"Theyhavenotwindedhimyet。Letthembreathe。ImusttellShereKhanwhocomes。Wehavehiminthetrap。"
Heputhishandstohismouthandshouteddowntheravine——
itwasalmostlikeshoutingdownatunnel——andtheechoesjumpedfromrocktorock。
Afteralongtimetherecamebackthedrawling，sleepysnarlofafull—fedtigerjustwakened。
"Whocalls？"saidShereKhan，andasplendidpeacockflutteredupoutoftheravinescreeching。
"I，Mowgli。Cattlethief，itistimetocometotheCouncilRock！Down——hurrythemdown，Akela！Down，Rama，down！"
Theherdpausedforaninstantattheedgeoftheslope，butAkelagavetongueinthefullhunting—yell，andtheypitchedoveroneaftertheother，justassteamersshootrapids，thesandandstonesspurtinguproundthem。Oncestarted，therewasnochanceofstopping，andbeforetheywerefairlyinthebedoftheravineRamawindedShereKhanandbellowed。
"Ha！Ha！"saidMowgli，onhisback。"Nowthouknowest！"andthetorrentofblackhorns，foamingmuzzles，andstaringeyeswhirleddowntheravinejustasbouldersgodowninfloodtime;theweakerbuffaloesbeingshoulderedouttothesidesoftheravinewheretheytorethroughthecreepers。Theyknewwhatthebusinesswasbeforethem——theterriblechargeofthebuffaloherdagainstwhichnotigercanhopetostand。ShereKhanheardthethunderoftheirhoofs，pickedhimselfup，andlumbereddowntheravine，lookingfromsidetosideforsomewayofescape，butthewallsoftheravinewerestraightandhehadtoholdon，heavywithhisdinnerandhisdrink，willingtodoanythingratherthanfight。
Theherdsplashedthroughthepoolhehadjustleft，bellowingtillthenarrowcutrang。Mowgliheardanansweringbellowfromthefootoftheravine，sawShereKhanturn（thetigerknewiftheworstcametotheworstitwasbettertomeetthebullsthanthecowswiththeircalves），andthenRamatripped，stumbled，andwentonagainoversomethingsoft，and，withthebullsathisheels，crashedfullintotheotherherd，whiletheweakerbuffaloeswereliftedcleanofftheirfeetbytheshockofthemeeting。Thatchargecarriedbothherdsoutintotheplain，goringandstampingandsnorting。Mowgliwatchedhistime，andslippedoffRama’sneck，layingabouthimrightandleftwithhisstick。
"Quick，Akela！Breakthemup。Scatterthem，ortheywillbefightingoneanother。Drivethemaway，Akela。Hai，Rama！Hai，hai，hai！mychildren。Softlynow，softly！Itisallover。"
AkelaandGrayBrotherrantoandfronippingthebuffaloes’
legs，andthoughtheherdwheeledoncetochargeuptheravineagain，MowglimanagedtoturnRama，andtheothersfollowedhimtothewallows。
ShereKhanneedednomoretrampling。Hewasdead，andthekiteswerecomingforhimalready。
"Brothers，thatwasadog’sdeath，"saidMowgli，feelingfortheknifehealwayscarriedinasheathroundhisnecknowthathelivedwithmen。"Buthewouldneverhaveshownfight。HishidewilllookwellontheCouncilRock。Wemustgettoworkswiftly。"
Aboytrainedamongmenwouldneverhavedreamedofskinningaten—foottigeralone，butMowgliknewbetterthananyoneelsehowananimal’sskinisfittedon，andhowitcanbetakenoff。Butitwashardwork，andMowglislashedandtoreandgruntedforanhour，whilethewolveslolledouttheirtongues，orcameforwardandtuggedasheorderedthem。Presentlyahandfellonhisshoulder，andlookinguphesawBuldeowiththeTowermusket。Thechildrenhadtoldthevillageaboutthebuffalostampede，andBuldeowentoutangrily，onlytooanxioustocorrectMowglifornottakingbettercareoftheherd。Thewolvesdroppedoutofsightassoonastheysawthemancoming。
"Whatisthisfolly？"saidBuldeoangrily。"Tothinkthatthoucanstskinatiger！Wheredidthebuffaloeskillhim？ItistheLameTigertoo，andthereisahundredrupeesonhishead。
Well，well，wewilloverlookthylettingtheherdrunoff，andperhapsIwillgivetheeoneoftherupeesoftherewardwhenI
havetakentheskintoKhanhiwara。"Hefumbledinhiswaistclothforflintandsteel，andstoopeddowntosingeShereKhan’swhiskers。Mostnativehuntersalwayssingeatiger’swhiskerstopreventhisghostfromhauntingthem。
"Hum！"saidMowgli，halftohimselfasherippedbacktheskinofaforepaw。"SothouwilttakethehidetoKhanhiwaraforthereward，andperhapsgivemeonerupee？NowitisinmymindthatIneedtheskinformyownuse。Heh！Oldman，takeawaythatfire！"
"Whattalkisthistothechiefhunterofthevillage？Thyluckandthestupidityofthybuffaloeshavehelpedtheetothiskill。Thetigerhasjustfed，orhewouldhavegonetwentymilesbythistime。Thoucanstnotevenskinhimproperly，littlebeggarbrat，andforsoothI，Buldeo，mustbetoldnottosingehiswhiskers。Mowgli，Iwillnotgivetheeoneannaofthereward，butonlyaverybigbeating。Leavethecarcass！"
"BytheBullthatboughtme，"saidMowgli，whowastryingtogetattheshoulder，"mustIstaybabblingtoanoldapeallnoon？
Here，Akela，thismanplaguesme。"
Buldeo，whowasstillstoopingoverShereKhan’shead，foundhimselfsprawlingonthegrass，withagraywolfstandingoverhim，whileMowgliwentonskinningasthoughhewerealoneinallIndia。
"Ye—es，"hesaid，betweenhisteeth。"Thouartaltogetherright，Buldeo。Thouwiltnevergivemeoneannaofthereward。
Thereisanoldwarbetweenthislametigerandmyself——averyoldwar，and——Ihavewon。"
TodoBuldeojustice，ifhehadbeentenyearsyoungerhewouldhavetakenhischancewithAkelahadhemetthewolfinthewoods，butawolfwhoobeyedtheordersofthisboywhohadprivatewarswithman—eatingtigerswasnotacommonanimal。Itwassorcery，magicoftheworstkind，thoughtBuldeo，andhewonderedwhethertheamuletroundhisneckwouldprotecthim。Helayasstillasstill，expectingeveryminutetoseeMowgliturnintoatigertoo。
"Maharaj！GreatKing，"hesaidatlastinahuskywhisper。
"Yes，"saidMowgli，withoutturninghishead，chucklingalittle。
"Iamanoldman。Ididnotknowthatthouwastanythingmorethanaherdsboy。MayIriseupandgoaway，orwillthyservanttearmetopieces？"
"Go，andpeacegowiththee。Only，anothertimedonotmeddlewithmygame。Lethimgo，Akela。"
Buldeohobbledawaytothevillageasfastashecould，lookingbackoverhisshoulderincaseMowglishouldchangeintosomethingterrible。Whenhegottothevillagehetoldataleofmagicandenchantmentandsorcerythatmadethepriestlookverygrave。
Mowgliwentonwithhiswork，butitwasnearlytwilightbeforeheandthewolveshaddrawnthegreatgayskinclearofthebody。
"Nowwemusthidethisandtakethebuffaloeshome！Helpmetoherdthem，Akela。"
Theherdroundedupinthemistytwilight，andwhentheygotnearthevillageMowglisawlights，andheardtheconchesandbellsinthetempleblowingandbanging。Halfthevillageseemedtobewaitingforhimbythegate。"ThatisbecauseIhavekilledShereKhan，"hesaidtohimself。Butashowerofstoneswhistledabouthisears，andthevillagersshouted："Sorcerer！Wolf’sbrat！Jungledemon！Goaway！Gethencequicklyorthepriestwillturntheeintoawolfagain。Shoot，Buldeo，shoot！"
TheoldTowermusketwentoffwithabang，andayoungbuffalobellowedinpain。
"Moresorcery！"shoutedthevillagers。"Hecanturnbullets。
Buldeo，thatwasthybuffalo。"
"Nowwhatisthis？"saidMowgli，bewildered，asthestonesflewthicker。
"TheyarenotunlikethePack，thesebrothersofthine，"saidAkela，sittingdowncomposedly。"Itisinmyheadthat，ifbulletsmeananything，theywouldcasttheeout。"
"Wolf！Wolf’scub！Goaway！"shoutedthepriest，wavingasprigofthesacredtulsiplant。
"Again？LasttimeitwasbecauseIwasaman。ThistimeitisbecauseIamawolf。Letusgo，Akela。"
Awoman——itwasMessua——ranacrosstotheherd，andcried：
"Oh，myson，myson！Theysaythouartasorcererwhocanturnhimselfintoabeastatwill。Idonotbelieve，butgoawayortheywillkillthee。Buldeosaysthouartawizard，butIknowthouhastavengedNathoo’sdeath。"
"Comeback，Messua！"shoutedthecrowd。"Comeback，orwewillstonethee。"
Mowglilaughedalittleshortuglylaugh，forastonehadhithiminthemouth。"Runback，Messua。Thisisoneofthefoolishtalestheytellunderthebigtreeatdusk。Ihaveatleastpaidforthyson’slife。Farewell;andrunquickly，forIshallsendtheherdinmoreswiftlythantheirbrickbats。Iamnowizard，Messua。Farewell！"
"Now，oncemore，Akela，"hecried。"Bringtheherdin。"
Thebuffaloeswereanxiousenoughtogettothevillage。TheyhardlyneededAkela’syell，butchargedthroughthegatelikeawhirlwind，scatteringthecrowdrightandleft。
"Keepcount！"shoutedMowgliscornfully。"ItmaybethatI
havestolenoneofthem。Keepcount，forIwilldoyourherdingnomore。Fareyouwell，childrenofmen，andthankMessuathatI
donotcomeinwithmywolvesandhuntyouupanddownyourstreet。"
HeturnedonhisheelandwalkedawaywiththeLoneWolf，andashelookedupatthestarshefelthappy。"Nomoresleepingintrapsforme，Akela。LetusgetShereKhan’sskinandgoaway。
No，wewillnothurtthevillage，forMessuawaskindtome。"
Whenthemoonroseovertheplain，makingitlookallmilky，thehorrifiedvillagerssawMowgli，withtwowolvesathisheelsandabundleonhishead，trottingacrossatthesteadywolf’strotthateatsupthelongmileslikefire。Thentheybangedthetemplebellsandblewtheconcheslouderthanever。AndMessuacried，andBuldeoembroideredthestoryofhisadventuresinthejungle，tillheendedbysayingthatAkelastooduponhishindlegsandtalkedlikeaman。
ThemoonwasjustgoingdownwhenMowgliandthetwowolvescametothehilloftheCouncilRock，andtheystoppedatMotherWolf’scave。
"TheyhavecastmeoutfromtheMan—Pack，Mother，"shoutedMowgli，"butIcomewiththehideofShereKhantokeepmyword。"
MotherWolfwalkedstifflyfromthecavewiththecubsbehindher，andhereyesglowedasshesawtheskin。
"Itoldhimonthatday，whenhecrammedhisheadandshouldersintothiscave，huntingforthylife，LittleFrog——I
toldhimthatthehunterwouldbethehunted。Itiswelldone。"
"LittleBrother，itiswelldone，"saidadeepvoiceinthethicket。"Wewerelonelyinthejunglewithoutthee，andBagheeracamerunningtoMowgli’sbarefeet。TheyclambereduptheCouncilRocktogether，andMowglispreadtheskinoutontheflatstonewhereAkelausedtosit，andpeggeditdownwithfoursliversofbamboo，andAkelalaydownuponit，andcalledtheoldcalltotheCouncil，"Look——lookwell，OWolves，"exactlyashehadcalledwhenMowgliwasfirstbroughtthere。
EversinceAkelahadbeendeposed，thePackhadbeenwithoutaleader，huntingandfightingattheirownpleasure。Buttheyansweredthecallfromhabit;andsomeofthemwerelamefromthetrapstheyhadfalleninto，andsomelimpedfromshotwounds，andsomeweremangyfromeatingbadfood，andmanyweremissing。ButtheycametotheCouncilRock，allthatwereleftofthem，andsawShereKhan’sstripedhideontherock，andthehugeclawsdanglingattheendoftheemptydanglingfeet。ItwasthenthatMowglimadeupasongthatcameupintohisthroatallbyitself，andheshouteditaloud，leapingupanddownontherattlingskin，andbeatingtimewithhisheelstillhehadnomorebreathleft，whileGrayBrotherandAkelahowledbetweentheverses。
"Lookwell，OWolves。HaveIkeptmyword？"saidMowgli。Andthewolvesbayed"Yes，"andonetatteredwolfhowled：
"Leadusagain，OAkela。Leadusagain，OMan—cub，forwebesickofthislawlessness，andwewouldbetheFreePeopleoncemore。"
"Nay，"purredBagheera，"thatmaynotbe。Whenyearefull—fed，themadnessmaycomeuponyouagain。NotfornothingareyecalledtheFreePeople。Yefoughtforfreedom，anditisyours。Eatit，OWolves。"
"Man—PackandWolf—Packhavecastmeout，"saidMowgli。"NowIwillhuntaloneinthejungle。"
"Andwewillhuntwiththee，"saidthefourcubs。
SoMowgliwentawayandhuntedwiththefourcubsinthejunglefromthatdayon。Buthewasnotalwaysalone，because，yearsafterward，hebecameamanandmarried。
Butthatisastoryforgrown—ups。
Mowgli’sSongTHATHESANGATTHECOUNCILROCKWHENHE
DANCEDONSHEREKHAN’SHIDE
TheSongofMowgli——I，Mowgli，amsinging。LetthejunglelistentothethingsIhavedone。
ShereKhansaidhewouldkill——wouldkill！AtthegatesinthetwilighthewouldkillMowgli，theFrog！
Heateandhedrank。Drinkdeep，ShereKhan，forwhenwiltthoudrinkagain？Sleepanddreamofthekill。
Iamaloneonthegrazing—grounds。GrayBrother，cometome！
Cometome，LoneWolf，forthereisbiggameafoot！
Bringupthegreatbullbuffaloes，theblue—skinnedherdbullswiththeangryeyes。DrivethemtoandfroasIorder。
Sleepestthoustill，ShereKhan？Wake，oh，wake！HerecomeI，andthebullsarebehind。
Rama，theKingoftheBuffaloes，stampedwithhisfoot。WatersoftheWaingunga，whitherwentShereKhan？
HeisnotIkkitodigholes，norMao，thePeacock，thatheshouldfly。HeisnotMangtheBat，tohanginthebranches。Littlebamboosthatcreaktogether，tellmewhereheran？
Ow！Heisthere。Ahoo！Heisthere。UnderthefeetofRamaliestheLameOne！Up，ShereKhan！
Upandkill！Hereismeat;breakthenecksofthebulls！
Hsh！Heisasleep。Wewillnotwakehim，forhisstrengthisverygreat。Thekiteshavecomedowntoseeit。Theblackantshavecomeuptoknowit。Thereisagreatassemblyinhishonor。
Alala！Ihavenoclothtowrapme。ThekiteswillseethatIamnaked。Iamashamedtomeetallthesepeople。
Lendmethycoat，ShereKhan。LendmethygaystripedcoatthatI
maygototheCouncilRock。
BytheBullthatboughtmeImadeapromise——alittlepromise。
OnlythycoatislackingbeforeIkeepmyword。
Withtheknife，withtheknifethatmenuse，withtheknifeofthehunter，Iwillstoopdownformygift。
WatersoftheWaingunga，ShereKhangivesmehiscoatforthelovethathebearsme。Pull，GrayBrother！Pull，Akela！HeavyisthehideofShereKhan。
TheManPackareangry。Theythrowstonesandtalkchild’stalk。
Mymouthisbleeding。Letmerunaway。
Throughthenight，throughthehotnight，runswiftlywithme，mybrothers。Wewillleavethelightsofthevillageandgotothelowmoon。
WatersoftheWaingunga，theMan—Packhavecastmeout。Ididthemnoharm，buttheywereafraidofme。Why？
WolfPack，yehavecastmeouttoo。Thejungleisshuttomeandthevillagegatesareshut。Why？
AsMangfliesbetweenthebeastsandbirds，soflyIbetweenthevillageandthejungle。Why？
IdanceonthehideofShereKhan，butmyheartisveryheavy。Mymouthiscutandwoundedwiththestonesfromthevillage，butmyheartisverylight，becauseIhavecomebacktothejungle。
Why？
Thesetwothingsfighttogetherinmeasthesnakesfightinthespring。Thewatercomesoutofmyeyes;yetIlaughwhileitfalls。Why？
IamtwoMowglis，butthehideofShereKhanisundermyfeet。
AllthejungleknowsthatIhavekilledShereKhan。Look——lookwell，OWolves！
Ahae！MyheartisheavywiththethingsthatIdonotunderstand。
TheWhiteSealOh！hushthee，mybaby，thenightisbehindus，Andblackarethewatersthatsparkledsogreen。
Themoon，o’erthecombers，looksdownwardtofindusAtrestinthehollowsthatrustlebetween。
Wherebillowmeetsbillow，thensoftbethypillow，Ah，wearyweeflipperling，curlatthyease！
Thestormshallnotwakethee，norsharkovertakethee，Asleepinthearmsoftheslow—swingingseas！
SealLullabyAllthesethingshappenedseveralyearsagoataplacecalledNovastoshnah，orNorthEastPoint，ontheIslandofSt。Paul，awayandawayintheBeringSea。Limmershin，theWinterWren，toldmethetalewhenhewasblownontotheriggingofasteamergoingtoJapan，andItookhimdownintomycabinandwarmedandfedhimforacoupleofdaystillhewasfittoflybacktoSt。Paul’sagain。Limmershinisaveryquaintlittlebird，butheknowshowtotellthetruth。
NobodycomestoNovastoshnahexceptonbusiness，andtheonlypeoplewhohaveregularbusinesstherearetheseals。Theycomeinthesummermonthsbyhundredsandhundredsofthousandsoutofthecoldgraysea。ForNovastoshnahBeachhasthefinestaccommodationforsealsofanyplaceinalltheworld。
SeaCatchknewthat，andeveryspringwouldswimfromwhateverplacehehappenedtobein——wouldswimlikeatorpedo—boatstraightforNovastoshnahandspendamonthfightingwithhiscompanionsforagoodplaceontherocks，asclosetotheseaaspossible。SeaCatchwasfifteenyearsold，ahugegrayfursealwithalmostamaneonhisshoulders，andlong，wickeddogteeth。
Whenheheavedhimselfuponhisfrontflippershestoodmorethanfourfeetclearoftheground，andhisweight，ifanyonehadbeenboldenoughtoweighhim，wasnearlysevenhundredpounds。Hewasscarredalloverwiththemarksofsavagefights，buthewasalwaysreadyforjustonefightmore。Hewouldputhisheadononeside，asthoughhewereafraidtolookhisenemyintheface;
thenhewouldshootitoutlikelightning，andwhenthebigteethwerefirmlyfixedontheotherseal’sneck，theothersealmightgetawayifhecould，butSeaCatchwouldnothelphim。
YetSeaCatchneverchasedabeatenseal，forthatwasagainsttheRulesoftheBeach。Heonlywantedroombytheseaforhisnursery。Butastherewerefortyorfiftythousandothersealshuntingforthesamethingeachspring，thewhistling，bellowing，roaring，andblowingonthebeachwassomethingfrightful。
FromalittlehillcalledHutchinson’sHill，youcouldlookoverthreeandahalfmilesofgroundcoveredwithfightingseals;
andthesurfwasdottedalloverwiththeheadsofsealshurryingtolandandbegintheirshareofthefighting。Theyfoughtinthebreakers，theyfoughtinthesand，andtheyfoughtonthesmooth—wornbasaltrocksofthenurseries，fortheywerejustasstupidandunaccommodatingasmen。TheirwivesnevercametotheislanduntillateinMayorearlyinJune，fortheydidnotcaretobetorntopieces;andtheyoungtwo—，three—，andfour—year—oldsealswhohadnotbegunhousekeepingwentinlandabouthalfamilethroughtheranksofthefightersandplayedaboutonthesanddunesindrovesandlegions，andrubbedoffeverysinglegreenthingthatgrew。Theywerecalledtheholluschickie——thebachelors——andtherewereperhapstwoorthreehundredthousandofthematNovastoshnahalone。
SeaCatchhadjustfinishedhisforty—fifthfightonespringwhenMatkah，hissoft，sleek，gentle—eyedwife，cameupoutofthesea，andhecaughtherbythescruffoftheneckanddumpedherdownonhisreservation，sayinggruffly："Lateasusual。Wherehaveyoubeen？"
ItwasnotthefashionforSeaCatchtoeatanythingduringthefourmonthshestayedonthebeaches，andsohistemperwasgenerallybad。Matkahknewbetterthantoanswerback。Shelookedroundandcooed："Howthoughtfulofyou。You’vetakentheoldplaceagain。"
"IshouldthinkIhad，"saidSeaCatch。"Lookatme！"
Hewasscratchedandbleedingintwentyplaces;oneeyewasalmostout，andhissidesweretorntoribbons。
"Oh，youmen，youmen！"Matkahsaid，fanningherselfwithherhindflipper。"Whycan’tyoubesensibleandsettleyourplacesquietly？YoulookasthoughyouhadbeenfightingwiththeKillerWhale。"
"Ihaven’tbeendoinganythingbutfightsincethemiddleofMay。Thebeachisdisgracefullycrowdedthisseason。I’vemetatleastahundredsealsfromLukannonBeach，househunting。Whycan’tpeoplestaywheretheybelong？"
"I’veoftenthoughtweshouldbemuchhappierifwehauledoutatOtterIslandinsteadofthiscrowdedplace，"saidMatkah。
"Bah！OnlytheholluschickiegotoOtterIsland。Ifwewenttheretheywouldsaywewereafraid。Wemustpreserveappearances，mydear。"
SeaCatchsunkhisheadproudlybetweenhisfatshouldersandpretendedtogotosleepforafewminutes，butallthetimehewaskeepingasharplookoutforafight。Nowthatallthesealsandtheirwiveswereontheland，youcouldheartheirclamormilesouttoseaabovetheloudestgales。Atthelowestcountingtherewereoveramillionsealsonthebeach——oldseals，motherseals，tinybabies，andholluschickie，fighting，scuffling，bleating，crawling，andplayingtogether——goingdowntotheseaandcomingupfromitingangsandregiments，lyingovereveryfootofgroundasfarastheeyecouldreach，andskirmishingaboutinbrigadesthroughthefog。ItisnearlyalwaysfoggyatNovastoshnah，exceptwhenthesuncomesoutandmakeseverythinglookallpearlyandrainbow—coloredforalittlewhile。
Kotick，Matkah’sbaby，wasborninthemiddleofthatconfusion，andhewasallheadandshoulders，withpale，wateryblueeyes，astinysealsmustbe，buttherewassomethingabouthiscoatthatmadehismotherlookathimveryclosely。
"SeaCatch，"shesaid，atlast，"ourbaby’sgoingtobewhite！"
"Emptyclam—shellsanddryseaweed！"snortedSeaCatch。
"Thereneverhasbeensuchathingintheworldasawhiteseal。"
"Ican’thelpthat，"saidMatkah;"there’sgoingtobenow。"
Andshesangthelow，crooningsealsongthatallthemothersealssingtotheirbabies：
Youmustn’tswimtillyou’resixweeksold，Oryourheadwillbesunkbyyourheels;
AndsummergalesandKillerWhalesArebadforbabyseals。
Arebadforbabyseals，dearrat，Asbadasbadcanbe;
Butsplashandgrowstrong，Andyoucan’tbewrong。
ChildoftheOpenSea！
Ofcoursethelittlefellowdidnotunderstandthewordsatfirst。Hepaddledandscrambledaboutbyhismother’sside，andlearnedtoscuffleoutofthewaywhenhisfatherwasfightingwithanotherseal，andthetworolledandroaredupanddowntheslipperyrocks。Matkahusedtogotoseatogetthingstoeat，andthebabywasfedonlyonceintwodays，butthenheateallhecouldandthroveuponit。
Thefirstthinghedidwastocrawlinland，andtherehemettensofthousandsofbabiesofhisownage，andtheyplayedtogetherlikepuppies，wenttosleeponthecleansand，andplayedagain。Theoldpeopleinthenurseriestooknonoticeofthem，andtheholluschickiekepttotheirowngrounds，andthebabieshadabeautifulplaytime。
WhenMatkahcamebackfromherdeep—seafishingshewouldgostraighttotheirplaygroundandcallasasheepcallsforalamb，andwaituntilsheheardKotickbleat。Thenshewouldtakethestraightestofstraightlinesinhisdirection，strikingoutwithherforeflippersandknockingtheyoungstersheadoverheelsrightandleft。Therewerealwaysafewhundredmothershuntingfortheirchildrenthroughtheplaygrounds，andthebabieswerekeptlively。But，asMatkahtoldKotick，"Solongasyoudon’tlieinmuddywaterandgetmange，orrubthehardsandintoacutorscratch，andsolongasyounevergoswimmingwhenthereisaheavysea，nothingwillhurtyouhere。"
Littlesealscannomoreswimthanlittlechildren，buttheyareunhappytilltheylearn。ThefirsttimethatKotickwentdowntotheseaawavecarriedhimoutbeyondhisdepth，andhisbigheadsankandhislittlehindflippersflewupexactlyashismotherhadtoldhiminthesong，andifthenextwavehadnotthrownhimbackagainhewouldhavedrowned。
Afterthat，helearnedtolieinabeachpoolandletthewashofthewavesjustcoverhimandlifthimupwhilehepaddled，buthealwayskepthiseyeopenforbigwavesthatmighthurt。Hewastwoweekslearningtousehisflippers;andallthatwhileheflounderedinandoutofthewater，andcoughedandgruntedandcrawledupthebeachandtookcatnapsonthesand，andwentbackagain，untilatlasthefoundthathetrulybelongedtothewater。
Thenyoucanimaginethetimesthathehadwithhiscompanions，duckingundertherollers;orcominginontopofacomberandlandingwithaswashandasplutterasthebigwavewentwhirlingfarupthebeach;orstandinguponhistailandscratchinghisheadastheoldpeopledid;orplaying"I’mtheKingoftheCastle"onslippery，weedyrocksthatjuststuckoutofthewash。Nowandthenhewouldseeathinfin，likeabigshark’sfin，driftingalongclosetoshore，andheknewthatthatwastheKillerWhale，theGrampus，whoeatsyoungsealswhenhecangetthem;andKotickwouldheadforthebeachlikeanarrow，andthefinwouldjigoffslowly，asifitwerelookingfornothingatall。
LateinOctoberthesealsbegantoleaveSt。Paul’sforthedeepsea，byfamiliesandtribes，andtherewasnomorefightingoverthenurseries，andtheholluschickieplayedanywheretheyliked。"Nextyear，"saidMatkahtoKotick，"youwillbeaholluschickie;butthisyearyoumustlearnhowtocatchfish。"
TheysetouttogetheracrossthePacific，andMatkahshowedKotickhowtosleeponhisbackwithhisflipperstuckeddownbyhissideandhislittlenosejustoutofthewater。Nocradleissocomfortableasthelong，rockingswellofthePacific。WhenKotickfelthisskintingleallover，Matkahtoldhimhewaslearningthe"feelofthewater，"andthattingly，pricklyfeelingsmeantbadweathercoming，andhemustswimhardandgetaway。
"Inalittletime，"shesaid，"you’llknowwheretoswimto，butjustnowwe’llfollowSeaPig，thePorpoise，forheisverywise。"Aschoolofporpoiseswereduckingandtearingthroughthewater，andlittleKotickfollowedthemasfastashecould。"Howdoyouknowwheretogoto？"hepanted。Theleaderoftheschoolrolledhiswhiteeyeandduckedunder。"Mytailtingles，youngster，"hesaid。"Thatmeansthere’sagalebehindme。Comealong！Whenyou’resouthoftheStickyWater[hemeanttheEquator]andyourtailtingles，thatmeansthere’sagaleinfrontofyouandyoumustheadnorth。Comealong！Thewaterfeelsbadhere。"
ThiswasoneofverymanythingsthatKoticklearned，andhewasalwayslearning。Matkahtaughthimtofollowthecodandthehalibutalongtheunder—seabanksandwrenchtherocklingoutofhisholeamongtheweeds;howtoskirtthewreckslyingahundredfathomsbelowwateranddartlikeariflebulletinatoneportholeandoutatanotherasthefishesran;howtodanceonthetopofthewaveswhenthelightningwasracingalloverthesky，andwavehisflipperpolitelytothestumpy—tailedAlbatrossandtheMan—of—warHawkastheywentdownthewind;howtojumpthreeorfourfeetclearofthewaterlikeadolphin，flippersclosetothesideandtailcurved;toleavetheflyingfishalonebecausetheyareallbony;totaketheshoulder—pieceoutofacodatfullspeedtenfathomsdeep，andnevertostopandlookataboatoraship，butparticularlyarow—boat。AttheendofsixmonthswhatKotickdidnotknowaboutdeep—seafishingwasnotworththeknowing。Andallthattimeheneversetflipperondryground。
Oneday，however，ashewaslyinghalfasleepinthewarmwatersomewhereofftheIslandofJuanFernandez，hefeltfaintandlazyallover，justashumanpeopledowhenthespringisintheirlegs，andherememberedthegoodfirmbeachesofNovastoshnahseventhousandmilesaway，thegameshiscompanionsplayed，thesmelloftheseaweed，thesealroar，andthefighting。
Thatveryminuteheturnednorth，swimmingsteadily，andashewentonhemetscoresofhismates，allboundforthesameplace，andtheysaid："Greeting，Kotick！Thisyearweareallholluschickie，andwecandancetheFire—danceinthebreakersoffLukannonandplayonthenewgrass。Butwheredidyougetthatcoat？"
Kotick’sfurwasalmostpurewhitenow，andthoughhefeltveryproudofit，heonlysaid，"Swimquickly！Mybonesareachingfortheland。"Andsotheyallcametothebeacheswheretheyhadbeenborn，andheardtheoldseals，theirfathers，fightingintherollingmist。
ThatnightKotickdancedtheFire—dancewiththeyearlingseals。TheseaisfulloffireonsummernightsallthewaydownfromNovastoshnahtoLukannon，andeachsealleavesawakelikeburningoilbehindhimandaflamingflashwhenhejumps，andthewavesbreakingreatphosphorescentstreaksandswirls。Thentheywentinlandtotheholluschickiegroundsandrolledupanddowninthenewwildwheatandtoldstoriesofwhattheyhaddonewhiletheyhadbeenatsea。TheytalkedaboutthePacificasboyswouldtalkaboutawoodthattheyhadbeennuttingin，andifanyonehadunderstoodthemhecouldhavegoneawayandmadesuchachartofthatoceanasneverwas。Thethree—andfour—year—oldholluschickierompeddownfromHutchinson’sHillcrying："Outoftheway，youngsters！Theseaisdeepandyoudon’tknowallthat’sinityet。Waittillyou’veroundedtheHorn。Hi，youyearling，wheredidyougetthatwhitecoat？"
"Ididn’tgetit，"saidKotick。"Itgrew。"Andjustashewasgoingtorollthespeakerover，acoupleofblack—hairedmenwithflatredfacescamefrombehindasanddune，andKotick，whohadneverseenamanbefore，coughedandloweredhishead。Theholluschickiejustbundledoffafewyardsandsatstaringstupidly。ThemenwerenolessthanKerickBooterin，thechiefoftheseal—huntersontheisland，andPatalamon，hisson。Theycamefromthelittlevillagenothalfamilefromtheseanurseries，andtheyweredecidingwhatsealstheywoulddriveuptothekillingpens——forthesealsweredrivenjustlikesheep——tobeturnedintoseal—skinjacketslateron。
"Ho！"saidPatalamon。"Look！There’sawhiteseal！"
KerickBooterinturnednearlywhiteunderhisoilandsmoke，forhewasanAleut，andAleutsarenotcleanpeople。Thenhebegantomutteraprayer。"Don’ttouchhim，Patalamon。Therehasneverbeenawhitesealsince——sinceIwasborn。PerhapsitisoldZaharrof’sghost。Hewaslostlastyearinthebiggale。"
"I’mnotgoingnearhim，"saidPatalamon。"He’sunlucky。DoyoureallythinkheisoldZaharrofcomeback？Iowehimforsomegulls’eggs。"
"Don’tlookathim，"saidKerick。"Headoffthatdroveoffour—year—olds。Themenoughttoskintwohundredto—day，butit’sthebeginningoftheseasonandtheyarenewtothework。A
hundredwilldo。Quick！"
Patalamonrattledapairofseal’sshoulderbonesinfrontofaherdofholluschickieandtheystoppeddead，puffingandblowing。Thenhesteppednearandthesealsbegantomove，andKerickheadedtheminland，andtheynevertriedtogetbacktotheircompanions。Hundredsandhundredsofthousandsofsealswatchedthembeingdriven，buttheywentonplayingjustthesame。
Kotickwastheonlyonewhoaskedquestions，andnoneofhiscompanionscouldtellhimanything，exceptthatthemenalwaysdrovesealsinthatwayforsixweeksortwomonthsofeveryyear。
"Iamgoingtofollow，"hesaid，andhiseyesnearlypoppedoutofhisheadasheshuffledalonginthewakeoftheherd。
"Thewhitesealiscomingafterus，"criedPatalamon。"That’sthefirsttimeasealhasevercometothekilling—groundsalone。"
"Hsh！Don’tlookbehindyou，"saidKerick。"ItisZaharrof’sghost！Imustspeaktothepriestaboutthis。"
Thedistancetothekilling—groundswasonlyhalfamile，butittookanhourtocover，becauseifthesealswenttoofastKerickknewthattheywouldgetheatedandthentheirfurwouldcomeoffinpatcheswhentheywereskinned。Sotheywentonveryslowly，pastSeaLion’sNeck，pastWebsterHouse，tilltheycametotheSaltHousejustbeyondthesightofthesealsonthebeach。
Kotickfollowed，pantingandwondering。Hethoughtthathewasattheworld’send，buttheroarofthesealnurseriesbehindhimsoundedasloudastheroarofatraininatunnel。ThenKericksatdownonthemossandpulledoutaheavypewterwatchandletthedrovecooloffforthirtyminutes，andKotickcouldhearthefog—dewdrippingoffthebrimofhiscap。Thentenortwelvemen，eachwithaniron—boundclubthreeorfourfeetlong，cameup，andKerickpointedoutoneortwoofthedrovethatwerebittenbytheircompanionsortoohot，andthemenkickedthoseasidewiththeirheavybootsmadeoftheskinofawalrus’sthroat，andthenKericksaid，"Letgo！"andthenthemenclubbedthesealsontheheadasfastastheycould。
TenminuteslaterlittleKotickdidnotrecognizehisfriendsanymore，fortheirskinswererippedofffromthenosetothehindflippers，whippedoffandthrowndownonthegroundinapile。ThatwasenoughforKotick。Heturnedandgalloped（asealcangallopveryswiftlyforashorttime）backtothesea;hislittlenewmustachebristlingwithhorror。AtSeaLion’sNeck，wherethegreatsealionssitontheedgeofthesurf，heflunghimselfflipper—overheadintothecoolwaterandrockedthere，gaspingmiserably。"What’shere？"saidasealiongruffly，forasarulethesealionskeepthemselvestothemselves。
"Scoochnie！Ochenscoochnie！"（"I’mlonesome，verylonesome！"）saidKotick。"They’rekillingalltheholluschickieonallthebeaches！"
TheSeaLionturnedhisheadinshore。"Nonsense！"hesaid。
"Yourfriendsaremakingasmuchnoiseasever。YoumusthaveseenoldKerickpolishingoffadrove。He’sdonethatforthirtyyears。"
"It’shorrible，"saidKotick，backingwaterasawavewentoverhim，andsteadyinghimselfwithascrewstrokeofhisflippersthatbroughthimallstandingwithinthreeinchesofajaggededgeofrock。
"Welldoneforayearling！"saidtheSeaLion，whocouldappreciategoodswimming。"Isupposeitisratherawfulfromyourwayoflookingatit，butifyousealswillcomehereyearafteryear，ofcoursethemengettoknowofit，andunlessyoucanfindanislandwherenomenevercomeyouwillalwaysbedriven。"
"Isn’tthereanysuchisland？"beganKotick。
"I’vefollowedthepoltoos[thehalibut]fortwentyyears，andIcan’tsayI’vefoundityet。Butlookhere——youseemtohaveafondnessfortalkingtoyourbetters——supposeyougotoWalrusIsletandtalktoSeaVitch。Hemayknowsomething。Don’tflounceofflikethat。It’sasix—mileswim，andifIwereyouI
shouldhauloutandtakeanapfirst，littleone。"
Kotickthoughtthatthatwasgoodadvice，soheswamroundtohisownbeach，hauledout，andsleptforhalfanhour，twitchingallover，assealswill。ThenheheadedstraightforWalrusIslet，alittlelowsheetofrockyislandalmostduenortheastfromNovastoshnah，allledgesandrockandgulls’nests，wherethewalrusherdedbythemselves。
HelandedclosetooldSeaVitch——thebig，ugly，bloated，pimpled，fat—necked，long—tuskedwalrusoftheNorthPacific，whohasnomannersexceptwhenheisasleep——ashewasthen，withhishindflippershalfinandhalfoutofthesurf。
"Wakeup！"barkedKotick，forthegullsweremakingagreatnoise。
"Hah！Ho！Hmph！What’sthat？"saidSeaVitch，andhestruckthenextwalrusablowwithhistusksandwakedhimup，andthenextstruckthenext，andsoontilltheywereallawakeandstaringineverydirectionbuttherightone。
"Hi！It’sme，"saidKotick，bobbinginthesurfandlookinglikealittlewhiteslug。
"Well！MayIbe——skinned！"saidSeaVitch，andtheyalllookedatKotickasyoucanfancyaclubfullofdrowsyoldgentlemenwouldlookatalittleboy。Kotickdidnotcaretohearanymoreaboutskinningjustthen;hehadseenenoughofit。Sohecalledout："Isn’tthereanyplaceforsealstogowheremendon’tevercome？"
"Goandfindout，"saidSeaVitch，shuttinghiseyes。"Runaway。We’rebusyhere。"
Kotickmadehisdolphin—jumpintheairandshoutedasloudashecould："Clam—eater！Clam—eater！"HeknewthatSeaVitchnevercaughtafishinhislifebutalwaysrootedforclamsandseaweed;
thoughhepretendedtobeaveryterribleperson。NaturallytheChickiesandtheGooverooskiesandtheEpatkas——theBurgomasterGullsandtheKittiwakesandthePuffins，whoarealwayslookingforachancetoberude，tookupthecry，and——soLimmershintoldme——fornearlyfiveminutesyoucouldnothaveheardagunfiredonWalrusIslet。Allthepopulationwasyellingandscreaming"Clam—eater！Stareek[oldman]！"whileSeaVitchrolledfromsidetosidegruntingandcoughing。
"Nowwillyoutell？"saidKotick，alloutofbreath。
"GoandaskSeaCow，"saidSeaVitch。"Ifheislivingstill，he’llbeabletotellyou。"
"HowshallIknowSeaCowwhenImeethim？"saidKotick，sheeringoff。
"He’stheonlythingintheseauglierthanSeaVitch，"
screamedaBurgomastergull，wheelingunderSeaVitch’snose。
"Uglier，andwithworsemanners！Stareek！"
KotickswambacktoNovastoshnah，leavingthegullstoscream。
Therehefoundthatnoonesympathizedwithhiminhislittleattempttodiscoveraquietplacefortheseals。Theytoldhimthatmenhadalwaysdriventheholluschickie——itwaspartoftheday’swork——andthatifhedidnotliketoseeuglythingsheshouldnothavegonetothekillinggrounds。Butnoneoftheothersealshadseenthekilling，andthatmadethedifferencebetweenhimandhisfriends。Besides，Kotickwasawhiteseal。
"Whatyoumustdo，"saidoldSeaCatch，afterhehadheardhisson’sadventures，"istogrowupandbeabigseallikeyourfather，andhaveanurseryonthebeach，andthentheywillleaveyoualone。Inanotherfiveyearsyououghttobeabletofightforyourself。"EvengentleMatkah，hismother，said："Youwillneverbeabletostopthekilling。Goandplayinthesea，Kotick。"AndKotickwentoffanddancedtheFire—dancewithaveryheavylittleheart。
Thatautumnheleftthebeachassoonashecould，andsetoffalonebecauseofanotioninhisbullet—head。HewasgoingtofindSeaCow，iftherewassuchapersoninthesea，andhewasgoingtofindaquietislandwithgoodfirmbeachesforsealstoliveon，wheremencouldnotgetatthem。SoheexploredandexploredbyhimselffromtheNorthtotheSouthPacific，swimmingasmuchasthreehundredmilesinadayandanight。Hemetwithmoreadventuresthancanbetold，andnarrowlyescapedbeingcaughtbytheBaskingShark，andtheSpottedShark，andtheHammerhead，andhemetalltheuntrustworthyruffiansthatloafupanddowntheseas，andtheheavypolitefish，andthescarletspottedscallopsthataremooredinoneplaceforhundredsofyears，andgrowveryproudofit;buthenevermetSeaCow，andheneverfoundanislandthathecouldfancy。
Ifthebeachwasgoodandhard，withaslopebehinditforsealstoplayon，therewasalwaysthesmokeofawhaleronthehorizon，boilingdownblubber，andKotickknewwhatthatmeant。
Orelsehecouldseethatsealshadoncevisitedtheislandandbeenkilledoff，andKotickknewthatwheremenhadcomeoncetheywouldcomeagain。
Hepickedupwithanoldstumpy—tailedalbatross，whotoldhimthatKerguelenIslandwastheveryplaceforpeaceandquiet，andwhenKotickwentdowntherehewasallbutsmashedtopiecesagainstsomewickedblackcliffsinaheavysleet—stormwithlightningandthunder。Yetashepulledoutagainstthegalehecouldseethateventherehadoncebeenasealnursery。Anditwassoinalltheotherislandsthathevisited。
Limmershingavealonglistofthem，forhesaidthatKotickspentfiveseasonsexploring，withafourmonths’resteachyearatNovastoshnah，whentheholluschickieusedtomakefunofhimandhisimaginaryislands。HewenttotheGallapagos，ahorriddryplaceontheEquator，wherehewasnearlybakedtodeath;hewenttotheGeorgiaIslands，theOrkneys，EmeraldIsland，LittleNightingaleIsland，Gough’sIsland，Bouvet’sIsland，theCrossets，andeventoalittlespeckofanislandsouthoftheCapeofGoodHope。ButeverywherethePeopleoftheSeatoldhimthesamethings。Sealshadcometothoseislandsonceuponatime，butmenhadkilledthemalloff。EvenwhenheswamthousandsofmilesoutofthePacificandgottoaplacecalledCapeCorrientes（thatwaswhenhewascomingbackfromGough’sIsland），hefoundafewhundredmangysealsonarockandtheytoldhimthatmencametheretoo。
Thatnearlybrokehisheart，andheheadedroundtheHornbacktohisownbeaches;andonhiswaynorthhehauledoutonanislandfullofgreentrees，wherehefoundanold，oldsealwhowasdying，andKotickcaughtfishforhimandtoldhimallhissorrows。"Now，"saidKotick，"IamgoingbacktoNovastoshnah，andifIamdriventothekilling—penswiththeholluschickieI
shallnotcare。"
Theoldsealsaid，"Tryoncemore。IamthelastoftheLostRookeryofMasafuera，andinthedayswhenmenkilledusbythehundredthousandtherewasastoryonthebeachesthatsomedayawhitesealwouldcomeoutoftheNorthandleadthesealpeopletoaquietplace。Iamold，andIshallneverlivetoseethatday，butotherswill。Tryoncemore。"
AndKotickcurleduphismustache（itwasabeauty）andsaid，"Iamtheonlywhitesealthathaseverbeenbornonthebeaches，andIamtheonlyseal，blackorwhite，whoeverthoughtoflookingfornewislands。"
Thischeeredhimimmensely;andwhenhecamebacktoNovastoshnahthatsummer，Matkah，hismother，beggedhimtomarryandsettledown，forhewasnolongeraholluschickbutafull—grownsea—catch，withacurlywhitemaneonhisshoulders，asheavy，asbig，andasfierceashisfather。"Givemeanotherseason，"hesaid。"Remember，Mother，itisalwaystheseventhwavethatgoesfarthestupthebeach。"
Curiouslyenough，therewasanothersealwhothoughtthatshewouldputoffmarryingtillthenextyear，andKotickdancedtheFire—dancewithheralldownLukannonBeachthenightbeforehesetoffonhislastexploration。Thistimehewentwestward，becausehehadfallenonthetrailofagreatshoalofhalibut，andheneededatleastonehundredpoundsoffishadaytokeephimingoodcondition。Hechasedthemtillhewastired，andthenhecurledhimselfupandwenttosleeponthehollowsofthegroundswellthatsetsintoCopperIsland。Heknewthecoastperfectlywell，soaboutmidnight，whenhefelthimselfgentlybumpedonaweed—bed，hesaid，"Hm，tide’srunningstrongtonight，"andturningoverunderwateropenedhiseyesslowlyandstretched。Thenhejumpedlikeacat，forhesawhugethingsnosingaboutintheshoalwaterandbrowsingontheheavyfringesoftheweeds。
"BytheGreatCombersofMagellan！"hesaid，beneathhismustache。"WhointheDeepSeaarethesepeople？"
Theywerelikenowalrus，sealion，seal，bear，whale，shark，fish，squid，orscallopthatKotickhadeverseenbefore。Theywerebetweentwentyandthirtyfeetlong，andtheyhadnohindflippers，butashovel—liketailthatlookedasifithadbeenwhittledoutofwetleather。Theirheadswerethemostfoolish—lookingthingsyoueversaw，andtheybalancedontheendsoftheirtailsindeepwaterwhentheyweren’tgrazing，bowingsolemnlytoeachotherandwavingtheirfrontflippersasafatmanwaveshisarm。
"Ahem！"saidKotick。"Goodsport，gentlemen？"ThebigthingsansweredbybowingandwavingtheirflippersliketheFrogFootman。WhentheybeganfeedingagainKoticksawthattheirupperlipwassplitintotwopiecesthattheycouldtwitchapartaboutafootandbringtogetheragainwithawholebushelofseaweedbetweenthesplits。Theytuckedthestuffintotheirmouthsandchumpedsolemnly。
"Messystyleoffeeding，that，"saidKotick。Theybowedagain，andKotickbegantolosehistemper。"Verygood，"hesaid。
"Ifyoudohappentohaveanextrajointinyourfrontflipperyouneedn’tshowoffso。Iseeyoubowgracefully，butIshouldliketoknowyournames。"Thesplitlipsmovedandtwitched;andtheglassygreeneyesstared，buttheydidnotspeak。
"Well！"saidKotick。"You’retheonlypeopleI’veevermetuglierthanSeaVitch——andwithworsemanners。"
ThenherememberedinaflashwhattheBurgomastergullhadscreamedtohimwhenhewasalittleyearlingatWalrusIslet，andhetumbledbackwardinthewater，forheknewthathehadfoundSeaCowatlast。
Theseacowswentonschloopingandgrazingandchumpingintheweed，andKotickaskedthemquestionsineverylanguagethathehadpickedupinhistravels;andtheSeaPeopletalknearlyasmanylanguagesashumanbeings。ButtheseacowsdidnotanswerbecauseSeaCowcannottalk。Hehasonlysixbonesinhisneckwhereheoughttohaveseven，andtheysayundertheseathatthatpreventshimfromspeakingeventohiscompanions。But，asyouknow，hehasanextrajointinhisforeflipper，andbywavingitupanddownandabouthemakeswhatanswerstoasortofclumsytelegraphiccode。
BydaylightKotick’smanewasstandingonendandhistemperwasgonewherethedeadcrabsgo。ThentheSeaCowbegantotravelnorthwardveryslowly，stoppingtoholdabsurdbowingcouncilsfromtimetotime，andKotickfollowedthem，sayingtohimself，"Peoplewhoaresuchidiotsasthesearewouldhavebeenkilledlongagoiftheyhadn’tfoundoutsomesafeisland。AndwhatisgoodenoughfortheSeaCowisgoodenoughfortheSeaCatch。Allthesame，Iwishthey’dhurry。"
ItwaswearyworkforKotick。Theherdneverwentmorethanfortyorfiftymilesaday，andstoppedtofeedatnight，andkeptclosetotheshoreallthetime;whileKotickswamroundthem，andoverthem，andunderthem，buthecouldnothurrythemupone—halfmile。Astheywentfarthernorththeyheldabowingcouncileveryfewhours，andKoticknearlybitoffhismustachewithimpatiencetillhesawthattheywerefollowingupawarmcurrentofwater，andthenherespectedthemmore。
Onenighttheysankthroughtheshinywater——sanklikestones——andforthefirsttimesincehehadknownthembegantoswimquickly。Kotickfollowed，andthepaceastonishedhim，forheneverdreamedthatSeaCowwasanythingofaswimmer。Theyheadedforacliffbytheshore——acliffthatrandownintodeepwater，andplungedintoadarkholeatthefootofit，twentyfathomsunderthesea。Itwasalong，longswim，andKotickbadlywantedfreshairbeforehewasoutofthedarktunneltheyledhimthrough。
"Mywig！"hesaid，whenherose，gaspingandpuffing，intoopenwateratthefartherend。"Itwasalongdive，butitwasworthit。"
TheseacowshadseparatedandwerebrowsinglazilyalongtheedgesofthefinestbeachesthatKotickhadeverseen。Therewerelongstretchesofsmooth—wornrockrunningformiles，exactlyfittedtomakeseal—nurseries，andtherewereplay—groundsofhardsandslopinginlandbehindthem，andtherewererollersforsealstodancein，andlonggrasstorollin，andsanddunestoclimbupanddown，and，bestofall，Kotickknewbythefeelofthewater，whichneverdeceivesatrueseacatch，thatnomenhadevercomethere。
Thefirstthinghedidwastoassurehimselfthatthefishingwasgood，andthenheswamalongthebeachesandcountedupthedelightfullowsandyislandshalfhiddeninthebeautifulrollingfog。Awaytothenorthward，outtosea，ranalineofbarsandshoalsandrocksthatwouldneverletashipcomewithinsixmilesofthebeach，andbetweentheislandsandthemainlandwasastretchofdeepwaterthatranuptotheperpendicularcliffs，andsomewherebelowthecliffswasthemouthofthetunnel。
"It’sNovastoshnahoveragain，buttentimesbetter，"saidKotick。"SeaCowmustbewiserthanIthought。Mencan’tcomedownthecliffs，eveniftherewereanymen;andtheshoalstoseawardwouldknockashiptosplinters。Ifanyplaceintheseaissafe，thisisit。"
Hebegantothinkofthesealhehadleftbehindhim，butthoughhewasinahurrytogobacktoNovastoshnah，hethoroughlyexploredthenewcountry，sothathewouldbeabletoanswerallquestions。
Thenhedivedandmadesureofthemouthofthetunnel，andracedthroughtothesouthward。Noonebutaseacoworasealwouldhavedreamedoftherebeingsuchaplace，andwhenhelookedbackatthecliffsevenKotickcouldhardlybelievethathehadbeenunderthem。
Hewassixdaysgoinghome，thoughhewasnotswimmingslowly;
andwhenhehauledoutjustaboveSeaLion’sNeckthefirstpersonhemetwasthesealwhohadbeenwaitingforhim，andshesawbythelookinhiseyesthathehadfoundhisislandatlast。
ButtheholluschickieandSeaCatch，hisfather，andalltheothersealslaughedathimwhenhetoldthemwhathehaddiscovered，andayoungsealabouthisownagesaid，"Thisisallverywell，Kotick，butyoucan’tcomefromnooneknowswhereandorderusofflikethis。Rememberwe’vebeenfightingforournurseries，andthat’sathingyouneverdid。Youpreferredprowlingaboutinthesea。"
Theothersealslaughedatthis，andtheyoungsealbegantwistinghisheadfromsidetoside。Hehadjustmarriedthatyear，andwasmakingagreatfussaboutit。
"I’venonurserytofightfor，"saidKotick。"Ionlywanttoshowyouallaplacewhereyouwillbesafe。What’stheuseoffighting？"
"Oh，ifyou’retryingtobackout，ofcourseI’venomoretosay，"saidtheyoungsealwithanuglychuckle。
"WillyoucomewithmeifIwin？"saidKotick。Andagreenlightcameintohiseye，forhewasveryangryathavingtofightatall。
"Verygood，"saidtheyoungsealcarelessly。"Ifyouwin，I’llcome。"
Hehadnotimetochangehismind，forKotick’sheadwasoutandhisteethsunkintheblubberoftheyoungseal’sneck。Thenhethrewhimselfbackonhishaunchesandhauledhisenemydownthebeach，shookhim，andknockedhimover。ThenKotickroaredtotheseals："I’vedonemybestforyouthesefiveseasonspast。
I’vefoundyoutheislandwhereyou’llbesafe，butunlessyourheadsaredraggedoffyoursillynecksyouwon’tbelieve。I’mgoingtoteachyounow。Lookoutforyourselves！"
Limmershintoldmethatneverinhislife——andLimmershinseestenthousandbigsealsfightingeveryyear——neverinallhislittlelifedidheseeanythinglikeKotick’schargeintothenurseries。Heflunghimselfatthebiggestseacatchhecouldfind，caughthimbythethroat，chokedhimandbumpedhimandbangedhimtillhegruntedformercy，andthenthrewhimasideandattackedthenext。Yousee，Kotickhadneverfastedforfourmonthsasthebigsealsdideveryyear，andhisdeep—seaswimmingtripskepthiminperfectcondition，and，bestofall，hehadneverfoughtbefore。Hiscurlywhitemanestoodupwithrage，andhiseyesflamed，andhisbigdogteethglistened，andhewassplendidtolookat。OldSeaCatch，hisfather，sawhimtearingpast，haulingthegrizzledoldsealsaboutasthoughtheyhadbeenhalibut，andupsettingtheyoungbachelorsinalldirections;andSeaCatchgavearoarandshouted："Hemaybeafool，butheisthebestfighteronthebeaches！Don’ttackleyourfather，myson！He’swithyou！"
Kotickroaredinanswer，andoldSeaCatchwaddledinwithhismustacheonend，blowinglikealocomotive，whileMatkahandthesealthatwasgoingtomarryKotickcowereddownandadmiredtheirmen—folk。Itwasagorgeousfight，forthetwofoughtaslongastherewasasealthatdaredliftuphishead，andwhentherewerenonetheyparadedgrandlyupanddownthebeachsidebyside，bellowing。
Atnight，justastheNorthernLightswerewinkingandflashingthroughthefog，Kotickclimbedabarerockandlookeddownonthescatterednurseriesandthetornandbleedingseals。
"Now，"hesaid，"I’vetaughtyouyourlesson。"
"Mywig！"saidoldSeaCatch，boostinghimselfupstiffly，forhewasfearfullymauled。"TheKillerWhalehimselfcouldnothavecutthemupworse。Son，I’mproudofyou，andwhat’smore，I’llcomewithyoutoyourisland——ifthereissuchaplace。"
"Hearyou，fatpigsofthesea。WhocomeswithmetotheSeaCow’stunnel？Answer，orIshallteachyouagain，"roaredKotick。
Therewasamurmurliketherippleofthetideallupanddownthebeaches。"Wewillcome，"saidthousandsoftiredvoices。"WewillfollowKotick，theWhiteSeal。"
ThenKotickdroppedhisheadbetweenhisshouldersandshuthiseyesproudly。Hewasnotawhitesealanymore，butredfromheadtotail。Allthesamehewouldhavescornedtolookatortouchoneofhiswounds。
Aweeklaterheandhisarmy（nearlytenthousandholluschickieandoldseals）wentawaynorthtotheSeaCow’stunnel，Kotickleadingthem，andthesealsthatstayedatNovastoshnahcalledthemidiots。Butnextspring，whentheyallmetoffthefishingbanksofthePacific，Kotick’ssealstoldsuchtalesofthenewbeachesbeyondSeaCow’stunnelthatmoreandmoresealsleftNovastoshnah。Ofcourseitwasnotalldoneatonce，forthesealsarenotveryclever，andtheyneedalongtimetoturnthingsoverintheirminds，butyearafteryearmoresealswentawayfromNovastoshnah，andLukannon，andtheothernurseries，tothequiet，shelteredbeacheswhereKoticksitsallthesummerthrough，gettingbiggerandfatterandstrongereachyear，whiletheholluschickieplayaroundhim，inthatseawherenomancomes。
LukannonThisisthegreatdeep—seasongthatalltheSt。Paulsealssingwhentheyareheadingbacktotheirbeachesinthesummer。ItisasortofverysadsealNationalAnthem。
Imetmymatesinthemorning（and，oh，butIamold！）
Whereroaringontheledgesthesummerground—swellrolled;
Iheardthemliftthechorusthatdrownedthebreakers’song——
TheBeachesofLukannon——twomillionvoicesstrong。
Thesongofpleasantstationsbesidethesaltlagoons，Thesongofblowingsquadronsthatshuffleddownthedunes，Thesongofmidnightdancesthatchurnedtheseatoflame——
TheBeachesofLukannon——beforethesealerscame！
Imetmymatesinthemorning（I’llnevermeetthemmore！）;
Theycameandwentinlegionsthatdarkenedalltheshore。
Ando’erthefoam—fleckedoffingasfarasvoicecouldreachWehailedthelanding—partiesandwesangthemupthebeach。
TheBeachesofLukannon——thewinterwheatsotall——
Thedripping，crinkledlichens，andthesea—fogdrenchingall！
Theplatformsofourplayground，allshiningsmoothandworn！
TheBeachesofLukannon——thehomewherewewereborn！
Imetmymatesinthemorning，abroken，scatteredband。
Menshootusinthewaterandclubusontheland;
MendriveustotheSaltHouselikesillysheepandtame，AndstillwesingLukannon——beforethesealerscame。
Wheeldown，wheeldowntosouthward;oh，Gooverooska，go！
AndtelltheDeep—SeaViceroysthestoryofourwoe;
Ere，emptyastheshark’seggthetempestflingsashore，TheBeachesofLukannonshallknowtheirsonsnomore！
"Rikki—Tikki—Tavi"
AttheholewherehewentinRed—EyecalledtoWrinkle—Skin。
HearwhatlittleRed—Eyesaith：
"Nag，comeupanddancewithdeath！"
Eyetoeyeandheadtohead，（Keepthemeasure，Nag。）
Thisshallendwhenoneisdead;
（Atthypleasure，Nag。）
Turnforturnandtwistfortwist——
（Runandhidethee，Nag。）
Hah！ThehoodedDeathhasmissed！
（Woebetidethee，Nag！）
ThisisthestoryofthegreatwarthatRikki—tikki—tavifoughtsingle—handed，throughthebath—roomsofthebigbungalowinSegowleecantonment。Darzee，theTailorbird，helpedhim，andChuchundra，themusk—rat，whonevercomesoutintothemiddleofthefloor，butalwayscreepsroundbythewall，gavehimadvice，butRikki—tikkididtherealfighting。
Hewasamongoose，ratherlikealittlecatinhisfurandhistail，butquitelikeaweaselinhisheadandhishabits。Hiseyesandtheendofhisrestlessnosewerepink。Hecouldscratchhimselfanywherehepleasedwithanyleg，frontorback，thathechosetouse。Hecouldfluffuphistailtillitlookedlikeabottlebrush，andhiswarcryashescuttledthroughthelonggrasswas："Rikk—tikk—tikki—tikki—tchk！"
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