I wish to take the
thorn-pointed thing to the Jungle."

"Look by thy foot! What is that there?" Mowgli picked up something white
and smooth. "It is the bone of a man's head," he said quietly. "And here
are two more."

"They came to take the treasure away many years ago. I spoke to them in
the dark, and they lay still."

"But what do I need of this that is called treasure? If thou wilt
give me the ankus to take away, it is good hunting. If not, it is good
hunting none the less. I do not fight with the Poison People, and I was
also taught the Master-word of thy tribe."

"There is but one Master-word here. It is mine!"

Kaa flung himself forward with blazing eyes. "Who bade me bring the
Man?" he hissed.

"I surely," the old Cobra lisped. "It is long since I have seen Man, and
this Man speaks our tongue."

"But there was no talk of killing. How can I go to the Jungle and say
that I have led him to his death?" said Kaa.

"I talk not of killing till the time. And as to thy going or not going,
there is the hole in the wall. Peace, now, thou fat monkey-killer! I
have but to touch thy neck, and the Jungle will know thee no longer.
Never Man came here that went away with the breath under his ribs. I am
the Warden of the Treasure of the King's City!"

"But, thou white worm of the dark, I tell thee there is neither king nor
city! The Jungle is all about us!" cried Kaa.

"There is still the Treasure. But this can be done. Wait awhile, Kaa of
the Rocks, and see the boy run. There is room for great sport here. Life
is good. Run to and fro awhile, and make sport, boy!"

Mowgli put his hand on Kaa's head quietly.

"The white thing has dealt with men of the Man-Pack until now. He does
not know me," he whispered. "He has asked for this hunting. Let him have
it." Mowgli had been standing with the ankus held point down. He flung
it from him quickly and it dropped crossways just behind the great
snake's hood, pinning him to the floor. In a flash, Kaa's weight was
upon the writhing body, paralysing it from hood to tail. The red eyes
burned, and the six spare inches of the head struck furiously right and
left.

"Kill!" said Kaa, as Mowgli's hand went to his knife.

"No," he said, as he drew the blade; "I will never kill again save for
food. But look you, Kaa!" He caught the snake behind the hood, forced
the mouth open with the blade of the knife, and showed the terrible
poison-fangs of the upper jaw lying black and withered