第8章
AndthisshedoessowellthatthereisnospringintheworldliketheJunglespring。
Thereisonedaywhenallthingsaretired，andtheverysmells，astheydriftontheheavyair，areoldandused。Onecannotexplainthis，butitfeelsso。Thenthereisanotherday——totheeyenothingwhateverhaschanged——whenallthesmellsarenewanddelightful，andthewhiskersoftheJunglePeoplequivertotheirroots，andthewinterhaircomesawayfromtheirsidesinlong，draggledlocks。Then，perhaps，alittlerainfalls，andallthetreesandthebushesandthebamboosandthemossesandthejuicy-leavedplantswakewithanoiseofgrowingthatyoucanalmosthear，andunderthisnoiseruns，dayandnight，adeephum。THATisthenoiseofthespring——avibratingboomwhichisneitherbees，norfallingwater，northewindintree-
tops，butthepurringofthewarm，happyworld。
UptothisyearMowglihadalwaysdelightedintheturnoftheseasons。ItwashewhogenerallysawthefirstEye-of-the-Springdeepdownamongthegrasses，andthefirstbankofspringclouds，whicharelikenothingelseintheJungle。Hisvoicecouldbeheardinallsortsofwet，star-lighted，blossomingplaces，helpingthebigfrogsthroughtheirchoruses，ormockingthelittleupside-downowlsthathootthroughthewhitenights。
Likeallhispeople，springwastheseasonhechoseforhisflittings——moving，forthemerejoyofrushingthroughthewarmair，thirty，forty，orfiftymilesbetweentwilightandthemorningstar，andcomingbackpantingandlaughingandwreathedwithstrangeflowers。TheFourdidnotfollowhimonthesewildringingsoftheJungle，butwentofftosingsongswithotherwolves。TheJunglePeopleareverybusyinthespring，andMowglicouldhearthemgruntingandscreamingandwhistlingaccordingtotheirkind。Theirvoicesthenaredifferentfromtheirvoicesatothertimesoftheyear，andthatisoneofthereasonswhyspringintheJungleiscalledtheTimeofNewTalk。
Butthatspring，ashetoldBagheera，hisstomachwaschangedinhim。Eversincethebambooshootsturnedspotty-brownhehadbeenlookingforwardtothemorningwhenthesmellsshouldchange。Butwhenthemorningcame，andMorthePeacock，blazinginbronzeandblueandgold，crieditaloudallalongthemistywoods，andMowgliopenedhismouthtosendonthecry，thewordschokedbetweenhisteeth，andafeelingcameoverhimthatbeganathistoesandendedinhishair——afeelingofpureunhappiness，sothathelookedhimselfovertobesurethathehadnottrodonathorn。Morcriedthenewsmells，theotherbirdstookitover，andfromtherocksbytheWaingungaheheardBagheera’shoarsescream——somethingbetweenthescreamofaneagleandtheneighingofahorse。TherewasayellingandscatteringofBandar-loginthenew-buddingbranchesabove，andtherestoodMowgli，hischest，filledtoanswerMor，sinkinginlittlegaspsasthebreathwasdrivenoutofitbythisunhappiness。
Hestaredallroundhim，buthecouldseenomorethanthemockingBandar-logscuddingthroughthetrees，andMor，histailspreadinfullsplendour，dancingontheslopesbelow。
"Thesmellshavechanged，"screamedMor。"Goodhunting，LittleBrother！Whereisthyanswer？"
"LittleBrother，goodhunting！"whistledChiltheKiteandhismate，swoopingdowntogether。ThetwobaffedunderMowgli’snosesoclosethatapinchofdownywhitefeathersbrushedaway。
Alightspringrain——elephant-raintheycallit——droveacrosstheJungleinabelthalfamilewide，leftthenewleaveswetandnoddingbehind，anddiedoutinadoublerainbowandalightrollofthunder。Thespringhumbrokeoutforaminute，andwassilent，butalltheJungleFolkseemedtobegivingtongueatonce。AllexceptMowgli。
"Ihaveeatengoodfood，"hesaidtohimself。"Ihavedrunkgoodwater。Nordoesmythroatburnandgrowsmall，asitdidwhenIbittheblue-spottedrootthatOotheTurtlesaidwascleanfood。Butmystomachisheavy，andIhavegivenverybadtalktoBagheeraandothers，peopleoftheJungleandmypeople。
Now，too，IamhotandnowIamcold，andnowIamneitherhotnorcold，butangrywiththatwhichIcannotsee。Huhu！Itistimetomakearunning！To-nightIwillcrosstheranges；yes，IwillmakeaspringrunningtotheMarshesoftheNorth，andbackagain。Ihavehuntedtooeasilytoolong。TheFourshallcomewithme，fortheygrowasfataswhitegrubs。"
Hecalled，butneveroneoftheFouranswered。Theywerefarbeyondearshot，singingoverthespringsongs——theMoonandSambhurSongs——withthewolvesofthepack；forinthespring-
timetheJunglePeoplemakeverylittledifferencebetweenthedayandthenight。Hegavethesharp，barkingnote，buthisonlyanswerwasthemockingmaiouofthelittlespottedtree-catwindinginandoutamongthebranchesforearlybirds’nests。
Atthisheshookalloverwithrage，andhalfdrewhisknife。
Thenhebecameveryhaughty，thoughtherewasnoonetoseehim，andstalkedseverelydownthehillside，chinupandeyebrowsdown。Butneverasingleoneofhispeopleaskedhimaquestion，fortheywerealltoobusywiththeirownaffairs。
"Yes，"saidMowglitohimself，thoughinhisheartheknewthathehadnoreason。"LettheRedDholecomefromtheDekkan，ortheRedFlowerdanceamongthebamboos，andalltheJunglerunswhiningtoMowgli，callinghimgreatelephant-names。
Butnow，becauseEye-of-the-Springisred，andMor，forsooth，mustshowhisnakedlegsinsomespringdance，theJunglegoesmadasTabaqui……BytheBullthatboughtme！amItheMasteroftheJungle，oramInot？Besilent！Whatdoyehere？"
AcoupleofyoungwolvesofthePackwerecanteringdownapath，lookingforopengroundinwhichtofight。（YouwillrememberthattheLawoftheJungleforbidsfightingwherethePackcansee。）Theirneck-bristleswereasstiffaswire，andtheybayedfuriously，crouchingforthefirstgrapple。Mowglileapedforward，caughtoneoutstretchedthroatineitherhand，expectingtoflingthecreaturesbackwardashehadoftendoneingamesorPackhunts。Buthehadneverbeforeinterferedwithaspringfight。Thetwoleapedforwardanddashedhimaside，andwithoutwordtowasterolledoverandovercloselocked。
Mowgliwasonhisfeetalmostbeforehefell，hisknifeandhiswhiteteethwerebared，andatthatminutehewouldhavekilledbothfornoreasonbutthattheywerefightingwhenhewishedthemtobequiet，althougheverywolfhasfullrightundertheLawtofight。Hedancedroundthemwithloweredshouldersandquiveringhand，readytosendinadoubleblowwhenthefirstflurryofthescuffleshouldbeover；butwhilehewaitedthestrengthseemedtoebbfromhisbody，theknife-pointlowered，andhesheathedtheknifeandwatched。
"Ihavesurelyeatenpoison，"hesighedatlast。SinceIbrokeuptheCouncilwiththeRedFlower——sinceIkilledShereKhan——
noneofthePackcouldflingmeaside。Andthesebeonlytail-
wolvesinthePack，littlehunters！Mystrengthisgonefromme，andpresentlyIshalldie。Oh，Mowgli，whydostthounotkillthemboth？"
Thefightwentontillonewolfranaway，andMowgliwasleftaloneonthetornandbloodyground，lookingnowathisknife，andnowathislegsandarms，whilethefeelingofunhappinesshehadneverknownbeforecoveredhimaswatercoversalog。
Hekilledearlythateveningandatebutlittle，soastobeingoodfettleforhisspringrunning，andheatealonebecausealltheJunglePeoplewereawaysingingorfighting。Itwasaperfectwhitenight，astheycallit。Allgreenthingsseemedtohavemadeamonth’sgrowthsincethemorning。Thebranchthatwasyellow-leavedthedaybeforedrippedsapwhenMowglibrokeit。Themossescurleddeepandwarmoverhisfeet，theyounggrasshadnocuttingedges，andallthevoicesoftheJungleboomedlikeonedeepharp-stringtouchedbythemoon——theMoonofNewTalk，whosplashedherlightfullonrockandpool，slippeditbetweentrunkandcreeper，andsifteditthroughamillionleaves。Forgettinghisunhappiness，Mowglisangaloudwithpuredelightashesettledintohisstride。Itwasmorelikeflyingthananythingelse，forhehadchosenthelongdownwardslopethatleadstotheNorthernMarshesthroughtheheartofthemainJungle，wherethespringygrounddeadenedthefallofhisfeet。Aman-taughtmanwouldhavepickedhiswaywithmanystumblesthroughthecheatingmoonlight，butMowgli’smuscles，trainedbyyearsofexperience，borehimupasthoughhewereafeather。Whenarottenlogorahiddenstoneturnedunderhisfoothesavedhimself，nevercheckinghispace，withouteffortandwithoutthought。Whenhetiredofground-
goinghethrewuphishandsmonkey-fashiontothenearestcreeper，andseemedtofloatratherthantoclimbupintothethinbranches，whencehewouldfollowatree-roadtillhismoodchanged，andheshotdownwardinalong，leafycurvetothelevelsagain。Therewerestill，hothollowssurroundedbywetrockswherehecouldhardlybreathefortheheavyscentsofthenightflowersandthebloomalongthecreeperbuds；darkavenueswherethemoonlightlayinbeltsasregularascheckeredmarblesinachurchaisle；thicketswherethewetyounggrowthstoodbreast-highabouthimandthrewitsarmsroundhiswaist；
andhilltopscrownedwithbrokenrock，whereheleapedfromstonetostoneabovethelairsofthefrightenedlittlefoxes。
Hewouldhear，veryfaintandfaroff，thechug-drugofaboarsharpeninghistusksonabole；andwouldcomeacrossthegreatgraybruteallalone，scribingandrendingthebarkofatalltree，hismouthdrippingwithfoam，andhiseyesblazinglikefire。Orhewouldturnasidetothesoundofclashinghornsandhissinggrunts，anddashpastacoupleoffurioussambhur，staggeringtoandfrowithloweredheads，stripedwithbloodthatshowedblackinthemoonlight。OratsomerushingfordhewouldhearJacalatheCrocodilebellowinglikeabull，ordisturbatwinedknotofthePoisonPeople，butbeforetheycouldstrikehewouldbeawayandacrosstheglisteningshingle，anddeepintheJungleagain。
Soheran，sometimesshouting，sometimessingingtohimself，thehappiestthinginalltheJunglethatnight，tillthesmelloftheflowerswarnedhimthathewasnearthemarshes，andthoselayfarbeyondhisfarthesthunting-grounds。
Here，again，aman-trainedmanwouldhavesunkoverheadinthreestrides，butMowgli’sfeethadeyesinthem，andtheypassedhimfromtussocktotussockandclumptoquakingclumpwithoutaskinghelpfromtheeyesinhishead。Heranouttothemiddleoftheswamp，disturbingtheduckasheran，andsatdownonamoss-coatedtree-trunklappedintheblackwater。Themarshwasawakeallroundhim，forinthespringtheBirdPeoplesleepverylightly，andcompaniesofthemwerecomingorgoingthenightthrough。ButnoonetookanynoticeofMowglisittingamongthetallreedshummingsongswithoutwords，andlookingatthesolesofhishardbrownfeetincaseofneglectedthorns。
AllhisunhappinessseemedtohavebeenleftbehindinhisownJungle，andhewasjustbeginningafull-throatsongwhenitcamebackagain——tentimesworsethanbefore。
ThistimeMowgliwasfrightened。"Itisherealso！"hesaidhalfaloud。"Ithasfollowedme，"andhelookedoverhisshouldertoseewhethertheItwerenotstandingbehindhim。"Thereisnoonehere。"Thenightnoisesofthemarshwenton，butneverabirdorbeastspoketohim，andthenewfeelingofmiserygrew。
"Ihavesurelyeatenpoison，"hesaidinanawe-strickenvoice。
"ItmustbethatcarelesslyIhaveeatenpoison，andmystrengthisgoingfromme。Iwasafraid——andyetitwasnot_I_thatwasafraid——Mowgliwasafraidwhenthetwowolvesfought。Akela，orevenPhao，wouldhavesilencedthem；yetMowgliwasafraid。
ThatistruesignIhaveeatenpoison……ButwhatdotheycareintheJungle？Theysingandhowlandfight，andrunincompaniesunderthemoon，andI——Hai-mai！——Iamdyinginthemarshes，ofthatpoisonwhichIhaveeaten。"Hewassosorryforhimselfthathenearlywept。"Andafter，"hewenton，"theywillfindmelyingintheblackwater。Nay，IwillgobacktomyownJungle，andIwilldieupontheCouncilRock，andBagheera，whomIlove，ifheisnotscreaminginthevalley——Bagheera，perhaps，maywatchbywhatisleftforalittle，lestChilusemeasheusedAkela。"
Alarge，warmtearsplasheddownonhisknee，and，miserableashewas，Mowglifelthappythathewassomiserable，ifyoucanunderstandthatupside-downsortofhappiness。"AsChiltheKiteusedAkela，"herepeated，"onthenightIsavedthePackfromRedDog。"Hewasquietforalittle，thinkingofthelastwordsoftheLoneWolf，whichyou，ofcourse，remember。
"NowAkelasaidtomemanyfoolishthingsbeforehedied，forwhenwedieourstomachschange。Hesaid……Nonetheless，IAMoftheJungle！"
Inhisexcitement，asherememberedthefightonWaingungabank，heshoutedthelastwordsaloud，andawildbuffalo-cowamongthereedssprangtoherknees，snorting，"Man！"
"Uhh！"saidMysatheWildBuffalo（Mowglicouldhearhimturninhiswallow），"THATisnoman。ItisonlythehairlesswolfoftheSeeoneePack。Onsuchnightsrunshetoandfro。"
"Uhh！"saidthecow，droppingherheadagaintograze，"IthoughtitwasMan。"
"Isayno。Oh，Mowgli，isitdanger？"lowedMysa。
"Oh，Mowgli，isitdanger？"theboycalledbackmockingly。
"ThatisallMysathinksfor：Isitdanger？ButforMowgli，whogoestoandfrointheJunglebynight，watching，whatdoyecare？"
"Howloudhecries！"saidthecow。"Thusdotheycry，"Mysaansweredcontemptuously，"who，havingtornupthegrass，knownothowtoeatit。"
"Forlessthanthis，"Mowgligroanedtohimself，forlessthanthisevenlastRainsIhadprickedMysaoutofhiswallow，andriddenhimthroughtheswamponarushhalter。"Hestretchedahandtobreakoneofthefeatheryreeds，butdrewitbackwithasigh。Mysawentonsteadilychewingthecud，andthelonggrassrippedwherethecowgrazed。"IwillnotdieHERE，"
hesaidangrily。"Mysa，whoisofonebloodwithJacalaandthepig，wouldseeme。Letusgobeyondtheswampandseewhatcomes。NeverhaveIrunsuchaspringrunning——hotandcoldtogether。Up，Mowgli！"
HecouldnotresistthetemptationofstealingacrossthereedstoMysaandprickinghimwiththepointofhisknife。Thegreatdrippingbullbrokeoutofhiswallowlikeashellexploding，whileMowglilaughedtillhesatdown。
"SaynowthatthehairlesswolfoftheSeeoneePackonceherdedthee，Mysa，"hecalled。
"Wolf！THOU？"thebullsnorted，stampinginthemud。"Allthejungleknowsthouwastaherderoftamecattle——suchaman’sbratasshoutsinthedustbythecropsyonder。THOUoftheJungle！Whathunterwouldhavecrawledlikeasnakeamongtheleeches，andforamuddyjest——ajackal’sjest——haveshamedmebeforemycow？Cometofirmground，andIwill——Iwill……"
Mysafrothedatthemouth，forMysahasnearlytheworsttemperofanyoneintheJungle。
Mowgliwatchedhimpuffandblowwitheyesthatneverchanged。
Whenhecouldmakehimselfheardthroughthepatteringmud，hesaid："WhatMan-Packlairherebythemarshes，Mysa？ThisisnewJungletome。"
"Gonorth，then，"roaredtheangrybull，forMowglihadprickedhimrathersharply。"Itwasanakedcow-herd’sjest。Goandtellthematthevillageatthefootofthemarsh。"
"TheMan-Packdonotlovejungle-tales，nordoIthink，Mysa，thatascratchmoreorlessonthyhideisanymatterforacouncil。ButIwillgoandlookatthisvillage。Yes，Iwillgo。
Softlynow。ItisnoteverynightthattheMasteroftheJunglecomestoherdthee。"
Hesteppedouttotheshiveringgroundontheedgeofthemarsh，wellknowingthatMysawouldneverchargeoveritandlaughed，asheran，tothinkofthebull’sanger。
"Mystrengthisnotaltogethergone，"hesaid。Itmaybethatthepoisonisnottothebone。Thereisastarsittinglowyonder。"Helookedatitbetweenhishalf-shuthands。"BytheBullthatboughtme，itistheRedFlower——theRedFlowerthatIlaybesidebefore——beforeIcameeventothefirstSeeoneePack！NowthatIhaveseen，Iwillfinishtherunning。"
Themarshendedinabroadplainwherealighttwinkled。
ItwasalongtimesinceMowglihadconcernedhimselfwiththedoingsofmen，butthisnighttheglimmeroftheRedFlowerdrewhimforward。
"Iwilllook，"saidhe，"asIdidintheolddays，andIwillseehowfartheMan-Packhaschanged。"
ForgettingthathewasnolongerinhisownJungle，wherehecoulddowhathepleased，hetrodcarelesslythroughthedew-
loadedgrassestillhecametothehutwherethelightstood。
Threeorfouryelpingdogsgavetongue，forhewasontheoutskirtsofavillage。
"Ho！"saidMowgli，sittingdownnoiselessly，aftersendingbackadeepwolf-growlthatsilencedthecurs。"Whatcomeswillcome。
Mowgli，whathastthoutodoanymorewiththelairsoftheMan-Pack？"Herubbedhismouth，rememberingwhereastonehadstruckityearsagowhentheotherMan-Packhadcasthimout。
Thedoorofthehutopened，andawomanstoodpeeringoutintothedarkness。Achildcried，andthewomansaidoverhershoulder，"Sleep。Itwasbutajackalthatwakedthedogs。
Inalittletimemorningcomes。"
Mowgliinthegrassbegantoshakeasthoughhehadfever。
Heknewthatvoicewell，buttomakesurehecriedsoftly，surprisedtofindhowman’stalkcameback，"Messua！OMessua！"
"Whocalls？"saidthewoman，aquiverinhervoice。
"Hastthouforgotten？"saidMowgli。Histhroatwasdryashespoke。
"IfitbeTHOU，whatnamedidIgivethee？Say！"Shehadhalfshutthedoor，andherhandwasclutchingatherbreast。
"Nathoo！Ohe，Nathoo！"saidMowgli，for，asyouremember，thatwasthenameMessuagavehimwhenhefirstcametotheMan-Pack。
"Come，myson，"shecalled，andMowglisteppedintothelight，andlookedfullatMessua，thewomanwhohadbeengoodtohim，andwhoselifehehadsavedfromtheMan-Packsolongbefore。
Shewasolder，andherhairwasgray，buthereyesandhervoicehadnotchanged。Woman-like，sheexpectedtofindMowgliwhereshehadlefthim，andhereyestravelledupwardinapuzzledwayfromhischesttohishead，thattouchedthetopofthedoor。
"Myson，"shestammered；andthen，sinkingtohisfeet："Butitisnolongermyson。ItisaGodlingoftheWoods！Ahai！"
Ashestoodintheredlightoftheoil-lamp，strong，tall，andbeautiful，hislongblackhairsweepingoverhisshoulders，theknifeswingingathisneck，andhisheadcrownedwithawreathofwhitejasmine，hemighteasilyhavebeenmistakenforsomewildgodofajunglelegend。Thechildhalfasleeponacotsprangupandshriekedaloudwithterror。Messuaturnedtosoothehim，whileMowglistoodstill，lookinginatthewater-
jarsandthecooking-pots，thegrain-bin，andalltheotherhumanbelongingsthathefoundhimselfrememberingsowell。
"Whatwiltthoueatordrink？"Messuamurmured。"Thisisallthine。Weoweourlivestothee。ButartthouhimIcalledNathoo，oraGodling，indeed？"
"IamNathoo，"saidMowgli，"Iamveryfarfrommyownplace。
Isawthislight，andcamehither。Ididnotknowthouwasthere。"
"AfterwecametoKhanhiwara，"Messuasaidtimidly，"theEnglishwouldhavehelpedusagainstthosevillagersthatsoughttoburnus。Rememberestthou？"
"Indeed，Ihavenotforgotten。"
"ButwhentheEnglishLawwasmadeready，wewenttothevillageofthoseevilpeople，anditwasnomoretobefound。"
"ThatalsoIremember，"saidMowgli，withaquiverofhisnostril。
"Myman，therefore，tookserviceinthefields，andatlast——
for，indeed，hewasastrongman——weheldalittlelandhere。
Itisnotsorichastheoldvillage，butwedonotneedmuch——
wetwo。"
"Whereishethemanthatduginthedirtwhenhewasafraidonthatnight？"
"Heisdead——ayear。"
"Andhe？"Mowglipointedtothechild。
"MysonthatwasborntwoRainsago。IfthouartaGodling，givehimtheFavouroftheJungle，thathemaybesafeamongthy——thypeople，asweweresafeonthatnight。"
Sheliftedupthechild，who，forgettinghisfright，reachedouttoplaywiththeknifethathungonMowgli’schest，andMowgliputthelittlefingersasideverycarefully。
"AndifthouartNathoowhomthetigercarriedaway，"Messuawenton，choking，"heisthenthyyoungerbrother。Givehimanelderbrother’sblessing。"
"Hai-mai！WhatdoIknowofthethingcalledablessing？
IamneitheraGodlingnorhisbrother，and——Omother，mother，myheartisheavyinme。"Heshiveredashesetdownthechild。
"Likeenough，"saidMessua，bustlingamongthecooking-pots。
"Thiscomesofrunningaboutthemarshesbynight。
Beyondquestion，thefeverhadsoakedtheetothemarrow。"
MowglismiledalittleattheideaofanythingintheJunglehurtinghim。"Iwillmakeafire，andthoushaltdrinkwarmmilk。Putawaythejasminewreath：thesmellisheavyinsosmallaplace。"
Mowglisatdown，muttering，withhisfaceinhishands。
Allmannerofstrangefeelingsthathehadneverfeltbeforewererunningoverhim，exactlyasthoughhehadbeenpoisoned，andhefeltdizzyandalittlesick。Hedrankthewarmmilkinlonggulps，Messuapattinghimontheshoulderfromtimetotime，notquitesurewhetherhewerehersonNathooofthelongagodays，orsomewonderfulJunglebeing，butgladtofeelthathewasatleastfleshandblood。
"Son，"shesaidatlast，——hereyeswerefullofpride，——
"haveanytoldtheethatthouartbeautifulbeyondallmen？"
"Hah？"saidMowgli，fornaturallyhehadneverheardanythingofthekind。Messualaughedsoftlyandhappily。Thelookinhisfacewasenoughforher。
"Iamthefirst，then？Itisright，thoughitcomesseldom，thatamothershouldtellhersonthesegoodthings。Thouartverybeautiful。NeverhaveIlookeduponsuchaman。"
Mowglitwistedhisheadandtriedtoseeoverhisownhardshoulder，andMessualaughedagainsolongthatMowgli，notknowingwhy，wasforcedtolaughwithher，andthechildranfromonetotheother，laughingtoo。
"Nay，thoumustnotmockthybrother，"saidMessua，catchinghimtoherbreast。"Whenthouartone-halfasfairwewillmarrytheetotheyoungestdaughterofaking，andthoushaltridegreatelephants。"
Mowglicouldnotunderstandonewordinthreeofthetalkhere；
thewarmmilkwastakingeffectonhimafterhislongrun，sohecurledupandinaminutewasdeepasleep，andMessuaputthehairbackfromhiseyes，threwaclothoverhim，andwashappy。
Jungle-fashion，hesleptouttherestofthatnightandallthenextday；forhisinstincts，whichneverwhollyslept，warnedhimtherewasnothingtofear。Hewakedatlastwithaboundthatshookthehut，fortheclothoverhisfacemadehimdreamoftraps；andtherehestood，hishandonhisknife，thesleepallheavyinhisrollingeyes，readyforanyfight。
Messualaughed，andsettheeveningmealbeforehim。Therewereonlyafewcoarsecakesbakedoverthesmokyfire，somerice，andalumpofsourpreservedtamarinds——justenoughtogoonwithtillhecouldgettohiseveningkill。Thesmellofthedewinthemarshesmadehimhungryandrestless。Hewantedtofinishhisspringrunning，butthechildinsistedonsittinginhisarms，andMessuawouldhaveitthathislong，blue-blackhairmusthecombedout。Soshesang，asshecombed，foolishlittlebaby-songs，nowcallingMowgliherson，andnowbegginghimtogivesomeofhisjunglepowertothechild。Thehutdoorwasclosed，butMowgliheardasoundheknewwell，andsawMessua’sjawdropwithhorrorasagreatgraypawcameunderthebottomofthedoor，andGrayBrotheroutsidewhinedamuffledandpenitentwhineofanxietyandfear。
"Outandwait！YewouldnotcomewhenIcalled，"saidMowgliinJungle-talk，withoutturninghishead，andthegreatgraypawdisappeared。
"Donot——donotbringthy——thyservantswiththee，"saidMessua。
"I——wehavealwayslivedatpeacewiththeJungle。"
"Itispeace，"saidMowgli，rising。"ThinkofthatnightontheroadtoKhanhiwara。Therewerescoresofsuchfolkbeforetheeandbehindthee。ButIseethateveninspringtimetheJunglePeopledonotalwaysforget。Mother，Igo。"
Messuadrewasidehumbly——hewasindeedawood-god，shethought；
butashishandwasonthedoorthemotherinhermadeherthrowherarmsroundMowgli’sneckagainandagain。
"Comeback！"shewhispered。"Sonornoson，comeback，forI
lovethee——Look，hetoogrieves。"
Thechildwascryingbecausethemanwiththeshinyknifewasgoingaway。
"Comebackagain，"Messuarepeated。"Bynightorbydaythisdoorisnevershuttothee。"
Mowgli’sthroatworkedasthoughthecordsinitwerebeingpulled，andhisvoiceseemedtobedraggedfromitasheanswered，"Iwillsurelycomeback。"
"Andnow，"hesaid，asheputbytheheadofthefawningwolfonthethreshold，"Ihavealittlecryagainstthee，GrayBrother。
WhycameyenotallfourwhenIcalledsolongago？"
"Solongago？Itwasbutlastnight。I——we——weresingingintheJunglethenewsongs，forthisistheTimeofNewTalk。
Rememberestthou？"
"Truly，truly。"
"Andassoonasthesongsweresung，"GrayBrotherwentonearnestly，"Ifollowedthytrail。Iranfromalltheothersandfollowedhot-foot。But，OLittleBrother，whathastTHOUdone，eatingandsleepingwiththeMan-Pack？"
"IfyehadcomewhenIcalled，thishadneverbeen，"saidMowgli，runningmuchfaster。
"Andnowwhatistobe？"saidGrayBrother。Mowgliwasgoingtoanswerwhenagirlinawhiteclothcamedownsomepaththatledfromtheoutskirtsofthevillage。GrayBrotherdroppedoutofsightatonce，andMowglibackednoiselesslyintoafieldofhigh-springingcrops。Hecouldalmosthavetouchedherwithhishandwhenthewarm，greenstalksclosedbeforehisfaceandhedisappearedlikeaghost。Thegirlscreamed，forshethoughtshehadseenaspirit，andthenshegaveadeepsigh。
Mowglipartedthestalkswithhishandsandwatchedhertillshewasoutofsight。
"AndnowIdonotknow，"hesaid，sighinginhisturn。"WHYdidyenotcomewhenIcalled？"
"Wefollowthee——wefollowthee，"GrayBrothermumbled，lickingatMowgli’sheel。"Wefollowtheealways，exceptintheTimeoftheNewTalk。"
"AndwouldyefollowmetotheMan-Pack？"Mowgliwhispered。
"DidInotfollowtheeonthenightouroldPackcasttheeout？
Whowakedtheelyingamongthecrops？"
"Ay，butagain？"
"HaveInotfollowedtheeto-night？"
"Ay，butagainandagain，anditmaybeagain，GrayBrother？"
GrayBrotherwassilent。Whenhespokehegrowledtohimself，"TheBlackOnespoketruth。"
"Andhesaid？"
"MangoestoManatthelast。Raksha，ourmother，said————"
"SoalsosaidAkelaonthenightofRedDog，"Mowglimuttered。
"SoalsosaysKaa，whoiswiserthanusall。"
"Whatdostthousay，GrayBrother？"
"Theycasttheeoutonce，withbadtalk。Theycutthymouthwithstones。TheysentBuldeotoslaythee。TheywouldhavethrowntheeintotheRedFlower。Thou，andnotI，hastsaidthattheyareevilandsenseless。Thou，andnotI——Ifollowmyownpeople——didstletintheJungleuponthem。Thou，andnotI，didstmakesongagainstthemmorebittereventhanoursongagainstRedDog。"
"IasktheewhatTHOUsayest？"
Theyweretalkingastheyran。GrayBrothercanteredonawhilewithoutreplying，andthenhesaid，——betweenboundandboundasitwere，——"Man-cub——MasteroftheJungle——SonofRaksha，Lair-
brothertome——thoughIforgetforalittlewhileinthespring，thytrailismytrail，thylairismylair，thykillismykill，andthydeath-fightismydeath-fight。IspeakfortheThree。
ButwhatwiltthousaytotheJungle？"
"Thatiswellthought。Betweenthesightandthekillitisnotgoodtowait。GobeforeandcrythemalltotheCouncilRock，andIwilltellthemwhatisinmystomach。Buttheymaynotcome——intheTimeofNewTalktheymayforgetme。"
"Hastthou，then，forgottennothing？"snappedGrayBrotheroverhisshoulder，ashelaidhimselfdowntogallop，andMowglifollowed，thinking。
AtanyotherseasonthenewswouldhavecalledalltheJungletogetherwithbristlingnecks，butnowtheywerebusyhuntingandfightingandkillingandsinging。FromonetoanotherGrayBrotherran，crying，"TheMasteroftheJunglegoesbacktoMan！
CometotheCouncilRock。"Andthehappy，eagerPeopleonlyanswered，"Hewillreturninthesummerheats。TheRainswilldrivehimtolair。Runandsingwithus，GrayBrother。"
"ButtheMasteroftheJunglegoesbacktoMan，"GrayBrotherwouldrepeat。
"Eee——Yoawa？IstheTimeofNewTalkanylesssweetforthat？"
theywouldreply。SowhenMowgli，heavy-hearted，cameupthroughthewell-rememberedrockstotheplacewherehehadbeenbroughtintotheCouncil，hefoundonlytheFour，Baloo，whowasnearlyblindwithage，andtheheavy，cold-bloodedKaacoiledaroundAkela’semptyseat。
"Thytrailendshere，then，Manling？"saidKaa，asMowglithrewhimselfdown，hisfaceinhishands。"Crythycry。Webeofoneblood，thouandI——manandsnaketogether。"
"WhydidInotdieunderRedDog？"theboymoaned。"Mystrengthisgonefromme，anditisnotanypoison。BynightandbydayIhearadoublestepuponmytrail。WhenIturnmyheaditisasthoughonehadhiddenhimselffrommethatinstant。Igotolookbehindthetreesandheisnotthere。Icallandnonecryagain；
butitisasthoughonelistenedandkeptbacktheanswer。Iliedown，butIdonotrest。Irunthespringrunning，butIamnotmadestill。Ibathe，butIamnotmadecool。Thekillsickensme，butIhavenohearttofightexceptIkill。TheRedFlowerisinmybody，mybonesarewater——and——IknownotwhatIknow。"
"Whatneedoftalk？"saidBalooslowly，turninghisheadtowhereMowglilay。"Akelabytheriversaidit，thatMowglishoulddriveMowglibacktotheMan-Pack。Isaidit。ButwholistensnowtoBaloo？Bagheera——whereisBagheerathisnight？——
heknowsalso。ItistheLaw。"
"WhenwemetatColdLairs，Manling，Iknewit，"saidKaa，turningalittleinhismightycoils。"MangoestoManatthelast，thoughtheJungledoesnotcasthimout。"
TheFourlookedatoneanotherandatMowgli，puzzledbutobedient。
"TheJungledoesnotcastmeout，then？"Mowglistammered。
GrayBrotherandtheThreegrowledfuriously，beginning，"Solongaswelivenoneshalldare————"ButBaloocheckedthem。
"ItaughttheetheLaw。Itisformetospeak，"hesaid；
"and，thoughIcannotnowseetherocksbeforeme，Iseefar。
LittleFrog，takethineowntrail；makethylairwiththineownbloodandpackandpeople；butwhenthereisneedoffootortoothoreye，orawordcarriedswiftlybynight，remember，MasteroftheJungle，theJungleisthineatcall。"
"TheMiddleJungleisthinealso，"saidKaa。Ispeakfornosmallpeople。"
"Hai-mai，mybrothers，"criedMowgli，throwinguphisarmswithasob。"IknownotwhatIknow！Iwouldnotgo；butIamdrawnbybothfeet。HowshallIleavethesenights？"
"Nay，lookup，LittleBrother，"Baloorepeated。Thereisnoshameinthishunting。Whenthehoneyiseatenweleavetheemptyhive。"
"Havingcasttheskin，"saidKaa，"wemaynotcreepintoitafresh。ItistheLaw。"
"Listen，dearestofalltome，"saidBaloo。Thereisneitherwordnorwillheretoholdtheeback。Lookup！WhomayquestiontheMasteroftheJungle？Isawtheeplayingamongthewhitepebblesyonderwhenthouwastalittlefrog；andBagheera，thatboughttheeforthepriceofayoungbullnewlykilled，sawtheealso。OfthatLookingOverwetwoonlyremain；
forRaksha，thylair-mother，isdeadwiththylair-father；
theoldWolf-Packislongsincedead；thouknowestwhitherShereKhanwent，andAkeladiedamongthedholes，where，butforthywisdomandstrength，thesecondSeeoneePackwouldalsohavedied。Thereremainsnothingbutoldbones。ItisnolongertheMan-cubthatasksleaveofhisPack，buttheMasteroftheJunglethatchangeshistrail。WhoshallquestionManinhisways？"
"ButBagheeraandtheBullthatboughtme，"saidMowgli。
"Iwouldnot————"
Hiswordswerecutshortbyaroarandacrashinthethicketbelow，andBagheera，light，strong，andterribleasalways，stoodbeforehim。
"Therefore，"hesaid，stretchingoutadrippingrightpaw，"Ididnotcome。Itwasalonghunt，butheliesdeadinthebushesnow——abullinhissecondyear——theBullthatfreesthee，LittleBrother。Alldebtsarepaidnow。Fortherest，mywordisBaloo’sword。"HelickedMowgli’sfoot。"Remember，Bagheeralovedthee，"hecried，andboundedaway。Atthefootofthehillhecriedagainlongandloud，"Goodhuntingonanewtrail，MasteroftheJungle！Remember，Bagheeralovedthee。"
"Thouhastheard，"saidBaloo。"Thereisnomore。Gonow；
butfirstcometome。OwiseLittleFrog，cometome！"
"Itishardtocasttheskin，"saidKaaasMowglisobbedandsobbed，withhisheadontheblindbear’ssideandhisarmsroundhisneck，whileBalootriedfeeblytolickhisfeet。
"Thestarsarethin，"saidGrayBrother，snuffingatthedawnwind。"Whereshallwelairto-day？forfromnow，wefollownewtrails。"……
AndthisisthelastoftheMowglistories。
THEOUTSONG
[ThisisthesongthatMowgliheardbehindhimintheJungletillhecametoMessua’sdooragain。]
BalooForthesakeofhimwhoshowedOnewiseFrogtheJungle-Road，KeeptheLawtheMan-Packmake——
ForthyblindoldBaloo’ssake！
Cleanortainted，hotorstale，HolditasitweretheTrail，Throughthedayandthroughthenight，Questingneitherleftnorright。
ForthesakeofhimwholovesTheebeyondallelsethatmoves，WhenthyPackwouldmaketheepain，Say："Tabaquisingsagain。"
WhenthyPackwouldworktheeill，Say："ShereKhanisyettokill。"
Whentheknifeisdrawntoslay，KeeptheLawandgothyway。
（Rootandhoney，palmandspathe，Guardacubfromharmandscathe！）
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！
KaaAngeristheeggofFear——
Onlylidlesseyesareclear。
Cobra-poisonnonemayleech。
EvensowithCobra-speech。
OpentalkshallcalltotheeStrength，whosemateisCourtesy。
Sendnolungebeyondthylength；
Lendnorottenboughthystrength。
Gaugethygapewithbuckorgoat，Lestthineeyeshouldchokethythroat，Aftergorging，wouldstthousleep？
Lookthydenishidanddeep，Lestawrong，bytheeforgot，Drawthykillertothespot。
EastandWestandNorthandSouth，Washthyhideandclosethymouth。
（Pitandriftandbluepool-brim，Middle-Junglefollowhim！）
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！
BagheeraInthecagemylifebegan；
WellIknowtheworthofMan。
BytheBrokenLockthatfreed——
Man-cub，’waretheMan-cub’sbreed！
Scenting-deworstarlightpale，Choosenotangledtree-cattrail。
Packorcouncil，huntorden，CrynotrucewithJackal-Men。
Feedthemsilencewhentheysay：
"Comewithusaneasyway。"
FeedthemsilencewhentheyseekHelpofthinetohurttheweak。
Makenobanaar’sboastofskill；
Holdthypeaceabovethekill。
LetnorcallnorsongnorsignTurntheefromthyhunting-line。
（Morningmistortwilightclear，Servehim，WardensoftheDeer！）
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！
TheThreeOnthetrailthatthoumusttreadTothethresholdsofourdread，WheretheFlowerblossomsred；
ThroughthenightswhenthoushaltliePrisonedfromourMother-sky，Hearingus，thyloves，goby；
InthedawnswhenthoushaltwakeTothetoilthoucanstnotbreak，HeartsickfortheJungle’ssake：
WoodandWater，WindandTree，Wisdom，Strength，andCourtesy，Jungle-Favourgowiththee！