Oneeveninghecrossedthehighestpasshehadmettillthen——ithadbeenatwo-day’sclimb——andcameoutonalineofsnow-peaksthatbandedallthehorizon——mountainsfromfifteentotwentythousandfeethigh，lookingalmostnearenoughtohitwithastone，thoughtheywerefiftyorsixtymilesaway。Thepasswascrownedwithdense，darkforest——deodar，walnut，wildcherry，wildolive，andwildpear，butmostlydeodar，whichistheHimalayancedar；andundertheshadowofthedeodarsstoodadesertedshrinetoKali——whoisDurga，whoisSitala，whoissometimesworshippedagainstthesmallpox。
PurunDasssweptthestonefloorclean，smiledatthegrinningstatue，madehimselfalittlemudfireplaceatthebackoftheshrine，spreadhisantelopeskinonabedoffreshpine-needles，tuckedhisbairagi——hisbrass-handledcrutch——underhisarmpit，andsatdowntorest。
Immediatelybelowhimthehillsidefellaway，cleanandclearedforfifteenhundredfeet，wherealittlevillageofstone-walledhouses，withroofsofbeatenearth，clungtothesteeptilt。
Allrounditthetinyterracedfieldslayoutlikeapronsofpatchworkonthekneesofthemountain，andcowsnobiggerthanbeetlesgrazedbetweenthesmoothstonecirclesofthethreshing-floors。Lookingacrossthevalley，theeyewasdeceivedbythesizeofthings，andcouldnotatfirstrealisethatwhatseemedtobelowscrub，ontheoppositemountain-
flank，wasintruthaforestofhundred-footpines。PurunBhagatsawaneagleswoopacrossthegigantichollow，butthegreatbirddwindledtoadotereitwashalf-wayover。Afewbandsofscatteredcloudsstrungupanddownthevalley，catchingonashoulderofthehills，orrisingupanddyingoutwhentheywerelevelwiththeheadofthepass。And\"HereshallIfindpeace，\"
saidPurunBhagat。
Now，aHill-manmakesnothingofafewhundredfeetupordown，andassoonasthevillagerssawthesmokeinthedesertedshrine，thevillagepriestclimbeduptheterracedhillsidetowelcomethestranger。
WhenhemetPurunBhagat’seyes——theeyesofamanusedtocontrolthousands——hebowedtotheearth，tookthebegging-bowlwithoutaword，andreturnedtothevillage，saying，\"Wehaveatlastaholyman。NeverhaveIseensuchaman。HeisofthePlains——butpale-coloured——aBrahminoftheBrahmins。\"Thenallthehousewivesofthevillagesaid，\"Thinkyouhewillstaywithus？\"andeachdidherbesttocookthemostsavourymealfortheBhagat。Hill-foodisverysimple，butwithbuckwheatandIndiancorn，andriceandredpepper，andlittlefishoutofthestreaminthevalley，andhoneyfromtheflue-likehivesbuiltinthestonewalls，anddriedapricots，andturmeric，andwildginger，andbannocksofflour，adevoutwomancanmakegoodthings，anditwasafullbowlthatthepriestcarriedtotheBhagat。Washegoingtostay？askedthepriest。Wouldheneedachela——
adisciple——tobegforhim？Hadheablanketagainstthecoldweather？Wasthefoodgood？
PurunBhagatate，andthankedthegiver。Itwasinhismindtostay。Thatwassufficient，saidthepriest。Letthebegging-bowlbeplacedoutsidetheshrine，inthehollowmadebythosetwotwistedroots，anddailyshouldtheBhagatbefed；forthevillagefelthonouredthatsuchaman——helookedtimidlyintotheBhagat’sface——shouldtarryamongthem。
ThatdaysawtheendofPurunBhagat’swanderings。Hehadcometotheplaceappointedforhim——thesilenceandthespace。Afterthis，timestopped，andhe，sittingatthemouthoftheshrine，couldnottellwhetherhewerealiveordead；amanwithcontrolofhislimbs，orapartofthehills，andtheclouds，andtheshiftingrainandsunlight。HewouldrepeataNamesoftlytohimselfahundredhundredtimes，till，ateachrepetition，heseemedtomovemoreandmoreoutofhisbody，sweepinguptothedoorsofsometremendousdiscovery；but，justasthedoorwasopening，hisbodywoulddraghimback，and，withgrief，hefelthewaslockedupagaininthefleshandbonesofPurunBhagat。
Everymorningthefilledbegging-bowlwaslaidsilentlyinthecrutchoftherootsoutsidetheshrine。Sometimesthepriestbroughtit；sometimesaLadakhitrader，lodginginthevillage，andanxioustogetmerit，trudgedupthepath；but，moreoften，itwasthewomanwhohadcookedthemealovernight；andshewouldmurmur，hardlyaboveherbreath。\"Speakformebeforethegods，Bhagat。Speakforsuchaone，thewifeofso-and-so！\"
Nowandthensomeboldchildwouldbeallowedthehonour，andPurunBhagatwouldhearhimdropthebowlandrunasfastashislittlelegscouldcarryhim，buttheBhagatnevercamedowntothevillage。Itwaslaidoutlikeamapathisfeet。Hecouldseetheeveninggatherings，heldonthecircleofthethreshing-
floors，becausethatwastheonlylevelground；couldseethewonderfulunnamedgreenoftheyoungrice，theindigobluesoftheIndiancorn，thedock-likepatchesofbuckwheat，and，initsseason，theredbloomoftheamaranth，whosetinyseeds，beingneithergrainnorpulse，makeafoodthatcanbelawfullyeatenbyHindusintimeoffasts。
Whentheyearturned，theroofsofthehutswerealllittlesquaresofpurestgold，foritwasontheroofsthattheylaidouttheircobsofthecorntodry。Hivingandharvest，rice-sowingandhusking，passedbeforehiseyes，allembroidereddownthereonthemany-sidedplotsoffields，andhethoughtofthemall，andwonderedwhattheyallledtoatthelonglast。
EveninpopulatedIndiaamancannotadaysitstillbeforethewildthingsrunoverhimasthoughhewerearock；andinthatwildernessverysoonthewildthings，whoknewKali’sShrinewell，camebacktolookattheintruder。Thelangurs，thebiggray-whiskeredmonkeysoftheHimalayas，were，naturally，thefirst，fortheyarealivewithcuriosity；andwhentheyhadupsetthebegging-bowl，androlleditroundthefloor，andtriedtheirteethonthebrass-handledcrutch，andmadefacesattheantelopeskin，theydecidedthatthehumanbeingwhosatsostillwasharmless。Atevening，theywouldleapdownfromthepines，andbegwiththeirhandsforthingstoeat，andthenswingoffingracefulcurves。Theylikedthewarmthofthefire，too，andhuddledroundittillPurunBhagathadtopushthemasidetothrowonmorefuel；andinthemorning，asoftenasnot，hewouldfindafurryapesharinghisblanket。
Alldaylong，oneorotherofthetribewouldsitbyhisside，staringoutatthesnows，crooningandlookingunspeakablywiseandsorrowful。
Afterthemonkeyscamethebarasingh，thatbigdeerwhichislikeourreddeer，butstronger。HewishedtoruboffthevelvetofhishornsagainstthecoldstonesofKali’sstatue，andstampedhisfeetwhenhesawthemanattheshrine。ButPurunBhagatnevermoved，and，littlebylittle，theroyalstagedgedupandnuzzledhisshoulder。PurunBhagatslidonecoolhandalongthehotantlers，andthetouchsoothedthefrettedbeast，whobowedhishead，andPurunBhagatverysoftlyrubbedandravelledoffthevelvet。Afterward，thebarasinghbroughthisdoeandfawn——gentlethingsthatmumbledontheholyman’sblanket——orwouldcomealoneatnight，hiseyesgreeninthefire-flicker，totakehisshareoffreshwalnuts。Atlast，themusk-deer，theshyestandalmostthesmallestofthedeerlets，came，too，herbigrabbityearserect；evenbrindled，silentmushick-nabhamustneedsfindoutwhatthelightintheshrinemeant，anddropouthermoose-likenoseintoPurunBhagat’slap，comingandgoingwiththeshadowsofthefire。PurunBhagatcalledthemall\"mybrothers，\"andhislowcallof\"Bhai！Bhai！\"
woulddrawthemfromtheforestatnooniftheywerewithinearshot。TheHimalayanblackbear，moodyandsuspicious——Sona，whohastheV-shapedwhitemarkunderhischin——passedthatwaymorethanonce；andsincetheBhagatshowednofear，Sonashowednoanger，butwatchedhim，andcamecloser，andbeggedashareofthecaresses，andadoleofbreadorwildberries。Often，inthestilldawns，whentheBhagatwouldclimbtotheverycrestofthepasstowatchthereddaywalkingalongthepeaksofthesnows，hewouldfindSonashufflingandgruntingathisheels，thrusting，acuriousfore-pawunderfallentrunks，andbringingitawaywithaWHOOFofimpatience；orhisearlystepswouldwakeSonawherehelaycurledup，andthegreatbrute，risingerect，wouldthinktofight，tillheheardtheBhagat’svoiceandknewhisbestfriend。
Nearlyallhermitsandholymenwholiveapartfromthebigcitieshavethereputationofbeingabletoworkmiracleswiththewildthings，butallthemiracleliesinkeepingstill，innevermakingahastymovement，and，foralongtime，atleast，inneverlookingdirectlyatavisitor。Thevillagerssawtheoutlineofthebarasinghstalkinglikeashadowthroughthedarkforestbehindtheshrine；sawtheminaul，theHimalayanpheasant，blazinginherbestcoloursbeforeKali’sstatue；
andthelangursontheirhaunches，inside，playingwiththewalnutshells。Someofthechildren，too，hadheardSonasingingtohimself，bear-fashion，behindthefallenrocks，andtheBhagat’sreputationasmiracle-workerstoodfirm。
Yetnothingwasfartherfromhismindthanmiracles。HebelievedthatallthingswereonebigMiracle，andwhenamanknowsthatmuchheknowssomethingtogoupon。Heknewforacertaintythattherewasnothinggreatandnothinglittleinthisworld：anddayandnighthestrovetothinkouthiswayintotheheartofthings，backtotheplacewhencehissoulhadcome。
Sothinking，hisuntrimmedhairfelldownabouthisshoulders，thestoneslabatthesideoftheantelopeskinwasdentedintoalittleholebythefootofhisbrass-handledcrutch，andtheplacebetweenthetree-trunks，wherethebegging-bowlresteddayafterday，sunkandworeintoahollowalmostassmoothasthebrownshellitself；andeachbeastknewhisexactplaceatthefire。Thefieldschangedtheircolourswiththeseasons；thethreshing-floorsfilledandemptied，andfilledagainandagain；
andagainandagain，whenwintercame，thelangursfriskedamongthebranchesfeatheredwithlightsnow，tillthemother-monkeysbroughttheirsad-eyedlittlebabiesupfromthewarmervalleyswiththespring。Therewerefewchangesinthevillage。Thepriestwasolder，andmanyofthelittlechildrenwhousedtocomewiththebegging-dishsenttheirownchildrennow；andwhenyouaskedofthevillagershowlongtheirholymanhadlivedinKali’sShrineattheheadofthepass，theyanswered，\"Always。\"
ThencamesuchsummerrainsashadnotbeenknownintheHillsformanyseasons。Throughthreegoodmonthsthevalleywaswrappedincloudandsoakingmist——steady，unrelentingdownfall，breakingoffintothunder-showerafterthunder-shower。Kali’sShrinestoodabovetheclouds，forthemostpart，andtherewasawholemonthinwhichtheBhagatnevercaughtaglimpseofhisvillage。Itwaspackedawayunderawhitefloorofcloudthatswayedandshiftedandrolledonitselfandbulgedupward，butneverbrokefromitspiers——thestreamingflanksofthevalley。
Allthattimeheheardnothingbutthesoundofamillionlittlewaters，overheadfromthetrees，andunderfootalongtheground，soakingthroughthepine-needles，drippingfromthetonguesofdraggledfern，andspoutinginnewly-tornmuddychannelsdowntheslopes。Thenthesuncameout，anddrewforththegoodincenseofthedeodarsandtherhododendrons，andthatfar-off，cleansmellwhichtheHillpeoplecall\"thesmellofthesnows。\"
Thehotsunshinelastedforaweek，andthentherainsgatheredtogetherfortheirlastdownpour，andthewaterfellinsheetsthatflayedofftheskinofthegroundandleapedbackinmud。
PurunBhagatheapedhisfirehighthatnight，forhewassurehisbrotherswouldneedwarmth；butneverabeastcametotheshrine，thoughhecalledandcalledtillhedroppedasleep，wonderingwhathadhappenedinthewoods。
Itwasintheblackheartofthenight，theraindrumminglikeathousanddrums，thathewasrousedbyapluckingathisblanket，and，stretchingout，feltthelittlehandofalangur。\"Itisbetterherethaninthetrees，\"hesaidsleepily，looseningafoldofblanket；\"takeitandbewarm。\"Themonkeycaughthishandandpulledhard。\"Isitfood，then？\"saidPurunBhagat。
\"Waitawhile，andIwillpreparesome。\"Ashekneeledtothrowfuelonthefirethelangurrantothedooroftheshrine，croonedandranbackagain，pluckingattheman’sknee。
\"Whatisit？Whatisthytrouble，Brother？\"saidPurunBhagat，forthelangur’seyeswerefullofthingsthathecouldnottell。\"Unlessoneofthycastebeinatrap——andnonesettrapshere——Iwillnotgointothatweather。Look，Brother，eventhebarasinghcomesforshelter！\"
Thedeer’santlersclashedashestrodeintotheshrine，clashedagainstthegrinningstatueofKali。HeloweredtheminPurunBhagat’sdirectionandstampeduneasily，hissingthroughhishalf-shutnostrils。
\"Hai！Hai！Hai！\"saidtheBhagat，snappinghisfingers，\"IsTHIS
paymentforanight’slodging？\"Butthedeerpushedhimtowardthedoor，andashedidsoPurunBhagatheardthesoundofsomethingopeningwithasigh，andsawtwoslabsofthefloordrawawayfromeachother，whilethestickyearthbelowsmackeditslips。
\"NowIsee，\"saidPurunBhagat。\"Noblametomybrothersthattheydidnotsitbythefireto-night。Themountainisfalling。
Andyet——whyshouldIgo？\"Hiseyefellontheemptybegging-
bowl，andhisfacechanged。\"Theyhavegivenmegoodfooddailysince——sinceIcame，and，ifIamnotswift，to-morrowtherewillnotbeonemouthinthevalley。Indeed，Imustgoandwarnthembelow。Backthere，Brother！Letmegettothefire。\"
ThebarasinghbackedunwillinglyasPurunBhagatdroveapinetorchdeepintotheflame，twirlingittillitwaswelllit。
\"Ah！yecametowarnme，\"hesaid，rising。\"Betterthanthatweshalldo；betterthanthat。Out，now，andlendmethyneck，Brother，forIhavebuttwofeet。\"
Heclutchedthebristlingwithersofthebarasinghwithhisrighthand，heldthetorchawaywithhisleft，andsteppedoutoftheshrineintothedesperatenight。Therewasnobreathofwind，buttherainnearlydrownedtheflareasthegreatdeerhurrieddowntheslope，slidingonhishaunches。AssoonastheywereclearoftheforestmoreoftheBhagat’sbrothersjoinedthem。Heheard，thoughhecouldnotsee，thelangurspressingabouthim，andbehindthemtheuhh！uhh！ofSona。Therainmattedhislongwhitehairintoropes；thewatersplashedbeneathhisbarefeet，andhisyellowrobeclungtohisfrailoldbody，buthesteppeddownsteadily，leaningagainstthebarasingh。Hewasnolongeraholyman，butSirPurunDass，K。C。I。E。，PrimeMinisterofnosmallState，amanaccustomedtocommand，goingouttosavelife。Downthesteep，plashypaththeypouredalltogether，theBhagatandhisbrothers，downanddowntillthedeer’sfeetclickedandstumbledonthewallofathreshing-floor，andhesnortedbecausehesmeltMan。Nowtheywereattheheadoftheonecrookedvillagestreet，andtheBhagatbeatwithhiscrutchonthebarredwindowsoftheblacksmith’shouse，ashistorchblazedupintheshelteroftheeaves。\"Upandout！\"criedPurunBhagat；andhedidnotknowhisownvoice，foritwasyearssincehehadspokenaloudtoaman。\"Thehillfalls！Thehillisfalling！Upandout，oh，youwithin！\"
\"ItisourBhagat，\"saidtheblacksmith’swife。Hestandsamonghisbeasts。Gatherthelittleonesandgivethecall。\"
Itranfromhousetohouse，whilethebeasts，crampedinthenarrowway，surgedandhuddledroundtheBhagat，andSonapuffedimpatiently。
Thepeoplehurriedintothestreet——theywerenomorethanseventysoulsalltold——andintheglareofthetorchestheysawtheirBhagatholdingbacktheterrifiedbarasingh，whilethemonkeyspluckedpiteouslyathisskirts，andSonasatonhishaunchesandroared。
\"Acrossthevalleyandupthenexthill！\"shoutedPurunBhagat。
\"Leavenonebehind！Wefollow！\"
ThenthepeopleranasonlyHillfolkcanrun，fortheyknewthatinalandslipyoumustclimbforthehighestgroundacrossthevalley。Theyfled，splashingthroughthelittleriveratthebottom，andpanteduptheterracedfieldsonthefarside，whiletheBhagatandhisbrethrenfollowed。Upanduptheoppositemountaintheyclimbed，callingtoeachotherbyname——
theroll-callofthevillage——andattheirheelstoiledthebigbarasingh，weightedbythefailingstrengthofPurunBhagat。
Atlastthedeerstoppedintheshadowofadeeppinewood，fivehundredfeetupthehillside。Hisinstinct，thathadwarnedhimofthecomingslide，toldhimhewouldhesafehere。
PurunBhagatdroppedfaintingbyhisside，forthechilloftherainandthatfierceclimbwerekillinghim；butfirsthecalledtothescatteredtorchesahead，\"Stayandcountyournumbers\"；
then，whisperingtothedeerashesawthelightsgatherinacluster：\"Staywithme，Brother。Stay——till——I——go！\"
Therewasasighintheairthatgrewtoamutter，andamutterthatgrewtoaroar，andaroarthatpassedallsenseofhearing，andthehillsideonwhichthevillagersstoodwashitinthedarkness，androckedtotheblow。Thenanoteassteady，deep，andtrueasthedeepCoftheorgandrownedeverythingforperhapsfiveminutes，whiletheveryrootsofthepinesquiveredtoit。Itdiedaway，andthesoundoftherainfallingonmilesofhardgroundandgrasschangedtothemuffleddrumofwateronsoftearth。Thattolditsowntale。
Neveravillager——noteventhepriest——wasboldenoughtospeaktotheBhagatwhohadsavedtheirlives。Theycrouchedunderthepinesandwaitedtilltheday。Whenitcametheylookedacrossthevalleyandsawthatwhathadbeenforest，andterracedfield，andtrack-threadedgrazing-groundwasoneraw，red，fan-shapedsmear，withafewtreesflunghead-downonthescarp。
Thatredranhighupthehilloftheirrefuge，dammingbackthelittleriver，whichhadbeguntospreadintoabrick-colouredlake。Ofthevillage，oftheroadtotheshrine，oftheshrineitself，andtheforestbehind，therewasnotrace。Foronemileinwidthandtwothousandfeetinsheerdepththemountain-sidehadcomeawaybodily，planedcleanfromheadtoheel。
Andthevillagers，onebyone，creptthroughthewoodtopraybeforetheirBhagat。Theysawthebarasinghstandingoverhim，whofledwhentheycamenear，andtheyheardthelangurswailinginthebranches，andSonamoaningupthehill；buttheirBhagatwasdead，sittingcross-legged，hisbackagainstatree，hiscrutchunderhisarmpit，andhisfaceturnedtothenorth-east。
Thepriestsaid：\"Beholdamiracleafteramiracle，forinthisveryattitudemustallSunnyasisbeburied！Thereforewherehenowiswewillbuildthetempletoourholyman。\"
Theybuiltthetemplebeforeayearwasended——alittlestone-
and-earthshrine——andtheycalledthehilltheBhagat’shill，andtheyworshiptherewithlightsandflowersandofferingstothisday。ButtheydonotknowthatthesaintoftheirworshipisthelateSirPurunDass，K。C。I。E。，D。C。L。，Ph。D。，etc。，oncePrimeMinisteroftheprogressiveandenlightenedStateofMohiniwala，andhonoraryorcorrespondingmemberofmorelearnedandscientificsocietiesthanwilleverdoanygoodinthisworldorthenext。
ASONGOFKABIR
Oh，lightwastheworldthatheweighedinhishands！
Oh，heavythetaleofhisfiefsandhislands！
Hehasgonefromtheguddeeandputontheshroud，Anddepartedinguiseofbairagiavowed！
NowthewhiteroadtoDelhiismatforhisfeet，Thesalandthekikarmustguardhimfromheat；
Hishomeisthecamp，andthewaste，andthecrowd——
HeisseekingtheWayasbairagiavowed！
HehaslookeduponMan，andhiseyeballsareclear（TherewasOne；thereisOne，andbutOne，saithKabir）；
TheRedMistofDoinghasthinnedtoacloud——
HehastakenthePathforbairagiavowed！
Tolearnanddiscernofhisbrothertheclod，Ofhisbrotherthebrute，andhisbrothertheGod。
Hehasgonefromthecouncilandputontheshroud（\"Canyehear？\"saithKabir），abairagiavowed！
LETTINGINTHEJUNGLE
Veilthem，coverthem，wallthemround——
Blossom，andcreeper，andweed——
Letusforgetthesightandthesound，Thesmellandthetouchofthebreed！
Fatblackashbythealtar-stone，Hereisthewhite-footrain，Andthedoesbringforthinthefieldsunsown，Andnoneshallaffrightthemagain；
Andtheblindwallscrumble，unknown，o’erthrownAndnoneshallinhabitagain！
YouwillrememberthatafterMowglihadpinnedShereKhan’shidetotheCouncilRock，hetoldasmanyaswereleftoftheSeeoneePackthathenceforwardhewouldhuntintheJunglealone；andthefourchildrenofMotherandFatherWolfsaidthattheywouldhuntwithhim。Butitisnoteasytochangeone’slifeallinaminute——particularlyintheJungle。ThefirstthingMowglidid，whenthedisorderlyPackhadslunkoff，wastogotothehome-cave，andsleepforadayandanight。ThenhetoldMotherWolfandFatherWolfasmuchastheycouldunderstandofhisadventuresamongmen；andwhenhemadethemorningsunflickerupanddownthebladeofhisskinning-knife，——thesamehehadskinnedShereKhanwith，——theysaidhehadlearnedsomething。
ThenAkelaandGrayBrotherhadtoexplaintheirshareofthegreatbuffalo-driveintheravine，andBalootoiledupthehilltohearallaboutit，andBagheerascratchedhimselfalloverwithpuredelightatthewayinwhichMowglihadmanagedhiswar。
Itwaslongaftersunrise，butnoonedreamedofgoingtosleep，andfromtimetotime，duringthetalk，MotherWolfwouldthrowupherhead，andsniffadeepsnuffofsatisfactionasthewindbroughtherthesmellofthetiger-skinontheCouncilRock。
\"ButforAkelaandGrayBrotherhere，\"Mowglisaid，attheend，\"Icouldhavedonenothing。Oh，mother，mother！ifthouhadstseentheblackherd-bullspourdowntheravine，orhurrythroughthegateswhentheMan-Packflungstonesatme！\"
\"IamgladIdidnotseethatlast，\"saidMotherWolfstiffly。
\"ItisnotMYcustomtosuffermycubstobedriventoandfrolikejackals。_I_wouldhavetakenapricefromtheMan-Pack；
butIwouldhavesparedthewomanwhogavetheethemilk。Yes，Iwouldhavesparedheralone。\"
\"Peace，peace，Raksha！\"saidFatherWolf，lazily。\"OurFroghascomebackagain——sowisethathisownfathermustlickhisfeet；
andwhatisacut，moreorless，onthehead？LeaveMenalone。
\"BalooandBagheerabothechoed：\"LeaveMenalone。\"
Mowgli，hisheadonMotherWolf’sside，smiledcontentedly，andsaidthat，forhisownpart，heneverwishedtosee，orhear，orsmellManagain。
\"Butwhat，\"saidAkela，cockingoneear——\"butwhatifmendonotleavetheealone，LittleBrother？\"
\"WebeFIVE，\"saidGrayBrother，lookingroundatthecompany，andsnappinghisjawsonthelastword。
\"Wealsomightattendtothathunting，\"saidBagheera，withalittleswitch-switchofhistail，lookingatBaloo。\"Butwhythinkofmennow，Akela？\"
\"Forthisreason，\"theLoneWolfanswered：\"whenthatyellowchief’shidewashungupontherock，Iwentbackalongourtrailtothevillage，steppinginmytracks，turningaside，andlyingdown，tomakeamixedtrailincaseoneshouldfollowus。
ButwhenIhadfouledthetrailsothatImyselfhardlyknewitagain，Mang，theBat，camehawkingbetweenthetrees，andhungupaboveme。SaidMang，\"ThevillageoftheMan-Pack，wheretheycastouttheMan-cub，humslikeahornet’snest。\"
\"ItwasabigstonethatIthrew，\"chuckledMowgli，whohadoftenamusedhimselfbythrowingripepaw-pawsintoahornet’snest，andracingofftothenearestpoolbeforethehornetscaughthim。
\"IaskedofMangwhathehadseen。HesaidthattheRedFlowerblossomedatthegateofthevillage，andmensataboutitcarryingguns。Now_I_know，forIhavegoodcause，\"——Akelalookeddownattheolddryscarsonhisflankandside，——\"thatmendonotcarrygunsforpleasure。Presently，LittleBrother，amanwithagunfollowsourtrail——if，indeed，hebenotalreadyonit。\"
\"Butwhyshouldhe？Menhavecastmeout。Whatmoredotheyneed？\"saidMowgliangrily。
\"Thouartaman，LittleBrother，\"Akelareturned。\"ItisnotforUS，theFreeHunters，totelltheewhatthybrethrendo，orwhy。\"
Hehadjusttimetosnatchuphispawastheskinning-knifecutdeepintothegroundbelow。MowglistruckquickerthananaveragehumaneyecouldfollowbutAkelawasawolf；andevenadog，whoisveryfarremovedfromthewildwolf，hisancestor，canbewakedoutofdeepsleepbyacart-wheeltouchinghisflank，andcanspringawayunharmedbeforethatwheelcomeson。
\"Anothertime，\"Mowglisaidquietly，returningtheknifetoitssheath，\"speakoftheMan-PackandofMowgliinTWObreaths——
notone。\"
\"Phff！Thatisasharptooth，\"saidAkela，snuffingattheblade’scutintheearth，\"butlivingwiththeMan-Packhasspoiledthineeye，LittleBrother。Icouldhavekilledabuckwhilethouwaststriking。\"
Bagheerasprangtohisfeet，thrustuphisheadasfarashecould，sniffed，andstiffenedthrougheverycurveinhisbody。
GrayBrotherfollowedhisexamplequickly，keepingalittletohislefttogetthewindthatwasblowingfromtheright，whileAkelaboundedfiftyyardsupwind，and，half-crouching，stiffenedtoo。Mowglilookedonenviously。Hecouldsmellthingsasveryfewhumanbeingscould，buthehadneverreachedthehair-trigger-likesensitivenessofaJunglenose；andhisthreemonthsinthesmokyvillagehadsethimbacksadly。However，hedampenedhisfinger，rubbeditonhisnose，andstooderecttocatchtheupperscent，which，thoughitisthefaintest，isthetruest。
\"Man！\"Akelagrowled，droppingonhishaunches。
\"Buldeo！\"saidMowgli，sittingdown。\"Hefollowsourtrail，andyonderisthesunlightonhisgun。Look！\"
Itwasnomorethanasplashofsunlight，forafractionofasecond，onthebrassclampsoftheoldTowermusket，butnothingintheJunglewinkswithjustthatflash，exceptwhenthecloudsraceoverthesky。Thenapieceofmica，oralittlepool，orevenahighly-polishedleafwillflashlikeaheliograph。Butthatdaywascloudlessandstill。
\"Iknewmenwouldfollow，\"saidAkelatriumphantly。\"NotfornothinghaveIledthePack。\"
Thefourcubssaidnothing，butrandownhillontheirbellies，meltingintothethornandunder-brushasamolemeltsintoalawn。
\"Wheregoye，andwithoutword？\"Mowglicalled。
\"H’sh！Werollhisskullherebeforemid-day！\"GrayBrotheranswered。
\"Back！Backandwait！MandoesnoteatMan！\"Mowglishrieked。
\"Whowasawolfbutnow？WhodrovetheknifeatmeforthinkinghemightbeMan？\"saidAkela，asthefourwolvesturnedbacksullenlyanddroppedtoheel。
\"AmItogivereasonforallIchooseto，do？\"saidMowglifuriously。
\"ThatisMan！TherespeaksMan！\"Bagheeramutteredunderhiswhiskers。\"EvensodidmentalkroundtheKing’scagesatOodeypore。WeoftheJungleknowthatManiswisestofall。
Ifwetrustedourearsweshouldknowthatofallthingsheismostfoolish。\"Raisinghisvoice，headded，\"TheMan-cubisrightinthis。Menhuntinpacks。Tokillone，unlessweknowwhattheotherswilldo，isbadhunting。Come，letusseewhatthisManmeanstowardus。\"
\"Wewillnotcome，\"GrayBrothergrowled。\"Huntalone，LittleBrother。WEknowourownminds。Theskullwouldhavebeenreadytobringbynow。\"
Mowglihadbeenlookingfromonetotheotherofhisfriends，hischestheavingandhiseyesfulloftears。Hestrodeforwardtothewolves，and，droppingononeknee，said：\"DoInotknowmymind？Lookatme！\"
Theylookeduneasily，andwhentheireyeswandered，hecalledthembackagainandagain，tilltheirhairstoodupallovertheirbodies，andtheytrembledineverylimb，whileMowglistaredandstared。
\"Now，\"saidhe，\"ofusfive，whichisleader？\"
\"Thouartleader，LittleBrother，\"saidGrayBrother，andhelickedMowgli’sfoot。
\"Follow，then，\"saidMowgli，andthefourfollowedathisheelswiththeirtailsbetweentheirlegs。
\"ThiscomesoflivingwiththeMan-Pack，\"saidBagheera，slippingdownafterthem。\"ThereismoreintheJunglenowthanJungleLaw，Baloo。\"
Theoldbearsaidnothing，buthethoughtmanythings。
MowglicutacrossnoiselesslythroughtheJungle，atrightanglestoBuldeo’spath，till，partingtheundergrowth，hesawtheoldman，hismusketonhisshoulder，runningupthetrailofovernightatadog-trot。
YouwillrememberthatMowglihadleftthevillagewiththeheavyweightofShereKhan’srawhideonhisshoulders，whileAkelaandGrayBrothertrottedbehind，sothatthetripletrailwasveryclearlymarked。PresentlyBuldeocametowhereAkela，asyouknow，hadgonebackandmixeditallup。Thenhesatdown，andcoughedandgrunted，andmadelittlecastsroundandaboutintotheJungletopickitupagain，and，allthetimehecouldhavethrownastoneoverthosewhowerewatchinghim。
Noonecanbesosilentasawolfwhenhedoesnotcaretobeheard；andMowgli，thoughthewolvesthoughthemovedveryclumsily，couldcomeandgolikeashadow。Theyringedtheoldmanasaschoolofporpoisesringasteameratfullspeed，andastheyringedhimtheytalkedunconcernedly，fortheirspeechbeganbelowthelowestendofthescalethatuntrainedhumanbeingscanhear。[TheotherendisboundedbythehighsqueakofMang，theBat，whichverymanypeoplecannotcatchatall。Fromthatnoteallthebirdandbatandinsecttalktakeson。]
\"Thisisbetterthananykill，\"saidGrayBrother，asBuldeostoopedandpeeredandpuffed。\"HelookslikealostpigintheJunglesbytheriver。Whatdoeshesay？\"Buldeowasmutteringsavagely。
Mowglitranslated。\"Hesaysthatpacksofwolvesmusthavedancedroundme。Hesaysthatheneversawsuchatrailinhislife。Hesaysheistired。\"
\"Hewillberestedbeforehepicksitupagain，\"saidBagheeracoolly，asheslippedroundatree-trunk，inthegameofblindman’s-buffthattheywereplaying。\"NOW，whatdoestheleanthingdo？\"
\"Eatorblowsmokeoutofhismouth。Menalwaysplaywiththeirmouths，\"saidMowgli；andthesilenttrailerssawtheoldmanfillandlightandpuffatawater-pipe，andtheytookgoodnoteofthesmellofthetobacco，soastobesureofBuldeointhedarkestnight，ifnecessary。
Thenalittleknotofcharcoal-burnerscamedownthepath，andnaturallyhaltedtospeaktoBuldeo，whosefameasahunterreachedforatleasttwentymilesround。Theyallsatdownandsmoked，andBagheeraandtheotherscameupandwatchedwhileBuldeobegantotellthestoryofMowgli，theDevil-child，fromoneendtoanother，withadditionsandinventions。HowhehimselfhadreallykilledShereKhan；andhowMowglihadturnedhimselfintoawolf，andfoughtwithhimalltheafternoon，andchangedintoaboyagainandbewitchedBuldeo’srifle，sothatthebulletturnedthecorner，whenhepointeditatMowgli，andkilledoneofBuldeo’sownbuffaloes；andhowthevillage，knowinghimtobethebravesthunterinSeeonee，hadsenthimouttokillthisDevil-child。ButmeantimethevillagehadgotholdofMessuaandherhusband，whowereundoubtedlythefatherandmotherofthisDevil-child，andhadbarricadedthemintheirownhut，andpresentlywouldtorturethemtomakethemconfesstheywerewitchandwizard，andthentheywouldbeburnedtodeath。
\"When？\"saidthecharcoal-burners，becausetheywouldverymuchliketobepresentattheceremony。
Buldeosaidthatnothingwouldbedonetillhereturned，becausethevillagewishedhimtokilltheJungleBoyfirst。
AfterthattheywoulddisposeofMessuaandherhusband，anddividetheirlandsandbuffaloesamongthevillage。Messua’shusbandhadsomeremarkablyfinebuffaloes，too。Itwasanexcellentthingtodestroywizards，Buldeothought；andpeoplewhoentertainedWolf-childrenoutoftheJunglewereclearlytheworstkindofwitches。
But，saidthecharcoal-burners，whatwouldhappeniftheEnglishheardofit？TheEnglish，theyhadheard，wereaperfectlymadpeople，whowouldnotlethonestfarmerskillwitchesinpeace。
Why，saidBuldeo，thehead-manofthevillagewouldreportthatMessuaandherhusbandhaddiedofsnake-bite。THATwasallarranged，andtheonlythingnowwastokilltheWolf-child。
Theydidnothappentohaveseenanythingofsuchacreature？
Thecharcoal-burnerslookedroundcautiously，andthankedtheirstarstheyhadnot；buttheyhadnodoubtthatsobraveamanasBuldeowouldfindhimifanyonecould。Thesunwasgettingratherlow，andtheyhadanideathattheywouldpushontoBuldeo’svillageandseethatwickedwitch。Buldeosaidthat，thoughitwashisdutytokilltheDevil-child，hecouldnotthinkoflettingapartyofunarmedmengothroughtheJungle，whichmightproducetheWolf-demonatanyminute，withouthisescort。He，therefore，wouldaccompanythem，andifthesorcerer’schildappeared——well，hewouldshowthemhowthebesthunterinSeeoneedealtwithsuchthings。TheBrahmin，hesaid，hadgivenhimacharmagainstthecreaturethatmadeeverythingperfectlysafe。
\"Whatsayshe？Whatsayshe？Whatsayshe？\"thewolvesrepeatedeveryfewminutes；andMowglitranslateduntilhecametothewitchpartofthestory，whichwasalittlebeyondhim，andthenhesaidthatthemanandwomanwhohadbeensokindtohimweretrapped。
\"DoesMantrapMan？\"saidBagheera。
\"Sohesays。Icannotunderstandthetalk。Theyareallmadtogether。WhathaveMessuaandhermantodowithmethattheyshouldbeputinatrap；andwhatisallthistalkabouttheRedFlower？Imustlooktothis。WhatevertheywoulddotoMessuatheywillnotdotillBuldeoreturns。Andso————\"Mowglithoughthard，withhisfingersplayingroundthehaftoftheskinning-knife，whileBuldeoandthecharcoal-burnerswentoffveryvaliantlyinsinglefile。
\"Igohot-footbacktotheMan-Pack，\"Mowglisaidatlast。
\"Andthose？\"saidGrayBrother，lookinghungrilyafterthebrownbacksofthecharcoal-burners。
\"Singthemhome，\"saidMowgli，withagrin；Idonotwishthemtobeatthevillagegatestillitisdark。Canyeholdthem？\"
GrayBrotherbaredhiswhiteteethincontempt。Wecanheadthemroundandroundincirclesliketetheredgoats——ifIknowMan。\"
\"ThatIdonotneed。Singtothemalittle，lesttheybelonelyontheroad，and，GrayBrother，thesongneednotbeofthesweetest。Gowiththem，Bagheera，andhelpmakethatsong。
Whennightisshutdown，meetmebythevillage——GrayBrotherknowstheplace。\"
\"ItisnolighthuntingtoworkforaMan-cub。WhenshallI
sleep？\"saidBagheera，yawning，thoughhiseyesshowedthathewasdelightedwiththeamusement。\"Metosingtonakedmen！
Butletustry。\"
Heloweredhisheadsothatthesoundwouldtravel，andcriedalong，long，\"Goodhunting\"——amidnightcallintheafternoon，whichwasquiteawfulenoughtobeginwith。Mowglihearditrumble，andrise，andfall，anddieoffinacreepysortofwhinebehindhim，andlaughedtohimselfasheranthroughtheJungle。Hecouldseethecharcoal-burnershuddledinaknot；oldBuldeo’sgun-barrelwaving，likeabanana-leaf，toeverypointofthecompassatonce。ThenGrayBrothergavetheYa-la-hi！
Yalaha！callforthebuck-driving，whenthePackdrivesthenilghai，thebigbluecow，beforethem，anditseemedtocomefromtheveryendsoftheearth，nearer，andnearer，andnearer，tillitendedinashrieksnappedoffshort。Theotherthreeanswered，tillevenMowglicouldhavevowedthatthefullPackwasinfullcry，andthentheyallbrokeintothemagnificentMorning-songintheJungle，witheveryturn，andflourish，andgrace-notethatadeep-mouthedwolfofthePackknows。Thisisaroughrenderingofthesong，butyoumustimaginewhatitsoundslikewhenitbreakstheafternoonhushoftheJungle：——
OnemomentpastourbodiescastNoshadowontheplain；
Nowclearandblacktheystrideourtrack，Andwerunhomeagain。
Inmorninghush，eachrockandbushStandshard，andhigh，andraw：
ThengivetheCall：\"GoodresttoallThatkeepTheJungleLaw！\"
NowhornandpeltourpeoplesmeltIncoverttoabide；
Now，crouchedandstill，tocaveandhillOurJungleBaronsglide。
Now，starkandplain，Man’soxenstrain，Thatdrawthenew-yokedplough；
Now，strippedanddread，thedawnisredAbovethelittalao。
Ho！Gettolair！Thesun’saflareBehindthebreathinggrass：
AndcrackingthroughtheyoungbambooThewarningwhisperspass。
Bydaymadestrange，thewoodswerangeWithblinkingeyeswescan；
Whiledowntheskiesthewildduckcries\"TheDay——theDaytoMan！\"
ThedewisdriedthatdrenchedourhideOrwashedaboutourway；
Andwherewedrank，thepuddledbankIscrispingintoclay。
ThetraitorDarkgivesupeachmarkOfstretchedorhoodedclaw；
ThenheartheCall：\"GoodresttoallThatkeeptheJungleLaw！\"
Butnotranslationcangivetheeffectofit，ortheyelpingscorntheFourthrewintoeverywordofit，astheyheardthetreescrashwhenthemenhastilyclimbedupintothebranches，andBuldeobeganrepeatingincantationsandcharms。Thentheylaydownandslept，for，likeallwholivebytheirownexertions，theywereofamethodicalcastofmind；andnoonecanworkwellwithoutsleep。
Meantime，Mowgliwasputtingthemilesbehindhim，ninetothehour，swingingon，delightedtofindhimselfsofitafterallhiscrampedmonthsamongmen。TheoneideainhisheadwastogetMessuaandherhusbandoutofthetrap，whateveritwas；
forhehadanaturalmistrustoftraps。Lateron，hepromisedhimself，hewouldpayhisdebtstothevillageatlarge。
Itwasattwilightwhenhesawthewell-rememberedgrazing-
grounds，andthedhak-treewhereGrayBrotherhadwaitedforhimonthemorningthathekilledShereKhan。AngryashewasatthewholebreedandcommunityofMan，somethingjumpedupinhisthroatandmadehimcatchhisbreathwhenhelookedatthevillageroofs。Henoticedthateveryonehadcomeinfromthefieldsunusuallyearly，andthat，insteadofgettingtotheireveningcooking，theygatheredinacrowdunderthevillagetree，andchattered，andshouted。
\"Menmustalwayshemakingtrapsformen，ortheyarenotcontent，\"saidMowgli。\"LastnightitwasMowgli——butthatnightseemsmanyRainsago。To-nightitisMessuaandherman。
To-morrow，andforverymanynightsafter，itwillbeMowgli’sturnagain。\"
HecreptalongoutsidethewalltillhecametoMessua’shut，andlookedthroughthewindowintotheroom。TherelayMessua，gagged，andboundhandandfoot，breathinghard，andgroaning：
herhusbandwastiedtothegaily-paintedbedstead。Thedoorofthehutthatopenedintothestreetwasshutfast，andthreeorfourpeopleweresittingwiththeirbackstoit。
Mowgliknewthemannersandcustomsofthevillagersveryfairly。Hearguedthatsolongastheycouldeat，andtalk，andsmoke，theywouldnotdoanythingelse；butassoonastheyhadfedtheywouldbegintobedangerous。Buldeowouldbecominginbeforelong，andifhisescorthaddoneitsduty，Buldeowouldhaveaveryinterestingtaletotell。Sohewentinthroughthewindow，and，stoopingoverthemanandthewoman，cuttheirthongs，pullingoutthegags，andlookedroundthehutforsomemilk。
Messuawashalfwildwithpainandfear（shehadbeenbeatenandstonedallthemorning），andMowgliputhishandoverhermouthjustintimetostopascream。Herhusbandwasonlybewilderedandangry，andsatpickingdustandthingsoutofhistornbeard。
\"Iknew——Iknewhewouldcome，\"Messuasobbedatlast。\"NowdoIKNOWthatheismyson！\"andshehuggedMowglitoherheart。
UptothattimeMowglihadbeenperfectlysteady，butnowhebegantotrembleallover，andthatsurprisedhimimmensely。
\"Whyarethesethongs？Whyhavetheytiedthee？\"heasked，afterapause。
\"Tobeputtothedeathformakingasonofthee——whatelse？\"
saidthemansullenly。\"Look！Ibleed。\"
Messuasaidnothing，butitwasatherwoundsthatMowglilooked，andtheyheardhimgrithisteethwhenhesawtheblood。
\"Whoseworkisthis？\"saidhe。\"Thereisapricetopay。\"
\"Theworkofallthevillage。Iwastoorich。Ihadtoomanycattle。THEREFOREsheandIarewitches，becausewegavetheeshelter。\"
\"Idonotunderstand。LetMessuatellthetale。\"
\"Igavetheemilk，Nathoo；dostthouremember？\"Messuasaidtimidly。\"Becausethouwastmyson，whomthetigertook，andbecauseIlovedtheeverydearly。TheysaidthatIwasthymother，themotherofadevil，andthereforeworthyofdeath。\"
\"Andwhatisadevil？\"saidMowgli。\"DeathIhaveseen。\"
Themanlookedupgloomily，butMessualaughed。\"See！\"shesaidtoherhusband，\"Iknew——Isaidthathewasnosorcerer。Heismyson——myson！\"
\"Sonorsorcerer，whatgoodwillthatdous？\"themananswered。
\"Webeasdeadalready。\"
\"YonderistheroadtotheJungle\"——Mowglipointedthroughthewindow。\"Yourhandsandfeetarefree。Gonow。\"
\"WedonotknowtheJungle，myson，as——asthouknowest，\"Messuabegan。\"IdonotthinkthatIcouldwalkfar。\"
\"Andthemenandwomenwouldheuponourbacksanddragushereagain，\"saidthehusband。
\"H’m！\"saidMowgli，andhetickledthepalmofhishandwiththetipofhisskinning-knife；\"Ihavenowishtodoharmtoanyoneofthisvillage——YET。ButIdonotthinktheywillstaythee。
Inalittlewhiletheywillhavemuchelsetothinkupon。Ah！\"
heliftedhisheadandlistenedtoshoutingandtramplingoutside。\"SotheyhaveletBuldeocomehomeatlast？\"
\"Hewassentoutthismorningtokillthee，\"Messuacried。
\"Didstthoumeethim？\"
\"Yes——we——Imethim。Hehasataletotellandwhileheistellingitthereistimetodomuch。ButfirstIwilllearnwhattheymean。Thinkwhereyewouldgo，andtellmewhenIcomeback。\"
Heboundedthroughthewindowandranalongagainoutsidethewallofthevillagetillhecamewithinear-shotofthecrowdroundthepeepul-tree。Buldeowaslyingontheground，coughingandgroaning，andeveryonewasaskinghimquestions。Hishairhadfallenabouthisshoulders；hishandsandlegswereskinnedfromclimbinguptrees，andhecouldhardlyspeak，buthefelttheimportanceofhispositionkeenly。Fromtimetotimehesaidsomethingaboutdevilsandsingingdevils，andmagicenchantment，justtogivethecrowdatasteofwhatwascoming。
Thenhecalledforwater。
\"Bah！\"saidMowgli。\"Chatter——chatter！Talk，talk！Menareblood-brothersoftheBandar-log。Nowhemustwashhismouthwithwater；nowhemustblowsmoke；andwhenallthatisdonehehasstillhisstorytotell。Theyareverywisepeople——men。
TheywillleavenoonetoguardMessuatilltheirearsarestuffedwithBuldeo’stales。And——Igrowaslazyasthey！\"
Heshookhimselfandglidedbacktothehut。Justashewasatthewindowhefeltatouchonhisfoot。
\"Mother，\"saidhe，forheknewthattonguewell，whatdostTHOUhere？\"
\"Iheardmychildrensingingthroughthewoods，andIfollowedtheoneIlovedbest。LittleFrog，Ihaveadesiretoseethatwomanwhogavetheemilk，\"saidMotherWolf，allwetwiththedew。
\"Theyhaveboundandmeantokillher。Ihavecutthoseties，andshegoeswithhermanthroughtheJungle。\"
\"Ialsowillfollow。Iamold，butnotyettoothless。\"MotherWolfrearedherselfuponend，andlookedthroughthewindowintothedarkofthehut。
Inaminuteshedroppednoiselessly，andallshesaidwas：
\"Igavetheethyfirstmilk；butBagheeraspeakstruth：
MangoestoManatthelast。\"
\"Maybe，\"saidMowgli，withaveryunpleasantlookonhisface；
\"butto-nightIamveryfarfromthattrail。Waithere，butdonotlethersee。\"
\"THOUwastneverafraidofME，LittleFrog，\"saidMotherWolf，backingintothehighgrass，andblottingherselfout，assheknewhow。
\"Andnow，\"saidMowglicheerfully，asheswungintothehutagain，\"theyareallsittingroundBuldeo，whoissayingthatwhichdidnothappen。Whenhistalkisfinished，theysaytheywillassuredlycomeherewiththeRed——withfireandburnyouboth。Andthen？\"
\"Ihavespokentomyman，\"saidMessua。Khanhiwaraisthirtymilesfromhere，butatKhanhiwarawemayfindtheEnglish——\"
\"AndwhatPackarethey？\"saidMowgli。
\"Idonotknow。Theybewhite，anditissaidthattheygovernalltheland，anddonotsufferpeopletoburnorbeateachotherwithoutwitnesses。Ifwecangetthitherto-night，welive。Otherwisewedie。\"
\"Live，then。Nomanpassesthegatesto-night。ButwhatdoesHE
do？\"Messua’shusbandwasonhishandsandkneesdigginguptheearthinonecornerofthehut。
\"Itishislittlemoney，\"saidMessua。\"Wecantakenothingelse。\"
\"Ah，yes。Thestuffthatpassesfromhandtohandandnevergrowswarmer。Dotheyneeditoutsidethisplacealso？\"
saidMowgli。
Themanstaredangrily。\"Heisafool，andnodevil，\"hemuttered。WiththemoneyIcanbuyahorse。Wearetoobruisedtowalkfar，andthevillagewillfollowusinanhour。\"
\"IsaytheywillNOTfollowtillIchoose；butahorseiswellthoughtof，forMessuaistired。\"Herhusbandstoodupandknottedthelastoftherupeesintohiswaist-cloth。
MowglihelpedMessuathroughthewindow，andthecoolnightairrevivedher，buttheJungleinthestarlightlookedverydarkandterrible。
\"YeknowthetrailtoKhanhiwara？\"Mowgliwhispered。
Theynodded。
