Маугли

           Still,theinstant’sdelaybroughtRikki-tikkiuptoher,andassheplungedintotherat-holewheresheandNagusedtolive,hislittlewhiteteethwereclenchedonhertail,andhewentdownwithher—andveryfewmongooses,howeverwiseandoldtheymaybe,caretofollowacobraintoitshole.Itwasdarkinthehole;andRikki-tikkineverknewwhenitmightopenoutandgiveNagainaroomtoturnandstrikeathim.Heheldonsavagely,andstuckouthisfeettoactasbrakesonthedarkslopeofthehot,moistearth.

           Thenthegrassbythemouthoftheholestoppedwaving,andDarzeesaid,"ItisalloverwithRikki-tikki!Wemustsinghisdeathsong.ValiantRikki-tikkiisdead!ForNagainawillsurelykillhimunderground."

           Sohesangaverymournfulsongthathemadeuponthespuroftheminute,andjustashegottothemosttouchingpart,thegrassquiveredagain,andRikki-tikki,coveredwithdirt,draggedhimselfoutoftheholelegbyleg,lickinghiswhiskers.Darzeestoppedwithalittleshout.Rikki-tikkishooksomeofthedustoutofhisfurandsneezed."Itisallover,"hesaid."Thewidowwillnevercomeoutagain."Andtheredantsthatlivebetweenthegrassstemsheardhim,andbegantotroopdownoneafteranothertoseeifhehadspokenthetruth.

           Rikki-tikkicurledhimselfupinthegrassandsleptwherehewas—sleptandslepttillitwaslateintheafternoon,forhehaddoneahardday’swork.

           "Now,"hesaid,whenheawoke,"Iwillgobacktothehouse