"

I he “ h o l e p ac k , on h a u n c l ne s, i
w th n o s es
po i n t ed s k v w a rd w as
h ow l i n g i
t h
s un
ge r cr
y .
,
WH FAN
I TE
g /
-

JA CK iND ON
AU T HOR O F “
TH E C

S EA W
”
ALL O F
OL F m ,
TH E W I L

a , E TC .
“
TH E

JEdn i
E h fit

TH E MA C M I LL AN C O M P A NY
LONDON } hLMHHHJ J fl i& C O qs D .

1906

Al l r i
gh t m ed
s r ea
 C OPY R IGH T, 19 05,

BY J AC K L ON D ON .

C OPY R IG HT , 1 9 0 6,

B Y TH E O UTING P UB LIS H ING C O M PAN Y .

C OPY R IG HT , 1906,

B Y TH E M AC M ILLA N C OM PA N Y .

Set u p an d el ec t r oty pe d . Publ shed i Oc t obe r, 1 90 6 .

Not i h 13mm
mi
n oo
3 S C i
u sh n g C o l se r w nc k 4: S th 0 0 5
N or w o
, n .

od , E sa u
, US A
. . .
 C O NT E NT S

P AR T O N E

TH E WIL D
T H E T R A I L O F T H E M E AT
T H E SH E W OL F
-

T H E HU N G E R C R Y

P ART T W O

B O R N O F TH E WIL D
TH E B AT TL E O F T H E FA N G s

TH E L A IR
TH E GR A Y C U B
THE W A LL O F T H E W O R L D
TH E LA W O F M E A T

P AR T TH R EE
TH E G O DS OF TH E WI L D
T H E M A K E R S O F F IR E
T H E B ON D A G E
TH E O U TC AS T
TR AIL O F T H E G O D S
T H E C O V E NAN T
T H E FA M IN E
 C O N T E N TS

P AR T F O UR

TH E S U PER IO R G O DS
C H A PTER

I . THE EN EM Y OF H Is KI N D
II . THE M A D GO D

III . THE R E IG N O F H A T E
IV . THE C L ING I N G D E A T H
V . THE I N D O M I TA B L E
TH E L O V E M A S T ER
-

P AR T F I V E
TH E T A M E
I . T H E L ON G T R A I L
II . T H E S O U T H LA ND
III T H E G O D S D O M A IN
’
.

IV . T H E C ALL O F KIN D
V . T H E S L EE PING W OL F
 ILL UST R AT IO N S

Th e w h ol e p a ck , on h au n c he s i
w th n oses
po it d
n e S k yw a rd
ig i ii
, ,

w as how l n t h s un ge r c ry F r on t sp ec e

PA G E
y of l i i
F A C IN G

H e w a t c h ed t h e p l a f e bef or e h m

T h ey w er e fi r e -
mak er s " T h ey w ere g od s "
“
H e f el t t h e l u rk ig n of d a n g er , un s een an d u n gu e ss e d '

To him iapp a r a n d a ti e mp l s s t i
d i ll l
n c e an c on an u e, c un g t he
Wi
,

ld

W hi
t Fa g t r wi
e l dl y a r
n d t ry i
o e g t sh ak ff t h ou n , n o e o e b u ll
d og s ’
b o dy

W hi ig a s d h en t h ei i
d ea d ”
t e F an g w a s h ow l n o gs h ow l w r ma s t e r s l e

In t h e w ood s , i
s de by s de W h i ,
i
t Fae n g r an w th i C lli o e
 PAR T ONE

TH E W I L D

C HAP TER I TH E TR AIL O F T H E M EA T

C H A P T E R II T H E SH E W OL F
-

C H A P T E R III T H E HU N G E R C R Y
4 W H I T E F ANG

br e at h f ro ze in t he ai r a s i t lef t t he ir m out hs sp o u t , f

ing f ort h in sp um es o f v a p or t h at se tt le d u p on t he
h air o f t he ir bodi es and f orm e d i nto crys ta ls o f f ro s t .

L e at he r h arn ess wa s on t he dog s and le at he r trac es ,

attac he d t he m to a sle d w h i c h dragg e d a l ong b eh ind .

The sle d wa s wit h out runn e r s I t w a s mad e o f s tou t

.

birc h bark and i t s f u ll s ur fac e r es t e d on t he s now

-

,
.

The f ront e nd o f t he sle d wa s t urn e d u p l ik e a s cro ll , ,

in ord e r t o f orc e d own and und e r t he b or e o f s o f t

s now t h at s urg e d l ik e a wa ve b ef or e i t O n t he sle d .
,

se cur ely l a she d wa s a l ong and narrow ob l ong b ox

,
.

The r e w e r e o t he r t h ing s o n t he sle d — b l ank e t s an ,

ax e and a co ff ee p ot and f ry ing p an ; but p romin e nt

,
- -

occu py ing m o s t o f t he sp ac e wa s t he l ong and narrow

,

ob l ong box .

I n ad v anc e o f t he dog s o n wid e s n ow sh o es toi le d

, ,

a man A t t he r e ar o f t he sle d toi le d a se cond man

. .

O n t he sle d in t he box l a y a t h ird man w h o se toi l

, ,

wa s o ve r — a man w h om t he Wi l d h ad con q u e r e d
,

and b e at e n down unti l he wou l d n eve r m o ve nor

s truggle again I t i s no t t he wa y o f t he Wi l d to
.

l ik e m o ve m e nt Li fe i s an o ff e nc e to i t f or l i fe i s
.
,

mo ve m e nt ; and t he Wi l d aim s a l wa ys to d es tro y

m o ve m e nt I t f r eezes t h e wat e r to p r eve nt i t r un
.

ni ng to t he s ea ; i t dri ves t he sa p out o f t he tr ees

ti ll t hey ar e fro ze n to t he ir mig h ty he art s ; and m o s t
fe roci ou sly and t e rrib ly o f a ll do es t he Wi l d h arr y
and cru sh into s ubmi ss ion man — man w h o i s t he ,
 TH E T RA IL O F TH E M E AT 5

m o s t r es t less o f l i fe eve r i n r ev o l t again s t t he dic

,

tum t h at a ll m o ve m e nt m u s t i n t he e nd com e to t he
c ess ation o f m o ve m e nt .

But at f ront a nd r e ar unaw e d and i ndomi tab le , ,

toi le d t he two m e n w h o w e r e no t ye t d ead The ir .

b odi es w e r e co ve r e d wi t h f ur and s o f t tann e d l e at he r -

Eyel a shes and c h e c k s and l i ps w e r e s o coat e d wit h

t he crys ta ls f rom t he ir f ro ze n br e at h th at t he i r f ac es
w e r e not d i s c e rnib le Th i s ga ve t he m t he see ming
.

o f g h o s t ly m a sq u es u nd e rtak e r s in a spe ctra l wor l d

,

at t he f un e ra l o f s om e gh o s t But und e r i t a ll t h ey.

w e r e m e n pe n e trating t he l and o f d es o l ati on and

,

m ock e ry and s i le n c e p un y ad ve ntur e r s b e nt o n co l o s

,

s a l ad ve ntur e p i tting t h e m selves again s t t he m ig h t

,

o f a worl d a s r e m ot e and a l i e n and p u lseless a s t he

ab ysses o f sp ac e .

They tra velle d on wit h out spee c h s a v ing t h e ir ,

br e at h f or t he work o f t he ir b o d i es O n eve ry s id e .

wa s t he s i le nc e p r ess ing u p on t h e m with a tangib le

,

p rese nc e. I t a ffe ct e d t he ir mind s a s t he man y atm o s

p h e r es o f d eep wat e r a ff e ct t he bod y o f t he di ve r .

I t cru she d t he m wi t h t he w e ig h t o f un e ndi ng v a s t

n ess and una l t e rab le d e cr ee I t cru sh e d t he m into
.

t he r e mot es t r e c esses o f t he ir ow n mi nd s p r ess ing ,

out o f t he m l ik e j uic es f rom t h e gra pe a ll t he fa lse

, ,

ardor s and e xa l tati on s and undu e sel f v a l u es o f t he -

h uman s ou l un ti l t hey pe rc e i ve d th e m selves finit e

,

and s m all spe ck s and m ot es m o v ing wi th w e ak

, ,
6 W H I T E F ANG

cunning and l itt le wi s dom amid s t t he pl a y and int e r

pl a y O f t he gr e at b l ind ele m e nt s and f orc es .

A n h our w e nt b y and a se cond h our The p a le

, .

l ig h t o f t he sh ort s un less d a y wa s b e ginning to

fad e w he n a f aint f ar cr y aro se o n t h e s ti ll air
,
.

I t s oar e d u p ward wi t h a s wi f t ru sh ti ll i t ,

r e ac he d i t s to p m o s t n ot e w he r e i t pe r s i s t e d p a lp i
, ,

tant and t e n se and t he n sl ow ly di e d awa y

,
It .

mig h t h a ve b ee n a l o s t s ou l wai l ing h ad i t n o t ,

b ee n in ves t e d wit h a c e rtai n sa d fi er c en ess and h un

gry e ag e rn ess . The f ront man turn e d h i s he ad
unti l h i s eyes m e t t he eyes o f t he man b eh ind .

A nd t he n acro ss t he narro w ob l ong b ox e ac h

, ,

nodd e d to t he o t he r .

A se co nd cry aro se p i e rcing t he s i le nc e wit h n ee d le

,

l ik e sh ri ll n ess
. Bot h m e n l ocat e d t he s ound I t wa s .

to t he r e ar s om e w he r e in t he s now e x p an se t hey h ad
,

j u s t tra ve r se d
. A t h i rd and an s w e ring cry aro se a ls o ,

to t he r e ar and to t he lef t o f t he se cond cry

’
, ,
”
They r e a f t e r u s Bi ll s ai d t he man at t he f ron t
.

H i s v oi c e s ound e d h oar se and unr e a l and h e h ad ,

sp ok e n wi t h a pp ar e nt e ff ort
” .

M e at i s s carc e an s w e r e d h i s comrad e
” I ain t ’
, .

see n a rabbi t s ign f or da y s .

The r e a f t e r t hey sp ok e n o m or e t h oug h t he ir e ar s

,

w e r e k ee n f or t he h unting cri es t h at continu e d to

-

ri se b eh i nd t he m .

A t t he f a ll o f darkn ess t hey s wung t he dog s i nto a

 TH E T R A IL O F TH E M E AT 7

c l u s t e r o f sp ruc e tr ees o n t he e dg e o f t he wat e rwa y

and mad e a cam p The co ffin at t he s id e O f t he .
,

fi r e se r ve d f or se at an d tab le
,
The wo lf d og s c l u s .
-

t er ed o n t he far s id e o f t he fi r e s nar le d and bick e r e d ,

among t he m selves but ev inc e d no i nc l inatio n to s tra y

,

o ff i nto t he darkn ess

i
”
.

“ S e e m s to m e H e nr y t hey r e s t a y n r e markab le ’ ’
, ,

c l o se t o cam p Bi ll comm e nt e d ,
.

He nry sq uatting o ve r t he fi r e an d se tt l ing t he p o t

,

o f co ffee wi t h a p i e c e o f ic e nodd e d N or did h e ,

.

spe ak ti ll he h ad tak e n h i s se at on t he co ffi n
and b e gun to e at
“ They know w he r e t he ir h id es i s s a fe
.

h e s aid ,
” .

Th ey d s o on e r e at grub t h an b e grub They r e

”
’ ’
.

p r e tt y wi se t he m dog s ,
.

Bi ll sh ook h i s he ad “
O h I don t kno w .
,
’
.

H i s com rad e l ook e d at h im curiou sly “ Fir s t tim e

”
.

I eve r he ard y ou sa y a n y t h n ab out t he i r no t b e in i ’ ’

wi se .

“ He
n ry s ai d t he ot he r munc h ing w i t h d el ib e ra
, ,

tion t he b e an s he wa s e ating “
did y ou h a ppe n to ,

”
n o tic e t he wa y t he m dog s kick e d u p w he n I wa s
i
feed m?
”
’ ’
a -
n e

They did cut u p m or e n u s ua l

“ He nr y a c k n o w l ’
,

e dg e d .

”
”
H ow man y dog s v e w e got He nry ? ’
,

“
Six .

“
W ell He nry Bi ll s to ppe d f or a m om e nt
, ,
8 W H IT E F ANG

i n ord e r t h at h i s wor d s m ig h t gain gr e at e r s gn fi ii

canc e A s I wa s s ay in H e nry w e ve g o t s x
.
’
, ,
’
i
dog s I took s ix fi s h o u t o f t he bag I ga ve o n e
”
'

. .

fish to e ac h d og an He nry I wa s o n e fish sh ort

”
’

”
, , , .

“ Y o u count e d wrong

i
.

“ W e ve
g o t s x dog s t he o t he r r e it e rat e d di sp a s
’
,

si o n a t el y
“
I took out s ix fi
. s h O n e E ar didn t g e t .
’

no fi s h
”
I com e back to t he bag a f t e rward an got ’
.

m h i s fish
”
’

” i
.

W e ve on ly got s x dog s He nry s aid

’
, .

“ H e nr y Bi ll w e nt on “ I won t sa y t hey wa s
”
’
, ,

a ll dog s but t he r e wa s seve n o f m t h at g o t fish

,
’
.

H e nry s to ppe d e ating to g l anc e acro ss t h e fi r e and

count t he dog s .

i ”
“ The r e s on ly
s x n ow he s aid
”
’
.
,

I s aw t he o t he r o n e run o ff acro ss t he s n ow Bi ll ,

announc e d wit h coo l p o s iti ve n ess I s a w seve n . .

H i s comrad e l ook e d at h i m comm i se rating ly and

s aid I ll b e a l m ig h t y g l ad w he n t h i s tri p s o ve r
,
’ ’
,

.
”
“
W h at d ye m e an b y t h at Bi ll d e mand e d
’
.

“ I m e an t h at t h i s l oad o f ourn i s g e ttin o n y our

”
’

n e r ves an t h at y ou r e b eg i nni to s ee t h ing s

”
’ ’ ’
,
n .

I t h oug h t o f t h at Bi ll an s w e r e d gra vely An ,

.
’

so w he n I s aw i t run o ff acro ss t he s now I l ook e d

, ,

in t he s now an s aw i t s track s The n I count e d t he ’

.

dog s an t he r e wa s s ti ll s ix o f e m The track s i s

’ ’

”
.

t he r e in t he s now now D ye want t o l o ok at e m ? .

’ ’

I ll sh ow m to y o u
’ ’
.
 TH E T R A IL O F TH E M E A T 9

He nry did n o t r eply but m unc he d on i n s i le nc e , ,

unt i l t he m e a l fi ni she d h e to ppe d i t wi t h a fi na l

, ,

cu p o f co ffee He wi pe d h i s m out h wit h t he back

.

o f h i s h and and s ai d
“ The n y ou r e t h n k n
’
ii
a s i t wa s ’

A l ong w ai l ing cry , fie rc ely s a d f rom s om e w he r e ,

i n t he darkn ess h ad int e rru p t e d h im H e s to ppe d to

,
.

l i s t e n to i t t he n h e fi ni she d h i s se nt e nc e wit h a wa ve
,

O f h i s h and toward t he s ound o f t he cry, on e o f

t he m
Bi ll nodd e d I d a b l am e s ig h t s oon e r t h ink t h at
’

”
.

t h an an y t h ing else Y o u n otic e d y our self t he row

.

t he dog s mad e .

C r y a f t e r cr y an d an s w e ring cr i es w e r e turning
, ,

t he s i l e nc e i nto a b e d l am From eve ry s id e t he cri es .

aro se and t h e dog s b e tra ye d t he ir fe ar b y h udd l ing

,

tog e th e r and s o c l o se to t h e fi r e t h at t he i r h air wa s

s corc he d b y t h e he at Bi ll t h r e w on m or e wood ,
.

b ef or e l ig h ting h i s p i pe
i
.

“ I m th nk n
’
ii y ou r e down n t he mo u t h s om e
’ ’
,

He nry s ai d
i
.

“
He nry He s uck e d m e di tati vely at h s
p i p e f or s om e tim e b ef o r e he w e nt o n “
He n ry I
ii
”
,

wa s a t h n k n w h at a b l am e s ig h t l ucki e r h e i s t h an
-
’

an m r b
’
y ou e ’
ll eve e .

H e indicat e d t he t h ird pe rs on b y a d o wnward .

t h ru s t o f t he t h u mb to t he box on w h ic h t hey sa t .

“ Y o u an ’
m e H e nry w he n w e di e w e ll b e l uck y ’
, , ,
10 W H IT E F AN G

dog s o ff o f u s .
”
i f w e g e t e noug h s ton es o ve r ou r carca ses to k eep t h e

”
“ But w e ain t go t pe o ple an mon ey an a ll t he
’ ’ ’

r es t l ik e h im He nry r e j oin e d
,
“ L ong di s tanc e -

i i
,
.

”
f un e ra ls s s o me t h n y o u an m e can t e xactly’ ’ ’

a fford .

“
W h at g e t s m e He nry , i s w h at a c h a p l ik e t h i s
, ,

t h at s a l ord o r s om e t h ing i n h i s o w n country and

’
,

t h at s n eve r h ad to bo t he r about grub n or b l ank e t s

’

i
”
,

w h y he com es a b u t t n round t he G od f or s ak e n e nd s
-
’ -

o f t he e art h t h at s w h at I can t e xact ly s ee

’ ’
.

”
He m ig h t h a ve l i ve d to a ri pe ol d ag e i f he d
“ ’

s ta ye d to h om e He nr y agr ee d
,
.

Bi ll o pe n e d h i s m out h to spe ak but c h ang e d h i s ,

mind I n s t e ad h e p oint e d toward t he wa ll o f dark

.
,

n ess t h at p r esse d about t he m f rom eve ry s id e The r e .

wa s no s ugg es tion o f f orm i n t he u tt e r b l ackn ess ;

on ly cou l d b e see n a p air o f eyes gle aming l ik e l i ve
coa ls . He n ry i ndicat e d wi t h h i s he ad a se cond p air ,

and a t h ird A circ le o f t he g le aming eyes h ad

.

drawn about t he ir cam p N o w and again a p air

.

of eyes mo ve d o r di s a ppe ar e d to a ppe ar agai n a

,

m om e n t l at e r .

The unr es t o f t he d og s h ad b ee n incr e a s i ng and ,

t hey s tam pe d e d i n a s urg e o f s udd e n fe ar to t he n e ar

, ,

s i d e o f th e fi r e cri n ging and craw l ing about t he le g s

,

o f t he men I n t he s cramb le on e o f t he dog s h ad

.

b ee n o ve rturn e d o n t h e e dg e o f t he fi r e and i t h ad ,
12 W H IT E F ANG

He nry grunt e d and craw le d into b e d A s he d o ze d .

o ff he wa s arou se d b y h i s comrad e s v oic e

’
.

“ Sa y
,
H e nry t h at o t he r on e t h at com e n an g o t
,
’
i
a fi sh w hy didn t t he d og s p itc h into i t ? Th at s
’ ’

w h at s b o t h e r n m e i
”
’ ’
.

“ You r e b o t h e r n
’
t oo muc h , Bi ll i
cam e t h e sleep y
’
,

r esp on se .
“
You wa s n eve r l ik e t h i s b ef or e Y ou j es .
’

sh ut u p n ow an go to sleep , an y ou ll b e a l l h u nk y
,
’ ’ ’
.

d or y i n t h e mor n n i
Your s tomac h s s our, t h a t s
’ ’ ’

w h at s b o t h er n y ou
’
i ’
.

The m e n slep t br e at h ing he a v i ly , s i d e b y s id e

, ,

und e r t he on e co ve ring The fi r e di e d d own an d t h e .

,

g le aming eyes dr e w c l o se r t he circ le t hey h ad flun g

about t he cam p The dog s c l u s t e r e d tog e t he r i n fe ar
. .

now and again s narl ing m e nacing ly a s a p air o f

dr e w c l o se . O nc e t he ir u p roar b e cam e s o l oud t h
Bi ll wok e u p H e go t o u t o f b e d car ef ully s o a s n
.
,

to di s turb t h e sleep o f h i s comrad e and t h r e w mo r ,

wood on t he fi r e A s i t b e gan t o flam e u p t he e ir ol

.
,

o f eyes dr e w f art he r back H e g l anc e d ca s ua .

t he h u d d l ing d og s He rubb e d h i s eyes and 10

i
.

at t he m m or e sh arply The n he craw le d back n t .

t he b l ank e t s
“
He nry he s aid
,
”
.

Oh He nr y

”
, .

H e nry groan e d a s he p a sse d f rom sleep to wakin

and d e mand e d “ W h at s wrong n o w ?
,
’

cam e t he an s w e r ; “ on ly t he r e s seve
”
’

o f e m agai n I j u s t count e d
’
. .
 TH E T R A I L O F TH E M E A T 13

H e n ry ackn ow le dg e d r e c e i p t of t he i n f ormat i o n
i
wit h a grunt t h at sl i d nto a s nor e a s he dri f t e d back
into sleep .

I n t he m orning i t wa s He nry w h o awok e fi r s t and

rout e d h i s com p anion o u t o f b e d D ayl ig h t wa s ye t
i
.

t h r ee h our s awa y t h oug h i t wa s a l r e ad y s x o c l ock ;

,
’

and in t he darkn ess He nr y w e nt ab out p r ep aring

br e ak f a s t , w h i le Bi ll ro lle d t he b l ank e t s and mad e
t he sle d r e a d y f or l a sh ing
“ Sa y H e nry
,
” .

h e a s k e d s udd e n ly , “ h ow m an y
,

d og s did y ou s a y w e h ad
Six
”
’

”
.

“ Wrong Bi ll p roc l aim e d trium ph ant ly

”
.
,

“ S eve n again ? H e nry q u e ri e d .

“ No five ; on e s gon e ’
.
,

The hell I H e nr y cri e d i n wrat h le a v ing t he

”
,

cooking to com e and count t he dog s

”
.

You r e rig h t Bi ll ,
’
,
h e conc l ud e d Fatt y s .
’

gon e

”
.

A n h e w e nt l ik e gr e a se d l ig h tnin onc e he go t
’ ’

s tart e d C ou l dn t v e see n m f or s m ok e
”
’ ’ ’
. .

NO c h anc e at a ll He nr y conc l ud e d
,
“
They j es .
’

s wa ll ow e d m a l i ve ’
I b e t he wa s yelp in a s he w e nt
.
’

d own t he ir t h roat s dam n e m

”
’
,

“ H e a l wa ys wa s a f oo l d og s aid Bi ll .
,

“ B ut n o f o o l d
o g oug h t to b e f oo l e noug h to g o o ff

an comm i t s uicid e t h at wa y
’ ”
He l ook e d o ve r t h e
re maind e r o f t he t e am wi t h a spe cu l ati ve ey e t h at
14 W H IT E F ANG

I b e t non e o f t he ot he r s wou l d do i t .
”
s um m e d u p in s tant ly t he s a l i e nt trait s o f e ac h anima l .

”
“ C ou l dn t
’
d ri ve e m awa y f rom t he fi r e wi t h a
’

c l ub Bi ll agr ee d
,

i
s o me t h n
’
.
“ I a l wa ys did t h ink

wrong wit h Fatty an y way

,
.
” t he r e wa s

A nd t h i s wa s t h e ep i ta p h o f a d e ad dog o n t h e
N ort hl and trai l — less s cant t h an t he ep ita ph o f ma n y
ano t he r dog, o f man y a man .
 C H A P T E R II

TH E SH E W O -
LF

B RE A K F A S T e at e n and t he S l im cam p ou t fi t l a she d -

to t he sle d t he m e n turn e d t he ir back s o n t he c hee ry

,

fi r e and l aunc h e d ou t i nto t he darkn ess A t onc e .

b e gan to ri se t he cri es t h at w e r e fie rc ely s a d — cri es

t h at ca lle d t h roug h t he darkn ess and co l d to on e
ano t he r and an s w e r e d back C o n ve r s ati on c e a se d
. .

D a yl ig h t cam e at nin e o c l o ck ’
A t midda y t he
.

sk y to t he s out h warm e d to ro se co l or and mark e d -

w he r e t he bu l g e o f t he e art h int e r ve n e d b e tw ee n t he
m e ridian su n and t he n ort he rn worl d But t h e ro se .

co l or s wi f t ly f ad e d
. The gra y l ig h t o f da y t h at
r e mai n e d l a s t e d unti l t h r ee o c l ock w he n i t t oo
’
, , ,

f ad e d and t he p a ll o f t he A rctic nig h t d es c e nd e d

,

u p on t h e l on e and s i le nt l and .

A s darkn ess cam e o n t he h unting cri es t o rig h t

,
-

and lef t and r e ar dr e w c l o se r — s o c l o se t h at mor e

t h an onc e t hey se nt s urg es o f fe ar t h roug h t h e toi l ing
dog s t h rowing t he m into sh ort l i ve d p anic s
,
-
.

A t t he conc l u s ion o f on e s uc h p anic w h e n h e and ,

He nry h ad got t he d og s back i n t h e trac es Bi ll s ai d : ,

15
16 W H IT E F ANG

I wi sh t t hey d s trik e gam e s om e w he r es a n go

“ ’
,
’

awa y an le a ve u s a l on e
”
’
.

Th ey d o g e t o n t he n e r ves h orrib le , He nry sy m

pa t h id
ze .

They sp ok e n o mor e unti l cam p wa s mad e .

He nry wa s b e nding o ve r and adding ce t o t he i

bubb l ing p o t o f b e an s w h e n he wa s s tart le d b y t he
s o und O f a b l ow an e xc l amatio n f rom Bi ll and a
, ,

sh arp s nar l ing cry o f p ain f rom am ong t he dogs He .

s traig h t e n e d u p i n tim e to see a d im f orm di s a ppe ar .

ing acro ss t he s now into t he shel t e r o f t h e dark .

The n he s a w Bi ll s tanding amid t he dog s h a lf tri

, ,

u mp h a n t h a lf cr es t fa lle n in on e h and a s tout c l ub

,
-

, ,

in t he o t he r t he tai l and part o f t he bod y o f a s u n

cur e d s a l mon
”
”
.

“ I t got h a lf o f i t he announc e d ; “ but I got a

,

”
w h ack at i t j es t h e s am e D ye he ar i t s q u e a l ?
’ ’
.

W h at d i t l ook l ik e ? He nr y a s k e d
’

”
.

“ C ou l d n t s e e ’
But i t h ad f our le g s an a m out h
.
’

an h air an l ook e d l ik e an y d og
’ ’
.

“ M u s t b e a tam e wo l f I r e ckon

”
,
.

“ I t s damn e d tam e
’
w h at eve r i t i s , comi n i n h e r e ’

i
,

i
at f ee d n tim e an g e ttin it s w h ack o f f sh
’ ’ ’
.

Th at nig h t w he n s u ppe r wa s fi ni she d and t hey

,

s a t o n t he ob l ong b o x and p u lle d at t he ir p i pes t he ,

circ le o f g le aming eyes dr e w i n eve n c l o se r t h a n

b ef or e .

“ I wi sh t t hey d sp ring u p a bunc h o f m oo se or

’
 ”
TH E SH E -
WO L F 17

so i
me t h n an go awa y an le a ve u s a l on e
’
,
’
Bi ll ’
,

s aid
H e nry grunt e d wi t h an i n t onation t h a t wa s n o t
a ll sy m p at hy a n d for a q uart e r o f an h our t hey s a t
,

He nry s taring at t he fi r e a n d Bi ll a t
'

o n i n s i le nc e , ,

t h e circ le of eyes t h at burn e d in t he darkn ess j u s t

b ey o nd t he fi r e l gh t i .

“ I w i sh t w e w a
s p u ll i n into M c G u r r y rig h t n o w
’
,

he b e gan again
“ S h ut u p y our w i sh i
.

n an y our He nr y
’ ’

bur s t o u t angri ly “ Yo u r s tomac h s s our

. Th at s ’
.
’

w h at s ai l i n y ou
’
S wa ll ow a sp oon fu l o f s od y an
’
.
,
’

”
y ou ll s w ee t e n u p w on d er fu l an b e m or e ple a san t
’ ~ ’

com p an y .

I n t he m orning He nry wa s arou se d b y fe r v id b l a s

,

p h e my t h at p roc ee d e d f rom t he m out h o f Bi ll .

He nr y p ro ppe d h im sel f u p o n an el bow and l o ok e d

to see h i s com rad e s tandi ng am ong t he dog s b es id e
t he r eple ni she d fi r e h i s arm s rai se d in obj urgation h s i
”
, ,

”
f ac e di s tort e d wit h p a ss ion .

“ Hell o "

”
He nry ca lle d “ W h at s u p n ’
ow ? .

Frog s gon e cam e t he an s w e r

’
,
.

“ No .

“ I t ell y ou yes .

He nry le a pe d ou t o f t he b l ank e t s and to t he d og s .

H e count e d t he m wi t h car e and t he n j oin e d h i s ,

p artn e r i n cur s ing t he p ow e r s o f t he Wi l d t h at h ad

robb e d t he m o f anot he r d o g .
 ”
18 W H I T E F ANG

“ Frog wa s t h e s tron g es t d og o f t he bunc h Bi ll ,

p ron ounc e d fi na lly .

A n he wa s no f oo l d og n e it he r He nry add e d
’
,
” .

A nd s o w a s r e cord e d t he se cond ep ita ph i n two

da ys .

A g l o om y br e ak fa s t wa s e at e n and t he f our r e,

maining d og s w e r e h arn esse d to t he sle d The da y .

wa s a r epe ti tion o f t he da ys t h at h ad gon e b ef or e .

The m e n toi le d wi t h out spee c h acro ss t he f ac e o f t he

f ro ze n wor l d The s i le nc e wa s unb rok e n s a ve b y t he
.
'

cri es o f t he i r p ur s u e r s th at un see n h ung u p on th e i r

, , ,

r e ar . Wit h t h e coming o f nig h t i n t he m id a f t e r -

noon t h e cri es s ound e d c l o se r a s t he p ur s u e r s dr e w

,

i n according to t he ir cu s tom ; and t he dog s gr e w

e xcit e d and f rig h t e n e d and w e r e gui l t y o f p anic s t h at
,

tang le d t he trac es and f urt he r d ep r esse d t he t w o

m en .

“ The r e t h at ll fi x y ou f o o l critt e rs Bi ll s ai d wi t h
,
’
,
”
s ati sf action t h at nigh t s tanding e r e ct at com ple tion
,

o f h i s ta s k .

He nry lef t h i s co oking to com e and s ee No t on ly .

h ad h i s p artn e r ti e d t he dog s u p but he h ad ti e d ,

t he m a f t e r t he I nd ian fa sh ion wi t h s tick s A bou t

, ,
.

t he n e ck o f e ac h d og he h ad f a s t e n e d a le at he r t h ong .

T o t h i s and so c l o se to t he n e ck t h at t he d og cou l d
,

no t g e t h i s t ee t h to i t he h ad ti e d a s tout s tick f our

,

o r five fee t in le ngt h The o t he r e nd o f t he s tick i n

.
,

turn , wa s mad e fa s t to a s tak e i n t he ground b y

 iF A N U

”
W 11 1 1 h

“ L ook at t h at Bi ll H e nry w h i spe r e d

i
.
, ,

Fu ll in to t he fi r el gh t wit h a s t e a l thy s id el ong , ,

m o ve m e nt gl id e d a d og l ik e anima l
,
I t m o ve d wit h .

comming le d mi s tru s t and dari n g cauti ou sly ob serv ,

ing t he m e n i t s att e ntion fi x e d o n t h e dog s

,
One .

E ar s train e d t he f u ll le ngt h O f t he s tick to ward t he

intrud e r and w h in e d wi t h e ag e rn ess
“ Th at f oo l O n e E ar don t see m s c a r t muc h B ll ’
.

i ,
”i
s aid i n a l o w ton e
“ I t s a she wo lf
’ -
.

,
”
H e nry w h i spe r e d back “ an t h at ,
’

account s f or Fatt y an Frog S he s t he d e co y f o r t h e ’ ’

”
.
_

p ack . S he draw s ou t t he d og an t he n a ll t h e r es t ’

p itc hes i n an e a t s m u p ’ ’
.

The fi r e crack le d A l og fell a p art wi t h a l oud .

S pl utt e ring noi se A t t he s ound o f i t t h e s trang e .

anima l le a pe d back i nto t he darkn ess

”
.

“ He nr y Im a Bi ll ann ounc e d
’
.

i
,

Th i nk n w h at ? ’

ii
“ I m a th nk n

”
t h at wa s t he on e I l amba s t e d wit h
’ ’
-

t he c l ub
“ A in t
.

t he sl ig h t es t do ub t in t he worl d
’
wa s ,
”
He nry s r esp on se
”
’
.

A n rig h t he r e I w ant to r e mark Bi ll w e nt on

’

ii
,

i
,

“ t h at t h at anima l s f a m l y a r t y wit h cam pfi r es s

”
’

s u sp i ci ou s an imm ora l ’

i
.

”
I t know s f or c e rtain m or e n a self r es p e c t n wo lf ’ ’
-

ough t to know He nry agr ee d “ A wo lf th at know s

”
,
.

e noug h to com e i n wit h t he d og s at f eed i n tim e h a s ’

h a d e x pe ri e nc es .
 TH E SH E -
WOLF 21

C l V
”
i ll an h ad a dog onc e t h at run awa y wi t h
’

t h e wo lves Bi ll cogitat e d a l oud ,

“
I ough t to kno w . .

I sh ot i t o u t o f t he p ack i n a m oo se p a s tur e o ve r o n
Littl e S ti ck A n C l V i ll an cri e d l ik e a bab y
.
’ ’
.

H adn t see n i t f or t h r ee ye ar s he s aid B e n wit h

’
,
.

t he wo lves a ll t h at tim e .

“ I r e ckon y ou ve ca lle d t he turn Bi ll Th at ’

,
.

wo lf s a d og an i t s e at e n fish man y s t he tim e

”
’ ’ ’ ’
,

f rom t he h and o f man

”
.

A n i f I g e t a c h anc e at it t h at wo l f t h at s a
’
,
’

“ W e can t a ff ord
d o g l l b e j es m e at Bi ll d e c l ar e d
’ ’ ’

”
.
,

to l o se n o m or e anim a ls .

“ But ou ve on ly o t t h r ee cartridg
’
es He nr y
y g

”
,

obj e ct e d .

“
I ll wai t f or a d e ad s ur e sh ot wa s t he r eply
’
.

I n t he m orning He nry r e n e w e d t he fi r e and cook e d

br e ak f a s t to t he accom p anim e nt o f h i s p artn e r s ’

s noring
i
.

“ Y
ou wa s sl eep n j e s t oo com f ortab le f or an y ’ ’

H e nry to l d h im a s he rout e d h im ou t f or
br e ak fa s t “ I h adn t t he he art to rou se y ou
.
’
,

.
”
Bi ll b e gan to e at sleep i ly He notic e d t h at h i s cu p .

wa s e m p t y and s tart e d to r e ac h f or t he p ot But

”
.

t he p o t wa s b ey ond arm s le ngt h and b es id e H e nry ’

.

“
Sa y He nry he c h id e d g e nt ly “ ain t y ou f or
,
’

i
, ,

got s ome t h n ’

H enry l ook e d about wit h gr e at car e f ul n ess a n d

'

sh ook h i s he ad Bi ll h el d u p t h e e m p ty cu p
. .
 ”
22 W H I T E F A NG

Y ou
”
do n t g e t n o co ff ee He nry annou n c e d
’

”
.
,

“ A i n t run o u t ?
’
Bi ll a s k e d anxiou sly .

“ N o pe

“ Ai n t t h n k n
’
.

ii
i t ll h urt m y dig es tion ?
’ ’ ”
“ N o pe .

A fl u sh o f angry b l ood pe r v ad e d Bi ll s fac e ’

”
.

“ The n i t s j es warm an anxiou s I am to b e

’ ’ ’

he arin y ou e x pl ai n y our self b e s aid

”
’
.
,

S p ank e r s gon e He nry an s w e r e d

’
,
.

Wi t h out h a s t e wit h t he air o f o n e r es ign e d to mi s

,

f ortun e Bi ll turn e d h i s he ad and f rom w he r e h e

, ,

sa t count e d t he dog s

H ow d i t h a ppe n ? h e a s k e d a p ath e tically

’
.

” ,

He nr y sh rugg e d h i s sh ou l d e r s “ D on t know .
’
.

U n less O n e E ar gnaw e d m l oo se He cou l dn t

”
’ ’

”
.

a don e i t h im self
-
th at s s ur e ,
’
.

“ The d arn e d cu ss Bi ll sp ok e gra vely and sl ow ly ,

.

wit h no h i nt o f t he ang e r t h at wa s raging with in .

J e s b e cau se he cou l dn t c he w h im self l oo se he

”
“ ’ ’
,

c he w s S p ank e r l oo se .

W el t p a n k e r s troub les i s o ve r an y wa y ; I gu ess

’

he s dig es t e d b v t h i s tim e an c a v o r t i
,

o ve r t he
”
’ ’ ’
n

l and s ca pe in t he b ell i es o f tw e nt y di ffe r e nt wo lves ,

wa s He nry s ep i ta ph o n t h i s t he l at es t l o s t d o g
”
’
.
,

“
H a ve s om e co ff ee Bi ll

”
,
.

B u t Bi ll sh ook h i s he ad .

G o on H e nry ple ad e d elev ating t he p ot

, ,
.

Bi ll sh o ve d h i s cu p a s id e I l l b e ding d ong
“ ’
-

.
 TH E SH E WO L F -
23

dan g e d i f I do I s aid I w ou l dn t i f ary d og turn e d

”
’
.

u p mi ss i m an I won t
”
’ ’ ’
.
,

I t s dar n good co ffee He nry s aid e nticing ly

’
, .

But Bi ll wa s s tubb orn and he at e a dry br e ak f a s t , ,

wa she d d own wi t h mumb le d curses at O n e E ar f or

t he trick he h ad pl a ye d

”
.

I ll ti e e m u p out o f r e ac h O f e ac h ot he r to
’ ’

n igh t Bi ll s aid a s t hey t ook t he trai l

, ,
.

They h ad t r a velle d l itt le m or e th an a h undr e d

y ard s w h e n He nry w h o wa s i n f ron t b e nt d own and
, , ,

p ick e d u p s om e t h ing wi t h w h ic h h i s s now sh o e h ad

co ll id e d I t wa s dark and he cou l d no t s ee i t b ut
.
, ,

he r e cogni ze d i t b y t he touc h H e flung i t back so .

,

t h at i t s truck t he sle d and bounc e d a l ong unti l i t

fe tc he d u p o n Bi ll s s now sh o es
”
’
.

“ M e bb e y ou ll n ee d t h at in y our bu s in ess He nr y
’
,

s aid.

Bi ll utt e r e d an e xc l am ation I t wa s a ll t h at wa s .

lef t o f S p ank e r — t he s tick wit h w h ic h he h ad b ee n

ti e d
.

“
They at e m h id e an a ll Bi ll announc e d
’ “ Th e ’
,
” .

s tick s a s c le an a s a w h i s t le
’
They ve at e t he le at he r .
’

o ffe n b ot h e n d s They r e dam n h ungry H e nry an ’ ’

i i
.
, ,

th ey ll h a ve y ou an m e g u ess n b ef or e t h i s tr p s
’ ’ ’ ’

o ve r .

He nry l aug he d d efi ant ly “ I ain t b ee n trai le d .

’

y b y wo lves b efo r e b u t I ve gon e th roug h a ’

'

, .

o t wor se an k ep t m y he a l th T ak es m or e n
’ ’
.
24 W H I T E F ANG

a h and fu l o f t he m p es k y critt e r s to d o f or y ours

tru ly , Bi ll m y s on
“ I don t know I don t know ,
,

’
.

Bi l l m utt e r e d
,
’ ”
o minou sly .

“ W ell y o u ll kno w a ll rig h t w h e n w e p u ll into

’

”
,

M c Gu rry
i
.

“ I ain t f e el n spe cia l e nt h u s ia s ti c Bi ll pe rs i s t e d

’ ’
,
.

”
“ Y ou r e o ff co l or t h at s w h at s t he m att e r wit h
’ ’ ’
,

y ou ,
He nr y d ogmati ze d “
W h at y ou n ee d .i s
q uinin e , an I m goi n to d o se y ou u p s ti ff a s s oon ’
’
’

a s w e mak e M c G u r r y .

Bi ll grun t e d h i s di s agr ee m e nt wi t h t h e d iagno s i s ,

a n d l a pse d into s i le nc e T h e da y wa s l ik e a ll t he
.

d a ys Lig h t cam e at nin e o c l ock A t tw elve o c l ock

.
’
.
’

t h e s out he rn h ori z on w a s warm e d b y t he u n see n s u n ;

a n d t he n b e gan t he co l d gra y o f a f t e rno on t h at wo ul d

me rg e t h r ee h our s l at e r, into nig h t

,
.

I t wa s j u s t a f t e r t he s un s f uti le efi or t to a ppe ar, ’

t h at Bi ll sl i ppe d t h e rifl e f rom u nd e r t he sle d l a sh i ng s -

a n d s ai d

“ Y o u k eep rig h t o n

” H e nry I m goin to s ee w h at
’ ’
, ,

I can s e e
“
.

Y ou d b e tt e r s tick b y t h e sle d h i s p artn e r p ro

’ ”
”
,

t es t e d “
You ve on ly go t t h r ee cartridg es an t he r e s
.
’
,
’ ’

n o t ell i n w h at mig h t h a ppe n

”
’

i i
.

W h o s c r oa k n no w ? Bi ll d e ma n d e d t r u m
’ ’

ph an t l y .

H e nry mad e n o r eply , and pl odd e d on a l on e t h oug h ,

 TH E S H E -
WO L F 25

o f t e n he ca s t a n xiou s g l anc es back i n to t h e g r a y s o l i

tud e w he r e h i s p artn e r h ad d i s a ppe ar e d A n h our .

l at e r taking ad v an tag e o f t he c ut o ffs around w h ic h

,
-

t he sle d h ad to go Bi ll arri ve d ,

They r e s catt e r e d an rangin a l ong w i d e h e s ai d ;

’ ’
.

’
,
”
“ k eep in u p wi th u s an l ookin f or gam e at t he s am e
’ ’ ’

tim e Y ou see t hey r e s ur e o f u s on ly th ey kn ow

.
,
’
,

t hey ve go t to w ai t t o g e t u s
’
I n t h e m e an ti m e

” i
.

t hey r e wi ll in to p ick u p a n y t h n e atab le t h at com es

’ ’ ’

h and y .

Y ou m e an t hey t h n k t hey r e s ur e o f u s
’
H en ry i ,
”
obj e ct e d p oint e d ly .

But Bi ll ignor e d h im I see n s om e o f t he m . .

They r e p r e tt y t h in
’
They ai n t h ad a b it e i n w ee k s
.
’

I r e ckon out s id e o f Fatt y an Frog an S p ank e r ; an

,
’ ’ ’

t he r e s s o m an y o f e m t h at t h at didn t go f ar
’ ’ ’
.

They r e r e markab le t h i n
’
The i r rib s i s l ik e wa sh
bo ard s an t he i r s tomac hs i s rig h t u p again s t t he ir
’

”
,

backb on es They r e p r e tt y d espe rat e I can t ell y ou

.
’
,
.

They ll b e goi n mad ye t an t he n watc h ou t

’ ’
, ,
’
.

A fe w mi nu t es l at e r He nr y w h o wa s n o w tra vel , ,

l ing b eh ind t h e sle d e m itt e d a l o w warning w h i s t le , ,

.

Bi ll turn e d and l ook e d t he n q ui e t ly s to ppe d t he d og s ,

.

To t h e r e ar f rom around t he l a s t b e nd an d pl ain ly

,

i nto v i e w on t he ve ry trai l t hey h ad j u s t co ve r e d ,

,

trott e d a f ur ry sl inking f orm I t s no se wa s to t he

, .

trai l and i t trott e d wi t h a p e cu l iar sl iding e ff ort less

, , ,

gait W he n t hey h a l t e d i t h a l t e d t h rowing u p i t s

.
, ,
26 W H IT E F ANG

he ad and r e garding t he m s t e adi ly wi t h no s tri ls t h at

It s t he sh e wo l f
’ -
”
twitc he d a s it caug h t and s tudi e d t he s c e n t o f t he m
Bi ll w h i spe r e d
,
.
.

The d og s h ad l ain down i n t he s no w and he wa l k e d ,

p a s t t h e m to j oin h i s p artn e r at t he sle d T og e t he r .

t hey watc h e d t he s trang e anima l t h at h ad p ur s u e d

t he m f or da ys and t h at h ad a l r e ad y a cc o m pl she d t he _ _ i
d es truction o f h a lf t he ir dog t e am -
.

A f t e r a se arc h ing s crutin y t he anima l trott e d f or

,

ward a fe w s t eps Th i s i t r ep e at e d seve ra l tim es ti ll

.
,

i t wa s a sh ort h und r e d y ard s awa y I t p au se d he ad

.
,

u p c l o se b y a c l um p o f sp ruc e tr ees and wit h s ig h t

, ,

and s c e nt s tudi e d t he o u t fi t o f t he watc h ing m e n It .

l ook e d at t he m in a s trang ely wi s t f u l wa y a f t e r t he ,

mann e r o f a dog ; bu t in i t s wi s t fu l n ess t he r e wa s

no n e o f t he dog a flec t on i
I t wa s a wi s t f u l n ess br e d
.

o f h ung e r a s cru el a s i t s o w n f ang s a s m e rci less a s

, ,

t he f ro s t i tsel f .

I t wa s l arg e f or a wo lf, it s gaunt f ram e ad v erti s ing

t he l in es o f an anim a l t h at wa s am ong t he l arg es t o f
it s kind

”
.

“
S tand s p r e tt y c l o se to two fee t an a h a l f at t he ’

” A n I ll b e t i t ain t ’
sh ou l d e r s He nry comm e nt e d
,
’ ’

far f rom five fee t l ong

“
.

K i nd o f s trang e co l or f or a wo lf, wa s Bi ll s ” ’

critici s m .

al m o s t cinnam on to m e .
”
I n eve r see n a r e d wo lf b ef or e L ook s .

The anima l wa s c e rtai n ly n ot cinnam on co l or e d -

.
28 W H IT E F A N G

on t h e wa y to h i s sh ou l d e r but i t n eve r g ot t he r e , .

F o r in t h at in s tant t he s h e wo lf le a pe d s id e wi se f rom -

t he trai l into t he c l um p o f sp ruc e tr ees and di s

a ppe ar e d .

The two m e n l ook e d a t e ac h o th e r He nr y w h i s t le d .

l ong a n d com p r ehe nding ly

“ I m ig h t h a ve know e d it Bi ll c h id e d h im sel f
.

,
”
a l oud a s b e r epl ac e d t h e gun
,
O f cour se a wo lf .

t h at know s e n oug h to com e i n wi t h t he d og s

at f eed i n tim e d kno w a ll ab out sh oo ting iron s
’
,
’ -

I t ell y ou righ t now He nry t h at critt e r s t he cau se o f ,

’

i
,

a ll o u r troub le W e d h a ve s x dog s at t he p r ese nt

.
’

tim e s t e ad o f t h r ee i f i t wa s n t f or h e r A n I t ell
,
’
,
’
.
’

y ou righ t n o w H e nry I m goin to g e t he r S he s

, ,
’ ’
.
’

t o o s mart to b e sh ot i n t he o pe n But I m goin to ’ ’

.

”
l a y f or he r I ll bu sh w h ack he r a s s ur e a s m y nam e
’
.

i s Bi ll
“ Y ou
.

n ee d n t s tra y O IT too f ar i n doin i t

’
his ’
,
”
p artn e r admoni she d “ If t h at p ack eve r s tart s to
.

j um p y o u t he m t h r ee cartridg es d b e w u t h no m or e n ’ ’

i
,

i
t h r ee w h oo ps n hell The m anima ls s d am n h ungry
an onc e t hey s tart in t hey ll s ur e g e t y ou Bi ll
’
.

,
’
,
.
” ,

They cam pe d e arly t h at nig h t Th r ee dog s cou l d .

n ot drag t he sle d s o f a s t n or f or s o l ong h our s a s

i
cou l d s x and t hey w e r e sh owing unmi s takab le s ign s
,

o f pl a y ing o u t A n d t he m e n w e n t e arly to b ed
.
’

Bi ll fi r s t see ing to i t t h at t he d og s w e r e ti e d ou t o f
gnawi n g r e ac h o f o n e ano t he r
-
.
 TH E SH E—
WOLF 29

But t h e w o lves w e r e growing b o l d e r an d t he m e n ,

w e r e arou se d m or e t h an onc e f rom t he i r sleep SO .

n e ar did t he wo lves a pp roac h t h at t he dog s b e cam e ,

f rantic wi t h t e rror and i t wa s n e c ess ar y to r eple ni sh

,

t he fi r e f ro m tim e t o t im e i n ord e r to k eep t he a d v en

t u r o u s ma r a u d er s a t s a fe r di s tan c e .

“ I ve he arn s ai l or s ta l k o f sh ark s f o l l o w n
’
a sh i p i ’
,

Bi ll r e mark e d a s he craw le d back into t he b l ank e t s

,
‘

a f t e r o n e s uc h r eple ni sh ing o f t he fi r e “
W ell t h e m .
,

wo lves i s l and sh ark s They know t h e ir b u s in ess .

b e t t er n w e d o an t hey ain t a b o l din o u r trai l t h i s

’ ’ ’ ’
-

wa y fo r t he i r he a l t h They r e goin to g e t u s .
’ ’
.

They r e s ur e goi n to g e t u s H e nry

’ ’
,
.

“ They ve h a lf
g o t y o u a r e ad y a ta l ki n l ik e t h at
’ ’ ’
-

, ,

He nr y r e tort e d sh arply “ A man s h a lf l ick e d w he n ’

”
.

h e s a ys he s i
A n y ou r e h a lf e at e n f rom t he wa y
.
’ ’

y o u r e goin o n ab out i t
’ ’
.

”
“ They ve
g o t awa y wi t h b e tt e r m e n t h an y o u an
’ ’

m e Bi ll an s w e r e d
i
.
,

“ Oh

”
she t u p y our c r oak n Y ou mak e m e a ll ’
.
,

fi r e d tir e d .

H e nry ro lle d o ve r angri ly on h i s s i d e but wa s ,

s ur p ri se d t h at Bi ll m ad e n o s imi l ar di spl a y o f t e m pe r .

Th i s wa s no t Bi ll s wa y f or h e wa s e a s i ly ang e r e d
’

b y sh ar p w ord s He nry t h oug h t l ong o ve r i t b ef or e

.

he w e n t to sleep and a s h i s eyel id s fl utt e r e d d ow n

,

and he d o ze d o ff t he t h oug h t in h i s m ind wa s :

i i
,

“ The r e s no
m s t a k n i t Bi ll s a l m ig h t y b l u e I ll
”
’ ’ ’ ’
,
.

h a ve t o c h e e r h i m n o t o mo r r o w -
.
 C H A P TER I I I

T HE H U N G ER C RY

TH E da y b e gan au sp iciou sly They h ad l o St no

.

dog s during t he nig h t and t h ey s wung ou t u p on t he

,

trai l and into t he S i le nc e t he darkn ess and t he co l d

, ,

wit h sp irit s t h at w e r e f air ly l ig h t Bi ll see m e d to

i
.

h a ve f orgo tt e n h i s f or e bod ng s o f t he p r ev i ou s nig h t ,

and eve n wax e d f ac e tiou s wi t h t he dog s w he n at ,

midda y t hey o ve rturn e d t he sle d o n a bad p i e c e o f

,

trai l
.

I t wa s an awkward mix u p -
.Th e sle d wa s u ps id e
d own and j amm e d b e tw ee n a tr ee trunk and a h ug e -

rock an d t hey w e r e f orc e d to un h arn ess t he dog s i n

,

ord e r to s traig h t e n o ut t he tang le The two m e n .

w e r e b e nt o ve r t he sle d and try i ng to rig h t i t w he n ,

“ He r e
, ,
”
He nry ob se r ve d O n e E ar s id l ing awa y
y ou O n e E a r " he cri e d s traig h t e ning u p
,
.

and turning around o n t he dog .

But O n e E ar brok e into a run acro ss t he s now h i s ,

trac es trai l ing b eh ind h im A nd t he r e o ut i n t h e

.
,

s no w o f t he ir back track wa s t he s h e w o l f wai ting

-

,
-

f or h im . A s he n e ar e d he r he b e cam e s udd e n ly
,

30
 TH E H UNG ER C RY 31

cau tiou s . H e sl ow e d d own to an a le rt and mincing

wa l k and t he n s to ppe d H e r e gard e d he r car e f u lly
i
.

and dubi ou sly y e t d es r efu l l y

, S he see m e d to s mi le
.

at h im , sh owing he r t ee t h in an ingratiating rat he r

t h an a m e nacing wa y S he m o ve d toward h im a.

fe w s t eps pl a yf u lly and t he n h a l t e d On e E ar d r e w

, ,
.

n e ar to he r s ti ll a le rt and cauti ou s h i s tai l and e ar s

, ,

in t he ai r h i s he ad hel d h ig h
,
.

H e tri e d to s ni ff no ses wit h he r but S h e r e tr e at e d ,

pl a yfu lly and co yly E ve ry ad v anc e o n h i s p art wa s

.

accom p ani e d b y a corr esp onding r e tr e at on he r p art .

S t ep b y s t ep s h e wa s l uring h i m awa y f ro m t h e
se curit y o f h i s h uman com p anion sh i p O nc e a s
i
.
,

t h oug h a warning h ad in v agu e wa ys fl t t ed t h roug h

h i s int ell ig e nc e he turn e d h s he ad and l ook e d back
,
i
at t he o ve rturn e d sle d at h i s t e am mat es and at t he
,
-

two m e n w h o w e r e ca ll ing to h im .

But w h at eve r id e a wa s f orming i n h i s mind wa s ,

di ss i p at e d by t he s h e wo lf w h o ad v anc e d u p on h im
-

, ,

s ni ffe d no ses wi t h h i m f or a fl ee ting i n s tant an d t h e n ,

r es um e d h e r c oy r e tr e at b ef or e h i s r e n e w e d ad v anc es .

I n t he m e an tim e B i ll h ad b e t h ough t h im self o f

,

t h e rifl e But i t wa s j amm e d b e n e at h t he o ve rturn e d

.

sle d and b y t he tim e He nry h ad helpe d h i m to rig h t

,

t h e l oad O n e E ar and t h e s h e wo l f w e r e to o c l o se
,
-

tog e t he r and t he di s tanc e too gr e at to ri s k a sh ot .

To o l at e O n e E ar le arn e d h i s mi s tak e B ef or e t hey

,
.

s a w t he cau se t he two m e n s aw h im turn a n d s tart

,
32 W H I T E F ANG '

to run back toward t he m The n a pp roac h ing a t .

,

rig h t angles to t he trai l and cutting Off h i s r e tr ea t ,

t hey s a w a d o ze n wo lves le an and gra y bounding , ,

acro ss t he s no w O n t he in s tant t he s h e wo lf s co y
.
,
-
’

n ess and pl a y f u l n ess di s a ppe ar e d Wi t h a s nar l sh e .

sp rang u p on O n e E ar H e t h ru s t he r o ff wi t h h i s
.

sh ou l d e r and h i s r e tr e at cut o ff and s ti ll int e n t on

, ,

r e gaining t he sle d he a l t e r e d h i s course i n an att e m p t

,

to circ le around to i t M or e wo lves w e r e a ppe aring

.

e ve r y m om e nt and j oining i n t he c h a se The S he .

w o l f wa s on e le a p b eh ind O n e E ar and h o l di n g h e r
own .

“
W he r e ar e y ou goi n He nry s ud d e n ly d e mand e d
’

”
,

l a y i ng h i s h and on h i s p artn e r s arm ’

.

Bi ll sh ook i t o ff “ I w on t s tand i t h e sa id
.
’
,
.

“ They ain t a goin

’
to g e t an y m or e o f ou r dog s i f I
-
’

can help i t .

G un i n h and he pl ung e d i nto t he un d e rbru sh t h at

,

l in e d t he s id e o f t he trai l H i s int e ntion wa s a pp ar

.

e nt e noug h T aking t he S le d a s t he c e ntr e o f t h e

.

ci rc le t h at O n e E ar wa s making B i ll pl ann e d to t a p ,

t h at circ le at a p oint i n ad v anc e o f t he p urs uit .

,
i
Wit h h i s rifl e n t he broad da yl ig h t i t m ig h t b e p os ,

”
s ib le f or h i m to aw e t h e wo lves and s a ve t he d og .

“
S a y Bi ll " H e nry ca lle d a f t e r h i m
,

f u l " D on t tak e no c h anc es "

’
“
B e car e
” .

H e n r v sa t down on t he sle d and watc he d The r e .

wa s not h ing else f or h i m to d o Bi ll h ad a l r e ad y .

 TH E H UNG ER C RY 33

gon e f ro m s ig h t ; bu t n o w and again a ppe aring an d ,

di s a ppe arin g am ong s t t he und e rb ru sh and t he s cat

t e r e d c l um ps o f sp ru c e cou l d b e see n O n e E ar
,
.

H e nry j udg e d h i s ca se to b e h o peless The dog w a s .

t h oroughly a l i ve to it s dang e r but i t wa s running o n ,

t he out e r circ le w h i le t h e wo lf p ack wa s running o n -

t h e i nn e r and sh ort e r circ le I t wa s v ai n t o t h ink o f .

O n e E ar s o o ut di s tancing h i s p u r s u e r s a s t o b e ab l e
to cut acro ss t he ir circ le i n ad v anc e o f t he m and t o
r e gain t he sle d .

The di ff e r e n t l in es w e r e ra p id ly a pp roac h ing a

p oint S om e w he r e o u t t he r e i n t he s no w s cr ee n e d
.
,

from h i s s ig h t b y tr ees and t h ick e t s He nry kn e w t h a t ,

t he wo l f p ack O n e E ar and Bi ll w e r e coming t o

-

, ,

g e t he r A ll to o q ui ck ly far m or e q uick ly t h an h e
.
,

h ad e x pe ct e d i t h a ppe n e d
,
H e he ard a S h ot t he n .
,

t w o s h ot s i n ra p i d s ucc ess ion and he kn e w t h at Bi l l s

’
,

ammunitio n w a s go n e The n he h e ard a gr e at o u t

.

cr y o f s nar ls an d yelps H e r e cogni ze d O n e E ar s

.
’

yell o f p ai n and t e rror and he he ard a wo lf cr y t h a t

,
-

b esp ok e a s trick e n anima l A nd t h at wa s a ll Th e . .

s narls c e a se d The yelp ing di e d awa y

. S i l e nc e s e t .

t l e d down again o ve r t h e l on ely l and .

H e s a t f or a l ong w h i le u p on t h e sle d The r e w a s .

no n ee d f or h im t o go an d s ee w h at h ad h a ppe n e d .

H e kn e w i t a s t h oug h i t h a d ta k e n pl ac e b ef or e h i s
eyes . O nc e he rou se d wit h a s tart and h a s ti ly go t
,

t he ax e ou t f ro m und e rn e a t h t he l a sh ing s But f o r .

34 W H I T E F ANG

s om e tim e l ong e r he s a t and brood e d t he two r e main ,

ing d og s crouc h ing and tr e mb l ing at h i s fee t .

A t l a s t he aro se i n a w e ary mann e r a s t h oug h a ll t he ,

r es i l i e nc e h ad gon e o u t o f h i s bod y and p roc ee d e d t o ,

f a s t e n t he dog s t o t he sle d He p a sse d a ro pe o ve r h i s

.

sh ou l d e r a man trac e and p u lle d wi t h t he d og s H e

,
-

,
.

did not go f ar A t t he fi r s t h in t o f darkn e ss he h a s t e n e d

.

to m ak e a cam p and he s a w to i t t h at he h ad a g e n
,

e r ou s s u pply o f fi r e wood He fe d t he d og s cook e d

.
,

and at e h i s s u ppe r and mad e h i s b e d c l o se to t he fi r e

,
.

But he wa s no t d es tin e d to e nj o y t h at b e d B ef or e
i
.

h s eyes c l o se d t he wo lves h ad drawn to o n e ar f or

s a fe ty. I t no l ong e r r eq uir e d an e ffort Of t he v i s ion
to see t he m They w e r e a ll ab out h im and t he fi r e
.
,

i n a narro w c i rc le and he cou l d s ee t he m pl ain ly i n

,

i
t he fi r el gh t ly ing d own , s itting u p craw l ing f or
, ,

ward on t he ir b ell i es o r sl inking back and f ort h ,

.

They eve n slep t He r e and t he r e he cou l d s ee o n e

.

curle d u p in t he s n o w l ik e a dog taking t he sleep ,

t h at wa s now d e ni e d h im self .

H e k ep t t he fi r e brig h t ly b l a z ing f or he kn e w t h a t ,

i t a l on e i nt e r ve n e d b e tw ee n t he fl esh o f h i s b od y and
t he ir h ungry f ang s H i s two d og s s ta ye d c l o se b y
.

h im o n e o n e i t he r s id e le aning again s t h im f or p ro
, ,

t ec t i on ,
cry ing and w h im pe ring and a t tim es s nar l ,

ing d espe rat ely w he n a wo lf a pp roac he d a l itt le c l o se r

t h an u s ua l A t s uc h m om e nt s w he n h s d og s s narle d
.
,
i ,

t he w h o le circ le w ou l d b e agitat e d t he wo lves com ,

36 W H IT E F ANG

th at s a fe t y l a y on ly i n t he gam i ng o f Fort M c G u rr y .

The wo lves w e r e now m or e o pe n i n t h e i r p ur s ui t ,

tro tting se dat ely b eh ind and ranging a l ong on e it he r

s id e t he i r r e d tongu es l o ll ing out the ir le an s id es
, ,

sh owing t he undu l ating rib s wi t h eve ry m o ve m e nt .

They w e r e ve ry le an m e r e s kin bag s s tr e tc h e d o ve r

,
-

bon y f ram es wit h s tri ng s f or mu s c les — s o le an t h at

,

He nry f ound i t i n h i s m ind to m ar vel t h at t hey s ti ll

k ep t t he ir fee t and d id n o t co ll a pse f ort h rig h t i n t he
sn o w .

H e di d no t dar e tra v el unti l dark A t m idda y .

,

n o t on ly did t he s u n warm t he s out he rn h ori z on b ut ,

i t eve n t h ru s t i t s u ppe r rim p a le and go l d e n ab o ve , ,

t he sk y l in e H e r e c e i ve d i t a s a S ign Th e da ys
-
. .

w e r e gro wing l ong e r The s u n wa s r e turning B ut

. .

s carc ely h ad t he c hee r o f i t s l ig h t d ep art e d t h an he ,

w e nt into cam p The r e w e r e s ti ll seve ra l h our s o f

.

gra y dayl ig h t and s ombr e twi l ig h t and h e u ti l i ze d ,

t he m i n c h o pp ing an e normou s s u pply o f fi r e wood .

Wit h nig h t cam e h orror N o t on ly w e r e t he s t a r v

.

ing wo lves growing b o l d e r b ut l ack o f sleep wa s ,

t ell ing u p on He nry H e do ze d d esp i t e h im self

.
,

crouc h ing b y t he fi r e t he b l ank e t s ab out h i s sh ou l d e rs

, ,

t he ax e b e tw ee n h i s kn ees and o n e it he r s id e a dog

,

p r ess ing c l o se again s t h im H e awok e onc e and sa w

.

i n f ro nt o f h im no t a do ze n fee t awa y a big gra y

, ,

wo lf on e o f t h e l arg es t o f t he p ack A nd eve n a s he

,
.

l ook e d t he brut e d el ib e rat ely s tr e tc he d h i m sel f a f t e r

,
 TH E H U NG ER C RY 37

t he ma nn e r o f a l a zy d og y awning f u ll i n h i s fac e an d
,

l ooking u p on h i m wit h a p o ssess i ve eye a s i f i n trut h , , ,

h e w e r e m e r ely a d el aye d m e a l t h at wa s s oo n to b e
e at e n
.

Th i s c e rtitud e wa s sh own b y t he w h o le p ack .

Fu lly a s cor e he cou l d c oun t s taring h ungri ly at h i

, m
or ca l m ly sleep ing in t he s no w They r e mind e d h im .

O f c h i l dr e n gat h e r e d about a sp r e ad tab le and awai t

i ng pe rmi ss ion to b e gi n t o e at A nd he wa s t he f ood .

t hey w e r e to e at " H e wond e r e d h o w a n d w he n t h e

m e a l wou l d b e gin .

A s he p i le d wood on t h e fi r e he di s co ve r e d an a p
p r e ciation O f h i s o w n b od y w h i c h he h ad n eve r fel t
b ef or e H e watc he d h i s m o v ing mu s c les an d wa s
i
.

in t e r es t e d i n t he cunning m e c h ani s m o f h s fi ng e r s .

B y t he l ig h t o f t he fi r e he cro ok e d h i s fi ng e r s sl ow ly
and r epe at e d ly n ow o n e at a tim e n ow a ll tog e t he r
, , ,

sp r e ading t he m wid e o r making q uick gri pp ing m o ve

me nt s H e s tudi e d t he nai l f ormati on and p rod d e d
.
-

t he fi n g er ti ps n o w sh ar ply and again s o f t ly gauging

-

, , ,

t he w h i le t he n e r ve se n s ation s p roduc e d
-
I t f a s ci .

mat e d h im and he gr e w s udd e n ly f ond o f t h i s s ub tle

,

fl esh o f h i s t h at work e d s o b e auti f u lly and s mo ot hly

and d el icat ely The n he wou l d ca s t a g l anc e o f fe ar
.

at t h e wo l f ci rc le d rawn e x pe ctant ly ab ou t h i m and

-

l ik e a b l ow t he r e a l i z ation wo u l d s trik e h i m t h at t h i s
wond e r f u l b od y o f h i s t h i s l i v ing fl esh wa s n o m or e
, ,

t h an s o mu c h m e at a q u es t o f ra ve nou s anima ls to
, ,
38 W H I T E F ANG

b e torn and sl a she d b y t he i r h ungry f ang s to b e s u s ,

t en a n c e t o t he m a s t he m oo se and t h e rabbi t h ad

o f t e n b ee n s u s t e nanc e t o h im .

H e cam e o u t o f a do ze t h at wa s h a lf nig h tmar e ,

t o s ee t h e r e d h u e d sh e wo lf b ef or e h im
- -
S h e wa s .

not m or e t h an h a lf a d o ze n fee t awa y S itting n t he , i

s n ow and wi s t fu lly r e garding h im The two d og s .

w e r e w h im pe ring and s narl ing at h i s fee t but sh e

i
,

took no no ti c e o f t he m S he wa s l ook ng at t he man

.
,

and f or s om e tim e he r e turn e d he r l ook The r e wa s .

no t h ing t h r e a t e ning ab out h e r S h e l ook e d a t h im

.

m e r ely wi t h a gr e a t wi s t ful n ess but h e kn e w i t to ,

b e t h e wi s t f u l n ess o f an e q ua ll y gr e at h ung e r H e .

wa s t he f o od and t he s ig h t o f h i m e xci t e d i n he r t h e
,

gu s tatory se n s ati on s H e r m out h o pe n e d t he sa l i v a

.
,

droo le d f ort h and sh e l ick e d he r c h o p s wit h t he

,

ple a s ur e o f antici p ation .

A sp a s m o f fe ar w e nt th roug h h im H e r e ac he d .

h a s ti ly f or a brand to t h row a t he r B ut eve n a s .

he r e ac he d and b ef or e h i s fin g e r s h ad c l o se d o n t he
,

mi ss i le sh e sp rang back i nto s a fe t y ; and he kn e w

,

t h at sh e wa s u se d to h a v ing t h ing s t h rown a t he r .

S he h ad s nar le d a s S he sp rang awa y baring he r w h it e ,

f ang s to t he i r ro ot s a ll h er wi s t f u l n ess v ani sh ing

, ,

b e ing r epl ac e d b y a carni v orou s ma l ignit y t h at

m ad e h im sh udd e r He g l anc e d at t he h and t h at h el d
.

t he brand noti cing t he cunning d el icac y o f t he fi ng e rs

,

t h at gri ppe d i t h o w t he y adj u s t e d t he m selves to a l l

,
 TH E H U NG ER C RY 39

t he in e q ua l i t i es o f t he s ur f ac e curl i ng o ve r and und e r

,

and ab out t he roug h wo od and o n e l i tt l e fi ng e r to o

, ,

c l o se to t h e burning p orti on o f t he brand se n s iti vely ,

and automatica lly writ h ing back f rom t he h urt f u l

he at to a coo le r gri pp ing pl ac e ; and i n t he s am e
-

i n s tant h e see m e d t o see a v i s io n o f t h o se s am e se n s i

ti ve a n d d el icat e fi ng e r s b e ing cru she d and torn b y
t he w h it e t ee t h o f t he s h e wo lf N eve r h ad h e b ee n
-
.

s o f ond o f t h i s bo d y o f h i s a s no w w he n h i s t e nur e o f

i t wa s s o p r e cari ou s .

A ll nig h t wit h b urn ing brand s he f o u g h t o ff t he

,

h ungry p ack . W he n h e d o ze d d esp it e h im self t h e ,

w h im pe ring and s nar l ing o f t h e dog s arou se d h im .

M orning cam e b ut f or t he fi r s t tim e t he l ig h t o f da y

,

fai le d t o s catt e r t he wo lves .The man wait e d i n v ain

f o r t he m t o go They r e m ain e d i n a circ le ab ou t h i m
.

and h i s fi r e di spl a y ing a n arroganc e o f p o ssess ion t h at

,

sh ook h i s courag e b orn o f t he m orning l ig h t .

H e m ad e on e d esp e rat e att e m p t to p u ll ou t on t h e

trai l . But t he m om e nt he lef t t he p rot e ction o f t he
fi r e t h e b o l d es t wo l f le a pe d f or h im b ut le a pe d
, ,

sh ort H e s a ve d h im self b y sp ringing back t h e j a w s

.
,

s na pp ing tog e t he r a s cant s ix inc hes f rom h i s t h ig h .

Th e r es t o f t he p ack wa s no w u p and s urging u p on

h im and a t h ro wing o f fi r eb r a n d s righ t and le f t wa s
,

n e c ess ary to dri ve t he m back to a r espe ct f u l di s tan c e .

E ve n in t he da yl ig h t he did n ot dar e le a ve t he fi r e
to c h o p f r esh wo od T w e nt y fee t awa y tow e r e d a
.
40 W H I T E F ANG

h ug e d e a d sp ruc e He spe n t h a lf t he da y e xt e ndin g

.

h i s cam pfi r e to t he tr ee at an y m om e nt a h a lf do ze n
,

b urning f ago t s r e ad y at h an d to fling at h i s e n e mi es .

O nc e at t he tr ee he s tud i e d t h e s ur rounding f or es t
,

in ord e r to fell t he tr ee in t he dir e ction o f t he m o s t

fi r e wood .

The nig h t wa s a r epe ti tion o f t h e n igh t b ef or e

sa ve t h at t h e n ee d f or sleep wa s b e com ing o ve rp ow e r
i ng The s narl ing o f h i s dog s wa s l o s ing it s e ffi cac y
. .

B es id es , t hey w e r e s nar l ing a ll t he tim e and h i s b e ,

numb e d an d drow sy se n s es n o l ong e r to ok not e of

c h angi n g p i tc h and int e n s i t y He awok e wit h a
.

s tart . The s h e wo lf wa s less t h an a y ard f ro m h i m

-

M e c h anica lly at sh ort rang e wi t h ou t le tting go o f i t,

, ,

h e t h ru s t a brand f u ll into he r Ope n and s narl ing

m out h . S he sp rang awa y yell ing wit h p ain and
, ,

w h i le he to ok d el igh t i n t he s m ell o f burning fl esh

and h air he watc he d he r sh aking he r h ea d and
,

grow l ing wrat hf u lly a s cor e o f fee t awa y .

But t h i s tim e , b ef or e he do ze d again b e ti e d a ,

burning p i n e knot to h i s rig h t h and

-
H i s eyes w e r e
.

c l o se d but a fe w minut es w he n t h e burn o f t he flam e

on h i s fl esh awak e n e d h im For seve ra l h our s h e

.

a d he r e d to t h i s p rogramm e E ve r y tim e he wa s t h u s
.

a wak e n e d h e dro ve back t h e wo lves wit h fl y ing

brand s r eple ni she d t h e fi r e and r e arrang e d t h e p in e
, ,

kno t on h i s h and A ll work e d w ell bu t t he r e

.
,

c am e a tim e w he n b e f a s t e n e d t h e p in e kno t in se
 TH E H UN G E R C R Y 41

cur ely As h i s eyes c l o se d i t fell awa y f rom h i s

.

h and .

H e dr e am e d I t see m e d t o h i m t h at he wa s i n
.

Fort M c G u r r y I t wa s warm and com f ortab le and

.
,

he wa s pl a y ing cribbag e wi t h t he Fac tor A ls o i t .

,

see m e d to h im t h at t h e f ort wa s b es i e g e d b y wo lves .

They w e r e h ow l ing at t he ve ry gat es and s om e tim es ,

he and t he F a c t o r p a u s e d f rom t he gam e t o l i s t e n and

l aug h at t he f uti le e ff ort s o f t he wo lves to g e t i n .

A n d t he n s o s trang e wa s t he dr e am t he r e w as a
, ,

cra sh The d oor wa s b ur s t Op e n

. He cou l d s ee t he
.

wo lves flooding in to t h e big l i v ing ro om o f t he f ort -

i
.

They w e r e le a p ing s traig h t f or h m and t he Facto r .

Wi t h t he bur s ting o pe n o f t h e do or t he noi se o f t he ir

,

h ow l ing h ad incr e a se d tr e m e ndou sly Th i s h ow l ing

.

no w b ot he r e d h im H i s dr e am wa s m e rging i nto
.

s om e t h ing else — h e kn e w n ot w h at ; but t h roug h i t

a ll f o ll owi ng h im p e r s i s t e d t he b o w l n g
, ,
i .

A n d t he n h e awok e to fi nd t he b o w l n g r e a l i .

The r e wa s a gr e at s narl ing and yelp ing Th e wo lves

i
.

w e r e ru sh ing h m They w e r e a ll about h im and

.

u p on h i m .The t ee t h o f on e h ad c l o se d u p o n h i s
arm . I n s tincti vely h e le a pe d into t he fi r e and a s ,

he le a pe d h e fel t t he sh arp sl a sh o f t ee t h t h at tor e

,

t h roug h t he fl esh o f h i s le g The n b e gan a fi r e fi g h t

. .

H i s s tou t m i tt e n s t e m p orari ly p rot e ct e d h i s h and s ,

‘

and he s co o pe d l i ve coa ls into t he air i n a l l d r e c t o n s

'

ii ,

unti l t he cam p fi r e took on t he se mb l anc e o f a v o l cano

-
.
42 W H I T E F AN G

But i t cou l d n o t l a s t l ong H i s f ac e w a s b l i s t e ring

.

i n t he he at h i s eye brow s and l a shes w e r e s ing e d o ff

, ,

and t h e h e at wa s b e coming unb e arab le to h i s fee t .

Wi t h a flaming b rand in e ac h h and he sp rang to t he ,

edg e o f t he fi r e The wo lves h ad b ee n dri ve n back

. .

O n eve r y s id e w he r eve r t h e l i ve coa ls h ad fa lle n t he

, ,

s now wa s s i zzl ing an d eve ry l itt le w h i le a r e tiring

,

wo lf wi t h wi l d le a p and s nort and s narl anno unc e d

, ,

t h at on e s uc h l i ve coa l h ad b ee n s t eppe d u p on
ii i
.

F l n g n g h i s brand s at t he n e ar es t o f h s e n e mi es ,

t he man t h ru s t h i s s mo ul d e ring mi tt e n s into th e

s now and s tam pe d about to co o l h i s fee t H i s two .

dog s w e r e mi ss ing and he w ell kn e w t h at th ey h ad

,

se r ve d a s a cour se i n t he p ro tract e d m e a l w h i c h h ad
b e gun da ys b ef or e wit h Fatt y t he l a s t cour se o f ,

w h ic h wou l d l ik ely b e h im self i n t he days to

f o ll ow .

”
You ain t go t m e y e t " h e cri e d s a v ag ely sh ak
’
,

ing h i s fis t at t he h ungry b e a s t s ; and at t he s o und

o f h i s v oic e t he w h o le circ le wa s agitat e d t he r e wa s
‘

a g e n e ra l s nar l and t he s h e wo lf sl id u p c l o se to
,
-

h im acro ss t he s now an d watc he d h im wi t h h un gry

wi s t f u l n ess
.

H e se t to work to carry o u t a n e w i d e a t h a t h ad
com e to h im .He e xt e nd e d t he fi r e i nto a l arg e
circ le . I n s id e t h i s circ le h e crouc he d h i s sleep ing ,

out fi t und e r h i m a s a p ro t e cti on again s t t he m el ting

s now . W he n he h ad t h u s di s a ppea r e d wit h i n h s i
44 W H IT E F AN G

b e tw ee n These o p ening s gr e w i n s i ze t he se gm e n t s

”
,
.

d im ini she d

”
.

“ I gu ess y o u can com e an g e t m e an y t m e he ’

i ,

mumb le d “ A n y wa y I m goin to sleep

.
,
’ ’
.

O nc e h e wak e n e d and i n an o pe ning in t he c irc le

,

i
,

dir e ct ly In f ron t o f h im he s a w t he s h e wo lf ga z n g ,
-

at h im
i
.

A gai n h e awak e n e d a l tt le l at e r t h oug h i t , ,

see m e d h ou rs to h im A m ys t e ri ou s c h ang e h ad
.

tak e n pl ac e — s o m ys t e ri ou s a c h ang e t h at he wa s
sh o ck e d wid e r awak e S om e t h ing h ad h a ppe n e d
. .

He cou l d not und e r s tand a t fi r s t The n b e di s

i
.

co ve r e d t The wo lves w e r e gon e R e main e d on ly

. .

t he tram ple d s now to S h ow h ow c l o sely t hey h ad

p r esse d h im S leep wa s w ell ing u p and gri pp ing h im
i
.

again h i s he ad wa s s inking do wn u p on h s k n ee s
, ,

w he n he rou se d wit h a s udd e n s tart .

The r e w e r e cri es of m e n t he c h urn o f sle d s t he ,

i
,

cr e aking o f h arn esses an d t he e ag e r w h m pe ring o f

,

s trai ning dog s Fo u r sle d s p u l le d i n f rom t he ri ve r

.

b e d to t he cam p am ong t h e tr ees H a lf a d o ze n m e n .

w e r e about t he man w h o cro uc he d in t he c e ntr e

o f t h e d y ing fi r e They w e r e sh ak ng and p rod
. i
ding h im into con s ciou s n ess He l ook e d at t h e m
i
.

l ik e a dru nk e n man a n d maun d e r e d n s t r ang e sleepy ,

spee c h
“ R e d s h e wo lf C om e i n wi t h t he d og s at
-

i
.

f eed n tim e
’
Fi rs t s h e at e t he dog f o od -

.
 TH E H U NG E R C RY 45

The n sh e at e t he dog s A n a f t e r t h at sh e at e
.
’

Bi ll.

W he r e s L ord A lf r e d
’
on e o f t he m e n b ell ow e d

i n h i s e ar, sh aking h im roug hly .

He sh o ok h i s he ad sl ow ly NO s h e didn t e at
”
“ ’

”
.

i
,

h im H e s r oos t n in a tr ee at t he l a s t cam p
’ ’

”
. .

D e ad ? t he man sh out e d .

A n in a b ox He nry an s w e r e d
’
,
H e j e rk e d h i s
.

sh ou l d e r pe tu l ant ly awa y f rom t h e gri p o f h i s q u es

i “ Sa y le mm e a l on e I m j es
”
’ ’
t o n er .
y,
ou .

pl umb tuck e r e d ou t . G oo nig h t , eve ry b od y

’
.

H i s eyes flutt e re d and w e nt sh ut H i s c h in fell .

f orward o n h i s c h es t A nd eve n a s t hey e a se d h i m

.

d own u p on t he b l ank e t s h i s s nor es w e r e ri s ing o n

t he f ro s t y air .

But t he r e w a s ano the r s ound Far and fai nt it

i
.

w as ,
n t he r e m ot e di s tanc e , t he cry o f t h e h u n gry
wo lf p ack a s i t took t he trai l o f o t he r m e at t h an t he
-

man i t h ad j u s t m i sse d .
 PAR T TW O

BO RN O F TH E W I L D

TH E B A TTL E O F T H E F A NG S
THE L A IR
TH E GR A Y C UB

THE W A LL O F T H E W O R L D
THE LA W OF M E AT
50 W H IT E F ANG

w he n an y le a p Of he r s c h anc e d to p u t he r i n ad v anc e
o f h im . O n t h e c ontrary h e see m e d kind ly di sp o se d
,

to ward h er to o ki nd ly to s ui t h e r f or he wa s p ro n e
,

to run n e ar to he r and w he n he ran too n e ar i t wa s

,

sh e w h o s nar le d and sh ow e d he r t ee th N or wa s sh e .

ab o ve sl a sh ing h i s sh ou l d e r sh arply o n occa s ion At .

s uc h tim es he b e tra ye d n o ang e r H e m e r ely sp rang .

to t he s id e and ran s ti ffly a he ad f or seve ra l awkward

le a ps i n carriag e and conduct r ese mb l ing an aba she d
,

co untry S wain .

Th i s wa s h i s on e troub le i n t he runn ing o f t he

p ack ; but s h e h ad o t he r troub les O n h e r o t he r s id e
.

ran a gaunt Ol d wo lf gri zzle d and m ark e d wi t h t he

,

s car s O f m an y batt les He ran a l wa ys o n he r rig h t

.

s id e
. The f act t h a t h e h ad but o n e eye and t h a t t h e ,

lef t eye m ig h t account f or t h i s H e a ls o wa s a d

,
.
, ,

di ct e d to cro wding h e r to vee ri ng to ward he r ti ll h i s

,

s carr e d mu zzle touc he d h e r b od y o r sh ou l d e r o r n e ck

, ,
.

A s wi t h t he running mat e o n t he lef t sh e r epelle d ,

t hese att e nti on s wi t h he r t ee t h ; but w he n b ot h b e

s tow e d t he ir att e ntion s at t he s am e tim e s h e wa s
roug hly j o s t le d b e ing com pelle d wi t h q uick s na ps t o
, ,

e it he r s id e to dri ve b o t h l o ve r s awa y and at t he s am e

,

tim e to maintai n he r f orward le a p wit h t he p ack

and see t h e wa y o f he r fee t b ef or e he r A t s uc h .

tim es he r running m at es fla she d t he ir t ee t h and

grow le d t h r e at e ningly acro ss at e ac h o t he r The y .

mig h t h a ve f oug h t but eve n wo oing and i t s ri v a l ry

,
 TH E B A TT L E O F TH E F AN Gs 51

wait e d u p on t he m or e p r ess ing h ung e r n ee d O f t h e -

p ack .

A f t e r e ac h r ep u lse w he n t he Ol d wo lf shee r e d
,

abru p t ly awa y f rom t he sh ar p too t he d O bj e ct o f h i s

-

d es ir e he sh o ul d e r e d again s t a y ou n g t h r ee ye ar Ol d
,
- -

t h at ran o n h i s b l ind rig h t s i d e Th i s y oung w o lf.

h ad attain e d h i s f u ll s i ze ; and con s id e ring t he w e ak

,

and f ami she d co ndi tio n o f t he p ack he p o ssesse d ,

m or e t h an t h e a ve rag e v igor and sp irit N eve rth eless .

,

he ran wit h h i s he ad eve n wi t h t h e sh ou l d e r o f h i s

on e eye d el d e r W he n he ve ntur e d to run abr e a s t o f
-
.

t he Ol d e r wo l f (w h ic h wa s sel d om "a s nar l and a

, ,

s na p se nt h im back eve n wit h t h e sh ou l d e r again .

S om e tim es h ow eve r he dro ppe d cautiou sly and

, ,

sl ow ly b eh ind and e dg e d i n b e tw ee n t he Ol d le ad e r
and t he s h e wo lf Th i s wa s d oub ly r ese nt e d eve n
-
.
,

tri ply r ese nt e d W he n sh e s nar le d he r di sple a s ur e

.
,

t he Ol d le ad e r wou l d w h ir l on t he t h r ee ye ar Ol d - -
.

S om e tim es s h e w h irle d wi t h h im A nd s om e tim es

.

t he y oung le ad e r o n t he lef t w h irle d too ,

.

A t s u c h ti m es con f ront e d b y t h r ee se t s O f s a v ag e
,

t ee t h t h e y oung wo lf s to ppe d p r e ci p i tat e l y t h ro w ing

, ,

h im self back o n h i s h aunch es wi t h f or e le g s s ti ff

,
-

m out h m e nacing and man e bri s t l ing Th i s con fu s i o n

, .

i n t he f ront o f t he m o v ing p ack a l wa ys cau se d con

f u s ion in t he r e ar The w o lves beh ind co ll id e d wi t h
.

t he y oung wo lf and e x p r esse d t he ir di sple a s ur e b y

admini s t e ring sh ar p ni ps o n h i s h ind le g s and flank s -
.
52 W H IT E F ANG

He w as l a yi ng u p troub le fo r h im sel f f or l a c k O f f o od ,

a n d sh ort t e m pe rs w e nt to g e t he r ; but wi t h t h e bo un d

less fa it h o f v ou t h he pe rs i s t e d in re pea ting t h e ma

n oeu v re e v e r v l it t le w h i le t h oug h i t n e v e r s uc c ee d e d
.

i n ga ini ng an y th ing f o r h i m but d i sc omfi t u re .

H ad t h e r e b ee n fo od l o ve m a king and fi g h ting

,
-

wou l d h a ve gon e o n s p a c e and th e p ack f o r ma ti on -

wou l d h a v e b ee n b rok e n u p But t h e s i tua t i on o f

.

th e p ack w a s d espe ra t e It wa s le a n wi t h l ong s ta nd

.
-

ing h unge r I t ra n b el ow i
. t s ordi nar y spee d At .

t he re a r l im pe d t h e w e ak m e m be rs t he ve r y y oung ,

a n d th e v er v Ol d A t t he fro nt w e r e t h e s t r on g es t
i
. .

Y e t a ll w er e mo r e l k e s k ele ton s t h an f ul l b od i ed -

wo lves N e v e rt heless wi t h t he e x c ep tion o f t he on es

i
,
.

t h at l m ped t h e m o ve m e n ts o f t h e a n ima ls w e re
,

eff or t less an d tir eless The ir s trin gy m u s c les see m e d

i
.

i
f ounts Of n e x h au s tib le e n er gy B e h ind eve ry s t eel l k e
.
-

co ntr a cti on O f a mu s c le l a y a no t he r s t e el l ik e co n
,
-

trac ti on an d anot he r and a noth e r a pp a r e n t ly wi t h

, , ,

ou t e nd .

T h ev ran man y mi les th at da y Th ey ran t h r oug h

i
.

t he n gh t A nd t h e n e xt da y f oun d t h e m s ti ll ru n
.

i
n in g Th e v w e re runn n g o ve r t h e s ur face o f a w orl d
i
.

fr o ze n and d e ad NO l i fe s t rr e d They al on e m o ved

. .

th roug h th e v a s t in e rtn ess They a l on e w e re al i ve

.
,

a n d t hey s oug h t f or o t he r t h ings t h at w e r e a l i ve in

ord e r t h at t hey mig h t d ev our the m and con t n u e t o i

l i ve
.
 TH E B A TTL E OF TH E F AN GS 53

i
Th ey cro ss ed l o w d v i d es a n d ra ng e d a do ze n s ma ll
i
s tr ea m s in a l ow e r ly n g co u n t r y b ef o r e t h e ir q u es t
-

wa s r e ward e d The n t he y ca m e u p o n m oo s e
. It .

a big bul l t he y fi r s t f oun d He r e w as m ea t a n d

.

i
l fe an d it w as gua rd e d b y no m ys t e ri ous fi r es nor
ii
,

fl y in g m ss l es o f flam e S p la y h o o fs and pa l ma t ed
.

ant le rs they kn e w an d t hey fl u ng t h e ir cus t omary

,

i
pa t e n c e an d ca u ti on to t h e w in d It w as a b ri ef.

fi g h t an d fi e rc e The big bu l l w as b ese t o n eve r y

.

si d e H e ri pp e d t he m o pe n o r sp l it t he ir s ku ll s wi t h
i
.

sh r e wd ly dr i ve n b l o w s o f h s gr e at h oo fs H e cru sh ed .

t he m and brok e t h e m on h i s l arg e h o rn s H e st a mped

ii
.

i
t he m n to t h e s no w und e r h m n t h e wal l o w n g i
s trugg le B u t he w as f or ed oom e d an d he w e nt down
i
,

i
.

wi t h t he s h e wo lf t e a r n g s a v ag ely a t h s t hr oa t an d
-

i
,

wit h ot h e r t ee t h fi x e d eve ry w her e u p o n h m d ev o u r

i i
,

i n g h m al i ve b ef or e eve r h s l as t s t r ugg les c e a s e d

,

or h i s l a s t damag e h ad b ee n wroug h t .

The r e wa s f o od in p le nt y The b u ll w e i gh e d o v e r
.

e ig h t h un dr e d p o u nds —f u lly tw e nt y p o un d s o f m ea t
pe r m out h f or t h e f ort y o d d wo lves o f t he p ack
-
.

But i f t hey co ul d f a s t p rodigio u s ly t he y co u l d fee d

,

p rod i gi ou sl y and so o n a fe w s ca t t e r ed bon es w e r e a ll

,

t h at r e main e d o f t he sp l e n d i d l i ve brut e t h a t h ad
fac ed t h e p ack a fe w h ours be f o re .

The r e w a s n ow m uc h r es ting an d sleep ing “1 t h .

f u ll s tom ac hs b ick e ring an d q uarr ell ing b e g a n among

,

t he y oung e r m al es an d t h i s continu e d t h roug h t he

,
52 W H ITE F ANG

i
H e wa s l a y ng u p troub le f o r h im self, f or l ack o f f ood
and sh ort t e m pe r s w e nt tog e t he r ; but wit h t he bound
less f ai th o f y out h he p e r s i s t e d n r epe ating t h e ma i
n oeu v r e eve r y l itt le w h i le ,t h oug h t n eve r s ucc ee d e d i
i n gaining an y t h ing f o r h i m but d s c o mfi t u r e i .

H ad t he r e b ee n f ood l o ve making and fi g h ting

,
-

wou l d h a ve gon e on a p ac e, an d t he p ack f o rmation -

wou l d h a ve b ee n brok e n u p But t h e s i tuatio n o f

.

t he p ack w a s d espe rat e I t wa s le an wit h l ong s tand

.
-

ing h ung e r I t ran b el o w it s ordinary spee d

. At .

t h e r e ar l im pe d t he w e ak m e mb e r s t he ve ry y oun g ,

and t he ve ry o l d A t t he f ro nt w e r e t h e s trong es t
. .

Y e t a ll w e r e mor e l ik e s k ele ton s t h an f u ll b od i e d -

wo lves N eve rt heless wit h t he e xc ep tion o f t he on es

.
,

t h at l im pe d t he m o ve m e n ts o f t he anima ls w e r e
,

e ff ort less and tir eless The ir s tring y m u s c les see m e d

i
.

f ount s o f in e x h au s tib le e n e rg y B eh ind eve r y s t eel l k e

.
-

contraction o f a m u s c le l a y ano t he r s t eel l ik e con

,
-

traction and anot he r, and anot he r a pp ar e nt ly wi t h

, ,

o u t e nd .

They ran man y mi les t h at da y They ra n t h roug h .

t he nig h t A nd t h e n e xt d ay f ound t he m s ti ll run

.

n ing . They w e r e running o ve r t h e s ur fac e o f a worl d

f ro ze n and d e ad N o l i fe s tirr e d They a l on e m o ve d
. .

t h roug h t he v a s t i n e rtn ess They a l on e w e r e a l i ve ,

.

a n d t hey s oug h t f or ot he r t h ing s t h a t w e r e a l i ve i n

ord e r t h at t hey mig h t d ev our t he m and con tinu e to

l i ve
.
 TH E B A TT L E OF TH E F ANG S 53

They cro sse d l o w di v id es and rang e d a do ze n s ma ll

s tr eam s in a l ow e r ly ing countr y b ef or e t he i r q u es t
-

wa s r e ward e d The n t hey cam e u p on m o o se

. It .

wa s a big b u l l t hey fi r s t f ound He r e wa s m e a t and

.

l i fe , and i t wa s guard e d b y no m ys t e rio us fi r es n or

fl y ing mi ss i les o f flam e S pl a y h oo fs and p a l mat e d
.

a n t le rs t hey kn e w , and t hey fl ung t he ir c u s tomary

p ati e n c e and caution to t he wind It wa s a bri ef .

fi g h t and fi e rc e The big bu ll wa s b ese t on eve ry

.

s id e
. H e ri ppe d t he m o pe n or spl i t t he i r s ku lls wi t h
sh r e wd ly dri ve n b l ow s o f h i s gr e at h o o fs H e cru she d .

t he m and brok e t he m o n h i s l arg e h orn s H e s ta m pe d .

t he m in to t he s now und e r h im i n t he wa ll owing

s truggle But he wa s f or e d oom e d and he w e nt d own
.
,

wit h t he s h e wo lf t e aring s a v ag ely a t h i s t h roat and

-

wit h ot he r t ee t h fi x e d eve ry w he r e u p on h im d ev o ur
i
,

ing h m a l i ve b ef or e eve r h i s l a s t s truggles c e a se d

,

o r h i s l a s t damag e h ad b ee n wroug h t .

The r e wa s f o od in ple nt y The h u l l w e ighe d o v e r

.

e ig h t h undr e d p ound s — f u lly tw e nt y p ound s o f m ea t

pe r m out h for t he f ort y odd wo lves o f t he p ack
-

But i f t hey coul d f a s t p rodigiou sly t hey cou l d fee d ,

p rodigi ou sly , and s o on a fe w s catt e r e d bon es w e r e a ll

t h at r e main e d o f t he sple ndi d l i ve brut e t h at h ad
f ac e d t he p ack a fe w h our s b ef or e .

The r e wa s now m uc h r es ting an d sleep ing W it h .

f u ll s tom ac hs bick e ring an d q uarr ell ing b e gan am on g

‘

t he y oung e r ma les and t h i s con tinu e d t h roug h t he

,
54 W H I T E F ANG

fe w da ys t h at f o ll ow e d b ef or e t he br e aking u p o f t h e -

p ack The f ami n e wa s o ve r The wo lves w e r e now

. .

i n t h e country o f gam e , and t h oug h t hey s ti ll h un t e d

in p ack t hey h unt e d mor e cautiou sly cutting o u t
, ,

he a vy cow s or cri pple d ol d bu lls f ro m t he s m a ll

m oo se he rd s t hey ran acro ss
-

The r e cam e a da y , i n t h i s l and o f ple nt y , w he n t he

wo l f p ack spl it i n h a lf and w e nt in di ff e r e n t d r e c
-
i
ti on s The sh e wo lf, t he y oung le ad e r o n h er lef t
.
-

and t he on e eye d el d e r on he r rig h t le d t he i r h a lf o f

-

t he p ack down to t he M ack e n z i e R i ve r and acro ss

into t he l ak e country to t he e a s t E ac h d a y t h i s .

r e mnant o f t he p ack dwind le d T wo b y two , ma le .

and fe ma le , t he wo lves w e r e d ese rting O cca s iona lly .

a s o l itary ma le wa s dri ve n ou t b y t he sh ar p t ee t h
of h i s ri v a ls I n t he e n d t he r e r e main e d on ly f our :
.

t he sh e wo lf t he y oung le ad e r t he on e eye d o n e a n d
-

,
-

, _

t he ambi tiou s .

The s h e wo lf h ad b y n o w d evel o pe d a fe rociou s

-

t e m pe r H e r t h r ee s ui tor s a ll bor e t he m ark s o f he r

.

t ee t h Y e t t hey n eve r r epl i e d in kind n eve r d efe nd e d

.
,

t he m selves again s t he r They turn e d t he ir sh ou l d e r s

.

t o he r m o s t s a v ag e sl a shes and wit h wagging ta i ls

,

and mincing s t eps s tro ve to p l acat e h e r wrat h But .

i f t hey w e r e a ll mi l dn ess toward he r t hey w e r e a ll ,

fi er ce n e s s toward on e anoth e r The t h r ee ye ar—ol d .

-

gr e w too ambi ti ou s in h i s fi er c en es s H e caug h t t he .

o n e eye d el d e r o n h i s b l ind s id e and ri ppe d h i s e ar

-
56 W H I T E F AN G

ri v a ls. They w e r e ga z ing a t t h e sh e w o lf w h o sa t -

s m i l ing i n t he s now B u t t he el d e r le ad e r wa s wi se
.
,

ve r y wi se i n l o ve eve n a s i n batt le
,
The y oung e r .

le ad e r turn e d h i s he ad to l ick a woun d on h i s sh ou l d e r .

The curve o f h i s n e ck wa s turn e d toward h i s ri v a l .

Wit h h i s o n e eye t he el d e r s a w t he o pp ortuni t y .

He dart e d i n l ow and c l o se d w i t h h i s f ang s I t wa s .

a l ong ri pp i ng sl a sh and d eep a s w ell H i s t ee t h i n

i
,
.
, ,

p a ss ing bur s t t he wa ll o f t he gr e at ve n o f t he t h roat

,
.

The n he le a pe d c le ar .

The y oung lea d e r s na rle d t e rrib ly b ut h i s s narl ,

brok e midmo s t into a tick l ing coug h B lee ding and .

coug h ing a l r e ad y s tri ck e n he sp rang at t he el d e r and

, ,

f oug h t w h i le l i fe f ad e d f rom h im h i s le gs going w e ak ,

b e n e at h h im t h e l ig h t o f da y dui l ing on h i s eyes h i s

, ,

b l ow s and sp ring s f a ll ing sh ort e r and sh ort e r .

A nd a ll t he w h i le t h e s h e wo lf s a t o n he r h aunc hes -

and s mi le d S he wa s mad e g l ad i n v agu e ways b y

.

t he batt le f or t h i s wa s t he l o ve makin g o f t h e Wi l d
,
-

t he s ex trag e d y o f t he natura l wor l d t h at wa s trag e d y

-

on ly to t h o se t h at di e d To t h o se t h at s ur v i ve d i t
.

wa s n o t trag e d y but r e a l i z atio n and ac h i eve m e nt

,
.

W he n t h e y oung le ad e r l a y in t he s now and m o v ed

‘

m
no m or e O n e E y e s ta l k e d o ve r to t h e s h e wo lf H i s
,
-

carriag e wa s o n e o f ing le d trium ph and caution .

He wa s p l ain ly e x pe c ta nt o f a r e bu ff and h e wa s j u s t ,

a s pl ain ly s urp ri se d w he n he r t ee t h di d no t fla sh out

at h im in ang e r F or t he fi r s t tim e s h e m e t h im wi t h
.
 TH E B A TT L E OF TH E F ANG S 57

a kind ly mann e r S h e s ni ff e d no ses w i t h h im and

.
,

eve n cond es c e nd e d to le a p ab ou t and f ri s k and pl a y

wi t h h im in q ui t e p u ppy i sh f a sh ion A nd he fo r a ll .
,

h i s gray ye ar s and s ag e e x pe ri e nc e b eh a ve d q ui t e a s
i
,

u
p pp y sh l y and eve n a l i tt l e mor e f oo l i shly .

Forgo tt e n a l r e ad y w e r e t he v an q ui she d ri v a ls and

t he l o ve ta le r e d wri tt e n o n t he s now
- -
Forgo tt e n .
,

s a ve onc e w he n o l d O n e Ey e s to pp e d for a m om e n t
ii
,

t o l ick h i s s t flen n g wound s The n i t wa s t h at h i s .

l i ps h a lf writ he d into a s narl and t h e h air o f h i s n e ck

,

and sh ou l d e r s in v o l untari ly bri s t le d w h i le h e h a lf

i
,

crouc he d f or a sp ring h s c l aw s sp a s m odica lly c l utc h

,

ing into t h e s n ow s ur f ac e f or fi rm e r f ooti ng But i t

-
.

wa s a ll f orgo tt e n t he n e xt m om e nt a s he sp rang a f t e r ,

t he sh e wo lf w h o wa s co yly le ading h im a c h a se
-

t h roug h t h e wo od s .

A f t e r t h at t hey ran s id e b y s id e l ik e goo d f ri e nd s ,

w h o h a ve com e to an und e r s tanding The da ys .

p a sse d b y and t hey k ep t tog e t he r h unting t he i r

, ,

m e at and ki ll ing and e ating i t i n comm on A f t e r a .

tim e t he sh e wo l f b e gan to gro w r es t less

-
S he see m e d .

to b e se arc h ing f or s om e t h ing t h at s h e co u l d n o t fi nd .

The h o ll ow s und e r fa lle n tr ees see m e d to attract he r ,

and sh e s pe nt m uc h tim e n o s ing ab out am ong t he

l arg e r s no w p i le d cr ev ic es i n t he rock s and in t he
-

ca ves o f o ve rh anging bank s O l d On e E ye wa s n ot

.

i nt e r es t e d at a ll but h e f o ll o w e d he r good natur e d ly

,
-

i n he r q u es t a n d w he n he r in ves tigation s i n p articu l ar

,
58 W H I T E F ANG

pl ac es w e r e unu s ua lly p ro tract e d he w ou l d l i e d own

,

and wait unti l s h e wa s r e ad y to go on .

They did n o t r e main i n o n e pl ac e but tra velle d ,

acro ss countr y unti l t hey r e gain e d t he M ack e n z i e

R i ve r d own w h ic h t hey sl ow ly w e nt le a v ing i t o f t e n
, ,

to h un t gam e a l ong t he s ma ll s tr e am s t h at e nt e r e d
i t but a l wa ys r e turning to i t again
,
S om e tim es t hey
.

c h anc e d u p on o t he r w o lves u s ua lly i n p air s ; but

,

t he r e wa s no f ri e nd l in ess o f i nt e rco u r se di s pl aye d

on e it he r s id e , no g l adn ess at m ee ting n o d es ir e to ,

r e turn t o t he p ack f ormati on

-
S eve ra l tim es t hey
.

e ncount e r e d s o l itary wo lves .These w e r e a l ways

m a les , and t hey w e r e p r ess ing ly in s i s t e nt o n j oining
wit h O n e E ye and h i s mat e Th i s he r ese nt e d and
.
,

w h e n s h e s tood sh ou l d e r to sh ou l d e r wit h h im bri s ,

t l ing and sh owing he r t ee th t he a sp iring s o l itary o n es

,

wou l d back o ff , turn tai l and continu e o n t he ir l on ely

,

wa y .

O n e m oon l ig h t nig h t run n ing t h roug h t he q ui e t

,

f or es t , O n e E ye s udd e n ly h a l t e d H i s mu zzle w e n t
.

up , ,
i
h i s tai l s ti ffe n e d and h s no s tri ls di l at e d a s h e
s c e nt e d t he air . O n e f oo t a ls o he hel d u p a f t e r ,

t he mann e r o f a dog .He wa s n ot s ati sfie d and ,

he con ti nu e d to s m ell t he ai r s tri v ing to und e r

i
,

s tand t he m ess ag e born e u p on t t o h im O n e car e .

less s ni ff h ad s ati sfie d h i s mat e an d she trott e d on

,

to r e a ss ur e h im . Th oug h he f o ll ow e d he r he w a s ,

s ti ll dubi ou s , and he cou l d not f orb e ar an occa s iona l

 TH E B ATT L E OF TH E F ANG S 59

h a l t i n ord e r m or e car ef u lly to s tud y t he warn

ing .

S he cr ep t o u t cauti ou sly o n t he e dg e o f a l arg e o pe n

sp ac e i n t he m id s t o f t he tr ees F o r s om e tim e she .

s tood a l on e . The n O n e E ye cr eep ing and craw l ing , ,

eve ry se n s e o n t he a le rt eve r y h air radiating in fi ni t e

,

s u sp ici on , j oin e d he r They s too d s i d e b y s id e ,

watc h ing and l i st e ning and s m ell ing .

T o t he ir e ar s cam e t he s ound s o f dog s wrang l ing

i
and s c u ffl n g t he guttura l cri es o f m e n t h e sh ar pe r
, ,

v oic es o f s co l ding wom e n and onc e t he sh ri ll and

,

pl ainti ve cry o f a c h i l d Wi t h t he e xc ep tion o f t h e

.

:
h ug e bu l k s o f t h e s kin l odg es l itt le cou l d b e see n s a ve
,

t he flam es o f t he fi r e , brok e n b y t he m o ve m e n t s o f
i nt e r ve ning b odi es and t he s m ok e ri s ing sl ow ly on
,

t he q ui e t air But t o t he ir no s tri ls cam e t h e m y riad

.

s m ells o f an I ndian cam p carry ing a s tory t h at wa s

,

l a g el y i
w
l
n c o mp r e h en mbl e to O n e E ye , but eve ry d e tai l
Q w t h t he s h e wo lf kn e w .

S he wa s s trang ely s tirr e d and s ni ffe d and s ni ffe d

,

wit h an incr e a s ing d el ig h t But o l d O n e E ye wa s

.

d oubt f ul . H e b e tra ye d h i s a pp r ehe n s ion and s tart e d ,

t e ntati vely t o go S he turn e d and touc he d h i s n e ck

.

wit h he r mu zzle in a r e a ss uring wa y , th e n r e gard e d

t he cam p again . A n e w wi s t f u l n ess wa s i n he r f ac e ,

but i t wa s n ot t he wi s t f u l n ess o f h ung e r S he w a s .

t h ri ll ing to a d es ir e t h at urg e d he r to go f orward to ,

b e i n c l o s er t o t h at fir e to b e sq uabb l ing wi t h t he

,
60 W H IT E F ANG

dog s and to b e a v oiding and d odging t h e s tumb l i n g

,

fee t o f m e n .

O n e Eye m o ve d i m p ati e nt ly b es id e h e r ; he r unr es t

cam e back u p on h er an d s h e kn e w again he r p r ess ing
,

n ee d to fi nd t he t h i n g f or w h ic h s h e se arc he d S he .

turn e d and trott e d back i nto t he f or es t to t he g re at

,

r el i ef o f O n e E ye w h o trott e d a l itt le to t he f or e
,

u nti l t hey w e r e w ell wit h i n t he shel t e r o f t he tr ees .

A s t hey sl id a l ong noi seles s a s sh adow s i n t h e

, ,

m oon l igh t t hey cam e u p on a run wa y B ot h no ses

,
-
.

w e nt d own t o t h e f oo t p rint s i n t he s no w These

.

f oot p rint s w e r e ve ry f r esh O n e E ye ran a he ad cau

i
.

t o u sl y h i s m at e at h i s heels
,
The broad p ad s o f
.

t he i r fee t w e r e sp r e ad wid e and i n contac t wi t h t he

s now w e r e l ik e velve t O n e E ye caug h t s ig h t o f a
.

d im m o ve m e n t o f w h it e i n t he mid s t o f t h e w h it e .

H i s sl iding gait h ad b ee n d e c ep ti vely s wi f t b ut it ,

w a s a s not h in g to t he spee d at w h ic h he now ran

i
.

B ef or e h m wa s bounding t he fain t p atc h o f w h it e

he h ad di s co ve r e d.

They w e r e running a l ong a narro w a lley flank e d

o n e it he r s id e b y a growt h o f y oung sp ruc e Th roug h
.

t he tr ees t h e m out h o f t he a lley co u l d b e see n o pe n ,

ing o u t o n a m oon l it g l ad e O l d O n e E ye wa s
.

ra p i d ly o ve rh au l ing t he fl ee i ng sh a p e o f w h i t e .

Bound b y bound h e gain e d No w h e wa s u p on i t

. .

O n e le a p m or e and h i s t ee t h wou l d b e s inki ng i nto

it. But t h at le a p wa s n eve r mad e H ig h in t he air
.
,
 TH E B ATT L E OF TH E F ANG S 61

and s traig h t u p s oar e d t h e sh a pe o f w h i t e n ow a

, ,

s tr u gg l ing s now sh o e rabbi t t h at le a pe d and b ound e d ,

e x e cuting a f anta s tic d anc e t he r e abo ve h im in t he

air and n eve r onc e r e turning to e art h .

O n e E ye sp rang back wi t h a s nort o f s udd e n f rig h t ,

t he n sh rank do wn to t h e s no w and crouc he d s nar l ,

ing t h r e at s a t t h i s t h ing o f fe ar h e d id n o t und e r

s tand . But t he s h e w o lf coo lly t h ru s t p a s t h im
-

S he p oi se d f or a m om e nt t he n sp rang f or t he danc
,

i ng rabbit . S he t oo s c a r e d h ig h b ut no t s o h ig h
, , ,

a s t he q uarr y and h e r t ee t h c l i pp e d e m p ti ly t og e t he r
,

wi t h a m e ta ll ic s na p S he mad e anot he r le a p and

.
,

anot he r .

He r mat e h ad sl ow ly r el ax e d f rom h i s crouc h and

wa s watc h ing he r He n o w ev inc e d di sple a s ur e at
.

he r r epe at e d f ai l u r es and h im sel f m ad e a m ig h t y

i
,

sp ring u p ward H s t ee t h c l o se d u p o n t he rabbit ,

i
.

an d he b or e i t back to e art h wi t h h m But at t he .

s am e tim e t he r e wa s a s u sp iciou s crack l ing m o ve

m e n t b es id e h im and h i s a s toni she d ey e sa w a y oung
,

sp ruc e s a pl ing b e nding d own abo ve h m to s trik e i

h im . H i s j aw s le t go t he ir gri p and h e le a pe d back
,

ward to es ca pe t h i s s trang e dang e r h i s l i ps d rawn ,

back f rom h i s fang s h i s t h roat s nar l ing eve r y h air

, ,

bri s t l i ng wi t h rag e and f rig h t A nd in t h at m om e nt

.

t he s a pl ing r e ar e d i t s sle nd e r le ngt h u p rig h t and t he

rabbit s oar e d dancing i n t h e ai r agai n .

Th e sh e wo lf wa s angr y
-
S he s ank he r f ang s i nto
.
62 W H I T E F ANG

he r mat e s sh ou l d e r in r ep roo f a n d he f rig h t e n e d , u n

’
,

awar e o f w h at con s titut e d t h i s n e w on sl aug h t s truck ,

back fe roci ou sly and in s ti ll gr e at e r f righ t ri pp ing ,

d own t he s id e o f t h e s h e wo lf s m u zzle For h i m to

-
’
.

rese nt s uc h r ep ro o f wa s eq ua lly un e x pe ct e d to he r ,

and sh e sp rang u p on h im in s nar l ing i ndignati on .

The n he di s co ve r e d h i s mi s tak e and tri e d to pl acat e

he r But she p roc ee d e d to p uni sh h i m round ly unti l
.
,

he ga ve o ve r a ll att e m p t s at pl acation , and w h irle d

i n a circ le h i s he ad awa y f rom he r h i s sh o u l d e r s
, ,

r e c e i v ing t h e p uni sh m e nt o f he r t ee th .

I n t he m e antim e t he rabbit danc e d abo ve t he m i n

t he air The s h e wo lf s a t d ow n i n t he s no w and
.
-

o l d O n e E ye n ow m or e in fe ar o f h i s mat e t h an o f
,

t he m ys t e ri ou s s a pl ing agai n sp rang f or t he rabbit

,
.

A s he s ank back wit h i t b e tw ee n h i s t ee t h he k ep t ,

h i s ey e on t h e s a pl ing A s b ef or e i t f o ll ow e d h im
.
,

back to e art h H e crouc he d do wn und e r t he im pe nd

.

ing b l o w h i s h ai r bri s t l ing b ut h i s t ee t h s ti ll k eep

, ,

ing tigh t h o l d o f t he rabbi t But t he b l ow d id no t

.

f a ll
. The s a pl ing r e main e d b e n t abo ve h im W he n .

h e m o ve d i t m o ve d and he grow le d at i t t h roug h

,

h i s c le nc he d j aw s ; w he n he r e main e d s ti ll i t r e ,

m ain e d s ti ll and he conc l ud e d i t wa s s a fe r to con

,

ti nn e r e maining s ti ll Y e t t h e warm b l ood o f t he

.

rabbi t ta s t e d good i n h s m out h i

i
.

I t w as h s mat e w h o r el i eve d h im f rom t he q uan

dar y in w h ic h he f ound h im self S he to ok t he.
 C H A P TE R I I

T HE L AIR

F OR tw o days t he sh e wo lf an d O n e E ye h ung
-

a b out t he I ndian cam p H e wa s worri e d and a p p r e

i
.

h en s v e ye t t he cam p l ur e d h i s mat e and s h e wa s

,

l oat h to d ep art But w he n on e m orning t he ai r wa s

.
, ,

r e nt wit h t he r ep ort o f a rifl e c l o se a t hand and a ,

bu lle t s ma she d again s t a tr ee trunk seve ra l inc hes

f rom O n e E ye s he ad t hey hes i tat e d no m or e but
’
, ,

w e nt o fl o n a l ong s winging l o pe t h at p ut q uick

,

mi les b e t w ee n t he m and t he dang e r .

They did n o t go f ar — a cou ple o f da ys j ourn ey ’

.

Th e sh e wo lf s n ee d to fi nd t he t h ing f or w h ic h
-
’

s h e se arc he d h ad no w b e co m e im p e rati ve S h e wa s .

g e tting ve ry he a vy and cou l d run but sl ow ly

,
O nc e .
,

i n t he p ur s ui t o f a rabbit w h ic h s h e ordinari ly wou l d

,

h a ve caug h t wi t h e a se s h e ga ve o ve r and l a y d own

,

and r es t e d . O n e Ey e cam e to he r ; but w he n he

touc he d he r n e ck g e nt ly wi t h h i s m u zzle s h e s na ppe d
i
at h i m w t h s u c h q uick fi e r c en es s t h at he tumb le d
o ve r backward and cu t a ridi cu l ou s fi gur e in h i s
e ff ort to es ca pe he r t ee t h H e r t e m pe r wa s n o w
.

64
 TH E L A I R 65

sh ort e r t h an eve r ; bu t he h ad b e com e m ore p ati e n t

t h an eve r and m or e s o l icitou s .

A nd t he n s h e f ound t he t h ing f or w h ic h sh e s oug h t .

I t wa s a fe w mi l es u p a s ma ll s tr e am t h at i n t he
s umm e r tim e fl ow e d into t he M ack e n z i e but t h at ,

t he n wa s f ro ze n o ve r and f ro ze n down to it s rock y

b ottom — a d e ad s tr e am o f s o l i d w h it e f ro m s ourc e
t o m o ut h The s h e wo lf wa s tro tting w e ari ly a l ong
-

i
.

he r mat e w ell n ad v an c e w h e n s h e cam e u p on t he

,

o ve r h anging h ig h c l a y bank
,
-
S h e t u rn e d a s id e and
.

tro tt e d o ve r to i t . The w e ar and t e ar o f S p ring

s torm s and m el ting s now s h ad u n d er w a s h ed t he
bank and i n on e pl ac e h ad mad e a s ma ll ca ve ou t
o f a narro w fiss ur e .

S he p au se d a t t he m out h o f t he ca ve an d l ook e d
t h e wa ll o ve r car e f u lly The n o n on e s id e and t h e
.
,

o t he r sh e ran a l ong t h e ba se o f t h e wa ll to w he r e it s
,

abru p t bu l k me rg e d f rom t h e s o f t e r l in e d l and s ca pe-

R e turning to t h e ca ve she e nt e r e d t s narrow mout h

,
i .

F or a sh ort t h r ee fee t s h e wa s com pelle d to crouc h ,

th e n t h e wa lls wid e n e d an d ro se h ig he r i n a l itt le

ro u nd c h amb e r n e arly s ix fee t i n diam e t e r The roo f .

bar ely c le ar e d h e r he ad I t wa s dry and co sey

. S he .

in spe ct e d i t wi t h p ain s taking car e w h i le O n e E ye , ,

w h o h ad r e turn e d s tood i n t he e ntranc e and p a t i e nt ly

,

watc he d he r S he d ro ppe d h e r he ad wit h he r no se

.
,

t o t he ground and dir e ct ed toward a p oin t n e ar to

he r c l o sely bunc he d fee t and around t h i s p oint sh e
,
66 W H I T E F AN G

circ le d seve ra l tim es ; t he n wi t h a tir e d s ig h t h at ,

wa s a l mo s t a grunt she cur le d he r bod y in r el ax e d

, ,

he r le g s and dro pp e d d own he r h e ad toward t he

, ,

e ntranc e O n e E ye wi t h p oint e d i nt e r es t e d e ars , ,

i
,
.

l aug he d at he r and b ey ond out l in e d aga n s t t he

, ,

w h it e l ig h t s h e c ou l d s ee t he bru sh o f h i s tai l
,

wa v ing good nat u r e d ly

-
He r own e ar s wit h a
.
,

s nugg l ing m o ve m e nt l aid t he i r sh ar p p oint s back

,

ward and d own again s t t he he ad f or a m om e nt

w h i le h er m out h o pe n e d and he r tongu e l o lle d pe ac e
ab ly o u t and in t h i s wa y s h e e x p r esse d t h at she wa s
,

ple a se d and s ati sfie d .

O n e E ye wa s h ungry Th oug h he l a y d own i n

.

t he e ntranc e and slep t h i s sleep wa s fi t fu l

,
H e k ep t .

a waking and cocking h i s c a r s at t he brig h t wor l d

wi t h ou t w he r e t he A p ri l s u n wa s b l a z ing acro ss th e
,

s no w W he n h e d o ze d u p o n h i s e ar s wou l d s t e a l t he
.
,

f aint w h i spe r s o f h i dd e n trick les o f running wat e r ,

and h e wou l d rou se and l i s t e n i nt e nt ly The s u n .

h ad com e back and a ll t he awak e ning N ort hl and

,

worl d wa s ca ll ing to h im L i fe wa s s tirring The

. .

feel o f sp ring wa s in t h e air t he feel o f growing l i fe ,

und e r t he s now o f s a p a s c e nding i n t he tr ees o f bud s

, ,

b urs ting t h e sh ack les o f t he f ro s t .

H e ca s t anxiou s g l anc es at h i s mat e but s h e ,

sh ow e d no d es ir e t o g e t u p H e l ook e d out s id e and .

,

h a l f a d o ze n s now bird s fl utt e r e d acro ss h i s fiel d o f

-

V i s ion . He s tart e d to g e t u p t he n l ook e d back to h i s ,

 TH E L A I R 67

mat e again and se tt le d down and d o ze d

,
A sh ri ll .

and minut e s inging s to le u p on h i s h e aring O nc e

i
.
,

and twic e h e sleep i ly bru she d h i s no se w it h h s p aw

, .

The n he wok e u p The r e bu zz ing i n t h e air at t he

.
,

ti p o f h i s no se wa s a l on e m o sq uito ,
I t wa s a f u ll .

grown m o sq ui to on e t h at h ad l ain f ro ze n i n a dry

,

l og a ll wi nt e r and t h at h ad now b ee n t h aw e d out

b y t he su n He cou l d r es i s t t he ca ll o f t he wor l d no
.

l ong e r B es id es he wa s h u n gry
.
,

He craw le d o ve r to h i s m at e and tri e d t o p e r s uad e

he r t o g e t u p But she on ly s nar le d at h im and h e
.
,

wa l k e d out a l on e i nto t he brig h t s un sh in e to fi nd t h e

s n ow s ur fac e s o f t und e r f oo t and t he tra vell ing d i
-
ffi
cu l t H e w e nt u p t h e f ro ze n b e d o f t he s tr e am w he r e
.
,

t he s no w sh ad e d b y t he tr ees wa s ye t h ar d and crys

, ,

i
t al l n e He wa s gon e e ig h t h our s and he cam e back
.
,

t h roug h t he darkn ess h ungri e r t h an w h e n h e h ad

s tart e d H e h ad f ound gam e but he h ad n ot cau gh t
.
,

it. He h ad brok e n t h roug h t he m el ting s n ow cru s t -

an d wa ll ow e d w h i le t he s now sh o e rabbi t s h ad
,

s kimm e d a l ong on t op l ig h t ly a s eve r .

'

He p au se d at t he m out h o f t he ca ve wi t h a s u d
d e n sh ock o f s u sp ici on Faint s trang e s ound s cam e
They w e r e s o und s no t mad e b y h i
,
.

f r Om wi t h in . s

m a t e and ye t t hey w e r e r e m ot ely fam i l iar

,
He .

b ell i e d cautiou sly in s i d e and w as m e t b y a warning

1

s nar l f rom t he s h e wo lf Th i s he r e c e i ve d w i t h out

-

pe rturbation t h o u g h he ob eye d i t b y k eep ing h i s

,
68 W H ITE F ANG

di s tanc e ; but he r e main e d int e r es t e d i n t he ot he r

i
s ound s —fai nt mu ffl e d s obb ng s an d sl ubb e ring s
i
, .

H i s mat e warn e d h m irritab ly awa y and h e ,

curle d u p and slep t i n t he e ntran c e W he n morning .

i
cam e and a d m l ig h t p e r v ad e d t he l air he agai n ,

s o u g h t a f t e r t h e s ourc e o f t he r e mot ely f am i l iar

s ound s . The r e w a s a n e w not e in h i s mat e s warn ’

i ng s narl . I t wa s a j e a l ou s no t e and he wa s ve r y
,

car ef u l i n k eep ing a r espe ct f u l di s tanc e Nev er t h e .

less he mad e ou t shel t e ri ng b e tw ee n he r le g s again s t

,

t he le ngt h o f he r b od y five s trang e l itt le b und les o f

,

l i fe ve ry fee b le ve ry helpless making tin y w h im pe r

, , ,

ing noi ses wi t h eyes t h at di d n o t o p en to t h e l ig h t

, .

He wa s s ur p ri se d . I t wa s n o t t he fi rs t tim e in h i s
l o n g and s ucc essf u l l i fe t h at t h i s t h ing h ad h a ppe n e d .

I t h ad h a ppe n e d m an y tim es ye t e ac h tim e i t wa s a s

,

f r esh a s ur p ri se a s eve r to h m i .

H i s mat e l ook e d at h i m an xiou sly E ve r y l itt le

.

w h i le s h e e mi tt e d a l o w grow l and a t tim es w he n

, ,

it see m e d to he r he a pp roac he d t oo n e ar t he grow l ,

sh ot u p in he r t h roat to a sh ar p s nar l O f he r o w n
.

e x pe ri e n c e she h ad n o m e m ory o f t h e t h ing h a ppe n

ing ; but i n h e r i n s tinct w h i c h wa s t he e x p e r e nc e
,
’
i
o f a ll t he m ot he r s o f w o l v e s t h er e l urk e d a m e mor y
,

o f fat he r s t h at h ad e at e n t he ir n e w b orn and helpless

-

p rog e n y . I t m ani fes t e d i t self a s a fe ar s trong wit h i n

he r t h at mad e he r p r eve nt O n e Ey e f rom m or e c l o sely
i
,

n spe cting t he cub s he h ad f at he r e d .

 TH E LA I R 69 ,

B ut t h e r e wa s no dang e r O l d O n e E ye wa s feel
.

i ng t he urg e o f an im p u lse t h at wa s i n turn an , , ,

i n s tinct t h at h ad com e d o w n to h i m f rom a ll t he

f ath e rs o f wo lves He did n ot q u es tio n i t nor p u zzle
.
,

o ve r i t I t wa s t he r e i n t he fi br e o f h i s b e ing ; and
.
,

i t wa s t he m o s t natura l t h ing in t h e wo rl d t h at h e
sh ou l d ob ey i t b y turning h i s back on h i s n ew born -

f ami ly an d b y trot ting o u t and awa y on t he m e at

trai l w he r e b y he l i ve d .

i
Fi ve o r s x m i les f rom t h e l air t h e s tr e am di v id e d
, ,

i t s f ork s going o ff am ong t he m ountain s at a rig h t

ang le . He r e le ading u p t he lef t f ork h e cam e u p on
, ,

a f r esh track . H e s m elle d i t and f ound i t s o r e c e nt

t h at he crouc he d s wi f t ly an d l ook e d i n t he dir e ction
,

i n w h i c h i t di s a pp e ar e d The n h e turn e d d el ib e rat ely

.

an d took t h e rig h t f ork Th e f o o t p ri nt wa s muc h

.

l arg e r t h an t he o n e h i s o w n fee t m ad e and he kn e w ,

t h at i n t he wak e o f s uc h a trai l t he r e wa s l itt le m e at

f or h i m .

H a lf a mi le u p t he rig h t f ork h i s q uick e ar s caug h t

,

t he s ound o f gnawing t ee t h H e s ta l k e d t he q uarry

.

and f oun d i t to b e a p orcu p in e s tanding u p rig h t ,

again s t a tr ee and try i ng h i s t ee t h o n t he bark O n e .

E ye a pp roac he d car ef u lly but h o p elessly H e kn e w .

t he b r ee d t h oug h he h ad n eve r m e t i t s o f ar n ort h

,

i
b ef or e and n eve r i n h s l ong l i fe h ad p orcu p i n e se rve d
h im f or a m e a l But he h ad l ong s inc e le arn e d t h at
.

t he r e wa s s uc h a t h ing a s C h anc e or O pp ortuni ty , ,

70 W H I T E F ANG

and he continu e d to draw n e ar The r e wa s n eve r .

an y t ell ing w h at mig h t h a ppe n f or wit h l i ve t h i n g s

,

eve nt s w e r e s om eh o w a l ways h a ppe ning di ffe r e n tly .

Th e p orcu p in e ro lle d i t self into a ba ll radiating ,

l ong sh ar p n ee d les in a ll dir e ction s t h at d efie d attack

,
.

I n h i s y out h O n e E y e h ad onc e s ni ff e d to o n e ar a
s i mi l ar a pp ar e nt ly in e rt ba ll o f q ui lls and h a d t h e
, ,

tai l flick ou t s udd e n ly in h i s f ac e O n e q ui ll he h ad

.

carri e d awa y in h i s mu zzle w he r e i t h ad r e main e d

,

f or w ee k s a rank l ing flam e unti l i t fi na lly work e d

, ,

ou t . S o he l a y d own i n a com f ortab l e crouc h ing

,

p o s i ti on h i s n o se f u lly a f oo t awa y and o u t o f t h e

, ,

l in e o f t h e tai l Th u s he wait e d k eep ing p e r fe ct ly

.
,

q ui e t . The r e wa s n o t ell ing S om e t h i n g m ig h t

.

h a ppe n The p orcu p in e mig h t unro ll

. The r e mig h t .

b e o pp ortuni t y f or a d ef t and ri pp ing t h ru s t o f p aw

into t he t e nd e r unguard e d b elly
,
.

But at t he e nd o f h a lf an h our h e aro se grow le d ,

wrat h f u lly at t he m o ti on less ba ll and tro tt e d o n ,

.

He h ad wait e d too o f t e n and f uti lely i n t he p a s t f or

p orcu p in es t o unro ll t o wa s t e an y m or e tim e
,
He .

con tinu e d u p t he rig h t f ork The da y w e r e a l ong

.
,

and not h ing r e ward e d h i s h unt .

The urg e o f h i s awak e n e d i n s tinct o f f at he r h ood

wa s s trong u p on h im He mu s t fi nd m e at I n t he
. .

a f t e rn oon he b l und e r e d u p on a p tarmigan He cam e .

o u t o f a t h ick e t and f ound h im self f ac e to f ac e wit h

t he sl ow witt e d bird I t wa s s i tting on a l og n ot

-
.
,
72 W H I T E F ANG

of a l ow growi ng sp ruc e he watc h e d t h e pl a y o f l i fe

-

b ef or e h im t he waiting ly nx and t he wai ting p orcu

p in e e ac h int e nt ou l i fe ; and s uc h wa s t he curiou s
, ,

n ess o f t he gam e t he wa y o f l i fe f or on e l a y i n t he
,

e ating o f t he o t he r and t he wa y o f l i fe f o r t he o t he r
,

l a y i n b e ing n o t e at e n W h i le ol d O n e E ye t h e
.
,

wo lf crouc h ing i n t he c o ve rt pl a ye d h i s p art too

, , , ,

i n t he gam e wai ting f or s om e s trang e f r e ak o f C h anc e

, ,

t h at mig h t help h im o n t he m eat trai l w h ic h wa s h i s -

wa y o f l i fe .

H a lf an h our p a sse d a n h our ; and no t h ing h a p

,

pe n e d . The ba ll o f q ui lls mig h t h a ve b ee n a s ton e

f or a ll i t m o ve d ; t he ly nx mig h t h a ve b ee n f ro ze n to
marb le ; and ol d O n e E ye mig h t h a ve b ee n d e ad .

Y e t a ll t h r ee ani ma ls w e r e k eye d to a t e n se n ess o f

l i v ing t h at wa s a l m o s t p ain f ul and s carc ely eve r ,

wou l d i t com e t o t he m t o b e m or e a l i ve t h an t hey

w er e t he n i n t he ir see ming pe tri faction
i
.

O n e E ye m o ve d sl ig h t ly and p ee r e d f ort h wit h n

cr e a se d e ag e rn ess S om e t h ing wa s h a ppe ning Th e
. .

p orcu p i n e h ad a t l a s t d e cid e d t h at i t s e n e m y h ad
gon e awa y S l ow ly cautiou sly i t wa s unro ll ing it s
.
, ,

b a ll o f im p r e gnab l e arm or I t wa s agitat e d b y n o

.

tr e mo r o f antici p ation S l ow ly sl ow ly t he bri s t l ing

.
, ,

ba ll s traig h t e n e d o u t and le ngt he n e d O n e E ye .

,

watc h ing fel t a s udd e n m oi s tn ess i n h i s m out h a n d a

,

droo l ing o f s a l i v a i n v o l untary e xci t e d b y t h e l i v i ng

, ,

m e at t h at wa s sp r e ading it self l ik e a r ep a s t b ef or e h im .
H e w atc h ed t he i
v a of l i
f b
e e fo r e h i
m
.
 TH E L A I R 73

N o t q uit e e ntir ely h ad t h e p orcu p in e unro lle d w he n

i t di s co ve r e d i t s e n e m y I n t h at in s tan t t he ly n x
.

s truck The b l o w wa s l ik e a fla sh o f l ig h t The

. .

p a w ,
wi t h rigid c l aw s cur v ing l ik e ta l on s sh o t u nd e r ,

t h e t e nd e r b elly and cam e back wit h a s wi f t ri pp ing

m o ve m e n t H ad t he p orcu p in e b ee n e ntir ely unro lle d
.
,

o r h ad i t n ot di s co ve r e d i t s e n e m y a f rac tio n o f a

se con d b ef or e t he b l ow wa s s truck t he p aw wou l d

i
,

h a ve es ca pe d u ns cat he d ; but a s id e —fl c k o f t he tai l

s ank sh ar p q ui lls into i t a s i t wa s wit h drawn .

E ve ry t h i ng h ad h a ppe n e d at onc e t he b l o w t he
,
-

c ount e r b l o w t h e sq u e a l o f agon y f rom t he p orcu p in e

-

, ,

t h e bi g cat s sq ua ll o f s udd e n h urt and a s toni sh m e nt

’
.

O n e E ye h a lf aro se in h i s e xcit e m e nt h i s e ar s u p h i s , ,

tai l s traig h t o u t and q ui ve ring b eh ind h im The .

ly nx s bad t e m pe r got t he b es t o f h er
’
S he sp rang .

s a v ag ely at t h e t h ing t h at h ad h urt he r But t he .

p orcu p in e , s q u e a l ing and gruntin g wi t h di s ru p t e d ,

anatom y try ing fee b ly t o ro ll u p into i t s ba ll p ro t e o -

ti on flick e d o u t i t s tai l again and agai n t h e big cat

, ,

sq ua lle d wi t h h u rt and a s toni sh m e nt The n s h e fell .

'

i
to backing awa y a n d s n e ez n g he r no se bri s t l ing wi t h
,

q ui lls l ik e a m on s trou s p in cu sh ion S h e bru she d he r

-
.

no se wi t h he r p aw s try ing to di sl od g e t he fie ry dart s

, ,

t h ru s t i t in to t he s now and rubb e d i t again s t twig s

,

and branc h es a ll t he tim e le a p ing ab out a he ad

, , ,

s id e wi se , u p and d own i n a f r e n zy o f p ai n and

'

f rig h t .
74 W H IT E F ANG

S he s n eez ed continua lly and he r s tub o f a ta i l w a s

,

d oin g it s b es t toward l a sh ing ab out b y gi v ing q uick ,

v i o le nt j e rk s
. S he q ui t he r antic s a n d q ui e t e d down
,

f or a l ong m inut e O n e E ye watc he d

. A nd eve n he
.

cou l d n o t r ep r ess a s tart and an i n v o l untary bri s t l ing

o f h ai r a l o n g h i s back w he n sh e s udd e n ly le a pe d ,

wi t h ou t warning s traig h t u p i n t h e air at t he s am e

, ,

tim e e m itting a l ong and m o s t t e rrib le sq ua ll The n .

sh e sp rang awa y u p t he trai l sq ua ll ing wi t h e ve r y

, ,

le a p s h e mad e .

I t wa s not unti l he r rack e t h ad f ad e d awa y i n t he

di s tanc e and di e d out t h at O n e E ye ve ntur e d f ort h .

H e wa l k e d a s d el icat ely a s t h oug h a ll t he s no w w e r e

car pe t e d wit h p orcu p in e q ui lls e r e c t and r e ad y to
,

p i e rc e t he s o f t p ad s o f h i s fee t The p orcu p i n e m e t

.

h i s a pp roac h wi t h a f uriou s sq u e a l ing and a c l a sh ing o f

i t s l ong t ee t h . I t h ad m anag e d t o ro ll u p i n a ba ll
again but i t wa s n o t q uit e t he o l d com p act ba ll ; i t s
,

mu s c les w e r e to o m uc h tor n f or t h at I t h ad b ee n .

ri ppe d a l m o s t i n h a lf and wa s s ti ll b lee ding p ro

,

f u sel y .

O n e E ye s co o pe d m out h f u ls of t he b l ood s oak e d

ou t -

s no w an d c he w e d and ta s t e d and s wa ll ow e d Th i s
, .

se r ve d a s a r el i sh and h i s h ung e r incr e a se d m ig h ti ly ;

,

but he wa s to o ol d in t he wor l d t o f org e t h i s cau

ti on . He wai t e d He l a y d own and wai t e d w h i le
.
,

t he p orcu p i n e grat e d i t s t ee t h and utt e r e d grunt s and

s ob s a n d occa s i o na l sh ar p l i t t le sq u e a ls I n a l i tt le
.
 TH E LA I R 75

w h i le , O n e E ye n otic e d t h at t he q ui lls w e r e droo p ing

and t h at a gr e at q ui ve ring h ad se t u p The q ui ve ring .

cam e to an e nd s udd e n ly The r e wa s a fi na l d efi an t

.

c l a sh o f t h e l ong t ee t h The n a ll t he q ui lls droo pe d

.

q ui t e d own and t he bod y r el ax e d and m o ve d no m or e

,
.

Wit h a n e r v ou s sh rinking p aw O n e E ye s tr e tc he d
, ,

ou t t he p orcu p in e to i t s f u ll le ngt h and turn e d i t o ve r

o n i t s back N ot h i ng h ad h a pp e n e d
. I t wa s s ur ely .

d e ad. H e s tudi e d i t int e nt ly f or a m om e nt t he n ,

to ok a car ef ul gri p wit h h i s t ee t h and s tart e d off

do wn t h e s tr e am p art ly carr y ing p art ly dragging t he
, ,

p orcu p in e , wi t h he ad turn e d to t he s id e s o a s to a v oid

s t epp ing on t h e p rick ly m a ss H e r e co lle ct e d s om e
.

t h i ng dro ppe d t h e bur d e n and trott e d back t o w he r e

, ,

h e h ad l ef t t h e p tarmigan He did n o t hes i tat e a

.

m om e nt He kn e w c le ar ly w h at wa s to b e don e and
.
,

t h i s he di d b y p rom p t ly e ating t he p tarmiga n The n .

he r e turn e d an d to ok u p h i s burd e n .

W he n h e dragg e d t he r es u l t o f h i s da y s h un t i nto ’

t h e ca ve t h e s h e w ol f i n spe ct e d i t turn e d he r mu zzle

,
fi

to h im and l ig h t ly l ick e d h im on t h e n e ck
,
But t h e .

n e x t in s tan t s h e w as warnin g h m awa y f rom t he i

cub s wi t h a s nar l t h at wa s less h ar sh th an u s ua l and
th at wa s m or e a p o l og e tic t h an m e nacing H e r n i
ii
.

s t n c t v e fe ar o f t h e f at he r o f he r p rog e n y wa s to ning

down . H e wa s b eh a v ing a s a w o l f f at h e r sh ou l d and ,

m ani fes ting n o un h o ly d es ir e to d ev our t he y oun g

l i ves s h e h ad broug h t into t he wor l d .
 C H A P T E R II I

TH E G R AY C UB

HE wa s di ff e r e n t f rom h i s brot he r s a n d s i s t e r s .

The ir h air a l r e ad y b e t ra ye d t h e r e ddi sh h u e in he ri t e d

f rom t he ir m o t he r t he s h e wo lf ; w h i le h e a l on e i n
,
-

t h i s p articu l ar took a f t e r h i s f at he r He wa s t h e
,
.

on e l i t t le gra y cub o f t he l i tt e r H e h ad br e d tru e

to t he s traig h t Wo lf s tock —i
.

n f act he h ad br e d tru e , ,

phys ica lly to ol d O n e Ey e h i m self wit h but a s ingle

, ,

e xc ep tion a n d t h at wa s t h at he h ad two eyes to h i s

,

f at he r s o n e
’
.

The gra y cub s eyes h ad n o t b ee n o pe n l ong ye t

’
,

a l r e ad y he cou l d see wi t h s t e ad y c le arn ess An d .

w h i le h i s eyes w e r e s ti ll c l o se d h e h ad fel t ta s t e d
, , ,

and s m elle d .He kn e w h i s two bro t he rs and h i s two

s i s t e r s ve ry w ell He h ad b e gun to rom p wit h t h e m
.

i n a fee b le awkward wa y and eve n to sq uabb le h i s

, , ,

l itt le t h roat v ibrating wi t h a q u ee r ra sp ing noi se ,

( t he f or e runn e r o f t he grow l " a s h e work e d h im self

i
,

into a p a ss ion A nd l ong b ef or e h s eyes h ad o pe n e d

.
,

h e h ad l e arn e d b y touc h ta s t e and s m ell to kno w

, ,

h i s mot he r — a f o u nt o f warmt h and l i q uid f ood and

76
78 W H I T E F ANG

l i fe h ad ye ar n e d toward t h i s l ig h t and urg e d h i s bod y

,

toward i t i n t he s am e wa y t h at t he cunning c he mi s
try o f a pl ant urg es i t toward t he s u n .

A l ways in t h e b e gi nning b ef or e h i s con s ciou s l i fe

, ,

dawn e d , h e h ad craw le d to ward t he m out h o f t he

ca ve A nd i n t h i s h i s brot h e r s and s i s t e rs w e r e o n e
.

wit h h i m N eve r, i n t h at pe ri od did an y o f t he m

.
,

craw l to ward t h e dark corn e r s o f t he back wa ll -

.

The l ig h t dr e w t he m a s i f t hey w e r e pl ant s ; t he

c he mi s try o f t h e l i fe t h at c om p o se d t he m d e man d e d
t h e l ig h t a s a n e c ess i t y o f b e ing ; and t he i r l itt le
p u ppe t b odi es craw l e d b l ind ly and c he m ica lly l ik e
-

t h e t e ndri ls o f a v in e Lat e r o n w he n e ac h d evel

.
,

o pe d indi v idua l i t y and b e cam e p e r s ona lly con s ciou s

o f im p u ls ion s and d es ir es t h e attracti on o f t he l ig h t
,

incr e a se d They w e r e a l w a ys craw l ing and sp raw l

.

i n g toward i t , and b e ing dri ve n back f rom i t b v t h e ir

m ot he r .

I t wa s i n t h i s wa y t h at t he gra y cub le arn e d ot he r

attribut es o f h i s m ot he r t h an t he s o f t s oot h ing ,

tongu e I n h i s in s i s t e nt craw l ing toward t he l ig h t

.
,

he di s co ve r e d in he r a no se t h at wi t h a sh ar p nudg e
admini s t e r e d r e buk e and l at e r a p aw t h at cru she d
, , ,

h im down or ro lle d h im o ve r and o ve r wi t h s wi f t ,

ca l cu l ating s trok e . Th u s he le arn e d h urt ; and

on to p o f i t h e le arn e d to a v oi d h urt fi r s t b y n ot
, ,

i ncurring t h e ri s k o f i t ; and se cond w h e n h e h ad

,

incurr e d t he ri s k , b y d odging and b y r e tre ating .

 TH E G R AY C UB 79

These w e r e con s c i ou s action s and w e r e t he r es u l t s o f

,

h i s fi rs t g e n e ra l i z ati on s u p on t he worl d B ef or e t h at
.

h e h ad r e coi le d automatica lly f rom h urt a s he h ad ,

craw le d automatica lly toward t he l ig h t A f t e r t h at .

i
‘

h e r e coi le d f ro m h urt b e cau se he k n ew t h a t t wa s h urt .

H e wa s a fi e rc e l i ttl e cub S o w e r e h i s brot h e r s

.

and s i s t e r s I t wa s to b e e x pe ct e d He wa s a car
.

i
.

n v o r o u s anim a l He cam e o f a br ee d o f m e at ki lle r s

.
-

an d m e at e at e r s H i s fat he r an d m ot he r l i ve d w h o lly
-
.

u p on m e at The mi l k he h ad s uck e d wi t h h s fi r s t
. i
fli c k e ring l i fe wa s mi l k tran sf orm e d dir e ct ly f ro m
m e at and now , at a m ont h ol d w he n h i s eyes h ad
, ,

b ee n o pe n f or b ut a w ee k he wa s b e ginning h im self
,

to e at m e at — m e at h a lf dig es t e d b y t he s h e wo lf and
- -

di s gorg e d f or t he five growing cub s t h at a l r e ad y

m ad e t oo gr e at d e mand u p o n he r br e a s t .

But he wa s f urt he r t he fi e rc es t o f t he l i tt e r He
, , .

cou l d mak e a l oud e r ra sp ing gro w l t h an a n y o f t he m .

H i s tin y rag es w e r e m uc h m or e t e rrib le t h an t he ir s I t .

w a s he t h at fi r s t le arn e d t he trick o f ro ll ing a fell ow

cub o ve r w it h a cunning p aw s trok e -

A nd i t wa s he
.

t h at fi rs t gri ppe d anoth e r cub b y t he e ar and p u lle d

and tugg e d and grow le d t h roug h j aw s tig h t c le nc h e d -
.

A n d c e rtain ly i t wa s h e t h at cau se d t h e m ot he r t h e
m o s t troub le in k eep ing he r l i tt e r f rom t h e m out h o f
t he ca ve .

The f a s cinati on o f t h e l ig h t f or t he gra y cu b

in cr e a se d f rom da y to da y H e wa s pe rp e tua lly
.
30 W H I T E FANG

d ep ar t ing on y ard l ong ad ve ntur es to ward t he ca ve s

-
’

e n tranc e and a s pe r pe tua lly b e ing dri ve n back O n ly

, .

he did not kno w i t f or an e ntranc e He did n o t .

know an y t h ing about e ntranc es — p a ss ag es w he r e b y

o n e go es f rom o n e pl ac e to ano t he r pl ac e H e did .

n o t know an y o t he r pl ac e muc h less o f a wa y to g e t

,

t he r e S o to h i m t he e ntranc e o f t he ca ve wa s a wa ll
.

— a wa ll o f l ig h t A s t he s u n wa s to t he out s id e
.

dw elle r t h i s wa ll wa s to h im t h e s u n o f h i s worl d
, .

I t attract e d h im a s a cand le attract s a m ot h He .

wa s a l wa ys s tri v ing t o attai n i t The l i fe t h at wa s

.

s o s wi f t ly e x p anding wi t h in h im urg e d h im continu

,

a lly toward t he wa ll o f l ig h t The l i fe t h at wa s

.

with in h im kn e w t h at i t wa s t he o n e wa y o u t t he ,

wa y he wa s p r e d es tin e d to tr e ad But he h im self

.

did no t kno w an y t h ing ab out i t H e did no t know .

t he r e wa s an y out s id e at a ll .

The r e wa s o n e s trang e t h ing about t h i s wa ll o f

l ig h t H i s fat he r (he h ad a l r e ad y com e to r e cogni ze h i s
.

fat he r a s t he on e ot he r d w elle r in t he worl d , a cr e atur e

l ik e h i s m ot he r w h o slep t n e ar t he l ig h t and wa s a
,

bring e r o f m e at " — h i s fathe r h ad a wa y o f wa l king

rig h t i nto t he w h i t e f ar wa ll a nd di s a ppe aring Th e .

gra y cub cou l d no t und e r s tand t h i s Th oug h n eve r .

pe rmi tt e d b y h i s m o th e r to a pp roac h t h at wa ll h e h ad ,

a pp roa c he d t he ot he r wa lls and e ncount e r e d h ard

,

ob s truction on t he e nd o f h i s t e nd e r n o se Th i s h urt . .

A nd a f t e r seve ra l s uc h ad ve ntur es he lef t t he wa lls

,
82 W H I T E FANG

t he f ar w h it e wa ll c e a se d a l tog e t he r The cub s .

slep t w h i le t he l i fe t h at wa s i n t he m flick e r e d and

,

di e d down .

O n e E ye wa s d espe rat e He rang e d f ar and wid e

.
,

and slep t but l itt le in t he l air t h at h ad n ow b e com e

c hee rless and mi se rab le The s h e w o lf too lef t he r
.
-

, ,

l itt e r a n d w e nt o u t i n se arc h o f m e at I n t he fi r s t
.

days a f t e r t he birt h o f t he cub s O n e E ye h ad j our

,

n eye d seve ra l tim es back to t h e I ndian cam p and

robb e d t h e rabbit s nar es ; but wi t h t he m el ting o f
,

t he s now and t h e o pe ning o f t he s tr e am s t he I ndian ,

c am p h ad m o ve d awa y and t h at s ourc e o f s u pply

,

wa s c l o se d to h im .

W h e n t h e gra y cub cam e back to l i fe and agai n

to ok i nt e r es t i n t h e far w h it e wa ll h e f o u nd t h at,

t h e p o p u l ati on o f h i s worl d h ad b ee n r e duc e d .

O n ly o n e s i s t e r r e main e d to h im The r es t w e r e
.

gon e A s h e gr e w s trong e r h e f ound h im sel f c om

.
,

p el l e d to pl a y a l on e f or t he s i s t e r n o l ong e r l i f t e d
,

h e r he ad n or m o ve d ab out H i s l itt le b od y round e d

.

o u t wi t h t he m e at h e n ow at e ; b ut t h e f o od h ad com e

too l at e f or h e r S he slep t c ontinuou sly a tin y sk el e ,

i i
.

t o n fl ung round wi t h s ki n n w h ic h t h e flam e fl c k

e r e d l ow e r and l ow e r and at l a s t w e nt o u t .

The n t he r e cam e a tim e w he n th e gra y cub no

l ong e r s a w h i s f at he r a ppe aring and di s a ppe aring
i n t he wa ll n o r l y ing d own a sleep i n t he e ntranc e .

Th i s h ad h a ppe n e d at t he e nd o f a se cond and less

 TH E G RA Y C UB 83

seve r e famin e The s h e wo l f kn e w w hy O n e E ye

.
-

n eve r cam e back but t he r e wa s no wa y b y w h ic h

,

she cou l d t ell w h a t s h e h ad see n to t he gra y cub .

H untin g he r sel f f or m e at , u p t he lef t f ork o f t he “

s tr e am w he r e l i ve d t he ly nx s h e h ad f o ll ow e d a ,

da y o l d trai l o f O n e E ye A nd s h e h ad f ound h im
-
.
,

o r w h at r e main e d o f h im at t he e nd o f t h e trai l , .

The r e w e r e many s ign s o f t h e batt le t h at h ad b ee n

f oug h t and o f t he ly nx s wi th drawa l to h e r l ai r
,
’

a f t e r h a v ing won t h e v ic tor y B ef or e sh e w e nt .

awa y , t he s h e wo lf h ad f ound t h i s l ai r but t h e

-

s ign s to l d he r t h at t he ly nx wa s in s id e and sh e ,

h ad no t dar e d to ve ntur e i n .

A f t e r t h at t he she wo lf i n he r h unting a v oid e d t h e

,
-

lef t f ork F or she kn e w t h at i n t he ly nx s l ai r wa s a

.
’

l itt e r o f ki tt e n s and s h e kn e w t h e ly nx f or a fie rc e
, ,

bad te m pe r e d cr e atur e and a t e rrib le fi g h t e r I t wa s

-
.

a ll ve ry w ell f or h a lf a d o ze n wo lves to d ri ve a ly nx ,

sp itti ng and b ri s t l ing u p a tr ee ; but i t wa s q uit e a

,

di ffe r e nt matt e r f or a l on e wo lf to e ncount e r a ly nx

espe cia lly w h e n t he ly nx wa s known to h a ve a l itt e r
o f h ungry ki tt e n s at he r back .

But t h e Wi l d i s t he Wi l d and m o t he rh ood i s ,

m ot he r h ood at a ll tim es fi e rc ely p ro t e cti ve w he t he r

,

in t he Wi l d or ou t o f it ; and t he tim e wa s t o com e

w he n t h e s h e wo l f f or he r gra y cub s s ak e wou l d
-

,
’
,

ve ntur e t he lef t f ork a nd t he l air in t he rock s an d

, ,

t he ly nx s wrat h
’
.
 C H A P T E R IV

T HE W A LL OF T HE L
W OR D

BY t he tim e h i s mo t he r b e gan le a v ing t h e ca ve on

h unti ng e x pe di tion s t he cub h ad le arn e d w ell t h e l aw
,

t h at f orbad e h i s a pp roac h ing t he e ntranc e Not

i
.

on ly h ad t h i s l aw b ee n f orcib ly and man y tim es m

p r esse d on h im b y h i s m ot he r s no se an d p aw but i n
’
,

h im t he in s tinct o f fe ar wa s d evel o p ing N eve r in .

,

h i s bri ef ca ve l i fe h ad he e ncount e r e d an y t h ing o f

-

w h ic h to b e a f raid Y e t fe ar wa s i n h im
. It h ad .

com e down to h im f rom a r e mo t e anc es try t h roug h

a t h ou s and t h ou s and l i ves I t wa s a he ritag e he
.

h ad r e c e i ve d dir e c tly f rom O n e E ye and t he sh e

w o lf ; but to t he m i n turn i t h ad b ee n p a sse d down
, ,

t h roug h a ll t he g e n e ration s o f wo lves th at h ad gon e

b ef or e F ea r I— t h at le gac y o f t he Wi l d w h ic h no
.

anima l ma y es ca pe n or e xch ang e f or p o ttag e .

S o t he gra y cub kn e w fe ar t h oug h he kn e w n ot t he

,

s tu ff o f w h ic h fe ar wa s mad e P o ss ib ly he acc ep t e d
.

i t a s o n e o f t he r es triction s o f l i fe F o r he h ad .

a l r e ad y le arn e d t h at t he re w e r e s uc h r es t r i f

H ung e r he h ad known ; and w he n b e C H

84
86 W H IT E F ANG

The cub kn e w on ly t h at t h e sn fl w a s s trang e , a i

s om e t h ing unc l a ss i fie d , t he r ef or e unkno wn and t e rri
b le f or t he unkno wn wa s on e o f t h e c h i ef ele m ent s
t h at w e nt into t h e making o f fe ar .

The h air bri s t le d u p o n t he gra y c ub s back , but i t ’

bri s t le d s i le nt ly H o w wa s he to know t h at t h i s
.

t h in g t h at s ni ffe d wa s a t h ing at w h ic h to bri s t le ?

I t wa s no t b or n o f an y know le dg e o f h i s y e t i t w a s ,
.

t he V i s ib le e x p r ess ion o f t he fe ar t h at wa s in h im , and

f o r w h ic h in h i s o w n l i fe t he r e wa s n o accounting
, ,
.

But fe ar wa s accom p ani e d b y ano the r i n s tinct t h at

o f conc e a l m e nt The cub wa s in a f r e n zy o f t e rror ye t
.
,

he l a y wit h out m o ve m e nt o r s ound f ro ze n p e tri fie d

m
, ,

into i m obi l it y to a ll a ppe aranc es de ad

,
H i s m o t he r,
.

coming h om e grow le d a s s h e s m el t t he wo lve ri n e s

,
’

track and b ound e d i nto t he ca ve and l ick e d and

i
,

n o zzle d h m wit h undu e vehe m e nc e o f a ff e ction .

A nd t he cub fel t t h at s om eh ow he h a d es ca pe d a

g r e at h urt .

But t he r e w e r e o t he r f orc es at w ork in t h e cub ,

t he gr e at es t o f w h ic h wa s g rowt h I n s tinct and l a w

.

d e mand e d o f h im ob e di e nc e But growt h d e mand e d

.

di s ob e di e nc e H i s m o t h e r and fe ar im pelle d h im to
.

k eep awa y f rom t h e w h i t e wa ll G rowt h i s l i fe .

,

and l i fe i s f or eve r d es tin e d to mak e f or l ig h t S o .

t he r e wa s no damming u p t h e tid e o f l i fe t h at wa s
ri s ing wit h i n h im — ri s ing wi t h eve ry m out hf u l
o f m e at b e s wa ll ow e d wi t h eve ry b r e at h he dr e w
,
.
 TH E W A LL O F TH E WO R L D 87

I n t h e e nd on e da y , fe ar and ob e di e nc e w e r e s w ep t
,

awa y b y t he ru s h o f l i fe and t he cub s tradd le d a n d

,

S p raw le d toward t he e ntranc e .

U n l ik e an y o t he r wa ll wit h w h i c h he h ad h ad
e x pe ri e nc e , t h i s wa ll see m e d to r e c e d e f rom h m a s i
he a pp roac h e d N o h ard s ur fac e c o ll id e d wit h t h e
.

t e nd e r l i tt le n o se he t h ru s t o u t t e ntati vely b ef or e
h im . The s ub s t a nc e o f t he wa ll see m e d a s pe rm e ab le
and y i el ding a s l ig h t A nd a s condition in h i s eyes
.
, ,

h ad t he see ming o f f orm , s o h e e nt e r e d i nto w h at h ad

b ee n wa ll to h im and bath e d i n t he s ub s tanc e t h at
com p o se d it .

I t wa s b e wi l d e ring He wa s sp raw l ing t h rough

.

s o l idit y . A nd eve r t he l ig h t gr e w brig h t e r F ear .

urg e d h im to go back b ut growt h dro ve h im on ,

.

S udd e n ly he f oun d h im self a t t he m out h o f t he ca ve .

T he wa ll in s id e w h i c h h e h ad t h oug h t h im self a s
, ,

s udd e n ly le a pe d back b ef or e h i m to an im m e a s urab le

di s tanc e T he l ig h t h ad b e com e p ai n f u lly brig h t

. .

He wa s da zzle d b y i t L ik e wi se he wa s m ad e di zzy
.

b y t h i s abru p t and tr e m e ndou s e xt e n s ion o f sp ac e .

A utomatica lly , h i s eyes w e r e adj u s ting t he m selves

t o t he brig h tn ess f ocu ss ing t he m selves to m ee t t he
,

i ncr e a se d di s tanc e o f obj e ct s A t fi r s t t he wa ll h ad

.
,

le a pe d b ey ond h s v i s ion i He now s a w i t again ; b ut

.

i t h ad tak e n u p on i t sel f a r e m arkab le r e mo t e n ess .

A ls o i t s a ppe aranc e h a d c h ang e d

,
I t wa s no w a .

v ari e gat e d wa ll , com p o se d o f t he tr ees t h at f ring e d

88 W H I T E F ANG

t he s tr e am t he o pp o s ing mountai n t h at to w e r e d
,

abo ve t he tr ees and t he sk y t h at o u t to w e r e d t he

,
-

m ountain .

A gr e at fe ar cam e u p on h im Th i s wa s m or e o f
.

t he t e rrib le unknown H e crouc he d d own o n t h e l i p

.

o f t he ca ve and ga ze d out o n t he worl d H e wa s .

ve ry muc h a f raid B e cau se i t wa s

. wa s
h o s ti le to h im The r ef or e t he h air s tood u p on e nd
i
.

a l ong h i s back and h i s l i ps wrink le d w e ak ly n an

att e m p t at a fe roci ou s and i ntimidating s narl O ut .

o f h i s p unin ess and f rig h t b e c h a lle ng e d and m e nac e d

t he w h o le wid e wor l d .

N ot h ing h a ppe n e d H e continu e d to ga ze and i n

.
,

h i s int e r es t h e f orgo t to s narl A ls o he f orgot to

.
,

b e a f raid For t he tim e fe ar h ad b ee n rout e d b y

.
,

growth w h i le growt h h ad a ss um e d t h e gui se o f

,

curio s it y H e b e gan to n o tic e n e ar obj e ct s

. an o pe n
p ortion o f t he s tr e a m t h at fla she d in t he s u n t he ,

b l a s t e d p in e tr ee t h at s tood at t he ba se o f t he sl o pe ,

a n d t h e sl o pe i t sel f t h at ran rig h t u p to h im and

,

c e a se d two fee t b e n e at h t he l i p o f t he ca ve on
w h ic h h e crouc he d .

N ow t he gra y cub h ad l i ve d a ll h i s da ys on a l evel

floor He h ad n eve r e x pe ri e nc e d t he h urt o f a fa ll
. .

He did no t know w h at a f a ll wa s S o h e s t eppe d .

b o l d ly o u t u p on t he air H i s h ind le g s s ti ll r es t e d o n
.
-

t he ca ve l i-

p s o he fell f orward he ad downward

,
The .

e art h s truck h im a h ar sh b l o w o n t he no se t h at mad e

90 W H I T E F ANG

war ni ng w h at eve r t h at s uc h e xi s t e d h e f ou n d h im s e l f
,

an e x pl or e r i n a tota lly n e w wor l d .

No w t h at t he t e rrib le unknown h ad le t go of h im ,

he f orgo t t h at t he unknown h ad an y t e rror s He .

wa s awar e on ly o f curio s i ty in a ll t he t h ing s ab out

hi m . H e i n spe ct e d t he gra ss b e n e at h h im t he m o ss ,

b e rr y pl ant j u s t b ey ond and t he d e ad trunk o f t he

,

b l a s t e d p i n e t h at s to od on t he e dg e o f an o pe n sp ac e
am ong t he tr ees . A sq uirr el r u nning around t h e ba s e
,

o f t h e trunk cam e f u ll u p o n h im and ga ve h im a

, ,

gr e at f rig h t He cow e r e d down and s nar le d B u t

. .

t he sq uirr el wa s a s bad ly s car e d . I t ran u p t he tr ee ,

and f rom a p oint o f s a fe t y c h att e r e d back s a v ag ely .

Th i s helpe d t he cub s courag e and t h oug h t h e

’
,

woo d pe ck e r h e n e x t e ncount e r e d ga ve h im a s tart ,

he p ro c ee d e d co n fi d e nt ly on h i s wa y S uc h wa s h i s
.

con fi d e nc e t h at w he n a m oo se bird im p ud e nt ly
,
-

h o ppe d u p to h im he r e ac he d out at i t wit h a pl ay f u l

,

p aw . The r es u l t wa s a sh ar p pe ck on t he e nd o f h s i
n o se t h at mad e h im co w e r down and k y The ii
-
.

noi se he mad e wa s to o muc h f or t he m oo se b i rd , w h o -

s oug h t s a fe t y i n flig h t .

But t he cub wa s le arn i ng H i s mi s t y l itt le m ind

.

h ad a l r e ad y mad e an uncon s ciou s c l a ss i fi cation .

T he r e w e r e l i ve t h ing s and t h ing s no t a l i ve A ls o .

,

h e m u s t watc h o u t f or t he l i ve t h ing s The t h ings

.

n o t a l i ve r e main e d a l wa ys in o n e pl ac e ; but t he l i ve

t h ing s m o ve d about and t he r e wa s no t ell ing w h at

,
 TH E W A LL O F TH E WO R L D

t hey migh t d o . The t h ing to e x pe ct o f t he m wa s

t he un e x pe c t e d and f or t h i s he mu s t b e p r ep ar e d
,
.

H e tra velle d ve ry c l um s i ly . H e ran into s tick s

and t h ing s . A twig t h at he t h oug h t a l ong wa y o ff ,

wou l d t he n e x t in s tant h it h im o n t h e no se or rak e

a l ong h i s rib s . The r e w e r e i n e q ua l i ti es o f s ur fac e .

S om e tim es he o ve r s t eppe d and s tubb e d h i s no se .

Qui t e a s o f t e n h e u n d er s t e p p e d an d s t ubb e d h i s fee t

-

The n t he r e w e r e t he pe bb les an d s ton es t h at turn e d

und e r h i m w he n h e trod u p on t he m ; and f rom the m h e
cam e to know t h at t h e t h ing s n ot a l i ve w e r e no t a ll i n
t he s am e s tat e o f s tab le eq ui l ibri um a s wa s h i s ca ve ;
a ls o t h at s ma ll t h ing s no t a l i ve w e r e m or e l iab le
,

t h an l arg e t h ing s to fa ll down o r turn o ve r B ut .

wit h eve r y mi sh a p h e wa s le arning The l ong e r h e .

wa l k e d t he b e tt e r h e wa l k e d
,
H e wa s adj u s ting
.

h im self He wa s le arning to ca l cu l at e h i s o wn mu s
.

c u l a r m o ve m e n t s to kn o w h i s phys ica l l im i tation s

, ,

to m e a s ur e di s tanc es b e tw ee n obj e ct s and b e tw ee n ,

obj e ct s and h im self .

His wa s t he l uck o f t he b e ginn e r Born to

. b e a
i
‘

h unt e r o f m e at (t h oug h he d d not kno w it "he

, ,

b l und e r e d u p on m e at j u s t o ut s id e h i s o w n ca ve door -

on h i s fi r s t f ora y into t he worl d I t wa s b y shee r

.

b l und e ring t h at he c h anc e d u p on t h e sh r e wd ly h id

d e n p tarmigan n es t H e fell into i t He h ad ess a ye d
. .

t o wa l k a l ong t h e trunk of a fa lle n p in e The rott e n .

bark ga ve wa y und e r h i s fee t and wit h a d esp airing

,
92 W H I T E F ANG

yelp he p itc he d down t he round e d d es c e nt s ma she d ,

t h ro ug h t he le a fag e and s ta l k s o f a s ma ll bu sh and ,

in t he he art o f t he bu sh o n t he ground , fe tc he d u p
,

among s t seve n p tarmigan c h ick s .

They mad e n oi ses and at fi rs t he wa s f rig h t e n e d

,

at t h e m . The n h e pe rc e i ve d t h at t hey w e r e ve r y
l itt le and he b e cam e bo l d e r They m o ve d . He .

i
,

pl ac e d h s p aw o n on e and i t s m o ve m e nt s w e r e
,

acc ele rat e d Th i s wa s a s ourc e o f e nj o y m e nt to h im

“

i
. .

He s m elle d i t He p ick e d i t u p i n h s mo u t h It
'

. .

s truggle d and ti ckl e d h i s t ongu e A t t he s am e tim e .

he wa s mad e awar e o f a se n s ati on o f h ung e r H s j aw s . i

c l o se d tog e t he r The r e wa s a crunc h ing o f f ragi le
.

bon es an d warm b l ood ran in h i s m out h

,
Th e ta s t e .

of i t wa s good Th i s wa s m e at t h e s am e a s h s
.
,
i
m ot he r ga ve h im o n ly i t wa s a l i ve b e tw ee n h s t ee t h
,
i
and t he r e f or e b e tt e r S o he at e t he p tarmigan Nor
. .

di d he s to p ti ll h e h ad d ev our e d th e w h o le b rood .

The n h e l ick e d h i s c h o ps i n q uit e t he s am e wa y h i s

m o t he r did and b e gan to craw l o u t o f t he b u sh
, .

He e ncount e r e d a fe at he r e d w h ir l wi nd H e wa s .

con f u se d and b l i nd e d b y t he ru sh o f i t and t he b e at

o f angry wing s He h id h i s h e ad b e tw ee n h i s p aw s
.

and yelpe d The b l ow s i n cr e a se d

. The m ot he r .

p t armigan wa s i n a f ury The n h e b e cam e angry . .

He ro se u p s narl ing s triking o u t wi t h h i s p aw s

, ,
He .

s ank h i s tin y t ee t h i n t o o n e o f t he wing s and p u lle d

and tugg e d s turdi ly The p t a r m g a g s trugg le d
. i .
94 W H IT E F ANG

H e s ti ll hel d he r b y t he wing and t hey l a y o n t he ,

ground and l o ok e d at e ac h o t he r H e tri e d to grow l

i
.

t h r e at e ni ng ly , fe rociou sly S he p eek e d on h s n o se

.
,

w h ic h b y n ow w h at O f p r ev i ou s ad ve ntur es wa s
, ,

s or e H e winc e d but hel d on S he p eek ed h im agai n

. .

and again From wincing h e w e nt to w h im pe r

.

i ng H e tri e d to back awa y f rom he r, ob l i v iou s O f

.

t he f act t h at b y h i s h o l d on he r he dragg e d he r a f t e r
i
h m A rain O f pe ck s fell on h i s i ll u se d no se The -

i
. .

flo od o f fi g h t e bb e d d own i n h im and r ele a s ing h s , ,

p r ey he turn e d tai l and s cam pe r e d Ofi acro ss t he

,

Ope n i n ing l oriou s r e tr e at .

He l a y down to r es t o n t he o t he r s id e O f t he o pe n ,

n e ar t he e dg e o f t he bu shes , h i s tongu e l o ll ing ou t ,

h i s c hes t he a v ing and p anting h i s n o se s ti ll h urting

,

h im an d cau s ing h im to continu e h i s w h im pe r But .

a s he l a y t he r e s udd e n ly t he r e cam e to h im a feel ing

,

a s O f s om e t h ing t e rrib le im pe nding Th e unknown .

wit h a ll i t s t e rror s ru she d u p o n h im an d h e sh rank ,

back i n s ti ncti vely into t he shel t e r O f t he bu sh A s .

he did s o a draug h t O f air f an n e d h im and a l arg e

, , ,

wing e d b od y s w ep t ominou sly and s i le nt ly p a s t A .

h aw k dri v ing d own o u t O f t h e bl u e h ad bar ely m i sse d

’

, ,

h im .

W h i le he l a y in t he bu sh r e co ve ring f rom t h i s
i
,

f rig h t an d p ee ring fe ar f u lly o u t t he m ot he r p t a r m

,
-

gan on t he o the r s id e o f t he o pe n sp ac e flu tt e r e d o u t
O f t he ra v ag e d n es t I t wa s b e cau se o f he r l o ss t h at
.
 TH E W A LL O F TH E WO R L D 95

sh e p aid no att e ntio n to t h e wing e d b o l t o f th e sk y .

But t he cub s a w , a n d i t wa s a warning and a less on

to h im — t h e s wi f t downward s woo p O f t he h awk ,
t he sh ort s ki m O f i t s b od y j u s t ab o ve t he ground t he ,

s trik e o f i t s ta l on s i n t he b od y O f t he p tarm igan ,

t he p tarm igan s sq uawk O f agon y an d f rig h t and

’
,

t he h awk s ru sh u p ward i nto t he b l u e , carry ing t he

’
,

p tarm igan awa y wi t h i t .

I t wa s a l ong tim e b ef or e t h e cub lef t h i s shel t e r .

He h ad le arn e d muc h Li ve t h ing s w e r e m e at They

. .

w e r e goo d t o e at A ls o l i ve t h ing s w he n t hey w e r e

.
,

l arg e e noug h cou l d gi ve h urt

,
I t wa s b e tt e r to e at
.

s m a ll l i ve t h ing s l ik e p tarmigan c h ick s and to l e t

,

a l on e l arg e l i ve t h ing s l ik e p tarm igan h e n s N eve r .

t h el es s he fel t a l itt le p rick o f ambition a s n e aking ,

d es i r e to h a ve anot he r batt le wi t h t h at p tarmigan

h e n — on ly t he h awk h ad carri e d he r awa y M ay b e
.

t he r e w e r e o t h e r p tarmigan he n s H e wou l d go and

.

s ee .

H e cam e d own a shelv ing bank to t he s tr e am He .

h ad n eve r see n wat e r b ef or e The f oo ting l o ok e d

.

go od The r e w e r e n o i n eq ua l i ti es o f s ur fac e
. He .

s t eppe d bo l d ly out o n i t ; and w e nt down cry ing ,

wi t h fe ar, into t he e mbrac e o f t he unknown I t wa s .

co l d and he ga spe d br e at h ing q uick ly The wat e r

, , .

ru sh e d i nto h i s l ung s i n s t e ad O f t he air t h at h ad

a l wa ys accom p ani e d h i s act O f br e at h ing The s u f
i
.

foc a t on h e e x pe ri e nc e d wa s l ik e t he p ang O f d e at h .
96 W H I T E F ANG

TO h im i t s igni fie d d e at h He h ad no co n s ciou s
.

know le dg e o f d e at h but l ik e eve ry anima l O f t he

,

Wi l d he p o ssesse d t he in s tinct O f d e at h
,
To him .

it s tood a s th e gr e at es t Of h urt s I t wa s t he ve ry .

esse nc e o f t he unknown ; i t wa s t he s u m o f t he
t e rror s o f t he unknown t he on e cu l mi nating and
,

u n t h inkab le cata s tro phe t h at cou l d h a ppe n to h im ,

ab out w h ic h he kn e w no t h ing and about w h ic h h e

fe ar e d eve ry t h ing .

He cam e to t he s ur f ac e and t he s w ee t ai r ru she d

,

into h i s o pe n m out h H e did no t go down again

. .

Quit e a s t h oug h i t h ad b ee n a l ong es tab l i she d cu s tom -

o f h i s he s truck ou t wi t h a ll h i s le g s and b e gan to

,

s wim . The n e ar bank w a s a y ard awa y ; but h e

h ad com e u p wi t h h i s back to i t and t h e fi r s t t h ing ,

h i s eyes r es t e d u p o n wa s t he o pp o s i t e bank , toward

w h ic h he imm e diat ely b e gan to s wim Th e s tr e am .

wa s a s ma l l o n e bu t in t he p oo l i t wid e n ed ou t t o
,

a s cor e Of f ee t
. . .

M idwa y in t he p a ss ag e , t he curr e nt p ick e d u p t h e

cub and s w ep t h i m d own s tr e am He wa s caug h t i n
-
.

t h e m iniatur e ra p id at t he bo ttom O f t he p oo l H ere .

wa s l itt le c h anc e f or s wimming Th e q ui e t wat e r .

h ad b e com e s udd e n l y angry S om e tim es h e wa s.

und e r s om e tim es o n to p
,
A t a ll tim es h e wa s i n
.

v io le nt mo tio n n ow b e ing turn e d o ve r o r around and

, ,

again , b e ing s ma she d again s t a rock A nd w it h .

eve ry rock he s truck he yelpe d ,

H i s p rogr ess wa s .
98 W H I T E F ANG

H e wa s sp raw l ing a l ong b e tw ee n s om e bu shes ,

w he n h e h e ard a sh ar p i ntimidating cry The r e wa s
,
.

a fla sh O f yell o w b ef or e h i s eyes He sa w a w e a sel .

le a p ing s wi f tly awa y f rom h im I t wa s a s ma ll l i ve .

t h ing and he h ad no fe ar The n b ef or e h im a t h i s

,
.
, ,

fee t h e s aw an e xtr e m ely s ma ll l i ve t h ing on ly s ev

, ,

e ra l i nc hes l ong yeu n g w ea sel t h at , l ik e h im self,

R ,

h ad di sob e di e nt l y g on e out ad ven turi ng , , I t tri e d to .

r e tr e at b ef or e h im H e turn e d it o ve r wi t h h i s p aw
.

I t mad e a q u ee r, grating noi se The n e x t m om e n t .

t he fla sh O f yell o w r e a ppe ar e d b ef or e h i s eyes He .

he ard again t he inti m idating cry and at t he s am e ,

i n s tant r e c e i ve d a seve r e b l o w o n t he s id e o f t h e n e ck
and fel t t he sh arp t ee t h O f t h e m ot he r w e a sel cut into -

h i s fl esh .

W h i le h e yelpe d and k y i d and s cramb le d back i

-
’

ward he sa w t he m ot he r w e a sel le a p u p on he r y oung

,
-

on e and di s a ppe ar wi t h i t into t he n e ig h b ori ng

t h i c k e t The cut o f he r t ee t h i n h i s n e ck s ti ll h urt,
.

but h i s feel ing s w e r e h urt m or e gri ev ou sly and h e ,

sa t down and w e ak ly w h im pe r e d Th i s m ot he r w e a .
-

s el wa s so s ma ll and s o s a v ag e " He wa s ye t to
le arn t h at f or s i ze and w e ig h t t he w e a sel wa s t h e
mos t fe rociou s v indi cti ve and t e rrib le O f a ll t h e
- _

, ,

ki lle r s of t h e Wi l d But a p ortion O f t h i s know le dg e

.

wa s q uick ly to b e h i s .

H e wa s s ti ll w h im pe ring w he n t he m ot he r w e a sel -

r e a ppe ar e d S he did no t ru sh h i
. m now t h a t he r ,
 TH E WA LL O F TH E WO R L D 99

y oung on e wa s s a fe S he a pp roac he d m or e cau ti ou sly

.
,

and t he cub h ad f u ll Opp ortunit y t o O b se r ve he r le an

s nak el ik e b od y and he r he ad e r e ct e ag e r and s nak e
, , , ,

l ik e i t self H e r sh ar p m e nacing cry se nt t he h ai r

.
,

bri s t l ing a l ong h i s back and he s nar le d warning ly at

,

he r S he cam e c l o se r and c l o se r The r e wa s a le a p

. .
,

s wi f t e r t h an h i s un p racti se d s ig h t and t he le an , ,

y ell o w bod y di s a ppe ar e d f or a m om e n t o u t O f t h e

fi el d O f h i s v i s ion The n e x t m om e nt s h e wa s a t h i s
.

t h roat he r t ee t h buri e d i n h i s h air and fl esh

,
.

A t fi r s t he s nar l e d and tri e d to fi g h t ; b u t h e wa s

ve ry y oung and t h i s wa s on ly h i s fi r s t da y in t he
,

,
i
w orl d and h s s nar l b e cam e a w h im pe r h i s fi g h t ,

a s trugg le to es ca pe The w e a sel n eve r r el ax e d he r

.

h old S he h ung on s tri v ing to p r ess d own wi t h h e r

.
,

t ee t h to t he gr e at ve in w he r e h i s l i fe —b l ood bubb le d .

The w e a sel wa s a drink e r o f b l ood a n d i t wa s eve r ,

i
he r r e fer e n c e to drink fi om t h e t h roat o f l i fe i t sel f .

The gra y cub wou l d h a ve di e d , and t h e r e wou l d

h a ve b ee n n o s tory to wri t e about h im h ad no t t he ,

she wo lf com e bounding t h roug h t h e bu shes

-
Th e .

w e a sel le t go t h e cub and fla she d at t he sh e wo lf s -

’

t h roat mi ss ing but g e tting a h o l d on t h e j aw i n s t e ad

, ,
.

The s h e wo l f flirt e d he r he ad l ik e t he s na p O f a w h i p
-

br e aking t he w e a sel s h o l d and flinging it h ig h in t he

’

i
.

air A nd s ti ll i n t he a r t h e she wo l f s j aw s c l o se d
.
, , ,
-
’

o n t h e le an yell ow b od y an d t he w e a sel kn e w d e at h
, ,

b e tw ee n t he crunc h ing t ee th .
100 W H I T E F ANG

The cub e x pe ri e nc e d anot he r acc ess o f a ff e cti on on

i
t he p art O f h s m ot he r H e r j o y at fi nd ing h i m
i
.

see m e d gr e at e r eve n t h an h s j o y at b e ing f ound .

S he no zzle d h im and car esse d h im and l ick e d t h e c u t s

i
mad e n h i m b y t he w e a sel s t ee t h The n b e tw ee n
’
.
,

t he m m ot he r and cub they at e th e b l oo d dri nk e r

, ,
-

and a f t e r t h at w e nt back to t he ca ve and slep t .

102 W H I T E F ANG

wi l d es t o f rag es ; f or he n eve r f orgot t he pe ck o n t he

no se he h ad r e c e i ve d f ro m t he fi r s t o f t h at i l k he
e ncount e r e d .

But t he r e w e r e tim es w he n eve n a m o o se bird -

f ai le d to a ffe ct h im an d t h o se w e r e tim es w he n h e
,

fel t h im self t o b e i n dang e r from s om e o t he r p row l

i ng m e at h unt e r H e n eve r f orgo t t he h awk and it s
-
.
,

m o v ing sh ado w a l ways se nt h im crouc h ing into t he

n e ar es t t h ick e t He no l ong e r sp raw le d and s t rad
.
“

d l ed and a l r e ad y h e wa s d evel o p ing t he gai t o f h i s

,

m o t he r sl inking and f urti ve a pp ar e nt ly wit h out e x

, ,

i
e r t on ,
ye t sl iding a l ong wi t h a s wi f tn ess t h at wa s
a s d e c ep ti ve a s i t wa s i m pe rc ep tib l e .

I n t he matt e r o f m e at h i s l u ck h ad b ee n a ll in t he
,

b e ginning Th e seve n p tarm igan c h ick s and t h e

.

bab y w e a sel r ep r ese nt e d t he s u m o f h i s ki ll ing s H i s .

d es ir e to ki ll s tr e ngt he n e d wit h t he d a ys and he ,

c he ri she d h ungry ambition s f or t he sq uirr el t h at

c h att e r e d s o v o l ub ly and a l wa ys i n f orm e d a ll wi l d
cr e atur es t h at t he wo lf cub wa s a pp roac h ing But
-
.

a s bird s fl e w i n t he air sq uirr els cou l d c l imb tr ees

, ,

and t he cub co u l d on ly try to craw l unob se r ve d u p on

t he sq ui rr el w he n i t wa s o n t he ground .

The cub e nt e rtain e d a gr e at r espe ct f o r h i s m ot he r .

S he cou l d g e t m e at and s h e n eve r fai le d to bring h im

,

h i s sh ar e Furt he r s h e wa s una f raid o f t h ings

.
,
It .

did n o t o ccur to h im t h at t h i s feaW as

f ound e d u p on e x pe ri e nc e and know le dg e I t s e ff e c t

.
 TH E LAW OF M EAT 10 3

on h im wa s t h at O f an im p r ess ion o f p ow e r H i s .

m ot he r r ep r ese nt e d p ow e r ; and a s h e gr e w Ol d e r he
fel t t h i s p ow e r i n t he sh ar pe r admoni t io n O f he r
p aw ; w h i le t he r ep ro v ing nudg e o f he r n o se ga ve
pl ac e to t he sl a sh o f he r fang s For t h i s l ik e wi se .
, ,

h e r espe ct e d h i s m o t he r S he c om pelle d O b e di e nc e
.

f rom h im an d t he Ol d e r h e gr e w t he sh ort e r gr e w
,

he r t e m pe r .

Famin e cam e again and t he cub wit h c le ar e r con

,

i
s c ou s n es s kn e w onc e m or e t he bi t e O f h ung e r The .

s h e wo lf ran he r self t h in in t h e q u es t f or m e at
-
Sh e .

rar ely slep t an y m or e i n t he ca ve spe nding m o s t O f ,

he r tim e on t he m e at trai l an d spe nding i t v ain ly

-

Th i s f amin e wa s no t a l ong on e but i t wa s seve r e ,

w h i le i t l a s t e d The cub f ound no mor e mi l k i n h i s

.

m ot he r s b r e a s t, nor di d h e g e t on e m out hf u l O f m e a t
’

f or h im sel f .

B ef or e he h ad h unt e d in pl a y , f or t he shee r j o y ou s
,

n ess o f i t ; n o w he h unt e d i n d e ad ly e arn es tn ess , a nd

f ound not h ing Y e t t he f ai l ur e o f i t acc ele rat e d h i s
.

d evel o p m e nt He s tudi e d t he h abit s O f t he sq uirr el

.

wit h gr e at e r car ef u l n ess and s tro ve wi t h gr e at e r

,

cra f t to s t e a l u p on i t and s ur p ri se i t He s tudi e d .

t he wood mic e and tri e d to dig t he m ou t O f t he i r

-

burrow s ; and he le arn e d m uc h ab out t he ways o f

mo o se bird s and wood pe ck e r s A nd t he r e cam e a
-

i
.

da y w h e n t he h awk s sh adow d d no t dri ve h im

’

crouc h ing i n to t he bu shes H e h ad grown s trong e r, .

1 0 4: W H I T E F ANG

i
and w s e r and mor e con fi d e nt A ls o he wa s d es
,
.
,
~

pe rat e S O he s a t o n h i s h aunc hes con sp icuou sly

.
, ,

i n an Ope n sp ac e and c h a lle ng e d t he h awk down o u t

,

o f t he sk y F o r he kn e w t h at t he r e floating in t h e
.
,

b l u e ab o ve h im wa s m e at t he me at h i s s tomac h
, ,

ye arn e d a f t e r s o in s i s t e nt ly But t he h awk r ef u se d

.

to com e d o wn and gi ve batt le and th e cub craw le d ,

awa y i nto a t h ick e t and w h im pe r e d h i s di s a pp oint

m e nt an d h ung e r .

The f amin e brok e The she w o lf broug h t h om e

.
-

m e at I t wa s s trang e m e at di ffe r e nt f rom an y s h e

.
,

h ad eve r brough t b ef or e I t wa s a ly nx ki tt e n p art ly

.
,

grown l ik e t he cub but no t s o l arg e A nd i t wa s a ll

, ,
.

f o r h im H i s m o t he r h ad s ati sfi e d h e r h ung e r else

.

w he r e ; t h oug h he did n o t know t h at i t wa s t h e r es t

O f t he ly nx l i tt e r t h at h ad gon e to s ati sfy he r No r .

did he know t he d espe rat e n ess O f he r d ee d H e kn e w .

on ly t h at t he velve t f urr e d kitt e n wa s m e at and he

-

at e and wax e d h a pp i e r wit h eve ry m out hf u l .

A f u ll s tomac h conduc es to inaction and t he cub ,

l a y i n t he ca ve sleep ing again s t h i s m ot he r s s id e

,
’
.

H e wa s arou se d b y h e r s nar l ing N eve r h ad h e .

he ard he r s nar l s o t e rrib ly Po ss ib ly i n h e r w h o le

.

l i fe i t w a s t he m o s t t e rrib le s narl s h e eve r ga ve .

The r e wa s r e a s on f or i t and non e kn e w i t b e tt e r

,

t h an s h e A ly nx s l air i s no t d esp oi le d wit h m

’
i
i
.

p u n t y .I n t he f u ll g l ar e O f t he a f t e rnoon l ig h t ,

crouc h ing i n t he e ntranc e O f t he ca ve t he cub sa w ,

106 W H IT E F ANG

h ug e f or e p aw t h at ri ppe d h i s sh ou l d e r o pe n to t he
-

bon e and se nt h i m h urt l ing s id e wi se again s t t h e wa ll .

The n wa s ad d e d to t he u p roar t h e cub s sh ri ll yelp ’

o f p ain and f rig h t But t he fi g h t l a s t e d s o l ong t h at

.

h e h ad tim e to cry h im self out and to e x pe ri e nc e a

se cond bur s t Of courag e ; and t he e nd O f t he batt le
f ound h i m agai n c l inging to a h ind le g and furiou sly -

grow l ing b e tw ee n h i s t ee t h .

The ly nx wa s d e ad But t he she wo lf wa s ve ry

.
-

w e ak and s ick A t fi r s t sh e car esse d t he cub and

.

l ick e d h i s wound e d sh ou l d e r ; but t he b l oo d s h e h ad

l o s t h ad tak e n wit h i t he r s tr e ngt h and f or a ll o f a ,

da y and a nig h t s h e l a y b y he r d e ad f o e s s id e wi t h ’
,

out m o ve m e nt s carc ely br e at h ing For a w ee k sh e

,
.

n eve r lef t t h e ca ve , e xc ep t f or wat e r, and t h e n he r

m o ve m e nt s w e r e sl ow a n d p ain fu l A t t he e nd O f
.

t h at tim e t h e ly nx wa s d ev our e d w h i le t he s h e wo lf s
,
-
’

wound s h ad he a le d s u ffi ci e nt ly to pe rmi t he r to tak e

t he m e at trai l agai n
-
.

Th e c u b s sh ou l d e r wa s s ti ff and s or e and f or s om e
’
,

tim e he l i mpe d f ro m t he t e rrib le sl a sh he h ad r e

i
c e v ed. But t he worl d n o w see m e d c h ang e d He .

w e nt ab out in i t wit h gre at e r con fi d e nc e wit h a feel ,

ing o f p row ess t h at h ad n o t b ee n h i s i n t he da ys

b ef o r e t he battle wit h t he ly nx He h a d l ook e d u p on
.

l i fe i n a m or e fe rociou s a spe ct ; he h ad f oug h t ; he

i
h ad buri e d h s t ee t h in th e fl esh Of a f o e ; and he h ad
s ur v i ve d
. A nd b e cau se o f a ll t h i s he carri e d h im self
,
 TH E L A W O F M E AT 10 7

m or e bo l d ly wi t h a touc h o f d e fi anc e t h at wa s n e w
,

In h im H e wa s n o l ong e r a f raid O f mi nor th ing s ,

i
.

and muc h O f h s timidi ty h ad v ani she d t h oug h t h e ,

unkno wn n eve r c e a se d to p r ess u p on h im wit h it s

m ys t e ri es and t e rrors intangib le and eve r m e nacing
,
-
.

H e b e gan to accom p an y h i s m ot he r on t he m e at
trai l and he sa w m uc h O f t he ki ll ing o f m e at and
i
,

b e gan to pl a y h s p art i n i t An d i n h i s o w n dim .

wa y he le arn e d t he l aw o f m e at The r e w e r e two .

kind s O f l i fe —h i s own ki nd and t he ot he r kind H i s

,
.

own kin d i nc l ud e d h i s mot he r an d h im sel f The ot he r .

kind inc l ud e d a ll l i ve t h ing s t h at mo ve d B u t t he .

o t he r kind wa s di v id e d O n e p ortio n wa s w h at h i s
.

o w n ki nd ki lle d and at e Th i s p ortio n wa s com p o se d

.

o f t h e non ki lle r s and t he s ma ll ki lle r s

-

The ot he r .

p ortion ki lle d and at e h i s own k ind or wa s ki lle d and ,

e at e n b y h i s o w n kind A nd o u t Of t h i s c l a ss i fi cation
.

aro se t he l aw The aim O f l i fe wa s m e at Li fe i t self

. .

wa s m e at . L i fe l i ve d o n l i fe The r e w e r e t he e at e r s
.

and t he e at e n The l aw wa s : E A T O R B E E A T E N
. .

He did n o t f o rmu l at e t he l aw i n c le ar s e t t e rm s an d ,

m ora l i ze about i t He did n ot eve n t h ink t he l a w ; he

.

m e r ely l i ve d t he l aw wi t h out t h inking ab ou t i t at a ll .

He sa w t he l aw Ope rating around h im on eve ry

s id e H e h ad e at e n t he p tarmigan c h ick s The h awk
. .

h a d e at e n t h e p tarmi gan m ot he r The h awk wou l d

-
.

a ls o h a ve e at e n h im Later w he n he h ad grown
.
,

mor e f ormidab le h e want e d to e at t he h awk

, He .
106 W H IT E F ANG

h ug e f or e p aw t h at ri ppe d h i s sh ou l d e r o p e n t o t he
-

b on e and se nt h i m h urt l ing s id e wi se again s t t h e wa ll .

The n wa s ad d e d t o t he u p roar t h e cub s sh ri ll yelp ’

o f p ain and f rig h t But t he fi g h t l a s t e d s o l ong t h at

.

h e h ad tim e to cry h im self o u t and to e x pe ri e nc e a

s e cond bur s t o f courag e ; and t he e n d O f t he batt le
f ound h i m agai n c l inging to a h ind le g and furiou sly -

grow l ing b e tw ee n h i s t ee t h .

The ly nx wa s d e ad But t he s h e w o lf w a s ve r y
.
-

w e ak and s ick A t fi rs t s h e car esse d t he cub and

.

l ick e d h i s wound e d sh ou l d e r ; but t he b l oo d s h e h ad

l o s t h ad tak e n wit h i t he r s tr e ngt h and f or a ll o f a ,

da y and a nig h t she l a y b y he r d e ad f o e s s id e wi t h ’

,

o u t m o ve m e nt s carc ely br e at h ing

,
For a w ee k s h e
.

n eve r lef t t h e ca ve , e xc ep t f or wat e r and t he n he r ,

m o ve m e nt s w e r e sl ow an d p ain fu l A t t he e nd o f
.

t h at tim e t he ly nx wa s d ev our e d w h i le t h e she wo lf s

,
-
’

wound s h ad he a le d s u ffi ci e nt ly to pe rmi t he r to tak e

t he m e at trai l agai n
-
.

Th e cub s sh ou l d e r wa s s ti ff and s or e and f or s om e

’
,

tim e he l im pe d f rom t he t e rrib le sl a sh he h ad r e

c ei v ed
. But t he worl d now see m e d c h ang e d He .

w e nt ab out in i t wi t h gr e at e r co n fi d e nc e , wit h a feel

ing O f p row ess t h at h ad n ot b ee n h i s n t he da ys i
b ef o r e t he batt le wit h t he ly nx H e h ad l ook e d u p on
.

l i fe i n a m or e fe rociou s a spe ct ; he h ad f oug h t ; h e

h ad buri e d h i s t ee t h in th e fl esh o f a f oe ; and h e h a d
s ur v i ve d
. A nd b e cau se o f a ll t h i s , he carri e d h im self
10 6 W H IT E F ANG

h ug e f or e p aw t h at ri ppe d h i s sh ou l d e r o p e n to t he
-

b o n e and se nt h i m h urt l ing s id e wi se again s t t h e wa ll .

The n wa s add e d to t he u p roar t h e cub s sh ri ll yelp ’

o f p ain and f rig h t But t he fi g h t l a s t e d s o l ong t h at

.

h e h ad tim e to cry h im sel f o u t and to e x pe ri e nc e a

se cond bur s t o f c ourag e ; and t h e e nd O f t he batt le
f ound h im again c l inging to a h ind le g and f uriou sly -

grow l ing b e tw ee n h i s t ee t h .

The ly nx wa s d e ad But t he s h e wo lf w a s ve ry
.
-

w e ak and s ick A t fi r s t s h e car esse d t he cub and

.

l ick e d h i s wound e d sh ou l d e r ; but t he b l oo d s h e h ad

l o s t h ad tak e n wit h i t he r s tr e ngt h and f or a ll o f a ,

da y and a nig h t sh e l a y b y he r d e ad f o e s s id e wit h ’

,

ou t m o ve m e nt s carc ely br e at h ing

,
For a w ee k s h e
.

n eve r lef t t h e ca ve e xc ep t f or wat e r and t he n he r

, ,

m o ve m e nt s w e r e sl o w an d p ain fu l A t t he e nd O f .

t h at tim e t h e ly nx wa s d ev our e d w h i le t he sh e wo lf s
,
-
’

wound s h ad he a le d s u ffi ci e nt ly to pe rmi t he r to tak e

t he m e at trai l agai n
-
.

Th e cub s sh ou l d e r wa s s ti ff and s or e and f or s om e

’
,

tim e h e l im pe d f rom t he t e rrib le sl a sh he h ad r e

i
c e v ed. But t he wor l d now see m e d c h ang e d He .

w e nt ab out i n i t wi t h gr e at e r con fi d e nc e wit h a feel ,

ing o f p row ess t h at h ad n o t b ee n h i s i n t he da ys

b ef o re t he battle wi t h t he ly nx He h ad l ook e d u p on
.

l i fe i n a m or e fe roci ou s a spe ct ; he h ad f oug h t ; he

h ad buri e d h i s t ee t h i n th e fl esh o f a f o e ; and he h ad
s ur v i ve d
. A nd b e cau se o f a ll t h i s , he carr i e d h im self
 TH E L A W O F M E A T 10 7

m or e bo l d ly wit h a touc h o f d efi anc e t h at wa s n e w

,

i n h im . H e wa s n o l ong e r a fraid O f mi nor th ing s ,

and muc h O f h i s timidi ty h ad v ani she d t h oug h t he ,

unknown n eve r c e a se d to p r ess u p o n h im wit h it s

m ys t e ri es and t e rror s intangib le and ev er m e nacing
,
-
.

He b e gan to accom p an y h i s m ot he r on t h e m e at
trai l and he sa w m uc h O f t h e ki ll ing O f m e at and
,

b e gan to pl a y h i s p art i n i t An d i n h i s o w n dim

.

wa y he le arn e d t he l aw o f m e at The r e w e r e two .

kind s O f l i fe — h i s own kind and t h e o t he r kind H i s

,
.

own kind i nc l ud e d h i s mo t h e r and h im sel f The ot he r .

kind i nc l ud e d a ll l i ve t h ing s t h at mo ve d B u t t he .

o t he r kind wa s di v id e d O n e p ortio n wa s w h at h i s
.

o w n kind ki lle d and at e Th i s p orti o n wa s com p o se d

.

Of t he n on ki lle r s and t he s m a ll ki lle r s

-
The ot he r .

p ortion ki lle d and at e h i s own k ind or wa s ki lle d and ,

e at e n b y h i s o wn kind A n d ou t Of t h i s c l a ss i fi cation
.

aro se t he l aw The aim O f l i fe wa s m e at L i fe i t self

. .

wa s m e at . Li fe l i ve d on l i fe The r e w e r e t h e e at e r s
.

and t he e at e n The l aw wa s : E A T O R B E E A T E N
. .

H e did n o t f o rmul at e t he l aw in c le ar s e t t e rm s and ,

m oral i ze ab out i t H e did n ot eve n t h ink t he l a w ; h e

.

m e r ely l i ve d t he l aw wi t h out t h inking ab ou t i t at a ll .

He s aw t he l aw Ope rating around h im on eve r y

s i d e H e h ad e at e n t he p tarmigan c h ick s The h awk
. .

h ad e at e n t h e p tarmigan m ot he r The h awk wou l d

-
.

a ls o h a ve e at e n h im L at e r w he n he h ad grown
.
,

m or e f ormidab le h e want e d to e at t he h awk

, He .
10 8 W H I T E F ANG

h ad e at e n t he ly nx ki tt e n The ly nx m ot he r wou l d .
-

h a ve e at e n h im h ad s h e no t he r self b ee n ki lle d and

e at e n A nd s o i t w e nt The l aw wa s b e ing l i ve d
. .

about h im b y a ll l i ve t h ing s and he h im self wa s p art ,

and p arc el O f t h e l aw He w a s a ki lle r H i s on ly. .

f ood wa s me at l i ve m e at t h at ran awa y s wi f t ly

, ,

b ef or e h im o r fle w in to t h e air o r c l imb e d tr ees o r

, ,

i
,

h d i n t he ground o r fac e d h im and f oug h t wit h h im

, ,

o r turn e d t he tab les and ran a f t e r h m i .

H ad t h e cub t h oug h t i n m an fa sh i on he m ig h t h a ve -

ep itom i ze d l i fe a s a v oraciou s a ppe ti t e and t he wor l d ,

a s a pl ac e w he r e i n rang e d a mu l ti tud e O f a ppe ti t es ,

p ur s uing and b e ing p ur s u e d , h unting and b e ing

h unt e d e ating and b e ing e a t e n a ll i n b l indn ess
, ,

and con f u s i on wi t h v i o le nc e and di s ord e r a c h ao s o f

, ,

g l u tton y and sl aug h t e r ru le d o ve r b y c h anc e m e rci

, ,

less pl an less e nd less

, ,
.

But t he cub did n o t t h ink i n man fa sh i on He did -

.

no t l ook at t h ing s wi t h wid e v i s ion He wa s s ing le .

p urp o se d and e nt e rtain e d but on e t h oug h t o r d es ir e

,

at a tim e B es id es t he l aw O f m e at t he r e wa s a
.
,

m y riad o t he r and l esse r l aw s f or h i m to le arn and

O b ey The worl d wa s fille d wit h s ur p ri se
. The s ti r .

O f t he l i fe t h at wa s in h im , t he pl a y o f h i s m u s c les ,

wa s an un e nding h a pp in ess To run down m e at wa s .

to e x pe ri e nc e t h ri lls and el ation s H i s rag es and .

batt les w e r e ple a s ur es Te rror i t se l f and t he m ys

.
,

t er y Of t he unknown le nt to h i s l i v in g ,
.
 PAR T TH REE

TH E G O DS O F T H E W I LD

C HAPTE R I TH E M A K E R S O F F IR E
C H A P T E R II TH E B ON D A G E
C H A P T E R III THE O U TC A S T
C H A P T E R IV THE T R A IL O F T H E G O D S
C HAPT ER V THE C O V E NAN T
C HAPT ER V I TH E FA M IN E
 C H A P TE R I

TH E M A K ER S OF F IRE

TH E cub cam e u p on i t s udd e n ly I t wa s h i s own .

f au l t He h ad b ee n car eless H e h ad lef t t he ca ve

. .

and run do wn to t he s tr e am to drink I t mig h t .

h a ve b ee n t h at h e took no no tic e b e cau se he wa s

he a vy wi t h sleep ( He
. h ad b ee n o u t a ll nig h t o n

t he m e at trai l and h ad but j u s t t he n awak e n e d "

-

, .

A nd h i s car eless n ess mig h t h a ve b ee n du e to t h e

f ami l iarit y O f t he tra i l to t he p oo l He h ad tra velle d .

i t Of t e n and not h i n g h ad eve r h a ppe n e d on it

,
.

He w e n t down p a s t t he b l a s t e d p in e cro sse d t he ,

o pe n sp ac e an d trott e d i n am o n g s t t h e tr ees The n

,
.
,

at t h e s am e in s tant h e s aw and s m el t
,
B ef or e h im .
,

s i tti ng s i le nt ly o n t he ir h aunc hes w e r e five l i ve t h ing s

, ,

th e l ik e O f w h ic h he h ad n eve r see n b ef or e I t wa s .

h i s fi r s t g l im pse Of mankind But at t he s ig h t O f

.

h im t h e five m e n did n o t sp ring to t he ir fee t n or ,

sh ow t he ir t ee th n or s narl
,
They did n o t m o ve
.
,

but s a t t he r e s i le n t and omi nou s

,
.

N or di d t he cub mOv e E ve ry in s tinct o f h i s

.

n atur e wou l d h a ve i m pelle d h im to da sh wi l d ly

1 13
1 14: W H I T E F ANG

awa y h ad t he r e not s udd e n ly and f or t he fi rs t tim e

,

ari se n in h im anot he r an d coun t e r in s tinct A gr e at .

aw e d es c e nd e d u p on h im H e wa s b e at e n d own to
.

m o veless n ess b y an o ve rwh el ming se n se o f h i s own

w e akn ess and l i tt le n ess H e r e wa s m a s t e ry and
.

p ow e r s om e t h ing f ar and awa y b ey ond h im

,
.

Th e c u b h ad n eve r see n man ye t t h e i n s ti nct c o n ,

c e rning m an wa s h i s I n di m wa ys he r e cogni ze d i n
.

ma n t he anima l t h at h ad f oug h t i t self to p rimacy o ve r

t he o t he r anima ls O f t he Wi l d No t a l on e o u t o f h i s.

o w n eyes but out O f th e eyes O f a ll h i s anc es tor s wa s t he

,

c u b n ow l ooking u p on m an — o u t o f eyes t h at h ad

circ le d i n t h e darkn ess aroun d count less wint e r cam p

fi r es t h at h ad pee r e d f rom s a fe di s tanc es an d f rom t he
, _ _ _

he art s O f t h i ck e t s at t he s trang e two le gg e d anima l ,

-

t h at wa s l or d o v er l i v ing t h ing s The spell o f t he .

cub s he ri t ag e wa s u p on h im t h e fe ar and t he r espe ct

’
,

born Of t he c e nturi es O f s trugg le and t he accumu l at e d

e x pe ri e nc e O f t he g e n e rati on s The he ritag e wa s to o
.

com pell ing f or a wo lf t h at wa s o n ly a cub H ad he .

b ee n f u ll grown h e wou l d h a ve run awa y

-

,
As i t .

wa s he cow e r e d do wn i n a p ara lys i s o f fe ar a l re ad y

, ,

h a l f p ro ffe ring t he s ubmi ss i on t h at h i s kind h ad

p ro ffe r e d f rom t h e fi r s t tim e a wo lf cam e i n to s i t

b y man s fi r e and b e ma d e w arm

’
.

O n e o f t he I ndian s aro se and wa l k e d o ve r to h im

and s too pe d ab o ve h im The cub co w e re d c l o se r to
I t wa s t he unknown Ob jec t i
.

t he ground . fi ed at l a s t , ,
 16 W H I T E FANG

wai l t h at h ad i n i t m or e O f trium ph t h an gri ef he ,

c e a se d h i s noi se and wait e d for t he coming O f h i s

mothe r O f h i s fe rociou s and i ndom itab le m othe r w h o
,

f ough t and ki lle d a ll t h ing s an d wa s n eve r a f raid .

S he wa s s nar l ing a s she ran S he h ad he ard t he cry

.

O f he r cub and wa s d a sh ing to s a ve h im .

S he b ound e d in among s t t he m he r anxiou s and ,

mi l itant mot he r h ood making he r an y t h ing bu t a

p r e tty s ig h t But to t h e cub t he spe ctac le o f he r
.

p rot e cti ve rag e wa s ple a s ing He utt e r e d a g l ad l ittle

.

cry and b ound e d to m ee t he r w h i le t he man anima ls

,
-

w e nt back h a s ti ly seve ra l s t eps The s h e wo lf s tood

.
-

o ve r again s t he r cub f acing t he men wi t h bri s t l ing

, ,

h air a s n ar l rumb l ing d eep in he r t h roat He r f ac e

,
.

wa s di s tort e d a n d ma l ignant wi t h m e nac e eve n t he

"

bridg e O f t he no se wrink l ing f rom ti p to eyes s o

p ro d igi ou s wa s he r s narl

”
.

The n i t wa s t h at a cr y w e n t u p f rom on e O f t he
men .
“
K i c he " wa s w h at he utt e r e d I t wa s an .

e xc l amation o f s urp ri se The cub fel t h i s m ot he r

”
.

wi l ting at t he s ound .

“
K ic he " t he m an cri e d again t h i s tim e wit h ,

s h arp n ess and aut h ori t y .

A nd t he n t he cub s aw h i s m ot he r t he s h e wo l f t h e
,
-

fe ar less on e crouc h ing down ti ll he r b elly touc he d

.

th e ground w h im pe ri n g wagging he r tai l m a k ing

, , ,
.

pe ac e s ign s The c u b cou l d n o t und e r s tand

. He .

wa s a pp a lle d The aw e Of man ru she d o ve r h im

.
 TH E M A K ER S O F FI RE 117

again . H i s i n s tinct h ad b ee n tru e H s m ot he r . i

ve ri fie d i t S he to o r e nd e r e d s ubmi ss i on to t he
.
, ,

man anima ls
-
.

The m an w h o h ad sp ok e n cam e o ve r to h e r H e .

p ut h i s h and u p o n n e r he ad and she on ly crouc h e d ,

c l o se r S he did no t s na p nor th r e at e n to s na p
.
, .

The ot he r m e n cam e u p and s urround e d he r and fel t , ,

he r and p aw e d h e r w h ic h acti on s s h e mad e no

, ,

att e m p t to r ese nt They w e r e gr e at ly e xcit e d and

.
,

mad e man y n oi ses wit h t he ir m o ut hs These noi ses .

w e r e n o t indicati on s o f dang e r t he cub d e cid e d a s he , ,

crou c he d n e ar h i s mot he r s ti ll bri s t l ing f rom tim e to

”
,

ti me but d oing h i s b es t to s ubm it .

I t i s not s trang e an I ndian wa s s a y ing ,

He r .

fat he r wa s a wo lf I t i s tru e h e r m ot he r wa s a dog ;

.
,

b u t di d not m y b ro t he r ti e he r o u t i n t he wo od s a ll
o f t h r ee ni h t s i n t he mating
g - u

w a s t he f at he r o f K ic h e a wo lf
se a s on ? The r ef or e
.
”
I t i s a ye ar B e a ve r s inc e sh e ran awa y
, , ,

sp ok e a se cond I ndian .

”
W

an s w e r e d I t wa s t he tim e O
. f t h e fami n e and ,

t he r e wa s no m e at f or t he d og s .

“ S he h a s l i ve d wi t h t he w o lves s ai d a th ird

”
,

I ndian .

S O i t wou l d see m Th r ee E ag les G ra y B e a ve r

”
, ,

an s w e r e d l a y ing h i s h and on t he c u b ; and t h i s b e

,

t he s ign o f i t .
118 W H I T E F ANG

The cub s narle d a l i ttle at t he touc h O f t he h and ,

and t he h and fl e w back to admi ni s t e r a c l out

i
.

W he r e u p on t he cub co ve r e d t s f ang s and s ank do wn

s ub mi ss i vely w h i le t he h and re t u rning rubb e d b eh ind

”
, , ,

h i s e ar s and u p and down h i s back

,
.

Th i s b e t he s ign o f i t G ra y B e a ve r w e nt o n
, .

I t i s p l ain t h at h i s m ot he r i s K ic he But h i s fat he r .

wa s a wo lf W he r ef or e i s t he r e i n h i m l i tt le d og and
i
.

m uc h w o lf H i s f ang s b e w h it e and W h t e
.
,

sh a ll b e h i s n am e I h a ve sp ok e n
. H e i s m y d og . .

F o r w a s n ot K ic he m y bro t h e r s d og ? A nd i s no t
’

m y bro t he r d e ad ?
The cub w h o h ad t h u s r e c e i ve d a nam e i n t h e
,

worl d l a y and watc he d F or a tim e t he man anima l s

,
.
-

continu e d to mak e t he ir m out h noi ses Th e n G ra y

-

B e a ve r to ok a kni fe f ro m a she at h t h at h ung around

h i s n e ck an d w e nt i nto t he t h ick e t and cut a s tick
,
.

W h i t e Fang watc he d h im He no tc h ed t he s tick a t

.

e ac h e nd and i n t he no tc hes f a s t e n e d s tring s O f raw

h id e. O n e s tring he ti e d around t he t h roat O f K ic he .

The n he le d he r to a s ma ll p in e , around w h ic h h e
ti e d t he o t he r s tri n g .

W h it e Fang f o ll ow e d and l a y do wn b es id e he r .

Sa l mon T ongu e s h and r e ac he d o u t to h im and ro ll e d

’

h im o ve r on h i s back K i c h e l ook e d on anx ou sly i

i
. .

W h i t e Fang fel t fe ar m ountin g i n h m again He .

c ou l d n ot q uit e s u pp r ess a s nar l but he mad e n o O ffe r

,

to s na p . The h and wi t h fi ng e r s crook e d and sp r e ad

,
12 0 W H I T E F ANG

a s i t wa s on t he marc h trai le d in ,
The r e w e r e mor e
.

m e n and man y wom e n and c h i l dr e n f ort y s ou ls o f ,

t he m and a ll he a v i ly burd e n e d wit h cam p eq ui p ag e

,

and out fi t A ls o t he r e w e r e man y dog s ; an d t hese

.
,

wit h t he e xc ep tion O f t he p art grown p u pp i es w e r e

-

l ik e wi se burd e n e d wit h cam p out fi t O n t he ir back s .

,

i n bag s t h at fa s t e n e d tig h t ly around und e rn e at h t he ,

d og s carri e d f rom tw e nt y to t h irty p ound s O f w e ig h t .

W h it e Fang h ad n eve r see n dog s b ef or e but at s ig h t ,

O f t h e m he fel t t h at t hey w e r e h i s o w n kind on ly ,

s om eh ow di ff e r e nt But t hey di spl a ye d l itt le di ff e r

.

e nc e f rom t he wo lf w he n t hey di s co ve r e d t h e cub and

h i s m o t he r The r e wa s a ru sh W h it e Fang bri s t le d
. .

and s nar le d and s na ppe d in t he fac e o f t he o pe n

m out he d oncoming wa ve O f dog s and w e nt down and ,

und e r t he m feel ing t he sh ar p sl a sh o f t ee t h i n h i s bod y

, ,

h im sel f biting and t e aring a t t he le g s and b ell i es ab o ve

i
h m . The r e wa s a gr e at u p roar H e cou l d he ar t he
.

s narl Of K ic he a s she f oug h t f or h im ; and he cou l d

h e ar t he cri es o f t he man anima ls t he s ound o f c l ub s
-

s triking u p on bodi es and t he yelps o f p ain f rom t he

,

d og s so s truck .

O n ly a fe w se cond s el a pse d b ef or e he wa s o n h i s
fee t again . He co u l d no w s ee t he man anima ls d r i v -

ing back t he d og s wit h c l ub s and s ton es d efe nding ,

h im s a v i ng h im f rom t he s a v ag e t ee t h O f h i s ki nd
,

t h at s om eh ow wa s n o t h i s kind A nd t h oug h t he r e
.

w a s no r e a s on in h i s brai n f o r a c le ar conc ep t ion O f

 TH E M A K ER S OF FI R E 121

s o ab s tract a t h ing a s j u s tic e n eve rt heless in h i s own

, ,

way he fel t t he j u s tic e O f t h e man anima ls and h e

,
-

kn e w t he m f or w h at t hey w e r e mak e r s O f l aw an d
-

e x e cutor s O f l aw A ls o he a pp r e ciat e d t he p ow e r
.
,

Wit h Wh i ch t hey admi ni s t e r e d t he l aw U n l ik e an y .

anima ls h e h ad eve r e ncount e r e d t hey did n o t bi t e ,

nor c l aw They e n f orc e d t he ir l i ve s tr e ngt h wi t h t he

.

p ow e r O f d e ad t h i ng s D e ad t h ing s did t h e ir biddi ng

. .

Th u s s tick s and s ton es dir e ct e d b y t hese s trang e

, ,

cr e atur es le a pe d t h roug h t he ai r l ik e l i v ing t h ing s

, ,

inflicting gri ev ou s h urt s u p o n t he dog s .

TO h i s mind t h i s wa s p o w e r unu s ua l p ow e r n c o n ,
i
i
c e v a bl e and b ey ond t he natura l p ow e r t h at wa s go d
,

l ik e
. W h it e Fang in t h e ve r y natur e O f h im cou l d
, ,

n eve r kn o w an y t h ing about god s ; at t he b es t he

cou l d know on ly t h ing s t h at w e r e b ey ond knowing ;
b ut t he wond e r and aw e t h at h e h ad O f t hese m an
anima ls i n wa ys r ese mb le d w h at wou l d b e t h e wond e r
and aw e O f m an a t s ig h t O f s om e c eles tia l cr e atur e ,

o n a m ountai n to p h ur l ing t h und e rb o l t s f rom e i t he r

,

h and at an a s toni she d wor l d .

The l a s t d og h ad b ee n dri ve n back The h ubbub .

di e d d own A nd W h it e Fang l ick e d h i s h urt s and

.

m e ditat e d u p on t h i s h i s fi r s t ta s t e O f p ack cru e l ty

,
-

and h i s i n troduction to t he p ack He h ad n eve r.

d r e am e d t h at h i s o w n kind con s i s t e d o f m or e t h a n
O n e E ye h i s m ot he r, a n d h msel f
,
'

i
They h ad con s ti
i
.

t u t e d a ki n d a p art and he r e ab ru p t ly he h ad d s c o v
, , ,
12 2 W H I T E F ANG

e r e d man y m or e cr e atur es a pp ar e nt ly o f h i s o w n kind .

A nd t h e r e wa s a s ubcon s ciou s r ese ntm e nt t h at t h ese

i
h s kind a t fi r s t s ig h t h ad p itc he d u p on h im and tri e d
,

to d es tro y h im . I n t he s am e wa y he r ese nt e d h i s
m ot he r b e ing ti e d wi t h a s tick eve n t h oug h i t wa s ,

d on e b y t h e s u pe rior m an ani ma ls I t s a v or e d O f t h e
-

tra p Of bondag e Y e t O f t he tra p and Of b ondag e h e

,
.

kn e w no t h ing Fr ee dom to roam and run and l i e

.

down at wi ll h ad b ee n h i s he ritag e ; and h er e i t

,

wa s b e ing i n f ring e d u p on H i s mot he r s m o ve m e nt s

.
’

w e r e r es trict e d to t he le ngt h o f a s ti ck and b y t h e ,

le ngt h O f t h at s am e s tick wa s he r es trict e d f or he h ad ,

no t ye t g e t b ey on d t he n ee d o f h i s m ot he r s s i d e ’
.

He di d not l ik e i t No r d id he l ik e i t w he n t he
.

man ani ma ls aro se and w e nt o n wi t h t he ir m arc h

-
°

f or a tin y man anima l took t he ot he r e nd o f t h e

-

s tick and le d K i c he ca p ti ve b eh ind h im and b eh i nd ,

K ic he f o ll ow e d W h it e Fang gr e at ly p e rturb e d and

,

worri e d b y t h i s n e w ad ve ntur e he h ad e nt e r e d u p on .

They w e nt d own t he v al ley O f t he s tr e a m f ar ,

b ey ond W h i t e Fang s wi d es t ranging unti l t hey cam e

’
,

to t he e nd O f t he v a lley w he r e t he s tr e am ran into

,

t he M ack e n z i e R i ve r He r e w he r e cano es w e r e
.
,

cac h e d o n p o les h ig h in t he air and w he r e s tood fi sh

rack s f or t he dry ing Of fi s h cam p wa s mad e ; and ,

W h i t e Fang l ook e d o n wi t h wond e ring eyes Th e .

s u p e riorit y o f t hese man anima ls incr e a se d wit h eve r y

-

m om e nt . The r e wa s t he ir m a s t e ry o ve r a ll t hes e
1 24 W H I T E F ANG

of growt h t h at urg e d h i m on — t he n e c ess i ty O f

le arning and l IV In g and doing t h at b r n g s exper e n c e i i .

The l a s t fe w inc hes to t he wa ll o f t he t epee w e r e

craw le d wi t h p ain f u l sl own ess and p r e caution The .

da y s e v e nt s h ad p r ep ar e d h im f or t he unkno wn to
’

mani fes t i t self i n m o s t s tu pe ndou s and unt h inkab le

wa ys A t l a s t h i s no se to uc he d t he can v a s
. He .

wai t e d N o t h ing h a ppe n e d

. The n he s m elle d t h e .

s trang e f abric s aturat e d wit h t he man s m ell

,
He -
.

c l o se d on th e can v a s wit h h i s t ee t h and ga ve a g e ntle

tug N o t h ing h a ppe n e d t h oug h t he adj ac e n t p or
.
,

tio n s o f th e t epee mo ve d He tugg e d h ard e r The r e . .

wa s a gre at e r mo ve m e nt I t wa s d el ig h t fu l He . .

tugg e d s ti ll h ard e r and r epe at e d ly unti l t h e w h o le

, ,

t epee wa s in mo tion The n t he sh ar p cry O f a sq uaw

.

i n s id e se n t h im s cam pe ring back to K ic he But a f t e r .

t h at h e wa s a f raid no m or e o f t he l oom ing bu l k s

o f t he t epees .

A m om e nt l at e r he wa s s tray ing awa y agai n f rom

h i s m ot he r He r s tick wa s ti e d to a pe g i n t he
.

ground and s h e cou l d not f o ll o w h im A p art grown .

-

p u ppy s om e w h at l arg e r and Ol d e r t h an he cam e

, ,

to w ard h im sl ow ly wit h o s t e ntatiou s and b ell ig e r e nt

,

i m p ortanc e The p u ppy s nam e a s W h it e Fan g wa s

.
’
,

a f t e rward to he ar h i m ca lle d wa s L p l p H e h ad
i
r
h a d e xp er en c e i n p u ppy fi g h t s and wa s a l r e ad y
,
i .

s om e t h ing o f a bu lly
i
.
, _

L p l i p wa s W h it e Fang s o w n kind and b e ing

-
’
, ,
 TH E M A K ER S OF FI RE 125

on ly a p u p py ”did n o t see m dang e rou s ; so W h i t e

,

Fang p re pa r e d to m ee t h i m In f ri e nd ly sp i ri t But .

w he n t he s trang e r s wa l k b e cam e s ti ff le gg e d and h i s

’
-

l i ps l i f t e d c le ar o f h i s t ee t h W h i t e Fa ng s ti ff e n e d
, ,

t oo and an s w e r e d wi t h l i f t e d l i ps
,
They h a lf circ le d
.

about e ac h o t he r t e ntati vely s narl ing and bri s tl ing

, ,
.

Th i s l a s t e d seve ra l minut es and W h i t e Fang wa s b e

,

ginning t o e nj o y i t a s a s ort of gam e But s udd e n ly

,
.
,

wit h r e markab le s wi f tn ess L i p l i p le a pe d in d el i ve r e d

,
-

a sl a sh ing s na p and le a pe d awa y agai n The s na p

,
.

h ad tak e n e ff e ct on t he sh ou l d e r t h at h ad b ee n h urt
b y t he ly nx a n d t h at wa s s ti ll s or e d eep down n e ar
t he b on e The s urp ri se and h urt of it broug h t a yelp
.

ou t O f W h i t e Fang ; but t he n e xt m om e nt i n a ru sh ,

Of a n g e r he wa s u p on L i p l i p and s na pp i n g v iciou sly

-

i
, .

But L i p l i p h ad l i ve d h s l i fe i n cam p and h ad

-

f oug h t m an y p u ppy fi gh t s Th r ee tim es f our tim es

i
,
.
,

and h a lf a do ze n tim es h s sh arp l i tt le t ee t h s cor e d

,

on t he n e wcom e r unti l W h i t e Fang yelp ing sh am e

, ,

lessly , fl e d t o t he p ro t e cti on o f h i s m ot he r I t wa s .

t h e fi r s t O f t he man y fi g h t s he w a s to h a ve wi th
Li p l i p f or t hey w e r e e n e mi es f rom t he s tart born
, ,

s o wi t h natur es d es tin e d p e r pe tua lly t o c l a sh

,
.

K ic he l i ck e d W h i t e Fang s oot h ing ly wit h he r

tongu e and tri e d to p r ev ai l u p on h i m to I ema n wit h
,
i
he r But h i s curio s it y wa s ram p ant and seve ra l
.
,
,

minut es l at e r h e wa s ve nturing f ort h on a n e w q u e s t .

H e cam e u p on o n e o f t he man animals G ra y B e a ve r -

, ,
12 6 W H IT E F ANG

w h o wa s sq uatting on h i s h am s and d oing s om e

t h ing wit h s tick s and dry m o ss sp r e ad b ef or e h im
o n t he ground W h i t e Fang cam e n e ar to h im and
.

watc he d G ra y B e a ve r mad e m out h noi ses w h ic h

.
-

W h it e Fang int e rp r e t e d a s no t h o s ti le s o h e cam e ,

s ti ll n e ar e r .

Wom e n and c h i l dr e n w e r e carry ing mor e s tick s

and branc hes to G ra y B e a ve r I t wa s ev id e nt ly an .

a ff air o f m om e nt W h i t e Fang cam e in unti l he

.

touc he d G ra y B e a ve r s kn ee s o curi ou s wa s he and

’
, ,

a l r ea d v f org e t f u l t h at t h i s wa s a t e rrib le ma n ani ma l -

Sudd e n ly he s aw a s trang e t h ing l ik e mi s t b e ginning

to ari se f ro m t he s ti ck s and mo ss b e n e at h G ra y
B e a ve r s h an d s The n am ong s t t he s tick s t he m
’
.
,

selves a ppe ar e d a l i ve t h ing twi s ting and turning

, , ,

O f a co l or l ik e t h e co l or of t h e s un i n th e sk y W h i t e .

Fa n g kn e w not h ing about fi r e I t dr e w h im a s t he

.

l ig h t i n t he m out h o f t he ca ve h ad drawn h im i n h i s
e arly p u ppyh ood H e craw le d t he seve ra l s t eps
.

toward t he flam e H e he ard G ra y B e a ve r c h uck le

.

abo ve h im and h e kn e w t he s ound wa s no t h o s ti le

,
.

The n h i s no se touc h e d t he flam e and at t he s am e ,

in s tant h i s l itt le tongu e w e n t out to i t .

For a m om e nt he wa s p a ra lyze d The unknown .

,

l u rking i n t he mid s t O f t he s tick s and m o ss wa s ,

s a v ag ely c l u tc h ing h im b y t he no se He s cra mb le d .

backward bur s ting o u t in an a s toni she d e x pl o s ion

i
,

Of k y i s
-
A t t he s ound K i c h e le a pe d s narl ing to
’
.
,
128 W H I T E F ANG

m ad — to K ic he t he on e cr e atur e i n t he wo rl d w h o
,

wa s n o t l aug h ing at h im .

T wi l ig h t dr e w down and nig h t cam e on , and W h it e

Fang l a y b y h i s mot he r s s id e H i s nos e and tongu e
’
.

s ti ll h urt but he wa s pe r ple x e d b y a gr e at e r troub le

,
.

H e wa s h om es ick He fel t a v acanc y in h im a n ee d

.
,

f or t he h u sh and q ui e tud e O f t he s tr e am and t he ca ve

i n t he c l i ff Li fe h ad b e com e to o p o p u l ou s
. Th e r e .

w e r e s o man y o f t h e man anima ls m e n wom e n and -

, , ,

c h i l dr e n a ll maki n g n oi ses and irritati on s

,
A nd .

t he r e w e r e th e d og s eve r sq uabb l ing and bi ck e ring

i i
, ,

bur s ting into u p roar s and c r ea t n g c on fu s on s The , .

r es t f u l l on el in ess o f t he on ly l i fe he h ad known wa s
gon e H e r e t he ve ry ai r w a s p a lp i tant wi t h l i fe I t
. .

b u mme d and bu zze d unc e a s ing ly C on tinua lly c h ang .

in g i t s int e n s i t y and abru p t ly v ariant i n p itc h i t ,

i
im p ing e d o n h s n e r ves and se n ses mad e h im n e r v ou s ,

an d r es t less and worri e d h im w it h a pe r pe tua l im mi

n en c e Of h a ppe ni ng .

He watc he d t he man anima ls c oming and goi n g -

and m o v ing ab out t he cam p I n f a sh i on di s tantly

.

r ese mb l ing t he wa y m e n l ook u p on t he god s t hey

cr e at e s o l ook e d W h i t e Fang u p on t h e m an anima ls
,
-

b ef or e h im They w e r e s u pe rior cr e atur es Of a ve r

.
,

i ty god s To h i s dim com p r ehe n s ion t hey w e r e a s

,
.

m uc h wond e r work e r s a s god s ar e to m e n They

-
.

w e r e cr e atur es O f m a s t e ry p o ssess ing a ll mann e r o f

,

unknown a n d im p o ss ib le p ot e nci es o ve rl ord s o f t h e ,

T h ey w e r e fi r e
-
mak er s " T h ey w e re go d s
 C H AP TE R I I

T HE B ON D A G E

TH E da ys w e r e t h rong e d wit h e x pe ri e nc e f or W h i t e
Fang D uring t he tim e t h at K ic he wa s ti e d b y t he
i
.

s ti ck he ran about o ve r a ll t he cam p in q uiring n , ,

ii
,

v es t g a t n g ,
le arning . H e q ui ck ly cam e to know
m uc h o f t h e ways o f t he man anima ls but f ami l iarit y
-

did n o t br ee d cont e m p t The m or e h e cam e to know

.

t he m t he m or e t hey v in d icat e d t he ir s u pe ri ori t y t he

, ,

m or e t hey di spl a ye d t he ir m ys t e riou s p ow e r s t he ,

gr e at e r l oom e d t he ir god l ik e n ess

-

TO m an h a s b ee n gi ve n t he gri ef o f t e n o f see ing

, ,

h i s god s o ve rt h rown and h i s a l tar s crumb l ing ; but

to t he w o lf and t he wi l d d og t h at h a ve com e i n to
crouc h at man s fee t t h i s gri ef h a s n eve r c om e U n
’
,
.

l ik e man w h o se go d s ar e O f t he un see n and t he

,

o v e r g u esse d v a p or s and m i s t s o f fanc y el uding t h e

,

garm e ntur e o f r e a l i ty wand e ring wrai t hs o f d es ir e d

,

go o d n ess an d p o w e r inta n gib le outcro pp ing s O f self

,

into t h e r e a l m O f S p iri t — un l ik e man t h e wo lf and ,

t he wi l d d og t h at h a ve com e i n to t he fi r e fi nd t he ir
god s i n t he l i v i n g fl esh s o l id to t h e touc h o ccu py ing
, ,

1 30
 TH E B O N D AG E 1 31

e art h sp ac e and r eq uiring tim e for t he accom pl i sh

-

m e nt o f t he ir e nd s and t he ir e xi s t e nc e NO e ff ort O f .

fai t h i s n e c ess ary to b el i eve i n s uc h a god n o e ff ort

O f wi ll can p o ss ib ly induc e di s b el i ef i n s uc h a g o d .

The r e i s n o g e tting awa y f rom i t The r e i t s tand s .

,

o n i t s tw o h ind le g s c l ub i n h and i mm e n sely p o t e n

-

, ,

tia l p a ss i o n at e and wrat hf u l and l o v ing god a n d

, ,

m ys t e r y an d p ow e r a ll wra ppe d u p and around b y

fl esh t h at b lee d s w he n i t i s torn and t h a t i s good to
e at l ik e an y fl esh .

A nd s o i t wa s wi t h W h i t e Fang The m an ani .

-

ma ls w e r e god s unmi s takab le and un es ca p ab le As .

h i s m ot he r K i c he h a d r e nd e r e d he r a lle gianc e to t he m
, ,

at t h e fi r s t cr y O f he r nam e s o he wa s b e ginn ing to ,

r e nd e r h i s a lle gian c e H e ga ve t he m t h e trai l a s a

.

p ri v i le g e i nd ubitab ly t he ir s W h e n t hey wa l k e d he
.
,

got ou t Of t he ir wa y W he n t hey ca lle d he cam e

.
, .

W he n t hey t h r e at e ne d h e c ow e r e d down
,
W he n .

t hey command e d h im to go he w e nt awa y h urri e d ly ,

.

For b eh i nd an y wi sh O f t h e i r s wa s p ow e r to e n f orc e
t h at wi sh p ow e r t h at h urt p ow e r t h at e x p r esse d
i
, ,

i t self i n c l out s and c l ub s n fl y ing s ton es and s ti nging

,

l a shes o f w h i ps .

He b el ong e d t o t he m a s a ll dog s b el ong e d to t h e m .

H i s acti on s w e r e t he ir s to comm and H i s bod y wa s .

th e ir s to maul t o s tam p u p on t o to l e rat e

,
S uc h wa s
,
.

t he less on t h at wa s q uick ly b orn e i n u p on h im It

i
.

cam e h ard going a s t did count e r to m u c h t h at wa s

, ,
1 82 W H I T E F ANG

s trong and domi nant i n h i s o w n natur e ; and w h i le ,

he di sl ik e d i t i n t he le arning Of i t unkno wn t o h im,

self h e wa s le arning to l ik e i t I t wa s a pl acing o f

.

i
h s d es tin y i n ano the r s h and s a sh i f ting o f t he r e
’
,

iiii
s p o n s b l t e s o f e xi s t e nc e Th i s i n i t self wa s com
i
.

p en sa t on f or it i s a l wa ys e a s i e r to le an u p o n anot he r
,

t h an to s tand a l on e .

But i t did no t a ll h a ppe n i n a da y t h i s gi v ing o ve r,

O f h i m self bod y and s ou l to t he man anima ls

, ,
He -

i
.

cou l d n o t imm e di at ely f or e go h s wi l d he ri tag e and

h i s m e m ori es O f the Wi l d The r e w e r e da ys w he n he
.

cr ep t to t he e dg e O f t he f or es t and s to od and l i s t e n e d
to s om e t h ing ca ll ing h im f ar and awa y A nd a l wa ys .

he r e turn e d r es t less a n d uncom f o rtab le to w h im pe r

, ,

i
s o f tly and wi s t f u lly at K ch e s S id e a n d to l ick h er
’

fac e wi t h e ag e r q u es tioni n g tongu e

,
.

W h i t e Fang le arn e d ra p id ly t he wa ys o f t he cam p .

H e kn e w t he inj u s tic e an d gr ee din ess o f t he Ol d e r

d og s w he n m e at or fi s h wa s t h rown out to b e e at e n .

He cam e to kn ow t h at m e n w e r e m or e j u s t c h i l d r e n ,

m or e cru el and wom e n m or e kind ly an d m or e l ik ely

,

to to ss h im a bi t o f m e at o r bon e A n d a f t e r two .

or t h r ee p ain f u l ad ve ntur es wi t h t h e m o t he r s o f p art

grown p u pp i es h e cam e into t h e know le dg e t h at i t

,

wa s a l wa ys good p o l ic y to le t s uc h m oth e r s a l on e ,

t o k eep awa y f ro m t he m a s f ar a s p o ss ib le and to ,

a v oid t h e m w he n h e s a w t he m coming .

But t he ban e O f h i s l i fe wa s Li p l i p L a rg e r Ol d e r
-
.
, ,
1 34 W H I T E F ANG

and d evel o pe d h i s m e nta l p roc esses He b ecam e cun .

n ing ; he h ad id le tim e i n w h ic h to d ev ot e h im self

to ” t h oug h t s O f trick e r y P r eve nt e d f ro

. m O btaining
h i s sh ar e O f m e at and fish w he n a g e n e ral feed Wa s
- “ ' -

gi ve n to t he cam p d og s he b e cam e a c leve r t h i ef

-

,
.

H e h ad t O f orag e f or h im self and he f orag e d w e ll , ,

t h oug h he wa s Of ttim es a pl agu e to t he sq uaw s i n

con seq u e nc e He le arn e d to s n e ak about cam p to b e
.
,

c ra f t y to kn ow w h at wa s going on eve ry w he r e t o
, ,

s ee an d t o he ar eve r y t h ing and to r e a s on according ly ,

and s ucc essf ully to d ev i se wa ys and m e an s O f a v oid

ing h i s im pl acab le pe r se cutor .

I t wa s e arly in t he days O f h i s pe r se cuti on t h at he

pl a ye d h i s fi r s t r e a lly big cra f t y gam e and go t t he r e
f rom h i s fi r s t ta s t e O f r eve ng e A s K ic he w he n wit h .
,

t he wo lves h ad l ur e d o u t to d es truction d og s f ro m
,

t h e cam ps Of m e n s o W h it e Fang i n m ann e r s om e

, ,

w h at s im i l ar l ur e d Li p l i p into R i c h e s a ve nging
,
-
’

j aw s R e tr e ating b ef or e Li p l i p W h it e Fang mad e

‘
-
.
,

an I ndi re ct fligh t t h at le d i n and o u t and aroun d t he

v ariou s t epees O f t he cam p He wa s a goo d runn e r
.

s wi f t e r t h an a n y ot he r p u ppy O f h i s s i ze an d s wi f t e r
i
,

t h an Li p l i p -

But he did n ot run h i s b es t n t h i s

.

c h a se He bar ely hel d h i s own on e le a p a he ad O f

.
,

h i s p ur s u e r .

L i p l i p e xci t e d b y t he c h a se and b y t h e pe r s i s t e nt
-

n e arn ess Of h i s V ictim f o rgo t cau tio n and l oca l it y

,
.

W he n he r e m e mb e r e d l oca l i ty i t wa s too l a t e D a sh ,
.
 TH E B O N D AG E 1 35

ing at t op spee d around a t epee h e ran f u ll ti l t into ,

K ic he ly ing a t t he e nd O f he r s tick He ga ve on e .

yelp O f con s t e rnation and t he n he r p uni sh i ng j aw s

,

c l o se d u p on h im S he wa s ti e d but he cou l d no t g e t
.
,

awa y f rom he r e a s i ly S he ro lle d h m O ff h i s l e g s

. i
s o t h at he cou l d n o t run w h i le s h e r epe at e d ly ri ppe d
,

and sl a she d h im wi t h h e r f ang s .

W he n at l a s t he s ucc ee d e d i n ro ll ing c le ar o f h e r ,

h e craw le d to h i s fee t bad ly di shevelle d h urt bo t h i n

, ,

b od y and i n sp irit H i s h ai r wa s s tanding ou t a ll

.

o ve r h im i n tu f t s w he r e he r t ee t h h ad m au le d He .

s too d w he r e he h ad ari se n o pe n e d h i s m out h and , ,

brok e o u t t h e l ong he art brok e n p u ppy wai l But

,
-

eve n t h i s he wa s no t a ll ow e d to com ple t e I n t he .

m idd le O f i t W h it e Fang ru sh ing in s ank h i s t ee t h

, , ,

into Li p l i p s h ind le g The r e wa s n o fi g h t lef t i n

-
’
.

L i p l i p and h e ran awa y sh am elessly h i s v icti m h ot

-

i
, ,

o n h i s heels and worr y i ng h m a ll t he wa y back to

i
h s o w n t epee He r e t he sq uaw s cam e to h i s aid
.

and W h i t e Fang tran sf orm e d i nto a raging d e mo n

, ,

wa s fi na lly dri ve n Off on ly b y a f u s i ll ad e o f s ton es .

C am e t h e da y w he n G ra y B e a ve r d e ciding t h at t he ,

l iabi l it y O f he r running awa y wa s p a s t r ele a se d K ic he ,

.

W h it e Fang wa s d el ig h t e d wi t h h i s m o t he r s f r ee dom ’
.

He accom p ani e d he r j o yf u lly ab out t he cam p ; and so ,

l on g a s he r e main e d c l o se b y he r s id e Li p l i p k ep t a ,
-

r espe ct f u l di s tanc e W h i t e Fang eve n bri s t le d u p to

.

h im and wa l k e d s ti ff le gg e d bu t L i p l i p ignor e d t h e
-

,
-
1 36 W H IT E F ANG

c h a lle ng e H e wa s n o f oo l h im self and w h at e v e r

.
,

ve ng e anc e he d es ir e d to wr e ak he cou l d wai t un ti l he ,

caug h t W h i t e Fang a l on e .

Lat e r o n th at da y K i c he and W h it e Fa n g s tra ye d

,

i nto t he e dg e o f t he woo d s n e x t to t he cam p He h ad .

le d h i s mo t he r t he r e s t ep b y s t ep and now w he n
, , ,

sh e s to ppe d he tri e d to i n ve ig le he r fart he r The

,
.

s tr e am t he l air and t he q ui e t wo od s w e r e ca ll ing to

, ,

h im a n d he want e d he r to co me
,
He a n o n a f e w .
r

s t eps s to ppe d and l ook e d back

, ,
S he h ad no t .

mo ve d He w h i n e d ple ading ly and s curri e d pl a y

.
,

f u lly in and o u t o f t he und e rbru sh He ran back to .

he r l ick e d he r f ac e and ran o n again

, ,
A nd s ti ll s h e .

d id n ot m o ve H e s to pp e d and r e gard e d he r a ll o f
.
,

an in t e ntn ess and e ag e rn ess phys ica lly e x p r esse d , ,

t h at sl ow ly f ad e d o u t o f h i m a s she turn e d he r he ad
and ga ze d back at t h e cam p .

The r e wa s s om e t h ing ca ll ing to h im o u t t he r e in

t he o pe n H i s m o t he r he ard i t to o
. But s h e he ard ,
.

a ls o t h at ot he r and l oud e r ca ll t he ca ll o f t he fi r e
and o f man t he ca ll w h ic h i t h a s b ee n gi ve n a l on e
o f a ll anima ls to t he wo lf to an s w e r to t he wo lf an d ,

t he wi l d dog w h o ar e brot he r s
-

,
.

K ic h e turn e d and sl ow ly trott e d back toward cam p .

S trong e r t h an t he phys ica l r es traint o f t he s tick wa s

t he c l utc h o f th e cam p u p on he r U n see n and occu l t ly .
,

t he god s s ti ll gri ppe d wi t h t he ir p ow e r and w ou l d no t

le t he r go W h i t e Fang s at down in t he sh adow o f a
.
1 38 W H I T E F ANG

B e a ve r wrat h fu lly l aunc he d a cano e i n p ur s u i t W he n .

he o ve rto ok W h i t e Fang he r e ac he d down and b y th e

,

na pe o f t he n e ck l i f t e d h im c le ar o f t h e wat e r He .

d id n o t d ep o s i t h im at onc e i n t h e b ottom o f t h e
cano e H o l ding h im s u spe nd e d wit h o n e h and wi t h
.
,

t he o t he r h and he p roc ee d e d to gi ve h im a b e ating .

A nd i t w a s a b e ating H i s h and wa s mheavy z Ev er y

.

” I N- U ‘ w ‘ w fl

b l o w wa s sh r e wd to h urt ; and hed el i ve r e d a mu l ti

tud e o f b l ow s .

I m pelle d b y t he b l ow s t h at rain e d u p on h im now ,

f rom t h i s s id e now f rom t h at W h i t e Fang s wung

, ,

back and f ort h l ik e an e rratic and j e rk y pe ndu l um .

V ary ing w e r e t he e m otion s t h at s urg e d t h rough h im .

A t fi r s t he h ad known s urp ri se
,
The n cam e a m o
.

m e ntary fe ar w h e n h e yelpe d seve ra l tim es to t he

,

im p act o f t he h and B u t t h i s wa s q uickly f o ll ow e d

.

b y ang e r H i s f r ee natur e a sse rt e d i t self and he

.
,

sh ow e d h i s t ee t h and s narle d fe arlessly in t h e f ac e

o f t he wrat hf u l god Th i s but se r ve d to mak e t he
.

god m or e wrat hfu l The b l ow s cam e f a s t e r he a v i e r

.
, ,

m or e sh r e wd to h urt .

G ra y B e a ve r continu e d to b e at W h it e Fang con

i
,

t n u ed to s narl But t h i s cou l d not l a s t f or eve r

.

O n e or t he o t he r mu s t gi ve o ve r a n d t h at o n e wa s
,

W h it e F ang F e ar s urg e d t h roug h h im again F or

. .

t h e fi r s t tim e he wa s b e ing r e a lly ma n h an d le d Th e -

occa s iona l b l ow s o f s tick s and s ton es he h ad p r ev i

o u sl y e x pe ri e nc e d w e r e as car esses com p ar e d wit h
 TH E B O N D AG E 1 39

th i sH e brok e d own and b e gan to cry and yelp

. .

F or a tim e e ac h b l o w broug h t a yelp f rom h im ; but

fe ar p a sse d into t e rror, unti l fi na lly h i s yelps w e r e
v oic e d i n unbrok e n s u cc ess ion unconn e ct e d wi t h t he ,

r hy t h m o f t h e p uni sh m e nt .

A t l a s t G ra y B e a ve r wi t hhel d h i s h and W hi te .

Fang h anging l im ply continu e d t o cr y Th i s see m e d

, ,
.

to s ati sfy h i s m as t e r w h o fl ung h im down ro u ghly

,

in t he bottom o f t he cano e I n t he me antim e t h e

.

cano e h ad dri f t e d down t he s tr e am G ra y B e a ve r .

p i ck e d u p t he p add le W h i t e Fang wa s i n h i s wa y
i
. .

He sp urn e d h i m s a v ag ely wi t h h s f oo t I n t h at .

m om e nt W h i t e Fang s f r ee natur e fla she d f ort h

’

again , and he s ank h i s t ee t h into t he moc c a s n ed i

f oo t .

The b e ating t h at h ad gon e b e f or e wa s a s not h ing

com p ar e d wi t h t he b e ating he n ow r e c e i ve d G ra y .

M YM J Lc W a S _
wa s W h i t e
Fangs f rig h t N o t-
on ly t
“
he. h and but t he h ard ,

wood e n p add le wa s u se d u p on h im ; and h e wa s

brui se d and s or e i n a ll h i s s ma ll bod y w he n he wa s
agai n fl ung down in t he cano e A gain and t h i s .
,

tim e wi t h p ur p o se did G ra y B e a ve r ki ck h im
,
.

W h i t e Fang did not r epe at h i s attack o n t h e f oot .

He h ad le arn e d ano t he r less on o f h i s bondag e .

Ne y e r, n o m att e r w h at t he circum s tanc e m u s t he

_ _ ,

dar e to bit e t he god w h owa s l ord and ma s t e r o ve r

h im ; t he bod y o f t he l ord and ma s t e r w a s s acr e d
‘ i“ D “ u
,
14 0 W H IT E F A NG

n o t to b e d efil ed b y t h e t ee th o f a s he Th at s uc h .

wa s ev id e nt ly t he crim e o f crim es t he on e o ff e n c e ,

t he r e wa s n o co n d oning n or o ve rl ooking .

W he n t he cano e touc he d t he sh or e W h it e Fa n g ,

l a y w h im pe ring and motion less waiting t he wi ll o f ,

G ra y B e a ve r I t wa s G ra y B e a ve r s wi ll t h at ’

he sh ou l d go a sh or e f or a sh or e he wa s flung
i
, ,

s triking he a v i ly on h s s id e and h urting h i s brui ses

a f r esh He craw le d tr e mb l ing ly to h i s fee t and
.

s tood w h im pe ring L i p l i p w h o h ad watc he d t he

.
-

w h o le p roc ee di ng f rom t h e bank n o w ru she d u p on ,

h im knocking h im o ve r and s inking h i s t ee t h i nto

,

h im . W h it e Fang wa s too helpless to d efe nd h im

self and i t wou l d h a ve go n e h ar d wit h h i m h ad
,

n o t G ra y B e a ve r s f oot sh o t ou t
’
l i f ting L i p l i p into
,
-

t h e air wit h it s v i o le n c e s o t h at h e s ma she d d own

to e art h a do ze n fee t awa y Th i s wa s t he man .

anima l s j u s tic e ; a n d eve n t he n i n h i s own p i tiab le

’
,

pl ig h t W h i t e Fa n g e x pe ri e nc e d a l itt le grat ef u l
,

t h ri ll .A t G ra y B e a ve r s heels he l im pe d ob e di
’

e n t ly t h roug h t he v i ll ag e to t he t epee A nd s o i t .

cam e t h at W h i t e Fang le arn e d t h at t he rig h t to

p uni sh wa s s om e t h ing t he god s r es er ve d f or t h em
sel ves a n d d e n i e d to t he lesse r cr e atur es un d e r
t he m .

Th at n ig h t w h e n a ll wa s s ti ll W h i t e Fang r e m em
, ,

b e r e d h i s m ot he r and s orrow e d for he r H e s or .

__

ro w e d t o o l oud ly and wok e u p G ra y B eave r w h o ,

14 2 W H ITE F ANG

pe r h a ps i t wa s a ll t hese t h ing s t h at infl u e nc e d W h it e

Fang ; f or a c e rtai n ti e o f a ttac h m e nt _

b e tw ee n h im and h i s s u l l y l ord
I n s idiou sly and by r e mot e wa ys a s w ell a s b y t he
, ,

p ow e r o f s tick and s ton e and c l out o f h an d , w e r e t he

sh ack les o f W h it e Fang s b ondag e b e ing ri ve t e d u p o n
’

h im . The q i
ii
u a l t es n h i s kind t h at in t he b e ginning
'

mad e i t p o ss ib le for t he m t o com e i n to t he fi r es o f

m e n w e r e q ua l iti es ca p ab l e o f d evel o p m e nt They
, .

w e r e d evel o p ing i n h im and t he cam p l i fe r eple t e

,
-

wit h mi se ry a s i t wa s wa s se cr e t ly e nd e aring i t self

,

to h im a ll t he tim e . But W h i t e Fang wa s unawar e

of i t .He kn e w on ly gri ef f or t he l o ss o f K i c he h o pe ,

f or he r r e turn an d a h ungry ye arning f o r the f r ee l i fe

,

t h at h ad b ee n h i s
.
 C H A P T E R III

TH E OU T C A ST

LIP L IP -
cont i nu e d s o to dark e n h i s da ys t h at W h i t e
Fang b e cam e wick e d e r and m or e fe rociou s t h an i t
wa s h i s n atura l rig h t to b e Sa v ag e n ess w a s a p art
.

o f h i s m ak e u p -
but t he s a v ag e n ess t h u s d evel o pe d
,

e xc ee d e d h i s mak e u p He ac q uir e d a r ep utati on

-
.
'

f or wick e d n ess a mong s t t he m an ani ma ls t he m selves -

W he r eve r t he r e wa s troub le and u p roar i n cam p ,

fi g h ting an d sq uabb l ing or t he outcr y o f a s q uaw

o ve r a bi t o f s to le n m e at t hey w e r e s ur e to fi nd
,

W h it e Fang mix e d u p in i t and u s ua lly at t he b o ttom

of i t . They di d n ot bot he r t o l ook a f t e r t he cau ses
o f h i s conduct They s a w on ly t he effe ct s a n d t he
.
,

e ffe ct s w e r e bad He wa s a s n e ak and a t h i ef a

.
,

mi s c h i e f m ak e r a f om e nt e r o f troub le ; and irat e

-

sq uaw s to l d h im to h i s f ac e t he w h i le he eye d t he m
,

a le rt an d r e ad y to dodg e an y q uick flu n g mi ss i le t h at -

he wa s a wo l f and wort hless and b ound to com e to

an ev i l e nd .

He f ound h i m self an outca s t i n t h e m id s t o f t h e

_

p po
a
l o u s ca m p A ll t
. he_
y oung d og s fo l l ow e d L i p
143
14 4 W H ITE FANG

l i p s le ad
’
The r e wa s a di ff e r e nc e b e tw ee n W h it e
i
.

Fang and t he m P e r h a ps t h ey se n se d h s wi l d wo od
.
-

br ee d and in s ti ncti vely fel t f or h im t he e nmi ty t h at

,

t h e dom es tic dog feels for t he wo lf Bu t b e t h at

.

a s i t ma y t hey j oin e d wit h Li p l i p i n t he p er s ec u

,
-

tion A n d onc e d e c l ar e d again s t h im t hey f ound

.
, ,

goo d r e a s on t o co n tinu e d e c l ar e d again s t h im One

i
.

and a ll , f rom tim e to tim e , t hey fel t h s t ee t h ; and to

h i s cr e di t, he ga ve m or e t h an h e r e c e i ve d M an y o f .

t he m he c ou l d w h i p in s ing le fi g h t ; but s ing le fi gh t

i
wa s d e ni e d h m The b e ginning o f s uc h a fi g h t wa s
.

a s igna l f or a ll t he y oung do gs i n cam p t o com e

running and p i tc h u p on h im .

O ut o f t h i s p ack pe r se cution he le ar n ed two m

-
i
p ortan t t h ing s : h ow to tak e car e o f h i m self in a ma ss
fi g h t again s t h im ; and h ow , o n a s ing le d og to inflict ,

t he g r e at es t am ou n t o f damag e i n t he bri efes t sp ac e

o f tim e . T o k eep o n e s fee t in t he mid s t o f t he h o s
’

ti le ma s s m e a n t l i fe , a n d t h i s he le arn e d w ell H e .

b e cam e cat l ik e in h i s abi l it y to s ta y on h i s fee t

-
.

E ve n g ro w n d og s mig h t h urtle h i m backward or

s id e wa ys wi t h t he im p act o f t he ir he a vy b odi es ; and
backward or s id e wa ys he wou l d go , i n t he air or
sl iding on t he grou n d , but a l wa ys wit h h i s le g s un d e r
h im and h i s fee t downward to t he m ot he r e art h .

W he n dog s fi g h t t he r e ar e u s ua lly p r el iminari es

ii
,

t o t he actua l combat — s nar l ing s a n d b r s t l n g s and

s ti ff le gg e d s tru tting s
-
But W h i t e Fan g le arn e d to
.
14 6 W H IT E FANG

m anag e d b y r epe at e d ly o ve rt h rowing h im and attack

,

ing t he t h roat to cut t he gr e a t ve in and le t out t he

,

l i fe The r e wa s a gr e at ro w t h at nig h t H e h ad
. .

b ee n ob se r ve d t he n e w s h ad b ee n carri e d to t he d e ad
,

dog s ma s t e r t he sq uaw s r e m e mb e r e d a ll t he n
’
, i
s tanc es o f s to le n m e at and G ra y B e a ve r wa s b ese t ,

b y m an y angr y v oic es But he r es o l ut ely hel d t he .

door o f h i s t epee in s id e w h ic h he h ad p l ac e d t he
,

cu lp rit and r ef u se d to pe rmi t the ve n g e a n c e f or

,

w h ic h h i s trib espe o ple c l am or e d .

W h i t e Fang b e cam e h at e d b y man and d og D ur

i
.

m
ing t h i s p er od of h i s d evel o p m e nt h e n eve r kn e w
a om e nt s se curity T he toot h o f eve ry d o g wa s
’
.

again st h im t he h and o f eve ry man He wa s gr ee t e d

,
.

wit h s nar ls b y h i s kind wit h cur ses and s ton es b y h i s ,

god s He l i ve d t e n sely
. He wa s a l wa ys k eye d u p .
,

a le rt for attack wary o f b e ing attack e d wit h a n eye

, ,

f or s udd e n and u n e x pe ct e d mi ss i les p r ep ar e d to act ,

p r e ci p i tat ely and c oo lly t o le a p in wit h a fla sh o f ,

t ee t h or to le a p awa y wi t h a m e nacing s nar l

,
.

A s f or s nar l ing he cou l d s nar l m or e t e rrib ly t h an

,

an y d og y oung or o l d in cam p The i nt e nt o f t he

, ,
.

s nar l i s to warn o r f rig h t e n and j udgm e nt i s r eq u i r e d ,

to know w he n i t sh ou l d b e u se d W h i t e Fang kn e w .

h ow to mak e i t and w he n to mak e i t I n to h i s s narl .

he i ncorp orat e d a ll t h at wa s v ici ou s ma l ignant and , ,

h orrib le Wi t h no se se rru l at e d b y continuou s sp as m s

.
,

h air bri s t l i n g in r e curr e nt wa ves tongu e w h i pp ing ,

 TH E O U T CA ST 14 7

out l ik e a r e d s nak e and w h i pp ing back again e ar s ,

flatt e n e d down eyes g le aming h atr e d l i ps wrink le d

, ,

back and f ang s e x p o se d and dri pp ing he cou l d

, ,

com pel a p au se o n t he p art o f a l mo s t an y a ss ai l ant .

A l mp o r a r y p au se w he n tak e n off h i s guard ga ve h im

‘

, ,

t he v ita l m om e nt i n w h ic h to t h ink and d e t e rmin e

h i s action But o f t e n a p au se s o gain e d le ngt he n e d
.

ou t unti l i t ev o lve d into a com ple t e c ess ation f rom

t he attack A nd b e f or e m or e t h an on e o f t he grown
.

dog s W h i t e Fang s s nar l e nab le d h i m to b e at an

’

h onorab le r e tr e at .

A n outca s t h im self f rom of t he p art

grown o i
d gs wh s sa n gu g ary m ” e t h o d s and ire markab le
i i
n
‘ h M “
y- A n - P\ m
\ u~' 0 a w 1 “

e fli c e n gy m rna d e t h e p ack p a w o r
w
t s p er se c u tion o f

h im . No t pe rmi t t e d h im self to run w it h t he p ack ,

t he curiou s s tat e o f a ff air s ob tain e d t h at no m e mb e r

o f t he p ack cou l d run out s id e t he p a ck W h i t e Fang .

wou l d n o t pe rmi t i t W h at o f h i s bu sh w h acking and

.

wa yl a y ing tactic s t he y o ung d og s w e r e a f raid to ru n

,

b y t he m selves Wit h t he e xc ep tion o f Li p l i p t hey

.
-

w e r e com pelle d t o bunc h tog e t he r f or m utua l p r o

i
t e c t o n again s t t h e t e rrib le e n e m y t h ey h ad mad e .

A p u ppy a l on e b y t he ri ve r bank m e ant a p u ppy d e ad

or a p u ppy t h a t arou se d t he cam p wi t h i t s sh ri ll
p ai n and t e rror a s i t fl e d back f rom t he wo lf cub t h at -

h ad wa yl aid i t .

But W h it e Fang s r ep ri s a ls did n o t c e a se eve n

’
,

w h e n t he y o ung dog s h ad le arn e d t h o roug hly t h a t

14 8 W H ITE FA NG

t h ey mus t st a y t og et h er He a t t ac ked t hem w hen

i
.

he ca ugh t t he mwh
m a l on e an d t he y a t t a c k ed h en

f hi fi i
,

t h y e r b h d
we e Th igh un cmw e e s t o as su c en t

f r hi w hih fi m hi
.

t ot rt t h m r h i ng
s a em us a te at c el s

rri d himi
,

s wif ll y
t n es s us ua n f y B t w ca e t o sa e t u oe

r n h if l l w i h p r i
.

t th
o d g h e o t at "
ou t a s e o s n su c u su t

W hi F g h d l r d
te an r dd l y p
a h ea n e to tu n su en u on t e

pu su e r r t ha t w as a hea d of t he pe c h a ud t ho r ou gh l y t o

r i
p h i
m up be f o re t h e pa c k cou ld a i
rr
v Th i
e s 00 »

if l l y h
.

cu rred w i t h gr mt fr eq
u e nc y for , on ce n u cr t e

ih i
, ,

d o gs w e re p ro n e t o f o rg e t t he ms el v es n t t e ex c e

men t o f the c ha s e , w h il e W h iF
te a ng n e v er f o rgo t
hi mse l f . S t ea l i n g ba c k w a rd g la nces as he ra n , he
w as al w a y s rea d y t o w h r l ar ou n d i an d dow n t he
o v e zea l ous
r p u su e r r t ha t o u t ra n h if s e l l ow s.

Y ou n g d o gs are bo u n d t o p la y , an d ou t o f t he ex i
g e n c i
es o f t h e s i t ua t i o n t he y rea l ize d t h e r p l a y n i i
i
t h s m i m i c w a rf a re T h us t w as t ha t t he h u n t o f i
W h i t e Fa n g beca m e t he i r c h if g
e a me —a dea dl y
ga m e, w i t ha l , an d at al l t imes a se i m
r ou s e. H e,
on t he ot h er ha n d be in g , t he fas t es t foo t e d, w as u m
a raf id t o v e n t u re a n y w he re Du r ing t he per io d t ha t

im
.

h e w a i t e d va i n l y fo r h s ot her to co me ba c k, he le di
t h e pa c k m an y a w il d c ha se t h rou g h t he ad a ce n t n
j
w oo d s B u t t h e pac k in v a ria b l y l os t h m It s no ise i
i
.

i i
.

an d o u tc ry w a r n ed h m o f t s p rese n ce, w h l e he ran

al o n e, v e l v et -
f oo t e d i
l nt l y
s e m vi
ng h a o s a do w mo n g
a

m n r f h if h
, ,

t he t rees t r the
af e a ne o s at er an d mo t h e rz
14 8 W H I T E F ANG

t hey mu s t s ta y tog e t he r H e attack e d t he m w he n

.

he caug h t t he m a l on e and t hey attack e d h im w he n

,

t hey w e r e bunc he d The s ig h t o f h im wa s s u ffi ci e nt

.

to s tart t he m ru sh ing a f t e r h im at w h ic h tim es h i s

i
,

s wi f tn ess u s ua lly carri ed h m into s a fe t y But wo e .

to t he d o g t h at o utran h i s fell ow s i n s uc h p urs ui t "

W h it e Fa n g h ad le arn e d to turn s udd e n ly u p on t h e
p ur s u e r t h at wa s a he ad o f t he p ack and t h oroug hly to
ri p h im u p b ef or e t he p ack cou l d arri ve T h i s c c .

curr e d wit h gr e at f r eq u e nc y f or onc e in f ul l cry t he

, , ,

dog s w e r e p ron e to f org e t t he m selves i n t he e xcit e

m e nt of t he c h a se w h i le W h i t e Fang n eve r f orgo t
,

h im sel f . S t e a l ing backward g l anc es a s h e ran he ,

wa s a l wa ys r e ad y to w h ir l around and down t he

o ve r ze a l ou s p ur s u e r t h at o utran h i s fell ow s .

Y oung dog s ar e b ound to pl a y and ou t o f t he e xi

i
,

g en c es of t he s ituatio n t hey r e a l i ze d t he ir pl a y i n
t h i s mimic war f ar e Th u s i t wa s t h at t he h unt o f
.

W h it e Fa n g b e cam e t he ir c h i ef gam e — a d e ad ly
gam e wit h a l and at a ll tim es a se riou s gam e
, ,
He .
,

on t he ot h e r h and b e ing t he f a s t es t f oot e d wa s n u

,
-

a fraid t o ve ntur e an y w he r e D uring t he pe ri od t h at

i
.

he wait e d v ain ly f or h s m ot he r t o com e back h e le d

i
,

t he p ack m an y a w l d c h ase t h roug h t he adj ac e n t

wo od s But t he p ack in v ariab ly l o s t h im It s noi se
. .

and outcry warn e d h im o f i t s p r ese nc e w h i le he ran ,

a l on e velve t f oot e d s i le nt ly a m o v in g sh adow am ong

,
-

i
, ,

t h e tr ees a f t e r t he m ann e r o f h s f at he r and m ot he r

 TH E OU T CA ST 14 9

b ef or e h im Furt he r he wa s m or e dir e ct ly con n e ct e d

.
,

wi t h t he Wi l d t h an t hey ; and he kn e w m or e o f i t s
se cr e t s an d s tratag e m s A fa v orit e tri ck o f h i s wa s
.

to l o se h i s trai l i n runni ng wat e r and t he n l i e q ui e t ly

i n a n e ar b y t h ick e t w h i le t he ir ba ffle d cri es aro se
-

around h im .

H at e d b y h i s kind and b y manki nd indom itab le ,

pe r pe t u a lly warr e d u p on and h im self waging pe r pe t

ua l war h i s d evel o p m e nt wa s ra p id and o n e s id e d
,
-
.

T h i s wa s n o s oi l f or kind l in ess and a ffe ctio n to

b l o ss om i n O f s uc h t h ing s he h ad n o t t he faint es t
.

g l imm e ri n g The cod e he le ar n e d wa s to ob ey t he

.

s tro n g and to o pp r ess t he w e ak G ra y B e a ve r wa s a .

d and s tro n g The r ef or e W h it e Fang ob eye d h im

go ,
“ a.“ n

” .
w.
. .

B ut t he dog y oung e r o r s ma lle r t h an h im self wa s

w e ak a t h i ng to b e d es tro ye d H i s d evel o p m e nt wa s
ii
.
,

Lmt h e d r ec t on of p ow e r I n ord e r to fac e t he c on .

s tant dang e r o f h urt and eve n o f d es truction h i s p r e d ,

a t or y and p rot e cti ve f acu l ti es w e r e und ul y d evel o pe d .

H e b e cam e q uick e r o f m o ve m ent t h an t he ot he r dog s ,

s wi f t e r o f f oot cra f ti e r d e ad l i e r m or e l it he m or e
, , , ,

le a n wit h iron l i k e mu s c l e a n d s in e w m or e e nduring , ,

m or e C I H QL m or e fe roci ou s , and m or e i nt ell ig e n t

I
.

H e ba d t o b e com e al
l t h es t hjg gs, el s e he wou l d n o t
e m v r '
n

h a ve hel d h i s own n o r s ur v i ve d t he h o s ti le en v iron

m ent ,
i n w h i
ch h e fou n d h i m self w w
.
 C H A P T E R IV

T HE T R A IL OF TH E G OD S

IN t h e fa ll o f t h e ye ar w h e n t he d ays w e r e sh ort
i
,

en n g and t he bit e o f t h e f ro s t wa s comi ng i nto t he

air W h i t e Fang got h i s c h anc e f or l ib e rt y F o r s ev

,
.

e ra l da ys t he r e h ad b ee n a gr e at h ubbub i n t he
v i ll ag e The s umm e r cam p wa s b e i n g di s mant le d
.
,

and t he trib e bag and baggag e wa s p r ep aring to go

, ,

o ff to t he f a ll h unting W h it e Fang watc he d i t a ll

.

wit h e ag e r eyes and w he n t he t epees b e gan to com e

,

down and t he cano es w e r e l oading at t h e bank he ,

und e rs tood A l r e ad y t he cano es w e r e d ep arting and

.
,

s om e h ad di s a ppe ar e d d own t h e ri ve r .

Quit e d el ib e rat ely he d e t e rmin e d t o s ta y b eh ind .

H e wai t e d h i s o pp ort un i ty to sl ink o u t o f cam p to

t he wood s He r e in t he running s tr e am w he r e ic e
i
,
.

w a s b e ginni ng t o f orm h e h i d h s trai l ,

The n he .

craw le d i nto t he he art o f a d e n se t h i ck e t and wait e d .

The tim e p a sse d b y and he slep t int e rmi tt e nt ly f or

,

h our s The n he wa s arou se d b y G ra y B e a ve r s v oic e

.
’

ca ll ing h im b y nam e The r e w e r e ot he r v oic es

. .

W h it e Fang cou l d he ar G ra y B e a ve r s sq uaw taking ’

150
1 52 W H IT E F ANG

h im . He r e w a s n o m e at not h ing but a t h r e at e ning

,

a n d i n e dib le s i le nc e .

H i s b ondag e h ad s o f t e n e d h i m I rr esp on s ibi l it y

.

h ad w e ak e n e d h im He h ad f orgo t t e n h ow to sh i f t
.

f or h im self The n ig h t y awn e d about h im

. His .

se n ses accu s to m e d to t h e h um and bu s t le o f t he

,

ca m p u se d to t h e continuou s i m p act o f s ig h t s and

,

s ound s w e r e no w lef t id le
,
The r e wa s not h ing to
.

d o n ot h ing to s ee n or he ar They s train e d to catc h

,
.

s om e int e rru p ti on o f t he s i le nc e and i mm obi l i t y o f

n at u r e They w e r e a pp a lle d b y i naction an d b y t he
.

feel o f s om e t h ing t e rrib le i m pe nding .

H e ga ve a gr e at s tart o f f rig h t A co l o ss a l an d .

f orm less s om e t h ing wa s ru sh ing acro ss t he fiel d o f h i s

v i s ion I t wa s a tr ee sh adow flung b y t h e m o on
.
-

f rom w h o se fac e t he c l oud s h ad b ee n bru she d awa y .

R e a ss ur e d h e w h im pe r e d s o f t ly ; t h e n he s u pp r esse d
,

t he w h im pe r f or fe ar t h a t i t mig h t attract t he a tt e n
tion o f t he l urking dang e rs .

A tr ee co ntracting in t he coo l o f t he nig h t ma d e a

, ,

l oud noi se I t wa s dir e ct ly ab o ve h im

. He yelpe d .

i n h i s f rig h t A p an i c se i ze d h im and he ran m ad ly

.
,

toward t he v i ll ag e H e kn e w an o ve r p ow e ring d es i r e
.

f or t he p rot e ction and com p ani on sh i p o f man In his .

no s tri ls wa s t he s m ell o f t he cam p s m ok e In his -

.

e ar s t he cam p s ound s and cri es w e r e ringing l oud .

He p a sse d out o f t he f or es t and into t he mo on l it

o pe n w he r e w e r e no sh adow s nor darkn esses But .
H e f e lt t h e l ur k ig
n of da n g er , u n s ee n an d un g ue
ss d
e .
154 W H I T E F ANG

run on f or eve r H i s i ron l ik e bod y ignor e d fatigu e

.
-
.

A nd eve n a f t e r f atigu e cam e h i s he ritag e o f e nduranc e ,

brac e d h im to e nd less e nd e a v or and e nab le d h im to

dri ve h i s com pl aining b od y onward .

W he r e t he ri ve r s wung i n agai n s t p r e ci p itou s b l u ffs ,

h e c l imb e d t he h ig h m ountain s b eh ind R i ve r s and .

s tr e am s t h at e n t e r e d t he m ain ri ve r h e f or d e d or
s wam . O f t e n he took t o t he rim i c e t h at wa s b e gin -

ning to f orm and m or e t h an onc e he cra she d t h roug h

,

and s trugg le d f or l i fe in t he i c y c urr e nt A l wa ys he .

wa s on t he l o okout f or t he trai l o f t h e god s w he r e i t

mig h t le a ve t he ri ve r an d p roc ee d in l and
i i
.

”W h i t e —Fan
h — g
m "
w
n
a s
v o
n t el l
D
g e
"
n t b y ond
e t he a ve ra ge o f m fl

h i s kind ; ye t h i s me nta l v i s ion wa s n o t wid e e noug h

to embra c e t he o t he r bank o f t h e M ack e n z i e W h at
“

. .

i f t he trai l o f t he go d s le d ou t on t h at s id e ? I t n eve r
e nt e r e d h i s he ad L at e r o n w he n he h ad tra velle d
.
,

mor e and grown o l d e r and wi se r and com e to k n o w

m or e o f trai ls and ri ve r s i t mig h t b e t h at h e cou l d ,

gra sp and a pp r eh e nd s uc h a p o ss ibi l it y But t h at .

m e nta l p o w e r wa s ye t in t h e f utur e J u s t n ow h e .

ran b l ind ly h i s o w n bank o f t he M ack e n z i e a l o n e

,

e nt e ring into h i s ca l cu l ation s .

A ll nig h t he ran b l u nd e ring in t he darkn ess in to

,

mi sh a ps and ob s tac les t h at d el a ye d but did not daunt .

B y t he mi dd le o f t he se cond da y he h ad b ee n running
continuou sly f or t h irt y h our s an d t he i ron o f h i s fl esh ,

wa s gi v ing out I t wa s t he e nduranc e o f h i s mind

.
 TH E T R A IL O F TH E G O DS 1 55

i
t h at k ep t h m going H e h ad n o t e at e n i n f orty
.

h ours and he wa s w e ak wi t h h ung e r The r epe at e d

,
.

d r e nc h ing s i n t he ic y wat e r h ad l ik e wi se h ad t he ir
effe ct on h im H i s h and s om e coat wa s d ragg le d
. .

The broad p ad s o f h i s fee t w e r e brui se d and b lee ding .

He h ad b e g u n to l im p and t h i s l im p i ncr e a se d wi t h
,

t he h ours .To mak e i t wor se t he l ig h t o f t he ,

s k y wa s ob s cur e d and s now b e gan to f a ll — a raw

m oi s t m el ting c l ingi n g s now sl i ppe ry und e r f o ot t h at

, , , ,

i
b d f rom h i m t he l and s ca pe he tra ve r se d and t h at ,

co ve r e d o ve r t he i n eq ua l i ti es o f t he ground s o t h at
t he wa y o f h i s fee t wa s m or e d i ffi cu l t and p ain f u l .

G ra y B e a ve r h ad int e nd e d cam p ing t h at nig h t on

t he f ar bank o f t he M ack e n z i e f or it wa s in t h at ,

d ir e cti on t h at t h e h unting l a y But on t he n e ar .

bank sh ort ly b ef or e dark a m oo se c oming down to

, , ,

dri nk , h ad b ee n esp i e d b y Kl oo kooc h w h o wa s G ra y

-

B e a ve r s sq uaw N ow h ad no t t he m oo se c om e
’
.
,

d own to dr i nk h ad n o t M it s a h b ee n s t ee ring ou t o f
,
-

t h e cour se b e cau se o f t h e s now h ad n o t Kl oo kooc h

,
-

s ig h t e d t he m oo se and h ad n ot G ra y B e a ve r ki lle d i t
,

wi t h a l uck y sh ot f rom h i s rifl e a ll s ub seq u e nt t h ing s

,

wou l d h a ve h a ppe n e d di ffe r e nt ly G ra y B e a ve r wou l d

.

no t h a ve cam pe d on t he n e ar s i d e o f t he M ack e n z i e ,

and W h it e Fang wou l d h a ve p a sse d b y and g on e

on , e i t he r to di e o r to fi nd h i s wa y to h i s wi l d
brot he r s and b e com e on e o f t h em a wo l f t o t he e nd
,

o f h i s da ys .
1 56 W H I T E F A NG

N ig h t h ad fa lle n . The s now wa s fl y i ng mor e

t h i ck ly , and W h i t e F ang w h im pe ring s o f t ly to h im
,
~

self a s he s tumb le d and l im pe d a l ong cam e u p on ,

a f r esh trai l in t he s no w S o f r esh wa s i t t h at he

.

kn e w i t imm e diat ely f or w h at i t w a s W h ining .

wi t h e ag e rn ess h e f o ll o w e d back f rom t he ri ve r bank

,

an d i n among t he tr ees The cam p s ound s cam e to

.
-

h i s e ars H e sa w t he b l a ze o f t h e fi r e Kl oo k ooc h
.
,
-

cooki n g and G ra y B e a ve r sq uatting on h i s h am s and

,

m umb l ing a c h unk o f raw ta ll ow The r e w a s f r esh.

m e at in cam p
W h it e Fang e x pe ct e d a b eating H e crouc he d and
.

bri s t le d a l itt le a t t he t h oug h t o f it The n h e w e n t

.

f orward again He fe ar e d and di sl ik e d t he b e ating

.

he kn e w to b e wai ting f or h im But he kn e w f urt he r

.
, ,

t h at t he com f ort o f t he fi r e woul d be h i s t h e p r o t e c ,

i
tion o f t he god s , t he c omp a mon sh p o f th e d og s — t he
l a s t a com p anio n sh i p o f e nmi t y but non e t he less a
, ,

com p an i i
on sh i p and s a t s fy mg to h i s gr e gariou s n ee d s
i
.

H e cam e cringing an d c r a w h n g mt o t he fi r el gh t .

G ra y B e a ve r s a w h im , and s to ppe d m unc h ing t he

ta ll o w . W h it e Fang craw le d sl o w ly , cringing and
gro vell ing in t he abj e ctn ess o f h i s aba se m e nt and s ub
mi ss ion H e craw le d s traig h t toward G ra y B e a ve r
.
,

eve ry inc h o f h i s p rogress b e com ing sl ow e r and m or e

p ain f u l .A t l a s t h e l a y at t he ma s t e r s fee t, into ’

w h o se p o ssess ion he n ow s urr e nd e r e d h im sel f v o l u n ,

i
t a r l y , b od y and s ou l . O f h i s own c h oic e , h e cam e i n
an d ov er h ib
a ac k
. It
t he lo ng rope by h e pu l l ed at t he sl ed .
 ”
T l l: i "19

Th e r e w e re se v e n pu p p i e s ih n t e tw i
n . l hn o t h e r
' '

t l me n
un i h or n nu rl u r ii h n t e
y ou r uud w e re n lnu und

on n mn t hu o ld. w hile W hite ii

fu n
r w un o nly n i gh t.

mn t hu u h i i l
'
nv h in g t wnn fii mi h y
t -t in
n e d tn t hu M

i
tr .

u Mi
ng l e r p N o e u ro pe s w o rn i i t h e mu m l e n g t h .
i
.

w h i l e t he d i ff e re n c e n l e n g t h h e t w un n ti ir o pe s
ny t wi
w as i
t l mw t l l tu t h iid t o g
'
s i
li
my Ev e ry t u pn
‘
w as

i l mi
t

in i
.
. .

b ro u g h t i
n i
t ri n g at t he t
‘
u . an d o f t tn s .

The s l e d i ts e l f w a s h i r ch min g
w i t h o u t r u nn e rs l i.
,
u

b
h u r lt t a o g g a n i
w t h u p t u r n e d f o r w a r d e n d t o l u m p
i
.

i f i
t ro m p h u g h g n u n d e r t h e s n o w T h i s .

mum l
b e d t he w e i g h t o f t h o n m l a n d l o u d in h,
e dlw i
i
t r l mt ml o v e r t h le a r g e s t a n n w n u r hw n fo r t he s n o w .
o

c r s t a l po w d e r l ft ( l lmu rvl n g t ho
w as y
- n tn va r y so .

mu m pr c pl e o f w h
i n i i t tit d i s t r i b u t i o n o f w e i g h t ,
t h e -

d o g s a t t he e n d s o f t l m r rn pn n md u tm l fu n f a s h i o n i i -

i
.

f ro m t h e n os e o f t h e s l e d no t ha t i n » « l o g t ro d n
,

n not lwr '

f o o t s t e ps
'
n .

T h e m w a s fu r t h e r mo re . ,
a no t h e r virt uo in t he fu n
f o rm a t i o n Th e ro w s f r i n l n g t h p r e e n t e d
o.
v a y g e v

t he d o t t kin‘
g fro m t h e r e a r t h o s e t h a t r un in

i
a a c
g s

f ro n t d a t ta c k n o t h r, t
f t he m Fo r og to a e

i
o . a

o r te
w o u l d h a ve t o t u r n u po n h r ro p
on e ut u s e. n

it w o u l d fi
w h ic h r us nd i lf t se fa c e to fa c e w i t h t he

i i
e

d g t k d d ta l t w u l d f d i t l f f i n g a so o n s e ac

i
o a c e an

li
,

th w hip f t h d i
e n t h o mm t p u l i r e
t r ve r . . t e r ec a v r ue

t h e d og at s t ro ve to
of al l l a y i n t h e fa c t t ha t th
 C HA P TE R V

T HE C OV EN AN T

W H EN D e c e mb e r
wa s w ell a l ong G ra y B ea ve r ,

w e nt o n a j ourn ey u p t he M ack e n z i e M t s a h an d . i -

Kl o o ko oc h w e nt wit h h im
-
O n e sle d he dro ve h im
.

self drawn b y dog s he h ad trad e d f or o r b orrow e d

, .

A se cond and s ma lle r sle d w a s dri ve n b y M i t sa h and -

to t h i s wa s h arn esse d a t e am o f p u pp i es I t wa s .

mor e o f a to y a ffai r t h an an y t h ing else ye t i t wa s ,

t he d el igh t o f M it s a h w h o fel t t h at he wa s b e ginning

-

to do a man s work i n t h é worl d A ls o h e wa s

’

i
.
,

le arning to dri ve dog s and to tra n d og s ; w h i le t he

p u pp i es t he m selves w e r e b e ing b rok e n in to t he h ar
n ess Furt he rm or e t he sle d wa s o f s om e se r v ic e f or
.
, ,

i t carri e d n e arly two h undr e d p ound s o f out fi t and

f ood .

W h it e Fang h ad see n t he cam p dog s toi l ing i n t h e -

h arn ess s o t h at he did not r ese nt o ve rmuc h t he fi r s t

,

pl acing o f t h e h arn ess u p on h i m self A b out h i s n e ck .

wa s p ut a m o ss s tu ffe d co ll ar w h ic h wa s conn e ct e d
-

b y two p u ll ing trac es to a s tra p t h a t p a sse d around

-

h i s c hes t and o ve r h s back i

I t wa s to t h i s t h at wa s
.

f a s t en e d t he l ong ro pe b y w h ic h he p u lle d a t t he sle d .

1 58
160 W H ITE F ANG

and t h at t he f a s t e r t he sle d tra velle d , t h e f a s t e r cou l d

t he dog attack e d run awa y Th u s t he d og b eh ind .
,

cou l d n eve r catc h u p wit h t he o n e i n f ront The .

f a s t e r he ran t he f a s t e r ran t he o n e he wa s a f t e r and

, ,

t he f a s t e r ran a ll t he d og s I ncid e nta lly t he sle d

.
,

w w _ _

man incr e a se h i s ma s t e ry "

Mi t s a h r ese mb le d h i s f ath e r m uc h o f w h o se gra y

-

wi s dom he p o ssesse d I n t he p a s t he h ad ob se r ve d
.

Li p l i p s p e rse cuti on o f W h it e Fan g ; but at t h at tim e

-
’

Li p l i p wa s ano t he r m an s dog an d Mit s a h h ad

-
’
,
-

n e v e r dar e d m or e t h an to shy an occa s iona l s ton e at

h im .But n o w Li p l i p wa s h i s dog and he p ro c ee d e d
-

to wr e ak h i s ve ng e anc e on h im b y p u tting h im at t h e
e nd o f t he l ong es t r o p e Th i s mad e Li p l i p t he le ad e r
.
-

and w a s a pp ar e nt ly an h onor ; b ut i n r e a l i t y it to ok
awa y f rom h im a ll h o nor and in s t e ad o f b e ing bu lly
,

and ma s t e r o f t he p ack , he n ow f ound h im sel f h at e d

and p e r se cut e d b y t he p ack .

B e cau se h e ra n at t he e nd o f t he l ong es t ro p e t he ,

dog s h ad a l wa ys t he v i e w o f h im r u nning awa y

b ef or e t he m .A ll t h at t hey s aw o f h im wa s h i s
bu shy tai l and fl ee ing h ind le g s — a v i e w f ar less
fe rociou s and in timidating t h an h i s bri s t l ing m an e ‘

an d g le aming f ang s A ls o dog s b e ing s o con s titut e d

.
,

in t he ir m e nta l wa ys t he s ig h t o f h im running aw a y
,

ga ve d es ir e to run a f t e r h im and a feel ing t h at h e ran

awa y f rom t he m .
 TH E C O VE N AN T 161

The mom e nt t he sle d s tart e d t he t e am to ok a f t e r ,

Li p l i p in a c h a se t h at e xt e nd e d t h roug h out t he da y
-
.

A t fi rs t he h ad b ee n p ron e to turn u p o n h i s p urs u e rs ,

j e a l ou s o f h i s dignit y an d wrat hf u l but a t s uc h ti m es

M it s a h wo u l d t h row t h e s tinging l a sh o f t he t h irty
-

i
f oo t c a r b oo gut w h i p i n to h i s f ac e an d com p el h i m
-

to turn tai l and run on Li p l i p mig h t fac e t he p ack

.
-

but he cou l d n o t fac e t h a t w h i p and a ll t h at wa s lef t

,

h im to d o wa s to k eep h i s l ong ro p e taut and h i s

flank s a h e ad o f t he t ee t h o f h i s m at es .

But a s ti ll gr e at e r cunning l urk e d i n t he r e c esses

o f t he I ndian mi nd T o gi ve p oin t to un e nding p ur
.

s ui t o f t he le ad e r Mi t s a h f a v or e d h im o ve r t he
,
-

ot he r d og s These f a v or s arou se d i n t he m j e a l ou sy
i
.

and h atr e d I n t h e ir p r ese nc e M t —

. s a h wo u l d gi v e
h im m e at an d wou l d gi v e i t to h im on ly Th i s wa s .

madd e ning to t he m Th ey wou l d rag e around j u s t

i i
.

out s id e t he t h rowing di s tanc e o f t he w h p w h l e Li p

-

i
,

ljp d evg ug ed t h e m e a t and M i t s a h p rot e ct e d h m

fl ‘
-
.

And w he n t he r e wa s no m e a t to g i v e Mit s a h wo u l d ,
-

k eep t he t e am at a di s tanc e an d mak e b el i e v e to gi ve

m e at to Li p l i p -
.

W h it e Fang to ok kind ly to t he work H e h ad .

tra v elle d a gre at e r di s tanc e t h an t he ot he r dog s in

t he y i el ding o f h im sel f to t he ru l e o f t he god s an d he ,

h ad le arn e d m or e t h oroughly t he f uti l i t y o f o pp o s i ng

t he ir wi ll. I n additi on t he p e r se cution h e h ad s u f
,

fer ed f rom t h e p ack h ad mad e t he p ack less to h im

1 62 W H I T E FA N G

i n t he s c he m e o f t h ing s and man m or e, He h ad not .

le arn e d to b e d epe nd e nt o n h i s kind f or com p anion

sh i p . B es id es K ic he wa s w ell nig h f orgo tt e n ; and
,
-

t h e c h i ef out le t o f e x p r ess io n t h at r e main e d to h im

wa s i n t he a lle gianc e h e t e nd e r e d t he god s he h ad
acc ep t e d a s ma s t e r s S o he work e d h ard le arn e d
.
,

d i s ci pl in e , and wa s ob e di e nt Fait h fu l n ess and wi ll

.

i n g n es s c h aract e ri ze d h i s toi l These ar e esse ntia l

.

trait s o f t he wo l f and t he wi l d dog w he n t hey h a ve -

b e com e dom es ti cat e d an d t hese trai t s W h it e Fa n g

,

p o ssesse d i n unu s ua l m e a s ur e .

A c om p ani on sh i p did e xi s t b e tw ee n W h i t e Fang

an d t he o t he r d og s bu t i t wa s o n e o f war far e and
,

e nmit y H e h ad n e v e r le arn e d to pl a y w it h t he m
. .

H e kn e w on ly h ow to fi g h t and fi g h t wit h t he m h e
,

did r e turning to t he m a h undr e d f o l d t he s na ps and -

i
,

sl a shes t hey h ad gi ve n h im n t he da ys w he n Li p l i p -

wa s le ad e r o f t he p ack Bu t Li p l i p wa s n o l ong e r
.
-

l e ad e r e xc ep t w he n he fled awa y b ef or e h i s mat es

at t h e e nd o f h i s ro p e t he sle d bounding a l ong b e
,

h i nd . I n cam p he k ep t c l o se to M i t s a h or G ra y -

B e a ve r or Kl o o kooc h
-
H e di d n o t dar e v e ntur e
.

awa y f rom t he god s for n ow t he fang s o f a ll d og s

,

w e r e agai n s t h im and he ta s t e d to t he dr e g s t he
,

p e r se cution t h at h ad b ee n W h it e Fang s ’
.

Wit h t he o ve rt h row o f Li p l i p W h i t e Fang cou l d

-

h a ve b e com e le ad e r o f t he p ack But he wa s too

m oro se and s o l itar y f or t h at H e m e r ely t h ra she d
.
1 64 W H ITE F ANG

t h at t hey le a v e h im a l on e i n h i s i s o l ati on , g e t out

o f h i s wa y w he n he ele ct e d to wa l k am ong t he m ,

and at a ll tim es acknow le dg e h i s m a s t e ry o ve r t he m .

A h int o f s ti ff l egg ed n es s on t he ir p art a l i f t e d l i p

-

or a bri s t l e o f h air and he w ou l d b e u p on t he m , m e rci

,

less and cru el , s wi f t ly con v incing t he m o f t he e rror

o f t he ir wa y .

H e wa s a m o n s trou s t y ran t H i s ma s t e ry wa s
.

rigid a s s t eel .H e o pp r esse d t he w e ak wit h a ve n

g ea n c e . N o t f or n o t h ing h ad h e b ee n e x p o se d t o t h e
p i ti less s trugg le f or l i fe i n t he da ys o f h i s cub h ood ,

w he n h i s m o t he r an d h e a l on e and unaid e d hel d

, ,

t he i r own and s ur v i ve d i n t he fe ro ci ou s e n v ironm e n t

o f t h e Wi l d. A n d n o t f or n o t h ing h ad he le arn e d to
wa l k s o f t ly w h e n s u pe ri or s tr e ngt h w e nt b y He .

o pp r esse d t h e w e ak bu t h e r espe ct e d t he s tro n g

,
.

An d i n t h e cour se o f t he l ong j ourn ey wi t h G ra y

B e a v e r he wa l k e d s o f t ly ind ee d am on g s t t h e f u ll
grow n dog s in t he cam ps o f t he s trang e m an ani ma l s -

t hey e n count e r e d .

The m ont hs p a sse d b y S ti ll continu e d t he j o u rn ey

.

of G ra y B e a ve r W h i t e Fang s s tr e ngt h wa s d e
.
’

v el op e d b y t he l ong h our s on trai l and t he s t e ad y toi l

at t he sle d ; an d i t wo ul d h a v e see m e d t h at h i s
m e nta l d evel o p m e nt wa s w ell nig h com ple t e -

He .

h ad com e to know q ui t e t h oroug hly t he w or l d i n

w h ic h he l i v e d H i s out l ook wa s b l e ak and mat e ri
ii
.

al s t c. The worl d a s he s aw i t fie rc e and

“ a
 TH E C O VE N A N T 1 65

bruta l worl d a w orl d wit h ou t warmt h a wor l d i n

i
, ,

w h ic h car esses and a ffe ct on and t h e brig h t s w ee t

i ii
i
n esses o f t l ej p r t d d n ot e xi s t .
.

H e h ad no a ff e ctio n f or Gra y B e a v e r T ru e h e .
,

wa s a god but a m o s t s a v ag e god

,
W h i t e Fang wa s
.

g l ad to ackno w le dg e h i s l ord sh i p b ut i t wa s a l ord

,

sh i p ba se d u p on s u pe ri or in t ell ig e nc e an d brut e
‘

s tr e ngt h . The r e wa s s om e t h ing in t he fi br e o f

W h i t e Fang s b e ing t h at mad e t h i s l ord sh i p a
’

t h ing t o b e d es ir e d , else he wou l d n o t h a ve com e

back f rom t he Wi l d w he n h e d id to t e nd e r h i s
a lle gianc e The r e w e r e d eep s i n h i s natur e w h ic h
.

h ad n eve r b ee n s ound e d A kin d w ord , a car ess i ng

.

touc h o f t he h and , o n t he p art o f G ra y B e a ve r ,

mig h t h a v e s oun d e d t h ese d eep s ; bu t G ra v B e a v e r

did n o t car ess n or spe ak ki nd w ord s I t wa s n o t .

h i s wa y H i s p rimac y wa s s a v ag e an d s a v ag ely
.
,

h e ru le d , admini s t e rin g j u s tic e wi t h a c l ub , p uni sh ing

tran s gr ess ion wit h t he p ain o f a b l o w and r e warding ,

m e ri t n o t b y kindn ess , bu t b y wit hh o l di n g a b l o w

,
.

S o W h i t e Fan g kn e w no t h ing o f t he he a ve n a
m an s h and mig h t contai n f or h im
’
B es id es he did .
,

n o t l ik e t he h and s o f t he man anima ls H e wa s

-
.

s u sp ici ou s o f t he m I t wa s tru e t h at t h ey s om e tim es

.

ga ve m e at but m or e o f t e n t hey ga ve h urt

,
H and s .

w e re t h ing s to k eep awa y f rom They h urle d s ton es,

.

wi el d e d s ti ck s an d c l ub s an d w h i ps admini s t e r e d ,

sl a ps and c l o ut s , and , w he n t h ey touc he d h im , w e r e

166 W H I T E FA N G

cun ning to h urt wi t h p inc h and twi s t an d wr e nc h .

I n s trang e v i ll ag es he h ad e nco unt e r e d t he h and s

o f t he c h i l dr e n and le arn e d t h a t t h ey w e r e cru el to

h urt A ls o h e h ad onc e n e arly h ad an eye p ok e d

,

i
.

out b y a todd l ing p a p o o se From t h ese e x p er en c es

.
fi

he b e cam e s u sp iciou s o f a ll c h i l dr e n He cou l d n ot .

to le rat e t he m W he n t hey cam e n e ar wi t h t he ir

.

omin ou s h an d s he go t u p , .

I t wa s in a v i ll ag e a t t he G r e at S l a ve Lak e , t h at ,

i n t he cour se o f r ese n ting t he ev i l o f t he h and s o f t he

man anima ls , h e cam e to m odi fy t he l aw t h at he h ad
-

le arn e d f rom G ra y B e a ve r ; nam ely t h at t he u n p a r ,

d onab le cri m e wa s to bi t e o n e o f t h e god s I n th i s .

V i ll ag e a f t e r t h e cu s to m o f a ll dog s in a ll v i ll ag es
, ,

W h it e Fang w e nt f oraging f or f ood A b o y wa s .

c h o pp ing f ro ze n m oo se m e at w it h an a x e and t he
-

c h i ps w e r e fl y ing i n t he s now W h it e Fang sl iding .

,

b y i n q u es t o f m e at, s to ppe d an d b e gan to e at t he

c h i ps He ob se r v e d t he b o y l a y d own t he a x e and
.

tak e u p a s tout c l ub W h i t e Fang sp rang c le ar, j u s t

.

i n tim e to es ca p e t he d es c e nding b l o w The b o y .

p ur s u e d h im and he a s trang e r in t he v i ll ag e fl e d
, , ,

b e tw ee n two t epees to fi nd h im sel f corn e r e d agai n s t

,

a h ig h e art h bank .

The r e wa s n o es ca pe fo r W h i t e Fang The on ly .

wa y ou t wa s b e t w ee n t h e two t epees and t h i s t he b oy ,

guard e d H o l din g h i s c l ub p r ep ar e d to s trik e h e

.
,

d re w i n on h i s corn e r e d q uarry W h it e Fang wa s .

168 W H I T E FA NG

com pell e d to tak e inj u s tic e f rom t he o t he r god s It .

wa s h i s p ri v i le ge to r ese nt i t w i t h h i s t ee t h And .

t h i s a ls o wa s a l aw o f t he god s .

B ef or e t he da y wa s o u t W h i t e Fan g wa s to le arn
,

m or e about t h i s l aw M i t s a h a l on e gat he ring fi r e

.
-

, ,

i
woo d n t he f or es t e ncoun t e r e d t he bo y t h at h ad
,

b ee n bitt e n Wit h h im w e r e o t he r bo ys
. H ot w ord s .

p a sse d The n a ll t h e b o ys attack e d Mi t s a h

. I t wa s -
.

going h ard wi t h h im B l ow s w e r e raining u p on h im

.

f ro m a ll s id es W h it e Fang l ook e d on at fi r s t Th i s
. .

wa s an a ffai r o f t he god s , an d n o conc e rn o f h i s .

The n he r e a l i ze d t h at t h i s wa s Mi t— s a h , on e o f h i s
o w n p articu l ar god s , w h o wa s b e ing m a l tr e at e d It .

wa s n o r e a s on e d im p u lse t h a t mad e W h i t e Fang d o

w h at he t he n did A mad ru sh o f ang e r se nt h i m
.

le a p ing in among s t t he combat ant s Fi ve mi nu t es .

l at e r t h e l an d s ca p e wa s co v e r e d wi t h fl ee ing b o ys ,

m an y o f w h om dri ppe d b l ood u p on t h e s no w in tok e n

t h at W h it e Fang s t ee t h h ad not b ee n id le
’
W he n .

Mit s a h to l d h i s s tory in cam p G ra y B e a ve r o rd e r e d

,

m e at to b e gi ve n to W h i t e Fang H e ord e r e d muc h

.

m e at to b e gi ve n an d W h it e Fang gorg e d and sleepy

, ,

b y t h e fi r e kn e w t h at t h e l aw h ad r e c e i v e d i t s v e ri
i
__
,

fi ca t on .

I t wa s i n l i n e wi t h t hese e x p e ri e n c es t h at W h it e
Fang cam e to le arn t h e l aw o f p ro pe rt y and t he
'

dut y o f t he d efe nc e o f p ro pe rt y From t he p ro t e o.

’
tio n o f h i s god s bod y to t he p ro t e ction o f h i s god s
’
 TH E C O VE N A N T 1 69

p o ssess i on s wa s a s t ep an d t h i s s t ep he mad e W h at
,
.

wa s h i s god s wa s to b e d efe nd e d again s t a ll t he

’

wo rl d — eve n to t he e xt e nt o f bi ti n g ot he r god s .

N o t on ly wa s s uc h an act s acri le gi ou s i n it s na tur e ,

but i t wa s f raug h t wi t h p e ri l The god s w e r e a ll

.

p ow e r fu l an d a d og wa s no m atc h again s t t he m ; ye t
,

W h i t e Fang le arn e d to f ac e t he m fie rc ely b ell ig e r e nt ,

an d una f raid D ut y ro se abo ve fe ar an d t h i ev ing

.
,

god s le arn e d t o le a ve G ra y B e a ve r s p ro p e rty a l on e ’

.

On e t h ing i n t h i s conn e ction W h it e Fang q uick ly

, ,

le arn e d and t h at wa s t h at a t h i ev i ng god wa s u s ua lly

,

a coward ly god an d p ron e to run awa y at t he s ound

in g o f t he a l arm A ls o he le arn e d t h at bu t bri ef
.
,

tim e el a pse d b e tw ee n h i s s oundi ng o f t he a l arm and

G ra y B e a v e r s coming to h i s aid
’
H e cam e to know .

t h at it wa s not fe ar of h im t h at dro v e t h e t h i ef awa y ,

but fe ar o f G ra y B e a v e r W h i t e Fan g did no t gi v e

.

t he a l arm b y barking H e n e v e r bark ed H i s m e t h od

. .

wa s to dri v e s traig h t at t h e i ntru d e r an d to s ink ,

h i s t ee t h in i f he cou l d B e cau se he wa s m oro se

.

and s o l itary h a v ing not h in g t o do wit h t he o t he r

,

d og s he wa s un u s ua lly fi tt e d to guard h i s ma s t e r s
,
’

p ro p e rt y ; and i n t h i s h e wa s e ncourag e d an d train e d

b y G ra y B e a v e r On e r es u l t o f t h i s wa s to mak e
.

W h i t e Fang m or e fe rociou s and indom i tab le and ,

m or e s o l i tary .

The m ont hs w e n t b y binding s trong e r and s trong e r

,

t he co v e nant b e tw ee n dog an d m an Th i s wa s t he .
170 W H I T E FA N G

anci e nt co ve nan t t h a t t he fi r s t w o l f t h at cam e i n f rom

t he Wi l d e nt e r e d i nto wi t h man A nd l ik e a ll s uc
i
.
,

c ee d n g wo lves and wi l d dog s t h at h ad don e l ik e wi se ,

W h it e Fang wo rk e d t he co ve nan t o u t f or h im sel f .

The t e rm s w e r e s im ple For t he p o ssess ion o f a fles h

.

and b l oo d god , he e x c h ang e d h i s o w n l ibe rty

-
Fo od
.

i
and fi r e , p rot e cti on and c o mp a n l on sh p w e r e s om e,

o f t he t h ing s he r e c e i ve d f rom t he god I n r e turn

.
,

he guard e d t he god s p ro pe rty d efe nd e d h i s b od y

’
, ,

work e d f or h im and ob eye d h im

,
.

The p o ssess ion o f a god im pl i es se r v ic e W h it e .

Fang s wa s a se r v ic e o f du t y and aw e but no t o f

’
,

l o ve H e did not know w h at l o ve wa s H e h ad n o

. .

e x pe ri e nc e o f l o v e K ic h e wa s a r e mot e m e m ory
. .

B es i d es n ot on ly h ad he aband on e d t he Wi l d and
,

h i s ki nd w he n he ga ve h im self u p to man but t he ,

t e rm s o f t he c o ve nant w e r e s uc h t h at i f he eve r m e t
K ic he agai n h e wou l d no t d ese rt h i s god to go wi t h
he r H i s a lle gianc e to m an see m e d s om eh ow a l aw
.

o f h i s b e ing gr e at e r t h an t he l o v e o f l ib e rt y , o f kind

and kin .
172 W H ITE FA N G

di d no t l ook s o l arg e an d f ormidab le a s t he m e mory

p ict u r es b e r e tain e d o f t he m A ls o he s too d less i n
.
,

fe ar o f t he m t h an f orm e rly s ta l king am ong t he m,

wi t h a c e rtai n car eless e a se t h at wa s a s n e w to h i m

a s i t wa s e nj o y ab le .

The r e wa s B a s eek a gri zzle d ol d fell o w t h at i n

,

h i s y oung e r da ys h ad but to unco ve r h i s fang s to

se nd W h it e Fang cringing and crouc h ing to t he rig h t
about From h im W h it e Fang h ad le arn e d muc h o f
iii
.

h i s o w n n s g n fi c a n c e ; an d f rom h im he wa s n ow
to le arn muc h o f t he c h ang e an d d evel o p m e nt t h at
h ad tak e n pl ac e i n h im self W h i l e Ba s eek h ad b ee n
.

growing w e ak e r wi t h ag e W h it e Fang h ad b e en
,

growing s trong e r wit h y out h .

I t wa s a t t h e cu tting u p o f a m oo se , f r esh ki lle d

- -

t h at W h i t e Fang le arn e d o f t h e c h ang e d r el ation s in

w h ic h he s too d to t h e dog w or l d -
H e h ad go t f or .

h im self a h o o f an d p art o f t he sh in b on e to w h ic h -

q ui t e a b it o f m e at wa s attac he d Wit h drawn f rom

i
.

t he imm e diat e s cramb l e o f t he ot he r dog s n f act ,

-

o u t o f s ig h t b eh in d a t h ick e t —h e wa s d ev ouring h i s
,

p ri ze , w he n B a s eek ru she d i n u p on h i m B ef or e he .

kn e w w h at he wa s doing he h ad sl a she d t he intrud e r

i
,

tw c e and sp rung c le ar Ba seek wa s s ur p ri se d b y t h e

.

’
ot he r s t e m e ri ty an d s w i f tn ess o f attack He s tood .
,

ga z ing s tu p id ly acro ss at W h i t e Fang t he raw , r e d ,

sh in bon e b e tw ee n t he m
-

Baseek wa s ol d and a l r e ad y he h ad c o me t o know

,
 TH E F AM I N E 173

t he incr e a s ing v a l o r o f t he dog s i t h ad b ee n h i s wont

to bu lly . Bitt e r e x pe ri e nc es t hese w h ic h p e r f orc e ,
, ,

he s wa ll ow e d ca ll ing u p on a ll h i s wi s dom to co pe
,

wi t h t he m . I n t he o l d days , he w ou l d h a v e sp rung
u p on W h i t e Fang i n a f ury o f rig h t e ou s wrat h Bu t .

n o w h i s waning p ow e r s w ou l d n ot p e rmi t s uc h a
cour se . H e bri s t le d fie rc ely and l o ok e d o min ou sly
acro ss t he sh in bon e at W h it e Fang
-
A nd W h it e .

Fang r es urr e ctin g q ui t e a d e a l o f t he o l d aw e ,

,

s ee m e d to wi l t an d to sh ri nk i n u p o n h im self and

gro w s ma ll a s b e ca s t about in h i s mind f or a wa y

,

to b e at a r e tr e a t no t t o o ing l ori ou s .

An d rig h t he r e B a s eek e rr e d H ad he cont e nt e d

.

h im self w i t h l ooking fie rc e and omin ou s a ll w ou l d ,

h a v e b ee n w ell W h i t e Fang on t he v e rg e o f r e
.
,

tr e at wou l d h a ve r e tr e at e d le a v ing t he m e at t o h im
i
,
.
,

But B a s e ek d d n o t wai t H e con s id e r e d t he v i ctor y

.

a l r e ad y h i s and s t eppe d f orward to t he m e at As .

he b e n t h i s he ad car elessly to s m ell i t W h it e Fang ,

bri s t le d sl ig h t ly Ev e n t he n i t wa s n o t too l at e f or
.

Ba s eek to r e tri e v e t he s i tuation H ad he m e r ely

.

s to od o ve r t he m e at he ad u p and g l ow e ring W h i t e
, ,

Fang wou l d u l timat ely h a ve sl unk awa y Bu t t he .

f r esh me at wa s s trong i n B a s eek s n o s tri ls and gr ee d

’
,

urg e d h i m to tak e a bi t e o f i t ;
Th i s wa s to o muc h f or W h i t e Fan g Fr esh u p o n .

h i s m ont hs o f ma s t e ry o v e r h i s o w n t e am mat es i t -

wa s b ey ond h i s self contro l to s tan d i d ly b y w h i le

-
1 74 W H I T E F ANG

anot h er d ev our e d t he m e at t h at b el ong e d to h im .

H e s truck a f t e r h i s cu s tom wi t h out warning Wit h

, , .

t he fi r s t sl a sh Ba s eek s rig h t e ar wa s ri ppe d in to

,
’

ribb on s H e wa s a s tound e d at t he s udd e nn ess o f

.

i t But m or e t h ing s an d m o s t gri ev ou s on es w e r e

.
, ,

h a ppe ning wi t h eq ua l s udd e nn ess He wa s knock e d .

o ff h i s fee t H i s t h roat wa s bi tt e n
. W h i l e h e wa s .

s tru gg l ing to h i s fee t t he y oung dog s ank t ee t h twi c e

i nto h i s sh ou l d e r The s wi f tn ess o f i t wa s b e wi l d e r
.

ing H e mad e a f uti le ru sh at W h it e Fang c l i pp ing

.
,

t he e m p t y air wi t h an outrag e d s na p The n e xt .

m om e nt h i s n o se wa s l ai d o pe n an d h e wa s s tag
g e ring backward awa y f rom t he m e at .

The s i tuation wa s n o w r eve r se d W h it e Fang .

s tood o ve r t he sh in b on e bri s t l ing and m e nacing

-

, ,

w h i le Ba s eek s tood a l itt le wa y o ff , p r ep aring to r e

tr e at He dar e d not ri s k a fi g h t wit h t h i s y oung
.

l igh tning fla s h , and agai n he kn e w and m or e bi tt e rly

-

, ,

t he e n fee b le m e n t o f oncom ing ag e H i s att e m p t to .

maintai n h i s digni ty wa s he roic Ca l m ly turn in g h i s

.

back u p on y oung d og and sh in bon e a s t h oug h b ot h -

w e r e b e n e at h h i s n otic e and unwort hy o f con s i d e ra

ti on he s ta l k e d grand ly awa y
,
N or un ti l w ell ou t
.
,

o f s ig h t did he s to p to l ick h i s b lee ding wound s

,
.

The e ff e ct on W h it e Fang wa s to gi ve h im a
gr e at e r fait h i n h im self and a gre at e r p ri d e
,
He .

wa l k e d less s o f t ly among t he grown dog s ; h i s a t

i
t t u d e toward t he m wa s less com p rom i s ing N ot .
17 6 W H I T E FA NG

fami l iar s narl ru she d back to h im

,
B ef or e he h ad .

known t he god s sh e h ad b ee n to h im t he c e ntr e p in

,
-

of t he uni ve r se The o l d fami l iar feel ing s o f t h at

.

tim e cam e back u p on h im s urg e d u p wit h in h im

, .

H e boun d e d to w ard he r j o y ou sly an d sh e m e t h im ,

wit h sh r e w d f ang s t h at l aid h i s c hee k o pe n to t he

bon e . H e did n o t und e rs tand H e back e d awa y
.
,

b e wi l d e r e d and p u zzle d .

i
But it wa s n o t K c h e s fau l t ’
A w o lf m ot he r w as
.
-

n o t mad e to r e m e mb e r he r cub s o f a ye ar or s o b ef or e .

S o she did n ot r e m e mb e r W h i t e Fang H e wa s a .

s trang e animal an i n trud e r ; an d he r p r ese n t l itt e r o f

,

p u pp i es ga ve he r t he rig h t to r ese n t s uc h intru s i on

“

On e o f t he p u pp i es sp raw le d u p to W h it e Fang .

They w e r e h a l f b rot he r s o n ly t hey di d n ot kno w i t

-

i
.
,

W h i t e Fa n g s n fled t he p u ppy cur i ou sly w he r e u p on ,

K ic he ru she d u p on h im ga sh ing h i s f ac e a se cond

,

tim e . H e back e d f art he r awa y A ll t he ol d m e mo .

ri es an d a ss ociati on s di e d d own again and p a sse d

i nto t h e gra ve f rom w h ic h t hey h ad b ee n r es urr e ct e d .

H e l ook e d at K ic he l icki ng h e r p u ppy and s to pp ing

n o w and t he n t o s nar l at h im S he wa s wi th ou t
.

v a l u e t o h im
. He h ad le arn e d to g e t a l ong wi t h out
he r. He r m e aning wa s f orgo tt e n The r e wa s n o .

pl ac e f or he r i n h i s s c he m e o f t h ing s a s t he r e wa s n o ,

pl ac e f or h im i n he r s .

He wa s s ti ll s tanding s tu p id an d b e wi l d e r e d t he
, ,

m e m ori es f orgott e n w ond e ring w h at i t wa s a ll about

, ,
 TH E FA M I N E 17 7

w he n K i c h e atta ck e d h im a t h ird tim e int e n t o n ,

dri v i ng h i m awa y a l tog e t he r f rom t he v ici ni t y And .

W h it e Fang a ll ow e d h im sel f to b e dri ve n awa y .

Th i s wa s a fe ma le o f h i s kind and i t wa s a l aw o f
,

h i s ki nd t h at t h e ma les mu s t n o t fi g h t t h e fe ma l es .

He did n o t kn ow an y t h ing abou t t h i s l aw f or i t wa s ,

n o g e n e ra l i z ation o f t he mind n ot a s om e t h ing a o

,

q uir e d b y e x pe ri e nc e in t h e wor l d He kn e w i t a s
.

a se cr e t p rom p ting a s an u rg e o f i n s tin ct — o f the

,

s am e in s tinct t h at mad e h im h ow l at t h e m oon a n d

s tar s o f nig h t s and t h at mad e h i m fe ar d e at h and t he
unkn own .

The m on t hs w e nt b y . W h it e Fan g gr e w s trong e r ,

he a v i e r and m or e com p act , w h i le h i s c h aract e r wa s

,

d e v el o p ing a l ong t he l in es l aid do wn b y h i s he r e di t y

and h i s e n v ironm e n t . H i s he r e dit y wa s a l i fe s tu ff -

t h at ma y b e l ik e n e d to c l a y . I t p o ssesse d man y
p o ss ibi l iti es wa s ca p ab le o f b e ing m ou l d e d into man y
,

di ffe r e nt f orm s. En v ironm e n t se r v e d to m od el t he

c l a y to gi v e i t a p articu l ar f orm
,
Th u s h ad W h i t e
.
,

Fang n eve r com e i n to t he fi r es o f m an t h e Wi l d ,

wou l d h a v e m ou l d e d h im into a tru e w o l f But t he .

god s h ad gi ve n h im a di ffe r e nt e n v i ro nm e n t and h e ,

wa s m ou l d e d i nto a d og t h at wa s rat he r w ol fi sh bu t ,

t h at wa s a dog and n o t a wo l f .

An d s o according to t he c l a y o f h i s natu r e and t h e

,

p r ess ur e o f h i s s urrounding s h i s c h aract e r wa s b e ing

,

m ou l d e d in to a c e rtain p articu l ar sh a p e The r e w as

.
17 ? W H I TE FA N G

no es ca p in g t i H e w as b e c o min g mo re m oro se m or e
i
,

i
.

un c o mp an o na b le m ore s o l t a ry mo re fe rocio us ;
, ,

i
w h l e t h e d o gs w e r e l ea r n in g m or e and m or e t h at it

was b e t t e r t o be at p ea ce w it h h m t h an at war an di
i
,

G ra y Bea ve r wa s com ng t o p ri ze h im m or e g r ea t l y
wi t h t h e p as s ag e o f ea c h da y

i i
.

W h i t e Fa n g see m n g to s um u p s tr e n gt h i n a ll h s
i
,

q u al iti es n eve rt hel es s s uff e r e d fr om on e b es e tt ng

,

w e a k n ess H e cou l d n o t s ta n d b e ing l augh ed at

i
. .

The la ug h t e r o f m e n wa s a h a t efu l th ng They

i
.

mi gh t l aug h am ong t he m sel ves about an y t h ng t hey

i
plea se d e x c ep t h m self an d he did n ot min d
,
But
i
.

t h e m o m e n t l aug h t e r wa s tur n e d u p on h m he wo ul d

flv in t o a m o s t t e rrib le rag e G ra ve di g ni fi ed
.
, ,

s ombr e a l aug h m ad e h im f ranti c t o ri dic ul ous n ess

,
.

I t s o o ut rag e d h i m and u p se t h im t ha t f or h our s he

woul d b eh a v e l ik e a d e m on And w oe t o t he d og
.

t ha t at s uc h t im es ran f oul o f h im H e kn e w t he
.

l a w to o w ell to ta k e it o u t on G ra y B ea ve r ; be h ind
G ra y Bea v e r w e r e a c l ub an d god h e ad But be h nd
-
. i
t he d ogs t he r e wa s n o t h ing but sp ac e an d in t o t h i s ,

sp ac e t hey fl e d w he n W h i t e Fang ca m e on t he s c e n e ,

mad e mad b y laugh t e r .

I n t he t h ird year o f h i s l i fe t he r e cam e a gr ea t

i
famin e to t h e Mack e n z i e I nd a n s I n t he s um m e r
i
.

t h e fish fai l e d . I n t he win t e r t he ca r boo f ors ook t he i r

accu s tom e d track Moo se w e r e s carc e t he rabbi t s
.
,

a l m o s t d i sa pp ear e d h unting and p r ey ing anima l s

,
17 8 W H I T E FA NG

no es ca p ing i t H e w as b e coming m or e m oro se , m or e

.

unco mp ani onab le m or e s o l i tary m or e fe rociou s ;

, ,

w h i le t he d og s w e r e le arning m or e and m or e th at i t
wa s b e tt e r t o b e at pe ac e wit h h im t h an at war and ,

G ra y B e a ve r wa s comi ng to p ri ze h im m or e gr e at ly
wit h t he p a ss ag e o f e ac h da y .

W h it e Fa n g , see ming to s u m u p s tr e ngt h i n a ll h i s

q ua l iti es n e v e rt heless s u ffe r e d f rom on e b ese tting
,

w e akn ess . He cou l d n ot s tan d b e ing l aug he d at .

The l aug h t e r o f m e n wa s a h at efu l t h ing They .

migh t l aug h amon g t he m sel ves about an y t h ing t hey

ple a se d e xc ep t h im self and he did n o t mind
,
But .

t he mom e nt l aug h t e r wa s turn e d u p on h im he wou l d

fl y i nto a m o s t t e rrib le rag e G ra ve di gn i fie d
.
, ,

s ombr e, a l aug h mad e h im f ranti c to ridicul ou s n ess .

I t s o outrag e d h im and u pse t h im t h at f o r h our s h e

wou l d b eh a v e l ik e a d e m on And w o e to t he d og
.

t h at at s uc h tim es ran f ou l o f h im He k n e w the

.

l a w t o o w ell to tak e i t o u t o n G ra y B e a ve r ; b eh ind

G ra y B e a v e r w e r e a c l ub and god h e ad -
Bu t b eh ind
.

t he d og s t he r e wa s n ot h ing but sp ac e an d i nto t h i s,

sp ac e t hey fl e d w he n W h it e Fang cam e o n t he s c e n e ,

mad e mad b y l aug h t e r .

I n t he t h ird ye ar o f h i s l i fe t he r e cam e a gr e at
famin e to t h e Mack e n z i e I ndian s I n t he s um m e r
i
.

t he fish fai le d I n t he wint e r t he c a r b o o f or s ook t he i r

.

accu s tom e d track .Moo se w e r e s carc e t he rabbi t s ,

a l m o s t d i s a ppe ar e d h unting and p r ey ing anima ls

,
 TH E FA M I N E 17 9

pe ri she d . De ni e d t he i r u s ua l f o od s u pply w e ak e n e d -

by h ung e r t hey fell u p on an d d ev our e d o n e an o t he r

, .

On ly t he s tro n g s ur v i ve d W h i t e F a n g s god s w e r e ’
.

a ls o h u nting anima ls The ol d and t he w e ak o f

.

t he m di e d o f h ung e r The r e wa s wai l ing i n t he

.

v i ll ag e w he r e t he wom e n and c h i l dr e n w e n t wit h ou t

,

i n ord e r t h at w h at l itt le t hey h ad mig h t go into t he

b ell i es o f t h e le an an d h o ll ow eye d h un t e r s w h o trod-

t he f or es t in t he v ain p ur s ui t o f m e at .

T o s uc h e xtr e mi ty w e r e t he god s d ri ve n t h at t hey

at e t he s o f t tann e d le at he r o f t he i r m occa s in s and
-

mi tt e n s w h i le t he dog s at e t he h arn esses off t he i r

,

back s and t h e ve r y w h i p l a shes A ls o t he dog s at e

-
.
,

on e anot he r an d a ls o t he god s at e t he d og s
,
The .

w e ak es t and t he m or e wort hless w e r e e at e n fi r s t .

The dog s t h at s ti ll l i ve d l ook e d on and und e r s to od

,
.

A fe w o f t he b o l d es t and wi ses t f or s ook t he fi r es o f

t he god s w h ic h h ad n ow b e com e a sh amb l es and
, ,

fl e d i nto t he f or es t w he r e i n t he e nd t hey s tar ve d to

, , ,

d e at h or w e r e e at e n b y w o lves .

I n t h i s tim e o f mi se r y W h i t e Fang t o o s to l e awa y

, , ,

into t h e wood s He wa s b e tt e r fi tt e d f or t he l i fe
i
.

t h an t he o t he r dog s f or he h ad t he tra nin g o f h i s

,

cub h o od to guid e h im Espe cia lly ad ep t did h e

.

b e com e in s ta l kin g s ma ll l i v ing t h ing s H e wou l d l i e .

conc e ale d fo r h our s f o ll owing eve ry m o v e m e n t o f

,

a cau ti ou s t r ee s q ui r r el wai ting wit h a p ati e nc e a s

, ,

h ug e a s t he h ung e r he s u ff e r e d f rom u nti l t he sq ui rr el ,

1 80 W H I T E FA NG

v e ntur e d u p on t he ground
ou t Eve n the n W h i t e .
,

Fang wa s not p r e matur e H e wait e d unti l he wa s

.

s ur e o f s triking b ef or e t he sq uirr el cou l d gain a tr ee

r ef ug e The n an d n o t un ti l t he n , wo u l d he fla sh
.
,

f rom h i s h iding pl ac e a gra y p roj e cti le , i ncr e dib ly

-

s wi f t, n eve r f ai l ing i t s m ark — t he fl ee ing sq uirr el

t h at fl e d n ot f a s t e n oug h .

Succ essf u l a s h e wa s w i t h sq uirr els t he r e wa s on e ,

di ffi cu l t y t h at p r eve n t e d h im f rom l i v ing an d growing

f at o n t he m The r e w e r e n o t e n oug h s q uirr els S o
. .

he wa s dri ve n to h un t s ti ll s m a lle r t h i n g s S o acu t e .

did h i s h ung e r b e com e at tim es t h at he wa s n o t

abo v e roo ting ou t w oo d mic e f rom t h e ir burrow s i n
-

t he ground . N or di d he s corn to d o batt le w it h a

w e a sel a s h ungry a s h im self an d m an y tim es m or e
fe rociou s .

I n t h e wor s t p inc hes o f t he f ami n e he s to l e back to

t he fi r es o f t he god s But he did n o t go i n to t h e
.

fi r es H e l u rk e d in t h e f or es t a v oiding di s co v e ry and
.
,

robbing t he s nar es at t he rar e i n t e r v a ls w he n gam e

wa s caug h t . H e eve n robb e d G ra y B e a ve r s s nar e o f ’

a rabb i t at a ti m e w he n G ra y B e a ve r s ta gg e r e d an d
to tt e r e d t h roug h t he f or es t s itting d own o f t e n to r es t,
,

w h at o f w e akn ess and o f sh ortn ess o f br e ath .

On e da y W h it e Fang e n coun t e r e d a y oung wo l f,

gaunt an d s crawn y l oo se j oint e d wi t h fami n e
,
-
H ad .

he no t b ee n h ungry h im sel f W h it e Fang mig h t h a v e ,

gon e wi t h h im an d e v e ntua lly f ound h i s wa y i nto t h e

1 82 W H I T E FA NG

h ad f oug h t l ong b ef or e H e r e i n t he abandon e d l ai r

.
, ,

he se tt le d d own and r es t e d f or a da y .

D uring t he e arly s umm e r in t he l a s t day s o f t he ,

f amin e he m e t Li p l i p w h o h ad l ik e wi se t ak en t o t he
,
-

, n

w ood s w he r e he h ad e k e d out a
,

W h i t e Fang cam e u p on h im un e x pe ct e d ly T rotting .

i n o pp o s it e dir e cti o n s a l ong t he ba se o f a h ig h b l u ff ,

t hey round e d a corn e r o f rock and f ound t he m selves

fac e to f ac e They p au se d wit h in s tant a l arm and
.
,

l o ok e d at e ac h o t he r s u sp iciou sly .

W h it e Fang wa s i n sple ndid con diti on H i s h unt .

ing h ad b ee n good and f or a w ee k he h ad e at e n h i s

,

fill . H e wa s e v en gorg e d f rom h i s l at es t ki ll But .

in t he m om e nt h e l o ok e d at Li p l i p h i s h air ro se on -

e nd a ll a l ong h i s back I t wa s an i n v o l un tary bri s

.

t l ing on h i s p art t he phys ica l s tat e t h at i n t he p a s t

,

h ad a l wa ys accom p an i e d t he m e nta l s tat e p roduc e d

i n h i m b y Li p l i p s bu lly ing and pe r se cuti on
-
’
As in .

t he p a s t he h a d bri s tle d and s nar le d at s ig h t o f

Li p l i p s o no w an d au tomatica lly h e bri s t le d and
-

, , ,

s nar le d He did n o t wa s t e an y tim e The t h ing

. .

wa s don e t h oroug hly and wi t h d esp atc h Li p l i p .

-

ess aye d to back awa y b ut W h it e Fang s truck h im ,

h ard sh ou l d e r to sh ou l d e r Li p l i p wa s o ve rt h rown
, .
-

and ro lle d u p on h i s back W h i t e Fang s t ee t h dro v e

.
’

i nto t he s crawn y t h roat The r e wa s a d e at h s trugg le

.
-

during w h ic h W h it e Fang wa l k e d around s ti ff le gg e d ,

-

and ob se rv ant The n he r es um e d h i s cour se an d

.

t r o tt e d o n a l o n t h e ba s e o f t h e b l u ff
g .
 TH E FA M I N E 1 83

On e d a y , l o n g a f t e r he cam e to t h e e dg e o f t h e
n ot ,

f or es t w he r e a narro w s tr e tc h o f o pe n l and sl o pe d
,

d own to t he Mack e n z i e He h ad b ee n o ve r th i s
.

groun d b ef or e w he n i t wa s bar e b u t n o w a v i ll ag e
, ,

occu p i e d i t S ti ll h idd e n am ong s t t he tr ees h e

.
,

p au se d to s tu d y t he s ituation Sig h t s and s oun d s

.

and s c e nt s w e r e f ami l iar to h im I t wa s t he ol d v i l

.

l ag e c h ang e d to a n e w pl ac e But s ig h t s and s ound s and

.

s m ells w e r e di ffe r e nt f rom t h o se he h ad l a s t h ad w he n

he fl e d awa y f rom i t Th e r e wa s n o w h im pe ring nor
.

wai l ing C o nt e n t e d s ound s s a l ut e d h i s e ar and w he n

.
,

he he ard t he angry v oic e o f a woman he kn e w i t to

b e t he ang e r t h at p roc ee d s f rom a f u ll s tomac h A nd .

t he r e wa s a s m ell i n t he air o f fish The r e wa s f ood

m
. .

Th e f ami n e wa s gon e H e ca e o u t bo l d ly f rom t he

.

f or es t and trott e d int o cam p s traig h t to G ra y B e a ve r s ’

t epee . G ra y B e a v e r wa s no t t he r e ; but Kl oo ko oc h -

w el com e d h im wi t h g l ad cri es and t he w h o le o f a

f r esh caug h t fish a n d he l a y down t o wait G ra y
-

B e a v e r s comi n g
’
.
1 88 W H I T E FA NG

The r e wa s n o d efe nc e f or h im I f he turn e d u p on .

t he m Mi t s a h wou l d t h ro w t he s tinging l a sh o f t he
,
-

w h i p i nto h i s fac e On ly r e main e d to h im to run

.

awa y . H e co u l d n ot e ncount e r t h at h ow l ing h ord e

w it h h i s tai l an d h in d q uart e r s
-

These w e r e s carc ely .

fi t w e a p on s wit h w h ic h to m ee t t h e man y m e rci less

f ang s . S o run awa y he did v io l ati ng h i s own natur e
,

and p rid e wit h eve ry le a p he mad e and le a p ing a ll ,

da y l ong .

On e canno t v io l at e t he p rom p ting s o f on e s natur e ’

wit h out h a v ing t h at natur e r e coi l u p on i t self Suc h .

a r e coi l i s l ik e t h at o f a h air mad e to gro w ou t f rom

,

t he bod y turning unnatura lly u p on t h e dir e ction o f

,

i t s grow t h and growing i nto t he b od y — a rank l ing ,

fes t e ring t h ing o f h urt And s o wit h W h i t e Fang

. .

Eve r y urg e o f h i s b e ing im p elle d h im to sp ring u p on

t h e p ack t h at cri e d at h i s heels bu t i t wa s t he wi ll ,

o f t he god s t h at t h i s sh ou l d n ot b e ; and b eh ind t he

wi ll to e n f orc e i t w a s t he w h i p o f c a r b oo gut wit h

, ,
i -

i t s biting t h irt y f oo t l a sh
-
S o W h i t e Fang cou l d
.

on ly e at h i s he art i n bi tt e rn ess an d d evel o p a h atr e d

an d m a l ic e c om m e n s urat e wit h t he fe roci t y an d
i ndomitabi l i t y o f h i s natur e .

I f e v e r a C r e atur e wa s t he e n e m y o f i t s kind ,

W h i t e Fang wa s t h at cr e atur e He a s k e d n o q uart e r .

ga v e n on e He wa s continua lly marr e d and s carre d

.

b y t he t ee t h o f t he p ack and a s continua lly he lef t

,

h i s o w n mark s u p o n t h e p ack Un l ik e m o s t le ad e r s
.
,
 TH E E N EMY or H IS K I ND 189

w h o , w h e n cam p wa s m ad e an d t he dog s w e r e u n
h itc he d h udd le d n e ar to t he god s f or p rot e ction
i
, ,

W h i t e Fan g d s dain e d s uc h p ro t e ction He wa lk e d .

bpl i flu bg u t t h e ca mp , inflicting p uni sh m e n t i n t he

u ,

ni gh t for w h at h e h ad s u ffe r e d i n t he da y In .

th e tim e b ef or e he wa s mad e le ad e r o f t h e t e am t he ,

p ack h ad le arn e d to g e t ou t of h i s wa y But n ow i t . .

wa s di ff e r e n t Ex ci t e d b y t he da y l ong p urs uit o f

.
-

h im s wa ye d s ubcon s ciou sly b y t he in s i s t e n t i t e ratio n

,

on t he ir brain s o f t he s ig h t o f h im fl ee in g awa y ,

ma s t e r e d b y t he feel ing o f ma s t e r y e nj o ye d a ll da y ,
t he dog s cou l d n o t bring t h e m selves to gi v e wa y to
h im . W he n he a ppe ar e d am ong s t t he m , t he r e wa s
a l wa ys a sq uabb le H i s p rogr ess wa s mark e d b y
.

s nar l and s na p and grow l The v e ry atm o sphe r e he .

br e at he d wa s s urc h arg e d wit h h atr e d and ma l ic e, and

t h i s but se r v e d to incr e a se t he h atr e d and ma l ic e
wit h in h im .

W he n Mi t s a h cr i e d o ut h i s comman d f or t he t e am
-

to s to p W h it e Fang ob eye d
,
At fi r s t t h i s cau se d
.

troub le f or t he o t he r dog s A ll o f t he m wou l d sp ri n g

.

u p on t he h at e d le ad e r on ly to fi nd t he tab les turn e d

, .

B eh ind h im wou l d b e Mit s a h t h e gr e at w h i p s inging

-

i n h i s h and S o t h e d og s cam e to und e r s tand th at

.
'

w he n t he t e am s to ppe d b y ord e r, W h i t e Fang wa s

to b e le t a l on e But w hen W h i t e Fang s to ppe d wi th
i
.

ou t ord e r s t he n t wa s a ll ow e d t he m to sp ring u p on
,

h im an d d es tro y h im i f t h e y cou l d A f t e r seve ra l .

19 0 W H I T E F ANG

e x pe ri e nc es W h i t e Fang n eve r s to ppe d wit h out

,

ord e r s . He le arn e d q uick ly I t wa s in t he natur e .

of t h ing s t h at he m u s t le arn q uick ly i f he w e r e ,

to s urv i ve t he unu s ua lly seve r e condition s und e r

w h ic h l i fe wa s v ou c hs a fe d h im
'

But t he d og s cou l d n eve r le arn t he less on to le a ve

h i m a l on e i n cam p Eac h da y p ur s uing h im and
.
,

cry ing d efi anc e at h im t he less on o f t he p r ev iou s ,

nig h t wa s e ra se d and t h at nig h t wou l d h a ve to b e

,

le arn e d o ve r again to b e a s imm e diat ely f orgo tt e n

, .

B es id es t he r e wa s a gr e at e r con s i s t e nc e i n t he ir di s
,

l ik e o f h im They se n se d b e tw ee n t he m selves and

i
.

h im a di ff e r e nc e o f kind — cau se s u ff ci e nt i n i ts elf

f or h o s ti l it y Lik e h im t hey w e r e dom es ticat e d
.
,
1

wo l ves But t hey h ad b ee n do m es ticat e d f or g e n .

i
.

er a t o n s Muc h o f t he Wi l d h ad b ee n l o s t s o t h at
.
“ ,

to t he m t he Wi l d wa s t he unkn own t h et e rrib le t he , ,

eve r m e nacing and eve r warring But to h im in , ,

a ppe aranc e and action and im p u lse s ti ll 0 111 ] t he

i
,

"
Wi l d . He sy mbo l i ze d i t wa s i t s p e r son fi ca t ,
so
t h at w he n t hey sh ow e d t he ir t ee t h to h im t h w e re c

d efe nding t he m selves again s t t he p ow e r s o f re s t r u c

tion t h at l urk e d i n t he sh adow s o f t he f or es i an d i n

t he dark b ey ond t he cam p fi r e -

.

B ut t he r e wa s on e l ess on t h e dog s did le arn and ,

t h at w as t o k eep tog e t he r W h i t e Fang wa s to o .

t e rrib l e f or an y o f t he m to fac e s ing le h and e d They -

.

m e t h im wit h t he ma ss f ormation o t h er w Ise he wou l d

-

,
 TH E E N EM Y OF H I S KI N D 19 1

h a v e ki lle d t he m on e b y o n e i n a nig h t A s i t wa s
, ,
.

h e n eve r h ad a c h anc e to ki ll t he m He mig h t ro ll a .

dog o ff i t s fee t but t he p ack wou l d b e u p on h im

,

b ef or e he cou l d f o ll ow u p and d el i ve r t he d e ad ly
t h roat s trok e
-
A t t he fi r s t h int o f conflict t he w h o l e
.
,

t e am dr e w tog e t he r and f ac e d h im The d og s h ad .

q uarr els amo n g t he m sel v es but t hese w e r e f orgott e n ,

w he n troub le wa s br e wing wit h W h it e Fang .

On t he ot he r h and tr y a s t hey wo u l d t hey co u l d

, ,

n o t ki ll W h it e Fang H e wa s too q uick f or t he m

.
,

too f ormidab le t o o wi se ,
He a v oid e d tig h t pl ac es
.

and a l wa ys back e d ou t o f it w h e n t hey bad e f air t o

s urround h im W h i le a s f or g e tting h im o ff h i s fee t
.
, ,

t he r e wa s n o dog am ong t he m ca p ab le o f doing t h e

trick . H i s fee t c l ung to t he e art h wi t h t h e s am e
t e nacit y t h at he c l ung to l i fe F or t h at matt e r l i fe .
,

and f ooting w e r e sy non y m ou s in t h i s un e nding w ar

far e wit h t he p ack and n on e kn e w it b e tt e r t h an
,

W h i t e Fang .

S o he b e cam e t h e e n e m y of h i s kind do mes ticat e d . ,

wo lves t h at t hey w e r e s o f t e n e d b y t he fi r es o f man

, ,

w e ak e n e d in t h e shel t e ring sh ad ow o f man s s tr e ngt h ’

.

W h it e Fang wa s bitt e r and im pl acab le The c l a y o f .

h im wa s s o m ou l d e d H e d e c l ar e d a v e nd e tta again s t
.

a ll d og s And s o t e rrib ly did he l i ve t h i s vend e tta

.

t h at G ra y B e a ve r fie rce s a v ag e h im self cou l d n ot bu t

, ,

mar v el at W h i t e Fang s fe roci ty N e v e r h e s wor e

’
.
, ,

h ad t he r e b ee n t he l ik e o f t h i s ani ma l ; and t he
19 2 W H I T E FA NG

I ndian s in s trang e v i ll ag es s wor e l ik e wi se w he n

t hey con s id e r e d t he ta le o f h i s ki ll ing s among s t t he ir
dog s .

W he n W h i t e Fang wa s n e arly fi v e ye ar s o l d G ra y ,

B e a v e r took h i m o n anot he r gr e at j o urn ey and l ong ,

r e m e mb e r e d wa s t he h a v o c he w ork e d among s t t he
dog s o f t he m an y v i ll ag es a l ong t he Mack e n z i e ,

acro ss t he R o ck i es an d down t h e P orcu p in e to t he

,

Yukon H e r e v elle d in t h e v e ng e an c e h e wr e ak e d
.

u p o n h i s kind They w e r e ordinar y u n s u spe cting

.
,

dog s . They w e r e n o t p r ep ar e d f or h i s s wi f tn ess an d

d ir e ctn ess f or h i s attack wit h o ut warning They di d
,
.

n ot kn o w h im f or w h at he wa s a l ig h tning fla sh o f ,
-

sl aug h t e r They bri s t le d u p to h i m s ti ff le gg e d and

.
,
-

c h a lle nging w h i le he wa s ting n o tim e on el ab orat e

, ,

p r el im inari es s na pp ing i nto a cti on l ik e a s t eel sp ring

, ,

wa s at t he ir t h roat s and d es tro y ing t he m b ef or e t hey

kn e w w h at wa s h a pp e ning and w h i l e t hey w e r e ye t
i n t he t h ro es o f s ur p ri se .

H e b e cam e a n ad ep t at fi g h ting He e conomi ze d . .

H e n e v e r wa s t e d h i s s tr e ngt h n e v e r tu ssle d ,
He .

wa s in too q uick ly f or t h at and i f he mi sse d wa s o u t, , ,

again too q uick ly Th e di sl ik e o f t he wo lf for c l o se

.

q uart e r s wa s h i s to an unu s ua l d e gr ee H e cou l d no t .

e ndur e a p ro l ong e d contact wit h an ot he r b od y It .

s mack e d o f dang e r I t mad e h im f rantic. H e mu s t .

b e awa y f r ee on h i s o w n le g s touc h ing n o l i v ing

, , ,

t h ing I t wa s t he Wi l d s ti ll c l inging to h im a sse rting

.
,
194 W H I T E FA NG

Th u s he cou l d a v oid t he le a p o f an ot he r dog or t he

, ,

dri ve o f i t s fang s and at t he s am e m om e n t coul d

,

se i ze t he i n fi ni t es ima l f raction o f tim e i n w h ic h to

d el i ve r h i s own attack Bod y and brain h i s wa s a
.
,

m or e pe r fe ct e d m e c h ani s m N o t th at he wa s to b e
.

p rai se d f or i t N atur e h ad b ee n m or e g e n e rou s to

.

hi m t h an to t he a ve rag e anima l t h at wa s a ll , .

I t wa s in t he s umm e r t h at W h i t e Fang arri ve d

at Fort Yukon G ra y B e a v e r h ad cro sse d t h e gr e at
.

wat e r— she d b e tw ee n t he Mack e n z i e and t he Y uk on

in t he l at e wint e r and sp e nt t h e sp ring i n h unting
i
,

am ong t he w es t e rn o ut ly ing sp ur s o f t h e R ock es .

The n a f t e r t he br e ak u p o f t he ic e on t he P orcu p in e
,
-

h e h ad bui l t a cano e and p add le d down t h at s tr e am

to w he r e i t e ff e ct e d i t s j un ction wit h t he Yuk on j u s t
und e r t he Arcti c Circ le He r e s too d t he o l d H ud
.

s on s Ba y C om p an y f ort ; and he r e w e r e man y I nd

’

ian s m uc h f ood an d un p r e c e d e nt e d e xcit e m e n t

, , .

I t wa s t he s umm e r o f 1 8 9 8 and t h ou s and s o f go l d ,

h unt e r s w e r e going u p t he Yukon to D aw s on and

t he Kl ondik e . S ti ll h undr e d s o f mi les f rom t he ir
goa l n eve rt hel ess man y o f t he m h ad b ee n on t he
,

wa y f or a ye ar and t he le a s t an y o f t he m h ad tra v
,

c l l e d to g e t t h at f ar wa s five t h ou s and mi les w h i le ,

s om e h ad com e f r om t he ot he r s id e o f t he wor l d .

He r e G ra y B e a ve r s to ppe d A w h i sp e r o f t he .

go l d ru sh h ad re ac he d h i s e ar s and he h ad com e
-

wit h seve ra l ba les o f f ur s and anot he r o f gut s e wn

,
-
 TH E E N EM Y O F H IS K I ND 19 5

mitt e n s and mocca s in s He wou l d not h a v e ve ntur e d

.

s o l ong a tri p h ad h e n ot e x pe ct e d g e n e rou s p ro fi t s .

But w h at he h ad e x pe ct e d wa s not h ing to w h at he

r e a l i ze d H i s wi l d es t dr e am h ad n ot e xc ee d e d a
.

h undr e d pe r c e n t p ro fi t ; he mad e a t h ou s and p e r

.

c e nt And l ik e a tru e I ndian he se tt le d d own to

.
,

trad e car ef u lly and sl ow ly , eve n i f i t took a l l s um m e r

and the r es t o f t he wint e r to di sp o se o f h i s good s .

I t wa s at For t Y u k o n t h at W h i t e F ang s aw h i s
fi r s t w hi t e m e n A s com p ar e d wit h t he I ndian s he
.

h ad kn own t hey w e r e to h i m anot he r rac e o f b e ing s

, ,

a rac e o f They im p r esse d h im a s

p o ssess ing s u pe rior p ow e r and i t i s o n p ow e r t h at
,

god he ad r es t s
-
W h it e Fang did not r e a s on i t ou t
.
,

did n o t in h i s mind mak e t h e sh arp g e n e ra l i z ation

t h at t he w h i t e god s w e r e m or e p ow e r f u l I t wa s a .

feel ing no t h ing mor e , and ye t non e t he less p o t e nt

,
.

A s in h i s p u ppyh ood t he l oom ing bu l k s o f t he

, ,

t epees man r e ar e d h ad a ffe ct e d h im a s mani fes ta

,
-

tion s o f p ow e r s o wa s he a ff e ct e d n o w b y t he h ou ses
,

and t he h ug e f ort a ll o f ma ss i v e l og s He r e wa s .

p ow e r Th o se w h i t e god s w e r e s trong
. They p os .

sesse d gr e at e r ma s t e ry o ve r matt e r t h an t he god s he

h ad kn own mo s t p ow e r f u l am ong w h ic h wa s G ra y
,

B e a ve r And ye t G ra y B e a ve r wa s a s a c h i l d god
.
-

among t hese w h it e s kinn e d on e s -

.

T o b e s ur e W h it e F ang on ly fel t t hese t h ing s

,
.

H e wa s n o t con s ciou s o f t he m Y e t i t i s u p on feel ing

.
,
19 6 W H I T E FA N G

m or e o f t e n t h an th i nking, t h at anima ls act ; and

eve ry act W h it e Fang n ow pe r f orm e d wa s ba se d
u p on t he feel ing t h at t he w h i t e m e n w e r e t he s u p e
ri or god s I n t he fi r s t pl ac e he wa s ve ry s u sp iciou s
.

of t he m The r e wa s n o t ell ing w h at unknown

.

t e rror s w e r e t he ir s , w h at unknown h urt s t hey co ul d

admini s t e r He wa s curiou s to ob se r v e t he m fe ar f u l
.
,

o f b e ing notic e d b y t h e m F or t he fi r s t fe w h our s

.

he wa s con t e n t wit h sl inking around and watc h ing

t he m f rom a s a fe di s tan c e The n he s aw t h at n o
.

h arm b efell t h e dog s t h at w e r e n e ar to t he m , and he

cam e i n c l o se r .

I n t u rn , h e wa s an obj e ct o f gr e at curio s it y to
t he m . i
H s w ol fi sh a ppe aranc e caugh t t h e ir eyes at
onc e and t hey p oint e d h i m out to on e an ot he r Th i s
,
.

act o f p ointi ng p ut W h it e Fang on h i s guard an d ,

w he n t hey tri e d to a pp roac h h im h e sh ow e d h i s

t ee t h and back e d awa y N ot on e s ucc ee d e d i n l a y
.

ing a h and o n h im , an d i t wa s w ell t h at t hey did

no t .

W h it e Fang s o o n le arn e d th at ve ry fe w o f t hese

god s — n ot mor e t h an a do ze n — l i ve d at t h i s pl ac e .

Ev e r y two or t h r ee da ys a s t e am e r
( anot he r and
co l o ss a l mani fes tation o f p ow e r"cam e i n to t he bank
and s to ppe d f or seve ra l h our s The w h it e m e n cam e
.

f ro m o ff t hese s t e am e r s and w e nt awa y o n t he m

again The r e see m e d unto l d n u mb e r s o f t hese w h it e
.

men . I n t he fi r s t da y o r s o he s aw m or e o f t he m
,
19 8 W H I T E FA NG

So he wa s cont e nt w he n he h ad o ve rt h rown an d
,

sl a she d wid e t he t h roat o f on e o f t he ir dog s to dro p

i
,

back and le t t he p ack go i n and d o t he cru el fi n sh

ing w ork I t wa s t he n t h at t he w h it e m e n ru she d
.

in v i s i ting the ir wrat h he a v i ly o n t he p ack w h i le

, ,

W h it e Fang w e n t f r ee H e wou l d s tand o ff at a

.

l itt le di s tanc e and l ook on w h i le s ton es c l ub s ax es

, , , ,

and a ll s ort s o f w e a p on s fell u p on h i s fell ow s W h it e .

Fang wa s v e r y wi se .

But h i s fell o w s gr e w wi se i n t he ir o w n wa y ; and

,

in t h i s W h i t e Fang gr e w w i se wit h t he m They .

le arn e d t h at i t wa s w he n a s t e am e r fi r s t ti e d t o t he
bank t h at t hey h a d t he ir f un A f t e r t he fi r s t t w o or
.

t h r ee s trang e dog s h a d b ee n down e d an d d es tro ye d ,

t he w h it e m e n h u s t le d t he ir ow n anima ls back on
board and w r e ak e d s a v ag e v e ng e an c e o n t he o ff e nd e r s .

On e w h it e man h a v ing see n h i s dog a se tt e r torn to

, , ,

p i e c es b ef or e h i s eyes dr e w a r ev o lve r He fi r e d
,
.

ra p id ly s i x tim es and s i x o f t he p ack l a y d e ad o r

, ,

d y ing — anot he r mani fes tation o f p ow e r t h at s ank

d eep into W h it e Fang s con s ciou s n ess ’
.

W h it e Fang e nj o ye d i t al l H e did n ot l o ve h i s
.

ki nd and he wa s sh r e wd e n oug h to es ca p e h urt h im

,

self At fi rs t t he ki ll ing o f t he w h i t e m e n s do gs
.
,
’

h ad b ee n a di v e r s ion A f t e r a tim e i t b e cam e h i s

.

occu p ati on The r e wa s n o work f or h im to d o

. .

G ra y B e a v e r wa s bu sy trading and g e tting w e a l thy .

S o W h it e Fang h ung around t he l anding wi t h t he di s

 TH E E N EM Y OF HIS KIN D 199

r ep u tab le gang o f I ndian dog s , wai ti ng fo r s t e am e r s .

Wi t h t he arri v a l o f a s t e am e r t he f un b e gan A fte r .

a fe w minut es b y t he tim e t he w h it e m e n h ad go t
,

o ve r t he i r s ur p ri se t he gang s catt e r e d
,
The f un wa s .

o ve r u n ti l t he n e xt s t e am e r sh ou l d arri ve .

But i t can s carc ely b e s aid t h at W h it e Fang wa s

a m e mb e r o f t he gang H e did n o t ming le wi t h i t,
.

bu t r e main e d a l oo f a l wa ys h im self and wa s eve n

, ,

fe ar e d b y i t I t i s tru e he work e d wit h i t H e

i
,
. .

p ck e d t h e q uarr el wi t h t he s trang e d og w h i le t he
“ g an gm
w a t ed i A nd w he n
. he h ad o ve rt h rown t he
s trang e d og t he gang w e n t i n to fi ni sh i t But i t i s .

eq ua lly tru e t h at he the n wit h dr e w , le a v ing t he gan g

to r e c e i v e t he p uni sh m e n t o f t he ou trag e d god s .

I t did n o t r eq uir e muc h e x e rti on to p ick t h ese

q uarr els A ll he h ad to d o w he n t he s trang e dog s
.
,

cam e a sh or e wa s to sh ow h im sel f W he n t hey s aw

,
.

h i m t he y ru she d f or h im I t wa s t he ir in s tinct
. .

He wa s t he Wi l d — t he unknown , t he t e rrib le t he ,

e v e r m e nacing, t he t h ing t h at p row le d in t he darkn ess

arou nd t h e fi r es o f t he p rim ev a l w orl d w he n t hey
_
. - . -

cow e ring c l o se to t he fi r es w e r e r esh a p ing t he i r 1n

i
,

s t n c t s , le arning to fe ar t he Wi l d ou t o f w h i c h t hey

h ad com e and w h ic h t hey h ad d ese rt e d and b e tra ye d

,
.

G e n e ration b y g e n e rati on d own a ll t he g e n e rati on s

, ,

h ad t h i s fe ar o f t he Wi l d b ee n s tam pe d in to t he i r
natur es . For c e nturi es t h e Wi l d h ad s tood fo r t e rror
and d es tructi on A nd during a ll t h i s tim e f r ee l ic e n se
.
200 W H I T E FA NG

h ad b ee n t he ir s f rom t he ir m a s t e r s to ki ll t he t h ng s
, , i
o f t he Wi l d I n doing t h i s t hey h ad p rot e ct e d bo t h
.

t he m selves and t he god s w h o se com p ani on sh i p t hey

sh ar e d .

And s o f r esh f rom t he s o f t s out he rn worl d t hese

, ,

dog s tro tting d own t he gang pl ank and ou t u p on t he

,
-

Yukon sh or e h ad but to see W h it e Fang to ex p er

, i
e nc e t he irr es i s tib le im p u lse to ru sh u p o n h im and
d es tro y h im They mig h t b e town r e ar e d d og s but
.
-

t he in s tincti v e fe ar o f t he Wi l d wa s t he ir s j u s t t he
s am e N o t a l on e wi t h t he ir o w n eyes did th ey see
.

t he w ol fi sh cr e atur e i n t he c le ar l ig h t o f da y s tan ding ,

b ef or e t he m They s aw h im wi t h t he eyes o f t he ir
.

anc es tor s and b y t he ir i n he rit e d m e m ory t hey kn e w

,

W h i t e Fang for t he wo lf and t hey r e m e mb e r e d t he

,

a n ci e nt fe ud .

A ll o f w h ic h se r v e d to mak e W h it e Fang s da ys en ’

joy a bl e I f the s ig h t o f h im dro v e t hese s trang e d og s

.

u p on h im s o m u c h t he b e tt e r f or h im s o muc h t he
, ,

wor se f or t he m They l ook e d u p on h i m a s le gitimat e

.

p r ey an d a s le gitimat e p r ey he l ook e d u p on t he m
, .

N ot f or not h ing h ad he fi r s t see n t he l ig h t o f da y

i n a l on ely l air and f oug h t h i s fi r s t fi g h t s wit h t h e
p tarmigan , t he w e a sel and t he ly n x ,
A n d n o t f or .

no t h ing h ad h i s p u ppyh ood b ee n mad e b itt e r b y t he

pe r se cuti on o f Li p l i p and t he w h o l e p u ppy p ack I t
- -
.

mig h t h a v e b ee n o t he rwi se and he wou l d t he n h a ve

,

b ee n o t he rwi se H ad Li p l i p no t e xi s t e d he w ou l d
.
-

,
 C H AP T ER I I

TH E M AD G OD

A S M ALL numb e r o f w h i t e m e n l i ve d in Fort Yuko n .

These m e n h ad b ee n l ong i n t he countr y Th ey .

ca lle d t he m selves S our doug hs an d took gr e at p rid e

-

in s o c l a ss i fy ing t he m selves F o r o the r m e n n e w i n

.
,

t he l and t hey fel t no t h ing b ut d i s dain

,
Th e m e n.

w h o cam e a sh or e f rom t he s t e am e r s w e r e n e w
c om e r s They w e r e known a s el t eehfl u os a n d t hey
.
,

a l wa ys wi l t e d at t he a ppl ication o f t he nam e They .

mad e t he ir br e a d wit h baking p owd e r Th i s wa s t h e

-

in v idi ou s d i s ti nction b e tw ee n t he m and t he S our

d oughs w h o f or s o ot h mad e t he ir br e ad f rom s our
, , ,

doug h b e cau se t hey h a d no baking p owd e r -

.

A ll o f w h i c h i s n e it he r he r e n or t he r e The m e n .

i n t he f ort di s d ain e d t he n e wcom e r s and e nj o ye d

see i n g the m com e to gri ef Espe cia lly did t hey
.

e nj o y t he h a v oc work e d a mong s t t he n e wcom e r s ’

d og s b y W h it e Fang an d h i s di s r ep u tab le gang .

W he n a s t e am e r arri ve d t he m e n o f t he f ort mad e

,

i t a p oi nt a l wa ys to com e d o wn to t he bank and see

t he f un . They l ook e d f orward to i t wit h a s muc h
20 2
 TH E M A D GO D 20 3

i
antici p ation a s d d t h e I ndian dog s w h i le t hey w e r e ,

n o t sl ow to a pp r e ciat e t he s a v ag e an d cra f ty p art

pl aye d b y W h i t e Fang .

But t he r e wa s on e man am ong s t t he m w h o p a r t c u i

l a r l y e nj o ye d t h e sp ort . He wou l d com e running at
t h e fi r s t s oun d o f a s t e amboat s w h i s t l e ; an d w he n
’

t he l a s t fi g h t wa s o ve r and W h i t e Fang an d t he p ack

h ad s catt e r e d he w ou l d r e turn sl ow ly to t he f ort
, ,

h i s fac e he a vy w i t h r e gr e t S om e tim es w he n a s o f t
.
,

S out hl an d d o g w e n t d own sh ri e king i t s d e at h cry

,
-

u nd e r t h e f a n g s o f t h e p ack t h i s man wou l d b e u n

,

ab le to con tai n h im sel f and wou l d le a p into t h e air

,

and cr y o u t wi t h d el ig h t A nd a l ways he h ad a
.

sh ar p and co ve tou s eye f or W h i t e Fang

Th i s man wa s ca lle d B e au t y b y t he o t he r m e n ” .

o f t h e f ort . N o o n e kn e w h i s fi rs t nam e and i n ,

g e n e ra l h e wa s kn own i n t he coun try a s B e aut y

Smi t h . B u t he wa s an y t h in g s a ve a b e aut y To .

antit hes i s wa s du e h i s nam ing He wa s p r e emin e n t ly

.

unb e au ti f u l
. N atur e h ad wi t h h im .

H e wa s a s ma ll man to b e gin wi t h ; and u p on h i s

m e agr e f ram e wa s d ep o s i t e d an eve n mor e s triking ly
m e agr e he ad . I t s a p e x mig h t b e l ik e n e d to a p oint .

I n f act i n h i s b o yh ood b ef or e h e h ad b ee n nam e d

, ,

B e aut y b y h i s fell ow s he h ad b ee n ca lle d P in h e ad

,
.

Backward f rom t he a p e x h i s he ad sl an t e d d own

,

i
,

to h i s n e ck ; and f orward t sl ant e d uncom p romi s

,

i n g l y to m ee t a l ow and r e m arkab ly w id e f or ehe ad .

204 W H I T E FA NG

B e ginning he r e a s t h oug h r e gr e tting he r p ar s imon y

, ,

N atur e h ad sp re ad h i s fe atur es wit h a l a v i sh h and .

H i s eyes w e r e l arg e and b e tw ee n t he m wa s t he di s

,

tanc e o f two eyes H i s f ac e in r el ation t o t h e r es t

.
,

o f h im ,
wa s p rodigiou s I n ord e r to di s co ve r t he
.

n e c ess ary ar e a N atur e h ad gi ve n h i m an e normou s

,

p rognat h ou s j aw I t wa s wid e and he a vy an d p ro

.
,

t r u d e d outward and down u n ti l i t see m e d to r es t o n

h i s c hes t P o ss ib ly t h i s a ppe aranc e wa s du e to t he

.

w e ari n ess o f t he sle nd e r n e ck unab le p ro pe r ly to ,

s u pp ort s o gr e at a burd e n .

Th i s j aw ga v e t h e im p r ess ion o f fe rociou s d e t e r

mination But s om e t h ing l ack e d P e rh a ps i t wa s
. .

f rom e xc ess P e r h a ps t he j aw wa s too l arg e At

. .

an y rat e i t wa s a l i e
,
B e aut y S mi t h wa s kn own
.

far and wid e a s t h e w e ak es t o f w e ak kn ee d and -

s ni vell ing coward s T o com ple t e h i s d es cri p ti on h i s

.
,

t ee t h w e r e l arg e and yell o w , w h i le t h e two eye t ee t h -

l arg e r t h an t he ir fell o w s sh ow e d und e r h i s le an l i ps

,

l ik e f ang s . H i s ey es w e r e yell ow and mudd y a s ,

t h oug h N atur e h ad run sh ort o n p igm e nt s and

s q u eeze d tog e t he r t h e d r e g s o f a ll he r tub es I t wa s .

t he s am e wit h h i s h air sp ar se an d irr e gu l ar o f ,

growt h mudd y yell ow an d dirty yell ow ri s ing o n

,
- -

h i s he ad and sp routing ou t o f h i s f ac e i n un e x p e ct e d
tu f t s an d bunc hes i n a ppe aranc e l ik e c l um pe d and
,

wind b l own grain

-

I n sh ort , B e aut y S mit h wa s a m on s tro s i ty and t he ,

20 6 W H I T E FA N G

t he man s di s tort e d bo d y and twi s t e d mind i n occu l t

’
,

wa ys l ik e mi s t s ri s ing f rom m a l aria l mar sh es cam e

i
,

e rn a n a t o n s o f t he un he a l t h wi t h in No t b y r e a s on.

ing n o t b y t he five se n ses a l on e b u t b y o t he r and

, ,

r e mo t e r and unc h art e d se n ses cam e t he feel ing to ,

W h it e Fa n g t h at t he man wa s om inou s wi t h ev i l ,

p r e gnan t wit h h urt f u l n ess and t he r ef or e a t h ing bad

, ,

and wi sely to b e h at e d .

W h it e Fang wa s i n G ra y B e a ve r s cam p w he n ’

B e aut y Sm i t h fi r s t v i s it e d i t A t t h e faint s ound o f

.

h i s d i s tant fee t , b ef or e h e cam e i n s ig h t W h i t e Fang ,

kn e w w h o w a s coming and b e gan to bri s t le He .

h ad b ee n ly ing do w n i n an aband on o f com f ort but ,

h e aro se q uick ly and a s t he man arri ve d sl id awa y

, , ,

i n tru e wo l f f a sh io n to t he e dg e o f t h e ca mp
-
H e di d .

n o t kn ow w h at t h ey s aid but he cou l d see t he man

,

an d G ra y B e a ve r ta l king tog e t he r On c e t he m an .
,

p oint e d at h im and W h i t e Fang s narle d back a s

i
,

t h oug h t he h and w e r e j u s t d es c e nding u p on h im n

s t e ad o f b e ing a s it wa s fif ty fee t awa y
, ,
The ma n .

l aug he d at th i s ; and W h i t e Fang sl unk away to t he

shel t e ring wo od s h i s he ad turn e d to ob se r ve a s h e
,

g l id e d s o f tly o ve r t h e ground .

G ra y B e a ve r r efu se d to sell t he dog H e h ad .

grown ric h wit h h i s tra d ing an d s tood i n n ee d o f

not h ing B es i d es W h i t e Fang wa s a v a l uab le ani
.
,

m a l t he s trong es t sle d — dog he h a d eve r own e d and

i
, ,

t he b es t le ad e r Furt he rmor e t he r e wa s n o d og l k e
.
,
 TH E M A D G OD 207

h im on t he Mack e n z i e n or t he Yukon He cou l d fi g h t

. .

He ki lle d o the r d og s a s e a s i ly a s m e n ki lle d mo s q ui

to es (B e au ty Smi t h s eyes l ig h t e d u p a t t h i s and

.
’
,

he l ick e d h i s th in l i ps wi t h an e ag e r tongu e " N o .

,

W h i t e Fang wa s n o t f or s a le a t an y p ri c e .

But B e au ty Smit h kn e w t he wa ys o f I ndian s He .

v i s i t e d G ra y B e a ve r s cam p o f t e n and h idd e n und e r

’
,

h i s coat wa s a l wa ys a b l ack bo tt le or s o On e o f t he
.

p ot e nci es o f w h i s k ey i s t he br ee ding o f t h ir s t G ra y .

B e a ve r got t he t h ir s t H i s feve r e d m e mbran es and

.

burnt s tomac h b e gan to c l am or f or m or e and m or e

o f t he s corc h ing fluid ; w h i l e h i s brain t h ru s t a ll ,

awr y b y t he unwont e d s timu l an t p e rmi tt e d h im to

,

go an y le ngt h to ob tain i t The m on ey h e h ad

.

r e c e i ve d f or h i s f ur s and m itt e n s a n d m o cca s in s

b e gan to go I t w e n t fa s t e r an d fa s t e r and t he sh ort e r
.
,

h i s m on ey s ack gr e w t h e sh ort e r gr e w h i s t e m pe r
-

,
.

I n t h e e nd h i s mon ey and good s and t e mpe r w e r e

a ll gon e N ot h ing r e m ain e d t o h im but h i s th ir s t a
.
,

p rodigiou s p o ssess ion i n i t self t h at gr e w m or e p r o

di i
g o u s wit h
”eve r y s ob e r br e a t h h e dr e w The n i t .

wa s t h at B e aut y Smi t h h ad ta l k wit h h im again

ab out t h e s a le o f W h it e Fang ; but t h i s tim e t he
p ric e o ffe r e d wa s in bott les n ot d o ll ar s and G ra y
, ,

B e a ve r s e ar s w e r e m or e e ag e r to he ar
”
’
.

“
You k e tc h um dog y ou tak e u m a ll rig h t w a s ,

h i s l a s t w ord .

The bo tt les w e r e d el i ve r e d but a f t e r two days

, ,
208 W H I T E FA NG

You k e tc h um d og w e r e B e aut y Sm it h s wor ds

,
’

to G ra y B e a ve r .

W h i t e Fang sl unk i nto cam p o n e e v e ning and

dro ppe d do wn wit h a s ig h o f cont e nt The dr e ad e d .

w h it e god wa s not t he r e For days h i s mani fes ta

.

tion s o f d es ir e to l a y h an d s on h im h ad b ee n growi ng
m or e in s i s t e n t and during t h at tim e W h it e Fang h ad
,

b ee n com pelle d to a v oid t he cam p H e did n o t .

kn o w w h at ev i l wa s t h r e at e n e d b y t h o se in s i s t e nt
h and s He kn e w o n ly th at t hey did t h r e at e n ev i l o f
i
.

s om e s ort and t h at i t wa s b es t f o r h m to k eep ou t

,

o f t he ir r e ac h .

But s carc ely h ad he l ain down w he n G ra y B e a v e r

s tagg e r e d o ve r to h i m and ti e d a l e at he r t h ong
around h i s n e ck H e s at down b es id e W h it e Fang
.
,

h o l din g t he e nd o f t he t h ong i n h i s h and I n t he .

o t he r h and h e hel d a bott le w h ic h f ro m tim e to , ,

tim e w a s i n ve rt e d abo ve h i s he ad to t he a c c o mp a n
,
i
m e nt o f gurgl ing n oi ses .

A n h our o f t h i s p a sse d w he n t he v ibration s o f

,

fee t i n contact wit h t he ground f or e ran t he o n e w h o

a pp roac he d . W h it e Fang he ard i t fi r s t and he wa s ,

bri s t l i ng wi t h r e cognitio n w h i le G ra y B e a ve r s ti ll
n odd e d s tu p id ly W h it e Fang tri e d to draw t he t h ong
.

s o f t ly ou t o f h i s ma s t e r s h and ; but t he r el a x e d
’

fi ng e r s c l o se d tig h t ly an d G ray B e a ve r rou se d h im sel f .

B e aut y S mi t h s trod e into cam p and s to od o ve r

W h it e Fang H e s narle d s o f t ly u p a t t he t h ing o f
.
2 10 W H I T E F AN G

He d i d no t ru sh a se cond tim e On e s ma sh f rom .

t he c l ub wa s s u ffi ci e n t to con v inc e h im t h at t he w h i t e
g o d kn e w h ow to h and le i t and he wa s t o o wi se
,

to fi gh t t he i n ev itab le S o he f o ll ow e d m oro sely at

.

B e au t y Smit h s heels h i s tai l b e tw ee n h i s le g s y e t

’
, ,

s narl ing s o f t ly und e r h i s br e at h But B e auty Smit h .

k ep t a wary eye on h im and t h e c l ub wa s hel d a l wa ys

,

r e ad y to s trik e .

A t t h e f ort B e aut y Smit h l ef t h im se cur ely ti e d

a nd w e n t i n to b e d W h it e Fang wait e d an h our
. .

The n he a ppl i e d h i s t ee t h to t he t h ong an d i n t h e ,

sp ac e o f t e n se cond s wa s f r ee He h ad wa s t e d no .

tim e wi t h h i s t ee t h The r e h ad b ee n n o u seless

.

gnawing The t h o n g wa s cut acro ss diagona lly

.
, ,

a l m o s t a s c le an a s t h oug h don e b y a kni fe W h it e .

Fang l ook e d u p at th e f ort at t he s am e tim e bri s ,

t l ing and gro w l ing The n h e turn e d an d tro tt e d back

.

to G ra y B e a ve r s cam p H e o w e d n o a lle gianc e to

’
.

t h i s s trang e and t e rrib le god He h ad gi ve n h im sel f

.

t o G ra y B e a ve r and to G ra y B e a ve r he con s id e r e d he
,

s ti ll b el ong e d
.

But w h at h ad occurr e d b ef or e wa s r epe at e d wi t h

a d i ffe r e nc e
. G ra y B e a ve r agai n mad e h im f a s t wi t h
a t h o ng and in t he m orning turn e d h im o ve r to
,

B e aut y S mit h . And h e r e wa s w he r e t he di ff e r e n c e

cam e in B e aut y Smi th ga ve h im a b e ating T i e d
. .

se cur ely W h i t e Fang cou l d on ly rag e f u ti lely an d

,

e ndur e t he p u ni sh m e nt C l ub and w h i p w e r e b o t h
.
 TH E M AD G OD 2 11

u se d u p on h im and he e x pe ri e nc e d t he w or s t b e ating
,

he h ad i n h i s l i fe Eve n t he big b e at
.

ing gi ve n h i m in h i s p u ppyh ood b y G ra y B e a ve r wa s

mi l d com p ar e d wit h t h i s .

B e aut y Smit h e nj o ye d t he ta s k He d el ig h t e d i n
.

i t H e g l oat e d o ve r h i s v i ctim and h i s eyes flam e d

.
,

d u lly a s he s wung t he w h i p o r c l ub and l i s t e n e d to

,

W h it e Fa n g s cri es o f p ai n and to h i s h el pless b el

’

l ow s and s narls F o r B e auty Smi t h wa s cru el i n t h e

.

w a y t h at coward s ar e cru el Cringing and s n i vell ing

.

h im self b ef or e t he b l ow s or angry spee c h o f a m an ,

he r eve ng e d h im sel f i n turn u p o n cr e atur es w e ak e r

, ,

t h an he A ll l i fe l ik es p o w e r and B e aut y Smi t h

.
,

wa s n o e xc ep ti on D e ni e d t he e x p r ess i on o f p ow e r
.

among s t h i s o w n kind he fell back u p on t he lesse r

,

cr e atur es and t he r e v indicat e d t he l i fe t h at wa s i n

h im . B u t B e au ty Smi t h h ad n o t cr e at e d h i m sel f ,

and n o b l am e wa s to b e attac he d to h i m He h ad .

com e in to t he worl d wi t h a twi s t e d bod y and a brut e

i nt ell ig e n c e Th i s h ad con s ti tut e d t h e c l a y o f h im
.
,

and i t h ad not b ee n kind ly m ou l d e d b y t he w orl d .

W h i t e Fang kn e w w hy he wa s b e i ng b e at e n
i
.

W he n G ra y B e a ve r ti e d t he th ong aroun d h s n e ck ,

and p a sse d t he e nd o f t he t h ong i nto B e auty S mith s ’

k eep ing W h i t e Fang kn e w t h at i t wa s h i s god s

,
’

wi l l f or h im to go wi t h B e aut y Smi t h And w h e n

m
.

B e aut y Smi t h lef t h i

ti e d out s id e t he f ort h e
"

kn e w t h at i t wa s B e au ty Smi th s wi ll t h at h e sh ou l d
’
212 W H I T E FA N G

r e m ain t he r e The r ef or e he h ad di s ob eye d t he wi ll

.
,

o f bo t h t h e god s and e arn e d t he co n seq u e n t p un i sh

,

m e nt H e h ad see n d og s c h an g e own e r s i n t he p a s t
.
,

and h e h ad see n t he runawa ys b e at e n a s h e wa s

b e ing b e at e n H e wa s wi se an d ye t i n t h e natur e
.
,

o f h im t he r e w e r e f o rc es gr e at e r t h an wi s d om On e .

o f t hese wa s fi d el i ty He did n o t l o ve G ra y B e a ve r ;
.

ye t eve n in t he f ac e o f h i s wi ll and h i s a n g e r, he wa s
,

f ai th f u l to h im H e cou l d n o t help i t Th i s fait h

. .

f u l n ess wa s a q ua l i t y o f t he c l a y t h at com p o se d h im .

It wa s t he q ua l it y t h at wa s p e cu l iar ly t he p o ssess ion

\

of h i s kind ; t h e q ua l i ty t h at se t a p art h i s spe ci es

f rom a ll o t he r spe ci es ; t he q ua l it y t h at h ad e nab le d
t he wo lf an d t he wi l d d og to com e in f ro m t he o pe n
and b e t he com p anion s o f man .

A f t e r t he b e ating W h it e Fang wa s d ragg e d back

,

to t he f ort But t h i s tim e B e au ty Smi t h lef t h im

.

ti e d wi t h a s ti ck On e do es n ot gi ve u p a go d e a s i ly
.
,

and s o w i t h W h i t e Fang G ra y B e a ve r wa s h i s o wn
.

p articu l ar god , and i n sp it e o f G ra y B e a ve r s w i ll

,
’
,

W h it e Fang s ti ll c l ung to h i m and w ou l d n o t gi ve

hi m up G ra y B e a ve r h ad b e tra ye d and f ors ak e n
.

h im b ut t h at h ad n o effe ct u p on h im
,
No t f or n o t h .

ing h ad he s urr e nd e r e d h im self b od y a n d s ou l to

G ra y B e a ve r The r e h ad b ee n n o r ese r v ati on o n
.

W h i t e Faug s p art an d t he b ond wa s n o t to b e brok e n

’
,

e a s i ly .

S o i n t he nig h t , w he n t he m e n i n t he f ort w e r e a sleep

, ,
2 14 W H I T E FA N G

s trong . But h e wa s ve ry s ick A t fi rs t he w a s u n

.

ab le to d rag h im self a l ong and B e aut y S mit h h ad

,

to wai t h a l f an h ou r o n h im A nd t he n b l ind and

.
,

r eel ing he f o ll ow e d at B e aut y Sm it h s heels back

,
’

to t he f ort .

Bu t n ow he wa s ti e d wi t h a c h ain t h at d efie d h i s
t ee t h and he s tro ve i n v ain b y l ung i
,
ng to draw t he
, ,

s t a ple f rom t he timb e r i nto w h ic h i t wa s dri ve n .

A f t e r a fe w da ys s ob e r and bankru p t G ra y B e a ve r
, ,

d ep art e d u p t he Porcu p in e on h i s l ong j ourn ey to t he

Mack e n z i e W h i t e Fang r e main e d o n t he Yuko n
.
,

t he p ro pe rt y o f a man m or e t h an h a lf mad and a ll

brut e . But w h at i s a d og to kn ow in i t s con s ciou s
n ess o f madn ess ? TO W h it e Fang B e aut y S mi t h ,

wa s a ve ri tab le i f t e rrib le god

,
He wa s a mad god
,
.

at b es t but W h it e Fang kn e w not h ing o f madn ess ;

,

he kn e w o n ly t h at he mu s t s ubmi t to t he w i l l o f t h i s
n e w ma s t e r ob ey h i s eve r y w h im and f anc y
,
.
 C H AP T ER I I I

TH E R E IG N OF H A TE

U N D E R t he tut el ag e o f t he m ad god W h i t e Fang ,

b e cam e a fie nd He wa s k ep t c h ain e d i n a p e n a t
.

t he r e ar o f t he f ort and he r e B e aut y S mit h t e a se d

,

and irritat e d and dro ve h im w i l d wi t h p e tty torm e n t s .

The m an e ar ly di s co ve r e d W h i t e Fang s s u s c ep tibi l it y ’

to l aug h t e r and m ad e i t a p oin t a f t e r p ain f u lly

, ,

tricking h im t o l aug h at h im
,
Th i s l augh t e r wa s
.

u p roariou s an d s co rn f u l an d at t he s am e tim e t he
,

go d p oint e d h i s fi ng e r d e ri s i vely at W h i t e Fang .

A t s uc h tim es r e a s o n fl e d f ro m W h it e Fang and i n ,

h i s tran sp ort s o f rag e he wa s eve n m or e mad th an

B e auty Sm it h .

Form e rly W h it e Fang h ad b ee n m e r ely t he e n e m y

,

o f h i s ki nd w it h a l a fe rociou s e n e m y
,
H e n ow b e .

cam e t he e n e m y o f a ll t h ing s and mor e fe rociou s ,

th an eve r T o s uc h an e xt e nt wa s he torm e nt e d t h at
.
,

he h at e d b l ind ly and w it h o u t t h e f aint es t sp ark o f

He h at e d t he c h ai n t hat bound h im t h e
m
r e a s on ,

i
.

m e n w h o p ee r e d in at h t h roug h t he sl at s o f t he
pe n , t he d og s t h at accom p ani e d t he m e n and t h a t
2 15
2 16 W H I T E FA N G

s nar le d ma l ignant ly at h i m i n h i s h el pless n ess He .

h at e d t he ve ry wood o f t he pe n t h at con fi n e d h im .

An d fi rs t l a s t and mo s t O f a ll he h at e d B e au t y S mit h
, , ,
.

But B e auty S mi t h h ad a p ur p o se i n a ll t h at he
did to W h it e Fang On e da y a numb e r o f m e n
.

g at he r e d about t h e ”
p e n B e au t
. y Smi t h e nt e r e d c l ub ,

i n h a n d and took t he c h ain f rom O ff W h i t e Fang s

,
’

n e ck . W he n h i s ma s t e r h ad gon e o u t W h i t e Fang ,

turn e d l o o se and tor e around t he pe n try ing to g e t ,

a t t he m e n out s id e .He wa s magni fi c e nt ly t e rrib le .

F u lly five fee t i n le ngth and s tanding two an d o n e

,

h a l f fee t at t h e sh ou l d e r he f ar ou tw e igh e d a w o l f o f
,

corr esp onding s i ze Fro m h i s m ot he r he h ad in h e ri t e d

.

t h e he a v i e r p ro p ortion s o f t he d o g s o t h at he w e ig he d, ,

wi t h out an y fat and wit h ou t an ounc e o f s u p e rfluou s

fl esh o ve r nin e t y p ound s
,
I t wa s a ll mu s c le bon e , ,

i
.

a n d s in e w — fi gh t n g fl esh in t he fi n es t condition .

The doo r o f t he pe n wa s b e ing Ope n e d again .

W h i t e Fan g p au se d S om e th ing unu s ua l wa s h a p

.

p e ning H e wait e d The d oor wa s Op e n e d wid e r

. . .

The n a h u g e dog wa s t h ru s t i n s id e and t he d oo r ,

wa s sl amm e d sh u t b eh ind h im W h it e Fang h ad .

n eve r see n s uc h a dog ( i t wa s a ma s ti ff " ; but t h e

s i ze and fie rc e a spe c t o f t he i ntrud e r did n o t d e t e r
h im . He r e wa s s om e t h i ng n ot wo od n o r i ron u p on
, ,

w h ic h to wr e ak h i s h at e He le a pe d i n wit h a fla sh
.

o f f ang s t h at ri pp e d d own t he s id e o f t he ma s ti ff s
’

n e ck . The ma s ti ff sh ook h i s he ad grow le d h oar sely , ,

218 W H I T E FA NG

wa s h i s seve res t fi g h t, and a l t h oug h i n t he e nd

he ki lle d t he m b ot h he wa s h im self h a l f ki lle d i n
d oing it .

I n t he fa ll o f t he ye ar, w he n t he fi r s t s n ow s w e r e
f a ll ing an d m u sh ic e wa s running i n t he ri ve r B e aut y
-

S mit h took p a ss ag e f or h im sel f and W h it e Fang on a

s t e amboat bo und u p t he Yukon to D aw s on W h it e

”
.

Fang h ad n o w ac h i eve d a r ep utation i n t he l and As .

Th e Fig h ting Wo lf he wa s known far and wid e ,

an d t he cag e i n w h ic h h e wa s k ep t on t he s t e am
b oat s d e ck wa s u s ua lly s urround e d b y curiou s m e n
’
.

He rag e d and s narle d at t he m , o r l a y q ui e t ly and

s tudi e d t he m w i t h co l d h atr e d W hy sh ou l d he n o t
.

h at e t he m ? He n eve r a s k e d h im sel f t he q u es tion .

H e kn e w on ly h at e and l o s t h im self i n t he p a ss ion o f

i t Li fe h ad b e com e a hell to h im
. H e h ad n ot b ee n
.

mad e f or t he c l o se con fi n e m e n t wi l d b e a s t s e ndur e at

t he h and s o f m e n .An d ye t i t wa s i n p r e ci sely t h i s
wa y t h at he wa s tr e at e d M e n s tar e d a t h im p ok e d
.
,

s tick s b e tw ee n t he bar s to mak e h i m s nar l , and t he n

l aug he d at h im .

They w e r e h i s e n v ironm e n t t hese m e n and t hey

, ,

w e r e m ou l d ing t he c l a y Of h im i n to a mor e fe roci ou s

t h ing t h an h a d b ee n in t e nd e d b y N atur e Ne v e r t h e
.

l ess N atur e h ad gi ve n h im pl a s ticit y

,
W he r e man y
.

anot he r anima l w ou l d h a ve d i e d or h ad i t s S p iri t

brok e n he adj u s t e d h im sel f and l i ve d an d at n o
, ,

e x pe n se o f t he sp iri t P o ss ib ly B e a u t y S mi t h arc h
.
,
 TH E R E I GN OF H AT E 2 19

fie nd and torm e n tor wa s ca p ab le o f br e aking W h it e

,

F a n g s sp iri t bu t a s ye t t he r e w e r e n o s ign s o f h i s
’
,

s ucc ee ding .

I f B e au t y Sm i t h h ad i n h i m a d ev i l W h i t e Fang ,

h ad an o t he r ; an d t h e two o f t he m rag e d again s t e ac h

o t he r un c e a s ingly I n t h e da ys b ef or e W h i t e Fa n g
.
,

h ad h ad t he wi s dom to cow e r down and s ubm it to a

i
man wi t h a cl u b n h i s h and ; bu t t h i s wi s do m n o w
‘

lef t h im . The m e r e s ig h t o f B e aut y Smi t h wa s

s u ffi ci e n t to se n d h im in to tran sp ort s o f f ury And .

w he n t hey cam e to c l o se q uart e r s a n d h e h ad b ee n ,

b e at e n back b y t h e c l ub he w e n t o n grow l ing an d

,

s nar l ing an d sh owing h i s fang s The l a s t grow l

.

c ou l d n eve r b e e xtract e d f rom h im NO mat t e r h o w .

t e rrib ly he wa s b e at e n he h a d a l wa ys ano t he r grow l ;

,

and w he n B e aut y S mi t h ga ve u p and wi t h dr e w t h e ,

d efi an t grow l f o ll ow e d a f t e r h im o r W h i t e Fang ,

sp rang at t he bar s o f t h e cag e b ell owing h i s h atr e d .

W he n t he s t e amb oat arri ve d a t D aw s on W h it e ,

Fang w e nt a sh or e B u t h e s ti ll l i ve d a p ub l i c l i fe i n

”
,
.

a cag e s u rround e d b y curi o u s m e n

,
H e wa s e x h ibi t e d
.

a s The Fig h ting Wo l f and m e n p aid fif ty c e nt s i n

,

go l d du s t to see h im He wa s gi ve n n o r es t
. D id .

he l i e d own to sleep he wa s s tirr e d u p b y a sh ar p

,

s tick — s o t h at t he audi e nc e migh t g e t i t s m on ey s ’

w ort h . I n ord e r to mak e t he e x h ibi ti on i nt e r es ti ng ,

he wa s k ep t i n a rag e mos t o f t h e tim e Bu t w or se .

t h an a ll t h i s wa s t he atm o sphe r e in w h ic h h e l i ve d
,
.
220 W H I T E FA N G

H e wa s r e gard e d a s t he m o s t fe ar f u l Of wi l d b e a s t s ,

and th i s wa s b orn e i n to h im t h roug h t he bar s o f

t he cag e Eve ry w or d eve ry cauti ou s action o n t he
,

i
.
,

p art o f t he m e n i m p r esse d u p on h m h i s o w n t e rrib le

,

fe roci t y . I t wa s s o mu c h add e d f u el t o t he flam e o f

h i s fi er c en e s s The r e c ou l d b e but on e r es u l t an d
.
,

t h at wa s t h at h i s fe roci t y fe d u p on i t self and incr e a se d .

I t wa s an ot he r i n s tan c e o f t he pl a s tici t y o f h i s c l a y
O f h i s ca p aci ty for b e ing mou l d e d b y t he p r ess ur e o f

e n v ironm e n t .

I n additi on to b e ing e x h ibi t e d h e wa s a p r o f es ,

i
s o n a l fi g h ting anima l A t irr e gu l ar i nt e r v a ls w he n
.
,

eve r a fi g h t cou l d b e arrang e d he wa s ta k e n o u t o f,

h i s cag e and l e d O ff i n to t h e wo od s a fe w m i les f ro m

to wn . U s ua lly t h i s o ccurr e d at nigh t s o a s t o a v oi d ,

i n t e r fe r e nc e f ro m t he m o unt e d p o l ic e o f t h e Te rri tor y .

A f t e r a fe w h our s o f wai ting w h e n da yl ig h t h a d ,

com e t he audi e nc e and t he d o g wit h w h i c h h e wa s

,

to fi g h t arri ve d I n t h i s m ann e r i t cam e ab o u t t h at

.

he f oug h t a ll s i zes and br ee d s o f d og s I t wa s a s a v .

ag e l and t he m e n w e r e s a v ag e an d t h e fi g h t s w e r e
, ,

u s ually to t h e d ea t h .

S inc e W h it e Fang con tinu e d t o fi g h t i t i s ob v i ou s ,

t h at i t wa s the o t he r d og s t h at di e d He n eve r kn e w.

d efe at . H i s e arly training w h e n he f oug h t wi t h Li p

,

l i p an d t h e w h o le p u ppy p ack s to od h im i n goo d

-

s t e ad
. The r e wa s t h e t e n aci t y wi t h w h ic h h e c l ung
to t he e art h NO dog cou l d mak e h i m l o se h i s
.
222 W H I T E FA N G

A s t he ti m e w e n t b y he h ad fe w e r and fe w e r
,

fi gh ts .M e n d esp air e d o f matc h ing h i m wi t h an

eq ua l and B e au ty Smit h wa s com pelle d to p i t w o lves
,

again s t h im . These w e r e tra ppe d b y t he I ndian s f or

t he p ur p o se and a fi g h t b e tw ee n W h it e Fan g and a
,

wo l f wa s a l wa ys s ur e to draw a cro wd Onc e a f u ll

.
,

grow n fe ma l e ly n x wa s se cur e d and t h i s tim e W h i t e

,

Fang f oug h t f or h i s l i fe H e r q uickn ess matc he d

.

h i s ; he r fe roci t y eq ua lle d h i s ; w h i le he f oug h t wi t h

h i s fang s a l on e , and sh e f oug h t wit h h e r sh ar p c l aw e d
-

fee t a s w ell .

But a f t e r t h e ly nx a ll fi g h ting c e a se d fo r W h i t e
,

Fang The r e w e r e n o m or e anima ls wi t h w h ic h to

.

fi g h t — a t le a s t , t he r e wa s non e con s id e r e d w orthy Of

fi g h ting wit h h im . S o he r e main e d on e x h ibition
un ti l sp ring w he n o n e TIE} Kee nan , a f aro d e a le r -

i
, .
,

arri v e d in t h e l and . VlZ t h h im cam e t h e fi r s t b u l l _

d og j h a t h a dj v er e nt e r e d t he Kl ondik e
i Th at t h i s
.

d og and W h it e Fang S h OHT l Cl com e tog e t he r wa s i n ev i

H

tab l e and f or a w ee k t h e an tici p at e d fi g h t wa s t he

,

m ain sp ring o f con ve r s ation i n c e rtai n q uart e rs o f t h e

town .
 C H AP T ER I V

TH E C L IN G IN G DE A TH

B E A U TY S M ITH sl i pp e d t he c h ai n f rom h i s n e ck and

s t epp e d back .

F o r onc e W h i t e Fan g did n ot mak e an im m e diat e

attack . H e s tood s ti ll , e ar s p ri ck e d f orward a l e rt ,

and cur i ou s , s ur vey ing t he s trang e anima l t h at fac e d

h im . H e h ad n eve r see n s uc h a d og b ef or e T im .

G o to i t .
”
Kee nan sh o ve d t he bu ll d og f orward wi t h a mutt e r e d
The anima l wadd le d toward t he c e ntr e
o f t he ci rc l e , sh ort and sq uat and ungain ly H e cam e
.

to a s to p and b l ink e d acro ss at W h it e Fang

”
.

The r e w e r e cri es f rom t he crowd o f “ G O to h im

C he rok ee " “ Sick m C he rok ee "
’
,
”
Ea t m u p " ’ ”
,

Bu t C he rok ee did n o t see m anxiou s to fi g h t He .

turn e d h i s h e ad and b l ink e d at t h e m e n w h o sh out e d ,

at t h e s a me tim e wagging h i s s tu m p o f a tai l good

natur e d ly . H e wa s n ot a f raid bu t m e r ely l a zy
,
.

B es id es i t did n o t see m to h im t h at i t wa s int e nd e d

,

h e sh ou l d fi gh t w i t h t h e d og he s aw b ef or e h im He
“
"

wa s n o t u se d to fi g h ting W i t h t h at kind o f d og an d ,

he wa s wai ti n g f or t he m to bring 0 11 t he r e a l d og .

223
2 24 W H I T E FA N G

T im Kee nan s t epp e d i n and b e n t o ve r C he rok ee ,

f ond l i ng h im on b ot h s id es O f t h e sh oul d e r s wi t h
h and s t h at rubb e d again s t t h e grai n O f t h e h ai r an d
t h at mad e sl ig h t p u sh ing f orward mo ve m e n t s These
,
-

w e r e s o man y s ugg es ti on s A ls o the i r e ffe ct wa s

.
,

i rri tati ng f or C he rok ee b e gan t o grow l ve ry s o f t ly

, , ,

d eep d own i n h i s t h roat The r e wa s a corr esp on d e n c e

.

i n rhy th m b e tw ee n t he grow ls an d t he mo ve m e n t s Of
t he m an s h and s The grow l ro se in t he t h roat wit h
’
.

t h e cu l mi nation Of e ac h f orward p u sh ing m o ve m e nt

-

an d e bb e d dow n to s t a rt u p a f r esh wi t h t h e b e gin ning

o f t he n e xt m o ve m e nt The e nd Of e ac h m o ve m e n t
.

wa s t he acc e nt o f t he r hy t h m t h e m o v e m e nt e nding
,

abru p t ly an d t he grow l ing ri s ing wi t h a j e rk .

Th i s wa s n o t wit h ou t i t s effe c t on W h it e Fang .

The h ai r b e gan to ri se o n h i s n e ck and acro ss t h e

sh ou l d e r s T im Kee nan ga v e a fi na l sh o ve f orward
.

an d s t eppe d back agai n . A s t he im pe tu s t h at carri e d

C he rok ee f orward d i e d d own he conti nu e d t o go f or
,

ward O f h i s o w n v o l ition i n a s wi f t b ow le gg e d run

, ,
-
.

The n W h it e Fang s truck A cr y o f s tart l e d adm ira

.

tio n w e n t u p . H e h ad co ve r e d t h e d i s tanc e and gon e

i n m or e l ik e a cat t h an a d og ; and w i t h t he s am e ca t
l ik e s wi f tn ess he h ad sl a she d wi t h h i s fang s and le a p e d
c le ar.

The bu ll dog wa s b lee ding back o f on e e ar f rom a

ri p in h i s t h ick n e ck H e ga ve n o s ign d d n o t eve n
.
,
i
s narl , but turn e d and f o ll ow e d a f t e r W h i t e Fang .
2 26 W H I T E FA NG

The d es ir e t o c l o se h ad a l wa ys b ee n m utua l But .

he r e wa s a d og t h at k ep t a t a d i s t an c e dancing and ,

dodging h e r e and t he r e and a ll abo ut An d w he n .

i t did g e t i t s t ee t h in to h im i t did n o t h o l d o n
,

b ut le t go in s tan t ly an d dart e d awa y again .

But W h i t e Fa n g cou l d n ot g e t at t he s o f t und e r

s i d e O f t he t h roat The bu ll dog s too d t oo sh ort
.
,

w h i le it s ma ss i ve j aw s w e r e an add e d p rot e cti on .

W h i t e Fang dart e d i n and o u t un s cat he d w h i le ,

C he rok ee s w ound s incr e a se d

’
Bot h s id es o f h i s
.

n e ck an d he ad w e r e ri ppe d and sl a she d H e bl e d .

f r eely but sh ow e d n o s ign s o f b e ing di s conc e rt e d

,
.

He con tinu e d h i s pl odding p ur s ui t t h oug h onc e f or , ,

t he m om e n t ba ffl e d he cam e to a f u ll s to p an d
,

b l ink e d at t he m e n w h o l ook e d on at t he s am e ti m e
i
,

wagging h i s s tum p O f a tai l a s an e x p r ess ion o f h s

wi ll ingn ess to fi g h t
i
.

I n t h at m om e nt W h it e Fang wa s n u p on h im an d
ou t ,
i n p a ss ing ri pp ing h i s trim m e d r e mnan t Of an
e ar. W it h a sl ig h t mani fes tation O f ang e r C he rok ee ,

took u p t he p ur s ui t again running o n t he in s id e o f

,

t he circ le W h i t e Fang wa s m aking and s tri v ing to ,

fa s t e n h i s d e ad ly gri p o n W h i t e Fang s t h roat The ’

.

bu ll dog m i sse d b y a h ai r s br e ad th and cri es o f

’ -

p rai se w e nt u p a s W h it e Fan g d oub le d s udd e n ly ou t

o f dan g e r i n t he o pp o s i t e dir e cti on .

The tim e w e n t b y W h it e Fang s ti ll danc e d on

.
,

dodging and doub l ing le a p i ng i n and o u t and eve r

, ,
 TH E C LI NG I NG D E ATH 2 27

i nflict i ng damag e And s ti ll t he bu ll d og w i t h grim

.
,

c e rti tu d e toi le d a f t e r h im
,
S o on e r or l at e r he w ou l d
.

accom pl i sh h i s p ur p o se g e t t he gri p t h at w ou l d wi n
,

t h e batt le .I n t he m e antim e he acc ep t e d a ll t h e

p u ni sh m e n t t he o th e r cou l d d e a l h im H i s tu f t s Of .

e ar s h ad b e com e ta ssels h i s n e ck an d sh ou l d e rs w er e
,

sl a she d in a s cor e o f pl ac es an d h i s v e ry l i ps w e r e ,

cu t and b lee ding — a ll f rom t h o se l ig h tning s na ps

t h at w e r e b ey ond h i s f or esee ing and guarding .

T im e and again W h i t e Fang h ad att e m p t e d to

kn ock C he rok ee o ff h i s fee t ; b u t t h e di ff e r e nc e in
t h e ir he ig h t wa s to o gr e at C h e rok ee wa s to o sq uat ,
.

t oo c l o se to t he ground W h it e Fang tri e d t he trick

.

on c e to o O f t e n The c h an c e cam e in o n e Of h i s q uick

.

doub l ing s and cou nt e r circ l ing s -

H e ca u g h t C he rok ee .

w it h he ad tur n e d awa y a s h e w h ir le d m or e sl ow ly .

H i s sh ou l d e r wa s e x p o se d W h i t e Fang dro v e i n u p on
.

i t ; but h i s o w n sh ou l d e r wa s h ig h ab o ve w h i le h e ,

s truck wi t h s uc h f orc e t h at h i s m o m e ntum carri e d

h im o n acro ss o ve r t he o th e r s b od y F o r t he fi r s t ’
.

tim e i n h i s fi g h ting h i s tory m e n s aw W h it e Fang

.

l o se h i s f o oting H i s b od y turn e d a h a l f—
. s om e r s au l t
i n t h e ai r, and he w ou l d h a ve l and e d o n h i s back
h ad he n o t twi s t e d cat l ik e s ti ll in t he ai r i n t he
, , ,

e ff ort to bring h i s fee t to t he e art h A s i t wa s he .

,

s truck h e a v i ly o n h i s s id e The n e x t in s tant h e wa s

.

0 11 h i s fee t but in t h at i n s tan t C he rok ee s t ee t h

,
’

c l o se d on h i s t h roat .
228 W H I T E FA N G

I t wa s n o t a good gri p b e ing to o l o w d own to ward

,

t he c hes t ; but C he rok ee hel d on W h i t e Fang sp rang .

to h i s fee t an d tor e w i l d ly aro und try ing to sh ak e ,

o ff t he bu ll d og s b od y’
I t mad e h m f ran tic t h i s
. i ,

c l inging dragging w e ig h t
,
I t bo u nd h i s m o ve m e n t s
.
,

r es trict e d h i s f r ee dom I t wa s l ik e t he tra p and a l l

.
,

h i s i n s tinct r ese nt e d i t and r ev o l t e d again s t i t I t .

wa s a mad r ev o l t F o r seve ra l min ut es he wa s to a l l

.

i nt e nt s in s an e . Th e ba s i c l i fe t h at wa s i n h i m t oo k
c h arg e o f h i m The wi ll to e xi s t o f h i s b od y s urg e d
.

o v e r h im . He wa s dominat e d b y t h i s m e r e fle sh l o v e -

O f l i fe A ll int ell ig e nc e wa s gon e

. I t wa s a s t h o u g h .

h e h ad n o brain H i s r e a s o n wa s un se at e d b y t h e
.

b l ind ye arning o f t he fl esh to e xi s t an d m o v e at a l l ,

h a z ard s to m o ve to continu e to mo ve f or m
,
o ve m e n t ,

wa s t he e x p r ess ion O f i t s e xi s t e nc e
i
.

R ound and roun d he w e n t w h ir l ing an d turn ng ,

and r eve r s ing try ing to sh ak e Off t he fi f t y p oun d

,
‘
-

w e ig h t t h at dragg e d at h i s t h roat The bul l dog .

di d l i tt le b ut k eep h i s gri p Som e tim es an d rar ely

.
, ,

he manag e d to g e t h i s fee t to t h e e art h an d f or a

mom e nt to brac e h im self again s t W h i t e Fang But .

t he n e xt m om e nt h i s f ooting wou l d b e l o s t and h e

wou l d b e dragging around i n t h e w h ir l o f on e o f
W h i t e Fang s mad gy ration s
’
C he rok ee i d e nti fie d .

h im sel f wi t h h i s in s ti nct H e kn e w t h at he wa s .

d oing t he rig h t t h ing b y h o l ding on and t he r e ca me ,

to h im c e rtain b l i ssf u l t h ri lls o f s ati sf action At .

 TH E C LI NG I N G D E A TH 229

s u c h m om e nt s h e eve n c l o se d h i s eyes and a ll ow e d

h i s b od y to b e h urle d h it he r and t h i t he r wi lly n l l y ,
-
i ,

car e l ess o f an y h urt t h at mig h t t he r e b y com e to i t .

Th at did n o t count The gri p wa s t he t h ing an d

.
,

t he gri p he k ep t .

W h i t e Fan g c e a se d on ly w he n h e h ad tir e d h im sel f

ou t H e cou l d d o not h ing an d he c ou l d n ot und e r
,

i
.

s tand . N eve r ,
n a ll h i s fi g h ting h ad t h i s t h ing
,

h a ppe n e d The dog s h e h ad f oug h t wi t h did n o t

.

fi g h t t h at wa y Wi t h t he m i t wa s s na p an d sl a sh
.

and g e t awa y s na p and sl a sh an d g e t awa y

,
He .

l a y p art ly on h i s s id e p an ting f or br e at h
,
C he ro .

k ee s ti ll h o l ding h i s gri p urg e d again s t h im try ing

, , ,

t o g e t h i m o ve r e ntir ely o n h i s s id e W h it e Fa n g .

r es i s t e d an d he cou l d feel t he j aw s sh i f tin g t h e i r

,

gri p sl ig h t ly r el axi n g and comi ng tog e t he r again i n

,

a c h e wing m o ve m e n t Eac h sh i f t broug h t t he gri p

.

c l o se r in to h i s t h roat Th e b u l l d og s m e t h od wa s ’
‘

t o h o l d w h at he h ad and w he n o pp ortuni t y f a v or e d
,

t o work i n f o r m or e Opp ortuni t y f a v or e d w he n

.

W h i t e Fang r e main e d q ui e t W he n W h it e Fang

.

s trugg le d C he rok ee W a s con t e nt m e r ely to h o l d o n

, .

The b u l ging back O f C he rok ee s n e ck wa s t h e o n ly

’

p ortion o f h i s bo d y t h at W h i t e Fang s t ee t h cou l d ’

r e ac h . H e go t h o l d toward t he ba se w he r e t he n e ck
com es ou t f rom t he sh ou l d e r s ; but he did n o t kn ow
t he c h e wing m e t h od o f fig h ting n or w e r e h i s j aw s
,

ada p t e d to i t . He s p a s m odica lly ri ppe d an d tor e

2 30 W H I T E FA N G

wit h h i s fang s f or a sp ac e The n a c h ang e in th e ir .

p o s i tion di ve rt e d h im The bu ll dog h ad manag e d

.

to ro ll h im o ve r o n h i s back , and s ti ll h anging o n

to h i s t h roat wa s on t o p Of h im
,
Lik e a cat W h it e .
,

Fang b ow e d h i s h ind q uart e r s in an d wi t h t he fee t

-

, ,

digging i nto h i s e n e m y s abdom e n abo ve h im he b e ’

,

gan to c l aw wit h l ong, t e aring s trok es C he rok ee .

mig h t w ell h a ve b ee n di se mbow elle d h ad h e no t

q uick ly p i v o t e d o n h i s gri p an d go t h i s b od y Off o f
W h it e Fang s and at rig h t ang les to i t
’
.

Th e r e wa s n o es ca p ing t h at gri p I t wa s l ik e Fat e

i
.

i t sel f a n d a s n e xorab le
,
S l ow ly i t sh i f t e d u p a l ong
.

t he j ugu l ar A ll t h at s a ve d W h i t e Fang f rom d e at h

.

wa s t he l oo se s kin O f h i s n e ck and t he t h ick fur t h at

co ve r e d i t Th i s se r ve d to f orm a l arg e ro ll in C he ro
.

k ee s m out h t he f ur Of w h ic h w ell nig h d efie d h i s

’
,
-

t ee t h . Bu t bi t b y bi t w he n eve r t he c h anc e o ff e r e d
, ,

he wa s g e tting m or e o f t he l oo se s ki n an d f ur in h i s
m out h . The r es u l t wa s t h at h e wa s sl ow ly t h r o t
t l ing W h it e Fang The l att e r s br e at h wa s d rawn
.
’

w it h gr e at e r and gr e at e r di ffi cu l t y a s t he m om e nt s
w e nt b y .

I t b e gan to l ook a s t h oug h t he batt le w e r e o ve r .

The back e r s Of C he rok ee wax e d j ubi l an t a n d o ff e r e d

ridicu l ou s odd s W h it e Fang s back e r s w e r e corr e
.
’

s p on d i n g l y d ep r esse d and r ef u se d b e t s o f t e n to on e
,

and tw e nt y to on e t h oug h on e m an wa s ra sh e n ough

,

to c l o se a wag e r o f fif ty t o on e Th i s man wa s .
2 32 W H I T E FA NG

mu she rs cri es w e r e he ard Eve ry bod y s a ve B e aut y

’
.
,

S mit h l ook e d a pp r ehe n s i vely t he fe ar O f t h e p o l ic e

, ,

s tro ng u p o n t he m But t hey s a w u p t he trai l and

.
, ,

n o t do wn tw o m e n r u n ning wit h sle d an d d og s

, .

They w e r e ev id e n tly comi n g down t he c ree k f rom

s om e p ro spe c t ing tri p A t s ig h t o f t he crowd t hey
.

s to ppe d t he ir d og s and cam e o ve r and j oin e d i t ,

curiou s to see t he cau se o f t he e xcit e m e nt Th e d og .

mu she r wo r e a mu s tac he bu t t h e o t he r a ta lle r an d

, ,

y oung e r man wa s s mo o t
,
h sh a ve n h i s s ki
-

n ro sy ,
f rom
t he p ounding o f h i s b l ood and t he running in t he
f ro s ty air .

W h i t e Fang h ad p ractica lly c e a se d s truggl ing .

No w and agai n h e r es i s t e d sp a s modica lly and to n o

p ur p o se . He cou l d g e t l i tt le ai r and t h at l i t t le gr e w
,

less and less und e r t he m e rci less gri p t h at eve r tig h t

e n e d I n sp it e o f h i s armor o f f ur t he gr e a t ve i n
.
,

of h i s t h roat w ou l d h a ve l ong s inc e b ee n torn

o pe n h ad n o t t h e fi r s t gri p O f t he bu ll dog b ee n s o
,

l o w do wn a s t o b e p ractica l l y 0 11 t he c hes t I t h ad .

tak e n C he rok ee a l ong tim e to sh i f t th at gri p u p ward ,

and th i s h ad a ls o t e nd e d f urt he r to c l og h i s j aw s wi t h
f ur an d s kin f o l d -
.

I n t h e m e antim e t he ab ys ma l bru t e i n B e a ut y
,

S mi t h h ad b ee n ri s ing u p into h i s b rain an d ma s t e r

i ng the s ma ll bi t o f s ani ty t h at he p o ssesse d at b es t .

W he n he s aw W h i t e Fang s eyes b e ginning to gl a ze’

,

he kn e w b ey ond doub t t h at t he fi g h t wa s l o s t The n .

 TH E C LI NG I NG D E ATH 2 33

he brok e l oo se H e sp rang u p o n W h i t e Fang an d

.

b e gan s a v ag ely to kick h im The r e w e r e h i sses f rom

.

t he c rowd and cri es o f p ro t es t but t h at wa s a ll , .

W h i le t h i s w e nt o n and B e au ty Smi t h co n tinu e d

,

to kick W h it e Fang t he r e wa s a com m otion i n t he

,

cro wd . The ta ll y oung n e wcom e r wa s f orcing h i s

wa y t h roug h sh ou l d e ring m e n rig h t an d lef t w i t h ou t
,

c e r e m on y o r g e nt le n ess W he n he bro k e t h roug h

.

i nto t he ring B e auty S mi t h wa s j u s t i n t h e act O f

,

d el i ve rin g anot he r kick Al l h i s w e ig h t wa s o n o n e

.

f oo t and he wa s i n a s tat e o f un s tab le e q ui l ibrium

,
.

A t t h at m om e n t t he n e wcom e r s fis t l and e d a s ma sh ’

i ng b l ow f u ll in h i s fac e B e au t y S mi t h s r e maining
.
’

l e g lef t t he ground and h i s w h o le bod y see m e d to

,

l i f t i nto t he ai r a s he turn e d o ve r backward an d

s truck t he s n o w The n e wc om e r turn e d u p on t he
.

crowd
“ Y
.

”
o u co ward s " h e cri e d “ Y ou b ea s ts " .

He wa s i n a rag e h im sel f a s an e rag e H i s gray

-
.

eyes see m e d m e ta ll i c and s t eel l ik e a s they fla she d -

u p on t he crowd B e au t y S mi t h r e gai n e d h i s fee t

m ii
.

and cam e toward h i

s n ffl n g an d co ward ly
,
The .

n e wcom e r di d n o t und e r s tan d H e did n ot kn o w .

h ow abj e ct a coward t he ot he r wa s and t h ough t h e

”
,

wa s comi ng back i nt e n t on fi g h ting S o w it h a .

,

“ Y
o u b e a s t " he s ma she d B e au t y S mi t h o ve r back

ward wit h a se cond b l o w i n t he f ac e B e auty S mi t h .

d e cid e d t h at t he s no w wa s t he s a fes t pl ac e f o r h im ,
2 34 W H I T E F AN G

and l ay w he r e he h ad f a lle n making n o e ff ort to

”
,

ge t u p .

“ C om e on , Matt le nd a h and t h e n e wco m e r

, ,

ca lle d to t he d og mu she r w h o h ad f o ll ow e d h im in to
-

t he ring .

Bot h m e n b e n t o ve r t he d og s Matt took h o l d o f .

W h it e Fang r e ad y to p u l l w he n C he rok ee s j aw s
,
’

sh ou l d b e l oo se n e d Th i s t h e y ou n g e r man e n d ea v
.

or e d t o accom pl i sh b y c l utc h ing t he b u ll dog s j aw s ’

in h i s h and s and try ing to sp r e ad t he m I t wa s .

a v ai n und e rtaking A s he p u lle d and tugg e d and

.

O f br e ath “ B e a s t s "
,
”
wr e nc he d he k ep t e xc l aiming wi t h eve ry e x p uls ion

The crowd b e ga n to gro w unru ly and s om e o f t he ,

m e n w e r e p rot es ting again s t t he sp oi l ing o f t he sp ort ;

but t hey w e r e s i le nc e d w he n t he n e wcom e r l i f t e d h i s
he ad f rom h i s work f or a m om e nt an d gl ar e d at
t he m .

”
“ You dam n b e a s t s " he fi na lly e x pl od e d and w e n t
,

back to h i s ta s k .

”
I t s n o u se Mr S cott y o u can t br e ak m a p art
“ ’ ’ ’
.
, ,

t h at way Matt s aid at l a s t

,
.

The p ai r p au se d and s ur veye d t he l ock e d dog s

” .

“ A in t b lee din m uc h Matt announc e d

” Ai n t
’ ’ ’

i
,

g o t a ll t he wa y n ye t .

”
m
“ Bu t he s l iab l e to an y m om e nt S co tt an s w e r e d
’

”
,
.

The r e d id y o u see t h at " He sh i

, s gri p in
a bi t .
236 W H I T E FA NG

But i f i t wa s a b l u ff he i nt e nd e d , i t di d n o t work .

S cott n e v e r d es i s t e d f rom h i s e ff orts t h ou g h he ,

“ Your d o
g ?
”
l ook e d u p coo lly and a s k e d

The faro d e a le r grunt e d

-

“ W ell
,
”
The n g e t i n he r e and b r e ak t h i s gri p
s trang e r t he o t he r draw l e d i rr itatingl y
,
.

I don t min d t ell ing y o u t h at s s om e t h ing I ai n t

’ ’ ’

”
w ork e d ou t f or m yself I don t kno w h o w to t u rn
’
.

t he trick .

“
The n g e t
don t bo t he r m e
’
o u t o

.
f
I m bu sy
’
.
”
t he wa y , wa s t h e r eply , and“

T im Kee nan contin u e d s tanding o ve r h im , b ut

S co tt took n o f urt he r n otic e o f h i s p rese nc e H e h ad .

manag e d t o g e t t he m u zzl e in b e tw ee n t he j aw s on
o n e s id e , an d wa s tr y ing to g e t i t o u t b e tw ee n t he

j aw s on th e ot he r s id e Th i s accom pl i she d h e p ri e d
.
,

g e nt ly an d car ef u lly l oo se ning th e j aw s a bi t at a

i
,

tim e, w h i le Matt , a bi t a t a tim e e x tri cat e d W h t e

”
,

Fang s mang le d n e ck
’
.

“
S tand b y to r e c e i v e y our d o g wa s S co tt s pe r ,
’

e m p tory ord e r to C he rok ee s own e r ’

.

The f aro — d e al e r s too pe d do w n O b e di e n tl y and go t a

fi rm h o l d o n C he rok ee .

N ow S co tt warn e d gi v ing t he fi na l p ry
,
.

The d og s w e r e d rawn a p art t he bu ll dog s truggl ing

”
,

v igorou sly .

“
T ak e h im awa y S co tt command e d an d T i m
, ,

Kee n a n d ra g g e d C h e r o k e e b a c k i nto t h e crowd .

 TH E C LI NG I N G D E ATH 2 37

W h it e Fang mad e seve ra l in e ff e ctua l eff ort s to g e t

up . Onc e he gain e d h i s fee t bu t h i s le g s w e r e to o ,

w e ak to s u s tain h im and he sl ow ly wi l t e d and s ank

,

back in to t he s n ow H i s eyes w e r e h a l f c l o se d and

.
,

t he s ur f ac e o f t he m wa s g l a ssy H i s j aw s w e r e .

a p art an d t h rough t he m t he tongu e p rotrud e d

, ,

d ragg le d and l im p T 0 a ll a ppe aranc es h e l o ok e d l ik e

.

a d og t h a t h ad b ee n s trang le d to d e at h Matt e x .

a mi n e d h im

“ Ju s t about a ll in
.

he ann ounc e d ; “ ”
but he s
,
’

i
b r e a t h n a ll rig h t
’
.

B e aut y S mi t h h ad r e gain e d h i s fee t and com e o ve r

to l ook at W h it e Fang
“ Matt h ow muc h i s a good sle d d og w ort h ?
,
.

-
”
S cott a s k e d .

Th e d og mu she r s ti ll o n h i s kn ees an d s too pe d o ve r

-

W h it e Fang ca l cu l at e d f o r a m om e nt
,

Th r ee h undr e d do ll ar s he an s w e r e d ,
” .

”
And h o w mu c h f or o n e t h at s a ll c he w e d u p l ik e
“ ’

t h i s o n e ? S cott a s k e d n u dging W h i t e Fang wi t h ,

h i s f oo t .

,
”
H a l f o f t h at wa s t h e d o g mu she r s j udgm e nt -
’
.

Scott turn e d u p on B e a u t y S mi t h .

“
D id y ou he ar Mr B e a s t ? I m goi ng to tak e
,
.
’

y our dog f rom y o u and I m going to gi ve y o u a h un

,
’

dr e d and fif t y f or h im .

H e o p e n e d h i s p ock e t book and coun t e d ou t t he -

bi lls .
2 36 W H I T E FA N G

But i f i t wa s a b l u ff h e i nt e nd e d , i t did n o t w ork .

S cott n e v e r d es i s t e d f rom h i s eff ort s t h ou g h he

”
,

l ook e d u p coo lly and a s k e d

“ Your dog ?

The f aro d e a le r grunt e d

-

”
.

The n g e t i n he r e and br e ak t h i s gri p .

“ W ell s trang e r t he ot he r draw le d i rritatingl y

, , ,

I don t mind t ell ing y ou t h at s s om e t h ing I ai n t

’ ’ ’

”
w ork e d o u t f or m yself I don t kno w h o w to tur n ’
.

t he trick

”
.

The n g e t ou t o f t he wa y , wa s t h e r eply , “ and

don t b ot he r m e
’
I m bu sy
.
’
.

T im Kee nan continu e d s tanding o ve r h im , b ut

S cott to ok n o f urt he r n o tic e o f h i s p rese nc e He h ad .

manag e d t o g e t t h e m u zzl e i n b e tw ee n t he j aw s on
on e s id e , and wa s try ing to g e t i t o u t b e tw ee n t he
j aw s o n th e o t he r s id e Th i s accom pl i she d h e p ri e d
.
,

g e nt ly an d car ef u lly l oo se ning th e j aw s a bi t at a

,

i
tim e, w h i le Matt a b t a t a tim e , e x tricat e d W h it e

”
,

Fang s mang le d n e ck
’
.

“
S tand by to r e c e i v e y our dog wa s S co tt s pe r ,
’

e m p tory ord e r t o C he rok ee s own e r ’

.

The faro d e a le r s too pe d d own O b e di e n tly and go t a

-

”
fi r m h o l d on C he rok ee .

N ow " S cott warn e d gi v ing t he fi na l p r y ,

.

The d og s w e r e d rawn a p art t he bu ll dog s truggl ing

”
,

v igorou sly .

“
T ak e h im awa y , S cott c ommand e d an d T im ,

K ee nan dra g e d C h e r o k e e b a c k i nto t he crowd .

2 38 W H I T E FA N G

B e au t y S mi t h p ut h i s h and s b eh ind h i s back r e ,

f u s ing to touc h t he p ro ff e r e d m on ey .

I ai n t a he s ai d
”
’
.

Oh y es y ou ar e
,
t he ot he r a ss u r e d h i m “ Be
, .

cau se I m bu y ing ’
He r e s y our m on ey The dog s .
’
.
’

mi n e .

B e aut y S mit h h i s h and s s ti ll b eh in d h im b e gan to , ,

back awa y .

Sco t t sp rang toward h i m drawi ng h i s fis t back to ,

s trik e B e au t y S mit h cow e r e d d o w n i n antici p atio n

.

Of t h e b l ow
“ I ve got m
’
y rig h t s
.

b e w h i mp e r e d ,
” .

“ Yo u ve f or fe i t e d y our rig h t s to o w n t h at d og
’

wa s t h e r e j oind e r A r e y o u goin g to tak e t h e .

”
m on ey o r d o I h a v e to h i t y ou again
”
?

“
A ll rig h t B e au t y S mi t h sp ok e u p w t h t h e
,
i
,
”
a l acrity o f fe ar “ But I tak e t he m on ey und e r p ro
t es t he add e d “
.

Th e d og s a mi nt I ain t a goin
.
’
.
’
-
’

to b e robb e d
”
A man s go t h i s rig h t s ’
. .

“
Corre ct S cott an s w e r e d p a ssing t he m on ey
, ,

o ve r to h im m an s got h i s rig h t s But o u r e

”
“ A ’ ’
. .

n o t a ma n Y o u r e a b ea s t
”
’
. . i .

“ Wai t ti ll I g e t back to D aw s on B e aut y S mi th ,

th rea t en ed “ I ll h a v e t he l aw o n y ou
.
’
.

“ If y ou o pe n y our m ou th w h e n y ou g e t back to
D aw s on I l l h a ve y o u run o u t o f to wn Und e r s tand
,
’
.

B e aut y Sm i t h r epl i e d wit h a grunt

“ Un
d e r s tand ?
”
t he ot h e r t h u nd e r e d wi t h abru p t
.

fi er c e n es s .
 ”
TH E C LI NG I N G D E A TH 2 39

“ Y es B e aut y Smi t h grun t e d sh rinking awa y

, ,

”
.

“ Y es w h at ?

“ Y es

“
,
s i r B e au t y Smi t h s narle d
,

Lo ok o u t " H e ll bi t e " s om e on e sh ou t e d and a

’ ” .

gu ffa w o f l a u g h t e r w e n t u p .

S cott turn e d h i s back o n h im an d r e turn e d to h elp ,

t he d o g mu she r w h o wa s worki n g o ve r W h i t e Fang

-

, .

S om e o f the men w e r e a l r e ad y d ep arti ng ; o the r s

s to od i n grou ps l ooking o n and ta l king T im Kee nan
, .

j oin e d o n e o f t he grou ps
“ W h o s t h a t mug ?
’
h e a sk e d ” .

”
.

W ee d on s om e o n e an s w e r e d .

“ An d w h o i n hell i s W ee don S co tt ? t he faro

d e a le r d e mand e d .

Qh, 9 n e o f t he mcrack a jagk minin e x p e rt s H e s

’ ’
-

z .
_

i n wit h a ll t he big bu gs. I f y o u wan t to k eep o u t

“

o f troub le y ou l l s t ee r c le ar o f h im t h at s m y ta l k
’ ’
,
.
,

”
.

He s a ll h unk y wi t h t he o ffi cia ls
’
The G o l d Com mi s .

i
s on e r s a spe cia l p a l o f h i s

”
’
.

“ I t h oug h t h e mu s t b e s om e b od y wa s t he faro ,

”
d e a le r s com m e n t “ Th at s w hy I k ep t m y h and s
’ ’
.

O ff e n h im at t he s tart .
 C H AP T ER V

T H E I N D OM IT A B LE

“ IT h o p eless W ee don S co tt con fesse d

’
S ,
” .

H e s at on t h e s t ep O f h i s cabin an d s tar e d at t he
dog mu she r w h o r esp ond e d wit h a sh rug t h at wa s
-

eq ua lly h o peless .

T og e t he r t hey l ook e d at W h it e Fang at th e e nd

o f h i s s tr e tc he d c h ain bri s t l ing s narl ing fe roci ou s ,

i
, , ,

s t ra n i
‘

ng t o g e t at t h e sle d d og s H a v ing r e c e i ve d-

s undry l ess on s f rom Matt s aid less on s b e ing i m p art e d ,

b y m e an s o f a c l ub t h e sle d — d og s h ad le arn e d to l e a ve
,

W h it e Fang a l on e ; and eve n t h e n t hey w e r e l y ing

d own a t a d i s tanc e a pp ar e nt ly ob l i v i ou s o f h i s
,

e xi s t e n c e
“ ’
.

I t s a w o l f and t he r e s no tam ing i t W ee don ’

,
”
S cott announc e d
“
Oh ,
’
.

I don t know ab ou t t h at Matt obj e ct e d ,

” .

“
Mig h t b e a l ot o f d o g in m f or a ll y o u can t ell ’
,
.

But t h e r e s on e t h ing I kno w s ur e an t h at t he r e s

”
’ ’ ’
,

n o g e tti n awa y f rom

’
.

The d og mu she r p au se d and n odd e d h i s he ad c o n

-

i
fi d en t a l l y at Moo seh id e Mountain .

2 40
 ”
24 2 W H I T E FA N G

“ S ee m k eep h i s eye on t h a t c l ub
’
Matt s aid , .

Th at s a good s ign
’
He s n o f oo l
. D on t da s t
’
.
’

”
tack l e m e s o l ong a s I go t t h at c l ub h and y He s not ’
.

c le an cra zy s ur e
,
.

A s t he man s h and a pp roac he d h i s n e ck W h i t e

’
,

Fan g bri s t le d and s nar le d and crouc he d d own Bu t .

w h i le h e eye d t he a pp roac h ing h and he at t h e s am e ,

tim e con tri v e d to k eep track O f t he c l ub in t he o the r

h and s u spe nd e d t h r e at e n ingl y ab o ve h i m
,
M att .

u n s na ppe d t he c h ain f rom th e co ll ar and s t eppe d

back .

W h it e Fang cou l d s carc ely r e a l i ze t h at he wa s f r ee .

Man y m onths h ad gon e b y s inc e he p a sse d into t he

p o ssess i on Of B e auty Sm it h an d i n a ll t h at p e riod he
,

h ad n eve r known a m om e nt o f f r ee d om e xc ep t at t he
tim es he h ad b ee n l o o se d to fi g h t wi t h o t he r d og s .

I m m e diat ely a f t e r s uc h fi g h t s he h ad a l ways b ee n

im p ri s on e d agai n .

He did n ot know w h a t to mak e Of i t P e r h a ps .

s om e n e w d ev i l try O f t he god s wa s ab out to b e pe r

p e t r a t e d o n h i m . H e wa l k e d sl ow ly and cauti o u sly ,

p r ep ar e d to b e a ss ai le d at an y m om e nt He did n o t .

kno w w h at to d o i t wa s a ll s o un p r e c e d e n t e d
,
He .

took t he p r e cautio n to shee r O ff f rom t he tw o wa tc h ing

god s and wa l k e d car ef u lly to t he corn e r o f t h e cabin
,
.

N ot h ing h a ppe n e d H e wa s pl ai n ly pe r ple x e d , and

.

he cam e back again p au s ing a do ze n fee t awa y and

,

r e garding t he two m e n int e nt ly .

 TH E I ND OM I T A B L E
”
24 3

“ l V on the run awa y

’
h i s n e w own e r a s k e d
? .

Matt sh rugg e d h i s sh ou l d e r s “
G ot to tak e a .

”
gamb l e On ly w a y t o fi n d out i s to fi nd o u t .

“
Pe g d ev i l S co tt m urmur ,
e d p it y ing
he n ee d s i s s om e sh o w o f h uman kindn ess he add e d
ly “
W h at
,
” .

turning and going i nto t h e ca bin .

H e cam e o ut wit h a p i e c e O f m e at w h ic h he to sse d ,

to W h i t e Fang H e sp rang awa y f rom it and f rom

.
,

a di s tanc e s tudi e d i t s u sp ici ou sly

i
.

H y u Maj or " Matt sh out e d warning ly but t o o

-

, ,

l at e .

Maj or h ad m ad e a sp ring f or t he m e at A t t he .

i n s tan t h i s j aw s c l o se d o n it W h it e Fang s truck h im ,

.

He wa s o ve rt h ro wn Matt ru s h e d in b u t q uick e r .
,

t h an he wa s W h it e Fang Maj or s tagg e r e d to h i s

.

fee t but t he b l o od sp outing f rom h i s t h roat r e dd e n e d

,

t he s now i n a wid e ning p at h

It s too bad but it se r ve d h i m rig h t
’
,
S cott
.

,
”
sa i d h a s ti ly .

But Matt s f oot h ad a l r e ad y s tart e d o n i t s wa y to

’

kick “ l i i I

t e Fang The r e wa s a le a p a fla sh o f t ee t h
.
, ,

a sh arp e xc l amation W h it e Fang s narl ing fie r c ely

.
,

s cramb le d backward f or seve ra l y ard s w h i le Matt ,

s too p e d and i n ves tigat e d h i s le g

“ H e go t m e a ll rig h t h e ann oun c e d p oi nting t o
,
” .

t he torn tro u se r s and u n d er c l o t h s and t he growing ,

s tain o f r e d
“
.

I to l d y ou i t wa s h o peless Matt S co tt s aid i n a , ,

”
 ”
24 2 W H I T E FA N G

“ S ee m k eep h i s eye on t h a t c l ub
’
Matt s aid , .

Th at s a good s ign
’
He s n o f oo l. D on t da s t
’
.
’

tack le m e s o l ong a s I go t t h at c l ub h and y He s not .

’

c le an cra zy s ur e
,
.

A s t he man s h and a pp roac he d h i s n e ck W h i t e

’
,

Fang bri s t le d and s narle d and crouc he d d own Bu t .

w h i le h e eye d t he a pp roac h ing h and he at t he s am e ,

tim e con tri v e d to k eep track o f t he c l ub in t he o the r

h and s u spe nd e d t h r e at e n ingl y ab o ve h i m
,
M att .

un s na ppe d t he c h ain f rom t h e co ll ar and s t eppe d

back .

W h it e Fang cou l d s carc ely r e a l i ze t h at he wa s f r ee .

Man y m onths h ad gon e b y s inc e he p a sse d in to t he

p o ssess ion Of B e auty Sm it h and i n a ll t h at p e riod he
,

h ad n eve r known a m om e nt Of f r ee dom e xc e p t at t he

tim es he h ad b ee n l o o se d t o fi g h t w i t h o the r dog s .

I m m e diat ely a f t e r s uc h fi g h t s he h ad a l wa ys b ee n
im p ri s on e d again
i
.

H e did n ot know w h a t to mak e O f t P e r h a ps .

s om e n e w d ev i l try o f t he god s wa s ab out to b e p e r

p e t r a t e d o n h im H e wa l k e d sl o w ly and cauti ou sly
.
,

p r ep ar e d to b e a ss ai le d at an y m om e nt He did n ot .

kno w w h at to d o i t wa s a ll s o un p r e c e d e n t e d
,
He .

took t he p r e cau ti on t o shee r O ff f rom the two watc h ing

god s and wa l k e d car ef u lly to t he corn e r o f t he cabin
,
.

N o t h ing h a ppe n e d H e wa s pl ai n ly p e r ple x e d , and

.

he cam e back again p au s ing a do ze n fee t awa y an d

,

r e garding t he two m e n int e nt ly .

244 W H I T E FA NG

di s courag e d v oic e I ve t h ough t about i t O ff an d

“ ’

on w h i le n o t wanting to t h ink o f i t But w e ve

,
.
’

com e to i t n ow I t s t h e on ly t h ing to d o
.
’
.

A s he ta l k e d wit h r el uctant m o ve m e nt s he dr e w
,

h i s r ev o lve r, t h r e w o pe n t he cyl ind e r and a ss ur e d

”
,

h im self o f it s con t e n t s .

“ Look h e r e Mr S cott,
Matt obj e ct e d ; “ t h at
.
,

dog s b e n t h roug h hell You can t e x pe ct m to com e

”
’ ’ ’
. 2

o u t a w h it e an sh ini n ang el

”
G i ve m tim e
’ ’ ’
. .

Look a t Maj or t h e o t h e r r e j oin e d

,
.

The dog mu she r s ur veye d t he s trick e n dog

-
He .

h ad s unk down on t he s now in t he circ le o f h i s b l ood ,

and wa s pl ain ly i n t he l a s t ga sp .

S e r ve d m rig h t Y ou s aid s o y our self Mr S cott

’
.
,
. .

He tri e d t o tak e W h it e F a n g s m e at an he s d e ad O ’
,
’ ’
-
.

Th at wa s to b e e x pe ct e d I wou l dn t gi ve two .
’

w h oo ps i n hell f or a dog t h at w ou l dn t fi g h t f or h i s ’

o w n m e at .

“ But l ook at y our sel f Matt I t s a ll rig h t ab out

”
’

”
,
.

t he d og s but w e m u s t draw t h e l in e s om e w he r e
,
.

“ S e r ve d m e righ t Matt argu e d s tubb orn ly , .

W h at d I wan t to kick m f or ? Y o u s ai d y our self

”
’ ’

h e d don e rig h t The n I h ad n o ri g h t to ki ck m

”
’ ’
. .

“
He s u ntamab le
’
.
”
I t wou l d b e a m e rc y to ki ll h im S co tt in s i s t e d ,
.

“
N ow l ook he r e M r S co tt gi ve t he p oor d ev i l a
, ,

i
.

fi gh t n c h anc e He ain t h ad n o c h anc e ye t H e s

’ ’ ’
. .

j u s t com e th roug h hell an t h i s i s t he fi rs t tim e he s ,

’ ’
 TH E I N D OM I T A B L E 245

b e n l oo se G i ve m a fair c h an c e an i f he d on t
”
’ ’ ’
,
.

d el i ve r t he go od s I ll ki ll m m ysel f The r e "

,
’ ’
.

”
G od know s I don t want to ki ll h im or h a ve h i m
’

ki lle d S cott an s w e r e d p utting awa y t he r ev o lve r

”
, , .

W e ll le t h im run l oo se and see w h at kindn ess can

’

d o fo r h im An d he r e s a try at i t
.
’
.

He wa l k e d o ve r to W h it e Fang and b e ga n ta l king

to h im g e nt ly and s oot h ing ly
B e tt e r h a ve a c l ub h and y Matt warn e d
.

,
” .

S cott sh ook h i s he ad an d w e n t on try in g to w in

W h i t e Fan g s con fi d e nc e
’
.

W h it e Fang wa s s u sp iciou s S om e t h ing wa s m . i

pe nding . H e h ad ki lle d t h i s god s dog bi tt e n h i s ’
,

com p anion god and w h at el se wa s to b e e x p e ct e d

,

t h an s om e t e rrib le p uni sh m e nt But i n t he f ac e o f

i t h e wa s indom itab le H e bri s t le d and sh o w e d h i s
.

t ee t h h i s eyes v igi l an t , h i s w h o le b od y wary an d

,

p r ep ar e d f or an y t h ing The go d h ad n o c l ub s o he
.
,

s u ff e r e d h im to a pp roac h q ui t e n e ar The go d s h and .

’

h ad com e o u t an d wa s d es c e nding u p on h i s h e ad .

W h it e Fang sh rank t og e t he r and gr e w t e n se a s he

crouc he d und e r i t He r e wa s dang e r s om e tr e ac h e ry
.
,

or s om e th ing H e kn e w t he h and s Of t h e god s t he ir

.
,

p ro ve d ma s t e ry t he ir cunning t o h urt
,
B es id es t he r e .
,

wa s h i s Ol d anti p athy to b e ing touc he d He s narle d .

m or e m e nacingly crouc he d s ti ll l ow e r and s ti ll t he

“

, ,

h and d es c e n d e d He did no t wan t to bi t e t he h and ,

i
.

and he e ndur e d t he p e ri l o f t un ti l h i s i n s tinct s u rg e d

24 6 W H I T E FA N G

u p i n h im , m a s t e ring h im wit h it s i n s atiab le ye arning

f or l i fe .

W ee don S cott h ad b el i eve d t h at he wa s q uick

e noug h to a v oid an y s na p or sl a sh But h e h ad y e t
.

to le arn t he r e markab le q uickn ess o f W h it e Fa n g w h o ,

s truc k wi t h t he c e rtaint y and s wi f tn ess o f a coi le d

s nak e .

S co tt cri e d ou t s h arply wit h s u rp ri se catch ing h i s

,

torn h and and h o l ding i t tigh t ly in h i s o t he r h and .

Ma t t u tt e r e d a gr e at oat h and sp rang to h i s s id e .

W h i t e Fang crouc he d down and back e d awa y bri s ,

t l ing sh owing h i s fang s h i s eyes m a l ignan t wit h

, ,

m e nac e N o w he cou l d e x pe ct a b e atin g a s fe ar f u l a s

.

an y h e h ad r e c e i ve d f rom B e au t y S mi th
He r e " W h at ar e y ou doing ? ”
.

S c ott cri e d
s udd e n ly .

Matt h ad da she d into t he cabi n and com e ou t w i t h

a rifl e .

N he s aid sl ow ly wit h a car eless ca l mn ess

,

t h a t wa s a ss um e d ; “ on ly goi n to k eep t h at p romi se

’

I mad e
”
I r e cko n i t s u p to m e to ki ll m a s I s aid
’ ’
.

I d do
”
’
.

N o y ou don t " ’

“ Y es I do Watc h m e
. .

A s Matt h ad ple a d e d f or W h it e Fang w he n he h ad

i
b ee n bitt e n , t wa s n ow W ee don S co tt s turn to ’

ple a d .

Y ou s aid to gi ve h i m a c h anc e W ell gi ve i t to

,
 W H I T E F ANG

corn e r Of t he cabin . Matt s tood s taring a l ong t he

s ig h t s at t he e mp t y sp ac e o f s no w w h ic h h ad b ee n
o ccu p i e d b y W h i t e Fang
.

The dog— mu she r p u t t he rifl e d own s o le mn ly t he n

,

turn e d and l ook e d at h i s e m pl o ye r

.

“ I agr ee wit h y ou , Mr S cott

. .Th at dog s t o o
’

int ell ig e n t to ki ll
.
 C H AP T ER V I

TH E L OV E M A S TER
-

A s W h i t e Fang watc he d W ee d on S cott a pp roac h ,

he bri s t le d and s narle d to ad ve rti se t h at he w ou l d

no t s ubm i t to p uni sh m e n t T w e nt y f our h our s h ad
.
-

p a sse d s inc e he h ad sl a she d o pe n t he h and t h at wa s

now bandag e d an d hel d u p b y a sl ing t o k eep t he
b l ood o u t o f i t
. I n t he p a s t W h it e Fang h ad e xp er i
en c e d d el a ye d p uni sh m e n t s and h e a pp r ehe nd e d t h at
,

s uc h a o n e w a s abou t to b ef a ll h im H o w cou l d i t .

b e o t he rwi se ? He h ad commi tt e d w h at w a s to h im
s acri le g e s unk h i s f ang s i nto t he h o ly fl esh o f a god
, ,

and o f a w h i t e s kinn e d s u pe rior god a t t h at

-

I n t he .

natur e o f t h i ng s a n d o f in t e rcour se wit h god s s om e

, ,

t h ing t e rrib le awai t e d h im .

The g o d s at down seve ra l fee t awa y W h i t e Fang .

c ou l d see n ot h ing dan g e rou s i n t h at W he n t he god s .

adm ini s t e r e d p uni sh m e n t t hey s tood o n t he ir le g s .

B es i d es t h i s g od h ad n o c l ub n o w h i p , n o fi r e arm
, ,
.

An d f urt he rm or e he h im sel f wa s f r ee NO c h ain

,
.

n o r s tick b ound h im He cou l d es ca pe i nto s a fe t y

.

w h i le t he go d wa s s cramb l ing to h i s fee t III t he .

m e antim e he wou l d wait and see .

2 49
2 50 W H I T E FA N G

The god r e main e d q ui e t mad e n o m o ve m e nt ; an d

,

W h it e F a n g s s nar l sl ow ly dwind le d to a grow l t h at

’

ebb e d do wn i n h i s t h roat and c e a se d The n t h e god .

s pok e an d at t he fi r s t s ound o f h i s v oic e t he h air

, ,

ro se o n W h i t e Fang s n e ck and t h e grow l ru sh e d

’

u p i n h i s t h roat . But t h e go d mad e n o h o s ti le m o ve

m e n t and w e n t on ca l m ly ta l king For a tim e W h it e
,
.

Fang grow le d i n u ni s on wit h h im a corr esp ond e nc e ,

O f r hy t h m b e ing es tab l i she d b e tw ee n gro w l and

v oic e But t he g o d ta l k e d o n i n t e rminab ly H e
. .

ta l k e d to W h it e Fang a s W h i t e Fa n g h ad n eve r b ee n
ta l k e d to b ef or e . H e ta l k e d s o f tly and s oo t h ingly ,

w it h a g e nt le n ess t h at s om eh o w s om e w he r e touc he d
, ,

W h it e Fa n g . I n sp it e o f h im sel f an d a ll t he p rick
ing warni n g s o f h i s in s tinct W h i t e Fang b e gan to
,

h a ve co n fi d e nc e in t h i s god H e h ad a feel ing o f se

.

i
c u r t y t h at wa s b el i e d b y a ll h i s e x pe ri e nc e wit h m e n .

A f t e r a l ong tim e t h e god go t u p an d w e n t into

,

t h e cabin . W h it e Fang s cann e d h i m a pp r eh e n s i vely

w he n he cam e out . He h ad n e it he r w h i p n or c l ub
n o r w e a p on . N or wa s h i s unin j ur e d h and b eh ind
h i s back h idin g s om e t h ing H e s at d own a s b ef or e
.
,

i n t he s am e sp o t se v e ra l fee t awa y
,
H e hel d o u t a
.

s ma ll p i e c e o f m e at W h it e Fang p rick e d h i s e ar s
.

and i n ves tigat e d i t s u sp i ciou sly managing to l ook at

,

t he s a me tim e b ot h a t th e me at and t he g o d a le rt ,

for an y o ve rt act h i s bod y t e n se and r e ad y to sp ring

,

awa y at t he fi rs t s ign o f h o s ti l i ty .
2 52 W H I T E FA NG

grow l rumb le d i n h i s t h roat a s warning t h at he wa s

n ot to b e t r fled wi t h i H e at e t h e m e at an d n o t h ing
.
,

h a ppe n e d Pi e c e b y p i e c e he at e a ll t he m e at and
.
, ,

n o t h ing h a ppe n e d S ti ll t he p uni sh m e nt d el a ye d

. .

He l ick e d h i s c h o ps an d wait e d The god w e nt .

on ta l ki n g I n h i s v oi c e wa s kindn ess — s om e t h ing

.

o f w h ic h W h it e Fang h ad n o e x pe ri e nc e w h at eve r .

A nd wi t h i n h im i t arou se d feel ing s w h ic h he h ad

l ik e wi se n eve r e x pe ri e nc e d b ef or e He wa s awar e .

p f a c e i
r t a n s trang e s ati sf action a s t h oug h s om e n ee d,

i
,

w e r e b e ing grati fie d a s t h oug h s om e v oi d n h i s

,

be ing w e r e b e i ng fille d The n again cam e t he p rod .

o f h i s in s tinct and t he warning o f p a s t e x pe ri e n c e .

Th e god s w e r e eve r cra f t y , and t hey h ad ungu esse d

wa ys o f attaining t he ir e nd s .

A h he h ad t h oug h t s o " The r e i t cam e n o w t he

, ,

go d s h an d cunning to h urt t h ru s ting o u t at h im

’
, , ,

d es c e nding u p on h i s he ad But t he god w e n t o n

.

ta l king . H i s v oic e wa s s o f t an d s oot h ing I n sp it e .

o f t h e m e nacing h and t he v oic e in sp i r e d con fi d e n c e

, .

A nd in sp i t e o f t he a ss uring v oi c e t he h an d i n sp ir e d ,

di s tru s t .W h it e Fang wa s torn b y conflicting feel

I t see m e d he wou l d fl y t o p i
'

ing s i m p u lses
, . e c es s o ,

t e rrib le wa s t he con tro l h e wa s e x e rting h o l ding t o ,

g e t he r b y an unwon t e d i nd e ci s ion t he count e r f orc es -

t h at s truggle d wi th i n h im f or ma s t e ry .

H e co mp romi se d He s narle d and bri s t le d and

.

flatt e n e d h i s e ar s But b e n e it he r s na ppe d nor sp rang

.
 TH E L O V E—
M A ST E R 2 53

awa y . The h and d es c e nd e d N e ar e r and n e ar e r i t

.

cam e . I t touc he d t he e nd s o f h i s u ps tanding h air .

H e sh rank do wn und e r it I t f o ll ow e d d ow n a f t e r .

h im p r ess ing m or e c l o sely agai n s t h i

,
m S h rinking .
,

a l mo s t sh i ve ring he s ti ll m anag e d to h o l d h im self t o

,

g e t he r I t wa s a torm e nt t h i s h and t h at to u c he d
.
,

h im an d v io l at e d h i s i n s ti n ct H e cou l d no t f org e t .

i n a da y a ll t he e v i l t h at h ad b ee n wrough t h im at
‘

t he h and s o f m e n But i t wa s t he wi ll O f t h e god

.
,

an d he s tro ve to s ubmi t .

The h and l i f t e d and d es c e nd e d again in a p atting ,

ca r ess ing m o ve m e nt Th i s conti nu e d b ut eve ry tim e

i
,
.

t he h and l i f t e d t he h ai r l i f t e d und e r t
,
A n d eve r y .

tim e t he h and d es c e nd e d t he e ar s flatt e n e d d o wn and

,

a ca ve rn ou s gro w l s u rg e d i n h i s t h roat W h i t e Fang .

grow le d and grow le d wi t h in s i s t e n t warning B y .

t h i s m e an s he an n ounc e d t h at he wa s p r ep ar e d to r e
t al i a t e f or an y h urt he mig h t r e c e i ve The r e wa s n o .

t ell ing w he n t he god s u l t e ri or m o ti ve mig h t b e di s

’

c l o se d A t an y mom e nt t h at s o f t c o n fid en c e in sp iring
.
,
-

v oic e mig h t br e ak f ort h in a roar o f wrat h t h at g e n ,

t le an d car ess ing h and tran s f orm i t sel f i nto a v i sel ik e

gri p to h o l d h i m helpless and adm ini s t e r p uni sh m e nt .

But t he god ta l k e d on s o f t ly and eve r t h e h an d ,

ro se and fell wi t h n on h o s ti le p at s -
W h i t e Fang e x
i
.

p e r e n c e d d ua l feel ing s I t wa s di s ta s t ef u l to h i s
i
.

in s tinct I t r es trai n e d h m o pp o se d t he wi ll O f h im
.
,

to ward p e rs ona l l ib e rt y A nd y e t i t wa s n o t phys i

.
2 54 W H I T E FA NG

ca lly p ain fu l On th e contrar y i t wa s eve n ple a s ant

.
, ,

i n a p h ys ical wa y The p a t ting m o ve m e n t sl ow ly

.

and car ef u lly c h ang e d to a rubbing o f t he e ar s ab ou t

t he ir ba ses an d t he phys ica l ple a s ur e eve n in cr e a se d
,

a l ittl e Y e t he continu e d to fe ar and he s tood o n

.
,

guard e x p e ctan t o f u ngu esse d ev i l a l t e rnat ely s u ff e r

, ,

ing and e nj o y ing a s o n e feel ing o r t he ot he r cam e

u ppe rmo s t and s wa ye d h im .

“ W el l I l l b e go sh s w o g g l e d
,
’ -

S o sp ok e Matt coming o u t o f t h e cabin h i s sleeves

, ,

ro lle d u p a p an O f dirt y di sh wat e r i n h i s h and s

,
-

arr es t e d in t h e act o f e m p ty ing t he p an b y t he s igh t

o f W ee d on S cott p atting W h i t e Fang .

A t t he i n s tan t h i s v oic e brok e t h e s i le nc e W h it e ,

Fang l e a pe d back , s narl ing s a v ag ely a t h im .

Matt r e gard e d h i s e m pl o ye r wit h gri eve d di s

a pp ro v a l
i
.

If y ou don t m in d m y e x p r es s n my feel i
’
n s Mr
’ ’
,
.

S cott I ll mak e f r ee to s a y y ou r e seve n t ee n kin d s o f

”
’ ’
,

a damn f oo l an a ll O f e m di ffe r e nt an d t he n s om e
’ ’
,
.

W ee don Scot t s m i le d wi t h a s u pe rior ai r g a i n e d ,

h i s fee t and wa l k e d o ve r to W h it e Fang

,
He ta l k e d .

s oo th ingly to h im b ut n o t f or l ong t he n sl ow ly p u t
, ,

ou t h i s h and r es t e d i t on W h i t e Fang s he ad and

,
’
,

r es um e d t he int e rr u p t e d p atting W h it e Fang en .

d ur e d i t k eep ing h i s eyes fi x e d s u sp iciou sly n ot u p on

, ,

t he man t h at p e tt e d h im but u p on t he man t h at ,

s tood i n t h e d oorwa y .
256 W H I T E FA N G

work u p on h im B u t now i t wa s di ff e r e n t The

. .

t h umb o f circum s tanc e h ad d on e it s work on ly too

w ell . B y i t h e h ad b ee n f orm e d an d h ard e n e d i nto
t h e Fi g h ting Wo l f fie rc e and im pl acab le un l o v ing
, ,

an d u n l o v ab le T o accom pl i sh t he c h ang e wa s l ik e
.

a r e flux o f b e ing and t h i s w he n t he pl a s tici t y o f

,

y ou t h wa s n o l ong e r h i s ; w he n t he fi br e o f h im h ad
b e com e toug h and kno tt y ; w he n t he war p and t h e
wo o f O f h im h ad mad e Of h i m an adaman t in e t e xtur e ,

h arsh and un y i el d ing ; w he n t he f ac e o f h i s sp iri t h ad

b e com e iron and a ll h i s in s tinct s and axiom s h ad
crys ta ll i ze d into se t ru les ca u ti on s, di sl ik es and
, ,

d es ir es .

Y e t again i n t h i s n e w ori e ntation i t wa s t he

, ,

t h umb Of circum s tanc e th at p r esse d and p rodd e d h im ,

s o f t e ni n g t h at w h ic h h ad b e com e h ard and r e m ou l d

ing i t i nto f air e r f orm W ee don S cott wa s n tru t h
. i
t h i s t h umb . He h ad gon e to t he root s o f W h it e
Fang s natur e and wi t h kindn ess touc he d to l i fe
’
,

p ot e nci es t h at h ad l a n gui she d and w ell nig h p e ri she d

-

On e s uc h p ot e nc y wa s l ove I t took t he pl ac e o f
.

i
w h ic h l att e r h ad b ee n t he h ig hes t feel ing t h at t h ri lle d
h m i n h i s int e rcour se wi t h t he god s .

Bu t t h i s l o ve did n ot com e In a da y I t b e gan

.

wi t h l i ke and ou t o f i t sl ow ly d evel o pe d W h it e .

Fang did n ot run awa y t h oug h he wa s a ll ow e d to

,

r e mai n l oo se b e cau se he l ik e d t h i s n e w god

,
Th i s .

wa s c e r t a in ly b e tt e r t h an t he l i fe he h ad l i ve d i n t he
 TH E L OV E —
M A ST E R 2 57

cag e o f B e aut y Smi th an d i t wa s n e c ess ary t h a t h e

,

i
sh ou l d h a ve s om e g o d The l ord sh i p o f man wa s
.

a n ee d o f h i s natur e Th e se a l o f h s d epe nd e n c e o n
.

man h ad b ee n se t u p on h im i n t h at e arly da y w h e n
h e turn e d h i s back o n t he Wi l d and craw le d to G ra y
B e a ve r s fee t t o r e c e i v e t he e x p e ct e d b e ati n g Th i s
’
.

se a l h ad b ee n s tam pe d u p on h im again and n er a d ,

i i
c a bl y on h i s se co nd r e turn f rom t he Wi l d w he n t he
, ,

l ong f amin e wa s o ve r an d t he r e wa s fish onc e m or e

i n t he v i ll ag e Of G ra y B e a ve r .

A nd s o b e cau se h e n ee d e d a god and b e cau se he

,

p r efe rr e d W ee do n S cott to B e aut y S mi t h W h it e ,

Fang r e main e d . I n ackn ow le dg me n t o f fe a l ty he ,

p roc ee d e d to tak e u p o n h im sel f t he guard ian sh i p O f

h i s ma s t e r s p ro pe rt y
’
H e p row le d abo ut t he cabin
.

w h i l e t he sle d dog s slep t and t he fi r s t nig h t v i s ito r to

-

,
-

t he cabin f oug h t h i m Off w it h a c l ub un ti l W ee don

S cott cam e to t he r es cu e B ut W h i t e Fang s oon
.

l e arn e d to di ffe r e n tiat e b e tw ee n t h i eves an d h on es t

m e n , to a pp r ai se t he tru e v a l u e o f s t ep an d carriag e .

The man w h o tra velle d l ou d s t epp ing t he dir e c t l in e

,
-

to t he cabi n door he l e t a l on e t h oug h he watc he d

i
,

h m v igi l an t ly un ti l t h e d oor o pe n e d and he r e c e i ve d

t h e indor se m e nt o f t he ma s t e r But t he ma n w h o w e n t
.

s o f tly b y circuitou s wa ys pee ring wi t h cauti on seek

, , ,

i ng a f t e r se cr e c y — t h a t wa s t he ma n w h o r e c e i ve d
no s u spe n s io n o f j udgm e n t f rom W h i t e Fang and w h o ,

w e n t awa y abru p tly h urri e d ly and wi t h ou t digni ty

, , .
2 58 W H I T E FA NG

W ee do n S co tt h ad se t h im self t he ta s k o f r e d ee m
ing W h i t e Fan g — o r rat he r o f r e d ee mi n g mankind
,

f rom t h e wrong i t h ad d on e W h it e Fang I t wa s .

a matt e r o f p rin ci ple and con s ci e nc e He fel t t h at

.

t he i ll d o n e W h i t e Fang wa s a d e b t incurr e d b y man

and t h at i t mu s t b e p aid S O he w e nt o u t o f h i s wa y
.

to b e espe cia lly kind to t he Fig h ting Wo l f Eac h .

da y he mad e i t a p oin t to car ess and p e t W h i t e Fang ,

and to d o i t at le ngt h .

A t fi r s t s u sp iciou s an d h o s ti le W h it e Fang gr e w to
,

l ik e t h i s p e tting But t he r e wa s on e t h ing t h at he

.

n eve r outgr e w — h i s grow l ing G row l he wou l d

.
,

f rom t he m om e nt t he pe tting b e gan un ti l i t e nd e d .

But i t wa s a grow l wi t h a n e w n ot e i n i t A s trang e r .

cou l d n o t h e ar t h i s n o t e and t o s uc h a s trang e r t he

,

grow l i ng o f W h it e Fang wa s an e x h ibi ti on o f p ri

mo r d i a l s a v ag e r y
,
n e r ve racking an d b l ood curd l ing
- -
.

But W h i t e F a n g s t h roat h ad b e com e h ar sh fi b re d

’
-

f rom t he making o f fe rociou s s ound s t h roug h t he

man y ye ar s s in c e h i s fi r s t l i tt le ra sp o f ang e r in
t h e l a w o f h i s cub h ood and he cou l d n o t s o f t e n t he
,

s ound s o f t h at t h roat n ow to e x p r ess t he g e nt le n ess

he fel t N eve rt heless W ee don S co tt s e ar and sy m
.
,
’

p at hy w e r e fi n e e noug h to catc h t he n e w n o t e a ll
i
but drown e d n th e fi er c en es s — t he not e t h at wa s
t he f ain t es t h in t O f a cro on o f con t e n t and t h at non e
but he cou l d h e ar
i
.

A s t he days w e nt b y t he ev o l utio n o f l ke into l ove

,
260 W H I T E FA N G

pl ac e h e h ad burro w e d i n t he s now in ord e r to r e

c ei ve t he f ri e nd ly s na p o f fi ng e r s and t he word o f
gr ee ting M e at ev e n m e at i t self h e wou l d f or e go to
.
, ,

b e wit h h i s god to r e c e i ve a car ess f rom h m or to

, i
accom p an y h im do wn into t h e town
Li
.

ke h ad b ee n r epl ac e d b y l ov e A nd l o ve wa s t h e .

pl u mm e t dro ppe d down into t he d eeps o f h im w he r e

l ik e h ad n eve r gon e A nd r esp on s i ve o u t o f h i s d eep s
.
,

h ad com e t he n e w t h ing — l o ve Th at w h ic h wa s .

i
gi ve n unto h m did he r e turn Th i s wa s a god i nd ee d .
,

a l o ve god a warm and radian t god i n w h o se l ig h t

-

, ,

W h i t e Fang s natur e e x p and e d a s a flow e r e x p and s

’

und e r t h e s un .

B u t W h i t e Fang wa s no t d e m on s trati ve He .

wa s t oo Ol d too fi rm ly m o u l d e d to b e com e ad ep t
, ,

at e x p r ess i n g h im sel f i n n e w wa ys H e wa s too .

self p o ssesse d t oo s trong ly p oi se d i n h i s own i s o l a

-

tion . T oo l ong h ad h e cu l ti v at e d r e tic e nc e a l oo f ,

n ess and m oro se n ess

,
H e h ad n eve r bark e d i n
.

h i s l i fe and he cou l d n o t n o w le arn t o bark a w el

,

c om e w he n h i s g o d a pp roac he d H e wa s n e v e r i n .

t he wa y n eve r e xtra v agan t nor f oo l i sh in t he e x p r es

,

s ion o f h i s l o ve H e n eve r ran to m ee t h i s g o d

. He .

wait e d at a di s tanc e ; bu t h e a l wa ys wai t e d wa s a l ,

wa ys t he r e H i s l o ve p artook o f t he natur e o f w or
.

s h i p dumb inarticu l at e a s i le n t a d orati on

, , On ly b y
,
.

t he s t e ad y r e gard O f h i s eyes di d he e x p r ess h i s l o ve ,

an d b y t he unc e a s ing f o ll owing wi t h h i s eyes o f h i s

 TH E L O V E—MA ST E R 2 61

god s eve ry m o ve m e nt A ls o a t tim es w he n h i s go d

’
.
, ,

l ook e d at h i m and sp ok e to h im he b e tra ye d an awk ,

ward self — con s ciou s n ess cau se d b y t he s trugg le o f h i s

,

l o ve to e x p r ess i t self and h i s phys ica l inabi l i t y to

e x p r ess i t
i
.

H e le arn e d to adj u s t h im self in m an y wa ys to h s

n e w m od e o f l i fe . I t wa s born e i n u p o n h i m t h a t
he mu s t le t h i s ma s t e r s dog s a l on e Y e t h i s domi
’
.

nant natur e a sse rt e d i t sel f and h e h a d fi r s t to t h ra sh

,

t he m into an acknow le dgm e nt o f h i s s u pe riori t y and

le a d e r sh i p
. Th i s accom pl i she d he h ad l itt le troub le,

wi t h t he m . Th ey ga ve trai l to h im w he n h e cam e
and w e n t o r wa l k e d am ong t h e m and w he n h e a s ,

se r t e d h i s wi ll t hey ob eye d .

I n t he s am e wa y he cam e to to le rat e Matt —a s a

,

p o ssess i on Of h i s ma s t e r H i s ma s t e r rar ely fe d h im

. .

Matt did t h at i t wa s h i s bu s in ess ; ye t W h it e Fang

,

di v in e d t h at i t wa s h i s ma s t e r s f o o d he at e and t h at
’

i t wa s h i s m a s t e r w h o t h u s fe d h im v icariou sly
Matt i t wa s w h o tri e d to p u t h im i nto t he h arn ess
'

an d mak e h im h a u l s l ed wi t h t he o t he r dog s B u t .

Matt f ai le d . I t wa s no t u nti l W ee don S cott p u t t he

h arn ess o n W h it e Fang a n d w ork e d h im t h at he ,

und e r s tood . H e took i t a s h i s ma s t e r s wi ll t h at ’

Matt sh ou l d dri ve h im and work h im j u s t a s he dro ve

and work e d h i s ma s t e r s ot he r d og s’
.

D i ff e r e nt f rom t he Ma ck e n z i e toboggan s w e r e t he
Kl ondik e sle d s wi t h runn e r s un d e r t he m A nd di f .
2 62 W H I T E FA NG

fe r e n t wa s t he m e t h od o f dri v ing t he dog s The r e .

wa s n o fan f orm ati on o f th e t e am

-
The d og s w ork e d .

i n s ing le file on e b eh ind anot he r h au l ing o n doub le

, ,

trac es And he r e i n t he Kl ondik e t he le a d e r wa s

.
, ,

ind ee d t he le ad e r The wi ses t a s w ell a s s trong es t

.

d og wa s t h e le ad e r and t he t e a m ob eye d h i m and,

fe ar e d h im Th a t W h i t e Fang sh ou l d q uick ly gain

.

t h i s p o s t wa s i n ev itab le H e cou l d n ot b e s ati sfie d.

wit h less a s Matt le arn e d a f t e r muc h incon ve ni e nc e

,

and troub le W h i t e Fa n g p ick e d o u t t he p o s t f or

.

h im sel f and Matt back e d h i s j udgm e nt wi t h s trong

,

l anguag e a f t e r t he e x pe rim e n t h ad b ee n tri e d But .

,

t h oug h he work e d i n t he sle d i n t he da y W h i t e Fang ,

did n o t f or e go t he guarding o f h i s ma s t e r s p ro pe rty ’

in t he nig h t Th u s he wa s on d u ty a ll t h e tim e eve r

”
.
,

v igi l an t and f ait h fu l , t he m o s t v a l uab le Of a ll t he d og s .

Makin f r ee to S p i t ou t w h at s in m e Matt s aid

’ ’
, ,

o n e da y “
I b e g to s tat e t h at y o u wa s a w i se gu y a ll
,

rig h t w he n y ou p ai d t h e p ri c e y o u did f or t h at d og .

Y ou c le an s win d le d B e au t y Sm i t h o n to p Of p u sh in
”
’

h i s fac e i n wit h y our fis t .

A r e crud es c e nc e Of ang e r g l int e d i n W ee don Sco tt s ’

gra y eyes and he mu tt e r e d s a v ag ely

,
The b e a s t ,

I n t he l at e sp ring a gr e at troub le cam e to W h i t e

Fang . Wi t h ou t warning t he l o ve ma s t e r d i sa p
,
-

p ea r e d The
. r e h ad b ee n warning but W h i t e Fa n g ,

wa s un ve rse d i n s uc h t h ing s and di d n o t und e rs tand

t he p acking o f a gri p He r e m e m b e r e d a f t e rward
.
 W 1 £4 PA N

t he s to v e , wi t h out in t e r es t i n f ood in Mat t n or in , ,

l i fe Matt mig h t ta l k g e nt ly to h im or s w e ar a t h i m
.
,

i t wa s a ll t he s am e ; he n eve r did mor e t h an turn h i s

du ll eyes u p on t h e man t he n dro p h i s he ad back to
i
,

i t s cu s tomary p o s ition on h s f or e p aw s -

An d t he n o n e nig h t , Matt r e ading to h im self wit h

, ,

m o v i ng l i ps and mumb le d s ound s wa s s tart le d b y a ,

l o w w h in e f ro m W h i t e Fang H e h ad got u p on h i s
.

fee t h i s e ar s cock e d to ward t he door and he wa s

, ,

l i s t e ning int e nt ly A m om e n t l at e r Matt he ard a

.
,

f oo t s t ep . Th e d oo r o pe n e d and W ee don Sco tt ,

s t eppe d i n The two m e n sh ook h and s The n S cott

. .

l ook e d around t he room

“
W h e r e s t he wo lf ? h e a s k e d
’ ” .

The n he di s co ve r e d h im s tanding w he r e h e h ad b ee n
,

ly ing n e ar to t he s to ve H e h ad no t ru sh e d f orward
,
.

a f t e r t he mann e r o f ot he r dog s H e s tood watc h ing

”
,
.

and waiting .

“
H o ly s mok e " Matt e xc l aim e d “ Look at m .
’

wag h i s tai l
W ee d on S co tt s trod e h a l f acro ss t he room toward
h im at t he s am e tim e ca ll ing h im
, W h i t e Fang .

cam e to h im n o t wit h a gr e at bound ye t q uick ly

, ,
.

He wa s awkwar d f rom sel f con s ci ou s n ess bu t a s he -

dre w n e ar h i s eyes took o n a s t rang e e x p r ess ion

,
.

S om e t h ing an i ncom municab le v a s tn ess o f feel ing

, ,

ro se u p into h i s eyes a s a l ig h t and sh on e f ort h .

”
He n eve r l ook e d at m e t h at wa y a ll t he tim e y o u
wa s gon e Matt comm e nt e d
, .
 TH E L O VE—M A S T E R 2 65

W ee do n S cott did not he ar He wa s sq uatting .

d o wn o n h i s heels f ac e to f ac e w i t h W h i t e Fang and

,

pe tting h im — rubbing at t he roo t s o f t he e ar s mak ,

ing l ong car ess ing s trok es d own t he n e ck to t he

,

sh ou l d e r s ta pp ing t he sp in e g e n t ly wit h t h e ba lls O f

,

h i s fi ng e r s And W h it e Fang wa s grow l ing r es p o n

i
.

s v el y t h e cro oning n o t e o f t h e grow l m or e p ro

,

n o u n c e d t h an eve r ;

But t h at wa s n o t a ll W h at Of h i s j o y t he gr e at
.
,

l o ve i n h im , eve r s urging and s truggl ing to e x p r ess

i t sel f s ucc ee d e d in fi nding a n e w m od e Of e x p r ess i on
,
.

H e s udd e n ly th ru s t h i s he ad f orward and nudg e d h i s

wa y in b e tw ee n t he m a s t e r s arm and b od y An d
’
.

h e r e con fi n e d h idd e n f rom v i e w a ll e xc ep t h i s e ar s n o

, , ,

l ong e r grow l ing h e con ti nu e d to nudg e an d s nugg le

,
.

The two m e n l ook e d at e ac h o t he r S cott s eyes .

’

w e r e sh ining .

“ G o sh s aid Matt i n an aw e s trick e n v oic e -

.

A m om e n t l at e r w he n h e h ad r e co ve r e d h im self
, ,

h e s aid “ I a l wa ys in s i s t e d t h at w o l f wa s a d o g
,
.

Lo ok at m ’

Wi t h t he r e turn o f t he l o ve ma s t e r, W h it e Fang s -
’

r e co ve ry wa s ra p id T wo nig h t s and a da y he spe nt

.

in t he cabin The n he s a ll i e d f ort h Th e sle d dog s

. .
-

h ad f orgott e n h i s p row ess They r e m e mb e re d on ly .

t h e l at es t w h ic h wa s h i s w e akn ess and s i ckn ess

,
At .

t he s ig h t o f h i m a s h e ca me ou t o f t he cabin t hey ,

sp rang u p on h i m .
 ”
266 W H I T E F AN G

“
T a l k about y our roug h h ou ses Matt m urmur e d -

g leef u lly s tanding in t he doorwa y and l ooki ng on

”
, .

“ G i ve m hell y o u w o lf
’
G i ve m hell — and t he n
,
’

s om e "
W h it e Fang did n o t n ee d t he e ncou rag em e n t The .

r e turn o f t h e l o ve ma s t e r wa s e noug h L i fe wa s
-
.

fl owing t h roug h h im again sple ndid and indomi ta b le , .

H e f oug h t f rom shee r j o y fi nding in i t an e x p r ess ion

,

o f m uc h t h at he fel t and t h at ot he rwi se wa s wit h ou t

spee c h The r e cou l d b e bu t o n e e ndin g The t e am

. .

di spe r se d i n ignom ini ou s d efe at an d i t wa s n ot un ti l ,

a f t e r dark t h at t he dog s cam e s n e aking back o n e b y ,

on e b y m ee kn ess and h um i l i t y s i gni fy ing t he ir fe a l ty

,

t o W h it e Fang .

H a v i ng le arn e d to s nugg le W h it e Fang wa s gui l ty ,

of i t o f te n I t wa s t he fi na l w ord
. He cou l d n o t .

go b ey ond i t The o n e t h ing o f w h ic h he h ad a l wa ys

.

b ee n p articu l arly j e a l ou s wa s h i s he ad ,
He h ad .

a l wa ys di sl ik e d to h a ve i t touc he d I t wa s t he Wi l d .

i n h im t he fe ar o f h urt and o f t he tra p th at h ad

, ,

gi ve n ri se to t he p anick y im p u lses to a v oid contact s .

I t wa s t he mand at e Of h i s in s tin ct t h at t h at he ad
m u s t b e f r ee And n o w wit h t he l o ve ma s t e r h i s
.
,
-

s nuggl i ng wa s t h e d el ib e rat e act o f p utting h im self

i nto a p o s itio n o f h o peless helpless n ess I t wa s an .

e x p r ess ion o f pe r fe ct con fi d e n c e o f ab s o l ut e self

”
,

s urr e nd e r a s t h oug h he s aid

,
I p ut m ysel f i n t o t hy
°

h and s Work t h ou t hy wi ll with m e

. .
2 68 W H I T E FA NG

l ow e r e d h i s cro sse d arm s e x p o s ing t he b es tia l fac e o f

,

B e au ty Sm i t h The dog mu she r le t go o f h im p r e

.
-

i
c pi t a t el y wi t h actio n s imi l ar to t h at o f a man w h o
,

h a s p ick e d u p l i ve fi r e B e aut y S mit h b l ink e d in

.

t h e l am pl ig h t and l ook e d ab out h im He caugh t .

s ig h t o f W h it e Fang an d t e rror ru sh e d into h i s fac e .

A t t h e s am e mom e n t Matt n oti c e d tw o O bj e ct s

ly ing i n t h e s no w He hel d t he l am p c l o se to t he m
.
,

i n d i cating t he m w it h h i s t o e f or h i s e m pl o ye r s ’

b en e fi t — a s t eel dog c h ain and a s tou t c l ub

-
.

W ee don S co tt s aw and n odd e d N o t a word wa s .

sp ok e n Th e d o g mu she r l aid h i s h and o n B e aut y

.
-

S mit h s sh ou l d e r an d fac e d h i
’
m to t he righ t ab out -
.

N O w ord n ee d e d t o b e sp ok e n B e aut y Smit h .

s tart e d .

I n t he m e antim e t he l o ve ma s t e r wa s p atting W h it e -

Fang and ta l king to h i m

”
.

“
T ri e d to s t e a l y ou eh ? An d y ou wou l d n t h a v e ’

i
,

t " W ell w ell he mad e a m i s tak e didn t he ?

’
, , ,

“
Mu s t a t h oug h t he h ad h o l d o f seve n t ee n d ev i ls
’ ’
,

t h e dog mu she r s nigg e r e d

-
.

W h it e Fang s ti ll wroug h t u p and bri s t l ing grow le d

, ,

a n d grow le d t he h air sl ow ly ly ing d own t he croon

i
,

i
,

n g n ot e r e mot e an d d m but gro wing in h i s t h roat ,

.
 PAR T FIV E

TH E TAM E

C HA PTER TH E L ON G T R AIL
C HA P TE R II TH E S O U T H L AN D
C HA P T E R III TH E G O D S D OM A IN
’

C HA P TE R TH E C A LL O F K IN D
C HA P T E R TH E S L E E PIN G W OL F
 C H AP T ER I

TH E L ON G TR A IL

IT wa s i n t h e ai r W h it e Fang se n se d t he comi ng
.

ca l ami t y , eve n b ef or e t he r e wa s tangib l e ev id e n c e o f

i t I n v agu e wa ys i t wa s born e in u p on h im t h at a
.

c h ang e wa s im pe nding H e kn e w n o t h o w n or w hy ,
.

ye t h e got h i s feel o f t he oncoming e v e n t f rom t he

god s t he m selves . I n wa ys s ubt le r t h an t hey kn e w ,

t hey b e tra ye d t he ir int e ntion s t o t h e w o l f d og t h a t -

h aun t e d t he cabin s to o p and t h at , t h oug h he n eve r

-

cam e in s id e t he cabin kn e w w h at w e nt o n in s id e

”
,

t he ir brain s.

“
Li s t e n to t h at wi ll y ou " t h e d og mu she r e x
,
-

c l aim e d a t s u ppe r o n e nig h t .

W ee don S cott l i s t e n e d Th roug h t h e doo r cam e a

.

l o w anxi ou s w h in e l ik e a s obbi ng und e r t he b r e at h

, ,

t h at h a s j u s t gro wn audib le The n cam e t h e l ong s ni ff

.
,

a s Wh it e Fang r e a ss ur e d h im self t h at h i s god wa s

s ti ll in s id e and h a d n o t ye t tak e n h im self Off i n
mys t e ri ou s an d s o l itary flig h t
“ ’ ‘
.

I d o b el i eve t h at wo l f s on t o y ou t he d og m a she r ,
” -
2 72 W H I T E F AN G

W ee don S cott l o ok e d acro ss at h i s com p anion wit h

eyes t h at a l mo s t ple ad e d t h ough t h i s wa s gi ve n t he ,

l i e b y h i s word s
i
.

“ W h at t he d ev i l can I d o wi t h a wo l f i n C a l f o r

nia he d e m an d e d
”
”
.

“ Th at s w h at I s a y ’
Matt an s w e r e d “ W h at t he
,
.

d ev i l can y ou d o wi t h a w o l f in Ca l i f ornia ?
B u t t h i s did no t s ati sfy W ee don Scott The o t he r .

see m e d to b e j udging h im in a n on commi tta l s ort o f -

wa y .

”
“ W h i t e man s dog s wou l d h a ve n o sh ow again s t
’
-

h im Sco tt w e n t o n “ H e d ki ll t he m o n s ig h t If ’

i
. .
,

he d idn t bankru p t m e wi t h damag e s uit s t he a u t h o r

’

m
,

i
h im .
”
ti es wou l d tak e h awa y f rom m e and ele c trocut e

“ H e s a d ownrig h t murd e r e r
’
I kno w wa s t he ,

dog mu she r s comm e nt

-
’
.

W ee don S co tt l ook e d at h im s u sp iciou sly

” .

“ I t wou l d n eve r d o

“ I t wou l d
he s aid d e ci s i vely
n eve r d o Matt co n curr e d
,

W hy ” ,
.

.
,

y ou d h a ve to h ir e a man spe cia lly to tak e car e

’ ’

Of
’
m .

The ot he r s s u sp icion wa s a ll aye d

’
He n odd e d .

c hee r fu lly I n t he s i le nc e t h at f o ll ow e d t h e l o w
.
, ,

h a l f s obbing w h in e w a s he ard at t he door and t he n

-

t he l ong q u es ting s ni ff

” i
.
,

“ The r e s n o d en
y n he ’
t h ink s a hell o f a l o t o f
’

y ou Matt s aid
,
.
2 74 W H I T E FA NG

W h it e Fang h ad a l r e ad y se n se d i t He n o w r e a .

s on e d i t H i s god wa s p r ep aring f or an ot he r flig h t

. .

A nd S inc e he h ad n o t tak e n h im wi th h im b ef or e s o , ,

now he cou l d l ook to b e lef t b eh ind

,
.

Th at nigh t h e l i f t e d t he l ong w o l f h ow l A s h e -
.

h ad h o w le d i n h i s p u ppy da ys, w he n h e fl e d back

,

f rom t he Wi l d to t he v i ll ag e to fi nd i t v ani she d and

naug h t b ut a rubbi sh h e a p t o mark t he s it e o f G ra y
-

B e a ve r s t epee s o n ow he p oi nt e d h i s mu zzle to t he
’
,

co l d s tar s a n d to l d to t he m h i s w o e .

”
I n s id e t he cabin t he tw o m e n h ad j u s t gon e to b e d
H e s gon e Off h i s f ood again , M att r e mark e d f rom
’
.

h i s bunk .

The r e wa s a grun t f rom W ee don S co tt s bunk , and ’

a s tir o f b l ank e t s .

From t he wa y he cu t u p t he ot he r tim e y ou w e nt

”
awa y , I w ou l dn t w ond e r t h i s tim e but w h at he
’

di e d

”
.

The b l ank e t s i n t he o t he r bunk s tirr e d ir ri tab ly .

Oh , s h ut u p " S co tt cri e d ou t t h roug h t h e dark

”
n ess “ Y o u nag wor se t h an a woman
“ ’
i ’
,
”
I m a g r e e n wit h y ou t he d o g mu she r an s w e re d
-
.

and W ee don S co tt wa s n o t q uit e s ur e w he t he r or n o t

t h e ot he r h ad s nick e r e d .

The n e xt da y W h i t e Fang s an xi e ty and r es t less

’

n ess w e r e eve n m or e p ronounc e d He dogg e d h i s

.

ma s t e r s heels w he n eve r he lef t t he cabin and

’
,

h aunt e d t he f ron t s too p w he n h e r e main e d in s id e .

 TH E L O NG T RAIL 2 75

Th roug h t he Ope n d oor he cou l d catc h g l im pses O f t he

l uggag e on t he floor The gri p h ad b ee n j oin e d b y
.

t w o l arg e can v a s bag s and a b o x Matt wa s ro ll i ng

.

t he ma s t e r s b l ank e t s and fu r rob e in s id e a s ma ll

’

tarp au l in . W h it e Fang w h i n e d a s he watc he d t h e

o pe ration .

Lat e r on tw o I ndian s arri ve d

,
H e watc h e d t he m
.

c l o sely a s t hey sh ou l d e r e d t he l uggag e and w e r e le d

O ff d own t he h i ll b y Matt w h o carri e d t he b e dding
,

an d t he gri p But W h it e Fang did no t f o ll o w t he m

. .

Th e ma s t e r wa s s ti ll i n t he cabin A f t e r a tim e .
,

Matt r e turn e d The ma s t e r cam e to t he d oor an d

.

ca lle d W h i t e Fa n g in s id e
Y ou p o or d ev i l ” .

h e s ai d g e n t ly rubbing W h i t e
, ,

Fang s e ar s and ta pp ing h i s sp in e

’ “ I m h ittin g t he
.
’

l ong trai l ol d ma n w he r e y o u cannot f o ll o w

, ,
N ow .

gi ve m e a grow l — t he l a s t good good b y grow l

, ,
-

But W h i t e Fang r ef u se d to grow l I n s t e ad and .

,

a f t e r a w i s t f u l se arc h ing l ook he s nuggle d in burrow

, , ,

i ng h i s he ad ou t o f s ig h t b e tw ee n t he ma s t e r s arm ’

and b od y .

”
The r e she b l ow s " Matt cri e d From t h e Yukon .

aro se t he h oar se b ell owing o f a ri ve r s t e amboa t .

“ You ve go t to cut i t sh ort

’
B e s ur e and l ock t he
.

f ront d oor I ll go o u t t he back G e t a m o ve o n

.
’
.

The tw o d oor s sl amm e d at t h e s am e m om e nt ,

an d W ee don S cott wai t e d for Matt to com e around

to t he f ron t From in s id e t he d oor cam e a l o w
.
2 76 W H I T E FA NG

w h ini n g and s obbing The n t he r e w e r e l ong d eep

”
.
,

drawn s ni ffs .

You mu s t tak e go od car e o f h im Matt S co tt , ,

s aid , a s t hey s tart e d down t he h i ll “ Writ e and le t .

”
m e kn ow h ow he g e t s a l ong

”
.

“
S ur e t he dog mu she r an s w e r e d
,
-
But l i s t e n to .

t h at wi ll y ou "
,

Bo t h m e n s to ppe d W h i t e Fang wa s h ow l ing a s

.

dog s h ow l w he n t he ir ma s t e r s l i e d e ad H e wa s .

v o i cing an u tt e r w o e h i s cry bur s ting u p ward in

,

gr e at he art br e aking ru shes d y ing dow n i n to q ua ve r

,
-

ing mi se ry and bur s ting u p ward again wi th ru sh

,

u p on ru sh o f gri ef .

The A u r or a wa s t he fi r s t s t e amb oat o f t he ye ar

f or t h e Out s id e an d he r d e ck s w e r e j am me d wit h
,
:

p ro sp e rou s ad ve ntur e r s an d brok e n go l d see k e r s a ll ,

eq ua lly a s mad to g e t to t h e Out s id e a s t hey h ad

b ee n origina lly to g e t to t he I n s id e N e ar t he gang .

pl ank S co tt wa s sh aking h and s wi t h Matt w h o wa s

, ,

p r ep aring t o go a sh or e B u t Matt s h an d w e n t l im p
.
’

i n t he o t he r s gra sp a s h i s ga ze sh o t p a s t and r e mai n e d

’

fi x e d o n s om e t h ing b eh ind h im Sco tt turn e d to see . .

Sitti n g o n t h e d e ck seve ra l fee t awa y an d watc h ing

wi s t f u lly wa s W h i t e Fa n g .

The d o g mu she r s wor e s o f tly i n aw e s trick e n

-

,
-

acc e nt s
“
Sco tt cou l d on ly l ook i n wond e r
.

D id y ou l ock t he f ront d oor ? Ma tt d e mand e d ” .

Th e o t he r n odd e d and a s k e d “ H ow about t he

, ,

b a ck ?
 L ONG T RAIL
”
TH E 2 77

“ Y ouj u s t b e t I did wa s t he fe r ve n t r eply ,

.

W h i t e Fang flatt e n e d h i s e ar s ingratiating ly but ,

r e main e d w he r e he wa s making no a t t e m p t to ,

a pp roac h .

“ I ll h a ve to tak e
’
m a sh or e wi t h m e ’
.

Matt mad e a cou ple o f s t eps toward W h it e Fang ,

but t he l att e r sl id awa y f rom h im The d o g mu she r .

-

mad e a ru sh o f i t , an d W h it e Fang dodg e d b e tw ee n

t he le g s O f a grou p o f men D ucking turning doub .
, ,

l ing he sl id about t he d e ck el uding t he o th e r s eff ort s

, ,
’

to ca p tur e h im .

But w he n t he l o ve ma s t e r sp ok e W h it e Fang cam e -

i
to h m wi t h p rom p t O b e di e nc e

”
.

“ Won t com e to th e h and t h at s fe d m a ll t hese

’ ’ ’

m ont hs t he dog mu sh e r mutt e r e d r ese nt f u lly

,
-
An d .

y ou — y ou ai n t n eve r fe d m a f t e r t he m fi r s t days o f
’ ’

g e ttin ac q uaint e d I m b l am e d i f I can see h ow he

”
’ ’
.

work s i t o u t t h at y ou r e t he bo ss ’
.

S cott w h o h ad b ee n p atting W h it e Fang s udd e n ly

, ,

b e nt c l o se r and p oint e d o u t f r esh mad e cut s o n h i s -

m u zzle and a ga sh b e tw ee n t he eyes

,
.

Matt b e nt o ve r and p a sse d h i s h and a l on g W h it e

Fang s b elly ’
.

“
W e pl umb f orgo t t he wind o w He s a ll cut an .
’ ’

goug e d u nd e rn e at h Mu s t a butt e d c le an t h roug h.

’ ’

i t b g o sh
,
’

But W ee don Scott w as n ot l i s t e ning He wa s .

t h inking ra p id ly Th e A u r or a s w h i s t le h o ot e d a
.
’
278 W H ITE F ANG

fi na l announc e m e nt o f d ep artur e M e n w e r e s curry .

in g d own t he gang pl ank to t he s h or e : Matt l oo se n e d

-

t he bandana f rom h i s o w n n e ck and s tart e d to p u t i t

around W h it e F a n g s S cott gra spe d t he dog m u she r s
’
.
-
’

h and .

“ G oo d b
y Matt-

,
o l d m an About
,
t he wo lf — y ou .

n ee dn t w rit e
”
You see I ve
’ ’
,
.

“
W h at " t he d og mu she r e x p l od e d -“ You d on t .
’

m e an t o s a y
The v e r y t h ing I m e an H e r e s y our ban d ana .
’
.

I l l wri t e to y ou about h im
’
.

Matt p au se d h a l f w a y d own t h e gang pl ank -

.

H e ll n eve r s tand t he c l imat e " h e sh ou t e d back

”
’
.

Un less y o u c l i p m i n warm w e at he r "

’

The gang pl ank wa s h au le d in and t he A u r or a

-

s wung out f rom t he bank W ee do n S cott wa ve d a.

l a s t good b y The n he turn e d an d b e n t o v e r W h i t e

-
.

Fang s tanding b y h i s s i d e
,

“ N ow grow l dam n y ou grow l

,
.

h e s aid a s he , ,
” ,

p att e d t he r es pon s i v e he ad and rubb e d t he flatt e ning

e ar s.
 C H AP T ER I I

TH E S O U TH L AN D

W H ITE F AN G l and e d f rom t he s t e am e r i n San Fran

ci s co . He wa s a pp a lle d D eep i n h im b el o w an y
.
,

r e as oning p roc ess o r act o f con s cio u s n ess he h ad a ss o ,

i
c a t ed p o w e r wi t h god he ad A n d n eve r h ad t he
.

w h it e me n see m e d s uc h mar vell ou s god s a s n ow w he n ,

he trod t he sl im y p a ve m e nt o f San Fran ci s co Th e .

l og cabin s he h ad kn own w e r e r epl ac e d b y tow e rin g

bui l ding s The s t r ee t s w e r e crowd e d wi t h p e ri ls
.

wagon s carts au tom obi les ; gr e at s training h or se s

, , ,

p u ll ing h u g e truck s ; and m on s trou s cab l e and ele ctric

car s h ooting an d c l anging t h rou g h t he m id s t s cr ee c h ,
~

ing t he ir in s i s t e n t m e nac e a f t e r t he mann e r o f t h e

l y n x es he h ad kn own i n t he n ort he rn wood s .

A ll t h i s wa s t h e mani fes tati o n o f p o w e r Th roug h

i
.

t a ll b eh i nd it a ll wa s man go ve rning an d con tro l

, , ,

l ing e x p r ess ing h i m sel f a s o f ol d b y h i s ma s t e r y

, , ,

o ve r matt e r I t wa s co l o ss a l s tunning W h i t e Fan g

.
,
.

wa s aw e d i
F e ar s at u p on h m A s in h i s cub h oo d
i
. .

he h ad b ee n ma d e t o feel h s s ma ll n ess an d p unin es s

'

on t he da y h e fi rs t cam e i n f rom t he Wi l d to t h e
2 79
2 80 W H I T E F ANG

v i ll ag e o f G ra y B e a v e r s o now i n h i s f u ll grown s tatur e

, ,
-

and p rid e o f s tr e ngt h he wa s mad e to feel s ma ll and ,

p un y And t he r e w e r e s o m an y god s " He wa s mad e

.

di zzy b y t he s warming o f t he m The t h un d e r o f t he .

s tr ee t s s m o t e u p on h i s e ar s H e wa s b e wi l d e r e d b y .

t h e tr e m e ndo u s and e nd less ru sh and m o ve m e nt o f

t h ing s A s n eve r b ef or e he fel t h i s d epe nd e n c e o n
.
,

t he l o ve ma s t e r c l o se a t w h o se h eels h e f o ll ow e d n o
-

, ,

matt e r w h at h a ppe n e d n eve r l o s ing s ig h t o f h im .

B u t W h i t e Fang wa s to h a ve n o m or e t h an a nig h t
mar e v i s io n o f t he ci ty — a n e x pe ri e nc e t h at wa s l ik e
a bad dr e am unr e a l and t e rrib le t h a t h aunt e d h im
, ,

f or l ong a f t e r i n h i s d r e am s H e wa s p ut into a .

baggag e car b y t he ma s t e r c h ain e d in a corn e r in t he

-

mid s t o f he a pe d tru nk s and v a l i ses He r e a sq uat .

and brawn y god hel d s wa y wit h muc h n oi se h url ing , ,

trunk s and box es ab out draggi n g t he m i n th roug h t he ,

door and to ss ing t he m into t he p i l es or flinging t he m ,

out o f t h e door s m a sh ing and cra sh ing to o t he r god s

, ,

w h o await e d t he m
i
.

And h e r e i n t h i s n fe rn o o f l uggag e wa s Wh it e
, ,

Fang d ese rt e d b y t he m a s t e r Or at le a s t W h i t e .

Fang t h oug h t h e wa s d ese rt e d unti l he s m elle d o u t ,

t he ma s t e r s can v a s c l ot h es bag s a l ong s id e o f h i m and

’
-

p roc ee d e d to mount guard o ve r t he m

“ Bout’
tim e y o u co me grow le d t he god o f t he ,
” .

car an h our l at e r w he n W ee don S co tt a ppe ar e d at

, ,

t he d o or “ Th at dog o f y ourn won t le t m e l a y a

”
’
.

fi n g e r o n v our s tu ff .
2 82 W H I T E FA NG

”
He ll h a v e to le arn an d he sh a ll wit h ou t p o s t
“ ’
, ,

p on e m e nt S co tt s aid
,
.

H e sp ok e s o f t ly to W h it e Fang u nti l he h ad q ui e t e d
h im t he n h i s v oic e b e cam e fi rm
,

“ D own s ir " D own wi t h y ou "

,
.

”
Th i s h ad b ee n on e o f t he t h ing s taug h t h im b y t h e
ma s t e r an d W h it e Fa n g ob eye d t h oug h he l a y dow n ,

”
,

r el uctant ly an d s u lle n ly .

No w mo the r
,
.

Sco tt o p e n e d h i s arm s to he r but k ep t h i s eyes on ,

W h i t e Fang
“ D own " he warn e d ” .

“
D o wn .

W h i t e Fang bri s t l ing s i le nt l y h a lf crouc h ing a s h e

, ,
-

ro se s ank back and watc he d t he h o s ti le act r epe at e d

,
.

But n o h arm cam e o f i t n or o f t he e mbrac e f rom t he

,

s trang e man god t h at f o ll ow e d The n t he c l ot hes bag s

-

.
-

w e r e tak e n i nto t h e carriag e t he s trang e g od s and ,

t he l o ve ma s t e r f o ll ow e d and W h it e Fang p ur s u e d
-

, ,

n o w runn ing v igi l ant ly b eh ind n ow bri s t l ing u p to ,

t he running h or ses and warning t h e m t h at he wa s

t he r e to see t h at n o h arm b efell t he god t hey dragg e d
s o s wi f t ly acro ss t he e art h .

A t t h e e nd o f fi f t ee n minut es t he carriag e s wung ,

in t h roug h a s ton e gat e way and on b e t w ee n a do u b le

row o f arc he d an d int e rl acing wa l nut tr ees On .

e it he r s id e s tr e tc he d l awn s t he i r broad s w eep brok e n

, ,

he r e an d t he r e b y gre at s turd y l imb e d oak s

, ,
I n t he -
.

n e ar di s tanc e i n contra s t wi t h t he y oung gr ee n o f t he

,
 TH E S OUTH LA ND 2 83

t e nd e d gra ss s unburn t h a y fi el d s sh o w e d tan and

,
-

go l d w h i le b ey ond w e r e t he tawn y h i lls and u pl and

p a s tur es Fro m t h e he ad o f t he l awn on t he fi r s t
.
,

s o f t s w ell f rom t he v a lley level l ook e d down t he d eep-

p orc he d man y win dow e d h ou se

,
-
.

Litt le o pp ortuni t y wa s gi ve n W h it e Fang to see

a ll t h i s H ard ly h ad t h e carriag e e n t e r e d t he ground s ,
.

w he n h e wa s se t u p on b y a sheep dog brig h t eye d , -

,
-

sh ar p m u zzle d rig h t e ou sly indignant and angry

-

,
It .

wa s b e tw ee n h im and t he m a s t e r cutting h im o ff ,
.

W h i t e Fang s nar le d n o warning bu t h i s h air bri s t le d ,

a s he mad e h i s s i le nt and d e ad ly ru sh Th i s ru sh .

wa s n eve r com ple t e d He h a l t e d w i t h awkward

.

abru p tn ess wi t h s ti ff f or e le g s bracing h im sel f again s t

,
-

h i s mom e ntum a l m o s t s i tting down o n h i s h a u nc hes

, ,

s o d es irou s wa s he o f a v oi d ing contact wit h t he dog

he wa s i n t he act o f attacking I t wa s a fe ma le and .
,

t h e l aw o f h i s kind t h ru s t a barri e r b e tw ee n F or .

h i m to attack he r wou l d r eq uir e n ot h ing l ess t h an a

v io l ati on o f h i s in s tinct .

But wit h t he sheep d og i t wa s o t he rwi se

-
B e ing a .

fe ma l e she p o ssesse d n o s uc h in s tin ct On t h e o t he r

, .

h and b e ing a sheep dog he r i n s ti ncti ve fe ar o f t h e

,
-

Wi l d a n d espe cia lly o f t he w o l f wa s unu s ua lly k ee n

, ,
.

W h i t e Fang wa s to he r a wo lf t he he r e ditar y ,

maraud e r w h o h ad p r eye d u p on her fl ock s f rom t he

tim e sheep w e r e fi r s t he rded and guard e d b y s om e
di m anc es tor o f he r s And s o a s he abandon e d h i s
.
,
2 84 W H I T E F ANG

ru sh at he r and brac e d h im self t o a v oi d t he con tact she ,

sp rang u p on h im He s nar le d i n v o l untari ly a s he fel t

.

he r t ee t h i n h i s sh ou l d e r but b ey o nd t h i s mad e no ,

o ffe r to h urt he r H e back e d awa y s ti ff le gg e d wi t h

.
,
-

self con s ciou s n ess an d tri e d to go around he r

-

,
He .

d odg e d t h i s wa y and t h at and cur ve d and turn e d b u t , ,

to no p ur p o se S he r e main e d a l wa ys b e tw ee n h m
. i
and t he way he want e d to go
“ He r e ”
Co ll i e " ca lle d t he s trang e man i n t he
,
.

carriag e .

W ee don S co tt l aughe d .

“ N eve r m ind f at he r I t i s good di s ci pl in e W h it e

,
. .

Fang wi ll h a ve to le arn man y t h ing s an d i t s j u s t ’

”
,

a s w ell t h at h e b e gin s n o w He ll adj u s t h im self a ll .

’

rig h t .

The carriag e dro ve o n and s ti ll Co ll i e b l ock e d ,

W h i t e Fang s wa y ’
H e tri e d to o u t run he r b y le a v
.

i ng t he dri ve an d ci rc l ing acro ss the l awn ; but she

ran o n t h e i nn e r and s ma lle r circ le a n d wa s a l ways ,

t he r e f acing h im wi t h he r two row s o f g le am ing

,

t ee th Back he circ le d acro ss t he dri ve t o t he ot he r

.
,

l awn and again sh e he ad e d h i m o ff

,
.

The carriag e wa s b e aring t he ma s t e r awa y t i t e .

Fang caug h t g l im pses o f i t di s a ppe aring among s t t h e

tr ees .The s ituation wa s d espe rat e H e ess a v ed .

an ot h e r circ le S he f o ll ow e d running s wi f t ly
. And ,
.

t he n s udd e n ly he turn e d u p on he r I t wa s h i s ol d
, ,
.

fig h t ing trick S h ou l d e r to sh ou l d e r he s truck h e r

.
,
2 86 W H I T E FA NG

The ma s t e r wa s running u p bu t wa s t o o f ar awa y ; ,

and i t wa s Co ll i e t h at s a ve d t he h oun d s l i fe B ef or e ’
.

W h it e Fang cou l d sp ring i n and d el i v e r t he f ata l

s trok e an d j u s t a s h e wa s i n t h e act o f sp ringing in
, ,

Co ll i e arri v e d S he h ad b ee n o u t man oeu v r e d and

.
-

o u t run to s a y n ot h ing o f he r h a v ing b ee n u n c e r e mo

-

i
n o u s l y tumb le d in t he gra vel an d he r arri v a l wa s
,

l ik e t h at o f a tornado — mad e u p o f o ffe nd e d dignit y ,

j u s ti fi ab le w rat h and in s tincti ve h atr e d f or t h i s ma

,

ra n d e r f rom t he Wi l d S he s truck W h ite Fang at

.

rig h t a n g les i n t he m id s t o f h i s sp ring and again ,

he wa s kn ock e d o ff h i s fee t an d ro lle d o ve r .

The n e xt mom e nt t he m a s t e r arri ve d an d wi t h ,

on e h an d hel d W h it e Fang w h i le t he f at h e r ca lle d

,

o ff t he dog s

”
.

“ I say t h i s i s a p r e tt y warm r e c ep ti on f or a p oor

,

l on e w o l f f rom t he Arc tic t he ma s t e r s aid w h i le

, ,

W h it e Fang ca l m e d down u nd e r h i s car ess ing h and .

I n a ll h i s l i fe he s on ly b ee n kn own onc e to go o ff
’

h i s fee t an d he r e h e s b ee n ro lle d twic e i n t h irty

’

se cond s .

The carriag e h ad dri ve n awa y and o t he r s trang e ,

god s h ad a ppe ar e d f rom ou t t h e h ou se S om e o f .

t hese s tood r espe ct f u lly at a di s tan c e ; but two o f

t he m wom e n pe r pe trat e d t h e h o s ti le act o f c l utc h
, ,

ing t he ma s t e r around t h e n e ck W h it e Fang h ow .

,

eve r wa s b e ginning to to le rat e t h i s act N o h arm

, .

see m e d to com e o f i t w h i le t he n oi ses t he god s mad e

,
 TH E S OUTH L AND 2 87

w e r e c e rtai n ly n o t t h r e at e ning These god s a ls o .

m ad e o v e rtur es to W h i t e Fang bu t he warn e d t he m ,

o ff wit h a s narl , and t he m a s t e r did l ik e wi se wit h

word o f m out h A t s uc h tim es W h it e Fang le an e d

.

i n c l o se again s t t he ma s t e r s le g s an d r e c e i ve d r e a s
’

s uring p at s on t h e he ad

”
.

The h ound un d e r t he com mand “ D ick " Li e

, ,
'

down s ir " h a d g on e u p t he s t eps and l ai n d own to

,

o n e s id e on t h e p orc h s ti ll grow l ing an d k eep ing a

,

s u lle n wa tc h on t he intrud e r C o ll i e h ad b ee n tak e n .

i n c h arg e b y on e o f t h e w oman go d s w h o hel d arm s -

around he r n e ck an d p e tt e d and car esse d he r ; but

Co ll i e wa s v e ry muc h p e r ple x e d an d worri e d , w h in
i n g an d r es t less outrag e d b y t he p e rmitt e d p r ese nc e
,

o f t h i s wo l f and con fi d e n t t h at t he god s w e r e makin g

a m i s tak e .

A ll t he god s s tart e d u p t he s t eps t o e n t e r t he

h ou se W h i t e Fang f o ll ow e d c l o sely at t he ma s t e r s
.
’

heel s D ick o n th e p orc h grow le d an d W h it e Fang ,

.
, , ,

o n t he s t eps bri s t le d an d grow le d back

,
.

,
”
T ak e Co ll i e in s id e and le a ve t he two o f t he m to
fi g h t i t o u t s ugg es t e d Scott s f at he r “ A f t e r t h at
’
.

t hey ll b e f ri e nd s
’

”
.

“
Th e n W h it e Fang to sh ow h i s f ri e nd sh i p wi ll
, ,

h a v e to b e c h i ef m ourn e r at t he f un e ra l l aug he d t he ,

ma s t e r .

The el d e r S co tt l ook e d in cr e du l ou sly fi r s t at W h i t e ,

Fang t he n at D ick an d fi na lly at h i s s on

, , .
 W H I T E FA NG

You m e an t h at
W ee don nodd e d h i s he ad “ I m e an j u s t t h at
.

i
.

”
You d h a v e a d e ad D ick n s id e on e minu t e — tw o
’

minut es at t he fart hes t

”
.

H e turn e d to W h it e Fang “ C om e on , y o u w o lf
. .

I t s y ou t h at ll h a ve to com e in s id e
’ ’
.

W h i t e Fang wa l k e d s ti ff le gg e d u p t h e s t ep s an d
-

acro ss t he p orc h wi t h tai l rigid ly e r e ct k eep in g h i s

, ,

eyes on D ick to guard again s t a flank attack , an d at

t he s am e tim e p r ep ar e d for w h at eve r fie rc e mani fes ta
ti on o f t he unkno wn t h at migh t p ounc e o u t u p o n h i m
f rom t he int e rior o f t he h ou se But no t h ing o f fe ar
.

p oun c e d out and w he n he h ad gain e d t he in s i d e he

,

s cout e d car ef u lly aro und l ooking f or i t and fi ndin g i t

,

n ot Th e n he l a y down wit h a con t e nt e d grun t a t

.

t he ma s t e r s fee t, ob se r v ing a ll t h at w e n t o n eve r

’
,

r e ad y to sp ring to h i s fee t and fi g h t f or l i fe wit h t h e

t e rror s he fel t mu s t l urk u nd e r t h e tra p ro o f o f t h e
-

dw ell ing .
2 90 W H ITE FA NG

h im s o he s nar le d D ick awa y

,
I n t he n ort h he h ad
.

le arn e d t he less o n t h at he mu s t le t t he ma s t e r s dog s ’

a l on e an d he did n o t f org e t t h at less on n ow

,
But he .

in s i s t e d o n h i s o w n p ri v ac y and self se c l u s io n an d
-

s o t h oro ug hly ignor e d D ick t h a t t h at goo d natur e d -

cr e at u r e fi na lly ga v e h im u p and s carc ely to ok a s

muc h i nt e r es t i n h i m a s in t h e h itc h ing p o s t n e ar t he
-

s tab le .

N o t s o w it h Co ll i e W h i le sh e acc ep t e d h im
.

b e cau se i t wa s t he mandat e o f t he god s t h at wa s n o ,

r e a s on t h at sh e sh ou l d le a ve h im i n p e ac e Wo v e n .

i nto h er b e ing wa s t h e m e m ory o f count less crim es

he an d h i s h ad pe r pe trat e d agai n s t he r anc es try .

N o t i n a da y n or a g e n e ration w e r e t he ra v ag e d sheep
f o l d s to b e f orgott e n A ll t h i s wa s a sp ur to he r
.
,

p ri cking he r to r e ta l iation S he cou l d n o t fl y i n t h e

.

fac e o f t he god s w h o p e rmi tt e d h im bu t t h at di d n o t

,

p r eve nt he r f rom making l i fe mi se rab le f or h im i n

pe tt y wa ys A fe ud ag es o l d wa s b e tw ee n t he m
.
, , ,

and sh e f or o n e w ou l d see to i t t h at he wa s
, ,

r e mind e d .

S o Co ll i e took ad v antag e o f h e r se x t o p ick u p on

W h it e Fang and ma l tr e at h im H i s in s tinct w ou l d
.

n o t pe rmi t h i m to attack he r w h i le h e r pe r s i s t e nc e
,

w ou l d n ot p e rmit h im to ignor e he r W he n she .

ru sh e d at h im h e turn e d h i s fur p rot e ct e d sh ou l d e r t o

-

h er sh ar p t ee t h and wa l k e d awa y s ti ff le gg e d and -

s tat ely W he n she f orc e d h im too h ard h e wa s com

.
,
 TH E G O D S D OM AI N ’
291

p el l e d to go abou t i n a ci rc le h i s sh ou l d e r p r ese nt e d ,

t o he r h i s he ad turn e d f rom h e r and on h i s fac e and ,

i n h i s eyes a p ati e n t and bor e d e x p r ess ion S om e .

tim es h o w e v e r a ni p o n h i s h i nd q uart e r s h a s t e n e d
, ,
-

h i s r e tr e at and mad e i t an y t h ing but s tat ely But a s .

a ru le he manag e d to maintain a dignit y t h at wa s

a l mo s t s o le mni t y H e ignor e d h e r e xi s t e nc e w h e n
.

eve r i t wa s p o ss i b le and mad e i t a p oint to k eep o u t

,

o f he r wa y W he n he s aw o r he ard he r coming he
.
,

go t u p and wa l k e d o ff .

The r e wa s m u c h i n o t h e r m att e r s f or W h it e Fan g

t o le ar n L i fe i n t he N ort hl and wa s s im pl ici t y i t sel f
.

w he n com p ar e d wi t h t he com pl icat e d a ff ai rs o f Si e rra

Vi s ta Fir s t o f a ll he h ad to le arn t h e fami ly o f t he
.
,

m a s t e r I n a wa y he wa s p r ep ar e d to d o t h i s
. As .

Mit s a h and Kl o o kooc h h ad b el ong e d to G ra y B e a v e r

- -

sh aring h i s f ood h i s fi r e and h i s b l ank e t s s o n ow

, , , ,

a t Si e rra Vi s ta b el ong e d t o t he l o ve ma s t e r a ll t he
,
-

d e ni ze n s o f t he h ou se .

But i n t h i s m att e r t he r e wa s a d i ff e r e nc e an d man y ,

di ffe r e nc es S i e rra Vi s ta wa s a far v a s t e r a ff ai r t h an

.

t he t epee o f G ra y B e a ve r The r e w e r e man y pe rs on s .

to b e con s id e r e d The r e wa s Judg e S cott and t h e r e

.
,

wa s h i s wi fe The r e w e r e t he ma s t e r s two s i s t e rs
.
’
,

B e t h an d Mary The r e wa s h i s wi fe A l ic e and t he n

.
, ,

t he r e w e r e h i s c h i l dr e n W ee d on and Maud todd le r s , ,

o f f our an d s i x The r e wa s n o wa y f or an y bod y to

.

t ell h i m about a ll t hese pe o ple and o f b l ood ti es and ,

-
292 W H I T E FA N G

r el ati on sh i p h e kn e w no t h ing w h at eve r and n eve r

wou l d b e ca p ab l e o f kn owing Y e t h e q uick ly .

work e d i t o u t t h at a ll o f t he m b el ong e d to t he ma s
t e r The n b y ob se r v ation w he n eve r o pp ortun ity
.
, ,

o ff e r e d b y s tud y o f acti on spee c h and t h e ve r y into

, , ,

nation s o f t h e v oic e he sl ow ly le arn e d t he i ntimac y

,

and t h e d e gr ee o f fa v or t hey e nj o ye d wit h t he ma s

t e r A n d b y t h i s a s c e rtain e d s tandard W h it e Fan g
.
,

tr e at e d t he m according ly W h at wa s o f v a l ue tg
.

h
__

t he ma s t e r he v a l u e d ; w h at wa s de ar to t he ma s t e r
w a s to b e c he ri she d by W h it e Fang a n d g u a r d ed h
w

car ef u lly .

Th u s i t wa s wi t h t he t w o c h i l dre n A ll h i s l i fe h e .

h ad di sl ik e d c h i l dr e n He h at e d and fe ar e d t he i r
.

h and s The less on s w e r e n ot t e nd e r t h at he h ad

.

le arn e d o f t he i r t y rann y an d cru el t y i n t he da ys o f

t he I ndian V i ll ag es W he n W ee don and Maud h ad
—
.

fi r s t a pp roac he d h im , h e g ro w l ed w a r n n gl y and i
' f
i w
l
’

l oo ke d ma l ignan t A cu ff f rom t he ma s t e r and a

.

sh ar p word h a d t he n com pelle d h i m to pe rmi t t he i r

caresses t h oug h he grow le d and grow le d und e r the ir
,

tin y h and s and i n t h e grow l t he r e wa s n o crooning

,

no t e Lat e r he ob se r ve d t h at t he bo y and gir l w e r e

.
,

o f gr e at v a l u e i n t he ma s t e r s eyes The n i t wa s t h at
’
.

n o cu ff n or sh arp word wa s n e c ess ar y b ef or e t hey

cou l d p at h im .

Y e t W h i t e Fang wa s n eve r e ff u s i vely a ff e cti onat e .

He y i el d e d to t he ma s t e r s c h i l dr e n wi t h an i ll but
’
2 9 4: W H I T E FA NG

of t he ir s cou l d p ut t h e l o ve cro on in to h i s t h roat, a n d ,

-

tr y a s t hey wou l d t hey cou l d n eve r pe r s uad e h im

,

in to s nugg l ing again s t t he m Th i s e x p r ess ion o f

.

abandon and s urre nd e r, o f ab s o l ut e tru s t he r ese r ve d ,

f or t he ma s t e r a l on e . I n f act h e n eve r r e gard e d t he

,

m e mb e r s o f t he f ami ly i n an y o t he r l ig h t t h an p o sses
s ion s o f t he l o ve ma s t e r
-
.

A ls o W h i t e Fang h ad e ar ly com e t o di ffe r e n tiat e

b e tw ee n t he fami ly an d t he se r v ant s o f t he h ou seh o l d .

The l att e r w e r e a f raid o f h im w h i le h e me r ely

,

r ef rain e d f ro m attacking t he m Th i s b e cau se h e con

i
.

s d e r e d t h at t hey w e r e l ik e wi se p o ssess ion s o f th e

ma s t e r B e tw ee n W h it e Fang an d t he m e xi s t e d a
.

n e utra l it y and n o m or e They cook e d f or t h e ma s t e r

.

an d wa she d t h e di sh es and did ot he r t h ing s j u s t a s ,

M att h ad don e u p in t he Kl o ndik e They w e r e in .

,

sh ort a pp urt e nanc es o f t he h ou seh o l d

,
.

Out s id e t he h ou seh o l d t he r e wa s e v e n m or e f or
W h it e Fang to le arn The ma s t e r s domain wa s
.
’

wid e an d com ple x ye t i t h ad it s m e t es an d b oun d s

,
.

The l an d it sel f c e a se d at t he cou nt y road Ou ts i d e .

wa s t he comm on domain o f a ll god s t he road s an d

s tr ee t s The n in s id e ot he r fe nc es w e r e t h e p articu l ar
.

d omain s o f o t he r god s . A m y riad l aw s go ve rn e d a ll

t hese t h ing s an d d e t e rm in e d conduct ; ye t he did n o t
know t he spee c h o f t h e god s n or wa s t he r e an y wa y
,

f o r h im to le arn s a ve b y e x pe ri e nc e He ob eye d h i s
.

natura l im p u lses un ti l t hey ran h im cou nt e r to s om e

 TH E G O D S D OM AI N
’
295

l aw . W he n t h i s h ad b ee n don e a fe w tim es he ,

le arn e d t he l aw and a f t e r t h a t ob se r ve d i t .

But m o s t p ot e n t in h i s e ducation w e r e t he cu ff o f
t he ma s t e r s h and t he c e n s u r e o f t he ma s t e r s v oic e
’
,
’
.

B e cau se Of W h it e Fang s v e ry gr e at l o ve a cu ff f rom

’
,

t he ma s t e r h urt h im far m or e t h an an y b e ating G ra y

B e a ve r o r B e auty S mi t h h ad eve r gi ve n h im They .

h ad h urt o n ly t he fl esh o f h im b e n e at h t he fl esh t h e

‘

sp iri t h ad s ti ll rag e d sple ndid and i n v incib le B u t

,
.

wit h t he ma s t e r t he cu ff wa s a l wa ys to o l ig h t t o
h urt t he fl esh Y e t i t w e n t d eepe r
. I t wa s an .

e x p r ess ion o f t he ma s t e r s di s a pp ro v al and W h it e

’
,

Fang s sp i
’
rit wi l t e d und e r i t .

I n p oint o f f act t he c u fi wa s rar ely admini s t e r e d

,
.

The ma s t e r s v oi c e wa s s u ffi ci e nt
’
By i t Wh i te .

Fang kn e w w he t he r h e did rig h t o r n o t By i t h e .

trimm e d h i s conduc t and adj u s t e d h i s action s It .

wa s t h e com p a ss b y w h ic h h e s t ee r e d an d le arn e d t o
c h art t h e mann e r s o f a n e w l and an d l i fe .

I n t he N ort hl and t h e on ly dom es ticat e d anima l

,

wa s—t he d o g A ll o t he r anima ls l i ve d i n t h eWi l d ,

a n d w e r e w he n n o t to o f ormidab l e l aw f u l sp oi l f or
, ,

an y dog . A ll h i s da ys W h i t e Fang h ad f orag e d

among t he l i ve t h ing s f or f ood I t did n ot e n t e r h i s .

he ad t h a t i n t he S out hl and i t wa s ot he rwi se But .

t h i s he wa s to le arn e ar ly i n h i s r es id e nc e in San ta
C l a r a Va l ley Saunt e ring aroun d t he corn e r o f t h e
‘

h ou se i n t h e e arly m orning he cam e u p on a c h ick e n ,

2 96 W H I T E FA N G

t h at h ad es ca p e d f rom t h e c h ick e n y ard W hi te -

.

Fang s natu ra l i mp u lse wa s to e at it A cou ple o f

’
.

b ound s a fla sh o f t ee t h an d a f rig h t e n e d sq uawk and

, ,

he h ad s coo pe d i n t h e ad ve n turou s f ow l I t wa s f arm .

b r e d a n d fat and t e nd e r ; an d W h it e Fang l ick e d h i s

c h o ps and d e cid e d t h at s uc h f ar e wa s good .

Lat e r i n t he da y he c h anc e d u p o n ano t he r s tra y

,

c h ick e n n e ar t he s tab les On e O f t he groom s ran to

.

t he r es cu e . He d id not kn ow W h i t e Fang s br ee d ’
,

s o f or w e a p on he took a l ig h t b u gg y w h i p A t t h e -

fi rs t cut o f t h e w h i p W h i t e Fang lef t t h e c h i ck e n f or

,

t he man A c l ub mig h t h a ve s to ppe d W h it e Fang ,

ii
.

but n o t a w h i p . S i l e n t ly wit h ou t fl n c h n g he took

, ,

a se cond cut i n h i s f orward ru sh and a s he le a pe d

f or t he t h roa t t he gro o m cri e d ou t “ M y G od " an d
,

,
”
s tagg e r e d backward H e dro ppe d t he w h i p and
.

sh i el d e d h i s t h roat wit h h i s arm s I n con seq u e nc e

.
,

h i s f or e arm wa s ri ppe d Ope n t o t he b on e .

The man wa s bad ly f rig h t e n e d I t wa s n o t s o

.

m uc h W h i t e Fa n g s fe roci ty a s i t wa s h i s s i le nc e t h at
’

unn e r ve d t he groom . i
S t ll p ro t e cting h i s t h roat a n d
f ac e wi t h h i s torn and b lee di n g arm he tri e d to ,
‘

r e tr e a t t o t he barn An d it wou l d h a ve gon e h ard

.

wi t h h im h ad not C o ll i e a p p e ar e d o n t h e s c e n e A s .

she h ad s a ve d Dick s l i fe she n ow s a ve d t h e g room s

’
,
’
.

S he ru she d u p o n W h i t e Fang in f re n z i e d wrat h S he .

h ad b ee n rig h t .S he h ad kn—own b et t e 1: t h a 11—t h e

s
_ _ p v . _

b l und e ring god s A ll he r s u sp ici on s w e r e j u s ti fie d

. .
298 W H I T E F AN G

gr ee t e d b y W h it e Fang but about t he l att e r t he r e

,

w e r e n o s ign s o f sh am e n o r gui l t H e carri e d h im

.

sel f wi t h p rid e , a s t h oug h f or s oo t h he h ad ac h i e v e d

, ,

a d ee d p rai se worthy and m e ritoriou s The r e wa s .

about h i m no con s ci ou s n ess o f s in The ma s t e r s l i ps

.
’

tig h t e n e d a s he f ac e d t he di s agr ee ab le ta s k Th e n h e .

ta l k e d h ar shly to t he u nwi tting cu lp rit an d i n h i s ,

v oic e t he r e wa s n ot h in g bu t god l ik e w rat h A ls o h e .

,

hel d W h it e Fang s n o se d own to t he sl ain he n s and

’
,

at t he s am e tim e cu ffe d h im s ound ly .

W h i t e Fang n eve r raid e d a c h ick e n roo s t again -

I t wa s again s t t h e l aw an d he h ad le arn e d i t The n

,
.

t h e m a s t e r took h im into t he c h ick e n y ard s W h i t e -

.

Fang s natura l im p u lse w he n he s aw t he l i ve f ood

’
,

fl utt e ring ab out h im an d und e r h i s v e ry no se wa s ,

to sp ring u p on i t . H e ob eye d t he i m p u lse but wa s ,

c he ck e d b y t he ma s t e r s v oic e
’
They continu e d i n
.

t he y ard s f o r h a l f an h our T im e and agai n t he

.

im p u lse s urg e d o ve r W h i t e Fang and e ac h tim e a s, ,

he y i el d e d to i t , h e wa s c he ck e d b y t he ma s t e r s ’

v oi c e Th u s i t wa s h e l e arn e d t he l aw and e r e h e
.
,

lef t t he d omain o f t he c h ick e n s he h ad le arn e d to

”
,

ignor e t he ir e xi s t e nc e.

“
Y o u can n eve r cur e a c h ick e n ki ll e r Judg e -

Scott sh ook h i s he ad s ad ly at t he l unc he on tab le w he n ,

h i s s on narrat e d t h e less on he h ad gi v e n W h it e
Fang . Onc e t hey ve go t t he h abi t and t he ta s t e o f
’

b l oo d Again he sh ook h i s he ad sad ly .

 TH E G OD
’
S D OM AI N 299

But W ee d on S cott did no t agr ee wi t h h i s f at he r

“ I ll t ell y ou w h at I ll d o
’ ’ ”
he c h a lle ng e d fi na lly
,
.

”
.

“ I ll
’
l ock W h i t e Fan g i n w i t h t he c h ick e n s a ll
a f t e rnoon .

”
“ But t h ink O f t he c h ick e n s

“ A nd f urt he rm or e ” obj e ct e d t he Judg e

,

t he s o n w e n t o n “ fo r eve r y
, ,
.

”
c h ick e n he ki lls I ll p a y y ou o n e d o ll ar go l d coin o f
’
,

t he r e a l m .

“ Bu t
y o u sh ou l d p e na l i ze f at he r t oo i nt e r p o se,d ,

B e th .

He r s i s t e r se cond e d he r an d a c h oru s o f a pp ro v a l
,

aro se f rom around t he tab le J udg e Scott n odd e d

”
.

h i s he ad i n agr ee m e n t .

A ll righ t . W ee don S co tt p ond e r e d f or a

m om e nt .
“ And i f at t he e nd o f t h e a f t e rnoon
, ,

W h it e Fa n g h a s n t h arm e d a c h ick e n f or eve ry t e n

’
,

mi nut es o f t he tim e he h a s spe nt i n t he y ard y o u ,

wi ll h a v e to s a y to h im , gra vely and wit h d el ib e ra

tion j u s t a s i f y ou w e r e s itting o n t he b e nc h an d
,

s o l e mn ly p a ss ing j udgm e nt , “ W h it e Fang y ou ar e ,

s mart e r t h an I t h oug h t ’
.

From h i dd e n p oint s o f v an tag e t he f am i ly watc he d

t he pe r f ormanc e But i t wa s a fizzl e L ock e d i n the
. .

y ard and t he r e d ese rt e d b y t he ma s t e r W h it e Fang ,

l a y dow n and w e nt t o sl eep Onc e he got u p and

.

wa l k e d o ve r to t he troug h f or a dri nk o f wat e r The

~

c h ick e n s he ca l m ly ignor ed S o far a s he wa s con

.

c e rn e d t hey did not e xi s t A t f our o c l ock h e e x e

.
’
30 0 W H I T E FA NG

c u t ed a running j um p gain e d t he ro o f o f t he c h ick e n

,

h ou se and le a pe d to t he ground o ut s id e w he nc e he ,

s aunt e r e d gra vely to t he h ou se He h ad l e arn e d t he

.

l aw . And o n t h e p orc h b ef or e t he d el igh t e d fami ly

, ,

J udg e Scott fac e to fac e wit h W h i t e Fang s aid

,

”
,

sl ow ly an d s o le mn ly s ix t ee n tim es “ W h it e Fang y o u
, , ,

ar e s mart e r t h an I t h oug h t .

But i t wa s t he m u l ti pl icit y Of l aw s t h at b ef ud d le d
W h i t e Fang and o f t e n bro u g h t h im i nto di s grac e .

H e h ad to le ar n t h at he m u s t n o t touc h t he c h ick e n s
t h at b el ong e d to ot he r god s The n t he r e w e r e cat s
.
,

a n d rabbit s and turk eys ; a ll t hese he m u s t le t a l on e

, .

In f act w he n h e h ad but p art ly le arn e d t he l aw h i s

, ,

im p r ess ion wa s t h at h e mu s t le a ve a ll l i ve t h ing s

a l on e Ou t i n t h e back p a s tur e a q uai l cou l d flutt e r
.
-

u p und e r h i s n o se un h arm e d A ll t e n se and tr e m

.

b l in g w i t h e ag e rn ess and d es ir e h e ma s t e r e d h s n ,
ii
i
s t n c t an d s tood s ti ll H e wa s ob ey ing t he wi ll o f
.

t he god s .

A nd t h e n o n e da y again o u t i n t he back p a s ture

, ,
-

h e s aw D ick s tart a j ackrabbi t and run i t The .

ma s t e r h im sel f wa s l ooking o n and did n o t int e r fe re .

N a y h e e ncourag e d W h it e Fang to j oin i n t h e c h a se

,
.

And t h u s h e le arn e d t h at t he r e wa s n o tab oo o n j ack

rabbit s I n t he e nd he work e d o u t t he com ple t e l aw
. .

B e t w ee n h im and a ll dom es tic anima ls t he r e mu s t b e

n o h o s ti l iti es I f n o t am it y a t l e a s t n e u tra l ity mu s t
.
,

obtai n But t he o t he r anima ls — t he sq uirr els a n d

.
,
30 2 W H I T E FA N G

l ook at h i m , p oint h im o u t to on e anot he r e xamin e ,

h im ta l k to h im and wor s t O f a ll p at h m An d
, , , ,
i .

t hese pe ri l ou s con tac t s f rom a ll t hese s trang e h and s

he m u s t e n dur e Y e t t h i s e ndu ranc e he ac h i e v e d
. .

Furt he rm or e he go t o ve r b e ing awkward an d sel f

con s ciou s I n a l o f t y wa y he r e c e i ve d t he att e ntion s
.

o f t he mu l titud es o f s trang e god s Wi t h c on d es c en

.

s ion he acc ep t e d t h e ir cond es c e n s ion On t he o t he r .

h and t he r e wa s s om e t h ing about h im t h at p r eve nt e d

,

gr e at fami l iari ty They p att e d h im o n t he he ad and

.

p a sse d o n cont e n t e d an d ple a se d wi t h t he ir o w n

,

dari ng .

But i t wa s n o t a ll e a sy f or W h i t e Fang R unning .

b eh ind t he carriag e i n t h e out s kirt s o f San J o se b e ,

e ncoun t e r e d c e rtai n s ma ll b o ys w h o mad e a p ractic e

o f flinging s ton es at h im Y e t he kn e w t h at i t wa s
.

n ot p e rmi tt e d h im to p ur s u e and drag t he m do wn .

He r e he wa s com p elle d to v i o l at e h i s i n s ti nct O f self

p r ese r v ation and v io l at e i t he d i
,
d f or he wa s b ec o m
,

ing tam e and q ua l i fy ing h i m self f or ci v i l i z ation .

N eve rtheless W h it e Fang wa s n o t q uit e s ati sfie d

,

wi t h t he arrang e m e nt H e h ad n o ab s trac t i d e a s
.

about j u s tic e and f air pl a y But t he r e i s a c e rtain

.

se n se o f eq ui t y t h at r es id es i n l i fe an d i t wa s t h i s
‘

se n se in h im t h at r ese n t e d t he un fairn ess O f h i s b e ing

p e rmi tt e d n o d efe nc e again s t t he s to n e t h row e r s He -
.

f orgot t h at i n t h e co ve nant e nt e r e d in to b e tw ee n h im
and t he god s t hey w e r e ple dg e d to car e f or h im and
 TH E G OD S D OM AI N
’
30 3

d efe nd h im But on e da y t he m a s t e r sp rang f rom t he

.

carriag e w h i p i n h and and ga ve t he s ton e t h row e r s a

, ,
-

t h ra sh ing A f t e r t h a t t hey t h r e w s ton es n o mor e

.
,

and W h it e Fang und e r s tood an d wa s s ati sfi e d .

On e o t he r e x pe ri e nc e o f s imi l ar natur e wa s h i s .

On t he wa y to town h anging aroun d t h e s a l o on at

,

t he cro ss road s w e r e t h r ee dog s t h at mad e a p ractic e

-

o f ru sh ing o u t u pon h i m w he n he w e n t b y K no w
i
.

n g h i s d e ad ly m e t h od o f fi g h ting t he ma s t e r h a d ,

n e v e r c e a se d im p r ess ing u p o n W h i t e Fang t he l aw

t h at h e m u s t n o t fi g h t A s a r es u l t h a v ing le arn e d
.
,

t he less on w ell W h i t e Fang wa s h ard p u t w he n eve r

,

he p a sse d t he cro ss roa d s s a l oon

-
A f t e r t he fi r s t ru sh
.
,

e ac h tim e h i s s nar l k ep t t he t h r ee d og s at a di s tanc e

, ,

but t hey trai le d a l ong b eh in d yelp i ng and bick e ring ,

and in s u l ting h im Th i s e ndur e d f or s om e tim e

. .

The m e n a t t he s a l oon eve n urg e d t h e d og s on to

attack W h it e Fang On e da y t hey Ope n ly s ick e d t he
.

t he dog s o n h im
”
Th e ma s t e r s to ppe d t he carriag e
.

G o to i t h e s aid to W h it e Fang
,
.
.

But W h it e Fang cou l d n o t b el i eve H e l ook e d at .

t he ma s t e r an d he l ook e d at t he d og s
,
The n he .

l ook e d back e ag e rly and q u es ti oning ly at t he ma s t e r .

The ma s t e r n odd e d h i s he a d “
G O to t he m Ol d .
,

fell ow Ea t t he m u p
. .

W h i t e Fan g n o l ong e r h es itat e d H e turn e d an d .

le a pe d s i le n tly am o n g h i s e n e mi es A ll th r ee fac e d .

h im The r e wa s a gr e at s narl ing and grow l ing a

.
,
30 4 W H I T E FA NG

c l a sh in g Of t ee t h and a flurry o f bodi es . The du s t o f

t he road aro se in a c l oud and s cr ee n e d t he batt le .

But at t h e e n d Of seve ra l minut es two d og s w e r e

s trugg l in g i n t he dirt and t h e t h ird wa s in f u ll flig h t .

H e le a pe d a di tc h w e nt t h roug h a rai l fe nc e and

, ,

fl e d ac r o ss a fiel d . W h it e Fang f o ll ow e d sl iding

,

o ve r t h e ground i n wo l f f a sh io n and wi t h wo l f spee d ,

s wi f t ly an d wi t h out n oi se and i n t he c e ntr e o f t he

,

fiel d h e dragg e d d own and sle w t h e d og .

Wit h t h i s tri ple ki ll ing h i s main troub les wi t h dog s

c e a se d The word w e nt u p and down t he v a lley and
i
.
,

m e n s aw to t t h at t he ir dog s di d n o t m o les t t he
Fig h ting W o lf .
30 6 W H I T E FA NG

l i fe h ad b ee n d i ve rt e d and r e coi l ing f ro m h i s kind

, , ,

he h ad c l u ng to t he h uman .

B es id es a ll So u t hl an d d og s l ook e d u p on h im w it h
,

s u sp i ci on .He arou se d in t he m t he i r i n s tincti ve fe ar

o f t he Wi l d and t hey gr ee t e d h i m a l wa ys wi t h s nar l
,

and grow l an d b ell ig e r e nt h atr e d H e o n t h e othe r .

,

h and le arn e d t h at i t wa s n o t n e c ess ary to u se h i s

,

t ee t h u p on t he m H i s nak e d f ang s and wri t h ing l i ps

.

w e r e uni f orm ly e ffi caciou s rar ely fai l ing to se n d a

,

b ell owing o n ru sh ing d o g back o n it s h au nc hes

-
.

But t he r e wa s o n e tria l in W h it e Fang s l i fe ’

C o ll i e . S he n eve r ga ve h im a m om e nt s p e ac e S he ’
.

wa s n o t s o am e nab le to t he l aw a s he S he d efie d .

a ll e ff ort s o f t he ma s t e r to mak e he r b e com e f ri e nd s

wit h W h i t e Fang Eve r i n h i s e ar s wa s s ounding
.

he r s h ar p and n e r v ou s s narl S h e h ad n eve r f orgi ve n

.

h im t he c h ick e n ki ll ing ep i s od e an d p e r s i s t e n t ly hel d

-

to t he b el i ef t h at h i s int e nti on s w e r e h a d S he f ound

i
.

h m gui l t y b ef or e t he act and tr e at e d h im accord

i
,

n gl y
. S he b e cam e a pes t to h im l ik e a p o l ic e man ,

f o ll owing h im around the s tab le and t he ground s and , ,

i f h e eve n s o mu c h a s g l an c e d curio u sly at a p ig e on

or c h ick e n bu r s ting i nto an outcr y o f i ndignati on and
,

wrat h H i s fa v orit e wa y o f ig n oring he r wa s to l i e

.

d own wit h h i s he ad o n h i s f or e p aw s an d p r e t e nd
,
-

sl eep Th i s a l wa ys dum f ou nd e d and s i le nc e d he r

. .

Wi t h t he e xc ep ti on o f C o ll i e a ll t h ing s w e n t w ell ,

wi t h W h i t e Fang H e h ad le arn e d co ntro l and p oi se

.
,
 TH E C ALL OF K I ND 30 7

and he kn e w t he l aw He ac h i eve d a s tai dn ess an d

.
,

ca l mn ess an d ph i l o s o ph ic to le ranc e
,
H e n o l ong e r .

l i ve d i n a h o s ti le e n v ironm e n t D ang e r and h urt and .

d e at h did n o t l urk eve ry w h e r e ab ou t h im I n tim e .

,

t he unknow n a s a t h ing o f t e rror and m e nac e eve r

,

im pe nding fad e d awa y Li fe wa s s o f t and e a sy

,
. It .

fl ow e d a l ong s m o ot hly , and n e it he r fe ar nor f o e l urk e d

b y t he wa y .

H e mi sse d t h e s now wi t h out b e ing awar e o f i t .

“ An undu ly l ong s umm e r wou l d h a ve b ee n h i s

t h oug h t h ad h e t h oug h t abou t i t ; a s i t wa s he m e r ely ,

mi sse d t h e s no w i n a v agu e s ubcon s ciou s wa y ,

In .

t he s am e fa sh i on esp e cia lly i n t he he at Of s umm e r

,

w he n he s u ffe r e d f rom t he s un he e x pe ri e nc e d f aint ,

l onging s fo r t h e N ort hl and The i r on ly e ff e c t u p o n

.

h im h ow eve r wa s to mak e h i m un e a sy and r es t less

, ,

wit h out h i s knowi ng w h at wa s t he ma tt e r .

W h it e Fang h ad n eve r b ee n v e ry d e m on s trati ve .

B ey o nd h i s s nugg l ing and t he t h rowing o f a crooning

not e i nto h i s l o ve grow l he h ad n o wa y o f e x p r ess ing
-

i i
h i s l o ve Y e t i t wa s g v en h m t o d i s co ve r a t h i rd
’

wa y . He h ad a l wa ys b ee n s u s c ep tib le t o t he l augh t e r
o f t h e god s L a ugh t e r h ad a ff e ct e d h im wi t h mad
.

n ess mad e h im f rantic wit h rag e

,
Bu t he did n o t .

h a ve i t i n h i m to b e angry wit h t h e l o ve ma s t e r and -

w h e n t h at god ele ct e d to l aug h at h im in a good

natur e d bant e ring wa y h e wa s non pl u sse d He cou l d
, ,
.

feel t he p ricking and s tinging o f t h e Ol d ang e r a s it

30 8 W H I T E FA NG

s tro v e to ri se u p in h im but t s tro ve agai n s t l o ve

,
i .

H e cou l d n o t b e angry ; ye t he h ad to d o s om e th ing .

A t fi r s t he wa s digni fie d and t he ma s t e r l aug he d t he

,

h ard e r The n h e tri e d to b e m or e digni fie d an d

.
,

t he ma s t e r l aug he d h ard e r t h an b ef or e I n t h e e nd .
,

t h e ma s t e r l aug he d h im ou t o f h i s dign i ty H i s j aw s .

sl igh t ly p art e d h i s l i ps l i f t e d a l itt le and a q ui zz ica l

, ,

e x p r ess ion t h at w a s mor e l o ve t h an h um or cam e into

h i s eyes H e h ad le arn e d to l augh
. .

Lik e wi se h e le arn e d to rom p wit h t h e ma s t e r to ,

b e tumb le d down and ro lle d o ve r and b e t he v ictim ,

o f innum e rab le roug h trick s I n r e turn he fe ign e d

.

ang e r bri s t l in g and grow l ing fe rociou sly a n d c l i pp ing

, ,

h i s t ee t h tog e t he r in s na ps t h at h ad a ll th e see ming

o f d e ad ly i nt e ntion But h e n eve r f orgo t h im sel f
. .

Th o se s na ps w e r e a l wa ys d el i ve r e d on t he e m p t y ai r .

A t t he e nd o f s uc h a rom p w he n b l ow a n d cu ff and
,

s n a p and s nar l w e r e fa s t an d f uriou s t hey wou l d ,

br e ak O ff s udd e n ly and s tand seve ra l fee t a p art g l ar ,

ing at e ac h o the r A nd t he n j u s t a s s ud d e n ly l ik e
.
, ,

t he s un ri s ing on a s torm y se a t hey w ou l d b e gin to ,

l augh . Th i s wou l d a l wa ys cu l minat e wi t h t he ma s

t e r s arm s going aro u nd W h i t e Fang s n e ck and
’ ’

sh ou l d e r s w h i le t he l att e r croon e d and grow l e d h i s

l o ve s ong
-
.

But nobod y else eve r rom pe d wi t h W h i t e Fang .

He did n o t p e rmi t i t He s tood o n h i s digni ty

.
,

and w he n t hey att e m p t e d i t h i s warnin g s nar l and

,
31 0 W H I T E FANG

to i t and m ad e i t dro p i t s f or e le g s back to e art h ,

-

w he r e u p on i t wou l d b e gin kicking wi t h i t s h ind le g s -

W h it e Fang watc he d t he pe r f ormanc e wi t h i ncr e a s ing

anxi e t y un ti l he cou l d C ontai n h im self no l ong e r w he n ,

he sp rang in f ron t o f t he h or se an d bark e d s a v ag ely

and warningly .

Th oug h he O f t e n tri e d to bark t he r e a f t e r and t h e ,

ma s t e r e ncourag e d h im h e s ucc ee d e d on ly onc e

, ,

and t he n i t wa s not i n t he m a s t e r s p r ese nc e A ’

.

s cam pe r acro ss t he p a s tur e , a j ackrabbi t ri s ing s ud

d en l y und e r t he h or se s fee t , a v io le nt shee r a s tumb le
’
, ,

a f a ll to e art h and a brok e n le g f or t he ma s t e r w e r e

,

t he cau se O f it W h it e Fang sp rang i n a rag e at t h e

.

t h roat o f t he o ff e nding h or se but wa s c he ck e d b y t h e

”
,

ma s t e r s v oic e
’
.

“ H om e "
G O h om e " t he m a s t e r command e d ,
w he n he h ad a s c e rtain e d h i s inj ury .

W h i t e Fang wa s d i s inc l in e d to d ese rt h im Th e .

ma s t e r t h oug h t o f writing a n ot e, but se arc he d h i s

p ock e t s v ain ly f or p e n ci l an d p a pe r Agai n he com.

ma n d ed W h i t e Fang to go h om e .

The l att e r r e gard e d h im wi s t f u lly s tart e d awa y, ,

t h e n r e turn e d and w h in e d s o f t ly The ma s t e r ta l k e d

i i
.

to h m g e n tly bu t se riou sly and he cock e d h s e ars

,

and l i s t e n e d wi t h p ain f u l i nt e n tn ess .

“
Th at s a ll rig h t ol d fell o w y ou ju s t run a l on g
’
, ,

h om e ran t he tal k “ G o o n h om e and t ell the m

,
.

w h at s h a ppe n e d to m e H om e w i t h y ou , y ou wo l f
’
. .

G e t a l on g h om e
 TH E C ALL O F K I ND 311

W h i t e Fang kn e w t h e me aning o f “ h om e a n d ,

t h oug h he did n o t und e rs tan d t he r e mai nd e r o f th e

ma s t e r s l anguag e he kn e w i t wa s h i s w i ll t h at he
’
,

sh ou l d go h om e He turn e d and trott e d r el uc tant ly

.

away . The n he s to ppe d und e cid e d and l ook e d back , ,

o ve r h i s sh ou l d e r
“ G o h om e " cam e ” .

t h e sh ar p command an d t h i s ,

tim e b e ob eye d .

The f ami ly wa s on t he p orc h taking t he coo l o f ,

t h e a f t e rnoon w he n W h it e Fang arri ve d

,
H e cam e .

i n am ong t he m p anting co ve r e d wi t h du s t
,

W ee don s back W ee d on s m ot he r ann ounc e d

’
,
” ,

’
.

The c h i l d r e n w el com e d W h it e Fang wi t h g l ad

cri es and ran to mee t h im He a v oid e d t he m and .

p a sse d d own t he p orc h but t hey corn e r e d h im ,

again s t a rocki ng c h air and t he rai l ing H e grow le d

-
.

and tri e d to p u sh b y t he m The ir m ot he r l ook e d .

a pp r ehe n s i vely i n t he i r dir e c ti on .

”
I con fess he m ak es m e n e r v ou s around t h e c h i l
dr e n sh e s aid
,
,

“ I h a v e a dr e ad t h at he wi ll turn
.

u p on t he m u n e x pe c t e d ly s om e da y .

G row l ing s a v ag ely W h it e Fan g sp rang o u t o f th e

,

corn e r o ve rturning the b o y and t he gir l The mo t he r

, .

ca lle d t he m to he r and com f ort e d t he m t ell ing t he m ,

n o t t o b ot he r W h i t e Fang
” .

A w o l f i s a wo lf comm e nt e d J udg e Scott

”
“
.
,

The r e i s n o tru s ti ng o n e
”
B u t h e i s n o t a ll wo l f int e rp o se d B e t h s tand ing ,
.

fo r he r bro t he r in h i s ab se nc e .
 ”
312 W H I T E F ANG

Y ou h a v e on ly W ee d on s Op inion f or t h at r e
’
,

d
j oi n e d t he J u g e “
H e m e r ely s urmi ses t h at t he r e
.

i s s om e s trai n o f dog i n W h i t e Fang ; but a s he wi ll

t ell y o u h im sel f he kn ow s n ot h i ng ab ou t i t A s f or
, .

hi s a ppe aranc e

He did n ot fi ni sh t h e se n t e nc e W h i t e Fa n g s to od
.

b ef or e h im grow l ing fie rc ely

“ G o awa y " Li e
,
.

d own s ir " Judg e S cot t com

,
”
ma n d ed .

W h it e Fan g turn e d to t he l o ve ma s t e r s wi fe -
S he ’
.

s cr e am e d wi t h f righ t a s h e se i ze d he r dr ess i n h i s
t ee t h and dragg e d o n i t ti ll t h e f rai l f ab ric to r e awa y .

B y t h i s tim e he h ad b e com e t he c e n tr e o f in t e r es t .

H e h a d c e a se d f rom h i s grow l ing and s tood he ad u p , ,

l ooking in to t he ir f ac es H i s t h roat w ork e d sp a s

.

i
mo d ca l l y but mad e n o s o und w h i le he s truggle d
, ,

wi t h a ll h i s bod y con v u lse d wi t h t he e ff ort to rid

,

h im sel f o f t he incommunicab le som e t h ing th at

s train e d f or utt e ranc e
“ I h o pe he i s n o t going mad
.

s aid W ee d on s ,
” ’

m ot he r. I to l d W ee d on t h at I wa s a fraid t he warm
”
c l i mat e w ou l d n ot agree wi t h an Arcti c anima l
“ He s
’
try ing to spe ak I d o b el i eve B e t h a n
, ,
” .

n o u n c ed .

A t t h i s m om e nt spee c h cam e to W h i t e Fang ru sh

”
,

ing u p i n a gr e at bur s t o f barking .

“ S om e t h ing h a s h a ppe n e d to W ee don h i s wi fe ,

s aid d e ci s i vely .
31 4 W H I T E F AN G

t h at i n h i m d eepe r t h an a ll t he l aw he h ad le arn e d ,
t h an t h e cu s tom s t h a t h ad m ou l d e d h im t h an h i s
,

i
l o ve f o r t he m a s t e r t h an t he v e r y wi ll to l i ve o f h m
self ; and w h e n i n t he m om e n t o f h i s ind e ci s ion ,
,

C o ll i e ni ppe d h im an d s cam pe r e d Off , h e turn e d and

f o ll ow e d a f t e r Th e ma s t e r rod e a l o n e t h at da y ; and
.

i n t he wood s s id e b y s id e W h it e Fang ran wit h

, ,

C o ll i e a s h i s m o t he r K i c h e and Ol d On e Ey e h ad
, , ,

run l ong ye ars b ef or e i n t he s i le n t N ort hl and f or es t .

“ In t he w ood s ,
s i d e by s i de , W h i t e F an g ran w i t h C ol l ie .
316 W H I T E F ANG

a S a n Franci s co sl um — s o f t c l ay in t he h and s o f
s oci e t y and r e ad y to b e f orm e d i nto s om e t h ing .

I t wa s during Ji m H a ll s t h ird t e rm in p ri s on t h at
’

he e n count e r e d a guard t h at wa s a l m o s t a s gr e at a
b e a s t a s he Th e guard tr e at e d h im u n fairly l i e d
.
,

ab ou t h im to t h e ward e n l o s t h im h i s cr e dit s pe r se
, ,

out e d h im .The di ff e r e nc e b e tw ee n t he m wa s t h at
t he guard carri e d a bun c h o f k eys an d a r ev o lve r .

Ji m H a ll h ad on ly h i s nak e d h and s and h i s t ee t h .

B u t h e sp rang u p on t h e guard on e da y an d u se d
h i s t ee t h on t he o t he r s t h roat j u s t l ik e an y j ung le
’

anim a l .

A f t e r t h i s J im H a l l w e n t to l i v e in t h e incorrigib le
,

c ell . H e l i ve d t he r e t h r ee y e ar s The c ell wa s o f .

iron t he floor t he wa lls t h e roo f He n eve r lef t t h i s

, , ,
.

c ell . H e n eve r s aw t he s k y n or t he s u n sh in e D a y .

wa s a twi l ig h t an d nigh t wa s a b l ack s i le nc e He .

wa s i n an i ron tomb buri e d a l i ve ,

H e s aw n o .

h u man fac e sp ok e to n o h uman t h ing W he n h i s

,
.

f ood wa s s h o ve d in to h im he grow le d l ik e a w i l d,

anima l . H e h at e d a ll t h i n g s Fo r da ys and nig h t s

.

h e b ell ow e d h i s rag e at t he uni ve r se For w ee k s an d .

mont hs h e n eve r mad e a s ound i n t h e b l ack s i le nc e ,

e ating h i s ve ry s ou l H e wa s a m an an d a mo n
i
.

s t r os t y a s fe ar f u l a t h ing o f fe ar a s eve r gibb e r e d

i
,

n t he v i s i on s o f a madd e n e d brain .

A nd t he n o n e nig h t he es ca pe d The ward e n s aid

i
, , .

t wa s im p o ss ib le but n e v e rt heless t he c ell wa s e m p t y ,

,
 TH E S L EE PI NG W OLF 31 7

an d h a l f in h a l f o u t o f i t l a y t he b od y o f a d e ad
guard . T wo oth e r d e ad guard s mark e d h i s trai l
t h rou gh t he p ri s on to t he o u t e r wa lls , and he h ad
ki lle d wi t h h i s h and s to a v oi d noi se .

H e wa s arm e d wi t h t he w e a p o n s O f t he sl ain
guard s — a l i ve ar se na l t h at fl e d t h roug h t he h i lls
p ur s u e d b y t he organi ze d mig h t o f s oci e t y A he a vy .

p ric e Of go l d wa s u p on h i s he ad A v ari ciou s f arm e r s

.

h un t e d h i m wit h sh o t gun s -
H i s b l oo d mig h t p a y o ff
.

a m ortgag e o r se n d a s on to co lle g e P ub l ic sp iri t e d

.
-

citi ze n s took d own t h e ir rifl es and w e n t out a f t e r h im .

A p ack o f b l ood h ound s f o ll ow e d t he wa y o f h i s b lee d

i ng fee t An d t h e sle ut h h ound s o f t h e l aw t h e p aid
.
-

fi gh ting anima ls o f s oci e t y , w it h t eleph on e an d t ele ,

gra ph and spe cia l train c l ung to h i s trai l nig h t an d da y

, , .

S om e tim es t hey cam e u p o n h im and m e n fac e d ,

h i m l ik e he ro es or s tam pe d e d t h roug h barb wir e

,
-

fe nc es to t h e d el ig h t o f t h e comm onw e a l t h r e ading

t he accoun t a t t he br e ak fa s t tab le I t wa s a f t e r s uc h
.

e ncoun t e r s th at t he d e ad and wound e d w e r e cart e d

back to t he town s a n d t he ir pl ac es fille d b y m e n
,

e ag e r f or t he man h unt -
.

An d t he n Jim H a ll di s a ppe ar e d The b l ood h ound s

.

v ain ly q u es t e d o n t h e l o s t trai l I no ffe n s i ve ranc he r s

.

in r e mo t e v a lleys w e r e h el d u p b y arm e d m e n and

com pelle d to id e nti fy t he m selves ; w h i le t he r e mai n s
O f Ji m H a ll w e r e d i s co ve r e d o n a do ze n m ountain

s id es b y gr ee d y c l aim an t s f or b l ood mon ey -

.
31 8 W H I T E F ANG

I n t he m e an tim e t he n e w sp a p e r s w e r e r e ad at
Si e rra Vi s ta n ot s o muc h wi t h i nt e r es t a s wi t h
,

anxi e ty . The wom e n w e r e a f raid Judg e S cott

.

p oo h p oo he d and l aug he d but n ot wit h r e a s on f or i t

-

i
,

wa s in h i s l a s t da ys o n t he b e nc h t h a t J m H a ll h ad
s tood b ef or e h im and r e c e i ve d se nt e n c e An d in o pe n
.

courtroom b ef or e a l l men Ji m H a ll h ad p roc l aim e d

, ,

t h at t he da y wou l d com e w he n h e w ou l d wr e ak ve n
g ea n c e o n t he j u dg e t h at se nt e nc e d h im .

F o r o nc e Jim H a ll wa s rig h t
,
H e wa s innoc e n t
.

O f t he crim e f or w h ic h he wa s se nt e nc e d I t wa s a .

ca se i n t h e p ar l anc e o f t h i eves and p o l i c e O f “ rai l

roading
,

. Jim H a ll wa s b e ing “ rai l road e d to p ri s on ” ,

f or a crim e h e h a d n o t com mi tt e d B e cau se o f t he

.

tw o p rior con v i cti on s again s t h im Judg e S cott m

, i
p o se d u p on h im a se nt e n c e o f fif t y ye ar s .

Judg e S co tt did n ot kn o w a ll t h ing s and he did ,

n ot know t h at he w a s p arty to a p o l ic e con sp irac y ,

t h at t he e v id e nc e wa s h atc he d and pe rj ur e d t h at Jim ,

H a ll wa s gui l t less o f t he crim e ch arg e d And J im .

H a ll on th e o t he r h and did not kn ow t h at Judg e

, ,

Sco tt wa s m e r ely ignorant Jim H a l l b el i eve d th a t

.

t he j u d g e kn e w a ll abou t i t and wa s h an d in gl o ve
wi t h t he p o l ic e i n t h e p e rpe tratio n o f t he m on s tro u s
inj u s tic e S o i t wa s w he n t he d oom O f fif t y ye ar s
.
,

o f l i v ing d e at h wa s utt e r e d b y Ju dg e S cott t h at Jim ,

H a ll h ati n g a ll t h ing s i n t he s oci e t y t h at m i s u se d

,

h im ro se u p and rag e d i n t h e co urt room unti l dragg e d

,
32 0 W H I T E FA NG

wai t e d U p t h at s tai rca se t he wa y le d to t h e l o ve

.

ma s t e r and to t he l o ve ma s t e r s d e ar es t p o ssess ion s

-
’
.

W h it e Fang bri s t le d but wait e d The s trang e god s

,
.
’

f oo t l i f t e d H e wa s b e ginning t he a s c e n t
. .

The n i t wa s t h at W h it e Fang s truck H e ga ve n o .

warni ng wi t h n o s nar l anti ci p at e d h i s own action

,
.

I nto t h e air he l i f t e d h i s b od y i n t he sp ring t h at l and e d

h im o n t he s trang e god s back W h it e Fang c l ung wit h
’
.

h i s f or e p aw s to t he m an s sh ou l d e r s at t he s am e
-
’
,

tim e bury ing h i s fang s into t he back o f t he m an s ’

n e ck . He c l ung o n f or a m om e nt l ong e noug h to ,

drag t he god o ve r backward T og e t he r t h ey cra she d

.

to t he fl oor W h i t e Fang le a pe d c le ar and a s t he

.
, ,

man s trugg le d to ri se wa s in again wit h t he sl a sh ing

,

f ang s .

Si e rra Vi s ta aw ok e in a l arm The n oi se f rom .

down s tair s wa s a s t h at O f a s cor e o f batt l ing fie nd s .

The r e w e r e r ev o lve r sh ot s A m an s v oic e s cr e am e d

.
’

onc e i n h orror and angui sh The r e wa s a gr e at .

s nar l in g and grow l ing and o ve r a ll aro se a s ma sh i ng

,

and cra sh ing o f f urni tur e and g l a ss .

But a l mo s t a s q uickly a s i t h ad ari se n t h e comm o ,

tion di e d awa y The s truggl e h ad n o t l a s t e d m or e

.

t h an t h r ee mi nut es The f rig h t e n e d h ou seh o l d c l u s

.

t er e d at t he to p o f t h e s tairwa y From b el ow a s .
,

f rom o u t an ab yss o f b l ackn ess cam e u p a gurg l ing ,

s ound a s o f air bubb l ing t h roug h wat e r S om e tim es

, .

t h i s gurg le b e cam e s ibi l ant a l mo s t a w h i s t l e But

,
.
 TH E S L EE PI N G W O L F 32 1

t h i s too q ui ck ly di e d down and c e a se d

, ,
The n .

naugh t cam e u p o u t o f t h e b l ackn ess s a ve a he a vy

p an ting o f s om e cr e a tur e s trugg l ing s or ely f or ai r .

W ee do n S co tt p r esse d a bu t ton and t he s tairca se ,

and down s tair s h a ll w e r e flo od e d wit h l igh t The n .

he and J udg e Scott r ev o lve r s i n h and cauti ou sly, ,

d es c e n d e d Th e r e wa s n o n ee d f or t h i s cauti on
. .

W h i t e Fang h ad don e h i s wo rk I n t he m id s t o f t he
.

wr e ck a g e O f o ve rt h rown and s ma she d f urni tur e ,

p artly o n h i s s id e h i s fac e h id d e n b y a n arm l a y a

, ,

man . W ee don S co tt b e nt o ve r r e m o ve d t he arm , ,

and turn e d t he man s fac e u p ward ’

A ga p ing t h roat .

“ J im H a ll ”
e x pl ain e d t he mann e r o f h i s d e at h
s aid J udg e Scott an d fat he r an d s on
, ,
.

l ook e d s igni fi cantly at e ac h ot he r .

The n t hey turn e d to W h it e Fang He to o wa s .

, ,

ly ing o n h i s s id e H i s eyes w e r e c l o se d bu t t he l id s
.
,

sl ig h t ly l i f t e d i n an e ff ort to l ook at t he m a s t hey

b e n t o ve r h im and t he tai l wa s pe rc ep tib ly agi tat e d
,

i n a v ai n e ff ort to wag W ee do n S co tt p att e d h im

.
,

and h i s t h roat rumb le d an acknow le dging grow l .

B u t i t wa s a w e ak grow l at b es t and i t q uick ly ,

c e a se d . H i s eyel i d s d roo p e d and w e nt sh ut , and

h i s w h o le b o d y see m e d to r el ax and fla tt e n o u t u p on
t he flo or .

”
“ H e s a ll in p oor d ev i l m utt e r e d t he ma s t e r
”
’
, ,
.

“ W e ll see abou t
’
t h at , a sse rt e d t he J udg e a s h e ,

s tart e d f or t he t eleph on e .
32 2 W H I T E F AN G

“ Frank ly , he h a s o n e c h anc e i n a t h ou s and ,

announc e d t h e s urg e on a f t e r he h ad work e d an ,

h our and a h a lf on W h i t e Fang .

D awn wa s b r e aking t h roug h t he window s an d

dim ming t he ele ctric l ig h t s Wi t h t he e xc ep tion o f.

t he c h i l dr e n , t he w h o le fami ly wa s gat he r e d abou t

t h e s urg e on to he ar h i s ve rdict
“ On e brok e n h ind le g he w e n t on-

,
”
Th r ee
.

brok e n rib s , on e at le a s t o f w h ic h h a s p i e rc e d t he
l ung s He h a s l o s t n e arly a ll t he b l ood in h i s bod y
. .

The r e i s a l arg e l ik el i h ood o f int e rna l inj uri es He .

m u s t h a ve b ee n j um pe d u p on T o s a y not h ing o f
‘

t h r ee bu lle t h o les c le ar t h roug h h i m On e c h anc e .

in a th ou s and i s r e a lly Op timi s tic H e has n t a .

’

c h an c e i n t e n t h ou s and

”
.

“ Bu t he mu s tn t l o se an y c h anc e t h at m ig h t b e
’

o f h elp to h im , Judg e S cott e xc l aim e d “ Neve r .

m ind e x pe n se P ut h im und e r t he X ra y — an y
.
-

t h ing W ee don t ele gra ph at o nc e to S an Franci s co

.
,

f or D octo r N ic h o ls NO r e fl e ctio n on y ou doctor

.
, ,

y ou und e r s tand but he m u s t h a v e t he ad v antag e

'

o f e v e r y c h anc e .

The s urg e o n s mi le d indu l g e n tly “

Of cour se I .

und e r s tand . He d ese r ves a ll t h at can b e d o n e f or

h im . He mu s t b e nur se d a s y ou wou l d nur se a
h uman b e i ng a s ick c h i l d
,
And don t f org e t w h at
.
’

I to l d y ou abou t t e m pe ratur e I ll b e back a t t e n .

’

o c l ock again
’
.
32 4 W H I T E F ANG

l i fe b ef or e Li p l i p and a ll t h e h ow l ing b e d l am o f t he
-

Pu ppy p ack -

H e ran agai n t h roug h t he S i le nc e h unting h i s l i v ing ,

f ood t h roug h t he m ont hs o f famin e ; and agai n he ran

at t he he ad o f t h e t e am t he gut w h i p s o f Mi t s a h and
,
- -

“ R a a "R a a " ”
G ra y B e a ve r s n a pp ing b eh i nd t he ir v oic es cry i ng
w he n t hey cam e t o a narro w p a ss ag e
,

and t he t e am c l o se d tog e t he r l ik e a f an to go t h roug h .

H e l i ve d again a l l h i s da ys w it h B e au t y S mi t h and
t h e fi g h t s he h ad f o u g h t A t s uc h tim es he w h im.

pe r e d and s nar le d i n h i s sleep and t hey t h at l ook e d ,

o n s aid t h at h i s dr e am s w e r e bad .

But t he r e wa s on e p articu l ar nig h tm ar e f rom w h i c h

he s u ffe r e d — t he c l anki n g c l a n ging m on s t e r s o f ,

ele c tric car s t h at w e r e to h i m co l o ss a l s cr e aming

ly nx es H e w ou l d l i e i n a s cr ee n o f bu shes watc h
.
,

ing f or a sq uirr el t o v e ntur e f ar e n oug h o u t o n t h e

ground f rom i t s tr ee r efug e The n w h e n h e sp rang
-
.
,

o u t u p on i t i t wou l d tran sf orm i t sel f in to an ele ctri c

,

car m e nacing an d t e rrib le tow e ring o ve r h im l ik e a

, ,

m oun tain s cr e aming and c l anging a n d sp i tting fi r e at

,

h im .It wa s t h e s am e w he n h e c h a lle ng e d t he h awk

d own o u t O f t he s k y D own ou t Of t he b l u e i t wou l d
.

ru sh a s i t dro ppe d u p on h im c h anging it sel f i n to t he

,

ubi q ui tou s ele ctri c car Or again h e w ou l d b e in t h e

.
,

pe n O f B e aut y Smi t h Out s id e t he pe n m e n wou l d

.
,

b e gat he ring an d he kn e w t h at a fi gh t wa s o n
,
He .

watc he d t he door f or h i s antagoni s t to e nt e r The .

 TH E S L EE PI NG W OLF 32 5

door w ou l d o pe n an d t h ru s t in u p on h i m wou l d com e

,

t he aw f u l ele ctric car A t h ou s and tim es t h i s

.

occurr e d and e ac h tim e t he t e rror i t i n sp ir e d wa s a s

,

v i v id and gr e a t a s eve r .

The n cam e t he da y w he n t h e l a s t ban dag e and t he

l a s t pl a s t e r ca s t w e r e tak e n o ff I t wa s a ga l a da y
. .

A ll Si e rra Vi s ta wa s gat he r e d aroun d The ma s t e r .

rubb e d h i s e ar s and he croon e d h i s l o ve grow l

,

ma s t e r s wi fe ca lle d h im t h e “ B lesse d Wo lf w h ic h
’
The -

,
”
.

na me wa s tak e n u p wi t h acc l aim and a ll t he wom e n

ca lle d h i m t he B lesse d Wo l f .

H e tri e d to ri se to h i s fee t an d a f t e r seve ra l ,

att e m p t s fell do wn f rom w e akn ess H e h ad l ai n .

s o l ong t h at h i s m u s c les h ad l o s t t he ir cunn ing and ,

a ll t he s tr e ngt h h ad gon e out o f t he m H e fel t a .

l itt le sh am e b e cau se o f h i s w e akn ess a s t h oug h f or , ,

s oo th he w e r e f ai l ing t he god s i n t he se r v ic e h e ow e d
,

the m B e cau se O f t h i s he mad e h e roic e ff ort s to ari se

.
,

and at l a s t he s tood o n h i s f our l e g s tott e ring and ,

s way ing back and f ort h

“ ” .

Th e B lesse d Wo lf " c h oru se d t h e wo me n .

Judg e S cott s urveye d t he m trium ph an tly

O u t o f y our o w n m out h s b e i t h e s aid J ust as I
,
” .
.

”
cont e n d e d rig h t a l ong N o m e r e d o g co u l d h a ve don e
.

w h at h e d id H e s a wo l f
”
’
. .

”
A B lesse d Wo l f am e n d e d t he J udg e s wi fe
“ ’
,

“
Y es B lesse d Wo l f a gr ee d t he J udg e
, ,

he nc ef ort h t h at sh a ll b e m y nam e f or h im .
” .
 ”
32 6 W H I T E FA NG

“ He ll h a ve t o le arn to wa l k again s aid t he s ur

’
,

g e on ; “ s o he m ig h t a s w ell s tart i n rig h t n ow

w o n t h urt h im
’
T ak e h im out s id e
.
It
.
” .

And out s id e he w e nt l ik e a king wit h a ll S i e rra , ,

Vi s ta about h im and t e nding o n h im H e wa s v e ry .

w e ak and w he n he r e ac he d t h e l a w n h e l a y down
,

and r es t e d f o r a w h i le .

The n t he p roc ess i o n s tart e d on l itt le sp urt s o f ,

s tr e ngt h coming i nto W h i t e Fa u g s m u s c les a s he u se d ’

t he m and t he b l o od b e gan to s urg e t h roug h the m .

The s tab les w e r e r e ac he d and t he r e i n t he doorwa y ,

l a y Co ll i e a h a l f do ze n p udg y p u pp i es pl a y ing about

,
-

he r i n t h e s un .

W h it e Fang l ook e d on wi t h a w ond e ring eye .

C o ll i e s n ar le d warningly at h im and he W a s car ef u l ,

to k eep h i s di s tanc e The ma s t e r wi t h h i s to e helpe d

.

o n e sp raw l ing p u ppy toward h i m He bri s t le d s u s

i
.

p ic o u s l y but t he ma s t e r warn e d h im t h at a ll w as
,

w ell . Co ll i e c l a spe d i n t he arm s o f o n e o f t h e

,

wom e n watc he d h i m j e a l ou sly and wi t h a s nar l

,

warn e d h im t h at a ll wa s not w ell .

The p u ppy sp raw le d i n f ront o f h im He cock e d .

h i s e ar s and watc he d i t curiou sly The n t he ir no ses .

touc he d and he fel t t he war m l i tt le tongu e o f t he

,

p u ppy o n h i s j ow l W h it e Fang s tongu e w e n t o u t

.
’
,

he kn e w n o t w hy and h e l ick e d t he p u ppy s fac e

,
’
.

H and c l a pp ing and ple a se d cri es f rom t he god s

-

gr ee t e d t he pe r f ormanc e H e wa s s urp ri se d and

.
,
 W ORKS B Y j A C K LOND ON

TH E G AM E
A TR AN SC R I PT FR OM R EAL LIF E

W th ii
ll t us r at on s i i n c o l or b y H EN RY H UTT

C l ot h 1 2 mo

c nn t r d h s ry w i h
On e a o h ri ll in g sy m p h ic in r st
ea t e to t ou t a t at et te e
T h s r y id n w ih s ch m ingl ing f fr d m d r s r v in l in s
, .

to fi t

b ld d s r igh d imp l h is rms h i m g in i n d k s i

e s o e u a ne o ee o an e e e, e so

o an t a t an S e, t at t to t e a at o an ta e t u n re
s is ing
t T/ L. ii ll P t ze ou sv e os .

I is ld w i h s ch g l w f i m gin iv i ll si n w i h s ch in n s d
“
t to t u a o o a at e u o t u te e ra

m i c vig r w i h s ch ff c iv d c i y f ph r s h ilm s s ms i f h
,

at o t u e e t e au a t o a e, t at t a o t ee as t e

c ll y h pp ning b f r h r d r ”M N w V /H l d
h r s pp l w h b di l y y m ch h inn r m n l i y d h
,
'
au t o a ea as to t e o e e as u as t o t e e e ta t an t at

v ns
,

the e e t a re a t ua a e e o e t e ea e . e e ar z er a .

Th n rr iv i s h p rf c i n f
e a at e s p”rt in g s ry d cl r t
t e e e t o o art as a o to an as ea -

cu
d vi r i l sc l p r s m d l f h id l h l
,
’
an e as a u Th B t
to H ld o e o t e ea at ete . e os on er a .

W AR OF TH E C LAS S ES
n et

25 c e n t s , n et

Mnd n s b k is h r gh l y in r s in g d M L nd n s p in f
r . Lo o
’
oo t o ou te e t an r o o
’
o t o
vi w i s m y b s rm is d v ry diff r n fr m h f h cl s h ris
.
,

e as a e u e e e e t o t at o t e o et t eo t
Sp i g fi l d R p bl i
, , .

r n e e u ca n .

Hi cl r d in c i s iv hink in g rr s s n i n — ”m ny p in s c rri s t t at t e t o t
w h l i ll m in s is bj c — C l g R d
s ea an e a e ou a o a e

c nvi c i n — d
o t oh an on t e o e u at e ts u e t .
'

zzc a o e co r

b k i s w r h h gh f l c n s i d r i n C g g t l l t
Th c oo o t t ou t u o e at o . on r e a
’

zo n a zs .

Th s m n s f hi s b k
e t at e b r d b ld h s ry f h
e t o t oo t to t Se a
in
a re a s a e an o as e o e

W lf d pr s n h s c i l is s d l b r rs s id c n m i c si
’ ' ’
o an e e f h t t e o a t an a o e e o t e e o o t ua t o
w i h vi g r cl rn s d i m p r ss iv n ss
,

T/ W t l m
"
t o , ea es , an e e e . ze a c z an .

T H E M A C M I L LA N C O M PA N Y
6 4 6 6 F i f t h Av en u e New Y or k -

,
W OR KS B
”
" y AC K L O N D ON

TH E SEA W OLF -

W it h i ll u st r at i o n s by W J AY LW A R D . .

C l oth 12 111 0

T h e S ea Wo lf
d n s l t st n v l f d v n t r e i s ’
ac k L on
l g d d bl d in hi s v in s w i ll h i l wi
'

v ry r d r w i
-
o a e o e o a e u on e
th t th
, ,

a e e tI ea e oo re oo e a
d l ig h t Th r i s f mbl in g f t h t r i gg r h r n v s d
n c rt in s i gh t in g l n g t h b rr l b t t h qi c k d c i s iv i
e . e e no u o e e e e, n o er ou an
u e a a o m d e a e u e u e e a an
t h b ll s y v ry t i m N w Y rk
,

l d E p
’
e u -
e M e e e e .
-
az an x r ess , e o .

J c k L n d n s T h S W l f i s m rv ll sly t r t h f l
“ ' ‘ ’

R d ing i g h t s i t t in g w h v f n d i
a o o e ea -
o a e ou u u
t thr t p i g n n t ly in t r s t
.

ea ou a a e a e ou o a e e
in g p i c cr f s m n s hi p — T/ N w Y k T i
,

p b f
a su t er e b e o a a . ze e or r u n e.

E c i t in g
‘
r ig in l f sc in t in g N v l d pl s in g
S o r i gi n l vi v i d d d r i ng t h t i
x
t c mm n ds t t n t i
o a a a . o e an ea
n
, , .

o a an a a o a a e o
C/
.
, ,

zzc ag o R ecor d H er al d -
.

TH E C ALL OF TH E W ILD
Wit h i l l u s tr ati
o n s i n c o l o r by PH ILIP R GO ODW IN an d . C HA R LES
L IV IN GSTO N B U L L
De c r t d by C HA R LES
o a e EDW AR D H OO E P R
C l oth 12 111 0

A bi g s t o ry in s b r E n gl i s h d w it h t h r gh t i n t h
s t r c t i n ; w n d rf lly p rf c t b i
o e an o ou ar e c on
t f w rk ; b k t h w i ll b
ni
u o a o e u e e o o a oo at e
h rd f Th d g s d v n t r s y m n s
' ’

pl i L n d n s w r k m n s hi p i s w h lly s ti
ea o e g o a e u e a re as e xc n as an a ex
c ld b fy
.
'
t d M
ig
o s ou e, an r . o o o a o a s
n . N ew Yor k S u n
n o .

Ev e n t h e mo t
s t e ea e w be t e th e e fo
l i s l ss r d r i ll s i rr d by vi r i l
e rc
of t h es ry
to sr
, the t on wee n t oke w t w th e g s p i g s r s i h hi c h p ic r
tu e of s
o t e n w
n r h r i lds fe t e e n ar e a t e t h e na a t o , li h r i p in d by rr r
,

t he an d t h e
an d t h e n
i s igh g it ve n n t o t h e o u of t h e t e at u e i s l pri m i iv in n r
r h h ii s
M o e t a n t at t on e o f t h e v e ry b s s r i s y r
.

e t t o e o f t h e ea an d o n e
h i ll n o t b e fo g o t t e
r n i l v l nd
, ,

t at w Tl ze Pl a n D ea l er , C e e a . .

s ry i s
Th e t o on e t at w t the o f e ve r ov e o f a l f e h i ll s i r bl d yl r i
i ic l s s r l i
oo
n t s o e t e at o n t o n at u e W o e v e o v e t h e o en o r a d v en r h rl s p
r i sk i ll ll i ld s s ci
.

fin d T h e C a o f t h e W t mo t fa
’
t u e for t s o w n a e w
‘

ib k
a
n at n g o o T/
"
ze B r ookly n E ag l e
. .

TH E M A C M IL L A N COM PA N Y
6 4 66 FIFTH AV ENUE, New Y o u :
-
 W OR K S BY JA C K LON DON

7 UW 5 —
~

M O O N FA C E
AND OTHER S TORIES

C l ot h 1 2 mo

J ck L
a n d n fi rs t
o c q ior d f m t hr a g h h i s s pi r i t e d
u e a d v ig r s sh rt
e ou an o ou o

s t r i s f Al s k n l if w h r i n m f pr i m r y p ss i n s d pp t i t s s t r ggl
o e o a a e, e e en o a a o an a e e u e

f orm s t r y E c h s cc d i ng v l m f h i s t l s h s rv d t o i n c r s h i s
a e . a u ee o u e o a e as e e ea e

v g o H is
u e. f t h thr
e f r Am r i c n w r i t rs w h os e b ks f s h r t
on e o e ee o r ou e a e oo o o

st r i e s a e i n v e r y l r g
o r d m n d a t t h e p r es n t t i me
a e e a e .

T al e s o f t he F sh iP at r o l
Wi t h Il l ust r at i o n s by G eo rg e V ar i an

C l ot h 12 mo

Th e

fa c t t h at
se ar e v i g o r ou s s t o r i es mad e y et mo r e i n t er es t i n g
g oo d an d

t h e i r t h eme i s c o mpa r a t i v el y fr e s h a n d u n fami l i a r

,

.
” by t h e

R i
hm c on d T i
m es

Th at t h e y are v i v i dl y t ol dh a r dl y n eed be s ai d , fo rJa ck Lo n d o n i s a r eal

i
t s as w el l as a w r i t e r o f t h r i l l i n g r o ma n c e s . C l ev el a n d Pl a i
n D ea l er .

Th e y ar e s t r i es
l e n d s a dd i t i o n al i n t e r es t
g oo d o

.
” Of a d ven t r e
u

i
Tol edo D a ly B l a de
to w hic h
.
t h e ba ck gr ou n d of t rut h

T H E M A C M I LLA N CO M PA NY
6 4—
6 6 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW Y ORK