Маугли
The White Seal
Thenyoucanimaginethetimesthathehadwithhiscompanions,duckingundertherollers;orcominginontopofacomberandlandingwithaswashandasplutterasthebigwavewentwhirlingfarupthebeach;orstandinguponhistailandscratchinghisheadastheoldpeopledid;orplaying"I’mtheKingoftheCastle"onslippery,weedyrocksthatjuststuckoutofthewash.Nowandthenhewouldseeathinfin,likeabigshark’sfin,driftingalongclosetoshore,andheknewthatthatwastheKillerWhale,theGrampus,whoeatsyoungsealswhenhecangetthem;andKotickwouldheadforthebeachlikeanarrow,andthefinwouldjigoffslowly,asifitwerelookingfornothingatall.
LateinOctoberthesealsbegantoleaveSt.Paul’sforthedeepsea,byfamiliesandtribes,andtherewasnomorefightingoverthenurseries,andtheholluschickieplayedanywheretheyliked."Nextyear,"saidMatkahtoKotick,"youwillbeaholluschickie;butthisyearyoumustlearnhowtocatchfish."
TheysetouttogetheracrossthePacific,andMatkahshowedKotickhowtosleeponhisbackwithhisflipperstuckeddownbyhissideandhislittlenosejustoutofthewater.Nocradleissocomfortableasthelong,rockingswellofthePacific.WhenKotickfelthisskintingleallover,Matkahtoldhimhewaslearningthe"feelofthewater,"andthattingly,pricklyfeelingsmeantbadweathercoming,andhemustswimhardandgetaway.
