第5章

"Againthetrailislost，"saidMowglicoolly。"CananyjackalhaveburrowedsodeepandbittenthisgreatWhiteHood？Heissurelymad。FatherofCobras，Iseenothingheretotakeaway。"

"BytheGodsoftheSunandMoon，itisthemadnessofdeathupontheboy！"hissedtheCobra。"BeforethineeyescloseIwillallowtheethisfavour。Lookthou，andseewhatmanhasneverseenbefore！"

"TheydonotwellintheJunglewhospeaktoMowglioffavours，"

saidtheboy，betweenhisteeth；"butthedarkchangesall，asI

know。Iwilllook，ifthatpleasethee。"

Hestaredwithpuckered-upeyesroundthevault，andthenliftedupfromthefloorahandfulofsomethingthatglittered。

"Oho！"saidhe，"thisislikethestufftheyplaywithintheMan-Pack：onlythisisyellowandtheotherwasbrown。"

Heletthegoldpiecesfall，andmoveforward。Thefloorofthevaultwasburiedsomefiveorsixfeetdeepincoinedgoldandsilverthathadburstfromthesacksithadbeenoriginallystoredin，and，inthelongyears，themetalhadpackedandsettledassandpacksatlowtide。Onitandinitandrisingthroughit，aswrecksliftthroughthesand，werejewelledelephant-howdahsofembossedsilver，studdedwithplatesofhammeredgold，andadornedwithcarbunclesandturquoises。

Therewerepalanquinsandlittersforcarryingqueens，framedandbracedwithsilverandenamel，withjade-handledpolesandambercurtain-rings；thereweregoldencandlestickshungwithpiercedemeraldsthatquiveredonthebranches；therewerestuddedimages，fivefeethigh，offorgottengods，silverwithjewelledeyes；therewerecoatsofmail，goldinlaidonsteel，andfringedwithrottedandblackenedseed-pearls；therewerehelmets，crestedandbeadedwithpigeon’s-bloodrubies；therewereshieldsoflacquer，oftortoise-shellandrhinoceros-hide，strappedandbossedwithredgoldandsetwithemeraldsattheedge；thereweresheavesofdiamond-hiltedswords，daggers，andhunting-knives；thereweregoldensacrificialbowlsandladles，andportablealtarsofashapethatneverseesthelightofday；

therewerejadecupsandbracelets；therewereincense-burners，combs，andpotsforperfume，henna，andeye-powder，allinembossedgold；therewerenose-rings，armlets，head-bands，finger-rings，andgirdlespastanycounting；therewerebelts，sevenfingersbroad，ofsquare-cutdiamondsandrubies，andwoodenboxes，treblyclampedwithiron，fromwhichthewoodhadfallenawayinpowder，showingthepileofuncutstar-sapphires，opals，cat’s-eyes，sapphires，rubies，diamonds，emeralds，andgarnetswithin。

TheWhiteCobrawasright。Nomeremoneywouldbegintopaythevalueofthistreasure，thesiftedpickingsofcenturiesofwar，plunder，trade，andtaxation。Thecoinsalonewerepriceless，leavingoutofcountallthepreciousstones；andthedeadweightofthegoldandsilveralonemightbetwoorthreehundredtons。EverynativerulerinIndiato-day，howeverpoor，hasahoardtowhichheisalwaysadding；andthough，onceinalongwhile，someenlightenedprincemaysendofffortyorfiftybullock-cartloadsofsilvertobeexchangedforGovernmentsecurities，thebulkofthemkeeptheirtreasureandtheknowledgeofitverycloselytothemselves。

ButMowglinaturallydidnotunderstandwhatthesethingsmeant。

Theknivesinterestedhimalittle，buttheydidnotbalancesowellashisown，andsohedroppedthem。Atlasthefoundsomethingreallyfascinatinglaidonthefrontofahowdahhalfburiedinthecoins。Itwasathree-footankus，orelephant-

goad——somethinglikeasmallboat-hook。Thetopwasoneround，shiningruby，andeightinchesofthehandlebelowitwerestuddedwithroughturquoisesclosetogether，givingamostsatisfactorygrip。Belowthemwasarimofjadewithaflower-

patternrunningroundit——onlytheleaveswereemeralds，andtheblossomswererubiessunkinthecool，greenstone。Therestofthehandlewasashaftofpureivory，whilethepoint——thespikeandhook——wasgold-inlaidsteelwithpicturesofelephant-

catching；andthepicturesattractedMowgli，whosawthattheyhadsomethingtodowithhisfriendHathitheSilent。

TheWhiteCobrahadbeenfollowinghimclosely。

"Isthisnotworthdyingtobehold？"hesaid。HaveInotdonetheeagreatfavour？"

"Idonotunderstand，"saidMowgli。"Thethingsarehardandcold，andbynomeansgoodtoeat。Butthis"——heliftedtheankus——"Idesiretotakeaway，thatImayseeitinthesun。

Thousayesttheyareallthine？Wiltthougiveittome，andIwillbringtheefrogstoeat？"

TheWhiteCobrafairlyshookwithevildelight。"AssuredlyIwillgiveit，"hesaid。"AllthatishereIwillgivethee——

tillthougoestaway。"

"ButIgonow。Thisplaceisdarkandcold，andIwishtotakethethorn-pointedthingtotheJungle。"

"Lookbythyfoot！Whatisthatthere？"Mowglipickedupsomethingwhiteandsmooth。"Itistheboneofaman’shead，"

hesaidquietly。"Andherearetwomore。"

"Theycametotakethetreasureawaymanyyearsago。Ispoketotheminthedark，andtheylaystill。"

"ButwhatdoIneedofthisthatiscalledtreasure？Ifthouwiltgivemetheankustotakeaway，itisgoodhunting。Ifnot，itisgoodhuntingnonetheless。IdonotfightwiththePoisonPeople，andIwasalsotaughttheMaster-wordofthytribe。"

"ThereisbutoneMaster-wordhere。Itismine！"

Kaaflunghimselfforwardwithblazingeyes。"WhobademebringtheMan？"hehissed。

"Isurely，"theoldCobralisped。"ItislongsinceIhaveseenMan，andthisManspeaksourtongue。"

"Buttherewasnotalkofkilling。HowcanIgototheJungleandsaythatIhaveledhimtohisdeath？"saidKaa。

"Italknotofkillingtillthetime。Andastothygoingornotgoing，thereistheholeinthewall。Peace，now，thoufatmonkey-killer！Ihavebuttotouchthyneck，andtheJunglewillknowtheenolonger。NeverMancameherethatwentawaywiththebreathunderhisribs。IamtheWardenoftheTreasureoftheKing’sCity！"

"But，thouwhitewormofthedark，Itelltheethereisneitherkingnorcity！TheJungleisallaboutus！"criedKaa。

"ThereisstilltheTreasure。Butthiscanbedone。Waitawhile，KaaoftheRocks，andseetheboyrun。Thereisroomforgreatsporthere。Lifeisgood。Runtoandfroawhile，andmakesport，boy！"

MowgliputhishandonKaa’sheadquietly。

"ThewhitethinghasdealtwithmenoftheMan-Packuntilnow。

Hedoesnotknowme，"hewhispered。"Hehasaskedforthishunting。Lethimhaveit。"Mowglihadbeenstandingwiththeankusheldpointdown。Heflungitfromhimquicklyanditdroppedcrosswaysjustbehindthegreatsnake’shood，pinninghimtothefloor。Inaflash，Kaa’sweightwasuponthewrithingbody，paralysingitfromhoodtotail。Theredeyesburned，andthesixspareinchesoftheheadstruckfuriouslyrightandleft。

"Kill！"saidKaa，asMowgli’shandwenttohisknife。

"No，"hesaid，ashedrewtheblade；"Iwillneverkillagainsaveforfood。Butlookyou，Kaa！"Hecaughtthesnakebehindthehood，forcedthemouthopenwiththebladeoftheknife，andshowedtheterriblepoison-fangsoftheupperjawlyingblackandwitheredinthegum。TheWhiteCobrahadoutlivedhispoison，asasnakewill。

"THUU"（"Itisdriedup"——Literally，arottedouttree-stump），saidMowgli；andmotioningKaaaway，hepickeduptheankus，settingtheWhiteCobrafree。

"TheKing’sTreasureneedsanewWarden，hesaidgravely。"Thuu，thouhastnotdonewell。Runtoandfroandmakesport，Thuu！"

"Iamashamed。Killme！"hissedtheWhiteCobra。

"Therehasbeentoomuchtalkofkilling。Wewillgonow。

Itakethethorn-pointedthing，Thuu，becauseIhavefoughtandworstedthee。"

"See，then，thatthethingdoesnotkilltheeatlast。ItisDeath！Remember，itisDeath！Thereisenoughinthatthingtokillthemenofallmycity。Notlongwiltthouholdit，JungleMan，norhewhotakesitfromthee。Theywillkill，andkill，andkillforitssake！Mystrengthisdriedup，buttheankuswilldomywork。ItisDeath！ItisDeath！ItisDeath！"

Mowglicrawledoutthroughtheholeintothepassageagain，andthelastthathesawwastheWhiteCobrastrikingfuriouslywithhisharmlessfangsatthestolidgoldenfacesofthegodsthatlayonthefloor，andhissing，"ItisDeath！"

Theyweregladtogettothelightofdayoncemore；andwhentheywerebackintheirownJungleandMowglimadetheankusglitterinthemorninglight，hewasalmostaspleasedasthoughhehadfoundabunchofnewflowerstostickinhishair。

"ThisisbrighterthanBagheera’seyes，"hesaiddelightedly，ashetwirledtheruby。"Iwillshowittohim；butwhatdidtheThuumeanwhenhetalkedofdeath？"

"Icannotsay。Iamsorrowfultomytail’stailthathefeltnotthyknife。ThereisalwaysevilatColdLairs——abovegroundorbelow。ButnowIamhungry。Dostthouhuntwithmethisdawn？"saidKaa。

"No；Bagheeramustseethisthing。Goodhunting！"Mowglidancedoff，flourishingthegreatankus，andstoppingfromtimetotimetoadmireit，tillhecametothatpartoftheJungleBagheerachieflyused，andfoundhimdrinkingafteraheavykill。Mowglitoldhimallhisadventuresfrombeginningtoend，andBagheerasniffedattheankusbetweenwhiles。WhenMowglicametotheWhiteCobra’slastwords，thePantherpurredapprovingly。

"ThentheWhiteHoodspokethethingwhichis？"Mowgliaskedquickly。

"IwasbornintheKing’scagesatOodeypore，anditisinmystomachthatIknowsomelittleofMan。Verymanymenwouldkillthriceinanightforthesakeofthatonebigredstonealone。"

"Butthestonemakesitheavytothehand。Mylittlebrightknifeisbetter；and——see！theredstoneisnotgoodtoeat。ThenWHYwouldtheykill？"

"Mowgli，gothouandsleep。Thouhastlivedamongmen，and————"

"Iremember。Menkillbecausetheyarenothunting；——foridlenessandpleasure。Wakeagain，Bagheera。Forwhatusewasthisthorn-pointedthingmade？"

Bagheerahalfopenedhiseyes——hewasverysleepy——withamalicioustwinkle。

"ItwasmadebymentothrustintotheheadofthesonsofHathi，sothatthebloodshouldpourout。IhaveseenthelikeinthestreetofOodeypore，beforeourcages。ThatthinghastastedthebloodofmanysuchasHathi。"

"Butwhydotheythrustintotheheadsofelephants？"

"ToteachthemMan’sLaw。Havingneitherclawsnorteeth，menmakethesethings——andworse。"

"AlwaysmorebloodwhenIcomenear，eventothethingstheMan-Packhavemade，"saidMowglidisgustedly。Hewasgettingalittletiredoftheweightoftheankus。"IfIhadknownthis，Iwouldnothavetakenit。FirstitwasMessua’sbloodonthethongs，andnowitisHathi’s。Iwilluseitnomore。Look！"

Theankusflewsparkling，andburieditselfpointdownthirtyyardsaway，betweenthetrees。"SomyhandsarecleanofDeath，"

saidMowgli，rubbinghispalmsonthefresh，moistearth。

"TheThuusaidDeathwouldfollowme。Heisoldandwhiteandmad。"

"Whiteorblack，ordeathorlife，_I_amgoingtosleep，LittleBrother。Icannothuntallnightandhowlallday，asdosomefolk。"

Bagheerawentofftoahunting-lairthatheknew，abouttwomilesoff。Mowglimadeaneasywayforhimselfupaconvenienttree，knottedthreeorfourcreeperstogether，andinlesstimethanittakestotellwasswinginginahammockfiftyfeetaboveground。Thoughhehadnopositiveobjectiontostrongdaylight，Mowglifollowedthecustomofhisfriends，anduseditaslittleashecould。Whenhewakedamongtheveryloud-voicedpeoplesthatliveinthetrees，itwastwilightoncemore，andhehadbeendreamingofthebeautifulpebbleshehadthrownaway。

"AtleastIwilllookatthethingagain，"hesaid，andsliddownacreepertotheearth；butBagheerawasbeforehim。

Mowglicouldhearhimsnuffinginthehalflight。

"Whereisthethorn-pointedthing？"criedMowgli。

"Amanhastakenit。Hereisthetrail。"

"NowweshallseewhethertheThuuspoketruth。IfthepointedthingisDeath，thatmanwilldie。Letusfollow。"

"Killfirst，"saidBagheera。"Anemptystomachmakesacarelesseye。Mengoveryslowly，andtheJungleiswetenoughtoholdthelightestmark。"

Theykilledassoonastheycould，butitwasnearlythreehoursbeforetheyfinishedtheirmeatanddrinkandbuckleddowntothetrail。TheJunglePeopleknowthatnothingmakesupforbeinghurriedoveryourmeals。

"Thinkyouthepointedthingwillturnintheman’shandandkillhim？"Mowgliasked。"TheThuusaiditwasDeath。"

"Weshallseewhenwefind，"saidBagheera，trottingwithhisheadlow。"Itissingle-foot"（hemeantthattherewasonlyoneman），"andtheweightofthethinghaspressedhisheelfarintotheground。"

"Hai！Thisisasclearassummerlightning，"Mowglianswered；

andtheyfellintothequick，choppytrail-trotinandoutthroughthecheckersofthemoonlight，followingthemarksofthosetwobarefeet。

"Nowherunsswiftly，"saidMowgli。"Thetoesarespreadapart。"Theywentonoversomewetground。"Nowwhydoesheturnasidehere？"

"Wait！"saidBagheera，andflunghimselfforwardwithonesuperbboundasfaraseverhecould。Thefirstthingtodowhenatrailceasestoexplainitselfistocastforwardwithoutleaving，yourownconfusingfoot-marksontheground。

Bagheeraturnedashelanded，andfacedMowgli，crying，"Herecomesanothertrailtomeethim。Itisasmallerfoot，thissecondtrail，andthetoesturninward。"

ThenMowgliranupandlooked。"ItisthefootofaGondhunter，"hesaid。"Look！Herehedraggedhisbowonthegrass。

Thatiswhythefirsttrailturnedasidesoquickly。BigFoothidfromLittleFoot。"

"Thatistrue，"saidBagheera。"Now，lestbycrossingeachother’strackswefoulthesigns，leteachtakeonetrail。

IamBigFoot，LittleBrother，andthouartLittleFoot，theGond。"

Bagheeraleapedbacktotheoriginaltrail，leavingMowglistoopingabovethecuriousnarrowtrackofthewildlittlemanofthewoods。

"Now，"saidBagheera，movingstepbystepalongthechainoffootprints，"I，BigFoot，turnasidehere。NowIhidemebehindarockandstandstill，"notdaringtoshiftmyfeet。Crythytrail，LittleBrother。"

"Now，I，LittleFoot，cometotherock，"saidMowgli，runninguphistrail。"Now，Isitdownundertherock，leaninguponmyrighthand，andrestingmybowbetweenmytoes。Iwaitlong，forthemarkofmyfeetisdeephere。"

"Ialso，saidBagheera，hiddenbehindtherock。Iwait，restingtheendofthethorn-pointedthinguponastone。

Itslips，forhereisascratchuponthestone。Crythytrail，LittleBrother。"

"One，twotwigsandabigbrancharebrokenhere，"saidMowgli，inanundertone。"Now，howshallIcryTHAT？Ah！Itisplainnow。I，LittleFoot，goawaymakingnoisesandtramplingssothatBigFootmayhearme。"Hemovedawayfromtherockpacebypaceamongthetrees，hisvoicerisinginthedistanceasheapproachedalittlecascade。"I——go——far——away——to——where——the——

noise——of——falling-water——covers——my——noise；and——here——I——wait。

Crythytrail，Bagheera，BigFoot！"

ThepantherhadbeencastingineverydirectiontoseehowBigFoot’strailledawayfrombehindtherock。Thenhegavetongue：

"Icomefrombehindtherockuponmyknees，draggingthethorn-

pointedthing。Seeingnoone，Irun。I，BigFoot，runswiftly。

Thetrailisclear。Leteachfollowhisown。Irun！"

Bagheerasweptonalongtheclearly-markedtrail，andMowglifollowedthestepsoftheGond。ForsometimetherewassilenceintheJungle。

"Whereartthou，LittleFoot？"criedBagheera。Mowgli’svoiceansweredhimnotfiftyyardstotheright。

"Um！"saidthePanther，withadeepcough。"Thetworunsidebyside，drawingnearer！"

Theyracedonanotherhalf-mile，alwayskeepingaboutthesamedistance，tillMowgli，whoseheadwasnotsoclosetothegroundasBagheera’s，cried："Theyhavemet。Goodhunting——look！

HerestoodLittleFoot，withhiskneeonarock——andyonderisBigFootindeed！"

Nottenyardsinfrontofthem，stretchedacrossapileofbrokenrocks，laythebodyofavillagerofthedistrict，along，small-featheredGondarrowthroughhisbackandbreast。

"WastheThuusooldandsomad，LittleBrother？"saidBagheeragently。"Hereisonedeath，atleast。"

"Followon。Butwhereisthedrinkerofelephant’sblood——thered-eyedthorn？"

"LittleFoothasit——perhaps。Itissingle-footagainnow。"

Thesingletrailofalightmanwhohadbeenrunningquicklyandbearingaburdenonhisleftshoulderheldonroundalong，lowspurofdriedgrass，whereeachfootfallseemed，tothesharpeyesofthetrackers，markedinhotiron。

Neitherspoketillthetrailranuptotheashesofacamp-firehiddeninaravine。

"Again！"saidBagheera，checkingasthoughhehadbeenturnedintostone。

ThebodyofalittlewizenedGondlaywithitsfeetintheashes，andBagheeralookedinquiringlyatMowgli。

"Thatwasdonewithabamboo，"saidtheboy，afteroneglance。

"IhaveusedsuchathingamongthebuffaloeswhenIservedintheMan-Pack。TheFatherofCobras——IamsorrowfulthatImadeajestofhim——knewthebreedwell，asImighthaveknown。SaidI

notthatmenkillforidleness？"

"Indeed，theykilledforthesakeoftheredandbluestones，"Bagheeraanswered。"Remember，IwasintheKing’scagesatOodeypore。"

"One，two，three，fourtracks，"saidMowgli，stoopingovertheashes。"Fourtracksofmenwithshodfeet。TheydonotgosoquicklyasGonds。Now，whatevilhadthelittlewoodmandonetothem？See，theytalkedtogether，allfive，standingup，beforetheykilledhim。Bagheera，letusgoback。Mystomachisheavyinme，andyetitheavesupanddownlikeanoriole’snestattheendofabranch。"

"Itisnotgoodhuntingtoleavegameafoot。Follow！"saidthepanther。"Thoseeightshodfeethavenotgonefar。"

Nomorewassaidforfullyanhour，astheyworkedupthebroadtrailofthefourmenwithshodfeet。

Itwasclear，hotdaylightnow，andBagheerasaid，"Ismellsmoke。"

Menarealwaysmorereadytoeatthantorun，Mowglianswered，trottinginandoutbetweenthelowscrubbushesofthenewJungletheywereexploring。Bagheera，alittletohisleft，madeanindescribablenoiseinhisthroat。

"Hereisonethathasdonewithfeeding，"saidhe。Atumbledbundleofgay-colouredclotheslayunderabush，androunditwassomespiltflour。

"Thatwasdonebythebambooagain，"saidMowgli。"See！thatwhitedustiswhatmeneat。Theyhavetakenthekillfromthisone，——hecarriedtheirfood，——andgivenhimforakilltoChil，theKite。"

"Itisthethird，"saidBagheera。

"Iwillgowithnew，bigfrogstotheFatherofCobras，andfeedhimfat，"saidMowglitohimself。"Thedrinkerofelephant’sbloodisDeathhimself——butstillIdonotunderstand！"

"Follow！"saidBagheera。

TheyhadnotgonehalfamilefartherwhentheyheardKo，theCrow，singingthedeath-songinthetopofatamariskunderwhoseshadethreemenwerelying。Ahalf-deadfiresmokedinthecentreofthecircle，underanironplatewhichheldablackenedandburnedcakeofunleavenedbread。Closetothefire，andblazinginthesunshine，laytheruby-and-turquoiseankus。

"Thethingworksquickly；allendshere，"saidBagheera。

"HowdidTHESEdie，Mowgli？Thereisnomarkonany。"

AJungle-dwellergetstolearnbyexperienceasmuchasmanydoctorsknowofpoisonousplantsandberries。Mowglisniffedthesmokethatcameupfromthefire，brokeoffamorseloftheblackenedbread，tastedit，andspatitoutagain。

"AppleofDeath，"hecoughed。"ThefirstmusthavemadeitreadyinthefoodforTHESE，whokilledhim，havingfirstkilledtheGond。"

"Goodhunting，indeed！Thekillsfollowclose，"saidBagheera。

"AppleofDeath"iswhattheJunglecallthorn-appleordhatura，thereadiestpoisoninallIndia。

"Whatnow？"saidthepanther。"MustthouandIkilleachotherforyonderred-eyedslayer？"

"Canitspeak？"saidMowgliinawhisper。DidIdoitawrongwhenIthrewitaway？Betweenustwoitcandonowrong，forwedonotdesirewhatmendesire。Ifitbelefthere，itwillassuredlycontinuetokillmenoneafteranotherasfastasnutsfallinahighwind。Ihavenolovetomen，butevenIwouldnothavethemdiesixinanight。"

"Whatmatter？Theyareonlymen。Theykilledoneanother，andwerewellpleased，"saidBagheera。"Thatfirstlittlewoodmanhuntedwell。"

"Theyarecubsnonetheless；andacubwilldrownhimselftobitethemoon’slightonthewater。Thefaultwasmine，"saidMowgli，whospokeasthoughheknewallabouteverything。

"IwillneveragainbringintotheJunglestrangethings——notthoughtheybeasbeautifulasflowers。This"——hehandledtheankusgingerly——"goesbacktotheFatherofCobras。Butfirstwemustsleep，andwecannotsleepnearthesesleepers。AlsowemustburyHIM，lestherunawayandkillanothersix。Digmeaholeunderthattree。"

"But，LittleBrother，"saidBagheera，movingofftothespot，"Itelltheeitisnofaultoftheblood-drinker。Thetroubleiswiththemen。"

"Allone，"saidMowgli。"Digtheholedeep。WhenwewakeIwilltakehimupandcarryhimback。"……

Twonightslater，astheWhiteCobrasatmourninginthedarknessofthevault，ashamed，androbbed，andalone，theturquoiseankuswhirledthroughtheholeinthewall，andclashedonthefloorofgoldencoins。

"FatherofCobras，"saidMowgli（hewascarefultokeeptheothersideofthewall），"gettheeayoungandripeoneofthineownpeopletohelptheeguardtheKing’sTreasure，sothatnomanmaycomeawayaliveanymore。"

"Ah-ha！Itreturns，then。IsaidthethingwasDeath。Howcomesitthatthouartstillalive？"theoldCobramumbled，twininglovinglyroundtheankus-haft。

"BytheBullthatboughtme，Idonotknow！Thatthinghaskilledsixtimesinanight。Lethimgooutnomore。"

THESONGOFTHELITTLEHUNTER

EreMorthePeacockflutters，eretheMonkeyPeoplecry，EreChiltheKiteswoopsdownafurlongsheer，ThroughtheJungleverysoftlyflitsashadowandasigh——

HeisFear，OLittleHunter，heisFear！

Verysoftlydownthegladerunsawaiting，watchingshade，Andthewhisperspreadsandwidensfarandnear；

Andthesweatisonthybrow，forhepassesevennow——

HeisFear，OLittleHunter，heisFear！

Erethemoonhasclimbedthemountain，eretherocksareribbedwithlight，Whenthedownward-dippingtrailsaredankanddrear，Comesabreathinghardbehindthee——snuffle-snufflethroughthenight——

ItisFear，OLittleHunter，itisFear！

Onthykneesanddrawthebow；bidtheshrillingarrowgo；

Intheempty，mockingthicketplungethespear；

Butthyhandsareloosedandweak，andthebloodhasleftthycheek——

ItisFear，OLittleHunter，itisFear！

Whentheheat-cloudsucksthetempest，whenthesliveredpine-treesfall，Whentheblinding，blaringrain-squallslashandveer；

Throughthewar-gongsofthethunderringsavoicemoreloudthanall——

ItisFear，OLittleHunter，itisFear！

Nowthespatesarebankedanddeep；nowthefootlessbouldersleap——

Nowthelightningshowseachlittlestleaf-ribclear——

Butthythroatisshutanddried，andthyheartagainstthysideHammers：Fear，OLittleHunter——thisisFear！

QUIQUERN

ThePeopleoftheEasternIce，theyaremeltinglikethesnow——

Theybegforcoffeeandsugar；theygowherethewhitemengo。

ThePeopleoftheWesternIce，theylearntostealandfight；

"Theyselltheirfurstothetrading-post：theyselltheirsoulstothewhite。

ThePeopleoftheSouthernIce，theytradewiththewhaler’screw；

Theirwomenhavemanyribbons，buttheirtentsaretornandfew。

ButthePeopleoftheElderIce，beyondthewhiteman’sken——

Theirspearsaremadeofthenarwhal-horn，andtheyarethelastoftheMen！

Translation。

"Hehasopenedhiseyes。Look！"

"Puthimintheskinagain。Hewillbeastrongdog。Onthefourthmonthwewillnamehim。"

"Forwhom？"saidAmoraq。

Kadlu’seyerolledroundtheskin-linedsnow-housetillitfellonfourteen-year-oldKotukosittingonthesleeping-bench，makingabuttonoutofwalrusivory。"Namehimforme，"

saidKotuko，withagrin。"Ishallneedhimoneday。"

Kadlugrinnedbacktillhiseyeswerealmostburiedinthefatofhisflatcheeks，andnoddedtoAmoraq，whilethepuppy’sfiercemotherwhinedtoseeherbabywrigglingfaroutofreachinthelittlesealskinpouchhungabovethewarmthoftheblubber-lamp。Kotukowentonwithhiscarving，andKadluthrewarolledbundleofleatherdog-harnessesintoatinylittleroomthatopenedfromonesideofthehouse，slippedoffhisheavydeerskinhunting-suit，putitintoawhalebone-netthathungaboveanotherlamp，anddroppeddownonthesleeping-benchtowhittleatapieceoffrozenseal-meattillAmoraq，hiswife，shouldbringtheregulardinnerofboiledmeatandblood-soup。

Hehadbeenoutsinceearlydawnattheseal-holes，eightmilesaway，andhadcomehomewiththreebigseal。Half-waydownthelong，lowsnowpassageortunnelthatledtotheinnerdoorofthehouseyoucouldhearsnappingsandyelpings，asthedogsofhissleigh-team，releasedfromtheday’swork，scuffledforwarmplaces。

WhentheyelpingsgrewtooloudKotukolazilyrolledoffthesleeping-bench，andpickedupawhipwithaneighteen-inchhandleofspringywhalebone，andtwenty-fivefeetofheavy，plaitedthong。Hedivedintothepassage，whereitsoundedasthoughallthedogswereeatinghimalive；butthatwasnomorethantheirregulargracebeforemeals。Whenhecrawledoutatthefarend，halfadozenfurryheadsfollowedhimwiththeireyesashewenttoasortofgallowsofwhale-jawbones，fromwhichthedog’smeatwashung；splitoffthefrozenstuffinbiglumpswithabroad-headedspear；andstood，hiswhipinonehandandthemeatintheother。Eachbeastwascalledbyname，theweakestfirst，andwoebetideanydogthatmovedoutofhisturn；forthetaperinglashwouldshootoutlikethongedlightning，andflickawayaninchorsoofhairandhide。

Eachbeastgrowled，snapped，chokedonceoverhisportion，andhurriedbacktotheprotectionofthepassage，whiletheboystooduponthesnowundertheblazingNorthernLightsanddealtoutjustice。Thelasttobeservedwasthebigblackleaderoftheteam，whokeptorderwhenthedogswereharnessed；andtohimKotukogaveadoubleallowanceofmeataswellasanextracrackofthewhip。

"Ah！"saidKotuko，coilingupthelash，"Ihavealittleoneoverthelampthatwillmakeagreatmanyhowlings。SARPOK！

Getin！"

Hecrawledbackoverthehuddleddogs，dustedthedrysnowfromhisfurswiththewhalebonebeaterthatAmoraqkeptbythedoor，tappedtheskin-linedroofofthehousetoshakeoffanyiciclesthatmighthavefallenfromthedomeofsnowabove，andcurleduponthebench。Thedogsinthepassagesnoredandwhinedintheirsleep，theboy-babyinAmoraq’sdeepfurhoodkickedandchokedandgurgled，andthemotherofthenewly-namedpuppylayatKotuko’sside，hereyesfixedonthebundleofsealskin，warmandsafeabovethebroadyellowflameofthelamp。

Andallthishappenedfarawaytothenorth，beyondLabrador，beyondHudson’sStrait，wherethegreattidesheavetheiceabout，northofMelvillePeninsula——northevenofthenarrowFuryandHeclaStraits——onthenorthshoreofBaffinLand，whereBylot’sIslandstandsabovetheiceofLancasterSoundlikeapudding-bowlwrongsideup。NorthofLancasterSoundthereislittleweknowanythingabout，exceptNorthDevonandEllesmereLand；buteventhereliveafewscatteredpeople，nextdoor，asitwere，totheveryPole。

KadluwasanInuit，——whatyoucallanEsquimau，——andhistribe，somethirtypersonsalltold，belongedtotheTununirmiut——"thecountrylyingatthebackofsomething。"InthemapsthatdesolatecoastiswrittenNavyBoardInlet，buttheInuitnameisbest，becausethecountryliesattheverybackofeverythingintheworld。Forninemonthsoftheyearthereisonlyiceandsnow，andgaleaftergale，withacoldthatnoonecanrealisewhohasneverseenthethermometerevenatzero。Forsixmonthsofthosenineitisdark；andthatiswhatmakesitsohorrible。

Inthethreemonthsofthesummeritonlyfreezeseveryotherdayandeverynight，andthenthesnowbeginstoweepoffonthesoutherlyslopes，andafewground-willowsputouttheirwoollybuds，atinystonecroporsomakesbelievetoblossom，beachesoffinegravelandroundedstonesrundowntotheopensea，andpolishedbouldersandstreakedrocksliftupabovethegranulatedsnow。Butallthatisgoneinafewweeks，andthewildwinterlocksdownagainontheland；whileatseatheicetearsupanddowntheoffing，jammingandramming，andsplittingandhitting，andpoundingandgrounding，tillitallfreezestogether，tenfeetthick，fromthelandoutwardtodeepwater。

InthewinterKadluwouldfollowthesealtotheedgeofthisland-ice，andspearthemastheycameuptobreatheattheirblow-holes。Thesealmusthaveopenwatertoliveandcatchfishin，andinthedeepofwintertheicewouldsometimesruneightymileswithoutabreakfromthenearestshore。Inthespringheandhispeopleretreatedfromthefloestotherockymainland，wheretheyputuptentsofskins，andsnaredthesea-birds，orspearedtheyoungsealbaskingonthebeaches。Later，theywouldgosouthintoBaffinLandafterthereindeer，andtogettheiryear’sstoreofsalmonfromthehundredsofstreamsandlakesoftheinterior；comingbacknorthinSeptemberorOctoberforthemusk-oxhuntingandtheregularwintersealery。Thistravellingwasdonewithdog-sleighs，twentyandthirtymilesaday，orsometimesdownthecoastinbigskin"woman-boats，"whenthedogsandthebabieslayamongthefeetoftherowers，andthewomensangsongsastheyglidedfromcapetocapeovertheglassy，coldwaters。AlltheluxuriesthattheTununirmiutknewcamefromthesouth——driftwoodforsleigh-runners，rod-ironforharpoon-tips，steelknives，tinkettlesthatcookedfoodmuchbetterthantheoldsoap-stoneaffairs，flintandsteel，andevenmatches，aswellascolouredribbonsforthewomen’shair，littlecheapmirrors，andredclothfortheedgingofdeerskindress-jackets。Kadlutradedtherich，creamy，twistednarwhalhornandmusk-oxteeth（thesearejustasvaluableaspearls）totheSouthernInuit，andthey，inturn，tradedwiththewhalersandthemissionary-postsofExeterandCumberlandSounds；andsothechainwenton，tillakettlepickedupbyaship’scookintheBhendyBazaarmightenditsdaysoverablubber-lampsomewhereonthecoolsideoftheArcticCircle。

Kadlu，beingagoodhunter，wasrichinironharpoons，snow-

knives，bird-darts，andalltheotherthingsthatmakelifeeasyupthereinthegreatcold；andhewastheheadofhistribe，or，astheysay，"themanwhoknowsallaboutitbypractice。"

Thisdidnotgivehimanyauthority，exceptnowandthenhecouldadvisehisfriendstochangetheirhunting-grounds；

butKotukousedittodomineeralittle，inthelazy，fatInuitfashion，overtheotherboys，whentheycameoutatnighttoplayballinthemoonlight，ortosingtheChild’sSongtotheAuroraBorealis。

ButatfourteenanInuitfeelshimselfaman，andKotukowastiredofmakingsnaresforwild-fowlandkit-foxes，andmosttiredofallofhelpingthewomentochewseal-anddeer-skins（thatsupplesthemasnothingelsecan）thelongdaythrough，whilethemenwereouthunting。Hewantedtogointothequaggi，theSinging-House，whenthehuntersgatheredtherefortheirmysteries，andtheangekok，thesorcerer，frightenedthemintothemostdelightfulfitsafterthelampswereputout，andyoucouldheartheSpiritoftheReindeerstampingontheroof；

andwhenaspearwasthrustoutintotheopenblacknightitcamebackcoveredwithhotblood。Hewantedtothrowhisbigbootsintothenetwiththetiredairoftheheadofafamily，andtogamblewiththehunterswhentheydroppedinofaneveningandplayedasortofhome-maderoulettewithatinpotandanail。Therewerehundredsofthingsthathewantedtodo，butthegrownmenlaughedathimandsaid，"Waittillyouhavebeeninthebuckle，Kotuko。HuntingisnotALLcatching。"

Nowthathisfatherhadnamedapuppyforhim，thingslookedbrighter。AnInuitdoesnotwasteagooddogonhissontilltheboyknowssomethingofdog-driving；andKotukowasmorethansurethatheknewmorethaneverything。

Ifthepuppyhadnothadanironconstitutionhewouldhavediedfromover-stuffingandover-handling。Kotukomadehimatinyharnesswithatracetoit，andhauledhimalloverthehouse-

floor，shouting："Aua！Jaaua！"（Gototheright）。Choiachoi！Jachoiachoi！"（Gototheleft）。"Ohaha！"（Stop）。Thepuppydidnotlikeitatall，butbeingfishedforinthiswaywaspurehappinessbesidebeingputtothesleighforthefirsttime。

Hejustsatdownonthesnow，andplayedwiththeseal-hidetracethatranfromhisharnesstothepitu，thebigthonginthebowsofthesleigh。Thentheteamstarted，andthepuppyfoundtheheavyten-footsleighrunninguphisback，anddragginghimalongthesnow，whileKotukolaughedtillthetearsrandownhisface。Therefolloweddaysanddaysofthecruelwhipthathisseslikethewindoverice，andhiscompanionsallbithimbecausehedidnotknowhiswork，andtheharnesschafedhim，andhewasdotallowedtosleepwithKotukoanymore，buthadtotakethecoldestplaceinthepassage。Itwasasadtimeforthepuppy。

Theboylearned，too，asfastasthedog；thoughadog-sleighisaheart-breakingthingtomanage。Eachbeastisharnessed，theweakestnearesttothedriver，byhisownseparatetrace，whichrunsunderhisleftfore-legtothemainthong，whereitisfastenedbyasortofbuttonandloopwhichcanbeslippedbyaturnofthewrist，thusfreeingonedogatatime。Thisisverynecessary，becauseyoungdogsoftengetthetracebetweentheirhindlegs，whereitcutstothebone。AndtheyoneandallWILLgovisitingtheirfriendsastheyrun，jumpinginandoutamongthetraces。Thentheyfight，andtheresultismoremixedthanawetfishing-linenextmorning。Agreatdealoftroublecanbeavoidedbyscientificuseofthewhip。EveryInuitboyprideshimselfasbeingamasterofthelonglash；butitiseasytoflickatamarkontheground，anddifficulttoleanforwardandcatchashirkingdogjustbehindtheshoulderswhenthesleighisgoingatfullspeed。Ifyoucallonedog’snamefor"visiting，"andaccidentallylashanother，thetwowillfightitoutatonce，andstopalltheothers。Again，ifyoutravelwithacompanionandbegintotalk，orbyyourselfandsing，thedogswillhalt，turnround，andsitdowntohearwhatyouhavetosay。Kotukowasrunawayfromonceortwicethroughforgettingtoblockthesleighwhenhestopped；andhebrokemanylashings，andruinedafewthongsbeforehecouldbetrustedwithafullteamofeightandthelightsleigh。Thenhefelthimselfapersonofconsequence，andonsmooth，blackice，withaboldheartandaquickelbow，hesmokedalongoverthelevelsasfastasapackinfullcry。Hewouldgotenmilestotheseal-holes，andwhenhewasonthehunting~groundshewouldtwitchatraceloosefromthepitu，andfreethebigblackleader，whowasthecleverestdogintheteam。Assoonasthedoghadscentedabreathing-hole，Kotukowouldreversethesleigh，drivingacoupleofsawed-offantlers，thatstuckuplikeperambulator-handlesfromtheback-rest，deepintothesnow，sothattheteamcouldnotgetaway。Thenhewouldcrawlforwardinchbyinch，andwaittillthesealcameuptobreathe。

Thenhewouldstabdownswiftlywithhisspearandrunning-line，andpresentlywouldhaulhissealuptothelipoftheice，whiletheblackleadercameupandhelpedtopullthecarcassacrosstheicetothesleigh。Thatwasthetimewhentheharnesseddogsyelledandfoamedwithexcitement，andKotukolaidthelonglashlikeared-hotbaracrossalltheirfaces，tillthecarcassfrozestiff。Goinghomewastheheavywork。

Theloadedsleighhadtobehumouredamongtheroughice，andthedogssatdownandlookedhungrilyatthesealinsteadofpulling。Atlasttheywouldstrikethewell-wornsleigh-roadtothevillage，andtoodle-kiyialongtheringingice，headsdownandtailsup，whileKotukostruckupthe"An-gutivauntai-natau-na-netaina"（TheSongoftheReturningHunter），andvoiceshailedhimfromhousetohouseunderallthatdim，star-litternsky。

WhenKotukothedogcametohisfullgrowthheenjoyedhimselftoo。Hefoughthiswayuptheteamsteadily，fightafterfight，tillonefineevening，overtheirfood，hetackledthebig，blackleader（Kotukotheboysawfairplay），andmadeseconddogofhim，astheysay。Sohewaspromotedtothelongthongoftheleadingdog，runningfivefeetinadvanceofalltheothers：

itwashisboundendutytostopallfighting，inharnessoroutofit，andheworeacollarofcopperwire，verythickandheavy。Onspecialoccasionshewasfedwithcookedfoodinsidethehouse，andsometimeswasallowedtosleeponthebenchwithKotuko。Hewasagoodseal-dog，andwouldkeepamusk-oxatbaybyrunningroundhimandsnappingathisheels。Hewouldeven——

andthisforasleigh-dogisthelastproofofbravery——hewouldevenstanduptothegauntArcticwolf，whomalldogsoftheNorth，asarule，fearbeyondanythingthatwalksthesnow。

Heandhismaster——theydidnotcounttheteamofordinarydogsascompany——huntedtogether，dayafterdayandnightafternight，fur-wrappedboyandsavage，long-haired，narrow-eyed，white-fanged，yellowbrute。AllanInuithastodoistogetfoodandskinsforhimselfandhisfamily。Thewomen-folkmaketheskinsintoclothing，andoccasionallyhelpintrappingsmallgame；butthebulkofthefood——andtheyeatenormously——mustbefoundbythemen。Ifthesupplyfailsthereisnooneuptheretobuyorbegorborrowfrom。Thepeoplemustdie。

AnInuitdoesnotthinkofthesechancestillheisforcedto。

Kadlu，Kotuko，Amoraq，andtheboy-babywhokickedaboutinAmoraq’sfurhoodandchewedpiecesofblubberallday，wereashappytogetherasanyfamilyintheworld。Theycameofaverygentlerace——anInuitseldomloseshistemper，andalmostneverstrikesachild——whodidnotknowexactlywhattellingarealliemeant，stilllesshowtosteal。Theywerecontenttospeartheirlivingoutoftheheartofthebitter，hopelesscold；

tosmileoilysmiles，andtellqueerghostandfairytalesofevenings，andeattilltheycouldeatnomore，andsingtheendlesswoman’ssong："Amnaaya，ayaamna，ah！ah！"throughthelonglamp-lighteddaysastheymendedtheirclothesandtheirhunting-gear。

Butoneterriblewintereverythingbetrayedthem。

TheTununirmiutreturnedfromtheyearlysalmon-fishing，andmadetheirhousesontheearlyicetothenorthofBylot’sIsland，readytogoafterthesealassoonastheseafroze。

Butitwasanearlyandsavageautumn。AllthroughSeptembertherewerecontinuousgalesthatbrokeupthesmoothseal-icewhenitwasonlyfourorfivefeetthick，andforceditinland，andpiledagreatbarrier，sometwentymilesbroad，oflumpedandraggedandneedlyice，overwhichitwasimpossibletodrawthedog-sleighs。Theedgeofthefloeoffwhichthesealwereusedtofishinwinterlayperhapstwentymilesbeyondthisbarrier，andoutofreachoftheTununirmiut。Evenso，theymighthavemanagedtoscrapethroughthewinterontheirstockoffrozensalmonandstoredblubber，andwhatthetrapsgavethem，butinDecemberoneoftheirhunterscameacrossatupik（askin-tent）ofthreewomenandagirlnearlydead，whosemenhadcomedownfromthefarNorthandbeencrushedintheirlittleskinhunting-boatswhiletheywereoutafterthelong-

hornednarwhal。Kadlu，ofcourse，couldonlydistributethewomenamongthehutsofthewintervillage，fornoInuitdarerefuseamealtoastranger。Heneverknowswhenhisownturnmaycometobeg。Amoraqtookthegirl，whowasaboutfourteen，intoherownhouseasasortofservant。Fromthecutofhersharp-pointedhood，andthelongdiamondpatternofherwhitedeer-skinleggings，theysupposedshecamefromEllesmereLand。

Shehadneverseentincooking-potsorwooden-shodsleighsbefore；butKotukotheboyandKotukothedogwereratherfondofher。

Thenallthefoxeswentsouth，andeventhewolverine，thatgrowling，blunt-headedlittlethiefofthesnow，didnottakethetroubletofollowthelineofemptytrapsthatKotukoset。

Thetribelostacoupleoftheirbesthunters，whowerebadlycrippledinafightwithamusk-ox，andthisthrewmoreworkontheothers。Kotukowentout，dayafterday，withalighthunting-sleighandsixorsevenofthestrongestdogs，lookingtillhiseyesachedforsomepatchofclearicewhereasealmightperhapshavescratchedabreathing-hole。Kotukothedograngedfarandwide，andinthedeadstillnessoftheice-fieldsKotukotheboycouldhearhishalf-chokedwhineofexcitement，aboveaseal-holethreemilesaway，asplainlyasthoughhewereathiselbow。Whenthedogfoundaholetheboywouldbuildhimselfalittle，lowsnowwalltokeepofftheworstofthebitterwind，andtherehewouldwaitten，twelve，twentyhoursforthesealtocomeuptobreathe，hiseyesgluedtothetinymarkhehadmadeabovetheholetoguidethedownwardthrustofhisharpoon，alittleseal-skinmatunderhisfeet，andhislegstiedtogetherinthetutareang（thebucklethattheoldhuntershadtalkedabout）。Thishelpstokeepaman’slegsfromtwitchingashewaitsandwaitsandwaitsforthequick-earedsealtorise。Thoughthereisnoexcitementinit，youcaneasilybelievethatthesittingstillinthebucklewiththethermometerperhapsfortydegreesbelowzeroisthehardestworkanInuitknows。Whenasealwascaught，Kotukothedogwouldboundforward，histracetrailingbehindhim，andhelptopullthebodytothesleigh，wherethetiredandhungrydogslaysullenlyundertheleeofthebrokenice。

Asealdidnotgoveryfar，foreachmouthinthelittlevillagehadarighttobefilled，andneitherbone，hide，norsinewwaswasted。Thedogs’meatwastakenforhumanuse，andAmoraqfedtheteamwithpiecesofoldsummerskin-tentsrakedoutfromunderthesleeping-bench，andtheyhowledandhowledagain，andwakedtohowlhungrily。Onecouldtellbythesoap-stonelampsinthehutsthatfaminewasnear。Ingoodseasons，whenblubberwasplentiful，thelightintheboat-shapedlampswouldbetwofeethigh——cheerful，oily，andyellow。Nowitwasabaresixinches：Amoraqcarefullyprickeddownthemosswick，whenanunwatchedflamebrightenedforamoment，andtheeyesofallthefamilyfollowedherhand。Thehorroroffamineupthereinthegreatcoldisnotsomuchdying，asdyinginthedark。AlltheInuitdreadthedarkthatpressesonthemwithoutabreakforsixmonthsineachyear；andwhenthelampsarelowinthehousesthemindsofpeoplebegintobeshakenandconfused。

Butworsewastocome。

Theunderfeddogssnappedandgrowledinthepassages，glaringatthecoldstars，andsnuffingintothebitterwind，nightafternight。Whentheystoppedhowlingthesilencefelldownagainassolidandheavyasasnowdriftagainstadoor，andmencouldhearthebeatingoftheirbloodinthethinpassagesoftheear，andthethumpingoftheirownhearts，thatsoundedasloudasthenoiseofsorcerers’drumsbeatenacrossthesnow。OnenightKotukothedog，whohadbeenunusuallysulleninharness，leapedupandpushedhisheadagainstKotuko’sknee。Kotukopattedhim，butthedogstillpushedblindlyforward，fawning。ThenKadluwaked，andgrippedtheheavywolf-likehead，andstaredintotheglassyeyes。

ThedogwhimperedandshiveredbetweenKadlu’sknees。Thehairroseabouthisneck，andhegrowledasthoughastrangerwereatthedoor；thenhebarkedjoyously，androlledontheground，andbitatKotuko’sbootlikeapuppy。