Kaa’s Hunt

All that is told here happened some time before Mowgli was turned out of the Seeonee Wolf Pack, or revenged himself on Shere Khan the tiger. It was in the days when Baloo was teaching him the Law of the Jungle. The big, serious, old brown bear was delighted to have so quick a pupil, for the young wolves will only learn as much of the Law of the Jungle as applies to their own pack and tribe, and run away as soon as they can repeat the Hunting Verse—“Feet that make no noise; eyes that can see in the dark; ears that can hear the winds in their lairs, and sharp white teeth, all these things are the marks of our brothers except Tabaqui the Jackal and the Hyaena whom we hate.” But Mowgli, as a man-cub, had to learn a great deal more than this. Sometimes Bagheera the Black Panther would come lounging through the jungle to see how his pet was getting on, and would purr with his head against a tree while Mowgli recited the day’s lesson to Baloo. The boy could climb almost as well as he could swim, and swim almost as well as he could run. So Baloo, the Teacher of the Law, taught him the Wood and Water Laws: how to tell a rotten branch from a sound one; how to speak politely to the wild bees when he came upon a hive of them fifty feet above ground; what to say to Mang the Bat when he disturbed him in the branches at midday; and how to warn the water-snakes in the pools before he splashed down among them. None of the Jungle People like being disturbed, and all are very ready to fly at an intruder. Then, too, Mowgli was taught the Strangers’ Hunting Call, which must be repeated aloud till it is answered, whenever one of the Jungle-People hunts outside his own grounds. It means, translated, “Give me leave to hunt here because I am hungry.” And the answer is, “Hunt then for food, but not for pleasure.”

Everything told here happened before Mowgli was driven out of the Seeonee Wolf Pack or took revenge on Shere Khan the tiger. It was during the time when Baloo was teaching him the Law of the Jungle. The big, serious, old brown bear was delighted to have such a quick learner. Young wolves only learn as much of the Law of the Jungle as applies to their own pack and tribe. They run away as soon as they can repeat the Hunting Verse: “Feet that make no noise. Eyes that can see in the dark. Ears that can hear the winds in their lairs. Sharp white teeth. All these are the marks of our brothers, except Tabaqui the Jackal and the Hyaena, whom we hate.” But Mowgli, as a man-cub, had to learn much more. Sometimes Bagheera the Black Panther would stroll through the jungle to see how his pet was doing. He would rest his head against a tree and purr while Mowgli recited the day’s lesson to Baloo. The boy could climb almost as well as he could swim, and swim almost as well as he could run. So Baloo, the Teacher of the Law, taught him the Wood and Water Laws. Mowgli learned how to tell a rotten branch from a sound one. He learned how to speak politely to wild bees when he came upon their hive fifty feet above the ground. He learned what to say to Mang the Bat when he disturbed him in the branches at midday. He also learned how to warn the water-snakes in the pools before splashing down among them. None of the Jungle People like being disturbed, and all are quick to attack an intruder. Mowgli was also taught the Strangers’ Hunting Call. Whenever one of the Jungle-People hunts outside their own grounds, they must repeat the call aloud until someone answers. Translated, the call means, “Give me permission to hunt here because I am hungry.” The answer is, “Hunt then for food, but not for pleasure.”

All this will show you how much Mowgli had to learn by heart, and he grew very tired of saying the same thing over a hundred times. But, as Baloo said to Bagheera, one day when Mowgli had been cuffed and run off in a temper, “A man’s cub is a man’s cub, and he must learn all the Law of the Jungle.”

All this shows how much Mowgli had to memorize. He grew very tired of repeating the same thing over a hundred times. But one day, after Mowgli had been slapped and had run off in a temper, Baloo said to Bagheera, “A man’s cub is a man’s cub, and he must learn all the Law of the Jungle.”

“But think how small he is,” said the Black Panther, who would have spoiled Mowgli if he had had his own way. “How can his little head carry all thy long talk?”

“But think how small he is,” said the Black Panther. He would have spoiled Mowgli if he had had his way. “How can his little head hold all your long talk?”

“Is there anything in the jungle too little to be killed? No. That is why I teach him these things, and that is why I hit him, very softly, when he forgets.”

“Is anything in the jungle too small to be killed? No. That is why I teach him these things. It is also why I hit him very softly when he forgets.”

“Softly! What dost thou know of softness, old Iron-feet?” Bagheera grunted. “His face is all bruised today by thy—softness. Ugh.”

“Gently! What do you know about being gentle, old Iron-feet?” Bagheera grunted. “His face is all bruised today from your gentleness. Ugh.”

“Better he should be bruised from head to foot by me who love him than that he should come to harm through ignorance,” Baloo answered very earnestly. “I am now teaching him the Master Words of the Jungle that shall protect him with the birds and the Snake People, and all that hunt on four feet, except his own pack. He can now claim protection, if he will only remember the words, from all in the jungle. Is not that worth a little beating?”

“Better that I bruise him from head to foot, since I love him, than that he be harmed through ignorance,” Baloo answered earnestly. “I am teaching him the Master Words of the Jungle. They will protect him among the birds, the Snake People, and all creatures that hunt on four feet, except his own pack. He can now claim protection from everyone in the jungle, if he remembers the words. Isn’t that worth a little beating?”

“Well, look to it then that thou dost not kill the man-cub. He is no tree trunk to sharpen thy blunt claws upon. But what are those Master Words? I am more likely to give help than to ask it”—Bagheera stretched out one paw and admired the steel-blue, ripping-chisel talons at the end of it—“still I should like to know.”

“Well, make sure you don't kill the man-cub, then. He's not a tree trunk for you to sharpen your blunt claws on. But what are those Master Words? I'm more likely to offer help than ask for it.” Bagheera stretched out one paw and admired the steel-blue claws at its end, sharp as ripping chisels. “Still, I'd like to know.”

“I will call Mowgli and he shall say them—if he will. Come, Little Brother!”

“I’ll call Mowgli, and he can say them if he wants to. Come, Little Brother!”

“My head is ringing like a bee tree,” said a sullen little voice over their heads, and Mowgli slid down a tree trunk very angry and indignant, adding as he reached the ground: “I come for Bagheera and not for thee, fat old Baloo!”

“My head is buzzing like a tree full of bees,” said a sullen little voice above them. Mowgli slid down a tree trunk, furious and indignant. As he reached the ground, he added: “I came for Bagheera, not for you, fat old Baloo!”

“That is all one to me,” said Baloo, though he was hurt and grieved. “Tell Bagheera, then, the Master Words of the Jungle that I have taught thee this day.”

“That makes no difference to me,” said Baloo, though he was hurt and upset. “Then tell Bagheera the Master Words of the Jungle that I taught you today.”

“Master Words for which people?” said Mowgli, delighted to show off. “The jungle has many tongues. I know them all.”

“Master Words for which people?” Mowgli asked, delighted to show off. “The jungle has many languages. I know them all.”

“A little thou knowest, but not much. See, O Bagheera, they never thank their teacher. Not one small wolfling has ever come back to thank old Baloo for his teachings. Say the word for the Hunting-People, then—great scholar.”

“You know a little, but not much. Look, Bagheera, they never thank their teacher. Not one little wolf has ever come back to thank old Baloo for his lessons. Then say the word for the Hunting-People, great scholar.”

“We be of one blood, ye and I,” said Mowgli, giving the words the Bear accent which all the Hunting People use.

“We are of one blood, you and I,” said Mowgli. He spoke with the Bear accent that all the Hunting People use.

“Good. Now for the birds.”

“Good. Now for the birds.”

Mowgli repeated, with the Kite’s whistle at the end of the sentence.

Mowgli repeated the sentence, ending it with the Kite’s whistle.

“Now for the Snake-People,” said Bagheera.

“Now for the Snake-People,” said Bagheera.

The answer was a perfectly indescribable hiss, and Mowgli kicked up his feet behind, clapped his hands together to applaud himself, and jumped on to Bagheera’s back, where he sat sideways, drumming with his heels on the glossy skin and making the worst faces he could think of at Baloo.

The answer was a hiss that was impossible to describe. Mowgli kicked his feet up behind him and clapped his hands to applaud himself. Then he jumped onto Bagheera’s back and sat sideways. He drummed his heels on Bagheera’s glossy skin and made the worst faces he could think of at Baloo.

“There—there! That was worth a little bruise,” said the brown bear tenderly. “Some day thou wilt remember me.” Then he turned aside to tell Bagheera how he had begged the Master Words from Hathi the Wild Elephant, who knows all about these things, and how Hathi had taken Mowgli down to a pool to get the Snake Word from a water-snake, because Baloo could not pronounce it, and how Mowgli was now reasonably safe against all accidents in the jungle, because neither snake, bird, nor beast would hurt him.

“There, there! That was worth a little bruise,” said the brown bear gently. “Some day you will remember me.” Then he turned aside to tell Bagheera how he had begged Hathi the Wild Elephant for the Master Words. Hathi knew all about such things. Baloo also told Bagheera how Hathi had taken Mowgli to a pool to learn the Snake Word from a water-snake. Baloo could not pronounce the Snake Word himself. Mowgli was now reasonably safe from all accidents in the jungle, because no snake, bird, or beast would hurt him.

“No one then is to be feared,” Baloo wound up, patting his big furry stomach with pride.

“Then there is no one to fear,” Baloo concluded, proudly patting his big furry stomach.

“Except his own tribe,” said Bagheera, under his breath; and then aloud to Mowgli, “Have a care for my ribs, Little Brother! What is all this dancing up and down?”

“Except his own tribe,” Bagheera muttered. Then he said aloud to Mowgli, “Be careful of my ribs, Little Brother! Why are you dancing up and down like that?”

Mowgli had been trying to make himself heard by pulling at Bagheera’s shoulder fur and kicking hard. When the two listened to him he was shouting at the top of his voice, “And so I shall have a tribe of my own, and lead them through the branches all day long.”

Mowgli had been trying to get their attention by pulling Bagheera’s shoulder fur and kicking hard. When the two listened, he was shouting as loudly as he could, “And so I’ll have a tribe of my own and lead them through the branches all day long.”

“What is this new folly, little dreamer of dreams?” said Bagheera.

“What is this new foolishness, little dreamer?” said Bagheera.

“Yes, and throw branches and dirt at old Baloo,” Mowgli went on. “They have promised me this. Ah!”

“Yes, and throw branches and dirt at old Baloo,” Mowgli continued. “They promised me they would do that. Ah!”

“Whoof!” Baloo’s big paw scooped Mowgli off Bagheera’s back, and as the boy lay between the big fore-paws he could see the Bear was angry.

“Whoof!” Baloo scooped Mowgli off Bagheera’s back with his big paw. As the boy lay between Baloo’s front paws, he could see that the Bear was angry.

“Mowgli,” said Baloo, “thou hast been talking with the Bandar-log—the Monkey People.”

“Mowgli,” said Baloo, “you have been talking with the Bandar-log, the Monkey People.”

Mowgli looked at Bagheera to see if the Panther was angry too, and Bagheera’s eyes were as hard as jade stones.

Mowgli looked at Bagheera to see if the panther was angry too. Bagheera’s eyes were as hard as jade stones.

“Thou hast been with the Monkey People—the gray apes—the people without a law—the eaters of everything. That is great shame.”

“You have been with the Monkey People, the gray apes. They have no law and eat everything. Being with them is a great shame.”

“When Baloo hurt my head,” said Mowgli (he was still on his back), “I went away, and the gray apes came down from the trees and had pity on me. No one else cared.” He snuffled a little.

“When Baloo hurt my head,” said Mowgli, who was still on his back, “I went away. The gray apes came down from the trees and felt sorry for me. No one else cared.” He sniffled a little.

“The pity of the Monkey People!” Baloo snorted. “The stillness of the mountain stream! The cool of the summer sun! And then, man-cub?”

“The Monkey People are so compassionate!” Baloo snorted. “The mountain stream is so still! The summer sun is so cool! And then what, man-cub?”

“And then, and then, they gave me nuts and pleasant things to eat, and they—they carried me in their arms up to the top of the trees and said I was their blood brother except that I had no tail, and should be their leader some day.”

“And then, and then, they gave me nuts and nice things to eat. And they, they carried me in their arms to the tops of the trees. They said I was their blood brother, except that I had no tail, and that I would be their leader someday.”

“They have no leader,” said Bagheera. “They lie. They have always lied.”

“They have no leader,” said Bagheera. “They lie. They have always lied.”

“They were very kind and bade me come again. Why have I never been taken among the Monkey People? They stand on their feet as I do. They do not hit me with their hard paws. They play all day. Let me get up! Bad Baloo, let me up! I will play with them again.”

“They were very kind and told me to come back. Why have I never been taken to the Monkey People? They stand on their feet like I do. They do not hit me with their hard paws. They play all day. Let me get up! Bad Baloo, let me up! I will play with them again.”

“Listen, man-cub,” said the Bear, and his voice rumbled like thunder on a hot night. “I have taught thee all the Law of the Jungle for all the peoples of the jungle—except the Monkey-Folk who live in the trees. They have no law. They are outcasts. They have no speech of their own, but use the stolen words which they overhear when they listen, and peep, and wait up above in the branches. Their way is not our way. They are without leaders. They have no remembrance. They boast and chatter and pretend that they are a great people about to do great affairs in the jungle, but the falling of a nut turns their minds to laughter and all is forgotten. We of the jungle have no dealings with them. We do not drink where the monkeys drink; we do not go where the monkeys go; we do not hunt where they hunt; we do not die where they die. Hast thou ever heard me speak of the Bandar-log till today?”

“Listen, man-cub,” said the Bear, his voice rumbling like thunder on a hot night. “I have taught you all the Law of the Jungle for all the peoples of the jungle. The only exception is the Monkey-Folk who live in the trees. They have no law. They are outcasts. They have no speech of their own. Instead, they use words stolen by listening, peeking, and waiting up above in the branches. Their way is not our way. They have no leaders. They remember nothing. They boast and chatter, pretending to be a great people about to do great things in the jungle. But a falling nut makes them laugh, and they forget everything. We of the jungle have nothing to do with them. We do not drink where the monkeys drink. We do not go where the monkeys go. We do not hunt where they hunt. We do not die where they die. Have you ever heard me speak of the Bandar-log before today?”

“No,” said Mowgli in a whisper, for the forest was very still now Baloo had finished.

“No,” Mowgli whispered, because the forest was very still now that Baloo had finished.

“The Jungle-People put them out of their mouths and out of their minds. They are very many, evil, dirty, shameless, and they desire, if they have any fixed desire, to be noticed by the Jungle People. But we do not notice them even when they throw nuts and filth on our heads.”

“The Jungle-People do not speak or think of them. There are very many of them, and they are evil, dirty, and shameless. If they have any fixed desire, it is to be noticed by the Jungle People. But we do not notice them, even when they throw nuts and filth on our heads.”

He had hardly spoken when a shower of nuts and twigs spattered down through the branches; and they could hear coughings and howlings and angry jumpings high up in the air among the thin branches.

He had hardly spoken when nuts and twigs showered down through the branches. They could hear coughing, howling, and angry jumping high up among the thin branches.

“The Monkey-People are forbidden,” said Baloo, “forbidden to the Jungle-People. Remember.”

“The Monkey-People are forbidden,” said Baloo. “They are forbidden to the Jungle-People. Remember.”

“Forbidden,” said Bagheera, “but I still think Baloo should have warned thee against them.”

“Forbidden,” said Bagheera, “but I still think Baloo should have warned you about them.”

“I—I? How was I to guess he would play with such dirt. The Monkey People! Faugh!”

“I, I? How was I supposed to guess he would play with such filth? The Monkey People! Ugh!”

A fresh shower came down on their heads and the two trotted away, taking Mowgli with them. What Baloo had said about the monkeys was perfectly true. They belonged to the tree-tops, and as beasts very seldom look up, there was no occasion for the monkeys and the Jungle-People to cross each other’s path. But whenever they found a sick wolf, or a wounded tiger, or bear, the monkeys would torment him, and would throw sticks and nuts at any beast for fun and in the hope of being noticed. Then they would howl and shriek senseless songs, and invite the Jungle-People to climb up their trees and fight them, or would start furious battles over nothing among themselves, and leave the dead monkeys where the Jungle-People could see them. They were always just going to have a leader, and laws and customs of their own, but they never did, because their memories would not hold over from day to day, and so they compromised things by making up a saying, “What the Bandar-log think now the jungle will think later,” and that comforted them a great deal. None of the beasts could reach them, but on the other hand none of the beasts would notice them, and that was why they were so pleased when Mowgli came to play with them, and they heard how angry Baloo was.

Another shower fell on their heads, and the two trotted away, taking Mowgli with them. What Baloo had said about the monkeys was perfectly true. They lived in the treetops, and animals rarely look up. So the monkeys and the Jungle-People had no reason to cross paths. But whenever the monkeys found a sick wolf, or a wounded tiger or bear, they would torment the animal. They would throw sticks and nuts at any animal for fun, hoping to be noticed. Then they would howl and shriek meaningless songs. They would invite the Jungle-People to climb their trees and fight them. Or they would start furious fights among themselves over nothing. They would leave the dead monkeys where the Jungle-People could see them. They were always about to have a leader, and laws and customs of their own. But they never did, because they could not remember things from one day to the next. So instead they made up a saying: “What the Bandar-log think now the jungle will think later.” That comforted them a great deal. None of the animals could reach the monkeys, but none of them would pay attention to the monkeys either. That was why the monkeys were so pleased when Mowgli came to play with them, and they heard how angry Baloo was.

They never meant to do any more—the Bandar-log never mean anything at all; but one of them invented what seemed to him a brilliant idea, and he told all the others that Mowgli would be a useful person to keep in the tribe, because he could weave sticks together for protection from the wind; so, if they caught him, they could make him teach them. Of course Mowgli, as a woodcutter’s child, inherited all sorts of instincts, and used to make little huts of fallen branches without thinking how he came to do it. The Monkey-People, watching in the trees, considered his play most wonderful. This time, they said, they were really going to have a leader and become the wisest people in the jungle—so wise that everyone else would notice and envy them. Therefore they followed Baloo and Bagheera and Mowgli through the jungle very quietly till it was time for the midday nap, and Mowgli, who was very much ashamed of himself, slept between the Panther and the Bear, resolving to have no more to do with the Monkey People.

They never intended to do anything more. The Bandar-log never intend anything at all. But one of them came up with what seemed to him a brilliant idea. He told all the others that Mowgli would be useful to keep in the tribe. Mowgli could weave sticks together to protect them from the wind. So, if they caught him, they could make him teach them how. Of course, Mowgli, as a woodcutter’s child, had inherited all sorts of instincts. He used to make little huts from fallen branches without thinking about how he knew how. The Monkey-People watched from the trees and thought his play was wonderful. This time, they said, they really would have a leader and become the wisest people in the jungle. They would be so wise that everyone else would notice and envy them. So they followed Baloo, Bagheera, and Mowgli very quietly through the jungle until it was time for the midday nap. Mowgli, who was very ashamed of himself, slept between the Panther and the Bear. He resolved to have nothing more to do with the Monkey-People.

The next thing he remembered was feeling hands on his legs and arms—hard, strong, little hands—and then a swash of branches in his face, and then he was staring down through the swaying boughs as Baloo woke the jungle with his deep cries and Bagheera bounded up the trunk with every tooth bared. The Bandar-log howled with triumph and scuffled away to the upper branches where Bagheera dared not follow, shouting: “He has noticed us! Bagheera has noticed us. All the Jungle-People admire us for our skill and our cunning.” Then they began their flight; and the flight of the Monkey-People through tree-land is one of the things nobody can describe. They have their regular roads and crossroads, up hills and down hills, all laid out from fifty to seventy or a hundred feet above ground, and by these they can travel even at night if necessary. Two of the strongest monkeys caught Mowgli under the arms and swung off with him through the treetops, twenty feet at a bound. Had they been alone they could have gone twice as fast, but the boy’s weight held them back. Sick and giddy as Mowgli was he could not help enjoying the wild rush, though the glimpses of earth far down below frightened him, and the terrible check and jerk at the end of the swing over nothing but empty air brought his heart between his teeth. His escort would rush him up a tree till he felt the thinnest topmost branches crackle and bend under them, and then with a cough and a whoop would fling themselves into the air outward and downward, and bring up, hanging by their hands or their feet to the lower limbs of the next tree. Sometimes he could see for miles and miles across the still green jungle, as a man on the top of a mast can see for miles across the sea, and then the branches and leaves would lash him across the face, and he and his two guards would be almost down to earth again. So, bounding and crashing and whooping and yelling, the whole tribe of Bandar-log swept along the tree-roads with Mowgli their prisoner.

The next thing Mowgli remembered was feeling hands on his arms and legs, hard, strong, little hands. Then branches brushed across his face. He stared down through the swaying branches as Baloo woke the jungle with his deep cries. Bagheera leaped up the trunk with every tooth bared. The Bandar-log howled in triumph and scrambled up to branches where Bagheera dared not follow. They shouted: “He has noticed us! Bagheera has noticed us. All the Jungle-People admire us for our skill and our cunning.” Then they fled. No one can describe how the Monkey-People travel through the trees. They have regular roads and crossroads, running up and down hills. All these routes lie fifty to seventy or even a hundred feet above the ground. The monkeys can use them to travel at night if necessary. Two of the strongest monkeys caught Mowgli under the arms and swung off with him through the treetops. They covered twenty feet with each leap. Had they been alone, they could have gone twice as fast, but the boy’s weight slowed them down. Sick and dizzy as Mowgli was, he could not help enjoying the wild rush. Still, he was frightened when he caught glimpses of the ground far below. Each swing carried him over empty air and ended in a terrible jolt. His heart seemed to leap into his mouth. His guards would rush him up a tree until he felt the thin top branches crackle and bend beneath them. Then, with a cough and a whoop, they would fling themselves outward and downward into the air. They would land hanging by their hands or feet from the lower branches of the next tree. Sometimes Mowgli could see for miles and miles across the still, green jungle. It was like a man looking out across the sea from the top of a mast. Then branches and leaves would whip across his face, and he and his two guards would be almost back on the ground. So the whole tribe of Bandar-log swept along the tree-roads with Mowgli as their prisoner. They bounded and crashed, whooped and yelled as they went.

For a time he was afraid of being dropped. Then he grew angry but knew better than to struggle, and then he began to think. The first thing was to send back word to Baloo and Bagheera, for, at the pace the monkeys were going, he knew his friends would be left far behind. It was useless to look down, for he could only see the topsides of the branches, so he stared upward and saw, far away in the blue, Rann the Kite balancing and wheeling as he kept watch over the jungle waiting for things to die. Rann saw that the monkeys were carrying something, and dropped a few hundred yards to find out whether their load was good to eat. He whistled with surprise when he saw Mowgli being dragged up to a treetop and heard him give the Kite call for—“We be of one blood, thou and I.” The waves of the branches closed over the boy, but Rann balanced away to the next tree in time to see the little brown face come up again. “Mark my trail!” Mowgli shouted. “Tell Baloo of the Seeonee Pack and Bagheera of the Council Rock.”

For a while, he was afraid the monkeys would drop him. Then he grew angry, but he knew better than to struggle. Finally, he began to think. First, he had to send word back to Baloo and Bagheera. The monkeys were moving so fast that he knew his friends would be left far behind. There was no point in looking down, because he could see only the tops of the branches. So he looked up and saw Rann the Kite, far away in the blue sky. Rann was soaring and circling as he watched over the jungle, waiting for things to die. Rann saw that the monkeys were carrying something. He swooped down a few hundred yards to see whether their load was good to eat. He whistled in surprise when he saw Mowgli being dragged up to a treetop. He heard Mowgli give the Kite call: “We are of one blood, you and I.” Waves of branches closed over the boy, but Rann glided toward the next tree. He arrived in time to see the little brown face appear again. “Follow my trail!” Mowgli shouted. “Tell Baloo of the Seeonee Pack and Bagheera of the Council Rock.”

“In whose name, Brother?” Rann had never seen Mowgli before, though of course he had heard of him.

“In whose name, Brother?” Rann had never seen Mowgli before, though of course he had heard of him.

“Mowgli, the Frog. Man-cub they call me! Mark my trail!”

“Mowgli, the Frog. They call me Man-cub! Follow my trail!”

The last words were shrieked as he was being swung through the air, but Rann nodded and rose up till he looked no bigger than a speck of dust, and there he hung, watching with his telescope eyes the swaying of the treetops as Mowgli’s escort whirled along.

He shrieked the last words as he was swung through the air. But Rann nodded and rose until he looked no bigger than a speck of dust. He hovered there, watching with his telescope eyes as the treetops swayed while Mowgli’s escort whirled along.

“They never go far,” he said with a chuckle. “They never do what they set out to do. Always pecking at new things are the Bandar-log. This time, if I have any eye-sight, they have pecked down trouble for themselves, for Baloo is no fledgling and Bagheera can, as I know, kill more than goats.”

“They never go far,” he said with a chuckle. “They never do what they set out to do. The Bandar-log are always pecking at new things. This time, if my eyes don’t deceive me, they have pecked up trouble for themselves. For Baloo is no fledgling, and I know Bagheera can kill more than goats.”

So he rocked on his wings, his feet gathered up under him, and waited.

So he rocked on his wings, tucked his feet under him, and waited.

Meantime, Baloo and Bagheera were furious with rage and grief. Bagheera climbed as he had never climbed before, but the thin branches broke beneath his weight, and he slipped down, his claws full of bark.

Meanwhile, Baloo and Bagheera were overwhelmed with rage and grief. Bagheera climbed harder than he ever had before. But the thin branches broke under his weight, and he slipped down with his claws full of bark.

“Why didst thou not warn the man-cub?” he roared to poor Baloo, who had set off at a clumsy trot in the hope of overtaking the monkeys. “What was the use of half slaying him with blows if thou didst not warn him?”

“Why didn’t you warn the man-cub?” he roared at poor Baloo. Baloo had set off at a clumsy trot, hoping to catch up with the monkeys. “What was the use of nearly beating him to death if you didn’t warn him?”

“Haste! O haste! We—we may catch them yet!” Baloo panted.

“Hurry! Oh, hurry! We, we may still catch them!” Baloo panted.

“At that speed! It would not tire a wounded cow. Teacher of the Law—cub-beater—a mile of that rolling to and fro would burst thee open. Sit still and think! Make a plan. This is no time for chasing. They may drop him if we follow too close.”

“At that speed! You wouldn’t even tire a wounded cow. Teacher of the Law, cub-beater, a mile of that rolling back and forth would burst you open. Sit still and think! Make a plan. This is no time to chase them. They may drop him if we follow too closely.”

“Arrula! Whoo! They may have dropped him already, being tired of carrying him. Who can trust the Bandar-log? Put dead bats on my head! Give me black bones to eat! Roll me into the hives of the wild bees that I may be stung to death, and bury me with the Hyaena, for I am most miserable of bears! Arulala! Wahooa! O Mowgli, Mowgli! Why did I not warn thee against the Monkey-Folk instead of breaking thy head? Now perhaps I may have knocked the day’s lesson out of his mind, and he will be alone in the jungle without the Master Words.”

“Arrula! Whoo! The Bandar-log may have dropped him already because they were tired of carrying him. Who can trust the Bandar-log? Put dead bats on my head! Give me black bones to eat! Roll me into the wild bees’ hives so I will be stung to death, and bury me with the Hyaena. I am the most miserable of bears! Arulala! Wahooa! Oh, Mowgli, Mowgli! Why didn’t I warn you against the Monkey-Folk instead of hitting you on the head? Now perhaps I have knocked the day’s lesson out of his mind. He will be alone in the jungle without the Master Words.”

Baloo clasped his paws over his ears and rolled to and fro moaning.

Baloo covered his ears with his paws and rolled back and forth, moaning.

“At least he gave me all the Words correctly a little time ago,” said Bagheera impatiently. “Baloo, thou hast neither memory nor respect. What would the jungle think if I, the Black Panther, curled myself up like Ikki the Porcupine, and howled?”

“At least he said all the Words correctly to me a little while ago,” said Bagheera impatiently. “Baloo, you have neither memory nor respect. What would the jungle think if I, the Black Panther, curled up like Ikki the Porcupine and howled?”

“What do I care what the jungle thinks? He may be dead by now.”

“Why should I care what the jungle thinks? He may be dead by now.”

“Unless and until they drop him from the branches in sport, or kill him out of idleness, I have no fear for the man-cub. He is wise and well taught, and above all he has the eyes that make the Jungle-People afraid. But (and it is a great evil) he is in the power of the Bandar-log, and they, because they live in trees, have no fear of any of our people.” Bagheera licked one forepaw thoughtfully.

“Unless they drop the man-cub from the branches for fun or kill him out of boredom, I have no fear for him. He is wise and well taught. Above all, he has the eyes that make the Jungle-People afraid. But he is in the power of the Bandar-log. That is a great evil. And because the Bandar-log live in trees, they have no fear of any of our people.” Bagheera thoughtfully licked one front paw.

“Fool that I am! Oh, fat, brown, root-digging fool that I am,” said Baloo, uncoiling himself with a jerk, “it is true what Hathi the Wild Elephant says: `To each his own fear’; and they, the Bandar-log, fear Kaa the Rock Snake. He can climb as well as they can. He steals the young monkeys in the night. The whisper of his name makes their wicked tails cold. Let us go to Kaa.”

“What a fool I am! Oh, what a fat, brown, root-digging fool I am,” said Baloo, suddenly uncurling himself. “What Hathi the Wild Elephant says is true: ‘Everyone has something to fear.’ The Bandar-log fear Kaa the Rock Snake. He can climb as well as they can. He steals young monkeys in the night. Even a whisper of his name makes their wicked tails cold. Let us go to Kaa.”

“What will he do for us? He is not of our tribe, being footless—and with most evil eyes,” said Bagheera.

“What will he do for us? He is not one of our tribe. He has no feet, and his eyes are very evil,” said Bagheera.

“He is very old and very cunning. Above all, he is always hungry,” said Baloo hopefully. “Promise him many goats.”

“He is very old and very clever. Most of all, he is always hungry,” said Baloo hopefully. “Promise him lots of goats.”

“He sleeps for a full month after he has once eaten. He may be asleep now, and even were he awake what if he would rather kill his own goats?” Bagheera, who did not know much about Kaa, was naturally suspicious.

“Once he has eaten, he sleeps for a full month. He may be asleep now. And even if he were awake, what if he would rather kill his own goats?” Bagheera did not know much about Kaa, so he was naturally suspicious.

“Then in that case, thou and I together, old hunter, might make him see reason.” Here Baloo rubbed his faded brown shoulder against the Panther, and they went off to look for Kaa the Rock Python.

“Then in that case, you and I together, old hunter, might make him see reason.” Baloo rubbed his faded brown shoulder against the Panther. Then they went off to look for Kaa the Rock Python.

They found him stretched out on a warm ledge in the afternoon sun, admiring his beautiful new coat, for he had been in retirement for the last ten days changing his skin, and now he was very splendid—darting his big blunt-nosed head along the ground, and twisting the thirty feet of his body into fantastic knots and curves, and licking his lips as he thought of his dinner to come.

They found him stretched out on a warm ledge in the afternoon sun, admiring his beautiful new coat. He had spent the last ten days in seclusion, shedding his skin, and now he looked magnificent. He darted his big, blunt-nosed head along the ground and twisted his thirty-foot body into fantastic knots and curves. He licked his lips as he thought of the dinner to come.

“He has not eaten,” said Baloo, with a grunt of relief, as soon as he saw the beautifully mottled brown and yellow jacket. “Be careful, Bagheera! He is always a little blind after he has changed his skin, and very quick to strike.”

“He has not eaten,” said Baloo, grunting with relief as soon as he saw the beautifully mottled brown and yellow skin. “Be careful, Bagheera! He is always a little blind after he sheds his skin, and he strikes very quickly.”

Kaa was not a poison snake—in fact he rather despised the poison snakes as cowards—but his strength lay in his hug, and when he had once lapped his huge coils round anybody there was no more to be said. “Good hunting!” cried Baloo, sitting up on his haunches. Like all snakes of his breed Kaa was rather deaf, and did not hear the call at first. Then he curled up ready for any accident, his head lowered.

Kaa was not a venomous snake. In fact, he rather despised venomous snakes as cowards. But his strength lay in his hug. Once he wrapped his huge coils around anyone, there was nothing more to be said. “Good hunting!” cried Baloo, sitting up on his haunches. Like all snakes of his kind, Kaa was rather deaf and did not hear the call at first. Then he curled up with his head lowered, ready for anything that might happen.

“Good hunting for us all,” he answered. “Oho, Baloo, what dost thou do here? Good hunting, Bagheera. One of us at least needs food. Is there any news of game afoot? A doe now, or even a young buck? I am as empty as a dried well.”

“Good hunting for us all,” he answered. “Oh, Baloo, what are you doing here? Good hunting, Bagheera. At least one of us needs food. Is there any sign of game nearby? A doe, perhaps, or even a young buck? I’m as empty as a dry well.”

“We are hunting,” said Baloo carelessly. He knew that you must not hurry Kaa. He is too big.

“We’re hunting,” said Baloo casually. He knew you must not rush Kaa. Kaa is too big.

“Give me permission to come with you,” said Kaa. “A blow more or less is nothing to thee, Bagheera or Baloo, but I—I have to wait and wait for days in a wood-path and climb half a night on the mere chance of a young ape. Psshaw! The branches are not what they were when I was young. Rotten twigs and dry boughs are they all.”

“Let me come with you,” said Kaa. “One more blow or one less means nothing to you, Bagheera or Baloo. But I have to wait for days on a forest path and climb for half the night. And all that for just a chance of catching a young ape. Psshaw! The branches are not what they were when I was young. They are all rotten twigs and dry branches.”

“Maybe thy great weight has something to do with the matter,” said Baloo.

“Maybe your great weight has something to do with it,” said Baloo.

“I am a fair length—a fair length,” said Kaa with a little pride. “But for all that, it is the fault of this new-grown timber. I came very near to falling on my last hunt—very near indeed—and the noise of my slipping, for my tail was not tight wrapped around the tree, waked the Bandar-log, and they called me most evil names.”

“I am quite long, quite long,” said Kaa with a little pride. “But even so, the fault lies with these young trees. I nearly fell on my last hunt, very nearly indeed. My tail was not wrapped tightly around the tree, so I slipped. The noise woke the Bandar-log, and they called me terrible names.”

“Footless, yellow earth-worm,” said Bagheera under his whiskers, as though he were trying to remember something.

“Footless, yellow earthworm,” Bagheera muttered, as if he were trying to remember something.

“Sssss! Have they ever called me that?” said Kaa.

“Sssss! Have they ever called me that?” said Kaa.

“Something of that kind it was that they shouted to us last moon, but we never noticed them. They will say anything—even that thou hast lost all thy teeth, and wilt not face anything bigger than a kid, because (they are indeed shameless, these Bandar-log)—because thou art afraid of the he-goat’s horns,” Bagheera went on sweetly.

“Something like that is what they shouted to us last month, but we paid no attention to them. They will say anything. They even say you have lost all your teeth and won’t face anything bigger than a kid. They say it’s because you are afraid of the he-goat’s horns. These Bandar-log really are shameless,” Bagheera went on sweetly.

Now a snake, especially a wary old python like Kaa, very seldom shows that he is angry, but Baloo and Bagheera could see the big swallowing muscles on either side of Kaa’s throat ripple and bulge.

A snake rarely shows anger, especially a cautious old python like Kaa. But Baloo and Bagheera could see the large swallowing muscles on either side of Kaa’s throat ripple and bulge.

“The Bandar-log have shifted their grounds,” he said quietly. “When I came up into the sun today I heard them whooping among the tree-tops.”

“The Bandar-log have moved to a different area,” he said quietly. “When I came up into the sunlight today, I heard them whooping in the treetops.”

“It—it is the Bandar-log that we follow now,” said Baloo, but the words stuck in his throat, for that was the first time in his memory that one of the Jungle-People had owned to being interested in the doings of the monkeys.

“We, we are following the Bandar-log now,” said Baloo, but the words stuck in his throat. For the first time in his memory, one of the Jungle-People had admitted to being interested in what the monkeys were doing.

“Beyond doubt then it is no small thing that takes two such hunters—leaders in their own jungle I am certain—on the trail of the Bandar-log,” Kaa replied courteously, as he swelled with curiosity.

“Then there is no doubt that something important has brought two such hunters after the Bandar-log. I am sure you are leaders in your own jungle,” Kaa replied politely, growing more curious.

“Indeed,” Baloo began, “I am no more than the old and sometimes very foolish Teacher of the Law to the Seeonee wolf-cubs, and Bagheera here—”

“Indeed,” Baloo began, “I am only the old, sometimes very foolish Teacher of the Law to the Seeonee wolf-cubs, and Bagheera here...”

“Is Bagheera,” said the Black Panther, and his jaws shut with a snap, for he did not believe in being humble. “The trouble is this, Kaa. Those nut-stealers and pickers of palm leaves have stolen away our man-cub of whom thou hast perhaps heard.”

“It's Bagheera,” said the Black Panther. His jaws snapped shut, because he did not believe in being humble. “Here's the trouble, Kaa. Those nut-stealers and palm-leaf pickers have stolen our man-cub. Perhaps you have heard of him.”

“I heard some news from Ikki (his quills make him presumptuous) of a man-thing that was entered into a wolf pack, but I did not believe. Ikki is full of stories half heard and very badly told.”

“I heard some news from Ikki. His quills make him bold. He said a man-thing had joined a wolf pack, but I did not believe him. Ikki is full of stories he has only half heard and tells very badly.”

“But it is true. He is such a man-cub as never was,” said Baloo. “The best and wisest and boldest of man-cubs—my own pupil, who shall make the name of Baloo famous through all the jungles; and besides, I—we—love him, Kaa.”

“But it is true. There has never been a man-cub like him,” said Baloo. “He is the best, wisest, and boldest of man-cubs. He is my own pupil, and he will make the name of Baloo famous throughout all the jungles. And besides, I, we, love him, Kaa.”

“Ts! Ts!” said Kaa, weaving his head to and fro. “I also have known what love is. There are tales I could tell that—”

“Ts! Ts!” said Kaa, swaying his head from side to side. “I have known love too. I could tell stories that...”

“That need a clear night when we are all well fed to praise properly,” said Bagheera quickly. “Our man-cub is in the hands of the Bandar-log now, and we know that of all the Jungle-People they fear Kaa alone.”

“We need a clear night, when we are all well fed, to praise that properly,” Bagheera said quickly. “Our man-cub is in the hands of the Bandar-log now. And we know that, of all the Jungle-People, they fear only Kaa.”

“They fear me alone. They have good reason,” said Kaa. “Chattering, foolish, vain—vain, foolish, and chattering, are the monkeys. But a man-thing in their hands is in no good luck. They grow tired of the nuts they pick, and throw them down. They carry a branch half a day, meaning to do great things with it, and then they snap it in two. That man-thing is not to be envied. They called me also—`yellow fish’ was it not?”

“They fear only me. They have good reason,” said Kaa. “The monkeys are chattering, foolish, and vain. Vain, foolish, and chattering. But a man-thing is in trouble when the monkeys get hold of him. They grow tired of the nuts they pick and throw them down. They carry a branch for half a day, intending to do great things with it. Then they snap it in two. That man-thing is not to be envied. They called me a name too. It was ‘yellow fish,’ wasn’t it?”

“Worm—worm—earth-worm,” said Bagheera, “as well as other things which I cannot now say for shame.”

“Worm, worm, earthworm,” said Bagheera, “and other things I am too ashamed to say now.”

“We must remind them to speak well of their master. Aaa-ssp! We must help their wandering memories. Now, whither went they with the cub?”

“We must remind them to speak well of their master. Aaa-ssp! We must help them remember. Now, where did they go with the cub?”

“The jungle alone knows. Toward the sunset, I believe,” said Baloo. “We had thought that thou wouldst know, Kaa.”

“Only the jungle knows. I believe it is toward the sunset,” said Baloo. “We thought you would know, Kaa.”

“I? How? I take them when they come in my way, but I do not hunt the Bandar-log, or frogs—or green scum on a water-hole, for that matter.”

“Me? How? I take them when they come my way, but I don't hunt the Bandar-log or frogs. I don't hunt green scum on a water hole either, for that matter.”

“Up, Up! Up, Up! Hillo! Illo! Illo, look up, Baloo of the Seeonee Wolf Pack!”

“Up, up! Up, up! Hello! Hello! Hello, look up, Baloo of the Seeonee Wolf Pack!”

Baloo looked up to see where the voice came from, and there was Rann the Kite, sweeping down with the sun shining on the upturned flanges of his wings. It was near Rann’s bedtime, but he had ranged all over the jungle looking for the Bear and had missed him in the thick foliage.

Baloo looked up to see where the voice was coming from. There was Rann the Kite, swooping down, sunlight shining on the upturned edges of his wings. It was nearly Rann’s bedtime, but he had searched all over the jungle for the Bear. He had missed Baloo in the thick leaves.

“What is it?” said Baloo.

“What is it?” said Baloo.

“I have seen Mowgli among the Bandar-log. He bade me tell you. I watched. The Bandar-log have taken him beyond the river to the monkey city—to the Cold Lairs. They may stay there for a night, or ten nights, or an hour. I have told the bats to watch through the dark time. That is my message. Good hunting, all you below!”

“I saw Mowgli among the Bandar-log. He asked me to tell you. I watched. The Bandar-log have taken him across the river to the monkey city, the Cold Lairs. They may stay there for a night, or ten nights, or an hour. I have told the bats to watch through the night. That is my message. Good hunting, all of you below!”

“Full gorge and a deep sleep to you, Rann,” cried Bagheera. “I will remember thee in my next kill, and put aside the head for thee alone, O best of kites!”

“May you eat your fill and sleep deeply, Rann,” cried Bagheera. “I’ll remember you when I make my next kill. I’ll set aside the head just for you, best of kites!”

“It is nothing. It is nothing. The boy held the Master Word. I could have done no less,” and Rann circled up again to his roost.

“It’s nothing. It’s nothing. The boy knew the Master Word. I couldn’t have done less.” Rann circled up again to his roost.

“He has not forgotten to use his tongue,” said Baloo with a chuckle of pride. “To think of one so young remembering the Master Word for the birds too while he was being pulled across trees!”

“He hasn't forgotten how to use his tongue,” said Baloo with a proud chuckle. “And he is so young! Yet he remembered the Master Word for the birds, even while he was being pulled across the trees!”

“It was most firmly driven into him,” said Bagheera. “But I am proud of him, and now we must go to the Cold Lairs.”

“It was drilled into him very firmly,” said Bagheera. “But I am proud of him, and now we must go to the Cold Lairs.”

They all knew where that place was, but few of the Jungle People ever went there, because what they called the Cold Lairs was an old deserted city, lost and buried in the jungle, and beasts seldom use a place that men have once used. The wild boar will, but the hunting tribes do not. Besides, the monkeys lived there as much as they could be said to live anywhere, and no self-respecting animal would come within eyeshot of it except in times of drought, when the half-ruined tanks and reservoirs held a little water.

They all knew where the place was, but few of the Jungle People ever went there. That was because the Cold Lairs was an old, abandoned city, lost and buried in the jungle. Animals rarely use a place that people have once used. Wild boars do, but the hunting tribes do not. Besides, the monkeys lived there, as much as they could be said to live anywhere. No self-respecting animal would come within sight of the Cold Lairs, except during a drought. Then the half-ruined tanks and reservoirs held a little water.

“It is half a night’s journey—at full speed,” said Bagheera, and Baloo looked very serious. “I will go as fast as I can,” he said anxiously.

“It takes half a night to get there at full speed,” said Bagheera. Baloo looked very serious. “I’ll go as fast as I can,” he said anxiously.

“We dare not wait for thee. Follow, Baloo. We must go on the quick-foot—Kaa and I.”

“We can’t risk waiting for you. Follow us, Baloo. Kaa and I must go quickly.”

“Feet or no feet, I can keep abreast of all thy four,” said Kaa shortly. Baloo made one effort to hurry, but had to sit down panting, and so they left him to come on later, while Bagheera hurried forward, at the quick panther-canter. Kaa said nothing, but, strive as Bagheera might, the huge Rock-python held level with him. When they came to a hill stream, Bagheera gained, because he bounded across while Kaa swam, his head and two feet of his neck clearing the water, but on level ground Kaa made up the distance.

“Feet or no feet, I can keep up with all four of yours,” said Kaa curtly. Baloo tried to hurry, but he had to sit down, panting. So Kaa and Bagheera left him to follow later, while Bagheera raced ahead at a quick panther’s canter. Kaa said nothing, but no matter how hard Bagheera tried, the huge Rock-python kept pace with him. When they came to a hill stream, Bagheera pulled ahead because he leaped across while Kaa swam. Kaa kept his head and two feet of his neck above the water. But on level ground, Kaa made up the distance.

“By the Broken Lock that freed me,” said Bagheera, when twilight had fallen, “thou art no slow goer!”

“By the Broken Lock that freed me,” Bagheera said as twilight fell, “you’re no slow walker!”

“I am hungry,” said Kaa. “Besides, they called me speckled frog.”

“I’m hungry,” said Kaa. “Besides, they called me a speckled frog.”

“Worm—earth-worm, and yellow to boot.”

“Worm, an earthworm, and yellow too.”

“All one. Let us go on,” and Kaa seemed to pour himself along the ground, finding the shortest road with his steady eyes, and keeping to it.

“It’s all the same. Let’s go on.” Kaa seemed to pour himself along the ground. His steady eyes found the shortest path, and he kept to it.

In the Cold Lairs the Monkey-People were not thinking of Mowgli’s friends at all. They had brought the boy to the Lost City, and were very much pleased with themselves for the time. Mowgli had never seen an Indian city before, and though this was almost a heap of ruins it seemed very wonderful and splendid. Some king had built it long ago on a little hill. You could still trace the stone causeways that led up to the ruined gates where the last splinters of wood hung to the worn, rusted hinges. Trees had grown into and out of the walls; the battlements were tumbled down and decayed, and wild creepers hung out of the windows of the towers on the walls in bushy hanging clumps.

In the Cold Lairs, the Monkey-People were not thinking about Mowgli’s friends at all. They had brought the boy to the Lost City and were very pleased with themselves for the moment. Mowgli had never seen an Indian city before. Though the city was almost a heap of ruins, it seemed wonderful and splendid to him. Some king had built it long ago on a small hill. You could still trace the stone roads leading up to the ruined gates. The last splinters of wood hung from the worn, rusty hinges. Trees had grown into and out of the walls. The battlements had crumbled and fallen down. Wild vines hung in thick clumps from the windows of the towers along the walls.

A great roofless palace crowned the hill, and the marble of the courtyards and the fountains was split, and stained with red and green, and the very cobblestones in the courtyard where the king’s elephants used to live had been thrust up and apart by grasses and young trees. From the palace you could see the rows and rows of roofless houses that made up the city looking like empty honeycombs filled with blackness; the shapeless block of stone that had been an idol in the square where four roads met; the pits and dimples at street corners where the public wells once stood, and the shattered domes of temples with wild figs sprouting on their sides. The monkeys called the place their city, and pretended to despise the Jungle-People because they lived in the forest. And yet they never knew what the buildings were made for nor how to use them. They would sit in circles on the hall of the king’s council chamber, and scratch for fleas and pretend to be men; or they would run in and out of the roofless houses and collect pieces of plaster and old bricks in a corner, and forget where they had hidden them, and fight and cry in scuffling crowds, and then break off to play up and down the terraces of the king’s garden, where they would shake the rose trees and the oranges in sport to see the fruit and flowers fall. They explored all the passages and dark tunnels in the palace and the hundreds of little dark rooms, but they never remembered what they had seen and what they had not; and so drifted about in ones and twos or crowds telling each other that they were doing as men did. They drank at the tanks and made the water all muddy, and then they fought over it, and then they would all rush together in mobs and shout: “There is no one in the jungle so wise and good and clever and strong and gentle as the Bandar-log.” Then all would begin again till they grew tired of the city and went back to the tree-tops, hoping the Jungle-People would notice them.

A great palace without a roof stood on top of the hill. The marble in its courtyards and fountains was cracked and stained red and green. Grass and young trees had even pushed apart the cobblestones in the courtyard where the king’s elephants once lived. From the palace, you could see rows and rows of roofless houses making up the city. They looked like empty honeycombs filled with darkness. You could see the shapeless block of stone that had once been an idol in the square where four roads met. There were hollows at street corners where the public wells had once stood. The broken domes of temples had wild figs growing from their sides. The monkeys called the place their city. They pretended to look down on the Jungle-People because they lived in the forest. Yet the monkeys never knew what the buildings were for or how to use them. They would sit in circles in the king’s council chamber, scratch for fleas, and pretend to be men. Or they would run in and out of the roofless houses. They would gather pieces of plaster and old bricks in a corner, then forget where they had hidden them. They would fight and cry in jostling crowds. Then they would stop and play up and down the terraces of the king’s garden. For fun, they would shake the rose trees and orange trees to watch the flowers and fruit fall. The monkeys explored every passage and dark tunnel in the palace, along with hundreds of little dark rooms. But they never remembered what they had seen and what they had not. So they wandered about alone, in pairs, or in crowds, telling each other they were doing as men did. They drank from the water tanks and made the water muddy. Then they fought over it. After that, they would rush together in mobs and shout: “There is no one in the jungle so wise and good and clever and strong and gentle as the Bandar-log.” Then it would all begin again. At last they would grow tired of the city and return to the treetops, hoping the Jungle-People would notice them.

Mowgli, who had been trained under the Law of the Jungle, did not like or understand this kind of life. The monkeys dragged him into the Cold Lairs late in the afternoon, and instead of going to sleep, as Mowgli would have done after a long journey, they joined hands and danced about and sang their foolish songs. One of the monkeys made a speech and told his companions that Mowgli’s capture marked a new thing in the history of the Bandar-log, for Mowgli was going to show them how to weave sticks and canes together as a protection against rain and cold. Mowgli picked up some creepers and began to work them in and out, and the monkeys tried to imitate; but in a very few minutes they lost interest and began to pull their friends’ tails or jump up and down on all fours, coughing.

Mowgli had been trained under the Law of the Jungle, and he neither liked nor understood this kind of life. The monkeys dragged him into the Cold Lairs late in the afternoon. After such a long journey, Mowgli would have gone to sleep. Instead, the monkeys joined hands, danced around, and sang their foolish songs. One monkey gave a speech to the others. He said Mowgli’s capture marked something new in the history of the Bandar-log. Mowgli was going to show them how to weave sticks and canes together for protection from rain and cold. Mowgli picked up some vines and began weaving them together. The monkeys tried to copy him, but within a few minutes they lost interest. They began pulling their friends’ tails or jumping up and down on all fours, coughing.

“I wish to eat,” said Mowgli. “I am a stranger in this part of the jungle. Bring me food, or give me leave to hunt here.”

“I want to eat,” said Mowgli. “I am a stranger in this part of the jungle. Bring me food, or let me hunt here.”

Twenty or thirty monkeys bounded away to bring him nuts and wild pawpaws. But they fell to fighting on the road, and it was too much trouble to go back with what was left of the fruit. Mowgli was sore and angry as well as hungry, and he roamed through the empty city giving the Strangers’ Hunting Call from time to time, but no one answered him, and Mowgli felt that he had reached a very bad place indeed. “All that Baloo has said about the Bandar-log is true,” he thought to himself. “They have no Law, no Hunting Call, and no leaders—nothing but foolish words and little picking thievish hands. So if I am starved or killed here, it will be all my own fault. But I must try to return to my own jungle. Baloo will surely beat me, but that is better than chasing silly rose leaves with the Bandar-log.”

Twenty or thirty monkeys bounded off to bring him nuts and wild pawpaws. But they started fighting on the way, and bringing back the fruit that remained was too much trouble. Mowgli was sore, angry, and hungry. He wandered through the empty city, giving the Strangers’ Hunting Call from time to time. But no one answered him, and Mowgli felt that he had come to a very bad place indeed. “Everything Baloo has said about the Bandar-log is true,” he thought. “They have no Law, no Hunting Call, and no leaders. They have nothing but foolish words and little hands that pick at things and steal. So if I starve or am killed here, it will be entirely my own fault. But I must try to return to my own jungle. Baloo will surely beat me, but that is better than chasing silly rose leaves with the Bandar-log.”

No sooner had he walked to the city wall than the monkeys pulled him back, telling him that he did not know how happy he was, and pinching him to make him grateful. He set his teeth and said nothing, but went with the shouting monkeys to a terrace above the red sandstone reservoirs that were half-full of rain water. There was a ruined summer-house of white marble in the center of the terrace, built for queens dead a hundred years ago. The domed roof had half fallen in and blocked up the underground passage from the palace by which the queens used to enter. But the walls were made of screens of marble tracery—beautiful milk-white fretwork, set with agates and cornelians and jasper and lapis lazuli, and as the moon came up behind the hill it shone through the open work, casting shadows on the ground like black velvet embroidery. Sore, sleepy, and hungry as he was, Mowgli could not help laughing when the Bandar-log began, twenty at a time, to tell him how great and wise and strong and gentle they were, and how foolish he was to wish to leave them. “We are great. We are free. We are wonderful. We are the most wonderful people in all the jungle! We all say so, and so it must be true,” they shouted. “Now as you are a new listener and can carry our words back to the Jungle-People so that they may notice us in future, we will tell you all about our most excellent selves.” Mowgli made no objection, and the monkeys gathered by hundreds and hundreds on the terrace to listen to their own speakers singing the praises of the Bandar-log, and whenever a speaker stopped for want of breath they would all shout together: “This is true; we all say so.” Mowgli nodded and blinked, and said “Yes” when they asked him a question, and his head spun with the noise. “Tabaqui the Jackal must have bitten all these people,” he said to himself, “and now they have madness. Certainly this is dewanee, the madness. Do they never go to sleep? Now there is a cloud coming to cover that moon. If it were only a big enough cloud I might try to run away in the darkness. But I am tired.”

As soon as Mowgli walked to the city wall, the monkeys pulled him back. They told him he did not know how happy he was and pinched him to make him grateful. He gritted his teeth and said nothing. He went with the shouting monkeys to a terrace above the red sandstone reservoirs, which were half full of rainwater. In the center of the terrace stood a ruined white marble summerhouse, built for queens who had died a hundred years ago. Half its domed roof had fallen in, blocking the underground passage from the palace that the queens used to enter. But the walls were screens of marble tracery, beautiful milk-white patterns set with agates, cornelians, jasper, and lapis lazuli. As the moon rose behind the hill, it shone through the openings. The screens cast shadows on the ground like black velvet embroidery. Mowgli was sore, sleepy, and hungry, but he could not help laughing when the Bandar-log began talking. Twenty at a time, they told him how great, wise, strong, and gentle they were. They also told him how foolish he was to want to leave them. “We are great. We are free. We are wonderful. We are the most wonderful people in all the jungle! We all say so, so it must be true,” they shouted. “Now you are a new listener, and you can carry our words back to the Jungle-People. Then they may notice us in the future. So we will tell you all about our most excellent selves.” Mowgli did not object. Hundreds and hundreds of monkeys gathered on the terrace to listen to their own speakers praise the Bandar-log. Whenever a speaker ran out of breath, they all shouted together: “This is true. We all say so.” Mowgli nodded and blinked and said “Yes” when they asked him a question. His head spun from the noise. “Tabaqui the Jackal must have bitten all these people,” he said to himself, “and now they are mad. This is certainly dewanee, the madness. Do they never go to sleep? Now a cloud is coming to cover the moon. If the cloud were big enough, I might try to run away in the darkness. But I am tired.”

That same cloud was being watched by two good friends in the ruined ditch below the city wall, for Bagheera and Kaa, knowing well how dangerous the Monkey-People were in large numbers, did not wish to run any risks. The monkeys never fight unless they are a hundred to one, and few in the jungle care for those odds.

Two good friends were watching that same cloud from the ruined ditch below the city wall. Bagheera and Kaa knew how dangerous the Monkey-People were in large numbers, so they did not want to take any risks. The monkeys never fight unless they outnumber their enemies a hundred to one, and few in the jungle like those odds.

“I will go to the west wall,” Kaa whispered, “and come down swiftly with the slope of the ground in my favor. They will not throw themselves upon my back in their hundreds, but—”

“I’ll go to the west wall,” Kaa whispered, “and come down quickly, using the slope to my advantage. They won’t jump onto my back by the hundreds, but...”

“I know it,” said Bagheera. “Would that Baloo were here, but we must do what we can. When that cloud covers the moon I shall go to the terrace. They hold some sort of council there over the boy.”

“I know it,” said Bagheera. “I wish Baloo were here, but we must do what we can. When that cloud covers the moon, I’ll go to the terrace. They’re holding some kind of meeting there about the boy.”

“Good hunting,” said Kaa grimly, and glided away to the west wall. That happened to be the least ruined of any, and the big snake was delayed awhile before he could find a way up the stones. The cloud hid the moon, and as Mowgli wondered what would come next he heard Bagheera’s light feet on the terrace. The Black Panther had raced up the slope almost without a sound and was striking—he knew better than to waste time in biting—right and left among the monkeys, who were seated round Mowgli in circles fifty and sixty deep. There was a howl of fright and rage, and then as Bagheera tripped on the rolling kicking bodies beneath him, a monkey shouted: “There is only one here! Kill him! Kill.” A scuffling mass of monkeys, biting, scratching, tearing, and pulling, closed over Bagheera, while five or six laid hold of Mowgli, dragged him up the wall of the summerhouse and pushed him through the hole of the broken dome. A man-trained boy would have been badly bruised, for the fall was a good fifteen feet, but Mowgli fell as Baloo had taught him to fall, and landed on his feet.

“Good hunting,” said Kaa grimly, and glided away to the west wall. It was the least ruined of the walls, and the big snake took a while to find a way up the stones. A cloud hid the moon. As Mowgli wondered what would happen next, he heard Bagheera’s light footsteps on the terrace. The Black Panther had raced up the slope almost silently and was striking at the monkeys on all sides. He knew better than to waste time biting. The monkeys were sitting in circles around Mowgli, fifty or sixty deep. They howled with fear and rage. Then Bagheera stumbled over the rolling, kicking bodies beneath him, and a monkey shouted: “There is only one here! Kill him! Kill!” A struggling mass of monkeys closed over Bagheera, biting, scratching, tearing, and pulling. Meanwhile, five or six monkeys grabbed Mowgli, dragged him up the wall of the summerhouse, and pushed him through the hole in its broken dome. A boy raised by humans would have been badly bruised, because the fall was a good fifteen feet. But Mowgli fell as Baloo had taught him to and landed on his feet.

“Stay there,” shouted the monkeys, “till we have killed thy friends, and later we will play with thee—if the Poison-People leave thee alive.”

“Stay there,” shouted the monkeys, “until we have killed your friends. Then we will play with you, if the Poison-People leave you alive.”

“We be of one blood, ye and I,” said Mowgli, quickly giving the Snake’s Call. He could hear rustling and hissing in the rubbish all round him and gave the Call a second time, to make sure.

“We are of one blood, you and I,” said Mowgli, quickly giving the Snake’s Call. He heard rustling and hissing in the rubbish all around him. He gave the Call a second time to make sure.

“Even ssso! Down hoods all!” said half a dozen low voices (every ruin in India becomes sooner or later a dwelling place of snakes, and the old summerhouse was alive with cobras). “Stand still, Little Brother, for thy feet may do us harm.”

“Exactly ssso! All hoods down!” said half a dozen quiet voices. (Every ruin in India sooner or later becomes a home for snakes, and the old summerhouse was full of cobras.) “Stand still, Little Brother. Your feet may hurt us.”

Mowgli stood as quietly as he could, peering through the open work and listening to the furious din of the fight round the Black Panther—the yells and chatterings and scufflings, and Bagheera’s deep, hoarse cough as he backed and bucked and twisted and plunged under the heaps of his enemies. For the first time since he was born, Bagheera was fighting for his life.

Mowgli stood as still as he could, peering through the openings. He listened to the furious noise of the fight around the Black Panther. There were yells, chatter, and scuffling, and Bagheera’s deep, hoarse cough. The panther backed away, bucked, twisted, and lunged beneath the heaps of his enemies. For the first time since he was born, Bagheera was fighting for his life.

“Baloo must be at hand; Bagheera would not have come alone,” Mowgli thought. And then he called aloud: “To the tank, Bagheera. Roll to the water tanks. Roll and plunge! Get to the water!”

“Baloo must be nearby. Bagheera would not have come alone,” Mowgli thought. Then he called out: “To the tank, Bagheera. Roll to the water tanks. Roll and jump in! Get to the water!”

Bagheera heard, and the cry that told him Mowgli was safe gave him new courage. He worked his way desperately, inch by inch, straight for the reservoirs, halting in silence. Then from the ruined wall nearest the jungle rose up the rumbling war-shout of Baloo. The old Bear had done his best, but he could not come before. “Bagheera,” he shouted, “I am here. I climb! I haste! Ahuwora! The stones slip under my feet! Wait my coming, O most infamous Bandar-log!” He panted up the terrace only to disappear to the head in a wave of monkeys, but he threw himself squarely on his haunches, and, spreading out his forepaws, hugged as many as he could hold, and then began to hit with a regular bat-bat-bat, like the flipping strokes of a paddle wheel. A crash and a splash told Mowgli that Bagheera had fought his way to the tank where the monkeys could not follow. The Panther lay gasping for breath, his head just out of the water, while the monkeys stood three deep on the red steps, dancing up and down with rage, ready to spring upon him from all sides if he came out to help Baloo. It was then that Bagheera lifted up his dripping chin, and in despair gave the Snake’s Call for protection—“We be of one blood, ye and I”—for he believed that Kaa had turned tail at the last minute. Even Baloo, half smothered under the monkeys on the edge of the terrace, could not help chuckling as he heard the Black Panther asking for help.

Bagheera heard the cry that told him Mowgli was safe, and it gave him new courage. He struggled desperately, inch by inch, straight toward the reservoirs, stopping in silence. Then Baloo's rumbling war cry rose from the ruined wall nearest the jungle. The old Bear had done his best, but he could not have arrived sooner. “Bagheera,” he shouted, “I am here. I'm climbing! I'm hurrying! Ahuwora! The stones are slipping under my feet! Wait until I get there, you most infamous Bandar-log!” He panted up the terrace, only to disappear up to his head in a wave of monkeys. But he sat squarely on his haunches and spread out his front paws. He hugged as many monkeys as he could hold, then began to strike them with a steady bat-bat-bat, like the turning blades of a paddle wheel. A crash and a splash told Mowgli that Bagheera had fought his way to the tank, where the monkeys could not follow. The Panther lay gasping for breath, with just his head above the water. The monkeys stood three deep on the red steps, dancing up and down in rage. They were ready to leap on him from all sides if he came out to help Baloo. Then Bagheera lifted his dripping chin and, in despair, gave the Snake's Call for protection: “We are of one blood, you and I.” He believed that Kaa had turned and fled at the last minute. Even Baloo, half smothered under the monkeys at the edge of the terrace, could not help chuckling when he heard the Black Panther asking for help.

Kaa had only just worked his way over the west wall, landing with a wrench that dislodged a coping stone into the ditch. He had no intention of losing any advantage of the ground, and coiled and uncoiled himself once or twice, to be sure that every foot of his long body was in working order. All that while the fight with Baloo went on, and the monkeys yelled in the tank round Bagheera, and Mang the Bat, flying to and fro, carried the news of the great battle over the jungle, till even Hathi the Wild Elephant trumpeted, and, far away, scattered bands of the Monkey-Folk woke and came leaping along the tree-roads to help their comrades in the Cold Lairs, and the noise of the fight roused all the day birds for miles round. Then Kaa came straight, quickly, and anxious to kill. The fighting strength of a python is in the driving blow of his head backed by all the strength and weight of his body. If you can imagine a lance, or a battering ram, or a hammer weighing nearly half a ton driven by a cool, quiet mind living in the handle of it, you can roughly imagine what Kaa was like when he fought. A python four or five feet long can knock a man down if he hits him fairly in the chest, and Kaa was thirty feet long, as you know. His first stroke was delivered into the heart of the crowd round Baloo. It was sent home with shut mouth in silence, and there was no need of a second. The monkeys scattered with cries of—“Kaa! It is Kaa! Run! Run!”

Kaa had only just climbed over the west wall. He landed with a twist that knocked a coping stone into the ditch. He had no intention of giving up any advantage the ground offered. So he coiled and uncoiled once or twice, making sure every foot of his long body was ready to work. All the while, Baloo kept fighting, and the monkeys yelled in the tank around Bagheera. Mang the Bat flew back and forth, carrying news of the great battle across the jungle. Even Hathi the Wild Elephant trumpeted. Far away, scattered bands of the Monkey-Folk woke and came leaping along the tree-roads to help their comrades in the Cold Lairs. The noise of the fight woke all the day birds for miles around. Then Kaa came straight at the monkeys, fast and eager to kill. A python fights by striking with his head, driving the blow with the full strength and weight of his body. Imagine a lance, a battering ram, or a hammer weighing nearly half a ton. Now imagine it driven by a cool, quiet mind living in its handle. That gives you a rough idea of what Kaa was like when he fought. A python four or five feet long can knock a man down if he hits him squarely in the chest. And Kaa was thirty feet long, as you know. His first blow struck the heart of the crowd around Baloo. He struck silently, with his mouth shut, and there was no need for a second blow. The monkeys scattered, crying, “Kaa! It is Kaa! Run! Run!”

Generations of monkeys had been scared into good behavior by the stories their elders told them of Kaa, the night thief, who could slip along the branches as quietly as moss grows, and steal away the strongest monkey that ever lived; of old Kaa, who could make himself look so like a dead branch or a rotten stump that the wisest were deceived, till the branch caught them. Kaa was everything that the monkeys feared in the jungle, for none of them knew the limits of his power, none of them could look him in the face, and none had ever come alive out of his hug. And so they ran, stammering with terror, to the walls and the roofs of the houses, and Baloo drew a deep breath of relief. His fur was much thicker than Bagheera’s, but he had suffered sorely in the fight. Then Kaa opened his mouth for the first time and spoke one long hissing word, and the far-away monkeys, hurrying to the defense of the Cold Lairs, stayed where they were, cowering, till the loaded branches bent and crackled under them. The monkeys on the walls and the empty houses stopped their cries, and in the stillness that fell upon the city Mowgli heard Bagheera shaking his wet sides as he came up from the tank. Then the clamor broke out again. The monkeys leaped higher up the walls. They clung around the necks of the big stone idols and shrieked as they skipped along the battlements, while Mowgli, dancing in the summerhouse, put his eye to the screenwork and hooted owl-fashion between his front teeth, to show his derision and contempt.

For generations, monkeys had behaved out of fear of the stories their elders told them about Kaa. He was the night thief, who could slip along branches as quietly as moss grows. He could steal away the strongest monkey that ever lived. Old Kaa could make himself look just like a dead branch or a rotten stump. Even the wisest monkeys were fooled, until the branch caught them. Kaa was everything the monkeys feared in the jungle. None of them knew the limits of his power. None could look him in the face, and none had ever come out of his embrace alive. So the monkeys ran to the walls and roofs of the houses, stammering with terror. Baloo took a deep breath of relief. His fur was much thicker than Bagheera’s, but he had suffered badly in the fight. Then Kaa opened his mouth for the first time and spoke one long, hissing word. Far away, monkeys were hurrying to defend the Cold Lairs. They stopped where they were and cowered, until the crowded branches bent and crackled under their weight. The monkeys on the walls and the empty houses stopped crying out. In the silence that fell over the city, Mowgli heard Bagheera shaking his wet sides as he came up from the tank. Then the noise broke out again. The monkeys leaped higher up the walls. They clung around the necks of the big stone idols and shrieked as they skipped along the battlements. Meanwhile, Mowgli danced in the summerhouse. He put his eye to the screenwork and hooted like an owl through his front teeth, mocking them with contempt.

“Get the man-cub out of that trap; I can do no more,” Bagheera gasped. “Let us take the man-cub and go. They may attack again.”

“Get the man-cub out of that trap. I can’t do any more,” Bagheera gasped. “Let’s take the man-cub and go. They may attack again.”

“They will not move till I order them. Stay you sssso!” Kaa hissed, and the city was silent once more. “I could not come before, Brother, but I think I heard thee call”—this was to Bagheera.

“They won’t move until I order them to. Stay just like that!” Kaa hissed, and the city fell silent again. “I couldn’t come sooner, Brother, but I think I heard you call,” he said to Bagheera.

“I—I may have cried out in the battle,” Bagheera answered. “Baloo, art thou hurt?

“I, I may have cried out during the battle,” Bagheera answered. “Baloo, are you hurt?

“I am not sure that they did not pull me into a hundred little bearlings,” said Baloo, gravely shaking one leg after the other. “Wow! I am sore. Kaa, we owe thee, I think, our lives—Bagheera and I.”

“I’m not sure they didn’t pull me into a hundred little bears,” said Baloo, gravely shaking one leg after another. “Wow! I’m sore. Kaa, I think Bagheera and I owe you our lives.”

“No matter. Where is the manling?”

“Never mind. Where is the manling?”

“Here, in a trap. I cannot climb out,” cried Mowgli. The curve of the broken dome was above his head.

“Here, in a trap. I can’t climb out,” cried Mowgli. The curved edge of the broken dome was above his head.

“Take him away. He dances like Mao the Peacock. He will crush our young,” said the cobras inside.

“Take him away. He dances like Mao the Peacock. He will crush our young,” said the cobras inside.

“Hah!” said Kaa with a chuckle, “he has friends everywhere, this manling. Stand back, manling. And hide you, O Poison People. I break down the wall.”

“Hah!” Kaa chuckled. “This manling has friends everywhere. Stand back, manling. And hide yourselves, Poison People. I’ll break down the wall.”

Kaa looked carefully till he found a discolored crack in the marble tracery showing a weak spot, made two or three light taps with his head to get the distance, and then lifting up six feet of his body clear of the ground, sent home half a dozen full-power smashing blows, nose-first. The screen-work broke and fell away in a cloud of dust and rubbish, and Mowgli leaped through the opening and flung himself between Baloo and Bagheera—an arm around each big neck.

Kaa looked carefully until he found a discolored crack in the decorative marble screen. It showed a weak spot. He tapped it lightly with his head two or three times to judge the distance. Then he raised six feet of his body off the ground and struck the screen six crushing blows with his nose. The screen broke and fell away in a cloud of dust and debris. Mowgli leaped through the opening and flung himself between Baloo and Bagheera, with an arm around each big neck.

“Art thou hurt?” said Baloo, hugging him softly.

“Are you hurt?” said Baloo, hugging him gently.

“I am sore, hungry, and not a little bruised. But, oh, they have handled ye grievously, my Brothers! Ye bleed.”

“I am sore, hungry, and quite bruised. But, oh, they have hurt you terribly, my brothers! You are bleeding.”

“Others also,” said Bagheera, licking his lips and looking at the monkey-dead on the terrace and round the tank.

“Others too,” said Bagheera, licking his lips and looking at the dead monkeys on the terrace and around the tank.

“It is nothing, it is nothing, if thou art safe, oh, my pride of all little frogs!” whimpered Baloo.

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing, if you’re safe, oh, my pride of all little frogs!” whimpered Baloo.

“Of that we shall judge later,” said Bagheera, in a dry voice that Mowgli did not at all like. “But here is Kaa to whom we owe the battle and thou owest thy life. Thank him according to our customs, Mowgli.”

“We’ll judge that later,” said Bagheera in a dry voice that Mowgli did not like at all. “But here is Kaa. We owe him the battle, and you owe him your life. Thank him according to our customs, Mowgli.”

Mowgli turned and saw the great Python’s head swaying a foot above his own.

Mowgli turned and saw the great Python’s head swaying a foot above his own.

“So this is the manling,” said Kaa. “Very soft is his skin, and he is not unlike the Bandar-log. Have a care, manling, that I do not mistake thee for a monkey some twilight when I have newly changed my coat.”

“So this is the manling,” said Kaa. “His skin is very soft, and he looks rather like the Bandar-log. Be careful, manling. I might mistake you for a monkey one twilight, when I have just shed my skin.”

“We be one blood, thou and I,” Mowgli answered. “I take my life from thee tonight. My kill shall be thy kill if ever thou art hungry, O Kaa.”

“We are of one blood, you and I,” Mowgli answered. “I owe you my life tonight. If you are ever hungry, Kaa, my kill will be yours.”

“All thanks, Little Brother,” said Kaa, though his eyes twinkled. “And what may so bold a hunter kill? I ask that I may follow when next he goes abroad.”

“Thank you very much, Little Brother,” said Kaa, though his eyes twinkled. “And what might such a bold hunter kill? I ask so that I can follow him the next time he goes out.”

“I kill nothing,—I am too little,—but I drive goats toward such as can use them. When thou art empty come to me and see if I speak the truth. I have some skill in these [he held out his hands], and if ever thou art in a trap, I may pay the debt which I owe to thee, to Bagheera, and to Baloo, here. Good hunting to ye all, my masters.”

“I kill nothing because I am too small. But I drive goats toward those who can use them. When you are hungry, come to me and see if I am telling the truth. I have some skill with these.” [He held out his hands.] “If you are ever caught in a trap, I may repay the debt I owe to you, Bagheera, and Baloo here. Good hunting to you all, my masters.”

“Well said,” growled Baloo, for Mowgli had returned thanks very prettily. The Python dropped his head lightly for a minute on Mowgli’s shoulder. “A brave heart and a courteous tongue,” said he. “They shall carry thee far through the jungle, manling. But now go hence quickly with thy friends. Go and sleep, for the moon sets, and what follows it is not well that thou shouldst see.”

“Well said,” growled Baloo, because Mowgli had given his thanks very graciously. The Python gently rested his head on Mowgli’s shoulder for a moment. “A brave heart and a polite tongue,” he said. “They will carry you far through the jungle, manling. But now go quickly with your friends. Go and sleep, for the moon is setting, and you should not see what follows it.”

The moon was sinking behind the hills and the lines of trembling monkeys huddled together on the walls and battlements looked like ragged shaky fringes of things. Baloo went down to the tank for a drink and Bagheera began to put his fur in order, as Kaa glided out into the center of the terrace and brought his jaws together with a ringing snap that drew all the monkeys’ eyes upon him.

The moon was sinking behind the hills. Lines of trembling monkeys huddled on the walls and battlements, looking like ragged, shaky fringes. Baloo went down to the tank for a drink, and Bagheera began to smooth his fur. Meanwhile, Kaa glided into the center of the terrace and snapped his jaws shut with a ringing sound. All the monkeys turned to look at him.

“The moon sets,” he said. “Is there yet light enough to see?”

“The moon is setting,” he said. “Is there still enough light to see?”

From the walls came a moan like the wind in the tree-tops—“We see, O Kaa.”

A moan came from the walls, like the wind in the treetops: “We see, Kaa.”

“Good. Begins now the dance—the Dance of the Hunger of Kaa. Sit still and watch.”

“Good. Now the dance begins, the Dance of the Hunger of Kaa. Sit still and watch.”

He turned twice or thrice in a big circle, weaving his head from right to left. Then he began making loops and figures of eight with his body, and soft, oozy triangles that melted into squares and five-sided figures, and coiled mounds, never resting, never hurrying, and never stopping his low humming song. It grew darker and darker, till at last the dragging, shifting coils disappeared, but they could hear the rustle of the scales.

He turned in a large circle two or three times, weaving his head from side to side. Then he made loops and figure eights with his body. He formed soft, flowing triangles that melted into squares and five-sided shapes, and then into coiled mounds. He never rested or hurried, and he never stopped his low humming song. It grew darker and darker. At last, his dragging, shifting coils disappeared, but they could still hear the rustle of his scales.

Baloo and Bagheera stood still as stone, growling in their throats, their neck hair bristling, and Mowgli watched and wondered.

Baloo and Bagheera stood as still as stone. They growled deep in their throats, the hair on their necks bristling. Mowgli watched and wondered.

“Bandar-log,” said the voice of Kaa at last, “can ye stir foot or hand without my order? Speak!”

“Bandar-log,” Kaa said at last, “can you move a foot or hand without my order? Speak!”

“Without thy order we cannot stir foot or hand, O Kaa!”

“Without your order, we cannot move a foot or a hand, Kaa!”

“Good! Come all one pace nearer to me.”

“Good! Everyone, take one step closer to me.”

The lines of the monkeys swayed forward helplessly, and Baloo and Bagheera took one stiff step forward with them.

The rows of monkeys swayed forward helplessly. Baloo and Bagheera took one stiff step forward with them.

“Nearer!” hissed Kaa, and they all moved again.

“Closer!” hissed Kaa, and they all moved again.

Mowgli laid his hands on Baloo and Bagheera to get them away, and the two great beasts started as though they had been waked from a dream.

Mowgli put his hands on Baloo and Bagheera to move them away. The two great beasts startled, as if they had been awakened from a dream.

“Keep thy hand on my shoulder,” Bagheera whispered. “Keep it there, or I must go back—must go back to Kaa. Aah!”

“Keep your hand on my shoulder,” Bagheera whispered. “Keep it there, or I must go back. I must go back to Kaa. Aah!”

“It is only old Kaa making circles on the dust,” said Mowgli. “Let us go.” And the three slipped off through a gap in the walls to the jungle.

“It’s only old Kaa making circles in the dust,” said Mowgli. “Let’s go.” The three slipped through a gap in the walls and into the jungle.

“Whoof!” said Baloo, when he stood under the still trees again. “Never more will I make an ally of Kaa,” and he shook himself all over.

“Whoof!” said Baloo, when he stood under the still trees again. “I’ll never be Kaa’s ally again.” He shook himself all over.

“He knows more than we,” said Bagheera, trembling. “In a little time, had I stayed, I should have walked down his throat.”

“He knows more than we do,” said Bagheera, trembling. “If I had stayed, I would soon have walked down his throat.”

“Many will walk by that road before the moon rises again,” said Baloo. “He will have good hunting—after his own fashion.”

“Many will walk along that road before the moon rises again,” said Baloo. “He will have good hunting, in his own way.”

“But what was the meaning of it all?” said Mowgli, who did not know anything of a python’s powers of fascination. “I saw no more than a big snake making foolish circles till the dark came. And his nose was all sore. Ho! Ho!”

“But what did it all mean?” said Mowgli. He knew nothing about a python’s power to hypnotize. “All I saw was a big snake making silly circles until it got dark. And his nose was all sore. Ho! Ho!”

“Mowgli,” said Bagheera angrily, “his nose was sore on thy account, as my ears and sides and paws, and Baloo’s neck and shoulders are bitten on thy account. Neither Baloo nor Bagheera will be able to hunt with pleasure for many days.”

“Mowgli,” said Bagheera angrily, “his nose was sore because of you. And because of you, my ears, sides, and paws are bitten, as are Baloo’s neck and shoulders. Neither Baloo nor Bagheera will be able to enjoy hunting for many days.”

“It is nothing,” said Baloo; “we have the man-cub again.”

“It’s nothing,” said Baloo. “We have the man-cub again.”

“True, but he has cost us heavily in time which might have been spent in good hunting, in wounds, in hair—I am half plucked along my back—and last of all, in honor. For, remember, Mowgli, I, who am the Black Panther, was forced to call upon Kaa for protection, and Baloo and I were both made stupid as little birds by the Hunger Dance. All this, man-cub, came of thy playing with the Bandar-log.”

“True, but he has cost us a lot. We lost time we could have spent hunting well, and we suffered wounds and lost hair. Half the hair on my back has been plucked out. And finally, he cost us our honor. Remember, Mowgli, I am the Black Panther, yet I had to call on Kaa for protection. And the Hunger Dance made both Baloo and me as stupid as little birds. All this, man-cub, came from your playing with the Bandar-log.”

“True, it is true,” said Mowgli sorrowfully. “I am an evil man-cub, and my stomach is sad in me.”

“It’s true, it’s true,” said Mowgli sadly. “I am an evil man-cub, and I feel sad in my stomach.”

“Mf! What says the Law of the Jungle, Baloo?”

“Mf! What does the Law of the Jungle say, Baloo?”

Baloo did not wish to bring Mowgli into any more trouble, but he could not tamper with the Law, so he mumbled: “Sorrow never stays punishment. But remember, Bagheera, he is very little.”

Baloo did not want to get Mowgli into more trouble, but he could not change the Law. So he mumbled, “Being sorry never stops punishment. But remember, Bagheera, he is very little.”

“I will remember. But he has done mischief, and blows must be dealt now. Mowgli, hast thou anything to say?”

“I will remember. But he has caused trouble, and blows must be given now. Mowgli, do you have anything to say?”

“Nothing. I did wrong. Baloo and thou are wounded. It is just.”

“Nothing. I did wrong. Baloo and you are hurt. It is fair.”

Bagheera gave him half a dozen love-taps from a panther’s point of view (they would hardly have waked one of his own cubs), but for a seven-year-old boy they amounted to as severe a beating as you could wish to avoid. When it was all over Mowgli sneezed, and picked himself up without a word.

Bagheera gave him half a dozen love taps, at least from a panther’s point of view. The taps would hardly have woken one of his own cubs. But for a seven-year-old boy, they were as severe a beating as anyone would want to avoid. When it was all over, Mowgli sneezed and picked himself up without a word.

“Now,” said Bagheera, “jump on my back, Little Brother, and we will go home.”

“Now,” said Bagheera, “jump on my back, Little Brother, and we’ll go home.”

One of the beauties of Jungle Law is that punishment settles all scores. There is no nagging afterward.

One good thing about Jungle Law is that punishment settles all scores. There is no nagging afterward.

Mowgli laid his head down on Bagheera’s back and slept so deeply that he never waked when he was put down in the home-cave.

Mowgli rested his head on Bagheera’s back and fell fast asleep. He slept so deeply that he didn’t wake when he was put down in the home-cave.