It was my right and my Night . Thou knowest , O Hathi . '' Shere Khan spoke almost courteously . `` Yes , I know , '' Hathi answered ; and , after a little silence , `` Hast thou drunk thy fill ? '' `` For to-night , yes . '' `` Go , then . The river is to drink , and not to defile . None but the Lame Tiger would so have boasted of his right at this season when -- when we suffer together -- Man and Jungle People alike . Clean or unclean , get to thy lair , Shere Khan ! '' The last words rang out like silver trumpets , and Hathi 's three sons rolled forward half a pace , though there was no need . Shere Khan slunk away , not daring to growl , for he knew -- what every one else knows -- that when the last comes to the last , Hathi is the Master of the Jungle . `` What is this right Shere Khan speaks of ? '' Mowgli whispered in Bagheera 's ear . `` To kill Man is always , shameful . The Law says so . And yet Hathi says -- '' `` Ask him . I do not know , Little Brother . Right or no right , if Hathi had not spoken I would have taught that lame butcher his lesson . To come to the Peace Rock fresh from a kill of Man -- and to boast of it -- is a jackal 's trick . Besides , he tainted the good water . ''
Mowgli waited for a minute to pick up his courage , because no one cared to address Hathi directly , and then he cried : `` What is Shere XXXXX 's right , O Hathi ? ''
Bagheera Brother Hathi Khan Law Night Right jackal lair to-night