Meantime，BalooandBagheerawerefuriouswithrageandgrief。

Bagheeraclimbedashehadneverclimbedbefore，butthethinbranchesbrokebeneathhisweight，andheslippeddown，hisclawsfullofbark。

"Whydidstthounotwarntheman—cub？"heroaredtopoorBaloo，whohadsetoffataclumsytrotinthehopeofovertakingthemonkeys。"Whatwastheuseofhalfslayinghimwithblowsifthoudidstnotwarnhim？"

"Haste！Ohaste！We——wemaycatchthemyet！"Baloopanted。

"Atthatspeed！Itwouldnottireawoundedcow。TeacheroftheLaw——cub—beater——amileofthatrollingtoandfrowouldbursttheeopen。Sitstillandthink！Makeaplan。Thisisnotimeforchasing。Theymaydrophimifwefollowtooclose。"

"Arrula！Whoo！Theymayhavedroppedhimalready，beingtiredofcarryinghim。WhocantrusttheBandar—log？Putdeadbatsonmyhead！Givemeblackbonestoeat！RollmeintothehivesofthewildbeesthatImaybestungtodeath，andburymewiththeHyaena，forIammostmiserableofbears！Arulala！

Wahooa！OMowgli，Mowgli！WhydidInotwarntheeagainsttheMonkey—Folkinsteadofbreakingthyhead？NowperhapsImayhaveknockedtheday’slessonoutofhismind，andhewillbealoneinthejunglewithouttheMasterWords。"

Balooclaspedhispawsoverhisearsandrolledtoandfromoaning。

"AtleasthegavemealltheWordscorrectlyalittletimeago，"saidBagheeraimpatiently。"Baloo，thouhastneithermemorynorrespect。WhatwouldthejunglethinkifI，theBlackPanther，curledmyselfuplikeIkkithePorcupine，andhowled？"

"WhatdoIcarewhatthejunglethinks？Hemaybedeadbynow。"

"Unlessanduntiltheydrophimfromthebranchesinsport，orkillhimoutofidleness，Ihavenofearfortheman—cub。Heiswiseandwelltaught，andaboveallhehastheeyesthatmaketheJungle—Peopleafraid。But（anditisagreatevil）heisinthepoweroftheBandar—log，andthey，becausetheyliveintrees，havenofearofanyofourpeople。"Bagheeralickedoneforepawthoughtfully。

"FoolthatIam！Oh，fat，brown，root—diggingfoolthatI

am，"saidBaloo，uncoilinghimselfwithajerk，"itistruewhatHathitheWildElephantsays：`Toeachhisownfear’;andthey，theBandar—log，fearKaatheRockSnake。Hecanclimbaswellastheycan。Hestealstheyoungmonkeysinthenight。Thewhisperofhisnamemakestheirwickedtailscold。LetusgotoKaa。"

"Whatwillhedoforus？Heisnotofourtribe，beingfootless——andwithmostevileyes，"saidBagheera。

"Heisveryoldandverycunning。Aboveall，heisalwayshungry，"saidBaloohopefully。"Promisehimmanygoats。"

"Hesleepsforafullmonthafterhehasonceeaten。Hemaybeasleepnow，andevenwereheawakewhatifhewouldratherkillhisowngoats？"Bagheera，whodidnotknowmuchaboutKaa，wasnaturallysuspicious。

"Theninthatcase，thouandItogether，oldhunter，mightmakehimseereason。"HereBaloorubbedhisfadedbrownshoulderagainstthePanther，andtheywentofftolookforKaatheRockPython。

Theyfoundhimstretchedoutonawarmledgeintheafternoonsun，admiringhisbeautifulnewcoat，forhehadbeeninretirementforthelasttendayschanginghisskin，andnowhewasverysplendid——dartinghisbigblunt—nosedheadalongtheground，andtwistingthethirtyfeetofhisbodyintofantasticknotsandcurves，andlickinghislipsashethoughtofhisdinnertocome。

"Hehasnoteaten，"saidBaloo，withagruntofrelief，assoonashesawthebeautifullymottledbrownandyellowjacket。

"Becareful，Bagheera！Heisalwaysalittleblindafterhehaschangedhisskin，andveryquicktostrike。"

Kaawasnotapoisonsnake——infactheratherdespisedthepoisonsnakesascowards——buthisstrengthlayinhishug，andwhenhehadoncelappedhishugecoilsroundanybodytherewasnomoretobesaid。"Goodhunting！"criedBaloo，sittinguponhishaunches。LikeallsnakesofhisbreedKaawasratherdeaf，anddidnothearthecallatfirst。Thenhecurledupreadyforanyaccident，hisheadlowered。

"Goodhuntingforusall，"heanswered。"Oho，Baloo，whatdostthoudohere？Goodhunting，Bagheera。Oneofusatleastneedsfood。Isthereanynewsofgameafoot？Adoenow，orevenayoungbuck？Iamasemptyasadriedwell。"

"Wearehunting，"saidBaloocarelessly。HeknewthatyoumustnothurryKaa。Heistoobig。

"Givemepermissiontocomewithyou，"saidKaa。"Ablowmoreorlessisnothingtothee，BagheeraorBaloo，butI——Ihavetowaitandwaitfordaysinawood—pathandclimbhalfanightonthemerechanceofayoungape。Psshaw！ThebranchesarenotwhattheywerewhenIwasyoung。Rottentwigsanddryboughsaretheyall。"

"Maybethygreatweighthassomethingtodowiththematter，"

saidBaloo。

"Iamafairlength——afairlength，"saidKaawithalittlepride。"Butforallthat，itisthefaultofthisnew—growntimber。Icameveryneartofallingonmylasthunt——verynearindeed——andthenoiseofmyslipping，formytailwasnottightwrappedaroundthetree，wakedtheBandar—log，andtheycalledmemostevilnames。"

"Footless，yellowearth—worm，"saidBagheeraunderhiswhiskers，asthoughheweretryingtoremembersomething。

"Sssss！Havetheyevercalledmethat？"saidKaa。

"Somethingofthatkinditwasthattheyshoutedtouslastmoon，butwenevernoticedthem。Theywillsayanything——eventhatthouhastlostallthyteeth，andwiltnotfaceanythingbiggerthanakid，because（theyareindeedshameless，theseBandar—log）——becausethouartafraidofthehe—goat’shorns，"

Bagheerawentonsweetly。

Nowasnake，especiallyawaryoldpythonlikeKaa，veryseldomshowsthatheisangry，butBalooandBagheeracouldseethebigswallowingmusclesoneithersideofKaa’sthroatrippleandbulge。

"TheBandar—loghaveshiftedtheirgrounds，"hesaidquietly。

"WhenIcameupintothesuntodayIheardthemwhoopingamongthetree—tops。"

"It——itistheBandar—logthatwefollownow，"saidBaloo，butthewordsstuckinhisthroat，forthatwasthefirsttimeinhismemorythatoneoftheJungle—Peoplehadownedtobeinginterestedinthedoingsofthemonkeys。

"Beyonddoubtthenitisnosmallthingthattakestwosuchhunters——leadersintheirownjungleIamcertain——onthetrailoftheBandar—log，"Kaarepliedcourteously，asheswelledwithcuriosity。

"Indeed，"Baloobegan，"IamnomorethantheoldandsometimesveryfoolishTeacheroftheLawtotheSeeoneewolf—cubs，andBagheerahere——"

"IsBagheera，"saidtheBlackPanther，andhisjawsshutwithasnap，forhedidnotbelieveinbeinghumble。"Thetroubleisthis，Kaa。Thosenut—stealersandpickersofpalmleaveshavestolenawayourman—cubofwhomthouhastperhapsheard。"

"IheardsomenewsfromIkki（hisquillsmakehimpresumptuous）ofaman—thingthatwasenteredintoawolfpack，butIdidnotbelieve。Ikkiisfullofstorieshalfheardandverybadlytold。"

"Butitistrue。Heissuchaman—cubasneverwas，"saidBaloo。"Thebestandwisestandboldestofman—cubs——myownpupil，whoshallmakethenameofBaloofamousthroughallthejungles;andbesides，I——we——lovehim，Kaa。"

"Ts！Ts！"saidKaa，weavinghisheadtoandfro。"Ialsohaveknownwhatloveis。TherearetalesIcouldtellthat——"

"Thatneedaclearnightwhenweareallwellfedtopraiseproperly，"saidBagheeraquickly。"Ourman—cubisinthehandsoftheBandar—lognow，andweknowthatofalltheJungle—PeopletheyfearKaaalone。"

"Theyfearmealone。Theyhavegoodreason，"saidKaa。

"Chattering，foolish，vain——vain，foolish，andchattering，arethemonkeys。Butaman—thingintheirhandsisinnogoodluck。

Theygrowtiredofthenutstheypick，andthrowthemdown。Theycarryabranchhalfaday，meaningtodogreatthingswithit，andthentheysnapitintwo。Thatman—thingisnottobeenvied。

Theycalledmealso——`yellowfish’wasitnot？"

"Worm——worm——earth—worm，"saidBagheera，"aswellasotherthingswhichIcannotnowsayforshame。"

"Wemustremindthemtospeakwelloftheirmaster。Aaa—ssp！

Wemusthelptheirwanderingmemories。Now，whitherwenttheywiththecub？"

"Thejunglealoneknows。Towardthesunset，Ibelieve，"saidBaloo。"Wehadthoughtthatthouwouldstknow，Kaa。"

"I？How？Itakethemwhentheycomeinmyway，butIdonothunttheBandar—log，orfrogs——orgreenscumonawater—hole，forthatmatter。"

"Up，Up！Up，Up！Hillo！Illo！Illo，lookup，BaloooftheSeeoneeWolfPack！"

Baloolookeduptoseewherethevoicecamefrom，andtherewasRanntheKite，sweepingdownwiththesunshiningontheupturnedflangesofhiswings。ItwasnearRann’sbedtime，buthehadrangedalloverthejunglelookingfortheBearandhadmissedhiminthethickfoliage。

"Whatisit？"saidBaloo。

"IhaveseenMowgliamongtheBandar—log。Hebademetellyou。Iwatched。TheBandar—loghavetakenhimbeyondtherivertothemonkeycity——totheColdLairs。Theymaystaythereforanight，ortennights，oranhour。Ihavetoldthebatstowatchthroughthedarktime。Thatismymessage。Goodhunting，allyoubelow！"

"Fullgorgeandadeepsleeptoyou，Rann，"criedBagheera。

"Iwillremembertheeinmynextkill，andputasidetheheadfortheealone，Obestofkites！"

"Itisnothing。Itisnothing。TheboyheldtheMasterWord。

Icouldhavedonenoless，"andRanncircledupagaintohisroost。

"Hehasnotforgottentousehistongue，"saidBaloowithachuckleofpride。"TothinkofonesoyoungrememberingtheMasterWordforthebirdstoowhilehewasbeingpulledacrosstrees！"

"Itwasmostfirmlydrivenintohim，"saidBagheera。"ButI

amproudofhim，andnowwemustgototheColdLairs。"

Theyallknewwherethatplacewas，butfewoftheJunglePeopleeverwentthere，becausewhattheycalledtheColdLairswasanolddesertedcity，lostandburiedinthejungle，andbeastsseldomuseaplacethatmenhaveonceused。Thewildboarwill，butthehuntingtribesdonot。Besides，themonkeyslivedthereasmuchastheycouldbesaidtoliveanywhere，andnoself—respectinganimalwouldcomewithineyeshotofitexceptintimesofdrought，whenthehalf—ruinedtanksandreservoirsheldalittlewater。

"Itishalfanight’sjourney——atfullspeed，"saidBagheera，andBaloolookedveryserious。"IwillgoasfastasI

can，"hesaidanxiously。

"Wedarenotwaitforthee。Follow，Baloo。Wemustgoonthequick—foot——KaaandI。"

"Feetornofeet，Icankeepabreastofallthyfour，"saidKaashortly。Baloomadeoneefforttohurry，buthadtositdownpanting，andsotheylefthimtocomeonlater，whileBagheerahurriedforward，atthequickpanther—canter。Kaasaidnothing，but，striveasBagheeramight，thehugeRock—pythonheldlevelwithhim。Whentheycametoahillstream，Bagheeragained，becauseheboundedacrosswhileKaaswam，hisheadandtwofeetofhisneckclearingthewater，butonlevelgroundKaamadeupthedistance。

"BytheBrokenLockthatfreedme，"saidBagheera，whentwilighthadfallen，"thouartnoslowgoer！"

"Iamhungry，"saidKaa。"Besides，theycalledmespeckledfrog。"

"Worm——earth—worm，andyellowtoboot。"

"Allone。Letusgoon，"andKaaseemedtopourhimselfalongtheground，findingtheshortestroadwithhissteadyeyes，andkeepingtoit。

IntheColdLairstheMonkey—PeoplewerenotthinkingofMowgli’sfriendsatall。TheyhadbroughttheboytotheLostCity，andwereverymuchpleasedwiththemselvesforthetime。

MowglihadneverseenanIndiancitybefore，andthoughthiswasalmostaheapofruinsitseemedverywonderfulandsplendid。

Somekinghadbuiltitlongagoonalittlehill。Youcouldstilltracethestonecausewaysthatleduptotheruinedgateswherethelastsplintersofwoodhungtotheworn，rustedhinges。Treeshadgrownintoandoutofthewalls;thebattlementsweretumbleddownanddecayed，andwildcreepershungoutofthewindowsofthetowersonthewallsinbushyhangingclumps。

Agreatrooflesspalacecrownedthehill，andthemarbleofthecourtyardsandthefountainswassplit，andstainedwithredandgreen，andtheverycobblestonesinthecourtyardwheretheking’selephantsusedtolivehadbeenthrustupandapartbygrassesandyoungtrees。Fromthepalaceyoucouldseetherowsandrowsofrooflesshousesthatmadeupthecitylookinglikeemptyhoneycombsfilledwithblackness;theshapelessblockofstonethathadbeenanidolinthesquarewherefourroadsmet;

thepitsanddimplesatstreetcornerswherethepublicwellsoncestood，andtheshattereddomesoftempleswithwildfigssproutingontheirsides。Themonkeyscalledtheplacetheircity，andpretendedtodespisetheJungle—Peoplebecausetheylivedintheforest。Andyettheyneverknewwhatthebuildingsweremadefornorhowtousethem。Theywouldsitincirclesonthehalloftheking’scouncilchamber，andscratchforfleasandpretendtobemen;ortheywouldruninandoutoftherooflesshousesandcollectpiecesofplasterandoldbricksinacorner，andforgetwheretheyhadhiddenthem，andfightandcryinscufflingcrowds，andthenbreakofftoplayupanddowntheterracesoftheking’sgarden，wheretheywouldshaketherosetreesandtheorangesinsporttoseethefruitandflowersfall。Theyexploredallthepassagesanddarktunnelsinthepalaceandthehundredsoflittledarkrooms，buttheyneverrememberedwhattheyhadseenandwhattheyhadnot;andsodriftedaboutinonesandtwosorcrowdstellingeachotherthattheyweredoingasmendid。Theydrankatthetanksandmadethewaterallmuddy，andthentheyfoughtoverit，andthentheywouldallrushtogetherinmobsandshout：

"ThereisnooneinthejunglesowiseandgoodandcleverandstrongandgentleastheBandar—log。"Thenallwouldbeginagaintilltheygrewtiredofthecityandwentbacktothetree—tops，hopingtheJungle—Peoplewouldnoticethem。

Mowgli，whohadbeentrainedundertheLawoftheJungle，didnotlikeorunderstandthiskindoflife。ThemonkeysdraggedhimintotheColdLairslateintheafternoon，andinsteadofgoingtosleep，asMowgliwouldhavedoneafteralongjourney，theyjoinedhandsanddancedaboutandsangtheirfoolishsongs。OneofthemonkeysmadeaspeechandtoldhiscompanionsthatMowgli’scapturemarkedanewthinginthehistoryoftheBandar—log，forMowgliwasgoingtoshowthemhowtoweavesticksandcanestogetherasaprotectionagainstrainandcold。Mowglipickedupsomecreepersandbegantoworktheminandout，andthemonkeystriedtoimitate;butinaveryfewminutestheylostinterestandbegantopulltheirfriends’tailsorjumpupanddownonallfours，coughing。

"Iwishtoeat，"saidMowgli。"Iamastrangerinthispartofthejungle。Bringmefood，orgivemeleavetohunthere。"

Twentyorthirtymonkeysboundedawaytobringhimnutsandwildpawpaws。Buttheyfelltofightingontheroad，anditwastoomuchtroubletogobackwithwhatwasleftofthefruit。

Mowgliwassoreandangryaswellashungry，andheroamedthroughtheemptycitygivingtheStrangers’HuntingCallfromtimetotime，butnooneansweredhim，andMowglifeltthathehadreachedaverybadplaceindeed。"AllthatBaloohassaidabouttheBandar—logistrue，"hethoughttohimself。"TheyhavenoLaw，noHuntingCall，andnoleaders——nothingbutfoolishwordsandlittlepickingthievishhands。SoifIamstarvedorkilledhere，itwillbeallmyownfault。ButImusttrytoreturntomyownjungle。Baloowillsurelybeatme，butthatisbetterthanchasingsillyroseleaveswiththeBandar—log。"

Nosoonerhadhewalkedtothecitywallthanthemonkeyspulledhimback，tellinghimthathedidnotknowhowhappyhewas，andpinchinghimtomakehimgrateful。Hesethisteethandsaidnothing，butwentwiththeshoutingmonkeystoaterraceabovetheredsandstonereservoirsthatwerehalf—fullofrainwater。Therewasaruinedsummer—houseofwhitemarbleinthecenteroftheterrace，builtforqueensdeadahundredyearsago。

Thedomedroofhadhalffalleninandblockeduptheundergroundpassagefromthepalacebywhichthequeensusedtoenter。Butthewallsweremadeofscreensofmarbletracery——beautifulmilk—whitefretwork，setwithagatesandcorneliansandjasperandlapislazuli，andasthemooncameupbehindthehillitshonethroughtheopenwork，castingshadowsonthegroundlikeblackvelvetembroidery。Sore，sleepy，andhungryashewas，MowglicouldnothelplaughingwhentheBandar—logbegan，twentyatatime，totellhimhowgreatandwiseandstrongandgentletheywere，andhowfoolishhewastowishtoleavethem。"Wearegreat。Wearefree。Wearewonderful。Wearethemostwonderfulpeopleinallthejungle！Weallsayso，andsoitmustbetrue，"

theyshouted。"NowasyouareanewlistenerandcancarryourwordsbacktotheJungle—Peoplesothattheymaynoticeusinfuture，wewilltellyouallaboutourmostexcellentselves。"

Mowglimadenoobjection，andthemonkeysgatheredbyhundredsandhundredsontheterracetolistentotheirownspeakerssingingthepraisesoftheBandar—log，andwheneveraspeakerstoppedforwantofbreaththeywouldallshouttogether："Thisistrue;weallsayso。"Mowglinoddedandblinked，andsaid"Yes"whentheyaskedhimaquestion，andhisheadspunwiththenoise。"TabaquitheJackalmusthavebittenallthesepeople，"hesaidtohimself，"andnowtheyhavemadness。Certainlythisisdewanee，themadness。Dotheynevergotosleep？Nowthereisacloudcomingtocoverthatmoon。IfitwereonlyabigenoughcloudImighttrytorunawayinthedarkness。ButIamtired。"

Thatsamecloudwasbeingwatchedbytwogoodfriendsintheruinedditchbelowthecitywall，forBagheeraandKaa，knowingwellhowdangeroustheMonkey—Peoplewereinlargenumbers，didnotwishtorunanyrisks。Themonkeysneverfightunlesstheyareahundredtoone，andfewinthejunglecareforthoseodds。

"Iwillgotothewestwall，"Kaawhispered，"andcomedownswiftlywiththeslopeofthegroundinmyfavor。Theywillnotthrowthemselvesuponmybackintheirhundreds，but——"

"Iknowit，"saidBagheera。"WouldthatBaloowerehere，butwemustdowhatwecan。WhenthatcloudcoversthemoonIshallgototheterrace。Theyholdsomesortofcouncilthereovertheboy。"

"Goodhunting，"saidKaagrimly，andglidedawaytothewestwall。Thathappenedtobetheleastruinedofany，andthebigsnakewasdelayedawhilebeforehecouldfindawayupthestones。

Thecloudhidthemoon，andasMowgliwonderedwhatwouldcomenextheheardBagheera’slightfeetontheterrace。TheBlackPantherhadraceduptheslopealmostwithoutasoundandwasstriking——heknewbetterthantowastetimeinbiting——rightandleftamongthemonkeys，whowereseatedroundMowgliincirclesfiftyandsixtydeep。Therewasahowloffrightandrage，andthenasBagheeratrippedontherollingkickingbodiesbeneathhim，amonkeyshouted："Thereisonlyonehere！Killhim！

Kill。"Ascufflingmassofmonkeys，biting，scratching，tearing，andpulling，closedoverBagheera，whilefiveorsixlaidholdofMowgli，draggedhimupthewallofthesummerhouseandpushedhimthroughtheholeofthebrokendome。Aman—trainedboywouldhavebeenbadlybruised，forthefallwasagoodfifteenfeet，butMowglifellasBaloohadtaughthimtofall，andlandedonhisfeet。

"Staythere，"shoutedthemonkeys，"tillwehavekilledthyfriends，andlaterwewillplaywiththee——ifthePoison—Peopleleavetheealive。"

"Webeofoneblood，yeandI，"saidMowgli，quicklygivingtheSnake’sCall。HecouldhearrustlingandhissingintherubbishallroundhimandgavetheCallasecondtime，tomakesure。

"Evenssso！Downhoodsall！"saidhalfadozenlowvoices（everyruininIndiabecomessoonerorlateradwellingplaceofsnakes，andtheoldsummerhousewasalivewithcobras）。"Standstill，LittleBrother，forthyfeetmaydousharm。"

Mowglistoodasquietlyashecould，peeringthroughtheopenworkandlisteningtothefuriousdinofthefightroundtheBlackPanther——theyellsandchatteringsandscufflings，andBagheera’sdeep，hoarsecoughashebackedandbuckedandtwistedandplungedundertheheapsofhisenemies。Forthefirsttimesincehewasborn，Bagheerawasfightingforhislife。

"Baloomustbeathand;Bagheerawouldnothavecomealone，"

Mowglithought。Andthenhecalledaloud："Tothetank，Bagheera。

Rolltothewatertanks。Rollandplunge！Gettothewater！"

Bagheeraheard，andthecrythattoldhimMowgliwassafegavehimnewcourage。Heworkedhiswaydesperately，inchbyinch，straightforthereservoirs，haltinginsilence。Thenfromtheruinedwallnearestthejungleroseuptherumblingwar—shoutofBaloo。TheoldBearhaddonehisbest，buthecouldnotcomebefore。"Bagheera，"heshouted，"Iamhere。Iclimb！Ihaste！

Ahuwora！Thestonesslipundermyfeet！Waitmycoming，OmostinfamousBandar—log！"Hepanteduptheterraceonlytodisappeartotheheadinawaveofmonkeys，buthethrewhimselfsquarelyonhishaunches，and，spreadingouthisforepaws，huggedasmanyashecouldhold，andthenbegantohitwitharegularbat—bat—bat，liketheflippingstrokesofapaddlewheel。AcrashandasplashtoldMowglithatBagheerahadfoughthiswaytothetankwherethemonkeyscouldnotfollow。ThePantherlaygaspingforbreath，hisheadjustoutofthewater，whilethemonkeysstoodthreedeepontheredsteps，dancingupanddownwithrage，readytospringuponhimfromallsidesifhecameouttohelpBaloo。ItwasthenthatBagheeralifteduphisdrippingchin，andindespairgavetheSnake’sCallforprotection——"Webeofoneblood，yeandI"——

forhebelievedthatKaahadturnedtailatthelastminute。EvenBaloo，halfsmotheredunderthemonkeysontheedgeoftheterrace，couldnothelpchucklingasheheardtheBlackPantheraskingforhelp。

Kaahadonlyjustworkedhiswayoverthewestwall，landingwithawrenchthatdislodgedacopingstoneintotheditch。Hehadnointentionoflosinganyadvantageoftheground，andcoiledanduncoiledhimselfonceortwice，tobesurethateveryfootofhislongbodywasinworkingorder。AllthatwhilethefightwithBaloowenton，andthemonkeysyelledinthetankroundBagheera，andMangtheBat，flyingtoandfro，carriedthenewsofthegreatbattleoverthejungle，tillevenHathitheWildElephanttrumpeted，and，faraway，scatteredbandsoftheMonkey—Folkwokeandcameleapingalongthetree—roadstohelptheircomradesintheColdLairs，andthenoiseofthefightrousedallthedaybirdsformilesround。ThenKaacamestraight，quickly，andanxioustokill。Thefightingstrengthofapythonisinthedrivingblowofhisheadbackedbyallthestrengthandweightofhisbody。Ifyoucanimaginealance，orabatteringram，orahammerweighingnearlyhalfatondrivenbyacool，quietmindlivinginthehandleofit，youcanroughlyimaginewhatKaawaslikewhenhefought。Apythonfourorfivefeetlongcanknockamandownifhehitshimfairlyinthechest，andKaawasthirtyfeetlong，asyouknow。HisfirststrokewasdeliveredintotheheartofthecrowdroundBaloo。Itwassenthomewithshutmouthinsilence，andtherewasnoneedofasecond。Themonkeysscatteredwithcriesof——"Kaa！ItisKaa！Run！Run！"

GenerationsofmonkeyshadbeenscaredintogoodbehaviorbythestoriestheirelderstoldthemofKaa，thenightthief，whocouldslipalongthebranchesasquietlyasmossgrows，andstealawaythestrongestmonkeythateverlived;ofoldKaa，whocouldmakehimselflooksolikeadeadbranchorarottenstumpthatthewisestweredeceived，tillthebranchcaughtthem。Kaawaseverythingthatthemonkeysfearedinthejungle，fornoneofthemknewthelimitsofhispower，noneofthemcouldlookhimintheface，andnonehadevercomealiveoutofhishug。Andsotheyran，stammeringwithterror，tothewallsandtheroofsofthehouses，andBaloodrewadeepbreathofrelief。HisfurwasmuchthickerthanBagheera’s，buthehadsufferedsorelyinthefight。

ThenKaaopenedhismouthforthefirsttimeandspokeonelonghissingword，andthefar—awaymonkeys，hurryingtothedefenseoftheColdLairs，stayedwheretheywere，cowering，tilltheloadedbranchesbentandcrackledunderthem。Themonkeysonthewallsandtheemptyhousesstoppedtheircries，andinthestillnessthatfelluponthecityMowgliheardBagheerashakinghiswetsidesashecameupfromthetank。Thentheclamorbrokeoutagain。Themonkeysleapedhigherupthewalls。Theyclungaroundthenecksofthebigstoneidolsandshriekedastheyskippedalongthebattlements，whileMowgli，dancinginthesummerhouse，puthiseyetothescreenworkandhootedowl—fashionbetweenhisfrontteeth，toshowhisderisionandcontempt。

"Gettheman—cuboutofthattrap;Icandonomore，"Bagheeragasped。"Letustaketheman—cubandgo。Theymayattackagain。"

"TheywillnotmovetillIorderthem。Stayyousssso！"Kaahissed，andthecitywassilentoncemore。"Icouldnotcomebefore，Brother，butIthinkIheardtheecall"——thiswastoBagheera。

"I——Imayhavecriedoutinthebattle，"Bagheeraanswered。

"Baloo，artthouhurt？

"Iamnotsurethattheydidnotpullmeintoahundredlittlebearlings，"saidBaloo，gravelyshakingonelegaftertheother。

"Wow！Iamsore。Kaa，weowethee，Ithink，ourlives——BagheeraandI。"

"Nomatter。Whereisthemanling？"

"Here，inatrap。Icannotclimbout，"criedMowgli。Thecurveofthebrokendomewasabovehishead。

"Takehimaway。HedanceslikeMaothePeacock。Hewillcrushouryoung，"saidthecobrasinside。

"Hah！"saidKaawithachuckle，"hehasfriendseverywhere，thismanling。Standback，manling。Andhideyou，OPoisonPeople。Ibreakdownthewall。"

Kaalookedcarefullytillhefoundadiscoloredcrackinthemarbletraceryshowingaweakspot，madetwoorthreelighttapswithhisheadtogetthedistance，andthenliftingupsixfeetofhisbodyclearoftheground，senthomehalfadozenfull—powersmashingblows，nose—first。Thescreen—workbrokeandfellawayinacloudofdustandrubbish，andMowglileapedthroughtheopeningandflunghimselfbetweenBalooandBagheera——anarmaroundeachbigneck。

"Artthouhurt？"saidBaloo，hugginghimsoftly。

"Iamsore，hungry，andnotalittlebruised。But，oh，theyhavehandledyegrievously，myBrothers！Yebleed。"

"Othersalso，"saidBagheera，lickinghislipsandlookingatthemonkey—deadontheterraceandroundthetank。

"Itisnothing，itisnothing，ifthouartsafe，oh，myprideofalllittlefrogs！"whimperedBaloo。

"Ofthatweshalljudgelater，"saidBagheera，inadryvoicethatMowglididnotatalllike。"ButhereisKaatowhomweowethebattleandthouowestthylife。Thankhimaccordingtoourcustoms，Mowgli。"

MowgliturnedandsawthegreatPython’sheadswayingafootabovehisown。

"Sothisisthemanling，"saidKaa。"Verysoftishisskin，andheisnotunliketheBandar—log。Haveacare，manling，thatI

donotmistaketheeforamonkeysometwilightwhenIhavenewlychangedmycoat。"

"Webeoneblood，thouandI，"Mowglianswered。"Itakemylifefromtheetonight。Mykillshallbethykillifeverthouarthungry，OKaa。"

"Allthanks，LittleBrother，"saidKaa，thoughhiseyestwinkled。"Andwhatmaysoboldahunterkill？IaskthatImayfollowwhennexthegoesabroad。"

"Ikillnothing，——Iamtoolittle，——butIdrivegoatstowardsuchascanusethem。WhenthouartemptycometomeandseeifIspeakthetruth。Ihavesomeskillinthese[heheldouthishands]，andifeverthouartinatrap，ImaypaythedebtwhichIowetothee，toBagheera，andtoBaloo，here。Goodhuntingtoyeall，mymasters。"

"Wellsaid，"growledBaloo，forMowglihadreturnedthanksveryprettily。ThePythondroppedhisheadlightlyforaminuteonMowgli’sshoulder。"Abraveheartandacourteoustongue，"

saidhe。"Theyshallcarrytheefarthroughthejungle，manling。

Butnowgohencequicklywiththyfriends。Goandsleep，forthemoonsets，andwhatfollowsitisnotwellthatthoushouldstsee。"

Themoonwassinkingbehindthehillsandthelinesoftremblingmonkeyshuddledtogetheronthewallsandbattlementslookedlikeraggedshakyfringesofthings。BaloowentdowntothetankforadrinkandBagheerabegantoputhisfurinorder，asKaaglidedoutintothecenteroftheterraceandbroughthisjawstogetherwitharingingsnapthatdrewallthemonkeys’eyesuponhim。

"Themoonsets，"hesaid。"Isthereyetlightenoughtosee？"

Fromthewallscameamoanlikethewindinthetree—tops——

"Wesee，OKaa。"

"Good。Beginsnowthedance——theDanceoftheHungerofKaa。Sitstillandwatch。"

Heturnedtwiceorthriceinabigcircle，weavinghisheadfromrighttoleft。Thenhebeganmakingloopsandfiguresofeightwithhisbody，andsoft，oozytrianglesthatmeltedintosquaresandfive—sidedfigures，andcoiledmounds，neverresting，neverhurrying，andneverstoppinghislowhummingsong。Itgrewdarkeranddarker，tillatlastthedragging，shiftingcoilsdisappeared，buttheycouldheartherustleofthescales。

BalooandBagheerastoodstillasstone，growlingintheirthroats，theirneckhairbristling，andMowgliwatchedandwondered。

"Bandar—log，"saidthevoiceofKaaatlast，"canyestirfootorhandwithoutmyorder？Speak！"

"Withoutthyorderwecannotstirfootorhand，OKaa！"

"Good！Comeallonepacenearertome。"

Thelinesofthemonkeysswayedforwardhelplessly，andBalooandBagheeratookonestiffstepforwardwiththem。

"Nearer！"hissedKaa，andtheyallmovedagain。

MowglilaidhishandsonBalooandBagheeratogetthemaway，andthetwogreatbeastsstartedasthoughtheyhadbeenwakedfromadream。

"Keepthyhandonmyshoulder，"Bagheerawhispered。"Keepitthere，orImustgoback——mustgobacktoKaa。Aah！"

"ItisonlyoldKaamakingcirclesonthedust，"saidMowgli。

"Letusgo。"Andthethreeslippedoffthroughagapinthewallstothejungle。

"Whoof！"saidBaloo，whenhestoodunderthestilltreesagain。"NevermorewillImakeanallyofKaa，"andheshookhimselfallover。

"Heknowsmorethanwe，"saidBagheera，trembling。"Inalittletime，hadIstayed，Ishouldhavewalkeddownhisthroat。"

"Manywillwalkbythatroadbeforethemoonrisesagain，"

saidBaloo。"Hewillhavegoodhunting——afterhisownfashion。"

"Butwhatwasthemeaningofitall？"saidMowgli，whodidnotknowanythingofapython’spowersoffascination。"Isawnomorethanabigsnakemakingfoolishcirclestillthedarkcame。Andhisnosewasallsore。Ho！Ho！"

"Mowgli，"saidBagheeraangrily，"hisnosewassoreonthyaccount，asmyearsandsidesandpaws，andBaloo’sneckandshouldersarebittenonthyaccount。NeitherBaloonorBagheerawillbeabletohuntwithpleasureformanydays。"

"Itisnothing，"saidBaloo;"wehavetheman—cubagain。"

"True，buthehascostusheavilyintimewhichmighthavebeenspentingoodhunting，inwounds，inhair——Iamhalfpluckedalongmyback——andlastofall，inhonor。For，remember，Mowgli，I，whoamtheBlackPanther，wasforcedtocalluponKaaforprotection，andBalooandIwerebothmadestupidaslittlebirdsbytheHungerDance。Allthis，man—cub，cameofthyplayingwiththeBandar—log。"

"True，itistrue，"saidMowglisorrowfully。"Iamanevilman—cub，andmystomachissadinme。"

"Mf！WhatsaystheLawoftheJungle，Baloo？"

BaloodidnotwishtobringMowgliintoanymoretrouble，buthecouldnottamperwiththeLaw，sohemumbled："Sorrowneverstayspunishment。Butremember，Bagheera，heisverylittle。"

"Iwillremember。Buthehasdonemischief，andblowsmustbedealtnow。Mowgli，hastthouanythingtosay？"

"Nothing。Ididwrong。Balooandthouarewounded。Itisjust。"

Bagheeragavehimhalfadozenlove—tapsfromapanther’spointofview（theywouldhardlyhavewakedoneofhisowncubs），butforaseven—year—oldboytheyamountedtoassevereabeatingasyoucouldwishtoavoid。WhenitwasalloverMowglisneezed，andpickedhimselfupwithoutaword。

"Now，"saidBagheera，"jumponmyback，LittleBrother，andwewillgohome。"

OneofthebeautiesofJungleLawisthatpunishmentsettlesallscores。Thereisnonaggingafterward。

MowglilaidhisheaddownonBagheera’sbackandsleptsodeeplythatheneverwakedwhenhewasputdowninthehome—cave。

Road—SongoftheBandar—LogHerewegoinaflungfestoon，Half—wayuptothejealousmoon！

Don’tyouenvyourprancefulbands？

Don’tyouwishyouhadextrahands？

Wouldn’tyoulikeifyourtailswere——so——

CurvedintheshapeofaCupid’sbow？

Nowyou’reangry，but——nevermind，Brother，thytailhangsdownbehind！

Herewesitinabranchyrow，Thinkingofbeautifulthingsweknow;

Dreamingofdeedsthatwemeantodo，Allcomplete，inaminuteortwo——

Somethingnobleandwiseandgood，Donebymerelywishingwecould。

We’veforgotten，but——nevermind，Brother，thytailhangsdownbehind！

AllthetalkweeverhaveheardUtteredbybatorbeastorbird——

Hideorfinorscaleorfeather——

Jabberitquicklyandalltogether！

Excellent！Wonderful！Onceagain！

Nowwearetalkingjustlikemen！

Let’spretendweare……nevermind，Brother，thytailhangsdownbehind！

ThisisthewayoftheMonkey—kind。

Thenjoinourleapinglinesthatscumfishthroughthepines，Thatrocketbywhere，lightandhigh，thewildgrapeswings。

Bytherubbishinourwake，andthenoblenoisewemake，Besure，besure，we’regoingtodosomesplendidthings！

"Tiger！Tiger！"

Whatofthehunting，hunterbold？

Brother，thewatchwaslongandcold。

Whatofthequarryyewenttokill？

Brother，hecropsinthejunglestill。

Whereisthepowerthatmadeyourpride？

Brother，itebbsfrommyflankandside。

Whereisthehastethatyehurryby？

Brother，Igotomylair——todie。

Nowwemustgobacktothefirsttale。WhenMowglileftthewolf’scaveafterthefightwiththePackattheCouncilRock，hewentdowntotheplowedlandswherethevillagerslived，buthewouldnotstoptherebecauseitwastooneartothejungle，andheknewthathehadmadeatleastonebadenemyattheCouncil。Sohehurriedon，keepingtotheroughroadthatrandownthevalley，andfolloweditatasteadyjog—trotfornearlytwentymiles，tillhecametoacountrythathedidnotknow。Thevalleyopenedoutintoagreatplaindottedoverwithrocksandcutupbyravines。

Atoneendstoodalittlevillage，andattheotherthethickjunglecamedowninasweeptothegrazing—grounds，andstoppedthereasthoughithadbeencutoffwithahoe。Allovertheplain，cattleandbuffaloesweregrazing，andwhenthelittleboysinchargeoftheherdssawMowglitheyshoutedandranaway，andtheyellowpariahdogsthathangabouteveryIndianvillagebarked。Mowgliwalkedon，forhewasfeelinghungry，andwhenhecametothevillagegatehesawthebigthorn—bushthatwasdrawnupbeforethegateattwilight，pushedtooneside。

"Umph！"hesaid，forhehadcomeacrossmorethanonesuchbarricadeinhisnightramblesafterthingstoeat。"SomenareafraidofthePeopleoftheJungleherealso。"Hesatdownbythegate，andwhenamancameouthestoodup，openedhismouth，andpointeddownittoshowthathewantedfood。Themanstared，andranbackuptheonestreetofthevillageshoutingforthepriest，whowasabig，fatmandressedinwhite，witharedandyellowmarkonhisforehead。Thepriestcametothegate，andwithhimatleastahundredpeople，whostaredandtalkedandshoutedandpointedatMowgli。

"Theyhavenomanners，theseMenFolk，"saidMowglitohimself。"Onlythegrayapewouldbehaveastheydo。"Sohethrewbackhislonghairandfrownedatthecrowd。

"Whatistheretobeafraidof？"saidthepriest。"Lookatthemarksonhisarmsandlegs。Theyarethebitesofwolves。Heisbutawolf—childrunawayfromthejungle。"

Ofcourse，inplayingtogether，thecubshadoftennippedMowgliharderthantheyintended，andtherewerewhitescarsalloverhisarmsandlegs。Buthewouldhavebeenthelastpersonintheworldtocallthesebites，forheknewwhatrealbitingmeant。

"Arre！Arre！"saidtwoorthreewomentogether。"Tobebittenbywolves，poorchild！Heisahandsomeboy。Hehaseyeslikeredfire。Bymyhonor，Messua，heisnotunlikethyboythatwastakenbythetiger。"

"Letmelook，"saidawomanwithheavycopperringsonherwristsandankles，andshepeeredatMowgliunderthepalmofherhand。"Indeedheisnot。Heisthinner，buthehastheverylookofmyboy。"

Thepriestwasacleverman，andheknewthatMessuawaswifetotherichestvillagerintheplace。Sohelookedupattheskyforaminuteandsaidsolemnly："Whatthejunglehastakenthejunglehasrestored。Taketheboyintothyhouse，mysister，andforgetnottohonorthepriestwhoseessofarintothelivesofmen。"

"BytheBullthatboughtme，"saidMowglitohimself，"butallthistalkingislikeanotherlooking—overbythePack！Well，ifI

amaman，amanImustbecome。"

ThecrowdpartedasthewomanbeckonedMowglitoherhut，wheretherewasaredlacqueredbedstead，agreatearthengrainchestwithfunnyraisedpatternsonit，halfadozencoppercookingpots，animageofaHindugodinalittlealcove，andonthewallareallookingglass，suchastheysellatthecountryfairs。

Shegavehimalongdrinkofmilkandsomebread，andthenshelaidherhandonhisheadandlookedintohiseyes;forshethoughtperhapsthathemightbeherrealsoncomebackfromthejunglewherethetigerhadtakenhim。Soshesaid，"Nathoo，O

Nathoo！"Mowglididnotshowthatheknewthename。"DostthounotrememberthedaywhenIgavetheethynewshoes？"Shetouchedhisfoot，anditwasalmostashardashorn。"No，"shesaidsorrowfully，"thosefeethaveneverwornshoes，butthouartverylikemyNathoo，andthoushaltbemyson。"

Mowgliwasuneasy，becausehehadneverbeenunderaroofbefore。Butashelookedatthethatch，hesawthathecouldtearitoutanytimeifhewantedtogetaway，andthatthewindowhadnofastenings。"Whatisthegoodofaman，"hesaidtohimselfatlast，"ifhedoesnotunderstandman’stalk？NowIamassillyanddumbasamanwouldbewithusinthejungle。Imustspeaktheirtalk。"

Itwasnotforfunthathehadlearnedwhilehewaswiththewolvestoimitatethechallengeofbucksinthejungleandthegruntofthelittlewildpig。So，assoonasMessuapronouncedawordMowgliwouldimitateitalmostperfectly，andbeforedarkhehadlearnedthenamesofmanythingsinthehut。

Therewasadifficultyatbedtime，becauseMowgliwouldnotsleepunderanythingthatlookedsolikeapanthertrapasthathut，andwhentheyshutthedoorhewentthroughthewindow。

"Givehimhiswill，"saidMessua’shusband。"Rememberhecannevertillnowhavesleptonabed。Ifheisindeedsentintheplaceofoursonhewillnotrunaway。"

SoMowglistretchedhimselfinsomelong，cleangrassattheedgeofthefield，butbeforehehadclosedhiseyesasoftgraynosepokedhimunderthechin。

"Phew！"saidGrayBrother（hewastheeldestofMotherWolf’scubs）。"Thisisapoorrewardforfollowingtheetwentymiles。

Thousmellestofwoodsmokeandcattle——altogetherlikeamanalready。Wake，LittleBrother;Ibringnews。"

"Areallwellinthejungle？"saidMowgli，hugginghim。

"AllexceptthewolvesthatwereburnedwiththeRedFlower。

Now，listen。ShereKhanhasgoneawaytohuntfarofftillhiscoatgrowsagain，forheisbadlysinged。WhenhereturnsheswearsthathewilllaythybonesintheWaingunga。"

"Therearetwowordstothat。Ialsohavemadealittlepromise。Butnewsisalwaysgood。Iamtiredto—night，——verytiredwithnewthings，GrayBrother，——butbringmethenewsalways。"

"Thouwiltnotforgetthatthouartawolf？Menwillnotmaketheeforget？"saidGrayBrotheranxiously。

"Never。IwillalwaysrememberthatIlovetheeandallinourcave。ButalsoIwillalwaysrememberthatIhavebeencastoutofthePack。"

"Andthatthoumayestbecastoutofanotherpack。Menareonlymen，LittleBrother，andtheirtalkislikethetalkoffrogsinapond。WhenIcomedownhereagain，Iwillwaitfortheeinthebamboosattheedgeofthegrazing—ground。"

ForthreemonthsafterthatnightMowglihardlyeverleftthevillagegate，hewassobusylearningthewaysandcustomsofmen。

Firsthehadtowearaclothroundhim，whichannoyedhimhorribly;andthenhehadtolearnaboutmoney，whichhedidnotintheleastunderstand，andaboutplowing，ofwhichhedidnotseetheuse。Thenthelittlechildreninthevillagemadehimveryangry。Luckily，theLawoftheJunglehadtaughthimtokeephistemper，forinthejunglelifeandfooddependonkeepingyourtemper;butwhentheymadefunofhimbecausehewouldnotplaygamesorflykites，orbecausehemispronouncedsomeword，onlytheknowledgethatitwasunsportsmanliketokilllittlenakedcubskepthimfrompickingthemupandbreakingthemintwo。

Hedidnotknowhisownstrengthintheleast。Inthejungleheknewhewasweakcomparedwiththebeasts，butinthevillagepeoplesaidthathewasasstrongasabull。

AndMowglihadnotthefaintestideaofthedifferencethatcastemakesbetweenmanandman。Whenthepotter’sdonkeyslippedintheclaypit，Mowglihauleditoutbythetail，andhelpedtostackthepotsfortheirjourneytothemarketatKhanhiwara。

Thatwasveryshocking，too，forthepotterisalow—casteman，andhisdonkeyisworse。Whenthepriestscoldedhim，Mowglithreatenedtoputhimonthedonkeytoo，andthepriesttoldMessua’shusbandthatMowglihadbetterbesettoworkassoonaspossible;andthevillagehead—mantoldMowglithathewouldhavetogooutwiththebuffaloesnextday，andherdthemwhiletheygrazed。NoonewasmorepleasedthanMowgli;andthatnight，becausehehadbeenappointedaservantofthevillage，asitwere，hewentofftoacirclethatmeteveryeveningonamasonryplatformunderagreatfig—tree。Itwasthevillageclub，andthehead—manandthewatchmanandthebarber，whoknewallthegossipofthevillage，andoldBuldeo，thevillagehunter，whohadaTowermusket，metandsmoked。Themonkeyssatandtalkedintheupperbranches，andtherewasaholeundertheplatformwhereacobralived，andhehadhislittleplatterofmilkeverynightbecausehewassacred;andtheoldmensataroundthetreeandtalked，andpulledatthebighuqas（thewater—pipes）tillfarintothenight。Theytoldwonderfultalesofgodsandmenandghosts;andBuldeotoldevenmorewonderfulonesofthewaysofbeastsinthejungle，tilltheeyesofthechildrensittingoutsidethecirclebulgedoutoftheirheads。Mostofthetaleswereaboutanimals，forthejunglewasalwaysattheirdoor。Thedeerandthewildpiggrubbeduptheircrops，andnowandagainthetigercarriedoffamanattwilight，withinsightofthevillagegates。

Mowgli，whonaturallyknewsomethingaboutwhattheyweretalkingof，hadtocoverhisfacenottoshowthathewaslaughing，whileBuldeo，theTowermusketacrosshisknees，climbedonfromonewonderfulstorytoanother，andMowgli’sshouldersshook。

BuldeowasexplaininghowthetigerthathadcarriedawayMessua’ssonwasaghost—tiger，andhisbodywasinhabitedbytheghostofawicked，oldmoney—lender，whohaddiedsomeyearsago。

"AndIknowthatthisistrue，"hesaid，"becausePurunDassalwayslimpedfromtheblowthathegotinariotwhenhisaccountbookswereburned，andthetigerthatIspeakofhelimps，too，forthetracksofhispadsareunequal。"

"True，true，thatmustbethetruth，"saidthegray—beards，noddingtogether。

"Areallthesetalessuchcobwebsandmoontalk？"saidMowgli。

"Thattigerlimpsbecausehewasbornlame，aseveryoneknows。Totalkofthesoulofamoney—lenderinabeastthatneverhadthecourageofajackalischild’stalk。"

Buldeowasspeechlesswithsurpriseforamoment，andthehead—manstared。

"Oho！Itisthejunglebrat，isit？"saidBuldeo。"Ifthouartsowise，betterbringhishidetoKhanhiwara，fortheGovernmenthassetahundredrupeesonhislife。Betterstill，talknotwhenthyeldersspeak。"

Mowglirosetogo。"AlltheeveningIhavelainherelistening，"hecalledbackoverhisshoulder，"and，exceptonceortwice，Buldeohasnotsaidonewordoftruthconcerningthejungle，whichisathisverydoors。How，then，shallIbelievethetalesofghostsandgodsandgoblinswhichhesayshehasseen？"

"Itisfulltimethatboywenttoherding，"saidthehead—man，whileBuldeopuffedandsnortedatMowgli’simpertinence。

ThecustomofmostIndianvillagesisforafewboystotakethecattleandbuffaloesouttograzeintheearlymorning，andbringthembackatnight。Theverycattlethatwouldtrampleawhitemantodeathallowthemselvestobebangedandbulliedandshoutedatbychildrenthathardlycomeuptotheirnoses。Solongastheboyskeepwiththeherdstheyaresafe，fornoteventhetigerwillchargeamobofcattle。Butiftheystraggletopickflowersorhuntlizards，theyaresometimescarriedoff。

Mowgliwentthroughthevillagestreetinthedawn，sittingonthebackofRama，thegreatherdbull。Theslaty—bluebuffaloes，withtheirlong，backward—sweepinghornsandsavageeyes，roseouttheirbyres，onebyone，andfollowedhim，andMowglimadeitverycleartothechildrenwithhimthathewasthemaster。Hebeatthebuffaloeswithalong，polishedbamboo，andtoldKamya，oneoftheboys，tograzethecattlebythemselves，whilehewentonwiththebuffaloes，andtobeverycarefulnottostrayawayfromtheherd。

AnIndiangrazinggroundisallrocksandscrubandtussocksandlittleravines，amongwhichtheherdsscatteranddisappear。

Thebuffaloesgenerallykeeptothepoolsandmuddyplaces，wheretheyliewallowingorbaskinginthewarmmudforhours。MowglidrovethemontotheedgeoftheplainwheretheWaingungacameoutofthejungle;thenhedroppedfromRama’sneck，trottedofftoabambooclump，andfoundGrayBrother。"Ah，"saidGrayBrother，"Ihavewaitedhereverymanydays。Whatisthemeaningofthiscattle—herdingwork？"

"Itisanorder，"saidMowgli。"Iamavillageherdforawhile。WhatnewsofShereKhan？"

"Hehascomebacktothiscountry，andhaswaitedherealongtimeforthee。Nowhehasgoneoffagain，forthegameisscarce。

Buthemeanstokillthee。"

"Verygood，"saidMowgli。"Solongasheisawaydothouoroneofthefourbrotherssitonthatrock，sothatIcanseetheeasIcomeoutofthevillage。Whenhecomesbackwaitformeintheravinebythedhaktreeinthecenteroftheplain。WeneednotwalkintoShereKhan’smouth。"

ThenMowglipickedoutashadyplace，andlaydownandsleptwhilethebuffaloesgrazedroundhim。HerdinginIndiaisoneofthelaziestthingsintheworld。Thecattlemoveandcrunch，andliedown，andmoveonagain，andtheydonotevenlow。Theyonlygrunt，andthebuffaloesveryseldomsayanything，butgetdownintothemuddypoolsoneafteranother，andworktheirwayintothemudtillonlytheirnosesandstaringchina—blueeyesshowabovethesurface，andthentheylielikelogs。Thesunmakestherocksdanceintheheat，andtheherdchildrenhearonekite（neveranymore）whistlingalmostoutofsightoverhead，andtheyknowthatiftheydied，oracowdied，thatkitewouldsweepdown，andthenextkitemilesawaywouldseehimdropandfollow，andthenext，andthenext，andalmostbeforetheyweredeadtherewouldbeascoreofhungrykitescomeoutofnowhere。Thentheysleepandwakeandsleepagain，andweavelittlebasketsofdriedgrassandputgrasshoppersinthem;orcatchtwoprayingmantisesandmakethemfight;orstringanecklaceofredandblackjunglenuts;orwatchalizardbaskingonarock，orasnakehuntingafrognearthewallows。Thentheysinglong，longsongswithoddnativequaversattheendofthem，andthedayseemslongerthanmostpeople’swholelives，andperhapstheymakeamudcastlewithmudfiguresofmenandhorsesandbuffaloes，andputreedsintothemen’shands，andpretendthattheyarekingsandthefiguresaretheirarmies，orthattheyaregodstobeworshiped。Theneveningcomesandthechildrencall，andthebuffaloeslumberupoutofthestickymudwithnoiseslikegunshotsgoingoffoneaftertheother，andtheyallstringacrossthegrayplainbacktothetwinklingvillagelights。

DayafterdayMowgliwouldleadthebuffaloesouttotheirwallows，anddayafterdayhewouldseeGrayBrother’sbackamileandahalfawayacrosstheplain（soheknewthatShereKhanhadnotcomeback），anddayafterdayhewouldlieonthegrasslisteningtothenoisesroundhim，anddreamingofolddaysinthejungle。IfShereKhanhadmadeafalsestepwithhislamepawupinthejunglesbytheWaingunga，Mowgliwouldhaveheardhiminthoselong，stillmornings。

AtlastadaycamewhenhedidnotseeGrayBrotheratthesignalplace，andhelaughedandheadedthebuffaloesfortheravinebythedhktree，whichwasallcoveredwithgolden—redflowers。TheresatGrayBrother，everybristleonhisbacklifted。

"Hehashiddenforamonthtothrowtheeoffthyguard。HecrossedtherangeslastnightwithTabaqui，hot—footonthytrail，"saidtheWolf，panting。

Mowglifrowned。"IamnotafraidofShereKhan，butTabaquiisverycunning。"

"Havenofear，"saidGrayBrother，lickinghislipsalittle。

"ImetTabaquiinthedawn。Nowheistellingallhiswisdomtothekites，buthetoldmeeverythingbeforeIbrokehisback。

ShereKhan’splanistowaitfortheeatthevillagegatethisevening——fortheeandfornooneelse。Heislyingupnow，inthebigdryravineoftheWaingunga。"

"Hasheeatentoday，ordoeshehuntempty？"saidMowgli，fortheanswermeantlifeanddeathtohim。

"Hekilledatdawn，——apig，——andhehasdrunktoo。

Remember，ShereKhancouldneverfast，evenforthesakeofrevenge。"

"Oh！Fool，fool！Whatacub’scubitis！Eatenanddrunktoo，andhethinksthatIshallwaittillhehasslept！Now，wheredoeshelieup？Iftherewerebuttenofuswemightpullhimdownashelies。Thesebuffaloeswillnotchargeunlesstheywindhim，andIcannotspeaktheirlanguage。Canwegetbehindhistracksothattheymaysmellit？"

"HeswamfardowntheWaingungatocutthatoff，"saidGrayBrother。

"Tabaquitoldhimthat，Iknow。Hewouldneverhavethoughtofitalone。"Mowglistoodwithhisfingerinhismouth，thinking。"ThebigravineoftheWaingunga。Thatopensoutontheplainnothalfamilefromhere。Icantaketheherdroundthroughthejungletotheheadoftheravineandthensweepdown——buthewouldslinkoutatthefoot。Wemustblockthatend。

GrayBrother，canstthoucuttheherdintwoforme？"

"NotI，perhaps——butIhavebroughtawisehelper。"GrayBrothertrottedoffanddroppedintoahole。ThenthereliftedupahugegrayheadthatMowgliknewwell，andthehotairwasfilledwiththemostdesolatecryofallthejungle——thehuntinghowlofawolfatmidday。

"Akela！Akela！"saidMowgli，clappinghishands。"Imighthaveknownthatthouwouldstnotforgetme。Wehaveabigworkinhand。Cuttheherdintwo，Akela。Keepthecowsandcalvestogether，andthebullsandtheplowbuffaloesbythemselves。"

Thetwowolvesran，ladies’—chainfashion，inandoutoftheherd，whichsnortedandthrewupitshead，andseparatedintotwoclumps。Inone，thecow—buffaloesstoodwiththeircalvesinthecenter，andglaredandpawed，ready，ifawolfwouldonlystaystill，tochargedownandtramplethelifeoutofhim。Intheother，thebullsandtheyoungbullssnortedandstamped，butthoughtheylookedmoreimposingtheyweremuchlessdangerous，fortheyhadnocalvestoprotect。Nosixmencouldhavedividedtheherdsoneatly。

"Whatorders！"pantedAkela。"Theyaretryingtojoinagain。"

MowglislippedontoRama’sback。"Drivethebullsawaytotheleft，Akela。GrayBrother，whenwearegone，holdthecowstogether，anddrivethemintothefootoftheravine。"

"Howfar？"saidGrayBrother，pantingandsnapping。

"TillthesidesarehigherthanShereKhancanjump，"shoutedMowgli。"Keepthemtheretillwecomedown。"ThebullssweptoffasAkelabayed，andGrayBrotherstoppedinfrontofthecows。

Theychargeddownonhim，andheranjustbeforethemtothefootoftheravine，asAkeladrovethebullsfartotheleft。

"Welldone！Anotherchargeandtheyarefairlystarted。

Careful，now——careful，Akela。Asnaptoomuchandthebullswillcharge。Hujah！Thisiswilderworkthandrivingblack—buck。

Didstthouthinkthesecreaturescouldmovesoswiftly？"Mowglicalled。

"Ihave——havehuntedthesetooinmytime，"gaspedAkelainthedust。"ShallIturnthemintothejungle？"

"Ay！Turn。Swiftlyturnthem！Ramaismadwithrage。Oh，ifIcouldonlytellhimwhatIneedofhimto—day。"

Thebullswereturned，totherightthistime，andcrashedintothestandingthicket。Theotherherdchildren，watchingwiththecattlehalfamileaway，hurriedtothevillageasfastastheirlegscouldcarrythem，cryingthatthebuffaloeshadgonemadandrunaway。

ButMowgli’splanwassimpleenough。Allhewantedtodowastomakeabigcircleuphillandgetattheheadoftheravine，andthentakethebullsdownitandcatchShereKhanbetweenthebullsandthecows;forheknewthatafteramealandafulldrinkShereKhanwouldnotbeinanyconditiontofightortoclamberupthesidesoftheravine。Hewassoothingthebuffaloesnowbyvoice，andAkelahaddroppedfartotherear，onlywhimperingonceortwicetohurrytherear—guard。Itwasalong，longcircle，fortheydidnotwishtogettooneartheravineandgiveShereKhanwarning。AtlastMowgliroundedupthebewilderedherdattheheadoftheravineonagrassypatchthatslopedsteeplydowntotheravineitself。Fromthatheightyoucouldseeacrossthetopsofthetreesdowntotheplainbelow;butwhatMowglilookedatwasthesidesoftheravine，andhesawwithagreatdealofsatisfactionthattheyrannearlystraightupanddown，whilethevinesandcreepersthathungoverthemwouldgivenofootholdtoatigerwhowantedtogetout。

"Letthembreathe，Akela，"hesaid，holdinguphishand。

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