Then he stretched out his arms , and yawned in the face of the Council ; but he was furious with rage and sorrow , for , wolflike , the wolves had never told him how they hated him . `` Listen you ! '' he cried . `` There is no need for this dog 's jabber . Ye have told me so often tonight that I am a man -LRB- and indeed I would have been a wolf with you to my life 's end -RRB- that I feel your words are true . So I do not call ye my brothers any more , but sag -LSB- dogs -RSB- , as a man should . What ye will do , and what ye will not do , is not yours to say . That matter is with me ; and that we may see the matter more plainly , I , the man , have brought here a little of the Red Flower which ye , dogs , fear . '' He flung the fire pot on the ground , and some of the red coals lit a tuft of dried moss that flared up , as all the Council drew back in terror before the leaping flames . 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 XXXXX blood , I promise that when I am a man among men I will not betray ye to men as ye have betrayed me . ''
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