Oneday，ahighsummerfloodwashedhimoutoftheburrowwherehelivedwithhisfatherandmother，andcarriedhim，kickingandclucking，downaroadsideditch。Hefoundalittlewispofgrassfloatingthere，andclungtoittillhelosthissenses。Whenherevived，hewaslyinginthehotsunonthemiddleofagardenpath，verydraggledindeed，andasmallboywassaying，\"Here’sadeadmongoose。Let’shaveafuneral。\"
\"No，\"saidhismother，\"let’stakehiminanddryhim。
Perhapsheisn’treallydead。\"
Theytookhimintothehouse，andabigmanpickedhimupbetweenhisfingerandthumbandsaidhewasnotdeadbuthalfchoked。Sotheywrappedhimincottonwool，andwarmedhimoveralittlefire，andheopenedhiseyesandsneezed。
\"Now，\"saidthebigman（hewasanEnglishmanwhohadjustmovedintothebungalow），\"don’tfrightenhim，andwe’llseewhathe’lldo。\"
Itisthehardestthingintheworldtofrightenamongoose，becauseheiseatenupfromnosetotailwithcuriosity。Themottoofallthemongoosefamilyis\"Runandfindout，\"andRikki—tikkiwasatruemongoose。Helookedatthecottonwool，decidedthatitwasnotgoodtoeat，ranallroundthetable，satupandputhisfurinorder，scratchedhimself，andjumpedonthesmallboy’sshoulder。
\"Don’tbefrightened，Teddy，\"saidhisfather。\"That’shiswayofmakingfriends。\"
\"Ouch！He’sticklingundermychin，\"saidTeddy。
Rikki—tikkilookeddownbetweentheboy’scollarandneck，snuffedathisear，andclimbeddowntothefloor，wherehesatrubbinghisnose。
\"Goodgracious，\"saidTeddy’smother，\"andthat’sawildcreature！Isupposehe’ssotamebecausewe’vebeenkindtohim。\"
\"Allmongoosesarelikethat，\"saidherhusband。\"IfTeddydoesn’tpickhimupbythetail，ortrytoputhiminacage，he’llruninandoutofthehousealldaylong。Let’sgivehimsomethingtoeat。\"
Theygavehimalittlepieceofrawmeat。Rikki—tikkilikeditimmensely，andwhenitwasfinishedhewentoutintotheverandaandsatinthesunshineandfluffeduphisfurtomakeitdrytotheroots。Thenhefeltbetter。
\"Therearemorethingstofindoutaboutinthishouse，\"hesaidtohimself，\"thanallmyfamilycouldfindoutinalltheirlives。Ishallcertainlystayandfindout。\"
Hespentallthatdayroamingoverthehouse。Henearlydrownedhimselfinthebath—tubs，puthisnoseintotheinkonawritingtable，andburneditontheendofthebigman’scigar，forheclimbedupinthebigman’slaptoseehowwritingwasdone。AtnightfallheranintoTeddy’snurserytowatchhowkerosenelampswerelighted，andwhenTeddywenttobedRikki—tikkiclimbeduptoo。Buthewasarestlesscompanion，becausehehadtogetupandattendtoeverynoiseallthroughthenight，andfindoutwhatmadeit。Teddy’smotherandfathercamein，thelastthing，tolookattheirboy，andRikki—tikkiwasawakeonthepillow。\"Idon’tlikethat，\"saidTeddy’smother。
\"Hemaybitethechild。\"\"He’lldonosuchthing，\"saidthefather。\"Teddy’ssaferwiththatlittlebeastthanifhehadabloodhoundtowatchhim。Ifasnakecameintothenurserynow——\"
ButTeddy’smotherwouldn’tthinkofanythingsoawful。
EarlyinthemorningRikki—tikkicametoearlybreakfastintheverandaridingonTeddy’sshoulder，andtheygavehimbananaandsomeboiledegg。Hesatonalltheirlapsoneaftertheother，becauseeverywell—brought—upmongoosealwayshopestobeahousemongoosesomedayandhaveroomstorunaboutin;andRikki—tikki’smother（sheusedtoliveinthegeneral’shouseatSegowlee）hadcarefullytoldRikkiwhattodoifeverhecameacrosswhitemen。
ThenRikki—tikkiwentoutintothegardentoseewhatwastobeseen。Itwasalargegarden，onlyhalfcultivated，withbushes，asbigassummer—houses，ofMarshalNielroses，limeandorangetrees，clumpsofbamboos，andthicketsofhighgrass。
Rikki—tikkilickedhislips。\"Thisisasplendidhunting—ground，\"
hesaid，andhistailgrewbottle—brushyatthethoughtofit，andhescuttledupanddownthegarden，snuffinghereandtheretillheheardverysorrowfulvoicesinathorn—bush。
ItwasDarzee，theTailorbird，andhiswife。Theyhadmadeabeautifulnestbypullingtwobigleavestogetherandstitchingthemuptheedgeswithfibers，andhadfilledthehollowwithcottonanddownyfluff。Thenestswayedtoandfro，astheysatontherimandcried。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedRikki—tikki。
\"Weareverymiserable，\"saidDarzee。\"OneofourbabiesfelloutofthenestyesterdayandNagatehim。\"
\"H’m！\"saidRikki—tikki，\"thatisverysad——butIamastrangerhere。WhoisNag？\"
Darzeeandhiswifeonlycowereddowninthenestwithoutanswering，forfromthethickgrassatthefootofthebushtherecamealowhiss——ahorridcoldsoundthatmadeRikki—tikkijumpbacktwoclearfeet。TheninchbyinchoutofthegrassroseuptheheadandspreadhoodofNag，thebigblackcobra，andhewasfivefeetlongfromtonguetotail。Whenhehadliftedone—thirdofhimselfclearoftheground，hestayedbalancingtoandfroexactlyasadandeliontuftbalancesinthewind，andhelookedatRikki—tikkiwiththewickedsnake’seyesthatneverchangetheirexpression，whateverthesnakemaybethinkingof。
\"WhoisNag？\"saidhe。\"IamNag。ThegreatGodBrahmputhismarkuponallourpeople，whenthefirstcobraspreadhishoodtokeepthesunoffBrahmasheslept。Look，andbeafraid！\"
Hespreadouthishoodmorethanever，andRikki—tikkisawthespectacle—markonthebackofitthatlooksexactlyliketheeyepartofahook—and—eyefastening。Hewasafraidfortheminute，butitisimpossibleforamongoosetostayfrightenedforanylengthoftime，andthoughRikki—tikkihadnevermetalivecobrabefore，hismotherhadfedhimondeadones，andheknewthatallagrownmongoose’sbusinessinlifewastofightandeatsnakes。
Nagknewthattooand，atthebottomofhiscoldheart，hewasafraid。
\"Well，\"saidRikki—tikki，andhistailbegantofluffupagain，\"marksornomarks，doyouthinkitisrightforyoutoeatfledglingsoutofanest？\"
Nagwasthinkingtohimself，andwatchingtheleastlittlemovementinthegrassbehindRikki—tikki。Heknewthatmongoosesinthegardenmeantdeathsoonerorlaterforhimandhisfamily，buthewantedtogetRikki—tikkioffhisguard。Sohedroppedhisheadalittle，andputitononeside。
\"Letustalk，\"hesaid。\"Youeateggs。WhyshouldnotIeatbirds？\"
\"Behindyou！Lookbehindyou！\"sangDarzee。
Rikki—tikkiknewbetterthantowastetimeinstaring。Hejumpedupintheairashighashecouldgo，andjustunderhimwhizzedbytheheadofNagaina，Nag’swickedwife。Shehadcreptupbehindhimashewastalking，tomakeanendofhim。Heheardhersavagehissasthestrokemissed。Hecamedownalmostacrossherback，andifhehadbeenanoldmongoosehewouldhaveknownthatthenwasthetimetobreakherbackwithonebite;buthewasafraidoftheterriblelashingreturnstrokeofthecobra。Hebit，indeed，butdidnotbitelongenough，andhejumpedclearofthewhiskingtail，leavingNagainatornandangry。
\"Wicked，wickedDarzee！\"saidNag，lashingupashighashecouldreachtowardthenestinthethorn—bush。ButDarzeehadbuiltitoutofreachofsnakes，anditonlyswayedtoandfro。
Rikki—tikkifelthiseyesgrowingredandhot（whenamongoose’seyesgrowred，heisangry），andhesatbackonhistailandhindlegslikealittlekangaroo，andlookedallroundhim，andchatteredwithrage。ButNagandNagainahaddisappearedintothegrass。Whenasnakemissesitsstroke，itneversaysanythingorgivesanysignofwhatitmeanstodonext。
Rikki—tikkididnotcaretofollowthem，forhedidnotfeelsurethathecouldmanagetwosnakesatonce。Sohetrottedofftothegravelpathnearthehouse，andsatdowntothink。Itwasaseriousmatterforhim。
Ifyoureadtheoldbooksofnaturalhistory，youwillfindtheysaythatwhenthemongoosefightsthesnakeandhappenstogetbitten，herunsoffandeatssomeherbthatcureshim。Thatisnottrue。Thevictoryisonlyamatterofquicknessofeyeandquicknessoffoot——snake’sblowagainstmongoose’sjump——andasnoeyecanfollowthemotionofasnake’sheadwhenitstrikes，thismakesthingsmuchmorewonderfulthananymagicherb。
Rikki—tikkiknewhewasayoungmongoose，anditmadehimallthemorepleasedtothinkthathehadmanagedtoescapeablowfrombehind。Itgavehimconfidenceinhimself，andwhenTeddycamerunningdownthepath，Rikki—tikkiwasreadytobepetted。
ButjustasTeddywasstooping，somethingwriggledalittleinthedust，andatinyvoicesaid：\"Becareful。IamDeath！\"ItwasKarait，thedustybrownsnakelingthatliesforchoiceonthedustyearth;andhisbiteisasdangerousasthecobra’s。Butheissosmallthatnobodythinksofhim，andsohedoesthemoreharmtopeople。
Rikki—tikki’seyesgrewredagain，andhedanceduptoKaraitwiththepeculiarrocking，swayingmotionthathehadinheritedfromhisfamily。Itlooksveryfunny，butitissoperfectlybalancedagaitthatyoucanflyofffromitatanyangleyouplease，andindealingwithsnakesthisisanadvantage。IfRikki—tikkihadonlyknown，hewasdoingamuchmoredangerousthingthanfightingNag，forKaraitissosmall，andcanturnsoquickly，thatunlessRikkibithimclosetothebackofthehead，hewouldgetthereturnstrokeinhiseyeorhislip。ButRikkididnotknow。Hiseyeswereallred，andherockedbackandforth，lookingforagoodplacetohold。Karaitstruckout。
Rikkijumpedsidewaysandtriedtorunin，butthewickedlittledustygrayheadlashedwithinafractionofhisshoulder，andhehadtojumpoverthebody，andtheheadfollowedhisheelsclose。
Teddyshoutedtothehouse：\"Oh，lookhere！Ourmongooseiskillingasnake。\"AndRikki—tikkiheardascreamfromTeddy’smother。Hisfatherranoutwithastick，butbythetimehecameup，Karaithadlungedoutoncetoofar，andRikki—tikkihadsprung，jumpedonthesnake’sback，droppedhisheadfarbetweenhisforelegs，bittenashighupthebackashecouldgethold，androlledaway。ThatbiteparalyzedKarait，andRikki—tikkiwasjustgoingtoeathimupfromthetail，afterthecustomofhisfamilyatdinner，whenherememberedthatafullmealmakesaslowmongoose，andifhewantedallhisstrengthandquicknessready，hemustkeephimselfthin。
Hewentawayforadustbathunderthecastor—oilbushes，whileTeddy’sfatherbeatthedeadKarait。\"Whatistheuseofthat？\"thoughtRikki—tikki。\"Ihavesettleditall;\"andthenTeddy’smotherpickedhimupfromthedustandhuggedhim，cryingthathehadsavedTeddyfromdeath，andTeddy’sfathersaidthathewasaprovidence，andTeddylookedonwithbigscaredeyes。
Rikki—tikkiwasratheramusedatallthefuss，which，ofcourse，hedidnotunderstand。Teddy’smothermightjustaswellhavepettedTeddyforplayinginthedust。Rikkiwasthoroughlyenjoyinghimself。
Thatnightatdinner，walkingtoandfroamongthewine—glassesonthetable，hemighthavestuffedhimselfthreetimesoverwithnicethings。ButherememberedNagandNagaina，andthoughitwasverypleasanttobepattedandpettedbyTeddy’smother，andtositonTeddy’sshoulder，hiseyeswouldgetredfromtimetotime，andhewouldgooffintohislongwarcryof\"Rikk—tikk—tikki—tikki—tchk！\"
Teddycarriedhimofftobed，andinsistedonRikki—tikkisleepingunderhischin。Rikki—tikkiwastoowellbredtobiteorscratch，butassoonasTeddywasasleephewentoffforhisnightlywalkroundthehouse，andinthedarkheranupagainstChuchundra，themusk—rat，creepingaroundbythewall。Chuchundraisabroken—heartedlittlebeast。Hewhimpersandcheepsallthenight，tryingtomakeuphismindtorunintothemiddleoftheroom。Buthenevergetsthere。
\"Don’tkillme，\"saidChuchundra，almostweeping。
\"Rikki—tikki，don’tkillme！\"
\"Doyouthinkasnake—killerkillsmuskrats？\"saidRikki—tikkiscornfully。
\"Thosewhokillsnakesgetkilledbysnakes，\"saidChuchundra，moresorrowfullythanever。\"AndhowamItobesurethatNagwon’tmistakemeforyousomedarknight？\"
\"There’snottheleastdanger，\"saidRikki—tikki。\"ButNagisinthegarden，andIknowyoudon’tgothere。\"
\"MycousinChua，therat，toldme——\"saidChuchundra，andthenhestopped。
\"Toldyouwhat？\"
\"H’sh！Nagiseverywhere，Rikki—tikki。YoushouldhavetalkedtoChuainthegarden。\"
\"Ididn’t——soyoumusttellme。Quick，Chuchundra，orI’llbiteyou！\"
Chuchundrasatdownandcriedtillthetearsrolledoffhiswhiskers。\"Iamaverypoorman，\"hesobbed。\"Ineverhadspiritenoughtorunoutintothemiddleoftheroom。H’sh！Imustn’ttellyouanything。Can’tyouhear，Rikki—tikki？\"
Rikki—tikkilistened。Thehousewasasstillasstill，buthethoughthecouldjustcatchthefaintestscratch—scratchintheworld——anoiseasfaintasthatofawaspwalkingonawindow—pane——thedryscratchofasnake’sscalesonbrick—work。
\"That’sNagorNagaina，\"hesaidtohimself，\"andheiscrawlingintothebath—roomsluice。You’reright，Chuchundra;I
shouldhavetalkedtoChua。\"
HestoleofftoTeddy’sbath—room，buttherewasnothingthere，andthentoTeddy’smother’sbathroom。Atthebottomofthesmoothplasterwalltherewasabrickpulledouttomakeasluiceforthebathwater，andasRikki—tikkistoleinbythemasonrycurbwherethebathisput，heheardNagandNagainawhisperingtogetheroutsideinthemoonlight。
\"Whenthehouseisemptiedofpeople，\"saidNagainatoherhusband，\"hewillhavetogoaway，andthenthegardenwillbeourownagain。Goinquietly，andrememberthatthebigmanwhokilledKaraitisthefirstonetobite。Thencomeoutandtellme，andwewillhuntforRikki—tikkitogether。\"
\"Butareyousurethatthereisanythingtobegainedbykillingthepeople？\"saidNag。
\"Everything。Whentherewerenopeopleinthebungalow，didwehaveanymongooseinthegarden？Solongasthebungalowisempty，wearekingandqueenofthegarden;andrememberthatassoonasoureggsinthemelonbedhatch（astheymaytomorrow），ourchildrenwillneedroomandquiet。\"
\"Ihadnotthoughtofthat，\"saidNag。\"Iwillgo，butthereisnoneedthatweshouldhuntforRikki—tikkiafterward。Iwillkillthebigmanandhiswife，andthechildifIcan，andcomeawayquietly。Thenthebungalowwillbeempty，andRikki—tikkiwillgo。\"
Rikki—tikkitingledalloverwithrageandhatredatthis，andthenNag’sheadcamethroughthesluice，andhisfivefeetofcoldbodyfollowedit。Angryashewas，Rikki—tikkiwasveryfrightenedashesawthesizeofthebigcobra。Nagcoiledhimselfup，raisedhishead，andlookedintothebathroominthedark，andRikkicouldseehiseyesglitter。
\"Now，ifIkillhimhere，Nagainawillknow;andifIfighthimontheopenfloor，theoddsareinhisfavor。WhatamItodo？\"saidRikki—tikki—tavi。
Nagwavedtoandfro，andthenRikki—tikkiheardhimdrinkingfromthebiggestwater—jarthatwasusedtofillthebath。\"Thatisgood，\"saidthesnake。\"Now，whenKaraitwaskilled，thebigmanhadastick。Hemayhavethatstickstill，butwhenhecomesintobatheinthemorninghewillnothaveastick。Ishallwaitheretillhecomes。Nagaina——doyouhearme？——Ishallwaithereinthecooltilldaytime。\"
Therewasnoanswerfromoutside，soRikki—tikkiknewNagainahadgoneaway。Nagcoiledhimselfdown，coilbycoil，roundthebulgeatthebottomofthewaterjar，andRikki—tikkistayedstillasdeath。Afteranhourhebegantomove，musclebymuscle，towardthejar。Nagwasasleep，andRikki—tikkilookedathisbigback，wonderingwhichwouldbethebestplaceforagoodhold。
\"IfIdon’tbreakhisbackatthefirstjump，\"saidRikki，\"hecanstillfight。Andifhefights——ORikki！\"Helookedatthethicknessoftheneckbelowthehood，butthatwastoomuchforhim;andabitenearthetailwouldonlymakeNagsavage。
\"Itmustbethehead\"’hesaidatlast;\"theheadabovethehood。And，whenIamoncethere，Imustnotletgo。\"
Thenhejumped。Theheadwaslyingalittleclearofthewaterjar，underthecurveofit;and，ashisteethmet，Rikkibracedhisbackagainstthebulgeoftheredearthenwaretoholddownthehead。Thisgavehimjustonesecond’spurchase，andhemadethemostofit。Thenhewasbatteredtoandfroasaratisshakenbyadog——toandfroonthefloor，upanddown，andaroundingreatcircles，buthiseyeswereredandheheldonasthebodycart—whippedoverthefloor，upsettingthetindipperandthesoapdishandthefleshbrush，andbangedagainstthetinsideofthebath。Asheheldheclosedhisjawstighterandtighter，forhemadesurehewouldbebangedtodeath，and，forthehonorofhisfamily，hepreferredtobefoundwithhisteethlocked。Hewasdizzy，aching，andfeltshakentopieceswhensomethingwentofflikeathunderclapjustbehindhim。Ahotwindknockedhimsenselessandredfiresingedhisfur。Thebigmanhadbeenwakenedbythenoise，andhadfiredbothbarrelsofashotgunintoNagjustbehindthehood。
Rikki—tikkiheldonwithhiseyesshut，fornowhewasquitesurehewasdead。Buttheheaddidnotmove，andthebigmanpickedhimupandsaid，\"It’sthemongooseagain，Alice。Thelittlechaphassavedourlivesnow。\"
ThenTeddy’smothercameinwithaverywhiteface，andsawwhatwasleftofNag，andRikki—tikkidraggedhimselftoTeddy’sbedroomandspenthalftherestofthenightshakinghimselftenderlytofindoutwhetherhereallywasbrokenintofortypieces，ashefancied。
Whenmorningcamehewasverystiff，butwellpleasedwithhisdoings。\"NowIhaveNagainatosettlewith，andshewillbeworsethanfiveNags，andthere’snoknowingwhentheeggsshespokeofwillhatch。Goodness！ImustgoandseeDarzee，\"hesaid。
Withoutwaitingforbreakfast，Rikki—tikkirantothethornbushwhereDarzeewassingingasongoftriumphatthetopofhisvoice。ThenewsofNag’sdeathwasalloverthegarden，forthesweeperhadthrownthebodyontherubbish—heap。
\"Oh，youstupidtuftoffeathers！\"saidRikki—tikkiangrily。
\"Isthisthetimetosing？\"
\"Nagisdead——isdead——isdead！\"sangDarzee。\"ThevaliantRikki—tikkicaughthimbytheheadandheldfast。Thebigmanbroughtthebang—stick，andNagfellintwopieces！Hewillnevereatmybabiesagain。\"
\"Allthat’strueenough。Butwhere’sNagaina？\"saidRikki—tikki，lookingcarefullyroundhim。
\"NagainacametothebathroomsluiceandcalledforNag，\"
Darzeewenton，\"andNagcameoutontheendofastick——thesweeperpickedhimupontheendofastickandthrewhimupontherubbishheap。Letussingaboutthegreat，thered—eyedRikki—tikki！\"AndDarzeefilledhisthroatandsang。
\"IfIcouldgetuptoyournest，I’drollyourbabiesout！\"
saidRikki—tikki。\"Youdon’tknowwhentodotherightthingattherighttime。You’resafeenoughinyournestthere，butit’swarformedownhere。Stopsingingaminute，Darzee。\"
\"Forthegreat，thebeautifulRikki—tikki’ssakeIwillstop，\"
saidDarzee。\"Whatisit，OKilleroftheterribleNag？\"
\"WhereisNagaina，forthethirdtime？\"
\"Ontherubbishheapbythestables，mourningforNag。GreatisRikki—tikkiwiththewhiteteeth。\"
\"Bothermywhiteteeth！Haveyoueverheardwhereshekeepshereggs？\"
\"Inthemelonbed，ontheendnearestthewall，wherethesunstrikesnearlyallday。Shehidthemthereweeksago。\"
\"Andyouneverthoughtitworthwhiletotellme？Theendnearestthewall，yousaid？\"
\"Rikki—tikki，youarenotgoingtoeathereggs？\"
\"Noteatexactly;no。Darzee，ifyouhaveagrainofsenseyouwillflyofftothestablesandpretendthatyourwingisbroken，andletNagainachaseyouawaytothisbush。Imustgettothemelon—bed，andifIwenttherenowshe’dseeme。\"
Darzeewasafeather—brainedlittlefellowwhocouldneverholdmorethanoneideaatatimeinhishead。AndjustbecauseheknewthatNagaina’schildrenwerebornineggslikehisown，hedidn’tthinkatfirstthatitwasfairtokillthem。Buthiswifewasasensiblebird，andsheknewthatcobra’seggsmeantyoungcobraslateron。Sosheflewofffromthenest，andleftDarzeetokeepthebabieswarm，andcontinuehissongaboutthedeathofNag。Darzeewasverylikeamaninsomeways。
SheflutteredinfrontofNagainabytherubbishheapandcriedout，\"Oh，mywingisbroken！Theboyinthehousethrewastoneatmeandbrokeit。\"Thensheflutteredmoredesperatelythanever。
Nagainaliftedupherheadandhissed，\"YouwarnedRikki—tikkiwhenIwouldhavekilledhim。Indeedandtruly，you’vechosenabadplacetobelamein。\"AndshemovedtowardDarzee’swife，slippingalongoverthedust。
\"Theboybrokeitwithastone！\"shriekedDarzee’swife。
\"Well！Itmaybesomeconsolationtoyouwhenyou’redeadtoknowthatIshallsettleaccountswiththeboy。Myhusbandliesontherubbishheapthismorning，butbeforenighttheboyinthehousewilllieverystill。Whatistheuseofrunningaway？Iamsuretocatchyou。Littlefool，lookatme！\"
Darzee’swifeknewbetterthantodothat，forabirdwholooksatasnake’seyesgetssofrightenedthatshecannotmove。
Darzee’swifeflutteredon，pipingsorrowfully，andneverleavingtheground，andNagainaquickenedherpace。
Rikki—tikkiheardthemgoingupthepathfromthestables，andheracedfortheendofthemelonpatchnearthewall。There，inthewarmlitterabovethemelons，verycunninglyhidden，hefoundtwenty—fiveeggs，aboutthesizeofabantam’seggs，butwithwhitishskininsteadofshell。
\"Iwasnotadaytoosoon，\"hesaid，forhecouldseethebabycobrascurledupinsidetheskin，andheknewthattheminutetheywerehatchedtheycouldeachkillamanoramongoose。Hebitoffthetopsoftheeggsasfastashecould，takingcaretocrushtheyoungcobras，andturnedoverthelitterfromtimetotimetoseewhetherhehadmissedany。Atlasttherewereonlythreeeggsleft，andRikki—tikkibegantochuckletohimself，whenheheardDarzee’swifescreaming：
\"Rikki—tikki，IledNagainatowardthehouse，andshehasgoneintotheveranda，and——oh，comequickly——shemeanskilling！\"
Rikki—tikkismashedtwoeggs，andtumbledbackwarddownthemelon—bedwiththethirdegginhismouth，andscuttledtotheverandaashardashecouldputfoottotheground。Teddyandhismotherandfatherwerethereatearlybreakfast，butRikki—tikkisawthattheywerenoteatinganything。Theysatstone—still，andtheirfaceswerewhite。NagainawascoileduponthemattingbyTeddy’schair，withineasystrikingdistanceofTeddy’sbareleg，andshewasswayingtoandfro，singingasongoftriumph。
\"SonofthebigmanthatkilledNag，\"shehissed，\"staystill。
Iamnotreadyyet。Waitalittle。Keepverystill，allyouthree！IfyoumoveIstrike，andifyoudonotmoveIstrike。
Oh，foolishpeople，whokilledmyNag！\"
Teddy’seyeswerefixedonhisfather，andallhisfathercoulddowastowhisper，\"Sitstill，Teddy。Youmustn’tmove。
Teddy，keepstill。\"
ThenRikki—tikkicameupandcried，\"Turnround，Nagaina。
Turnandfight！\"
\"Allingoodtime，\"saidshe，withoutmovinghereyes。\"I
willsettlemyaccountwithyoupresently。Lookatyourfriends，Rikki—tikki。Theyarestillandwhite。Theyareafraid。Theydarenotmove，andifyoucomeastepnearerIstrike。\"
\"Lookatyoureggs，\"saidRikki—tikki，\"inthemelonbednearthewall。Goandlook，Nagaina！\"
Thebigsnaketurnedhalfaround，andsawtheeggontheveranda。\"Ah—h！Giveittome，\"shesaid。
Rikki—tikkiputhispawsoneoneachsideoftheegg，andhiseyeswereblood—red。\"Whatpriceforasnake’segg？Forayoungcobra？Forayoungkingcobra？Forthelast——theverylastofthebrood？Theantsareeatingalltheothersdownbythemelonbed。\"
Nagainaspunclearround，forgettingeverythingforthesakeoftheoneegg。Rikki—tikkisawTeddy’sfathershootoutabighand，catchTeddybytheshoulder，anddraghimacrossthelittletablewiththetea—cups，safeandoutofreachofNagaina。
\"Tricked！Tricked！Tricked！Rikk—tck—tck！\"chuckledRikki—tikki。\"Theboyissafe，anditwasI——I——IthatcaughtNagbythehoodlastnightinthebathroom。\"Thenhebegantojumpupanddown，allfourfeettogether，hisheadclosetothefloor。\"Hethrewmetoandfro，buthecouldnotshakemeoff。
Hewasdeadbeforethebigmanblewhimintwo。Ididit！
Rikki—tikki—tck—tck！Comethen，Nagaina。Comeandfightwithme。
Youshallnotbeawidowlong。\"
NagainasawthatshehadlostherchanceofkillingTeddy，andtheegglaybetweenRikki—tikki’spaws。\"Givemetheegg，Rikki—tikki。Givemethelastofmyeggs，andIwillgoawayandnevercomeback，\"shesaid，loweringherhood。
\"Yes，youwillgoaway，andyouwillnevercomeback。ForyouwillgototherubbishheapwithNag。Fight，widow！Thebigmanhasgoneforhisgun！Fight！\"
Rikki—tikkiwasboundingallroundNagaina，keepingjustoutofreachofherstroke，hislittleeyeslikehotcoals。Nagainagatheredherselftogetherandflungoutathim。Rikki—tikkijumpedupandbackward。Againandagainandagainshestruck，andeachtimeherheadcamewithawhackonthemattingoftheverandaandshegatheredherselftogetherlikeawatchspring。ThenRikki—tikkidancedinacircletogetbehindher，andNagainaspunroundtokeepherheadtohishead，sothattherustleofhertailonthemattingsoundedlikedryleavesblownalongbythewind。
Hehadforgottentheegg。Itstilllayontheveranda，andNagainacamenearerandnearertoit，tillatlast，whileRikki—tikkiwasdrawingbreath，shecaughtitinhermouth，turnedtotheverandasteps，andflewlikeanarrowdownthepath，withRikki—tikkibehindher。Whenthecobrarunsforherlife，shegoeslikeawhip—lashflickedacrossahorse’sneck。
Rikki—tikkiknewthathemustcatchher，orallthetroublewouldbeginagain。Sheheadedstraightforthelonggrassbythethorn—bush，andashewasrunningRikki—tikkiheardDarzeestillsinginghisfoolishlittlesongoftriumph。ButDarzee’swifewaswiser。SheflewoffhernestasNagainacamealong，andflappedherwingsaboutNagaina’shead。IfDarzeehadhelpedtheymighthaveturnedher，butNagainaonlyloweredherhoodandwenton。
Still，theinstant’sdelaybroughtRikki—tikkiuptoher，andassheplungedintotherat—holewheresheandNagusedtolive，hislittlewhiteteethwereclenchedonhertail，andhewentdownwithher——andveryfewmongooses，howeverwiseandoldtheymaybe，caretofollowacobraintoitshole。Itwasdarkinthehole;andRikki—tikkineverknewwhenitmightopenoutandgiveNagainaroomtoturnandstrikeathim。Heheldonsavagely，andstuckouthisfeettoactasbrakesonthedarkslopeofthehot，moistearth。
Thenthegrassbythemouthoftheholestoppedwaving，andDarzeesaid，\"ItisalloverwithRikki—tikki！Wemustsinghisdeathsong。ValiantRikki—tikkiisdead！ForNagainawillsurelykillhimunderground。\"
Sohesangaverymournfulsongthathemadeuponthespuroftheminute，andjustashegottothemosttouchingpart，thegrassquiveredagain，andRikki—tikki，coveredwithdirt，draggedhimselfoutoftheholelegbyleg，lickinghiswhiskers。Darzeestoppedwithalittleshout。Rikki—tikkishooksomeofthedustoutofhisfurandsneezed。\"Itisallover，\"hesaid。\"Thewidowwillnevercomeoutagain。\"Andtheredantsthatlivebetweenthegrassstemsheardhim，andbegantotroopdownoneafteranothertoseeifhehadspokenthetruth。
Rikki—tikkicurledhimselfupinthegrassandsleptwherehewas——sleptandslepttillitwaslateintheafternoon，forhehaddoneahardday’swork。
\"Now，\"hesaid，whenheawoke，\"Iwillgobacktothehouse。
TelltheCoppersmith，Darzee，andhewilltellthegardenthatNagainaisdead。\"
TheCoppersmithisabirdwhomakesanoiseexactlylikethebeatingofalittlehammeronacopperpot;andthereasonheisalwaysmakingitisbecauseheisthetowncriertoeveryIndiangarden，andtellsallthenewstoeverybodywhocarestolisten。
AsRikki—tikkiwentupthepath，heheardhis\"attention\"noteslikeatinydinnergong，andthenthesteady\"Ding—dong—tock！Nagisdead——dong！Nagainaisdead！Ding—dong—tock！\"Thatsetallthebirdsinthegardensinging，andthefrogscroaking，forNagandNagainausedtoeatfrogsaswellaslittlebirds。
WhenRikkigottothehouse，TeddyandTeddy’smother（shelookedverywhitestill，forshehadbeenfainting）andTeddy’sfathercameoutandalmostcriedoverhim;andthatnightheateallthatwasgivenhimtillhecouldeatnomore，andwenttobedonTeddy’sshoulder，whereTeddy’smothersawhimwhenshecametolooklateatnight。
\"HesavedourlivesandTeddy’slife，\"shesaidtoherhusband。\"Justthink，hesavedallourlives。\"
Rikki—tikkiwokeupwithajump，forthemongoosesarelightsleepers。
\"Oh，it’syou，\"saidhe。\"Whatareyoubotheringfor？Allthecobrasaredead。Andiftheyweren’t，I’mhere。\"
Rikki—tikkihadarighttobeproudofhimself。Buthedidnotgrowtooproud，andhekeptthatgardenasamongooseshouldkeepit，withtoothandjumpandspringandbite，tillneveracobradaredshowitsheadinsidethewalls。
Darzee’sChant（SunginhonorofRikki—tikki—tavi）
SingerandtailoramI——
DoubledthejoysthatIknow——
Proudofmylilttothesky，ProudofthehousethatIsew——
Overandunder，soweaveImymusic——soweaveIthehousethatI
sew。
Singtoyourfledglingsagain，Mother，ohliftupyourhead！
Evilthatplaguedusisslain，Deathinthegardenliesdead。
Terrorthathidintherosesisimpotent——flungonthedung—hillanddead！
Whohasdeliveredus，who？
Tellmehisnestandhisname。
Rikki，thevaliant，thetrue，Tikki，witheyeballsofflame，Rikk—tikki—tikki，theivory—fanged，thehunterwitheyeballsofflame！
GivehimtheThanksoftheBirds，Bowingwithtailfeathersspread！
Praisehimwithnightingalewords——
Nay，Iwillpraisehiminstead。
Hear！Iwillsingyouthepraiseofthebottle—tailedRikki，witheyeballsofred！
（HereRikki—tikkiinterrupted，andtherestofthesongislost。）
ToomaioftheElephantsIwillrememberwhatIwas，Iamsickofropeandchain——
Iwillremembermyoldstrengthandallmyforestaffairs。
Iwillnotsellmybacktomanforabundleofsugar—cane：
Iwillgoouttomyownkind，andthewood—folkintheirlairs。
Iwillgooutuntiltheday，untilthemorningbreak——
Outtothewind’suntaintedkiss，thewater’scleancaress;
Iwillforgetmyankle—ringandsnapmypicketstake。
Iwillrevisitmylostloves，andplaymatesmasterless！
KalaNag，whichmeansBlackSnake，hadservedtheIndianGovernmentineverywaythatanelephantcouldserveitforforty—sevenyears，andashewasfullytwentyyearsoldwhenhewascaught，thatmakeshimnearlyseventy——aripeageforanelephant。Herememberedpushing，withabigleatherpadonhisforehead，atagunstuckindeepmud，andthatwasbeforetheAfghanWarof1842，andhehadnotthencometohisfullstrength。
HismotherRadhaPyari，——Radhathedarling，——whohadbeencaughtinthesamedrivewithKalaNag，toldhim，beforehislittlemilktuskshaddroppedout，thatelephantswhowereafraidalwaysgothurt。KalaNagknewthatthatadvicewasgood，forthefirsttimethathesawashellbursthebacked，screaming，intoastandofpiledrifles，andthebayonetsprickedhiminallhissoftestplaces。So，beforehewastwenty—five，hegaveupbeingafraid，andsohewasthebest—lovedandthebest—looked—afterelephantintheserviceoftheGovernmentofIndia。Hehadcarriedtents，twelvehundredpounds’weightoftents，onthemarchinUpperIndia。Hehadbeenhoistedintoashipattheendofasteamcraneandtakenfordaysacrossthewater，andmadetocarryamortaronhisbackinastrangeandrockycountryveryfarfromIndia，andhadseentheEmperorTheodorelyingdeadinMagdala，andhadcomebackagaininthesteamerentitled，sothesoldierssaid，totheAbyssinianWarmedal。HehadseenhisfellowelephantsdieofcoldandepilepsyandstarvationandsunstrokeupataplacecalledAliMusjid，tenyearslater;andafterwardhehadbeensentdownthousandsofmilessouthtohaulandpilebigbalksofteakinthetimberyardsatMoulmein。Therehehadhalfkilledaninsubordinateyoungelephantwhowasshirkinghisfairshareofwork。
Afterthathewastakenofftimber—hauling，andemployed，withafewscoreotherelephantswhoweretrainedtothebusiness，inhelpingtocatchwildelephantsamongtheGarohills。ElephantsareverystrictlypreservedbytheIndianGovernment。Thereisonewholedepartmentwhichdoesnothingelsebuthuntthem，andcatchthem，andbreakthemin，andsendthemupanddownthecountryastheyareneededforwork。
KalaNagstoodtenfairfeetattheshoulders，andhistuskshadbeencutoffshortatfivefeet，andboundroundtheends，topreventthemsplitting，withbandsofcopper;buthecoulddomorewiththosestumpsthananyuntrainedelephantcoulddowiththerealsharpenedones。When，afterweeksandweeksofcautiousdrivingofscatteredelephantsacrossthehills，thefortyorfiftywildmonstersweredrivenintothelaststockade，andthebigdropgate，madeoftreetrunkslashedtogether，jarreddownbehindthem，KalaNag，atthewordofcommand，wouldgointothatflaring，trumpetingpandemonium（generallyatnight，whentheflickerofthetorchesmadeitdifficulttojudgedistances），and，pickingoutthebiggestandwildesttuskerofthemob，wouldhammerhimandhustlehimintoquietwhilethemenonthebacksoftheotherelephantsropedandtiedthesmallerones。
TherewasnothinginthewayoffightingthatKalaNag，theoldwiseBlackSnake，didnotknow，forhehadstoodupmorethanonceinhistimetothechargeofthewoundedtiger，and，curlinguphissofttrunktobeoutofharm’sway，hadknockedthespringingbrutesidewaysinmid—airwithaquicksicklecutofhishead，thathehadinventedallbyhimself;hadknockedhimover，andkneeleduponhimwithhishugekneestillthelifewentoutwithagaspandahowl，andtherewasonlyafluffystripedthingonthegroundforKalaNagtopullbythetail。
\"Yes，\"saidBigToomai，hisdriver，thesonofBlackToomaiwhohadtakenhimtoAbyssinia，andgrandsonofToomaioftheElephantswhohadseenhimcaught，\"thereisnothingthattheBlackSnakefearsexceptme。Hehasseenthreegenerationsofusfeedhimandgroomhim，andhewilllivetoseefour。\"
\"Heisafraidofmealso，\"saidLittleToomai，standinguptohisfullheightoffourfeet，withonlyoneraguponhim。Hewastenyearsold，theeldestsonofBigToomai，and，accordingtocustom，hewouldtakehisfather’splaceonKalaNag’sneckwhenhegrewup，andwouldhandletheheavyironankus，theelephantgoad，thathadbeenwornsmoothbyhisfather，andhisgrandfather，andhisgreat—grandfather。
Heknewwhathewastalkingof;forhehadbeenbornunderKalaNag’sshadow，hadplayedwiththeendofhistrunkbeforehecouldwalk，hadtakenhimdowntowaterassoonashecouldwalk，andKalaNagwouldnomorehavedreamedofdisobeyinghisshrilllittleordersthanhewouldhavedreamedofkillinghimonthatdaywhenBigToomaicarriedthelittlebrownbabyunderKalaNag’stusks，andtoldhimtosalutehismasterthatwastobe。
\"Yes，\"saidLittleToomai，\"heisafraidofme，\"andhetooklongstridesuptoKalaNag，calledhimafatoldpig，andmadehimliftuphisfeetoneaftertheother。
\"Wah！\"saidLittleToomai，\"thouartabigelephant，\"andhewaggedhisfluffyhead，quotinghisfather。\"TheGovernmentmaypayforelephants，buttheybelongtousmahouts。Whenthouartold，KalaNag，therewillcomesomerichrajah，andhewillbuytheefromtheGovernment，onaccountofthysizeandthymanners，andthenthouwilthavenothingtodobuttocarrygoldearringsinthyears，andagoldhowdahonthyback，andaredclothcoveredwithgoldonthysides，andwalkattheheadoftheprocessionsoftheKing。ThenIshallsitonthyneck，OKalaNag，withasilverankus，andmenwillrunbeforeuswithgoldensticks，crying，`RoomfortheKing’selephant！’Thatwillbegood，KalaNag，butnotsogoodasthishuntinginthejungles。\"
\"Umph！\"saidBigToomai。\"Thouartaboy，andaswildasabuffalo—calf。ThisrunningupanddownamongthehillsisnotthebestGovernmentservice。Iamgettingold，andIdonotlovewildelephants。Givemebrickelephantlines，onestalltoeachelephant，andbigstumpstotiethemtosafely，andflat，broadroadstoexerciseupon，insteadofthiscome—and—gocamping。Aha，theCawnporebarracksweregood。Therewasabazaarcloseby，andonlythreehours’workaday。\"
LittleToomairememberedtheCawnporeelephant—linesandsaidnothing。Heverymuchpreferredthecamplife，andhatedthosebroad，flatroads，withthedailygrubbingforgrassintheforagereserve，andthelonghourswhentherewasnothingtodoexcepttowatchKalaNagfidgetinginhispickets。
WhatLittleToomailikedwastoscrambleupbridlepathsthatonlyanelephantcouldtake;thedipintothevalleybelow;theglimpsesofthewildelephantsbrowsingmilesaway;therushofthefrightenedpigandpeacockunderKalaNag’sfeet;theblindingwarmrains，whenallthehillsandvalleyssmoked;thebeautifulmistymorningswhennobodyknewwheretheywouldcampthatnight;
thesteady，cautiousdriveofthewildelephants，andthemadrushandblazeandhullabalooofthelastnight’sdrive，whentheelephantspouredintothestockadelikebouldersinalandslide，foundthattheycouldnotgetout，andflungthemselvesattheheavypostsonlytobedrivenbackbyyellsandflaringtorchesandvolleysofblankcartridge。
Evenalittleboycouldbeofusethere，andToomaiwasasusefulasthreeboys。Hewouldgethistorchandwaveit，andyellwiththebest。Butthereallygoodtimecamewhenthedrivingoutbegan，andtheKeddah——thatis，thestockade——
lookedlikeapictureoftheendoftheworld，andmenhadtomakesignstooneanother，becausetheycouldnothearthemselvesspeak。ThenLittleToomaiwouldclimbuptothetopofoneofthequiveringstockadeposts，hissun—bleachedbrownhairflyingloosealloverhisshoulders，andhelookinglikeagoblininthetorch—light。Andassoonastherewasalullyoucouldhearhishigh—pitchedyellsofencouragementtoKalaNag，abovethetrumpetingandcrashing，andsnappingofropes，andgroansofthetetheredelephants。\"Mael，mael，KalaNag！（Goon，goon，BlackSnake！）Dantdo！（Givehimthetusk！）Somalo！Somalo！
（Careful，careful！）Maro！Mar！（Hithim，hithim！）Mindthepost！Arre！Arre！Hai！Yai！Kya—a—ah！\"hewouldshout，andthebigfightbetweenKalaNagandthewildelephantwouldswaytoandfroacrosstheKeddah，andtheoldelephantcatcherswouldwipethesweatoutoftheireyes，andfindtimetonodtoLittleToomaiwrigglingwithjoyonthetopoftheposts。
Hedidmorethanwriggle。Onenighthesliddownfromthepostandslippedinbetweentheelephantsandthrewupthelooseendofarope，whichhaddropped，toadriverwhowastryingtogetapurchaseonthelegofakickingyoungcalf（calvesalwaysgivemoretroublethanfull—grownanimals）。KalaNagsawhim，caughthiminhistrunk，andhandedhimuptoBigToomai，whoslappedhimthenandthere，andputhimbackonthepost。
Nextmorninghegavehimascoldingandsaid，\"Arenotgoodbrickelephantlinesandalittletentcarryingenough，thatthoumustneedsgoelephantcatchingonthyownaccount，littleworthless？Nowthosefoolishhunters，whosepayislessthanmypay，havespokentoPetersenSahibofthematter。\"LittleToomaiwasfrightened。Hedidnotknowmuchofwhitemen，butPetersenSahibwasthegreatestwhitemanintheworldtohim。HewastheheadofalltheKeddahoperations——themanwhocaughtalltheelephantsfortheGovernmentofIndia，andwhoknewmoreaboutthewaysofelephantsthananylivingman。
\"What——whatwillhappen？\"saidLittleToomai。
\"Happen！Theworstthatcanhappen。PetersenSahibisamadman。Elsewhyshouldhegohuntingthesewilddevils？Hemayevenrequiretheetobeanelephantcatcher，tosleepanywhereinthesefever—filledjungles，andatlasttobetrampledtodeathintheKeddah。Itiswellthatthisnonsenseendssafely。Nextweekthecatchingisover，andweoftheplainsaresentbacktoourstations。Thenwewillmarchonsmoothroads，andforgetallthishunting。But，son，IamangrythatthoushouldstmeddleinthebusinessthatbelongstothesedirtyAssamesejunglefolk。KalaNagwillobeynonebutme，soImustgowithhimintotheKeddah，butheisonlyafightingelephant，andhedoesnothelptoropethem。SoIsitatmyease，asbefitsamahout，——notamerehunter，——amahout，Isay，andamanwhogetsapensionattheendofhisservice。IsthefamilyofToomaioftheElephantstobetroddenunderfootinthedirtofaKeddah？Badone！Wickedone！Worthlessson！GoandwashKalaNagandattendtohisears，andseethattherearenothornsinhisfeet。OrelsePetersenSahibwillsurelycatchtheeandmaketheeawildhunter——afollowerofelephant’sfoottracks，ajunglebear。Bah！Shame！
Go！\"
LittleToomaiwentoffwithoutsayingaword，buthetoldKalaNagallhisgrievanceswhilehewasexamininghisfeet。\"Nomatter，\"saidLittleToomai，turningupthefringeofKalaNag’shugerightear。\"TheyhavesaidmynametoPetersenSahib，andperhaps——andperhaps——andperhaps——whoknows？Hai！ThatisabigthornthatIhavepulledout！\"
Thenextfewdayswerespentingettingtheelephantstogether，inwalkingthenewlycaughtwildelephantsupanddownbetweenacoupleoftameonestopreventthemgivingtoomuchtroubleonthedownwardmarchtotheplains，andintakingstockoftheblanketsandropesandthingsthathadbeenwornoutorlostintheforest。
PetersenSahibcameinonhisclevershe—elephantPudmini;hehadbeenpayingoffothercampsamongthehills，fortheseasonwascomingtoanend，andtherewasanativeclerksittingatatableunderatree，topaythedriverstheirwages。Aseachmanwaspaidhewentbacktohiselephant，andjoinedthelinethatstoodreadytostart。Thecatchers，andhunters，andbeaters，themenoftheregularKeddah，whostayedinthejungleyearinandyearout，satonthebacksoftheelephantsthatbelongedtoPetersenSahib’spermanentforce，orleanedagainstthetreeswiththeirgunsacrosstheirarms，andmadefunofthedriverswhoweregoingaway，andlaughedwhenthenewlycaughtelephantsbrokethelineandranabout。
BigToomaiwentuptotheclerkwithLittleToomaibehindhim，andMachuaAppa，theheadtracker，saidinanundertonetoafriendofhis，\"Theregoesonepieceofgoodelephantstuffatleast。’Tisapitytosendthatyoungjungle—cocktomoltintheplains。\"
NowPetersenSahibhadearsalloverhim，asamanmusthavewholistenstothemostsilentofalllivingthings——thewildelephant。HeturnedwherehewaslyingallalongonPudmini’sbackandsaid，\"Whatisthat？Ididnotknowofamanamongtheplains—driverswhohadwitenoughtoropeevenadeadelephant。\"
\"Thisisnotaman，butaboy。HewentintotheKeddahatthelastdrive，andthrewBarmaotheretherope，whenweweretryingtogetthatyoungcalfwiththeblotchonhisshoulderawayfromhismother。\"
MachuaAppapointedatLittleToomai，andPetersenSahiblooked，andLittleToomaibowedtotheearth。
\"Hethrowarope？Heissmallerthanapicket—pin。Littleone，whatisthyname？\"saidPetersenSahib。
LittleToomaiwastoofrightenedtospeak，butKalaNagwasbehindhim，andToomaimadeasignwithhishand，andtheelephantcaughthimupinhistrunkandheldhimlevelwithPudmini’sforehead，infrontofthegreatPetersenSahib。ThenLittleToomaicoveredhisfacewithhishands，forhewasonlyachild，andexceptwhereelephantswereconcerned，hewasjustasbashfulasachildcouldbe。
\"Oho！\"saidPetersenSahib，smilingunderneathhismustache，\"andwhydidstthouteachthyelephantthattrick？Wasittohelptheestealgreencornfromtheroofsofthehouseswhentheearsareputouttodry？\"
\"Notgreencorn，ProtectorofthePoor，——melons，\"saidLittleToomai，andallthemensittingaboutbrokeintoaroaroflaughter。Mostofthemhadtaughttheirelephantsthattrickwhentheywereboys。LittleToomaiwashangingeightfeetupintheair，andhewishedverymuchthathewereeightfeetunderground。
\"HeisToomai，myson，Sahib，\"saidBigToomai，scowling。\"Heisaverybadboy，andhewillendinajail，Sahib。\"
\"OfthatIhavemydoubts，\"saidPetersenSahib。\"AboywhocanfaceafullKeddahathisagedoesnotendinjails。See，littleone，herearefourannastospendinsweetmeatsbecausethouhastalittleheadunderthatgreatthatchofhair。Intimethoumayestbecomeahuntertoo。\"BigToomaiscowledmorethanever。\"Remember，though，thatKeddahsarenotgoodforchildrentoplayin，\"PetersenSahibwenton。
\"MustInevergothere，Sahib？\"askedLittleToomaiwithabiggasp。
\"Yes。\"PetersenSahibsmiledagain。\"Whenthouhastseentheelephantsdance。Thatisthepropertime。Cometomewhenthouhastseentheelephantsdance，andthenIwilllettheegointoalltheKeddahs。\"
Therewasanotherroaroflaughter，forthatisanoldjokeamongelephant—catchers，anditmeansjustnever。Therearegreatclearedflatplaceshiddenawayintheforeststhatarecalledelephants’ball—rooms，buteventheseareonlyfoundbyaccident，andnomanhaseverseentheelephantsdance。Whenadriverboastsofhisskillandbraverytheotherdriverssay，\"Andwhendidstthouseetheelephantsdance？\"
KalaNagputLittleToomaidown，andhebowedtotheearthagainandwentawaywithhisfather，andgavethesilverfour—annapiecetohismother，whowasnursinghisbabybrother，andtheyallwereputuponKalaNag’sback，andthelineofgrunting，squealingelephantsrolleddownthehillpathtotheplains。Itwasaverylivelymarchonaccountofthenewelephants，whogavetroubleateveryford，andneededcoaxingorbeatingeveryotherminute。
BigToomaiproddedKalaNagspitefully，forhewasveryangry，butLittleToomaiwastoohappytospeak。PetersenSahibhadnoticedhim，andgivenhimmoney，sohefeltasaprivatesoldierwouldfeelifhehadbeencalledoutoftheranksandpraisedbyhiscommander—in—chief。
\"WhatdidPetersenSahibmeanbytheelephantdance？\"hesaid，atlast，softlytohismother。
BigToomaiheardhimandgrunted。\"Thatthoushouldstneverbeoneofthesehillbuffaloesoftrackers。Thatwaswhathemeant。Oh，youinfront，whatisblockingtheway？\"
AnAssamesedriver，twoorthreeelephantsahead，turnedroundangrily，crying：\"BringupKalaNag，andknockthisyoungsterofmineintogoodbehavior。WhyshouldPetersenSahibhavechosenmetogodownwithyoudonkeysofthericefields？Layyourbeastalongside，Toomai，andlethimprodwithhistusks。ByalltheGodsoftheHills，thesenewelephantsarepossessed，orelsetheycansmelltheircompanionsinthejungle。\"KalaNaghitthenewelephantintheribsandknockedthewindoutofhim，asBigToomaisaid，\"Wehavesweptthehillsofwildelephantsatthelastcatch。Itisonlyyourcarelessnessindriving。MustIkeeporderalongthewholeline？\"
\"Hearhim！\"saidtheotherdriver。\"Wehavesweptthehills！
Ho！Ho！Youareverywise，youplainspeople。Anyonebutamud—headwhoneversawthejunglewouldknowthattheyknowthatthedrivesareendedfortheseason。Thereforeallthewildelephantsto—nightwill——butwhyshouldIwastewisdomonariver—turtle？\"
\"Whatwilltheydo？\"LittleToomaicalledout。
\"Ohe，littleone。Artthouthere？Well，Iwilltellthee，forthouhastacoolhead。Theywilldance，anditbehoovesthyfather，whohassweptallthehillsofalltheelephants，todouble—chainhispicketsto—night。\"
\"Whattalkisthis？\"saidBigToomai。\"Forfortyyears，fatherandson，wehavetendedelephants，andwehaveneverheardsuchmoonshineaboutdances。\"
\"Yes;butaplainsmanwholivesinahutknowsonlythefourwallsofhishut。Well，leavethyelephantsunshackledtonightandseewhatcomes。Asfortheirdancing，Ihaveseentheplacewhere——Bapree—bap！HowmanywindingshastheDihangRiver？
Hereisanotherford，andwemustswimthecalves。Stopstill，youbehindthere。\"
Andinthisway，talkingandwranglingandsplashingthroughtherivers，theymadetheirfirstmarchtoasortofreceivingcampforthenewelephants。Buttheylosttheirtemperslongbeforetheygotthere。
Thentheelephantswerechainedbytheirhindlegstotheirbigstumpsofpickets，andextraropeswerefittedtothenewelephants，andthefodderwaspiledbeforethem，andthehilldriverswentbacktoPetersenSahibthroughtheafternoonlight，tellingtheplainsdriverstobeextracarefulthatnight，andlaughingwhentheplainsdriversaskedthereason。
LittleToomaiattendedtoKalaNag’ssupper，andaseveningfell，wanderedthroughthecamp，unspeakablyhappy，insearchofatom—tom。WhenanIndianchild’sheartisfull，hedoesnotrunaboutandmakeanoiseinanirregularfashion。Hesitsdowntoasortofrevelallbyhimself。AndLittleToomaihadbeenspokentobyPetersenSahib！Ifhehadnotfoundwhathewanted，I
believehewouldhavebeenill。Butthesweetmeatsellerinthecamplenthimalittletom—tom——adrumbeatenwiththeflatofthehand——andhesatdown，cross—legged，beforeKalaNagasthestarsbegantocomeout，thetom—tominhislap，andhethumpedandhethumpedandhethumped，andthemorehethoughtofthegreathonorthathadbeendonetohim，themorehethumped，allaloneamongtheelephantfodder。Therewasnotuneandnowords，butthethumpingmadehimhappy。
Thenewelephantsstrainedattheirropes，andsquealedandtrumpetedfromtimetotime，andhecouldhearhismotherinthecamphutputtinghissmallbrothertosleepwithanold，oldsongaboutthegreatGodShiv，whooncetoldalltheanimalswhattheyshouldeat。Itisaverysoothinglullaby，andthefirstversesays：
Shiv，whopouredtheharvestandmadethewindstoblow，Sittingatthedoorwaysofadayoflongago，Gavetoeachhisportion，foodandtoilandfate，FromtheKingupontheguddeetotheBeggaratthegate。
Allthingsmadehe——ShivathePreserver。
Mahadeo！Mahadeo！Hemadeall——
Thornforthecamel，fodderforthekine，Andmother’sheartforsleepyhead，Olittlesonofmine！
LittleToomaicameinwithajoyoustunk—a—tunkattheendofeachverse，tillhefeltsleepyandstretchedhimselfonthefodderatKalaNag’sside。Atlasttheelephantsbegantoliedownoneafteranotherasistheircustom，tillonlyKalaNagattherightofthelinewasleftstandingup;andherockedslowlyfromsidetoside，hisearsputforwardtolistentothenightwindasitblewveryslowlyacrossthehills。Theairwasfullofallthenightnoisesthat，takentogether，makeonebigsilence——
theclickofonebamboostemagainsttheother，therustleofsomethingaliveintheundergrowth，thescratchandsquawkofahalf—wakedbird（birdsareawakeinthenightmuchmoreoftenthanweimagine），andthefallofwatereversofaraway。LittleToomaisleptforsometime，andwhenhewakeditwasbrilliantmoonlight，andKalaNagwasstillstandingupwithhisearscocked。LittleToomaiturned，rustlinginthefodder，andwatchedthecurveofhisbigbackagainsthalfthestarsinheaven，andwhilehewatchedheheard，sofarawaythatitsoundednomorethanapinholeofnoiseprickedthroughthestillness，the\"hoot—toot\"ofawildelephant。
Alltheelephantsinthelinesjumpedupasiftheyhadbeenshot，andtheirgruntsatlastwakedthesleepingmahouts，andtheycameoutanddroveinthepicketpegswithbigmallets，andtightenedthisropeandknottedthattillallwasquiet。Onenewelephanthadnearlygrubbeduphispicket，andBigToomaitookoffKalaNag’slegchainandshackledthatelephantfore—foottohind—foot，butslippedaloopofgrassstringroundKalaNag’sleg，andtoldhimtorememberthathewastiedfast。Heknewthatheandhisfatherandhisgrandfatherhaddonetheverysamethinghundredsoftimesbefore。KalaNagdidnotanswertotheorderbygurgling，asheusuallydid。Hestoodstill，lookingoutacrossthemoonlight，hisheadalittleraisedandhisearsspreadlikefans，uptothegreatfoldsoftheGarohills。
\"Tendtohimifhegrowsrestlessinthenight，\"saidBigToomaitoLittleToomai，andhewentintothehutandslept。
LittleToomaiwasjustgoingtosleep，too，whenheheardthecoirstringsnapwithalittle\"tang，\"andKalaNagrolledoutofhispicketsasslowlyandassilentlyasacloudrollsoutofthemouthofavalley。LittleToomaipatteredafterhim，barefooted，downtheroadinthemoonlight，callingunderhisbreath，\"KalaNag！KalaNag！Takemewithyou，OKalaNag！\"Theelephantturned，withoutasound，tookthreestridesbacktotheboyinthemoonlight，putdownhistrunk，swunghimuptohisneck，andalmostbeforeLittleToomaihadsettledhisknees，slippedintotheforest。
Therewasoneblastoffurioustrumpetingfromthelines，andthenthesilenceshutdownoneverything，andKalaNagbegantomove。Sometimesatuftofhighgrasswashedalonghissidesasawavewashesalongthesidesofaship，andsometimesaclusterofwild—peppervineswouldscrapealonghisback，orabamboowouldcreakwherehisshouldertouchedit。Butbetweenthosetimeshemovedabsolutelywithoutanysound，driftingthroughthethickGaroforestasthoughithadbeensmoke。Hewasgoinguphill，butthoughLittleToomaiwatchedthestarsintheriftsofthetrees，hecouldnottellinwhatdirection。