Page 73 - THE JUNGLE BOOK
P. 73

The Jungle Book


                                     Mowgli turned and saw the great Python’s head
                                  swaying a foot above his own.
                                     ‘So this is the manling,’ said Kaa. ‘Very soft is his skin,
                                  and he is not unlike the Bandar-log. Have a care, manling,

                                  that I do not mistake thee for a monkey some twilight
                                  when I have newly changed my coat.’
                                     ‘We be one blood, thou and I,’ Mowgli answered. ‘I
                                  take my life from thee tonight. My kill shall be thy kill if
                                  ever thou art hungry, O Kaa.’
                                     ‘All thanks, Little Brother,’ said Kaa, though his eyes
                                  twinkled. ‘And what may so bold a hunter kill? I ask that I
                                  may follow when next he goes abroad.’
                                     ‘I kill nothing,—I am too  little,—but I drive goats
                                  toward such as can use them. When thou art empty come
                                  to me and see if I speak the truth. I have some skill in
                                  these [he held out his hands], and if ever thou art in a trap,
                                  I may pay the debt which I owe to thee, to Bagheera, and
                                  to Baloo, here. Good hunting to ye all, my masters.’
                                     ‘Well said,’ growled Baloo,  for Mowgli had returned
                                  thanks very prettily. The Python dropped his head lightly
                                  for a minute on Mowgli’s shoulder. ‘A brave heart and a
                                  courteous tongue,’ said he.  ‘They shall carry thee far
                                  through the jungle, manling. But now go hence quickly





                                                          72 of 241
   68   69   70   71   72   73   74   75   76   77   78