said Baloo.

“The best and wisest and boldest of man-cubs — my own pupil, who shall make the name of Baloo famous through all the jungles; and besides, I — we — love him, Kaa.”

“Ts! Ts!” said Kaa, weaving his head to and fro. “I also have known what love is. There are tales I could tell that — ”

“That need a clear night when we are all well fed to praise properly,” said Bagheera quickly. “Our man-cub is in the hands of the Bandar-log now, and we know that of all the Jungle-People they fear Kaa alone.”

“They fear me alone. They have good reason,” said Kaa. “Chattering, foolish, vain — vain, foolish, and chattering, are the monkeys.