Meantime，BalooandBagheerawerefuriouswithrageandgrief。
Bagheeraclimbedashehadneverclimbedbefore，butthethinbranchesbrokebeneathhisweight，andheslippeddown，hisclawsfullofbark。
\"Whydidstthounotwarntheman—cub？\"heroaredtopoorBaloo，whohadsetoffataclumsytrotinthehopeofovertakingthemonkeys。\"Whatwastheuseofhalfslayinghimwithblowsifthoudidstnotwarnhim？\"
\"Haste！Ohaste！We——wemaycatchthemyet！\"Baloopanted。
\"Atthatspeed！Itwouldnottireawoundedcow。TeacheroftheLaw——cub—beater——amileofthatrollingtoandfrowouldbursttheeopen。Sitstillandthink！Makeaplan。Thisisnotimeforchasing。Theymaydrophimifwefollowtooclose。\"
\"Arrula！Whoo！Theymayhavedroppedhimalready，beingtiredofcarryinghim。WhocantrusttheBandar—log？Putdeadbatsonmyhead！Givemeblackbonestoeat！RollmeintothehivesofthewildbeesthatImaybestungtodeath，andburymewiththeHyaena，forIammostmiserableofbears！Arulala！
Wahooa！OMowgli，Mowgli！WhydidInotwarntheeagainsttheMonkey—Folkinsteadofbreakingthyhead？NowperhapsImayhaveknockedtheday’slessonoutofhismind，andhewillbealoneinthejunglewithouttheMasterWords。\"
Balooclaspedhispawsoverhisearsandrolledtoandfromoaning。
\"AtleasthegavemealltheWordscorrectlyalittletimeago，\"saidBagheeraimpatiently。\"Baloo，thouhastneithermemorynorrespect。WhatwouldthejunglethinkifI，theBlackPanther，curledmyselfuplikeIkkithePorcupine，andhowled？\"
\"WhatdoIcarewhatthejunglethinks？Hemaybedeadbynow。\"
\"Unlessanduntiltheydrophimfromthebranchesinsport，orkillhimoutofidleness，Ihavenofearfortheman—cub。Heiswiseandwelltaught，andaboveallhehastheeyesthatmaketheJungle—Peopleafraid。But（anditisagreatevil）heisinthepoweroftheBandar—log，andthey，becausetheyliveintrees，havenofearofanyofourpeople。\"Bagheeralickedoneforepawthoughtfully。
\"FoolthatIam！Oh，fat，brown，root—diggingfoolthatI
am，\"saidBaloo，uncoilinghimselfwithajerk，\"itistruewhatHathitheWildElephantsays：`Toeachhisownfear’;andthey，theBandar—log，fearKaatheRockSnake。Hecanclimbaswellastheycan。Hestealstheyoungmonkeysinthenight。Thewhisperofhisnamemakestheirwickedtailscold。LetusgotoKaa。\"
\"Whatwillhedoforus？Heisnotofourtribe，beingfootless——andwithmostevileyes，\"saidBagheera。
\"Heisveryoldandverycunning。Aboveall，heisalwayshungry，\"saidBaloohopefully。\"Promisehimmanygoats。\"
\"Hesleepsforafullmonthafterhehasonceeaten。Hemaybeasleepnow，andevenwereheawakewhatifhewouldratherkillhisowngoats？\"Bagheera，whodidnotknowmuchaboutKaa，wasnaturallysuspicious。
\"Theninthatcase，thouandItogether，oldhunter，mightmakehimseereason。\"HereBaloorubbedhisfadedbrownshoulderagainstthePanther，andtheywentofftolookforKaatheRockPython。
Theyfoundhimstretchedoutonawarmledgeintheafternoonsun，admiringhisbeautifulnewcoat，forhehadbeeninretirementforthelasttendayschanginghisskin，andnowhewasverysplendid——dartinghisbigblunt—nosedheadalongtheground，andtwistingthethirtyfeetofhisbodyintofantasticknotsandcurves，andlickinghislipsashethoughtofhisdinnertocome。
\"Hehasnoteaten，\"saidBaloo，withagruntofrelief，assoonashesawthebeautifullymottledbrownandyellowjacket。
\"Becareful，Bagheera！Heisalwaysalittleblindafterhehaschangedhisskin，andveryquicktostrike。\"
Kaawasnotapoisonsnake——infactheratherdespisedthepoisonsnakesascowards——buthisstrengthlayinhishug，andwhenhehadoncelappedhishugecoilsroundanybodytherewasnomoretobesaid。\"Goodhunting！\"criedBaloo，sittinguponhishaunches。LikeallsnakesofhisbreedKaawasratherdeaf，anddidnothearthecallatfirst。Thenhecurledupreadyforanyaccident，hisheadlowered。
\"Goodhuntingforusall，\"heanswered。\"Oho，Baloo，whatdostthoudohere？Goodhunting，Bagheera。Oneofusatleastneedsfood。Isthereanynewsofgameafoot？Adoenow，orevenayoungbuck？Iamasemptyasadriedwell。\"
\"Wearehunting，\"saidBaloocarelessly。HeknewthatyoumustnothurryKaa。Heistoobig。
\"Givemepermissiontocomewithyou，\"saidKaa。\"Ablowmoreorlessisnothingtothee，BagheeraorBaloo，butI——Ihavetowaitandwaitfordaysinawood—pathandclimbhalfanightonthemerechanceofayoungape。Psshaw！ThebranchesarenotwhattheywerewhenIwasyoung。Rottentwigsanddryboughsaretheyall。\"
\"Maybethygreatweighthassomethingtodowiththematter，\"
saidBaloo。
\"Iamafairlength——afairlength，\"saidKaawithalittlepride。\"Butforallthat，itisthefaultofthisnew—growntimber。Icameveryneartofallingonmylasthunt——verynearindeed——andthenoiseofmyslipping，formytailwasnottightwrappedaroundthetree，wakedtheBandar—log，andtheycalledmemostevilnames。\"
\"Footless，yellowearth—worm，\"saidBagheeraunderhiswhiskers，asthoughheweretryingtoremembersomething。
\"Sssss！Havetheyevercalledmethat？\"saidKaa。
\"Somethingofthatkinditwasthattheyshoutedtouslastmoon，butwenevernoticedthem。Theywillsayanything——eventhatthouhastlostallthyteeth，andwiltnotfaceanythingbiggerthanakid，because（theyareindeedshameless，theseBandar—log）——becausethouartafraidofthehe—goat’shorns，\"
Bagheerawentonsweetly。
Nowasnake，especiallyawaryoldpythonlikeKaa，veryseldomshowsthatheisangry，butBalooandBagheeracouldseethebigswallowingmusclesoneithersideofKaa’sthroatrippleandbulge。
\"TheBandar—loghaveshiftedtheirgrounds，\"hesaidquietly。
\"WhenIcameupintothesuntodayIheardthemwhoopingamongthetree—tops。\"
\"It——itistheBandar—logthatwefollownow，\"saidBaloo，butthewordsstuckinhisthroat，forthatwasthefirsttimeinhismemorythatoneoftheJungle—Peoplehadownedtobeinginterestedinthedoingsofthemonkeys。
\"Beyonddoubtthenitisnosmallthingthattakestwosuchhunters——leadersintheirownjungleIamcertain——onthetrailoftheBandar—log，\"Kaarepliedcourteously，asheswelledwithcuriosity。
\"Indeed，\"Baloobegan，\"IamnomorethantheoldandsometimesveryfoolishTeacheroftheLawtotheSeeoneewolf—cubs，andBagheerahere——\"
\"IsBagheera，\"saidtheBlackPanther，andhisjawsshutwithasnap，forhedidnotbelieveinbeinghumble。\"Thetroubleisthis，Kaa。Thosenut—stealersandpickersofpalmleaveshavestolenawayourman—cubofwhomthouhastperhapsheard。\"
\"IheardsomenewsfromIkki（hisquillsmakehimpresumptuous）ofaman—thingthatwasenteredintoawolfpack，butIdidnotbelieve。Ikkiisfullofstorieshalfheardandverybadlytold。\"
\"Butitistrue。Heissuchaman—cubasneverwas，\"saidBaloo。\"Thebestandwisestandboldestofman—cubs——myownpupil，whoshallmakethenameofBaloofamousthroughallthejungles;andbesides，I——we——lovehim，Kaa。\"
\"Ts！Ts！\"saidKaa，weavinghisheadtoandfro。\"Ialsohaveknownwhatloveis。TherearetalesIcouldtellthat——\"
\"Thatneedaclearnightwhenweareallwellfedtopraiseproperly，\"saidBagheeraquickly。\"Ourman—cubisinthehandsoftheBandar—lognow，andweknowthatofalltheJungle—PeopletheyfearKaaalone。\"
\"Theyfearmealone。Theyhavegoodreason，\"saidKaa。
\"Chattering，foolish，vain——vain，foolish，andchattering，arethemonkeys。Butaman—thingintheirhandsisinnogoodluck。
Theygrowtiredofthenutstheypick，andthrowthemdown。Theycarryabranchhalfaday，meaningtodogreatthingswithit，andthentheysnapitintwo。Thatman—thingisnottobeenvied。
Theycalledmealso——`yellowfish’wasitnot？\"
\"Worm——worm——earth—worm，\"saidBagheera，\"aswellasotherthingswhichIcannotnowsayforshame。\"
\"Wemustremindthemtospeakwelloftheirmaster。Aaa—ssp！
Wemusthelptheirwanderingmemories。Now，whitherwenttheywiththecub？\"
\"Thejunglealoneknows。Towardthesunset，Ibelieve，\"saidBaloo。\"Wehadthoughtthatthouwouldstknow，Kaa。\"
\"I？How？Itakethemwhentheycomeinmyway，butIdonothunttheBandar—log，orfrogs——orgreenscumonawater—hole，forthatmatter。\"
\"Up，Up！Up，Up！Hillo！Illo！Illo，lookup，BaloooftheSeeoneeWolfPack！\"
Baloolookeduptoseewherethevoicecamefrom，andtherewasRanntheKite，sweepingdownwiththesunshiningontheupturnedflangesofhiswings。ItwasnearRann’sbedtime，buthehadrangedalloverthejunglelookingfortheBearandhadmissedhiminthethickfoliage。
\"Whatisit？\"saidBaloo。
\"IhaveseenMowgliamongtheBandar—log。Hebademetellyou。Iwatched。TheBandar—loghavetakenhimbeyondtherivertothemonkeycity——totheColdLairs。Theymaystaythereforanight，ortennights，oranhour。Ihavetoldthebatstowatchthroughthedarktime。Thatismymessage。Goodhunting，allyoubelow！\"
\"Fullgorgeandadeepsleeptoyou，Rann，\"criedBagheera。
\"Iwillremembertheeinmynextkill，andputasidetheheadfortheealone，Obestofkites！\"
\"Itisnothing。Itisnothing。TheboyheldtheMasterWord。
Icouldhavedonenoless，\"andRanncircledupagaintohisroost。
\"Hehasnotforgottentousehistongue，\"saidBaloowithachuckleofpride。\"TothinkofonesoyoungrememberingtheMasterWordforthebirdstoowhilehewasbeingpulledacrosstrees！\"
\"Itwasmostfirmlydrivenintohim，\"saidBagheera。\"ButI
amproudofhim，andnowwemustgototheColdLairs。\"
Theyallknewwherethatplacewas，butfewoftheJunglePeopleeverwentthere，becausewhattheycalledtheColdLairswasanolddesertedcity，lostandburiedinthejungle，andbeastsseldomuseaplacethatmenhaveonceused。Thewildboarwill，butthehuntingtribesdonot。Besides，themonkeyslivedthereasmuchastheycouldbesaidtoliveanywhere，andnoself—respectinganimalwouldcomewithineyeshotofitexceptintimesofdrought，whenthehalf—ruinedtanksandreservoirsheldalittlewater。
\"Itishalfanight’sjourney——atfullspeed，\"saidBagheera，andBaloolookedveryserious。\"IwillgoasfastasI
can，\"hesaidanxiously。
\"Wedarenotwaitforthee。Follow，Baloo。Wemustgoonthequick—foot——KaaandI。\"
\"Feetornofeet，Icankeepabreastofallthyfour，\"saidKaashortly。Baloomadeoneefforttohurry，buthadtositdownpanting，andsotheylefthimtocomeonlater，whileBagheerahurriedforward，atthequickpanther—canter。Kaasaidnothing，but，striveasBagheeramight，thehugeRock—pythonheldlevelwithhim。Whentheycametoahillstream，Bagheeragained，becauseheboundedacrosswhileKaaswam，hisheadandtwofeetofhisneckclearingthewater，butonlevelgroundKaamadeupthedistance。
\"BytheBrokenLockthatfreedme，\"saidBagheera，whentwilighthadfallen，\"thouartnoslowgoer！\"
\"Iamhungry，\"saidKaa。\"Besides，theycalledmespeckledfrog。\"
\"Worm——earth—worm，andyellowtoboot。\"
\"Allone。Letusgoon，\"andKaaseemedtopourhimselfalongtheground，findingtheshortestroadwithhissteadyeyes，andkeepingtoit。
IntheColdLairstheMonkey—PeoplewerenotthinkingofMowgli’sfriendsatall。TheyhadbroughttheboytotheLostCity，andwereverymuchpleasedwiththemselvesforthetime。
MowglihadneverseenanIndiancitybefore，andthoughthiswasalmostaheapofruinsitseemedverywonderfulandsplendid。
Somekinghadbuiltitlongagoonalittlehill。Youcouldstilltracethestonecausewaysthatleduptotheruinedgateswherethelastsplintersofwoodhungtotheworn，rustedhinges。Treeshadgrownintoandoutofthewalls;thebattlementsweretumbleddownanddecayed，andwildcreepershungoutofthewindowsofthetowersonthewallsinbushyhangingclumps。
Agreatrooflesspalacecrownedthehill，andthemarbleofthecourtyardsandthefountainswassplit，andstainedwithredandgreen，andtheverycobblestonesinthecourtyardwheretheking’selephantsusedtolivehadbeenthrustupandapartbygrassesandyoungtrees。Fromthepalaceyoucouldseetherowsandrowsofrooflesshousesthatmadeupthecitylookinglikeemptyhoneycombsfilledwithblackness;theshapelessblockofstonethathadbeenanidolinthesquarewherefourroadsmet;
thepitsanddimplesatstreetcornerswherethepublicwellsoncestood，andtheshattereddomesoftempleswithwildfigssproutingontheirsides。Themonkeyscalledtheplacetheircity，andpretendedtodespisetheJungle—Peoplebecausetheylivedintheforest。Andyettheyneverknewwhatthebuildingsweremadefornorhowtousethem。Theywouldsitincirclesonthehalloftheking’scouncilchamber，andscratchforfleasandpretendtobemen;ortheywouldruninandoutoftherooflesshousesandcollectpiecesofplasterandoldbricksinacorner，andforgetwheretheyhadhiddenthem，andfightandcryinscufflingcrowds，andthenbreakofftoplayupanddowntheterracesoftheking’sgarden，wheretheywouldshaketherosetreesandtheorangesinsporttoseethefruitandflowersfall。Theyexploredallthepassagesanddarktunnelsinthepalaceandthehundredsoflittledarkrooms，buttheyneverrememberedwhattheyhadseenandwhattheyhadnot;andsodriftedaboutinonesandtwosorcrowdstellingeachotherthattheyweredoingasmendid。Theydrankatthetanksandmadethewaterallmuddy，andthentheyfoughtoverit，andthentheywouldallrushtogetherinmobsandshout：
\"ThereisnooneinthejunglesowiseandgoodandcleverandstrongandgentleastheBandar—log。\"Thenallwouldbeginagaintilltheygrewtiredofthecityandwentbacktothetree—tops，hopingtheJungle—Peoplewouldnoticethem。
Mowgli，whohadbeentrainedundertheLawoftheJungle，didnotlikeorunderstandthiskindoflife。ThemonkeysdraggedhimintotheColdLairslateintheafternoon，andinsteadofgoingtosleep，asMowgliwouldhavedoneafteralongjourney，theyjoinedhandsanddancedaboutandsangtheirfoolishsongs。OneofthemonkeysmadeaspeechandtoldhiscompanionsthatMowgli’scapturemarkedanewthinginthehistoryoftheBandar—log，forMowgliwasgoingtoshowthemhowtoweavesticksandcanestogetherasaprotectionagainstrainandcold。Mowglipickedupsomecreepersandbegantoworktheminandout，andthemonkeystriedtoimitate;butinaveryfewminutestheylostinterestandbegantopulltheirfriends’tailsorjumpupanddownonallfours，coughing。
\"Iwishtoeat，\"saidMowgli。\"Iamastrangerinthispartofthejungle。Bringmefood，orgivemeleavetohunthere。\"
Twentyorthirtymonkeysboundedawaytobringhimnutsandwildpawpaws。Buttheyfelltofightingontheroad，anditwastoomuchtroubletogobackwithwhatwasleftofthefruit。
Mowgliwassoreandangryaswellashungry，andheroamedthroughtheemptycitygivingtheStrangers’HuntingCallfromtimetotime，butnooneansweredhim，andMowglifeltthathehadreachedaverybadplaceindeed。\"AllthatBaloohassaidabouttheBandar—logistrue，\"hethoughttohimself。\"TheyhavenoLaw，noHuntingCall，andnoleaders——nothingbutfoolishwordsandlittlepickingthievishhands。SoifIamstarvedorkilledhere，itwillbeallmyownfault。ButImusttrytoreturntomyownjungle。Baloowillsurelybeatme，butthatisbetterthanchasingsillyroseleaveswiththeBandar—log。\"
Nosoonerhadhewalkedtothecitywallthanthemonkeyspulledhimback，tellinghimthathedidnotknowhowhappyhewas，andpinchinghimtomakehimgrateful。Hesethisteethandsaidnothing，butwentwiththeshoutingmonkeystoaterraceabovetheredsandstonereservoirsthatwerehalf—fullofrainwater。Therewasaruinedsummer—houseofwhitemarbleinthecenteroftheterrace，builtforqueensdeadahundredyearsago。
Thedomedroofhadhalffalleninandblockeduptheundergroundpassagefromthepalacebywhichthequeensusedtoenter。Butthewallsweremadeofscreensofmarbletracery——beautifulmilk—whitefretwork，setwithagatesandcorneliansandjasperandlapislazuli，andasthemooncameupbehindthehillitshonethroughtheopenwork，castingshadowsonthegroundlikeblackvelvetembroidery。Sore，sleepy，andhungryashewas，MowglicouldnothelplaughingwhentheBandar—logbegan，twentyatatime，totellhimhowgreatandwiseandstrongandgentletheywere，andhowfoolishhewastowishtoleavethem。\"Wearegreat。Wearefree。Wearewonderful。Wearethemostwonderfulpeopleinallthejungle！Weallsayso，andsoitmustbetrue，\"
theyshouted。\"NowasyouareanewlistenerandcancarryourwordsbacktotheJungle—Peoplesothattheymaynoticeusinfuture，wewilltellyouallaboutourmostexcellentselves。\"
Mowglimadenoobjection，andthemonkeysgatheredbyhundredsandhundredsontheterracetolistentotheirownspeakerssingingthepraisesoftheBandar—log，andwheneveraspeakerstoppedforwantofbreaththeywouldallshouttogether：\"Thisistrue;weallsayso。\"Mowglinoddedandblinked，andsaid\"Yes\"whentheyaskedhimaquestion，andhisheadspunwiththenoise。\"TabaquitheJackalmusthavebittenallthesepeople，\"hesaidtohimself，\"andnowtheyhavemadness。Certainlythisisdewanee，themadness。Dotheynevergotosleep？Nowthereisacloudcomingtocoverthatmoon。IfitwereonlyabigenoughcloudImighttrytorunawayinthedarkness。ButIamtired。\"
Thatsamecloudwasbeingwatchedbytwogoodfriendsintheruinedditchbelowthecitywall，forBagheeraandKaa，knowingwellhowdangeroustheMonkey—Peoplewereinlargenumbers，didnotwishtorunanyrisks。Themonkeysneverfightunlesstheyareahundredtoone，andfewinthejunglecareforthoseodds。
\"Iwillgotothewestwall，\"Kaawhispered，\"andcomedownswiftlywiththeslopeofthegroundinmyfavor。Theywillnotthrowthemselvesuponmybackintheirhundreds，but——\"
\"Iknowit，\"saidBagheera。\"WouldthatBaloowerehere，butwemustdowhatwecan。WhenthatcloudcoversthemoonIshallgototheterrace。Theyholdsomesortofcouncilthereovertheboy。\"
\"Goodhunting，\"saidKaagrimly，andglidedawaytothewestwall。Thathappenedtobetheleastruinedofany，andthebigsnakewasdelayedawhilebeforehecouldfindawayupthestones。
Thecloudhidthemoon，andasMowgliwonderedwhatwouldcomenextheheardBagheera’slightfeetontheterrace。TheBlackPantherhadraceduptheslopealmostwithoutasoundandwasstriking——heknewbetterthantowastetimeinbiting——rightandleftamongthemonkeys，whowereseatedroundMowgliincirclesfiftyandsixtydeep。Therewasahowloffrightandrage，andthenasBagheeratrippedontherollingkickingbodiesbeneathhim，amonkeyshouted：\"Thereisonlyonehere！Killhim！
Kill。\"Ascufflingmassofmonkeys，biting，scratching，tearing，andpulling，closedoverBagheera，whilefiveorsixlaidholdofMowgli，draggedhimupthewallofthesummerhouseandpushedhimthroughtheholeofthebrokendome。Aman—trainedboywouldhavebeenbadlybruised，forthefallwasagoodfifteenfeet，butMowglifellasBaloohadtaughthimtofall，andlandedonhisfeet。
\"Staythere，\"shoutedthemonkeys，\"tillwehavekilledthyfriends，andlaterwewillplaywiththee——ifthePoison—Peopleleavetheealive。\"
\"Webeofoneblood，yeandI，\"saidMowgli，quicklygivingtheSnake’sCall。HecouldhearrustlingandhissingintherubbishallroundhimandgavetheCallasecondtime，tomakesure。
\"Evenssso！Downhoodsall！\"saidhalfadozenlowvoices（everyruininIndiabecomessoonerorlateradwellingplaceofsnakes，andtheoldsummerhousewasalivewithcobras）。\"Standstill，LittleBrother，forthyfeetmaydousharm。\"
Mowglistoodasquietlyashecould，peeringthroughtheopenworkandlisteningtothefuriousdinofthefightroundtheBlackPanther——theyellsandchatteringsandscufflings，andBagheera’sdeep，hoarsecoughashebackedandbuckedandtwistedandplungedundertheheapsofhisenemies。Forthefirsttimesincehewasborn，Bagheerawasfightingforhislife。
\"Baloomustbeathand;Bagheerawouldnothavecomealone，\"
Mowglithought。Andthenhecalledaloud：\"Tothetank，Bagheera。
Rolltothewatertanks。Rollandplunge！Gettothewater！\"
Bagheeraheard，andthecrythattoldhimMowgliwassafegavehimnewcourage。Heworkedhiswaydesperately，inchbyinch，straightforthereservoirs，haltinginsilence。Thenfromtheruinedwallnearestthejungleroseuptherumblingwar—shoutofBaloo。TheoldBearhaddonehisbest，buthecouldnotcomebefore。\"Bagheera，\"heshouted，\"Iamhere。Iclimb！Ihaste！
Ahuwora！Thestonesslipundermyfeet！Waitmycoming，OmostinfamousBandar—log！\"Hepanteduptheterraceonlytodisappeartotheheadinawaveofmonkeys，buthethrewhimselfsquarelyonhishaunches，and，spreadingouthisforepaws，huggedasmanyashecouldhold，andthenbegantohitwitharegularbat—bat—bat，liketheflippingstrokesofapaddlewheel。AcrashandasplashtoldMowglithatBagheerahadfoughthiswaytothetankwherethemonkeyscouldnotfollow。ThePantherlaygaspingforbreath，hisheadjustoutofthewater，whilethemonkeysstoodthreedeepontheredsteps，dancingupanddownwithrage，readytospringuponhimfromallsidesifhecameouttohelpBaloo。ItwasthenthatBagheeralifteduphisdrippingchin，andindespairgavetheSnake’sCallforprotection——\"Webeofoneblood，yeandI\"——
forhebelievedthatKaahadturnedtailatthelastminute。EvenBaloo，halfsmotheredunderthemonkeysontheedgeoftheterrace，couldnothelpchucklingasheheardtheBlackPantheraskingforhelp。
Kaahadonlyjustworkedhiswayoverthewestwall，landingwithawrenchthatdislodgedacopingstoneintotheditch。Hehadnointentionoflosinganyadvantageoftheground，andcoiledanduncoiledhimselfonceortwice，tobesurethateveryfootofhislongbodywasinworkingorder。AllthatwhilethefightwithBaloowenton，andthemonkeysyelledinthetankroundBagheera，andMangtheBat，flyingtoandfro，carriedthenewsofthegreatbattleoverthejungle，tillevenHathitheWildElephanttrumpeted，and，faraway，scatteredbandsoftheMonkey—Folkwokeandcameleapingalongthetree—roadstohelptheircomradesintheColdLairs，andthenoiseofthefightrousedallthedaybirdsformilesround。ThenKaacamestraight，quickly，andanxioustokill。Thefightingstrengthofapythonisinthedrivingblowofhisheadbackedbyallthestrengthandweightofhisbody。Ifyoucanimaginealance，orabatteringram，orahammerweighingnearlyhalfatondrivenbyacool，quietmindlivinginthehandleofit，youcanroughlyimaginewhatKaawaslikewhenhefought。Apythonfourorfivefeetlongcanknockamandownifhehitshimfairlyinthechest，andKaawasthirtyfeetlong，asyouknow。HisfirststrokewasdeliveredintotheheartofthecrowdroundBaloo。Itwassenthomewithshutmouthinsilence，andtherewasnoneedofasecond。Themonkeysscatteredwithcriesof——\"Kaa！ItisKaa！Run！Run！\"
GenerationsofmonkeyshadbeenscaredintogoodbehaviorbythestoriestheirelderstoldthemofKaa，thenightthief，whocouldslipalongthebranchesasquietlyasmossgrows，andstealawaythestrongestmonkeythateverlived;ofoldKaa，whocouldmakehimselflooksolikeadeadbranchorarottenstumpthatthewisestweredeceived，tillthebranchcaughtthem。Kaawaseverythingthatthemonkeysfearedinthejungle，fornoneofthemknewthelimitsofhispower，noneofthemcouldlookhimintheface，andnonehadevercomealiveoutofhishug。Andsotheyran，stammeringwithterror，tothewallsandtheroofsofthehouses，andBaloodrewadeepbreathofrelief。HisfurwasmuchthickerthanBagheera’s，buthehadsufferedsorelyinthefight。
ThenKaaopenedhismouthforthefirsttimeandspokeonelonghissingword，andthefar—awaymonkeys，hurryingtothedefenseoftheColdLairs，stayedwheretheywere，cowering，tilltheloadedbranchesbentandcrackledunderthem。Themonkeysonthewallsandtheemptyhousesstoppedtheircries，andinthestillnessthatfelluponthecityMowgliheardBagheerashakinghiswetsidesashecameupfromthetank。Thentheclamorbrokeoutagain。Themonkeysleapedhigherupthewalls。Theyclungaroundthenecksofthebigstoneidolsandshriekedastheyskippedalongthebattlements，whileMowgli，dancinginthesummerhouse，puthiseyetothescreenworkandhootedowl—fashionbetweenhisfrontteeth，toshowhisderisionandcontempt。
\"Gettheman—cuboutofthattrap;Icandonomore，\"Bagheeragasped。\"Letustaketheman—cubandgo。Theymayattackagain。\"
\"TheywillnotmovetillIorderthem。Stayyousssso！\"Kaahissed，andthecitywassilentoncemore。\"Icouldnotcomebefore，Brother，butIthinkIheardtheecall\"——thiswastoBagheera。
\"I——Imayhavecriedoutinthebattle，\"Bagheeraanswered。
\"Baloo，artthouhurt？
\"Iamnotsurethattheydidnotpullmeintoahundredlittlebearlings，\"saidBaloo，gravelyshakingonelegaftertheother。
\"Wow！Iamsore。Kaa，weowethee，Ithink，ourlives——BagheeraandI。\"
\"Nomatter。Whereisthemanling？\"
\"Here，inatrap。Icannotclimbout，\"criedMowgli。Thecurveofthebrokendomewasabovehishead。
\"Takehimaway。HedanceslikeMaothePeacock。Hewillcrushouryoung，\"saidthecobrasinside。
\"Hah！\"saidKaawithachuckle，\"hehasfriendseverywhere，thismanling。Standback，manling。Andhideyou，OPoisonPeople。Ibreakdownthewall。\"
Kaalookedcarefullytillhefoundadiscoloredcrackinthemarbletraceryshowingaweakspot，madetwoorthreelighttapswithhisheadtogetthedistance，andthenliftingupsixfeetofhisbodyclearoftheground，senthomehalfadozenfull—powersmashingblows，nose—first。Thescreen—workbrokeandfellawayinacloudofdustandrubbish，andMowglileapedthroughtheopeningandflunghimselfbetweenBalooandBagheera——anarmaroundeachbigneck。
\"Artthouhurt？\"saidBaloo，hugginghimsoftly。
\"Iamsore，hungry，andnotalittlebruised。But，oh，theyhavehandledyegrievously，myBrothers！Yebleed。\"
\"Othersalso，\"saidBagheera，lickinghislipsandlookingatthemonkey—deadontheterraceandroundthetank。
\"Itisnothing，itisnothing，ifthouartsafe，oh，myprideofalllittlefrogs！\"whimperedBaloo。
\"Ofthatweshalljudgelater，\"saidBagheera，inadryvoicethatMowglididnotatalllike。\"ButhereisKaatowhomweowethebattleandthouowestthylife。Thankhimaccordingtoourcustoms，Mowgli。\"
MowgliturnedandsawthegreatPython’sheadswayingafootabovehisown。
\"Sothisisthemanling，\"saidKaa。\"Verysoftishisskin，andheisnotunliketheBandar—log。Haveacare，manling，thatI
donotmistaketheeforamonkeysometwilightwhenIhavenewlychangedmycoat。\"
\"Webeoneblood，thouandI，\"Mowglianswered。\"Itakemylifefromtheetonight。Mykillshallbethykillifeverthouarthungry，OKaa。\"
\"Allthanks，LittleBrother，\"saidKaa，thoughhiseyestwinkled。\"Andwhatmaysoboldahunterkill？IaskthatImayfollowwhennexthegoesabroad。\"
\"Ikillnothing，——Iamtoolittle，——butIdrivegoatstowardsuchascanusethem。WhenthouartemptycometomeandseeifIspeakthetruth。Ihavesomeskillinthese[heheldouthishands]，andifeverthouartinatrap，ImaypaythedebtwhichIowetothee，toBagheera，andtoBaloo，here。Goodhuntingtoyeall，mymasters。\"
\"Wellsaid，\"growledBaloo，forMowglihadreturnedthanksveryprettily。ThePythondroppedhisheadlightlyforaminuteonMowgli’sshoulder。\"Abraveheartandacourteoustongue，\"
saidhe。\"Theyshallcarrytheefarthroughthejungle，manling。
Butnowgohencequicklywiththyfriends。Goandsleep，forthemoonsets，andwhatfollowsitisnotwellthatthoushouldstsee。\"
Themoonwassinkingbehindthehillsandthelinesoftremblingmonkeyshuddledtogetheronthewallsandbattlementslookedlikeraggedshakyfringesofthings。BaloowentdowntothetankforadrinkandBagheerabegantoputhisfurinorder，asKaaglidedoutintothecenteroftheterraceandbroughthisjawstogetherwitharingingsnapthatdrewallthemonkeys’eyesuponhim。
\"Themoonsets，\"hesaid。\"Isthereyetlightenoughtosee？\"
Fromthewallscameamoanlikethewindinthetree—tops——
\"Wesee，OKaa。\"
\"Good。Beginsnowthedance——theDanceoftheHungerofKaa。Sitstillandwatch。\"
Heturnedtwiceorthriceinabigcircle，weavinghisheadfromrighttoleft。Thenhebeganmakingloopsandfiguresofeightwithhisbody，andsoft，oozytrianglesthatmeltedintosquaresandfive—sidedfigures，andcoiledmounds，neverresting，neverhurrying，andneverstoppinghislowhummingsong。Itgrewdarkeranddarker，tillatlastthedragging，shiftingcoilsdisappeared，buttheycouldheartherustleofthescales。
BalooandBagheerastoodstillasstone，growlingintheirthroats，theirneckhairbristling，andMowgliwatchedandwondered。
\"Bandar—log，\"saidthevoiceofKaaatlast，\"canyestirfootorhandwithoutmyorder？Speak！\"
\"Withoutthyorderwecannotstirfootorhand，OKaa！\"
\"Good！Comeallonepacenearertome。\"
Thelinesofthemonkeysswayedforwardhelplessly，andBalooandBagheeratookonestiffstepforwardwiththem。
\"Nearer！\"hissedKaa，andtheyallmovedagain。
MowglilaidhishandsonBalooandBagheeratogetthemaway，andthetwogreatbeastsstartedasthoughtheyhadbeenwakedfromadream。
\"Keepthyhandonmyshoulder，\"Bagheerawhispered。\"Keepitthere，orImustgoback——mustgobacktoKaa。Aah！\"
\"ItisonlyoldKaamakingcirclesonthedust，\"saidMowgli。
\"Letusgo。\"Andthethreeslippedoffthroughagapinthewallstothejungle。
\"Whoof！\"saidBaloo，whenhestoodunderthestilltreesagain。\"NevermorewillImakeanallyofKaa，\"andheshookhimselfallover。
\"Heknowsmorethanwe，\"saidBagheera，trembling。\"Inalittletime，hadIstayed，Ishouldhavewalkeddownhisthroat。\"
\"Manywillwalkbythatroadbeforethemoonrisesagain，\"
saidBaloo。\"Hewillhavegoodhunting——afterhisownfashion。\"
\"Butwhatwasthemeaningofitall？\"saidMowgli，whodidnotknowanythingofapython’spowersoffascination。\"Isawnomorethanabigsnakemakingfoolishcirclestillthedarkcame。Andhisnosewasallsore。Ho！Ho！\"
\"Mowgli，\"saidBagheeraangrily，\"hisnosewassoreonthyaccount，asmyearsandsidesandpaws，andBaloo’sneckandshouldersarebittenonthyaccount。NeitherBaloonorBagheerawillbeabletohuntwithpleasureformanydays。\"
\"Itisnothing，\"saidBaloo;\"wehavetheman—cubagain。\"
\"True，buthehascostusheavilyintimewhichmighthavebeenspentingoodhunting，inwounds，inhair——Iamhalfpluckedalongmyback——andlastofall，inhonor。For，remember，Mowgli，I，whoamtheBlackPanther，wasforcedtocalluponKaaforprotection，andBalooandIwerebothmadestupidaslittlebirdsbytheHungerDance。Allthis，man—cub，cameofthyplayingwiththeBandar—log。\"
\"True，itistrue，\"saidMowglisorrowfully。\"Iamanevilman—cub，andmystomachissadinme。\"
\"Mf！WhatsaystheLawoftheJungle，Baloo？\"
BaloodidnotwishtobringMowgliintoanymoretrouble，buthecouldnottamperwiththeLaw，sohemumbled：\"Sorrowneverstayspunishment。Butremember，Bagheera，heisverylittle。\"
\"Iwillremember。Buthehasdonemischief，andblowsmustbedealtnow。Mowgli，hastthouanythingtosay？\"
\"Nothing。Ididwrong。Balooandthouarewounded。Itisjust。\"
Bagheeragavehimhalfadozenlove—tapsfromapanther’spointofview（theywouldhardlyhavewakedoneofhisowncubs），butforaseven—year—oldboytheyamountedtoassevereabeatingasyoucouldwishtoavoid。WhenitwasalloverMowglisneezed，andpickedhimselfupwithoutaword。
\"Now，\"saidBagheera，\"jumponmyback，LittleBrother，andwewillgohome。\"
OneofthebeautiesofJungleLawisthatpunishmentsettlesallscores。Thereisnonaggingafterward。
MowglilaidhisheaddownonBagheera’sbackandsleptsodeeplythatheneverwakedwhenhewasputdowninthehome—cave。
Road—SongoftheBandar—LogHerewegoinaflungfestoon，Half—wayuptothejealousmoon！
Don’tyouenvyourprancefulbands？
Don’tyouwishyouhadextrahands？
Wouldn’tyoulikeifyourtailswere——so——
CurvedintheshapeofaCupid’sbow？
Nowyou’reangry，but——nevermind，Brother，thytailhangsdownbehind！
Herewesitinabranchyrow，Thinkingofbeautifulthingsweknow;
Dreamingofdeedsthatwemeantodo，Allcomplete，inaminuteortwo——
Somethingnobleandwiseandgood，Donebymerelywishingwecould。
We’veforgotten，but——nevermind，Brother，thytailhangsdownbehind！
AllthetalkweeverhaveheardUtteredbybatorbeastorbird——
Hideorfinorscaleorfeather——
Jabberitquicklyandalltogether！
Excellent！Wonderful！Onceagain！
Nowwearetalkingjustlikemen！
Let’spretendweare……nevermind，Brother，thytailhangsdownbehind！
ThisisthewayoftheMonkey—kind。
Thenjoinourleapinglinesthatscumfishthroughthepines，Thatrocketbywhere，lightandhigh，thewildgrapeswings。
Bytherubbishinourwake，andthenoblenoisewemake，Besure，besure，we’regoingtodosomesplendidthings！
\"Tiger！Tiger！\"
Whatofthehunting，hunterbold？
Brother，thewatchwaslongandcold。
Whatofthequarryyewenttokill？
Brother，hecropsinthejunglestill。
Whereisthepowerthatmadeyourpride？
Brother，itebbsfrommyflankandside。
Whereisthehastethatyehurryby？
Brother，Igotomylair——todie。
Nowwemustgobacktothefirsttale。WhenMowglileftthewolf’scaveafterthefightwiththePackattheCouncilRock，hewentdowntotheplowedlandswherethevillagerslived，buthewouldnotstoptherebecauseitwastooneartothejungle，andheknewthathehadmadeatleastonebadenemyattheCouncil。Sohehurriedon，keepingtotheroughroadthatrandownthevalley，andfolloweditatasteadyjog—trotfornearlytwentymiles，tillhecametoacountrythathedidnotknow。Thevalleyopenedoutintoagreatplaindottedoverwithrocksandcutupbyravines。
Atoneendstoodalittlevillage，andattheotherthethickjunglecamedowninasweeptothegrazing—grounds，andstoppedthereasthoughithadbeencutoffwithahoe。Allovertheplain，cattleandbuffaloesweregrazing，andwhenthelittleboysinchargeoftheherdssawMowglitheyshoutedandranaway，andtheyellowpariahdogsthathangabouteveryIndianvillagebarked。Mowgliwalkedon，forhewasfeelinghungry，andwhenhecametothevillagegatehesawthebigthorn—bushthatwasdrawnupbeforethegateattwilight，pushedtooneside。
\"Umph！\"hesaid，forhehadcomeacrossmorethanonesuchbarricadeinhisnightramblesafterthingstoeat。\"SomenareafraidofthePeopleoftheJungleherealso。\"Hesatdownbythegate，andwhenamancameouthestoodup，openedhismouth，andpointeddownittoshowthathewantedfood。Themanstared，andranbackuptheonestreetofthevillageshoutingforthepriest，whowasabig，fatmandressedinwhite，witharedandyellowmarkonhisforehead。Thepriestcametothegate，andwithhimatleastahundredpeople，whostaredandtalkedandshoutedandpointedatMowgli。
\"Theyhavenomanners，theseMenFolk，\"saidMowglitohimself。\"Onlythegrayapewouldbehaveastheydo。\"Sohethrewbackhislonghairandfrownedatthecrowd。
\"Whatistheretobeafraidof？\"saidthepriest。\"Lookatthemarksonhisarmsandlegs。Theyarethebitesofwolves。Heisbutawolf—childrunawayfromthejungle。\"
Ofcourse，inplayingtogether，thecubshadoftennippedMowgliharderthantheyintended，andtherewerewhitescarsalloverhisarmsandlegs。Buthewouldhavebeenthelastpersonintheworldtocallthesebites，forheknewwhatrealbitingmeant。
\"Arre！Arre！\"saidtwoorthreewomentogether。\"Tobebittenbywolves，poorchild！Heisahandsomeboy。Hehaseyeslikeredfire。Bymyhonor，Messua，heisnotunlikethyboythatwastakenbythetiger。\"
\"Letmelook，\"saidawomanwithheavycopperringsonherwristsandankles，andshepeeredatMowgliunderthepalmofherhand。\"Indeedheisnot。Heisthinner，buthehastheverylookofmyboy。\"
Thepriestwasacleverman，andheknewthatMessuawaswifetotherichestvillagerintheplace。Sohelookedupattheskyforaminuteandsaidsolemnly：\"Whatthejunglehastakenthejunglehasrestored。Taketheboyintothyhouse，mysister，andforgetnottohonorthepriestwhoseessofarintothelivesofmen。\"
\"BytheBullthatboughtme，\"saidMowglitohimself，\"butallthistalkingislikeanotherlooking—overbythePack！Well，ifI
amaman，amanImustbecome。\"
ThecrowdpartedasthewomanbeckonedMowglitoherhut，wheretherewasaredlacqueredbedstead，agreatearthengrainchestwithfunnyraisedpatternsonit，halfadozencoppercookingpots，animageofaHindugodinalittlealcove，andonthewallareallookingglass，suchastheysellatthecountryfairs。
Shegavehimalongdrinkofmilkandsomebread，andthenshelaidherhandonhisheadandlookedintohiseyes;forshethoughtperhapsthathemightbeherrealsoncomebackfromthejunglewherethetigerhadtakenhim。Soshesaid，\"Nathoo，O
Nathoo！\"Mowglididnotshowthatheknewthename。\"DostthounotrememberthedaywhenIgavetheethynewshoes？\"Shetouchedhisfoot，anditwasalmostashardashorn。\"No，\"shesaidsorrowfully，\"thosefeethaveneverwornshoes，butthouartverylikemyNathoo，andthoushaltbemyson。\"
Mowgliwasuneasy，becausehehadneverbeenunderaroofbefore。Butashelookedatthethatch，hesawthathecouldtearitoutanytimeifhewantedtogetaway，andthatthewindowhadnofastenings。\"Whatisthegoodofaman，\"hesaidtohimselfatlast，\"ifhedoesnotunderstandman’stalk？NowIamassillyanddumbasamanwouldbewithusinthejungle。Imustspeaktheirtalk。\"
Itwasnotforfunthathehadlearnedwhilehewaswiththewolvestoimitatethechallengeofbucksinthejungleandthegruntofthelittlewildpig。So，assoonasMessuapronouncedawordMowgliwouldimitateitalmostperfectly，andbeforedarkhehadlearnedthenamesofmanythingsinthehut。
Therewasadifficultyatbedtime，becauseMowgliwouldnotsleepunderanythingthatlookedsolikeapanthertrapasthathut，andwhentheyshutthedoorhewentthroughthewindow。
\"Givehimhiswill，\"saidMessua’shusband。\"Rememberhecannevertillnowhavesleptonabed。Ifheisindeedsentintheplaceofoursonhewillnotrunaway。\"
SoMowglistretchedhimselfinsomelong，cleangrassattheedgeofthefield，butbeforehehadclosedhiseyesasoftgraynosepokedhimunderthechin。
\"Phew！\"saidGrayBrother（hewastheeldestofMotherWolf’scubs）。\"Thisisapoorrewardforfollowingtheetwentymiles。
Thousmellestofwoodsmokeandcattle——altogetherlikeamanalready。Wake，LittleBrother;Ibringnews。\"
\"Areallwellinthejungle？\"saidMowgli，hugginghim。
\"AllexceptthewolvesthatwereburnedwiththeRedFlower。
Now，listen。ShereKhanhasgoneawaytohuntfarofftillhiscoatgrowsagain，forheisbadlysinged。WhenhereturnsheswearsthathewilllaythybonesintheWaingunga。\"
\"Therearetwowordstothat。Ialsohavemadealittlepromise。Butnewsisalwaysgood。Iamtiredto—night，——verytiredwithnewthings，GrayBrother，——butbringmethenewsalways。\"
\"Thouwiltnotforgetthatthouartawolf？Menwillnotmaketheeforget？\"saidGrayBrotheranxiously。
\"Never。IwillalwaysrememberthatIlovetheeandallinourcave。ButalsoIwillalwaysrememberthatIhavebeencastoutofthePack。\"
\"Andthatthoumayestbecastoutofanotherpack。Menareonlymen，LittleBrother，andtheirtalkislikethetalkoffrogsinapond。WhenIcomedownhereagain，Iwillwaitfortheeinthebamboosattheedgeofthegrazing—ground。\"
ForthreemonthsafterthatnightMowglihardlyeverleftthevillagegate，hewassobusylearningthewaysandcustomsofmen。
Firsthehadtowearaclothroundhim，whichannoyedhimhorribly;andthenhehadtolearnaboutmoney，whichhedidnotintheleastunderstand，andaboutplowing，ofwhichhedidnotseetheuse。Thenthelittlechildreninthevillagemadehimveryangry。Luckily，theLawoftheJunglehadtaughthimtokeephistemper，forinthejunglelifeandfooddependonkeepingyourtemper;butwhentheymadefunofhimbecausehewouldnotplaygamesorflykites，orbecausehemispronouncedsomeword，onlytheknowledgethatitwasunsportsmanliketokilllittlenakedcubskepthimfrompickingthemupandbreakingthemintwo。
Hedidnotknowhisownstrengthintheleast。Inthejungleheknewhewasweakcomparedwiththebeasts，butinthevillagepeoplesaidthathewasasstrongasabull。
AndMowglihadnotthefaintestideaofthedifferencethatcastemakesbetweenmanandman。Whenthepotter’sdonkeyslippedintheclaypit，Mowglihauleditoutbythetail，andhelpedtostackthepotsfortheirjourneytothemarketatKhanhiwara。
Thatwasveryshocking，too，forthepotterisalow—casteman，andhisdonkeyisworse。Whenthepriestscoldedhim，Mowglithreatenedtoputhimonthedonkeytoo，andthepriesttoldMessua’shusbandthatMowglihadbetterbesettoworkassoonaspossible;andthevillagehead—mantoldMowglithathewouldhavetogooutwiththebuffaloesnextday，andherdthemwhiletheygrazed。NoonewasmorepleasedthanMowgli;andthatnight，becausehehadbeenappointedaservantofthevillage，asitwere，hewentofftoacirclethatmeteveryeveningonamasonryplatformunderagreatfig—tree。Itwasthevillageclub，andthehead—manandthewatchmanandthebarber，whoknewallthegossipofthevillage，andoldBuldeo，thevillagehunter，whohadaTowermusket，metandsmoked。Themonkeyssatandtalkedintheupperbranches，andtherewasaholeundertheplatformwhereacobralived，andhehadhislittleplatterofmilkeverynightbecausehewassacred;andtheoldmensataroundthetreeandtalked，andpulledatthebighuqas（thewater—pipes）tillfarintothenight。Theytoldwonderfultalesofgodsandmenandghosts;andBuldeotoldevenmorewonderfulonesofthewaysofbeastsinthejungle，tilltheeyesofthechildrensittingoutsidethecirclebulgedoutoftheirheads。Mostofthetaleswereaboutanimals，forthejunglewasalwaysattheirdoor。Thedeerandthewildpiggrubbeduptheircrops，andnowandagainthetigercarriedoffamanattwilight，withinsightofthevillagegates。
Mowgli，whonaturallyknewsomethingaboutwhattheyweretalkingof，hadtocoverhisfacenottoshowthathewaslaughing，whileBuldeo，theTowermusketacrosshisknees，climbedonfromonewonderfulstorytoanother，andMowgli’sshouldersshook。
BuldeowasexplaininghowthetigerthathadcarriedawayMessua’ssonwasaghost—tiger，andhisbodywasinhabitedbytheghostofawicked，oldmoney—lender，whohaddiedsomeyearsago。
\"AndIknowthatthisistrue，\"hesaid，\"becausePurunDassalwayslimpedfromtheblowthathegotinariotwhenhisaccountbookswereburned，andthetigerthatIspeakofhelimps，too，forthetracksofhispadsareunequal。\"
\"True，true，thatmustbethetruth，\"saidthegray—beards，noddingtogether。
\"Areallthesetalessuchcobwebsandmoontalk？\"saidMowgli。
\"Thattigerlimpsbecausehewasbornlame，aseveryoneknows。Totalkofthesoulofamoney—lenderinabeastthatneverhadthecourageofajackalischild’stalk。\"
Buldeowasspeechlesswithsurpriseforamoment，andthehead—manstared。
\"Oho！Itisthejunglebrat，isit？\"saidBuldeo。\"Ifthouartsowise，betterbringhishidetoKhanhiwara，fortheGovernmenthassetahundredrupeesonhislife。Betterstill，talknotwhenthyeldersspeak。\"
Mowglirosetogo。\"AlltheeveningIhavelainherelistening，\"hecalledbackoverhisshoulder，\"and，exceptonceortwice，Buldeohasnotsaidonewordoftruthconcerningthejungle，whichisathisverydoors。How，then，shallIbelievethetalesofghostsandgodsandgoblinswhichhesayshehasseen？\"
\"Itisfulltimethatboywenttoherding，\"saidthehead—man，whileBuldeopuffedandsnortedatMowgli’simpertinence。
ThecustomofmostIndianvillagesisforafewboystotakethecattleandbuffaloesouttograzeintheearlymorning，andbringthembackatnight。Theverycattlethatwouldtrampleawhitemantodeathallowthemselvestobebangedandbulliedandshoutedatbychildrenthathardlycomeuptotheirnoses。Solongastheboyskeepwiththeherdstheyaresafe，fornoteventhetigerwillchargeamobofcattle。Butiftheystraggletopickflowersorhuntlizards，theyaresometimescarriedoff。
Mowgliwentthroughthevillagestreetinthedawn，sittingonthebackofRama，thegreatherdbull。Theslaty—bluebuffaloes，withtheirlong，backward—sweepinghornsandsavageeyes，roseouttheirbyres，onebyone，andfollowedhim，andMowglimadeitverycleartothechildrenwithhimthathewasthemaster。Hebeatthebuffaloeswithalong，polishedbamboo，andtoldKamya，oneoftheboys，tograzethecattlebythemselves，whilehewentonwiththebuffaloes，andtobeverycarefulnottostrayawayfromtheherd。
AnIndiangrazinggroundisallrocksandscrubandtussocksandlittleravines，amongwhichtheherdsscatteranddisappear。
Thebuffaloesgenerallykeeptothepoolsandmuddyplaces，wheretheyliewallowingorbaskinginthewarmmudforhours。MowglidrovethemontotheedgeoftheplainwheretheWaingungacameoutofthejungle;thenhedroppedfromRama’sneck，trottedofftoabambooclump，andfoundGrayBrother。\"Ah，\"saidGrayBrother，\"Ihavewaitedhereverymanydays。Whatisthemeaningofthiscattle—herdingwork？\"
\"Itisanorder，\"saidMowgli。\"Iamavillageherdforawhile。WhatnewsofShereKhan？\"
\"Hehascomebacktothiscountry，andhaswaitedherealongtimeforthee。Nowhehasgoneoffagain，forthegameisscarce。
Buthemeanstokillthee。\"
\"Verygood，\"saidMowgli。\"Solongasheisawaydothouoroneofthefourbrotherssitonthatrock，sothatIcanseetheeasIcomeoutofthevillage。Whenhecomesbackwaitformeintheravinebythedhaktreeinthecenteroftheplain。WeneednotwalkintoShereKhan’smouth。\"
ThenMowglipickedoutashadyplace，andlaydownandsleptwhilethebuffaloesgrazedroundhim。HerdinginIndiaisoneofthelaziestthingsintheworld。Thecattlemoveandcrunch，andliedown，andmoveonagain，andtheydonotevenlow。Theyonlygrunt，andthebuffaloesveryseldomsayanything，butgetdownintothemuddypoolsoneafteranother，andworktheirwayintothemudtillonlytheirnosesandstaringchina—blueeyesshowabovethesurface，andthentheylielikelogs。Thesunmakestherocksdanceintheheat，andtheherdchildrenhearonekite（neveranymore）whistlingalmostoutofsightoverhead，andtheyknowthatiftheydied，oracowdied，thatkitewouldsweepdown，andthenextkitemilesawaywouldseehimdropandfollow，andthenext，andthenext，andalmostbeforetheyweredeadtherewouldbeascoreofhungrykitescomeoutofnowhere。Thentheysleepandwakeandsleepagain，andweavelittlebasketsofdriedgrassandputgrasshoppersinthem;orcatchtwoprayingmantisesandmakethemfight;orstringanecklaceofredandblackjunglenuts;orwatchalizardbaskingonarock，orasnakehuntingafrognearthewallows。Thentheysinglong，longsongswithoddnativequaversattheendofthem，andthedayseemslongerthanmostpeople’swholelives，andperhapstheymakeamudcastlewithmudfiguresofmenandhorsesandbuffaloes，andputreedsintothemen’shands，andpretendthattheyarekingsandthefiguresaretheirarmies，orthattheyaregodstobeworshiped。Theneveningcomesandthechildrencall，andthebuffaloeslumberupoutofthestickymudwithnoiseslikegunshotsgoingoffoneaftertheother，andtheyallstringacrossthegrayplainbacktothetwinklingvillagelights。
DayafterdayMowgliwouldleadthebuffaloesouttotheirwallows，anddayafterdayhewouldseeGrayBrother’sbackamileandahalfawayacrosstheplain（soheknewthatShereKhanhadnotcomeback），anddayafterdayhewouldlieonthegrasslisteningtothenoisesroundhim，anddreamingofolddaysinthejungle。IfShereKhanhadmadeafalsestepwithhislamepawupinthejunglesbytheWaingunga，Mowgliwouldhaveheardhiminthoselong，stillmornings。
AtlastadaycamewhenhedidnotseeGrayBrotheratthesignalplace，andhelaughedandheadedthebuffaloesfortheravinebythedhktree，whichwasallcoveredwithgolden—redflowers。TheresatGrayBrother，everybristleonhisbacklifted。
\"Hehashiddenforamonthtothrowtheeoffthyguard。HecrossedtherangeslastnightwithTabaqui，hot—footonthytrail，\"saidtheWolf，panting。
Mowglifrowned。\"IamnotafraidofShereKhan，butTabaquiisverycunning。\"
\"Havenofear，\"saidGrayBrother，lickinghislipsalittle。
\"ImetTabaquiinthedawn。Nowheistellingallhiswisdomtothekites，buthetoldmeeverythingbeforeIbrokehisback。
ShereKhan’splanistowaitfortheeatthevillagegatethisevening——fortheeandfornooneelse。Heislyingupnow，inthebigdryravineoftheWaingunga。\"
\"Hasheeatentoday，ordoeshehuntempty？\"saidMowgli，fortheanswermeantlifeanddeathtohim。
\"Hekilledatdawn，——apig，——andhehasdrunktoo。
Remember，ShereKhancouldneverfast，evenforthesakeofrevenge。\"
\"Oh！Fool，fool！Whatacub’scubitis！Eatenanddrunktoo，andhethinksthatIshallwaittillhehasslept！Now，wheredoeshelieup？Iftherewerebuttenofuswemightpullhimdownashelies。Thesebuffaloeswillnotchargeunlesstheywindhim，andIcannotspeaktheirlanguage。Canwegetbehindhistracksothattheymaysmellit？\"
\"HeswamfardowntheWaingungatocutthatoff，\"saidGrayBrother。
\"Tabaquitoldhimthat，Iknow。Hewouldneverhavethoughtofitalone。\"Mowglistoodwithhisfingerinhismouth，thinking。\"ThebigravineoftheWaingunga。Thatopensoutontheplainnothalfamilefromhere。Icantaketheherdroundthroughthejungletotheheadoftheravineandthensweepdown——buthewouldslinkoutatthefoot。Wemustblockthatend。
GrayBrother，canstthoucuttheherdintwoforme？\"
\"NotI，perhaps——butIhavebroughtawisehelper。\"GrayBrothertrottedoffanddroppedintoahole。ThenthereliftedupahugegrayheadthatMowgliknewwell，andthehotairwasfilledwiththemostdesolatecryofallthejungle——thehuntinghowlofawolfatmidday。
\"Akela！Akela！\"saidMowgli，clappinghishands。\"Imighthaveknownthatthouwouldstnotforgetme。Wehaveabigworkinhand。Cuttheherdintwo，Akela。Keepthecowsandcalvestogether，andthebullsandtheplowbuffaloesbythemselves。\"
Thetwowolvesran，ladies’—chainfashion，inandoutoftheherd，whichsnortedandthrewupitshead，andseparatedintotwoclumps。Inone，thecow—buffaloesstoodwiththeircalvesinthecenter，andglaredandpawed，ready，ifawolfwouldonlystaystill，tochargedownandtramplethelifeoutofhim。Intheother，thebullsandtheyoungbullssnortedandstamped，butthoughtheylookedmoreimposingtheyweremuchlessdangerous，fortheyhadnocalvestoprotect。Nosixmencouldhavedividedtheherdsoneatly。
\"Whatorders！\"pantedAkela。\"Theyaretryingtojoinagain。\"
MowglislippedontoRama’sback。\"Drivethebullsawaytotheleft，Akela。GrayBrother，whenwearegone，holdthecowstogether，anddrivethemintothefootoftheravine。\"
\"Howfar？\"saidGrayBrother，pantingandsnapping。
\"TillthesidesarehigherthanShereKhancanjump，\"shoutedMowgli。\"Keepthemtheretillwecomedown。\"ThebullssweptoffasAkelabayed，andGrayBrotherstoppedinfrontofthecows。
Theychargeddownonhim，andheranjustbeforethemtothefootoftheravine，asAkeladrovethebullsfartotheleft。
\"Welldone！Anotherchargeandtheyarefairlystarted。
Careful，now——careful，Akela。Asnaptoomuchandthebullswillcharge。Hujah！Thisiswilderworkthandrivingblack—buck。
Didstthouthinkthesecreaturescouldmovesoswiftly？\"Mowglicalled。
\"Ihave——havehuntedthesetooinmytime，\"gaspedAkelainthedust。\"ShallIturnthemintothejungle？\"
\"Ay！Turn。Swiftlyturnthem！Ramaismadwithrage。Oh，ifIcouldonlytellhimwhatIneedofhimto—day。\"
Thebullswereturned，totherightthistime，andcrashedintothestandingthicket。Theotherherdchildren，watchingwiththecattlehalfamileaway，hurriedtothevillageasfastastheirlegscouldcarrythem，cryingthatthebuffaloeshadgonemadandrunaway。
ButMowgli’splanwassimpleenough。Allhewantedtodowastomakeabigcircleuphillandgetattheheadoftheravine，andthentakethebullsdownitandcatchShereKhanbetweenthebullsandthecows;forheknewthatafteramealandafulldrinkShereKhanwouldnotbeinanyconditiontofightortoclamberupthesidesoftheravine。Hewassoothingthebuffaloesnowbyvoice，andAkelahaddroppedfartotherear，onlywhimperingonceortwicetohurrytherear—guard。Itwasalong，longcircle，fortheydidnotwishtogettooneartheravineandgiveShereKhanwarning。AtlastMowgliroundedupthebewilderedherdattheheadoftheravineonagrassypatchthatslopedsteeplydowntotheravineitself。Fromthatheightyoucouldseeacrossthetopsofthetreesdowntotheplainbelow;butwhatMowglilookedatwasthesidesoftheravine，andhesawwithagreatdealofsatisfactionthattheyrannearlystraightupanddown，whilethevinesandcreepersthathungoverthemwouldgivenofootholdtoatigerwhowantedtogetout。
\"Letthembreathe，Akela，\"hesaid，holdinguphishand。