On the level plain of the farther bank the stiff jungle-grass had died standing , and , dying , had mummied . The beaten tracks of the deer and the pig , all heading toward the river , had striped that colourless plain with dusty gullies driven through the ten-foot grass , and , early as it was , each long avenue was full of first-comers hastening to the water . You could hear the does and fawns coughing in the snuff-like dust . Up-stream , at the bend of the sluggish pool round the Peace Rock , and Warden of the Water Truce , stood Hathi , the wild elephant , with his sons , gaunt and gray in the moonlight , rocking to and fro -- always rocking . Below him a little were the vanguard of the deer ; below these , again , the pig and the wild buffalo ; and on the opposite bank , where the tall trees came down to the water 's edge , was the place set apart for the Eaters of Flesh -- the tiger , the wolves , the panther , the bear , and the others . `` We are under one Law , indeed , '' said Bagheera , wading into the water and looking across at the lines of clicking horns and starting eyes where the deer and the pig pushed each other to and fro . `` Good hunting , all you of my blood , '' he added , lying own at full length , one flank thrust out of the shallows ; and then , between his teeth , `` But for that which is the Law it would be VERY good hunting . '' The quick-spread ears of the deer caught the last sentence , and a frightened whisper ran along the ranks . `` The Truce ! Remember the Truce ! '' `` Peace there , peace ! '' gurgled Hathi , the wild elephant . `` The Truce holds , Bagheera . This is no time to talk of hunting . '' `` Who should know better than I ? '' Bagheera answered , rolling his yellow eyes up-stream . `` I am an eater of turtles -- a fisher of frogs . Ngaayah ! Would I could get good from chewing branches ! '' `` WE wish so , very greatly , '' bleated a young fawn , who had only been born that spring , and did not at all like it .
Wretched as the Jungle People were , even XXXXX could not help chuckling ; while Mowgli , lying on his elbows in the warm water , laughed aloud , and beat up the scum with his feet .
Bagheera Flesh Hathi Law Ngaayah Truce eater first-comers jungle-grass shallows