Letusgo。\"
\"Nay，lookwell，fortheyareasleep。ItisasitwaswhenIwasnotthelengthofthyarm。\"
ThesplitandweatherwornrocksofthegorgeoftheWaingungahadbeenusedsincethebeginningoftheJunglebytheLittlePeopleoftheRocks——thebusy，furious，blackwildbeesofIndia；and，asMowgliknewwell，alltrailsturnedoffhalfamilebeforetheyreachedthegorge。ForcenturiestheLittlePeoplehadhivedandswarmedfromclefttocleft，andswarmedagain，stainingthewhitemarblewithstalehoney，andmadetheircombstallanddeepinthedarkoftheinnercaves，whereneithermannorbeastnorfirenorwaterhadevertouchedthem。
Thelengthofthegorgeonbothsiaeswashungasitwerewithblackshimmeryvelvetcurtains，andMowglisankashelooked，forthoseweretheclottedmillionsofthesleepingbees。
Therewereotherlumpsandfestoonsandthingslikedecayedtree-trunksstuddedonthefaceoftherock，theoldcombsofpastyears，ornewcitiesbuiltintheshadowofthewindlessgorge，andhugemassesofspongy，rottentrashhadrolleddownandstuckamongthetreesandcreepersthatclungtotherock-
face。Ashelistenedheheardmorethanoncetherustleandslideofahoney-loadedcombturningoverorfailingawaysomewhereinthedarkgalleries；thenaboomingofangrywings，andthesullendrip，drip，drip，ofthewastedhoney，gutteringalongtillitlippedoversomeledgeintheopenairandsluggishlytrickleddownonthetwigs。Therewasatinylittlebeach，notfivefeetbroad，ononesideoftheriver，andthatwaspiledhighwiththerubbishofuncountedyears。Thereweredeadbees，drones，sweepings，andstalecombs，andwingsofmaraudingmothsthathadstrayedinafterhoney，alltumbledinsmoothpilesofthefinestblackdust。Themeresharpsmellofitwasenoughtofrightenanythingthathadnowings，andknewwhattheLittlePeoplewere。
Kaamovedup-streamagaintillhecametoasandybarattheheadofthegorge。
\"Hereisthisseason’skill，\"saidhe。\"Look！\"Onthebanklaytheskeletonsofacoupleofyoungdeerandabuffalo。
Mowglicouldseethatneitherwolfnorjackalhadtouchedthehones，whichwerelaidoutnaturally。
\"Theycamebeyondtheline；，theydidnotknowtheLaw，\"
murmuredMowgli，\"andtheLittlePeoplekilledthem。Letusgoeretheywake。\"
\"Theydonotwaketillthedawn，\"saidKaa。\"NowIwilltellthee。Ahuntedbuckfromthesouth，many，manyRainsago，camehitherfromthesouth，notknowingtheJungle，aPackonhistrail。Beingmadeblindbyfear，heleapedfromabove，thePackrunningbysight，fortheywerehotandblindonthetrail。Thesunwashigh，andtheLittlePeopleweremanyandveryangry。Many，too，werethoseofthePackwholeapedintotheWaingunga，buttheyweredeaderetheytookwater。Thosewhodidnotleapdiedalsointherocksabove。Butthebucklived。\"
\"How？\"
\"Becausehecamefirst，runningforhislife，leapingeretheLittlePeoplewereaware，andwasintheriverwhentheygatheredtokill。ThePack，following，wasaltogetherlostundertheweightoftheLittlePeople。\"
\"Thebucklived？\"Mowglirepeatedslowly。
\"AtleasthedidnotdieTHEN，thoughnonewaitedhiscomingdownwithastrongbodytoholdhimsafeagainstthewater，asacertainoldfat，deaf，yellowFlatheadwouldwaitforaManling——yea，thoughtherewereallthedholesoftheDekkanonhistrail。Whatisinthystomach？\"Kaa’sheadwasclosetoMowgli’sear；anditwasalittletimebeforetheboyanswered。
\"ItistopulltheverywhiskersofDeath，but——Kaa，thouart，indeed，thewisestofalltheJungle。\"
\"Somanyhavesaid。Looknow，ifthedholefollowthee————\"
\"Assurelytheywillfollow。Ho！ho！Ihavemanylittlethornsundermytonguetoprickintotheirhides。\"
\"Iftheyfollowtheehotandblind，lookingonlyatthyshoulders，thosewhodonotdieupabovewilltakewatereitherhereorlowerdown，fortheLittlePeoplewillriseupandcoverthem。NowtheWaingungaishungrywater，andtheywillhavenoKaatoholdthem，butwillgodown，suchaslive，totheshallowsbytheSeeoneeLairs，andtherethyPackmaymeetthembythethroat。\"
\"Ahai！Eowawa！BettercouldnotbetilltheRainsfallinthedryseason。Thereisnowonlythelittlematteroftherunandtheleap。Iwillmakemeknowntothedholes，sothattheyshallfollowmeveryclosely。\"
\"Hastthouseentherocksabovethee？Fromthelandwardside？\"
\"Indeed，no。ThatIhadforgotten。\"
\"Golook。Itisallrottenground，cutandfullofholes。Oneofthyclumsyfeetsetdownwithoutseeingwouldendthehunt。
See，Ileavetheehere，andforthysakeonlyIwillcarrywordtothePackthattheymayknowwheretolookforthedhole。
Formyself，IamnotofoneskinwithANYwolf。\"
WhenKaadislikedanacquaintancehecouldbemoreunpleasantthananyoftheJunglePeople，exceptperhapsBagheera。Heswamdown-stream，andoppositetheRockhecameonPhaoandAkelalisteningtothenightnoises。
\"Hssh！Dogs，\"hesaidcheerfully。\"Thedholeswillcomedown-
stream。Ifyebenotafraidyecankillthemintheshallows。\"
\"Whencomethey？\"saidPhao。\"AndwhereismyMan-cub？\"
saidAkela。
\"Theycomewhentheycome，\"saidKaa。\"Waitandsee。AsforTHY
Man-cub，fromwhomthouhasttakenaWordandsolaidhimopentoDeath，THYMan-cubiswithME，andifhebenotalreadydeadthefaultisnoneofthine，bleacheddog！Waithereforthedhole，andhegladthattheMan-cubandIstrikeonthyside。\"
Kaaflashedup-streamagain，andmooredhimselfinthemiddleofthegorge，lookingupwardatthelineofthecliff。PresentlyhesawMowgli’sheadmoveagainstthestars，andthentherewasawhizzintheair，thekeen，cleanschloopofabodyfallingfeetfirst，andnextminutetheboywasatrestagainintheloopofKaa’sbody。
\"Itisnoleapbynight，\"saidMowgliquietly。\"Ihavejumpedtwiceasfarforsport；butthatisanevilplaceabove——lowbushesandgulliesthatgodownverydeep，allfulloftheLittlePeople。Ihaveputbigstonesoneabovetheotherbythesideofthreegullies。TheseIshallthrowdownwithmyfeetinrunning，andtheLittlePeoplewillriseupbehindme，veryangry。\"
\"ThatisMan’stalkandMan’scunning，\"saidKaa。\"Thouartwise，buttheLittlePeoplearealwaysangry。\"
\"Nay，attwilightallwingsnearandfarrestforawhile。
Iwillplaywiththedholeattwilight，forthedholehuntsbestbyday。HefollowsnowWon-tolla’sblood-trail。\"
\"Childoesnotleaveadeadox，northedholetheblood-trail，\"
saidKaa。
\"ThenIwillmakehimanewblood-trail，ofhisownblood，ifIcan，andgivehimdirttoeat。Thouwiltstayhere，Kaa，tillIcomeagainwithmydholes？\"
\"Ay，butwhatiftheykilltheeintheJungle，ortheLittlePeoplekilltheebeforethoucanstleapdowntotheriver？\"
\"Whento-morrowcomeswewillkillforto-morrow，\"saidMowgli，quotingaJunglesaying；andagain，\"WhenIamdeaditistimetosingtheDeathSong。Goodhunting，Kaa！\"
Heloosedhisarmfromthepython’sneckandwentdownthegorgelikealoginafreshet，paddlingtowardthefarbank，wherehefoundslack-water，andlaughingaloudfromsheerhappiness。
TherewasnothingMowglilikedbetterthan，ashehimselfsaid，\"topullthewhiskersofDeath，\"andmaketheJungleknowthathewastheiroverlord。Hehadoften，withBaloo’shelp，robbedbees’nestsinsingletrees，andheknewthattheLittlePeoplehatedthesmellofwildgarlic。Sohegatheredasmallbundleofit，tieditupwithabarkstring，andthenfollowedWon-tolla’sblood-trail，asitransoutherlyfromtheLairs，forsomefivemiles，lookingatthetreeswithhisheadononeside，andchucklingashelooked。
\"MowglitheFroghaveIbeen，\"saidhetohimself；\"MowglitheWolfhaveIsaidthatIam。NowMowglitheApemustIbebeforeIamMowglitheBuck。AttheendIshallbeMowglitheMan。
Ho！\"andheslidhisthumbalongtheeighteen-inchbladeofhisknife。
Won-tolla’strail，allrankwithdarkblood-spots，ranunderaforestofthicktreesthatgrewclosetogetherandstretchedawaynorth-eastward，graduallygrowingthinnerandthinnertowithintwomilesoftheBeeRocks。FromthelasttreetothelowscruboftheBeeRockswasopencountry，wheretherewashardlycoverenoughtohideawolf。Mowglitrottedalongunderthetrees，judgingdistancesbetweenbranchandbranch，occasionallyclimbingupatrunkandtakingatrialleapfromonetreetoanothertillhecametotheopenground，whichhestudiedverycarefullyforanhour。Thenheturned，pickedupWon-tolla’strailwherehehadleftit，settledhimselfinatreewithanoutrunningbranchsomeeightfeetfromtheground，andsatstill，sharpeninghisknifeonthesoleofhisfootandsingingtohimself。
Alittlebeforemid-day，whenthesunwasverywarm，heheardthepatteroffeetandsmelttheabominablesmellofthedhole-
packastheytrottedpitilesslyalongWon-tolla’strail。
Seenfromabove，thereddholedoesnotlookhalfthesizeofawolf，butMowgliknewhowstronghisfeetandjawswere。
Hewatchedthesharpbayheadoftheleadersnuffingalongthetrail，andgavehim\"Goodhunting！\"
Thebrutelookedup，andhiscompanionshaltedbehindhim，scoresandscoresofreddogswithlow-hungtails，heavyshoulders，weakquarters，andbloodymouths。Thedholesareaverysilentpeopleasarule，andtheyhavenomannersevenintheirownJungle。Fullytwohundredmusthavegatheredbelowhim，buthecouldseethattheleaderssniffedhungrilyonWon-tolla’strail，andtriedtodragthePackforward。
Thatwouldneverdo，ortheywouldbeattheLairsinbroaddaylight，andMowglimeanttoholdthemunderhistreetilldusk。
\"Bywhoseleavedoyecomehere？\"saidMowgli。
\"AllJunglesareourJungle，\"wasthereply，andthedholethatgaveitbaredhiswhiteteeth。Mowglilookeddownwithasmile，andimitatedperfectlythesharpchitter-chatterofChikai，theleapingratoftheDekkan，meaningthedholestounderstandthatheconsideredthemnobetterthanChikai。ThePackcloseduproundthetree-trunkandtheleaderbayedsavagely，callingMowgliatree-ape。ForananswerMowglistretcheddownonenakedlegandwriggledhisbaretoesjustabovetheleader’shead。
Thatwasenough，andmorethanenough，towakethePacktostupidrage。Thosewhohavehairbetweentheirtoesdonotcaretoberemindedofit。Mowglicaughthisfootawayastheleaderleapedup，andsaidsweetly：Dog，reddog！GobacktotheDekkanandeatlizards。GotoChikaithybrother——dog，dog——red，reddog！Thereishairbetweeneverytoe！\"Hetwiddledhistoesasecondtime。
\"Comedownerewestarvetheeout，hairlessape！\"yelledthePack，andthiswasexactlywhatMowgliwanted。Helaidhimselfdownalongthebranch，hischeektothebark，hisrightarmfree，andtherehetoldthePackwhathethoughtandknewaboutthem，theirmanners，theircustoms，theirmates，andtheirpuppies。ThereisnospeechintheworldsorancorousandsostingingasthelanguagetheJunglePeopleusetoshowscornandcontempt。Whenyoucometothinkofityouwillseehowthismustbeso。AsMowglitoldKaa，hehadmanylittlethornsunderhistongue，andslowlyanddeliberatelyhedrovethedholesfromsilencetogrowls，fromgrowlstoyells，andfromyellstohoarseslaveryravings。Theytriedtoanswerhistaunts，butacubmightaswellhavetriedtoanswerKaainarage；andallthewhileMowgli’srighthandlaycrookedathisside，readyforaction，hisfeetlockedroundthebranch。Thebigbayleaderhadleapedmanytimesintheair，butMowglidarednotriskafalseblow。Atlast，madefuriousbeyondhisnaturalstrength，heboundedupsevenoreightfeetclearoftheground。
ThenMowgli’shandshotoutliketheheadofatree-snake，andgrippedhimbythescruffofhisneck，andthebranchshookwiththejarashisweightfellback，almostwrenchingMowglitotheground。Butheneverloosedhisgrip，andinchbyinchhehauledthebeast，hanginglikeadrownedjackal，uponthebranch。Withhislefthandhereachedforhisknifeandcutoffthered，bushytail，flingingthedholebacktoearthagain。
Thatwasallheneeded。ThePackwouldnotgoforwardonWon-tolla’strailnowtilltheyhadkilledMowgliorMowglihadkilledthem。Hesawthemsettledownincircleswithaquiverofthehaunchesthatmeanttheyweregoingtostay，andsoheclimbedtoahighercrotch，settledhisbackcomfortably，andwenttosleep。
AfterthreeorfourhourshewakedandcountedthePack。
Theywereallthere，silent，husky，anddry，witheyesofsteel。
Thesunwasbeginningtosink。InhalfanhourtheLittlePeopleoftheRockswouldbeendingtheirlabours，and，asyouknow，thedholedoesnotfightbestinthetwilight。
\"Ididnotneedsuchfaithfulwatchers，\"hesaidpolitely，standinguponabranch，\"butIwillrememberthis。Yebetruedholes，buttomythinkingovermuchofonekind。ForthatreasonIdonotgivethebiglizard-eaterhistailagain。
Artthounotpleased，RedDog？\"
\"Imyselfwilltearoutthystomach！\"yelledtheleader，scratchingatthefootofthetree。
\"Nay，butconsider，wiseratoftheDekkan。Therewillnowbemanylittersoflittletaillessreddogs，yea，withrawredstumpsthatstingwhenthesandishot。Gohome，RedDog，andcrythatanapehasdonethis。Yewillnotgo？Come，then，withme，andIwillmakeyouverywise！\"
Hemoved，Bandar-logfashion，intothenexttree，andsoonintothenextandthenext，thePackfollowingwithliftedhungryheads。Nowandthenhewouldpretendtofall，andthePackwouldtumbleoneovertheotherintheirhastetobeatthedeath。
Itwasacurioussight——theboywiththeknifethatshoneinthelowsunlightasitsiftedthroughtheupperbranches，andthesilentPackwiththeirredcoatsallaflame，huddlingandfollowingbelow。Whenhecametothelasttreehetookthegarlicandrubbedhimselfallovercarefully，andthedholesyelledwithscorn。\"Apewithawolf’stongue，dostthouthinktocoverthyscent？\"theysaid。\"Wefollowtothedeath。\"
\"Takethytail，\"saidMowgli，flingingitbackalongthecoursehehadtaken。ThePackinstinctivelyrushedafterit。
\"Andfollownow——tothedeath。\"
Hehadslippeddownthetree-trunk，andheadedlikethewindinbarefeetfortheBeeRocks，beforethedholessawwhathewoulddo。
Theygaveonedeephowl，andsettleddowntothelong，lobbingcanterthatcanatthelastrundownanythingthatruns。
Mowgliknewtheirpack-pacetobemuchslowerthanthatofthewolves，orhewouldneverhaveriskedatwo-mileruninfullsight。Theyweresurethattheboywastheirsatlast，andhewassurethatheheldthemtoplaywithashepleased。Allhistroublewastokeepthemsufficientlyhotbehindhimtopreventtheirturningofftoosoon。Herancleanly，evenly，andspringily；thetaillessleadernotfiveyardsbehindhim；
andthePacktailingoutoverperhapsaquarterofamileofground，crazyandblindwiththerageofslaughter。Sohekepthisdistancebyear，reservinghislasteffortfortherushacrosstheBeeRocks。
TheLittlePeoplehadgonetosleepintheearlytwilight，foritwasnottheseasonoflateblossomingflowers；butasMowgli’sfirstfoot-fallsranghollowonthehollowgroundheheardasoundasthoughalltheearthwerehumming。Thenheranashehadneverruninhislifebefore，spurnedasideone——two——
threeofthepilesofstonesintothedark，sweet-smellinggullies；heardaroarliketheroaroftheseainacave；
sawwiththetailofhiseyetheairgrowdarkbehindhim；
sawthecurrentoftheWaingungafarbelow，andaflat，diamond-
shapedheadinthewater；leapedoutwardwithallhisstrength，thetaillessdholesnappingathisshoulderinmid-air，anddroppedfeetfirsttothesafetyoftheriver，breathlessandtriumphant。Therewasnotastinguponhim，forthesmellofthegarlichadcheckedtheLittlePeopleforjustthefewsecondsthathewasamongthem。WhenheroseKaa’scoilsweresteadyinghimandthingswereboundingovertheedgeofthecliff——greatlumps，itseemed，ofclusteredbeesfallinglikeplummets；
butbeforeanylumptouchedwaterthebeesflewupwardandthebodyofadholewhirleddown-stream。Overheadtheycouldhearfuriousshortyellsthatweredrownedinaroarlikebreakers——
theroarofthewingsoftheLittlePeopleoftheRocks。Someofthedholes，too，hadfallenintothegulliesthatcommunicatedwiththeundergroundcaves，andtherechokedandfoughtandsnappedamongthetumbledhoneycombs，andatlast，borneup，evenwhentheyweredead，ontheheavingwavesofbeesbeneaththem，shotoutofsomeholeintheriver-face，torolloverontheblackrubbish-heaps。Thereweredholeswhohadleapedshortintothetreesonthecliffs，andthebeesblottedouttheirshapes；butthegreaternumberofthem，maddenedbythestings，hadflungthemselvesintotheriver；and，asKaasaid，theWaingungawashungrywater。
KaaheldMowglifasttilltheboyhadrecoveredhisbreath。
\"Wemaynotstayhere，\"hesaid。\"TheLittlePeoplearerousedindeed。Come！\"
Swimminglowanddivingasoftenashecould，Mowgliwentdowntheriver，knifeinhand。
\"Slowly，slowly，\"saidKaa。\"Onetoothdoesnotkillahundredunlessitbeacobra’s，andmanyofthedholestookwaterswiftlywhentheysawtheLittlePeoplerise。\"
\"Themoreworkformyknife，then。Phai！Howthe，LittlePeoplefollow！\"Mowglisankagain。Thefaceofthewaterwasblanketedwithwildbees，buzzingsullenlyandstingingalltheyfound。
\"Nothingwaseveryetlostbysilence，\"saidKaa——nostingcouldpenetratehisscales——\"andthouhastallthelongnightforthehunting。Hearthemhowl！\"
Nearlyhalfthepackhadseenthetraptheirfellowsrushedinto，andturningsharpasidehadflungthemselvesintothewaterwherethegorgebrokedowninsteepbanks。Theircriesofrageandtheirthreatsagainstthe\"tree-ape\"whohadbroughtthemtotheirshamemixedwiththeyellsandgrowlsofthosewhohadbeenpunishedbytheLittlePeople。Toremainashorewasdeath，andeverydholeknewit。Theirpackwassweptalongthecurrent，downtothedeepeddiesofthePeacePool，buteventheretheangryLittlePeoplefollowedandforcedthemtothewateragain。MowglicouldhearthevoiceofthetaillessleaderbiddinghispeopleholdonandkillouteverywolfinSeeonee。
Buthedidnotwastehistimeinlistening。
\"Onekillsinthedarkbehindus！\"snappedadhole。\"Hereistaintedwater！\"
Mowglihaddivedforwardlikeanotter，twitchedastrugglingdholeunderwaterbeforehecouldopenhismouth，anddarkringsroseasthebodyploppedup，turningonitsside。Thedholestriedtoturn，butthecurrentpreventedthem，andtheLittlePeopledartedattheheadsandears，andtheycouldhearthechallengeoftheSeeoneePackgrowinglouderanddeeperinthegatheringdarkness。AgainMowglidived，andagainadholewentunder，androsedead，andagaintheclamourbrokeoutattherearofthepack；somehowlingthatitwasbesttogoashore，otherscallingontheirleadertoleadthembacktotheDekkan，andothersbiddingMowglishowhimselfandhekilled。
\"Theycometothefightwithtwostomachsandseveralvoices，\"
saidKaa。\"Therestiswiththybrethrenbelowyonder，TheLittlePeoplegobacktosleep。Theyhavechasedusfar。NowI，too，turnback，forIamnotofoneskinwithanywolf。
Goodhunting，LittleBrother，andrememberthedholebiteslow。\"
Awolfcamerunningalongthebankonthreelegs，leapingupanddown，layinghisheadsidewaysclosetotheground，hunchinghisback，andbreakinghighintotheair，asthoughhewereplayingwithhiscubs。ItwasWon-tolla，theOutlier，andhesaidneveraword，butcontinuedhishorriblesportbesidethedholes。
Theyhadbeenlonginthewaternow，andwereswimmingwearily，theircoatsdrenchedandheavy，theirbushytailsdragginglikesponges，sotiredandshakenthatthey，too，weresilent，watchingthepairofblazingeyesthatmovedabreast。
\"Thisisnogoodhunting，\"saidone，panting。
\"Goodhunting！\"saidMowgli，asheroseboldlyatthebrute’sside，andsentthelongknifehomebehindtheshoulder，pushinghardtoavoidhisdyingsnap。
\"Artthouthere，Man-cub？\"saidWon-tollaacrossthewater。
\"Askofthedead，Outlier，\"Mowglireplied。\"Havenonecomedown-stream？Ihavefilledthesedogs’mouthswithdirt；
Ihavetrickedtheminthebroaddaylight，andtheirleaderlackshistail，butherebesomefewfortheestill。
WhithershallIdrivethem？\"
\"Iwillwait，\"saidWon-tolla。\"Thenightisbeforeme。\"
NearerandnearercamethebayoftheSeeoneewolves。\"ForthePack，fortheFullPackitismet！\"andabendintheriverdrovethedholesforwardamongthesandsandshoalsoppositetheLairs。
Thentheysawtheirmistake。Theyshouldhavelandedhalfamilehigherup，andrushedthewolvesondryground。Nowitwastoolate。Thebankwaslinedwithburningeyes，andexceptforthehorriblepheealthathadneverstoppedsincesundown，therewasnosoundintheJungle。ItseemedasthoughWon-tollawerefawningonthemtocomeashore；and\"Turnandtakehold！\"saidtheleaderofthedholes。TheentirePackflungthemselvesattheshore，threshingandsquatteringthroughtheshoalwater，tillthefaceoftheWaingungawasallwhiteandtorn，andthegreatrippleswentfromsidetoside，likebow-wavesfromaboat。Mowglifollowedtherush，stabbingandslicingasthedholes，huddledtogether，rusheduptheriver-beachinonewave。
Thenthelongfightbegan，heavingandstrainingandsplittingandscatteringandnarrowingandbroadeningalongthered，wetsands，andoverandbetweenthetangledtree-roots，andthroughandamongthebushes，andinandoutofthegrassclumps；forevennowthedholesweretwotoone。ButtheymetwolvesfightingforallthatmadethePack，andnotonlytheshort，high，deep-chested，white-tuskedhuntersofthePack，buttheanxious-eyedlahinis——theshe-wolvesofthelair，asthesayingis——fightingfortheirlitters，withhereandthereayearlingwolf，hisfirstcoatstillhalfwoolly，tuggingandgrapplingbytheirsides。Awolf，youmustknow，fliesatthethroatorsnapsattheflank，whileadhole，bypreference，bitesatthebelly；sowhenthedholeswerestrugglingoutofthewaterandhadtoraisetheirheads，theoddswerewiththewolves。Ondrylandthewolvessuffered；butinthewaterorashore，Mowgli’sknifecameandwentwithoutceasing。TheFourhadworriedtheirwaytohisside。GrayBrother，crouchedbetweentheboy’sknees，wasprotectinghisstomach，whiletheothersguardedhisbackandeitherside，orstoodoverhimwhentheshockofaleaping，yellingdholewhohadthrownhimselffullonthesteadybladeborehimdown。Fortherest，itwasonetangledconfusion——alockedandswayingmobthatmovedfromrighttoleftandfromlefttorightalongthebank；andalsogroundroundandroundslowlyonitsowncentre。Herewouldbeaheavingmound，likeawater-blisterinawhirlpool，whichwouldbreaklikeawater-blister，andthrowupfourorfivemangleddogs，eachstrivingtogetbacktothecentre；herewouldbeasinglewolfbornedownbytwoorthreedholes，laboriouslydraggingthemforward，andsinkingthewhile；hereayearlingcubwouldheheldupbythepressureroundhim，thoughhehadbeenkilledearly，whilehismother，crazedwithdumbrage，rolledoverandover，snapping，andpassingon；andinthemiddleofthethickestpress，perhaps，onewolfandonedhole，forgettingeverythingelse，wouldbemanoeuvringforfirstholdtilltheywerewhirledawaybyarushoffuriousfighters。
OnceMowglipassedAkela，adholeoneitherflank，andhisallbuttoothlessjawsclosedovertheloinsofathird；andoncehesawPhao，histeethsetinthethroatofadhole，tuggingtheunwillingbeastforwardtilltheyearlingscouldfinishhim。
Butthebulkofthefightwasblindflurryandsmotherinthedark；hit，trip，andtumble，yelp，groan，andworry-worry-worry，roundhimandbehindhimandabovehim。Asthenightworeon，thequick，giddy-go-roundmotionincreased。Thedholeswerecowedandafraidtoattackthestrongerwolves，butdidnotyetdaretorunaway。Mowglifeltthattheendwascomingsoon，andcontentedhimselfwithstrikingmerelytocripple。Theyearlingsweregrowingbolder；therewastimenowandagaintobreathe，andpassawordtoafriend，andthemereflickeroftheknifewouldsometimesturnadogaside。
\"Themeatisverynearthebone，\"GrayBrotheryelled。Hewasbleedingfromascoreofflesh-wounds。
\"Buttheboneisyettohecracked，\"saidMowgli。\"Eowawa！
THUSdowedointheJungle！\"Theredbladeranlikeaflamealongthesideofadholewhosehind-quarterswerehiddenbytheweightofaclingingwolf。
\"Mykill！\"snortedthewolfthroughhiswrinklednostrils。
\"Leavehimtome。\"
\"Isthystomachstillempty，Outlier？\"saidMowgli。Won-tollawasfearfullypunished，buthisgriphadparalysedthedhole，whocouldnotturnroundandreachhim。
\"BytheBullthatboughtme，\"saidMowgli，withabitterlaugh，\"itisthetaillessone！\"Andindeeditwasthebigbay-
colouredleader。
\"Itisnotwisetokillcubsandlahinis，\"Mowgliwentonphilosophically，wipingthebloodoutofhiseyes，\"unlessonehasalsokilledtheOutlier；anditisinmystomachthatthisWon-tollakillsthee。\"
Adholeleapedtohisleader’said；butbeforehisteethhadfoundWon-tolla’sflank，Mowgli’sknifewasinhisthroat，andGrayBrothertookwhatwasleft。
\"AndthusdowedointheJungle，\"saidMowgli。
Won-tollasaidnotaword，onlyhisjawswereclosingandclosingonthebackboneashislifeebbed。Thedholeshuddered，hisheaddropped，andhelaystill，andWon-tolladroppedabovehim。
\"Huh！TheBloodDebtispaid，\"saidMowgli。\"Singthesong，Won-tolla。\"
\"Hehuntsnomore，\"saidGrayBrother；\"andAkela，too，issilentthislongtime。\"
\"Theboneiscracked！\"thunderedPhao，sonofPhaona。\"Theygo！
Kill，killout，OhuntersoftheFreePeople！\"
Dholeafterdholewasslinkingawayfromthosedarkandbloodysandstotheriver，tothethickJungle，up-streamordown-
streamashesawtheroadclear。
\"Thedebt！Thedebt！\"shoutedMowgli。\"Paythedebt！TheyhaveslaintheLoneWolf！Letnotadoggo！\"
Hewasflyingtotheriver，knifeinhand，tocheckanydholewhodaredtotakewater，when，fromunderamoundofninedead，roseAkela’sheadandfore-quarters，andMowglidroppedonhiskneesbesidetheLoneWolf。
\"SaidInotitwouldbemylastfight？\"Akelagasped。\"Itisgoodhunting。Andthou，LittleBrother？\"
\"Ilive，havingkilledmany。\"
\"Evenso。Idie，andIwould——Iwoulddiebythee，LittleBrother。\"
Mowglitooktheterriblescarredheadonhisknees，andputhisarmsroundthetornneck。
\"ItislongsincetheolddaysofShereKhan，andaMan-cubthatrollednakedinthedust。\"
\"Nay，nay，Iamawolf。IamofoneskinwiththeFreePeople，\"
Mowglicried。\"ItisnowillofminethatIamaman。\"
\"Thouartaman，LittleBrother，wolflingofmywatching。
Thouartaman，orelsethePackhadfledbeforethedhole。
MylifeIowetothee，andto-daythouhastsavedthePackevenasonceIsavedthee。Hastthouforgotten？Alldebtsarepaidnow。Gotothineownpeople。Itelltheeagain，eyeofmyeye，thishuntingisended。Gotothineownpeople。\"
\"Iwillnevergo。IwillhuntaloneintheJungle。Ihavesaidit。\"
\"AfterthesummercometheRains，andaftertheRainscomesthespring。Gobackbeforethouartdriven。\"
\"Whowilldriveme？\"
\"MowgliwilldriveMowgli。Gobacktothypeople。GotoMan。\"
\"WhenMowglidrivesMowgliIwillgo，\"Mowglianswered。
\"Thereisnomoretosay，\"saidAkela。\"LittleBrother，canstthouraisemetomyfeet？IalsowasaleaderoftheFreePeople。\"
VerycarefullyandgentlyMowgliliftedthebodiesaside，andraisedAkelatohisfeet，botharmsroundhim，andtheLoneWolfdrewalongbreath，andbegantheDeathSongthataleaderofthePackshouldsingwhenhedies。Itgatheredstrengthashewenton，liftingandlifting，andringingfaracrosstheriver，tillitcametothelast\"Goodhunting！\"andAkelashookhimselfclearofMowgliforaninstant，and，leapingintotheair，fellbackwarddeaduponhislastandmostterriblekill。
Mowglisatwithhisheadonhisknees，carelessofanythingelse，whiletheremnantoftheflyingdholeswerebeingovertakenandrundownbythemercilesslahinis。Littlebylittlethecriesdiedaway，andthewolvesreturnedlimping，astheirwoundsstiffened，totakestockofthelosses。
FifteenofthePack，aswellashalfadozenlahinis，laydeadbytheriver，andoftheothersnotonewasunmarked。AndMowglisatthroughitalltillthecolddaybreak，whenPhao’swet，redmuzzlewasdroppedinhishand，andMowglidrewbacktoshowthegauntbodyofAkela。
\"Goodhunting！\"saidPhao，asthoughAkelawerestillalive，andthenoverhisbittenshouldertotheothers：\"Howl，dogs！
AWolfhasdiedto-night！\"
ButofallthePackoftwohundredfightingdholes，whoseboastwasthatalljunglesweretheirJungle，andthatnolivingthingcouldstandbeforethem，notonereturnedtotheDekkantocarrythatword。
CHIL’SSONG
[ThisisthesongthatChilsangasthekitesdroppeddownoneafteranothertotheriver-bed，whenthegreatfightwasfinished。Chilisgoodfriendswitheverybody，butheisacold-bloodedkindofcreatureatheart，becauseheknowsthatalmosteverybodyintheJunglecomestohiminthelong-run。]
Theseweremycompanionsgoingforthbynight——
（ForChil！Lookyou，forChil！）
NowcomeItowhistlethemtheendingofthefight。
（Chil！VanguardsofChil！}
Wordtheygavemeoverheadofquarrynewlyslain，WordIgavethemunderfootofbuckupontheplain。
Here’sanendofeverytrail——theyshallnotspeakagain！
Theythatcalledthehunting-cry——theythatfollowedfast——
（ForChil！Lookyou，forChil！）
Theythatbadethesambhurwheel，orpinnedhimashepassed——
（Chil！VanguardsofChil！）
Theythatlaggedbehindthescent——theythatranbefore，Theythatshunnedthelevelhorn——theythatoverbore。
Here’sanendofeverytrail——theyshallnotfollowmore。
Theseweremycompanions。Pity’twastheydied！
（ForChil！Lookyou，forChil！）
NowcomeItocomfortthemthatknewthemintheirpride。
（Chil！VanguardsofChil！）
Tatteredflankandsunkeneye，openmouthandred，Lockedandlankandlonetheylie，thedeadupontheirdead。
Here’sanendofeverytrail——andheremyhostsarefed。
THESPRINGRUNNING
MangoestoMan！CrythechallengethroughtheJungle！
HethatwasourBrothergoesaway。
Hear，now，andjudge，OyePeopleoftheJungle，——
Answer，whoshallturnhim——whoshallstay？
MangoestoMan！HeisweepingintheJungle：
HethatwasourBrothersorrowssore！
MangoestoMan！（Oh，welovedhimintheJungle！）
TotheMan-Trailwherewemaynotfollowmore。
ThesecondyearafterthegreatfightwithRedDogandthedeathofAkela，Mowglimusthavebeennearlyseventeenyearsold。
Helookedolder，forhardexercise，thebestofgoodeating，andbathswheneverhefeltintheleasthotordusty，hadgivenhimstrengthandgrowthfarbeyondhisage。Hecouldswingbyonehandfromatopbranchforhalfanhouratatime，whenhehadoccasiontolookalongthetree-roads。Hecouldstopayoungbuckinmid-gallopandthrowhimsidewaysbythehead。Hecouldevenjerkoverthebig，bluewildboarsthatlivedintheMarshesoftheNorth。TheJunglePeoplewhousedtofearhimforhiswitsfearedhimnowforhisstrength，andwhenhemovedquietlyonhisownaffairsthemerewhisperofhiscomingclearedthewood-paths。Andyetthelookinhiseyeswasalwaysgentle。Evenwhenhefought，hiseyesneverblazedasBagheera’sdid。Theyonlygrewmoreandmoreinterestedandexcited；
andthatwasoneofthethingsthatBagheerahimselfdidnotunderstand。
HeaskedMowgliaboutit，andtheboylaughedandsaid。
\"WhenImissthekillIamangry。WhenImustgoemptyfortwodaysIamveryangry。Donotmyeyestalkthen？\"
\"Themouthishungry，\"saidBagheera，\"buttheeyessaynothing。
Hunting，eating，orswimming，itisallone——likeastoneinwetordryweather。\"Mowglilookedathimlazilyfromunderhislongeyelashes，and，asusual，thepanther’sheaddropped。Bagheeraknewhismaster。
TheywerelyingoutfarupthesideofahilloverlookingtheWaingunga，andthemorningmistshungbelowtheminbandsofwhiteandgreen。Asthesunroseitchangedintobubblingseasofredgold，churnedoff，andletthelowraysstripethedriedgrassonwhichMowgliandBagheerawereresting。Itwastheendofthecoldweather，theleavesandthetreeslookedwornandfaded，andtherewasadry，tickingrustleeverywherewhenthewindblew。Alittleleaftap-tap-tappedfuriouslyagainstatwig，asasingleleafcaughtinacurrentwill。ItrousedBagheera，forhesnuffedthemorningairwithadeep，hollowcough，threwhimselfonhisback，andstruckwithhisfore-pawsatthenoddingleafabove。
\"Theyearturns，\"hesaid。\"TheJunglegoesforward。TheTimeofNewTalkisnear。Thatleafknows。Itisverygood。\"
\"Thegrassisdry，\"Mowglianswered，pullingupatuft。
\"EvenEye-of-the-Spring[thatisalittletrumpet-shaped，waxyredflowerthatrunsinandoutamongthegrasses]——evenEye-of-
theSpringisshut，and……Bagheera，ISitwellfortheBlackPanthersotolieonhisbackandbeatwithhispawsintheair，asthoughhewerethetree-cat？\"
\"Aowh？\"saidBagheera。Heseemedtobethinkingofotherthings。
\"Isay，ISitwellfortheBlackPanthersotomouthandcough，andhowlandroll？Remember，webetheMastersoftheJungle，thouandI。\"
\"Indeed，yes；Ihear，Man-cub。\"Bagheerarolledoverhurriedlyandsatup，thedustonhisraggedblackflanks。（Hewasjustcastinghiswintercoat。）\"WebesurelytheMastersoftheJungle！WhoissostrongasMowgli？Whosowise？\"TherewasacuriousdrawlinthevoicethatmadeMowgliturntoseewhetherbyanychancetheBlackPantherweremakingfunofhim，fortheJungleisfullofwordsthatsoundlikeonething，butmeananother。\"IsaidwebebeyondquestiontheMastersoftheJungle，\"Bagheerarepeated。\"HaveIdonewrong？IdidnotknowthattheMan-cubnolongerlayupontheground。
Doeshefly，then？\"
Mowglisatwithhiselbowsonhisknees，lookingoutacrossthevalleyatthedaylight。Somewheredowninthewoodsbelowabirdwastryingoverinahusky，reedyvoicethefirstfewnotesofhisspringsong。Itwasnomorethanashadowoftheliquid，tumblingcallhewouldbepouringlater，butBagheeraheardit。
\"IsaidtheTimeofNewTalkisnear，\"growledthepanther，switchinghistail。
\"Ihear，\"Mowglianswered。\"Bagheera，whydostthoushakeallover？Thesuniswarm。\"
\"ThatisFerao，thescarletwoodpecker，\"saidBagheera。\"HEhasnotforgotten。NowI，too，mustremembermysong，\"andhebeganpurringandcrooningtohimself，harkingbackdissatisfiedagainandagain。
\"Thereisnogameafoot，\"saidMowgli。
\"LittleBrother，areBOTHthineearsstopped？Thatisnokilling-word，butmysongthatImakereadyagainsttheneed。\"
\"Ihadforgotten。IshallknowwhentheTimeofNewTalkishere，becausethenthouandtheothersallrunawayandleavemealone。\"Mowglispokerathersavagely。
\"But，indeed，LittleBrother，\"Bagheerabegan，\"wedonotalways————\"
\"Isayyedo，\"saidMowgli，shootingouthisforefingerangrily。
\"YeDOrunaway，andI，whoamtheMasteroftheJungle，mustneedswalkalone。Howwasitlastseason，whenIwouldgathersugar-canefromthefieldsofaMan-Pack？Isentarunner——I
sentthee！——toHathi，biddinghimtocomeuponsuchanightandpluckthesweetgrassformewithhistrunk。\"
\"Hecameonlytwonightslater，\"saidBagheera，coweringalittle；\"andofthatlong，sweetgrassthatpleasedtheesohegatheredmorethananyMan-cubcouldeatinallthenightsoftheRains。Thatwasnofaultofmine。\"
\"HedidnotcomeuponthenightwhenIsenthimtheword。
No，hewastrumpetingandrunningandroaringthroughthevalleysinthemoonlight。Histrailwaslikethetrailofthreeelephants，forhewouldnothideamongthetrees。
HedancedinthemoonlightbeforethehousesoftheMan-Pack。
Isawhim，andyethewouldnotcometome；and_I_amtheMasteroftheJungle！\"
\"ItwastheTimeofNewTalk，\"saidthepanther，alwaysveryhumble。\"Perhaps，LittleBrother，thoudidstnotthattimecallhimbyaMaster-word？ListentoFerao，andbeglad！\"
Mowgli’sbadtemperseemedtohaveboileditselfaway。Helaybackwithhisheadonhisarms，hiseyesshut。\"Idonotknow——
nordoIcare，\"hesaidsleepily。\"Letussleep，Bagheera。
Mystomachisheavyinme。Makemearestformyhead。\"
Thepantherlaydownagainwithasigh，becausehecouldhearFeraopractisingandrepractisinghissongagainsttheSpringtimeofNewTalk，astheysay。
InanIndianJungletheseasonsslideoneintotheotheralmostwithoutdivision。Thereseemtobeonlytwo——thewetandthedry；butifyoulookcloselybelowthetorrentsofrainandthecloudsofcharanddustyouwillfindallfourgoingroundintheirregularring。Springisthemostwonderful，becauseshehasnottocoveraclean，barefieldwithnewleavesandflowers，buttodrivebeforeherandtoputawaythehanging-on，over-survivingraffleofhalf-greenthingswhichthegentlewinterhassufferedtolive，andtomakethepartly-dressedstaleearthfeelnewandyoungoncemore。