blind with age,
and the heavy, cold-blooded Kaa coiled around Akela's empty seat.

"Thy trail ends here, then, Manling?" said Kaa, as Mowgli threw himself
down, his face in his hands. "Cry thy cry. We be of one blood, thou and
I--man and snake together."

"Why did I not die under Red Dog?" the boy moaned. "My strength is gone
from me, and it is not any poison. By night and by day I hear a double
step upon my trail. When I turn my head it is as though one had hidden
himself from me that instant. I go to look behind the trees and he is
not there. I call and none cry again; but it is as though one listened
and kept back the answer. I lie down, but I do not rest. I run the
spring running, but I am not made still. I bathe, but I am not made
cool. The kill sickens me, but I have no heart to fight except I kill.
The Red Flower is in my body, my bones are water--and--I know not what I
know."

"What need of talk?" said Baloo slowly, turning his head to where Mowgli
lay. "Akela by the river said it, that Mowgli should drive Mowgli
back to the Man-Pack. I said it. But who listens now to Baloo?
Bagheera--where is Bagheera this night?--he knows also. It is the Law."

"When we met at Cold Lairs, Manling, I knew it," said Kaa, turning a
little in his mighty coils. "Man goes to Man at the last, though the
Jungle does not cast him out."

The Four looked at one another and at Mowgli, puzzled but obedient.

"The Jungle does not cast me out, then?" Mowgli stammered.

Gray Brother and the Three growled furiously, beginning, "So long as we
live none shall dare----" But Baloo checked them.

"I taught thee the Law. It is for me to speak," he said; "and, though I
cannot now see the rocks before me, I see far. Little Frog, take thine
own trail; make thy lair with thine own blood and pack and people; but
when there is need of foot or tooth or eye, or a word carried swiftly by
night, remember, Master of the Jungle, the Jungle is thine at call."

"The Middle Jungle is thine also," said Kaa. "I speak for no small
people."

"Hai-mai, my brothers," cried Mowgli, throwing up his arms with a sob.
"I know not what I know! I would not go; but I am drawn by both feet.
How shall I leave these nights?"

"Nay, look up, Little Brother," Baloo repeated. "There is no shame in
this hunting. When the honey is eaten we leave the empty hive."

"Having cast the skin," said Kaa, "we may not creep into it afresh. It
is the Law."

"Listen, dearest of all