The animals tried to stop Mowgli. But he was already racing toward the village. By twilight he reached the grazing grounds. Fear jumped up in his throat. Everyone was in from the fields early. Instead of preparing dinner, people were gathered under the fig tree. They were shouting angrily.
Mowgli crept to Messua’s hut. Peeking through a window, he saw Messua's husband tied to the bed. Messua lay on the floor, bound and gagged. She was breathing hard and groaning in pain.
Mowgli gasped. Messua had been badly beaten!
Mowgli knew the habits of the villagers well. As long as the people could eat and talk, they would stay under the tree. But they would come when Buldeo returned to the village—without Mowgli.
He slipped through the window of the hut. Bending over Messua and her husband, he cut their ties.
Messua looked like she was in terrible pain. Mowgli put his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming.
"I knew you would come," Messua sobbed. "I knew you were my son!"
"Who did this to you?" Mowgli demanded.
"The whole village," Messua's husband answered. "They think we are rich sorcerers who are using magic."
Mowgli was confused by all the talk about magic. "What is a sorcerer exactly?"
"See!" Messua said to her husband. "He's no sorcerer. He's my son!"
"Son or sorcerer, what does it matter?" the man answered. "We're going to die."
Mowgli pointed through the window. "You're free now. Go."
"Go where?" Messua's eyes were wide and frightened. "We don't know the jungle well. And I'm injured. I can't walk very fast."
"The villagers will follow us," her husband added. "It's hopeless."
From outside, Mowgli heard shouting and trampling. "It sounds like Buldeo has returned. Think about where you will go. I'll be right back."
He bounded through the window and crept back to the tree. Buldeo lay on the ground, coughing and groaning. The crowd was yelling out questions.
"Did you kill the boy?"
"Did he use magic again?"
Buldeo mumbled something and then called for water. "First a drink. Then I'll tell you my story."
"Bah!" Mowgli said to himself. "All humans do is talk. They'll be under the tree forever!" Mowgli returned to the hut. Just as he reached the window, he felt a soft touch on his foot. "Mother Wolf!"
"I followed you into the village, Mowgli. I wanted to see the woman who took care of you."
"The villagers plan to kill her!" Mowgli quickly explained. "Messua must escape through the jungle."
"I will protect her," Mother said. She slipped back into the darkness to await Mowgli's instructions.
Messua and her husband had decided to go to the next village. It would take hours to get there.
Mowgli helped them through the window. In the starlight the jungle looked dark and dangerous.
"Do you know the way?" he whispered.
The couple nodded.
"Good. Don't be afraid. I promise—the jungle will protect you. Go now and travel slowly. There's no need to hurry."
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Messua hugged Mowgli good-bye. Then they headed into the dark jungle. Mother Wolf silently followed.
Soon someone else appeared. "Bagheera!" Mowgli quickly explained the situation. "Buldeo is still telling stories to the villagers. However, he will stop talking, and then the people will come. What will we do when the humans find this trap empty?"
"Hmm." Bagheera thought for a moment. "I have an idea."