Мауглі

           ThePantherlaygaspingforbreath,hisheadjustoutofthewater,whilethemonkeysstoodthreedeepontheredsteps,dancingupanddownwithrage,readytospringuponhimfromallsidesifhecameouttohelpBaloo. ItwasthenthatBagheeralifteduphisdrippingchin,andindespairgavetheSnake’sCallforprotection —"Webeofoneblood,yeandI" —forhebelievedthatKaahadturnedtailatthelastminute. EvenBaloo,halfsmotheredunderthemonkeysontheedgeoftheterrace,couldnothelpchucklingasheheardtheBlackPantheraskingforhelp. 

           Kaahadonlyjustworkedhiswayoverthewestwall,landingwithawrenchthatdislodgedacopingstoneintotheditch. Hehadnointentionoflosinganyadvantageoftheground,andcoiledanduncoiledhimselfonceortwice,tobesurethateveryfootofhislongbodywasinworkingorder. AllthatwhilethefightwithBaloowenton,andthemonkeysyelledinthetankroundBagheera,andMangtheBat,flyingtoandfro,carriedthenewsofthegreatbattleoverthejungle,tillevenHathitheWildElephanttrumpeted,and,faraway,scatteredbandsoftheMonkey-Folkwokeandcameleapingalongthetree-roadstohelptheircomradesintheColdLairs,andthenoiseofthefightrousedallthedaybirdsformilesround. ThenKaacamestraight,quickly,andanxioustokill. Thefightingstrengthofapythonisinthedrivingblowofhisheadbackedbyallthestrengthandweightofhisbody.