Mowgli’sBrothers
NowRanntheKitebringshomethenightThatMangtheBatsetsfree——
TheherdsareshutinbyreandhutForloosedtilldawnarewe。
Thisisthehourofprideandpower，Talonandtushandclaw。
Oh，hearthecall！——GoodhuntingallThatkeeptheJungleLaw！
Night—SongintheJungleItwasseveno’clockofaverywarmeveningintheSeeoneehillswhenFatherWolfwokeupfromhisday’srest，scratchedhimself，yawned，andspreadouthispawsoneaftertheothertogetridofthesleepyfeelingintheirtips。MotherWolflaywithherbiggraynosedroppedacrossherfourtumbling，squealingcubs，andthemoonshoneintothemouthofthecavewheretheyalllived。
"Augrh！"saidFatherWolf。"Itistimetohuntagain。"Hewasgoingtospringdownhillwhenalittleshadowwithabushytailcrossedthethresholdandwhined："Goodluckgowithyou，OChiefoftheWolves。Andgoodluckandstrongwhiteteethgowithnoblechildrenthattheymayneverforgetthehungryinthisworld。"
Itwasthejackal——Tabaqui，theDish—licker——andthewolvesofIndiadespiseTabaquibecauseherunsaboutmakingmischief，andtellingtales，andeatingragsandpiecesofleatherfromthevillagerubbish—heaps。Buttheyareafraidofhimtoo，becauseTabaqui，morethananyoneelseinthejungle，isapttogomad，andthenheforgetsthathewaseverafraidofanyone，andrunsthroughtheforestbitingeverythinginhisway。EventhetigerrunsandhideswhenlittleTabaquigoesmad，formadnessisthemostdisgracefulthingthatcanovertakeawildcreature。Wecallithydrophobia，buttheycallitdewanee——themadness——
andrun。
"Enter，then，andlook，"saidFatherWolfstiffly，"butthereisnofoodhere。"
"Forawolf，no，"saidTabaqui，"butforsomeanapersonasmyselfadryboneisagoodfeast。Whoarewe，theGidur—log[thejackalpeople]，topickandchoose？"Hescuttledtothebackofthecave，wherehefoundtheboneofabuckwithsomemeatonit，andsatcrackingtheendmerrily。
"Allthanksforthisgoodmeal，"hesaid，lickinghislips。
"Howbeautifularethenoblechildren！Howlargearetheireyes！
Andsoyoungtoo！Indeed，indeed，Imighthaverememberedthatthechildrenofkingsaremenfromthebeginning。"
Now，Tabaquiknewaswellasanyoneelsethatthereisnothingsounluckyastocomplimentchildrentotheirfaces。ItpleasedhimtoseeMotherandFatherWolflookuncomfortable。
Tabaquisatstill，rejoicinginthemischiefthathehadmade，andthenhesaidspitefully：
"ShereKhan，theBigOne，hasshiftedhishuntinggrounds。Hewillhuntamongthesehillsforthenextmoon，sohehastoldme。"
ShereKhanwasthetigerwholivedneartheWaingungaRiver，twentymilesaway。
"Hehasnoright！"FatherWolfbeganangrily——"BytheLawoftheJunglehehasnorighttochangehisquarterswithoutduewarning。Hewillfrighteneveryheadofgamewithintenmiles，andI——Ihavetokillfortwo，thesedays。"
"HismotherdidnotcallhimLungri[theLameOne]fornothing，"saidMotherWolfquietly。"Hehasbeenlameinonefootfromhisbirth。Thatiswhyhehasonlykilledcattle。NowthevillagersoftheWaingungaareangrywithhim，andhehascomeheretomakeourvillagersangry。Theywillscourthejungleforhimwhenheisfaraway，andweandourchildrenmustrunwhenthegrassissetalight。Indeed，weareverygratefultoShereKhan！"
"ShallItellhimofyourgratitude？"saidTabaqui。
"Out！"snappedFatherWolf。"Outandhuntwiththymaster。
Thouhastdoneharmenoughforonenight。"
"Igo，"saidTabaquiquietly。"YecanhearShereKhanbelowinthethickets。Imighthavesavedmyselfthemessage。"
FatherWolflistened，andbelowinthevalleythatrandowntoalittleriverheheardthedry，angry，snarly，singsongwhineofatigerwhohascaughtnothinganddoesnotcareifallthejungleknowsit。
"Thefool！"saidFatherWolf。"Tobeginanight’sworkwiththatnoise！DoeshethinkthatourbuckarelikehisfatWaingungabullocks？"
"H’sh。Itisneitherbullocknorbuckhehuntsto—night，"
saidMotherWolf。"ItisMan。"
Thewhinehadchangedtoasortofhummingpurrthatseemedtocomefromeveryquarterofthecompass。Itwasthenoisethatbewilderswoodcuttersandgypsiessleepingintheopen，andmakesthemrunsometimesintotheverymouthofthetiger。
"Man！"saidFatherWolf，showingallhiswhiteteeth。"Faugh！
AretherenotenoughbeetlesandfrogsinthetanksthathemusteatMan，andonourgroundtoo！"
TheLawoftheJungle，whichneverordersanythingwithoutareason，forbidseverybeasttoeatManexceptwhenheiskillingtoshowhischildrenhowtokill，andthenhemusthuntoutsidethehuntinggroundsofhispackortribe。Therealreasonforthisisthatman—killingmeans，soonerorlater，thearrivalofwhitemenonelephants，withguns，andhundredsofbrownmenwithgongsandrocketsandtorches。Theneverybodyinthejunglesuffers。ThereasonthebeastsgiveamongthemselvesisthatManistheweakestandmostdefenselessofalllivingthings，anditisunsportsmanliketotouchhim。Theysaytoo——anditistrue——thatman—eatersbecomemangy，andlosetheirteeth。
Thepurrgrewlouder，andendedinthefull—throated"Aaarh！"
ofthetiger’scharge。
Thentherewasahowl——anuntigerishhowl——fromShereKhan。"Hehasmissed，"saidMotherWolf。"Whatisit？"
FatherWolfranoutafewpacesandheardShereKhanmutteringandmumblingsavagelyashetumbledaboutinthescrub。
"Thefoolhashadnomoresensethantojumpatawoodcutter’scampfire，andhasburnedhisfeet，"saidFatherWolfwithagrunt。
"Tabaquiiswithhim。"
"Somethingiscominguphill，"saidMotherWolf，twitchingoneear。"Getready。"
Thebushesrustledalittleinthethicket，andFatherWolfdroppedwithhishaunchesunderhim，readyforhisleap。Then，ifyouhadbeenwatching，youwouldhaveseenthemostwonderfulthingintheworld——thewolfcheckedinmid—spring。Hemadehisboundbeforehesawwhatitwashewasjumpingat，andthenhetriedtostophimself。Theresultwasthatheshotupstraightintotheairforfourorfivefeet，landingalmostwhereheleftground。
"Man！"hesnapped。"Aman’scub。Look！"
Directlyinfrontofhim，holdingonbyalowbranch，stoodanakedbrownbabywhocouldjustwalk——assoftandasdimpledalittleatomasevercametoawolf’scaveatnight。HelookedupintoFatherWolf’sface，andlaughed。
"Isthataman’scub？"saidMotherWolf。"Ihaveneverseenone。Bringithere。"
AWolfaccustomedtomovinghisowncubscan，ifnecessary，mouthaneggwithoutbreakingit，andthoughFatherWolf’sjawsclosedrightonthechild’sbacknotatoothevenscratchedtheskinashelaiditdownamongthecubs。
"Howlittle！Hownaked，and——howbold！"saidMotherWolfsoftly。Thebabywaspushinghiswaybetweenthecubstogetclosetothewarmhide。"Ahai！Heistakinghismealwiththeothers。Andsothisisaman’scub。Now，wasthereeverawolfthatcouldboastofaman’scubamongherchildren？"
"Ihaveheardnowandagainofsuchathing，butneverinourPackorinmytime，"saidFatherWolf。"Heisaltogetherwithouthair，andIcouldkillhimwithatouchofmyfoot。Butsee，helooksupandisnotafraid。"
Themoonlightwasblockedoutofthemouthofthecave，forShereKhan’sgreatsquareheadandshoulderswerethrustintotheentrance。Tabaqui，behindhim，wassqueaking："Mylord，mylord，itwentinhere！"
"ShereKhandoesusgreathonor，"saidFatherWolf，buthiseyeswereveryangry。"WhatdoesShereKhanneed？"
"Myquarry。Aman’scubwentthisway，"saidShereKhan。
"Itsparentshaverunoff。Giveittome。"
ShereKhanhadjumpedatawoodcutter’scampfire，asFatherWolfhadsaid，andwasfuriousfromthepainofhisburnedfeet。
ButFatherWolfknewthatthemouthofthecavewastoonarrowforatigertocomeinby。Evenwherehewas，ShereKhan’sshouldersandforepawswerecrampedforwantofroom，asaman’swouldbeifhetriedtofightinabarrel。
"TheWolvesareafreepeople，"saidFatherWolf。"TheytakeordersfromtheHeadofthePack，andnotfromanystripedcattle—killer。Theman’scubisours——tokillifwechoose。"
"Yechooseandyedonotchoose！Whattalkisthisofchoosing？BythebullthatIkilled，amItostandnosingintoyourdog’sdenformyfairdues？ItisI，ShereKhan，whospeak！"
Thetiger’sroarfilledthecavewiththunder。MotherWolfshookherselfclearofthecubsandsprangforward，hereyes，liketwogreenmoonsinthedarkness，facingtheblazingeyesofShereKhan。
"AnditisI，Raksha[TheDemon]，whoanswers。Theman’scubismine，Lungri——minetome！Heshallnotbekilled。HeshalllivetorunwiththePackandtohuntwiththePack;andintheend，lookyou，hunteroflittlenakedcubs——frog—eater——
fish—killer——heshallhuntthee！Nowgethence，orbytheSambhurthatIkilled（Ieatnostarvedcattle），backthougoesttothymother，burnedbeastofthejungle，lamerthaneverthoucamestintotheworld！Go！"
FatherWolflookedonamazed。HehadalmostforgottenthedayswhenhewonMotherWolfinfairfightfromfiveotherwolves，whensheraninthePackandwasnotcalledTheDemonforcompliment’ssake。ShereKhanmighthavefacedFatherWolf，buthecouldnotstandupagainstMotherWolf，forheknewthatwherehewasshehadalltheadvantageoftheground，andwouldfighttothedeath。Sohebackedoutofthecavemouthgrowling，andwhenhewasclearheshouted：
"Eachdogbarksinhisownyard！WewillseewhatthePackwillsaytothisfosteringofman—cubs。Thecubismine，andtomyteethhewillcomeintheend，Obush—tailedthieves！"
MotherWolfthrewherselfdownpantingamongthecubs，andFatherWolfsaidtohergravely：
"ShereKhanspeaksthismuchtruth。ThecubmustbeshowntothePack。Wiltthoustillkeephim，Mother？"
"Keephim！"shegasped。"Hecamenaked，bynight，aloneandveryhungry;yethewasnotafraid！Look，hehaspushedoneofmybabestoonesidealready。AndthatlamebutcherwouldhavekilledhimandwouldhaverunofftotheWaingungawhilethevillagersherehuntedthroughallourlairsinrevenge！Keephim？
AssuredlyIwillkeephim。Liestill，littlefrog。OthouMowgli——forMowglitheFrogIwillcallthee——thetimewillcomewhenthouwilthuntShereKhanashehashuntedthee。"
"ButwhatwillourPacksay？"saidFatherWolf。
TheLawoftheJunglelaysdownveryclearlythatanywolfmay，whenhemarries，withdrawfromthePackhebelongsto。ButassoonashiscubsareoldenoughtostandontheirfeethemustbringthemtothePackCouncil，whichisgenerallyheldonceamonthatfullmoon，inorderthattheotherwolvesmayidentifythem。Afterthatinspectionthecubsarefreetorunwheretheyplease，anduntiltheyhavekilledtheirfirstbucknoexcuseisacceptedifagrownwolfofthePackkillsoneofthem。Thepunishmentisdeathwherethemurderercanbefound;andifyouthinkforaminuteyouwillseethatthismustbeso。
FatherWolfwaitedtillhiscubscouldrunalittle，andthenonthenightofthePackMeetingtookthemandMowgliandMotherWolftotheCouncilRock——ahilltopcoveredwithstonesandboulderswhereahundredwolvescouldhide。Akela，thegreatgrayLoneWolf，wholedallthePackbystrengthandcunning，layoutatfulllengthonhisrock，andbelowhimsatfortyormorewolvesofeverysizeandcolor，frombadger—coloredveteranswhocouldhandleabuckalonetoyoungblackthree—year—oldswhothoughttheycould。TheLoneWolfhadledthemforayearnow。Hehadfallentwiceintoawolftrapinhisyouth，andoncehehadbeenbeatenandleftfordead;soheknewthemannersandcustomsofmen。TherewasverylittletalkingattheRock。Thecubstumbledovereachotherinthecenterofthecirclewheretheirmothersandfatherssat，andnowandagainaseniorwolfwouldgoquietlyuptoacub，lookathimcarefully，andreturntohisplaceonnoiselessfeet。Sometimesamotherwouldpushhercubfaroutintothemoonlighttobesurethathehadnotbeenoverlooked。
Akelafromhisrockwouldcry："YeknowtheLaw——yeknowtheLaw。Lookwell，OWolves！"Andtheanxiousmotherswouldtakeupthecall："Look——lookwell，OWolves！"
Atlast——andMotherWolf’sneckbristlesliftedasthetimecame——FatherWolfpushed"MowglitheFrog，"astheycalledhim，intothecenter，wherehesatlaughingandplayingwithsomepebblesthatglistenedinthemoonlight。
Akelaneverraisedhisheadfromhispaws，butwentonwiththemonotonouscry："Lookwell！"Amuffledroarcameupfrombehindtherocks——thevoiceofShereKhancrying："Thecubismine。Givehimtome。WhathavetheFreePeopletodowithaman’scub？"Akelanevereventwitchedhisears。Allhesaidwas：
"Lookwell，OWolves！WhathavetheFreePeopletodowiththeordersofanysavetheFreePeople？Lookwell！"
Therewasachorusofdeepgrowls，andayoungwolfinhisfourthyearflungbackShereKhan’squestiontoAkela："WhathavetheFreePeopletodowithaman’scub？"Now，theLawoftheJunglelaysdownthatifthereisanydisputeastotherightofacubtobeacceptedbythePack，hemustbespokenforbyatleasttwomembersofthePackwhoarenothisfatherandmother。
"Whospeaksforthiscub？"saidAkela。"AmongtheFreePeoplewhospeaks？"TherewasnoanswerandMotherWolfgotreadyforwhatsheknewwouldbeherlastfight，ifthingscametofighting。
ThentheonlyothercreaturewhoisallowedatthePackCouncil——Baloo，thesleepybrownbearwhoteachesthewolfcubstheLawoftheJungle：oldBaloo，whocancomeandgowherehepleasesbecauseheeatsonlynutsandrootsandhoney——roseuponhishindquartersandgrunted。
"Theman’scub——theman’scub？"hesaid。"Ispeakfortheman’scub。Thereisnoharminaman’scub。Ihavenogiftofwords，butIspeakthetruth。LethimrunwiththePack，andbeenteredwiththeothers。Imyselfwillteachhim。"
"Weneedyetanother，"saidAkela。"Baloohasspoken，andheisourteacherfortheyoungcubs。WhospeaksbesidesBaloo？"
Ablackshadowdroppeddownintothecircle。ItwasBagheeratheBlackPanther，inkyblackallover，butwiththepanthermarkingsshowingupincertainlightslikethepatternofwateredsilk。EverybodyknewBagheera，andnobodycaredtocrosshispath;forhewasascunningasTabaqui，asboldasthewildbuffalo，andasrecklessasthewoundedelephant。Buthehadavoiceassoftaswildhoneydrippingfromatree，andaskinsofterthandown。
"OAkela，andyetheFreePeople，"hepurred，"Ihavenorightinyourassembly，buttheLawoftheJunglesaysthatifthereisadoubtwhichisnotakillingmatterinregardtoanewcub，thelifeofthatcubmaybeboughtataprice。AndtheLawdoesnotsaywhomayormaynotpaythatprice。AmIright？"
"Good！Good！"saidtheyoungwolves，whoarealwayshungry。
"ListentoBagheera。Thecubcanbeboughtforaprice。ItistheLaw。"
"KnowingthatIhavenorighttospeakhere，Iaskyourleave。"
"Speakthen，"criedtwentyvoices。
"Tokillanakedcubisshame。Besides，hemaymakebettersportforyouwhenheisgrown。Baloohasspokeninhisbehalf。
NowtoBaloo’swordIwilladdonebull，andafatone，newlykilled，nothalfamilefromhere，ifyewillaccepttheman’scubaccordingtotheLaw。Isitdifficult？"
Therewasaclamorofscoresofvoices，saying："Whatmatter？
Hewilldieinthewinterrains。Hewillscorchinthesun。Whatharmcananakedfrogdous？LethimrunwiththePack。Whereisthebull，Bagheera？Lethimbeaccepted。"AndthencameAkela’sdeepbay，crying："Lookwell——lookwell，OWolves！"
Mowgliwasstilldeeplyinterestedinthepebbles，andhedidnotnoticewhenthewolvescameandlookedathimonebyone。Atlasttheyallwentdownthehillforthedeadbull，andonlyAkela，Bagheera，Baloo，andMowgli’sownwolveswereleft。ShereKhanroaredstillinthenight，forhewasveryangrythatMowglihadnotbeenhandedovertohim。
"Ay，roarwell，"saidBagheera，underhiswhiskers，"forthetimewillcomewhenthisnakedthingwillmaketheeroartoanothertune，orIknownothingofman。"
"Itwaswelldone，"saidAkela。"Menandtheircubsareverywise。Hemaybeahelpintime。"
"Truly，ahelpintimeofneed;fornonecanhopetoleadthePackforever，"saidBagheera。
Akelasaidnothing。Hewasthinkingofthetimethatcomestoeveryleaderofeverypackwhenhisstrengthgoesfromhimandhegetsfeeblerandfeebler，tillatlastheiskilledbythewolvesandanewleadercomesup——tobekilledinhisturn。
"Takehimaway，"hesaidtoFatherWolf，"andtrainhimasbefitsoneoftheFreePeople。"
AndthatishowMowgliwasenteredintotheSeeoneeWolfPackforthepriceofabullandonBaloo’sgoodword。
Nowyoumustbecontenttoskiptenorelevenwholeyears，andonlyguessatallthewonderfullifethatMowgliledamongthewolves，becauseifitwerewrittenoutitwouldfilleversomanybooks。Hegrewupwiththecubs，thoughthey，ofcourse，weregrownwolvesalmostbeforehewasachild。AndFatherWolftaughthimhisbusiness，andthemeaningofthingsinthejungle，tilleveryrustleinthegrass，everybreathofthewarmnightair，everynoteoftheowlsabovehishead，everyscratchofabat’sclawsasitroostedforawhileinatree，andeverysplashofeverylittlefishjumpinginapoolmeantjustasmuchtohimastheworkofhisofficemeanstoabusinessman。Whenhewasnotlearninghesatoutinthesunandslept，andateandwenttosleepagain。Whenhefeltdirtyorhotheswamintheforestpools;andwhenhewantedhoney（Balootoldhimthathoneyandnutswerejustaspleasanttoeatasrawmeat）heclimbedupforit，andthatBagheerashowedhimhowtodo。Bagheerawouldlieoutonabranchandcall，"Comealong，LittleBrother，"andatfirstMowgliwouldclinglikethesloth，butafterwardhewouldflinghimselfthroughthebranchesalmostasboldlyasthegrayape。HetookhisplaceattheCouncilRock，too，whenthePackmet，andtherehediscoveredthatifhestaredhardatanywolf，thewolfwouldbeforcedtodrophiseyes，andsoheusedtostareforfun。Atothertimeshewouldpickthelongthornsoutofthepadsofhisfriends，forwolvessufferterriblyfromthornsandbursintheircoats。Hewouldgodownthehillsideintothecultivatedlandsbynight，andlookverycuriouslyatthevillagersintheirhuts，buthehadamistrustofmenbecauseBagheerashowedhimasquareboxwithadropgatesocunninglyhiddeninthejunglethathenearlywalkedintoit，andtoldhimthatitwasatrap。HelovedbetterthananythingelsetogowithBagheeraintothedarkwarmheartoftheforest，tosleepallthroughthedrowsyday，andatnightseehowBagheeradidhiskilling。Bagheerakilledrightandleftashefelthungry，andsodidMowgli——withoneexception。Assoonashewasoldenoughtounderstandthings，BagheeratoldhimthathemustnevertouchcattlebecausehehadbeenboughtintothePackatthepriceofabull’slife。"Allthejungleisthine，"saidBagheera，"andthoucanstkilleverythingthatthouartstrongenoughtokill;butforthesakeofthebullthatboughttheethoumustneverkilloreatanycattleyoungorold。ThatistheLawoftheJungle。"Mowgliobeyedfaithfully。
Andhegrewandgrewstrongasaboymustgrowwhodoesnotknowthatheislearninganylessons，andwhohasnothingintheworldtothinkofexceptthingstoeat。
MotherWolftoldhimonceortwicethatShereKhanwasnotacreaturetobetrusted，andthatsomedayhemustkillShereKhan。
Butthoughayoungwolfwouldhaverememberedthatadviceeveryhour，Mowgliforgotitbecausehewasonlyaboy——thoughhewouldhavecalledhimselfawolfifhehadbeenabletospeakinanyhumantongue。
ShereKhanwasalwayscrossinghispathinthejungle，forasAkelagrewolderandfeeblerthelametigerhadcometobegreatfriendswiththeyoungerwolvesofthePack，whofollowedhimforscraps，athingAkelawouldneverhaveallowedifhehaddaredtopushhisauthoritytotheproperbounds。ThenShereKhanwouldflatterthemandwonderthatsuchfineyounghunterswerecontenttobeledbyadyingwolfandaman’scub。"Theytellme，"ShereKhanwouldsay，"thatatCouncilyedarenotlookhimbetweentheeyes。"Andtheyoungwolveswouldgrowlandbristle。
Bagheera，whohadeyesandearseverywhere，knewsomethingofthis，andonceortwicehetoldMowgliinsomanywordsthatShereKhanwouldkillhimsomeday。Mowgliwouldlaughandanswer："I
havethePackandIhavethee;andBaloo，thoughheissolazy，mightstrikeablowortwoformysake。WhyshouldIbeafraid？"
ItwasoneverywarmdaythatanewnotioncametoBagheera——
bornofsomethingthathehadheard。PerhapsIkkithePorcupinehadtoldhim;buthesaidtoMowgliwhentheyweredeepinthejungle，astheboylaywithhisheadonBagheera’sbeautifulblackskin，"LittleBrother，howoftenhaveItoldtheethatShereKhanisthyenemy？"
"Asmanytimesastherearenutsonthatpalm，"saidMowgli，who，naturally，couldnotcount。"Whatofit？Iamsleepy，Bagheera，andShereKhanisalllongtailandloudtalk——likeMao，thePeacock。"
"Butthisisnotimeforsleeping。Balooknowsit;Iknowit;
thePackknowit;andeventhefoolish，foolishdeerknow。
Tabaquihastoldtheetoo。"
"Ho！ho！"saidMowgli。"TabaquicametomenotlongagowithsomerudetalkthatIwasanakedman’scubandnotfittodigpig—nuts。ButIcaughtTabaquibythetailandswunghimtwiceagainstapalm—treetoteachhimbettermanners。"
"Thatwasfoolishness，forthoughTabaquiisamischief—maker，hewouldhavetoldtheeofsomethingthatconcernedtheeclosely。
Openthoseeyes，LittleBrother。ShereKhandarenotkilltheeinthejungle。Butremember，Akelaisveryold，andsoonthedaycomeswhenhecannotkillhisbuck，andthenhewillbeleadernomore。ManyofthewolvesthatlookedtheeoverwhenthouwastbroughttotheCouncilfirstareoldtoo，andtheyoungwolvesbelieve，asShereKhanhastaughtthem，thataman—cubhasnoplacewiththePack。Inalittletimethouwiltbeaman。"
"Andwhatisamanthatheshouldnotrunwithhisbrothers？"
saidMowgli。"Iwasborninthejungle。IhaveobeyedtheLawoftheJungle，andthereisnowolfofoursfromwhosepawsIhavenotpulledathorn。Surelytheyaremybrothers！"
Bagheerastretchedhimselfatfulllengthandhalfshuthiseyes。"LittleBrother，"saidhe，"feelundermyjaw。"
Mowgliputuphisstrongbrownhand，andjustunderBagheera’ssilkychin，wherethegiantrollingmuscleswereallhidbytheglossyhair，hecameuponalittlebaldspot。
"ThereisnooneinthejunglethatknowsthatI，Bagheera，carrythatmark——themarkofthecollar;andyet，LittleBrother，Iwasbornamongmen，anditwasamongmenthatmymotherdied——inthecagesoftheking’spalaceatOodeypore。ItwasbecauseofthisthatIpaidthepricefortheeattheCouncilwhenthouwastalittlenakedcub。Yes，Itoowasbornamongmen。I
hadneverseenthejungle。TheyfedmebehindbarsfromanironpantillonenightIfeltthatIwasBagheera——thePanther——
andnoman’splaything，andIbrokethesillylockwithoneblowofmypawandcameaway。AndbecauseIhadlearnedthewaysofmen，IbecamemoreterribleinthejunglethanShereKhan。Isitnotso？"
"Yes，"saidMowgli，"allthejunglefearBagheera——allexceptMowgli。"
"Oh，thouartaman’scub，"saidtheBlackPantherverytenderly。"AndevenasIreturnedtomyjungle，sothoumustgobacktomenatlast——tothemenwhoarethybrothers——ifthouartnotkilledintheCouncil。"
"Butwhy——butwhyshouldanywishtokillme？"saidMowgli。
"Lookatme，"saidBagheera。AndMowglilookedathimsteadilybetweentheeyes。Thebigpantherturnedhisheadawayinhalfaminute。
"Thatiswhy，"hesaid，shiftinghispawontheleaves。"NotevenIcanlooktheebetweentheeyes，andIwasbornamongmen，andIlovethee，LittleBrother。Theotherstheyhatetheebecausetheireyescannotmeetthine;becausethouartwise;
becausethouhastpulledoutthornsfromtheirfeet——becausethouartaman。"
"Ididnotknowthesethings，"saidMowglisullenly，andhefrownedunderhisheavyblackeyebrows。
"WhatistheLawoftheJungle？Strikefirstandthengivetongue。Bythyverycarelessnesstheyknowthatthouartaman。
Butbewise。ItisinmyheartthatwhenAkelamisseshisnextkill——andateachhuntitcostshimmoretopinthebuck——thePackwillturnagainsthimandagainstthee。TheywillholdajungleCouncilattheRock，andthen——andthen——Ihaveit！"
saidBagheera，leapingup。"Gothoudownquicklytothemen’shutsinthevalley，andtakesomeoftheRedFlowerwhichtheygrowthere，sothatwhenthetimecomesthoumayesthaveevenastrongerfriendthanIorBalooorthoseofthePackthatlovethee。GettheRedFlower。"
ByRedFlowerBagheerameantfire，onlynocreatureinthejunglewillcallfirebyitspropername。Everybeastlivesindeadlyfearofit，andinventsahundredwaysofdescribingit。
"TheRedFlower？"saidMowgli。"Thatgrowsoutsidetheirhutsinthetwilight。Iwillgetsome。"
"Therespeakstheman’scub，"saidBagheeraproudly。
"Rememberthatitgrowsinlittlepots。Getoneswiftly，andkeepitbytheefortimeofneed。"
"Good！"saidMowgli。"Igo。Butartthousure，OmyBagheera"——heslippedhisarmaroundthesplendidneckandlookeddeepintothebigeyes——"artthousurethatallthisisShereKhan’sdoing？"
"BytheBrokenLockthatfreedme，Iamsure，LittleBrother。"
"Then，bytheBullthatboughtme，IwillpayShereKhanfulltaleforthis，anditmaybealittleover，"saidMowgli，andheboundedaway。
"Thatisaman。Thatisallaman，"saidBagheeratohimself，lyingdownagain。"Oh，ShereKhan，neverwasablackerhuntingthanthatfrog—huntofthinetenyearsago！"
Mowgliwasfarandfarthroughtheforest，runninghard，andhisheartwashotinhim。Hecametothecaveastheeveningmistrose，anddrewbreath，andlookeddownthevalley。Thecubswereout，butMotherWolf，atthebackofthecave，knewbyhisbreathingthatsomethingwastroublingherfrog。
"Whatisit，Son？"shesaid。
"Somebat’schatterofShereKhan，"hecalledback。"Ihuntamongtheplowedfieldstonight，"andheplungeddownwardthroughthebushes，tothestreamatthebottomofthevalley。Therehechecked，forheheardtheyellofthePackhunting，heardthebellowofahuntedSambhur，andthesnortasthebuckturnedatbay。Thentherewerewicked，bitterhowlsfromtheyoungwolves：
"Akela！Akela！LettheLoneWolfshowhisstrength。RoomfortheleaderofthePack！Spring，Akela！"
TheLoneWolfmusthavesprungandmissedhishold，forMowgliheardthesnapofhisteethandthenayelpastheSambhurknockedhimoverwithhisforefoot。
Hedidnotwaitforanythingmore，butdashedon;andtheyellsgrewfainterbehindhimasheranintothecroplandswherethevillagerslived。
"Bagheeraspoketruth，"hepanted，ashenestleddowninsomecattlefodderbythewindowofahut。"To—morrowisonedaybothforAkelaandforme。"
Thenhepressedhisfaceclosetothewindowandwatchedthefireonthehearth。Hesawthehusbandman’swifegetupandfeeditinthenightwithblacklumps。Andwhenthemorningcameandthemistswereallwhiteandcold，hesawtheman’schildpickupawickerpotplasteredinsidewithearth，fillitwithlumpsofred—hotcharcoal，putitunderhisblanket，andgoouttotendthecowsinthebyre。
"Isthatall？"saidMowgli。"Ifacubcandoit，thereisnothingtofear。"Sohestroderoundthecornerandmettheboy，tookthepotfromhishand，anddisappearedintothemistwhiletheboyhowledwithfear。
"Theyareverylikeme，"saidMowgli，blowingintothepotashehadseenthewomando。"ThisthingwilldieifIdonotgiveitthingstoeat";andhedroppedtwigsanddriedbarkontheredstuff。HalfwayupthehillhemetBagheerawiththemorningdewshininglikemoonstonesonhiscoat。
"Akelahasmissed，"saidthePanther。"Theywouldhavekilledhimlastnight，buttheyneededtheealso。Theywerelookingfortheeonthehill。"
"Iwasamongtheplowedlands。Iamready。See！"Mowgliheldupthefire—pot。
"Good！Now，Ihaveseenmenthrustadrybranchintothatstuff，andpresentlytheRedFlowerblossomedattheendofit。
Artthounotafraid？"
"No。WhyshouldIfear？Iremembernow——ifitisnotadream——how，beforeIwasaWolf，IlaybesidetheRedFlower，anditwaswarmandpleasant。"
AllthatdayMowglisatinthecavetendinghisfirepotanddippingdrybranchesintoittoseehowtheylooked。Hefoundabranchthatsatisfiedhim，andintheeveningwhenTabaquicametothecaveandtoldhimrudelyenoughthathewaswantedattheCouncilRock，helaughedtillTabaquiranaway。ThenMowgliwenttotheCouncil，stilllaughing。
AkelatheLoneWolflaybythesideofhisrockasasignthattheleadershipofthePackwasopen，andShereKhanwithhisfollowingofscrap—fedwolveswalkedtoandfroopenlybeingflattered。BagheeralayclosetoMowgli，andthefirepotwasbetweenMowgli’sknees。Whentheywereallgatheredtogether，ShereKhanbegantospeak——athinghewouldneverhavedaredtodowhenAkelawasinhisprime。
"Hehasnoright，"whisperedBagheera。"Sayso。Heisadog’sson。Hewillbefrightened。"
Mowglisprangtohisfeet。"FreePeople，"hecried，"doesShereKhanleadthePack？Whathasatigertodowithourleadership？"
"Seeingthattheleadershipisyetopen，andbeingaskedtospeak——"ShereKhanbegan。
"Bywhom？"saidMowgli。"Arewealljackals，tofawnonthiscattlebutcher？TheleadershipofthePackiswiththePackalone。"
Therewereyellsof"Silence，thouman’scub！""Lethimspeak。HehaskeptourLaw";andatlasttheseniorsofthePackthundered："LettheDeadWolfspeak。"WhenaleaderofthePackhasmissedhiskill，heiscalledtheDeadWolfaslongashelives，whichisnotlong。
Akelaraisedhisoldheadwearily：——
"FreePeople，andyetoo，jackalsofShereKhan，fortwelveseasonsIhaveledyetoandfromthekill，andinallthattimenotonehasbeentrappedormaimed。NowIhavemissedmykill。
Yeknowhowthatplotwasmade。Yeknowhowyebroughtmeuptoanuntriedbucktomakemyweaknessknown。Itwascleverlydone。
YourrightistokillmehereontheCouncilRock，now。
Therefore，Iask，whocomestomakeanendoftheLoneWolf？Foritismyright，bytheLawoftheJungle，thatyecomeonebyone。"
Therewasalonghush，fornosinglewolfcaredtofightAkelatothedeath。ThenShereKhanroared："Bah！Whathavewetodowiththistoothlessfool？Heisdoomedtodie！Itistheman—cubwhohaslivedtoolong。FreePeople，hewasmymeatfromthefirst。Givehimtome。Iamwearyofthisman—wolffolly。Hehastroubledthejunglefortenseasons。Givemetheman—cub，orIwillhuntherealways，andnotgiveyouonebone。Heisaman，aman’schild，andfromthemarrowofmybonesIhatehim！"
ThenmorethanhalfthePackyelled："Aman！Aman！Whathasamantodowithus？Lethimgotohisownplace。"
"Andturnallthepeopleofthevillagesagainstus？"clamoredShereKhan。"No，givehimtome。Heisaman，andnoneofuscanlookhimbetweentheeyes。"
Akelaliftedhisheadagainandsaid，"Hehaseatenourfood。
Hehassleptwithus。Hehasdrivengameforus。HehasbrokennowordoftheLawoftheJungle。"
"Also，Ipaidforhimwithabullwhenhewasaccepted。Theworthofabullislittle，butBagheera’shonorissomethingthathewillperhapsfightfor，"saidBagheerainhisgentlestvoice。
"Abullpaidtenyearsago！"thePacksnarled。"Whatdowecareforbonestenyearsold？"
"Orforapledge？"saidBagheera，hiswhiteteethbaredunderhislip。"WellareyecalledtheFreePeople！"
"Noman’scubcanrunwiththepeopleofthejungle，"howledShereKhan。"Givehimtome！"
"Heisourbrotherinallbutblood，"Akelawenton，"andyewouldkillhimhere！Intruth，Ihavelivedtoolong。Someofyeareeatersofcattle，andofothersIhaveheardthat，underShereKhan’steaching，yegobydarknightandsnatchchildrenfromthevillager’sdoorstep。ThereforeIknowyetobecowards，anditistocowardsIspeak。ItiscertainthatImustdie，andmylifeisofnoworth，orIwouldofferthatintheman—cub’splace。ButforthesakeoftheHonorofthePack，——alittlematterthatbybeingwithoutaleaderyehaveforgotten，——Ipromisethatifyelettheman—cubgotohisownplace，Iwillnot，whenmytimecomestodie，bareonetoothagainstye。Iwilldiewithoutfighting。ThatwillatleastsavethePackthreelives。MoreI
cannotdo;butifyewill，Icansaveyetheshamethatcomesofkillingabrotheragainstwhomthereisnofault——abrotherspokenforandboughtintothePackaccordingtotheLawoftheJungle。"
"Heisaman——aman——aman！"snarledthePack。AndmostofthewolvesbegantogatherroundShereKhan，whosetailwasbeginningtoswitch。
"Nowthebusinessisinthyhands，"saidBagheeratoMowgli。
"Wecandonomoreexceptfight。"
Mowglistoodupright——thefirepotinhishands。Thenhestretchedouthisarms，andyawnedinthefaceoftheCouncil;buthewasfuriouswithrageandsorrow，for，wolflike，thewolveshadnevertoldhimhowtheyhatedhim。"Listenyou！"hecried。
"Thereisnoneedforthisdog’sjabber。YehavetoldmesooftentonightthatIamaman（andindeedIwouldhavebeenawolfwithyoutomylife’send）thatIfeelyourwordsaretrue。SoIdonotcallyemybrothersanymore，butsag[dogs]，asamanshould。
Whatyewilldo，andwhatyewillnotdo，isnotyourstosay。
Thatmatteriswithme;andthatwemayseethemattermoreplainly，I，theman，havebroughtherealittleoftheRedFlowerwhichye，dogs，fear。"
Heflungthefirepotontheground，andsomeoftheredcoalslitatuftofdriedmossthatflaredup，asalltheCouncildrewbackinterrorbeforetheleapingflames。
Mowglithrusthisdeadbranchintothefiretillthetwigslitandcrackled，andwhirleditabovehisheadamongthecoweringwolves。
"Thouartthemaster，"saidBagheerainanundertone。"SaveAkelafromthedeath。Hewaseverthyfriend。"
Akela，thegrimoldwolfwhohadneveraskedformercyinhislife，gaveonepiteouslookatMowgliastheboystoodallnaked，hislongblackhairtossingoverhisshouldersinthelightoftheblazingbranchthatmadetheshadowsjumpandquiver。
"Good！"saidMowgli，staringroundslowly。"Iseethatyearedogs。Igofromyoutomyownpeople——iftheybemyownpeople。
Thejungleisshuttome，andImustforgetyourtalkandyourcompanionship。ButIwillbemoremercifulthanyeare。BecauseIwasallbutyourbrotherinblood，IpromisethatwhenIamamanamongmenIwillnotbetrayyetomenasyehavebetrayedme。"
Hekickedthefirewithhisfoot，andthesparksflewup。"ThereshallbenowarbetweenanyofusinthePack。ButhereisadebttopaybeforeIgo。"HestrodeforwardtowhereShereKhansatblinkingstupidlyattheflames，andcaughthimbythetuftonhischin。Bagheerafollowedincaseofaccidents。"Up，dog！"Mowglicried。"Up，whenamanspeaks，orIwillsetthatcoatablaze！"
ShereKhan’searslayflatbackonhishead，andheshuthiseyes，fortheblazingbranchwasverynear。
"Thiscattle—killersaidhewouldkillmeintheCouncilbecausehehadnotkilledmewhenIwasacub。Thusandthus，then，dowebeatdogswhenwearemen。Stirawhisker，Lungri，andIramtheRedFlowerdownthygullet！"HebeatShereKhanovertheheadwiththebranch，andthetigerwhimperedandwhinedinanagonyoffear。
"Pah！Singedjunglecat——gonow！ButrememberwhennextI
cometotheCouncilRock，asamanshouldcome，itwillbewithShereKhan’shideonmyhead。Fortherest，Akelagoesfreetoliveashepleases。Yewillnotkillhim，becausethatisnotmywill。NordoIthinkthatyewillsithereanylonger，lollingoutyourtonguesasthoughyeweresomebodies，insteadofdogswhomIdriveout——thus！Go！"Thefirewasburningfuriouslyattheendofthebranch，andMowglistruckrightandleftroundthecircle，andthewolvesranhowlingwiththesparksburningtheirfur。AtlasttherewereonlyAkela，Bagheera，andperhapstenwolvesthathadtakenMowgli’spart。ThensomethingbegantohurtMowgliinsidehim，ashehadneverbeenhurtinhislifebefore，andhecaughthisbreathandsobbed，andthetearsrandownhisface。
"Whatisit？Whatisit？"hesaid。"Idonotwishtoleavethejungle，andIdonotknowwhatthisis。AmIdying，Bagheera？"
"No，LittleBrother。Thatisonlytearssuchasmenuse，"
saidBagheera。"NowIknowthouartaman，andaman’scubnolonger。Thejungleisshutindeedtotheehenceforward。Letthemfall，Mowgli。Theyareonlytears。"SoMowglisatandcriedasthoughhisheartwouldbreak;andhehadnevercriedinallhislifebefore。
"Now，"hesaid，"Iwillgotomen。ButfirstImustsayfarewelltomymother。"AndhewenttothecavewhereshelivedwithFatherWolf，andhecriedonhercoat，whilethefourcubshowledmiserably。
"Yewillnotforgetme？"saidMowgli。
"Neverwhilewecanfollowatrail，"saidthecubs。"Cometothefootofthehillwhenthouartaman，andwewilltalktothee;andwewillcomeintothecroplandstoplaywiththeebynight。"
"Comesoon！"saidFatherWolf。"Oh，wiselittlefrog，comeagainsoon;forwebeold，thymotherandI。"
"Comesoon，"saidMotherWolf，"littlenakedsonofmine。
For，listen，childofman，IlovedtheemorethaneverIlovedmycubs。"
"Iwillsurelycome，"saidMowgli。"AndwhenIcomeitwillbetolayoutShereKhan’shideupontheCouncilRock。Donotforgetme！Telltheminthejunglenevertoforgetme！"
ThedawnwasbeginningtobreakwhenMowgliwentdownthehillsidealone，tomeetthosemysteriousthingsthatarecalledmen。
Hunting—SongoftheSeeoneePackAsthedawnwasbreakingtheSambhurbelledOnce，twiceandagain！
Andadoeleapedup，andadoeleapedupFromthepondinthewoodwherethewilddeersup。
ThisI，scoutingalone，beheld，Once，twiceandagain！
AsthedawnwasbreakingtheSambhurbelledOnce，twiceandagain！
Andawolfstoleback，andawolfstolebackTocarrythewordtothewaitingpack，AndwesoughtandwefoundandwebayedonhistrackOnce，twiceandagain！
AsthedawnwasbreakingtheWolfPackyelledOnce，twiceandagain！
Feetinthejunglethatleavenomark！
Eyesthatcanseeinthedark——thedark！
Tongue——givetonguetoit！Hark！Ohark！
Once，twiceandagain！
Kaa’sHuntingHisspotsarethejoyoftheLeopard：hishornsaretheBuffalo’spride。
Beclean，forthestrengthofthehunterisknownbytheglossofhishide。
IfyefindthattheBullockcantossyou，ortheheavy—browedSambhurcangore;
Yeneednotstopworktoinformus：weknewittenseasonsbefore。
Oppressnotthecubsofthestranger，buthailthemasSisterandBrother，Forthoughtheyarelittleandfubsy，itmaybetheBearistheirmother。
"Thereisnoneliketome！"saystheCubintheprideofhisearliestkill;
ButthejungleislargeandtheCubheissmall。Lethimthinkandbestill。
MaximsofBalooAllthatistoldherehappenedsometimebeforeMowgliwasturnedoutoftheSeeoneeWolfPack，orrevengedhimselfonShereKhanthetiger。ItwasinthedayswhenBaloowasteachinghimtheLawoftheJungle。Thebig，serious，oldbrownbearwasdelightedtohavesoquickapupil，fortheyoungwolveswillonlylearnasmuchoftheLawoftheJungleasappliestotheirownpackandtribe，andrunawayassoonastheycanrepeattheHuntingVerse——"Feetthatmakenonoise;eyesthatcanseeinthedark;earsthatcanhearthewindsintheirlairs，andsharpwhiteteeth，allthesethingsarethemarksofourbrothersexceptTabaquitheJackalandtheHyaenawhomwehate。"ButMowgli，asaman—cub，hadtolearnagreatdealmorethanthis。SometimesBagheeratheBlackPantherwouldcomeloungingthroughthejungletoseehowhispetwasgettingon，andwouldpurrwithhisheadagainstatreewhileMowglirecitedtheday’slessontoBaloo。Theboycouldclimbalmostaswellashecouldswim，andswimalmostaswellashecouldrun。SoBaloo，theTeacheroftheLaw，taughthimtheWoodandWaterLaws：howtotellarottenbranchfromasoundone;howtospeakpolitelytothewildbeeswhenhecameuponahiveofthemfiftyfeetaboveground;whattosaytoMangtheBatwhenhedisturbedhiminthebranchesatmidday;andhowtowarnthewater—snakesinthepoolsbeforehesplasheddownamongthem。NoneoftheJunglePeoplelikebeingdisturbed，andallareveryreadytoflyatanintruder。Then，too，MowgliwastaughttheStrangers’HuntingCall，whichmustberepeatedaloudtillitisanswered，wheneveroneoftheJungle—Peoplehuntsoutsidehisowngrounds。Itmeans，translated，"GivemeleavetohuntherebecauseIamhungry。"Andtheansweris，"Huntthenforfood，butnotforpleasure。"
AllthiswillshowyouhowmuchMowglihadtolearnbyheart，andhegrewverytiredofsayingthesamethingoverahundredtimes。But，asBaloosaidtoBagheera，onedaywhenMowglihadbeencuffedandrunoffinatemper，"Aman’scubisaman’scub，andhemustlearnalltheLawoftheJungle。"
"Butthinkhowsmallheis，"saidtheBlackPanther，whowouldhavespoiledMowgliifhehadhadhisownway。"Howcanhislittleheadcarryallthylongtalk？"
"Isthereanythinginthejungletoolittletobekilled？No。
ThatiswhyIteachhimthesethings，andthatiswhyIhithim，verysoftly，whenheforgets。"
"Softly！Whatdostthouknowofsoftness，oldIron—feet？"
Bagheeragrunted。"Hisfaceisallbruisedtodaybythy——
softness。Ugh。"
"Betterheshouldbebruisedfromheadtofootbymewholovehimthanthatheshouldcometoharmthroughignorance，"Balooansweredveryearnestly。"IamnowteachinghimtheMasterWordsoftheJunglethatshallprotecthimwiththebirdsandtheSnakePeople，andallthathuntonfourfeet，excepthisownpack。Hecannowclaimprotection，ifhewillonlyrememberthewords，fromallinthejungle。Isnotthatworthalittlebeating？"
"Well，looktoitthenthatthoudostnotkilltheman—cub。
Heisnotreetrunktosharpenthybluntclawsupon。ButwhatarethoseMasterWords？Iammorelikelytogivehelpthantoaskit"
——Bagheerastretchedoutonepawandadmiredthesteel—blue，ripping—chiseltalonsattheendofit——"stillIshouldliketoknow。"
"IwillcallMowgliandheshallsaythem——ifhewill。
Come，LittleBrother！"
"Myheadisringinglikeabeetree，"saidasullenlittlevoiceovertheirheads，andMowglisliddownatreetrunkveryangryandindignant，addingashereachedtheground："IcomeforBagheeraandnotforthee，fatoldBaloo！"
"Thatisallonetome，"saidBaloo，thoughhewashurtandgrieved。"TellBagheera，then，theMasterWordsoftheJunglethatIhavetaughttheethisday。"
"MasterWordsforwhichpeople？"saidMowgli，delightedtoshowoff。"Thejunglehasmanytongues。Iknowthemall。"
"Alittlethouknowest，butnotmuch。See，OBagheera，theyneverthanktheirteacher。NotonesmallwolflinghasevercomebacktothankoldBalooforhisteachings。SaythewordfortheHunting—People，then——greatscholar。"
"Webeofoneblood，yeandI，"saidMowgli，givingthewordstheBearaccentwhichalltheHuntingPeopleuse。
"Good。Nowforthebirds。"
Mowglirepeated，withtheKite’swhistleattheendofthesentence。
"NowfortheSnake—People，"saidBagheera。
Theanswerwasaperfectlyindescribablehiss，andMowglikickeduphisfeetbehind，clappedhishandstogethertoapplaudhimself，andjumpedontoBagheera’sback，wherehesatsideways，drummingwithhisheelsontheglossyskinandmakingtheworstfaceshecouldthinkofatBaloo。
"There——there！Thatwasworthalittlebruise，"saidthebrownbeartenderly。"Somedaythouwiltrememberme。"ThenheturnedasidetotellBagheerahowhehadbeggedtheMasterWordsfromHathitheWildElephant，whoknowsallaboutthesethings，andhowHathihadtakenMowglidowntoapooltogettheSnakeWordfromawater—snake，becauseBaloocouldnotpronounceit，andhowMowgliwasnowreasonablysafeagainstallaccidentsinthejungle，becauseneithersnake，bird，norbeastwouldhurthim。
"Noonethenistobefeared，"Baloowoundup，pattinghisbigfurrystomachwithpride。
"Excepthisowntribe，"saidBagheera，underhisbreath;andthenaloudtoMowgli，"Haveacareformyribs，LittleBrother！
Whatisallthisdancingupanddown？"
MowglihadbeentryingtomakehimselfheardbypullingatBagheera’sshoulderfurandkickinghard。Whenthetwolistenedtohimhewasshoutingatthetopofhisvoice，"AndsoIshallhaveatribeofmyown，andleadthemthroughthebranchesalldaylong。"
"Whatisthisnewfolly，littledreamerofdreams？"saidBagheera。
"Yes，andthrowbranchesanddirtatoldBaloo，"Mowgliwenton。"Theyhavepromisedmethis。Ah！"
"Whoof！"Baloo’sbigpawscoopedMowglioffBagheera’sback，andastheboylaybetweenthebigfore—pawshecouldseetheBearwasangry。
"Mowgli，"saidBaloo，"thouhastbeentalkingwiththeBandar—log——theMonkeyPeople。"
MowglilookedatBagheeratoseeifthePantherwasangrytoo，andBagheera’seyeswereashardasjadestones。
"ThouhastbeenwiththeMonkeyPeople——thegrayapes——thepeoplewithoutalaw——theeatersofeverything。Thatisgreatshame。"
"WhenBaloohurtmyhead，"saidMowgli（hewasstillonhisback），"Iwentaway，andthegrayapescamedownfromthetreesandhadpityonme。Nooneelsecared。"Hesnuffledalittle。
"ThepityoftheMonkeyPeople！"Baloosnorted。"Thestillnessofthemountainstream！Thecoolofthesummersun！
Andthen，man—cub？"
"Andthen，andthen，theygavemenutsandpleasantthingstoeat，andthey——theycarriedmeintheirarmsuptothetopofthetreesandsaidIwastheirbloodbrotherexceptthatIhadnotail，andshouldbetheirleadersomeday。"
"Theyhavenoleader，"saidBagheera。"Theylie。Theyhavealwayslied。"
"Theywereverykindandbademecomeagain。WhyhaveIneverbeentakenamongtheMonkeyPeople？TheystandontheirfeetasI
do。Theydonothitmewiththeirhardpaws。Theyplayallday。
Letmegetup！BadBaloo，letmeup！Iwillplaywiththemagain。"
"Listen，man—cub，"saidtheBear，andhisvoicerumbledlikethunderonahotnight。"IhavetaughttheealltheLawoftheJungleforallthepeoplesofthejungle——excepttheMonkey—Folkwholiveinthetrees。Theyhavenolaw。Theyareoutcasts。
Theyhavenospeechoftheirown，butusethestolenwordswhichtheyoverhearwhentheylisten，andpeep，andwaitupaboveinthebranches。Theirwayisnotourway。Theyarewithoutleaders。Theyhavenoremembrance。Theyboastandchatterandpretendthattheyareagreatpeopleabouttodogreataffairsinthejungle，butthefallingofanutturnstheirmindstolaughterandallisforgotten。Weofthejunglehavenodealingswiththem。Wedonotdrinkwherethemonkeysdrink;wedonotgowherethemonkeysgo;wedonothuntwheretheyhunt;wedonotdiewheretheydie。HastthoueverheardmespeakoftheBandar—logtilltoday？"
"No，"saidMowgliinawhisper，fortheforestwasverystillnowBaloohadfinished。
"TheJungle—Peopleputthemoutoftheirmouthsandoutoftheirminds。Theyareverymany，evil，dirty，shameless，andtheydesire，iftheyhaveanyfixeddesire，tobenoticedbytheJunglePeople。Butwedonotnoticethemevenwhentheythrownutsandfilthonourheads。"
Hehadhardlyspokenwhenashowerofnutsandtwigsspattereddownthroughthebranches;andtheycouldhearcoughingsandhowlingsandangryjumpingshighupintheairamongthethinbranches。
"TheMonkey—Peopleareforbidden，"saidBaloo，"forbiddentotheJungle—People。Remember。"
"Forbidden，"saidBagheera，"butIstillthinkBalooshouldhavewarnedtheeagainstthem。"
"I——I？HowwasItoguesshewouldplaywithsuchdirt。
TheMonkeyPeople！Faugh！"
Afreshshowercamedownontheirheadsandthetwotrottedaway，takingMowgliwiththem。WhatBaloohadsaidaboutthemonkeyswasperfectlytrue。Theybelongedtothetree—tops，andasbeastsveryseldomlookup，therewasnooccasionforthemonkeysandtheJungle—Peopletocrosseachother’spath。Butwhenevertheyfoundasickwolf，orawoundedtiger，orbear，themonkeyswouldtormenthim，andwouldthrowsticksandnutsatanybeastforfunandinthehopeofbeingnoticed。Thentheywouldhowlandshrieksenselesssongs，andinvitetheJungle—Peopletoclimbuptheirtreesandfightthem，orwouldstartfuriousbattlesovernothingamongthemselves，andleavethedeadmonkeyswheretheJungle—Peoplecouldseethem。Theywerealwaysjustgoingtohavealeader，andlawsandcustomsoftheirown，buttheyneverdid，becausetheirmemorieswouldnotholdoverfromdaytoday，andsotheycompromisedthingsbymakingupasaying，"WhattheBandar—logthinknowthejunglewillthinklater，"andthatcomfortedthemagreatdeal。Noneofthebeastscouldreachthem，butontheotherhandnoneofthebeastswouldnoticethem，andthatwaswhytheyweresopleasedwhenMowglicametoplaywiththem，andtheyheardhowangryBaloowas。
Theynevermeanttodoanymore——theBandar—lognevermeananythingatall;butoneoftheminventedwhatseemedtohimabrilliantidea，andhetoldalltheothersthatMowgliwouldbeausefulpersontokeepinthetribe，becausehecouldweavestickstogetherforprotectionfromthewind;so，iftheycaughthim，theycouldmakehimteachthem。OfcourseMowgli，asawoodcutter’schild，inheritedallsortsofinstincts，andusedtomakelittlehutsoffallenbrancheswithoutthinkinghowhecametodoit。TheMonkey—People，watchinginthetrees，consideredhisplaymostwonderful。Thistime，theysaid，theywerereallygoingtohavealeaderandbecomethewisestpeopleinthejungle——sowisethateveryoneelsewouldnoticeandenvythem。
ThereforetheyfollowedBalooandBagheeraandMowglithroughthejungleveryquietlytillitwastimeforthemiddaynap，andMowgli，whowasverymuchashamedofhimself，sleptbetweenthePantherandtheBear，resolvingtohavenomoretodowiththeMonkeyPeople。
Thenextthingherememberedwasfeelinghandsonhislegsandarms——hard，strong，littlehands——andthenaswashofbranchesinhisface，andthenhewasstaringdownthroughtheswayingboughsasBaloowokethejunglewithhisdeepcriesandBagheeraboundedupthetrunkwitheverytoothbared。TheBandar—loghowledwithtriumphandscuffledawaytotheupperbrancheswhereBagheeradarednotfollow，shouting："Hehasnoticedus！Bagheerahasnoticedus。AlltheJungle—Peopleadmireusforourskillandourcunning。"Thentheybegantheirflight;andtheflightoftheMonkey—Peoplethroughtree—landisoneofthethingsnobodycandescribe。Theyhavetheirregularroadsandcrossroads，uphillsanddownhills，alllaidoutfromfiftytoseventyorahundredfeetaboveground，andbythesetheycantravelevenatnightifnecessary。TwoofthestrongestmonkeyscaughtMowgliunderthearmsandswungoffwithhimthroughthetreetops，twentyfeetatabound。Hadtheybeenalonetheycouldhavegonetwiceasfast，buttheboy’sweightheldthemback。SickandgiddyasMowgliwashecouldnothelpenjoyingthewildrush，thoughtheglimpsesofearthfardownbelowfrightenedhim，andtheterriblecheckandjerkattheendoftheswingovernothingbutemptyairbroughthisheartbetweenhisteeth。Hisescortwouldrushhimupatreetillhefeltthethinnesttopmostbranchescrackleandbendunderthem，andthenwithacoughandawhoopwouldflingthemselvesintotheairoutwardanddownward，andbringup，hangingbytheirhandsortheirfeettothelowerlimbsofthenexttree。
Sometimeshecouldseeformilesandmilesacrossthestillgreenjungle，asamanonthetopofamastcanseeformilesacrossthesea，andthenthebranchesandleaveswouldlashhimacrosstheface，andheandhistwoguardswouldbealmostdowntoearthagain。So，boundingandcrashingandwhoopingandyelling，thewholetribeofBandar—logsweptalongthetree—roadswithMowglitheirprisoner。
Foratimehewasafraidofbeingdropped。Thenhegrewangrybutknewbetterthantostruggle，andthenhebegantothink。ThefirstthingwastosendbackwordtoBalooandBagheera，for，atthepacethemonkeysweregoing，heknewhisfriendswouldbeleftfarbehind。Itwasuselesstolookdown，forhecouldonlyseethetopsidesofthebranches，sohestaredupwardandsaw，farawayintheblue，RanntheKitebalancingandwheelingashekeptwatchoverthejunglewaitingforthingstodie。Rannsawthatthemonkeyswerecarryingsomething，anddroppedafewhundredyardstofindoutwhethertheirloadwasgoodtoeat。HewhistledwithsurprisewhenhesawMowglibeingdraggeduptoatreetopandheardhimgivetheKitecallfor——"Webeofoneblood，thouandI。"Thewavesofthebranchesclosedovertheboy，butChilbalancedawaytothenexttreeintimetoseethelittlebrownfacecomeupagain。"Markmytrail！"Mowglishouted。"TellBaloooftheSeeoneePackandBagheeraoftheCouncilRock。"
"Inwhosename，Brother？"RannhadneverseenMowglibefore，thoughofcoursehehadheardofhim。
"Mowgli，theFrog。Man—cubtheycallme！Markmytra—il！"
Thelastwordswereshriekedashewasbeingswungthroughtheair，butRannnoddedandroseuptillhelookednobiggerthanaspeckofdust，andtherehehung，watchingwithhistelescopeeyestheswayingofthetreetopsasMowgli’sescortwhirledalong。
"Theynevergofar，"hesaidwithachuckle。"Theyneverdowhattheysetouttodo。AlwayspeckingatnewthingsaretheBandar—log。Thistime，ifIhaveanyeye—sight，theyhavepeckeddowntroubleforthemselves，forBalooisnofledglingandBagheeracan，asIknow，killmorethangoats。"
Soherockedonhiswings，hisfeetgatheredupunderhim，andwaited。
返回顶部