Page:The second jungle book (IA secondjunglebook00kipliala).pdf/246

 THE SECOND JUNGLE BOOK

234

that bought thee for the price of a young bull newly Of that Looking Over we two killed, saw thee also.

only remain, for Raksha, thy lair-mother, is dead with thy lair-father the old Wolf-Pack is long since dead thou knowest whither Shere Khan went, and



Akela died among the dholes, where but for thy wisdom and strength the second Seeonee Pack would also have died. There remain nothing but old bones. It is no longer the Man-cub that asks leave of his Pack, but the Master of the Jungle that changes his Who shall question man in his ways ? trail. But Bagheera and the Bull that bought me,' '

' would not His words were cut short by a roar and a crash the thicket below, and Bagheera, light, strong, and '

said Mowgli. in

I

terrible as always,

he said, stretching out a dripping It was a long hunt, but right paw, I did not come. he lies dead in the bushes now a bull in his second ^Therefore,' '

—

—

the Bull

that frees thee, little brother. All are paid now. For the rest, my word is Baloo's word.' He licked Mowgli's foot. Remember

year debts

he cried and bounded away. At the foot of the hill he cried again long and loud, Good hunting on a new trail. Master of the Jungle

Bagheera loved

thee,'

'

!

Remember Bagheera loved thee.' Thou hast heard,' said Baloo. There Go now but first come to me. O wise come to me '



is

no more.

little

Frog,

'

!

'

hard to cast the skin,' said Kaa, as Mowgli sobbed and sobbed with his head on the blind bear's side

It is

and

his

arms round

feebly to lick his feet.

his neck, while

Baloo

tried