Маугли
Tiger! Tiger!
Butitwashardwork,andMowglislashedandtoreandgruntedforanhour,whilethewolveslolledouttheirtongues,orcameforwardandtuggedasheorderedthem.Presentlyahandfellonhisshoulder,andlookinguphesawBuldeowiththeTowermusket.Thechildrenhadtoldthevillageaboutthebuffalostampede,andBuldeowentoutangrily,onlytooanxioustocorrectMowglifornottakingbettercareoftheherd.Thewolvesdroppedoutofsightassoonastheysawthemancoming.
"Whatisthisfolly?"saidBuldeoangrily."Tothinkthatthoucanstskinatiger!Wheredidthebuffaloeskillhim?ItistheLameTigertoo,andthereisahundredrupeesonhishead.Well,well,wewilloverlookthylettingtheherdrunoff,andperhapsIwillgivetheeoneoftherupeesoftherewardwhenIhavetakentheskintoKhanhiwara."Hefumbledinhiswaistclothforflintandsteel,andstoopeddowntosingeShereKhan’swhiskers.Mostnativehuntersalwayssingeatiger’swhiskerstopreventhisghostfromhauntingthem.
"Hum!"saidMowgli,halftohimselfasherippedbacktheskinofaforepaw."SothouwilttakethehidetoKhanhiwaraforthereward,andperhapsgivemeonerupee?NowitisinmymindthatIneedtheskinformyownuse.Heh!Oldman,takeawaythatfire!"
"Whattalkisthistothechiefhunterofthevillage?Thyluckandthestupidityofthybuffaloeshavehelpedtheetothiskill.Thetigerhasjustfed,orhewouldhavegonetwentymilesbythistime.
