’Good。Remember，now，nottobeafraid。Andthereisnoneedtogoquickly。Only——onlytheremaybesomesmallsingingintheJunglebehindyouandbefore。"
"ThinkyouwewouldhaveriskedanightintheJunglethroughanythinglessthanthefearofburning？Itisbettertobekilledbybeaststhanbymen，"saidMessua’shusband；butMessualookedatMowgliandsmiled。
"Isay，"Mowgliwenton，justasthoughhewereBaloorepeatinganoldJungleLawforthehundredthtimetoafoolishcub——
"IsaythatnotatoothintheJungleisbaredagainstyou；
notafootintheJungleisliftedagainstyou。Neithermannorbeastshallstayyoutillyoucomewithineye-shotofKhanhiwara。Therewillbeawatchaboutyou。"HeturnedquicklytoMessua，saying，"HEdoesnotbelieve，butthouwiltbelieve？"
"Ay，surely，myson。Man，ghost，orwolfoftheJungle，Ibelieve。"
"HEwillbeafraidwhenhehearsmypeoplesinging。Thouwiltknowandunderstand。Gonow，andslowly，forthereisnoneedofanyhaste。Thegatesareshut。"
MessuaflungherselfsobbingatMowgli’sfeet，butheliftedherveryquicklywithashiver。Thenshehungabouthisneckandcalledhimeverynameofblessingshecouldthinkof，butherhusbandlookedenviouslyacrosshisfields，andsaid："IFwereachKhanhiwara，andIgettheearoftheEnglish，IwillbringsuchalawsuitagainsttheBrahminandoldBuldeoandtheothersasshalleatthevillagetothebone。Theyshallpaymetwiceoverformycropsuntilledandmybuffaloesunfed。Iwillhaveagreatjustice。"
Mowglilaughed。"Idonotknowwhatjusticeis，but——comenextRains。andseewhatisleft。"
TheywentofftowardtheJungle，andMotherWolfleapedfromherplaceofhiding。
"Follow！"saidMowgli；"andlooktoitthatalltheJungleknowsthesetwoaresafe。Givetonguealittle。IwouldcallBagheera。"
Thelong，lowhowlroseandfell，andMowglisawMessua’shusbandflinchandturn，halfmindedtorunbacktothehut。
"Goon，"Mowglicalledcheerfully。"Isaidtheremightbesinging。ThatcallwillfollowuptoKhanhiwara。ItisFavouroftheJungle。"
Messuaurgedherhusbandforward，andthedarknessshutdownonthemandMotherWolfasBagheeraroseupalmostunderMowgli’sfeet，tremblingwithdelightofthenightthatdrivestheJunglePeoplewild。
"Iamashamedofthybrethren，"hesaid，purring。"What？DidtheynotsingsweetlytoBuldeo？"saidMowgli。
"Toowell！Toowell！TheymadeevenMEforgetmypride，and，bytheBrokenLockthatfreedme，IwentsingingthroughtheJungleasthoughIwereoutwooinginthespring！Didstthounothearus？"
"Ihadothergameafoot。AskBuldeoifhelikedthesong。ButwherearetheFour？IdonotwishoneoftheMan-Packtoleavethegatesto-night。"
"WhatneedoftheFour，then？"saidBagheera，shiftingfromfoottofoot，hiseyesablaze，andpurringlouderthanever。"Icanholdthem，LittleBrother。Isitkillingatlast？Thesingingandthesightofthemenclimbingupthetreeshavemademeveryready。WhoisManthatweshouldcareforhim——thenakedbrowndigger，thehairlessandtoothless，theeaterofearth？Ihavefollowedhimallday——atnoon——inthewhitesunlight。Iherdedhimasthewolvesherdbuck。IamBagheera！Bagheera！Bagheera！
AsIdancewithmyshadow，sodancedIwiththosemen。Look！"
Thegreatpantherleapedasakittenleapsatadeadleafwhirlingoverhead，struckleftandrightintotheemptyair，thatsangunderthestrokes，landednoiselessly，andleapedagainandagain，whilethehalfpurr，halfgrowlgatheredheadassteamrumblesinaboiler。"IamBagheera——inthejungle——
inthenight，andmystrengthisinme。Whoshallstaymystroke？Man-cub，withoneblowofmypawIcouldbeatthyheadflatasadeadfroginthesummer！"
"Strike，then！"saidMowgli，inthedialectofthevillage，NOT
thetalkoftheJungle，andthehumanwordsbroughtBagheeratoafullstop，flungbackonhaunchesthatquiveredunderhim，hisheadjustatthelevelofMowgli’s。OncemoreMowglistared，ashehadstaredattherebelliouscubs，fullintotheberyl-greeneyestilltheredglarebehindtheirgreenwentoutlikethelightofalighthouseshutofftwentymilesacrossthesea；
tilltheeyesdropped，andthebigheadwiththem——droppedlowerandlower，andtheredraspofatonguegratedonMowgli’sinstep。
"Brother——Brother——Brother！"theboywhispered，strokingsteadilyandlightlyfromtheneckalongtheheavingback。
"Bestill，bestill！Itisthefaultofthenight，andnofaultofthine。"
"Itwasthesmellsofthenight，"saidBagheerapenitently。
"Thisaircriesaloudtome。ButhowdostTHOUknow？"
OfcoursetheairroundanIndianvillageisfullofallkindsofsmells，andtoanycreaturewhodoesnearlyallhisthinkingthroughhisnose，smellsareasmaddeningasmusicanddrugsaretohumanbeings。Mowgligentledthepantherforafewminuteslonger，andhelaydownlikeacatbeforeafire，hispawstuckedunderhisbreast，andhiseyeshalfshut。
"ThouartoftheJungleandNOToftheJungle，"hesaidatlast。"AndIamonlyablackpanther。ButIlovethee，LittleBrother。"
"Theyareverylongattheirtalkunderthetree，"Mowglisaid，withoutnoticingthelastsentence。"Buldeomusthavetoldmanytales。TheyshouldcomesoontodragthewomanandhermanoutofthetrapandputthemintotheRedFlower。Theywillfindthattrapsprung。Ho！ho！"
"Nay，listen，"saidBagheera。"Thefeverisoutofmybloodnow。
LetthemfindMEthere！Fewwouldleavetheirhousesaftermeetingme。ItisnotthefirsttimeIhavebeeninacage；
andIdonotthinktheywilltieMEwithcords。"
"Bewise，then，"saidMowgli，laughing；forhewasbeginningtofeelasrecklessasthepanther，whohadglidedintothehut。
"Pah！"Bagheeragrunted。"ThisplaceisrankwithMan，buthereisjustsuchabedastheygavemetolieuponintheKing’scagesatOodeypore。NowIliedown。"Mowgliheardthestringsofthecotcrackunderthegreatbrute’sweight。"BytheBrokenLockthatfreedme，theywillthinktheyhavecaughtbiggame！
Comeandsitbesideme，LittleBrother；wewillgivethem’goodhunting’together！"
"No；Ihaveanotherthoughtinmystomach。TheMan-PackshallnotknowwhatshareIhaveinthesport。Makethineownhunt。
Idonotwishtoseethem。"
"Beitso，"saidBagheera。"Ah，nowtheycome！"
Theconferenceunderthepeepul-treehadbeengrowingnoisierandnoisier，atthefarendofthevillage。Itbrokeinwildyells，andarushupthestreetofmenandwomen，wavingclubsandbamboosandsicklesandknives。BuldeoandtheBrahminwereattheheadofit，butthemobwascloseattheirheels，andtheycried，"Thewitchandthewizard！Letusseeifhotcoinswillmakethemconfess！Burnthehutovertheirheads！Wewillteachthemtoshelterwolf-devils！Nay，beatthemfirst！
Torches！Moretorches！Buldeo，heatthegun-barrels！"
Herewassomelittledifficultywiththecatchofthedoor。
Ithadbeenveryfirmlyfastened，butthecrowdtoreitawaybodily，andthelightofthetorchesstreamedintotheroomwhere，stretchedatfulllengthonthebed，hispawscrossedandlightlyhungdownoveroneend，blackasthePit，andterribleasademon，wasBagheera。Therewasonehalf-minuteofdesperatesilence，asthefrontranksofthecrowdclawedandtoretheirwaybackfromthethreshold，andinthatminuteBagheeraraisedhisheadandyawned——elaborately，carefully，andostentatiously——ashewouldyawnwhenhewishedtoinsultanequal。Thefringedlipsdrewbackandup；theredtonguecurled；thelowerjawdroppedanddroppedtillyoucouldseehalf-waydownthehotgullet；andthegiganticdog-teethstoodcleartothepitofthegumstilltheyrangtogether，upperandunder，withthesnickofsteel-facedwardsshootinghomeroundtheedgesofasafe。
Nextinstantthestreetwasempty；Bagheerahadleapedbackthroughthewindow，andstoodatMowgli’sside，whileayelling，screamingtorrentscrambledandtumbledoneoveranotherintheirpanichastetogettotheirownhuts。
"Theywillnotstirtilldaycomes，"saidBagheeraquietly。
"Andnow？"
Thesilenceoftheafternoonsleepseemedtohaveovertakenthevillage；but，astheylistened，theycouldhearthesoundofheavygrain-boxesbeingdraggedoverearthenfloorsandsetdownagainstdoors。Bagheerawasquiteright；thevillagewouldnotstirtilldaylight。Mowglisatstill，andthought，andhisfacegrewdarkeranddarker。
"WhathaveIdone？"saidBagheera，atlastcomingtohisfeet，fawning。
"Nothingbutgreatgood。Watchthemnowtilltheday。Isleep。"
MowgliranoffintotheJungle，anddroppedlikeadeadmanacrossarock，andsleptandsleptthedayround，andthenightbackagain。
Whenhewaked，Bagheerawasathisside，andtherewasanewly-
killedbuckathisfeet。BagheerawatchedcuriouslywhileMowgliwenttoworkwithhisskinning-knife，ateanddrank，andturnedoverwithhischininhishands。
"Themanandthewomanarecomesafewithineye-shotofKhanhiwara，"Bagheerasaid。"ThylairmothersentthewordbackbyChil，theKite。Theyfoundahorsebeforemidnightofthenighttheywerefreed，andwentveryquickly。Isnotthatwell？"
"Thatiswell，"saidMowgli。
"AndthyMan-Packinthevillagedidnotstirtillthesunwashighthismorning。Thentheyatetheirfoodandranbackquicklytotheirhouses。"
"Didthey，bychance，seethee？"
"Itmayhavebeen。Iwasrollinginthedustbeforethegateatdawn，andImayhavemadealsosomesmallsongtomyself。Now，LittleBrother，thereisnothingmoretodo。ComehuntingwithmeandBaloo。Hehasnewhivesthathewishestoshow，andwealldesiretheebackagainasofold。Takeoffthatlookwhichmakesevenmeafraid！ThemanandwomanwillnotbeputintotheRedFlower，andallgoeswellintheJungle。Isitnottrue？
LetusforgettheMan-Pack。"
"Theyshallheforgotteninalittlewhile。WheredoesHathifeedto-night？"
"Wherehechooses。WhocananswerfortheSilentOne？Butwhy？
WhatisthereHathicandowhichwecannot？"
"Bidhimandhisthreesonscomeheretome。"
"But，indeed，andtruly，LittleBrother，itisnot——itisnotseemlytosay’Come，’and’Go，’toHathi。Remember，heistheMasteroftheJungle，andbeforetheMan-Packchangedthelookonthyface，hetaughttheetheMaster-wordsoftheJungle。"
"Thatisallone。IhaveaMaster-wordforhimnow。BidhimcometoMowgli，theFrog：andifhedoesnothearatfirst，bidhimcomebecauseoftheSackoftheFieldsofBhurtpore。"
"TheSackoftheFieldsofBhurtpore，"Bagheerarepeatedtwoorthreetimestomakesure。"Igo。Hathicanbutbeangryattheworst，andIwouldgiveamoon’shuntingtohearaMaster-wordthatcompelstheSilentOne。"
Hewentaway，leavingMowglistabbingfuriouslywithhisskinning-knifeintotheearth。Mowglihadneverseenhumanbloodinhislifebeforetillhehadseen，and——whatmeantmuchmoretohim——smelledMessua’sbloodonthethongsthatboundher。
AndMessuahadbeenkindtohim，and，sofarasheknewanythingaboutlove，helovedMessuaascompletelyashehatedtherestofmankind。Butdeeplyasheloathedthem，theirtalk，theircruelty，andtheircowardice，notforanythingtheJunglehadtooffercouldhebringhimselftotakeahumanlife，andhavethatterriblescentofbloodbackagaininhisnostrils。Hisplanwassimpler，butmuchmorethorough；andhelaughedtohimselfwhenhethoughtthatitwasoneofoldBuldeo’stalestoldunderthepeepul-treeintheeveningthathadputtheideaintohishead。
"ItWASaMaster-word，"Bagheerawhisperedinhisear。
"Theywerefeedingbytheriver，andtheyobeyedasthoughtheywerebullocks。Lookwheretheycomenow！"
Hathiandhisthreesonshadarrived，intheirusualway，withoutasound。Themudoftheriverwasstillfreshontheirflanks，andHathiwasthoughtfullychewingthegreenstemofayoungplantain-treethathehadgougedupwithhistusks。
ButeverylineinhisvastbodyshowedtoBagheera，whocouldseethingswhenhecameacrossthem，thatitwasnottheMasteroftheJunglespeakingtoaMan-cub，butonewhowasafraidcomingbeforeonewhowasnot。Histhreesonsrolledsidebyside，behindtheirfather。
MowglihardlyliftedhisheadasHathigavehim"Goodhunting。"
Hekepthimswingingandrocking，andshiftingfromonefoottoanother，foralongtimebeforehespoke；andwhenheopenedhismouthitwastoBagheera，nottotheelephants。
"Iwilltellatalethatwastoldtomebythehunteryehuntedto-day，"saidMowgli。"Itconcernsanelephant，oldandwise，whofellintoatrap，andthesharpenedstakeinthepitscarredhimfromalittleabovehisheeltothecrestofhisshoulder，leavingawhitemark。"Mowglithrewouthishand，andasHathiwheeledthemoonlightshowedalongwhitescaronhisslatyside，asthoughhehadbeenstruckwithared-hotwhip。
"Mencametotakehimfromthetrap，"Mowglicontinued，"buthebrokehisropes，forhewasstrong，andwentawaytillhiswoundwashealed。Thencamehe，angry，bynighttothefieldsofthosehunters。AndIremembernowthathehadthreesons。Thesethingshappenedmany，manyRainsago，andveryfaraway——amongthefieldsofBhurtpore。Whatcametothosefieldsatthenextreaping，Hathi？"
"Theywerereapedbymeandbymythreesons，"saidHathi。
"Andtotheploughingthatfollowsthereaping？"saidMowgli。
"Therewasnoploughing，"saidHathi。
"Andtothementhatlivebythegreencropsontheground？"
saidMowgli。
"Theywentaway。"
"Andtothehutsinwhichthemenslept？"saidMowgli。
"Wetoretheroofstopieces，andtheJungleswallowedupthewalls，"saidHathi。
"Andwhatmore？"saidMowgli。
"AsmuchgoodgroundasIcanwalkoverintwonightsfromtheeasttothewest，andfromthenorthtothesouthasmuchasI
canwalkoverinthreenights，theJungletook。WeletintheJungleuponfivevillages；andinthosevillages，andintheirlands，thegrazing-groundandthesoftcrop-grounds，thereisnotonemanto-daywhotakeshisfoodfromtheground。ThatwastheSackoftheFieldsofBhurtpore，whichIandmythreesonsdid；andnowIask，Man-cub，howthenewsofitcametothee？"
saidHathi。
"Amantoldme，andnowIseeevenBuldeocanspeaktruth。
Itwaswelldone，Hathiwiththewhitemark；butthesecondtimeitshallbedonebetter，forthereasonthatthereisamantodirect。ThouknowestthevillageoftheMan-Packthatcastmeout？Theyareidle，senseless，andcruel；theyplaywiththeirmouths，andtheydonotkilltheweakerforfood，butforsport。
Whentheyarefull-fedtheywouldthrowtheirownbreedintotheRedFlower。ThisIhaveseen。Itisnotwellthattheyshouldlivehereanymore。Ihatethem！"
"Kill，then，"saidtheyoungestofHathi’sthreesons，pickingupatuftofgrass，dustingitagainsthisfore-legs，andthrowingitaway，whilehislittleredeyesglancedfurtivelyfromsidetoside。
"Whatgoodarewhitebonestome？"Mowgliansweredangrily。
"AmIthecubofawolftoplayinthesunwitharawhead？
IhavekilledShereKhan，andhishiderotsontheCouncilRock；
but——butIdonotknowwhitherShereKhanisgone，andmystomachisstillempty。NowIwilltakethatwhichIcanseeandtouch。LetintheJungleuponthatvillage，Hathi！"
Bagheerashivered，andcowereddown。Hecouldunderstand，iftheworstcametotheworst，aquickrushdownthevillagestreet，andarightandleftblowintoacrowd，oracraftykillingofmenastheyploughedinthetwilight；butthisschemefordeliberatelyblottingoutanentirevillagefromtheeyesofmanandbeastfrightenedhim。NowhesawwhyMowglihadsentforHathi。Noonebutthelong-livedelephantcouldplanandcarrythroughsuchawar。
"LetthemrunasthemenranfromthefieldsofBhurtpore，tillwehavetherain-waterfortheonlyplough，andthenoiseoftherainonthethickleavesforthepatteringoftheirspindles——tillBagheeraandIlairinthehouseoftheBrahmin，andthebuckdrinkatthetankbehindthetemple！LetintheJungle，Hathi！"
"ButI——butwehavenoquarrelwiththem，anditneedstheredrageofgreatpainereweteardowntheplaceswheremensleep，"
saidHathidoubtfully。
"AreyetheonlyeatersofgrassintheJungle？Driveinyourpeoples。Letthedeerandthepigandthenilghailooktoit。
Yeneednevershowahand’s-breadthofhidetillthefieldsarenaked。LetintheJungle，Hathi！"
"Therewillbenokilling？MytuskswereredattheSackoftheFieldsofBhurtpore，andIwouldnotwakethatsmellagain。"
"NorI。Idonotwisheventheirbonestolieonthecleanearth。Letthemgoandfindafreshlair。Theycannotstayhere。
Ihaveseenandsmelledthebloodofthewomanthatgavemefood——thewomanwhomtheywouldhavekilledbutforme。Onlythesmellofthenewgrassontheirdoor-stepscantakeawaythatsmell。Itburnsinmymouth。LetintheJungle，Hathi！"
"Ah！"saidHathi。"Sodidthescarofthestakeburnonmyhidetillwewatchedthevillagesdieunderinthespringgrowth。NowIsee。Thywarshallheourwar。Wewillletinthejungle！"
Mowglihadhardlytimetocatchhisbreath——hewasshakingalloverwithrageandhatebeforetheplacewheretheelephantshadstoodwasempty，andBagheerawaslookingathimwithterror。
"BytheBrokenLockthatfreedme！"saidtheBlackPantheratlast。"ArtTHOUthenakedthingIspokeforinthePackwhenallwasyoung？MasteroftheJungle，whenmystrengthgoes，speakforme——speakforBaloo——speakforusall！Wearecubsbeforethee！Snappedtwigsunderfoot！Fawnsthathavelosttheirdoe！"
TheideaofBagheerabeingastrayfawnupsetMowglialtogether，andhelaughedandcaughthisbreath，andsobbedandlaughedagain，tillhehadtojumpintoapooltomakehimselfstop。
Thenheswamroundandround，duckinginandoutofthebarsofthemoonlightlikethefrog，hisnamesake。
BythistimeHathiandhisthreesonshadturned，eachtoonepointofthecompass，andwerestridingsilentlydownthevalleysamileaway。Theywentonandonfortwodays’march——
thatistosay，alongsixtymiles——throughtheJungle；andeverysteptheytook，andeverywaveoftheirtrunks，wasknownandnotedandtalkedoverbyMangandChilandtheMonkeyPeopleandallthebirds。Thentheybegantofeed，andfedquietlyforaweekorso。HathiandhissonsarelikeKaa，theRockPython。
Theyneverhurrytilltheyhaveto。
Attheendofthattime——andnoneknewwhohadstartedit——arumourwentthroughtheJunglethattherewasbetterfoodandwatertobefoundinsuchandsuchavalley。Thepig——who，ofcourse，willgototheendsoftheearthforafullmeal——movedfirstbycompanies，scufflingovertherocks，andthedeerfollowed，withthesmallwildfoxesthatliveonthedeadanddyingoftheherds；andtheheavy-shoulderednilghaimovedparallelwiththedeer，andthewildbuffaloesoftheswampscameafterthenilghai。Theleastlittlethingwouldhaveturnedthescattered，stragglingdrovesthatgrazedandsaunteredanddrankandgrazedagain；butwhenevertherewasanalarmsomeonewouldriseupandsoothethem。AtonetimeitwouldbeIkkithePorcupine，fullofnewsofgoodfeedjustalittlefartheron；
atanotherMangwouldcrycheerilyandflapdownagladetoshowitwasallempty；orBaloo，hismouthfullofroots，wouldshamblealongsideawaveringlineandhalffrighten，halfrompitclumsilybacktotheproperroad。Verymanycreaturesbrokebackorranawayorlostinterest，butverymanywerelefttogoforward。Attheendofanothertendaysorsothesituationwasthis。Thedeerandthepigandthenilghaiweremillingroundandroundinacircleofeightortenmilesradius，whiletheEatersofFleshskirmishedrounditsedge。Andthecentreofthatcirclewasthevillage，androundthevillagethecropswereripening，andinthecropssatmenonwhattheycallmachans——platformslikepigeon-perches，madeofsticksatthetopoffourpoles——toscareawaybirdsandotherstealers。
Thenthedeerwerecoaxednomore。TheEatersofFleshwereclosebehindthem，andforcedthemforwardandinward。
ItwasadarknightwhenHathiandhisthreesonsslippeddownfromtheJungle，andbrokeoffthepolesofthemachanswiththeirtrunks；theyfellasasnappedstalkofhemlockinbloomfalls，andthementhattumbledfromthemheardthedeepgurglingoftheelephantsintheirears。Thenthevanguardofthebewilderedarmiesofthedeerbrokedownandfloodedintothevillagegrazing-groundsandtheploughedfields；andthesharp-hoofed，rootingwildpigcamewiththem，andwhatthedeerleftthepigspoiled，andfromtimetotimeanalarmofwolveswouldshaketheherds，andtheywouldrushtoandfrodesperately，treadingdowntheyoungbarley，andcuttingflatthebanksoftheirrigatingchannels。Beforethedawnbrokethepressureontheoutsideofthecirclegavewayatonepoint。
TheEatersofFleshhadfallenbackandleftanopenpathtothesouth，anddroveupondroveofbuckfledalongit。Others，whowerebolder，layupinthethicketstofinishtheirmealnextnight。
Buttheworkwaspracticallydone。Whenthevillagerslookedinthemorningtheysawtheircropswerelost。Andthatmeantdeathiftheydidnotgetaway，fortheylivedyearinandyearoutasneartostarvationastheJunglewasneartothem。Whenthebuffaloesweresenttograzethehungrybrutesfoundthatthedeerhadclearedthegrazing-grounds，andsowanderedintotheJungleanddriftedoffwiththeirwildmates；andwhentwilightfellthethreeorfourponiesthatbelongedtothevillagelayintheirstableswiththeirheadsbeatenin。OnlyBagheeracouldhavegiventhosestrokes，andonlyBagheerawouldhavethoughtofinsolentlydraggingthelastcarcasstotheopenstreet。
Thevillagershadnohearttomakefiresinthefieldsthatnight，soHathiandhisthreesonswentgleaningamongwhatwasleft；andwhereHathigleansthereisnoneedtofollow。Themendecidedtoliveontheirstoredseed-cornuntiltherainshadfallen，andthentotakeworkasservantstilltheycouldcatchupwiththelostyear；butasthegrain-dealerwasthinkingofhiswell-filledcratesofcorn，andthepriceshewouldlevyatthesaleofit，Hathi’ssharptuskswerepickingoutthecornerofhismud-house，andsmashingopenthebigwickerchest，leepedwithcow-dung，wherethepreciousstufflay。
Whenthatlastlosswasdiscovered，itwastheBrahmin’sturntospeak。HehadprayedtohisownGodswithoutanswer。Itmightbe，hesaid，that，unconsciously，thevillagehadoffendedsomeoneoftheGodsoftheJungle，for，beyonddoubt，theJunglewasagainstthem。Sotheysentforthehead-manofthenearesttribeofwanderingGonds——little，wise，andveryblackhunters，livinginthedeepJungle，whosefatherscameoftheoldestraceinIndia——theaboriginalownersoftheland。TheymadetheGondwelcomewithwhattheyhad，andhestoodononeleg，hisbowinhishand，andtwoorthreepoisonedarrowsstuckthroughhistop-knot，lookinghalfafraidandhalfcontemptuouslyattheanxiousvillagersandtheirruinedfields。TheywishedtoknowwhetherhisGods——theOldGods——wereangrywiththemandwhatsacrificesshouldbeoffered。TheGondsaidnothing，butpickedupatrailoftheKarela，thevinethatbearsthebitterwildgourd，andlacedittoandfroacrossthetempledoorinthefaceofthestaringredHinduimage。ThenhepushedwithhishandintheopenairalongtheroadtoKhanhiwara，andwentbacktohisJungle，andwatchedtheJunglePeopledriftingthroughit。HeknewthatwhentheJunglemovesonlywhitemencanhopetoturnitaside。
Therewasnoneedtoaskhismeaning。ThewildgourdwouldgrowwheretheyhadworshippedtheirGod，andthesoonertheysavedthemselvesthebetter。
Butitishardtotearavillagefromitsmoorings。Theystayedonaslongasanysummerfoodwaslefttothem，andtheytriedtogathernutsintheJungle，butshadowswithglaringeyeswatchedthem，androlledbeforethemevenatmid-day；andwhentheyranbackafraidtotheirwalls，onthetree-trunkstheyhadpassednotfiveminutesbeforethebarkwouldbestrippedandchiselledwiththestrokeofsomegreattalonedpaw。Themoretheykepttotheirvillage，theboldergrewthewildthingsthatgambolledandbellowedonthegrazing-groundsbytheWaingunga。
TheyhadnotimetopatchandplastertherearwallsoftheemptybyresthatbackedontotheJungle；thewildpigtrampledthemdown，andtheknotty-rootedvineshurriedafterandthrewtheirelbowsoverthenew-wonground，andthecoarsegrassbristledbehindthevineslikethelancesofagoblinarmyfollowingaretreat。Theunmarriedmenranawayfirst，andcarriedthenewsfarandnearthatthevillagewasdoomed。
Whocouldfight，theysaid，againsttheJungle，ortheGodsoftheJungle，whentheveryvillagecobrahadlefthisholeintheplatformunderthepeepul-tree？Sotheirlittlecommercewiththeoutsideworldshrunkasthetroddenpathsacrosstheopengrewfewerandfainter。AtlastthenightlytrumpetingsofHathiandhisthreesonsceasedtotroublethem；fortheyhadnomoretoberobbedof。Thecroponthegroundandtheseedinthegroundhadbeentaken。Theoutlyingfieldswerealreadylosingtheirshape，anditwastimetothrowthemselvesonthecharityoftheEnglishatKhanhiwara。
Nativefashion，theydelayedtheirdeparturefromonedaytoanothertillthefirstRainscaughtthemandtheunmendedroofsletinaflood，andthegrazing-groundstoodankledeep，andalllifecameonwitharushaftertheheatofthesummer。Thentheywadedout——men，women，andchildren——throughtheblindinghotrainofthemorning，butturnednaturallyforonefarewelllookattheirhomes。
Theyheard，asthelastburdenedfamilyfiledthroughthegate，acrashoffallingbeamsandthatchbehindthewalls。Theysawashiny，snakyblacktrunkliftedforaninstant，scatteringsoddenthatch。Itdisappeared，andtherewasanothercrash，followedbyasqueal。Hathihadbeenpluckingofftheroofsofthehutsasyoupluckwater-lilies，andareboundingbeamhadprickedhim。Heneededonlythistounchainhisfullstrength，forofallthingsintheJunglethewildelephantenragedisthemostwantonlydestructive。Hekickedbackwardatamudwallthatcrumbledatthestroke，and，crumbling，meltedtoyellowmudunderthetorrentofrain。Thenhewheeledandsquealed，andtorethroughthenarrowstreets，leaningagainstthehutsrightandleft，shiveringthecrazydoors，andcrumplingupthecaves；
whilehisthreesonsragedbehindastheyhadragedattheSackoftheFieldsofBhurtpore。
"TheJunglewillswallowtheseshells，"saidaquietvoiceinthewreckage。"Itistheouterwallthatmustliedown，"andMowgli，withtherainsluicingoverhisbareshouldersandarms，leapedbackfromawallthatwassettlinglikeatiredbuffalo。
"Allingoodtime，"pantedHathi。"Oh，butmytuskswereredatBhurtpore；Totheouterwall，children！Withthehead！
Together！Now！"
Thefourpushedsidebyside；theouterwallbulged，split，andfell，andthevillagers，dumbwithhorror，sawthesavage，clay-streakedheadsofthewreckersintheraggedgap。Thentheyfled，houselessandfoodless，downthevalley，astheirvillage，shreddedandtossedandtrampled，meltedbehindthem。
Amonthlatertheplacewasadimpledmound，coveredwithsoft，greenyoungstuff；andbytheendoftheRainstherewastheroaringjungleinfullblastonthespotthathadbeenunderploughnotsixmonthsbefore。
MOWGLI’SSONGAGAINSTPEOPLE
Iwillletlooseagainstyouthefleet-footedvines——
IwillcallintheJungletostampoutyourlines！
Theroofsshallfadebeforeit，Thehouse-beamsshallfall，AndtheKarela，thebitterKarela，Shallcoveritall！
Inthegatesoftheseyourcouncilsmypeopleshallsing，InthedoorsoftheseyourgarnerstheBat-folkshallcling；
Andthesnakeshallbeyourwatchman，Byahearthstoneunswept；
FortheKarela，thebitterKarela，Shallfruitwhereyeslept！
Yeshallnotseemystrikers；yeshallhearthemandguess；
Bynight，beforethemoon-rise，Iwillsendformycess，AndthewolfshallheyourherdsmanByalandmarkremoved，FortheKarela，thebitterKarela，Shallseedwhereyeloved！
Iwillreapyourfieldsbeforeyouatthehandsofahost；
Yeshallgleanbehindmyreapers，forthebreadthatislost，AndthedeershallbeyouroxenByaheadlanduntilled，FortheKarela，thebitterKarela，Shallleafwhereyebuild！
Ihaveuntiedagainstyoutheclub-footedvines，IhavesentintheJungletoswampoutyourlines。
Thetrees——thetreesareonyou！
Thehouse-beamsshallfall，AndtheKarela，thebitterKarela，Shallcoveryouall！
THEUNDERTAKERS
WhenyesaytoTabaqui，"MyBrother！"whenyecalltheHyenatomeat，YemaycrytheFullTrucewithJacala——theBellythatrunsonfourfeet。
JungleLaw"Respecttheaged！"
"Itwasathickvoice——amuddyvoicethatwouldhavemadeyoushudder——avoicelikesomethingsoftbreakingintwo。Therewasaquaverinit，acroakandawhine。
"Respecttheaged！OCompanionsoftheRiver——respecttheaged！"
Nothingcouldbeseenonthebroadreachoftheriverexceptalittlefleetofsquare-sailed，wooden-pinnedbarges，loadedwithbuilding-stone，thathadjustcomeundertherailwaybridge，andweredrivingdown-stream。Theyputtheirclumsyhelmsovertoavoidthesand-barmadebythescourofthebridge-piers，andastheypassed，threeabreast，thehorriblevoicebeganagain：
"OBrahminsoftheRiver——respecttheagedandinfirm！"
Aboatmanturnedwherehesatonthegunwale，lifteduphishand，saidsomethingthatwasnotablessing，andtheboatscreakedonthroughthetwilight。ThebroadIndianriver，thatlookedmorelikeachainoflittlelakesthanastream，wasassmoothasglass，reflectingthesandy-redskyinmid-channel，butsplashedwithpatchesofyellowandduskypurplenearandunderthelowbanks。Littlecreeksranintotheriverinthewetseason，butnowtheirdrymouthshungclearabovewater-line。
Ontheleftshore，andalmostundertherailwaybridge，stoodamud-and-brickandthatch-and-stickvillage，whosemainstreet，fullofcattlegoingbacktotheirbyres，ranstraighttotheriver，andendedinasortofrudebrickpier-head，wherepeoplewhowantedtowashcouldwadeinstepbystep。ThatwastheGhautofthevillageofMugger-Ghaut。
Nightwasfallingfastoverthefieldsoflentilsandriceandcottoninthelow-lyinggroundyearlyfloodedbytheriver；
overthereedsthatfringedtheelbowofthebend，andthetangledjungleofthegrazing-groundsbehindthestillreeds。
Theparrotsandcrows，whohadbeenchatteringandshoutingovertheireveningdrink，hadflowninlandtoroost，crossingtheout-goingbattalionsoftheflying-foxes；andclouduponcloudofwater-birdscamewhistlingand"honking"tothecoverofthereed-beds。Thereweregeese，barrel-headedandblack-backed，teal，widgeon，mallard，andsheldrake，withcurlews，andhereandthereaflamingo。
AlumberingAdjutant-cranebroughtuptherear，flyingasthougheachslowstrokewouldbehislast。
"Respecttheaged！BrahminsoftheRiver——respecttheaged！"
TheAdjutanthalfturnedhishead，sheeredalittleinthedirectionofthevoice，andlandedstifflyonthesand-barbelowthebridge。Thenyousawwhataruffianlybrutehereallywas。
Hisbackviewwasimmenselyrespectable，forhestoodnearlysixfeethigh，andlookedratherlikeaveryproperbald-headedparson。Infrontitwasdifferent，forhisAllySloper-likeheadandneckhadnotafeathertothem，andtherewasahorribleraw-skinpouchonhisneckunderhischin——ahold-allforthethingshispick-axebeakmightsteal。Hislegswerelongandthinandskinny，buthemovedthemdelicately，andlookedatthemwithprideashepreeneddownhisashy-graytail-feathers，glancedoverthesmoothofhisshoulder，andstiffenedinto"Standatattention。"
AmangylittleJackal，whohadbeenyappinghungrilyonalowbluff，cockeduphisearsandtail，andscutteredacrosstheshallowstojointheAdjutant。
Hewasthelowestofhiscaste——notthatthebestofjackalsaregoodformuch，butthisonewaspeculiarlylow，beinghalfabeggar，halfacriminal——acleaner-upofvillagerubbish-heaps，desperatelytimidorwildlybold，everlastinglyhungry，andfullofcunningthatneverdidhimanygood。
"Ugh！"hesaid，shakinghimselfdolefullyashelanded。"Maytheredmangedestroythedogsofthisvillage！Ihavethreebitesforeachfleauponme，andallbecauseIlooked——onlylooked，markyou——atanoldshoeinacow-byre。CanIeatmud？"
Hescratchedhimselfunderhisleftear。
"Iheard，"saidtheAdjutant，inavoicelikeabluntsawgoingthroughathickboard——"IHEARDtherewasanew-bornpuppyinthatsameshoe。"
"Tohearisonething；toknowisanother，"saidtheJackal，whohadaveryfairknowledgeofproverbs，pickedupbylisteningtomenroundthevillagefiresofanevening。
"Quitetrue。So，tomakesure，Itookcareofthatpuppywhilethedogswerebusyelsewhere。"
"TheywereVERYbusy，"saidtheJackal。"Well，Imustnotgotothevillagehuntingforscrapsyetawhile。Andsotheretrulywasablindpuppyinthatshoe？"
"Itishere，"saidtheAdjutant，squintingoverhisbeakathisfullpouch。"Asmallthing，butacceptablenowthatcharityisdeadintheworld。"
"Ahai！Theworldisironinthesedays，"wailedtheJackal。
Thenhisrestlesseyecaughttheleastpossiblerippleonthewater，andhewentonquickly："Lifeishardforusall，andIdoubtnotthatevenourexcellentmaster，thePrideoftheGhautandtheEnvyoftheRiver————"
"Aliar，aflatterer，andaJackalwereallhatchedoutofthesameegg，"saidtheAdjutanttonobodyinparticular；forhewasratherafinesortofaliaronhisownaccountwhenhetookthetrouble。
"Yes，theEnvyoftheRiver，"theJackalrepeated，raisinghisvoice。"Evenhe，Idoubtnot，findsthatsincethebridgehasbeenbuiltgoodfoodismorescarce。Butontheotherhand，thoughIwouldbynomeanssaythistohisnobleface，heissowiseandsovirtuous——asI，alasIamnot————"
"WhentheJackalownsheisgray，howblackmusttheJackalbe！"
mutteredtheAdjutant。Hecouldnotseewhatwascoming。
"Thathisfoodneverfails，andinconsequence————"
Therewasasoftgratingsound，asthoughaboathadjusttouchedinshoalwater。TheJackalspunroundquicklyandfaced（itisalwaysbesttoface）thecreaturehehadbeentalkingabout。Itwasatwenty-four-footcrocodile，casedinwhatlookedliketreble-rivetedboiler-plate，studdedandkeeledandcrested；theyellowpointsofhisupperteethjustoverhanginghisbeautifullyflutedlowerjaw。Itwastheblunt-nosedMuggerofMugger-Ghaut，olderthananymaninthevillage，whohadgivenhisnametothevillage；thedemonofthefordbeforetherailwaybridge，came——murderer，man-eater，andlocalfetishinone。Helaywithhischinintheshallows，keepinghisplacebyanalmostinvisibleripplingofhistail，andwelltheJackalknewthatonestrokeofthatsametailinthewaterwouldcarrytheMuggerupthebankwiththerushofasteam-engine。
"Auspiciouslymet，ProtectorofthePoor！"hefawned，backingateveryword。"Adelectablevoicewasheard，andwecameinthehopesofsweetconversation。Mytaillesspresumption，whilewaitinghere，ledme，indeed，tospeakofthee。Itismyhopethatnothingwasoverheard。"
NowtheJackalhadspokenjusttobelistenedto，forheknewflatterywasthebestwayofgettingthingstoeat，andtheMuggerknewthattheJackalhadspokenforthisend，andtheJackalknewthattheMuggerknew，andtheMuggerknewthattheJackalknewthattheMuggerknew，andsotheywereallverycontentedtogether。
Theoldbrutepushedandpantedandgruntedupthebank，mumbling，"Respecttheagedandinfirm！"andallthetimehislittleeyesburnedlikecoalsundertheheavy，hornyeyelidsonthetopofhistriangularhead，asheshovedhisbloatedbarrel-bodyalongbetweenhiscrutchedlegs。Thenhesettleddown，and，accustomedastheJackalwastohisways，hecouldnothelpstarting，forthehundredthtime，whenhesawhowexactlytheMuggerimitatedalogadriftonthebar。Hehadeventakenpainstolieattheexactangleanaturallystrandedlogwouldmakewiththewater，havingregardtothecurrentofheseasonatthetimeandplace。Allthiswasonlyamatterofhabit，ofcourse，becausetheMuggerhadcomeashoreforpleasure；butacrocodileisneverquitefull，andiftheJackalhadbeendeceivedbythelikenesshewouldnothavelivedtophilosophiseoverit。
"Mychild，Iheardnothing，"saidtheMugger，shuttingoneeye。
"Thewaterwasinmyears，andalsoIwasfaintwithhunger。
Sincetherailwaybridgewasbuiltmypeopleatmyvillagehaveceasedtoloveme；andthatisbreakingmyheart。"
"Ah，shame！"saidtheJackal。"Sonobleaheart，too！Butmenareallalike，tomymind。"
"Nay，thereareverygreatdifferencesindeed，"theMuggeransweredgently。"Someareasleanasboat-poles。Othersagainarefatasyoungja——dogs。NeverwouldIcauselesslyrevilemen。
Theyareofallfashions，butthelongyearshaveshownmethat，onewithanother，theyareverygood。Men，women，andchildren——
Ihavenofaulttofindwiththem。Andremember，child，hewhorebukestheWorldisrebukedbytheWorld。"
"Flatteryisworsethananemptytincaninthebelly。Butthatwhichwehavejustheardiswisdom，"saidtheAdjutant，bringingdownonefoot。
"Consider，though，theiringratitudetothisexcellentone，"
begantheJackaltenderly。
"Nay，nay，notingratitude！"theMuggersaid。Theydonotthinkforothers；thatisall。ButIhavenoticed，lyingatmystationbelowtheford，thatthestairsofthenewbridgearecruellyhardtoclimb，bothforoldpeopleandyoungchildren。Theold，indeed，arenotsoworthyofconsideration，butIamgrieved——
Iamtrulygrieved——onaccountofthefatchildren。Still，Ithink，inalittlewhile，whenthenewnessofthebridgehaswornaway，weshallseemypeople"sbarebrownlegsbravelysplashingthroughthefordasbefore。ThentheoldMuggerwillbehonouredagain。"
"ButsurelyIsawMarigoldwreathsfloatingofftheedgeoftheGhautonlythisnoon，"saidtheAdjutant。
MarigoldwreathsareasignofreverenceallIndiaover。
"Anerror——anerror。Itwasthewifeofthesweetmeat-seller。
Sheloseshereyesightyearbyyear，andcannottellalogfromme——theMuggeroftheGhaut。Isawthemistakewhenshethrewthegarland，forIwaslyingattheveryfootoftheGhaut，andhadshetakenanotherstepImighthaveshownhersomelittledifference。Yetshemeantwell，andwemustconsiderthespiritoftheoffering。"
"Whatgoodaremarigoldwreathswhenoneisontherubbish-
heap？"saidtheJackal，huntingforfleas，butkeepingonewaryeyeonhisProtectorofthePoor。
"True，buttheyhavenotyetbeguntomaketherubbish-heapthatshallcarryME。FivetimeshaveIseentheriverdrawbackfromthevillageandmakenewlandatthefootofthestreet。FivetimeshaveIseenthevillagerebuiltonthebanks，andIshallseeitbuiltyetfivetimesmore。Iamnofaithless，fish-
huntingGavial，I，atKasito-dayandPrayagto-morrow，asthesayingis，butthetrueandconstantwatcheroftheford。Itisnotfornothing，child，thatthevillagebearsmyname，and"hewhowatcheslong，"asthesayingis，"shallatlasthavehisreward。""
"_I_havewatchedlong——verylong——nearlyallmylife，andmyrewardhasbeenbitesandblows，"saidtheJackal。
"Ho！ho！ho！"roaredtheAdjutant。
"InAugustwastheJackalborn；
TheRainsfellinSeptember；
"Nowsuchafearfulfloodasthis，"
Sayshe，"Ican"tremember！""
ThereisoneveryunpleasantpeculiarityabouttheAdjutant。
Atuncertaintimeshesuffersfromacuteattacksofthefidgetsorcrampinhislegs，andthoughheismorevirtuoustobeholdthananyofthecranes，whoareallimmenselyrespectable，hefliesoffintowild，cripple-stiltwar-dances，halfopeninghiswingsandbobbinghisbaldheadupanddown；whileforreasonsbestknowntohimselfheisverycarefultotimehisworstattackswithhisnastiestremarks。Atthelastwordofhissonghecametoattentionagain，tentimesadjutaunterthanbefore。
TheJackalwinced，thoughhewasfullthreeseasonsold，butyoucannotresentaninsultfromapersonwithabeakayardlong，andthepowerofdrivingitlikeajavelin。TheAdjutantwasamostnotoriouscoward，buttheJackalwasworse。
"Wemustlivebeforewecanlearn，"saidtheMugger，"andthereisthistosay：Littlejackalsareverycommon，child，butsuchamuggerasIamisnotcommon。Forallthat，Iamnotproud，sinceprideisdestruction；buttakenotice，itisFate，andagainsthisFatenoonewhoswimsorwalksorrunsshouldsayanythingatall。IamwellcontentedwithFate。Withgoodluck，akeeneye，andthecustomofconsideringwhetheracreekorabackwaterhasanoutlettoitereyouascend，muchmaybedone。"
"OnceIheardthateventheProtectorofthePoormadeamistake，"saidtheJackalviciously。
"True；buttheremyFatehelpedme。ItwasbeforeIhadcometomyfullgrowth——beforethelastfaminebutthree（bytheRightandLeftofGunga，howfullusedthestreamstobeinthosedays！）。Yes，Iwasyoungandunthinking，andwhenthefloodcame，whosopleasedasI？Alittlemademeveryhappythen。
Thevillagewasdeepinflood，andIswamabovetheGhautandwentfarinland，uptotherice-fields，andtheyweredeepingoodmud。Irememberalsoapairofbracelets（glasstheywere，andtroubledmenotalittle）thatIfoundthatevening。Yes，glassbracelets；and，ifmymemoryservesmewell，ashoe。
Ishouldhaveshakenoffbothshoes，butIwashungry。Ilearnedbetterlater。Yes。AndsoIfedandrestedme；butwhenIwasreadytogototheriveragainthefloodhadfallen，andI
walkedthroughthemudofthemainstreet。WhobutI？Cameoutallmypeople，priestsandwomenandchildren，andIlookeduponthemwithbenevolence。Themudisnotagoodplacetofightin。
Saidaboatman，"Getaxesandkillhim，forheistheMuggeroftheford。""Notso，"saidtheBrahmin。"Look，heisdrivingthefloodbeforehim！Heisthegodlingofthevillage。"Thentheythrewmanyflowersatme，andbyhappythoughtoneledagoatacrosstheroad。"
"Howgood——howverygoodisgoat！"saidtheJackal。
"Hairy——toohairy，andwhenfoundinthewatermorethanlikelytohideacross-shapedhook。ButthatgoatIaccepted，andwentdowntotheGhautingreathonour。Later，myFatesentmetheboatmanwhohaddesiredtocutoffmytailwithanaxe。Hisboatgroundeduponanoldshoalwhichyouwouldnotremember。"
"WearenotALLjackalshere，"saidtheAdjutant。Wasittheshoalmadewherethestone-boatssankintheyearofthegreatdrouth——alongshoalthatlastedthreefloods？"
"Thereweretwo，"saidtheMugger；"anupperandalowershoal。"
"Ay，Iforgot。Achanneldividedthem，andlaterdriedupagain，"saidtheAdjutant，whopridedhimselfonhismemory。
"Onthelowershoalmywell-wisher"scraftgrounded。Hewassleepinginthebows，and，halfawake，leapedovertohiswaist——no，itwasnomorethantohisknees——topushoff。
Hisemptyboatwentonandtouchedagainbelowthenextreach，astheriverranthen。Ifollowed，becauseIknewmenwouldcomeouttodragitashore。"
"Anddidtheydoso？"saidtheJackal，alittleawe-stricken。
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