Маугли
Kaa’s Hunting
TheBlackPantherhadraceduptheslopealmostwithoutasoundandwasstriking—heknewbetterthantowastetimeinbiting—rightandleftamongthemonkeys,whowereseatedroundMowgliincirclesfiftyandsixtydeep. Therewasahowloffrightandrage,andthenasBagheeratrippedontherollingkickingbodiesbeneathhim,amonkeyshouted: "Thereisonlyonehere!Killhim!Kill." Ascufflingmassofmonkeys,biting,scratching,tearing,andpulling,closedoverBagheera,whilefiveorsixlaidholdofMowgli,draggedhimupthewallofthesummerhouseandpushedhimthroughtheholeofthebrokendome. Aman-trainedboywouldhavebeenbadlybruised,forthefallwasagoodfifteenfeet,butMowglifellasBaloohadtaughthimtofall,andlandedonhisfeet.
"Staythere,"shoutedthemonkeys,"tillwehavekilledthyfriends,andlaterwewillplaywiththee—ifthePoison-Peopleleavetheealive."
"Webeofoneblood,yeandI,"saidMowgli,quicklygivingtheSnake’sCall. HecouldhearrustlingandhissingintherubbishallroundhimandgavetheCallasecondtime,tomakesure.
"Evenssso!Downhoodsall!"saidhalfadozenlowvoices(everyruininIndiabecomessoonerorlateradwellingplaceofsnakes,andtheoldsummerhousewasalivewithcobras). "Standstill,LittleBrother,forthyfeetmaydousharm."
