Маугли
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Fight,widow!Thebigmanhasgoneforhisgun!Fight!"
Rikki-tikkiwasboundingallroundNagaina,keepingjustoutofreachofherstroke,hislittleeyeslikehotcoals.Nagainagatheredherselftogetherandflungoutathim.Rikki-tikkijumpedupandbackward.Againandagainandagainshestruck,andeachtimeherheadcamewithawhackonthemattingoftheverandaandshegatheredherselftogetherlikeawatchspring.ThenRikki-tikkidancedinacircletogetbehindher,andNagainaspunroundtokeepherheadtohishead,sothattherustleofhertailonthemattingsoundedlikedryleavesblownalongbythewind.
Hehadforgottentheegg.Itstilllayontheveranda,andNagainacamenearerandnearertoit,tillatlast,whileRikki-tikkiwasdrawingbreath,shecaughtitinhermouth,turnedtotheverandasteps,andflewlikeanarrowdownthepath,withRikki-tikkibehindher.Whenthecobrarunsforherlife,shegoeslikeawhip-lashflickedacrossahorse’sneck.
Rikki-tikkiknewthathemustcatchher,orallthetroublewouldbeginagain.Sheheadedstraightforthelonggrassbythethorn-bush,andashewasrunningRikki-tikkiheardDarzeestillsinginghisfoolishlittlesongoftriumph.ButDarzee’swifewaswiser.SheflewoffhernestasNagainacamealong,andflappedherwingsaboutNagaina’shead.IfDarzeehadhelpedtheymighthaveturnedher,butNagainaonlyloweredherhoodandwenton.
