THOU art a Man . '' `` Last year 's nuts are this year 's black earth , '' said Mowgli . `` It is true that I am a Man , but it is in my stomach that this night I have said that I am a Wolf . I called the River and the Trees to remember . I am of the Free People , Kaa , till the dhole has gone by . '' `` Free People , '' Kaa grunted . `` Free thieves ! And thou hast tied thyself into the death-knot for the sake of the memory of the dead wolves ? This is no good hunting . '' `` It is my Word which I have spoken . The Trees know , the River knows . Till the dhole have gone by my Word comes not back to me . '' `` Ngssh ! This changes all trails . I had thought to take thee away with me to the northern marshes , but the Word -- even the Word of a little , naked , hairless Manling -- is the Word . Now I , Kaa , say -- '' `` Think well , Flathead , lest thou tie thyself into the death-knot also . I need no Word from thee , for well I know -- '' `` Be it so , then , '' said Kaa . `` I will give no Word ; but what is in thy stomach to do when the dhole come ? '' `` They must swim the Waingunga . I thought to meet them with my knife in the shallows , the Pack behind me ; and so stabbing and thrusting , we a little might turn them down-stream , or cool their throats . ''
`` The dhole do not turn and their throats are hot , '' said XXXXX .
Flathead Kaa Mowgli Ngssh Waingunga Wolf death-knot dhole night shallows