Page 58 - THE JUNGLE BOOK

The Jungle Book

near Rann’s bedtime, but he had ranged all over the
jungle looking for the Bear and had missed him in the
thick foliage.
‘What is it?’ said Baloo.

‘I have seen Mowgli among the Bandar-log. He bade
me tell you. I watched. The Bandar-log have taken him
beyond the river to the monkey city—to the Cold Lairs.
They may stay there for a night, or ten nights, or an hour.
I have told the bats to watch through the dark time. That
is my message. Good hunting, all you below!’
‘Full gorge and a deep sleep to you, Rann,’ cried
Bagheera. ‘I will remember thee in my next kill, and put
aside the head for thee alone, O best of kites!’
‘It is nothing. It is nothing. The boy held the Master
Word. I could have done no less,’ and Rann circled up
again to his roost.
‘He has not forgotten to use his tongue,’ said Baloo
with a chuckle of pride. ‘To think of one so young
remembering the Master Word for the birds too while he
was being pulled across trees!’
‘It was most firmly driven into him,’ said Bagheera.
‘But I am proud of him, and now we must go to the Cold
Lairs.’

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