%ir/ asking 2uestions of a nati!e officer0 "9ow/" said he/ "in what %anner was this wonderful thing done8" +nd the officer answered/ "+n order was gi!en/ and the* o1e*ed0" "But are the 1easts as wise as the %en8" said the chief0 "The* o1e*/ as the %en do0 Mule/ horse/ ele'hant/ or 1ullock/ he o1e*s his dri!er/ and the dri!er his sergeant/ and the sergeant his lieutenant/ and the lieutenant his ca'tain/ and the ca'tain his %a)or/ and the %a)or his colonel/ and the colonel his 1rigadier co%%anding three regi%ents/ and the 1rigadier the general/ who o1e*s the Aicero*/ who is the ser!ant of the &%'ress0 Thus it is done0" " ould it were so in +fghanistan!" said the chief/ "for there we o1e* onl* our own wills0" "+nd for that reason/" said the nati!e officer/ twirling his %ustache/ "*our +%ir who% *ou do not o1e* %ust co%e here and take orders fro% our Aicero*0"

$arade "ong o# t e Ca-p /ni-als

E%EP:'2T5 89 T:E G12 TE'=5 <e lent to 'leCander the strength of :ercules, The wisdo of our foreheads, the cunning of our kneesA <e bowed our necks to ser!ice& they ne@er were loosed again,> =ake way there>way for the ten$foot tea s 8f the 9orty$Pounder train? G12 B1%%84K5 Those heroes in their harnesses a!oid a cannon$ball, 'nd what they know of powder upsets the one and allA

Then we co e into action and tug the guns again> =ake way there>way for the twenty yoke 8f the 9orty$Pounder train? 4';'%R# :8R5E5 By the brand on y shoulder, the finest of tunes 6s played by the %ancers, :ussars, and (ragoons, 'nd it@s sweeter than B5tablesB or B<aterB to e> The 4a!alry 4anter of BBonnie (undeeB? Then feed us and break us and handle and groo , 'nd gi!e us good riders and plenty of roo , 'nd launch us in colu n of sEuadron and see The way of the war$horse to BBonnie (undeeB? 54RE<$G12 =1%E5 's The 9or 8h, e and y co panions were scra bling up a hill, path was lost in rolling stones, but we went forward stillA we can wriggle and cli b, y lads, and turn up e!erywhere, it@s our delight on a ountain height, with a leg or two to spare? pick our roadA a load& up e!erywhere, a leg or two to

Good luck to e!ery sergeant, then, that lets us Bad luck to all the dri!er$ en that cannot pack 9or we can wriggle and cli b, y lads, and turn 8h, it@s our delight on a ountain height, with spare? 48==655'R6'T 4'=E%5 <e ha!en@t a ca elty tune of our own To help us trollop along, But e!ery neck is a hair tro bone GRtt$ta$ta$ta? is a hair tro bone?H 'nd this our arching$song& 4an@t? (on@t? 5han@t? <on@t? Pass it along the line? 5o ebody@s pack has slid fro his back, <ish it were only ine? 5o ebody@s load has tipped off in the road> 4heer for a halt and a row? 1rrr? #arrh? Grr? 'rrh? 5o ebody@s catching it now? '%% T:E BE'5T5 T8GET:ER 4hildren of the 4a p are we, 5er!ing each in his degreeA 4hildren of the yoke and goad, Pack and harness, pad and load" 5ee our line across the plain, %ike a heel$rope bent again, Reaching, writhing, rolling far, 5weeping all away to war? <hile the en that walk beside, (usty, silent, hea!y$eyed, 4annot tell why we or they =arch and suffer day by day" 4hildren of the 4a p are we, 5er!ing each in his degreeA 4hildren of the yoke and goad, Pack and harness, pad and load?

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling 777 E2( 89 T:65 PR8JE4T G1TE2BERG EB88K T:E J12G%E B88K 777 77777 This file should be na ed +/*$h"ht or +/*$h"Fip 77777 This and all associated files of !arious for ats will be found in& http&IIwww"gutenberg"orgI+I/I+/*I Produced by 'n 'nony ous ;olunteer and (a!id <idger 1pdated editions will replace the pre!ious one$$the old editions will be rena ed" 4reating the works fro public do ain print editions eans that no one owns a 1nited 5tates copyright in these works, so the 9oundation Gand you?H can copy and distribute it in the 1nited 5tates without per ission and without paying copyright royalties" 5pecial rules, set forth in the General Ter s of 1se part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg$t electronic works to protect the PR8JE4T G1TE2BERG$t concept and trade ark" Project Gutenberg is a registered trade ark, and ay not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you recei!e specific per ission" 6f you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, co plying with the rules is !ery easy" #ou ay use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of deri!ati!e works, reports, perfor ances and research" They ay be odified and printed and gi!en away$$you ay do practically '2#T:62G with public do ain eBooks" Redistribution is subject to the trade ark license, especially co ercial redistribution"

777 5T'RT& 91%% %64E25E 777 T:E 91%% PR8JE4T G1TE2BERG %64E25E P%E'5E RE'( T:65 BE98RE #81 (65TR6B1TE 8R 15E T:65 <8RK To protect the Project Gutenberg$t ission of pro oting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Gor any other work associated in any way with the phrase BProject GutenbergBH, you agree to co ply with all the ter s of the 9ull Project Gutenberg$t %icense Ga!ailable with this file or online at http&IIgutenberg"orgIlicenseH" 5ection )" General Ter s of 1se and Redistributing Project Gutenberg$t electronic works )"'" By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg$t electronic work, you indicate that you ha!e read, understand, agree to and accept all the ter s of this license and intellectual property Gtrade arkIcopyrightH agree ent" 6f you do not agree to abide by all the ter s of this agree ent, you ust cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg$t electronic works in your possession" 6f you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg$t electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the ter s of this agree ent, you ay obtain a refund fro the person or entity to who you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph )"E"J"

)"B" BProject GutenbergB is a registered trade ark" 6t ay only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the ter s of this agree ent" There are a few things that you can do with ost Project Gutenberg$t electronic works e!en without co plying with the full ter s of this agree ent" 5ee paragraph )"4 below" There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg$t electronic works if you follow the ter s of this agree ent and help preser!e free future access to Project Gutenberg$t electronic works" 5ee paragraph )"E below" )"4" The Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation GBthe 9oundationB or PG%'9H, owns a co pilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg$t electronic works" 2early all the indi!idual works in the collection are in the public do ain in the 1nited 5tates" 6f an indi!idual work is in the public do ain in the 1nited 5tates and you are located in the 1nited 5tates, we do not clai a right to pre!ent you fro copying, distributing, perfor ing, displaying or creating deri!ati!e works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are re o!ed" 8f course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg$t ission of pro oting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg$t works in co pliance with the ter s of this agree ent for keeping the Project Gutenberg$t na e associated with the work" #ou can easily co ply with the ter s of this agree ent by keeping this work in the sa e for at with its attached full Project Gutenberg$t %icense when you share it without charge with others" )"(" The copyright laws of the place where you are located also go!ern what you can do with this work" 4opyright laws in ost countries are in a constant state of change" 6f you are outside the 1nited 5tates, check the laws of your country in addition to the ter s of this agree ent before downloading, copying, displaying, perfor ing, distributing or creating deri!ati!e works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg$t work" The 9oundation akes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country outside the 1nited 5tates" )"E" 1nless you ha!e re o!ed all references to Project Gutenberg&

)"E")" The following sentence, with acti!e links to, or other i ediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg$t %icense ust appear pro inently whene!er any copy of a Project Gutenberg$t work Gany work on which the phrase BProject GutenbergB appears, or with which the phrase BProject GutenbergB is associatedH is accessed, displayed, perfor ed, !iewed, copied or distributed& This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with al ost no restrictions whatsoe!er" #ou ay copy it, gi!e it away or re$use it under the ter s of the Project Gutenberg %icense included with this eBook or online at www"gutenberg"org )"E"+" 6f an indi!idual Project Gutenberg$t electronic work is deri!ed fro the public do ain Gdoes not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with per ission of the copyright holderH, the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the 1nited 5tates without paying any fees or charges" 6f you are redistributing or pro!iding access to a work with the phrase BProject GutenbergB associated with or appearing on the work, you ust co ply either with the reEuire ents of paragraphs )"E") through )"E"K or obtain per ission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg$t trade ark as set forth in paragraphs )"E"J or )"E"L" )"E"/" 6f an indi!idual Project Gutenberg$t electronic work is posted with the per ission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution

ust co ply with both paragraphs )"E") through )"E"K and any additional ter s i posed by the copyright holder" 'dditional ter s will be linked to the Project Gutenberg$t %icense for all works posted with the per ission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work" )"E"3" (o not unlink or detach or re o!e the full Project Gutenberg$t %icense ter s fro this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg$t " )"E"M" (o not copy, display, perfor , distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without pro inently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph )"E") with acti!e links or i ediate access to the full ter s of the Project Gutenberg$t %icense" )"E"*" #ou ay con!ert to and distribute this work in any binary, co pressed, arked up, nonproprietary or proprietary for , including any word processing or hyperteCt for " :owe!er, if you pro!ide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg$t work in a for at other than BPlain ;anilla '5466B or other for at used in the official !ersion posted on the official Project Gutenberg$t web site Gwww"gutenberg"orgH, you ust, at no additional cost, fee or eCpense to the user, pro!ide a copy, a eans of eCporting a copy, or a eans of obtaining a copy upon reEuest, of the work in its original BPlain ;anilla '5466B or other for " 'ny alternate for at ust include the full Project Gutenberg$t %icense as specified in paragraph )"E")" )"E"K" (o not charge a fee for access to, !iewing, displaying, perfor ing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg$t works unless you co ply with paragraph )"E"J or )"E"L" )"E"J" #ou ay charge a reasonable fee for copies of or pro!iding access to or distributing Project Gutenberg$t electronic works pro!ided that $ #ou pay a royalty fee of +,N of the gross profits you deri!e fro the use of Project Gutenberg$t works calculated using the ethod you already use to calculate your applicable taCes" The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg$t trade ark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation" Royalty pay ents ust be paid within *, days following each date on which you prepare Gor are legally reEuired to prepareH your periodic taC returns" Royalty pay ents should be clearly arked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation at the address specified in 5ection 3, B6nfor ation about donations to the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation"B $ #ou pro!ide a full refund of any oney paid by a user who notifies you in writing Gor by e$ ailH within /, days of receipt that sIhe does not agree to the ter s of the full Project Gutenberg$t %icense" #ou ust reEuire such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical ediu and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg$t works" $ #ou pro!ide, in accordance with paragraph )"9"/, a full refund of any oney paid for a work or a replace ent copy, if a defect in the electronic work is disco!ered and reported to you within L, days of receipt of the work" $ #ou co ply with all other ter s of this agree ent for free distribution of Project Gutenberg$t works"

)"E"L" 6f you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg$t electronic work or group of works on different ter s than are set forth in this agree ent, you ust obtain per ission in writing fro both the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation and =ichael :art, the owner of the Project Gutenberg$t trade ark" 4ontact the 9oundation as set forth in 5ection / below" )"9" )"9")" Project Gutenberg !olunteers and e ployees eCpend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread public do ain works in creating the Project Gutenberg$t collection" (espite these efforts, Project Gutenberg$t electronic works, and the ediu on which they ay be stored, ay contain B(efects,B such as, but not li ited to, inco plete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringe ent, a defecti!e or da aged disk or other ediu , a co puter !irus, or co puter codes that da age or cannot be read by your eEuip ent" )"9"+" %6=6TE( <'RR'2T#, (654%'6=ER 89 ('='GE5 $ ECcept for the BRight of Replace ent or RefundB described in paragraph )"9"/, the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg$t trade ark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg$t electronic work under this agree ent, disclai all liability to you for da ages, costs and eCpenses, including legal fees" #81 'GREE T:'T #81 :';E 28 RE=E(6E5 98R 2EG%6GE24E, 5TR64T %6'B6%6T#, BRE'4: 89 <'RR'2T# 8R BRE'4: 89 482TR'4T EO4EPT T:85E PR8;6(E( 62 P'R'GR'P: 9/" #81 'GREE T:'T T:E 9812('T682, T:E TR'(E='RK 8<2ER, '2( '2# (65TR6B1T8R 12(ER T:65 'GREE=E2T <6%% 28T BE %6'B%E T8 #81 98R '4T1'%, (6RE4T, 62(6RE4T, 4825EP1E2T6'%, P126T6;E 8R 6246(E2T'% ('='GE5 E;E2 69 #81 G6;E 28T64E 89 T:E P8556B6%6T# 89 514: ('='GE" )"9"/" %6=6TE( R6G:T 89 REP%'4E=E2T 8R RE912( $ 6f you disco!er a defect in this electronic work within L, days of recei!ing it, you can recei!e a refund of the oney Gif anyH you paid for it by sending a written eCplanation to the person you recei!ed the work fro " 6f you recei!ed the work on a physical ediu , you ust return the ediu with your written eCplanation" The person or entity that pro!ided you with the defecti!e work ay elect to pro!ide a replace ent copy in lieu of a refund" 6f you recei!ed the work electronically, the person or entity pro!iding it to you ay choose to gi!e you a second opportunity to recei!e the work electronically in lieu of a refund" 6f the second copy is also defecti!e, you ay de and a refund in writing without further opportunities to fiC the proble " )"9"3" ECcept for the li ited right of replace ent or refund set forth in paragraph )"9"/, this work is pro!ided to you @'5$65@ <6T: 28 8T:ER <'RR'2T6E5 89 '2# K62(, EOPRE55 8R 6=P%6E(, 624%1(62G B1T 28T %6=6TE( T8 <'RR'2T6E5 89 =ER4:'2T6B6%6T# 8R 96T2E55 98R '2# P1RP85E" )"9"M" 5o e states do not allow disclai ers of certain i plied warranties or the eCclusion or li itation of certain types of da ages" 6f any disclai er or li itation set forth in this agree ent !iolates the law of the state applicable to this agree ent, the agree ent shall be interpreted to ake the aCi u disclai er or li itation per itted by the applicable state law" The in!alidity or unenforceability of any pro!ision of this agree ent shall not !oid the re aining pro!isions" )"9"*" 62(E=26T# $ #ou agree to inde nify and hold the 9oundation, the trade ark owner, any agent or e ployee of the 9oundation, anyone pro!iding copies of Project Gutenberg$t electronic works in accordance with this agree ent, and any !olunteers associated with the production,

pro otion and distribution of Project Gutenberg$t electronic works, har less fro all liability, costs and eCpenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly fro any of the following which you do or cause to occur& GaH distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg$t work, GbH alteration, odification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg$t work, and GcH any (efect you cause" 5ection +" 6nfor ation about the =ission of Project Gutenberg$t

Project Gutenberg$t is synony ous with the free distribution of electronic works in for ats readable by the widest !ariety of co puters including obsolete, old, iddle$aged and new co puters" 6t eCists because of the efforts of hundreds of !olunteers and donations fro people in all walks of life" ;olunteers and financial support to pro!ide !olunteers with the assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg$t @s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg$t collection will re ain freely a!ailable for generations to co e" 6n +,,), the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation was created to pro!ide a secure and per anent future for Project Gutenberg$t and future generations" To learn ore about the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see 5ections / and 3 and the 9oundation web page at http&IIwww"pglaf"org" 5ection /" 9oundation 6nfor ation about the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e

The Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation is a non profit M,)GcHG/H educational corporation organiFed under the laws of the state of =ississippi and granted taC eCe pt status by the 6nternal Re!enue 5er!ice" The 9oundation@s E62 or federal taC identification nu ber is *3$*++)M3)" 6ts M,)GcHG/H letter is posted at http&IIpglaf"orgIfundraising" 4ontributions to the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation are taC deductible to the full eCtent per itted by 1"5" federal laws and your state@s laws" The 9oundation@s principal office is located at 3MMK =elan (r" 5" 9airbanks, 'K, LLK)+", but its !olunteers and e ployees are scattered throughout nu erous locations" 6ts business office is located at J,L 2orth )M,, <est, 5alt %ake 4ity, 1T J3))*, GJ,)H ML*$)JJK, e ail businessQpglaf"org" E ail contact links and up to date contact infor ation can be found at the 9oundation@s web site and official page at http&IIpglaf"org 9or additional contact infor ation& (r" Gregory B" 2ewby 4hief ECecuti!e and (irector gbnewbyQpglaf"org 5ection 3" 6nfor ation about (onations to the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation Project Gutenberg$t depends upon and cannot sur!i!e without wide spread public support and donations to carry out its ission of increasing the nu ber of public do ain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in achine readable for accessible by the widest array of eEuip ent including outdated eEuip ent" =any s all donations GR) to RM,,,,H are particularly i portant to aintaining taC eCe pt status with the 6R5"

The 9oundation is co itted to co plying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all M, states of the 1nited 5tates" 4o pliance reEuire ents are not unifor and it takes a considerable effort, uch paperwork and any fees to eet and keep up with these reEuire ents" <e do not solicit donations in locations where we ha!e not recei!ed written confir ation of co pliance" To 5E2( (82'T6825 or deter ine the status of co pliance for any particular state !isit http&IIpglaf"org <hile we cannot and do not solicit contributions fro states where we ha!e not et the solicitation reEuire ents, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations fro donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate" 6nternational donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot ake any state ents concerning taC treat ent of donations recei!ed fro outside the 1nited 5tates" 1"5" laws alone swa p our s all staff" Please check the Project Gutenberg <eb pages for current donation ethods and addresses" (onations are accepted in a nu ber of other ways including checks, online pay ents and credit card donations" To donate, please !isit& http&IIpglaf"orgIdonate 5ection M" works" General 6nfor ation 'bout Project Gutenberg$t electronic

Professor =ichael 5" :art is the originator of the Project Gutenberg$t concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone" 9or thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg$t eBooks with only a loose network of !olunteer support" Project Gutenberg$t eBooks are often created fro se!eral printed editions, all of which are confir ed as Public (o ain in the 1"5" unless a copyright notice is included" Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in co pliance with any particular paper edition" =ost people start at our <eb site which has the http&IIwww"gutenberg"org This <eb site includes infor ation about Project Gutenberg$t , including how to ake donations to the Project Gutenberg %iterary 'rchi!e 9oundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our e ail newsletter to hear about new eBooks" ain PG search facility&