Page 99 - Lavender-B-7

Rikki-tikki saw Teddy's father shoot out a big Nagaina came nearer and nearer to the egg,
hand, catch Teddy by the shoulder, and drag till at last, while Rikki-tikki was drawing
him across the little table with the tea-cups, breath, she caught it in her mouth, turned
safe and out of reach of Nagaina. to the veranda steps, and flew like an arrow
down the path, with Rikki-tikki behind her.

Tricked!
Tricked! Tricked!
Rikk-tck-tck! The boy
is safe, and it was I--I--I
that caught Nag by the hood
last night in the bathroom. He
threw me to and fro, but he
could not shake me off. He was
dead before the big man blew
him in two. I did it! Rikki-
tikki-tck-tck! Come then,
Nagaina. Come and fight
with me. You shall not
be a widow long.

Rikki-tikki knew that he must catch her,
or all the trouble would begin again. She Then the grass by the mouth of the hole
headed straight for the long grass by the stopped waving, and Darzee was sad.
thorn-bush and as she plunged into the rat-
hole where she and Nag used to live, Rikki- It is all over
tikki’s little white teeth were clenched on with Rikki-tikki!
her tail, and he went down with her. We must sing his
death song. Valiant
Rikki-tikki is dead!
For Nagaina will
surely kill him
underground.

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