Thiswashuntingonascalethatimpressedhim。
　　"Thereandlowerdowntheydid。Iwentnofarther，butthatgavemethreeinoneday——well-fedmanjis（boatmen）all，and，exceptinthecaseofthelast（thenIwascareless），neveracrytowarnthoseonthebank。"
　　"Ah，noblesport！Butwhatclevernessandgreatjudgmentitrequires！"saidtheJackal。
　　"Notcleverness，child，butonlythought。Alittlethoughtinlifeislikesaltuponrice，astheboatmensay，andIhavethoughtdeeplyalways。TheGavial，mycousin，thefish-eater，hastoldmehowharditisforhimtofollowhisfish，andhowonefishdiffersfromtheother，andhowhemustknowthemall，bothtogetherandapart。Isaythatiswisdom；but，ontheotherhand，mycousin，theGavial，livesamonghispeople。MYpeopledonotswimincompanies，withtheirmouthsoutofthewater，asRewadoes；nordotheyconstantlyrisetothesurfaceofthewater，andturnoverontheirsides，likeMohooandlittleChapta；nordotheygatherinshoalsafterflood，likeBatchuaandChilwa。"
　　"Allareverygoodeating，"saidtheAdjutant，clatteringhisbeak。
　　"Somycousinsays，andmakesagreatto-dooverhuntingthem，buttheydonotclimbthebankstoescapehissharpnose。
　　MYpeopleareotherwise。Theirlifeisontheland，inthehouses，amongthecattle。Imustknowwhattheydo，andwhattheyareabouttodo；andaddingthetailtothetrunk，asthesayingis，Imakeupthewholeelephant。Isthereagreenbranchandanironringhangingoveradoorway？TheoldMuggerknowsthataboyhasbeenborninthathouse，andmustsomedaycomedowntotheGhauttoplay。Isamaidentobemarried？
　　TheoldMuggerknows，forheseesthemencarrygiftsbackandforth；andshe，too，comesdowntotheGhauttobathebeforeherwedding，and——heisthere。Hastheriverchangeditschannel，andmadenewlandwheretherewasonlysandbefore？
　　TheMuggerknows。"
　　"Now，ofwhatuseisthatknowledge？"saidtheJackal。
　　"Theriverhasshiftedeveninmylittlelife。"Indianriversarenearlyalwaysmovingaboutintheirbeds，andwillshift，sometimes，asmuchastwoorthreemilesinaseason，drowningthefieldsononebank，andspreadinggoodsiltontheother。
　　"Thereisnoknowledgesouseful，"saidtheMugger，"fornewlandmeansnewquarrels。TheMuggerknows。Oho！theMuggerknows。Assoonasthewaterhasdrainedoff，hecreepsupthelittlecreeksthatmenthinkwouldnothideadog，andtherehewaits。Presentlycomesafarmersayinghewillplantcucumbershere，andmelonsthere，inthenewlandthattheriverhasgivenhim。Hefeelsthegoodmudwithhisbaretoes。Anoncomesanother，sayinghewillputonions，andcarrots，andsugar-caneinsuchandsuchplaces。Theymeetasboatsadriftmeet，andeachrollshiseyeattheotherunderthebigblueturban。
　　TheoldMuggerseesandhears。Eachcallstheother"Brother，"
　　andtheygotomarkouttheboundariesofthenewland。
　　TheMuggerhurrieswiththemfrompointtopoint，shufflingverylowthroughthemud。Nowtheybegintoquarrel！Nowtheysayhotwords！Nowtheypullturbans！Nowtheyliftuptheirlathis（clubs），and，atlast，onefallsbackwardintothemud，andtheotherrunsaway。Whenhecomesbackthedisputeissettled，astheiron-boundbamboooftheloserwitnesses。YettheyarenotgratefultotheMugger。No，theycry"Murder！"andtheirfamiliesfightwithsticks，twentya-side。Mypeoplearegoodpeople——uplandJats——MalwaisoftheBet。Theydonotgiveblowsforsport，and，whenthefightisdone，theoldMuggerwaitsfardowntheriver，outofsightofthevillage，behindthekikar-scrubyonder。Thencometheydown，mybroad-shoulderedJats——eightorninetogetherunderthestars，bearingthedeadmanuponabed。Theyareoldmenwithgraybeards，andvoicesasdeepasmine。Theylightalittlefire——ah！howwellIknowthatfire！——andtheydrinktobacco，andtheynodtheirheadstogetherforwardinaring，orsidewaystowardthedeadmanuponthebank。TheysaytheEnglishLawwillcomewitharopeforthismatter，andthatsuchaman"sfamilywillbeashamed，becausesuchamanmustbehangedinthegreatsquareoftheJail。
　　Thensaythefriendsofthedead，"Lethimhang！"andthetalkisalltodooveragain——once，twice，twentytimesinthelongnight。Thensaysone，atlast，"Thefightwasafairfight。
　　Letustakeblood-money，alittlemorethanisofferedbytheslayer，andwewillsaynomoreaboutit。"Thendotheyhaggleovertheblood-money，forthedeadwasastrongman，leavingmanysons。Yetbeforeamratvela（sunrise）theyputthefiretohimalittle，asthecustomis，andthedeadmancomestome，andHEsaysnomoreaboutit。Aha！mychildren，theMuggerknows——theMuggerknows——andmyMalwahJatsareagoodpeople！"
　　"Theyaretooclose——toonarrowinthehandformycrop，"
　　croakedtheAdjutant。"Theywastenotthepolishonthecow"shorn，asthesayingis；and，again，whocangleanafteraMalwai？"
　　"Ah，I——glean——THEM，"saidtheMugger。
　　"Now，inCalcuttaoftheSouth，intheolddays，"theAdjutantwenton，"everythingwasthrownintothestreets，andwepickedandchose。Thoseworedaintyseasons。Butto-daytheykeeptheirstreetsascleanastheoutsideofanegg，andmypeopleflyaway。Tobecleanisonething；todust，sweep，andsprinkleseventimesadayweariestheveryGodsthemselves。"
　　"Therewasadown-countryjackalhaditfromabrother，whotoldme，thatinCalcuttaoftheSouthallthejackalswereasfatasottersintheRains，"saidtheJackal，hismouthwateringatthebarethoughtofit。
　　"Ah，butthewhite-facesarethere——theEnglish，andtheybringdogsfromsomewheredowntheriverinboats——bigfatdogs——tokeepthosesamejackalslean，"saidtheAdjutant。
　　"Theyare，then，ashard-heartedasthesepeople？Imighthaveknown。Neitherearth，sky，norwatershowscharitytoajackal。
　　Isawthetentsofawhite-facelastseason，aftertheRains，andIalsotookanewyellowbridletoeat。Thewhite-facesdonotdresstheirleatherintheproperway。Itmademeverysick。"
　　"Thatwasbetterthanmycase，"saidtheAdjutant。"WhenIwasinmythirdseason，ayoungandaboldbird，Iwentdowntotheriverwherethebigboatscomein。TheboatsoftheEnglisharethriceasbigasthisvillage。"
　　"HehasbeenasfarasDelhi，andsaysallthepeopletherewalkontheirheads，"mutteredtheJackal。TheMuggeropenedhislefteye，andlookedkeenlyattheAdjutant。
　　"Itistrue，"thebigbirdinsisted。"Aliaronlylieswhenhehopestobebelieved。NoonewhohadnotseenthoseboatsCOULD
　　believethistruth。"
　　"THATismorereasonable，"saidtheMugger。"Andthen？"
　　"Fromtheinsidesofthisboattheyweretakingoutgreatpiecesofwhitestuff，which，inalittlewhile，turnedtowater。
　　Muchsplitoff，andfellaboutontheshore，andtheresttheyswiftlyputintoahousewiththickwalls。Butaboatman，wholaughed，tookapiecenolargerthanasmalldog，andthrewittome。I——allmypeople——swallowwithoutreflection，andthatpieceIswallowedasisourcustom。ImmediatelyIwasafflictedwithanexcessivecoldwhich，beginninginmycrop，randowntotheextremeendofmytoes，anddeprivedmeevenofspeech，whiletheboatmenlaughedatme。NeverhaveIfeltsuchcold。
　　IdancedinmygriefandamazementtillIcouldrecovermybreathandthenIdancedandcriedoutagainstthefalsenessofthisworld；andtheboatmenderidedmetilltheyfelldown。
　　Thechiefwonderofthematter，settingasidethatmarvellouscoldness，wasthattherewasnothingatallinmycropwhenI
　　hadfinishedmylamentings！"
　　TheAdjutanthaddonehisverybesttodescribehisfeelingsafterswallowingaseven-poundlumpofWenhamLakeice，offanAmericanice-ship，inthedaysbeforeCalcuttamadehericebymachinery；butashedidnotknowwhaticewas，andastheMuggerandtheJackalknewratherless，thetalemissedfire。
　　"Anything，"saidtheMugger，shuttinghislefteyeagain——
　　"ANYTHINGispossiblethatcomesoutofaboatthricethesizeofMugger-Ghaut。Myvillageisnotasmallone。"
　　Therewasawhistleoverheadonthebridge，andtheDelhiMailslidacross，allthecarriagesgleamingwithlight，andtheshadowsfaithfullyfollowingalongtheriver。Itclankedawayintothedarkagain；buttheMuggerandtheJackalweresowellusedtoitthattheyneverturnedtheirheads。
　　"IsthatanythinglesswonderfulthanaboatthricethesizeofMugger-Ghaut？"saidthebird，lookingup。
　　"Isawthatbuilt，child。StonebystoneIsawthebridge-piersrise，andwhenthemenfelloff（theywerewondroussure-footedforthemostpart——butWHENtheyfell）Iwasready。Afterthefirstpierwasmadetheyneverthoughttolookdownthestreamforthebodytoburn。There，again，Isavedmuchtrouble。
　　Therewasnothingstrangeinthebuildingofthebridge，"saidtheMugger。
　　"Butthatwhichgoesacross，pullingtheroofedcarts！Thatisstrange，"theAdjutantrepeated。"Itis，pastanydoubt，anewbreedofbullock。Somedayitwillnotbeabletokeepitsfootholdupyonder，andwillfallasthemendid。TheoldMuggerwillthenbeready。"
　　TheJackallookedattheAdjutantandtheAdjutantlookedattheJackal。Iftherewasonethingtheyweremorecertainofthananother，itwasthattheenginewaseverythinginthewideworldexceptabullock。TheJackalhadwatchedittimeandagainfromthealoehedgesbythesideoftheline，andtheAdjutanthadseenenginessincethefirstlocomotiveraninIndia。ButtheMuggerhadonlylookedupatthethingfrombelow，wherethebrassdomeseemedratherlikeabullock"shump。
　　"M——yes，anewkindofbullock，"theMuggerrepeatedponderously，tomakehimselfquitesureinhisownmind；
　　and"Certainlyitisabullock，"saidtheJackal。
　　"Andagainitmightbe————"begantheMuggerpettishly。
　　"Certainly——mostcertainly，"saidtheJackal，withoutwaitingfortheothertofinish。
　　"What？"saidtheMuggerangrily，forhecouldfeelthattheothersknewmorethanhedid。"Whatmightitbe？_I_neverfinishedmywords。Yousaiditwasabullock。"
　　"ItisanythingtheProtectorofthePoorpleases。IamHIS
　　servant——nottheservantofthethingthatcrossestheriver。"
　　"Whateveritis，itiswhite-facework，"saidtheAdjutant；
　　"andformyownpart，Iwouldnotlieoutuponaplacesoneartoitasthisbar。"
　　"YoudonotknowtheEnglishasIdo，"saidtheMugger。"Therewasawhite-faceherewhenthebridgewasbuilt，andhewouldtakeaboatintheeveningsandshufflewithhisfeetonthebottom-boards，andwhisper："Ishehere？Ishethere？Bringmemygun。"IcouldhearhimbeforeIcouldseehim——eachsoundthathemade——creakingandpuffingandrattlinghisgun，upanddowntheriver。AssurelyasIhadpickeduponeofhisworkmen，andthussavedgreatexpenseinwoodfortheburning，sosurelywouldhecomedowntotheGhaut，andshoutinaloudvoicethathewouldhuntme，andridtheriverofme——theMuggerofMugger-
　　Ghaut！ME！Children，Ihaveswumunderthebottomofhisboatforhourafterhour，andheardhimfirehisgunatlogs；andwhenIwaswellsurehewaswearied，Ihaverisenbyhissideandsnappedmyjawsinhisface。Whenthebridgewasfinishedhewentaway。AlltheEnglishhuntinthatfashion，exceptwhentheyarehunted。"
　　"Whohuntsthewhite-faces？"yappedtheJackalexcitedly。
　　"Noonenow，butIhavehuntedtheminmytime。"
　　"IrememberalittleofthatHunting。Iwasyoungthen，"saidtheAdjutant，clatteringhisbeaksignificantly。
　　"Iwaswellestablishedhere。Myvillagewasbeingbuildedforthethirdtime，asIremember，whenmycousin，theGavial，broughtmewordofrichwatersaboveBenares。AtfirstIwouldnotgo，formycousin，whoisafish-eater，doesnotalwaysknowthegoodfromthebad；butIheardmypeopletalkingintheevenings，andwhattheysaidmademecertain。"
　　"Andwhatdidtheysay？"theJackalasked。
　　"Theysaidenoughtomakeme，theMuggerofMugger-Ghaut，leavewaterandtaketomyfeet。Iwentbynight，usingthelittleststreamsastheyservedme；butitwasthebeginningofthehotweather，andallstreamswerelow。Icrosseddustyroads；Iwentthroughtallgrass；Iclimbedhillsinthemoonlight。EvenrocksdidIclimb，children——considerthiswell。
　　IcrossedthetailofSirhind，thewaterless，beforeIcouldfindthesetofthelittleriversthatflowGungaward。Iwasamonth"sjourneyfrommyownpeopleandtheriverthatIknew。
　　Thatwasverymarvellous！"
　　"Whatfoodontheway？"saidtheJackal，whokepthissoulinhislittlestomach，andwasnotabitimpressedbytheMugger"slandtravels。
　　"ThatwhichIcouldfind——COUSIN，"saidtheMuggerslowly，draggingeachword。
　　NowyoudonotcallamanacousininIndiaunlessyouthinkyoucanestablishsomekindofblood-relationship，andasitisonlyinoldfairy-talesthattheMuggerevermarriesajackal，theJackalknewforwhatreasonhehadbeensuddenlyliftedintotheMugger"sfamilycircle。Iftheyhadbeenalonehewouldnothavecared，buttheAdjutant"seyestwinkledwithmirthattheuglyjest。
　　"Assuredly，Father，Imighthaveknown，"saidtheJackal。
　　Amuggerdoesnotcaretobecalledafatherofjackals，andtheMuggerofMugger-Ghautsaidasmuch——andagreatdealmorewhichthereisnouseinrepeatinghere。
　　"TheProtectorofthePoorhasclaimedkinship。HowcanI
　　remembertheprecisedegree？Moreover，weeatthesamefood。
　　Hehassaidit，"wastheJackal"sreply。
　　Thatmademattersratherworse，forwhattheJackalhintedatwasthattheMuggermusthaveeatenhisfoodonthatland-marchfreshandfresheveryday，insteadofkeepingitbyhimtillitwasinafitandpropercondition，aseveryself-respectingmuggerandmostwildbeastsdowhentheycan。Indeed，oneoftheworsttermsofcontemptalongtheRiver-bedis"eateroffreshmeat。"Itisnearlyasbadascallingamanacannibal。
　　"Thatfoodwaseatenthirtyseasonsago，"saidtheAdjutantquietly。"Ifwetalkforthirtyseasonsmoreitwillnevercomeback。Tellus，now，whathappenedwhenthegoodwaterswerereachedafterthymostwonderfullandjourney。Ifwelistenedtothehowlingofeveryjackalthebusinessofthetownwouldstop，asthesayingis。
　　TheMuggermusthavebeengratefulfortheinterruption，becausehewenton，witharush：
　　"BytheRightandLeftofGunga！whenIcamethereneverdidI
　　seesuchwaters！"
　　"Weretheybetter，then，thanthebigfloodoflastseason？"
　　saidtheJackal。
　　"Better！Thatfloodwasnomorethancomeseveryfiveyears——
　　ahandfulofdrownedstrangers，somechickens，andadeadbullockinmuddywaterwithcross-currents。ButtheseasonIthinkof，theriverwaslow，smooth，andeven，and，astheGavialhadwarnedme，thedeadEnglishcamedown，touchingeachother。Igotmygirthinthatseason——mygirthandmydepth。
　　>FromAgra，byEtawahandthebroadwatersbyAllahabad————"
　　"Oh，theeddythatsetunderthewallsofthefortatAllahabad！"saidtheAdjutant。"Theycameintherelikewidgeontothereeds，androundandroundtheyswung——thus！"
　　Hewentoffintohishorribledanceagain，whiletheJackallookedonenviously。HenaturallycouldnotremembertheterribleyearoftheMutinytheyweretalkingabout。
　　TheMuggercontinued：
　　"Yes，byAllahabadonelaystillintheslack-waterandlettwentygobytopickone；and，aboveall，theEnglishwerenotcumberedwithjewelleryandnose-ringsandankletsasmywomenarenowadays。Todelightinornamentsistoendwitharopeforanecklace，asthesayingis。Allthemuggersofalltheriversgrewfatthen，butitwasmyFatetobefatterthanthemall。
　　ThenewswasthattheEnglishwerebeinghuntedintotherivers，andbytheRightandLeftofGunga！webelieveditwastrue。SofarasIwentsouthIbelievedittohetrue；
　　andIwentdown-streambeyondMonghyrandthetombsthatlookovertheriver。"
　　"Iknowthatplace，"saidtheAdjutant。"SincethosedaysMonghyrisalostcity。Veryfewlivetherenow。"
　　"ThereafterIworkedup-streamveryslowlyandlazily，andalittleaboveMonghyrtherecamedownaboatfulofwhite-faces——
　　alive！Theywere，asIremember，women，lyingunderaclothspreadoversticks，andcryingaloud。Therewasneveragunfiredatus，thewatchersofthefordsinthosedays。Allthegunswerebusyelsewhere。Wecouldhearthemdayandnightinland，comingandgoingasthewindshifted。Iroseupfullbeforetheboat，becauseIhadneverseenwhite-facesalive，thoughIknewthemwell——otherwise。Anakedwhitechildkneeledbythesideoftheboat，and，stoopingover，mustneedstrytotrailhishandsintheriver。Itisaprettythingtoseehowachildlovesrunningwater。Ihadfedthatday，buttherewasyetalittleunfilledspacewithinme。Still，itwasforsportandnotforfoodthatIroseatthechild"shands。TheyweresoclearamarkthatIdidnotevenlookwhenIclosed；buttheyweresosmallthatthoughmyjawsrangtrue——Iamsureofthat——
　　thechilddrewthemupswiftly，unhurt。Theymusthavepassedbetweentoothandtooth——thosesmallwhitehands。Ishouldhavecaughthimcross-wiseattheelbows；but，asIsaid，itwasonlyforsportanddesiretoseenewthingsthatIroseatall。
　　Theycriedoutoneafteranotherintheboat，andpresentlyIroseagaintowatchthem。Theboatwastooheavytopushover。
　　Theywereonlywomen，buthewhotrustsawomanwillwalkonduckweedinapool，asthesayingis：andbytheRightandLeftofGunga，thatistruth！"
　　"Onceawomangavemesomedriedskinfromafish，"saidtheJackal。"Ihadhopedtogetherbaby，buthorse-foodisbetterthanthekickofahorse，asthesayingis。Whatdidthywomando？"
　　"ShefiredatmewithashortgunofakindIhaveneverseenbeforeorsince。Fivetimes，oneafteranother"（theMuggermusthavemetwithanold-fashionedrevolver）；"andIstayedopen-
　　mouthedandgaping，myheadinthesmoke。NeverdidIseesuchathing。Fivetimes，asswiftlyasIwavemytail——thus！"
　　TheJackal，whohadbeengrowingmoreandmoreinterestedinthestory，hadjusttimetoleapbackasthehugetailswungbylikeascythe。
　　"Notbeforethefifthshot，"saidtheMugger，asthoughhehadneverdreamedofstunningoneofhislisteners——"notbeforethefifthshotdidIsink，andIroseintimetohearaboatmantellingallthosewhitewomenthatIwasmostcertainlydead。
　　Onebullethadgoneunderaneck-plateofmine。Iknownotifitistherestill，forthereasonIcannotturnmyhead。Lookandsee，child。Itwillshowthatmytaleistrue。"
　　"I？"saidtheJackal。"Shallaneaterofoldshoes，abone-
　　cracker，presume，todoubtthewordoftheEnvyoftheRiver？
　　Maymytailbebittenoffbyblindpuppiesiftheshadowofsuchathoughthascrossedmyhumblemind！TheProtectorofthePoorhascondescendedtoinformme，hisslave，thatonceinhislifehehasbeenwoundedbyawoman。Thatissufficient，andIwilltellthetaletoallmychildren，askingfornoproof。"
　　"Over-muchcivilityissometimesnobetterthanover-muchdiscourtesy，for，asthesayingis，onecanchokeaguestwithcurds。IdoNOTdesirethatanychildrenofthineshouldknowthattheMuggerofMugger-Ghauttookhisonlywoundfromawoman。Theywillhavemuchelsetothinkofiftheygettheirmeatasmiserablyasdoestheirfather。"
　　"Itisforgottenlongago！Itwasneversaid！Thereneverwasawhitewoman！Therewasnoboat！Nothingwhateverhappenedatall。"
　　TheJackalwavedhisbrushtoshowhowcompletelyeverythingwaswipedoutofhismemory，andsatdownwithanair。
　　"Indeed，verymanythingshappened，"saidtheMugger，beateninhissecondattemptthatnighttogetthebetterofhisfriend。
　　（Neitherboremalice，however。Eatandbeeatenwasfairlawalongtheriver，andtheJackalcameinforhisshareofplunderwhentheMuggerhadfinishedameal。）"Ileftthatboatandwentup-stream，and，whenIhadreachedArrahandtheback-watersbehindit，therewerenomoredeadEnglish。Theriverwasemptyforawhile。Thencameoneortwodead，inredcoats，notEnglish，butofonekindall——HindusandPurbeeahs——thenfiveandsixabreast，andatlast，fromArrahtotheNorthbeyondAgra，itwasasthoughwholevillageshadwalkedintothewater。
　　Theycameoutoflittlecreeksoneafteranother，asthelogscomedownintheRains。Whentheriverrosetheyrosealsoincompaniesfromtheshoalstheyhadrestedupon；andthefallingflooddraggedthemwithitacrossthefieldsandthroughtheJunglebythelonghair。Allnight，too，goingNorth，Iheardtheguns，andbydaytheshodfeetofmencrossingfords，andthatnoisewhichaheavycart-wheelmakesonsandunderwater；
　　andeveryripplebroughtmoredead。AtlastevenIwasafraid，forIsaid："Ifthisthinghappentomen，howshalltheMuggerofMugger-Ghautescape？"Therewereboats，too，thatcameupbehindmewithoutsails，burningcontinually，asthecotton-
　　boatssometimesburn，butneversinking。"
　　"Ah！"saidtheAdjutant。"BoatslikethosecometoCalcuttaoftheSouth。Theyaretallandblack，theybeatupthewaterbehindthemwithatail，andthey————"
　　"Arethriceasbigasmyvillage。MYboatswerelowandwhite；
　　theybeatupthewateroneithersideofthem"andwerenolargerthantheboatsofonewhospeakstruthshouldbe。
　　Theymademeveryafraid，andIleftwaterandwentbacktothismyriver，hidingbydayandwalkingbynight，whenIcouldnotfindlittlestreamstohelpme。Icametomyvillageagain，butIdidnothopetoseeanyofmypeoplethere。Yettheywereploughingandsowingandreaping，andgoingtoandfrointheirfields，asquietlyastheirowncattle。"
　　"Wastherestillgoodfoodintheriver？"saidtheJackal。
　　"MorethanIhadanydesirefor。EvenI——andIdonoteatmud——
　　evenIwastired，and，asIremember，alittlefrightenedofthisconstantcomingdownofthesilentones。IheardmypeoplesayinmyvillagethatalltheEnglishweredead；butthosethatcame，facedown，withthecurrentwereNOTEnglish，asmypeoplesaw。Thenmypeoplesaidthatitwasbesttosaynothingatall，buttopaythetaxandploughtheland。Afteralongtimetherivercleared，andthosethatcamedownithadbeenclearlydrownedbythefloods，asIcouldwellsee；andthoughitwasnotsoeasythentogetfood，Iwasheartilygladofit。
　　Alittlekillinghereandthereisnobadthing——buteventheMuggerissometimessatisfied，asthesayingis。"
　　"Marvellous！Mosttrulymarvellous！"saidtheJackal。"Iambecomefatthroughmerelyhearingaboutsomuchgoodeating。
　　Andafterwardwhat，ifitbepermittedtoask，didtheProtectorofthePoordo？"
　　"Isaidtomyself——andbytheRightandLeftofGunga！Ilockedmyjawsonthatvow——IsaidIwouldnevergorovinganymore。
　　SoIlivedbytheGhaut，veryclosetomyownpeople，andI
　　watchedoverthemyearafteryear；andtheylovedmesomuchthattheythrewmarigoldwreathsatmyheadwhenevertheysawitlift。Yes，andmyFatehasbeenverykindtome，andtheriverisgoodenoughtorespectmypoorandinfirmpresence；only————"
　　"Nooneisallhappyfromhisbeaktohistail，"saidtheAdjutantsympathetically。"WhatdoestheMuggerofMugger-Ghautneedmore？"
　　"ThatlittlewhitechildwhichIdidnotget，"saidtheMugger，withadeepsigh。"Hewasverysmall，butIhavenotforgotten。
　　Iamoldnow，butbeforeIdieitismydesiretotryonenewthing。Itistruetheyareaheavy-footed，noisy，andfoolishpeople，andthesportwouldbesmall，butIremembertheolddaysaboveBenares，and，ifthechildlives，hewillrememberstill。Itmaybehegoesupanddownthebankofsomeriver，tellinghowheoncepassedhishandsbetweentheteethoftheMuggerofMugger-Ghaut，andlivedtomakeataleofit。MyFatehasbeenverykind，butthatplaguesmesometimesinmydreams——
　　thethoughtofthelittlewhitechildinthebowsofthatboat。"
　　Heyawned，andclosedhisjaws。"AndnowIwillrestandthink。
　　Keepsilent，mychildren，andrespecttheaged。"
　　Heturnedstiffly，andshuffledtothetopofthesand-bar，whiletheJackaldrewbackwiththeAdjutanttotheshelterofatreestrandedontheendnearesttherailwaybridge。
　　"Thatwasapleasantandprofitablelife，"hegrinned，lookingupinquiringlyatthebirdwhotoweredabovehim。"Andnotonce，markyou，didhethinkfittotellmewhereamorselmighthavebeenleftalongthebanks。YetIhavetoldHIMahundredtimesofgoodthingswallowingdown-stream。Howtrueisthesaying，"AlltheworldforgetstheJackalandtheBarberwhenthenewshasbeentold！"Nowheisgoingtosleep！Arrh！"
　　"HowcanajackalhuntwithaMugger？"saidtheAdjutantcoolly。"Bigthiefandlittlethief；itiseasytosaywhogetsthepickings。"
　　TheJackalturned，whiningimpatiently，andwasgoingtocurlhimselfupunderthetree-trunk，whensuddenlyhecowered，andlookedupthroughthedraggledbranchesatthebridgealmostabovehishead。
　　"Whatnow？"saidtheAdjutant，openinghiswingsuneasily。
　　"Waittillwesee。Thewindblowsfromustothem，buttheyarenotlookingforus——thosetwomen。"
　　"Men，isit？Myofficeprotectsme。AllIndiaknowsIamholy。"
　　TheAdjutant，beingafirst-classscavenger，isallowedtogowherehepleases，andsothisoneneverflinched。
　　"Iamnotworthablowfromanythingbetterthananoldshoe，"
　　saidtheJackal，andlistenedagain。"Harktothatfootfall！"
　　hewenton。"Thatwasnocountryleather，buttheshodfootofawhite-face。Listenagain！Ironhitsironupthere！Itisagun！Friend，thoseheavy-footed，foolishEnglisharecomingtospeakwiththeMugger。"
　　"Warnhim，then。HewascalledProtectorofthePoorbysomeonenotunlikeastarvingJackalbutalittletimeago。"
　　"Letmycousinprotecthisownhide。Hehastoldmeagainandagainthereisnothingtofearfromthewhite-faces。Theymustbewhite-faces。NotavillagerofMugger-Ghautwoulddaretocomeafterhim。See，Isaiditwasagun！Now，withgoodluck，weshallfeedbeforedaylight。Hecannothearwelloutofwater，and——thistimeitisnotawoman！"
　　Ashinybarrelglitteredforaminuteinthemoonlightonthegirders。TheMuggerwaslyingonthesand-barasstillashisownshadow，hisfore-feetspreadoutalittle，hisheaddroppedbetweenthem，snoringlikea——mugger。
　　Avoiceonthebridgewhispered："It’sanoddshot——straightdownalmost——butassafeashouses。Bettertrybehindtheneck。
　　Golly！whatabrute！Thevillagerswillbewildifhe’sshot，though。He’sthedeota[godling]oftheseparts。"
　　"Don’tcarearap，"anothervoiceanswered；hetookaboutfifteenofmybestcoolieswhilethebridgewasbuilding，andit’stimehewasputastopto。I’vebeenafterhiminaboatforweeks。StandbywiththeMartiniassoonasI’vegivenhimbothbarrelsofthis。"
　　"Mindthekick，then。Adoublefour-bore’snojoke。"
　　"That’sforhimtodecide。Heregoes！"
　　Therewasaroarlikethesoundofasmallcannon（thebiggestsortofelephant-rifleisnotverydifferentfromsomeartillery），andadoublestreakofflame，followedbythestingingcrackofaMartini，whoselongbulletmakesnothingofacrocodile’splates。Buttheexplosivebulletsdidthework。
　　OneofthemstruckjustbehindtheMugger’sneck，ahand’s-
　　breadthtotheleftofthlebackbone，whiletheotherburstalittlelowerdown，atthebeginningofthetail。Inninety-
　　ninecasesoutofahundredamortally-woundedcrocodilecanscrambletodeepwaterandgetaway；buttheMuggerofMugger-
　　Ghautwasliterallybrokenintothreepieces。Hehardlymovedhisheadbeforethelifewentoutofhim，andhelayasflatastheJackal。
　　"Thunderandlightning！Lightningandthunder！"saidthatmiserablelittlebeast。"Hasthethingthatpullsthecoveredcartsoverthebridgetumbledatlast？"
　　"Itisnomorethanagun，"saidtheAdjutant，thoughhisverytail-feathersquivered。"Nothingmorethanagun。Heiscertainlydead。Herecomethewhite-faces。"
　　ThetwoEnglishmenhadhurrieddownfromthebridgeandacrosstothesand-bar，wheretheystoodadmiringthelengthoftheMugger。Thenanativewithanaxecutoffthebighead，andfourmendraggeditacrossthespit。
　　"ThelasttimethatIhadmyhandinaMugger’smouth，"saidoneoftheEnglishmen，stoopingdown（hewasthemanwhohadbuiltthebridge），"itwaswhenIwasaboutfiveyearsold——comingdowntheriverbyboattoMonghyr。IwasaMutinybaby，astheycallit。Poormotherwasintheboat，too，andsheoftentoldmehowshefireddad’soldpistolatthebeast’shead。"
　　"Well，you’vecertainlyhadyourrevengeonthechiefoftheclan——evenifthegunhasmadeyournosebleed。Hi，youboatmen！
　　Haulthatheadupthebank，andwe’llboilitfortheskull。
　　Theskin’stooknockedabouttokeep。Comealongtobednow。
　　Thiswasworthsittingupallnightfor，wasn’tit？"……
　　Curiouslyenough，theJackalandtheAdjutantmadetheverysameremarknotthreeminutesafterthemenhadleft。
　　ARIPPLESONG
　　OncearipplecametolandInthegoldensunsetburning——
　　Lappedagainstamaiden’shand，Bythefordreturning。
　　Daintyfootandgentlebreast——
　　Here，across，begladandrest。
　　"Maiden，wait，"theripplesaith。
　　"Waitawhile，forIamDeath！"
　　"WheremylovercallsIgo——
　　Shameitweretotreathimcoldly——
　　’Twasafishthatcircledso，Turningoverboldly。"
　　Daintyfootandtenderheart，Waittheloadedferry-cart。
　　"Wait，ah，wait！"theripplesaith；
　　"Maiden，wait，forIamDeath！"
　　"WhenmylovercallsIhaste-
　　DameDisdainwasneverwedded！"
　　Ripple-rippleroundherwaist，Clearthecurrenteddied。
　　Foolishheartandfaithfulhand，Littlefeetthattouchednoland。
　　Farawaytheripplesped，Ripple——ripple——runningred！
　　THEKING’SANKUS
　　ThesearetheFourthatarenevercontent，thathaveneverbeenfilledsincetheDewsbegan——
　　Jacala’smouth，andtheglutoftheKite，andthehandsoftheApe，andtheEyesofMan。
　　JungleSaying。
　　Kaa，thebigRockPython，hadchangedhisskinforperhapsthetwo-hundredthtimesincehisbirth；andMowgli，whoneverforgotthatheowedhislifetoKaaforanight’sworkatColdLairs，whichyoumayperhapsremember，wenttocongratulatehim。
　　Skin-changingalwaysmakesasnakemoodyanddepressedtillthenewskinbeginstoshineandlookbeautiful。KaanevermadefunofMowglianymore，butacceptedhim，astheotherJunglePeopledid，fortheMasteroftheJungle，andbroughthimallthenewsthatapythonofhissizewouldnaturallyhear。WhatKaadidnotknowabouttheMiddleJungle，astheycallit，——thelifethatrunsclosetotheearthorunderit，theboulder，burrow，andthetree-bolelife，——mighthavebeenwrittenuponthesmallestofhisscales。
　　ThatafternoonMowgliwassittinginthecircleofKaa！sgreatcoils，fingeringtheflakedandbrokenoldskinthatlayallloopedandtwistedamongtherocksjustasKaahadleftit。
　　KaahadverycourteouslypackedhimselfunderMowgli’sbroad，bareshoulders，sothattheboywasreallyrestinginalivingarm-chair。
　　"Eventothescalesoftheeyesitisperfect，"saidMowgli，underhisbreath，playingwiththeoldskin。"Strangetoseethecoveringofone’sownheadatone’sownfeet！"
　　"Ay，butIlackfeet，"saidKaa；"andsincethisisthecustomofallmypeople，Idonotfinditstrange。Doesthyskinneverfeeloldandharsh？"
　　"ThengoIandwash，Flathead；but，itistrue，inthegreatheatsIhavewishedIcouldsloughmyskinwithoutpain，andrunskinless。"
　　"Iwash，andALSOItakeoffmyskin。Howlooksthenewcoat？"
　　Mowgliranhishanddownthediagonalcheckeringsoftheimmenseback。"TheTurtleisharder-backed，butnotsogay，"hesaidjudgmatically。"TheFrog，myname-bearer，ismoregay，butnotsohard。Itisverybeautifultosee——likethemottlinginthemouthofalily。"
　　"Itneedswater。Anewskinnevercomestofullcolourbeforethefirstbath。Letusgobathe。"
　　"Iwillcarrythee，"saidMowgli；andhestoopeddown，laughing，toliftthemiddlesectionofKaa’sgreatbody，justwherethebarrelwasthickest。Amanmightjust，aswellhavetriedtoheaveupatwo-footwater-main；andKaalaystill，puffingwithquietamusement。Thentheregulareveninggamebegan——theBoyintheflushofhisgreatstrength，andthePythoninhissumptuousnewskin，standinguponeagainsttheotherforawrestlingmatch——atrialofeyeandstrength。Ofcourse，KaacouldhavecrushedadozenMowglisifhehadlethimselfgo；butheplayedcarefully，andneverloosedone-tenthofhispower。EversinceMowgliwasstrongenoughtoendurealittleroughhandling，Kaahadtaughthimthisgame，anditsuppledhislimbsasnothingelsecould。SometimesMowgliwouldstandlappedalmosttohisthroatinKaa’sshiftingcoils，strivingtogetonearmfreeandcatchhimbythethroat。ThenKaawouldgivewaylimply，andMowgli，withbothquick-movingfeet，wouldtrytocrampthepurchaseofthathugetailasitflungbackwardfeelingforarockorastump。Theywouldrocktoandfro，headtohead，eachwaitingforhischance，tillthebeautiful，statue-likegroupmeltedinawhirlofblack-and-yellowcoilsandstrugglinglegsandarms，toriseupagainandagain。
　　"Now！now！now！"saidKaa，makingfeintswithhisheadthatevenMowgli’squickhandcouldnotturnaside。"Look！Itouchtheehere，LittleBrother！Here，andhere！Arethyhandsnumb？
　　Hereagain！"
　　Thegamealwaysendedinoneway——withastraight，drivingblowoftheheadthatknockedtheboyoverandover。Mowglicouldneverlearntheguardforthatlightninglunge，and，asKaasaid，therewasnottheleastuseintrying。
　　"Goodhunting！"Kaagruntedatlast；andMowgli，asusual，wasshotawayhalfadozenyards，gaspingandlaughing。Herosewithhisfingersfullofgrass，andfollowedKaatothewisesnake’spetbathing-place——adeep，pitchy-blackpoolsurroundedwithrocks，andmadeinterestingbysunkentree-stumps。Theboyslippedin，Jungle-fashion，withoutasound，anddivedacross；
　　rose，too，withoutasound，andturnedonhisback，hisarmsbehindhishead，watchingthemoonrisingabovetherocks，andbreakingupherreflectioninthewaterwithhistoes。
　　Kaa’sdiamond-shapedheadcutthepoollikearazor，andcameouttorestonMowgli’sshoulder。Theylaystill，soakingluxuriouslyinthecoolwater。
　　"ItisVERYgood，"saidMowgliatlast，sleepily。Now，intheMan-Pack，atthishour，asIremember，theylaidthemdownuponhardpiecesofwoodintheinsideofamud-trap，and，havingcarefullyshutoutallthecleanwinds，drewfoulclothovertheirheavyheadsandmadeevilsongsthroughtheirnoses。
　　ItisbetterintheJungle。"
　　Ahurryingcobraslippeddownoverarockanddrank，gavethem"Goodhunting！"andwentaway。
　　"Sssh！"saidKaa，asthoughhehadsuddenlyrememberedsomething。"SotheJunglegivestheeallthatthouhasteverdesired，LittleBrother？"
　　"Notall，"saidMowgli，laughing；"elsetherewouldbeanewandstrongShereKhantokillonceamoon。Now，Icouldkillwithmyownhands，askingnohelpofbuffaloes。AndalsoIhavewishedthesuntoshineinthemiddleoftheRains，andtheRainstocoverthesuninthedeepofsummer；andalsoIhavenevergoneemptybutIwishedthatIhadkilledagoat；andalsoIhaveneverkilledagoatbutIwishedithadbeenbuck；norbuckbutIwishedithadbeennilghai。Butthusdowefeel，allofus。"
　　"Thouhastnootherdesire？"thebigsnakedemanded。
　　"WhatmorecanIwish？IhavetheJungle，andthefavouroftheJungle！Istheremoreanywherebetweensunriseandsunset？"
　　"Now，theCobrasaid————"Kaabegan。Whatcobra？Hethatwentawayjustnowsaidnothing。Hewashunting。"
　　"Itwasanother。"
　　"HastthoumanydealingswiththePoisonPeople？Igivethemtheirownpath。Theycarrydeathinthefore-tooth，andthatisnotgood——fortheyaresosmall。Butwhathoodisthisthouhastspokenwith？"
　　Kaarolledslowlyinthewaterlikeasteamerinabeamsea。
　　"Threeorfourmoonssince，"saidhe，"IhuntedinColdLairs，whichplacethouhastnotforgotten。AndthethingIhuntedfledshriekingpastthetanksandtothathousewhosesideIoncebrokeforthysake，andranintotheground。"
　　"ButthepeopleofColdLairsdonotliveinburrows。"MowgliknewthatKaawastellingoftheMonkeyPeople。
　　"Thisthingwasnotliving，butseekingtolive，"Kaareplied，withaquiverofhistongue。"Heranintoaburrowthatledveryfar。Ifollowed，andhavingkilled，Islept。WhenI
　　wakedIwentforward。"
　　"Undertheearth？"
　　"Evenso，comingatlastuponaWhiteHood[awhitecobra]，whospokeofthingsbeyondmyknowledge，andshowedmemanythingsIhadneverbeforeseen。"
　　"Newgame？Wasitgoodhunting？"Mowgliturnedquicklyonhisside。
　　"Itwasnogame，andwouldhavebrokenallmyteeth；buttheWhiteHoodsaidthataman——hespokeasonethatknewthebreed——thatamanwouldgivethebreathunderhisribsforonlythesightofthosethings。"
　　"Wewilllook，"saidMowgli。"InowrememberthatIwasonceaman。"
　　"Slowly——slowly。ItwashastekilledtheYellowSnakethatatethesun。Wetwospoketogetherundertheearth，andIspokeofthee，namingtheeasaman。SaidtheWhiteHood（andheisindeedasoldastheJungle）：’ItislongsinceIhaveseenaman。Lethimcome，andheshallseeallthesethings，fortheleastofwhichverymanymenwoulddie。’"
　　"ThatMUSTbenewgame。AndyetthePoisonPeopledonottelluswhengameisafoot。Theyareanunfriendlyfolk。"
　　"ItisNOTgame。Itis——itis——Icannotsaywhatitis。"
　　"Wewillgothere。IhaveneverseenaWhiteHood，andIwishtoseetheotherthings。Didhekillthem？"
　　"Theyarealldeadthings。Hesaysheisthekeeperofthemall。"
　　"Ah！Asawolfstandsabovemeathehastakentohisownlair。
　　Letusgo。"
　　Mowgliswamtobank，rolledonthegrasstodryhimself，andthetwosetoffforColdLairs，thedesertedcityofwhichyoumayhaveheard。MowgliwasnottheleastafraidoftheMonkeyPeopleinthosedays，buttheMonkeyPeoplehadtheliveliesthorrorofMowgli。Theirtribes，however，wereraidingintheJungle，andsoColdLairsstoodemptyandsilentinthemoonlight。Kaaleduptotheruinsofthequeens’pavilionthatstoodontheterrace，slippedovertherubbish，anddiveddownthehalf-
　　chokedstaircasethatwentundergroundfromthecentreofthepavilion。Mowgligavethesnake-call，——"Webeofoneblood，yeandI，"——andfollowedonhishandsandknees。Theycrawledalongdistancedownaslopingpassagethatturnedandtwistedseveraltimes，andatlastcametowheretherootofsomegreattree，growingthirtyfeetoverhead，hadforcedoutasolidstoneinthewall。Theycreptthroughthegap，andfoundthemselvesinalargevault，whosedomedroofhadbeenalsobrokenawaybytree-rootssothatafewstreaksoflightdroppeddownintothedarkness。
　　"Asafelair，"saidMowgli，risingtohisfirmfeet，"butover-fartovisitdaily。Andnowwhatdowesee？"
　　"AmInothing？"saidavoiceinthemiddleofthevault；
　　andMowglisawsomethingwhitemovetill，littlebylittle，therestoodupthehugestcobrahehadeverseteyeson——acreaturenearlyeightfeetlong，andbleachedbybeingindarknesstoanoldivory-white。Eventhespectacle-marksofhisspreadhoodhadfadedtofaintyellow。Hiseyeswereasredasrubies，andaltogetherhewasmostwonderful。
　　"Goodhunting！"saidMowgli，whocarriedhismannerswithhisknife，andthatneverlefthim。
　　"Whatofthecity？"saidtheWhiteCobra，withoutansweringthegreeting。"Whatofthegreat，thewalledcity——thecityofahundredelephantsandtwentythousandhorses，andcattlepastcounting——thecityoftheKingofTwentyKings？Igrowdeafhere，anditislongsinceIheardtheirwar-gongs。"
　　"TheJungleisaboveourheads，"saidMowgli。IknowonlyHathiandhissonsamongelephants。Bagheerahasslainallthehorsesinonevillage，and——whatisaKing？"
　　"Itoldthee，"saidKaasoftlytotheCobra，——"Itoldthee，fourmoonsago，thatthycitywasnot。"
　　"Thecity——thegreatcityoftheforestwhosegatesareguardedbytheKing’stowers——canneverpass。Theybuildeditbeforemyfather’sfathercamefromtheegg，anditshallendurewhenmyson’ssonsareaswhiteasI！Salomdhi，sonofChandrabija，sonofViyeja，sonofYegasuri，madeitinthedaysofBappaRawal。WhosecattleareYE？"
　　"Itisalosttrail，"saidMowgli，turningtoKaa。"Iknownothistalk。"
　　"NorI。Heisveryold。FatherofCobras，thereisonlytheJunglehere，asithasbeensincethebeginning。"
　　"ThenwhoisHE，"saidtheWhiteCobra，"sittingdownbeforeme，unafraid，knowingnotthenameoftheKing，talkingourtalkthroughaman’slips？Whoishewiththeknifeandthesnake’stongue？"
　　"Mowglitheycallme，"wastheanswer。"IamoftheJungle。
　　Thewolvesaremypeople，andKaahereismybrother。FatherofCobras，whoartthou？"
　　"IamtheWardenoftheKing’sTreasure。KurrunRajabuildedthestoneaboveme，inthedayswhenmyskinwasdark，thatImightteachdeathtothosewhocametosteal。Thentheyletdownthetreasurethroughthestone，andIheardthesongoftheBrahminsmymasters。"
　　"Umm！"saidMowglitohimself。"IhavedealtwithoneBrahminalready，intheMan-Pack，and——IknowwhatIknow。Evilcomeshereinalittle。"
　　"FivetimessinceIcameherehasthestonebeenlifted，butalwaystoletdownmore，andnevertotakeaway。Therearenorichesliketheseriches——thetreasuresofahundredkings。
　　Butitislongandlongsincethestonewaslastmoved，andIthinkthatmycityhasforgotten。"
　　"Thereisnocity。Lookup。Yonderarerootsofthegreattreestearingthestonesapart。Treesandmendonotgrowtogether，"
　　Kaainsisted。
　　"Twiceandthricehavemenfoundtheirwayhere，"theWhiteCobraansweredsavagely；"buttheyneverspoketillIcameuponthemgropinginthedark，andthentheycriedonlyalittletime。Butyecomewithlies，ManandSnakeboth，andwouldhavemebelievethecityisnot，andthatmywardshipends。Littledomenchangeintheyears。ButIchangenever！Tillthestoneislifted，andtheBrahminscomedownsingingthesongsthatIknow，andfeedmewithwarmmilk，andtakemetothelightagain，I——I——_I_，andnoother，amtheWardenoftheKing’sTreasure！Thecityisdead，yesay，andherearetherootsofthetrees？Stoopdown，then，andtakewhatyewill。Earthhasnotreasureliketothese。Manwiththesnake’stongue，ifthoucanstgoalivebythewaythatthouhastenteredit，thelesserKingswillbethyservants！"