AndthisshedoessowellthatthereisnospringintheworldliketheJunglespring。
Thereisonedaywhenallthingsaretired，andtheverysmells，astheydriftontheheavyair，areoldandused。Onecannotexplainthis，butitfeelsso。Thenthereisanotherday——totheeyenothingwhateverhaschanged——whenallthesmellsarenewanddelightful，andthewhiskersoftheJunglePeoplequivertotheirroots，andthewinterhaircomesawayfromtheirsidesinlong，draggledlocks。Then，perhaps，alittlerainfalls，andallthetreesandthebushesandthebamboosandthemossesandthejuicy-leavedplantswakewithanoiseofgrowingthatyoucanalmosthear，andunderthisnoiseruns，dayandnight，adeephum。THATisthenoiseofthespring——avibratingboomwhichisneitherbees，norfallingwater，northewindintree-
tops，butthepurringofthewarm，happyworld。
UptothisyearMowglihadalwaysdelightedintheturnoftheseasons。ItwashewhogenerallysawthefirstEye-of-the-Springdeepdownamongthegrasses，andthefirstbankofspringclouds，whicharelikenothingelseintheJungle。Hisvoicecouldbeheardinallsortsofwet，star-lighted，blossomingplaces，helpingthebigfrogsthroughtheirchoruses，ormockingthelittleupside-downowlsthathootthroughthewhitenights。
Likeallhispeople，springwastheseasonhechoseforhisflittings——moving，forthemerejoyofrushingthroughthewarmair，thirty，forty，orfiftymilesbetweentwilightandthemorningstar，andcomingbackpantingandlaughingandwreathedwithstrangeflowers。TheFourdidnotfollowhimonthesewildringingsoftheJungle，butwentofftosingsongswithotherwolves。TheJunglePeopleareverybusyinthespring，andMowglicouldhearthemgruntingandscreamingandwhistlingaccordingtotheirkind。Theirvoicesthenaredifferentfromtheirvoicesatothertimesoftheyear，andthatisoneofthereasonswhyspringintheJungleiscalledtheTimeofNewTalk。
Butthatspring，ashetoldBagheera，hisstomachwaschangedinhim。Eversincethebambooshootsturnedspotty-brownhehadbeenlookingforwardtothemorningwhenthesmellsshouldchange。Butwhenthemorningcame，andMorthePeacock，blazinginbronzeandblueandgold，crieditaloudallalongthemistywoods，andMowgliopenedhismouthtosendonthecry，thewordschokedbetweenhisteeth，andafeelingcameoverhimthatbeganathistoesandendedinhishair——afeelingofpureunhappiness，sothathelookedhimselfovertobesurethathehadnottrodonathorn。Morcriedthenewsmells，theotherbirdstookitover，andfromtherocksbytheWaingungaheheardBagheera’shoarsescream——somethingbetweenthescreamofaneagleandtheneighingofahorse。TherewasayellingandscatteringofBandar-loginthenew-buddingbranchesabove，andtherestoodMowgli，hischest，filledtoanswerMor，sinkinginlittlegaspsasthebreathwasdrivenoutofitbythisunhappiness。
Hestaredallroundhim，buthecouldseenomorethanthemockingBandar-logscuddingthroughthetrees，andMor，histailspreadinfullsplendour，dancingontheslopesbelow。
\"Thesmellshavechanged，\"screamedMor。\"Goodhunting，LittleBrother！Whereisthyanswer？\"
\"LittleBrother，goodhunting！\"whistledChiltheKiteandhismate，swoopingdowntogether。ThetwobaffedunderMowgli’snosesoclosethatapinchofdownywhitefeathersbrushedaway。
Alightspringrain——elephant-raintheycallit——droveacrosstheJungleinabelthalfamilewide，leftthenewleaveswetandnoddingbehind，anddiedoutinadoublerainbowandalightrollofthunder。Thespringhumbrokeoutforaminute，andwassilent，butalltheJungleFolkseemedtobegivingtongueatonce。AllexceptMowgli。
\"Ihaveeatengoodfood，\"hesaidtohimself。\"Ihavedrunkgoodwater。Nordoesmythroatburnandgrowsmall，asitdidwhenIbittheblue-spottedrootthatOotheTurtlesaidwascleanfood。Butmystomachisheavy，andIhavegivenverybadtalktoBagheeraandothers，peopleoftheJungleandmypeople。
Now，too，IamhotandnowIamcold，andnowIamneitherhotnorcold，butangrywiththatwhichIcannotsee。Huhu！Itistimetomakearunning！To-nightIwillcrosstheranges；yes，IwillmakeaspringrunningtotheMarshesoftheNorth，andbackagain。Ihavehuntedtooeasilytoolong。TheFourshallcomewithme，fortheygrowasfataswhitegrubs。\"
Hecalled，butneveroneoftheFouranswered。Theywerefarbeyondearshot，singingoverthespringsongs——theMoonandSambhurSongs——withthewolvesofthepack；forinthespring-
timetheJunglePeoplemakeverylittledifferencebetweenthedayandthenight。Hegavethesharp，barkingnote，buthisonlyanswerwasthemockingmaiouofthelittlespottedtree-catwindinginandoutamongthebranchesforearlybirds’nests。
Atthisheshookalloverwithrage，andhalfdrewhisknife。
Thenhebecameveryhaughty，thoughtherewasnoonetoseehim，andstalkedseverelydownthehillside，chinupandeyebrowsdown。Butneverasingleoneofhispeopleaskedhimaquestion，fortheywerealltoobusywiththeirownaffairs。
\"Yes，\"saidMowglitohimself，thoughinhisheartheknewthathehadnoreason。\"LettheRedDholecomefromtheDekkan，ortheRedFlowerdanceamongthebamboos，andalltheJunglerunswhiningtoMowgli，callinghimgreatelephant-names。
Butnow，becauseEye-of-the-Springisred，andMor，forsooth，mustshowhisnakedlegsinsomespringdance，theJunglegoesmadasTabaqui……BytheBullthatboughtme！amItheMasteroftheJungle，oramInot？Besilent！Whatdoyehere？\"
AcoupleofyoungwolvesofthePackwerecanteringdownapath，lookingforopengroundinwhichtofight。（YouwillrememberthattheLawoftheJungleforbidsfightingwherethePackcansee。）Theirneck-bristleswereasstiffaswire，andtheybayedfuriously，crouchingforthefirstgrapple。Mowglileapedforward，caughtoneoutstretchedthroatineitherhand，expectingtoflingthecreaturesbackwardashehadoftendoneingamesorPackhunts。Buthehadneverbeforeinterferedwithaspringfight。Thetwoleapedforwardanddashedhimaside，andwithoutwordtowasterolledoverandovercloselocked。
Mowgliwasonhisfeetalmostbeforehefell，hisknifeandhiswhiteteethwerebared，andatthatminutehewouldhavekilledbothfornoreasonbutthattheywerefightingwhenhewishedthemtobequiet，althougheverywolfhasfullrightundertheLawtofight。Hedancedroundthemwithloweredshouldersandquiveringhand，readytosendinadoubleblowwhenthefirstflurryofthescuffleshouldbeover；butwhilehewaitedthestrengthseemedtoebbfromhisbody，theknife-pointlowered，andhesheathedtheknifeandwatched。
\"Ihavesurelyeatenpoison，\"hesighedatlast。SinceIbrokeuptheCouncilwiththeRedFlower——sinceIkilledShereKhan——
noneofthePackcouldflingmeaside。Andthesebeonlytail-
wolvesinthePack，littlehunters！Mystrengthisgonefromme，andpresentlyIshalldie。Oh，Mowgli，whydostthounotkillthemboth？\"
Thefightwentontillonewolfranaway，andMowgliwasleftaloneonthetornandbloodyground，lookingnowathisknife，andnowathislegsandarms，whilethefeelingofunhappinesshehadneverknownbeforecoveredhimaswatercoversalog。
Hekilledearlythateveningandatebutlittle，soastobeingoodfettleforhisspringrunning，andheatealonebecausealltheJunglePeoplewereawaysingingorfighting。Itwasaperfectwhitenight，astheycallit。Allgreenthingsseemedtohavemadeamonth’sgrowthsincethemorning。Thebranchthatwasyellow-leavedthedaybeforedrippedsapwhenMowglibrokeit。Themossescurleddeepandwarmoverhisfeet，theyounggrasshadnocuttingedges，andallthevoicesoftheJungleboomedlikeonedeepharp-stringtouchedbythemoon——theMoonofNewTalk，whosplashedherlightfullonrockandpool，slippeditbetweentrunkandcreeper，andsifteditthroughamillionleaves。Forgettinghisunhappiness，Mowglisangaloudwithpuredelightashesettledintohisstride。Itwasmorelikeflyingthananythingelse，forhehadchosenthelongdownwardslopethatleadstotheNorthernMarshesthroughtheheartofthemainJungle，wherethespringygrounddeadenedthefallofhisfeet。Aman-taughtmanwouldhavepickedhiswaywithmanystumblesthroughthecheatingmoonlight，butMowgli’smuscles，trainedbyyearsofexperience，borehimupasthoughhewereafeather。Whenarottenlogorahiddenstoneturnedunderhisfoothesavedhimself，nevercheckinghispace，withouteffortandwithoutthought。Whenhetiredofground-
goinghethrewuphishandsmonkey-fashiontothenearestcreeper，andseemedtofloatratherthantoclimbupintothethinbranches，whencehewouldfollowatree-roadtillhismoodchanged，andheshotdownwardinalong，leafycurvetothelevelsagain。Therewerestill，hothollowssurroundedbywetrockswherehecouldhardlybreathefortheheavyscentsofthenightflowersandthebloomalongthecreeperbuds；darkavenueswherethemoonlightlayinbeltsasregularascheckeredmarblesinachurchaisle；thicketswherethewetyounggrowthstoodbreast-highabouthimandthrewitsarmsroundhiswaist；
andhilltopscrownedwithbrokenrock，whereheleapedfromstonetostoneabovethelairsofthefrightenedlittlefoxes。
Hewouldhear，veryfaintandfaroff，thechug-drugofaboarsharpeninghistusksonabole；andwouldcomeacrossthegreatgraybruteallalone，scribingandrendingthebarkofatalltree，hismouthdrippingwithfoam，andhiseyesblazinglikefire。Orhewouldturnasidetothesoundofclashinghornsandhissinggrunts，anddashpastacoupleoffurioussambhur，staggeringtoandfrowithloweredheads，stripedwithbloodthatshowedblackinthemoonlight。OratsomerushingfordhewouldhearJacalatheCrocodilebellowinglikeabull，ordisturbatwinedknotofthePoisonPeople，butbeforetheycouldstrikehewouldbeawayandacrosstheglisteningshingle，anddeepintheJungleagain。
Soheran，sometimesshouting，sometimessingingtohimself，thehappiestthinginalltheJunglethatnight，tillthesmelloftheflowerswarnedhimthathewasnearthemarshes，andthoselayfarbeyondhisfarthesthunting-grounds。
Here，again，aman-trainedmanwouldhavesunkoverheadinthreestrides，butMowgli’sfeethadeyesinthem，andtheypassedhimfromtussocktotussockandclumptoquakingclumpwithoutaskinghelpfromtheeyesinhishead。Heranouttothemiddleoftheswamp，disturbingtheduckasheran，andsatdownonamoss-coatedtree-trunklappedintheblackwater。Themarshwasawakeallroundhim，forinthespringtheBirdPeoplesleepverylightly，andcompaniesofthemwerecomingorgoingthenightthrough。ButnoonetookanynoticeofMowglisittingamongthetallreedshummingsongswithoutwords，andlookingatthesolesofhishardbrownfeetincaseofneglectedthorns。
AllhisunhappinessseemedtohavebeenleftbehindinhisownJungle，andhewasjustbeginningafull-throatsongwhenitcamebackagain——tentimesworsethanbefore。
ThistimeMowgliwasfrightened。\"Itisherealso！\"hesaidhalfaloud。\"Ithasfollowedme，\"andhelookedoverhisshouldertoseewhethertheItwerenotstandingbehindhim。\"Thereisnoonehere。\"Thenightnoisesofthemarshwenton，butneverabirdorbeastspoketohim，andthenewfeelingofmiserygrew。
\"Ihavesurelyeatenpoison，\"hesaidinanawe-strickenvoice。
\"ItmustbethatcarelesslyIhaveeatenpoison，andmystrengthisgoingfromme。Iwasafraid——andyetitwasnot_I_thatwasafraid——Mowgliwasafraidwhenthetwowolvesfought。Akela，orevenPhao，wouldhavesilencedthem；yetMowgliwasafraid。
ThatistruesignIhaveeatenpoison……ButwhatdotheycareintheJungle？Theysingandhowlandfight，andrunincompaniesunderthemoon，andI——Hai-mai！——Iamdyinginthemarshes，ofthatpoisonwhichIhaveeaten。\"Hewassosorryforhimselfthathenearlywept。\"Andafter，\"hewenton，\"theywillfindmelyingintheblackwater。Nay，IwillgobacktomyownJungle，andIwilldieupontheCouncilRock，andBagheera，whomIlove，ifheisnotscreaminginthevalley——Bagheera，perhaps，maywatchbywhatisleftforalittle，lestChilusemeasheusedAkela。\"
Alarge，warmtearsplasheddownonhisknee，and，miserableashewas，Mowglifelthappythathewassomiserable，ifyoucanunderstandthatupside-downsortofhappiness。\"AsChiltheKiteusedAkela，\"herepeated，\"onthenightIsavedthePackfromRedDog。\"Hewasquietforalittle，thinkingofthelastwordsoftheLoneWolf，whichyou，ofcourse，remember。
\"NowAkelasaidtomemanyfoolishthingsbeforehedied，forwhenwedieourstomachschange。Hesaid……Nonetheless，IAMoftheJungle！\"
Inhisexcitement，asherememberedthefightonWaingungabank，heshoutedthelastwordsaloud，andawildbuffalo-cowamongthereedssprangtoherknees，snorting，\"Man！\"
\"Uhh！\"saidMysatheWildBuffalo（Mowglicouldhearhimturninhiswallow），\"THATisnoman。ItisonlythehairlesswolfoftheSeeoneePack。Onsuchnightsrunshetoandfro。\"
\"Uhh！\"saidthecow，droppingherheadagaintograze，\"IthoughtitwasMan。\"
\"Isayno。Oh，Mowgli，isitdanger？\"lowedMysa。
\"Oh，Mowgli，isitdanger？\"theboycalledbackmockingly。
\"ThatisallMysathinksfor：Isitdanger？ButforMowgli，whogoestoandfrointheJunglebynight，watching，whatdoyecare？\"
\"Howloudhecries！\"saidthecow。\"Thusdotheycry，\"Mysaansweredcontemptuously，\"who，havingtornupthegrass，knownothowtoeatit。\"
\"Forlessthanthis，\"Mowgligroanedtohimself，forlessthanthisevenlastRainsIhadprickedMysaoutofhiswallow，andriddenhimthroughtheswamponarushhalter。\"Hestretchedahandtobreakoneofthefeatheryreeds，butdrewitbackwithasigh。Mysawentonsteadilychewingthecud，andthelonggrassrippedwherethecowgrazed。\"IwillnotdieHERE，\"
hesaidangrily。\"Mysa，whoisofonebloodwithJacalaandthepig，wouldseeme。Letusgobeyondtheswampandseewhatcomes。NeverhaveIrunsuchaspringrunning——hotandcoldtogether。Up，Mowgli！\"
HecouldnotresistthetemptationofstealingacrossthereedstoMysaandprickinghimwiththepointofhisknife。Thegreatdrippingbullbrokeoutofhiswallowlikeashellexploding，whileMowglilaughedtillhesatdown。
\"SaynowthatthehairlesswolfoftheSeeoneePackonceherdedthee，Mysa，\"hecalled。
\"Wolf！THOU？\"thebullsnorted，stampinginthemud。\"Allthejungleknowsthouwastaherderoftamecattle——suchaman’sbratasshoutsinthedustbythecropsyonder。THOUoftheJungle！Whathunterwouldhavecrawledlikeasnakeamongtheleeches，andforamuddyjest——ajackal’sjest——haveshamedmebeforemycow？Cometofirmground，andIwill——Iwill……\"
Mysafrothedatthemouth，forMysahasnearlytheworsttemperofanyoneintheJungle。
Mowgliwatchedhimpuffandblowwitheyesthatneverchanged。
Whenhecouldmakehimselfheardthroughthepatteringmud，hesaid：\"WhatMan-Packlairherebythemarshes，Mysa？ThisisnewJungletome。\"
\"Gonorth，then，\"roaredtheangrybull，forMowglihadprickedhimrathersharply。\"Itwasanakedcow-herd’sjest。Goandtellthematthevillageatthefootofthemarsh。\"
\"TheMan-Packdonotlovejungle-tales，nordoIthink，Mysa，thatascratchmoreorlessonthyhideisanymatterforacouncil。ButIwillgoandlookatthisvillage。Yes，Iwillgo。
Softlynow。ItisnoteverynightthattheMasteroftheJunglecomestoherdthee。\"
Hesteppedouttotheshiveringgroundontheedgeofthemarsh，wellknowingthatMysawouldneverchargeoveritandlaughed，asheran，tothinkofthebull’sanger。
\"Mystrengthisnotaltogethergone，\"hesaid。Itmaybethatthepoisonisnottothebone。Thereisastarsittinglowyonder。\"Helookedatitbetweenhishalf-shuthands。\"BytheBullthatboughtme，itistheRedFlower——theRedFlowerthatIlaybesidebefore——beforeIcameeventothefirstSeeoneePack！NowthatIhaveseen，Iwillfinishtherunning。\"
Themarshendedinabroadplainwherealighttwinkled。
ItwasalongtimesinceMowglihadconcernedhimselfwiththedoingsofmen，butthisnighttheglimmeroftheRedFlowerdrewhimforward。
\"Iwilllook，\"saidhe，\"asIdidintheolddays，andIwillseehowfartheMan-Packhaschanged。\"
ForgettingthathewasnolongerinhisownJungle，wherehecoulddowhathepleased，hetrodcarelesslythroughthedew-
loadedgrassestillhecametothehutwherethelightstood。
Threeorfouryelpingdogsgavetongue，forhewasontheoutskirtsofavillage。
\"Ho！\"saidMowgli，sittingdownnoiselessly，aftersendingbackadeepwolf-growlthatsilencedthecurs。\"Whatcomeswillcome。
Mowgli，whathastthoutodoanymorewiththelairsoftheMan-Pack？\"Herubbedhismouth，rememberingwhereastonehadstruckityearsagowhentheotherMan-Packhadcasthimout。
Thedoorofthehutopened，andawomanstoodpeeringoutintothedarkness。Achildcried，andthewomansaidoverhershoulder，\"Sleep。Itwasbutajackalthatwakedthedogs。
Inalittletimemorningcomes。\"
Mowgliinthegrassbegantoshakeasthoughhehadfever。
Heknewthatvoicewell，buttomakesurehecriedsoftly，surprisedtofindhowman’stalkcameback，\"Messua！OMessua！\"
\"Whocalls？\"saidthewoman，aquiverinhervoice。
\"Hastthouforgotten？\"saidMowgli。Histhroatwasdryashespoke。
\"IfitbeTHOU，whatnamedidIgivethee？Say！\"Shehadhalfshutthedoor，andherhandwasclutchingatherbreast。
\"Nathoo！Ohe，Nathoo！\"saidMowgli，for，asyouremember，thatwasthenameMessuagavehimwhenhefirstcametotheMan-Pack。
\"Come，myson，\"shecalled，andMowglisteppedintothelight，andlookedfullatMessua，thewomanwhohadbeengoodtohim，andwhoselifehehadsavedfromtheMan-Packsolongbefore。
Shewasolder，andherhairwasgray，buthereyesandhervoicehadnotchanged。Woman-like，sheexpectedtofindMowgliwhereshehadlefthim，andhereyestravelledupwardinapuzzledwayfromhischesttohishead，thattouchedthetopofthedoor。
\"Myson，\"shestammered；andthen，sinkingtohisfeet：\"Butitisnolongermyson。ItisaGodlingoftheWoods！Ahai！\"
Ashestoodintheredlightoftheoil-lamp，strong，tall，andbeautiful，hislongblackhairsweepingoverhisshoulders，theknifeswingingathisneck，andhisheadcrownedwithawreathofwhitejasmine，hemighteasilyhavebeenmistakenforsomewildgodofajunglelegend。Thechildhalfasleeponacotsprangupandshriekedaloudwithterror。Messuaturnedtosoothehim，whileMowglistoodstill，lookinginatthewater-
jarsandthecooking-pots，thegrain-bin，andalltheotherhumanbelongingsthathefoundhimselfrememberingsowell。
\"Whatwiltthoueatordrink？\"Messuamurmured。\"Thisisallthine。Weoweourlivestothee。ButartthouhimIcalledNathoo，oraGodling，indeed？\"
\"IamNathoo，\"saidMowgli，\"Iamveryfarfrommyownplace。
Isawthislight，andcamehither。Ididnotknowthouwasthere。\"
\"AfterwecametoKhanhiwara，\"Messuasaidtimidly，\"theEnglishwouldhavehelpedusagainstthosevillagersthatsoughttoburnus。Rememberestthou？\"
\"Indeed，Ihavenotforgotten。\"
\"ButwhentheEnglishLawwasmadeready，wewenttothevillageofthoseevilpeople，anditwasnomoretobefound。\"
\"ThatalsoIremember，\"saidMowgli，withaquiverofhisnostril。
\"Myman，therefore，tookserviceinthefields，andatlast——
for，indeed，hewasastrongman——weheldalittlelandhere。
Itisnotsorichastheoldvillage，butwedonotneedmuch——
wetwo。\"
\"Whereishethemanthatduginthedirtwhenhewasafraidonthatnight？\"
\"Heisdead——ayear。\"
\"Andhe？\"Mowglipointedtothechild。
\"MysonthatwasborntwoRainsago。IfthouartaGodling，givehimtheFavouroftheJungle，thathemaybesafeamongthy——thypeople，asweweresafeonthatnight。\"
Sheliftedupthechild，who，forgettinghisfright，reachedouttoplaywiththeknifethathungonMowgli’schest，andMowgliputthelittlefingersasideverycarefully。
\"AndifthouartNathoowhomthetigercarriedaway，\"Messuawenton，choking，\"heisthenthyyoungerbrother。Givehimanelderbrother’sblessing。\"
\"Hai-mai！WhatdoIknowofthethingcalledablessing？
IamneitheraGodlingnorhisbrother，and——Omother，mother，myheartisheavyinme。\"Heshiveredashesetdownthechild。
\"Likeenough，\"saidMessua，bustlingamongthecooking-pots。
\"Thiscomesofrunningaboutthemarshesbynight。
Beyondquestion，thefeverhadsoakedtheetothemarrow。\"
MowglismiledalittleattheideaofanythingintheJunglehurtinghim。\"Iwillmakeafire，andthoushaltdrinkwarmmilk。Putawaythejasminewreath：thesmellisheavyinsosmallaplace。\"
Mowglisatdown，muttering，withhisfaceinhishands。
Allmannerofstrangefeelingsthathehadneverfeltbeforewererunningoverhim，exactlyasthoughhehadbeenpoisoned，andhefeltdizzyandalittlesick。Hedrankthewarmmilkinlonggulps，Messuapattinghimontheshoulderfromtimetotime，notquitesurewhetherhewerehersonNathooofthelongagodays，orsomewonderfulJunglebeing，butgladtofeelthathewasatleastfleshandblood。
\"Son，\"shesaidatlast，——hereyeswerefullofpride，——
\"haveanytoldtheethatthouartbeautifulbeyondallmen？\"
\"Hah？\"saidMowgli，fornaturallyhehadneverheardanythingofthekind。Messualaughedsoftlyandhappily。Thelookinhisfacewasenoughforher。
\"Iamthefirst，then？Itisright，thoughitcomesseldom，thatamothershouldtellhersonthesegoodthings。Thouartverybeautiful。NeverhaveIlookeduponsuchaman。\"
Mowglitwistedhisheadandtriedtoseeoverhisownhardshoulder，andMessualaughedagainsolongthatMowgli，notknowingwhy，wasforcedtolaughwithher，andthechildranfromonetotheother，laughingtoo。
\"Nay，thoumustnotmockthybrother，\"saidMessua，catchinghimtoherbreast。\"Whenthouartone-halfasfairwewillmarrytheetotheyoungestdaughterofaking，andthoushaltridegreatelephants。\"
Mowglicouldnotunderstandonewordinthreeofthetalkhere；
thewarmmilkwastakingeffectonhimafterhislongrun，sohecurledupandinaminutewasdeepasleep，andMessuaputthehairbackfromhiseyes，threwaclothoverhim，andwashappy。
Jungle-fashion，hesleptouttherestofthatnightandallthenextday；forhisinstincts，whichneverwhollyslept，warnedhimtherewasnothingtofear。Hewakedatlastwithaboundthatshookthehut，fortheclothoverhisfacemadehimdreamoftraps；andtherehestood，hishandonhisknife，thesleepallheavyinhisrollingeyes，readyforanyfight。
Messualaughed，andsettheeveningmealbeforehim。Therewereonlyafewcoarsecakesbakedoverthesmokyfire，somerice，andalumpofsourpreservedtamarinds——justenoughtogoonwithtillhecouldgettohiseveningkill。Thesmellofthedewinthemarshesmadehimhungryandrestless。Hewantedtofinishhisspringrunning，butthechildinsistedonsittinginhisarms，andMessuawouldhaveitthathislong，blue-blackhairmusthecombedout。Soshesang，asshecombed，foolishlittlebaby-songs，nowcallingMowgliherson，andnowbegginghimtogivesomeofhisjunglepowertothechild。Thehutdoorwasclosed，butMowgliheardasoundheknewwell，andsawMessua’sjawdropwithhorrorasagreatgraypawcameunderthebottomofthedoor，andGrayBrotheroutsidewhinedamuffledandpenitentwhineofanxietyandfear。
\"Outandwait！YewouldnotcomewhenIcalled，\"saidMowgliinJungle-talk，withoutturninghishead，andthegreatgraypawdisappeared。
\"Donot——donotbringthy——thyservantswiththee，\"saidMessua。
\"I——wehavealwayslivedatpeacewiththeJungle。\"
\"Itispeace，\"saidMowgli，rising。\"ThinkofthatnightontheroadtoKhanhiwara。Therewerescoresofsuchfolkbeforetheeandbehindthee。ButIseethateveninspringtimetheJunglePeopledonotalwaysforget。Mother，Igo。\"
Messuadrewasidehumbly——hewasindeedawood-god，shethought；
butashishandwasonthedoorthemotherinhermadeherthrowherarmsroundMowgli’sneckagainandagain。
\"Comeback！\"shewhispered。\"Sonornoson，comeback，forI
lovethee——Look，hetoogrieves。\"
Thechildwascryingbecausethemanwiththeshinyknifewasgoingaway。
\"Comebackagain，\"Messuarepeated。\"Bynightorbydaythisdoorisnevershuttothee。\"
Mowgli’sthroatworkedasthoughthecordsinitwerebeingpulled，andhisvoiceseemedtobedraggedfromitasheanswered，\"Iwillsurelycomeback。\"
\"Andnow，\"hesaid，asheputbytheheadofthefawningwolfonthethreshold，\"Ihavealittlecryagainstthee，GrayBrother。
WhycameyenotallfourwhenIcalledsolongago？\"
\"Solongago？Itwasbutlastnight。I——we——weresingingintheJunglethenewsongs，forthisistheTimeofNewTalk。
Rememberestthou？\"
\"Truly，truly。\"
\"Andassoonasthesongsweresung，\"GrayBrotherwentonearnestly，\"Ifollowedthytrail。Iranfromalltheothersandfollowedhot-foot。But，OLittleBrother，whathastTHOUdone，eatingandsleepingwiththeMan-Pack？\"
\"IfyehadcomewhenIcalled，thishadneverbeen，\"saidMowgli，runningmuchfaster。
\"Andnowwhatistobe？\"saidGrayBrother。Mowgliwasgoingtoanswerwhenagirlinawhiteclothcamedownsomepaththatledfromtheoutskirtsofthevillage。GrayBrotherdroppedoutofsightatonce，andMowglibackednoiselesslyintoafieldofhigh-springingcrops。Hecouldalmosthavetouchedherwithhishandwhenthewarm，greenstalksclosedbeforehisfaceandhedisappearedlikeaghost。Thegirlscreamed，forshethoughtshehadseenaspirit，andthenshegaveadeepsigh。
Mowglipartedthestalkswithhishandsandwatchedhertillshewasoutofsight。
\"AndnowIdonotknow，\"hesaid，sighinginhisturn。\"WHYdidyenotcomewhenIcalled？\"
\"Wefollowthee——wefollowthee，\"GrayBrothermumbled，lickingatMowgli’sheel。\"Wefollowtheealways，exceptintheTimeoftheNewTalk。\"
\"AndwouldyefollowmetotheMan-Pack？\"Mowgliwhispered。
\"DidInotfollowtheeonthenightouroldPackcasttheeout？
Whowakedtheelyingamongthecrops？\"
\"Ay，butagain？\"
\"HaveInotfollowedtheeto-night？\"
\"Ay，butagainandagain，anditmaybeagain，GrayBrother？\"
GrayBrotherwassilent。Whenhespokehegrowledtohimself，\"TheBlackOnespoketruth。\"
\"Andhesaid？\"
\"MangoestoManatthelast。Raksha，ourmother，said————\"
\"SoalsosaidAkelaonthenightofRedDog，\"Mowglimuttered。
\"SoalsosaysKaa，whoiswiserthanusall。\"
\"Whatdostthousay，GrayBrother？\"
\"Theycasttheeoutonce，withbadtalk。Theycutthymouthwithstones。TheysentBuldeotoslaythee。TheywouldhavethrowntheeintotheRedFlower。Thou，andnotI，hastsaidthattheyareevilandsenseless。Thou，andnotI——Ifollowmyownpeople——didstletintheJungleuponthem。Thou，andnotI，didstmakesongagainstthemmorebittereventhanoursongagainstRedDog。\"
\"IasktheewhatTHOUsayest？\"
Theyweretalkingastheyran。GrayBrothercanteredonawhilewithoutreplying，andthenhesaid，——betweenboundandboundasitwere，——\"Man-cub——MasteroftheJungle——SonofRaksha，Lair-
brothertome——thoughIforgetforalittlewhileinthespring，thytrailismytrail，thylairismylair，thykillismykill，andthydeath-fightismydeath-fight。IspeakfortheThree。
ButwhatwiltthousaytotheJungle？\"
\"Thatiswellthought。Betweenthesightandthekillitisnotgoodtowait。GobeforeandcrythemalltotheCouncilRock，andIwilltellthemwhatisinmystomach。Buttheymaynotcome——intheTimeofNewTalktheymayforgetme。\"
\"Hastthou，then，forgottennothing？\"snappedGrayBrotheroverhisshoulder，ashelaidhimselfdowntogallop，andMowglifollowed，thinking。
AtanyotherseasonthenewswouldhavecalledalltheJungletogetherwithbristlingnecks，butnowtheywerebusyhuntingandfightingandkillingandsinging。FromonetoanotherGrayBrotherran，crying，\"TheMasteroftheJunglegoesbacktoMan！
CometotheCouncilRock。\"Andthehappy，eagerPeopleonlyanswered，\"Hewillreturninthesummerheats。TheRainswilldrivehimtolair。Runandsingwithus，GrayBrother。\"
\"ButtheMasteroftheJunglegoesbacktoMan，\"GrayBrotherwouldrepeat。
\"Eee——Yoawa？IstheTimeofNewTalkanylesssweetforthat？\"
theywouldreply。SowhenMowgli，heavy-hearted，cameupthroughthewell-rememberedrockstotheplacewherehehadbeenbroughtintotheCouncil，hefoundonlytheFour，Baloo，whowasnearlyblindwithage，andtheheavy，cold-bloodedKaacoiledaroundAkela’semptyseat。
\"Thytrailendshere，then，Manling？\"saidKaa，asMowglithrewhimselfdown，hisfaceinhishands。\"Crythycry。Webeofoneblood，thouandI——manandsnaketogether。\"
\"WhydidInotdieunderRedDog？\"theboymoaned。\"Mystrengthisgonefromme，anditisnotanypoison。BynightandbydayIhearadoublestepuponmytrail。WhenIturnmyheaditisasthoughonehadhiddenhimselffrommethatinstant。Igotolookbehindthetreesandheisnotthere。Icallandnonecryagain；
butitisasthoughonelistenedandkeptbacktheanswer。Iliedown，butIdonotrest。Irunthespringrunning，butIamnotmadestill。Ibathe，butIamnotmadecool。Thekillsickensme，butIhavenohearttofightexceptIkill。TheRedFlowerisinmybody，mybonesarewater——and——IknownotwhatIknow。\"
\"Whatneedoftalk？\"saidBalooslowly，turninghisheadtowhereMowglilay。\"Akelabytheriversaidit，thatMowglishoulddriveMowglibacktotheMan-Pack。Isaidit。ButwholistensnowtoBaloo？Bagheera——whereisBagheerathisnight？——
heknowsalso。ItistheLaw。\"
\"WhenwemetatColdLairs，Manling，Iknewit，\"saidKaa，turningalittleinhismightycoils。\"MangoestoManatthelast，thoughtheJungledoesnotcasthimout。\"
TheFourlookedatoneanotherandatMowgli，puzzledbutobedient。
\"TheJungledoesnotcastmeout，then？\"Mowglistammered。
GrayBrotherandtheThreegrowledfuriously，beginning，\"Solongaswelivenoneshalldare————\"ButBaloocheckedthem。
\"ItaughttheetheLaw。Itisformetospeak，\"hesaid；
\"and，thoughIcannotnowseetherocksbeforeme，Iseefar。
LittleFrog，takethineowntrail；makethylairwiththineownbloodandpackandpeople；butwhenthereisneedoffootortoothoreye，orawordcarriedswiftlybynight，remember，MasteroftheJungle，theJungleisthineatcall。\"
\"TheMiddleJungleisthinealso，\"saidKaa。Ispeakfornosmallpeople。\"
\"Hai-mai，mybrothers，\"criedMowgli，throwinguphisarmswithasob。\"IknownotwhatIknow！Iwouldnotgo；butIamdrawnbybothfeet。HowshallIleavethesenights？\"
\"Nay，lookup，LittleBrother，\"Baloorepeated。Thereisnoshameinthishunting。Whenthehoneyiseatenweleavetheemptyhive。\"
\"Havingcasttheskin，\"saidKaa，\"wemaynotcreepintoitafresh。ItistheLaw。\"
\"Listen，dearestofalltome，\"saidBaloo。Thereisneitherwordnorwillheretoholdtheeback。Lookup！WhomayquestiontheMasteroftheJungle？Isawtheeplayingamongthewhitepebblesyonderwhenthouwastalittlefrog；andBagheera，thatboughttheeforthepriceofayoungbullnewlykilled，sawtheealso。OfthatLookingOverwetwoonlyremain；
forRaksha，thylair-mother，isdeadwiththylair-father；
theoldWolf-Packislongsincedead；thouknowestwhitherShereKhanwent，andAkeladiedamongthedholes，where，butforthywisdomandstrength，thesecondSeeoneePackwouldalsohavedied。Thereremainsnothingbutoldbones。ItisnolongertheMan-cubthatasksleaveofhisPack，buttheMasteroftheJunglethatchangeshistrail。WhoshallquestionManinhisways？\"
\"ButBagheeraandtheBullthatboughtme，\"saidMowgli。
\"Iwouldnot————\"
Hiswordswerecutshortbyaroarandacrashinthethicketbelow，andBagheera，light，strong，andterribleasalways，stoodbeforehim。
\"Therefore，\"hesaid，stretchingoutadrippingrightpaw，\"Ididnotcome。Itwasalonghunt，butheliesdeadinthebushesnow——abullinhissecondyear——theBullthatfreesthee，LittleBrother。Alldebtsarepaidnow。Fortherest，mywordisBaloo’sword。\"HelickedMowgli’sfoot。\"Remember，Bagheeralovedthee，\"hecried，andboundedaway。Atthefootofthehillhecriedagainlongandloud，\"Goodhuntingonanewtrail，MasteroftheJungle！Remember，Bagheeralovedthee。\"
\"Thouhastheard，\"saidBaloo。\"Thereisnomore。Gonow；
butfirstcometome。OwiseLittleFrog，cometome！\"
\"Itishardtocasttheskin，\"saidKaaasMowglisobbedandsobbed，withhisheadontheblindbear’ssideandhisarmsroundhisneck，whileBalootriedfeeblytolickhisfeet。
\"Thestarsarethin，\"saidGrayBrother，snuffingatthedawnwind。\"Whereshallwelairto-day？forfromnow，wefollownewtrails。\"……
AndthisisthelastoftheMowglistories。
THEOUTSONG
[ThisisthesongthatMowgliheardbehindhimintheJungletillhecametoMessua’sdooragain。]
BalooForthesakeofhimwhoshowedOnewiseFrogtheJungle-Road，KeeptheLawtheMan-Packmake——
ForthyblindoldBaloo’ssake！
Cleanortainted，hotorstale，HolditasitweretheTrail，Throughthedayandthroughthenight，Questingneitherleftnorright。
ForthesakeofhimwholovesTheebeyondallelsethatmoves，WhenthyPackwouldmaketheepain，Say：\"Tabaquisingsagain。\"
WhenthyPackwouldworktheeill，Say：\"ShereKhanisyettokill。\"
Whentheknifeisdrawntoslay，KeeptheLawandgothyway。
（Rootandhoney，palmandspathe，Guardacubfromharmandscathe！）
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！
KaaAngeristheeggofFear——
Onlylidlesseyesareclear。
Cobra-poisonnonemayleech。
EvensowithCobra-speech。
OpentalkshallcalltotheeStrength，whosemateisCourtesy。
Sendnolungebeyondthylength；
Lendnorottenboughthystrength。
Gaugethygapewithbuckorgoat，Lestthineeyeshouldchokethythroat，Aftergorging，wouldstthousleep？
Lookthydenishidanddeep，Lestawrong，bytheeforgot，Drawthykillertothespot。
EastandWestandNorthandSouth，Washthyhideandclosethymouth。
（Pitandriftandbluepool-brim，Middle-Junglefollowhim！）
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！
BagheeraInthecagemylifebegan；
WellIknowtheworthofMan。
BytheBrokenLockthatfreed——
Man-cub，’waretheMan-cub’sbreed！
Scenting-deworstarlightpale，Choosenotangledtree-cattrail。
Packorcouncil，huntorden，CrynotrucewithJackal-Men。
Feedthemsilencewhentheysay：
\"Comewithusaneasyway。\"
FeedthemsilencewhentheyseekHelpofthinetohurttheweak。
Makenobanaar’sboastofskill；
Holdthypeaceabovethekill。
LetnorcallnorsongnorsignTurntheefromthyhunting-line。
（Morningmistortwilightclear，Servehim，WardensoftheDeer！）
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！
TheThreeOnthetrailthatthoumusttreadTothethresholdsofourdread，WheretheFlowerblossomsred；
ThroughthenightswhenthoushaltliePrisonedfromourMother-sky，Hearingus，thyloves，goby；
InthedawnswhenthoushaltwakeTothetoilthoucanstnotbreak，HeartsickfortheJungle’ssake：
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Wisdom，Strength，andCourtesy，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！