Мауглі

           Thenthebranchesclosedoverhisheadagain,andKalaNagbegantogodownintothevalley—notquietlythistime,butasarunawaygungoesdownasteepbank—inonerush.Thehugelimbsmovedassteadilyaspistons,eightfeettoeachstride,andthewrinkledskinoftheelbowpointsrustled.Theundergrowthoneithersideofhimrippedwithanoiseliketorncanvas,andthesaplingsthatheheavedawayrightandleftwithhisshoulderssprangbackagainandbangedhimontheflank,andgreattrailsofcreepers,allmattedtogether,hungfromhistusksashethrewhisheadfromsidetosideandplowedouthispathway.ThenLittleToomailaidhimselfdownclosetothegreatnecklestaswingingboughshouldsweephimtotheground,andhewishedthathewerebackinthelinesagain.

           Thegrassbegantogetsquashy,andKalaNag’sfeetsuckedandsquelchedasheputthemdown,andthenightmistatthebottomofthevalleychilledLittleToomai.Therewasasplashandatrample,andtherushofrunningwater,andKalaNagstrodethroughthebedofariver,feelinghiswayateachstep.Abovethenoiseofthewater,asitswirledroundtheelephant’slegs,LittleToomaicouldhearmoresplashingandsometrumpetingbothupstreamanddown—greatgruntsandangrysnortings,andallthemistabouthimseemedtobefullofrolling,wavyshadows.

           "Ai!"hesaid,halfaloud,histeethchattering."Theelephant-folkareouttonight.Itisthedance,then!"

           KalaNagswashedoutofthewater,blewhistrunkclear,andbegananotherclimb.