Маугли

           Thenhewasbatteredtoandfroasaratisshakenbyadog—toandfroonthefloor,upanddown,andaroundingreatcircles,buthiseyeswereredandheheldonasthebodycart-whippedoverthefloor,upsettingthetindipperandthesoapdishandthefleshbrush,andbangedagainstthetinsideofthebath.Asheheldheclosedhisjawstighterandtighter,forhemadesurehewouldbebangedtodeath,and,forthehonorofhisfamily,hepreferredtobefoundwithhisteethlocked.Hewasdizzy,aching,andfeltshakentopieceswhensomethingwentofflikeathunderclapjustbehindhim.Ahotwindknockedhimsenselessandredfiresingedhisfur.Thebigmanhadbeenwakenedbythenoise,andhadfiredbothbarrelsofashotgunintoNagjustbehindthehood.

           Rikki-tikkiheldonwithhiseyesshut,fornowhewasquitesurehewasdead.Buttheheaddidnotmove,andthebigmanpickedhimupandsaid,"It’sthemongooseagain,Alice.Thelittlechaphassavedourlivesnow."

           ThenTeddy’smothercameinwithaverywhiteface,andsawwhatwasleftofNag,andRikki-tikkidraggedhimselftoTeddy’sbedroomandspenthalftherestofthenightshakinghimselftenderlytofindoutwhetherhereallywasbrokenintofortypieces,ashefancied.

           Whenmorningcamehewasverystiff,butwellpleasedwithhisdoings."NowIhaveNagainatosettlewith,andshewillbeworsethanfiveNags,andthere’snoknowingwhentheeggsshespokeofwillhatch.Goodness!ImustgoandseeDarzee,"hesaid.