AndwhenBeautySmithlefthimtiedoutsidethefort，heknewthatitwasBeautySmith\'swillthatheshouldremainthere。Therefore，hehaddisobeyedthewillofboththegods，andearnedtheconsequentpunishment。Hehadseendogschangeownersinthepast，andhehadseentherunawaysbeatenashewasbeingbeaten。Hewaswise，andyetinthenatureofhimtherewereforcesgreaterthanwisdom。Oneofthesewasfidelity。HedidnotloveGrayBeaver；yet，eveninthefaceofhiswillandhisanger，hewasfaithfultohim。Hecouldnothelpit。
Thisfaithfulnesswasaqualityoftheclaythatcomposedhim。Itwasthequalitythatwaspeculiarlythepossessionofhiskind；thequalitythatsetaparthisspeciesfromallotherspecies；thequalitythathadenabledthewolfandthewilddogtocomeinfromtheopenandbethecompanionsofman。
Afterthebeating，WhiteFangwasdraggedbacktothefort。ButthistimeBeautySmithlefthimtiedwithastick。Onedoesnotgiveupagodeasily，andsowithWhiteFang。GrayBeaverwashisownparticulargod，and，inspiteofGrayBeaver\'swill，WhiteFangstillclungtohimandwouldnotgivehimup。GrayBeaverhadbetrayedandforsakenhim，butthathadnoeffectuponhim。NotfornothinghadhesurrenderedhimselfbodyandsoultoGrayBeaver。TherehadbeennoreservationonWhiteFang\'spart，andthebondwasnottobebrokeneasily。
So，inthenight，whenthemeninthefortwereasleep，WhiteFangappliedhisteethtothestickthatheldhim。Thewoodwasseasonedanddry，anditwastiedsocloselytohisneckthathecouldscarcelygethisteethtoit。Itwasonlybytheseverestmuscularexertionandneck-archingthathesucceededingettingthewoodbetweenhisteeth，andbarelybetweenhisteethatthat；anditwasonlybytheexerciseofanimmensepatience，extendingthroughmanyhours，thathesucceededingnawingthroughthestick。Thiswassomethingthatdogswerenotsupposedtodo。Itwasunprecedented。
ButWhiteFangdidit，trottingawayfromthefortintheearlymorning，withtheendofthestickhangingtohisneck。
Hewaswise。ButhadhebeenmerelywisehewouldnothavegonebacktoGrayBeaver，whohadalreadytwicebetrayedhim。Buttherewashisfaithfulness，andhewentbacktobebetrayedyetathirdtime。AgainheyieldedtothetyingofathongaroundhisneckbyGrayBeaver，andagainBeautySmithcametoclaimhim。Andthistimehewasbeatenevenmoreseverelythanbefore。
GrayBeaverlookedonstolidlywhilethewhitemanwieldedthewhip。
Hegavenoprotection。Itwasnolongerhisdog。WhenthebeatingwasoverWhiteFangwassick。AsoftSouthlanddogwouldhavediedunderit，butnothe。Hisschooloflifehadbeensterner，andhewashimselfofsternerstuff。Hehadtoogreatvitality。Hisclutchonlifewastoostrong。Buthewasverysick。Atfirsthewasunabletodraghimselfalong，andBeautySmithhadtowaithalfanhouronhim。Andthen，blindandreeling，hefollowedatBeautySmith\'sheelsbacktothefort。
Butnowhewastiedwithachainthatdefiedhisteeth，andhestroveinvain，bylunging，todrawthestaplefromthetimberintowhichitwasdriven。Afterafewdays，soberandbankrupt，GrayBeaverdepartedupthePorcupineonhislongjourneytotheMackenzie。WhiteFangremainedontheYukon，thepropertyofamanmorethanhalfmadandallbrute。Butwhatisadogtoknowinitsconsciousnessofmadness？ToWhiteFang，BeautySmithwasaveritable，ifterrible，god。Hewasamadgodatbest，butWhiteFangknewnothingofmadness；heknewonlythathemustsubmittothewillofthisnewmaster，obeyhiseverywhimandfancy。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter3:TheReignofHatePartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter3
THEREIGNOFHATE
Underthetutelageofthemadgod，WhiteFangbecameafiend。Hewaskeptchainedinapenattherearofthefort，andhereBeautySmithteasedandirritatedanddrovehimwildwithpettytorments。ThemanearlydiscoveredWhiteFang\'ssusceptibilitytolaughter，andmadeitapoint，afterpainfullytrickinghim，tolaughathim。Thislaughterwasuproariousandscornful，andatthesametimethegodpointedhisfingerderisivelyatWhiteFang。
AtsuchtimesreasonfledfromWhiteFang，andinhistransportsofragehewasevenmoremadthanBeautySmith。
Formerly，WhiteFanghadbeenmerelytheenemyofhiskind，withalaferociousenemy。Henowbecametheenemyofallthings，andmoreferociousthanever。Tosuchanextentwashetormented，thathehatedblindlyandwithoutthefaintestsparkofreason。Hehatedthechainthatboundhim，themenwhopeeredinathimthroughtheslatsofthepen，thedogsthataccompaniedthemenandthatsnarledmalignantlyathiminhishelplessness。
Hehatedtheverywoodofthepenthatconfinedhim。Andfirst，last，andmostofall，hehatedBeautySmith。
ButBeautySmithhadapurposeinallthathedidtoWhiteFang。Onedayanumberofmengatheredaboutthepen。BeautySmithentered，clubinhand，andtookthechainfromoffWhiteFang\'sneck。Whenhismasterhadgoneout，WhiteFangturnedlooseandtorearoundthepen，tryingtogetatthemenoutside。Hewasmagnificentlyterrible。Fullyfivefeetinlength，andstandingtwoandone-halffeetattheshoulder，hefaroutweighedawolfofcorrespondingsize。Fromhismotherhehadinheritedtheheavierproportionsofthedog，sothatheweighed，withoutanyfatandwithoutanounceofsuperfluousflesh，overninetypounds。Itwasallmuscle，bone，andsinew——fightingfleshinthefinestcondition。
Thedoorofthepenwasbeingopenedagain。WhiteFangpaused。Somethingunusualwashappening。Hewaited。Thedoorwasopenedwider。Thenahugedogwasthrustinside，andthedoorwasslammedshutbehindhim。WhiteFanghadneverseensuchadogitwasamastiff；butthesizeandfierceaspectoftheintruderdidnotdeterhim。Herewassomething，notwoodnoriron，uponwhichtowreakhishate。Heleapedinwithaflashoffangsthatrippeddownthesideofthemastiff\'sneck。Themastiffshookhishead，growledhoarsely，andplungedatWhiteFang。ButWhiteFangwashere，there，andeverywhere，alwaysevadingandeluding，andalwaysleapinginandslashingwithhisfangsandleapingoutagainintimetoescapepunishment。
Themenoutsideshoutedandapplauded，whileBeautySmith，inanecstasyofdelight，gloatedovertherippingandmanglingperformedbyWhiteFang。
Therewasnohopeforthemastifffromthefirst。Hewastooponderousandslow。Intheend，whileBeautySmithbeatWhiteFangbackwithaclub，themastiffwasdraggedoutbyitsowner。Thentherewasapaymentofbets，andmoneyclinkedinBeautySmith\'shand。
WhiteFangcametolookforwardeagerlytothegatheringofthemenaroundhispen。Itmeantafight；andthiswastheonlywaythatwasnowvouchsafedhimofexpressingthelifethatwasinhim。Tormented，incitedtohate，hewaskeptaprisonersothattherewasnowayofsatisfyingthathateexceptatthetimeshismastersawfittoputanotherdogagainsthim。BeautySmithhadestimatedhispowerswell，forhewasinvariablythevictor。Oneday，threedogswereturnedinuponhiminsuccession。
Anotherday，afull-grownwolf，fresh-caughtfromtheWild，wasshovedinthroughthedoorofthepen。Andonstillanotherdaytwodogsweresetagainsthimatthesametime。Thiswashisseverestfight，andalthoughintheendhekilledthembothhewashimselfhalfkilledindoingit。
Inthefalloftheyear，whenthefirstsnowswerefallingandmush-icewasrunningintheriver，BeautySmithtookpassageforhimselfandWhiteFangonasteamboatbounduptheYukontoDawson。WhiteFanghadnowachievedareputationintheland。As\"TheFightingWolf\"hewasknownfarandwide，andthecageinwhichhewaskeptonthesteamboat\'sdeckwasusuallysurroundedbycuriousmen。Heragedandsnarledatthem，orlayquietlyandstudiedthemwithcoldhatred。Whyshouldhenothatethem？Heneveraskedhimselfthequestion。Heknewonlyhateandlosthimselfinthepassionofit。
Lifehadbecomeahelltohim。Hehadnotbeenmadeforthecloseconfinementwildbeastsendureatthehandsofmen。Andyetitwasinpreciselythiswaythathewastreated。Menstaredathim，pokedsticksbetweenthebarstomakehimsnarl，andthenlaughedathim。
Theywerehisenvironment，thesemen，andtheyweremouldingtheclayofhimintoamoreferociousthingthanhadbeenintendedbyNature。Nevertheless，Naturehadgivenhimplasticity。Wheremanyanotheranimalwouldhavediedorhaditsspiritbroken，headjustedhimselfandlived，andatnoexpenseofthespirit。PossiblyBeautySmith，archfiendandtormentor，wascapableofbreakingWhiteFang\'sspirit，butasyettherewerenosignsofhissucceeding。
IfBeautySmithhadinhimadevil，WhiteFanghadanother；andthetwoofthemragedagainsteachotherunceasingly。Inthedaysbefore，WhiteFanghadhadthewisdomtocowerdownandsubmittoamanwithaclubinhishand；butthiswisdomnowlefthim。ThemeresightofBeautySmithwassufficienttosendhimintotransportsoffury。Andwhentheycametoclosequarters，andhehadbeenbeatenbackbytheclub，hewentongrowlingandsnarlingandshowinghisfangs。Thelastgrowlcouldneverbeextractedfromhim。
Nomatterhowterriblyhewasbeaten，hehadalwaysanothergrowl；andwhenBeautySmithgaveupandwithdrew，thedefiantgrowlfollowedafterhim，orWhiteFangsprangatthebarsofthecagebellowinghishatred。
WhenthesteamboatarrivedatDawson，WhiteFangwentashore。Buthestilllivedapubliclife，inacage，surroundedbycuriousmen。Hewasexhibitedas\"TheFightingWolf，\"andmenpaidfiftycentsingolddusttoseehim。Hewasgivennorest。Didheliedowntosleep，hewasstirredupbyasharpstick——sothattheaudiencemightgetitsmoney\'sworth。
Inordertomaketheexhibitioninteresting，hewaskeptinaragemostofthetime。Butworsethanallthis，wastheatmosphereinwhichhelived。
Hewasregardedasthemostfearfulofwildbeasts，andthiswasborneintohimthroughthebarsofthecage。Everyword，everycautiousaction，onthepartofthemen，impresseduponhimhisownterribleferocity。Itwassomuchaddedfueltotheflameofhisfierceness。Therecouldbebutoneresult，andthatwasthathisferocityfeduponitselfandincreased。
Itwasanotherinstanceoftheplasticityofhisclay，ofhiscapacityforbeingmouldedbythepressureofenvironment。
Inadditiontobeingexhibited，hewasaprofessionalfightinganimal。
Atirregularintervals，wheneverafightcouldbearranged，hewastakenoutofhiscageandledoffintothewoodsafewmilesfromtown。Usuallythisoccurredatnight，soastoavoidinterferencefromthemountedpoliceoftheTerritory。Afterafewhoursofwaiting，whendaylighthadcome，theaudienceandthedogwithwhichhewastofightarrived。Inthismanneritcameaboutthathefoughtallsizesandbreedsofdogs。Itwasasavageland，themenweresavage，andthefightswereusuallytothedeath。
SinceWhiteFangcontinuedtofight，itisobviousthatitwastheotherdogsthatdied。Heneverknewdefeat。Hisearlytraining，whenhefoughtwithLip-lipandthewholepuppy-pack，stoodhimingoodstead。Therewasthetenacitywithwhichheclungtotheearth。Nodogcouldmakehimlosehisfooting。Thiswasthefavoritetrickofthewolfbreeds——torushinuponhim，eitherdirectlyorwithanunexpectedswerve，inthehopeofstrikinghisshoulderandoverthrowinghim。Mackenziehounds，EskimoandLabradordogs，huskiesandMalemutes——alltrieditonhim，andallfailed。Hewasneverknowntolosehisfooting。Mentoldthistooneanother，andlookedeachtimetoseeithappen；butWhiteFangalwaysdisappointedthem。
Thentherewashislightningquickness。Itgavehimatremendousadvantageoverhisantagonists。Nomatterwhattheirfightingexperience，theyhadneverencounteredadogthatmovedsoswiftlyashe。Alsotobereckonedwith，wastheimmediatenessofhisattack。Theaveragedogwasaccustomedtothepreliminariesofsnarlingandbristlingandgrowling，andtheaveragedogwasknockedoffhisfeetandfinishedbeforehehadbeguntofightorrecoveredfromhissurprise。Sooftendidthishappen，thatitbecamethecustomtoholdWhiteFanguntiltheotherdogwentthroughitspreliminaries，wasgoodandready，andevenmadethefirstattack。
ButgreatestofalltheadvantagesinWhiteFang\'sfavor，washisexperience。
Heknewmoreaboutfightingthandidanyofthedogsthatfacedhim。Hehadfoughtmorefights，knewhowtomeetmoretricksandmethods，andhadmoretrickshimself，whilehisownmethodwasscarcelytobeimprovedupon。
Asthetimewentby，hehadfewerandfewerfights。Mendespairedofmatchinghimwithanequal，andBeautySmithwascompelledtopitwolvesagainsthim。TheseweretrappedbytheIndiansforthepurpose，andafightbetweenWhiteFangandawolfwasalwayssuretodrawacrowd。Once，afull-grownfemalelynxwassecured，andthistimeWhiteFangfoughtforhislife。Herquicknessmatchedhis；herferocityequalledhis；whilehefoughtwithhisfangsalone，andshefoughtwithhersharp-clawedfeetaswell。
Butafterthelynx，allfightingceasedforWhiteFang。Therewerenomoreanimalswithwhichtofight——atleast，therewasnoneconsideredworthyoffightingwithhim。Soheremainedonexhibitionuntilspring，whenoneTimKeenan，afaro-dealer，arrivedintheland。WithhimcamethefirstbulldogthathadeverenteredtheKlondike。ThatthisdogandWhiteFangshouldcometogetherwasinevitable，andforaweektheanticipatedfightwasthemainspringofconversationincertainquartersofthetown。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter4:TheClingingDeathPartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter4
THECLINGINGDEATH
BeautySmithslippedthechainfromhisneckandsteppedback。
ForonceFangdidnotmakeanimmediateattack。Hestoodstill，earsprickedforward，alertandcurious，surveyingthestrangeanimalthatfacedhim。Hehadneverseensuchadogbefore。TimKeenanshovedthebulldogforwardwithamuttered\"Gotoit。\"Theanimalwaddledtowardthecentreofthecircle，shortandsquatandungainly。HecametoastopandblinkedacrossatWhiteFang。
Therewerecriesfromthecrowdof\"Gotohim，Cherokee!\"\"Sick\'m，Cherokee!\"\"Eat\'mup!\"
ButCherokeedidnotseemanxioustofight。Heturnedhisheadandblinkedatthemenwhoshouted，atthesametimewagginghisstumpofatailgood-naturedly。
Hewasnotafraid，butmerelylazy。Besides，itdidnotseemtohimthatitwasintendedheshouldfightwiththedoghesawbeforehim。Hewasnotusedtofightingwiththatkindofdog，andhewaswaitingforthemtobringontherealdog。
TimKeenansteppedinandbentoverCherokee，fondlinghimonbothsidesoftheshoulderswithhandsthatrubbedagainstthegrainofthehairandthatmadeslight，pushing-forwardmovements。Theseweresomanysuggestions。
Also，theireffectwasirritating，forCherokeebegantogrowl，verysoftly，deepdowninhisthroat。Therewasacorrespondenceinrhythmbetweenthegrowlsandthemovementsoftheman\'shands。Thegrowlroseinthethroatwiththeculminationofeachforward-pushingmovement，andebbeddowntostartupafreshwiththebeginningofthenextmovement。Theendofeachmovementwastheaccentoftherhythm，themovementendingabruptlyandthegrowlingrisingwithajerk。
ThiswasnotwithoutitseffectonWhiteFang。Thehairbegantoriseonhisneckandacrosstheshoulders。TimKeenangaveafinalshoveforwardandsteppedbackagain。AstheimpetusthatcarriedCherokeeforwarddieddown，hecontinuedtogoforwardofhisownvolition，inaswift，bow-leggedrun。ThenWhiteFangstruck。Acryofstartledadmirationwentup。Hehadcoveredthedistanceandgoneinmorelikeacatthanadog；andwiththesamecatlikeswiftnesshehadslashedwithhisfangsandleapedclear。
Thebulldogwasbleedingbackofoneearfromaripinhisthickneck。
Hegavenosign，didnotevensnarl，butturnedandfollowedafterWhiteFang。Thedisplayonbothsides，thequicknessoftheoneandthesteadinessoftheother，hadexcitedthepartisanspiritofthecrowd，andthemenweremakingnewbetsandincreasingoriginalbets。Again，andyetagain，WhiteFangsprangin，slashed，andgotawayuntouched；andstillhisstrangefoefollowedafterhim，withouttoogreathaste，notslowly，butdeliberatelyanddeterminedly，inabusinesslikesortofway。Therewaspurposeinhismethod——somethingforhimtodothathewasintentupondoingandfromwhichnothingcoulddistracthim。
Hiswholedemeanor，everyaction，wasstampedwiththispurpose。ItpuzzledWhiteFang。Neverhadheseensuchadog。Ithadnohairprotection。
Itwassoft，andbledeasily。TherewasnothickmatoffurtobaffleWhiteFang\'steeth，astheywereoftenbaffledbydogsofhisownbreed。Eachtimethathisteethstrucktheysankeasilyintotheyieldingflesh，whiletheanimaldidnotseemabletodefenditself。Anotherdisconcertingthingwasthatitmadenooutcry，suchashehadbeenaccustomedtowiththeotherdogshehadfought。Beyondagrowloragrunt，thedogtookitspunishmentsilently。Andneverdiditflaginitspursuitofhim。
NotthatCherokeewasslow。Hecouldturnandwhirlswiftlyenough，butWhiteFangwasneverthere。Cherokeewaspuzzled，too。Hehadneverfoughtbeforewithadogwithwhichhecouldnotclose。Thedesiretoclosehadalwaysbeenmutual。Butherewasadogthatkeptatadistance，dancinganddodginghereandthereandallabout。Andwhenitdidgetitsteethintohim，itdidnotholdonbutletgoinstantlyanddartedawayagain。
ButWhiteFangcouldnotgetatthesoftundersideofthethroat。Thebulldogstoodtooshort，whileitsmassivejawswereanaddedprotection。
WhiteFangdartedinandoutunscathed，whileCherokee\'swoundsincreased。
Bothsidesofhisneckandheadwererippedandslashed。Hebledfreely，butshowednosignsofbeingdisconcerted。Hecontinuedhisploddingpursuit，thoughonce，forthemomentbaffled，hecametoafullstopandblinkedatthemenwholookedon，atthesametimewagginghisstumpofatailasanexpressionofhiswillingnesstofight。
InthatmomentWhiteFangwasinuponhimandout，inpassingrippinghistrimmedremnantofanear。Withaslightmanifestationofanger，Cherokeetookupthepursuitagain，runningontheinsideofthecircleWhiteFangwasmaking，andstrivingtofastenhisdeadlygriponWhiteFang\'sthroat。
Thebulldogmissedbyahair\'s-breadth，andcriesofpraisewentupasWhiteFangdoubledsuddenlyoutofdangerintheoppositedirection。
Thetimewentby。WhiteFangstilldancedon，dodginganddoubling，leapinginandout，andeverinflictingdamage。Andstillthebulldog，withgrimcertitude，toiledafterhim。Soonerorlaterhewouldaccomplishhispurpose，getthegripthatwouldwinthebattle。Inthemeantimeheacceptedallthepunishmenttheothercoulddealhim。Histuftsofearshadbecometassels，hisneckandshoulderswereslashedinascoreofplaces，andhisverylipswerecutandbleeding——allfromthoselightningsnapsthatwerebeyondhisforeseeingandguarding。
TimeandagainWhiteFanghadattemptedtoknockCherokeeoffhisfeet；
butthedifferenceintheirheightwastoogreat。Cherokeewastoosquat，tooclosetotheground。WhiteFangtriedthetrickoncetoooften。Thechancecameinoneofhisquickdoublingsandcounter-circlings。HecaughtCherokeewithheadturnedawayashewhirledmoreslowly。Hisshoulderwasexposed。WhiteFangdroveinuponit；buthisownshoulderwashighabove，whilehestruckwithsuchforcethathismomentumcarriedhimonacrossovertheother\'sbody。Forthefirsttimeinhisfightinghistory，mensawWhiteFanglosehisfooting。Hisbodyturnedahalf-somersaultintheair，andhewouldhavelandedonhisbackhadhenottwisted，catlike，stillintheair，intheefforttobringhisfeettotheearth。Asitwas，hestruckheavilyonhisside。Thenextinstanthewasonhisfeet，butinthatinstantCherokee\'steethclosedonhisthroat。
Itwasnotagoodgrip，beingtoolowdowntowardthechest；butCherokeeheldon。WhiteFangsprangtohisfeetandtorewildlyaround，tryingtoshakeoffthebulldog\'sbody。Itmadehimfrantic，thisclinging，draggingweight。Itboundhismovements，restrictedhisfreedom。Itwaslikethetrap，andallhisinstinctresenteditandrevoltedagainstit。Itwasamadrevolt。Forseveralminuteshewastoallintentsinsane。Thebasiclifethatwasinhimtookchargeofhim。Thewilltoexistofhisbodysurgedoverhim。Hewasdominatedbythismereflesh-loveoflife。Allintelligencewasgone。Itwasasthoughhehadnobrain。Hisreasonwasunseatedbytheblindyearningofthefleshtoexistandmove，atallhazardstomove，tocontinuetomove，formovementwastheexpressionofitsexistence。
Roundandroundhewent，whirlingandturningandreversing，tryingtoshakeoffthefifty-poundweightthatdraggedathisthroat。Thebulldogdidlittlebutkeephisgrip。Sometimes，andrarely，hemanagedtogethisfeettotheearthandforamomenttobracehimselfagainstWhiteFang。
ButthenextmomenthisfootingwouldbelostandhewouldbedraggingaroundinthewhirlofoneofWhiteFang\'smadgyrations。Cherokeeidentifiedhimselfwithhisinstinct。Heknewthathewasdoingtherightthingbyholdingon，andtherecametohimcertainblissfulthrillsofsatisfaction。
Atsuchmomentsheevenclosedhiseyesandallowedhisbodytobehurledhitherandthither，willy-nilly，carelessofanyhurtthatmighttherebycometoit。Thatdidnotcount。Thegripwasthething，andthegriphekept。
WhiteFangceasedonlywhenhehadtiredhimselfout。Hecoulddonothing，andhecouldnotunderstand。Never，inallhisfighting，hadthisthinghappened。Thedogshehadfoughtwithdidnotfightthatway。Withthemitwassnapandslashandgetaway，snapandslashandgetaway。Helaypartlyonhisside，pantingforbreath。Cherokee，stillholdinghisgrip，urgedagainsthim，tryingtogethimoverentirelyonhisside。WhiteFangresisted，andhecouldfeelthejawsshiftingtheirgrip，slightlyrelaxingandcomingtogetheragaininachewingmovement。Eachshiftbroughtthegripcloserintohisthroat。Thebulldog\'smethodwastoholdwhathehad，andwhenopportunityfavoredtoworkinformore。OpportunityfavoredwhenWhiteFangremainedquiet。WhenWhiteFangstruggled，Cherokeewascontentmerelytoholdon。
ThebulgingbackofCherokee\'sneckwastheonlyportionofhisbodythatWhiteFang\'steethcouldreach。Hegotholdtowardthebasewheretheneckcomesoutfromtheshoulders；buthedidnotknowthechewingmethodoffighting，norwerehisjawsadaptedtoit。Hespasmodicallyrippedandtorewithhisfangsforaspace。Thenachangeintheirpositiondivertedhim。Thebulldoghadmanagedtorollhimoveronhisback，andstillhangingontohisthroat，wasontopofhim。Likeacat，WhiteFangbowedhishind-quartersin，and，withthefeetdiggingintohisenemy\'sabdomenabovehim，hebegantoclawwithlong，tearingstrokes。CherokeemightwellhavebeendisembowelledhadhenotquicklypivotedonhisgripandgothisbodyoffofWhiteFang\'sandatrightanglestoit。
Therewasnoescapingthatgrip。ItwaslikeFateitself，andasinexorable。
Slowlyitshiftedupalongthejugular。AllthatsavedWhiteFangfromdeathwasthelooseskinofhisneckandthethickfurthatcoveredit。
ThisservedtoformalargerollinCherokee\'smouth，thefurofwhichwell-nighdefiedhisteeth。Butbitbybit，wheneverthechanceoffered，hewasgettingmoreofthelooseskinandfurinhismouth。TheresultwasthathewasslowlythrottlingWhiteFang。Thelatter\'sbreathwasdrawnwithgreaterandgreaterdifficultyasthemomentswentby。
Itbegantolookasthoughthebattlewereover。ThebackersofCherokeewaxedjubilantandofferedridiculousodds。WhiteFang\'sbackerswerecorrespondinglydepressed，andrefusedbetsoftentooneandtwentytoone，thoughonemanwasrashenoughtocloseawageroffiftytoone。ThismanwasBeautySmith。HetookastepintotheringandpointedhisfingeratWhiteFang。
Thenhebegantolaughderisivelyandscornfully。Thisproducedthedesiredeffect。WhiteFangwentwildwithrage。Hecalleduphisreservesofstrengthandgainedhisfeet。Ashestruggledaroundthering，thefiftypoundsofhisfoeeverdraggingonhisthroat，hisangerpassedonintopanic。
Thebasiclifeofhimdominatedhimagain，andhisintelligencefledbeforethewillofhisfleshtolive。Roundandroundandbackagain，stumblingandfallingandrising，evenuprearingattimesonhishind-legsandliftinghisfoeclearoftheearth，hestruggledvainlytoshakeofftheclingingdeath。
Atlasthefell，topplingbackward，exhausted；andthebulldogpromptlyshiftedhisgrip，gettingincloser，manglingmoreandmoreofthefur-foldedflesh，throttlingWhiteFangmoreseverelythanever。Shoutsofapplausewentupforthevictor，andthereweremanycriesof\"Cherokee!\"\"Cherokee!\"
TothisCherokeerespondedbyvigorouswaggingofthestumpofhistail。
Buttheclamorofapprovaldidnotdistracthim。Therewasnosympatheticrelationbetweenhistailandhismassivejaws。Theonemightwag，buttheothersheldtheirterriblegriponWhiteFang\'sthroat。
Itwasatthistimethatadiversioncametothespectators。Therewasajingleofbells。Dog-mushers\'crieswereheard。Everybody，saveBeautySmith，lookedapprehensively，thefearofthepolicestronguponthem。
Buttheysaw，upthetrail，andnotdown，twomenrunningwithsledanddogs。Theywereevidentlycomingdownthecreekfromsomeprospectingtrip。
Atsightofthecrowdtheystoppedtheirdogsandcameoverandjoinedit，curioustoseethecauseoftheexcitement。Thedog-musherworeamustache，buttheother，atallerandyoungerman，wassmooth-shaven，hisskinrosyfromthepoundingofhisbloodandtherunninginthefrostyair。
WhiteFanghadpracticallyceasedstruggling。Nowandagainheresistedspasmodicallyandtonopurpose。Hecouldgetlittleair，andthatlittlegrewlessandlessunderthemercilessgripthatevertightened。Inspiteofhisarmoroffur，thegreatveinofhisthroatwouldhavelongsincebeentornopen，hadnotthefirstgripofthebulldogbeensolowdownastobepracticallyonthechest。IthadtakenCherokeealongtimetoshiftthatgripupward，andthishadalsotendedfurthertocloghisjawswithfurandskin-fold。
Inthemeantime，theabysmalbruteinBeautySmithhadbeenrisingupintohisbrainandmasteringthesmallbitofsanitythathepossessedatbest。WhenhesawWhiteFang\'seyesbeginningtoglaze，heknewbeyonddoubtthatthefightwaslost。Thenhebrokeloose。HespranguponWhiteFangandbegansavagelytokickhim。Therewerehissesfromthecrowdandcriesofprotest，butthatwasall。Whilethiswenton，andBeautySmithcontinuedtokickWhiteFang，therewasacommotioninthecrowd。Thetallyoungnewcomerwasforcinghiswaythrough，shoulderingmenrightandleftwithoutceremonyorgentleness。Whenhebrokethroughintothering，BeautySmithwasjustintheactofdeliveringanotherkick。Allhisweightwasononefoot，andhewasinastateofunstableequilibrium。Atthatmomentthenewcomer\'sfistlandedasmashingblowfullinhisface。BeautySmith\'sremainingleglefttheground，andhiswholebodyseemedtoliftintotheairasheturnedoverbackwardandstruckthesnow。Thenewcomerturneduponthecrowd。
\"Youcowards!\"hecried。\"Youbeasts!\"
Hewasinaragehimself——asanerage。Hisgrayeyesseemedmetallicandsteel-likeastheyflasheduponthecrowd。BeautySmithregainedhisfeetandcametowardhim，snifflingandcowardly。Thenewcomerdidnotunderstand。Hedidnotknowhowabjectacowardtheotherwas，andthoughthewascomingbackintentonfighting。So，witha\"Youbeast!\"hesmashedBeautySmithoverbackwardwithasecondblowintheface。BeautySmithdecidedthatthesnowwasthesafestplaceforhim，andlaywherehehadfallen，makingnoefforttogetup。
\"Comeon，Matt，lendahand，\"thenewcomercalledtothedog-musher，whohadfollowedhimintothering。
Bothmenbentoverthedogs。MatttookholdofWhiteFang，readytopullwhenCherokee\'sjawsshouldbeloosened。Thistheyoungermanendeavoredtoaccomplishbyclutchingthebulldog\'sjawsinhishandsandtryingtospreadthem。Itwasavainundertaking。Ashepulledandtuggedandwrenched，hekeptexclaimingwitheveryexpulsionofbreath，\"Beasts!\"
Thecrowdbegantogrowunruly，andsomeofthemenwereprotestingagainstthespoilingofthesport；buttheyweresilencedwhenthenewcomerliftedhisheadfromhisworkforamomentandglaredatthem。
\"Youdamnbeasts!\"hefinallyexploded，andwentbacktohistask。
\"It\'snouse，Mr。Scott，youcan\'tbreak\'mapartthatway，\"Mattsaidatlast。
Thepairpausedandsurveyedthelockeddogs。
\"Ain\'tbleedin\'much，\"Mattannounced。\"Ain\'tgotallthewayinyet。\"
\"Buthe\'sliabletoanymoment，\"Scottanswered。\"There，didyouseethat!Heshiftedhisgripinabit。\"
Theyoungerman\'sexcitementandapprehensionforWhiteFangwasgrowing。
HestruckCherokeeabouttheheadsavagelyagainandagain。Butthatdidnotloosenthejaws。Cherokeewaggedthestumpofhistailinadvertisementthatheunderstoodthemeaningoftheblows，butthatheknewhewashimselfintherightandonlydoinghisdutybykeepinghisgrip。
\"Won\'tsomeofyouhelp？\"Scottcrieddesperatelyatthecrowd。
Butnohelpwasoffered。Instead，thecrowdbegansarcasticallytocheerhimonandshoweredhimwithfacetiousadvice。
\"You\'llhavetogetapry，\"Mattcounselled。
Theotherreachedintotheholsterathiship，drewhisrevolver，andtriedtothrustitsmuzzlebetweenthebulldog\'sjaws。Heshoved，andshovedhard，tillthegratingofthesteelagainstthelockedteethcouldbedistinctlyheard。Bothmenwereontheirknees，bendingoverthedogs。TimKeenanstrodeintothering。HepausedbesideScottandtouchedhimontheshoulder，sayingominously:
\"Don\'tbreakthemteeth，stranger。\"
\"ThenI\'llbreakhisneck，\"Scottretorted，continuinghisshovingandwedgingwiththerevolvermuzzle。
\"Isaiddon\'tbreakthemteeth，\"thefaro-dealerrepeatedmoreominouslythanbefore。
Butifitwasabluffheintended，itdidnotwork。Scottneverdesistedfromhisefforts，thoughhelookedupcoollyandasked:
\"Yourdog？\"
Thefaro-dealergrunted。
\"Thengetinhereandbreakthisgrip。\"
\"Well，stranger，\"theotherdrawledirritatingly，\"Idon\'tmindtellingyouthat\'ssomethingIain\'tworkedoutformyself。Idon\'tknowhowtoturnthetrick。\"
\"Thengetoutoftheway，\"wasthereply，\"anddon\'tbotherme。I\'mbusy。\"
TimKeenancontinuedstandingoverhim，butScotttooknofurthernoticeofhispresence。Hehadmanagedtogetthemuzzleinbetweenthejawsononeside，andwastryingtogetitoutbetweenthejawsontheotherside。
Thisaccomplished，hepriedgentlyandcarefully，looseningthejawsabitatatime，whileMatt，abitatatime，extricatedWhiteFang\'smangledneck。
\"Standbytoreceiveyourdog，\"wasScott\'speremptoryordertoCherokee\'sowner。
Thefaro-dealerstoopeddownobedientlyandgotafirmholdonCherokee。
\"Now!\"Scottwarned，givingthefinalpry。
Thedogsweredrawnapart，thebulldogstrugglingvigorously。
\"Takehimaway，\"Scottcommanded，andTimKeenandraggedCherokeebackintothecrowd。
WhiteFangmadeseveralineffectualeffortstogetup。Oncehegainedhisfeet，buthislegsweretooweaktosustainhim，andheslowlywiltedandsankbackintothesnow。Hiseyeswerehalfclosed，andthesurfaceofthemwasglassy。Hisjawswereapart，andthroughthemthetongueprotruded，draggledandlimp。Toallappearanceshelookedlikeadogthathadbeenstrangledtodeath。Mattexaminedhim。
\"Justaboutallin，\"heannounced；\"buthe\'sbreathin\'allright。\"
BeautySmithhadregainedhisfeetandcomeovertolookatWhiteFang。
\"Matt，howmuchisagoodsled-dogworth？\"Scottasked。
Thedog-musher，stillonhiskneesandstoopedoverWhiteFang，calculatedforamoment。
\"Threehundreddollars，\"heanswered。
\"Andhowmuchforonethat\'sallcheweduplikethisone？\"Scottasked，nudgingWhiteFangwithhisfoot。
\"Halfofthat，\"wasthedog-musher\'sjudgment。
ScottturnedfromBeautySmith。
\"Didyouhear，Mr。Beast？I\'mgoingtotakeyourdogfromyou，andI\'mgoingtogiveyouahundredandfiftyforhim。\"
Heopenedhispocketbookandcountedoutthebills。
BeautySmithputhishandsbehindhisback，refusingtotouchtheprofferedmoney。
\"Iain\'ta-sellin\'，\"hesaid。
\"Oh，yesyouare，\"theotherassuredhim。\"BecauseI\'mbuying。Here\'syoumoney。Thedog\'smine。\"
BeautySmith，hishandsstillbehindhim，begantobackaway。
Scottsprangtowardhim，drawinghisfistbacktostrike。BeautySmithcowereddowninanticipationoftheblow。
\"I\'vegotmyrights，\"hewhimpered。
\"You\'veforfeitedyourrightstoownthatdog，\"wastherejoinder。\"Areyougoingtotakethemoney？OrdoIhavetohityouagain？\"
\"Allright，\"BeautySmithspokeupwiththealacrityoffear。\"ButI
takethemoneyunderprotest，\"headded。\"Thedog\'samint。Iain\'ta-goin\'
toberobbed。Aman\'sgothisrights。\"
\"Correct，\"Scottanswered，passingthemoneyovertohim。\"Aman\'sgothisrights。Butyou\'renotaman。You\'reabeast。\"
\"WaittillIgetbacktoDawson，\"BeautySmiththreatened。\"I\'llhavethelawonyou。\"
\"IfyouopenyourmouthwhenyougetbacktoDawson，I\'llhaveyourunoutoftown。Understand？\"
BeautySmithrepliedwithagrunt。
\"Understand？\"theothermanthunderedwithabruptfierceness。
\"Yes，\"BeautySmithgrunted，shrinkingaway。
\"yes，what？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"BeautySmithsnarled。
\"Lookout!He\'llbite!\"someoneshouted，andaguffawoflaughterwentup。
Someofthemenwerealreadydeparting；othersstoodingroups，lookingonandtalking。TimKeenanjoinedoneofthegroups。
\"Who\'sthatmug？\"heasked。
\"WeedonScott，\"someoneanswered。
\"AndwhoinhellisWeedonScott？\"thefaro-dealerdemanded。
\"Oh，oneofthemcrack-a-jackminingexperts。He\'sinwithallthebigbugs。Ifyouwanttokeepoutoftrouble，you\'llsteerclearofhim，that\'smytalk。He\'sallhunkywiththeofficials。TheGoldCommissioner\'saspecialpalofhis。\"
\"Ithoughthemustbesomebody，\"wasthefaro-dealer\'scomment。\"That\'swhyIkeptmyhandsoffenhimatthestart。\"WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter5:TheIndomitablePartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter5
THEINDOMITABLE
It\'shopeless，\"WeedonScottconfessed。
Hesatonthestepofhiscabinandstaredatthedog-musher，whorespondedwithashrugthatwasequallyhopeless。
TogethertheylookedatWhiteFangattheendofhisstretchedchain，bristling，snarling，ferocious，strainingtogetatthesled-dogs。HavingreceivedsundrylessonsfromMatt，saidlessonsbeingimpartedbymeansofaclub，thesled-dogshadlearnedtoleaveWhiteFangalone；andeventhentheywerelyingdownatadistance，apparentlyobliviousofhisexistence。
\"It\'sawolfandthere\'snotamingit，\"WeedonScottannounced。
\"Oh，Idon\'tknowaboutthat，\"Mattobjected。\"Mightbealotofdogin\'m，forallyoucantell。Butthere\'sonethingIknowsure，an\'thatthere\'snogettin\'awayfrom。\"
Thedog-musherpausedandnoddedhisheadconfidentiallyatMoosehideMountain。
\"Well，don\'tbeamiserwithwhatyouknow，\"Scottsaidsharply，afterwaitingasuitablelengthoftime。\"Spititout。Whatisit？\"
Thedog-musherindicatedWhiteFangwithabackwardthrustofhisthumb。
\"Wolfordog，it\'sallthesame——he\'sbentameda\'ready。\"
\"No!\"
\"Itellyouyes，an\'broketoharness。Lookclosethere。D\'yeseethemmarksacrossthechest？\"
\"You\'reright，Matt。Hewasasled-dogbeforeBeautySmithgotholdofhim。\"
\"An\'there\'snotmuchreasonagainsthisbein\'asled-dogagain。\"
\"Whatd\'yethink？\"Scottqueriedeagerly。Thenthehopedieddownasheadded，shakinghishead，\"We\'vehadhimtwoweeksnow，andifanything，he\'swilderthaneveratthepresentmoment。\"
\"Give\'machance，\"Mattcounselled。\"Turn\'mlooseforaspell。\"
Theotherlookedathimincredulously。
\"Yes，\"Mattwenton，\"Iknowyou\'vetriedto，butyoudidn\'ttakeaclub。\"
\"Youtryitthen。\"
Thedog-mushersecuredaclubandwentovertothechainedanimal。WhiteFangwatchedtheclubafterthemannerofacagedlionwatchingthewhipofitstrainer。
\"See\'mkeephiseyeonthatclub，\"Mattsaid。\"That\'sagoodsign。
He\'snofool。Don\'tdasttacklemesolongasIgotthatclubhandy。He\'snotcleancrazy，sure。\"
Astheman\'shandapproachedhisneck，WhiteFangbristledandsnarledandcroucheddown。Butwhileheeyedtheapproachinghand，heatthesametimecontrivedtokeeptrackoftheclubintheotherhand，suspendedthreateninglyabovehim。Mattunsnappedthechainfromthecollarandsteppedback。
WhiteFangcouldscarcelyrealizethathewasfree。ManymonthshadgonebysincehepassedintothepossessionofBeautySmith，andinallthatperiodhehadneverknownamomentoffreedomexceptatthetimeshehadbeenloosedtofightwithotherdogs。Immediatelyaftersuchfightshehadalwaysbeenimprisonedagain。
Hedidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Perhapssomenewdeviltryofthegodswasabouttobeperpetratedonhim。Hewalkedslowlyandcautiously，preparedtobeassailedatanymoment。Hedidnotknowwhattodo，itwasallsounprecedented。Hetooktheprecautiontosheerofffromthetwowatchinggods，andwalkedcarefullytothecornerofthecabin。Nothinghappened。Hewasplainlyperplexed，andhecamebackagain，pausingadozenfeetawayandregardingthetwomenintently。
\"Won\'therunaway？\"hisnewownerasked。
Mattshruggedhisshoulders。\"Gottotakeagamble。Onlywaytofindoutistofindout。\"
\"Poordevil，\"Scottmurmuredpityingly。\"Whatheneedsissomeshowofhumankindness，\"headded，turningandgoingintothecabin。
Hecameoutwithapieceofmeat，whichhetossedtoWhiteFang。Hesprangawayfromit，andfromadistancestudieditsuspiciously。
\"Hi-yu，Major!\"Mattshoutedwarningly，buttoolate。
Majorhadmadeaspringforthemeat。Attheinstanthisjawsclosedonit，WhiteFangstruckhim。Hewasoverthrown。Mattrushedin，butquickerthanhewasWhiteFang。Majorstaggeredtohisfeet，butthebloodspoutingfromhisthroatreddenedthesnowinawideningpath。
\"It\'stoobad，butitservedhimright，\"Scottsaidhastily。
ButMatt\'sfoothadalreadystartedonitswaytokickWhiteFang。Therewasaleap，aflashofteeth，asharpexclamation。WhiteFang，snarlingfiercely，scrambledbackwardforseveralyards，whileMattstoopedandinvestigatedhisleg。
\"Hegotmeallright，\"heannounced，pointingtothetorntrousersandunderclothes，andthegrowingstainofred。
\"Itoldyouitwashopeless，Matt，\"Scottsaidinadiscouragedvoice。
\"I\'vethoughtaboutitoffandon，whilenotwantingtothinkofit。Butwe\'vecometoitnow。It\'stheonlythingtodo。\"
Ashetalked，withreluctantmovementshedrewhisrevolver，threwopenthecylinder，andassuredhimselfofitscontents。
\"Lookhere，Mr。Scott，\"Mattobjected；\"thatdog\'sbenthroughhell。
Youcan\'texpect\'mtocomeoutawhitean\'shinin\'angel。Give\'mtime。\"
\"LookatMajor，\"theotherrejoined。
Thedog-mushersurveyedthestrickendog。Hehadsunkdownonthesnowinthecircleofhisblood，andwasplainlyinthelastgasp。
\"Served\'mright。Yousaidsoyourself，Mr。Scott。HetriedtotakeWhiteFang\'smeat，an\'he\'sdead-O。Thatwastobeexpected。wouldn\'tgivetwowhoopsinhellforadogthatwouldn\'tfightforhisownmeat。\"
\"Butlookatyourself，Matt。It\'sallrightaboutthedogs，butwemustdrawthelinesomewhere。\"
\"Servedmeright，\"Mattarguedstubbornly。\"What\'dIwanttokick\'mfor？Yousaidyourselfhe\'ddoneright。ThenIhadnorighttokick\'m。\"
\"Itwouldbeamercytokillhim，\"Scottinsisted。\"He\'suntamable。\"
\"Nowlookhere，Mr。Scott，givethepoordevilafightin\'chance。Heain\'thadnochanceyet。He\'sjustcomethroughhell，an\'thisisthefirsttimehe\'sbenloose。Give\'mafairchance，an\'ifhedon\'tdeliverthegoods，I\'llkill\'mmyself。There!\"
\"GodknowsIdon\'twanttokillhimorhavehimkilled，\"Scottanswered，puttingawaytherevolver。\"We\'lllethimrunlooseandseewhatkindnesscandoforhim。Andhere\'satryatit。\"
HewalkedovertoWhiteFangandbegantalkingtohimgentlyandsoothingly。
\"Betterhaveaclubhandy，\"Mattwarned。
ScottshookhisheadandwentontryingtowinWhiteFang\'sconfidence。
WhiteFangwassuspicious。Somethingwasimpending。Hehadkilledthisgod\'sdog，bittenhiscompaniongod，andwhatelsewastobeexpectedthansometerriblepunishment？Butinthefaceofithewasindomitable。Hebristledandshowedhisteeth，hiseyesvigilant，hiswholebodywaryandpreparedforanything。Thegodhadnoclub，sohesufferedhimtoapproachquitenear。Thegod\'shandhadcomeoutandwasdescendinguponhishead。
WhiteFangshranktogetherandgrewtenseashecrouchedunderit。Herewasdanger，sometreacheryorsomething。Heknewthehandsofthegods，theirprovedmastery，theircunningtohurt。Besides，therewashisoldantipathytobeingtouched。Hesnarledmoremenacingly，crouchedstilllower，andstillthehanddescended。Hedidnotwanttobitethehand，andheenduredtheperilofituntilhisinstinctsurgedupinhim，masteringhimwithitsinsatiableyearningforlife。
WeedonScotthadbelievedthathewasquickenoughtoavoidanysnaporslash。ButhehadyettolearntheremarkablequicknessofWhiteFang，whostruckwiththecertaintyandswiftnessofacoiledsnake。
Scottcriedoutsharplywithsurprise，catchinghistornhandandholdingittightlyinhisotherhand。Mattutteredagreatoathandsprangtohisside。WhiteFangcroucheddownandbackedaway，bristling，showinghisfangs，hiseyesmalignantwithmenace。NowhecouldexpectabeatingasfearfulasanyhehadreceivedfromBeautySmith。
\"Here!Whatareyoudoing？\"Scottcriedsuddenly。
Matthaddashedintothecabinandcomeoutwitharifle。
\"Nothin\'，\"hesaidslowly，withacarelesscalmnessthatwasassumed；
\"onlygoin\'tokeepthatpromiseImade。Ireckonit\'suptometokill\'masIsaidI\'ddo。\"
\"Noyoudon\'t!\"
\"YesIdo。Watchme。\"
AsMatthadpleadedforWhiteFangwhenhehadbeenbitten，itwasnowWeedonScott\'sturntoplead。
\"Yousaidtogivehimachance。Well，giveittohim。We\'veonlyjuststarted，andwecan\'tquitatthebeginning。Itservedmeright，thistime。
And——lookathim!\"
WhiteFang，nearthecornerofthecabinandfortyfeetaway，wassnarlingwithblood-curdlingviciousness，notatScott，butatthedog-musher。
\"Well，I\'llbeeverlastin\'lygosh-swoggled!\"wasthedog-musher\'sexpressionofastonishment。
\"Lookattheintelligenceofhim，\"Scottwentonhastily。\"Heknowsthemeaningoffirearmsaswellasyoudo。He\'sgotintelligence，andwe\'vegottogivethatintelligenceachance。Putupthegun。\"
\"Allright，I\'mwillin\'，\"Mattagreed，leaningtherifleagainstthewoodpile。
\"Butwillyoulookatthat!\"heexclaimedthenextmoment。
WhiteFanghadquieteddownandceasedsnarling。
\"Thisisworthinvestigatin\'。Watch。\"
Mattreachedfortherifle，andatthesamemomentWhiteFangsnarled。
Hesteppedawayfromtherifle，andWhiteFang\'sliftedlipsdescended，coveringhisteeth。
\"Now，justforfun。\"
Matttooktherifleandbeganslowlytoraiseittohisshoulder。WhiteFang\'ssnarlingbeganwiththemovement，andincreasedasthemovementapproacheditsculmination。Butthemomentbeforetheriflecametoalevelonhim，heleapedsidewisebehindthecornerofthecabin。MattstoodstaringalongthesightsattheemptyspaceofsnowwhichhadbeenoccupiedbyWhiteFang。
Thedog-musherputtherifledownsolemnly，thenturnedandlookedathisemployer。
\"Iagreewithyou，Mr。Scott。Thatdog\'stoointelligenttokill。\"WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter6:TheLove-MasterPartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter6
THELOVE-MASTER
AsWhiteFangwatchedWeedonScottapproach，hebristledandsnarledtoadverthathewouldnotsubmittopunishment。Twenty-fourhourshadpassedsincehehadslashedopenthehandthatwasnowbandagedandheldupbyaslingtokeepthebloodoutofit。InthepastWhiteFanghadexperienceddelayedpunishments，andheapprehendedthatsuchaonewasabouttobefallhim。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Hehadcommittedwhatwastohimsacrilege，sunkhisfangsintotheholyfleshofagod，andofawhite-skinnedsuperiorgodatthat。Inthenatureofthings，andofintercoursewithgods，somethingterribleawaitedhim。
Thegodsatdownseveralfeetaway。WhiteFangcouldseenothingdangerousinthat。Whenthegodsadministeredpunishmenttheystoodontheirlegs。
Besides，thisgodhadnoclub，nowhip，nofirearm。Andfurthermore，hehimselfwasfree。Nochainnorstickboundhim。Hecouldescapeintosafetywhilethegodwasscramblingtohisfeet。Inthemeantimehewouldwaitandsee。
Thegodremainedquiet，madenomovement；andWhiteFang\'ssnarlslowlydwindledtoagrowlthatebbeddowninhisthroatandceased。Thenthegodspoke，andatthefirstsoundofhisvoice，thehairroseonWhiteFang\'sneckandthegrowlrushedupinhisthroat。Butthegodmadenohostilemovement，andwentoncalmlytalking。ForatimeWhiteFanggrowledinunisonwithhim，acorrespondenceofrhythmbeingestablishedbetweengrowlandvoice。Butthegodtalkedoninterminably。HetalkedtoWhiteFangasWhiteFanghadneverbeentalkedtobefore。Hetalkedsoftlyandsoothingly，withagentlenessthatsomehow，somewhere，touchedWhiteFang。
Inspiteofhimselfandalltheprickingwarningsofhisinstinct，WhiteFangbegantohaveconfidenceinthisgod。Hehadafeelingofsecuritythatwasbeliedbyallhisexperiencewithmen。
Afteralongtime，thegodgotupandwentintothecabin。WhiteFangscannedhimapprehensivelywhenhecameout。Hehadneitherwhipnorclubnorweapon。Norwashisuninjuredhandbehindhisbackhidingsomething。
Hesatdownasbefore，inthesamespot，severalfeetaway。Heheldoutasmallpieceofmeat。WhiteFangprickedhisearsandinvestigateditsuspiciously，managingtolookatthesametimebothatthemeatandthegod，alertforanyovertact，hisbodytenseandreadytospringawayatthefirstsignofhostility。
Stillthepunishmentdelayed。Thegodmerelyheldneartohisnoseapieceofmeat。Andaboutthemeatthereseemednothingwrong。StillWhiteFangsuspected；andthoughthemeatwasprofferedtohimwithshortinvitingthrustsofthehand，herefusedtotouchit。Thegodswereall-wise，andtherewasnotellingwhatmasterfultreacherylurkedbehindthatapparentlyharmlesspieceofmeat。Inpastexperience，especiallyindealingwithsquaws，meatandpunishmenthadoftenbeendisastrouslyrelated。
Intheend，thegodtossedthemeatonthesnowatWhiteFang\'sfeet。
Hesmelledthemeatcarefully；buthedidnotlookatit。Whilehesmelledithekepthiseyesonthegod。Nothinghappened。Hetookthemeatintohismouthandswallowedit。Stillnothinghappened。Thegodwasactuallyofferinghimanotherpieceofmeat。Againherefusedtotakeitfromthehand，andagainitwastossedtohim。Thiswasrepeatedanumberoftimes。
Buttherecameatimewhenthegodrefusedtotossit。Hekeptitinhishandandsteadfastlyprofferedit。
Themeatwasgoodmeat，andWhiteFangwashungry。Bitbybit，infinitelycautious，heapproachedthehand。Atlastthetimecamethathedecidedtoeatthemeatfromthehand。Henevertookhiseyesfromthegod，thrustinghisheadforwardwithearsflattenedbackandhairinvoluntarilyrisingandcrestingonhisneck。Alsoalowgrowlrumbledinhisthroataswarningthathewasnottobetrifledwith。Heatethemeat，andnothinghappened。
Piecebypiece，heateallthemeat，andnothinghappened。Stillthepunishmentdelayed。Helickedhischopsandwaited。Thegodwentontalking。Inhisvoicewaskindness——somethingofwhichWhiteFanghadnoexperiencewhatever。
Andwithinhimitarousedfeelingswhichhehadlikewiseneverexperiencedbefore。Hewasawareofacertainstrangesatisfaction，asthoughsomeneedwerebeinggratified，asthoughsomevoidinhisbeingwerebeingfilled。Thenagaincametheprodofhisinstinctandthewarningofpastexperience。Thegodswereevercrafty，andtheyhadunguessedwaysofattainingtheirends。
Ah，hehadthoughtso!Thereitcamenow，thegod\'shand，cunningtohurt，thrustingoutathim，descendinguponhishead。Butthegodwentontalking。Hisvoicewassoftandsoothing。Inspiteofthemenacinghand，thevoiceinspiredconfidence。Andinspiteoftheassuringvoice，thehandinspireddistrust。WhiteFangwastornbyconflictingfeelings，impulses。
Itseemedhewouldflytopieces，soterriblewasthecontrolhewasexerting，holdingtogetherbyanunwontedindecisionthecounter-forcesthatstruggledwithinhimformastery。
Hecompromised。Hesnarledandbristledandflattenedhisears。Butheneithersnappednorsprangaway。Thehanddescended。Nearerandneareritcame。Ittouchedtheendsofhisupstandinghair。Heshrankdownunderit。Itfolloweddownafterhim，pressingmorecloselyagainsthim。Shrinking，almostshivering，hestillmanagedtoholdhimselftogether。Itwasatorment，thishandthattouchedhimandviolatedhisinstinct。Hecouldnotforgetinadayalltheevilthathadbeenwroughthimatthehandsofmen。Butitwasthewillofthegod，andhestrovetosubmit。
Thehandliftedanddescendedagaininapatting，caressingmovement。
Thiscontinued，buteverytimethehandlifted，thehairliftedunderit。
Andeverytimethehanddescended，theearsflatteneddownandacavernousgrowlsurgedinhisthroat。WhiteFanggrowledandgrowledwithinsistentwarning。Bythismeansheannouncedthathewaspreparedtoretaliateforanyhurthemightreceive。Therewasnotellingwhenthegod\'sulteriormotivemightbedisclosed。Atanymomentthatsoft，confidence-inspiringvoicemightbreakforthinaroarofwrath，thatgentleandcaressinghandtransformitselfintoaviselikegriptoholdhimhelplessandadministerpunishment。
Butthegodtalkedonsoftly，andeverthehandroseandfellwithnon-hostilepats。WhiteFangexperienceddualfeelings。Itwasdistastefultohisinstinct。
Itrestrainedhim，opposedthewillofhimtowardpersonalliberty。Andyetitwasnotphysicallypainful。Onthecontrary，itwasevenpleasant，inaphysicalway。Thepattingmovementslowlyandcarefullychangedtoarubbingoftheearsabouttheirbases，andthephysicalpleasureevenincreasedalittle。Yethecontinuedtofear，andhestoodonguard，expectantofunguessedevil，alternatelysufferingandenjoyingasonefeelingortheothercameuppermostandswayedhim。
\"Well，I\'llbegosh-swoggled!\"
SospokeMatt，comingoutofthecabin，hissleevesrolledup，apanofdirtydish-waterinhishands，arrestedintheactofemptyingthepanbythesightofWeedonScottpattingWhiteFang。
Attheinstanthisvoicebrokethesilence，WhiteFangleapedback，snarlingsavagelyathim。
Mattregardedhisemployerwithgrieveddisapproval。
\"Ifyoudon\'tmindmyexpressin\'myfeelin\'s，Mr。Scott，I\'llmakefreetosayyou\'reseventeenkindsofadamnfoolan\'allof\'emdifferent，andthensome。\"WeedonScottsmiledwithasuperiorair，gainedhisfeet，andwalkedovertoWhiteFang。Hetalkedsoothinglytohim，butnotforlong，thenslowlyputouthishand，resteditonWhiteFang\'shead，andresumedtheinterruptedpatting。WhiteFangenduredit，keepinghiseyesfixedsuspiciously，notuponthemanthatpettedhim，butuponthemanthatstoodinthedoorway。
\"Youmaybeanumberone，tip-topminin\'expert，allrightallright，\"
thedog-musherdeliveredhimselforacularly，\"butyoumissedthechanceofyourlifewhenyouwasaboyan\'didn\'trunoffan\'joinacircus。\"
WhiteFangsnarledatthesoundofhisvoice，butthistimedidnotleapawayfromunderthehandthatwascaressinghisheadandthebackofhisneckwithlong，soothingstrokes。
ItwasthebeginningoftheendforWhiteFang——theendingoftheoldlifeandthereignofhate。Anewandincomprehensiblyfairerlifewasdawning。ItrequiredmuchthinkingandendlesspatienceonthepartofWeedonScotttoaccomplishthis。AndonthepartofWhiteFangitrequirednothinglessthanarevolution。Hehadtoignoretheurgesandpromptingsofinstinctandreason，defyexperience，givethelietolifeitself。
Life，ashehadknownit，notonlyhadhadnoplaceinitformuchthathenowdid；butallthecurrentshadgonecountertothosetowhichhenowabandonedhimself。Inshort，whenallthingswereconsidered，hehadtoachieveanorientationfarvasterthantheonehehadachievedatthetimehecamevoluntarilyinfromtheWildandacceptedGrayBeaverashislord。Atthattimehewasamerepuppy，softfromthemaking，withoutform，readyforthethumbofcircumstancetobeginitsworkuponhim。Butnowitwasdifferent。Thethumbofcircumstancehaddoneitsworkonlytoowell。ByithehadbeenformedandhardenedintotheFightingWolf，fierceandimplacable，unlovingandunlovable。Toaccomplishthechangewaslikearefluxofbeing，andthiswhentheplasticityofyouthwasnolongerhis；whenthefibreofhimhadbecometoughandknotty；whenthewarpandthewoofofhimhadmadeofhimanadamantinetexture，harshandunyielding；
whenthefaceofhisspirithadbecomeironandallhisinstinctsandaxiomshadcrystallizedintosetrules，cautions，dislikes，anddesires。