Mowgli’sBrothers
　　NowRanntheKitebringshomethenightThatMangtheBatsetsfree——
　　TheherdsareshutinbyreandhutForloosedtilldawnarewe。
　　Thisisthehourofprideandpower，Talonandtushandclaw。
　　Oh，hearthecall！——GoodhuntingallThatkeeptheJungleLaw！
　　Night—SongintheJungleItwasseveno’clockofaverywarmeveningintheSeeoneehillswhenFatherWolfwokeupfromhisday’srest，scratchedhimself，yawned，andspreadouthispawsoneaftertheothertogetridofthesleepyfeelingintheirtips。MotherWolflaywithherbiggraynosedroppedacrossherfourtumbling，squealingcubs，andthemoonshoneintothemouthofthecavewheretheyalllived。
　　"Augrh！"saidFatherWolf。"Itistimetohuntagain。"Hewasgoingtospringdownhillwhenalittleshadowwithabushytailcrossedthethresholdandwhined："Goodluckgowithyou，OChiefoftheWolves。Andgoodluckandstrongwhiteteethgowithnoblechildrenthattheymayneverforgetthehungryinthisworld。"
　　Itwasthejackal——Tabaqui，theDish—licker——andthewolvesofIndiadespiseTabaquibecauseherunsaboutmakingmischief，andtellingtales，andeatingragsandpiecesofleatherfromthevillagerubbish—heaps。Buttheyareafraidofhimtoo，becauseTabaqui，morethananyoneelseinthejungle，isapttogomad，andthenheforgetsthathewaseverafraidofanyone，andrunsthroughtheforestbitingeverythinginhisway。EventhetigerrunsandhideswhenlittleTabaquigoesmad，formadnessisthemostdisgracefulthingthatcanovertakeawildcreature。Wecallithydrophobia，buttheycallitdewanee——themadness——
　　andrun。
　　"Enter，then，andlook，"saidFatherWolfstiffly，"butthereisnofoodhere。"
　　"Forawolf，no，"saidTabaqui，"butforsomeanapersonasmyselfadryboneisagoodfeast。Whoarewe，theGidur—log[thejackalpeople]，topickandchoose？"Hescuttledtothebackofthecave，wherehefoundtheboneofabuckwithsomemeatonit，andsatcrackingtheendmerrily。
　　"Allthanksforthisgoodmeal，"hesaid，lickinghislips。
　　"Howbeautifularethenoblechildren！Howlargearetheireyes！
　　Andsoyoungtoo！Indeed，indeed，Imighthaverememberedthatthechildrenofkingsaremenfromthebeginning。"
　　Now，Tabaquiknewaswellasanyoneelsethatthereisnothingsounluckyastocomplimentchildrentotheirfaces。ItpleasedhimtoseeMotherandFatherWolflookuncomfortable。
　　Tabaquisatstill，rejoicinginthemischiefthathehadmade，andthenhesaidspitefully：
　　"ShereKhan，theBigOne，hasshiftedhishuntinggrounds。Hewillhuntamongthesehillsforthenextmoon，sohehastoldme。"
　　ShereKhanwasthetigerwholivedneartheWaingungaRiver，twentymilesaway。
　　"Hehasnoright！"FatherWolfbeganangrily——"BytheLawoftheJunglehehasnorighttochangehisquarterswithoutduewarning。Hewillfrighteneveryheadofgamewithintenmiles，andI——Ihavetokillfortwo，thesedays。"
　　"HismotherdidnotcallhimLungri[theLameOne]fornothing，"saidMotherWolfquietly。"Hehasbeenlameinonefootfromhisbirth。Thatiswhyhehasonlykilledcattle。NowthevillagersoftheWaingungaareangrywithhim，andhehascomeheretomakeourvillagersangry。Theywillscourthejungleforhimwhenheisfaraway，andweandourchildrenmustrunwhenthegrassissetalight。Indeed，weareverygratefultoShereKhan！"
　　"ShallItellhimofyourgratitude？"saidTabaqui。
　　"Out！"snappedFatherWolf。"Outandhuntwiththymaster。
　　Thouhastdoneharmenoughforonenight。"
　　"Igo，"saidTabaquiquietly。"YecanhearShereKhanbelowinthethickets。Imighthavesavedmyselfthemessage。"
　　FatherWolflistened，andbelowinthevalleythatrandowntoalittleriverheheardthedry，angry，snarly，singsongwhineofatigerwhohascaughtnothinganddoesnotcareifallthejungleknowsit。
　　"Thefool！"saidFatherWolf。"Tobeginanight’sworkwiththatnoise！DoeshethinkthatourbuckarelikehisfatWaingungabullocks？"
　　"H’sh。Itisneitherbullocknorbuckhehuntsto—night，"
　　saidMotherWolf。"ItisMan。"
　　Thewhinehadchangedtoasortofhummingpurrthatseemedtocomefromeveryquarterofthecompass。Itwasthenoisethatbewilderswoodcuttersandgypsiessleepingintheopen，andmakesthemrunsometimesintotheverymouthofthetiger。
　　"Man！"saidFatherWolf，showingallhiswhiteteeth。"Faugh！
　　AretherenotenoughbeetlesandfrogsinthetanksthathemusteatMan，andonourgroundtoo！"
　　TheLawoftheJungle，whichneverordersanythingwithoutareason，forbidseverybeasttoeatManexceptwhenheiskillingtoshowhischildrenhowtokill，andthenhemusthuntoutsidethehuntinggroundsofhispackortribe。Therealreasonforthisisthatman—killingmeans，soonerorlater，thearrivalofwhitemenonelephants，withguns，andhundredsofbrownmenwithgongsandrocketsandtorches。Theneverybodyinthejunglesuffers。ThereasonthebeastsgiveamongthemselvesisthatManistheweakestandmostdefenselessofalllivingthings，anditisunsportsmanliketotouchhim。Theysaytoo——anditistrue——thatman—eatersbecomemangy，andlosetheirteeth。
　　Thepurrgrewlouder，andendedinthefull—throated"Aaarh！"
　　ofthetiger’scharge。
　　Thentherewasahowl——anuntigerishhowl——fromShereKhan。"Hehasmissed，"saidMotherWolf。"Whatisit？"
　　FatherWolfranoutafewpacesandheardShereKhanmutteringandmumblingsavagelyashetumbledaboutinthescrub。
　　"Thefoolhashadnomoresensethantojumpatawoodcutter’scampfire，andhasburnedhisfeet，"saidFatherWolfwithagrunt。
　　"Tabaquiiswithhim。"
　　"Somethingiscominguphill，"saidMotherWolf，twitchingoneear。"Getready。"
　　Thebushesrustledalittleinthethicket，andFatherWolfdroppedwithhishaunchesunderhim，readyforhisleap。Then，ifyouhadbeenwatching，youwouldhaveseenthemostwonderfulthingintheworld——thewolfcheckedinmid—spring。Hemadehisboundbeforehesawwhatitwashewasjumpingat，andthenhetriedtostophimself。Theresultwasthatheshotupstraightintotheairforfourorfivefeet，landingalmostwhereheleftground。
　　"Man！"hesnapped。"Aman’scub。Look！"
　　Directlyinfrontofhim，holdingonbyalowbranch，stoodanakedbrownbabywhocouldjustwalk——assoftandasdimpledalittleatomasevercametoawolf’scaveatnight。HelookedupintoFatherWolf’sface，andlaughed。
　　"Isthataman’scub？"saidMotherWolf。"Ihaveneverseenone。Bringithere。"
　　AWolfaccustomedtomovinghisowncubscan，ifnecessary，mouthaneggwithoutbreakingit，andthoughFatherWolf’sjawsclosedrightonthechild’sbacknotatoothevenscratchedtheskinashelaiditdownamongthecubs。
　　"Howlittle！Hownaked，and——howbold！"saidMotherWolfsoftly。Thebabywaspushinghiswaybetweenthecubstogetclosetothewarmhide。"Ahai！Heistakinghismealwiththeothers。Andsothisisaman’scub。Now，wasthereeverawolfthatcouldboastofaman’scubamongherchildren？"
　　"Ihaveheardnowandagainofsuchathing，butneverinourPackorinmytime，"saidFatherWolf。"Heisaltogetherwithouthair，andIcouldkillhimwithatouchofmyfoot。Butsee，helooksupandisnotafraid。"
　　Themoonlightwasblockedoutofthemouthofthecave，forShereKhan’sgreatsquareheadandshoulderswerethrustintotheentrance。Tabaqui，behindhim，wassqueaking："Mylord，mylord，itwentinhere！"
　　"ShereKhandoesusgreathonor，"saidFatherWolf，buthiseyeswereveryangry。"WhatdoesShereKhanneed？"
　　"Myquarry。Aman’scubwentthisway，"saidShereKhan。
　　"Itsparentshaverunoff。Giveittome。"
　　ShereKhanhadjumpedatawoodcutter’scampfire，asFatherWolfhadsaid，andwasfuriousfromthepainofhisburnedfeet。
　　ButFatherWolfknewthatthemouthofthecavewastoonarrowforatigertocomeinby。Evenwherehewas，ShereKhan’sshouldersandforepawswerecrampedforwantofroom，asaman’swouldbeifhetriedtofightinabarrel。
　　"TheWolvesareafreepeople，"saidFatherWolf。"TheytakeordersfromtheHeadofthePack，andnotfromanystripedcattle—killer。Theman’scubisours——tokillifwechoose。"
　　"Yechooseandyedonotchoose！Whattalkisthisofchoosing？BythebullthatIkilled，amItostandnosingintoyourdog’sdenformyfairdues？ItisI，ShereKhan，whospeak！"
　　Thetiger’sroarfilledthecavewiththunder。MotherWolfshookherselfclearofthecubsandsprangforward，hereyes，liketwogreenmoonsinthedarkness，facingtheblazingeyesofShereKhan。
　　"AnditisI，Raksha[TheDemon]，whoanswers。Theman’scubismine，Lungri——minetome！Heshallnotbekilled。HeshalllivetorunwiththePackandtohuntwiththePack;andintheend，lookyou，hunteroflittlenakedcubs——frog—eater——
　　fish—killer——heshallhuntthee！Nowgethence，orbytheSambhurthatIkilled（Ieatnostarvedcattle），backthougoesttothymother，burnedbeastofthejungle，lamerthaneverthoucamestintotheworld！Go！"
　　FatherWolflookedonamazed。HehadalmostforgottenthedayswhenhewonMotherWolfinfairfightfromfiveotherwolves，whensheraninthePackandwasnotcalledTheDemonforcompliment’ssake。ShereKhanmighthavefacedFatherWolf，buthecouldnotstandupagainstMotherWolf，forheknewthatwherehewasshehadalltheadvantageoftheground，andwouldfighttothedeath。Sohebackedoutofthecavemouthgrowling，andwhenhewasclearheshouted：
　　"Eachdogbarksinhisownyard！WewillseewhatthePackwillsaytothisfosteringofman—cubs。Thecubismine，andtomyteethhewillcomeintheend，Obush—tailedthieves！"
　　MotherWolfthrewherselfdownpantingamongthecubs，andFatherWolfsaidtohergravely：
　　"ShereKhanspeaksthismuchtruth。ThecubmustbeshowntothePack。Wiltthoustillkeephim，Mother？"
　　"Keephim！"shegasped。"Hecamenaked，bynight，aloneandveryhungry;yethewasnotafraid！Look，hehaspushedoneofmybabestoonesidealready。AndthatlamebutcherwouldhavekilledhimandwouldhaverunofftotheWaingungawhilethevillagersherehuntedthroughallourlairsinrevenge！Keephim？
　　AssuredlyIwillkeephim。Liestill，littlefrog。OthouMowgli——forMowglitheFrogIwillcallthee——thetimewillcomewhenthouwilthuntShereKhanashehashuntedthee。"
　　"ButwhatwillourPacksay？"saidFatherWolf。
　　TheLawoftheJunglelaysdownveryclearlythatanywolfmay，whenhemarries，withdrawfromthePackhebelongsto。ButassoonashiscubsareoldenoughtostandontheirfeethemustbringthemtothePackCouncil，whichisgenerallyheldonceamonthatfullmoon，inorderthattheotherwolvesmayidentifythem。Afterthatinspectionthecubsarefreetorunwheretheyplease，anduntiltheyhavekilledtheirfirstbucknoexcuseisacceptedifagrownwolfofthePackkillsoneofthem。Thepunishmentisdeathwherethemurderercanbefound;andifyouthinkforaminuteyouwillseethatthismustbeso。
　　FatherWolfwaitedtillhiscubscouldrunalittle，andthenonthenightofthePackMeetingtookthemandMowgliandMotherWolftotheCouncilRock——ahilltopcoveredwithstonesandboulderswhereahundredwolvescouldhide。Akela，thegreatgrayLoneWolf，wholedallthePackbystrengthandcunning，layoutatfulllengthonhisrock，andbelowhimsatfortyormorewolvesofeverysizeandcolor，frombadger—coloredveteranswhocouldhandleabuckalonetoyoungblackthree—year—oldswhothoughttheycould。TheLoneWolfhadledthemforayearnow。Hehadfallentwiceintoawolftrapinhisyouth，andoncehehadbeenbeatenandleftfordead;soheknewthemannersandcustomsofmen。TherewasverylittletalkingattheRock。Thecubstumbledovereachotherinthecenterofthecirclewheretheirmothersandfatherssat，andnowandagainaseniorwolfwouldgoquietlyuptoacub，lookathimcarefully，andreturntohisplaceonnoiselessfeet。Sometimesamotherwouldpushhercubfaroutintothemoonlighttobesurethathehadnotbeenoverlooked。
　　Akelafromhisrockwouldcry："YeknowtheLaw——yeknowtheLaw。Lookwell，OWolves！"Andtheanxiousmotherswouldtakeupthecall："Look——lookwell，OWolves！"
　　Atlast——andMotherWolf’sneckbristlesliftedasthetimecame——FatherWolfpushed"MowglitheFrog，"astheycalledhim，intothecenter，wherehesatlaughingandplayingwithsomepebblesthatglistenedinthemoonlight。
　　Akelaneverraisedhisheadfromhispaws，butwentonwiththemonotonouscry："Lookwell！"Amuffledroarcameupfrombehindtherocks——thevoiceofShereKhancrying："Thecubismine。Givehimtome。WhathavetheFreePeopletodowithaman’scub？"Akelanevereventwitchedhisears。Allhesaidwas：
　　"Lookwell，OWolves！WhathavetheFreePeopletodowiththeordersofanysavetheFreePeople？Lookwell！"
　　Therewasachorusofdeepgrowls，andayoungwolfinhisfourthyearflungbackShereKhan’squestiontoAkela："WhathavetheFreePeopletodowithaman’scub？"Now，theLawoftheJunglelaysdownthatifthereisanydisputeastotherightofacubtobeacceptedbythePack，hemustbespokenforbyatleasttwomembersofthePackwhoarenothisfatherandmother。
　　"Whospeaksforthiscub？"saidAkela。"AmongtheFreePeoplewhospeaks？"TherewasnoanswerandMotherWolfgotreadyforwhatsheknewwouldbeherlastfight，ifthingscametofighting。
　　ThentheonlyothercreaturewhoisallowedatthePackCouncil——Baloo，thesleepybrownbearwhoteachesthewolfcubstheLawoftheJungle：oldBaloo，whocancomeandgowherehepleasesbecauseheeatsonlynutsandrootsandhoney——roseuponhishindquartersandgrunted。
　　"Theman’scub——theman’scub？"hesaid。"Ispeakfortheman’scub。Thereisnoharminaman’scub。Ihavenogiftofwords，butIspeakthetruth。LethimrunwiththePack，andbeenteredwiththeothers。Imyselfwillteachhim。"
　　"Weneedyetanother，"saidAkela。"Baloohasspoken，andheisourteacherfortheyoungcubs。WhospeaksbesidesBaloo？"
　　Ablackshadowdroppeddownintothecircle。ItwasBagheeratheBlackPanther，inkyblackallover，butwiththepanthermarkingsshowingupincertainlightslikethepatternofwateredsilk。EverybodyknewBagheera，andnobodycaredtocrosshispath;forhewasascunningasTabaqui，asboldasthewildbuffalo，andasrecklessasthewoundedelephant。Buthehadavoiceassoftaswildhoneydrippingfromatree，andaskinsofterthandown。
　　"OAkela，andyetheFreePeople，"hepurred，"Ihavenorightinyourassembly，buttheLawoftheJunglesaysthatifthereisadoubtwhichisnotakillingmatterinregardtoanewcub，thelifeofthatcubmaybeboughtataprice。AndtheLawdoesnotsaywhomayormaynotpaythatprice。AmIright？"
　　"Good！Good！"saidtheyoungwolves，whoarealwayshungry。
　　"ListentoBagheera。Thecubcanbeboughtforaprice。ItistheLaw。"
　　"KnowingthatIhavenorighttospeakhere，Iaskyourleave。"
　　"Speakthen，"criedtwentyvoices。
　　"Tokillanakedcubisshame。Besides，hemaymakebettersportforyouwhenheisgrown。Baloohasspokeninhisbehalf。
　　NowtoBaloo’swordIwilladdonebull，andafatone，newlykilled，nothalfamilefromhere，ifyewillaccepttheman’scubaccordingtotheLaw。Isitdifficult？"
　　Therewasaclamorofscoresofvoices，saying："Whatmatter？
　　Hewilldieinthewinterrains。Hewillscorchinthesun。Whatharmcananakedfrogdous？LethimrunwiththePack。Whereisthebull，Bagheera？Lethimbeaccepted。"AndthencameAkela’sdeepbay，crying："Lookwell——lookwell，OWolves！"
　　Mowgliwasstilldeeplyinterestedinthepebbles，andhedidnotnoticewhenthewolvescameandlookedathimonebyone。Atlasttheyallwentdownthehillforthedeadbull，andonlyAkela，Bagheera，Baloo，andMowgli’sownwolveswereleft。ShereKhanroaredstillinthenight，forhewasveryangrythatMowglihadnotbeenhandedovertohim。
　　"Ay，roarwell，"saidBagheera，underhiswhiskers，"forthetimewillcomewhenthisnakedthingwillmaketheeroartoanothertune，orIknownothingofman。"
　　"Itwaswelldone，"saidAkela。"Menandtheircubsareverywise。Hemaybeahelpintime。"
　　"Truly，ahelpintimeofneed;fornonecanhopetoleadthePackforever，"saidBagheera。
　　Akelasaidnothing。Hewasthinkingofthetimethatcomestoeveryleaderofeverypackwhenhisstrengthgoesfromhimandhegetsfeeblerandfeebler，tillatlastheiskilledbythewolvesandanewleadercomesup——tobekilledinhisturn。
　　"Takehimaway，"hesaidtoFatherWolf，"andtrainhimasbefitsoneoftheFreePeople。"
　　AndthatishowMowgliwasenteredintotheSeeoneeWolfPackforthepriceofabullandonBaloo’sgoodword。
　　Nowyoumustbecontenttoskiptenorelevenwholeyears，andonlyguessatallthewonderfullifethatMowgliledamongthewolves，becauseifitwerewrittenoutitwouldfilleversomanybooks。Hegrewupwiththecubs，thoughthey，ofcourse，weregrownwolvesalmostbeforehewasachild。AndFatherWolftaughthimhisbusiness，andthemeaningofthingsinthejungle，tilleveryrustleinthegrass，everybreathofthewarmnightair，everynoteoftheowlsabovehishead，everyscratchofabat’sclawsasitroostedforawhileinatree，andeverysplashofeverylittlefishjumpinginapoolmeantjustasmuchtohimastheworkofhisofficemeanstoabusinessman。Whenhewasnotlearninghesatoutinthesunandslept，andateandwenttosleepagain。Whenhefeltdirtyorhotheswamintheforestpools;andwhenhewantedhoney（Balootoldhimthathoneyandnutswerejustaspleasanttoeatasrawmeat）heclimbedupforit，andthatBagheerashowedhimhowtodo。Bagheerawouldlieoutonabranchandcall，"Comealong，LittleBrother，"andatfirstMowgliwouldclinglikethesloth，butafterwardhewouldflinghimselfthroughthebranchesalmostasboldlyasthegrayape。HetookhisplaceattheCouncilRock，too，whenthePackmet，andtherehediscoveredthatifhestaredhardatanywolf，thewolfwouldbeforcedtodrophiseyes，andsoheusedtostareforfun。Atothertimeshewouldpickthelongthornsoutofthepadsofhisfriends，forwolvessufferterriblyfromthornsandbursintheircoats。Hewouldgodownthehillsideintothecultivatedlandsbynight，andlookverycuriouslyatthevillagersintheirhuts，buthehadamistrustofmenbecauseBagheerashowedhimasquareboxwithadropgatesocunninglyhiddeninthejunglethathenearlywalkedintoit，andtoldhimthatitwasatrap。HelovedbetterthananythingelsetogowithBagheeraintothedarkwarmheartoftheforest，tosleepallthroughthedrowsyday，andatnightseehowBagheeradidhiskilling。Bagheerakilledrightandleftashefelthungry，andsodidMowgli——withoneexception。Assoonashewasoldenoughtounderstandthings，BagheeratoldhimthathemustnevertouchcattlebecausehehadbeenboughtintothePackatthepriceofabull’slife。"Allthejungleisthine，"saidBagheera，"andthoucanstkilleverythingthatthouartstrongenoughtokill;butforthesakeofthebullthatboughttheethoumustneverkilloreatanycattleyoungorold。ThatistheLawoftheJungle。"Mowgliobeyedfaithfully。
　　Andhegrewandgrewstrongasaboymustgrowwhodoesnotknowthatheislearninganylessons，andwhohasnothingintheworldtothinkofexceptthingstoeat。
　　MotherWolftoldhimonceortwicethatShereKhanwasnotacreaturetobetrusted，andthatsomedayhemustkillShereKhan。
　　Butthoughayoungwolfwouldhaverememberedthatadviceeveryhour，Mowgliforgotitbecausehewasonlyaboy——thoughhewouldhavecalledhimselfawolfifhehadbeenabletospeakinanyhumantongue。
　　ShereKhanwasalwayscrossinghispathinthejungle，forasAkelagrewolderandfeeblerthelametigerhadcometobegreatfriendswiththeyoungerwolvesofthePack，whofollowedhimforscraps，athingAkelawouldneverhaveallowedifhehaddaredtopushhisauthoritytotheproperbounds。ThenShereKhanwouldflatterthemandwonderthatsuchfineyounghunterswerecontenttobeledbyadyingwolfandaman’scub。"Theytellme，"ShereKhanwouldsay，"thatatCouncilyedarenotlookhimbetweentheeyes。"Andtheyoungwolveswouldgrowlandbristle。
　　Bagheera，whohadeyesandearseverywhere，knewsomethingofthis，andonceortwicehetoldMowgliinsomanywordsthatShereKhanwouldkillhimsomeday。Mowgliwouldlaughandanswer："I
　　havethePackandIhavethee;andBaloo，thoughheissolazy，mightstrikeablowortwoformysake。WhyshouldIbeafraid？"
　　ItwasoneverywarmdaythatanewnotioncametoBagheera——
　　bornofsomethingthathehadheard。PerhapsIkkithePorcupinehadtoldhim;buthesaidtoMowgliwhentheyweredeepinthejungle，astheboylaywithhisheadonBagheera’sbeautifulblackskin，"LittleBrother，howoftenhaveItoldtheethatShereKhanisthyenemy？"
　　"Asmanytimesastherearenutsonthatpalm，"saidMowgli，who，naturally，couldnotcount。"Whatofit？Iamsleepy，Bagheera，andShereKhanisalllongtailandloudtalk——likeMao，thePeacock。"
　　"Butthisisnotimeforsleeping。Balooknowsit;Iknowit;
　　thePackknowit;andeventhefoolish，foolishdeerknow。
　　Tabaquihastoldtheetoo。"
　　"Ho！ho！"saidMowgli。"TabaquicametomenotlongagowithsomerudetalkthatIwasanakedman’scubandnotfittodigpig—nuts。ButIcaughtTabaquibythetailandswunghimtwiceagainstapalm—treetoteachhimbettermanners。"
　　"Thatwasfoolishness，forthoughTabaquiisamischief—maker，hewouldhavetoldtheeofsomethingthatconcernedtheeclosely。
　　Openthoseeyes，LittleBrother。ShereKhandarenotkilltheeinthejungle。Butremember，Akelaisveryold，andsoonthedaycomeswhenhecannotkillhisbuck，andthenhewillbeleadernomore。ManyofthewolvesthatlookedtheeoverwhenthouwastbroughttotheCouncilfirstareoldtoo，andtheyoungwolvesbelieve，asShereKhanhastaughtthem，thataman—cubhasnoplacewiththePack。Inalittletimethouwiltbeaman。"
　　"Andwhatisamanthatheshouldnotrunwithhisbrothers？"
　　saidMowgli。"Iwasborninthejungle。IhaveobeyedtheLawoftheJungle，andthereisnowolfofoursfromwhosepawsIhavenotpulledathorn。Surelytheyaremybrothers！"
　　Bagheerastretchedhimselfatfulllengthandhalfshuthiseyes。"LittleBrother，"saidhe，"feelundermyjaw。"
　　Mowgliputuphisstrongbrownhand，andjustunderBagheera’ssilkychin，wherethegiantrollingmuscleswereallhidbytheglossyhair，hecameuponalittlebaldspot。
　　"ThereisnooneinthejunglethatknowsthatI，Bagheera，carrythatmark——themarkofthecollar;andyet，LittleBrother，Iwasbornamongmen，anditwasamongmenthatmymotherdied——inthecagesoftheking’spalaceatOodeypore。ItwasbecauseofthisthatIpaidthepricefortheeattheCouncilwhenthouwastalittlenakedcub。Yes，Itoowasbornamongmen。I
　　hadneverseenthejungle。TheyfedmebehindbarsfromanironpantillonenightIfeltthatIwasBagheera——thePanther——
　　andnoman’splaything，andIbrokethesillylockwithoneblowofmypawandcameaway。AndbecauseIhadlearnedthewaysofmen，IbecamemoreterribleinthejunglethanShereKhan。Isitnotso？"
　　"Yes，"saidMowgli，"allthejunglefearBagheera——allexceptMowgli。"
　　"Oh，thouartaman’scub，"saidtheBlackPantherverytenderly。"AndevenasIreturnedtomyjungle，sothoumustgobacktomenatlast——tothemenwhoarethybrothers——ifthouartnotkilledintheCouncil。"
　　"Butwhy——butwhyshouldanywishtokillme？"saidMowgli。
　　"Lookatme，"saidBagheera。AndMowglilookedathimsteadilybetweentheeyes。Thebigpantherturnedhisheadawayinhalfaminute。
　　"Thatiswhy，"hesaid，shiftinghispawontheleaves。"NotevenIcanlooktheebetweentheeyes，andIwasbornamongmen，andIlovethee，LittleBrother。Theotherstheyhatetheebecausetheireyescannotmeetthine;becausethouartwise;
　　becausethouhastpulledoutthornsfromtheirfeet——becausethouartaman。"
　　"Ididnotknowthesethings，"saidMowglisullenly，andhefrownedunderhisheavyblackeyebrows。
　　"WhatistheLawoftheJungle？Strikefirstandthengivetongue。Bythyverycarelessnesstheyknowthatthouartaman。
　　Butbewise。ItisinmyheartthatwhenAkelamisseshisnextkill——andateachhuntitcostshimmoretopinthebuck——thePackwillturnagainsthimandagainstthee。TheywillholdajungleCouncilattheRock，andthen——andthen——Ihaveit！"
　　saidBagheera，leapingup。"Gothoudownquicklytothemen’shutsinthevalley，andtakesomeoftheRedFlowerwhichtheygrowthere，sothatwhenthetimecomesthoumayesthaveevenastrongerfriendthanIorBalooorthoseofthePackthatlovethee。GettheRedFlower。"
　　ByRedFlowerBagheerameantfire，onlynocreatureinthejunglewillcallfirebyitspropername。Everybeastlivesindeadlyfearofit，andinventsahundredwaysofdescribingit。
　　"TheRedFlower？"saidMowgli。"Thatgrowsoutsidetheirhutsinthetwilight。Iwillgetsome。"
　　"Therespeakstheman’scub，"saidBagheeraproudly。
　　"Rememberthatitgrowsinlittlepots。Getoneswiftly，andkeepitbytheefortimeofneed。"
　　"Good！"saidMowgli。"Igo。Butartthousure，OmyBagheera"——heslippedhisarmaroundthesplendidneckandlookeddeepintothebigeyes——"artthousurethatallthisisShereKhan’sdoing？"
　　"BytheBrokenLockthatfreedme，Iamsure，LittleBrother。"
　　"Then，bytheBullthatboughtme，IwillpayShereKhanfulltaleforthis，anditmaybealittleover，"saidMowgli，andheboundedaway。
　　"Thatisaman。Thatisallaman，"saidBagheeratohimself，lyingdownagain。"Oh，ShereKhan，neverwasablackerhuntingthanthatfrog—huntofthinetenyearsago！"
　　Mowgliwasfarandfarthroughtheforest，runninghard，andhisheartwashotinhim。Hecametothecaveastheeveningmistrose，anddrewbreath，andlookeddownthevalley。Thecubswereout，butMotherWolf，atthebackofthecave，knewbyhisbreathingthatsomethingwastroublingherfrog。
　　"Whatisit，Son？"shesaid。
　　"Somebat’schatterofShereKhan，"hecalledback。"Ihuntamongtheplowedfieldstonight，"andheplungeddownwardthroughthebushes，tothestreamatthebottomofthevalley。Therehechecked，forheheardtheyellofthePackhunting，heardthebellowofahuntedSambhur，andthesnortasthebuckturnedatbay。Thentherewerewicked，bitterhowlsfromtheyoungwolves：
　　"Akela！Akela！LettheLoneWolfshowhisstrength。RoomfortheleaderofthePack！Spring，Akela！"
　　TheLoneWolfmusthavesprungandmissedhishold，forMowgliheardthesnapofhisteethandthenayelpastheSambhurknockedhimoverwithhisforefoot。
　　Hedidnotwaitforanythingmore，butdashedon;andtheyellsgrewfainterbehindhimasheranintothecroplandswherethevillagerslived。
　　"Bagheeraspoketruth，"hepanted，ashenestleddowninsomecattlefodderbythewindowofahut。"To—morrowisonedaybothforAkelaandforme。"
　　Thenhepressedhisfaceclosetothewindowandwatchedthefireonthehearth。Hesawthehusbandman’swifegetupandfeeditinthenightwithblacklumps。Andwhenthemorningcameandthemistswereallwhiteandcold，hesawtheman’schildpickupawickerpotplasteredinsidewithearth，fillitwithlumpsofred—hotcharcoal，putitunderhisblanket，andgoouttotendthecowsinthebyre。
　　"Isthatall？"saidMowgli。"Ifacubcandoit，thereisnothingtofear。"Sohestroderoundthecornerandmettheboy，tookthepotfromhishand，anddisappearedintothemistwhiletheboyhowledwithfear。
　　"Theyareverylikeme，"saidMowgli，blowingintothepotashehadseenthewomando。"ThisthingwilldieifIdonotgiveitthingstoeat";andhedroppedtwigsanddriedbarkontheredstuff。HalfwayupthehillhemetBagheerawiththemorningdewshininglikemoonstonesonhiscoat。
　　"Akelahasmissed，"saidthePanther。"Theywouldhavekilledhimlastnight，buttheyneededtheealso。Theywerelookingfortheeonthehill。"
　　"Iwasamongtheplowedlands。Iamready。See！"Mowgliheldupthefire—pot。
　　"Good！Now，Ihaveseenmenthrustadrybranchintothatstuff，andpresentlytheRedFlowerblossomedattheendofit。
　　Artthounotafraid？"
　　"No。WhyshouldIfear？Iremembernow——ifitisnotadream——how，beforeIwasaWolf，IlaybesidetheRedFlower，anditwaswarmandpleasant。"
　　AllthatdayMowglisatinthecavetendinghisfirepotanddippingdrybranchesintoittoseehowtheylooked。Hefoundabranchthatsatisfiedhim，andintheeveningwhenTabaquicametothecaveandtoldhimrudelyenoughthathewaswantedattheCouncilRock，helaughedtillTabaquiranaway。ThenMowgliwenttotheCouncil，stilllaughing。
　　AkelatheLoneWolflaybythesideofhisrockasasignthattheleadershipofthePackwasopen，andShereKhanwithhisfollowingofscrap—fedwolveswalkedtoandfroopenlybeingflattered。BagheeralayclosetoMowgli，andthefirepotwasbetweenMowgli’sknees。Whentheywereallgatheredtogether，ShereKhanbegantospeak——athinghewouldneverhavedaredtodowhenAkelawasinhisprime。
　　"Hehasnoright，"whisperedBagheera。"Sayso。Heisadog’sson。Hewillbefrightened。"
　　Mowglisprangtohisfeet。"FreePeople，"hecried，"doesShereKhanleadthePack？Whathasatigertodowithourleadership？"
　　"Seeingthattheleadershipisyetopen，andbeingaskedtospeak——"ShereKhanbegan。
　　"Bywhom？"saidMowgli。"Arewealljackals，tofawnonthiscattlebutcher？TheleadershipofthePackiswiththePackalone。"
　　Therewereyellsof"Silence，thouman’scub！""Lethimspeak。HehaskeptourLaw";andatlasttheseniorsofthePackthundered："LettheDeadWolfspeak。"WhenaleaderofthePackhasmissedhiskill，heiscalledtheDeadWolfaslongashelives，whichisnotlong。
　　Akelaraisedhisoldheadwearily：——
　　"FreePeople，andyetoo，jackalsofShereKhan，fortwelveseasonsIhaveledyetoandfromthekill，andinallthattimenotonehasbeentrappedormaimed。NowIhavemissedmykill。
　　Yeknowhowthatplotwasmade。Yeknowhowyebroughtmeuptoanuntriedbucktomakemyweaknessknown。Itwascleverlydone。
　　YourrightistokillmehereontheCouncilRock，now。
　　Therefore，Iask，whocomestomakeanendoftheLoneWolf？Foritismyright，bytheLawoftheJungle，thatyecomeonebyone。"
　　Therewasalonghush，fornosinglewolfcaredtofightAkelatothedeath。ThenShereKhanroared："Bah！Whathavewetodowiththistoothlessfool？Heisdoomedtodie！Itistheman—cubwhohaslivedtoolong。FreePeople，hewasmymeatfromthefirst。Givehimtome。Iamwearyofthisman—wolffolly。Hehastroubledthejunglefortenseasons。Givemetheman—cub，orIwillhuntherealways，andnotgiveyouonebone。Heisaman，aman’schild，andfromthemarrowofmybonesIhatehim！"
　　ThenmorethanhalfthePackyelled："Aman！Aman！Whathasamantodowithus？Lethimgotohisownplace。"
　　"Andturnallthepeopleofthevillagesagainstus？"clamoredShereKhan。"No，givehimtome。Heisaman，andnoneofuscanlookhimbetweentheeyes。"
　　Akelaliftedhisheadagainandsaid，"Hehaseatenourfood。
　　Hehassleptwithus。Hehasdrivengameforus。HehasbrokennowordoftheLawoftheJungle。"
　　"Also，Ipaidforhimwithabullwhenhewasaccepted。Theworthofabullislittle，butBagheera’shonorissomethingthathewillperhapsfightfor，"saidBagheerainhisgentlestvoice。
　　"Abullpaidtenyearsago！"thePacksnarled。"Whatdowecareforbonestenyearsold？"
　　"Orforapledge？"saidBagheera，hiswhiteteethbaredunderhislip。"WellareyecalledtheFreePeople！"
　　"Noman’scubcanrunwiththepeopleofthejungle，"howledShereKhan。"Givehimtome！"
　　"Heisourbrotherinallbutblood，"Akelawenton，"andyewouldkillhimhere！Intruth，Ihavelivedtoolong。Someofyeareeatersofcattle，andofothersIhaveheardthat，underShereKhan’steaching，yegobydarknightandsnatchchildrenfromthevillager’sdoorstep。ThereforeIknowyetobecowards，anditistocowardsIspeak。ItiscertainthatImustdie，andmylifeisofnoworth，orIwouldofferthatintheman—cub’splace。ButforthesakeoftheHonorofthePack，——alittlematterthatbybeingwithoutaleaderyehaveforgotten，——Ipromisethatifyelettheman—cubgotohisownplace，Iwillnot，whenmytimecomestodie，bareonetoothagainstye。Iwilldiewithoutfighting。ThatwillatleastsavethePackthreelives。MoreI
　　cannotdo;butifyewill，Icansaveyetheshamethatcomesofkillingabrotheragainstwhomthereisnofault——abrotherspokenforandboughtintothePackaccordingtotheLawoftheJungle。"
　　"Heisaman——aman——aman！"snarledthePack。AndmostofthewolvesbegantogatherroundShereKhan，whosetailwasbeginningtoswitch。
　　"Nowthebusinessisinthyhands，"saidBagheeratoMowgli。
　　"Wecandonomoreexceptfight。"
　　Mowglistoodupright——thefirepotinhishands。Thenhestretchedouthisarms，andyawnedinthefaceoftheCouncil;buthewasfuriouswithrageandsorrow，for，wolflike，thewolveshadnevertoldhimhowtheyhatedhim。"Listenyou！"hecried。
　　"Thereisnoneedforthisdog’sjabber。YehavetoldmesooftentonightthatIamaman（andindeedIwouldhavebeenawolfwithyoutomylife’send）thatIfeelyourwordsaretrue。SoIdonotcallyemybrothersanymore，butsag[dogs]，asamanshould。
　　Whatyewilldo，andwhatyewillnotdo，isnotyourstosay。
　　Thatmatteriswithme;andthatwemayseethemattermoreplainly，I，theman，havebroughtherealittleoftheRedFlowerwhichye，dogs，fear。"
　　Heflungthefirepotontheground，andsomeoftheredcoalslitatuftofdriedmossthatflaredup，asalltheCouncildrewbackinterrorbeforetheleapingflames。
　　Mowglithrusthisdeadbranchintothefiretillthetwigslitandcrackled，andwhirleditabovehisheadamongthecoweringwolves。
　　"Thouartthemaster，"saidBagheerainanundertone。"SaveAkelafromthedeath。Hewaseverthyfriend。"
　　Akela，thegrimoldwolfwhohadneveraskedformercyinhislife，gaveonepiteouslookatMowgliastheboystoodallnaked，hislongblackhairtossingoverhisshouldersinthelightoftheblazingbranchthatmadetheshadowsjumpandquiver。
　　"Good！"saidMowgli，staringroundslowly。"Iseethatyearedogs。Igofromyoutomyownpeople——iftheybemyownpeople。
　　Thejungleisshuttome，andImustforgetyourtalkandyourcompanionship。ButIwillbemoremercifulthanyeare。BecauseIwasallbutyourbrotherinblood，IpromisethatwhenIamamanamongmenIwillnotbetrayyetomenasyehavebetrayedme。"
　　Hekickedthefirewithhisfoot，andthesparksflewup。"ThereshallbenowarbetweenanyofusinthePack。ButhereisadebttopaybeforeIgo。"HestrodeforwardtowhereShereKhansatblinkingstupidlyattheflames，andcaughthimbythetuftonhischin。Bagheerafollowedincaseofaccidents。"Up，dog！"Mowglicried。"Up，whenamanspeaks，orIwillsetthatcoatablaze！"
　　ShereKhan’searslayflatbackonhishead，andheshuthiseyes，fortheblazingbranchwasverynear。
　　"Thiscattle—killersaidhewouldkillmeintheCouncilbecausehehadnotkilledmewhenIwasacub。Thusandthus，then，dowebeatdogswhenwearemen。Stirawhisker，Lungri，andIramtheRedFlowerdownthygullet！"HebeatShereKhanovertheheadwiththebranch，andthetigerwhimperedandwhinedinanagonyoffear。
　　"Pah！Singedjunglecat——gonow！ButrememberwhennextI
　　cometotheCouncilRock，asamanshouldcome，itwillbewithShereKhan’shideonmyhead。Fortherest，Akelagoesfreetoliveashepleases。Yewillnotkillhim，becausethatisnotmywill。NordoIthinkthatyewillsithereanylonger，lollingoutyourtonguesasthoughyeweresomebodies，insteadofdogswhomIdriveout——thus！Go！"Thefirewasburningfuriouslyattheendofthebranch，andMowglistruckrightandleftroundthecircle，andthewolvesranhowlingwiththesparksburningtheirfur。AtlasttherewereonlyAkela，Bagheera，andperhapstenwolvesthathadtakenMowgli’spart。ThensomethingbegantohurtMowgliinsidehim，ashehadneverbeenhurtinhislifebefore，andhecaughthisbreathandsobbed，andthetearsrandownhisface。
　　"Whatisit？Whatisit？"hesaid。"Idonotwishtoleavethejungle，andIdonotknowwhatthisis。AmIdying，Bagheera？"
　　"No，LittleBrother。Thatisonlytearssuchasmenuse，"
　　saidBagheera。"NowIknowthouartaman，andaman’scubnolonger。Thejungleisshutindeedtotheehenceforward。Letthemfall，Mowgli。Theyareonlytears。"SoMowglisatandcriedasthoughhisheartwouldbreak;andhehadnevercriedinallhislifebefore。
　　"Now，"hesaid，"Iwillgotomen。ButfirstImustsayfarewelltomymother。"AndhewenttothecavewhereshelivedwithFatherWolf，andhecriedonhercoat，whilethefourcubshowledmiserably。
　　"Yewillnotforgetme？"saidMowgli。
　　"Neverwhilewecanfollowatrail，"saidthecubs。"Cometothefootofthehillwhenthouartaman，andwewilltalktothee;andwewillcomeintothecroplandstoplaywiththeebynight。"
　　"Comesoon！"saidFatherWolf。"Oh，wiselittlefrog，comeagainsoon;forwebeold，thymotherandI。"
　　"Comesoon，"saidMotherWolf，"littlenakedsonofmine。
　　For，listen，childofman，IlovedtheemorethaneverIlovedmycubs。"
　　"Iwillsurelycome，"saidMowgli。"AndwhenIcomeitwillbetolayoutShereKhan’shideupontheCouncilRock。Donotforgetme！Telltheminthejunglenevertoforgetme！"
　　ThedawnwasbeginningtobreakwhenMowgliwentdownthehillsidealone，tomeetthosemysteriousthingsthatarecalledmen。
　　Hunting—SongoftheSeeoneePackAsthedawnwasbreakingtheSambhurbelledOnce，twiceandagain！
　　Andadoeleapedup，andadoeleapedupFromthepondinthewoodwherethewilddeersup。
　　ThisI，scoutingalone，beheld，Once，twiceandagain！
　　AsthedawnwasbreakingtheSambhurbelledOnce，twiceandagain！
　　Andawolfstoleback，andawolfstolebackTocarrythewordtothewaitingpack，AndwesoughtandwefoundandwebayedonhistrackOnce，twiceandagain！
　　AsthedawnwasbreakingtheWolfPackyelledOnce，twiceandagain！
　　Feetinthejunglethatleavenomark！
　　Eyesthatcanseeinthedark——thedark！
　　Tongue——givetonguetoit！Hark！Ohark！
　　Once，twiceandagain！
　　Kaa’sHuntingHisspotsarethejoyoftheLeopard：hishornsaretheBuffalo’spride。
　　Beclean，forthestrengthofthehunterisknownbytheglossofhishide。
　　IfyefindthattheBullockcantossyou，ortheheavy—browedSambhurcangore;
　　Yeneednotstopworktoinformus：weknewittenseasonsbefore。
　　Oppressnotthecubsofthestranger，buthailthemasSisterandBrother，Forthoughtheyarelittleandfubsy，itmaybetheBearistheirmother。
　　"Thereisnoneliketome！"saystheCubintheprideofhisearliestkill;
　　ButthejungleislargeandtheCubheissmall。Lethimthinkandbestill。
　　MaximsofBalooAllthatistoldherehappenedsometimebeforeMowgliwasturnedoutoftheSeeoneeWolfPack，orrevengedhimselfonShereKhanthetiger。ItwasinthedayswhenBaloowasteachinghimtheLawoftheJungle。Thebig，serious，oldbrownbearwasdelightedtohavesoquickapupil，fortheyoungwolveswillonlylearnasmuchoftheLawoftheJungleasappliestotheirownpackandtribe，andrunawayassoonastheycanrepeattheHuntingVerse——"Feetthatmakenonoise;eyesthatcanseeinthedark;earsthatcanhearthewindsintheirlairs，andsharpwhiteteeth，allthesethingsarethemarksofourbrothersexceptTabaquitheJackalandtheHyaenawhomwehate。"ButMowgli，asaman—cub，hadtolearnagreatdealmorethanthis。SometimesBagheeratheBlackPantherwouldcomeloungingthroughthejungletoseehowhispetwasgettingon，andwouldpurrwithhisheadagainstatreewhileMowglirecitedtheday’slessontoBaloo。Theboycouldclimbalmostaswellashecouldswim，andswimalmostaswellashecouldrun。SoBaloo，theTeacheroftheLaw，taughthimtheWoodandWaterLaws：howtotellarottenbranchfromasoundone;howtospeakpolitelytothewildbeeswhenhecameuponahiveofthemfiftyfeetaboveground;whattosaytoMangtheBatwhenhedisturbedhiminthebranchesatmidday;andhowtowarnthewater—snakesinthepoolsbeforehesplasheddownamongthem。NoneoftheJunglePeoplelikebeingdisturbed，andallareveryreadytoflyatanintruder。Then，too，MowgliwastaughttheStrangers’HuntingCall，whichmustberepeatedaloudtillitisanswered，wheneveroneoftheJungle—Peoplehuntsoutsidehisowngrounds。Itmeans，translated，"GivemeleavetohuntherebecauseIamhungry。"Andtheansweris，"Huntthenforfood，butnotforpleasure。"
　　AllthiswillshowyouhowmuchMowglihadtolearnbyheart，andhegrewverytiredofsayingthesamethingoverahundredtimes。But，asBaloosaidtoBagheera，onedaywhenMowglihadbeencuffedandrunoffinatemper，"Aman’scubisaman’scub，andhemustlearnalltheLawoftheJungle。"
　　"Butthinkhowsmallheis，"saidtheBlackPanther，whowouldhavespoiledMowgliifhehadhadhisownway。"Howcanhislittleheadcarryallthylongtalk？"
　　"Isthereanythinginthejungletoolittletobekilled？No。
　　ThatiswhyIteachhimthesethings，andthatiswhyIhithim，verysoftly，whenheforgets。"
　　"Softly！Whatdostthouknowofsoftness，oldIron—feet？"
　　Bagheeragrunted。"Hisfaceisallbruisedtodaybythy——
　　softness。Ugh。"
　　"Betterheshouldbebruisedfromheadtofootbymewholovehimthanthatheshouldcometoharmthroughignorance，"Balooansweredveryearnestly。"IamnowteachinghimtheMasterWordsoftheJunglethatshallprotecthimwiththebirdsandtheSnakePeople，andallthathuntonfourfeet，excepthisownpack。Hecannowclaimprotection，ifhewillonlyrememberthewords，fromallinthejungle。Isnotthatworthalittlebeating？"
　　"Well，looktoitthenthatthoudostnotkilltheman—cub。
　　Heisnotreetrunktosharpenthybluntclawsupon。ButwhatarethoseMasterWords？Iammorelikelytogivehelpthantoaskit"
　　——Bagheerastretchedoutonepawandadmiredthesteel—blue，ripping—chiseltalonsattheendofit——"stillIshouldliketoknow。"
　　"IwillcallMowgliandheshallsaythem——ifhewill。
　　Come，LittleBrother！"
　　"Myheadisringinglikeabeetree，"saidasullenlittlevoiceovertheirheads，andMowglisliddownatreetrunkveryangryandindignant，addingashereachedtheground："IcomeforBagheeraandnotforthee，fatoldBaloo！"
　　"Thatisallonetome，"saidBaloo，thoughhewashurtandgrieved。"TellBagheera，then，theMasterWordsoftheJunglethatIhavetaughttheethisday。"
　　"MasterWordsforwhichpeople？"saidMowgli，delightedtoshowoff。"Thejunglehasmanytongues。Iknowthemall。"
　　"Alittlethouknowest，butnotmuch。See，OBagheera，theyneverthanktheirteacher。NotonesmallwolflinghasevercomebacktothankoldBalooforhisteachings。SaythewordfortheHunting—People，then——greatscholar。"
　　"Webeofoneblood，yeandI，"saidMowgli，givingthewordstheBearaccentwhichalltheHuntingPeopleuse。
　　"Good。Nowforthebirds。"
　　Mowglirepeated，withtheKite’swhistleattheendofthesentence。
　　"NowfortheSnake—People，"saidBagheera。
　　Theanswerwasaperfectlyindescribablehiss，andMowglikickeduphisfeetbehind，clappedhishandstogethertoapplaudhimself，andjumpedontoBagheera’sback，wherehesatsideways，drummingwithhisheelsontheglossyskinandmakingtheworstfaceshecouldthinkofatBaloo。
　　"There——there！Thatwasworthalittlebruise，"saidthebrownbeartenderly。"Somedaythouwiltrememberme。"ThenheturnedasidetotellBagheerahowhehadbeggedtheMasterWordsfromHathitheWildElephant，whoknowsallaboutthesethings，andhowHathihadtakenMowglidowntoapooltogettheSnakeWordfromawater—snake，becauseBaloocouldnotpronounceit，andhowMowgliwasnowreasonablysafeagainstallaccidentsinthejungle，becauseneithersnake，bird，norbeastwouldhurthim。
　　"Noonethenistobefeared，"Baloowoundup，pattinghisbigfurrystomachwithpride。
　　"Excepthisowntribe，"saidBagheera，underhisbreath;andthenaloudtoMowgli，"Haveacareformyribs，LittleBrother！
　　Whatisallthisdancingupanddown？"
　　MowglihadbeentryingtomakehimselfheardbypullingatBagheera’sshoulderfurandkickinghard。Whenthetwolistenedtohimhewasshoutingatthetopofhisvoice，"AndsoIshallhaveatribeofmyown，andleadthemthroughthebranchesalldaylong。"
　　"Whatisthisnewfolly，littledreamerofdreams？"saidBagheera。
　　"Yes，andthrowbranchesanddirtatoldBaloo，"Mowgliwenton。"Theyhavepromisedmethis。Ah！"
　　"Whoof！"Baloo’sbigpawscoopedMowglioffBagheera’sback，andastheboylaybetweenthebigfore—pawshecouldseetheBearwasangry。
　　"Mowgli，"saidBaloo，"thouhastbeentalkingwiththeBandar—log——theMonkeyPeople。"
　　MowglilookedatBagheeratoseeifthePantherwasangrytoo，andBagheera’seyeswereashardasjadestones。
　　"ThouhastbeenwiththeMonkeyPeople——thegrayapes——thepeoplewithoutalaw——theeatersofeverything。Thatisgreatshame。"
　　"WhenBaloohurtmyhead，"saidMowgli（hewasstillonhisback），"Iwentaway，andthegrayapescamedownfromthetreesandhadpityonme。Nooneelsecared。"Hesnuffledalittle。
　　"ThepityoftheMonkeyPeople！"Baloosnorted。"Thestillnessofthemountainstream！Thecoolofthesummersun！
　　Andthen，man—cub？"
　　"Andthen，andthen，theygavemenutsandpleasantthingstoeat，andthey——theycarriedmeintheirarmsuptothetopofthetreesandsaidIwastheirbloodbrotherexceptthatIhadnotail，andshouldbetheirleadersomeday。"
　　"Theyhavenoleader，"saidBagheera。"Theylie。Theyhavealwayslied。"
　　"Theywereverykindandbademecomeagain。WhyhaveIneverbeentakenamongtheMonkeyPeople？TheystandontheirfeetasI
　　do。Theydonothitmewiththeirhardpaws。Theyplayallday。
　　Letmegetup！BadBaloo，letmeup！Iwillplaywiththemagain。"
　　"Listen，man—cub，"saidtheBear，andhisvoicerumbledlikethunderonahotnight。"IhavetaughttheealltheLawoftheJungleforallthepeoplesofthejungle——excepttheMonkey—Folkwholiveinthetrees。Theyhavenolaw。Theyareoutcasts。
　　Theyhavenospeechoftheirown，butusethestolenwordswhichtheyoverhearwhentheylisten，andpeep，andwaitupaboveinthebranches。Theirwayisnotourway。Theyarewithoutleaders。Theyhavenoremembrance。Theyboastandchatterandpretendthattheyareagreatpeopleabouttodogreataffairsinthejungle，butthefallingofanutturnstheirmindstolaughterandallisforgotten。Weofthejunglehavenodealingswiththem。Wedonotdrinkwherethemonkeysdrink;wedonotgowherethemonkeysgo;wedonothuntwheretheyhunt;wedonotdiewheretheydie。HastthoueverheardmespeakoftheBandar—logtilltoday？"
　　"No，"saidMowgliinawhisper，fortheforestwasverystillnowBaloohadfinished。
　　"TheJungle—Peopleputthemoutoftheirmouthsandoutoftheirminds。Theyareverymany，evil，dirty，shameless，andtheydesire，iftheyhaveanyfixeddesire，tobenoticedbytheJunglePeople。Butwedonotnoticethemevenwhentheythrownutsandfilthonourheads。"
　　Hehadhardlyspokenwhenashowerofnutsandtwigsspattereddownthroughthebranches;andtheycouldhearcoughingsandhowlingsandangryjumpingshighupintheairamongthethinbranches。
　　"TheMonkey—Peopleareforbidden，"saidBaloo，"forbiddentotheJungle—People。Remember。"
　　"Forbidden，"saidBagheera，"butIstillthinkBalooshouldhavewarnedtheeagainstthem。"
　　"I——I？HowwasItoguesshewouldplaywithsuchdirt。
　　TheMonkeyPeople！Faugh！"
　　Afreshshowercamedownontheirheadsandthetwotrottedaway，takingMowgliwiththem。WhatBaloohadsaidaboutthemonkeyswasperfectlytrue。Theybelongedtothetree—tops，andasbeastsveryseldomlookup，therewasnooccasionforthemonkeysandtheJungle—Peopletocrosseachother’spath。Butwhenevertheyfoundasickwolf，orawoundedtiger，orbear，themonkeyswouldtormenthim，andwouldthrowsticksandnutsatanybeastforfunandinthehopeofbeingnoticed。Thentheywouldhowlandshrieksenselesssongs，andinvitetheJungle—Peopletoclimbuptheirtreesandfightthem，orwouldstartfuriousbattlesovernothingamongthemselves，andleavethedeadmonkeyswheretheJungle—Peoplecouldseethem。Theywerealwaysjustgoingtohavealeader，andlawsandcustomsoftheirown，buttheyneverdid，becausetheirmemorieswouldnotholdoverfromdaytoday，andsotheycompromisedthingsbymakingupasaying，"WhattheBandar—logthinknowthejunglewillthinklater，"andthatcomfortedthemagreatdeal。Noneofthebeastscouldreachthem，butontheotherhandnoneofthebeastswouldnoticethem，andthatwaswhytheyweresopleasedwhenMowglicametoplaywiththem，andtheyheardhowangryBaloowas。
　　Theynevermeanttodoanymore——theBandar—lognevermeananythingatall;butoneoftheminventedwhatseemedtohimabrilliantidea，andhetoldalltheothersthatMowgliwouldbeausefulpersontokeepinthetribe，becausehecouldweavestickstogetherforprotectionfromthewind;so，iftheycaughthim，theycouldmakehimteachthem。OfcourseMowgli，asawoodcutter’schild，inheritedallsortsofinstincts，andusedtomakelittlehutsoffallenbrancheswithoutthinkinghowhecametodoit。TheMonkey—People，watchinginthetrees，consideredhisplaymostwonderful。Thistime，theysaid，theywerereallygoingtohavealeaderandbecomethewisestpeopleinthejungle——sowisethateveryoneelsewouldnoticeandenvythem。
　　ThereforetheyfollowedBalooandBagheeraandMowglithroughthejungleveryquietlytillitwastimeforthemiddaynap，andMowgli，whowasverymuchashamedofhimself，sleptbetweenthePantherandtheBear，resolvingtohavenomoretodowiththeMonkeyPeople。
　　Thenextthingherememberedwasfeelinghandsonhislegsandarms——hard，strong，littlehands——andthenaswashofbranchesinhisface，andthenhewasstaringdownthroughtheswayingboughsasBaloowokethejunglewithhisdeepcriesandBagheeraboundedupthetrunkwitheverytoothbared。TheBandar—loghowledwithtriumphandscuffledawaytotheupperbrancheswhereBagheeradarednotfollow，shouting："Hehasnoticedus！Bagheerahasnoticedus。AlltheJungle—Peopleadmireusforourskillandourcunning。"Thentheybegantheirflight;andtheflightoftheMonkey—Peoplethroughtree—landisoneofthethingsnobodycandescribe。Theyhavetheirregularroadsandcrossroads，uphillsanddownhills，alllaidoutfromfiftytoseventyorahundredfeetaboveground，andbythesetheycantravelevenatnightifnecessary。TwoofthestrongestmonkeyscaughtMowgliunderthearmsandswungoffwithhimthroughthetreetops，twentyfeetatabound。Hadtheybeenalonetheycouldhavegonetwiceasfast，buttheboy’sweightheldthemback。SickandgiddyasMowgliwashecouldnothelpenjoyingthewildrush，thoughtheglimpsesofearthfardownbelowfrightenedhim，andtheterriblecheckandjerkattheendoftheswingovernothingbutemptyairbroughthisheartbetweenhisteeth。Hisescortwouldrushhimupatreetillhefeltthethinnesttopmostbranchescrackleandbendunderthem，andthenwithacoughandawhoopwouldflingthemselvesintotheairoutwardanddownward，andbringup，hangingbytheirhandsortheirfeettothelowerlimbsofthenexttree。
　　Sometimeshecouldseeformilesandmilesacrossthestillgreenjungle，asamanonthetopofamastcanseeformilesacrossthesea，andthenthebranchesandleaveswouldlashhimacrosstheface，andheandhistwoguardswouldbealmostdowntoearthagain。So，boundingandcrashingandwhoopingandyelling，thewholetribeofBandar—logsweptalongthetree—roadswithMowglitheirprisoner。
　　Foratimehewasafraidofbeingdropped。Thenhegrewangrybutknewbetterthantostruggle，andthenhebegantothink。ThefirstthingwastosendbackwordtoBalooandBagheera，for，atthepacethemonkeysweregoing，heknewhisfriendswouldbeleftfarbehind。Itwasuselesstolookdown，forhecouldonlyseethetopsidesofthebranches，sohestaredupwardandsaw，farawayintheblue，RanntheKitebalancingandwheelingashekeptwatchoverthejunglewaitingforthingstodie。Rannsawthatthemonkeyswerecarryingsomething，anddroppedafewhundredyardstofindoutwhethertheirloadwasgoodtoeat。HewhistledwithsurprisewhenhesawMowglibeingdraggeduptoatreetopandheardhimgivetheKitecallfor——"Webeofoneblood，thouandI。"Thewavesofthebranchesclosedovertheboy，butChilbalancedawaytothenexttreeintimetoseethelittlebrownfacecomeupagain。"Markmytrail！"Mowglishouted。"TellBaloooftheSeeoneePackandBagheeraoftheCouncilRock。"
　　"Inwhosename，Brother？"RannhadneverseenMowglibefore，thoughofcoursehehadheardofhim。
　　"Mowgli，theFrog。Man—cubtheycallme！Markmytra—il！"
　　Thelastwordswereshriekedashewasbeingswungthroughtheair，butRannnoddedandroseuptillhelookednobiggerthanaspeckofdust，andtherehehung，watchingwithhistelescopeeyestheswayingofthetreetopsasMowgli’sescortwhirledalong。
　　"Theynevergofar，"hesaidwithachuckle。"Theyneverdowhattheysetouttodo。AlwayspeckingatnewthingsaretheBandar—log。Thistime，ifIhaveanyeye—sight，theyhavepeckeddowntroubleforthemselves，forBalooisnofledglingandBagheeracan，asIknow，killmorethangoats。"
　　Soherockedonhiswings，hisfeetgatheredupunderhim，andwaited。