Мауглі
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Thenhewasbatteredtoandfroasaratisshakenbyadog—toandfroonthefloor,upanddown,andaroundingreatcircles,buthiseyeswereredandheheldonasthebodycart-whippedoverthefloor,upsettingthetindipperandthesoapdishandthefleshbrush,andbangedagainstthetinsideofthebath.Asheheldheclosedhisjawstighterandtighter,forhemadesurehewouldbebangedtodeath,and,forthehonorofhisfamily,hepreferredtobefoundwithhisteethlocked.Hewasdizzy,aching,andfeltshakentopieceswhensomethingwentofflikeathunderclapjustbehindhim.Ahotwindknockedhimsenselessandredfiresingedhisfur.Thebigmanhadbeenwakenedbythenoise,andhadfiredbothbarrelsofashotgunintoNagjustbehindthehood.
Rikki-tikkiheldonwithhiseyesshut,fornowhewasquitesurehewasdead.Buttheheaddidnotmove,andthebigmanpickedhimupandsaid,"It’sthemongooseagain,Alice.Thelittlechaphassavedourlivesnow."
ThenTeddy’smothercameinwithaverywhiteface,andsawwhatwasleftofNag,andRikki-tikkidraggedhimselftoTeddy’sbedroomandspenthalftherestofthenightshakinghimselftenderlytofindoutwhetherhereallywasbrokenintofortypieces,ashefancied.
Whenmorningcamehewasverystiff,butwellpleasedwithhisdoings."NowIhaveNagainatosettlewith,andshewillbeworsethanfiveNags,andthere’snoknowingwhentheeggsshespokeofwillhatch.Goodness!ImustgoandseeDarzee,"hesaid.