\"Againthetrailislost，\"saidMowglicoolly。\"CananyjackalhaveburrowedsodeepandbittenthisgreatWhiteHood？Heissurelymad。FatherofCobras，Iseenothingheretotakeaway。\"
\"BytheGodsoftheSunandMoon，itisthemadnessofdeathupontheboy！\"hissedtheCobra。\"BeforethineeyescloseIwillallowtheethisfavour。Lookthou，andseewhatmanhasneverseenbefore！\"
\"TheydonotwellintheJunglewhospeaktoMowglioffavours，\"
saidtheboy，betweenhisteeth；\"butthedarkchangesall，asI
know。Iwilllook，ifthatpleasethee。\"
Hestaredwithpuckered-upeyesroundthevault，andthenliftedupfromthefloorahandfulofsomethingthatglittered。
\"Oho！\"saidhe，\"thisislikethestufftheyplaywithintheMan-Pack：onlythisisyellowandtheotherwasbrown。\"
Heletthegoldpiecesfall，andmoveforward。Thefloorofthevaultwasburiedsomefiveorsixfeetdeepincoinedgoldandsilverthathadburstfromthesacksithadbeenoriginallystoredin，and，inthelongyears，themetalhadpackedandsettledassandpacksatlowtide。Onitandinitandrisingthroughit，aswrecksliftthroughthesand，werejewelledelephant-howdahsofembossedsilver，studdedwithplatesofhammeredgold，andadornedwithcarbunclesandturquoises。
Therewerepalanquinsandlittersforcarryingqueens，framedandbracedwithsilverandenamel，withjade-handledpolesandambercurtain-rings；thereweregoldencandlestickshungwithpiercedemeraldsthatquiveredonthebranches；therewerestuddedimages，fivefeethigh，offorgottengods，silverwithjewelledeyes；therewerecoatsofmail，goldinlaidonsteel，andfringedwithrottedandblackenedseed-pearls；therewerehelmets，crestedandbeadedwithpigeon’s-bloodrubies；therewereshieldsoflacquer，oftortoise-shellandrhinoceros-hide，strappedandbossedwithredgoldandsetwithemeraldsattheedge；thereweresheavesofdiamond-hiltedswords，daggers，andhunting-knives；thereweregoldensacrificialbowlsandladles，andportablealtarsofashapethatneverseesthelightofday；
therewerejadecupsandbracelets；therewereincense-burners，combs，andpotsforperfume，henna，andeye-powder，allinembossedgold；therewerenose-rings，armlets，head-bands，finger-rings，andgirdlespastanycounting；therewerebelts，sevenfingersbroad，ofsquare-cutdiamondsandrubies，andwoodenboxes，treblyclampedwithiron，fromwhichthewoodhadfallenawayinpowder，showingthepileofuncutstar-sapphires，opals，cat’s-eyes，sapphires，rubies，diamonds，emeralds，andgarnetswithin。
TheWhiteCobrawasright。Nomeremoneywouldbegintopaythevalueofthistreasure，thesiftedpickingsofcenturiesofwar，plunder，trade，andtaxation。Thecoinsalonewerepriceless，leavingoutofcountallthepreciousstones；andthedeadweightofthegoldandsilveralonemightbetwoorthreehundredtons。EverynativerulerinIndiato-day，howeverpoor，hasahoardtowhichheisalwaysadding；andthough，onceinalongwhile，someenlightenedprincemaysendofffortyorfiftybullock-cartloadsofsilvertobeexchangedforGovernmentsecurities，thebulkofthemkeeptheirtreasureandtheknowledgeofitverycloselytothemselves。
ButMowglinaturallydidnotunderstandwhatthesethingsmeant。
Theknivesinterestedhimalittle，buttheydidnotbalancesowellashisown，andsohedroppedthem。Atlasthefoundsomethingreallyfascinatinglaidonthefrontofahowdahhalfburiedinthecoins。Itwasathree-footankus，orelephant-
goad——somethinglikeasmallboat-hook。Thetopwasoneround，shiningruby，andeightinchesofthehandlebelowitwerestuddedwithroughturquoisesclosetogether，givingamostsatisfactorygrip。Belowthemwasarimofjadewithaflower-
patternrunningroundit——onlytheleaveswereemeralds，andtheblossomswererubiessunkinthecool，greenstone。Therestofthehandlewasashaftofpureivory，whilethepoint——thespikeandhook——wasgold-inlaidsteelwithpicturesofelephant-
catching；andthepicturesattractedMowgli，whosawthattheyhadsomethingtodowithhisfriendHathitheSilent。
TheWhiteCobrahadbeenfollowinghimclosely。
\"Isthisnotworthdyingtobehold？\"hesaid。HaveInotdonetheeagreatfavour？\"
\"Idonotunderstand，\"saidMowgli。\"Thethingsarehardandcold，andbynomeansgoodtoeat。Butthis\"——heliftedtheankus——\"Idesiretotakeaway，thatImayseeitinthesun。
Thousayesttheyareallthine？Wiltthougiveittome，andIwillbringtheefrogstoeat？\"
TheWhiteCobrafairlyshookwithevildelight。\"AssuredlyIwillgiveit，\"hesaid。\"AllthatishereIwillgivethee——
tillthougoestaway。\"
\"ButIgonow。Thisplaceisdarkandcold，andIwishtotakethethorn-pointedthingtotheJungle。\"
\"Lookbythyfoot！Whatisthatthere？\"Mowglipickedupsomethingwhiteandsmooth。\"Itistheboneofaman’shead，\"
hesaidquietly。\"Andherearetwomore。\"
\"Theycametotakethetreasureawaymanyyearsago。Ispoketotheminthedark，andtheylaystill。\"
\"ButwhatdoIneedofthisthatiscalledtreasure？Ifthouwiltgivemetheankustotakeaway，itisgoodhunting。Ifnot，itisgoodhuntingnonetheless。IdonotfightwiththePoisonPeople，andIwasalsotaughttheMaster-wordofthytribe。\"
\"ThereisbutoneMaster-wordhere。Itismine！\"
Kaaflunghimselfforwardwithblazingeyes。\"WhobademebringtheMan？\"hehissed。
\"Isurely，\"theoldCobralisped。\"ItislongsinceIhaveseenMan，andthisManspeaksourtongue。\"
\"Buttherewasnotalkofkilling。HowcanIgototheJungleandsaythatIhaveledhimtohisdeath？\"saidKaa。
\"Italknotofkillingtillthetime。Andastothygoingornotgoing，thereistheholeinthewall。Peace，now，thoufatmonkey-killer！Ihavebuttotouchthyneck，andtheJunglewillknowtheenolonger。NeverMancameherethatwentawaywiththebreathunderhisribs。IamtheWardenoftheTreasureoftheKing’sCity！\"
\"But，thouwhitewormofthedark，Itelltheethereisneitherkingnorcity！TheJungleisallaboutus！\"criedKaa。
\"ThereisstilltheTreasure。Butthiscanbedone。Waitawhile，KaaoftheRocks，andseetheboyrun。Thereisroomforgreatsporthere。Lifeisgood。Runtoandfroawhile，andmakesport，boy！\"
MowgliputhishandonKaa’sheadquietly。
\"ThewhitethinghasdealtwithmenoftheMan-Packuntilnow。
Hedoesnotknowme，\"hewhispered。\"Hehasaskedforthishunting。Lethimhaveit。\"Mowglihadbeenstandingwiththeankusheldpointdown。Heflungitfromhimquicklyanditdroppedcrosswaysjustbehindthegreatsnake’shood，pinninghimtothefloor。Inaflash，Kaa’sweightwasuponthewrithingbody，paralysingitfromhoodtotail。Theredeyesburned，andthesixspareinchesoftheheadstruckfuriouslyrightandleft。
\"Kill！\"saidKaa，asMowgli’shandwenttohisknife。
\"No，\"hesaid，ashedrewtheblade；\"Iwillneverkillagainsaveforfood。Butlookyou，Kaa！\"Hecaughtthesnakebehindthehood，forcedthemouthopenwiththebladeoftheknife，andshowedtheterriblepoison-fangsoftheupperjawlyingblackandwitheredinthegum。TheWhiteCobrahadoutlivedhispoison，asasnakewill。
\"THUU\"（\"Itisdriedup\"——Literally，arottedouttree-stump），saidMowgli；andmotioningKaaaway，hepickeduptheankus，settingtheWhiteCobrafree。
\"TheKing’sTreasureneedsanewWarden，hesaidgravely。\"Thuu，thouhastnotdonewell。Runtoandfroandmakesport，Thuu！\"
\"Iamashamed。Killme！\"hissedtheWhiteCobra。
\"Therehasbeentoomuchtalkofkilling。Wewillgonow。
Itakethethorn-pointedthing，Thuu，becauseIhavefoughtandworstedthee。\"
\"See，then，thatthethingdoesnotkilltheeatlast。ItisDeath！Remember，itisDeath！Thereisenoughinthatthingtokillthemenofallmycity。Notlongwiltthouholdit，JungleMan，norhewhotakesitfromthee。Theywillkill，andkill，andkillforitssake！Mystrengthisdriedup，buttheankuswilldomywork。ItisDeath！ItisDeath！ItisDeath！\"
Mowglicrawledoutthroughtheholeintothepassageagain，andthelastthathesawwastheWhiteCobrastrikingfuriouslywithhisharmlessfangsatthestolidgoldenfacesofthegodsthatlayonthefloor，andhissing，\"ItisDeath！\"
Theyweregladtogettothelightofdayoncemore；andwhentheywerebackintheirownJungleandMowglimadetheankusglitterinthemorninglight，hewasalmostaspleasedasthoughhehadfoundabunchofnewflowerstostickinhishair。
\"ThisisbrighterthanBagheera’seyes，\"hesaiddelightedly，ashetwirledtheruby。\"Iwillshowittohim；butwhatdidtheThuumeanwhenhetalkedofdeath？\"
\"Icannotsay。Iamsorrowfultomytail’stailthathefeltnotthyknife。ThereisalwaysevilatColdLairs——abovegroundorbelow。ButnowIamhungry。Dostthouhuntwithmethisdawn？\"saidKaa。
\"No；Bagheeramustseethisthing。Goodhunting！\"Mowglidancedoff，flourishingthegreatankus，andstoppingfromtimetotimetoadmireit，tillhecametothatpartoftheJungleBagheerachieflyused，andfoundhimdrinkingafteraheavykill。Mowglitoldhimallhisadventuresfrombeginningtoend，andBagheerasniffedattheankusbetweenwhiles。WhenMowglicametotheWhiteCobra’slastwords，thePantherpurredapprovingly。
\"ThentheWhiteHoodspokethethingwhichis？\"Mowgliaskedquickly。
\"IwasbornintheKing’scagesatOodeypore，anditisinmystomachthatIknowsomelittleofMan。Verymanymenwouldkillthriceinanightforthesakeofthatonebigredstonealone。\"
\"Butthestonemakesitheavytothehand。Mylittlebrightknifeisbetter；and——see！theredstoneisnotgoodtoeat。ThenWHYwouldtheykill？\"
\"Mowgli，gothouandsleep。Thouhastlivedamongmen，and————\"
\"Iremember。Menkillbecausetheyarenothunting；——foridlenessandpleasure。Wakeagain，Bagheera。Forwhatusewasthisthorn-pointedthingmade？\"
Bagheerahalfopenedhiseyes——hewasverysleepy——withamalicioustwinkle。
\"ItwasmadebymentothrustintotheheadofthesonsofHathi，sothatthebloodshouldpourout。IhaveseenthelikeinthestreetofOodeypore，beforeourcages。ThatthinghastastedthebloodofmanysuchasHathi。\"
\"Butwhydotheythrustintotheheadsofelephants？\"
\"ToteachthemMan’sLaw。Havingneitherclawsnorteeth，menmakethesethings——andworse。\"
\"AlwaysmorebloodwhenIcomenear，eventothethingstheMan-Packhavemade，\"saidMowglidisgustedly。Hewasgettingalittletiredoftheweightoftheankus。\"IfIhadknownthis，Iwouldnothavetakenit。FirstitwasMessua’sbloodonthethongs，andnowitisHathi’s。Iwilluseitnomore。Look！\"
Theankusflewsparkling，andburieditselfpointdownthirtyyardsaway，betweenthetrees。\"SomyhandsarecleanofDeath，\"
saidMowgli，rubbinghispalmsonthefresh，moistearth。
\"TheThuusaidDeathwouldfollowme。Heisoldandwhiteandmad。\"
\"Whiteorblack，ordeathorlife，_I_amgoingtosleep，LittleBrother。Icannothuntallnightandhowlallday，asdosomefolk。\"
Bagheerawentofftoahunting-lairthatheknew，abouttwomilesoff。Mowglimadeaneasywayforhimselfupaconvenienttree，knottedthreeorfourcreeperstogether，andinlesstimethanittakestotellwasswinginginahammockfiftyfeetaboveground。Thoughhehadnopositiveobjectiontostrongdaylight，Mowglifollowedthecustomofhisfriends，anduseditaslittleashecould。Whenhewakedamongtheveryloud-voicedpeoplesthatliveinthetrees，itwastwilightoncemore，andhehadbeendreamingofthebeautifulpebbleshehadthrownaway。
\"AtleastIwilllookatthethingagain，\"hesaid，andsliddownacreepertotheearth；butBagheerawasbeforehim。
Mowglicouldhearhimsnuffinginthehalflight。
\"Whereisthethorn-pointedthing？\"criedMowgli。
\"Amanhastakenit。Hereisthetrail。\"
\"NowweshallseewhethertheThuuspoketruth。IfthepointedthingisDeath，thatmanwilldie。Letusfollow。\"
\"Killfirst，\"saidBagheera。\"Anemptystomachmakesacarelesseye。Mengoveryslowly，andtheJungleiswetenoughtoholdthelightestmark。\"
Theykilledassoonastheycould，butitwasnearlythreehoursbeforetheyfinishedtheirmeatanddrinkandbuckleddowntothetrail。TheJunglePeopleknowthatnothingmakesupforbeinghurriedoveryourmeals。
\"Thinkyouthepointedthingwillturnintheman’shandandkillhim？\"Mowgliasked。\"TheThuusaiditwasDeath。\"
\"Weshallseewhenwefind，\"saidBagheera，trottingwithhisheadlow。\"Itissingle-foot\"（hemeantthattherewasonlyoneman），\"andtheweightofthethinghaspressedhisheelfarintotheground。\"
\"Hai！Thisisasclearassummerlightning，\"Mowglianswered；
andtheyfellintothequick，choppytrail-trotinandoutthroughthecheckersofthemoonlight，followingthemarksofthosetwobarefeet。
\"Nowherunsswiftly，\"saidMowgli。\"Thetoesarespreadapart。\"Theywentonoversomewetground。\"Nowwhydoesheturnasidehere？\"
\"Wait！\"saidBagheera，andflunghimselfforwardwithonesuperbboundasfaraseverhecould。Thefirstthingtodowhenatrailceasestoexplainitselfistocastforwardwithoutleaving，yourownconfusingfoot-marksontheground。
Bagheeraturnedashelanded，andfacedMowgli，crying，\"Herecomesanothertrailtomeethim。Itisasmallerfoot，thissecondtrail，andthetoesturninward。\"
ThenMowgliranupandlooked。\"ItisthefootofaGondhunter，\"hesaid。\"Look！Herehedraggedhisbowonthegrass。
Thatiswhythefirsttrailturnedasidesoquickly。BigFoothidfromLittleFoot。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidBagheera。\"Now，lestbycrossingeachother’strackswefoulthesigns，leteachtakeonetrail。
IamBigFoot，LittleBrother，andthouartLittleFoot，theGond。\"
Bagheeraleapedbacktotheoriginaltrail，leavingMowglistoopingabovethecuriousnarrowtrackofthewildlittlemanofthewoods。
\"Now，\"saidBagheera，movingstepbystepalongthechainoffootprints，\"I，BigFoot，turnasidehere。NowIhidemebehindarockandstandstill，\"notdaringtoshiftmyfeet。Crythytrail，LittleBrother。\"
\"Now，I，LittleFoot，cometotherock，\"saidMowgli，runninguphistrail。\"Now，Isitdownundertherock，leaninguponmyrighthand，andrestingmybowbetweenmytoes。Iwaitlong，forthemarkofmyfeetisdeephere。\"
\"Ialso，saidBagheera，hiddenbehindtherock。Iwait，restingtheendofthethorn-pointedthinguponastone。
Itslips，forhereisascratchuponthestone。Crythytrail，LittleBrother。\"
\"One，twotwigsandabigbrancharebrokenhere，\"saidMowgli，inanundertone。\"Now，howshallIcryTHAT？Ah！Itisplainnow。I，LittleFoot，goawaymakingnoisesandtramplingssothatBigFootmayhearme。\"Hemovedawayfromtherockpacebypaceamongthetrees，hisvoicerisinginthedistanceasheapproachedalittlecascade。\"I——go——far——away——to——where——the——
noise——of——falling-water——covers——my——noise；and——here——I——wait。
Crythytrail，Bagheera，BigFoot！\"
ThepantherhadbeencastingineverydirectiontoseehowBigFoot’strailledawayfrombehindtherock。Thenhegavetongue：
\"Icomefrombehindtherockuponmyknees，draggingthethorn-
pointedthing。Seeingnoone，Irun。I，BigFoot，runswiftly。
Thetrailisclear。Leteachfollowhisown。Irun！\"
Bagheerasweptonalongtheclearly-markedtrail，andMowglifollowedthestepsoftheGond。ForsometimetherewassilenceintheJungle。
\"Whereartthou，LittleFoot？\"criedBagheera。Mowgli’svoiceansweredhimnotfiftyyardstotheright。
\"Um！\"saidthePanther，withadeepcough。\"Thetworunsidebyside，drawingnearer！\"
Theyracedonanotherhalf-mile，alwayskeepingaboutthesamedistance，tillMowgli，whoseheadwasnotsoclosetothegroundasBagheera’s，cried：\"Theyhavemet。Goodhunting——look！
HerestoodLittleFoot，withhiskneeonarock——andyonderisBigFootindeed！\"
Nottenyardsinfrontofthem，stretchedacrossapileofbrokenrocks，laythebodyofavillagerofthedistrict，along，small-featheredGondarrowthroughhisbackandbreast。
\"WastheThuusooldandsomad，LittleBrother？\"saidBagheeragently。\"Hereisonedeath，atleast。\"
\"Followon。Butwhereisthedrinkerofelephant’sblood——thered-eyedthorn？\"
\"LittleFoothasit——perhaps。Itissingle-footagainnow。\"
Thesingletrailofalightmanwhohadbeenrunningquicklyandbearingaburdenonhisleftshoulderheldonroundalong，lowspurofdriedgrass，whereeachfootfallseemed，tothesharpeyesofthetrackers，markedinhotiron。
Neitherspoketillthetrailranuptotheashesofacamp-firehiddeninaravine。
\"Again！\"saidBagheera，checkingasthoughhehadbeenturnedintostone。
ThebodyofalittlewizenedGondlaywithitsfeetintheashes，andBagheeralookedinquiringlyatMowgli。
\"Thatwasdonewithabamboo，\"saidtheboy，afteroneglance。
\"IhaveusedsuchathingamongthebuffaloeswhenIservedintheMan-Pack。TheFatherofCobras——IamsorrowfulthatImadeajestofhim——knewthebreedwell，asImighthaveknown。SaidI
notthatmenkillforidleness？\"
\"Indeed，theykilledforthesakeoftheredandbluestones，\"Bagheeraanswered。\"Remember，IwasintheKing’scagesatOodeypore。\"
\"One，two，three，fourtracks，\"saidMowgli，stoopingovertheashes。\"Fourtracksofmenwithshodfeet。TheydonotgosoquicklyasGonds。Now，whatevilhadthelittlewoodmandonetothem？See，theytalkedtogether，allfive，standingup，beforetheykilledhim。Bagheera，letusgoback。Mystomachisheavyinme，andyetitheavesupanddownlikeanoriole’snestattheendofabranch。\"
\"Itisnotgoodhuntingtoleavegameafoot。Follow！\"saidthepanther。\"Thoseeightshodfeethavenotgonefar。\"
Nomorewassaidforfullyanhour，astheyworkedupthebroadtrailofthefourmenwithshodfeet。
Itwasclear，hotdaylightnow，andBagheerasaid，\"Ismellsmoke。\"
Menarealwaysmorereadytoeatthantorun，Mowglianswered，trottinginandoutbetweenthelowscrubbushesofthenewJungletheywereexploring。Bagheera，alittletohisleft，madeanindescribablenoiseinhisthroat。
\"Hereisonethathasdonewithfeeding，\"saidhe。Atumbledbundleofgay-colouredclotheslayunderabush，androunditwassomespiltflour。
\"Thatwasdonebythebambooagain，\"saidMowgli。\"See！thatwhitedustiswhatmeneat。Theyhavetakenthekillfromthisone，——hecarriedtheirfood，——andgivenhimforakilltoChil，theKite。\"
\"Itisthethird，\"saidBagheera。
\"Iwillgowithnew，bigfrogstotheFatherofCobras，andfeedhimfat，\"saidMowglitohimself。\"Thedrinkerofelephant’sbloodisDeathhimself——butstillIdonotunderstand！\"
\"Follow！\"saidBagheera。
TheyhadnotgonehalfamilefartherwhentheyheardKo，theCrow，singingthedeath-songinthetopofatamariskunderwhoseshadethreemenwerelying。Ahalf-deadfiresmokedinthecentreofthecircle，underanironplatewhichheldablackenedandburnedcakeofunleavenedbread。Closetothefire，andblazinginthesunshine，laytheruby-and-turquoiseankus。
\"Thethingworksquickly；allendshere，\"saidBagheera。
\"HowdidTHESEdie，Mowgli？Thereisnomarkonany。\"
AJungle-dwellergetstolearnbyexperienceasmuchasmanydoctorsknowofpoisonousplantsandberries。Mowglisniffedthesmokethatcameupfromthefire，brokeoffamorseloftheblackenedbread，tastedit，andspatitoutagain。
\"AppleofDeath，\"hecoughed。\"ThefirstmusthavemadeitreadyinthefoodforTHESE，whokilledhim，havingfirstkilledtheGond。\"
\"Goodhunting，indeed！Thekillsfollowclose，\"saidBagheera。
\"AppleofDeath\"iswhattheJunglecallthorn-appleordhatura，thereadiestpoisoninallIndia。
\"Whatnow？\"saidthepanther。\"MustthouandIkilleachotherforyonderred-eyedslayer？\"
\"Canitspeak？\"saidMowgliinawhisper。DidIdoitawrongwhenIthrewitaway？Betweenustwoitcandonowrong，forwedonotdesirewhatmendesire。Ifitbelefthere，itwillassuredlycontinuetokillmenoneafteranotherasfastasnutsfallinahighwind。Ihavenolovetomen，butevenIwouldnothavethemdiesixinanight。\"
\"Whatmatter？Theyareonlymen。Theykilledoneanother，andwerewellpleased，\"saidBagheera。\"Thatfirstlittlewoodmanhuntedwell。\"
\"Theyarecubsnonetheless；andacubwilldrownhimselftobitethemoon’slightonthewater。Thefaultwasmine，\"saidMowgli，whospokeasthoughheknewallabouteverything。
\"IwillneveragainbringintotheJunglestrangethings——notthoughtheybeasbeautifulasflowers。This\"——hehandledtheankusgingerly——\"goesbacktotheFatherofCobras。Butfirstwemustsleep，andwecannotsleepnearthesesleepers。AlsowemustburyHIM，lestherunawayandkillanothersix。Digmeaholeunderthattree。\"
\"But，LittleBrother，\"saidBagheera，movingofftothespot，\"Itelltheeitisnofaultoftheblood-drinker。Thetroubleiswiththemen。\"
\"Allone，\"saidMowgli。\"Digtheholedeep。WhenwewakeIwilltakehimupandcarryhimback。\"……
Twonightslater，astheWhiteCobrasatmourninginthedarknessofthevault，ashamed，androbbed，andalone，theturquoiseankuswhirledthroughtheholeinthewall，andclashedonthefloorofgoldencoins。
\"FatherofCobras，\"saidMowgli（hewascarefultokeeptheothersideofthewall），\"gettheeayoungandripeoneofthineownpeopletohelptheeguardtheKing’sTreasure，sothatnomanmaycomeawayaliveanymore。\"
\"Ah-ha！Itreturns，then。IsaidthethingwasDeath。Howcomesitthatthouartstillalive？\"theoldCobramumbled，twininglovinglyroundtheankus-haft。
\"BytheBullthatboughtme，Idonotknow！Thatthinghaskilledsixtimesinanight。Lethimgooutnomore。\"
THESONGOFTHELITTLEHUNTER
EreMorthePeacockflutters，eretheMonkeyPeoplecry，EreChiltheKiteswoopsdownafurlongsheer，ThroughtheJungleverysoftlyflitsashadowandasigh——
HeisFear，OLittleHunter，heisFear！
Verysoftlydownthegladerunsawaiting，watchingshade，Andthewhisperspreadsandwidensfarandnear；
Andthesweatisonthybrow，forhepassesevennow——
HeisFear，OLittleHunter，heisFear！
Erethemoonhasclimbedthemountain，eretherocksareribbedwithlight，Whenthedownward-dippingtrailsaredankanddrear，Comesabreathinghardbehindthee——snuffle-snufflethroughthenight——
ItisFear，OLittleHunter，itisFear！
Onthykneesanddrawthebow；bidtheshrillingarrowgo；
Intheempty，mockingthicketplungethespear；
Butthyhandsareloosedandweak，andthebloodhasleftthycheek——
ItisFear，OLittleHunter，itisFear！
Whentheheat-cloudsucksthetempest，whenthesliveredpine-treesfall，Whentheblinding，blaringrain-squallslashandveer；
Throughthewar-gongsofthethunderringsavoicemoreloudthanall——
ItisFear，OLittleHunter，itisFear！
Nowthespatesarebankedanddeep；nowthefootlessbouldersleap——
Nowthelightningshowseachlittlestleaf-ribclear——
Butthythroatisshutanddried，andthyheartagainstthysideHammers：Fear，OLittleHunter——thisisFear！
QUIQUERN
ThePeopleoftheEasternIce，theyaremeltinglikethesnow——
Theybegforcoffeeandsugar；theygowherethewhitemengo。
ThePeopleoftheWesternIce，theylearntostealandfight；
\"Theyselltheirfurstothetrading-post：theyselltheirsoulstothewhite。
ThePeopleoftheSouthernIce，theytradewiththewhaler’screw；
Theirwomenhavemanyribbons，buttheirtentsaretornandfew。
ButthePeopleoftheElderIce，beyondthewhiteman’sken——
Theirspearsaremadeofthenarwhal-horn，andtheyarethelastoftheMen！
Translation。
\"Hehasopenedhiseyes。Look！\"
\"Puthimintheskinagain。Hewillbeastrongdog。Onthefourthmonthwewillnamehim。\"
\"Forwhom？\"saidAmoraq。
Kadlu’seyerolledroundtheskin-linedsnow-housetillitfellonfourteen-year-oldKotukosittingonthesleeping-bench，makingabuttonoutofwalrusivory。\"Namehimforme，\"
saidKotuko，withagrin。\"Ishallneedhimoneday。\"
Kadlugrinnedbacktillhiseyeswerealmostburiedinthefatofhisflatcheeks，andnoddedtoAmoraq，whilethepuppy’sfiercemotherwhinedtoseeherbabywrigglingfaroutofreachinthelittlesealskinpouchhungabovethewarmthoftheblubber-lamp。Kotukowentonwithhiscarving，andKadluthrewarolledbundleofleatherdog-harnessesintoatinylittleroomthatopenedfromonesideofthehouse，slippedoffhisheavydeerskinhunting-suit，putitintoawhalebone-netthathungaboveanotherlamp，anddroppeddownonthesleeping-benchtowhittleatapieceoffrozenseal-meattillAmoraq，hiswife，shouldbringtheregulardinnerofboiledmeatandblood-soup。
Hehadbeenoutsinceearlydawnattheseal-holes，eightmilesaway，andhadcomehomewiththreebigseal。Half-waydownthelong，lowsnowpassageortunnelthatledtotheinnerdoorofthehouseyoucouldhearsnappingsandyelpings，asthedogsofhissleigh-team，releasedfromtheday’swork，scuffledforwarmplaces。
WhentheyelpingsgrewtooloudKotukolazilyrolledoffthesleeping-bench，andpickedupawhipwithaneighteen-inchhandleofspringywhalebone，andtwenty-fivefeetofheavy，plaitedthong。Hedivedintothepassage，whereitsoundedasthoughallthedogswereeatinghimalive；butthatwasnomorethantheirregulargracebeforemeals。Whenhecrawledoutatthefarend，halfadozenfurryheadsfollowedhimwiththeireyesashewenttoasortofgallowsofwhale-jawbones，fromwhichthedog’smeatwashung；splitoffthefrozenstuffinbiglumpswithabroad-headedspear；andstood，hiswhipinonehandandthemeatintheother。Eachbeastwascalledbyname，theweakestfirst，andwoebetideanydogthatmovedoutofhisturn；forthetaperinglashwouldshootoutlikethongedlightning，andflickawayaninchorsoofhairandhide。
Eachbeastgrowled，snapped，chokedonceoverhisportion，andhurriedbacktotheprotectionofthepassage，whiletheboystooduponthesnowundertheblazingNorthernLightsanddealtoutjustice。Thelasttobeservedwasthebigblackleaderoftheteam，whokeptorderwhenthedogswereharnessed；andtohimKotukogaveadoubleallowanceofmeataswellasanextracrackofthewhip。
\"Ah！\"saidKotuko，coilingupthelash，\"Ihavealittleoneoverthelampthatwillmakeagreatmanyhowlings。SARPOK！
Getin！\"
Hecrawledbackoverthehuddleddogs，dustedthedrysnowfromhisfurswiththewhalebonebeaterthatAmoraqkeptbythedoor，tappedtheskin-linedroofofthehousetoshakeoffanyiciclesthatmighthavefallenfromthedomeofsnowabove，andcurleduponthebench。Thedogsinthepassagesnoredandwhinedintheirsleep，theboy-babyinAmoraq’sdeepfurhoodkickedandchokedandgurgled，andthemotherofthenewly-namedpuppylayatKotuko’sside，hereyesfixedonthebundleofsealskin，warmandsafeabovethebroadyellowflameofthelamp。
Andallthishappenedfarawaytothenorth，beyondLabrador，beyondHudson’sStrait，wherethegreattidesheavetheiceabout，northofMelvillePeninsula——northevenofthenarrowFuryandHeclaStraits——onthenorthshoreofBaffinLand，whereBylot’sIslandstandsabovetheiceofLancasterSoundlikeapudding-bowlwrongsideup。NorthofLancasterSoundthereislittleweknowanythingabout，exceptNorthDevonandEllesmereLand；buteventhereliveafewscatteredpeople，nextdoor，asitwere，totheveryPole。
KadluwasanInuit，——whatyoucallanEsquimau，——andhistribe，somethirtypersonsalltold，belongedtotheTununirmiut——\"thecountrylyingatthebackofsomething。\"InthemapsthatdesolatecoastiswrittenNavyBoardInlet，buttheInuitnameisbest，becausethecountryliesattheverybackofeverythingintheworld。Forninemonthsoftheyearthereisonlyiceandsnow，andgaleaftergale，withacoldthatnoonecanrealisewhohasneverseenthethermometerevenatzero。Forsixmonthsofthosenineitisdark；andthatiswhatmakesitsohorrible。
Inthethreemonthsofthesummeritonlyfreezeseveryotherdayandeverynight，andthenthesnowbeginstoweepoffonthesoutherlyslopes，andafewground-willowsputouttheirwoollybuds，atinystonecroporsomakesbelievetoblossom，beachesoffinegravelandroundedstonesrundowntotheopensea，andpolishedbouldersandstreakedrocksliftupabovethegranulatedsnow。Butallthatisgoneinafewweeks，andthewildwinterlocksdownagainontheland；whileatseatheicetearsupanddowntheoffing，jammingandramming，andsplittingandhitting，andpoundingandgrounding，tillitallfreezestogether，tenfeetthick，fromthelandoutwardtodeepwater。
InthewinterKadluwouldfollowthesealtotheedgeofthisland-ice，andspearthemastheycameuptobreatheattheirblow-holes。Thesealmusthaveopenwatertoliveandcatchfishin，andinthedeepofwintertheicewouldsometimesruneightymileswithoutabreakfromthenearestshore。Inthespringheandhispeopleretreatedfromthefloestotherockymainland，wheretheyputuptentsofskins，andsnaredthesea-birds，orspearedtheyoungsealbaskingonthebeaches。Later，theywouldgosouthintoBaffinLandafterthereindeer，andtogettheiryear’sstoreofsalmonfromthehundredsofstreamsandlakesoftheinterior；comingbacknorthinSeptemberorOctoberforthemusk-oxhuntingandtheregularwintersealery。Thistravellingwasdonewithdog-sleighs，twentyandthirtymilesaday，orsometimesdownthecoastinbigskin\"woman-boats，\"whenthedogsandthebabieslayamongthefeetoftherowers，andthewomensangsongsastheyglidedfromcapetocapeovertheglassy，coldwaters。AlltheluxuriesthattheTununirmiutknewcamefromthesouth——driftwoodforsleigh-runners，rod-ironforharpoon-tips，steelknives，tinkettlesthatcookedfoodmuchbetterthantheoldsoap-stoneaffairs，flintandsteel，andevenmatches，aswellascolouredribbonsforthewomen’shair，littlecheapmirrors，andredclothfortheedgingofdeerskindress-jackets。Kadlutradedtherich，creamy，twistednarwhalhornandmusk-oxteeth（thesearejustasvaluableaspearls）totheSouthernInuit，andthey，inturn，tradedwiththewhalersandthemissionary-postsofExeterandCumberlandSounds；andsothechainwenton，tillakettlepickedupbyaship’scookintheBhendyBazaarmightenditsdaysoverablubber-lampsomewhereonthecoolsideoftheArcticCircle。
Kadlu，beingagoodhunter，wasrichinironharpoons，snow-
knives，bird-darts，andalltheotherthingsthatmakelifeeasyupthereinthegreatcold；andhewastheheadofhistribe，or，astheysay，\"themanwhoknowsallaboutitbypractice。\"
Thisdidnotgivehimanyauthority，exceptnowandthenhecouldadvisehisfriendstochangetheirhunting-grounds；
butKotukousedittodomineeralittle，inthelazy，fatInuitfashion，overtheotherboys，whentheycameoutatnighttoplayballinthemoonlight，ortosingtheChild’sSongtotheAuroraBorealis。
ButatfourteenanInuitfeelshimselfaman，andKotukowastiredofmakingsnaresforwild-fowlandkit-foxes，andmosttiredofallofhelpingthewomentochewseal-anddeer-skins（thatsupplesthemasnothingelsecan）thelongdaythrough，whilethemenwereouthunting。Hewantedtogointothequaggi，theSinging-House，whenthehuntersgatheredtherefortheirmysteries，andtheangekok，thesorcerer，frightenedthemintothemostdelightfulfitsafterthelampswereputout，andyoucouldheartheSpiritoftheReindeerstampingontheroof；
andwhenaspearwasthrustoutintotheopenblacknightitcamebackcoveredwithhotblood。Hewantedtothrowhisbigbootsintothenetwiththetiredairoftheheadofafamily，andtogamblewiththehunterswhentheydroppedinofaneveningandplayedasortofhome-maderoulettewithatinpotandanail。Therewerehundredsofthingsthathewantedtodo，butthegrownmenlaughedathimandsaid，\"Waittillyouhavebeeninthebuckle，Kotuko。HuntingisnotALLcatching。\"
Nowthathisfatherhadnamedapuppyforhim，thingslookedbrighter。AnInuitdoesnotwasteagooddogonhissontilltheboyknowssomethingofdog-driving；andKotukowasmorethansurethatheknewmorethaneverything。
Ifthepuppyhadnothadanironconstitutionhewouldhavediedfromover-stuffingandover-handling。Kotukomadehimatinyharnesswithatracetoit，andhauledhimalloverthehouse-
floor，shouting：\"Aua！Jaaua！\"（Gototheright）。Choiachoi！Jachoiachoi！\"（Gototheleft）。\"Ohaha！\"（Stop）。Thepuppydidnotlikeitatall，butbeingfishedforinthiswaywaspurehappinessbesidebeingputtothesleighforthefirsttime。
Hejustsatdownonthesnow，andplayedwiththeseal-hidetracethatranfromhisharnesstothepitu，thebigthonginthebowsofthesleigh。Thentheteamstarted，andthepuppyfoundtheheavyten-footsleighrunninguphisback，anddragginghimalongthesnow，whileKotukolaughedtillthetearsrandownhisface。Therefolloweddaysanddaysofthecruelwhipthathisseslikethewindoverice，andhiscompanionsallbithimbecausehedidnotknowhiswork，andtheharnesschafedhim，andhewasdotallowedtosleepwithKotukoanymore，buthadtotakethecoldestplaceinthepassage。Itwasasadtimeforthepuppy。
Theboylearned，too，asfastasthedog；thoughadog-sleighisaheart-breakingthingtomanage。Eachbeastisharnessed，theweakestnearesttothedriver，byhisownseparatetrace，whichrunsunderhisleftfore-legtothemainthong，whereitisfastenedbyasortofbuttonandloopwhichcanbeslippedbyaturnofthewrist，thusfreeingonedogatatime。Thisisverynecessary，becauseyoungdogsoftengetthetracebetweentheirhindlegs，whereitcutstothebone。AndtheyoneandallWILLgovisitingtheirfriendsastheyrun，jumpinginandoutamongthetraces。Thentheyfight，andtheresultismoremixedthanawetfishing-linenextmorning。Agreatdealoftroublecanbeavoidedbyscientificuseofthewhip。EveryInuitboyprideshimselfasbeingamasterofthelonglash；butitiseasytoflickatamarkontheground，anddifficulttoleanforwardandcatchashirkingdogjustbehindtheshoulderswhenthesleighisgoingatfullspeed。Ifyoucallonedog’snamefor\"visiting，\"andaccidentallylashanother，thetwowillfightitoutatonce，andstopalltheothers。Again，ifyoutravelwithacompanionandbegintotalk，orbyyourselfandsing，thedogswillhalt，turnround，andsitdowntohearwhatyouhavetosay。Kotukowasrunawayfromonceortwicethroughforgettingtoblockthesleighwhenhestopped；andhebrokemanylashings，andruinedafewthongsbeforehecouldbetrustedwithafullteamofeightandthelightsleigh。Thenhefelthimselfapersonofconsequence，andonsmooth，blackice，withaboldheartandaquickelbow，hesmokedalongoverthelevelsasfastasapackinfullcry。Hewouldgotenmilestotheseal-holes，andwhenhewasonthehunting~groundshewouldtwitchatraceloosefromthepitu，andfreethebigblackleader，whowasthecleverestdogintheteam。Assoonasthedoghadscentedabreathing-hole，Kotukowouldreversethesleigh，drivingacoupleofsawed-offantlers，thatstuckuplikeperambulator-handlesfromtheback-rest，deepintothesnow，sothattheteamcouldnotgetaway。Thenhewouldcrawlforwardinchbyinch，andwaittillthesealcameuptobreathe。
Thenhewouldstabdownswiftlywithhisspearandrunning-line，andpresentlywouldhaulhissealuptothelipoftheice，whiletheblackleadercameupandhelpedtopullthecarcassacrosstheicetothesleigh。Thatwasthetimewhentheharnesseddogsyelledandfoamedwithexcitement，andKotukolaidthelonglashlikeared-hotbaracrossalltheirfaces，tillthecarcassfrozestiff。Goinghomewastheheavywork。
Theloadedsleighhadtobehumouredamongtheroughice，andthedogssatdownandlookedhungrilyatthesealinsteadofpulling。Atlasttheywouldstrikethewell-wornsleigh-roadtothevillage，andtoodle-kiyialongtheringingice，headsdownandtailsup，whileKotukostruckupthe\"An-gutivauntai-natau-na-netaina\"（TheSongoftheReturningHunter），andvoiceshailedhimfromhousetohouseunderallthatdim，star-litternsky。
WhenKotukothedogcametohisfullgrowthheenjoyedhimselftoo。Hefoughthiswayuptheteamsteadily，fightafterfight，tillonefineevening，overtheirfood，hetackledthebig，blackleader（Kotukotheboysawfairplay），andmadeseconddogofhim，astheysay。Sohewaspromotedtothelongthongoftheleadingdog，runningfivefeetinadvanceofalltheothers：
itwashisboundendutytostopallfighting，inharnessoroutofit，andheworeacollarofcopperwire，verythickandheavy。Onspecialoccasionshewasfedwithcookedfoodinsidethehouse，andsometimeswasallowedtosleeponthebenchwithKotuko。Hewasagoodseal-dog，andwouldkeepamusk-oxatbaybyrunningroundhimandsnappingathisheels。Hewouldeven——
andthisforasleigh-dogisthelastproofofbravery——hewouldevenstanduptothegauntArcticwolf，whomalldogsoftheNorth，asarule，fearbeyondanythingthatwalksthesnow。
Heandhismaster——theydidnotcounttheteamofordinarydogsascompany——huntedtogether，dayafterdayandnightafternight，fur-wrappedboyandsavage，long-haired，narrow-eyed，white-fanged，yellowbrute。AllanInuithastodoistogetfoodandskinsforhimselfandhisfamily。Thewomen-folkmaketheskinsintoclothing，andoccasionallyhelpintrappingsmallgame；butthebulkofthefood——andtheyeatenormously——mustbefoundbythemen。Ifthesupplyfailsthereisnooneuptheretobuyorbegorborrowfrom。Thepeoplemustdie。
AnInuitdoesnotthinkofthesechancestillheisforcedto。
Kadlu，Kotuko，Amoraq，andtheboy-babywhokickedaboutinAmoraq’sfurhoodandchewedpiecesofblubberallday，wereashappytogetherasanyfamilyintheworld。Theycameofaverygentlerace——anInuitseldomloseshistemper，andalmostneverstrikesachild——whodidnotknowexactlywhattellingarealliemeant，stilllesshowtosteal。Theywerecontenttospeartheirlivingoutoftheheartofthebitter，hopelesscold；
tosmileoilysmiles，andtellqueerghostandfairytalesofevenings，andeattilltheycouldeatnomore，andsingtheendlesswoman’ssong：\"Amnaaya，ayaamna，ah！ah！\"throughthelonglamp-lighteddaysastheymendedtheirclothesandtheirhunting-gear。
Butoneterriblewintereverythingbetrayedthem。
TheTununirmiutreturnedfromtheyearlysalmon-fishing，andmadetheirhousesontheearlyicetothenorthofBylot’sIsland，readytogoafterthesealassoonastheseafroze。
Butitwasanearlyandsavageautumn。AllthroughSeptembertherewerecontinuousgalesthatbrokeupthesmoothseal-icewhenitwasonlyfourorfivefeetthick，andforceditinland，andpiledagreatbarrier，sometwentymilesbroad，oflumpedandraggedandneedlyice，overwhichitwasimpossibletodrawthedog-sleighs。Theedgeofthefloeoffwhichthesealwereusedtofishinwinterlayperhapstwentymilesbeyondthisbarrier，andoutofreachoftheTununirmiut。Evenso，theymighthavemanagedtoscrapethroughthewinterontheirstockoffrozensalmonandstoredblubber，andwhatthetrapsgavethem，butinDecemberoneoftheirhunterscameacrossatupik（askin-tent）ofthreewomenandagirlnearlydead，whosemenhadcomedownfromthefarNorthandbeencrushedintheirlittleskinhunting-boatswhiletheywereoutafterthelong-
hornednarwhal。Kadlu，ofcourse，couldonlydistributethewomenamongthehutsofthewintervillage，fornoInuitdarerefuseamealtoastranger。Heneverknowswhenhisownturnmaycometobeg。Amoraqtookthegirl，whowasaboutfourteen，intoherownhouseasasortofservant。Fromthecutofhersharp-pointedhood，andthelongdiamondpatternofherwhitedeer-skinleggings，theysupposedshecamefromEllesmereLand。
Shehadneverseentincooking-potsorwooden-shodsleighsbefore；butKotukotheboyandKotukothedogwereratherfondofher。
Thenallthefoxeswentsouth，andeventhewolverine，thatgrowling，blunt-headedlittlethiefofthesnow，didnottakethetroubletofollowthelineofemptytrapsthatKotukoset。
Thetribelostacoupleoftheirbesthunters，whowerebadlycrippledinafightwithamusk-ox，andthisthrewmoreworkontheothers。Kotukowentout，dayafterday，withalighthunting-sleighandsixorsevenofthestrongestdogs，lookingtillhiseyesachedforsomepatchofclearicewhereasealmightperhapshavescratchedabreathing-hole。Kotukothedograngedfarandwide，andinthedeadstillnessoftheice-fieldsKotukotheboycouldhearhishalf-chokedwhineofexcitement，aboveaseal-holethreemilesaway，asplainlyasthoughhewereathiselbow。Whenthedogfoundaholetheboywouldbuildhimselfalittle，lowsnowwalltokeepofftheworstofthebitterwind，andtherehewouldwaitten，twelve，twentyhoursforthesealtocomeuptobreathe，hiseyesgluedtothetinymarkhehadmadeabovetheholetoguidethedownwardthrustofhisharpoon，alittleseal-skinmatunderhisfeet，andhislegstiedtogetherinthetutareang（thebucklethattheoldhuntershadtalkedabout）。Thishelpstokeepaman’slegsfromtwitchingashewaitsandwaitsandwaitsforthequick-earedsealtorise。Thoughthereisnoexcitementinit，youcaneasilybelievethatthesittingstillinthebucklewiththethermometerperhapsfortydegreesbelowzeroisthehardestworkanInuitknows。Whenasealwascaught，Kotukothedogwouldboundforward，histracetrailingbehindhim，andhelptopullthebodytothesleigh，wherethetiredandhungrydogslaysullenlyundertheleeofthebrokenice。
Asealdidnotgoveryfar，foreachmouthinthelittlevillagehadarighttobefilled，andneitherbone，hide，norsinewwaswasted。Thedogs’meatwastakenforhumanuse，andAmoraqfedtheteamwithpiecesofoldsummerskin-tentsrakedoutfromunderthesleeping-bench，andtheyhowledandhowledagain，andwakedtohowlhungrily。Onecouldtellbythesoap-stonelampsinthehutsthatfaminewasnear。Ingoodseasons，whenblubberwasplentiful，thelightintheboat-shapedlampswouldbetwofeethigh——cheerful，oily，andyellow。Nowitwasabaresixinches：Amoraqcarefullyprickeddownthemosswick，whenanunwatchedflamebrightenedforamoment，andtheeyesofallthefamilyfollowedherhand。Thehorroroffamineupthereinthegreatcoldisnotsomuchdying，asdyinginthedark。AlltheInuitdreadthedarkthatpressesonthemwithoutabreakforsixmonthsineachyear；andwhenthelampsarelowinthehousesthemindsofpeoplebegintobeshakenandconfused。
Butworsewastocome。
Theunderfeddogssnappedandgrowledinthepassages，glaringatthecoldstars，andsnuffingintothebitterwind，nightafternight。Whentheystoppedhowlingthesilencefelldownagainassolidandheavyasasnowdriftagainstadoor，andmencouldhearthebeatingoftheirbloodinthethinpassagesoftheear，andthethumpingoftheirownhearts，thatsoundedasloudasthenoiseofsorcerers’drumsbeatenacrossthesnow。OnenightKotukothedog，whohadbeenunusuallysulleninharness，leapedupandpushedhisheadagainstKotuko’sknee。Kotukopattedhim，butthedogstillpushedblindlyforward，fawning。ThenKadluwaked，andgrippedtheheavywolf-likehead，andstaredintotheglassyeyes。
ThedogwhimperedandshiveredbetweenKadlu’sknees。Thehairroseabouthisneck，andhegrowledasthoughastrangerwereatthedoor；thenhebarkedjoyously，androlledontheground，andbitatKotuko’sbootlikeapuppy。