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。