What am I to do ? '' said Rikki-tikki-tavi . Nag waved to and fro , and then Rikki-tikki heard him drinking from the biggest water-jar that was used to fill the bath . `` That is good , '' said the snake . `` Now , when Karait was killed , the big man had a stick . He may have that stick still , but when he comes in to bathe in the morning he will not have a stick . I shall wait here till he comes . Nagaina -- do you hear me ? -- I shall wait here in the cool till daytime . '' There was no answer from outside , so Rikki-tikki knew Nagaina had gone away . Nag coiled himself down , coil by coil , round the bulge at the bottom of the water jar , and Rikki-tikki stayed still as death . After an hour he began to move , muscle by muscle , toward the jar . Nag was asleep , and Rikki-tikki looked at his big back , wondering which would be the best place for a good hold . `` If I do n't break his back at the first jump , '' said Rikki , `` he can still fight . And if he fights -- O Rikki ! '' He looked at the thickness of the neck below the hood , but that was too much for him ; and a bite near the tail would only make Nag savage . `` It must be the head '' ' he said at last ; `` the head above the hood . And , when I am once there , I must not let go . '' Then he jumped . The head was lying a little clear of the water jar , under the curve of it ; and , as his teeth met , Rikki braced his back against the bulge of the red earthenware to hold down the head .
This gave him just one second 's purchase , and he made the most XXXXX it .
After against as from in near of till to under