Hestudiedthenail-formation，andproddedthefinger-tips，nowsharply，andagainsoftly，gaugingthewhilethenerve-sensationsproduced。Itfascinatedhim，andhegrewsuddenlyfondofthissubtlefleshofhisthatworkedsobeautifullyandsmoothlyanddelicately。Thenhewouldcastaglanceoffearatthewolf-circledrawnexpectantlyabouthim，andlikeablowtherealizationwouldstrikehimthatthiswonderfulbodyofhis，thislivingflesh，wasnomorethansomuchmeat，aquestofravenousanimals，tobetornandslashedbytheirhungryfangs，tobesustenancetothemasthemooseandtherabbithadoftenbeensustenancetohim。
Hecameoutofadozethatwashalfnightmare，toseethered-huedshe-wolfbeforehim。Shewasnotmorethanhalfadozenfeetaway，sittinginthesnowandwistfullyregardinghim。Thetwodogswerewhimperingandsnarlingathisfeet，butshetooknonoticeofthem。Shewaslookingattheman，andforsometimehereturnedherlook。Therewasnothingthreateningabouther。Shelookedathimmerelywithagreatwistfulness，butheknewittobethewistfulnessofanequallygreathunger。Hewasthefood，andthesightofhimexcitedinherthegustatorysensations。Hermouthopened，thesalivadrooledforth，andshelickedherchopswiththepleasureofanticipation。
Aspasmoffearwentthroughhim。Hereachedhastilyforabrandtothrowather。Butevenashereached，andbeforehisfingershadclosedonthemissile，shesprangbackintosafety；andheknewthatshewasusedtohavingthingsthrownather。Shehadsnarledasshesprangaway，baringherwhitefangstotheirroots，allherwistfulnessvanishing，beingreplacedbyacarnivorousmalignitythatmadehimshudder。Heglancedatthehandthatheldthebrand，noticingthecunningdelicacyofthefingersthatgrippedit，howtheyadjustedthemselvestoalltheinequalitiesofthesurface，curlingoverandunderandabouttheroughwood，andonelittlefinger，tooclosetotheburningportionofthebrand，sensitivelyandautomaticallywrithingbackfromthehurtfulheattoacoolergripping-place；
andinthesameinstantheseemedtoseeavisionofthosesamesensitiveanddelicatefingersbeingcrushedandtornbythewhiteteethoftheshe-wolf。
Neverhadhebeensofondofthisbodyofhisasnowwhenhistenureofitwassoprecarious。
Allnight，withburningbrands，hefoughtoffthehungrypack。Whenhedozeddespitehimself，thewhimperingandsnarlingofthedogsarousedhim。Morningcame，butforthefirsttimethelightofdayfailedtoscatterthewolves。Themanwaitedinvainforthemtogo。Theyremainedinacircleabouthimandhisfire，displayinganarroganceofpossessionthatshookhiscouragebornofthemorninglight。
Hemadeonedesperateattempttopulloutonthetrail。Butthemomenthelefttheprotectionofthefire，theboldestwolfleapedforhim，butleapedshort。Hesavedhimselfbyspringingback，thejawssnappingtogetherascantsixinchesfromhisthigh。Therestofthepackwasnowupandsurginguponhim，andathrowingoffirebrandsrightandleftwasnecessarytodrivethembacktoarespectfuldistance。
Eveninthedaylighthedidnotdareleavethefiretochopfreshwood。
Twentyfeetawaytoweredahugedeadspruce。Hespenthalfthedayextendinghiscampfiretothetree，atanymomentahalfdozenburningfagotsreadyathandtoflingathisenemies。Onceatthetree，hestudiedthesurroundingforestinordertofellthetreeinthedirectionofthemostfirewood。
Thenightwasarepetitionofthenightbefore，savethattheneedforsleepwasbecomingoverpowering。Thesnarlingofhisdogswaslosingitsefficacy。Besides，theyweresnarlingallthetime，andhisbenumbedanddrowsysensesnolongertooknoteofchangingpitchandintensity。Heawokewithastart。Theshe-wolfwaslessthanayardfromhim。Mechanically，atshortrange，withoutlettinggoofit，hethrustabrandfullintoheropenandsnarlingmouth。Shesprangaway，yellingwithpain，andwhilehetookdelightinthesmellofburningfleshandhair，hewatchedhershakingherheadandgrowlingwrathfullyascoreoffeetaway。
Butthistime，beforehedozedagain，hetiedaburningpine-knottohisrighthand。Hiseyeswereclosedbutafewminuteswhentheburnoftheflameonhisfleshawakenedhim。Forseveralhoursheadheredtothisprogramme。Everytimehewasthusawakenedhedrovebackthewolveswithflyingbrands，replenishedthefire，andrearrangedthepine-knotonhishand。Allworkedwell，buttherecameatimewhenhefastenedthepineknotinsecurely。Ashiseyescloseditfellawayfromhishand。
Hedreamed。ItseemedtohimthathewasinFortMcGurry。Itwaswarmandcomfortable，andhewasplayingcribbagewiththeFactor。Also，itseemedtohimthatthefortwasbesiegedbywolves。Theywerehowlingattheverygates，andsometimesheandtheFactorpausedfromthegametolistenandlaughatthefutileeffortsofthewolvestogetin。Andthen，sostrangewasthedream，therewasacrash。Thedoorwasburstopen。Hecouldseethewolvesfloodingintothebigliving-roomofthefort。TheywereleapingstraightforhimandtheFactor。Withtheburstingopenofthedoor，thenoiseoftheirhowlinghadincreasedtremendously。Thishowlingnowbotheredhim。Hisdreamwasmergingintosomethingelse——heknewnotwhat；butthroughitall，followinghim，persistedthehowling。
Andthenheawoketofindthehowlingreal。Therewasagreatsnarlingandyelping。Thewolveswererushinghim。Theywereallabouthimanduponhim。Theteethofonehadcloseduponhisarm。Instinctivelyheleapedintothefire，andasheleaped，hefeltthesharpslashofteeththattorethroughthefleshofhisleg。Thenbeganafirefight。Hisstoutmittenstemporarilyprotectedhishands，andhescoopedlivecoalsintotheairinalldirections，untilthecamp-firetookonthesemblanceofavolcano。
Butitcouldnotlastlong。Hisfacewasblisteringintheheat，hiseyebrowsandlashesweresingedoff，andtheheatwasbecomingunbearabletohisfeet。Withaflamingbrandineachhand，hesprangtotheedgeofthefire。Thewolveshadbeendrivenback。Oneveryside，whereverthelivecoalshadfallen，thesnowwassizzling，andeverylittlewhilearetiringwolf，withwildleapandsnortandsnarl，announcedthatonesuchlivecoalhadbeensteppedupon。
Flinginghisbrandsatthenearestofhisenemies，themanthrusthissmoulderingmittensintothesnowandstampedabouttocoolhisfeet。Histwodogsweremissing，andhewellknewthattheyhadservedasacourseintheprotractedmealwhichhadbegundaysbeforewithFatty，thelastcourseofwhichwouldlikelybehimselfinthedaystofollow。
\"Youain\'tgotmeyet!\"hecried，savagelyshakinghisfistatthehungrybeasts；andatthesoundofhisvoicethewholecirclewasagitated，therewasageneralsnarl，andtheshe-wolfslidupclosetohimacrossthesnowandwatchedhimwithhungrywistfulness。
Hesettoworktocarryoutanewideathathadcometohim。Heextendedthefireintoalargecircle。Insidethiscirclehecrouched，hissleepingoutfitunderhimasaprotectionagainstthemeltingsnow。Whenhehadthusdisappearedwithinhisshelterofflame，thewholepackcamecuriouslytotherimofthefiretoseewhathadbecomeofhim。Hithertotheyhadbeendeniedaccesstothefire，andtheynowsettleddowninaclose-drawncircle，likesomanydogs，blinkingandyawningandstretchingtheirleanbodiesintheunaccustomedwarmth。Thentheshe-wolfsatdown，pointedhernoseatastar，andbegantohowl。Onebyonethewolvesjoinedher，tillthewholepack，onhaunches，withnosespointedskyward，washowlingitshungercry。
Dawncame，anddaylight。Thefirewasburninglow。Thefuelhadrunout，andtherewasneedtogetmore。Themanattemptedtostepoutofhiscircleofflame，butthewolvessurgedtomeethim。Burningbrandsmadethemspringaside，buttheynolongersprangback。Invainhestrovetodrivethemback。Ashegaveupandstumbledinsidehiscircle，awolfleapedforhim，missed，andlandedwithallfourfeetinthecoals。Itcriedoutwithterror，atthesametimesnarling，andscrambledbacktocoolitspawsinthesnow。
Themansatdownonhisblanketsinacrouchingposition。Hisbodyleanedforwardfromthehips。Hisshoulders，relaxedanddrooping，andhisheadonhiskneesadvertisedthathehadgivenupthestruggle。Nowandagainheraisedhisheadtonotethedyingdownofthefire。Thecircleofflameandcoalswasbreakingintosegmentswithopeningsinbetween。Theseopeningsgrewinsize，thesegmentsdiminished。
\"Iguessyoucancomean\'getmeanytime，\"hemumbled。\"Anyway，I\'mgoin\'tosleep。\"
Oncehewakened，andinanopeninginthecircle，directlyinfrontofhim，hesawtheshe-wolfgazingathim。
Againheawakened，alittlelater，thoughitseemedhourstohim。A
mysteriouschangehadtakenplace——somysteriousachangethathewasshockedwiderawake。Somethinghadhappened。Hecouldnotunderstandatfirst。Thenhediscoveredit。Thewolvesweregone。Remainedonlythetrampledsnowtoshowhowcloselytheyhadpressedhim。Sleepwaswellingupandgrippinghimagain，hisheadwassinkingdownuponhisknees，whenherousedwithasuddenstart。
Therewerecriesofmen，thechurnofsleds，thecreakingofharnesses，andtheeagerwhimperingofstrainingdogs。Foursledspulledinfromtheriverbedtothecampamongthetrees。Halfadozenmenwereaboutthemanwhocrouchedinthecentreofthedyingfire。Theywereshakingandproddinghimintoconsciousness。Helookedatthemlikeadrunkenmanandmaunderedinstrange，sleepyspeech:
\"Redshe-wolf……Comeinwiththedogsatfeedin\'time……Firstsheatethedog-food……Thensheatethedogs……An\'afterthatsheateBill……\"
\"Where\'sLordAlfred？\"oneofthemenbellowedinhisear，shakinghimroughly。
Heshookhisheadslowly。\"No，shedidn\'teathim……He\'sroostin\'
inatreeatthelastcamp。\"
\"Dead？\"themanshouted。
\"An\'inabox，\"Henryanswered。Hejerkedhisshoulderpetulantlyawayfromthegripofhisquestioner。\"Say，youlemmealone……I\'mjes\'
plumbtuckeredout……Goo\'night，everybody。\"
Hiseyesflutteredandwentshut。Hischinfellforwardonhischest。
Andevenastheyeasedhimdownupontheblanketshissnoreswererisingonthefrostyair。
Buttherewasanothersound。Farandfaintitwas，intheremotedistance，thecryofthehungrywolf-packasittookthetrailofothermeatthanthemanithadjustmissed。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter2:TheBattleoftheFangsPartII:BornoftheWildChapter1
THEBATTLEOFTHEFANGS
Itwastheshe-wolfwhohadfirstcaughtthesoundofmen\'svoicesandthewhiningofthesled-dogs；anditwastheshe-wolfwhowasfirsttospringawayfromthecorneredmaninhiscircleofdyingflame。Thepackhadbeenloathtoforegothekillithadhunteddown，anditlingeredforseveralminutes，makingsureofthesounds；andthenit，too，sprangawayonthetrailmadebytheshe-wolf。
Runningattheforefrontofthepackwasalargegraywolf——oneofitsseveralleaders。Itwashewhodirectedthepack\'scourseontheheelsoftheshe-wolf。Itwashewhosnarledwarninglyattheyoungermembersofthepackorslashedatthemwithhisfangswhentheyambitiouslytriedtopasshim。Anditwashewhoincreasedthepacewhenhesightedtheshe-wolf，nowtrottingslowlyacrossthesnow。
Shedroppedinalongsidebyhim，asthoughitwereherappointedposition，andtookthepaceofthepack。Hedidnotsnarlather，norshowhisteeth，whenanyleapofherschancedtoputherinadvanceofhim。Onthecontrary，heseemedkindlydisposedtowardher——tookindlytosuither，forhewaspronetorunneartoher，andwhenherantoonearitwasshewhosnarledandshowedherteeth。Norwassheaboveslashinghisshouldersharplyonoccasion。Atsuchtimeshebetrayednoanger。Hemerelysprangtothesideandranstifflyaheadforseveralawkwardleaps，incarriageandconductresemblinganabashedcountryswain。
Thiswashisonetroubleintherunningofthepack；butshehadothertroubles。Onherothersideranagauntoldwolf，grizzledandmarkedwiththescarsofmanybattles。Heranalwaysonherrightside。Thefactthathehadbutoneeye，andthatthelefteye，mightaccountforthis。He，also，wasaddictedtocrowdingher，toveeringtowardhertillhisscarredmuzzletouchedherbody，orshoulder，orneck。Aswiththerunningmateontheleft，sherepelledtheseattentionswithherteeth；butwhenbothbestowedtheirattentionsatthesametimeshewasroughlyjostled，beingcompelled，withquicksnapstoeitherside，todrivebothloversawayandatthesametimetomaintainherforwardleapwiththepackandseethewayofherfeetbeforeher。Atsuchtimesherrunningmatesflashedtheirteethandgrowledthreateninglyacrossateachother。Theymighthavefought，butevenwooinganditsrivalrywaiteduponthemorepressinghunger-needofthepack。
Aftereachrepulse，whentheoldwolfsheeredabruptlyawayfromthesharp-toothedobjectofhisdesire，heshoulderedagainstayoungthree-year-oldthatranonhisblindrightside。Thisyoungwolfhadattainedhisfullsize；and，consideringtheweakandfamishedconditionofthepack，hepossessedmorethantheaveragevigorandspirit。Nevertheless，heranwithhisheadevenwiththeshoulderofhisone-eyedelder。Whenheventuredtorunabreastoftheolderwolf，whichwasseldom，asnarlandasnapsenthimbackevenwiththeshoulderagain。Sometimes，however，hedroppedcautiouslyandslowlybehindandedgedinbetweentheoldleaderandtheshe-wolf。Thiswasdoublyresented，eventriplyresented。Whenshesnarledherdispleasure，theoldleaderwouldwhirlonthethree-year-old。Sometimesshewhirledwithhim。Andsometimestheyoungleaderontheleftwhirled，too。
Atsuchtimes，confrontedbythreesetsofsavageteeth，theyoungwolfstoppedprecipitately，throwinghimselfbackonhishaunches，withfore-legsstiff，mouthmenacing，andmanebristling。Thisconfusioninthefrontofthemovingpackalwayscausedconfusionintherear。Thewolvesbehindcollidedwiththeyoungwolfandexpressedtheirdispleasurebyadministeringsharpnipsonhishind-legsandflanks。Hewaslayinguptroubleforhimself，forlackoffoodandshorttemperswenttogether；butwiththeboundlessfaithofyouthhepersistedinrepeatingtheman渦vreeverylittlewhile，thoughitneversucceededingaininganythingforhimbutdiscomfiture。
Hadtherebeenfood，love-makingandfightingwouldhavegoneonapace，andthepack-formationwouldhavebeenbrokenup。Butthesituationofthepackwasdesperate。Itwasleanwithlong-standinghunger。Itranbelowitsordinaryspeed。Attherearlimpedtheweakmembers，theveryyoungandtheveryold。Atthefrontwerethestrongest。Yetallweremorelikeskeletonsthanfull-bodiedwolves。Nevertheless，withtheexceptionoftheonesthatlimped，themovementsoftheanimalswereeffortlessandtireless。Theirstringymusclesseemedfountsofinexhaustibleenergy。
Behindeverysteel-likecontractionofamuscle，layanothersteel-likecontraction，andanother，andanother，apparentlywithoutend。
Theyranmanymilesthatday。Theyranthroughthenight。Andthenextdayfoundthemstillrunning。Theywererunningoverthesurfaceofaworldfrozenanddead。Nolifestirred。Theyalonemovedthroughthevastinertness。
Theyalonewerealive，andtheysoughtforotherthingsthatwerealiveinorderthattheymightdevourthemandcontinuetolive。
Theycrossedlowdividesandrangedadozensmallstreamsinalower-lyingcountrybeforetheirquestwasrewarded。Thentheycameuponmoose。Itwasabigbulltheyfirstfound。Herewasmeatandlife，anditwasguardedbynomysteriousfiresnorflyingmissilesofflame。Splayhoofsandpalmatedantlerstheyknew，andtheyflungtheircustomarypatienceandcautiontothewind。Itwasabrieffightandfierce。Thebigbullwasbesetoneveryside。Herippedthemopenorsplittheirskullswithshrewdlydrivenblowsofhisgreathoofs。Hecrushedthemandbrokethemonhislargehorns。
Hestampedthemintothesnowunderhiminthewallowingstruggle。Buthewasforedoomed，andhewentdownwiththeshe-wolftearingsavagelyathisthroat，andwithotherteethfixedeverywhereuponhim，devouringhimalive，beforeeverhislaststrugglesceasedorhislastdamagehadbeenwrought。
Therewasfoodinplenty。Thebullweighedovereighthundredpounds——fullytwentypoundsofmeatpermouthfortheforty-oddwolvesofthepack。Butiftheycouldfastprodigiously，theycouldfeedprodigiously，andsoonafewscatteredboneswereallthatremainedofthesplendidlivebrutethathadfacedthepackafewhoursbefore。
Therewasnowmuchrestingandsleeping。Withfullstomachs，bickeringandquarrelingbeganamongtheyoungermales，andthiscontinuedthroughthefewdaysthatfollowedbeforethebreaking-upofthepack。Thefaminewasover。Thewolveswerenowinthecountryofgame，andthoughtheystillhuntedinpack，theyhuntedmorecautiously，cuttingoutheavycowsorcrippledoldbullsfromthesmallmoose-herdstheyranacross。
Therecameaday，inthislandofplenty，whenthewolf-packsplitinhalfandwentindifferentdirections。Theshe-wolf，theyoungleaderonherleft，andtheone-eyedelderonherright，ledtheirhalfofthepackdowntotheMackenzieRiverandacrossintothelakecountrytotheeast。
Eachdaythisremnantofthepackdwindled。Twobytwo，maleandfemale，thewolvesweredeserting。Occasionallyasolitarymalewasdrivenoutbythesharpteethofhisrivals。Intheendthereremainedonlyfour:
theshe-wolf，theyoungleader，theone-eyedone，andtheambitiousthree-year-old。
Theshe-wolfhadbynowdevelopedaferocioustemper。Herthreesuitorsallborethemarksofherteeth。Yettheyneverrepliedinkind，neverdefendedthemselvesagainsther。Theyturnedtheirshoulderstohermostsavageslashes，andwithwaggingtailsandmincingstepsstrovetoplacateherwrath。Butiftheywereallmildnesstowardher，theywereallfiercenesstowardoneanother。Thethree-year-oldgrewtooambitiousinhisfierceness。
Hecaughttheone-eyedelderonhisblindsideandrippedhisearintoribbons。Thoughthegrizzledoldfellowcouldseeonlyononeside，againsttheyouthandvigoroftheotherhebroughtintoplaythewisdomoflongyearsofexperience。Hislosteyeandhisscarredmuzzleboreevidencetothenatureofhisexperience。Hehadsurvivedtoomanybattlestobeindoubtforamomentaboutwhattodo。
Thebattlebeganfairly，butitdidnotendfairly。Therewasnotellingwhattheoutcomewouldhavebeen，forthethirdwolfjoinedtheelder，andtogether，oldleaderandyoungleader，theyattackedtheambitiousthree-year-oldandproceededtodestroyhim。Hewasbesetoneithersidebythemercilessfangsofhiserstwhilecomrades。Forgottenwerethedaystheyhadhuntedtogether，thegametheyhadpulleddown，thefaminetheyhadsuffered。Thatbusinesswasathingofthepast。Thebusinessoflovewasathand——everasternerandcruelerbusinessthanthatoffood-getting。
Andinthemeanwhile，theshe-wolf，thecauseofitall，satdowncontentedlyonherhaunchesandwatched。Shewasevenpleased。Thiswasherday，——
anditcamenotoften，——whenmanesbristled，andfangsmotefangorrippedandtoretheyieldingflesh，allforthepossessionofher。
Andinthebusinessoflovethethree-year-old，whohadmadethishisfirstadventureuponit，yieldeduphislife。Oneithersideofhisbodystoodhistworivals。Theyweregazingattheshe-wolf，whosatsmilinginthesnow。Buttheelderleaderwaswise，verywise，inloveevenasinbattle。Theyoungerleaderturnedhisheadtolickawoundonhisshoulder。
Thecurveofhisneckwasturnedtowardhisrival。Withhisoneeyetheeldersawtheopportunity。Hedartedinlowandclosedwithhisfangs。
Itwasalong，rippingslash，anddeepaswell。Histeeth，inpassing，burstthewallofthegreatveinofthethroat。Thenheleapedclear。
Theyoungleadersnarledterribly，buthissnarlbrokemidmostintoaticklingcough。Bleedingandcoughing，alreadystricken，hesprangattheelderandfoughtwhilelifefadedfromhim，hislegsgoingweakbeneathhim，thelightofdaydullingonhiseyes，hisblowsandspringsfallingshorterandshorter。
Andallthewhiletheshe-wolfsatonherhaunchesandsmiled。Shewasmadegladinvaguewaysbythebattle，forthiswasthelove-makingoftheWild，thesex-tragedyofthenaturalworldthatwastragedyonlytothosethatdied。Tothosethatsurviveditwasnottragedy，butrealizationandachievement。
Whentheyoungleaderlayinthesnowandmovednomore，OneEyestalkedovertotheshe-wolf。Hiscarriagewasoneofmingledtriumphandcaution。
Hewasplainlyexpectantofarebuff，andhewasjustasplainlysurprisedwhenherteethdidnotflashoutathiminanger。Forthefirsttimeshemethimwithakindlymanner。Shesniffednoseswithhim，andevencondescendedtoleapaboutandfriskandplaywithhiminquitepuppyishfashion。Andhe，forallhisgrayyearsandsageexperience，behavedquiteaspuppyishlyandevenalittlemorefoolishly。
Forgottenalreadywerethevanquishedrivalsandthelove-talered-writtenonthesnow。Forgotten，saveonce，whenoldOneEyestoppedforamomenttolickhisstiffeningwounds。Thenitwasthathislipshalfwrithedintoasnarl，andthehairofhisneckandshouldersinvoluntarilybristled，whilehehalfcrouchedforaspring，hisclawsspasmodicallyclutchingintothesnow-surfaceforfirmerfooting。Butitwasallforgottenthenextmoment，ashesprangaftertheshe-wolf，whowascoylyleadinghimachasethroughthewoods。
Afterthattheyransidebyside，likegoodfriendswhohavecometoanunderstanding。Thedayspassedby，andtheykepttogether，huntingtheirmeatandkillingandeatingitincommon。Afteratimetheshe-wolfbegantogrowrestless。Sheseemedtobesearchingforsomethingthatshecouldnotfind。Thehollowsunderfallentreesseemedtoattracther，andshespentmuchtimenosingaboutamongthelargersnow-piledcrevicesintherocksandinthecavesofoverhangingbanks。OldOneEyewasnotinterestedatall，buthefollowedhergood-naturedlyinherquest，andwhenherinvestigationsinparticularplaceswereunusuallyprotracted，hewouldliedownandwaituntilshewasreadytogoon。
Theydidnotremaininoneplace，buttravelledacrosscountryuntiltheyregainedtheMackenzieRiver，downwhichtheyslowlywent，leavingitoftentohuntgamealongthesmallstreamsthatenteredit，butalwaysreturningtoitagain。Sometimestheychanceduponotherwolves，usuallyinpairs；buttherewasnofriendlinessofintercoursedisplayedoneitherside，nogladnessatmeeting，nodesiretoreturntothepack-formation。
Severaltimestheyencounteredsolitarywolves。Thesewerealwaysmales，andtheywerepressinglyinsistentonjoiningwithOneEyeandhismate。
Thisheresented，andwhenshestoodshouldertoshoulderwithhim，bristlingandshowingherteeth，theaspiringsolitaryoneswouldbackoff，turntail，andcontinueontheirlonelyway。
Onemoonlightnight，runningthroughthequietforest，OneEyesuddenlyhalted。Hismuzzlewentup，histailstiffened，andhisnostrilsdilatedashescentedtheair。Onefootalsoheheldup，afterthemannerofadog。Hewasnotsatisfied，andhecontinuedtosmelltheair，strivingtounderstandthemessageborneuponittohim。Onecarelesssniffhadsatisfiedhismate，andshetrottedontoreassurehim。Thoughhefollowedher，hewasstilldubious，andhecouldnotforbearanoccasionalhaltinordermorecarefullytostudythewarning。
Shecreptoutcautiouslyontheedgeofalargeopenspaceinthemidstofthetrees。Forsometimeshestoodalone。ThenOneEye，creepingandcrawling，everysenseonthealert，everyhairradiatinginfinitesuspicion，joinedher。Theystoodsidebyside，watchingandlisteningandsmelling。
Totheirearscamethesoundsofdogswranglingandscuffling，thegutturalcriesofmen，thesharpervoicesofscoldingwomen，andoncetheshrillandplaintivecryofachild。Withtheexceptionofthehugebulksoftheskinlodges，littlecouldbeseensavetheflamesofthefire，brokenbythemovementsofinterveningbodies，andthesmokerisingslowlyonthequietair。ButtotheirnostrilscamethemyriadsmellsofanIndiancamp，carryingastorythatwaslargelyincomprehensibletoOneEye，buteverydetailofwhichtheshe-wolfknew。
Shewasstrangelystirred，andsniffedandsniffedwithanincreasingdelight。ButoldOneEyewasdoubtful。Hebetrayedhisapprehension，andstartedtentativelytogo。Sheturnedandtouchedhisneckwithhermuzzleinareassuringway，thenregardedthecampagain。Anewwistfulnesswasinherface，butitwasnotthewistfulnessofhunger。Shewasthrillingtoadesirethaturgedhertogoforward，tobeinclosertothatfire，tobesquabblingwiththedogs，andtobeavoidinganddodgingthestumblingfeetofmen。
OneEyemovedimpatientlybesideher；herunrestcamebackuponher，andsheknewagainherpressingneedtofindthethingforwhichshesearched。
Sheturnedandtrottedbackintotheforest，tothegreatreliefofOneEye，whotrottedalittletotheforeuntiltheywerewellwithintheshelterofthetrees。
Astheyslidalong，noiselessasshadows，inthemoonlight，theycameuponarun-way。Bothnoseswentdowntothefootprintsinthesnow。Thesefootprintswereveryfresh。OneEyeranaheadcautiously，hismateathisheels。Thebroadpadsoftheirfeetwerespreadwideandincontactwiththesnowwerelikevelvet。OneEyecaughtsightofadimmovementofwhiteinthemidstofthewhite。Hisslidinggaithadbeendeceptivelyswift，butitwasasnothingtothespeedatwhichhenowran。Beforehimwasboundingthefaintpatchofwhitehehaddiscovered。
Theywererunningalonganarrowalleyflankedoneithersidebyagrowthofyoungspruce。Throughthetreesthemouthofthealleycouldbeseen，openingoutonamoonlitglade。OldOneEyewasrapidlyoverhaulingthefleeingshapeofwhite。Boundbyboundhegained。Nowhewasuponit。Oneleapmoreandhisteethwouldbesinkingintoit。Butthatleapwasnevermade。Highintheair，andstraightup，soaredtheshapeofwhite，nowastrugglingsnowshoerabbitthatleapedandbounded，executingafantasticdancethereabovehimintheairandneveroncereturningtoearth。
OneEyesprangbackwithasnortofsuddenfright，thenshrankdowntothesnowandcrouched，snarlingthreatsatthisthingoffearhedidnotunderstand。Buttheshe-wolfcoollythrustpasthim。Shepoisedforamoment，thensprangforthedancingrabbit。She，too，soaredhigh，butnotsohighasthequarry，andherteethclippedemptilytogetherwithametallicsnap。Shemadeanotherleap，andanother。
Hermatehadslowlyrelaxedfromhiscrouchandwaswatchingher。Henowevinceddispleasureatherrepeatedfailures，andhimselfmadeamightyspringupward。Histeethclosedupontherabbit，andheboreitbacktoearthwithhim。Butatthesametimetherewasasuspiciouscracklingmovementbesidehim，andhisastonishedeyesawayoungsprucesaplingbendingdownabovehimtostrikehim。Hisjawsletgotheirgrip，andheleapedbackwardtoescapethisstrangedanger，hislipsdrawnbackfromhisfangs，histhroatsnarling，everyhairbristlingwithrageandfright。Andinthatmomentthesaplingreareditsslenderlengthuprightandtherabbitsoareddancingintheairagain。
Theshe-wolfwasangry。Shesankherfangsintohermate\'sshoulderinreproof；andhe，frightened，unawareofwhatconstitutedthisnewonslaught，struckbackferociouslyandinstillgreaterfright，rippingdownthesideoftheshe-wolf\'smuzzle。Forhimtoresentsuchreproofwasequallyunexpectedtoher，andshespranguponhiminsnarlingindignation。Thenhediscoveredhismistakeandtriedtoplacateher。Butsheproceededtopunishhimroundly，untilhegaveoverallattemptsatplacation，andwhirledinacircle，hisheadawayfromher，hisshouldersreceivingthepunishmentofherteeth。
Inthemeantimetherabbitdancedabovethemintheair。Theshe-wolfsatdowninthesnow，andoldOneEye，nowmoreinfearofhismatethanofthemysterioussapling，againsprangfortherabbit。Ashesankbackwithitbetweenhisteeth，hekepthiseyeonthesapling。Asbefore，itfollowedhimbacktoearth。Hecroucheddownundertheimpendingblow，hishairbristling，buthisteethstillkeepingtightholdoftherabbit。
Buttheblowdidnotfall。Thesaplingremainedbentabovehim。Whenhemoveditmoved，andhegrowledatitthroughhisclenchedjaws；whenheremainedstill，itremainedstill，andheconcludeditwassafertocontinueremainingstill。Yetthewarmbloodoftherabbittastedgoodinhismouth。
Itwashismatewhorelievedhimfromthequandaryinwhichhefoundhimself。Shetooktherabbitfromhim，andwhilethesaplingswayedandteeteredthreateninglyabovehershecalmlygnawedofftherabbit\'shead。
Atoncethesaplingshotup，andafterthatgavenomoretrouble，remaininginthedecorousandperpendicularpositioninwhichnaturehadintendedittgrow。Then，betweenthem，theshe-wolfandOneEyedevouredthegamewhichthemysterioussaplinghadcaughtforthem。
Therewereotherrunwaysandalleyswhererabbitswerehangingintheair，andthewolf-pairporspectedthemall，theshe-wolfleadingtheway，oldOneEyefollowingandobservant，learningthemethodofrobbingsnares——aknowledgedestinedtostandhimingoodsteadinthedaystocome。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter2:TheLairPartII:BornoftheWildChapter2
THELAIR
Fortwodaystheshe-wolfandOneEyehungabouttheIndiancamp。Hewasworriedandapprehensive，yetthecampluredhismateandshewasloathtodepart。Butwhen，onemorning，theairwasrentwiththereportofariflecloseathand，andabulletsmashedagainstatreetrunkseveralinchesfromOneEye\'shead，theyhesitatednomore，butwentoffonalong，swinginglopethatputquickmilesbetweenthemandthedanger。
Theydidnotgofar——acoupleofdays\'journey。Theshe-wolf\'sneedtofindthethingforwhichshesearchedhadnowbecomeimperative。Shewasgettingveryheavy，andcouldrunbutslowly。Once，inthepursuitofarabbit，whichsheordinarilywouldhavecaughtwithease，shegaveoverandlaydownandrested。OneEyecametoher；butwhenhetouchedherneckgentlywithhismuzzleshesnappedathimwithsuchquickfiercenessthathetumbledoverbackwardandcutaridiculousfigureinhisefforttoescapeherteeth。Hertemperwasnowshorterthanever；buthehadbecomemorepatientthaneverandmoresolicitous。
Andthenshefoundthethingforwhichshesought。ItwasafewmilesupasmallstreamthatinthesummertimeflowedintotheMackenzie，butthatthenwasfrozenoverandfrozendowntoitsrockybottom——adeadstreamofsolidwhitefromsourcetomouth。Theshe-wolfwastrottingwearilyalong，hermatewellinadvance，whenshecameupontheoverhanging，highclay-bank。Sheturnedasideandtrottedovertoit。Thewearandtearofspringstormsandmeltingsnowshadunderwashedthebankandinoneplacehadmadeasmallcaveoutofanarrowfissure。
Shepausedatthemouthofthecaveandlookedthewallovercarefully。
Then，ononesideandtheother，sheranalongthebaseofthewalltowhereitsabruptbulkmergedfromthesofter-linedlandscape。Returningtothecave，sheentereditsnarrowmouth。Forashortthreefeetshewascompelledtocrouch，thenthewallswidenedandrosehigherinalittleroundchambernearlysixfeetindiameter。Theroofbarelyclearedherhead。Itwasdryandcosey。Sheinspecteditwithpainstakingcare，whileOneEye，whohadreturned，stoodintheentranceandpatientlywatchedher。Shedroppedherhead，withhernosetothegroundanddirectedtowardapointneartohercloselybunchedfeet，andaroundthispointshecircledseveraltimes；then，withatiredsighthatwasalmostagrunt，shecurledherbodyin，relaxedherlegs，anddroppeddown，herheadtowardtheentrance。
OneEye，withpointed，interestedears，laughedather，andbeyond，outlinedagainstthewhitelight，shecouldseethebrushofhistailwavinggood-naturedly。
Herownears，withasnugglingmovement，laidtheirsharppointsbackwardanddownagainsttheheadforamoment，whilehermouthopenedandhertonguelolledpeaceablyout，andinthiswaysheexpressedthatshewaspleasedandsatisfied。OneEyewashungry。Thoughhelaydownintheentranceandslept，hissleepwasfitful。Hekeptawakingandcockinghisearsatthebrightworldwithout，wheretheAprilsunwasblazingacrossthesnow。
Whenhedozed，uponhisearswouldstealthefaintwhispersofhiddentricklesofrunningwater，andhewouldrouseandlistenintently。Thesunhadcomeback，andalltheawakeningNorthlandworldwascallingtohim。Lifewasstirring。Thefeelofspringwasintheair，thefeelofgrowinglifeunderthesnow，ofsapascendinginthetrees，ofbudsburstingtheshacklesofthefrost。
Hecastanxiousglancesathismate，butsheshowednodesiretogetup。Helookedoutside，andhalfadozensnow-birdsflutteredacrosshisfieldofvision。Hestartedtogetup，thenlookedbacktohismateagain，andsettleddownanddozed。Ashrillandminutesingingstoleuponhishearing。Once，andtwice，hesleepilybrushedhisnosewithhispaw。Thenhewokeup。There，buzzingintheairatthetipofhisnose，wasalonemosquito。Itwasafull-grownmosquito，onethathadlainfrozeninadrylogallwinterandthathadnowbeenthawedoutbythesun。Hecouldresistthecalloftheworldnolonger。Besides，hewashungry。
Hecrawledovertohismateandtriedtopersuadehertogetup。Butsheonlysnarledathim，andhewalkedoutaloneintothebrightsunshinetofindthesnow-surfacesoftunderfootandthetravellingdifficult。Hewentupthefrozenbedofthestream，wherethesnow，shadedbythetrees，wasyethardandcrystalline。Hewasgoneeighthours，andhecamebackthroughthedarknesshungrierthanwhenhehadstarted。Hehadfoundgame，buthehadnotcaughtit。Hehadbrokenthroughthemeltingsnow-crust，andwallowed，whilethesnowshoerabbitshadskimmedalongontoplightlyasever。
Hepausedatthemouthofthecavewithasuddenshockofsuspicion。
Faint，strangesoundscamefromwithin。Theyweresoundsnotmadebyhismate，andyettheywereremotelyfamiliar。Hebelliedcautiouslyinsideandwasmetbyawarningsnarlfromtheshe-wolf。Thishereceivedwithoutperturbation，thoughheobeyeditbykeepinghisdistance；butheremainedinterestedintheothersounds——faint，muffledsobbingsandslubberings。
Hismatewarnedhimirritablyaway，andhecurledupandsleptintheentrance。Whenmorningcameandadimlightpervadedthelair，heagainsoughtafterthesourceoftheremotelyfamiliarsounds。Therewasanewnoteinhismate\'swarningsnarl。Itwasajealousnote，andhewasverycarefulinkeepingarespectfuldistance。Nevertheless，hemadeout，shelteringbetweenherlegsagainstthelengthofherbody，fivestrangelittlebundlesoflife，veryfeeble，veryhelpless，makingtinywhimperingnoises，witheyesthatdidnotopentothelight。Hewassurprised。Itwasnotthefirsttimeinhislongandsuccessfullifethatthisthinghadhappened。Ithadhappenedmanytimes，yeteachtimeitwasasfreshasurpriseasevertohim。
Hismatelookedathimanxiously。Everylittlewhilesheemittedalowgrowl，andattimes，whenitseemedtoherheapproachedtoonear，thegrowlshotupinherthroattoasharpsnarl。Ofherownexperienceshehadnomemoryofthethinghappening；butinherinstinct，whichwastheexperienceofallthemothersofwolves，therelurkedamemoryoffathersthathadeatentheirnew-bornandhelplessprogeny。Itmanifesteditselfasafearstrongwithinher，thatmadeherpreventOneEyefrommorecloselyinspectingthecubshehadfathered。
Buttherewasnodanger。OldOneEyewasfeelingtheurgeofanimpulse，thatwas，inturn，aninstinctthathadcomedowntohimfromallthefathersofwolves。Hedidnotquestionit，norpuzzleoverit。Itwasthere，inthefibreofhisbeing；anditwasthemostnaturalthingintheworldthatheshouldobeyitbyturninghisbackonhisnew-bornfamilyandbytrottingoutandawayonthemeat-trailwherebyhelived。
Fiveorsixmilesfromthelair，thestreamdivided，itsforksgoingoffamongthemountainsatarightangle。Here，leadinguptheleftfork，hecameuponafreshtrack。Hesmelleditandfounditsorecentthathecrouchedswiftly，andlookedinthedirectioninwhichitdisappeared。
Thenheturneddeliberatelyandtooktherightfork。Thefootprintwasmuchlargerthantheonehisownfeetmade，andheknewthatinthewakeofsuchatrailtherewaslittlemeatforhim。
Halfamileuptherightfork，hisquickearscaughtthesoundofgnawingteeth。Hestalkedthequarryandfoundittobeaporcupine，standinguprightagainstatreeandtryinghisteethonthebark。OneEyeapproachedcarefullybuthopelessly。Heknewthebreed，thoughhehadnevermetitsofarnorthbefore；andneverinhislonglifehadporcupineservedhimforameal。
ButhehadlongsincelearnedthattherewassuchathingasChance，orOpportunity，andhecontinuedtodrawnear。Therewasneveranytellingwhatmighthappen，forwithlivethingseventsweresomehowalwayshappeningdifferently。
Theporcupinerolleditselfintoaball，radiatinglong，sharpneedlesinalldirectionsthatdefiedattack。InhisyouthOneEyehadoncesniffedtoonearasimilar，apparentlyinertballofquills，andhadthetailflickoutsuddenlyinhisface。Onequillhehadcarriedawayinhismuzzle，whereithadremainedforweeks，aranklingflame，untilitfinallyworkedout。Sohelaydown，inacomfortablecrouchingposition，hisnosefullyafootaway，andoutofthelineofthetail。Thushewaited，keepingperfectlyquiet。Therewasnotelling。Somethingmighthappen。Theporcupinemightunroll。Theremightbeopportunityforadeftandrippingthrustofpawintothetender，unguardedbelly。
Butattheendofhalfanhourhearose，growledwrathfullyatthemotionlessball，andtrottedon。Hehadwaitedtoooftenandfutilelyinthepastforporcupinestounroll，towasteanymoretime。Hecontinueduptherightfork。Thedayworealong，andnothingrewardedhishunt。
Theurgeofhisawakenedinstinctoffatherhoodwasstronguponhim。
Hemustfindmeat。Intheafternoonheblundereduponaptarmigan。Hecameoutofathicketandfoundhimselffacetofacewiththeslow-wittedbird。
Itwassittingonalog，notafootbeyondtheendofhisnose。Eachsawtheother。Thebirdmadeastartledrise，buthestruckitwithhispaw，andsmasheditdowntoearth，thenpounceduponit，andcaughtitinhisteethasitscuttledacrossthesnowtryingtoriseintheairagain。Ashisteethcrunchedthroughthetenderfleshandfragilebones，hebegannaturallytoeat。Thenheremembered，and，turningontheback-track，startedforhome，carryingtheptarmiganinhismouth。
Amileabovetheforks，runningvelvet-footedaswashiscustom，aglidingshadowthatcautiouslyprospectedeachnewvistaofthetrail，hecameuponlaterimprintsofthelargetrackshehaddiscoveredintheearlymorning。Asthetrackledhisway，hefollowed，preparedtomeetthemakerofitateveryturnofthestream。
Heslidhisheadaroundacornerofrock，wherebegananunusuallylargebendinthestream，andhisquickeyesmadeoutsomethingthatsenthimcrouchingswiftlydown。Itwasthemakerofthetrack，alargefemalelynx。
Shewascrouchingashehadcrouchedoncethatday，infrontofherthetight-rolledballofquills。Ifhehadbeenaglidingshadowbefore，henowbecametheghostofsuchashadow，ashecreptandcircledaround，andcameupwelltoleewardofthesilent，motionlesspair。
Helaydowninthesnow，depositingtheptarmiganbesidehim，andwitheyespeeringthroughtheneedlesofalow-growingsprucehewatchedtheplayoflifebeforehim——thewaitinglynxandthewaitingporcupine，eachintentonlife；and，suchwasthecuriousnessofthegame，thewayoflifeforonelayintheeatingoftheother，andthewayoflifefortheotherlayinbeingnoteaten。WhileoldOneEye，thewolf，crouchinginthecovert，playedhispart，too，inthegame，waitingforsomestrangefreakofChance，thatmighthelphimonthemeat-trailwhichwashiswayoflife。
Halfanhourpassed，anhour；andnothinghappened。Theballofquillsmighthavebeenastoneforallitmoved；thelynxmighthavebeenfrozentomarble；andoldOneEyemighthavebeendead。Yetallthreeanimalswerekeyedtoatensenessoflivingthatwasalmostpainful，andscarcelyeverwoulditcometothemtobemorealivethantheywerethenintheirseemingpetrifaction。
OneEyemovedslightlyandpeeredforthwithincreasedeagerness。Somethingwashappening。Theporcupinehadatlastdecidedthatitsenemyhadgoneaway。Slowly，cautiously，itwasunrollingitsballofimpregnablearmor。
Itwasagitatedbynotremorofanticipation。Slowly，slowly，thebristlingballstraightenedoutandlengthened。OneEye，watching，feltasuddenmoistnessinhismouthandadroolingofsaliva，involuntarily，excitedbythelivingmeatthatwasspreadingitselflikearepastbeforehim。
Notquiteentirelyhadtheporcupineunrolledwhenitdiscovereditsenemy。Inthatinstantthelynxstruck。Theblowwaslikeaflashoflight。
Thepaw，withrigidclawscurvingliketalons，shotunderthetenderbellyandcamebackwithaswiftrippingmovement。Hadtheporcupinebeenentirelyunrolled，orhaditnotdiscovereditsenemyafractionofasecondbeforetheblowwasstruck，thepawwouldhaveescapedunscathed；butaside-flickofthetailsanksharpquillsintoitasitwaswithdrawn。
Everythinghadhappenedatonce，——theblow，thecounter-blow，thesquealofagonyfromtheporcupine，thebigcat\'ssquallofsuddenhurtandastonishment。OneEyehalfaroseinhisexcitement，hisearsup，histailstraightoutandquiveringbehindhim。Thelynx\'sbadtempergotthebestofher。Shesprangsavagelyatthethingthathadhurther。Buttheporcupine，squealingandgrunting，withdisruptedanatomytryingfeeblytorollupintoitsball-protection，flickedoutitstailagain，andagainthebigcatsqualledwithhurtandastonishment。Thenshefelltobackingawayandsneezing，hernosebristlingwithquillslikeamonstrouspin-cushion。
Shebrushedhernosewithherpaws，tryingtodislodgethefierydarts，thrustitintothesnow，andrubbeditagainsttwigsandbranches，allthetimeleapingabout，ahead，sidewise，upanddown，inafrenzyofpainandfright。
Shesneezedcontinually，andherstubofatailwasdoingitsbesttowardlashingaboutbygivingquick，violentjerks。Shequitherantics，andquieteddownforalongminute。OneEyewatched。Andevenhecouldnotrepressastartandaninvoluntarybristlingofhairalonghisbackwhenshesuddenlyleaped，withoutwarning，straightupintheair，atthesametimeemittingalongandmostterriblesquall。Thenshesprangaway，upthetrail，squallingwitheveryleapshemade。
ItwasnotuntilherrackethadfadedawayinthedistanceanddiedoutthatOneEyeventuredforth。Hewalkedasdelicatelyasthoughallthesnowwerecarpetedwithporcupinequills，erectandreadytopiercethesoftpadsofhisfeet。Theporcupinemethisapproachwithafurioussquealingandaclashingofitslongteeth。Ithadmanagedtorollupinaballagain，butitwasnotquitetheoldcompactball；itsmusclesweretoomuchtornforthat。Ithadbeenrippedalmostinhalf，andwasstillbleedingprofusely。
OneEyescoopedoutmouthfulsoftheblood-soakedsnow，andchewedandtastedandswallowed。Thisservedasarelish，andhishungerincreasedmightily；buthewastoooldintheworldtoforgethiscaution。Hewaited。
Helaydownandwaited，whiletheporcupinegrateditsteethandutteredgruntsandsobsandoccasionalsharplittlesqueals。Inalittlewhile，OneEyenoticedthatthequillsweredroopingandthatagreatquiveringhadsetup。Thequiveringcametoanendsuddenly。Therewasafinaldefiantclashofthelongteeth。Thenallthequillsdroopedquitedown，andthebodyrelaxedandmovednomore。
Withanervous，shrinkingpaw，OneEyestretchedouttheporcupinetoitsfulllengthandturneditoveronitsback。Nothinghadhappened。Itwassurelydead。Hestudieditintentlyforamoment，thentookacarefulgripwithhisteethandstartedoffdownthestream，partlycarrying，partlydraggingtheporcupine，withheadturnedtothesidesoastoavoidsteppingonthepricklymass。Herecollectedsomething，droppedtheburden，andtrottedbacktowherehehadlefttheptarmigan。Hedidnothesitateamoment。Heknewclearlywhatwastobedone，andthishedidbypromptlyeatingtheptarmigan。Thenhereturnedandtookuphisburden。
Whenhedraggedtheresultofhisday\'shuntintothecave，theshe-wolfinspectedit，turnedhermuzzletohim，andlightlylickedhimontheneck。
Butthenextinstantshewaswarninghimawayfromthecubswithasnarlthatwaslessharshthanusualandthatwasmoreapologeticthanmenacing。
Herinstinctivefearofthefatherofherprogenywastoningdown。Hewasbehavingasawolffathershould，andmanifestingnounholydesiretodevourtheyounglivesshehadbroughtintotheworld。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter3:TheGrayCubPartII:BornoftheWildChapter3
THEGRAYCUB
Hewasdifferentfromhisbrothersandsisters。Theirhairalreadybetrayedthereddishhueinheritedfromtheirmother，theshe-wolf；whilehealone，inthisparticular，tookafterhisfather。Hewastheonelittlegraycubofthelitter。Hehadbredtruetothestraightwolf-stock——infact，hehadbredtrue，physically，tooldOneEyehimself，withbutasingleexception，andthatwasthathehadtwoeyestohisfather\'sone。
Thegraycub\'seyeshadnotbeenopenlong，yetalreadyhecouldseewithsteadyclearness。Andwhilehiseyeswerestillclosed，hehadfelt，tasted，andsmelled。Heknewhistwobrothersandhistwosistersverywell。Hehadbeguntorompwiththeminafeeble，awkwardway，andeventosquabble，hislittlethroatvibratingwithaqueerraspingnoise，theforerunnerofthegrowl，asheworkedhimselfintoapassion。Andlongbeforehiseyeshadopened，hehadlearnedbytouch，taste，andsmelltoknowhismother——afountofwarmthandliquidfoodandtenderness。Shepossessedagentle，caressingtonguethatsoothedhimwhenitpassedoverhissoftlittlebody，andthatimpelledhimtosnugglecloseagainstherandtodozeofftosleep。
Mostofthefirstmonthofhislifehadbeenpassedthusinsleeping；
butnowhecouldseequitewell，andhestayedawakeforlongerperiodsoftime，andhewascomingtolearnhisworldquitewell。Hisworldwasgloomy；buthedidnotknowthat，forheknewnootherworld。Itwasdim-lighted；
buthiseyeshadneverhadtoadjustthemselvestoanyotherlight。Hisworldwasverysmall。Itslimitswerethewallsofthelair；butashehadnoknowledgeofthewideworldoutside，hewasneveroppressedbythenarrowconfinesofhisexistence。
Buthehadearlydiscoveredthatonewallofhisworldwasdifferentfromtherest。Thiswasthemouthofthecaveandthesourceoflight。
Hehaddiscoveredthatitwasdifferentfromtheotherwallslongbeforehehadanythoughtsofhisown，anyconsciousvolitions。Ithadbeenanirresistibleattractionbeforeeverhiseyesopenedandlookeduponit。
Thelightfromithadbeatuponhissealedlids，andtheeyesandtheopticnerveshadpulsatedtolittle，sparklikeflashes，warm-coloredandstrangelypleasing。Thelifeofhisbody，andofeveryfibreofhisbody，thelifethatwastheverysubstanceofhisbodyandthatwasapartfromhisownpersonallife，hadyearnedtowardthislightandurgedhisbodytowarditinthesamewaythatthecunningchemistryofaplanturgesittowardthesun。
Always，inthebeginning，beforehisconsciouslifedawned，hehadcrawledtowardthemouthofthecave。Andinthishisbrothersandsisterswereonewithhim。Never，inthatperiod，didanyofthemcrawltowardthedarkcornersoftheback-wall。Thelightdrewthemasiftheywereplants；thechemistryofthelifethatcomposedthemdemandedthelightasanecessityofbeing；andtheirlittlepuppet-bodiescrawledblindlyandchemically，likethetendrilsofavine。Lateron，wheneachdevelopedindividualityandbecamepersonallyconsciousofimpulsionsanddesires，theattractionofthelightincreased。Theywerealwayscrawlingandsprawlingtowardit，andbeingdrivenbackfromitbytheirmother。
Itwasinthiswaythatthegraycublearnedotherattributesofhismotherthanthesoft，soothingtongue。Inhisinsistentcrawlingtowardthelight，hediscoveredinheranosethatwithasharpnudgeadministeredrebuke，andlater，apaw，thatcrushedhimdownorrolledhimoverandoverwithswift，calculatingstroke。Thushelearnedhurt；andontopofithelearnedtoavoidhurt，first，bynotincurringtheriskofit；andsecond，whenhehadincurredtherisk，bydodgingandbyretreating。Thesewereconsciousactions，andweretheresultsofhisfirstgeneralizationsupontheworld。Beforethathehadrecoiledautomaticallyfromhurt，ashehadcrawledautomaticallytowardthelight。Afterthatherecoiledfromhurtbecauseheknewthatitwashurt。
Hewasafiercelittlecub。Sowerehisbrothersandsisters。Itwastobeexpected。Hewasacarnivorousanimal。Hecameofabreedofmeat-killersandmeat-eaters。Hisfatherandmotherlivedwhollyuponmeat。Themilkhehadsuckedwithhisfirstflickeringlifewasmilktransformeddirectlyfrommeat，andnow，atamonthold，whenhiseyeshadbeenopenforbutaweek，hewasbeginninghimselftoeatmeat——meathalf-digestedbytheshe-wolfanddisgorgedforthefivegrowingcubsthatalreadymadetoogreatdemanduponherbreast。