`` I was not a day too soon , '' he said , for he could see the baby cobras curled up inside the skin , and he knew that the minute they were hatched they could each kill a man or a mongoose . He bit off the tops of the eggs as fast as he could , taking care to crush the young cobras , and turned over the litter from time to time to see whether he had missed any . At last there were only three eggs left , and Rikki-tikki began to chuckle to himself , when he heard Darzee 's wife screaming : `` Rikki-tikki , I led Nagaina toward the house , and she has gone into the veranda , and -- oh , come quickly -- she means killing ! '' Rikki-tikki smashed two eggs , and tumbled backward down the melon-bed with the third egg in his mouth , and scuttled to the veranda as hard as he could put foot to the ground . Teddy and his mother and father were there at early breakfast , but Rikki-tikki saw that they were not eating anything . They sat stone-still , and their faces were white . Nagaina was coiled up on the matting by Teddy 's chair , within easy striking distance of Teddy 's bare leg , and she was swaying to and fro , singing a song of triumph . `` Son of the big man that killed Nag , '' she hissed , `` stay still . I am not ready yet . Wait a little . Keep very still , all you three ! If you move I strike , and if you do not move I strike . Oh , foolish people , who killed my Nag ! '' Teddy 's eyes were fixed on his father , and all his father could do was to whisper , `` Sit still , Teddy . You must n't move . Teddy , keep still . '' Then Rikki-tikki came up and cried , `` Turn round , Nagaina . Turn and fight ! '' `` All in good time , '' said she , without moving her eyes . `` I will settle my account with you presently .
Look at your friends , XXXXX .
Darzee Nag Nagaina Rikki-tikki Teddy cobras fro left mongoose third