Thiswashuntingonascalethatimpressedhim。
\"Thereandlowerdowntheydid。Iwentnofarther，butthatgavemethreeinoneday——well-fedmanjis（boatmen）all，and，exceptinthecaseofthelast（thenIwascareless），neveracrytowarnthoseonthebank。\"
\"Ah，noblesport！Butwhatclevernessandgreatjudgmentitrequires！\"saidtheJackal。
\"Notcleverness，child，butonlythought。Alittlethoughtinlifeislikesaltuponrice，astheboatmensay，andIhavethoughtdeeplyalways。TheGavial，mycousin，thefish-eater，hastoldmehowharditisforhimtofollowhisfish，andhowonefishdiffersfromtheother，andhowhemustknowthemall，bothtogetherandapart。Isaythatiswisdom；but，ontheotherhand，mycousin，theGavial，livesamonghispeople。MYpeopledonotswimincompanies，withtheirmouthsoutofthewater，asRewadoes；nordotheyconstantlyrisetothesurfaceofthewater，andturnoverontheirsides，likeMohooandlittleChapta；nordotheygatherinshoalsafterflood，likeBatchuaandChilwa。\"
\"Allareverygoodeating，\"saidtheAdjutant，clatteringhisbeak。
\"Somycousinsays，andmakesagreatto-dooverhuntingthem，buttheydonotclimbthebankstoescapehissharpnose。
MYpeopleareotherwise。Theirlifeisontheland，inthehouses，amongthecattle。Imustknowwhattheydo，andwhattheyareabouttodo；andaddingthetailtothetrunk，asthesayingis，Imakeupthewholeelephant。Isthereagreenbranchandanironringhangingoveradoorway？TheoldMuggerknowsthataboyhasbeenborninthathouse，andmustsomedaycomedowntotheGhauttoplay。Isamaidentobemarried？
TheoldMuggerknows，forheseesthemencarrygiftsbackandforth；andshe，too，comesdowntotheGhauttobathebeforeherwedding，and——heisthere。Hastheriverchangeditschannel，andmadenewlandwheretherewasonlysandbefore？
TheMuggerknows。\"
\"Now，ofwhatuseisthatknowledge？\"saidtheJackal。
\"Theriverhasshiftedeveninmylittlelife。\"Indianriversarenearlyalwaysmovingaboutintheirbeds，andwillshift，sometimes，asmuchastwoorthreemilesinaseason，drowningthefieldsononebank，andspreadinggoodsiltontheother。
\"Thereisnoknowledgesouseful，\"saidtheMugger，\"fornewlandmeansnewquarrels。TheMuggerknows。Oho！theMuggerknows。Assoonasthewaterhasdrainedoff，hecreepsupthelittlecreeksthatmenthinkwouldnothideadog，andtherehewaits。Presentlycomesafarmersayinghewillplantcucumbershere，andmelonsthere，inthenewlandthattheriverhasgivenhim。Hefeelsthegoodmudwithhisbaretoes。Anoncomesanother，sayinghewillputonions，andcarrots，andsugar-caneinsuchandsuchplaces。Theymeetasboatsadriftmeet，andeachrollshiseyeattheotherunderthebigblueturban。
TheoldMuggerseesandhears。Eachcallstheother\"Brother，\"
andtheygotomarkouttheboundariesofthenewland。
TheMuggerhurrieswiththemfrompointtopoint，shufflingverylowthroughthemud。Nowtheybegintoquarrel！Nowtheysayhotwords！Nowtheypullturbans！Nowtheyliftuptheirlathis（clubs），and，atlast，onefallsbackwardintothemud，andtheotherrunsaway。Whenhecomesbackthedisputeissettled，astheiron-boundbamboooftheloserwitnesses。YettheyarenotgratefultotheMugger。No，theycry\"Murder！\"andtheirfamiliesfightwithsticks，twentya-side。Mypeoplearegoodpeople——uplandJats——MalwaisoftheBet。Theydonotgiveblowsforsport，and，whenthefightisdone，theoldMuggerwaitsfardowntheriver，outofsightofthevillage，behindthekikar-scrubyonder。Thencometheydown，mybroad-shoulderedJats——eightorninetogetherunderthestars，bearingthedeadmanuponabed。Theyareoldmenwithgraybeards，andvoicesasdeepasmine。Theylightalittlefire——ah！howwellIknowthatfire！——andtheydrinktobacco，andtheynodtheirheadstogetherforwardinaring，orsidewaystowardthedeadmanuponthebank。TheysaytheEnglishLawwillcomewitharopeforthismatter，andthatsuchaman\"sfamilywillbeashamed，becausesuchamanmustbehangedinthegreatsquareoftheJail。
Thensaythefriendsofthedead，\"Lethimhang！\"andthetalkisalltodooveragain——once，twice，twentytimesinthelongnight。Thensaysone，atlast，\"Thefightwasafairfight。
Letustakeblood-money，alittlemorethanisofferedbytheslayer，andwewillsaynomoreaboutit。\"Thendotheyhaggleovertheblood-money，forthedeadwasastrongman，leavingmanysons。Yetbeforeamratvela（sunrise）theyputthefiretohimalittle，asthecustomis，andthedeadmancomestome，andHEsaysnomoreaboutit。Aha！mychildren，theMuggerknows——theMuggerknows——andmyMalwahJatsareagoodpeople！\"
\"Theyaretooclose——toonarrowinthehandformycrop，\"
croakedtheAdjutant。\"Theywastenotthepolishonthecow\"shorn，asthesayingis；and，again，whocangleanafteraMalwai？\"
\"Ah，I——glean——THEM，\"saidtheMugger。
\"Now，inCalcuttaoftheSouth，intheolddays，\"theAdjutantwenton，\"everythingwasthrownintothestreets，andwepickedandchose。Thoseworedaintyseasons。Butto-daytheykeeptheirstreetsascleanastheoutsideofanegg，andmypeopleflyaway。Tobecleanisonething；todust，sweep，andsprinkleseventimesadayweariestheveryGodsthemselves。\"
\"Therewasadown-countryjackalhaditfromabrother，whotoldme，thatinCalcuttaoftheSouthallthejackalswereasfatasottersintheRains，\"saidtheJackal，hismouthwateringatthebarethoughtofit。
\"Ah，butthewhite-facesarethere——theEnglish，andtheybringdogsfromsomewheredowntheriverinboats——bigfatdogs——tokeepthosesamejackalslean，\"saidtheAdjutant。
\"Theyare，then，ashard-heartedasthesepeople？Imighthaveknown。Neitherearth，sky，norwatershowscharitytoajackal。
Isawthetentsofawhite-facelastseason，aftertheRains，andIalsotookanewyellowbridletoeat。Thewhite-facesdonotdresstheirleatherintheproperway。Itmademeverysick。\"
\"Thatwasbetterthanmycase，\"saidtheAdjutant。\"WhenIwasinmythirdseason，ayoungandaboldbird，Iwentdowntotheriverwherethebigboatscomein。TheboatsoftheEnglisharethriceasbigasthisvillage。\"
\"HehasbeenasfarasDelhi，andsaysallthepeopletherewalkontheirheads，\"mutteredtheJackal。TheMuggeropenedhislefteye，andlookedkeenlyattheAdjutant。
\"Itistrue，\"thebigbirdinsisted。\"Aliaronlylieswhenhehopestobebelieved。NoonewhohadnotseenthoseboatsCOULD
believethistruth。\"
\"THATismorereasonable，\"saidtheMugger。\"Andthen？\"
\"Fromtheinsidesofthisboattheyweretakingoutgreatpiecesofwhitestuff，which，inalittlewhile，turnedtowater。
Muchsplitoff，andfellaboutontheshore，andtheresttheyswiftlyputintoahousewiththickwalls。Butaboatman，wholaughed，tookapiecenolargerthanasmalldog，andthrewittome。I——allmypeople——swallowwithoutreflection，andthatpieceIswallowedasisourcustom。ImmediatelyIwasafflictedwithanexcessivecoldwhich，beginninginmycrop，randowntotheextremeendofmytoes，anddeprivedmeevenofspeech，whiletheboatmenlaughedatme。NeverhaveIfeltsuchcold。
IdancedinmygriefandamazementtillIcouldrecovermybreathandthenIdancedandcriedoutagainstthefalsenessofthisworld；andtheboatmenderidedmetilltheyfelldown。
Thechiefwonderofthematter，settingasidethatmarvellouscoldness，wasthattherewasnothingatallinmycropwhenI
hadfinishedmylamentings！\"
TheAdjutanthaddonehisverybesttodescribehisfeelingsafterswallowingaseven-poundlumpofWenhamLakeice，offanAmericanice-ship，inthedaysbeforeCalcuttamadehericebymachinery；butashedidnotknowwhaticewas，andastheMuggerandtheJackalknewratherless，thetalemissedfire。
\"Anything，\"saidtheMugger，shuttinghislefteyeagain——
\"ANYTHINGispossiblethatcomesoutofaboatthricethesizeofMugger-Ghaut。Myvillageisnotasmallone。\"
Therewasawhistleoverheadonthebridge，andtheDelhiMailslidacross，allthecarriagesgleamingwithlight，andtheshadowsfaithfullyfollowingalongtheriver。Itclankedawayintothedarkagain；buttheMuggerandtheJackalweresowellusedtoitthattheyneverturnedtheirheads。
\"IsthatanythinglesswonderfulthanaboatthricethesizeofMugger-Ghaut？\"saidthebird，lookingup。
\"Isawthatbuilt，child。StonebystoneIsawthebridge-piersrise，andwhenthemenfelloff（theywerewondroussure-footedforthemostpart——butWHENtheyfell）Iwasready。Afterthefirstpierwasmadetheyneverthoughttolookdownthestreamforthebodytoburn。There，again，Isavedmuchtrouble。
Therewasnothingstrangeinthebuildingofthebridge，\"saidtheMugger。
\"Butthatwhichgoesacross，pullingtheroofedcarts！Thatisstrange，\"theAdjutantrepeated。\"Itis，pastanydoubt，anewbreedofbullock。Somedayitwillnotbeabletokeepitsfootholdupyonder，andwillfallasthemendid。TheoldMuggerwillthenbeready。\"
TheJackallookedattheAdjutantandtheAdjutantlookedattheJackal。Iftherewasonethingtheyweremorecertainofthananother，itwasthattheenginewaseverythinginthewideworldexceptabullock。TheJackalhadwatchedittimeandagainfromthealoehedgesbythesideoftheline，andtheAdjutanthadseenenginessincethefirstlocomotiveraninIndia。ButtheMuggerhadonlylookedupatthethingfrombelow，wherethebrassdomeseemedratherlikeabullock\"shump。
\"M——yes，anewkindofbullock，\"theMuggerrepeatedponderously，tomakehimselfquitesureinhisownmind；
and\"Certainlyitisabullock，\"saidtheJackal。
\"Andagainitmightbe————\"begantheMuggerpettishly。
\"Certainly——mostcertainly，\"saidtheJackal，withoutwaitingfortheothertofinish。
\"What？\"saidtheMuggerangrily，forhecouldfeelthattheothersknewmorethanhedid。\"Whatmightitbe？_I_neverfinishedmywords。Yousaiditwasabullock。\"
\"ItisanythingtheProtectorofthePoorpleases。IamHIS
servant——nottheservantofthethingthatcrossestheriver。\"
\"Whateveritis，itiswhite-facework，\"saidtheAdjutant；
\"andformyownpart，Iwouldnotlieoutuponaplacesoneartoitasthisbar。\"
\"YoudonotknowtheEnglishasIdo，\"saidtheMugger。\"Therewasawhite-faceherewhenthebridgewasbuilt，andhewouldtakeaboatintheeveningsandshufflewithhisfeetonthebottom-boards，andwhisper：\"Ishehere？Ishethere？Bringmemygun。\"IcouldhearhimbeforeIcouldseehim——eachsoundthathemade——creakingandpuffingandrattlinghisgun，upanddowntheriver。AssurelyasIhadpickeduponeofhisworkmen，andthussavedgreatexpenseinwoodfortheburning，sosurelywouldhecomedowntotheGhaut，andshoutinaloudvoicethathewouldhuntme，andridtheriverofme——theMuggerofMugger-
Ghaut！ME！Children，Ihaveswumunderthebottomofhisboatforhourafterhour，andheardhimfirehisgunatlogs；andwhenIwaswellsurehewaswearied，Ihaverisenbyhissideandsnappedmyjawsinhisface。Whenthebridgewasfinishedhewentaway。AlltheEnglishhuntinthatfashion，exceptwhentheyarehunted。\"
\"Whohuntsthewhite-faces？\"yappedtheJackalexcitedly。
\"Noonenow，butIhavehuntedtheminmytime。\"
\"IrememberalittleofthatHunting。Iwasyoungthen，\"saidtheAdjutant，clatteringhisbeaksignificantly。
\"Iwaswellestablishedhere。Myvillagewasbeingbuildedforthethirdtime，asIremember，whenmycousin，theGavial，broughtmewordofrichwatersaboveBenares。AtfirstIwouldnotgo，formycousin，whoisafish-eater，doesnotalwaysknowthegoodfromthebad；butIheardmypeopletalkingintheevenings，andwhattheysaidmademecertain。\"
\"Andwhatdidtheysay？\"theJackalasked。
\"Theysaidenoughtomakeme，theMuggerofMugger-Ghaut，leavewaterandtaketomyfeet。Iwentbynight，usingthelittleststreamsastheyservedme；butitwasthebeginningofthehotweather，andallstreamswerelow。Icrosseddustyroads；Iwentthroughtallgrass；Iclimbedhillsinthemoonlight。EvenrocksdidIclimb，children——considerthiswell。
IcrossedthetailofSirhind，thewaterless，beforeIcouldfindthesetofthelittleriversthatflowGungaward。Iwasamonth\"sjourneyfrommyownpeopleandtheriverthatIknew。
Thatwasverymarvellous！\"
\"Whatfoodontheway？\"saidtheJackal，whokepthissoulinhislittlestomach，andwasnotabitimpressedbytheMugger\"slandtravels。
\"ThatwhichIcouldfind——COUSIN，\"saidtheMuggerslowly，draggingeachword。
NowyoudonotcallamanacousininIndiaunlessyouthinkyoucanestablishsomekindofblood-relationship，andasitisonlyinoldfairy-talesthattheMuggerevermarriesajackal，theJackalknewforwhatreasonhehadbeensuddenlyliftedintotheMugger\"sfamilycircle。Iftheyhadbeenalonehewouldnothavecared，buttheAdjutant\"seyestwinkledwithmirthattheuglyjest。
\"Assuredly，Father，Imighthaveknown，\"saidtheJackal。
Amuggerdoesnotcaretobecalledafatherofjackals，andtheMuggerofMugger-Ghautsaidasmuch——andagreatdealmorewhichthereisnouseinrepeatinghere。
\"TheProtectorofthePoorhasclaimedkinship。HowcanI
remembertheprecisedegree？Moreover，weeatthesamefood。
Hehassaidit，\"wastheJackal\"sreply。
Thatmademattersratherworse，forwhattheJackalhintedatwasthattheMuggermusthaveeatenhisfoodonthatland-marchfreshandfresheveryday，insteadofkeepingitbyhimtillitwasinafitandpropercondition，aseveryself-respectingmuggerandmostwildbeastsdowhentheycan。Indeed，oneoftheworsttermsofcontemptalongtheRiver-bedis\"eateroffreshmeat。\"Itisnearlyasbadascallingamanacannibal。
\"Thatfoodwaseatenthirtyseasonsago，\"saidtheAdjutantquietly。\"Ifwetalkforthirtyseasonsmoreitwillnevercomeback。Tellus，now，whathappenedwhenthegoodwaterswerereachedafterthymostwonderfullandjourney。Ifwelistenedtothehowlingofeveryjackalthebusinessofthetownwouldstop，asthesayingis。
TheMuggermusthavebeengratefulfortheinterruption，becausehewenton，witharush：
\"BytheRightandLeftofGunga！whenIcamethereneverdidI
seesuchwaters！\"
\"Weretheybetter，then，thanthebigfloodoflastseason？\"
saidtheJackal。
\"Better！Thatfloodwasnomorethancomeseveryfiveyears——
ahandfulofdrownedstrangers，somechickens，andadeadbullockinmuddywaterwithcross-currents。ButtheseasonIthinkof，theriverwaslow，smooth，andeven，and，astheGavialhadwarnedme，thedeadEnglishcamedown，touchingeachother。Igotmygirthinthatseason——mygirthandmydepth。
>FromAgra，byEtawahandthebroadwatersbyAllahabad————\"
\"Oh，theeddythatsetunderthewallsofthefortatAllahabad！\"saidtheAdjutant。\"Theycameintherelikewidgeontothereeds，androundandroundtheyswung——thus！\"
Hewentoffintohishorribledanceagain，whiletheJackallookedonenviously。HenaturallycouldnotremembertheterribleyearoftheMutinytheyweretalkingabout。
TheMuggercontinued：
\"Yes，byAllahabadonelaystillintheslack-waterandlettwentygobytopickone；and，aboveall，theEnglishwerenotcumberedwithjewelleryandnose-ringsandankletsasmywomenarenowadays。Todelightinornamentsistoendwitharopeforanecklace，asthesayingis。Allthemuggersofalltheriversgrewfatthen，butitwasmyFatetobefatterthanthemall。
ThenewswasthattheEnglishwerebeinghuntedintotherivers，andbytheRightandLeftofGunga！webelieveditwastrue。SofarasIwentsouthIbelievedittohetrue；
andIwentdown-streambeyondMonghyrandthetombsthatlookovertheriver。\"
\"Iknowthatplace，\"saidtheAdjutant。\"SincethosedaysMonghyrisalostcity。Veryfewlivetherenow。\"
\"ThereafterIworkedup-streamveryslowlyandlazily，andalittleaboveMonghyrtherecamedownaboatfulofwhite-faces——
alive！Theywere，asIremember，women，lyingunderaclothspreadoversticks，andcryingaloud。Therewasneveragunfiredatus，thewatchersofthefordsinthosedays。Allthegunswerebusyelsewhere。Wecouldhearthemdayandnightinland，comingandgoingasthewindshifted。Iroseupfullbeforetheboat，becauseIhadneverseenwhite-facesalive，thoughIknewthemwell——otherwise。Anakedwhitechildkneeledbythesideoftheboat，and，stoopingover，mustneedstrytotrailhishandsintheriver。Itisaprettythingtoseehowachildlovesrunningwater。Ihadfedthatday，buttherewasyetalittleunfilledspacewithinme。Still，itwasforsportandnotforfoodthatIroseatthechild\"shands。TheyweresoclearamarkthatIdidnotevenlookwhenIclosed；buttheyweresosmallthatthoughmyjawsrangtrue——Iamsureofthat——
thechilddrewthemupswiftly，unhurt。Theymusthavepassedbetweentoothandtooth——thosesmallwhitehands。Ishouldhavecaughthimcross-wiseattheelbows；but，asIsaid，itwasonlyforsportanddesiretoseenewthingsthatIroseatall。
Theycriedoutoneafteranotherintheboat，andpresentlyIroseagaintowatchthem。Theboatwastooheavytopushover。
Theywereonlywomen，buthewhotrustsawomanwillwalkonduckweedinapool，asthesayingis：andbytheRightandLeftofGunga，thatistruth！\"
\"Onceawomangavemesomedriedskinfromafish，\"saidtheJackal。\"Ihadhopedtogetherbaby，buthorse-foodisbetterthanthekickofahorse，asthesayingis。Whatdidthywomando？\"
\"ShefiredatmewithashortgunofakindIhaveneverseenbeforeorsince。Fivetimes，oneafteranother\"（theMuggermusthavemetwithanold-fashionedrevolver）；\"andIstayedopen-
mouthedandgaping，myheadinthesmoke。NeverdidIseesuchathing。Fivetimes，asswiftlyasIwavemytail——thus！\"
TheJackal，whohadbeengrowingmoreandmoreinterestedinthestory，hadjusttimetoleapbackasthehugetailswungbylikeascythe。
\"Notbeforethefifthshot，\"saidtheMugger，asthoughhehadneverdreamedofstunningoneofhislisteners——\"notbeforethefifthshotdidIsink，andIroseintimetohearaboatmantellingallthosewhitewomenthatIwasmostcertainlydead。
Onebullethadgoneunderaneck-plateofmine。Iknownotifitistherestill，forthereasonIcannotturnmyhead。Lookandsee，child。Itwillshowthatmytaleistrue。\"
\"I？\"saidtheJackal。\"Shallaneaterofoldshoes，abone-
cracker，presume，todoubtthewordoftheEnvyoftheRiver？
Maymytailbebittenoffbyblindpuppiesiftheshadowofsuchathoughthascrossedmyhumblemind！TheProtectorofthePoorhascondescendedtoinformme，hisslave，thatonceinhislifehehasbeenwoundedbyawoman。Thatissufficient，andIwilltellthetaletoallmychildren，askingfornoproof。\"
\"Over-muchcivilityissometimesnobetterthanover-muchdiscourtesy，for，asthesayingis，onecanchokeaguestwithcurds。IdoNOTdesirethatanychildrenofthineshouldknowthattheMuggerofMugger-Ghauttookhisonlywoundfromawoman。Theywillhavemuchelsetothinkofiftheygettheirmeatasmiserablyasdoestheirfather。\"
\"Itisforgottenlongago！Itwasneversaid！Thereneverwasawhitewoman！Therewasnoboat！Nothingwhateverhappenedatall。\"
TheJackalwavedhisbrushtoshowhowcompletelyeverythingwaswipedoutofhismemory，andsatdownwithanair。
\"Indeed，verymanythingshappened，\"saidtheMugger，beateninhissecondattemptthatnighttogetthebetterofhisfriend。
（Neitherboremalice，however。Eatandbeeatenwasfairlawalongtheriver，andtheJackalcameinforhisshareofplunderwhentheMuggerhadfinishedameal。）\"Ileftthatboatandwentup-stream，and，whenIhadreachedArrahandtheback-watersbehindit，therewerenomoredeadEnglish。Theriverwasemptyforawhile。Thencameoneortwodead，inredcoats，notEnglish，butofonekindall——HindusandPurbeeahs——thenfiveandsixabreast，andatlast，fromArrahtotheNorthbeyondAgra，itwasasthoughwholevillageshadwalkedintothewater。
Theycameoutoflittlecreeksoneafteranother，asthelogscomedownintheRains。Whentheriverrosetheyrosealsoincompaniesfromtheshoalstheyhadrestedupon；andthefallingflooddraggedthemwithitacrossthefieldsandthroughtheJunglebythelonghair。Allnight，too，goingNorth，Iheardtheguns，andbydaytheshodfeetofmencrossingfords，andthatnoisewhichaheavycart-wheelmakesonsandunderwater；
andeveryripplebroughtmoredead。AtlastevenIwasafraid，forIsaid：\"Ifthisthinghappentomen，howshalltheMuggerofMugger-Ghautescape？\"Therewereboats，too，thatcameupbehindmewithoutsails，burningcontinually，asthecotton-
boatssometimesburn，butneversinking。\"
\"Ah！\"saidtheAdjutant。\"BoatslikethosecometoCalcuttaoftheSouth。Theyaretallandblack，theybeatupthewaterbehindthemwithatail，andthey————\"
\"Arethriceasbigasmyvillage。MYboatswerelowandwhite；
theybeatupthewateroneithersideofthem\"andwerenolargerthantheboatsofonewhospeakstruthshouldbe。
Theymademeveryafraid，andIleftwaterandwentbacktothismyriver，hidingbydayandwalkingbynight，whenIcouldnotfindlittlestreamstohelpme。Icametomyvillageagain，butIdidnothopetoseeanyofmypeoplethere。Yettheywereploughingandsowingandreaping，andgoingtoandfrointheirfields，asquietlyastheirowncattle。\"
\"Wastherestillgoodfoodintheriver？\"saidtheJackal。
\"MorethanIhadanydesirefor。EvenI——andIdonoteatmud——
evenIwastired，and，asIremember，alittlefrightenedofthisconstantcomingdownofthesilentones。IheardmypeoplesayinmyvillagethatalltheEnglishweredead；butthosethatcame，facedown，withthecurrentwereNOTEnglish，asmypeoplesaw。Thenmypeoplesaidthatitwasbesttosaynothingatall，buttopaythetaxandploughtheland。Afteralongtimetherivercleared，andthosethatcamedownithadbeenclearlydrownedbythefloods，asIcouldwellsee；andthoughitwasnotsoeasythentogetfood，Iwasheartilygladofit。
Alittlekillinghereandthereisnobadthing——buteventheMuggerissometimessatisfied，asthesayingis。\"
\"Marvellous！Mosttrulymarvellous！\"saidtheJackal。\"Iambecomefatthroughmerelyhearingaboutsomuchgoodeating。
Andafterwardwhat，ifitbepermittedtoask，didtheProtectorofthePoordo？\"
\"Isaidtomyself——andbytheRightandLeftofGunga！Ilockedmyjawsonthatvow——IsaidIwouldnevergorovinganymore。
SoIlivedbytheGhaut，veryclosetomyownpeople，andI
watchedoverthemyearafteryear；andtheylovedmesomuchthattheythrewmarigoldwreathsatmyheadwhenevertheysawitlift。Yes，andmyFatehasbeenverykindtome，andtheriverisgoodenoughtorespectmypoorandinfirmpresence；only————\"
\"Nooneisallhappyfromhisbeaktohistail，\"saidtheAdjutantsympathetically。\"WhatdoestheMuggerofMugger-Ghautneedmore？\"
\"ThatlittlewhitechildwhichIdidnotget，\"saidtheMugger，withadeepsigh。\"Hewasverysmall，butIhavenotforgotten。
Iamoldnow，butbeforeIdieitismydesiretotryonenewthing。Itistruetheyareaheavy-footed，noisy，andfoolishpeople，andthesportwouldbesmall，butIremembertheolddaysaboveBenares，and，ifthechildlives，hewillrememberstill。Itmaybehegoesupanddownthebankofsomeriver，tellinghowheoncepassedhishandsbetweentheteethoftheMuggerofMugger-Ghaut，andlivedtomakeataleofit。MyFatehasbeenverykind，butthatplaguesmesometimesinmydreams——
thethoughtofthelittlewhitechildinthebowsofthatboat。\"
Heyawned，andclosedhisjaws。\"AndnowIwillrestandthink。
Keepsilent，mychildren，andrespecttheaged。\"
Heturnedstiffly，andshuffledtothetopofthesand-bar，whiletheJackaldrewbackwiththeAdjutanttotheshelterofatreestrandedontheendnearesttherailwaybridge。
\"Thatwasapleasantandprofitablelife，\"hegrinned，lookingupinquiringlyatthebirdwhotoweredabovehim。\"Andnotonce，markyou，didhethinkfittotellmewhereamorselmighthavebeenleftalongthebanks。YetIhavetoldHIMahundredtimesofgoodthingswallowingdown-stream。Howtrueisthesaying，\"AlltheworldforgetstheJackalandtheBarberwhenthenewshasbeentold！\"Nowheisgoingtosleep！Arrh！\"
\"HowcanajackalhuntwithaMugger？\"saidtheAdjutantcoolly。\"Bigthiefandlittlethief；itiseasytosaywhogetsthepickings。\"
TheJackalturned，whiningimpatiently，andwasgoingtocurlhimselfupunderthetree-trunk，whensuddenlyhecowered，andlookedupthroughthedraggledbranchesatthebridgealmostabovehishead。
\"Whatnow？\"saidtheAdjutant，openinghiswingsuneasily。
\"Waittillwesee。Thewindblowsfromustothem，buttheyarenotlookingforus——thosetwomen。\"
\"Men，isit？Myofficeprotectsme。AllIndiaknowsIamholy。\"
TheAdjutant，beingafirst-classscavenger，isallowedtogowherehepleases，andsothisoneneverflinched。
\"Iamnotworthablowfromanythingbetterthananoldshoe，\"
saidtheJackal，andlistenedagain。\"Harktothatfootfall！\"
hewenton。\"Thatwasnocountryleather，buttheshodfootofawhite-face。Listenagain！Ironhitsironupthere！Itisagun！Friend，thoseheavy-footed，foolishEnglisharecomingtospeakwiththeMugger。\"
\"Warnhim，then。HewascalledProtectorofthePoorbysomeonenotunlikeastarvingJackalbutalittletimeago。\"
\"Letmycousinprotecthisownhide。Hehastoldmeagainandagainthereisnothingtofearfromthewhite-faces。Theymustbewhite-faces。NotavillagerofMugger-Ghautwoulddaretocomeafterhim。See，Isaiditwasagun！Now，withgoodluck，weshallfeedbeforedaylight。Hecannothearwelloutofwater，and——thistimeitisnotawoman！\"
Ashinybarrelglitteredforaminuteinthemoonlightonthegirders。TheMuggerwaslyingonthesand-barasstillashisownshadow，hisfore-feetspreadoutalittle，hisheaddroppedbetweenthem，snoringlikea——mugger。
Avoiceonthebridgewhispered：\"It’sanoddshot——straightdownalmost——butassafeashouses。Bettertrybehindtheneck。
Golly！whatabrute！Thevillagerswillbewildifhe’sshot，though。He’sthedeota[godling]oftheseparts。\"
\"Don’tcarearap，\"anothervoiceanswered；hetookaboutfifteenofmybestcoolieswhilethebridgewasbuilding，andit’stimehewasputastopto。I’vebeenafterhiminaboatforweeks。StandbywiththeMartiniassoonasI’vegivenhimbothbarrelsofthis。\"
\"Mindthekick，then。Adoublefour-bore’snojoke。\"
\"That’sforhimtodecide。Heregoes！\"
Therewasaroarlikethesoundofasmallcannon（thebiggestsortofelephant-rifleisnotverydifferentfromsomeartillery），andadoublestreakofflame，followedbythestingingcrackofaMartini，whoselongbulletmakesnothingofacrocodile’splates。Buttheexplosivebulletsdidthework。
OneofthemstruckjustbehindtheMugger’sneck，ahand’s-
breadthtotheleftofthlebackbone，whiletheotherburstalittlelowerdown，atthebeginningofthetail。Inninety-
ninecasesoutofahundredamortally-woundedcrocodilecanscrambletodeepwaterandgetaway；buttheMuggerofMugger-
Ghautwasliterallybrokenintothreepieces。Hehardlymovedhisheadbeforethelifewentoutofhim，andhelayasflatastheJackal。
\"Thunderandlightning！Lightningandthunder！\"saidthatmiserablelittlebeast。\"Hasthethingthatpullsthecoveredcartsoverthebridgetumbledatlast？\"
\"Itisnomorethanagun，\"saidtheAdjutant，thoughhisverytail-feathersquivered。\"Nothingmorethanagun。Heiscertainlydead。Herecomethewhite-faces。\"
ThetwoEnglishmenhadhurrieddownfromthebridgeandacrosstothesand-bar，wheretheystoodadmiringthelengthoftheMugger。Thenanativewithanaxecutoffthebighead，andfourmendraggeditacrossthespit。
\"ThelasttimethatIhadmyhandinaMugger’smouth，\"saidoneoftheEnglishmen，stoopingdown（hewasthemanwhohadbuiltthebridge），\"itwaswhenIwasaboutfiveyearsold——comingdowntheriverbyboattoMonghyr。IwasaMutinybaby，astheycallit。Poormotherwasintheboat，too，andsheoftentoldmehowshefireddad’soldpistolatthebeast’shead。\"
\"Well，you’vecertainlyhadyourrevengeonthechiefoftheclan——evenifthegunhasmadeyournosebleed。Hi，youboatmen！
Haulthatheadupthebank，andwe’llboilitfortheskull。
Theskin’stooknockedabouttokeep。Comealongtobednow。
Thiswasworthsittingupallnightfor，wasn’tit？\"……
Curiouslyenough，theJackalandtheAdjutantmadetheverysameremarknotthreeminutesafterthemenhadleft。
ARIPPLESONG
OncearipplecametolandInthegoldensunsetburning——
Lappedagainstamaiden’shand，Bythefordreturning。
Daintyfootandgentlebreast——
Here，across，begladandrest。
\"Maiden，wait，\"theripplesaith。
\"Waitawhile，forIamDeath！\"
\"WheremylovercallsIgo——
Shameitweretotreathimcoldly——
’Twasafishthatcircledso，Turningoverboldly。\"
Daintyfootandtenderheart，Waittheloadedferry-cart。
\"Wait，ah，wait！\"theripplesaith；
\"Maiden，wait，forIamDeath！\"
\"WhenmylovercallsIhaste-
DameDisdainwasneverwedded！\"
Ripple-rippleroundherwaist，Clearthecurrenteddied。
Foolishheartandfaithfulhand，Littlefeetthattouchednoland。
Farawaytheripplesped，Ripple——ripple——runningred！
THEKING’SANKUS
ThesearetheFourthatarenevercontent，thathaveneverbeenfilledsincetheDewsbegan——
Jacala’smouth，andtheglutoftheKite，andthehandsoftheApe，andtheEyesofMan。
JungleSaying。
Kaa，thebigRockPython，hadchangedhisskinforperhapsthetwo-hundredthtimesincehisbirth；andMowgli，whoneverforgotthatheowedhislifetoKaaforanight’sworkatColdLairs，whichyoumayperhapsremember，wenttocongratulatehim。
Skin-changingalwaysmakesasnakemoodyanddepressedtillthenewskinbeginstoshineandlookbeautiful。KaanevermadefunofMowglianymore，butacceptedhim，astheotherJunglePeopledid，fortheMasteroftheJungle，andbroughthimallthenewsthatapythonofhissizewouldnaturallyhear。WhatKaadidnotknowabouttheMiddleJungle，astheycallit，——thelifethatrunsclosetotheearthorunderit，theboulder，burrow，andthetree-bolelife，——mighthavebeenwrittenuponthesmallestofhisscales。
ThatafternoonMowgliwassittinginthecircleofKaa！sgreatcoils，fingeringtheflakedandbrokenoldskinthatlayallloopedandtwistedamongtherocksjustasKaahadleftit。
KaahadverycourteouslypackedhimselfunderMowgli’sbroad，bareshoulders，sothattheboywasreallyrestinginalivingarm-chair。
\"Eventothescalesoftheeyesitisperfect，\"saidMowgli，underhisbreath，playingwiththeoldskin。\"Strangetoseethecoveringofone’sownheadatone’sownfeet！\"
\"Ay，butIlackfeet，\"saidKaa；\"andsincethisisthecustomofallmypeople，Idonotfinditstrange。Doesthyskinneverfeeloldandharsh？\"
\"ThengoIandwash，Flathead；but，itistrue，inthegreatheatsIhavewishedIcouldsloughmyskinwithoutpain，andrunskinless。\"
\"Iwash，andALSOItakeoffmyskin。Howlooksthenewcoat？\"
Mowgliranhishanddownthediagonalcheckeringsoftheimmenseback。\"TheTurtleisharder-backed，butnotsogay，\"hesaidjudgmatically。\"TheFrog，myname-bearer，ismoregay，butnotsohard。Itisverybeautifultosee——likethemottlinginthemouthofalily。\"
\"Itneedswater。Anewskinnevercomestofullcolourbeforethefirstbath。Letusgobathe。\"
\"Iwillcarrythee，\"saidMowgli；andhestoopeddown，laughing，toliftthemiddlesectionofKaa’sgreatbody，justwherethebarrelwasthickest。Amanmightjust，aswellhavetriedtoheaveupatwo-footwater-main；andKaalaystill，puffingwithquietamusement。Thentheregulareveninggamebegan——theBoyintheflushofhisgreatstrength，andthePythoninhissumptuousnewskin，standinguponeagainsttheotherforawrestlingmatch——atrialofeyeandstrength。Ofcourse，KaacouldhavecrushedadozenMowglisifhehadlethimselfgo；butheplayedcarefully，andneverloosedone-tenthofhispower。EversinceMowgliwasstrongenoughtoendurealittleroughhandling，Kaahadtaughthimthisgame，anditsuppledhislimbsasnothingelsecould。SometimesMowgliwouldstandlappedalmosttohisthroatinKaa’sshiftingcoils，strivingtogetonearmfreeandcatchhimbythethroat。ThenKaawouldgivewaylimply，andMowgli，withbothquick-movingfeet，wouldtrytocrampthepurchaseofthathugetailasitflungbackwardfeelingforarockorastump。Theywouldrocktoandfro，headtohead，eachwaitingforhischance，tillthebeautiful，statue-likegroupmeltedinawhirlofblack-and-yellowcoilsandstrugglinglegsandarms，toriseupagainandagain。
\"Now！now！now！\"saidKaa，makingfeintswithhisheadthatevenMowgli’squickhandcouldnotturnaside。\"Look！Itouchtheehere，LittleBrother！Here，andhere！Arethyhandsnumb？
Hereagain！\"
Thegamealwaysendedinoneway——withastraight，drivingblowoftheheadthatknockedtheboyoverandover。Mowglicouldneverlearntheguardforthatlightninglunge，and，asKaasaid，therewasnottheleastuseintrying。
\"Goodhunting！\"Kaagruntedatlast；andMowgli，asusual，wasshotawayhalfadozenyards，gaspingandlaughing。Herosewithhisfingersfullofgrass，andfollowedKaatothewisesnake’spetbathing-place——adeep，pitchy-blackpoolsurroundedwithrocks，andmadeinterestingbysunkentree-stumps。Theboyslippedin，Jungle-fashion，withoutasound，anddivedacross；
rose，too，withoutasound，andturnedonhisback，hisarmsbehindhishead，watchingthemoonrisingabovetherocks，andbreakingupherreflectioninthewaterwithhistoes。
Kaa’sdiamond-shapedheadcutthepoollikearazor，andcameouttorestonMowgli’sshoulder。Theylaystill，soakingluxuriouslyinthecoolwater。
\"ItisVERYgood，\"saidMowgliatlast，sleepily。Now，intheMan-Pack，atthishour，asIremember，theylaidthemdownuponhardpiecesofwoodintheinsideofamud-trap，and，havingcarefullyshutoutallthecleanwinds，drewfoulclothovertheirheavyheadsandmadeevilsongsthroughtheirnoses。
ItisbetterintheJungle。\"
Ahurryingcobraslippeddownoverarockanddrank，gavethem\"Goodhunting！\"andwentaway。
\"Sssh！\"saidKaa，asthoughhehadsuddenlyrememberedsomething。\"SotheJunglegivestheeallthatthouhasteverdesired，LittleBrother？\"
\"Notall，\"saidMowgli，laughing；\"elsetherewouldbeanewandstrongShereKhantokillonceamoon。Now，Icouldkillwithmyownhands，askingnohelpofbuffaloes。AndalsoIhavewishedthesuntoshineinthemiddleoftheRains，andtheRainstocoverthesuninthedeepofsummer；andalsoIhavenevergoneemptybutIwishedthatIhadkilledagoat；andalsoIhaveneverkilledagoatbutIwishedithadbeenbuck；norbuckbutIwishedithadbeennilghai。Butthusdowefeel，allofus。\"
\"Thouhastnootherdesire？\"thebigsnakedemanded。
\"WhatmorecanIwish？IhavetheJungle，andthefavouroftheJungle！Istheremoreanywherebetweensunriseandsunset？\"
\"Now，theCobrasaid————\"Kaabegan。Whatcobra？Hethatwentawayjustnowsaidnothing。Hewashunting。\"
\"Itwasanother。\"
\"HastthoumanydealingswiththePoisonPeople？Igivethemtheirownpath。Theycarrydeathinthefore-tooth，andthatisnotgood——fortheyaresosmall。Butwhathoodisthisthouhastspokenwith？\"
Kaarolledslowlyinthewaterlikeasteamerinabeamsea。
\"Threeorfourmoonssince，\"saidhe，\"IhuntedinColdLairs，whichplacethouhastnotforgotten。AndthethingIhuntedfledshriekingpastthetanksandtothathousewhosesideIoncebrokeforthysake，andranintotheground。\"
\"ButthepeopleofColdLairsdonotliveinburrows。\"MowgliknewthatKaawastellingoftheMonkeyPeople。
\"Thisthingwasnotliving，butseekingtolive，\"Kaareplied，withaquiverofhistongue。\"Heranintoaburrowthatledveryfar。Ifollowed，andhavingkilled，Islept。WhenI
wakedIwentforward。\"
\"Undertheearth？\"
\"Evenso，comingatlastuponaWhiteHood[awhitecobra]，whospokeofthingsbeyondmyknowledge，andshowedmemanythingsIhadneverbeforeseen。\"
\"Newgame？Wasitgoodhunting？\"Mowgliturnedquicklyonhisside。
\"Itwasnogame，andwouldhavebrokenallmyteeth；buttheWhiteHoodsaidthataman——hespokeasonethatknewthebreed——thatamanwouldgivethebreathunderhisribsforonlythesightofthosethings。\"
\"Wewilllook，\"saidMowgli。\"InowrememberthatIwasonceaman。\"
\"Slowly——slowly。ItwashastekilledtheYellowSnakethatatethesun。Wetwospoketogetherundertheearth，andIspokeofthee，namingtheeasaman。SaidtheWhiteHood（andheisindeedasoldastheJungle）：’ItislongsinceIhaveseenaman。Lethimcome，andheshallseeallthesethings，fortheleastofwhichverymanymenwoulddie。’\"
\"ThatMUSTbenewgame。AndyetthePoisonPeopledonottelluswhengameisafoot。Theyareanunfriendlyfolk。\"
\"ItisNOTgame。Itis——itis——Icannotsaywhatitis。\"
\"Wewillgothere。IhaveneverseenaWhiteHood，andIwishtoseetheotherthings。Didhekillthem？\"
\"Theyarealldeadthings。Hesaysheisthekeeperofthemall。\"
\"Ah！Asawolfstandsabovemeathehastakentohisownlair。
Letusgo。\"
Mowgliswamtobank，rolledonthegrasstodryhimself，andthetwosetoffforColdLairs，thedesertedcityofwhichyoumayhaveheard。MowgliwasnottheleastafraidoftheMonkeyPeopleinthosedays，buttheMonkeyPeoplehadtheliveliesthorrorofMowgli。Theirtribes，however，wereraidingintheJungle，andsoColdLairsstoodemptyandsilentinthemoonlight。Kaaleduptotheruinsofthequeens’pavilionthatstoodontheterrace，slippedovertherubbish，anddiveddownthehalf-
chokedstaircasethatwentundergroundfromthecentreofthepavilion。Mowgligavethesnake-call，——\"Webeofoneblood，yeandI，\"——andfollowedonhishandsandknees。Theycrawledalongdistancedownaslopingpassagethatturnedandtwistedseveraltimes，andatlastcametowheretherootofsomegreattree，growingthirtyfeetoverhead，hadforcedoutasolidstoneinthewall。Theycreptthroughthegap，andfoundthemselvesinalargevault，whosedomedroofhadbeenalsobrokenawaybytree-rootssothatafewstreaksoflightdroppeddownintothedarkness。
\"Asafelair，\"saidMowgli，risingtohisfirmfeet，\"butover-fartovisitdaily。Andnowwhatdowesee？\"
\"AmInothing？\"saidavoiceinthemiddleofthevault；
andMowglisawsomethingwhitemovetill，littlebylittle，therestoodupthehugestcobrahehadeverseteyeson——acreaturenearlyeightfeetlong，andbleachedbybeingindarknesstoanoldivory-white。Eventhespectacle-marksofhisspreadhoodhadfadedtofaintyellow。Hiseyeswereasredasrubies，andaltogetherhewasmostwonderful。
\"Goodhunting！\"saidMowgli，whocarriedhismannerswithhisknife，andthatneverlefthim。
\"Whatofthecity？\"saidtheWhiteCobra，withoutansweringthegreeting。\"Whatofthegreat，thewalledcity——thecityofahundredelephantsandtwentythousandhorses，andcattlepastcounting——thecityoftheKingofTwentyKings？Igrowdeafhere，anditislongsinceIheardtheirwar-gongs。\"
\"TheJungleisaboveourheads，\"saidMowgli。IknowonlyHathiandhissonsamongelephants。Bagheerahasslainallthehorsesinonevillage，and——whatisaKing？\"
\"Itoldthee，\"saidKaasoftlytotheCobra，——\"Itoldthee，fourmoonsago，thatthycitywasnot。\"
\"Thecity——thegreatcityoftheforestwhosegatesareguardedbytheKing’stowers——canneverpass。Theybuildeditbeforemyfather’sfathercamefromtheegg，anditshallendurewhenmyson’ssonsareaswhiteasI！Salomdhi，sonofChandrabija，sonofViyeja，sonofYegasuri，madeitinthedaysofBappaRawal。WhosecattleareYE？\"
\"Itisalosttrail，\"saidMowgli，turningtoKaa。\"Iknownothistalk。\"
\"NorI。Heisveryold。FatherofCobras，thereisonlytheJunglehere，asithasbeensincethebeginning。\"
\"ThenwhoisHE，\"saidtheWhiteCobra，\"sittingdownbeforeme，unafraid，knowingnotthenameoftheKing，talkingourtalkthroughaman’slips？Whoishewiththeknifeandthesnake’stongue？\"
\"Mowglitheycallme，\"wastheanswer。\"IamoftheJungle。
Thewolvesaremypeople，andKaahereismybrother。FatherofCobras，whoartthou？\"
\"IamtheWardenoftheKing’sTreasure。KurrunRajabuildedthestoneaboveme，inthedayswhenmyskinwasdark，thatImightteachdeathtothosewhocametosteal。Thentheyletdownthetreasurethroughthestone，andIheardthesongoftheBrahminsmymasters。\"
\"Umm！\"saidMowglitohimself。\"IhavedealtwithoneBrahminalready，intheMan-Pack，and——IknowwhatIknow。Evilcomeshereinalittle。\"
\"FivetimessinceIcameherehasthestonebeenlifted，butalwaystoletdownmore，andnevertotakeaway。Therearenorichesliketheseriches——thetreasuresofahundredkings。
Butitislongandlongsincethestonewaslastmoved，andIthinkthatmycityhasforgotten。\"
\"Thereisnocity。Lookup。Yonderarerootsofthegreattreestearingthestonesapart。Treesandmendonotgrowtogether，\"
Kaainsisted。
\"Twiceandthricehavemenfoundtheirwayhere，\"theWhiteCobraansweredsavagely；\"buttheyneverspoketillIcameuponthemgropinginthedark，andthentheycriedonlyalittletime。Butyecomewithlies，ManandSnakeboth，andwouldhavemebelievethecityisnot，andthatmywardshipends。Littledomenchangeintheyears。ButIchangenever！Tillthestoneislifted，andtheBrahminscomedownsingingthesongsthatIknow，andfeedmewithwarmmilk，andtakemetothelightagain，I——I——_I_，andnoother，amtheWardenoftheKing’sTreasure！Thecityisdead，yesay，andherearetherootsofthetrees？Stoopdown，then，andtakewhatyewill。Earthhasnotreasureliketothese。Manwiththesnake’stongue，ifthoucanstgoalivebythewaythatthouhastenteredit，thelesserKingswillbethyservants！\"