Then he was battered to and fro as a rat is shaken by a dog -- to and fro on the floor , up and down , and around in great circles , but his eyes were red and he held on as the body cart-whipped over the floor , upsetting the tin dipper and the soap dish and the flesh brush , and banged against the tin side of the bath . As he held he closed his jaws tighter and tighter , for he made sure he would be banged to death , and , for the honor of his family , he preferred to be found with his teeth locked . He was dizzy , aching , and felt shaken to pieces when something went off like a thunderclap just behind him . A hot wind knocked him senseless and red fire singed his fur . The big man had been wakened by the noise , and had fired both barrels of a shotgun into Nag just behind the hood . Rikki-tikki held on with his eyes shut , for now he was quite sure he was dead . But the head did not move , and the big man picked him up and said , `` It 's the mongoose again , Alice . The little chap has saved our lives now . '' Then Teddy 's mother came in with a very white face , and saw what was left of Nag , and Rikki-tikki dragged himself to Teddy 's bedroom and spent half the rest of the night shaking himself tenderly to find out whether he really was broken into forty pieces , as he fancied . When morning came he was very stiff , but well pleased with his doings . `` Now I have Nagaina to settle with , and she will be worse than five Nags , and there 's no knowing when the eggs she spoke of will hatch . Goodness ! I must go and see Darzee , '' he said . Without waiting for breakfast , Rikki-tikki ran to the thornbush where Darzee was singing a song of triumph at the top of his voice . The news of Nag 's death was all over the garden , for the sweeper had thrown the body on the rubbish-heap . `` Oh , you stupid tuft of feathers ! '' said Rikki-tikki angrily . `` Is this the time to sing ? '' `` Nag is dead -- is dead -- is dead ! '' sang Darzee .
`` The valiant Rikki-tikki caught him XXXXX the head and held fast .
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