第1章

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。