From that height you could see across the tops of the trees down to the plain below ; but what Mowgli looked at was the sides of the ravine , and he saw with a great deal of satisfaction that they ran nearly straight up and down , while the vines and creepers that hung over them would give no foothold to a tiger who wanted to get out . `` Let them breathe , Akela , '' he said , holding up his hand . `` They have not winded him yet . Let them breathe . I must tell Shere Khan who comes . We have him in the trap . '' He put his hands to his mouth and shouted down the ravine -- it was almost like shouting down a tunnel -- and the echoes jumped from rock to rock . After a long time there came back the drawling , sleepy snarl of a full-fed tiger just wakened . `` Who calls ? '' said Shere Khan , and a splendid peacock fluttered up out of the ravine screeching . `` I , Mowgli . Cattle thief , it is time to come to the Council Rock ! Down -- hurry them down , Akela ! Down , Rama , down ! '' The herd paused for an instant at the edge of the slope , but Akela gave tongue in the full hunting-yell , and they pitched over one after the other , just as steamers shoot rapids , the sand and stones spurting up round them . Once started , there was no chance of stopping , and before they were fairly in the bed of the ravine Rama winded Shere Khan and bellowed . `` Ha ! Ha ! '' said Mowgli , on his back . `` Now thou knowest ! ''
and the torrent of black horns , foaming muzzles , and staring eyes whirled down the ravine just as boulders go down XXXXX floodtime ; the weaker buffaloes being shouldered out to the sides of the ravine where they tore through the creepers .
From across after as at in like on over to