my message. Good hunting, all you below!
Full gorge and a deep sleep to you, Rann, cried Bagheera. I will
remember thee in my next kill, and put aside the head for thee alone, O
best of kites!
It is nothing. It is nothing. The boy held the Master Word. I could
have done no less, and Rann circled up again to his roost.
He has not forgotten to use his tongue, said Baloo with a chuckle of
pride. To think of one so young remembering the Master Word for the
birds too while he was being pulled across trees!
It was most firmly driven into him, said Bagheera. But I am proud of
him, and now we must go to the Cold Lairs.
They all knew where that place was, but few of the Jungle People ever
went there, because what they called the Cold Lairs was an old deserted
city, lost and buried in the jungle, and beasts seldom use a place that
men have once used. The wild boar will, but the hunting tribes do not.
Besides, the monkeys lived there as much as they could be said to live
anywhere, and no self-respecting animal would come within eyeshot of it
except in times of drought, when the half-ruined tanks and reservoirs
held a little water.
[Illustration: The Cold Lairs ]
It is half a night s journey--at full speed, said Bagheera, and Baloo
looked very serious. I will go as fast as I can, he said anxiously.
We dare not wait for thee. Follow, Baloo. We must go on the
quick-foot--Kaa and I.
Feet or no feet, I can keep abreast of all thy four, said Kaa shortly.
Baloo made one effort to hurry, but had to sit down panting, and so they
left him to come on later, while Bagheera hurried forward, at the quick
panther-canter. Kaa said nothing, but, strive as Bagheera might, the
huge Rock-python held level with him. When they came to a hill stream,
Bagheera gained, because he bounded across while Kaa swam, his head and
two feet of his neck clearing the water, but on level ground Kaa made up
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