aloof - distant, reserved in manner; uninvolved
(link: roof - "Snowball, the cat, was so ALOOF when guests came she hid on the ROOF.")

austere - stern, as in manner; without excess, unadorned, severely simple and plain.
(link: steer - "An AUSTERE STEER is no fun at a party.")

chattel - an item of personal, movable property; slave (link: CATTLE - "Tex's CATTLE were his CHATTEL."

climax - the story's most emotional or suspenseful moment

conflict - a struggle between opposing characters or opposing forces

consolation - n: comfort.  Snakes get no consolation from Rikki.  Rikki's consolation comes from a safe, peaceful garden. 

cowered - v: crouched and trembled in fear. Darzee, who is a coward, cowered before the snakes. Rikki cowered before no   one.

foreshadow - hint at future events fumigating - cleaning out by spraying with chemical vapors

huddled - nestled close together

immensely - adv : enormously. Rikki is immensely brave. 
  The snakes are immensely powerful.

impotent - adj. - powerless.  With all but her last egg destroyed, Nagaina felt impotent against Rikki. 

lament - to express sorrow or regret; to mourn. (link: CEMENT - "We LAMENT that Joe got buried in CEMENT.")

plot - consists of a series of related events

resolution - is the last part of the story. Loose ends are tied-up.

sabotage - obstruct or destroy sentinel - watchful guard