Now I know , for I have good cause , '' -- Akela looked down at the old dry scars on his flank and side , -- `` that men do not carry guns for pleasure . Presently , Little Brother , a man with a gun follows our trail -- if , indeed , he be not already on it . '' `` But why should he ? Men have cast me out . What more do they need ? '' said Mowgli angrily . `` Thou art a man , Little Brother , '' Akela returned . `` It is not for US , the Free Hunters , to tell thee what thy brethren do , or why . '' He had just time to snatch up his paw as the skinning-knife cut deep into the ground below . Mowgli struck quicker than an average human eye could follow but Akela was a wolf ; and even a dog , who is very far removed from the wild wolf , his ancestor , can be waked out of deep sleep by a cart-wheel touching his flank , and can spring away unharmed before that wheel comes on . `` Another time , '' Mowgli said quietly , returning the knife to its sheath , `` speak of the Man-Pack and of Mowgli in TWO breaths -- not one . '' `` Phff ! That is a sharp tooth , '' said Akela , snuffing at the blade 's cut in the earth , `` but living with the Man-Pack has spoiled thine eye , Little Brother . I could have killed a buck while thou wast striking . '' Bagheera sprang to his feet , thrust up his head as far as he could , sniffed , and stiffened through every curve in his body . Gray Brother followed his example quickly , keeping a little to his left to get the wind that was blowing from the right , while Akela bounded fifty yards up wind , and , half-crouching , stiffened too . Mowgli looked on enviously . He could smell things as very few human beings could , but he had never reached the hair-trigger-like sensitiveness of a Jungle nose ; and his three months in the smoky village had set him back sadly . However , he dampened his finger , rubbed it on his nose , and stood erect to catch the upper scent , which , though it is the faintest , is the truest . `` Man ! ''
XXXXX growled , dropping on his haunches .
Akela Bagheera Brother Man-Pack Phff US half-crouching months right sensitiveness