第1章
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  CONTENTS

  HowFearCameTheLawoftheJungleTheMiracleofPurunBhagatASongofKabirLettingintheJungleMowgli’sSongagainstPeopleTheUndertakersARippleSongTheKing’sAnkusTheSongoftheLittleHunterQuiquern’AngutivaunTaina’

  RedDogChil’sSongTheSpringRunningTheOutsongHOWFEARCAME

  Thestreamisshrunk——thepoolisdry,Andwebecomrades,thouandI;

  WithfeveredjowlanddustyflankEachjostlingeachalongthebank;

  Andbyonedrouthyfearmadestill,Forgoingthoughtofquestorkill。

  Now’neathhisdamthefawnmaysee,TheleanPack-wolfascowedashe,Andthetallbuck,unflinching,noteThefangsthattorehisfather’sthroat。

  Thepoolsareshrunk——thestreamsaredry,Andwebeplaymates,thouandI,Tillyondercloud——GoodHunting!——looseTherainthatbreaksourWaterTruce。

  TheLawoftheJungle——whichisbyfartheoldestlawintheworld——hasarrangedforalmosteverykindofaccidentthatmaybefalltheJunglePeople,tillnowitscodeisasperfectastimeandcustomcanmakeit。YouwillrememberthatMowglispentagreatpartofhislifeintheSeeoneeWolf-Pack,learningtheLawfromBaloo,theBrownBear;anditwasBaloowhotoldhim,whentheboygrewimpatientattheconstantorders,thattheLawwasliketheGiantCreeper,becauseitdroppedacrosseveryone’sbackandnoonecouldescape。

  \"WhenthouhastlivedaslongasIhave,LittleBrother,thouwiltseehowalltheJungleobeysatleastoneLaw。

  Andthatwillbenopleasantsight,\"saidBaloo。

  Thistalkwentinatoneearandoutattheother,foraboywhospendshislifeeatingandsleepingdoesnotworryaboutanythingtillitactuallystareshimintheface。But,oneyear,Baloo’swordscametrue,andMowglisawalltheJungleworkingundertheLaw。

  ItbeganwhenthewinterRainsfailedalmostentirely,andIkki,thePorcupine,meetingMowgliinabamboo-thicket,toldhimthatthewildyamsweredryingup。NoweverybodyknowsthatIkkiisridiculouslyfastidiousinhischoiceoffood,andwilleatnothingbuttheverybestandripest。SoMowglilaughedandsaid,\"Whatisthattome?\"

  \"NotmuchNOW,\"saidIkki,rattlinghisquillsinastiff,uncomfortableway,\"butlaterweshallsee。Isthereanymoredivingintothedeeprock-poolbelowtheBee-Rocks,LittleBrother?\"

  \"No。Thefoolishwaterisgoingallaway,andIdonotwishtobreakmyhead,\"saidMowgii,who,inthosedays,wasquitesurethatheknewasmuchasanyfiveoftheJunglePeopleputtogether。

  \"Thatisthyloss。Asmallcrackmightletinsomewisdom。\"

  IkkiduckedquicklytopreventMowglifrompullinghisnose-bristles,andMowglitoldBaloowhatIkkihadsaid。

  Baloolookedverygrave,andmumbledhalftohimself:

  \"IfIwerealoneIwouldchangemyhunting-groundsnow,beforetheothersbegantothink。Andyet——huntingamongstrangersendsinfighting;andtheymighthurttheMan-cub。

  Wemustwaitandseehowthemohwablooms。\"

  Thatspringthemohwatree,thatBaloowassofondof,neverflowered。Thegreeny,cream-coloured,waxyblossomswereheat-killedbeforetheywereborn,andonlyafewbad-smellingpetalscamedownwhenhestoodonhishindlegsandshookthetree。Then,inchbyinch,theuntemperedheatcreptintotheheartoftheJungle,turningityellow,brown,andatlastblack。Thegreengrowthsinthesidesoftheravinesburneduptobrokenwiresandcurledfilmsofdeadstuff;

  thehiddenpoolssankdownandcakedover,keepingthelastleastfootmarkontheiredgesasifithadbeencastiniron;

  thejuicy-stemmedcreepersfellawayfromthetreestheyclungtoanddiedattheirfeet;thebambooswithered,clankingwhenthehotwindsblew,andthemosspeeledofftherocksdeepintheJungle,tilltheywereasbareandashotasthequiveringbluebouldersinthebedofthestream。

  Thebirdsandthemonkey-peoplewentnorthearlyintheyear,fortheyknewwhatwascoming;andthedeerandthewildpigbrokefarawaytotheperishedfieldsofthevillages,dyingsometimesbeforetheeyesofmentooweaktokillthem。Chil,theKite,stayedandgrewfat,fortherewasagreatdealofcarrion,andeveningaftereveninghebroughtthenewstothebeasts,tooweaktoforcetheirwaytofreshhunting-grounds,thatthesunwaskillingtheJungleforthreedays\"flightineverydirection。

  Mowgli,whohadneverknownwhatrealhungermeant,fellbackonstalehoney,threeyearsold,scrapedoutofdesertedrock-hives——honeyblackasasloe,anddustywithdriedsugar。

  Hehunted,too,fordeep-boringgrubsunderthebarkofthetrees,androbbedthewaspsoftheirnewbroods。Allthegameinthejunglewasnomorethanskinandbone,andBagheeracouldkillthriceinanight,andhardlygetafullmeal。Butthewantofwaterwastheworst,forthoughtheJunglePeopledrinkseldomtheymustdrinkdeep。

  Andtheheatwentonandon,andsuckedupallthemoisture,tillatlastthemainchanneloftheWaingungawastheonlystreamthatcarriedatrickleofwaterbetweenitsdeadbanks;

  andwhenHathi,thewildelephant,wholivesforahundredyearsandmore,sawalong,leanblueridgeofrockshowdryintheverycentreofthestream,heknewthathewaslookingatthePeaceRock,andthenandtherehelifteduphistrunkandproclaimedtheWaterTruce,ashisfatherbeforehimhadproclaimeditfiftyyearsago。Thedeer,wildpig,andbuffalotookupthecryhoarsely;andChil,theKite,flewingreatcirclesfarandwide,whistlingandshriekingthewarning。

  BytheLawoftheJungleitisdeathtokillatthedrinking-placeswhenoncetheWaterTrucehasbeendeclared。

  Thereasonofthisisthatdrinkingcomesbeforeeating。EveryoneintheJunglecanscramblealongsomehowwhenonlygameisscarce;butwateriswater,andwhenthereisbutonesourceofsupply,allhuntingstopswhiletheJunglePeoplegotherefortheirneeds。Ingoodseasons,whenwaterwasplentiful,thosewhocamedowntodrinkattheWaingunga——oranywhereelse,forthatmatter——didsoattheriskoftheirlives,andthatriskmadenosmallpartofthefascinationofthenight’sdoings。

  Tomovedownsocunninglythatneveraleafstirred;towadeknee-deepintheroaringshallowsthatdrownallnoisefrombehind;todrink,lookingbackwardoveroneshoulder,everymusclereadyforthefirstdesperateboundofkeenterror;

  torollonthesandymargin,andreturn,wet-muzzledandwellplumpedout,totheadmiringherd,wasathingthatalltall-antleredyoungbuckstookadelightin,preciselybecausetheyknewthatatanymomentBagheeraorShereKhanmightleapuponthemandbearthemdown。Butnowallthatlife-and-deathfunwasended,andtheJunglePeoplecameup,starvedandweary,totheshrunkenriver,——tiger,bear,deer,buffalo,andpig,alltogether,——drankthefouledwaters,andhungabovethem,tooexhaustedtomoveoff。

  Thedeerandthepighadtrampedalldayinsearchofsomethingbetterthandriedbarkandwitheredleaves。Thebuffaloeshadfoundnowallowstobecoolin,andnogreencropstosteal。

  ThesnakeshadlefttheJungleandcomedowntotheriverinthehopeoffindingastrayfrog。Theycurledroundwetstones,andneverofferedtostrikewhenthenoseofarootingpigdislodgedthem。Theriver-turtleshadlongagobeenkilledbyBagheera,cleverestofhunters,andthefishhadburiedthemselvesdeepinthedrymud。OnlythePeaceRocklayacrosstheshallowslikealongsnake,andthelittletiredrippleshissedastheydriedonitshotside。

  ItwasherethatMowglicamenightlyforthecoolandthecompanionship。Themosthungryofhisenemieswouldhardlyhavecaredfortheboythen,Hisnakedhidemadehimseemmoreleanandwretchedthananyofhisfellows。Hishairwasbleachedtotowcolourbythesun;hisribsstoodoutliketheribsofabasket,andthelumpsonhiskneesandelbows,wherehewasusedtotrackonallfours,gavehisshrunkenlimbsthelookofknottedgrass-stems。Buthiseye,underhismattedforelock,wascoolandquiet,forBagheerawashisadviserinthistimeoftrouble,andtoldhimtogoquietly,huntslowly,andnever,onanyaccount,tolosehistemper。

  \"Itisaneviltime,\"saidtheBlackPanther,onefurnace-hotevening,\"butitwillgoifwecanlivetilltheend。Isthystomachfull,Man-cub?\"

  \"Thereisstuffinmystomach,butIgetnogoodofit。

  Thinkyou,Bagheera,theRainshaveforgottenusandwillnevercomeagain?\"

  \"NotI!Weshallseethemohwainblossomyet,andthelittlefawnsallfatwithnewgrass。ComedowntothePeaceRockandhearthenews。Onmyback,LittleBrother。\"

  \"Thisisnotimetocarryweight。Icanstillstandalone,but——indeedwebenofattedbullocks,wetwo。\"

  Bagheeralookedalonghisragged,dustyflankandwhispered。

  \"LastnightIkilledabullockundertheyoke。SolowwasI

  broughtthatIthinkIshouldnothavedaredtospringifhehadbeenloose。WOU!\"

  Mowglilaughed。\"Yes,webegreathuntersnow,\"saidhe。

  \"Iamverybold——toeatgrubs,\"andthetwocamedowntogetherthroughthecracklingundergrowthtotheriver-bankandthelace-workofshoalsthatranoutfromitineverydirection。

  \"Thewatercannotlivelong,\"saidBaloo,joiningthem。

  \"Lookacross。YonderaretrailsliketheroadsofMan。\"

  Onthelevelplainofthefartherbankthestiffjungle-grasshaddiedstanding,and,dying,hadmummied。Thebeatentracksofthedeerandthepig,allheadingtowardtheriver,hadstripedthatcolourlessplainwithdustygulliesdriventhroughtheten-footgrass,and,earlyasitwas,eachlongavenuewasfulloffirst-comershasteningtothewater。Youcouldhearthedoesandfawnscoughinginthesnuff-likedust。

  Up-stream,atthebendofthesluggishpoolroundthePeaceRock,andWardenoftheWaterTruce,stoodHathi,thewildelephant,withhissons,gauntandgrayinthemoonlight,rockingtoandfro——alwaysrocking。Belowhimalittlewerethevanguardofthedeer;belowthese,again,thepigandthewildbuffalo;andontheoppositebank,wherethetalltreescamedowntothewater’sedge,wastheplacesetapartfortheEatersofFlesh——thetiger,thewolves,thepanther,thebear,andtheothers。

  \"WeareunderoneLaw,indeed,\"saidBagheera,wadingintothewaterandlookingacrossatthelinesofclickinghornsandstartingeyeswherethedeerandthepigpushedeachothertoandfro。\"Goodhunting,allyouofmyblood,\"headded,lyingownatfulllength,oneflankthrustoutoftheshallows;andthen,betweenhisteeth,\"ButforthatwhichistheLawitwouldbeVERYgoodhunting。\"

  Thequick-spreadearsofthedeercaughtthelastsentence,andafrightenedwhisperranalongtheranks。\"TheTruce!

  RemembertheTruce!\"

  \"Peacethere,peace!\"gurgledHathi,thewildelephant。

  \"TheTruceholds,Bagheera。Thisisnotimetotalkofhunting。\"

  \"WhoshouldknowbetterthanI?\"Bagheeraanswered,rollinghisyelloweyesup-stream。\"Iamaneaterofturtles——afisheroffrogs。Ngaayah!WouldIcouldgetgoodfromchewingbranches!\"

  \"WEwishso,verygreatly,\"bleatedayoungfawn,whohadonlybeenbornthatspring,anddidnotatalllikeit。WretchedastheJunglePeoplewere,evenHathicouldnothelpchuckling;

  whileMowgli,lyingonhiselbowsinthewarmwater,laughedaloud,andbeatupthescumwithhisfeet。

  \"Wellspoken,littlebud-horn,\"Bagheerapurred。\"WhentheTruceendsthatshallberememberedinthyfavour,\"andhelookedkeenlythroughthedarknesstomakesureofrecognisingthefawnagain。

  Graduallythetalkingspreadupanddownthedrinking-places。

  Onecouldhearthescuffling,snortingpigaskingformoreroom;thebuffaloesgruntingamongthemselvesastheylurchedoutacrossthesand-bars,andthedeertellingpitifulstoriesoftheirlongfoot-sorewanderingsinquestoffood。NowandagaintheyaskedsomequestionoftheEatersofFleshacrosstheriver,butallthenewswasbad,andtheroaringhotwindoftheJunglecameandwentbetweentherocksandtherattlingbranches,andscatteredtwigs,anddustonthewater。

  \"Themen-folk,too,theydiebesidetheirploughs,\"saidayoungsambhur。\"Ipassedthreebetweensunsetandnight。

  Theylaystill,andtheirBullockswiththem。Wealsoshallliestillinalittle。\"

  \"Theriverhasfallensincelastnight,\"saidBaloo。\"OHathi,hastthoueverseenthelikeofthisdrought?\"

  \"Itwillpass,itwillpass,\"saidHathi,squirtingwateralonghisbackandsides。

  \"Wehaveoneherethatcannotendurelong,\"saidBaloo;andhelookedtowardtheboyheloved。

  \"I?\"saidMowgliindignantly,sittingupinthewater。\"Ihavenolongfurtocovermybones,but——butifTHYhideweretakenoff,Baloo————\"

  Hathishookalloverattheidea,andBaloosaidseverely:

  \"Man-cub,thatisnotseemlytotellaTeacheroftheLaw。

  NeverhaveIbeenseenwithoutmyhide。\"

  \"Nay,Imeantnoharm,Baloo;butonlythatthouart,asitwere,likethecocoanutinthehusk,andIamthesamecocoanutallnaked。Nowthatbrownhuskofthine————\"Mowgliwassittingcross-legged,andexplainingthingswithhisforefingerinhisusualway,whenBagheeraputoutapaddypawandpulledhimoverbackwardintothewater。

  \"Worseandworse,\"saidtheBlackPanther,astheboyrosespluttering。\"FirstBalooistobeskinned,andnowheisacocoanut。Becarefulthathedoesnotdowhattheripecocoanutsdo。\"

  \"Andwhatisthat?\"saidMowgli,offhisguardfortheminute,thoughthatisoneoftheoldestcatchesintheJungle。

  \"Breakthyhead,\"saidBagheeraquietly,pullinghimunderagain。

  \"Itisnotgoodtomakeajestofthyteacher,\"saidthebear,whenMowglihadbeenduckedforthethirdtime。

  \"Notgood!Whatwouldyehave?Thatnakedthingrunningtoandfromakesamonkey-jestofthosewhohaveoncebeengoodhunters,andpullsthebestofusbythewhiskersforsport。\"

  ThiswasShereKhan,theLameTiger,limpingdowntothewater。

  Hewaitedalittletoenjoythesensationhemadeamongthedeerontheoppositetolap,growling:\"Thejunglehasbecomeawhelping-groundfornakedcubsnow。Lookatme,Man-cub!\"

  Mowglilooked——stared,rather——asinsolentlyasheknewhow,andinaminuteShereKhanturnedawayuneasily。\"Man-cubthis,andMan-cubthat,\"herumbled,goingonwithhisdrink,\"thecubisneithermannorcub,orhewouldhavebeenafraid。NextseasonIshallhavetobeghisleaveforadrink。Augrh!\"

  \"Thatmaycome,too,\"saidBagheera,lookinghimsteadilybetweentheeyes。\"Thatmaycome,too——Faugh,ShereKhan!——whatnewshamehastthoubroughthere?\"

  TheLameTigerhaddippedhischinandjowlinthewater,anddark,oilystreakswerefloatingfromitdown-stream。

  \"Man!\"saidShereKhancoolly,\"Ikilledanhoursince。\"

  Hewentonpurringandgrowlingtohimself。

  Thelineofbeastsshookandwaveredtoandfro,andawhisperwentupthatgrewtoacry。\"Man!Man!HehaskilledMan!\"

  ThenalllookedtowardsHathi,thewildelephant,butheseemednottohear。Hathineverdoesanythingtillthetimecomes,andthatisoneofthereasonswhyhelivessolong。

  \"AtsuchaseasonasthistokillMan!Wasnoothergameafoot?\"saidBagheerascornfully,drawinghimselfoutofthetaintedwater,andshakingeachpaw,cat-fashion,ashedidso。

  \"Ikilledforchoice——notforfood。\"Thehorrifiedwhisperbeganagain,andHathi’swatchfullittlewhiteeyecockeditselfinShereKhan’sdirection。\"Forchoice,\"ShereKhandrawled。\"NowcomeItodrinkandmakemecleanagain。Isthereanytoforbid?\"

  Bagheera’sbackbegantocurvelikeabambooinahighwind,butHathilifteduphistrunkandspokequietly。

  \"Thykillwasfromchoice?\"heasked;andwhenHathiasksaquestionitisbesttoanswer。

  \"Evenso。ItwasmyrightandmyNight。Thouknowest,OHathi。\"

  ShereKhanspokealmostcourteously。

  \"Yes,Iknow,\"Hathianswered;and,afteralittlesilence,\"Hastthoudrunkthyfill?\"

  \"Forto-night,yes。\"

  \"Go,then。Theriveristodrink,andnottodefile。NonebuttheLameTigerwouldsohaveboastedofhisrightatthisseasonwhen——whenwesuffertogether——ManandJunglePeoplealike。\"Cleanorunclean,gettothylair,ShereKhan!\"

  Thelastwordsrangoutlikesilvertrumpets,andHathi’sthreesonsrolledforwardhalfapace,thoughtherewasnoneed。

  ShereKhanslunkaway,notdaringtogrowl,forheknew——whateveryoneelseknows——thatwhenthelastcomestothelast,HathiistheMasteroftheJungle。

  \"WhatisthisrightShereKhanspeaksof?\"MowgliwhisperedinBagheera’sear。\"TokillManisalways,shameful。TheLawsaysso。AndyetHathisays————\"

  \"Askhim。Idonotknow,LittleBrother。Rightornoright,ifHathihadnotspokenIwouldhavetaughtthatlamebutcherhislesson。TocometothePeaceRockfreshfromakillofMan——andtoboastofit——isajackal’strick。Besides,hetaintedthegoodwater。\"

  Mowgliwaitedforaminutetopickuphiscourage,becausenoonecaredtoaddressHathidirectly,andthenhecried:\"WhatisShereKhan’sright,OHathi?\"Bothbanksechoedhiswords,forallthePeopleoftheJungleareintenselycurious,andtheyhadjustseensomethingthatnoneexceptBaloo,wholookedverythoughtful,seemedtounderstand。

  \"Itisanoldtale,\"saidHathi;\"ataleolderthantheJungle。

  KeepsilencealongthebanksandIwilltellthattale。\"

  Therewasaminuteortwoofpushingashoulderingamongthepigsandthebuffalo,andthentheleadersoftheherdsgrunted,oneafteranother,\"Wewait,\"andHathistrodeforward,tillhewasnearlyknee-deepinthepoolbythePeaceRock。Leanandwrinkledandyellow-tuskedthoughhewas,helookedwhattheJungleknewhimtobe——theirmaster。

  \"Yeknow,children,\"hebegan,\"thatofallthingsyemostfearMan\";andtherewasamutterofagreement。

  \"Thistaletouchesthee,LittleBrother,\"saidBagheeratoMowgli。

  \"I?IamofthePack——ahunteroftheFreePeople,\"Mowglianswered。\"WhathaveItodowithMan?\"

  \"AndyedonotknowwhyyefearMan?\"Hathiwenton。\"Thisisthereason。InthebeginningoftheJungle,andnoneknowwhenthatwas,weoftheJunglewalkedtogether,havingnofearofoneanother。Inthosedaystherewasnodrought,andleavesandflowersandfruitgrewonthesametree,andweatenothingatallexceptleavesandflowersandgrassandfruitandbark。\"

  \"IamgladIwasnotborninthosedays,\"saidBagheera。\"Barkisonlygoodtosharpenclaws。\"

  \"AndtheLordoftheJunglewasTha,theFirstoftheElephants。HedrewtheJungleoutofdeepwaterswithhistrunk;andwherehemadefurrowsinthegroundwithhistusks,theretheriversran;andwherehestruckwithhisfoot,thererosepondsofgoodwater;andwhenheblewthroughhistrunk,——

  thus,——thetreesfell。ThatwasthemannerinwhichtheJunglewasmadebyTha;andsothetalewastoldtome。\"

  \"Ithasnotlostfatinthetelling,\"Bagheerawhispered,andMowglilaughedbehindhishand。

  \"Inthosedaystherewasnocornormelonsorpepperorsugar-cane,norwerethereanylittlehutssuchasyehaveallseen;andtheJunglePeopleknewnothingofMan,butlivedintheJungletogether,makingonepeople。Butpresentlytheybegantodisputeovertheirfood,thoughtherewasgrazingenoughforall。Theywerelazy。Eachwishedtoeatwherehelay,assometimeswecandonowwhenthespringrainsaregood。

  Tha,theFirstoftheElephants,wasbusymakingnewjunglesandleadingtheriversintheirbeds。Hecouldnotwalkinallplaces;thereforehemadetheFirstoftheTigersthemasterandthejudgeoftheJungle,towhomtheJunglePeopleshouldbringtheirdisputes。InthosedaystheFirstoftheTigersatefruitandgrasswiththeothers。HewasaslargeasIam,andhewasverybeautiful,incolouralloverliketheblossomoftheyellowcreeper。TherewasneverstripenorbaruponhishideinthosegooddayswhenthistheJunglewasnew。

  AlltheJunglePeoplecamebeforehimwithoutfear,andhiswordwastheLawofalltheJungle。Wewerethen,rememberye,onepeople。

  \"Yetuponanighttherewasadisputebetweentwobucks——agrazing-quarrelsuchasyenowsettlewiththehornsandthefore-feet——anditissaidthatasthetwospoketogetherbeforetheFirstoftheFirstoftheTigerslyingamongtheflowers,abuckpushedhimwithhishorns,andtheFirstoftheTigersforgotthathewasthemasterandjudgeoftheJungle,and,leapinguponthatbuck,brokehisneck。

  \"Tillthatnightneveroneofushaddied,andtheFirstoftheTigers,seeingwhathehaddone,andbeingmadefoolishbythescentoftheblood,ranawayintothemarshesoftheNorth,andweoftheJungle,leftwithoutajudge,felltofightingamongourselves;andThaheardthenoiseofitandcameback。

  Thensomeofussaidthisandsomeofussaidthat,buthesawthedeadbuckamongtheflowers,andaskedwhohadkilled,andweoftheJunglewouldnottellbecausethesmellofthebloodmadeusfoolish。Werantoandfroincircles,caperingandcryingoutandshakingourheads。ThenThagaveanordertothetreesthathanglow,andtothetrailingcreepersoftheJungle,thattheyshouldmarkthekillerofthebucksothatheshouldknowhimagain,andhesaid,\"WhowillnowbemasteroftheJunglePeople?\"ThenupleapedtheGrayApewholivesinthebranches,andsaid,\"IwillnowbemasteroftheJungle。\"

  AtthisThalaughed,andsaid,\"Sobeit,\"andwentawayveryangry。

  \"Children,yeknowtheGrayApe。Hewasthenasheisnow。

  Atthefirsthemadeawisefaceforhimself,butinalittlewhilehebegantoscratchandtoleapupanddown,andwhenThacamebackhefoundtheGrayApehanging,headdown,fromabough,mockingthosewhostoodbelow;andtheymockedhimagain。AndsotherewasnoLawintheJungle——onlyfoolishtalkandsenselesswords。

  \"ThenThacalledusalltogetherandsaid:’ThefirstofyourmastershasbroughtDeathintotheJungle,andthesecondShame。NowitistimetherewasaLaw,andaLawthatyemustnotbreak。NowyeshallknowFear,andwhenyehavefoundhimyeshallknowthatheisyourmaster,andtherestshallfollow。’Thenweofthejunglesaid,’WhatisFear?’AndThasaid,’Seektillyefind。’SowewentupanddowntheJungleseekingforFear,andpresentlythebuffaloes————\"

  \"Ugh!\"saidMysa,theleaderofthebuffaloes,fromtheirsand-bank。

  \"Yes,Mysa,itwasthebuffaloes。TheycamebackwiththenewsthatinacaveintheJunglesatFear,andthathehadnohair,andwentuponhishindlegs。ThenweoftheJunglefollowedtheherdtillwecametothatcave,andFearstoodatthemouthofit,andhewas,asthebuffaloeshadsaid,hairless,andhewalkeduponhishinderlegs。Whenhesawushecriedout,andhisvoicefilleduswiththefearthatwehavenowofthatvoicewhenwehearit,andweranaway,trampinguponandtearingeachotherbecausewewereafraid。Thatnight,soitwastoldtome,weoftheJungledidnotliedowntogetherasusedtobeourcustom,buteachtribedrewoffbyitself——thepigwiththepig,thedeerwiththedeer;horntohorn,hooftohoof,——likekeepingtolike,andsolayshakingintheJungle。

  \"OnlytheFirstoftheTigerswasnotwithus,forhewasstillhiddeninthemarshesoftheNorth,andwhenwordwasbroughttohimoftheThingwehadseeninthecave,hesaid。’IwillgotothisThingandbreakhisneck。’Soheranallthenighttillhecametothecave;butthetreesandthecreepersonhispath,rememberingtheorderthatThahadgiven,letdowntheirbranchesandmarkedhimasheran,drawingtheirfingersacrosshisback,hisflank,hisforehead,andhisjowl。Wherevertheytouchedhimtherewasamarkandastripeuponhisyellowhide。

  ANDTHOSESTRIPESDOTHISCHILDRENWEARTOTHISDAY!Whenhecametothecave,Fear,theHairlessOne,putouthishandandcalledhim’TheStripedOnethatcomesbynight,’andtheFirstoftheTigerswasafraidoftheHairlessOne,andranbacktotheswampshowling。\"

  Mowglichuckledquietlyhere,hischininthewater。

  \"SolouddidhehowlthatThaheardhimandsaid,’Whatisthesorrow?’AndtheFirstoftheTigers,liftinguphismuzzletothenew-madesky,whichisnowsoold,said:’Givemebackmypower,OTha。IammadeashamedbeforealltheJungle,andI

  haverunawayfromaHairlessOne,andhehascalledmeashamefulname。’’Andwhy?’saidTha。’BecauseIamsmearedwiththemudofthemarshes,’saidtheFirstoftheTigers。’Swim,then,androllonthewetgrass,andifitbemuditwillwashaway,’saidTha;andtheFirstoftheTigersswam,androlledandrolleduponthegrass,tilltheJungleranroundandroundbeforehiseyes,butnotonelittlebaruponallhishidewaschanged,andTha,watchinghim,laughed。ThentheFirstoftheTigerssaid:’WhathaveIdonethatthiscomestome?’

  Thasaid,’Thouhastkilledthebuck,andthouhastletDeathlooseintheJungle,andwithDeathhascomeFear,sothatthepeopleoftheJungleareafraidoneoftheother,asthouartafraidoftheHairlessOne。’TheFirstoftheTigerssaid,’Theywillneverfearme,forIknewthemsincethebeginning。’

  Thasaid,’Goandsee。’AndtheFirstoftheTigersrantoandfro,callingaloudtothedeerandthepigandthesambhurandtheporcupineandalltheJunglePeoples,andtheyallranawayfromhimwhohadbeentheirjudge,becausetheywereafraid。

  \"ThentheFirstoftheTigerscameback,andhispridewasbrokeninhim,and,beatinghisheadupontheground,hetoreuptheearthwithallhisfeetandsaid:’RememberthatIwasoncetheMasteroftheJungle。Donotforgetme,OTha!LetmychildrenrememberthatIwasoncewithoutshameorfear!’

  AndThasaid:’ThismuchIwilldo,becausethouandItogethersawtheJunglemade。Foronenightineachyearitshallbeasitwasbeforethebuckwaskilled——fortheeandforthychildren。Inthatonenight,ifyemeettheHairlessOne——andhisnameisMan——yeshallnotbeafraidofhim,butheshallheafraidofyou,asthoughyewerejudgesoftheJungleandmastersofallthings。Showhimmercyinthatnightofhisfear,forthouhastknownwhatFearis。’

  \"ThentheFirstoftheTigersanswered,’Iamcontent’;

  butwhennexthedrankhesawtheblackstripesuponhisflankandhisside,andherememberedthenamethattheHairlessOnehadgivenhim,andhewasangry。ForayearhelivedinthemarsheswaitingtillThashouldkeephispromise。AnduponanightwhenthejackaloftheMoon[theEveningStar]stoodclearoftheJungle,hefeltthathisNightwasuponhim,andhewenttothatcavetomeettheHairlessOne。ThenithappenedasThapromised,fortheHairlessOnefelldownbeforehimandlayalongtheground,andtheFirstoftheTigersstruckhimandbrokehisback,forhethoughtthattherewasbutonesuchThingintheJungle,andthathehadkilledFear。

  Then,nosingabovethekill,heheardThacomingdownfromthewoodsoftheNorth,andpresentlythevoiceoftheFirstoftheElephants,whichisthevoicethatwehearnow————\"

  Thethunderwasrollingupanddownthedry,scarredhills,butitbroughtnorain——onlyheat——lightningthatflickeredalongtheridges——andHathiwenton:\"THATwasthevoiceheheard,anditsaid:’Isthisthymercy?’TheFirstoftheTigerslickedhislipsandsaid:’Whatmatter?IhavekilledFear。’

  AndThasaid:’Oblindandfoolish!ThouhastuntiedthefeetofDeath,andhewillfollowthytrailtillthoudiest。

  ThouhasttaughtMantokill!’

  \"TheFirstoftheTigers,standingstifflytohiskill,said。

  ’Heisasthebuckwas。ThereisnoFear。NowIwilljudgetheJunglePeoplesoncemore。’

  \"AndThasaid:’NeveragainshalltheJunglePeoplescometothee。Theyshallnevercrossthytrail,norsleepnearthee,norfollowafterthee,norbrowsebythylair。OnlyFearshallfollowthee,andwithablowthatthoucanstnotseeheshallbidtheewaithispleasure。Heshallmakethegroundtoopenunderthyfeet,andthecreepertotwistaboutthyneck,andthetree-trunkstogrowtogetherabouttheehigherthanthoucanstleap,andatthelastheshalltakethyhidetowraphiscubswhentheyarecold。Thouhastshownhimnomercy,andnonewillheshowthee。’

  \"TheFirstoftheTigerswasverybold,forhisNightwasstillonhim,andhesaid:’ThePromiseofThaisthePromiseofTha。

  HewillnottakeawaymyNight?’AndThasaid:’TheoneNightisthine,asIhavesaid,butthereisapricetopay。

  ThouhasttaughtMantokill,andheisnoslowlearner。’

  \"TheFirstoftheTigerssaid:’Heishereundermyfoot,andhisbackisbroken。LettheJungleknowIhavekilledFear。’

  \"ThenThalaughed,andsaid:’Thouhastkilledoneofmany,butthouthyselfshalttelltheJungle——forthyNightisended。’

  \"Sothedaycame;andfromthemouthofthecavewentoutanotherHairlessOne,andhesawthekillinthepath,andtheFirstoftheTigersaboveit,andhetookapointedstick————\"

  \"Theythrowathingthatcutsnow,\"saidIkki,rustlingdownthebank;forIkkiwasconsidereduncommonlygoodeatingbytheGonds——theycalledhimHo-Igoo——andheknewsomethingofthewickedlittleGondeeaxethatwhirlsacrossaclearinglikeadragon-fly。

  \"Itwasapointedstick,suchastheyputinthefootofapit-trap,\"saidHathi,\"andthrowingit,hestrucktheFirstoftheTigersdeepintheflank。ThusithappenedasThasaid,fortheFirstoftheTigersranhowlingupanddowntheJungletillhetoreoutthestick,andalltheJungleknewthattheHairlessOnecouldstrikefromfaroff,andtheyfearedmorethanbefore。SoitcameaboutthattheFirstoftheTigerstaughttheHairlessOnetokill——andyeknowwhatharmthathassincedonetoallourpeoples——throughthenoose,andthepitfall,andthehiddentrap,andtheflyingstickandthestingingflythatcomesoutofwhitesmoke[Hathimeanttherifle],andtheRedFlowerthatdrivesusintotheopen。

  YetforonenightintheyeartheHairlessOnefearstheTiger,asThapromised,andneverhastheTigergivenhimcausetobelessafraid。Wherehefindshim,therehekillshim,rememberinghowtheFirstoftheTigerswasmadeashamed。

  Fortherest,FearwalksupanddowntheJunglebydayandbynight。\"

  \"Ahi!Aoo!\"saidthedeer,thinkingofwhatitallmeanttothem。

  \"AndonlywhenthereisonegreatFearoverall,asthereisnow,canweoftheJunglelayasideourlittlefears,andmeettogetherinoneplaceaswedonow。\"

  \"ForonenightonlydoesManfeartheTiger?\"saidMowgli。

  \"Foronenightonly,\"saidHathi。

  \"ButI——butwe——butalltheJungleknowsthatShereKhankillsMantwiceandthriceinamoon。\"

  \"Evenso。THENhespringsfrombehindandturnshisheadasideashestrikes,forheisfulloffear。IfManlookedathimhewouldrun。ButonhisoneNighthegoesopenlydowntothevillage。Hewalksbetweenthehousesandthrustshisheadintothedoorway,andthemenfallontheirfaces,andtherehedoeshiskill。OnekillinthatNight。\"

  \"Oh!\"saidMowglitohimself,rollingoverinthewater。\"NOWI

  seewhyitwasShereKhanbademelookathim!Hegotnogoodofit,forhecouldnotholdhiseyessteady,and——andI

  certainlydidnotfalldownathisfeet。ButthenIamnotaman,beingoftheFreePeople。\"

  \"Umm!\"saidBagheeradeepinhisfurrythroat。\"DoestheTigerknowhisNight?\"

  \"NevertilltheJackaloftheMoonstandsclearoftheeveningmist。Sometimesitfallsinthedrysummerandsometimesinthewetrains——thisoneNightoftheTiger。ButfortheFirstoftheTigers,thiswouldneverhavebeen,norwouldanyofushaveknownfear。\"

  ThedeergruntedsorrowfullyandBagheera’slipscurledinawickedsmile。\"Domenknowthis——tale?\"saidhe。

  \"Noneknowitexceptthetigers,andwe,theelephants——thechildrenofTha。Nowyebythepoolshaveheardit,andI

  havespoken。\"

  Hathidippedhistrunkintothewaterasasignthathedidnotwishtotalk。

  \"But——but——but,\"saidMowgli,turningtoBaloo,\"whydidnottheFirstoftheTigerscontinuetoeatgrassandleavesandtrees?

  Hedidbutbreakthebuck’sneck。HedidnotEAT。Whatledhimtothehotmeat?\"

  \"Thetreesandthecreepersmarkedhim,LittleBrother,andmadehimthestripedthingthatwesee。Neveragainwouldheeattheirfruit;butfromthatdayherevengedhimselfuponthedeer,andtheothers,theEatersofGrass,\"saidBaloo。

  \"ThenTHOUknowestthetale。Heh?WhyhaveIneverheard?\"

  \"BecausetheJungleisfullofsuchtales。IfImadeabeginningtherewouldneverbeanendtothem。Letgomyear,LittleBrother。\"

  THELAWOFTHEJUNGLE

  JusttogiveyouanideaoftheimmensevarietyoftheJungleLaw,Ihavetranslatedintoverse(Balooalwaysrecitedtheminasortofsing-song)afewofthelawsthatapplytothewolves。

  Thereare,ofcourse,hundredsandhundredsmore,butthesewilldoforspecimensofthesimplerrulings。

  NowthisistheLawoftheJungle——asoldandastrueasthesky;

  AndtheWolfthatshallkeepitmayprosper,buttheWolfthatshallbreakitmustdie。

  Asthecreeperthatgirdlesthetree-trunktheLawrunnethforwardandback——

  ForthestrengthofthePackistheWolf,andthestrengthoftheWolfisthePack。

  Washdailyfromnose-tiptotail-tip;drinkdeeply,butnevertoodeep;

  Andrememberthenightisforhunting,andforgetnotthedayisforsleep。

  ThejackalmayfollowtheTiger,but,Cub,whenthywhiskersaregrown,RemembertheWolfisahunter——goforthandgetfoodofthineown。

  KeeppeacewiththeLordsoftheJungle——theTiger,thePanther,theBear;

  AndtroublenotHathitheSilent,andmocknottheBoarinhislair。

  WhenPackmeetswithPackintheJungle,andneitherwillgofromthetrail,Liedowntilltheleadershavespoken——itmaybefairwordsshallprevail。

  WhenyefightwithaWolfofthePack,yemustfighthimaloneandafar,Lestotherstakepartinthequarrel,andthePackbediminishedbywar。

  TheLairoftheWolfishisrefuge,andwherehehasmadehimhishome,NoteventheHeadWolfmayenter,noteventheCouncilmaycome。

  TheLairoftheWolfishisrefuge,butwherehehasdiggedittooplain,TheCouncilshallsendhimamessage,andsoheshallchangeitagain。

  Ifyekillbeforemidnight,besilent,andwakenotthewoodswithyourbay,Lestyefrightenthedeerfromthecrops,andthebrothersgoemptyaway。

  Yemaykillforyourselves,andyourmates,andyourcubsastheyneed,andyecan;

  Butkillnotforpleasureofkilling,andSEVENTIMESNEVER

  KILLMAN。

  IfyeplunderhisKillfromaweaker,devournotallinthypride;

  Pack-Rightistherightofthemeanest;soleavehimtheheadandthehide。

  TheKillofthePackisthemeatofthePack。Yemusteatwhereitlies;

  Andnoonemaycarryawayofthatmeattohislair,orhedies。

  TheKilloftheWolfisthemeatoftheWolf。Hemaydowhathewill,But,tillhehasgivenpermission,thePackmaynoteatofthatKill。

  Cub-RightistherightoftheYearling。FromallofhisPackhemayclaimFull-gorgewhenthekillerhaseaten;andnonemayrefusehimthesame。

  Lair-RightistherightoftheMother。FromallofheryearshemayclaimOnehaunchofeachkillforherlitter,andnonemaydenyherthesame。

  Cave-RightistherightoftheFather——tohuntbyhimselfforhisown。

  HeisfreedofallcallstothePack;heisjudgedbytheCouncilalone。

  Becauseofhisageandhiscunning,becauseofhisgripeandhispaw,InallthattheLawleavethopen,thewordoftheHeadWolfisLaw。

  NowthesearetheLawsoftheJungle,andmanyandmightyarethey;

  ButtheheadandthehoofoftheLawandthehaunchandthehumpis——Obey!

  THEMIRACLEOFPURUNBHAGAT

  ThenightwefelttheearthwouldmoveWestoleandpluckedhimbythehand,BecausewelovedhimwiththeloveThatknowsbutcannotunderstand。

  Andwhentheroaringhillsidebroke,Andallourworldfelldowninrain,Wesavedhim,wetheLittleFolk;

  Butlo!hedoesnotcomeagain!

  Mournnow,wesavedhimforthesakeOfsuchpoorloveaswildonesmay。

  Mournye!Ourbrotherwillnotwake,Andhisownkinddriveusaway!

  DirgeoftheLangurs。

  TherewasonceamaninIndiawhowasPrimeMinisterofoneofthesemi-independentnativeStatesinthenorth-westernpartofthecountry。HewasaBrahmin,sohigh-castethatcasteceasedtohaveanyparticularmeaningforhim;andhisfatherhadbeenanimportantofficialinthegay-colouredtag-ragandbobtailofanold-fashionedHinduCourt。ButasPurunDassgrewuphefeltthattheoldorderofthingswaschanging,andthatifanyonewishedtogetonintheworldhemuststandwellwiththeEnglish,andimitateallthattheEnglishbelievedtobegood。

  Atthesametimeanativeofficialmustkeephisownmaster’sfavour。Thiswasadifficultgame,butthequiet,close-mouthedyoungBrahmin,helpedbyagoodEnglisheducationataBombayUniversity,playeditcoolly,androse,stepbystep,tobePrimeMinisterofthekingdom。Thatistosay,heheldmorerealpowerthanhismastertheMaharajah。

  Whentheoldking——whowassuspiciousoftheEnglish,theirrailwaysandtelegraphs——died,PurunDassstoodhighwithhisyoungsuccessor,whohadbeentutoredbyanEnglishman;andbetweenthem,thoughhealwaystookcarethathismastershouldhavethecredit,theyestablishedschoolsforlittlegirls,maderoads,andstartedStatedispensariesandshowsofagriculturalimplements,andpublishedayearlyblue-bookonthe\"MoralandMaterialProgressoftheState,\"andtheForeignOfficeandtheGovernmentofIndiaweredelighted。VeryfewnativeStatestakeupEnglishprogressaltogether,fortheywillnotbelieve,asPurunDassshowedhedid,thatwhatwasgoodfortheEnglishmanmustbetwiceasgoodfortheAsiatic。ThePrimeMinisterbecamethehonouredfriendofViceroys,andGovernors,andLieutenant-Governors,andmedicalmissionaries,andcommonmissionaries,andhard-ridingEnglishofficerswhocametoshootintheStatepreserves,aswellasofwholehostsoftouristswhotravelledupanddownIndiainthecoldweather,showinghowthingsoughttobemanaged。InhissparetimehewouldendowscholarshipsforthestudyofmedicineandmanufacturesonstrictlyEnglishlines,andwriteletterstothe\"Pioneer\",thegreatestIndiandailypaper,explaininghismaster’saimsandobjects。

  AtlasthewenttoEnglandonavisit,andhadtopayenormoussumstothepriestswhenhecameback;forevensohigh-casteaBrahminasPurunDasslostcastebycrossingtheblacksea。

  InLondonhemetandtalkedwitheveryoneworthknowing——

  menwhosenamesgoallovertheworld——andsawagreatdealmorethanhesaid。Hewasgivenhonorarydegreesbylearneduniversities,andhemadespeechesandtalkedofHindusocialreformtoEnglishladiesineveningdress,tillallLondoncried,\"Thisisthemostfascinatingmanwehaveevermetatdinnersinceclothswerefirstlaid。\"

  WhenhereturnedtoIndiatherewasablazeofglory,fortheViceroyhimselfmadeaspecialvisittoconferupontheMaharajahtheGrandCrossoftheStarofIndia——alldiamondsandribbonsandenamel;andatthesameceremony,whilethecannonboomed,PurunDasswasmadeaKnightCommanderoftheOrderoftheIndianEmpire;sothathisnamestoodSirPurunDass,K。C。I。E。

  Thatevening,atdinnerinthebigViceregaltent,hestoodupwiththebadgeandthecollaroftheOrderonhisbreast,andreplyingtothetoastofhismaster’shealth,madeaspeechfewEnglishmencouldhavebettered。

  Nextmonth,whenthecityhadreturnedtoitssun-bakedquiet,hedidathingnoEnglishmanwouldhavedreamedofdoing;

  for,sofarastheworld’saffairswent,hedied。ThejewelledorderofhisknighthoodwentbacktotheIndianGovernment,andanewPrimeMinisterwasappointedtothechargeofaffairs,andagreatgameofGeneralPostbeganinallthesubordinateappointments。Thepriestsknewwhathadhappened,andthepeopleguessed;butIndiaistheoneplaceintheworldwhereamancandoashepleasesandnobodyaskswhy;andthefactthatDewanSirPurunDass,K。C。I。E。,hadresignedposition,palace,andpower,andtakenupthebegging-bowlandochre-coloureddressofaSunnyasi,orholyman,wasconsiderednothingextraordinary。

  Hehadbeen,astheOldLawrecommends,twentyyearsayouth,twentyyearsafighter,——thoughhehadnevercarriedaweaponinhislife,——andtwentyyearsheadofahousehold。Hehadusedhiswealthandhispowerforwhatheknewbothtobeworth;hehadtakenhonourwhenitcamehisway;hehadseenmenandcitiesfarandnear,andmenandcitieshadstoodupandhonouredhim。

  Nowhewouldletthosethingsgo,asamandropsthecloakhenolongerneeds。

  Behindhim,ashewalkedthroughthecitygates,anantelopeskinandbrass-handledcrutchunderhisarm,andabegging-bowlofpolishedbrowncoco-de-merinhishand,barefoot,alone,witheyescastontheground——behindhimtheywerefiringsalutesfromthebastionsinhonourofhishappysuccessor。PurunDassnodded。Allthatlifewasended;andheboreitnomoreill-willorgood-willthanamanbearstoacolourlessdreamofthenight。HewasaSunnyasi——ahouseless,wanderingmendicant,dependingonhisneighboursforhisdailybread;andsolongasthereisamorseltodivideinIndia,neitherpriestnorbeggarstarves。Hehadneverinhislifetastedmeat,andveryseldomeatenevenfish。Afive-poundnotewouldhavecoveredhispersonalexpensesforfoodthroughanyoneofthemanyyearsinwhichhehadbeenabsolutemasterofmillionsofmoney。EvenwhenhewasbeinglionisedinLondonhehadheldbeforehimhisdreamofpeaceandquiet——thelong,white,dustyIndianroad,printedalloverwithbarefeet,theincessant,slow-movingtraffic,andthesharp-smellingwoodsmokecurlingupunderthefig-treesinthetwilight,wherethewayfarerssitattheireveningmeal。

  WhenthetimecametomakethatdreamtruethePrimeMinistertookthepropersteps,andinthreedaysyoumightmoreeasilyhavefoundabubbleinthetroughofthelongAtlanticseas,thanPurunDassamongtheroving,gathering,separatingmillionsofIndia。

  Atnighthisantelopeskinwasspreadwherethedarknessovertookhim——sometimesinaSunnyasimonasterybytheroadside;

  sometimesbyamud-pillarshrineofKalaPir,wheretheJogis,whoareanothermistydivisionofholymen,wouldreceivehimastheydothosewhoknowwhatcastesanddivisionsareworth;

  sometimesontheoutskirtsofalittleHinduvillage,wherethechildrenwouldstealupwiththefoodtheirparentshadprepared;andsometimesonthepitchofthebaregrazing-

  grounds,wheretheflameofhisstickfirewakedthedrowsycamels。ItwasallonetoPurunDass——orPurunBhagat,ashecalledhimselfnow。Earth,people,andfoodwereallone。Butunconsciouslyhisfeetdrewhimawaynorthwardandeastward;

  fromthesouthtoRohtak;fromRohtaktoKurnool;fromKurnooltoruinedSamanah,andthenup-streamalongthedriedbedoftheGuggerriverthatfillsonlywhentherainfallsinthehills,tillonedayhesawthefarlineofthegreatHimalayas。

  ThenPurunBhagatsmiled,forherememberedthathismotherwasofRajputBrahminbirth,fromKuluway——aHill-woman,alwayshome-sickforthesnows——andthattheleasttouchofHillblooddrawsamanintheendbacktowherehebelongs。

  \"Yonder,\"saidPurunBhagat,breastingthelowerslopesoftheSewaliks,wherethecactistanduplikeseven-branchedcandlesticks-\"yonderIshallsitdownandgetknowledge\";

  andthecoolwindoftheHimalayaswhistledabouthisearsashetrodtheroadthatledtoSimla。

  Thelasttimehehadcomethatwayithadbeeninstate,withaclatteringcavalryescort,tovisitthegentlestandmostaffableofViceroys;andthetwohadtalkedforanhourtogetheraboutmutualfriendsinLondon,andwhattheIndiancommonfolkreallythoughtofthings。ThistimePurunBhagatpaidnocalls,butleanedontherailoftheMall,watchingthatgloriousviewofthePlainsspreadoutfortymilesbelow,tillanativeMohammedanpolicemantoldhimhewasobstructingtraffic;andPurunBhagatsalaamedreverentlytotheLaw,becauseheknewthevalueofit,andwasseekingforaLawofhisown。Thenhemovedon,andsleptthatnightinanemptyhutatChotaSimla,whichlooksliketheverylastendoftheearth,butitwasonlythebeginningofhisjourney。HefollowedtheHimalaya-Thibetroad,thelittleten-foottrackthatisblastedoutofsolidrock,orstruttedoutontimbersovergulfsathousandfeetdeep;

  thatdipsintowarm,wet,shut-invalleys,andclimbsoutacrossbare,grassyhill-shoulderswherethesunstrikeslikeaburning-glass;orturnsthroughdripping,darkforestswherethetree-fernsdressthetrunksfromheadtoheel,andthepheasantcallstohismate。AndhemetThibetanherdsmenwiththeirdogsandflocksofsheep,eachsheepwithalittlebagofboraxonhisback,andwanderingwood-cutters,andcloakedandblanketedLamasfromThibet,comingintoIndiaonpilgrimage,andenvoysoflittlesolitaryHill-states,postingfuriouslyonring-streakedandpiebaldponies,orthecavalcadeofaRajahpayingavisit;orelseforalong,cleardayhewouldseenothingmorethanablackbeargruntingandrootingbelowinthevalley。Whenhefirststarted,theroaroftheworldhehadleftstillranginhisears,astheroarofatunnelringslongafterthetrainhaspassedthrough;butwhenhehadputtheMutteeaneePassbehindhimthatwasalldone,andPurunBhagatwasalonewithhimself,walking,wondering,andthinking,hiseyesontheground,andhisthoughtswiththeclouds。

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