Oneeveninghecrossedthehighestpasshehadmettillthen——ithadbeenatwo-day’sclimb——andcameoutonalineofsnow-peaksthatbandedallthehorizon——mountainsfromfifteentotwentythousandfeethigh，lookingalmostnearenoughtohitwithastone，thoughtheywerefiftyorsixtymilesaway。Thepasswascrownedwithdense，darkforest——deodar，walnut，wildcherry，wildolive，andwildpear，butmostlydeodar，whichistheHimalayancedar；andundertheshadowofthedeodarsstoodadesertedshrinetoKali——whoisDurga，whoisSitala，whoissometimesworshippedagainstthesmallpox。
PurunDasssweptthestonefloorclean，smiledatthegrinningstatue，madehimselfalittlemudfireplaceatthebackoftheshrine，spreadhisantelopeskinonabedoffreshpine-needles，tuckedhisbairagi——hisbrass-handledcrutch——underhisarmpit，andsatdowntorest。
Immediatelybelowhimthehillsidefellaway，cleanandclearedforfifteenhundredfeet，wherealittlevillageofstone-walledhouses，withroofsofbeatenearth，clungtothesteeptilt。
Allrounditthetinyterracedfieldslayoutlikeapronsofpatchworkonthekneesofthemountain，andcowsnobiggerthanbeetlesgrazedbetweenthesmoothstonecirclesofthethreshing-floors。Lookingacrossthevalley，theeyewasdeceivedbythesizeofthings，andcouldnotatfirstrealisethatwhatseemedtobelowscrub，ontheoppositemountain-
flank，wasintruthaforestofhundred-footpines。PurunBhagatsawaneagleswoopacrossthegigantichollow，butthegreatbirddwindledtoadotereitwashalf-wayover。Afewbandsofscatteredcloudsstrungupanddownthevalley，catchingonashoulderofthehills，orrisingupanddyingoutwhentheywerelevelwiththeheadofthepass。And"HereshallIfindpeace，"
saidPurunBhagat。
Now，aHill-manmakesnothingofafewhundredfeetupordown，andassoonasthevillagerssawthesmokeinthedesertedshrine，thevillagepriestclimbeduptheterracedhillsidetowelcomethestranger。
WhenhemetPurunBhagat’seyes——theeyesofamanusedtocontrolthousands——hebowedtotheearth，tookthebegging-bowlwithoutaword，andreturnedtothevillage，saying，"Wehaveatlastaholyman。NeverhaveIseensuchaman。HeisofthePlains——butpale-coloured——aBrahminoftheBrahmins。"Thenallthehousewivesofthevillagesaid，"Thinkyouhewillstaywithus？"andeachdidherbesttocookthemostsavourymealfortheBhagat。Hill-foodisverysimple，butwithbuckwheatandIndiancorn，andriceandredpepper，andlittlefishoutofthestreaminthevalley，andhoneyfromtheflue-likehivesbuiltinthestonewalls，anddriedapricots，andturmeric，andwildginger，andbannocksofflour，adevoutwomancanmakegoodthings，anditwasafullbowlthatthepriestcarriedtotheBhagat。Washegoingtostay？askedthepriest。Wouldheneedachela——
adisciple——tobegforhim？Hadheablanketagainstthecoldweather？Wasthefoodgood？
PurunBhagatate，andthankedthegiver。Itwasinhismindtostay。Thatwassufficient，saidthepriest。Letthebegging-bowlbeplacedoutsidetheshrine，inthehollowmadebythosetwotwistedroots，anddailyshouldtheBhagatbefed；forthevillagefelthonouredthatsuchaman——helookedtimidlyintotheBhagat’sface——shouldtarryamongthem。
ThatdaysawtheendofPurunBhagat’swanderings。Hehadcometotheplaceappointedforhim——thesilenceandthespace。Afterthis，timestopped，andhe，sittingatthemouthoftheshrine，couldnottellwhetherhewerealiveordead；amanwithcontrolofhislimbs，orapartofthehills，andtheclouds，andtheshiftingrainandsunlight。HewouldrepeataNamesoftlytohimselfahundredhundredtimes，till，ateachrepetition，heseemedtomovemoreandmoreoutofhisbody，sweepinguptothedoorsofsometremendousdiscovery；but，justasthedoorwasopening，hisbodywoulddraghimback，and，withgrief，hefelthewaslockedupagaininthefleshandbonesofPurunBhagat。
Everymorningthefilledbegging-bowlwaslaidsilentlyinthecrutchoftherootsoutsidetheshrine。Sometimesthepriestbroughtit；sometimesaLadakhitrader，lodginginthevillage，andanxioustogetmerit，trudgedupthepath；but，moreoften，itwasthewomanwhohadcookedthemealovernight；andshewouldmurmur，hardlyaboveherbreath。"Speakformebeforethegods，Bhagat。Speakforsuchaone，thewifeofso-and-so！"
Nowandthensomeboldchildwouldbeallowedthehonour，andPurunBhagatwouldhearhimdropthebowlandrunasfastashislittlelegscouldcarryhim，buttheBhagatnevercamedowntothevillage。Itwaslaidoutlikeamapathisfeet。Hecouldseetheeveninggatherings，heldonthecircleofthethreshing-
floors，becausethatwastheonlylevelground；couldseethewonderfulunnamedgreenoftheyoungrice，theindigobluesoftheIndiancorn，thedock-likepatchesofbuckwheat，and，initsseason，theredbloomoftheamaranth，whosetinyseeds，beingneithergrainnorpulse，makeafoodthatcanbelawfullyeatenbyHindusintimeoffasts。
Whentheyearturned，theroofsofthehutswerealllittlesquaresofpurestgold，foritwasontheroofsthattheylaidouttheircobsofthecorntodry。Hivingandharvest，rice-sowingandhusking，passedbeforehiseyes，allembroidereddownthereonthemany-sidedplotsoffields，andhethoughtofthemall，andwonderedwhattheyallledtoatthelonglast。
EveninpopulatedIndiaamancannotadaysitstillbeforethewildthingsrunoverhimasthoughhewerearock；andinthatwildernessverysoonthewildthings，whoknewKali’sShrinewell，camebacktolookattheintruder。Thelangurs，thebiggray-whiskeredmonkeysoftheHimalayas，were，naturally，thefirst，fortheyarealivewithcuriosity；andwhentheyhadupsetthebegging-bowl，androlleditroundthefloor，andtriedtheirteethonthebrass-handledcrutch，andmadefacesattheantelopeskin，theydecidedthatthehumanbeingwhosatsostillwasharmless。Atevening，theywouldleapdownfromthepines，andbegwiththeirhandsforthingstoeat，andthenswingoffingracefulcurves。Theylikedthewarmthofthefire，too，andhuddledroundittillPurunBhagathadtopushthemasidetothrowonmorefuel；andinthemorning，asoftenasnot，hewouldfindafurryapesharinghisblanket。
Alldaylong，oneorotherofthetribewouldsitbyhisside，staringoutatthesnows，crooningandlookingunspeakablywiseandsorrowful。
Afterthemonkeyscamethebarasingh，thatbigdeerwhichislikeourreddeer，butstronger。HewishedtoruboffthevelvetofhishornsagainstthecoldstonesofKali’sstatue，andstampedhisfeetwhenhesawthemanattheshrine。ButPurunBhagatnevermoved，and，littlebylittle，theroyalstagedgedupandnuzzledhisshoulder。PurunBhagatslidonecoolhandalongthehotantlers，andthetouchsoothedthefrettedbeast，whobowedhishead，andPurunBhagatverysoftlyrubbedandravelledoffthevelvet。Afterward，thebarasinghbroughthisdoeandfawn——gentlethingsthatmumbledontheholyman’sblanket——orwouldcomealoneatnight，hiseyesgreeninthefire-flicker，totakehisshareoffreshwalnuts。Atlast，themusk-deer，theshyestandalmostthesmallestofthedeerlets，came，too，herbigrabbityearserect；evenbrindled，silentmushick-nabhamustneedsfindoutwhatthelightintheshrinemeant，anddropouthermoose-likenoseintoPurunBhagat’slap，comingandgoingwiththeshadowsofthefire。PurunBhagatcalledthemall"mybrothers，"andhislowcallof"Bhai！Bhai！"
woulddrawthemfromtheforestatnooniftheywerewithinearshot。TheHimalayanblackbear，moodyandsuspicious——Sona，whohastheV-shapedwhitemarkunderhischin——passedthatwaymorethanonce；andsincetheBhagatshowednofear，Sonashowednoanger，butwatchedhim，andcamecloser，andbeggedashareofthecaresses，andadoleofbreadorwildberries。Often，inthestilldawns，whentheBhagatwouldclimbtotheverycrestofthepasstowatchthereddaywalkingalongthepeaksofthesnows，hewouldfindSonashufflingandgruntingathisheels，thrusting，acuriousfore-pawunderfallentrunks，andbringingitawaywithaWHOOFofimpatience；orhisearlystepswouldwakeSonawherehelaycurledup，andthegreatbrute，risingerect，wouldthinktofight，tillheheardtheBhagat’svoiceandknewhisbestfriend。
Nearlyallhermitsandholymenwholiveapartfromthebigcitieshavethereputationofbeingabletoworkmiracleswiththewildthings，butallthemiracleliesinkeepingstill，innevermakingahastymovement，and，foralongtime，atleast，inneverlookingdirectlyatavisitor。Thevillagerssawtheoutlineofthebarasinghstalkinglikeashadowthroughthedarkforestbehindtheshrine；sawtheminaul，theHimalayanpheasant，blazinginherbestcoloursbeforeKali’sstatue；
andthelangursontheirhaunches，inside，playingwiththewalnutshells。Someofthechildren，too，hadheardSonasingingtohimself，bear-fashion，behindthefallenrocks，andtheBhagat’sreputationasmiracle-workerstoodfirm。
Yetnothingwasfartherfromhismindthanmiracles。HebelievedthatallthingswereonebigMiracle，andwhenamanknowsthatmuchheknowssomethingtogoupon。Heknewforacertaintythattherewasnothinggreatandnothinglittleinthisworld：anddayandnighthestrovetothinkouthiswayintotheheartofthings，backtotheplacewhencehissoulhadcome。
Sothinking，hisuntrimmedhairfelldownabouthisshoulders，thestoneslabatthesideoftheantelopeskinwasdentedintoalittleholebythefootofhisbrass-handledcrutch，andtheplacebetweenthetree-trunks，wherethebegging-bowlresteddayafterday，sunkandworeintoahollowalmostassmoothasthebrownshellitself；andeachbeastknewhisexactplaceatthefire。Thefieldschangedtheircolourswiththeseasons；thethreshing-floorsfilledandemptied，andfilledagainandagain；
andagainandagain，whenwintercame，thelangursfriskedamongthebranchesfeatheredwithlightsnow，tillthemother-monkeysbroughttheirsad-eyedlittlebabiesupfromthewarmervalleyswiththespring。Therewerefewchangesinthevillage。Thepriestwasolder，andmanyofthelittlechildrenwhousedtocomewiththebegging-dishsenttheirownchildrennow；andwhenyouaskedofthevillagershowlongtheirholymanhadlivedinKali’sShrineattheheadofthepass，theyanswered，"Always。"
ThencamesuchsummerrainsashadnotbeenknownintheHillsformanyseasons。Throughthreegoodmonthsthevalleywaswrappedincloudandsoakingmist——steady，unrelentingdownfall，breakingoffintothunder-showerafterthunder-shower。Kali’sShrinestoodabovetheclouds，forthemostpart，andtherewasawholemonthinwhichtheBhagatnevercaughtaglimpseofhisvillage。Itwaspackedawayunderawhitefloorofcloudthatswayedandshiftedandrolledonitselfandbulgedupward，butneverbrokefromitspiers——thestreamingflanksofthevalley。
Allthattimeheheardnothingbutthesoundofamillionlittlewaters，overheadfromthetrees，andunderfootalongtheground，soakingthroughthepine-needles，drippingfromthetonguesofdraggledfern，andspoutinginnewly-tornmuddychannelsdowntheslopes。Thenthesuncameout，anddrewforththegoodincenseofthedeodarsandtherhododendrons，andthatfar-off，cleansmellwhichtheHillpeoplecall"thesmellofthesnows。"
Thehotsunshinelastedforaweek，andthentherainsgatheredtogetherfortheirlastdownpour，andthewaterfellinsheetsthatflayedofftheskinofthegroundandleapedbackinmud。
PurunBhagatheapedhisfirehighthatnight，forhewassurehisbrotherswouldneedwarmth；butneverabeastcametotheshrine，thoughhecalledandcalledtillhedroppedasleep，wonderingwhathadhappenedinthewoods。
Itwasintheblackheartofthenight，theraindrumminglikeathousanddrums，thathewasrousedbyapluckingathisblanket，and，stretchingout，feltthelittlehandofalangur。"Itisbetterherethaninthetrees，"hesaidsleepily，looseningafoldofblanket；"takeitandbewarm。"Themonkeycaughthishandandpulledhard。"Isitfood，then？"saidPurunBhagat。
"Waitawhile，andIwillpreparesome。"Ashekneeledtothrowfuelonthefirethelangurrantothedooroftheshrine，croonedandranbackagain，pluckingattheman’sknee。
"Whatisit？Whatisthytrouble，Brother？"saidPurunBhagat，forthelangur’seyeswerefullofthingsthathecouldnottell。"Unlessoneofthycastebeinatrap——andnonesettrapshere——Iwillnotgointothatweather。Look，Brother，eventhebarasinghcomesforshelter！"
Thedeer’santlersclashedashestrodeintotheshrine，clashedagainstthegrinningstatueofKali。HeloweredtheminPurunBhagat’sdirectionandstampeduneasily，hissingthroughhishalf-shutnostrils。
"Hai！Hai！Hai！"saidtheBhagat，snappinghisfingers，"IsTHIS
paymentforanight’slodging？"Butthedeerpushedhimtowardthedoor，andashedidsoPurunBhagatheardthesoundofsomethingopeningwithasigh，andsawtwoslabsofthefloordrawawayfromeachother，whilethestickyearthbelowsmackeditslips。
"NowIsee，"saidPurunBhagat。"Noblametomybrothersthattheydidnotsitbythefireto-night。Themountainisfalling。
Andyet——whyshouldIgo？"Hiseyefellontheemptybegging-
bowl，andhisfacechanged。"Theyhavegivenmegoodfooddailysince——sinceIcame，and，ifIamnotswift，to-morrowtherewillnotbeonemouthinthevalley。Indeed，Imustgoandwarnthembelow。Backthere，Brother！Letmegettothefire。"
ThebarasinghbackedunwillinglyasPurunBhagatdroveapinetorchdeepintotheflame，twirlingittillitwaswelllit。
"Ah！yecametowarnme，"hesaid，rising。"Betterthanthatweshalldo；betterthanthat。Out，now，andlendmethyneck，Brother，forIhavebuttwofeet。"
Heclutchedthebristlingwithersofthebarasinghwithhisrighthand，heldthetorchawaywithhisleft，andsteppedoutoftheshrineintothedesperatenight。Therewasnobreathofwind，buttherainnearlydrownedtheflareasthegreatdeerhurrieddowntheslope，slidingonhishaunches。AssoonastheywereclearoftheforestmoreoftheBhagat’sbrothersjoinedthem。Heheard，thoughhecouldnotsee，thelangurspressingabouthim，andbehindthemtheuhh！uhh！ofSona。Therainmattedhislongwhitehairintoropes；thewatersplashedbeneathhisbarefeet，andhisyellowrobeclungtohisfrailoldbody，buthesteppeddownsteadily，leaningagainstthebarasingh。Hewasnolongeraholyman，butSirPurunDass，K。C。I。E。，PrimeMinisterofnosmallState，amanaccustomedtocommand，goingouttosavelife。Downthesteep，plashypaththeypouredalltogether，theBhagatandhisbrothers，downanddowntillthedeer’sfeetclickedandstumbledonthewallofathreshing-floor，andhesnortedbecausehesmeltMan。Nowtheywereattheheadoftheonecrookedvillagestreet，andtheBhagatbeatwithhiscrutchonthebarredwindowsoftheblacksmith’shouse，ashistorchblazedupintheshelteroftheeaves。"Upandout！"criedPurunBhagat；andhedidnotknowhisownvoice，foritwasyearssincehehadspokenaloudtoaman。"Thehillfalls！Thehillisfalling！Upandout，oh，youwithin！"
"ItisourBhagat，"saidtheblacksmith’swife。Hestandsamonghisbeasts。Gatherthelittleonesandgivethecall。"
Itranfromhousetohouse，whilethebeasts，crampedinthenarrowway，surgedandhuddledroundtheBhagat，andSonapuffedimpatiently。
Thepeoplehurriedintothestreet——theywerenomorethanseventysoulsalltold——andintheglareofthetorchestheysawtheirBhagatholdingbacktheterrifiedbarasingh，whilethemonkeyspluckedpiteouslyathisskirts，andSonasatonhishaunchesandroared。
"Acrossthevalleyandupthenexthill！"shoutedPurunBhagat。
"Leavenonebehind！Wefollow！"
ThenthepeopleranasonlyHillfolkcanrun，fortheyknewthatinalandslipyoumustclimbforthehighestgroundacrossthevalley。Theyfled，splashingthroughthelittleriveratthebottom，andpanteduptheterracedfieldsonthefarside，whiletheBhagatandhisbrethrenfollowed。Upanduptheoppositemountaintheyclimbed，callingtoeachotherbyname——
theroll-callofthevillage——andattheirheelstoiledthebigbarasingh，weightedbythefailingstrengthofPurunBhagat。
Atlastthedeerstoppedintheshadowofadeeppinewood，fivehundredfeetupthehillside。Hisinstinct，thathadwarnedhimofthecomingslide，toldhimhewouldhesafehere。
PurunBhagatdroppedfaintingbyhisside，forthechilloftherainandthatfierceclimbwerekillinghim；butfirsthecalledtothescatteredtorchesahead，"Stayandcountyournumbers"；
then，whisperingtothedeerashesawthelightsgatherinacluster："Staywithme，Brother。Stay——till——I——go！"
Therewasasighintheairthatgrewtoamutter，andamutterthatgrewtoaroar，andaroarthatpassedallsenseofhearing，andthehillsideonwhichthevillagersstoodwashitinthedarkness，androckedtotheblow。Thenanoteassteady，deep，andtrueasthedeepCoftheorgandrownedeverythingforperhapsfiveminutes，whiletheveryrootsofthepinesquiveredtoit。Itdiedaway，andthesoundoftherainfallingonmilesofhardgroundandgrasschangedtothemuffleddrumofwateronsoftearth。Thattolditsowntale。
Neveravillager——noteventhepriest——wasboldenoughtospeaktotheBhagatwhohadsavedtheirlives。Theycrouchedunderthepinesandwaitedtilltheday。Whenitcametheylookedacrossthevalleyandsawthatwhathadbeenforest，andterracedfield，andtrack-threadedgrazing-groundwasoneraw，red，fan-shapedsmear，withafewtreesflunghead-downonthescarp。
Thatredranhighupthehilloftheirrefuge，dammingbackthelittleriver，whichhadbeguntospreadintoabrick-colouredlake。Ofthevillage，oftheroadtotheshrine，oftheshrineitself，andtheforestbehind，therewasnotrace。Foronemileinwidthandtwothousandfeetinsheerdepththemountain-sidehadcomeawaybodily，planedcleanfromheadtoheel。
Andthevillagers，onebyone，creptthroughthewoodtopraybeforetheirBhagat。Theysawthebarasinghstandingoverhim，whofledwhentheycamenear，andtheyheardthelangurswailinginthebranches，andSonamoaningupthehill；buttheirBhagatwasdead，sittingcross-legged，hisbackagainstatree，hiscrutchunderhisarmpit，andhisfaceturnedtothenorth-east。
Thepriestsaid："Beholdamiracleafteramiracle，forinthisveryattitudemustallSunnyasisbeburied！Thereforewherehenowiswewillbuildthetempletoourholyman。"
Theybuiltthetemplebeforeayearwasended——alittlestone-
and-earthshrine——andtheycalledthehilltheBhagat’shill，andtheyworshiptherewithlightsandflowersandofferingstothisday。ButtheydonotknowthatthesaintoftheirworshipisthelateSirPurunDass，K。C。I。E。，D。C。L。，Ph。D。，etc。，oncePrimeMinisteroftheprogressiveandenlightenedStateofMohiniwala，andhonoraryorcorrespondingmemberofmorelearnedandscientificsocietiesthanwilleverdoanygoodinthisworldorthenext。
ASONGOFKABIR
Oh，lightwastheworldthatheweighedinhishands！
Oh，heavythetaleofhisfiefsandhislands！
Hehasgonefromtheguddeeandputontheshroud，Anddepartedinguiseofbairagiavowed！
NowthewhiteroadtoDelhiismatforhisfeet，Thesalandthekikarmustguardhimfromheat；
Hishomeisthecamp，andthewaste，andthecrowd——
HeisseekingtheWayasbairagiavowed！
HehaslookeduponMan，andhiseyeballsareclear（TherewasOne；thereisOne，andbutOne，saithKabir）；
TheRedMistofDoinghasthinnedtoacloud——
HehastakenthePathforbairagiavowed！
Tolearnanddiscernofhisbrothertheclod，Ofhisbrotherthebrute，andhisbrothertheGod。
Hehasgonefromthecouncilandputontheshroud（"Canyehear？"saithKabir），abairagiavowed！
LETTINGINTHEJUNGLE
Veilthem，coverthem，wallthemround——
Blossom，andcreeper，andweed——
Letusforgetthesightandthesound，Thesmellandthetouchofthebreed！
Fatblackashbythealtar-stone，Hereisthewhite-footrain，Andthedoesbringforthinthefieldsunsown，Andnoneshallaffrightthemagain；
Andtheblindwallscrumble，unknown，o’erthrownAndnoneshallinhabitagain！
YouwillrememberthatafterMowglihadpinnedShereKhan’shidetotheCouncilRock，hetoldasmanyaswereleftoftheSeeoneePackthathenceforwardhewouldhuntintheJunglealone；andthefourchildrenofMotherandFatherWolfsaidthattheywouldhuntwithhim。Butitisnoteasytochangeone’slifeallinaminute——particularlyintheJungle。ThefirstthingMowglidid，whenthedisorderlyPackhadslunkoff，wastogotothehome-cave，andsleepforadayandanight。ThenhetoldMotherWolfandFatherWolfasmuchastheycouldunderstandofhisadventuresamongmen；andwhenhemadethemorningsunflickerupanddownthebladeofhisskinning-knife，——thesamehehadskinnedShereKhanwith，——theysaidhehadlearnedsomething。
ThenAkelaandGrayBrotherhadtoexplaintheirshareofthegreatbuffalo-driveintheravine，andBalootoiledupthehilltohearallaboutit，andBagheerascratchedhimselfalloverwithpuredelightatthewayinwhichMowglihadmanagedhiswar。
Itwaslongaftersunrise，butnoonedreamedofgoingtosleep，andfromtimetotime，duringthetalk，MotherWolfwouldthrowupherhead，andsniffadeepsnuffofsatisfactionasthewindbroughtherthesmellofthetiger-skinontheCouncilRock。
"ButforAkelaandGrayBrotherhere，"Mowglisaid，attheend，"Icouldhavedonenothing。Oh，mother，mother！ifthouhadstseentheblackherd-bullspourdowntheravine，orhurrythroughthegateswhentheMan-Packflungstonesatme！"
"IamgladIdidnotseethatlast，"saidMotherWolfstiffly。
"ItisnotMYcustomtosuffermycubstobedriventoandfrolikejackals。_I_wouldhavetakenapricefromtheMan-Pack；
butIwouldhavesparedthewomanwhogavetheethemilk。Yes，Iwouldhavesparedheralone。"
"Peace，peace，Raksha！"saidFatherWolf，lazily。"OurFroghascomebackagain——sowisethathisownfathermustlickhisfeet；
andwhatisacut，moreorless，onthehead？LeaveMenalone。
"BalooandBagheerabothechoed："LeaveMenalone。"
Mowgli，hisheadonMotherWolf’sside，smiledcontentedly，andsaidthat，forhisownpart，heneverwishedtosee，orhear，orsmellManagain。
"Butwhat，"saidAkela，cockingoneear——"butwhatifmendonotleavetheealone，LittleBrother？"
"WebeFIVE，"saidGrayBrother，lookingroundatthecompany，andsnappinghisjawsonthelastword。
"Wealsomightattendtothathunting，"saidBagheera，withalittleswitch-switchofhistail，lookingatBaloo。"Butwhythinkofmennow，Akela？"
"Forthisreason，"theLoneWolfanswered："whenthatyellowchief’shidewashungupontherock，Iwentbackalongourtrailtothevillage，steppinginmytracks，turningaside，andlyingdown，tomakeamixedtrailincaseoneshouldfollowus。
ButwhenIhadfouledthetrailsothatImyselfhardlyknewitagain，Mang，theBat，camehawkingbetweenthetrees，andhungupaboveme。SaidMang，"ThevillageoftheMan-Pack，wheretheycastouttheMan-cub，humslikeahornet’snest。"
"ItwasabigstonethatIthrew，"chuckledMowgli，whohadoftenamusedhimselfbythrowingripepaw-pawsintoahornet’snest，andracingofftothenearestpoolbeforethehornetscaughthim。
"IaskedofMangwhathehadseen。HesaidthattheRedFlowerblossomedatthegateofthevillage，andmensataboutitcarryingguns。Now_I_know，forIhavegoodcause，"——Akelalookeddownattheolddryscarsonhisflankandside，——"thatmendonotcarrygunsforpleasure。Presently，LittleBrother，amanwithagunfollowsourtrail——if，indeed，hebenotalreadyonit。"
"Butwhyshouldhe？Menhavecastmeout。Whatmoredotheyneed？"saidMowgliangrily。
"Thouartaman，LittleBrother，"Akelareturned。"ItisnotforUS，theFreeHunters，totelltheewhatthybrethrendo，orwhy。"
Hehadjusttimetosnatchuphispawastheskinning-knifecutdeepintothegroundbelow。MowglistruckquickerthananaveragehumaneyecouldfollowbutAkelawasawolf；andevenadog，whoisveryfarremovedfromthewildwolf，hisancestor，canbewakedoutofdeepsleepbyacart-wheeltouchinghisflank，andcanspringawayunharmedbeforethatwheelcomeson。
"Anothertime，"Mowglisaidquietly，returningtheknifetoitssheath，"speakoftheMan-PackandofMowgliinTWObreaths——
notone。"
"Phff！Thatisasharptooth，"saidAkela，snuffingattheblade’scutintheearth，"butlivingwiththeMan-Packhasspoiledthineeye，LittleBrother。Icouldhavekilledabuckwhilethouwaststriking。"
Bagheerasprangtohisfeet，thrustuphisheadasfarashecould，sniffed，andstiffenedthrougheverycurveinhisbody。
GrayBrotherfollowedhisexamplequickly，keepingalittletohislefttogetthewindthatwasblowingfromtheright，whileAkelaboundedfiftyyardsupwind，and，half-crouching，stiffenedtoo。Mowglilookedonenviously。Hecouldsmellthingsasveryfewhumanbeingscould，buthehadneverreachedthehair-trigger-likesensitivenessofaJunglenose；andhisthreemonthsinthesmokyvillagehadsethimbacksadly。However，hedampenedhisfinger，rubbeditonhisnose，andstooderecttocatchtheupperscent，which，thoughitisthefaintest，isthetruest。
"Man！"Akelagrowled，droppingonhishaunches。
"Buldeo！"saidMowgli，sittingdown。"Hefollowsourtrail，andyonderisthesunlightonhisgun。Look！"
Itwasnomorethanasplashofsunlight，forafractionofasecond，onthebrassclampsoftheoldTowermusket，butnothingintheJunglewinkswithjustthatflash，exceptwhenthecloudsraceoverthesky。Thenapieceofmica，oralittlepool，orevenahighly-polishedleafwillflashlikeaheliograph。Butthatdaywascloudlessandstill。
"Iknewmenwouldfollow，"saidAkelatriumphantly。"NotfornothinghaveIledthePack。"
Thefourcubssaidnothing，butrandownhillontheirbellies，meltingintothethornandunder-brushasamolemeltsintoalawn。
"Wheregoye，andwithoutword？"Mowglicalled。
"H’sh！Werollhisskullherebeforemid-day！"GrayBrotheranswered。
"Back！Backandwait！MandoesnoteatMan！"Mowglishrieked。
"Whowasawolfbutnow？WhodrovetheknifeatmeforthinkinghemightbeMan？"saidAkela，asthefourwolvesturnedbacksullenlyanddroppedtoheel。
"AmItogivereasonforallIchooseto，do？"saidMowglifuriously。
"ThatisMan！TherespeaksMan！"Bagheeramutteredunderhiswhiskers。"EvensodidmentalkroundtheKing’scagesatOodeypore。WeoftheJungleknowthatManiswisestofall。
Ifwetrustedourearsweshouldknowthatofallthingsheismostfoolish。"Raisinghisvoice，headded，"TheMan-cubisrightinthis。Menhuntinpacks。Tokillone，unlessweknowwhattheotherswilldo，isbadhunting。Come，letusseewhatthisManmeanstowardus。"
"Wewillnotcome，"GrayBrothergrowled。"Huntalone，LittleBrother。WEknowourownminds。Theskullwouldhavebeenreadytobringbynow。"
Mowglihadbeenlookingfromonetotheotherofhisfriends，hischestheavingandhiseyesfulloftears。Hestrodeforwardtothewolves，and，droppingononeknee，said："DoInotknowmymind？Lookatme！"
Theylookeduneasily，andwhentheireyeswandered，hecalledthembackagainandagain，tilltheirhairstoodupallovertheirbodies，andtheytrembledineverylimb，whileMowglistaredandstared。
"Now，"saidhe，"ofusfive，whichisleader？"
"Thouartleader，LittleBrother，"saidGrayBrother，andhelickedMowgli’sfoot。
"Follow，then，"saidMowgli，andthefourfollowedathisheelswiththeirtailsbetweentheirlegs。
"ThiscomesoflivingwiththeMan-Pack，"saidBagheera，slippingdownafterthem。"ThereismoreintheJunglenowthanJungleLaw，Baloo。"
Theoldbearsaidnothing，buthethoughtmanythings。
MowglicutacrossnoiselesslythroughtheJungle，atrightanglestoBuldeo’spath，till，partingtheundergrowth，hesawtheoldman，hismusketonhisshoulder，runningupthetrailofovernightatadog-trot。
YouwillrememberthatMowglihadleftthevillagewiththeheavyweightofShereKhan’srawhideonhisshoulders，whileAkelaandGrayBrothertrottedbehind，sothatthetripletrailwasveryclearlymarked。PresentlyBuldeocametowhereAkela，asyouknow，hadgonebackandmixeditallup。Thenhesatdown，andcoughedandgrunted，andmadelittlecastsroundandaboutintotheJungletopickitupagain，and，allthetimehecouldhavethrownastoneoverthosewhowerewatchinghim。
Noonecanbesosilentasawolfwhenhedoesnotcaretobeheard；andMowgli，thoughthewolvesthoughthemovedveryclumsily，couldcomeandgolikeashadow。Theyringedtheoldmanasaschoolofporpoisesringasteameratfullspeed，andastheyringedhimtheytalkedunconcernedly，fortheirspeechbeganbelowthelowestendofthescalethatuntrainedhumanbeingscanhear。[TheotherendisboundedbythehighsqueakofMang，theBat，whichverymanypeoplecannotcatchatall。Fromthatnoteallthebirdandbatandinsecttalktakeson。]
"Thisisbetterthananykill，"saidGrayBrother，asBuldeostoopedandpeeredandpuffed。"HelookslikealostpigintheJunglesbytheriver。Whatdoeshesay？"Buldeowasmutteringsavagely。
Mowglitranslated。"Hesaysthatpacksofwolvesmusthavedancedroundme。Hesaysthatheneversawsuchatrailinhislife。Hesaysheistired。"
"Hewillberestedbeforehepicksitupagain，"saidBagheeracoolly，asheslippedroundatree-trunk，inthegameofblindman’s-buffthattheywereplaying。"NOW，whatdoestheleanthingdo？"
"Eatorblowsmokeoutofhismouth。Menalwaysplaywiththeirmouths，"saidMowgli；andthesilenttrailerssawtheoldmanfillandlightandpuffatawater-pipe，andtheytookgoodnoteofthesmellofthetobacco，soastobesureofBuldeointhedarkestnight，ifnecessary。
Thenalittleknotofcharcoal-burnerscamedownthepath，andnaturallyhaltedtospeaktoBuldeo，whosefameasahunterreachedforatleasttwentymilesround。Theyallsatdownandsmoked，andBagheeraandtheotherscameupandwatchedwhileBuldeobegantotellthestoryofMowgli，theDevil-child，fromoneendtoanother，withadditionsandinventions。HowhehimselfhadreallykilledShereKhan；andhowMowglihadturnedhimselfintoawolf，andfoughtwithhimalltheafternoon，andchangedintoaboyagainandbewitchedBuldeo’srifle，sothatthebulletturnedthecorner，whenhepointeditatMowgli，andkilledoneofBuldeo’sownbuffaloes；andhowthevillage，knowinghimtobethebravesthunterinSeeonee，hadsenthimouttokillthisDevil-child。ButmeantimethevillagehadgotholdofMessuaandherhusband，whowereundoubtedlythefatherandmotherofthisDevil-child，andhadbarricadedthemintheirownhut，andpresentlywouldtorturethemtomakethemconfesstheywerewitchandwizard，andthentheywouldbeburnedtodeath。
"When？"saidthecharcoal-burners，becausetheywouldverymuchliketobepresentattheceremony。
Buldeosaidthatnothingwouldbedonetillhereturned，becausethevillagewishedhimtokilltheJungleBoyfirst。
AfterthattheywoulddisposeofMessuaandherhusband，anddividetheirlandsandbuffaloesamongthevillage。Messua’shusbandhadsomeremarkablyfinebuffaloes，too。Itwasanexcellentthingtodestroywizards，Buldeothought；andpeoplewhoentertainedWolf-childrenoutoftheJunglewereclearlytheworstkindofwitches。
But，saidthecharcoal-burners，whatwouldhappeniftheEnglishheardofit？TheEnglish，theyhadheard，wereaperfectlymadpeople，whowouldnotlethonestfarmerskillwitchesinpeace。
Why，saidBuldeo，thehead-manofthevillagewouldreportthatMessuaandherhusbandhaddiedofsnake-bite。THATwasallarranged，andtheonlythingnowwastokilltheWolf-child。
Theydidnothappentohaveseenanythingofsuchacreature？
Thecharcoal-burnerslookedroundcautiously，andthankedtheirstarstheyhadnot；buttheyhadnodoubtthatsobraveamanasBuldeowouldfindhimifanyonecould。Thesunwasgettingratherlow，andtheyhadanideathattheywouldpushontoBuldeo’svillageandseethatwickedwitch。Buldeosaidthat，thoughitwashisdutytokilltheDevil-child，hecouldnotthinkoflettingapartyofunarmedmengothroughtheJungle，whichmightproducetheWolf-demonatanyminute，withouthisescort。He，therefore，wouldaccompanythem，andifthesorcerer’schildappeared——well，hewouldshowthemhowthebesthunterinSeeoneedealtwithsuchthings。TheBrahmin，hesaid，hadgivenhimacharmagainstthecreaturethatmadeeverythingperfectlysafe。
"Whatsayshe？Whatsayshe？Whatsayshe？"thewolvesrepeatedeveryfewminutes；andMowglitranslateduntilhecametothewitchpartofthestory，whichwasalittlebeyondhim，andthenhesaidthatthemanandwomanwhohadbeensokindtohimweretrapped。
"DoesMantrapMan？"saidBagheera。
"Sohesays。Icannotunderstandthetalk。Theyareallmadtogether。WhathaveMessuaandhermantodowithmethattheyshouldbeputinatrap；andwhatisallthistalkabouttheRedFlower？Imustlooktothis。WhatevertheywoulddotoMessuatheywillnotdotillBuldeoreturns。Andso————"Mowglithoughthard，withhisfingersplayingroundthehaftoftheskinning-knife，whileBuldeoandthecharcoal-burnerswentoffveryvaliantlyinsinglefile。
"Igohot-footbacktotheMan-Pack，"Mowglisaidatlast。
"Andthose？"saidGrayBrother，lookinghungrilyafterthebrownbacksofthecharcoal-burners。
"Singthemhome，"saidMowgli，withagrin；Idonotwishthemtobeatthevillagegatestillitisdark。Canyeholdthem？"
GrayBrotherbaredhiswhiteteethincontempt。Wecanheadthemroundandroundincirclesliketetheredgoats——ifIknowMan。"
"ThatIdonotneed。Singtothemalittle，lesttheybelonelyontheroad，and，GrayBrother，thesongneednotbeofthesweetest。Gowiththem，Bagheera，andhelpmakethatsong。
Whennightisshutdown，meetmebythevillage——GrayBrotherknowstheplace。"
"ItisnolighthuntingtoworkforaMan-cub。WhenshallI
sleep？"saidBagheera，yawning，thoughhiseyesshowedthathewasdelightedwiththeamusement。"Metosingtonakedmen！
Butletustry。"
Heloweredhisheadsothatthesoundwouldtravel，andcriedalong，long，"Goodhunting"——amidnightcallintheafternoon，whichwasquiteawfulenoughtobeginwith。Mowglihearditrumble，andrise，andfall，anddieoffinacreepysortofwhinebehindhim，andlaughedtohimselfasheranthroughtheJungle。Hecouldseethecharcoal-burnershuddledinaknot；oldBuldeo’sgun-barrelwaving，likeabanana-leaf，toeverypointofthecompassatonce。ThenGrayBrothergavetheYa-la-hi！
Yalaha！callforthebuck-driving，whenthePackdrivesthenilghai，thebigbluecow，beforethem，anditseemedtocomefromtheveryendsoftheearth，nearer，andnearer，andnearer，tillitendedinashrieksnappedoffshort。Theotherthreeanswered，tillevenMowglicouldhavevowedthatthefullPackwasinfullcry，andthentheyallbrokeintothemagnificentMorning-songintheJungle，witheveryturn，andflourish，andgrace-notethatadeep-mouthedwolfofthePackknows。Thisisaroughrenderingofthesong，butyoumustimaginewhatitsoundslikewhenitbreakstheafternoonhushoftheJungle：——
OnemomentpastourbodiescastNoshadowontheplain；
Nowclearandblacktheystrideourtrack，Andwerunhomeagain。
Inmorninghush，eachrockandbushStandshard，andhigh，andraw：
ThengivetheCall："GoodresttoallThatkeepTheJungleLaw！"
NowhornandpeltourpeoplesmeltIncoverttoabide；
Now，crouchedandstill，tocaveandhillOurJungleBaronsglide。
Now，starkandplain，Man’soxenstrain，Thatdrawthenew-yokedplough；
Now，strippedanddread，thedawnisredAbovethelittalao。
Ho！Gettolair！Thesun’saflareBehindthebreathinggrass：
AndcrackingthroughtheyoungbambooThewarningwhisperspass。
Bydaymadestrange，thewoodswerangeWithblinkingeyeswescan；
Whiledowntheskiesthewildduckcries"TheDay——theDaytoMan！"
ThedewisdriedthatdrenchedourhideOrwashedaboutourway；
Andwherewedrank，thepuddledbankIscrispingintoclay。
ThetraitorDarkgivesupeachmarkOfstretchedorhoodedclaw；
ThenheartheCall："GoodresttoallThatkeeptheJungleLaw！"
Butnotranslationcangivetheeffectofit，ortheyelpingscorntheFourthrewintoeverywordofit，astheyheardthetreescrashwhenthemenhastilyclimbedupintothebranches，andBuldeobeganrepeatingincantationsandcharms。Thentheylaydownandslept，for，likeallwholivebytheirownexertions，theywereofamethodicalcastofmind；andnoonecanworkwellwithoutsleep。
Meantime，Mowgliwasputtingthemilesbehindhim，ninetothehour，swingingon，delightedtofindhimselfsofitafterallhiscrampedmonthsamongmen。TheoneideainhisheadwastogetMessuaandherhusbandoutofthetrap，whateveritwas；
forhehadanaturalmistrustoftraps。Lateron，hepromisedhimself，hewouldpayhisdebtstothevillageatlarge。
Itwasattwilightwhenhesawthewell-rememberedgrazing-
grounds，andthedhak-treewhereGrayBrotherhadwaitedforhimonthemorningthathekilledShereKhan。AngryashewasatthewholebreedandcommunityofMan，somethingjumpedupinhisthroatandmadehimcatchhisbreathwhenhelookedatthevillageroofs。Henoticedthateveryonehadcomeinfromthefieldsunusuallyearly，andthat，insteadofgettingtotheireveningcooking，theygatheredinacrowdunderthevillagetree，andchattered，andshouted。
"Menmustalwayshemakingtrapsformen，ortheyarenotcontent，"saidMowgli。"LastnightitwasMowgli——butthatnightseemsmanyRainsago。To-nightitisMessuaandherman。
To-morrow，andforverymanynightsafter，itwillbeMowgli’sturnagain。"
HecreptalongoutsidethewalltillhecametoMessua’shut，andlookedthroughthewindowintotheroom。TherelayMessua，gagged，andboundhandandfoot，breathinghard，andgroaning：
herhusbandwastiedtothegaily-paintedbedstead。Thedoorofthehutthatopenedintothestreetwasshutfast，andthreeorfourpeopleweresittingwiththeirbackstoit。
Mowgliknewthemannersandcustomsofthevillagersveryfairly。Hearguedthatsolongastheycouldeat，andtalk，andsmoke，theywouldnotdoanythingelse；butassoonastheyhadfedtheywouldbegintobedangerous。Buldeowouldbecominginbeforelong，andifhisescorthaddoneitsduty，Buldeowouldhaveaveryinterestingtaletotell。Sohewentinthroughthewindow，and，stoopingoverthemanandthewoman，cuttheirthongs，pullingoutthegags，andlookedroundthehutforsomemilk。
Messuawashalfwildwithpainandfear（shehadbeenbeatenandstonedallthemorning），andMowgliputhishandoverhermouthjustintimetostopascream。Herhusbandwasonlybewilderedandangry，andsatpickingdustandthingsoutofhistornbeard。
"Iknew——Iknewhewouldcome，"Messuasobbedatlast。"NowdoIKNOWthatheismyson！"andshehuggedMowglitoherheart。
UptothattimeMowglihadbeenperfectlysteady，butnowhebegantotrembleallover，andthatsurprisedhimimmensely。
"Whyarethesethongs？Whyhavetheytiedthee？"heasked，afterapause。
"Tobeputtothedeathformakingasonofthee——whatelse？"
saidthemansullenly。"Look！Ibleed。"
Messuasaidnothing，butitwasatherwoundsthatMowglilooked，andtheyheardhimgrithisteethwhenhesawtheblood。
"Whoseworkisthis？"saidhe。"Thereisapricetopay。"
"Theworkofallthevillage。Iwastoorich。Ihadtoomanycattle。THEREFOREsheandIarewitches，becausewegavetheeshelter。"
"Idonotunderstand。LetMessuatellthetale。"
"Igavetheemilk，Nathoo；dostthouremember？"Messuasaidtimidly。"Becausethouwastmyson，whomthetigertook，andbecauseIlovedtheeverydearly。TheysaidthatIwasthymother，themotherofadevil，andthereforeworthyofdeath。"
"Andwhatisadevil？"saidMowgli。"DeathIhaveseen。"
Themanlookedupgloomily，butMessualaughed。"See！"shesaidtoherhusband，"Iknew——Isaidthathewasnosorcerer。Heismyson——myson！"
"Sonorsorcerer，whatgoodwillthatdous？"themananswered。
"Webeasdeadalready。"
"YonderistheroadtotheJungle"——Mowglipointedthroughthewindow。"Yourhandsandfeetarefree。Gonow。"
"WedonotknowtheJungle，myson，as——asthouknowest，"Messuabegan。"IdonotthinkthatIcouldwalkfar。"
"Andthemenandwomenwouldheuponourbacksanddragushereagain，"saidthehusband。
"H’m！"saidMowgli，andhetickledthepalmofhishandwiththetipofhisskinning-knife；"Ihavenowishtodoharmtoanyoneofthisvillage——YET。ButIdonotthinktheywillstaythee。
Inalittlewhiletheywillhavemuchelsetothinkupon。Ah！"
heliftedhisheadandlistenedtoshoutingandtramplingoutside。"SotheyhaveletBuldeocomehomeatlast？"
"Hewassentoutthismorningtokillthee，"Messuacried。
"Didstthoumeethim？"
"Yes——we——Imethim。Hehasataletotellandwhileheistellingitthereistimetodomuch。ButfirstIwilllearnwhattheymean。Thinkwhereyewouldgo，andtellmewhenIcomeback。"
Heboundedthroughthewindowandranalongagainoutsidethewallofthevillagetillhecamewithinear-shotofthecrowdroundthepeepul-tree。Buldeowaslyingontheground，coughingandgroaning，andeveryonewasaskinghimquestions。Hishairhadfallenabouthisshoulders；hishandsandlegswereskinnedfromclimbinguptrees，andhecouldhardlyspeak，buthefelttheimportanceofhispositionkeenly。Fromtimetotimehesaidsomethingaboutdevilsandsingingdevils，andmagicenchantment，justtogivethecrowdatasteofwhatwascoming。
Thenhecalledforwater。
"Bah！"saidMowgli。"Chatter——chatter！Talk，talk！Menareblood-brothersoftheBandar-log。Nowhemustwashhismouthwithwater；nowhemustblowsmoke；andwhenallthatisdonehehasstillhisstorytotell。Theyareverywisepeople——men。
TheywillleavenoonetoguardMessuatilltheirearsarestuffedwithBuldeo’stales。And——Igrowaslazyasthey！"
Heshookhimselfandglidedbacktothehut。Justashewasatthewindowhefeltatouchonhisfoot。
"Mother，"saidhe，forheknewthattonguewell，whatdostTHOUhere？"
"Iheardmychildrensingingthroughthewoods，andIfollowedtheoneIlovedbest。LittleFrog，Ihaveadesiretoseethatwomanwhogavetheemilk，"saidMotherWolf，allwetwiththedew。
"Theyhaveboundandmeantokillher。Ihavecutthoseties，andshegoeswithhermanthroughtheJungle。"
"Ialsowillfollow。Iamold，butnotyettoothless。"MotherWolfrearedherselfuponend，andlookedthroughthewindowintothedarkofthehut。
Inaminuteshedroppednoiselessly，andallshesaidwas：
"Igavetheethyfirstmilk；butBagheeraspeakstruth：
MangoestoManatthelast。"
"Maybe，"saidMowgli，withaveryunpleasantlookonhisface；
"butto-nightIamveryfarfromthattrail。Waithere，butdonotlethersee。"
"THOUwastneverafraidofME，LittleFrog，"saidMotherWolf，backingintothehighgrass，andblottingherselfout，assheknewhow。
"Andnow，"saidMowglicheerfully，asheswungintothehutagain，"theyareallsittingroundBuldeo，whoissayingthatwhichdidnothappen。Whenhistalkisfinished，theysaytheywillassuredlycomeherewiththeRed——withfireandburnyouboth。Andthen？"
"Ihavespokentomyman，"saidMessua。Khanhiwaraisthirtymilesfromhere，butatKhanhiwarawemayfindtheEnglish——"
"AndwhatPackarethey？"saidMowgli。
"Idonotknow。Theybewhite，anditissaidthattheygovernalltheland，anddonotsufferpeopletoburnorbeateachotherwithoutwitnesses。Ifwecangetthitherto-night，welive。Otherwisewedie。"
"Live，then。Nomanpassesthegatesto-night。ButwhatdoesHE
do？"Messua’shusbandwasonhishandsandkneesdigginguptheearthinonecornerofthehut。
"Itishislittlemoney，"saidMessua。"Wecantakenothingelse。"
"Ah，yes。Thestuffthatpassesfromhandtohandandnevergrowswarmer。Dotheyneeditoutsidethisplacealso？"
saidMowgli。
Themanstaredangrily。"Heisafool，andnodevil，"hemuttered。WiththemoneyIcanbuyahorse。Wearetoobruisedtowalkfar，andthevillagewillfollowusinanhour。"
"IsaytheywillNOTfollowtillIchoose；butahorseiswellthoughtof，forMessuaistired。"Herhusbandstoodupandknottedthelastoftherupeesintohiswaist-cloth。
MowglihelpedMessuathroughthewindow，andthecoolnightairrevivedher，buttheJungleinthestarlightlookedverydarkandterrible。
"YeknowthetrailtoKhanhiwara？"Mowgliwhispered。
Theynodded。
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