Page 100 - THE JUNGLE BOOK

The Jungle Book

Hai, Rama! Hai, hai, hai! my children. Softly now, softly!
It is all over.’
Akela and Gray Brother ran to and fro nipping the
buffaloes’ legs, and though the herd wheeled once to

charge up the ravine again, Mowgli managed to turn
Rama, and the others followed him to the wallows.
Shere Khan needed no more trampling. He was dead,
and the kites were coming for him already.
‘Brothers, that was a dog’s death,’ said Mowgli, feeling
for the knife he always carried in a sheath round his neck
now that he lived with men. ‘But he would never have
shown fight. His hide will look well on the Council
Rock. We must get to work swiftly.’
A boy trained among men would never have dreamed
of skinning a ten-foot tiger alone, but Mowgli knew
better than anyone else how an animal’s skin is fitted on,
and how it can be taken off. But it was hard work, and
Mowgli slashed and tore and grunted for an hour, while
the wolves lolled out their tongues, or came forward and
tugged as he ordered them. Presently a hand fell on his
shoulder, and looking up he saw Buldeo with the Tower
musket. The children had told the village about the
buffalo stampede, and Buldeo went out angrily, only too
anxious to correct Mowgli for not taking better care of the

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