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