From the walls came a moan like the wind in the tree-tops-- We see, O
Kaa.
Good. Begins now the dance--the Dance of the Hunger of Kaa. Sit still
and watch.
He turned twice or thrice in a big circle, weaving his head from right
to left. Then he began making loops and figures of eight with his
body, and soft, oozy triangles that melted into squares and five-sided
figures, and coiled mounds, never resting, never hurrying, and never
stopping his low humming song. It grew darker and darker, till at last
the dragging, shifting coils disappeared, but they could hear the rustle
of the scales.
Baloo and Bagheera stood still as stone, growling in their throats,
their neck hair bristling, and Mowgli watched and wondered.
Bandar-log, said the voice of Kaa at last, can ye stir foot or hand
without my order? Speak!
Without thy order we cannot stir foot or hand, O Kaa!
Good! Come all one pace nearer to me.
The lines of the monkeys swayed forward helplessly, and Baloo and
Bagheera took one stiff step forward with them.
Nearer! hissed Kaa, and they all moved again.
Mowgli laid his hands on Baloo and Bagheera to get them away, and the
two great beasts started as though they had been waked from a dream.
Keep thy hand on my shoulder, Bagheera whispered. Keep it there, or I
must go back--must go back to Kaa. Aah!
It is only old Kaa making circles on the dust, said Mowgli. Let us
go. And the three slipped off through a gap in the walls to the jungle.
Whoof! said Baloo, when he stood under the still trees again. Never
more will I make an ally of Kaa, and he shook himself all over.
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