Mowgli thrust his dead branch into the fire till the twigs lit and crackled , and whirled it above his head among the cowering wolves . `` Thou art the master , '' said Bagheera in an undertone . `` Save Akela from the death . He was ever thy friend . '' Akela , the grim old wolf who had never asked for mercy in his life , gave one piteous look at Mowgli as the boy stood all naked , his long black hair tossing over his shoulders in the light of the blazing branch that made the shadows jump and quiver . `` Good ! '' said Mowgli , staring round slowly . `` I see that ye are dogs . I go from you to my own people -- if they be my own people . The jungle is shut to me , and I must forget your talk and your companionship . But I will be more merciful than ye are . Because I was all but your brother in blood , I promise that when I am a man among men I will not betray ye to men as ye have betrayed me . '' He kicked the fire with his foot , and the sparks flew up . `` There shall be no war between any of us in the Pack . But here is a debt to pay before I go . '' He strode forward to where Shere Khan sat blinking stupidly at the flames , and caught him by the tuft on his chin . Bagheera followed in case of accidents . `` Up , dog ! '' Mowgli cried . `` Up , when a man speaks , or I will set that coat ablaze ! ''
Shere Khan 's ears lay flat back XXXXX his head , and he shut his eyes , for the blazing branch was very near .
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