Маугли
Her Majesty’s Servants
"Nowyouhavedoneit,"saidBillycalmly."Don’tstruggle.You’rehunguptilldaylight.Whatonearth’sthematter?"
ThebullockswentoffintothelonghissingsnortsthatIndiancattlegive,andpushedandcrowdedandsluedandstampedandslippedandnearlyfelldowninthemud,gruntingsavagely.
"You’llbreakyournecksinaminute,"saidthetroop-horse."What’sthematterwithwhitemen?Ilivewith’em."
"They—eat—us!Pull!"saidthenearbullock.Theyokesnappedwithatwang,andtheylumberedofftogether.
IneverknewbeforewhatmadeIndiancattlesoscaredofEnglishmen.Weeatbeef—athingthatnocattle-drivertouches—andofcoursethecattledonotlikeit.
"MayIbefloggedwithmyownpad-chains!Who’dhavethoughtoftwobiglumpslikethoselosingtheirheads?"saidBilly.
"Nevermind.I’mgoingtolookatthisman.Mostofthewhitemen,Iknow,havethingsintheirpockets,"saidthetroop-horse.
"I’llleaveyou,then.Ican’tsayI’mover-fondof’emmyself.Besides,whitemenwhohaven’taplacetosleepinaremorethanlikelytobethieves,andI’veagooddealofGovernmentpropertyonmyback.Comealong,youngun,andwe’llgobacktoourlines.Good-night,Australia!Seeyouonparadetomorrow,Isuppose.Good-night,oldHay-bale!—trytocontrolyourfeelings,won’tyou?Good-night,TwoTails!Ifyoupassusonthegroundtomorrow,don’ttrumpet.Itspoilsourformation."
