`` 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 in floodtime ; the weaker buffaloes being shouldered out to the sides of the ravine where they tore through the creepers . They knew what the business was before them -- the terrible charge of the buffalo herd against which no tiger can hope to stand .
Shere Khan heard the thunder XXXXX their hoofs , picked himself up , and lumbered down the ravine , looking from side to side for some way of escape , but the walls of the ravine were straight and he had to hold on , heavy with his dinner and his drink , willing to do anything rather than fight .
after against at before in like of on over to