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Akela's offer

"Or for your promises?" said Bagheera, his white teeth showing under his lip. "You really are the Free People!"

"No man's cub can run with the people of the jungle," howled Shere Khan. "Give him to me!"

"He is our brother in everything but his blood," Akela said, "and you want to kill him here! I have lived too long. Some of you kill cattle. I have heard that other wolves, taught by Shere Khan, go when the night is dark and snatch children from the doorsteps of their houses. Therefore I know you are cowards, and I know that I am speaking to cowards. It is certain that I must die, and my life is worthless. If it was not I would offer my life in the man-cub's place.