`` Good hunting , indeed ! The kills follow close , '' said Bagheera . `` Apple of Death '' is what the Jungle call thorn-apple or dhatura , the readiest poison in all India . `` What now ? '' said the panther . `` Must thou and I kill each other for yonder red-eyed slayer ? '' `` Can it speak ? '' said Mowgli in a whisper . `` Did I do it a wrong when I threw it away ? Between us two it can do no wrong , for we do not desire what men desire . If it be left here , it will assuredly continue to kill men one after another as fast as nuts fall in a high wind . I have no love to men , but even I would not have them die six in a night . '' `` What matter ? They are only men . They killed one another , and were well pleased , '' said Bagheera . `` That first little woodman hunted well . '' `` They are cubs none the less ; and a cub will drown himself to bite the moon 's light on the water . The fault was mine , '' said Mowgli , who spoke as though he knew all about everything . `` I will never again bring into the Jungle strange things -- not though they be as beautiful as flowers . This '' -- he handled the ankus gingerly -- `` goes back to the Father of Cobras .
But XXXXX we must sleep , and we can not sleep near these sleepers .
Bagheera Cobras India ankus cub fall first left slayer thorn-apple