第7章
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  Yetagain,inthisneworientation,itwasthethumbofcircumstancethatpressedandproddedhim,softeningthatwhichhadbecomehardandremouldingitintofairerform。WeedonScottwasintruththisthumb。HehadgonetotherootsofWhiteFang\'snature,andwithkindnesstouchedtolifepotenciesthathadlanguishedandwell-nighperished。Onesuchpotencywaslove。Ittooktheplaceoflike,whichlatterhadbeenthehighestfeelingthatthrilledhiminhisintercoursewiththegods。

  Butthislovedidnotcomeinaday。Itbeganwithlikeandoutofitslowlydeveloped。WhiteFangdidnotrunaway,thoughhewasallowedtoremainloose,becausehelikedthisnewgod。ThiswascertainlybetterthanthelifehehadlivedinthecageofBeautySmith,anditwasnecessarythatheshouldhavesomegod。

  Thelordshipofmanwasaneedofhisnature。

  ThesealofhisdependenceonmanhadbeensetuponhiminthatearlydaywhenheturnedhisbackontheWildandcrawledtoGrayBeaver\'sfeettoreceivetheexpectedbeating。Thissealhadbeenstampeduponhimagain,andineradicably,onhissecondreturnfromtheWild,whenthelongfaminewasoverandtherewasfishoncemoreinthevillageofGrayBeaver。

  Andso,becauseheneededagodandbecausehepreferredWeedonScotttoBeautySmith,WhiteFangremained。Inacknowledgmentoffealty,heproceededtotakeuponhimselftheguardianshipofhismaster\'sproperty。Heprowledaboutthecabinwhilethesled-dogsslept,andthefirstnight-visitortothecabinfoughthimoffwithaclubuntilWeedonScottcametotherescue。ButWhiteFangsoonlearnedtodifferentiatebetweenthievesandhonestmen,toappraisethetruevalueofstepandcarriage。Themanwhotravelled,loud-stepping,thedirectlinetothecabindoor,heletalone——thoughhewatchedhimvigilantlyuntilthedooropenedandhereceivedtheindorsementofthemaster。Butthemanwhowentsoftly,bycircuitousways,peeringwithcaution,seekingaftersecrecy——thatwasthemanwhoreceivednosuspensionofjudgmentfromWhiteFang,andwhowentawayabruptly,hurriedly,andwithoutdignity。

  WeedonScotthadsethimselfthetaskofredeemingWhiteFang——orrather,ofredeemingmankindfromthewrongithaddoneWhiteFang。Itwasamatterofprincipleandconscience。HefeltthattheilldoneWhiteFangwasadebtincurredbymanandthatitmustbepaid。SohewentoutofhiswaytobeespeciallykindtotheFightingWolf。EachdayhemadeitapointtocaressandpetWhiteFang,andtodoitatlength。

  Atfirstsuspiciousandhostile,WhiteFanggrewtolikethispetting。

  Buttherewasonethingthatheneveroutgrew——hisgrowling。Growlhewould,fromthemomentthepettingbeganuntilitended。Butitwasagrowlwithanewnoteinit。Astrangercouldnothearthisnote,andtosuchastrangerthegrowlingofWhiteFangwasanexhibitionofprimordialsavagery,nerve-rackingandblood-curdling。ButWhiteFang\'sthroathadbecomeharsh-fibredfromthemakingofferocioussoundsthroughthemanyyearssincehisfirstlittleraspofangerinthelairofhiscubhood,andhecouldnotsoftenthesoundsofthatthroatnowtoexpressthegentlenesshefelt。Nevertheless,WeedonScott\'searandsympathywerefineenoughtocatchthenewnoteallbutdrownedinthefierceness——thenotethatwasthefaintesthintofacroonofcontentandthatnonebuthecouldhear。

  Asthedayswentby,theevolutionoflikeintolovewasaccelerated。WhiteFanghimselfbegantogrowawareofit,thoughinhisconsciousnessheknewnotwhatlovewas。Itmanifesteditselftohimasavoidinhisbeing——ahungry,aching,yearningvoidthatclamoredtobefilled。Itwasapainandanunrest;anditreceivedeasementonlybythetouchofthenewgod\'spresence。Atsuchtimeslovewasajoytohim,awild,keen-thrillingsatisfaction。Butwhenawayfromhisgod,thepainandtheunrestreturned;thevoidinhimsprangupandpressedagainsthimwithitsemptiness,andthehungergnawedandgnawedunceasingly。

  WhiteFangwasintheprocessoffindinghimself。Inspiteofthematurityofhisyearsandofthesavagerigidityofthemouldthathadformedhim,hisnaturewasundergoinganexpansion。Therewasaburgeoningwithinhimofstrangefeelingsandunwontedimpulses。Hisoldcodeofconductwaschanging。Inthepasthehadlikedcomfortandsurceasefrompain,dislikeddiscomfortandpain,andhehadadjustedhisactionsaccordingly。Butnowitwasdifferent。Becauseofthisnewfeelingwithinhim,heofttimeselecteddiscomfortandpainforthesakeofhisgod。Thus,intheearlymorning,insteadofroamingandforaging,orlyinginashelterednook,hewouldwaitforhoursonthecheerlesscabin-stoopforasightofthegod\'sface。

  Atnight,whenthegodreturnedhome,WhiteFangwouldleavethewarmsleeping-placehehadburrowedinthesnowinordertoreceivethefriendlysnapoffingersandthewordofgreeting。Meat,evenmeatitself,hewouldforegotobewithhisgod,toreceiveacaressfromhimortoaccompanyhimdownintothetown。

  Likehadbeenreplacedbylove。Andlovewastheplummetdroppeddownintothedeepsofhimwherelikehadnevergone。Andresponsive,outofhisdeepshadcomethenewthing——love。Thatwhichwasgivenuntohimdidhereturn。Thiswasagodindeed,alove-god,awarmandradiantgod,inwhoselightWhiteFang\'snatureexpandedasaflowerexpandsunderthesun。

  ButWhiteFangwasnotdemonstrative。Hewastooold,toofirmlymoulded,tobecomeadeptatexpressinghimselfinnewways。Hewastooself-possessed,toostronglypoisedinhisownisolation。Toolonghadhecultivatedreticence,aloofness,andmoroseness。Hehadneverbarkedinhislife,andhecouldnotnowlearntobarkawelcomewhenhisgodapproached。Hewasneverintheway,neverextravagantnorfoolishintheexpressionofhislove。

  Heneverrantomeethisgod。Hewaitedatadistance;buthealwayswaited,wasalwaysthere。Hislovepartookofthenatureofworship,dumb,inarticulate,asilentadoration。Onlybythesteadyregardofhiseyesdidheexpresshislove,andbytheunceasingfollowingwithhiseyesofhisgod\'severymovement。Also,attimes,whenhisgodlookedathimandspoketohim,hebetrayedanawkwardself-consciousness,causedbythestruggleofhislovetoexpressitselfandhisphysicalinabilitytoexpressit。

  Helearnedtoadjusthimselfinmanywaystohisnewmodeoflife。Itwasborneinuponhimthathemustlethismaster\'sdogsalone。Yethisdominantnatureasserteditself,andhehadfirsttothrashthemintoanacknowledgmentofhissuperiorityandleadership。Thisaccomplished,hehadlittletroublewiththem。Theygavetrailtohimwhenhecameandwentorwalkedamongthem,andwhenheassertedhiswilltheyobeyed。

  Inthesameway,hecametotolerateMatt——asapossessionofhismaster。Hismasterrarelyfedhim。Mattdidthat,itwashisbusiness;

  yetWhiteFangdivinedthatitwashismaster\'sfoodheateandthatitwashismasterwhothusfedhimvicariously。Mattitwaswhotriedtoputhimintotheharnessandmakehimhaulsledwiththeotherdogs。ButMattfailed。ItwasnotuntilWeedonScottputtheharnessonWhiteFangandworkedhim,thatheunderstood。Hetookitashismaster\'swillthatMattshoulddrivehimandworkhimjustashedroveandworkedhismaster\'sotherdogs。

  DifferentfromtheMackenzietoboggansweretheKlondikesledswithrunnersunderthem。Anddifferentwasthemethodofdrivingthedogs。Therewasnofan-formationoftheteam。Thedogsworkedinsinglefile,onebehindanother,haulingondoubletraces。Andhere,intheKlondike,theleaderwasindeedtheleader。Thewisestaswellasstrongestdogwastheleader,andtheteamobeyedhimandfearedhim。ThatWhiteFangshouldquicklygainthispostwasinevitable。Hecouldnotbesatisfiedwithless,asMattlearnedaftermuchinconvenienceandtrouble。WhiteFangpickedoutthepostforhimself,andMattbackedhisjudgmentwithstronglanguageaftertheexperimenthadbeentried。But,thoughheworkedinthesledintheday,WhiteFangdidnotforegotheguardingofhismaster\'spropertyinthenight。Thushewasondutyallthetime,evervigilantandfaithful,themostvaluableofallthedogs。

  \"Makin\'freetospitoutwhat\'sinme,\"Mattsaid,oneday,\"begtostatethatyouwasawiseguyallrightwhenyoupaidthepriceyoudidforthatdog。YoucleanswindledBeautySmithontopofpushin\'hisfaceinwithyourfist。\"

  ArecrudescenceofangerglintedinWeedonScott\'sgrayeyes,andhemutteredsavagely,\"Thebeast!\"

  InthelatespringagreattroublecametoWhiteFang。Withoutwarning,thelove-masterdisappeared。Therehadbeenwarning,butWhiteFangwasunversedinsuchthingsanddidnotunderstandthepackingofagrip。Herememberedafterwardthatthispackinghadprecededthemaster\'sdisappearance;

  butatthetimehesuspectednothing。Thatnighthewaitedforthemastertoreturn。Atmidnightthechillwindthatblewdrovehimtoshelterattherearofthecabin。Therehedrowsed,onlyhalfasleep,hisearskeyedforthefirstsoundofthefamiliarstep。But,attwointhemorning,hisanxietydrovehimouttothecoldfrontstoop,wherehecrouchedandwaited。

  Butnomastercame。InthemorningthedooropenedandMattsteppedoutside。WhiteFanggazedathimwistfully。Therewasnocommonspeechbywhichhemightlearnwhathewantedtoknow。Thedayscameandwent,butneverthemaster。WhiteFang,whohadneverknownsicknessinhislife,becamesick。Hebecameverysick,sosickthatMattwasfinallycompelledtobringhiminsidethecabin。Also,inwritingtohisemployer,MattdevotedapostscripttoWhiteFang。

  WeedonScottreadingtheletterdowninCircleCity,cameuponthefollowing:

  \"Thatdamwolfwontwork。Wonteat。Aintgotnospunkleft。Allthedogsislickinghim。Wantstoknowwhathasbecomeofyou,andIdontknowhowtotellhim。Mebbeheisgoingtodie。\"

  ItwasasMatthadsaid。WhiteFanghadceasedeating,lostheart,andallowedeverydogoftheteamtothrashhim。Inthecabinhelayonthefloornearthestove,withoutinterestinfood,inMatt,norinlife。Mattmighttalkgentlytohimorswearathim,itwasallthesame;heneverdidmorethanturnhisdulleyesupontheman,thendrophisheadbacktoitscustomarypositiononhisfore-paws。

  Andthen,onenight,Matt,readingtohimselfwithmovinglipsandmumbledsounds,wasstartledbyalowwhinefromWhiteFang。Hehadgotuponhisfeet,hisearscockedtowardthedoor,andhewaslisteningintently。A

  momentlater,Mattheardafootstep。Thedooropened,andWeedonScottsteppedin。Thetwomenshookhands。ThenScottlookedaroundtheroom。

  \"Where\'sthewolf?\"heasked。

  Thenhediscoveredhim,standingwherehehadbeenlying,neartothestove。Hehadnotrushedforwardafterthemannerofotherdogs。Hestood,watchingandwaiting。

  \"Holysmoke!\"Mattexclaimed。\"Lookat\'mwaghistail!\"

  WeedonScottstrodehalfacrosstheroomtowardhim,atthesametimecallinghim。WhiteFangcametohim,notwithagreatbound,yetquickly。

  Hewasawkwardfromself-consciousness,butashedrewnear,hiseyestookonastrangeexpression。Something,anincommunicablevastnessoffeeling,roseupintohiseyesasalightandshoneforth。

  \"Heneverlookedatmethatwayallthetimeyouwasgone,\"Mattcommented。

  WeedonScottdidnothear。Hewassquattingdownonhisheels,facetofacewithWhiteFangandpettinghim——rubbingattherootsoftheears,makinglong,caressingstrokesdownthenecktotheshoulders,tappingthespinegentlywiththeballsofhisfingers。AndWhiteFangwasgrowlingresponsively,thecrooningnoteofthegrowlmorepronouncedthanever。

  Butthatwasnotall。Whatofhisjoy,thegreatloveinhim,eversurgingandstrugglingtoexpressitself,succeededinfindinganewmodeofexpression。

  Hesuddenlythrusthisheadforwardandnudgedhiswayinbetweenthemaster\'sarmandbody。Andhere,confined,hiddenfromviewallexcepthisears,nolongergrowling,hecontinuedtonudgeandsnuggle。

  Thetwomenlookedateachother。Scott\'seyeswereshining。

  \"Gosh!\"saidMattinanawe-strickenvoice。

  Amomentlater,whenhehadrecoveredhimself,hesaid,\"alwaysinsistedthatwolfwasadog。Lookat\'m!\"

  Withthereturnofthelove-master,WhiteFang\'srecoverywasrapid。

  Twonightsandadayhespentinthecabin。Thenhesalliedforth。Thesled-dogshadforgottenhisprowess。Theyrememberedonlythelatest,whichwashisweaknessandsickness。Atthesightofhimashecameoutofthecabin,theyspranguponhim。

  \"Talkaboutyourrough-houses,\"Mattmurmuredgleefully,standinginthedoorwayandlookingon。\"Give\'mhell,youwolf!Give\'mhell!——andthensome!\"

  WhiteFangdidnotneedtheencouragement。Thereturnofthelove-masterwasenough。Lifewasflowingthroughhimagain,splendidandindomitable。

  Hefoughtfromsheerjoy,findinginitanexpressionofmuchthathefeltandthatotherwisewaswithoutspeech。Therecouldbebutoneending。Theteamdispersedinignominiousdefeat,anditwasnotuntilafterdarkthatthedogscamesneakingback,onebyone,bymeeknessandhumilitysignifyingtheirfealtytoWhiteFang。

  Havinglearnedtosnuggle,WhiteFangwasguiltyofitoften。Itwasthefinalword。Hecouldnotgobeyondit。Theonethingofwhichhehadalwaysbeenparticularlyjealous,washishead。Hehadalwaysdislikedtohaveittouched。ItwastheWildinhim,thefearofhurtandofthetrap,thathadgivenrisetothepanickyimpulsestoavoidcontacts。Itwasthemandateofhisinstinctthatthatheadmustbefree。Andnow,withthelove-master,hissnugglingwasthedeliberateactofputtinghimselfintoapositionofhopelesshelplessness。Itwasanexpressionofperfectconfidence,ofabsoluteself-surrender,asthoughhesaid:\"Iputmyselfintothyhands。Workthouthywillwithme。\"

  Onenight,notlongafterthereturn,ScottandMattsatatagameofcribbagepreliminarytogoingtobed。\"Fifteen-two,fifteen-fouran\'apairmakessix,\"Mattwaspeggingup,whentherewasanoutcryandsoundofsnarlingwithout。Theylookedateachotherastheystartedtorisetotheirfeet。

  \"Thewolf\'snailedsomebody,\"Mattsaid。

  Awildscreamoffearandanguishhastenedthem。

  \"Bringalight!\"Scottshouted,ashesprangoutside。

  Mattfollowedwiththelamp,andbyitslighttheysawamanlyingonhisbackinthesnow。Hisarmswerefolded,oneabovetheother,acrosshisfaceandthroat。ThushewastryingtoshieldhimselffromWhiteFang\'steeth。Andtherewasneedforit。WhiteFangwasinarage,wickedlymakinghisattackonthemostvulnerablespot。Fromshouldertowristofthecrossedarms,thecoat-sleeve,blueflannelshirtandundershirtwererippedinrags,whilethearmsthemselveswereterriblyslashedandstreamingblood。

  Allthisthetwomensawinthefirstinstant。ThenextinstantWeedonScotthadWhiteFangbythethroatandwasdragginghimclear。WhiteFangstruggledandsnarled,butmadenoattempttobite,whilehequicklyquieteddownatasharpwordfromthemaster。Matthelpedthemantohisfeet。

  Ashearoseheloweredhiscrossedarms,exposingthebestialfaceofBeautySmith。Thedog-musherletgoofhimprecipitately,withactionsimilartothatofamanwhohaspickeduplivefire。BeautySmithblinkedinthelamplightandlookedabouthim。HecaughtsightofWhiteFangandterrorrushedintohisface。

  AtthesamemomentMattnoticedtwoobjectslyinginthesnow。Heheldthelampclosetothem,indicatingthemwithhistoeforhisemployer\'sbenefit——asteeldog-chainandastoutclub。

  WeedonScottsawandnodded。Notawordwasspoken。Thedog-musherlaidhishandonBeautySmith\'sshoulderandfacedhimtotheright-about。Nowordneededtobespoken。BeautySmithstarted。

  Inthemeantimethelove-masterwaspattingWhiteFangandtalkingtohim。

  \"Triedtostealyou,eh?Andyouwouldn\'thaveit!Well,well,hemadeamistake,didn\'the?\"

  \"Must\'a\'thoughthehadholdofseventeendevils,\"thedog-mushersniggered。

  WhiteFang,stillwroughtupandbristling,growledandgrowled,thehairslowlylyingdown,thecrooningnoteremoteanddim,butgrowinginhisthroat。WhiteFang:PartV:TheTame:Chapter1:TheLongTrailPartV:TheTameChapter1

  THELONGTRAIL

  Itwasintheair。WhiteFangsensedthecomingcalamity,evenbeforetherewastangibleevidenceofit。Invaguewaysitwasborneinuponhimthatachangewasimpending。Heknewnothownorwhy,yethegothisfeeloftheoncomingeventfromthegodsthemselves。Inwayssubtlerthantheyknew,theybetrayedtheirintentionstothewolf-dogthathauntedthecabin-stoop,andthat,thoughhenevercameinsidethecabin,knewwhatwentoninsidetheirbrains。

  \"Listentothat,willyou!\"thedog-musherexclaimedatsupperonenight。

  WeedonScottlistened。Throughthedoorcamealow,anxiouswhine,likeasobbingunderthebreaththathasjustgrownaudible。Thencamethelongsniff,asWhiteFangreassuredhimselfthathisgodwasstillinsideandhadnotyettakenhimselfoffinmysteriousandsolitaryflight。

  \"Idobelievethatwolf\'sontoyou,\"thedog-mushersaid。

  WeedonScottlookedacrossathiscompanionwitheyesthatalmostpleaded,thoughthiswasgiventheliebyhiswords。

  \"WhatthedevilcanIdowithawolfinCalifornia?\"hedemanded。

  \"That\'swhatIsay,\"Mattanswered。\"WhatthedevilcanyoudowithawolfinCalifornia?\"ButthisdidnotsatisfyWeedonScott。Theotherseemedtobejudginghiminanon-committalsortofway。

  \"White-man\'sdogswouldhavenoshowagainsthim,\"Scottwenton。\"He\'dkillthemonsight。Ifhedidn\'tbankruptmewithdamagesuits,theauthoritieswouldtakehimawayfrommeandelectrocutehim。\"

  \"He\'sadownrightmurderer,Iknow,\"wasthedog-musher\'scomment。

  WeedonScottlookedathimsuspiciously。

  \"Itwouldneverdo,\"hesaiddecisively。

  \"Itwouldneverdo,\"Mattconcurred。\"Why,you\'dhavetohireaman\'speciallytotakecareof\'m。\"

  Theother\'ssuspicionwasallayed。Henoddedcheerfully。Inthesilencethatfollowed,thelow,half-sobbingwhinewasheardatthedoorandthenthelong,questingsniff。

  \"There\'snodenyin\'hethinksahellofalotofyou,\"Mattsaid。

  Theotherglaredathiminsuddenwrath。\"Damnitall,man!knowmyownmindandwhat\'sbest!\"

  \"I\'magreein\'withyou,only……\"

  \"Onlywhat?\"Scottsnappedout。

  \"Only……\"thedog-musherbegansoftly,thenchangedhismindandbetrayedarisingangerofhisown。\"Well,youneedn\'tgetsoall-firedhetupaboutit。Judgin\'byyouractionsone\'dthinkyoudidn\'tknowyourownmind。\"

  WeedonScottdebatedwithhimselfforawhile,andthensaidmoregently:

  \"Youareright,Matt。Idon\'tknowmyownmind,andthat\'swhat\'sthetrouble。\"

  \"Why,itwouldberankridiculousnessformetotakethatdogalong,\"

  hebrokeoutafteranotherpause。

  \"I\'magreein\'withyou,\"wasMatt\'sanswer,andagainhisemployerwasnotquitesatisfiedwithhim。

  \"ButhowinthenameofthegreatSardanapalusheknowsyou\'regoin\'

  iswhatgetsme,\"thedog-mushercontinuedinnocently。

  \"It\'sbeyondme,Matt,\"Scottanswered,withamournfulshakeofthehead。

  Thencamethedaywhen,throughtheopencabindoor,WhiteFangsawthefatalgriponthefloorandthelove-masterpackingthingsintoit。

  Also,therewerecomingsandgoings,andtheerstwhileplacidatmosphereofthecabinwasvexedwithstrangeperturbationsandunrest。Herewasindubitableevidence。WhiteFanghadalreadysensedit。Henowreasonedit。Hisgodwaspreparingforanotherflight。Andsincehehadnottakenhimwithhimbefore,so,now,hecouldlooktobeleftbehind。

  Thatnightheliftedthelongwolf-howl。Ashehadhowled,inhispuppydays,whenhefledbackfromtheWildtothevillagetofinditvanishedandnaughtbutarubbish-heaptomarkthesiteofGrayBeaver\'stepee,sonowhepointedhismuzzletothecoldstarsandtoldtothemhiswoe。

  Insidethecabinthetwomenhadjustgonetobed。

  \"He\'sgoneoffhisfoodagain,\"Mattremarkedfromhisbunk。

  TherewasagruntfromWeedonScott\'sbunk,andastirofblankets。

  \"Fromthewayhecutuptheothertimeyouwentaway,wouldn\'twonderthistimebutwhathedied。\"

  Theblanketsintheotherbunkstirredirritably。

  \"Oh,shutup!\"Scottcriedoutthroughthedarkness。\"Younagworsethanawoman。\"

  \"I\'magreein\'withyou,\"thedog-musheranswered,andWeedonScottwasnotquitesurewhetherornottheotherhadsnickered。

  ThenextdayWhiteFang\'sanxietyandrestlessnesswereevenmorepronounced。

  Hedoggedhismaster\'sheelswheneverheleftthecabin,andhauntedthefrontstoopwhenheremainedinside。Throughtheopendoorhecouldcatchglimpsesoftheluggageonthefloor。Thegriphadbeenjoinedbytwolargecanvasbagsandabox。Mattwasrollingthemaster\'sblanketsandfurrobeinsideasmalltarpaulin。WhiteFangwhinedashewatchedtheoperation。

  Lateron,twoIndiansarrived。HewatchedthemcloselyastheyshoulderedtheluggageandwereledoffdownthehillbyMatt,whocarriedthebeddingandthegrip。ButWhiteFangdidnotfollowthem。Themasterwasstillinthecabin。Afteratime,Mattreturned。ThemastercametothedoorandcalledWhiteFanginside。

  \"Youpoordevil,\"hesaidgently,rubbingWhiteFang\'searsandtappinghisspine。\"I\'mhittingthelongtrail,oldman,whereyoucannotfollow。

  Nowgivemeagrowl——thelast,good,good-bygrowl。\"

  ButWhiteFangrefusedtogrowl。Instead,andafterawistful,searchinglook,hesnuggledin,burrowinghisheadoutofsightbetweenthemaster\'sarmandbody。

  \"Theresheblows!\"Mattcried。FromtheYukonarosethehoarsebellowingofariversteamboat。\"You\'vegottocutitshort。Besureandlockthefrontdoor。I\'llgoouttheback。Getamoveon!\"

  Thetwodoorsslammedatthesamemoment,andWeedonScottwaitedforMatttocomearoundtothefront。Frominsidethedoorcamealowwhiningandsobbing。Thentherewerelong,deep-drawnsniffs。

  \"Youmusttakegoodcareofhim,Matt,\"Scottsaid,astheystarteddownthehill。\"Writeandletmeknowhowhegetsalong。\"

  \"Sure,\"thedog-musheranswered。\"Butlistentothat,willyou!\"

  Bothmenstopped。WhiteFangwashowlingasdogshowlwhentheirmastersliedead。Hewasvoicinganutterwoe,hiscryburstingupwardingreat,heart-breakingrushes,dyingdownintoquaveringmisery,andburstingupwardagainwithrushuponrushofgrief。

  TheAurorawasthefirststeamboatoftheyearfortheOutside,andherdeckswerejammedwithprosperousadventurersandbrokengoldseekers,allequallyasmadtogettotheOutsideastheyhadbeenoriginallytogettotheInside。Nearthegang-plank,ScottwasshakinghandswithMatt,whowaspreparingtogoashore。ButMatt\'shandwentlimpintheother\'sgraspashisgazeshotpastandremainedfixedonsomethingbehindhim。

  Scottturnedtosee。SittingonthedeckseveralfeetawayandwatchingwistfullywasWhiteFang。

  Thedog-mushersworesoftly,inawe-strickenaccents。Scottcouldonlylookinwonder。

  \"Didyoulockthefrontdoor?\"Mattdemanded。

  Theothernodded,andasked,\"Howabouttheback?\"

  \"YoujustbetIdid,\"wastheferventreply。

  WhiteFangflattenedhisearsingratiatingly,butremainedwherehewas,makingnoattempttoapproach。

  \"I\'llhavetotake\'mashorewithme。\"

  MattmadeacoupleofstepstowardWhiteFang,butthelatterslidawayfromhim。Thedog-mushermadearushofit,andWhiteFangdodgedbetweenthelegsofagroupofmen。Ducking,turning,doubling,heslidaboutthedeck,eludingtheother\'seffortstocapturehim。

  Butwhenthelove-masterspoke,WhiteFangcametohimwithpromptobedience。

  \"Won\'tcometothehandthat\'sfed\'mallthesemonths,\"thedog-mushermutteredresentfully。\"Andyou——youain\'tneverfed\'mafterthemfirstdaysofgettin\'acquainted。I\'mblamedifIcanseehowheworksitoutthatyou\'retheboss。\"

  Scott,whohadbeenpattingWhiteFang,suddenlybentcloserandpointedoutfresh-madecutsonhismuzzle,andagashbetweentheeyes。

  MattbentoverandpassedhishandalongWhiteFang\'sbelly。

  \"Weplumbforgotthewindow。He\'sallcutan\'gougedunderneath。Must\'a\'buttedcleanthroughit,b\'gosh!\"

  ButWeedonScottwasnotlistening。Hewasthinkingrapidly。TheAurora\'swhistlehootedafinalannouncementofdeparture。Menwerescurryingdownthegang-planktotheshore。MattloosenedthebandanafromhisownneckandstartedtoputitaroundWhiteFang\'s。Scottgraspedthedog-musher\'shand。

  \"Good-by,Matt,oldman。Aboutthewolf——youneedn\'twrite。Yousee,I\'ve……!\"

  \"What!\"thedog-musherexploded。\"Youdon\'tmeantosay……?\"

  \"TheverythingImean。Here\'syourbandana。I\'llwritetoyouabouthim。\"

  Mattpausedhalfwaydownthegang-plank。

  \"He\'llneverstandtheclimate!\"heshoutedback。\"Unlessyouclip\'minwarmweather!\"

  Thegang-plankwashauledin,andtheAuroraswungoutfromthebank。WeedonScottwavedalastgood-by。ThenheturnedandbentoverWhiteFang,standingbyhisside。\"Nowgrowl,damnyou,growl,\"hesaid,ashepattedtheresponsiveheadandrubbedtheflatteningears。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter2:TheSouthlandPartV:TheTameChapter2

  THESOUTHLAND

  WhiteFanglandedfromthesteamerinSanFrancisco。Hewasappalled。

  Deepinhim,belowanyreasoningprocessoractofconsciousness,hehadassociatedpowerwithgodhead。Andneverhadthewhitemenseemedsuchmarvellousgodsasnow,whenhetrodtheslimypavementofSanFrancisco。

  Thelogcabinshehadknownwerereplacedbytoweringbuildings。Thestreetswerecrowdedwithperils——wagons,carts,automobiles;great,straininghorsespullinghugetrucks;andmonstrouscableandelectriccarshootingandclangingthroughthemidst,screechingtheirinsistentmenaceafterthemannerofthelynxeshehadknowninthenorthernwoods。

  Allthiswasthemanifestationofpower。Throughitall,behinditall,wasman,governingandcontrolling,expressinghimself,asofold,byhismasteryovermatter。Itwascolossal,stunning。WhiteFangwasawed。Fearsatuponhim。AsinhiscubhoodhehadbeenmadetofeelhissmallnessandpuninessonthedayhefirstcameinfromtheWildtothevillageofGrayBeaver,sonow,inhisfull-grownstatureandprideofstrength,hewasmadetofeelsmallandpuny。Andthereweresomanygods!Hewasmadedizzybytheswarmingofthem。Thethunderofthestreetssmoteuponhisears。Hewasbewilderedbythetremendousandendlessrushandmovementofthings。Asneverbefore,hefelthisdependenceonthelove-master,closeatwhoseheelshefollowed,nomatterwhathappenedneverlosingsightofhim。

  ButWhiteFangwastohavenomorethananightmarevisionofthecity——anexperiencethatwaslikeabaddream,unrealandterrible,thathauntedhimforlongafterinhisdreams。Hewasputintoabaggage-carbythemaster,chainedinacornerinthemidstofheapedtrunksandvalises。

  Hereasquatandbrawnygodheldsway,withmuchnoise,hurlingtrunksandboxesabout,draggingtheminthroughthedoorandtossingthemintothepiles,orflingingthemoutofthedoor,smashingandcrashing,toothergodswhoawaitedthem。

  Andhere,inthisinfernoofluggage,wasWhiteFangdesertedbythemaster。OratleastWhiteFangthoughthewasdeserted,untilhesmelledoutthemaster\'scanvasclothes-bagsalongsideofhimandproceededtomountguardoverthem。

  \"\'Bouttimeyoucome,\"growledthegodofthecar,anhourlater,whenWeedonScottappearedatthedoor。\"Thatdogofyournwon\'tletmelayafingeronyourstuff。\"

  WhiteFangemergedfromthecar。Hewasastonished。Thenightmarecitywasgone。Thecarhadbeentohimnomorethanaroominahouse,andwhenhehadentereditthecityhadbeenallaroundhim。Intheintervalthecityhaddisappeared。Theroarofitnolongerdinneduponhisears。Beforehimwassmilingcountry,streamingwithsunshine,lazywithquietude。Buthehadlittletimetomarvelatthetransformation。Heaccepteditasheacceptedalltheunaccountabledoingsandmanifestationsofthegods。Itwastheirway。

  Therewasacarriagewaiting。Amanandawomanapproachedthemaster。

  Thewoman\'sarmswentoutandclutchedthemasteraroundtheneck——ahostileact!ThenextmomentWeedonScotthadtornloosefromtheembraceandclosedwithWhiteFang,whohadbecomeasnarling,ragingdemon。\"It\'sallright,mother,\"ScottwassayingashekepttightholdofWhiteFangandplacatedhim。\"Hethoughtyouweregoingtoinjureme,andhewouldn\'tstandforit。It\'sallright。It\'sallright。He\'lllearnsoonenough。\"

  \"AndinthemeantimeImaybepermittedtolovemysonwhenhisdogisnotaround,\"shelaughed,thoughshewaspaleandweakfromthefright。

  ShelookedatWhiteFang,whosnarledandbristledandglaredmalevolently。

  \"He\'llhavetolearn,andheshall,withoutpostponement,\"Scottsaid。

  HespokesoftlytoWhiteFanguntilhehadquietedhim,thenhisvoicebecamefirm。

  \"Down,sir!Downwithyou!\"

  Thishadbeenoneofthethingstaughthimbythemaster,andWhiteFangobeyed,thoughhelaydownreluctantlyandsullenly。

  \"Now,mother。\"

  Scottopenedhisarmstoher,butkepthiseyesonWhiteFang。

  \"Down!\"hewarned。\"Down!\"

  WhiteFang,bristlingsilently,half-crouchingasherose,sankbackandwatchedthehostileactrepeated。Butnoharmcameofit,noroftheembracefromthestrangeman-godthatfollowed。Thentheclothes-bagsweretakenintothecarriage,thestrangegodsandthelove-masterfollowed,andWhiteFangpursued,nowrunningvigilantlybehind,nowbristlinguptotherunninghorsesandwarningthemthathewastheretoseethatnoharmbefellthegodtheydraggedsoswiftlyacrosstheearth。

  Attheendoffifteenminutes,thecarriageswunginthroughastonegatewayandonbetweenadoublerowofarchedandinterlacingwalnuttrees。

  Oneithersidestretchedlawns,theirbroadsweepbroken,hereandthere,bygreat,sturdy-limbedoaks。Intheneardistance,incontrastwiththeyounggreenofthetendedgrass,sunburnthay-fieldsshowedtanandgold;

  whilebeyondwerethetawnyhillsanduplandpastures。Fromtheheadofthelawn,onthefirstsoftswellfromthevalley-level,lookeddownthedeep-porched,many-windowedhouse。

  LittleopportunitywasgivenWhiteFangtoseeallthis。Hardlyhadthecarriageenteredthegrounds,whenhewassetuponbyasheep-dog,bright-eyed,sharp-muzzled,righteouslyindignantandangry。Itwasbetweenhimandthemaster,cuttinghimoff。WhiteFangsnarlednowarning,buthishairbristledashemadehissilentanddeadlyrush。Thisrushwasnevercompleted。Hehaltedwithawkwardabruptness,withstifffore-legsbracinghimselfagainsthismomentum,almostsittingdownonhishaunches,sodesirouswasheofavoidingcontactwiththedoghewasintheactofattacking。Itwasafemale,andthelawofhiskindthrustabarrierbetween。

  Forhimtoattackherwouldrequirenothinglessthanaviolationofhisinstinct。

  Butwiththesheep-dogitwasotherwise。Beingafemale,shepossessednosuchinstinct。Ontheotherhand,beingasheep-dog,herinstinctivefearoftheWild,andespeciallyofthewolf,wasunusuallykeen。WhiteFangwastoherawolf,thehereditarymarauderwhohadpreyeduponherflocksfromthetimesheepwerefirstherdedandguardedbysomedimancestorofhers。Andso,asheabandonedhisrushatherandbracedhimselftoavoidthecontact,shespranguponhim。Hesnarledinvoluntarilyashefeltherteethinhisshoulder,butbeyondthismadenooffertohurther。

  Hebackedaway,stiff-leggedwithself-consciousness,andtriedtogoaroundher。Hedodgedthiswayandthat,andcurvedandturned,buttonopurpose。

  Sheremainedalwaysbetweenhimandthewayhewantedtogo。

  \"Here,Collie!\"calledthestrangemaninthecarriage。

  WeedonScottlaughed。

  \"Nevermind,father。Itisgooddiscipline。WhiteFangwillhavetolearnmanythings,andit\'sjustaswellthathebeginsnow。He\'lladjusthimselfallright。\"

  Thecarriagedroveon,andstillCollieblockedWhiteFang\'sway。Hetriedtooutrunherbyleavingthedriveandcirclingacrossthelawn;

  butsheranontheinnerandsmallercircle,andwasalwaysthere,facinghimwithhertworowsofgleamingteeth。Backhecircled,acrossthedrivetotheotherlawn,andagainsheheadedhimoff。

  Thecarriagewasbearingthemasteraway。WhiteFangcaughtglimpsesofitdisappearingamongstthetrees。Thesituationwasdesperate。Heessayedanothercircle。Shefollowed,runningswiftly。Andthen,suddenly,heturneduponher。Itwashisoldfightingtrick。Shouldertoshoulder,hestruckhersquarely。Notonlywassheoverthrown。Sofasthadshebeenrunningthatsherolledalong,nowonherback,nowonherside,asshestruggledtostop,clawinggravelwithherfeetandcryingshrillyherhurtprideandindignation。

  WhiteFangdidnotwait。Thewaywasclear,andthatwasallhehadwanted。Shetookafterhim,neverceasingheroutcry。Itwasthestraightawaynow,andwhenitcametorealrunning,WhiteFangcouldteachherthings。

  Sheranfrantically,hysterically,strainingtotheutmost,advertisingtheeffortshewasmakingwitheveryleap;andallthetimeWhiteFangslidsmoothlyawayfromher,silently,withouteffort,glidinglikeaghostovertheground。

  Asheroundedthehousetotheporte-cochre,hecameuponthecarriage。Ithadstopped,andthemasterwasalighting。Atthismoment,stillrunningattopspeed,WhiteFangbecamesuddenlyawareofanattackfromtheside。Itwasadeer-houndrushinguponhim。WhiteFangtriedtofaceit。Buthewasgoingtoofast,andthehoundwastooclose。Itstruckhimontheside;andsuchwashisforwardmomentumandtheunexpectednessofit,WhiteFangwashurledtothegroundandrolledclearover。Hecameoutofthetangleaspectacleofmalignancy,earsflattenedback,lipswrithing,nosewrinkling,histeethclippingtogetherasthefangsbarelymissedthehound\'ssoftthroat。

  Themasterwasrunningup,butwastoofaraway;anditwasColliethatsavedthehound\'slife。BeforeWhiteFangcouldspringinanddeliverthefatalstroke,andjustashewasintheactofspringingin,Colliearrived。

  Shehadbeenout-man渦vredandout-run,tosaynothingofherhavingbeenunceremoniouslytumbledinthegravel,andherarrivalwaslikethatofatornado——madeupofoffendeddignity,justifiablewrath,andinstinctivehatredforthismarauderfromtheWild。ShestruckWhiteFangatrightanglesinthemidstofhisspring,andagainhewasknockedoffhisfeetandrolledover。

  Thenextmomentthemasterarrived,andwithonehandheldWhiteFang,whilethefathercalledoffthedogs。

  \"Isay,thisisaprettywarmreceptionforapoorlonewolffromtheArctic,\"themastersaid,whileWhiteFangcalmeddownunderhiscaressinghand。\"Inallhislifehe\'sonlybeenknownoncetogooffhisfeet,andherehe\'sbeenrolledtwiceinthirtyseconds。\"

  Thecarriagehaddrivenaway,andotherstrangegodshadappearedfromoutthehouse。Someofthesestoodrespectfullyatadistance;buttwoofthem,women,perpetratedthehostileactofclutchingthemasteraroundtheneck。WhiteFang,however,wasbeginningtotoleratethisact。Noharmseemedtocomeofit,whilethenoisesthegodsmadewerecertainlynotthreatening。ThesegodsalsomadeoverturestoWhiteFang,buthewarnedthemoffwithasnarl,andthemasterdidlikewisewithwordofmouth。

  AtsuchtimesWhiteFangleanedincloseagainstthemaster\'slegsandreceivedreassuringpatsonthehead。

  Thehound,underthecommand,\"Dick!Liedown,sir!\"hadgoneupthestepsandlaindowntoonesideontheporch,stillgrowlingandkeepingasullenwatchontheintruder。Colliehadbeentakeninchargebyoneofthewoman-gods,whoheldarmsaroundherneckandpettedandcaressedher;butColliewasverymuchperplexedandworried,whiningandrestless,outragedbythepermittedpresenceofthiswolfandconfidentthatthegodsweremakingamistake。

  Allthegodsstartedupthestepstoenterthehouse。WhiteFangfollowedcloselyatthemaster\'sheels。Dick,ontheporch,growled,andWhiteFang,onthesteps,bristledandgrowledback。

  \"TakeCollieinsideandleavethetwoofthemtofightitout,\"suggestedScott\'sfather。\"Afterthatthey\'llbefriends。\"

  \"ThenWhiteFang,toshowhisfriendship,willhavetobechiefmourneratthefuneral,\"laughedthemaster。

  TheelderScottlookedincreduously,firstatWhiteFang,thenatDick,andfinallyathisson。

  \"Youmeanthat……?\"

  Weedonnoddedhishead。\"Imeanjustthat。You\'dhaveadeadDickinsideoneminute——twominutesatthefarthest。\"

  HeturnedtoWhiteFang。\"Comeon,youwolf。It\'syouthat\'llhavetocomeinside。\"

  WhiteFangwalkedstiff-leggedupthestepsandacrosstheporch,withtailrigidlyerect,keepinghiseyesonDicktoguardagainstaflankattack,andatthesametimepreparedforwhateverfiercemanifestationoftheunknownthatmightpounceoutuponhimfromtheinteriorofthehouse。

  Butnothingoffearpouncedout,andwhenhehadgainedtheinsidehescoutedcarefullyaround,lookingforitandfindingitnot。Thenhelaydownwithacontentedgruntatthemaster\'sfeet,observingallthatwenton,everreadytospringtohisfeetandfightforlifewiththeterrorshefeltmustlurkunderthetrap-roofofthedwelling。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter3:TheGod\'sDomainPartV:TheTameChapter3

  THEGOD\'SDOMAIN

  NotonlywasWhiteFangadaptablebynature,buthehadtravelledmuch,andknewthemeaningandnecessityofadjustment。Here,inSierraVista,whichwasthenameofJudgeScott\'splace,WhiteFangquicklybegantomakehimselfathome。Hehadnofurtherserioustroublewiththedogs。

  TheyknewmoreaboutthewaysoftheSouthlandgodsthandidhe,andintheireyeshehadqualifiedwhenheaccompaniedthegodsinsidethehouse。

  Wolfthathewas,andunprecedentedasitwas,thegodshadsanctionedhispresence,andthey,thedogsofthegods,couldonlyrecognizethissanction。

  Dick,perforce,hadtogothroughafewstiffformalitiesatfirst,afterwhichhecalmlyacceptedWhiteFangasanadditiontothepremises。

  HadDickhadhisway,theywouldhavebeengoodfriends;butWhiteFangwasadversetofriendship。Allheaskedofotherdogswastobeletalone。

  Hiswholelifehehadkeptalooffromhiskind,andhestilldesiredtokeepaloof。Dick\'soverturesbotheredhim,sohesnarledDickaway。Inthenorthhehadlearnedthelessonthathemustletthemaster\'sdogsalone,andhedidnotforgetthatlessonnow。Butheinsistedonhisownprivacyandself-seclusion,andsothoroughlyignoredDickthatthatgood-naturedcreaturefinallygavehimupandscarcelytookasmuchinterestinhimasinthehitching-postnearthestable。

  NotsowithCollie。Whilesheacceptedhimbecauseitwasthemandateofthegods,thatwasnoreasonthatsheshouldleavehiminpeace。Wovenintoherbeingwasthememoryofcountlesscrimesheandhishadperpetratedagainstherancestry。Notinadaynoragenerationweretheravagedsheepfoldstobeforgotten。Allthiswasaspurtoher,prickinghertoretaliation。

  Shecouldnotflyinthefaceofthegodswhopermittedhim,butthatdidnotpreventherfrommakinglifemiserableforhiminpettyways。Afeud,agesold,wasbetweenthem,andshe,forone,wouldseetoitthathewasreminded。

  SoCollietookadvantageofhersextopickuponWhiteFangandmaltreathim。Hisinstinctwouldnotpermithimtoattackher,whileherpersistencewouldnotpermithimtoignoreher。Whensherushedathimheturnedhisfur-protectedshouldertohersharpteethandwalkedawaystiff-leggedandstately。Whensheforcedhimtoohard,hewascompelledtogoaboutinacircle,hisshoulderpresentedtoher,hisheadturnedfromher,andonhisfaceandinhiseyesapatientandboredexpression。Sometimes,however,aniponhishind-quartershastenedhisretreatandmadeitanythingbutstately。Butasarulehemanagedtomaintainadignitythatwasalmostsolemnity。Heignoredherexistencewheneveritwaspossible,andmadeitapointtokeepoutofherway。Whenhesaworheardhercoming,hegotupandwalkedoff。

  TherewasmuchinothermattersforWhiteFangtolearn。LifeintheNorthlandwassimplicityitselfwhencomparedwiththecomplicatedaffairsofSierraVista。Firstofall,hehadtolearnthefamilyofthemaster。

  Inawayhewaspreparedtodothis。AsMit-sahandKloo-koochhadbelongedtoGrayBeaver,sharinghisfood,hisfire,andhisblankets,sonow,atSierraVista,belongedtothelove-masterallthedenizensofthehouse。

  Butinthismattertherewasadifference,andmanydifferences。SierraVistawasafarvasteraffairthanthetepeeofGrayBeaver。Thereweremanypersonstobeconsidered。TherewasJudgeScott,andtherewashiswife。Therewerethemaster\'stwosisters,BethandMary。Therewashiswife,Alice,andthentherewerehischildren,WeedonandMaud,toddlersoffourandsix。Therewasnowayforanybodytotellhimaboutallthesepeople,andofblood-tiesandrelationshipheknewnothingwhateverandneverwouldbecapableofknowing。Yethequicklyworkeditoutthatallofthembelongedtothemaster。Then,byobservation,wheneveropportunityoffered,bystudyofaction,speech,andtheveryintonationsofthevoice,heslowlylearnedtheintimacyandthedegreeoffavortheyenjoyedwiththemaster。Andbythisascertainedstandard,WhiteFangtreatedthemaccordingly。

  Whatwasofvaluetothemasterhevalued;whatwasdeartothemasterwastobecherishedbyWhiteFangandguardedcarefully。

  Thusitwaswiththetwochildren。Allhislifehehaddislikedchildren。

  Hehatedandfearedtheirhands。ThelessonswerenottenderthathehadlearnedoftheirtyrannyandcrueltyinthedaysoftheIndianvillages。

  WhenWeedonandMaudhadfirstapproachedhim,hegrowledwarninglyandlookedmalignant。Acufffromthemasterandasharpwordhadthencompelledhimtopermittheircaresses,thoughhegrowledandgrowledundertheirtinyhands,andinthegrowltherewasnocrooningnote。Later,heobservedthattheboyandgirlwereofgreatvalueinthemaster\'seyes。Thenitwasthatnocuffnorsharpwordwasnecessarybeforetheycouldpathim。

  YetWhiteFangwasnevereffusivelyaffectionate。Heyieldedtothemaster\'schildrenwithanillbuthonestgrace,andenduredtheirfoolingasonewouldendureapainfuloperation。Whenhecouldnolongerendure,hewouldgetupandstalkdeterminedlyawayfromthem。Butafteratime,hegreweventolikethechildren。Stillhewasnotdemonstrative。Hewouldnotgouptothem。Ontheotherhand,insteadofwalkingawayatsightofthem,hewaitedforthemtocometohim。Andstilllater,itwasnoticedthatapleasedlightcameintohiseyeswhenhesawthemapproaching,andthathelookedafterthemwithanappearanceofcuriousregretwhentheylefthimforotheramusements。

  Allthiswasamatterofdevelopment,andtooktime。Nextinhisregard,afterthechildren,wasJudgeScott。Thereweretworeasons,possibly,forthis。First,hewasevidentlyavaluablepossessionofthemaster\'s,andnext,hewasundemonstrative。WhiteFanglikedtolieathisfeetonthewideporchwhenhereadthenewspaper,fromtimetotimefavoringWhiteFangwithalookoraword——untroublesometokensthatherecognizedWhiteFang\'spresenceandexistence。Butthiswasonlywhenthemasterwasnotaround。Whenthemasterappeared,allotherbeingsceasedtoexistsofarasWhiteFangwasconcerned。

  WhiteFangallowedallthemembersofthefamilytopethimandmakemuchofhim;buthenevergavetothemwhathegavetothemaster。Nocaressoftheirscouldputthelove-croonintohisthroat,and,tryastheywould,theycouldneverpersuadehimintosnugglingagainstthem。Thisexpressionofabandonandsurrender,ofabsolutetrust,hereservedforthemasteralone。Infact,heneverregardedthemembersofthefamilyinanyotherlightthanpossessionsofthelove-master。

  AlsoWhiteFanghadearlycometodifferentiatebetweenthefamilyandtheservantsofthehousehold。Thelatterwereafraidofhim,whilehemerelyrefrainedfromattackingthem。Thisbecauseheconsideredthattheywerelikewisepossessionsofthemaster。BetweenWhiteFangandthemexistedaneutralityandnomore。Theycookedforthemasterandwashedthedishesanddidotherthings,justasMatthaddoneupintheKlondike。Theywere,inshort,appurtenancesofthehousehold。

  OutsidethehouseholdtherewasevenmoreforWhiteFangtolearn。Themaster\'sdomainwaswideandcomplex,yetithaditsmetesandbounds。

  Thelanditselfceasedatthecountyroad。Outsidewasthecommondomainofallgods——theroadsandstreets。Theninsideotherfencesweretheparticulardomainsofothergods。Amyriadlawsgovernedallthesethingsanddeterminedconduct;yethedidnotknowthespeechofthegods,norwasthereanywayforhimtolearnsavebyexperience。Heobeyedhisnaturalimpulsesuntiltheyranhimcountertosomelaw。Whenthishadbeendoneafewtimes,helearnedthelawandafterthatobservedit。

  Butmostpotentinhiseducationwerethecuffofthemaster\'shand,thecensureofthemaster\'svoice。BecauseofWhiteFang\'sverygreatlove,acufffromthemasterhurthimfarmorethananybeatingGrayBeaverorBeautySmithhadevergivenhim。Theyhadhurtonlythefleshofhim;beneaththefleshthespirithadstillraged,splendidandinvincible。Butwiththemasterthecuffwasalwaystoolighttohurttheflesh。Yetitwentdeeper。Itwasanexpressionofthemaster\'sdisapproval,andWhiteFang\'sspiritwiltedunderit。

  Inpointoffact,thecuffwasrarelyadministered。Themaster\'svoicewassufficient。ByitWhiteFangknewwhetherhedidrightornot。Byithetrimmedhisconductandadjustedhisactions。Itwasthecompassbywhichhesteeredandlearnedtochartthemannersofanewlandandlife。

  IntheNorthland,theonlydomesticatedanimalwasthedog。AllotheranimalslivedintheWild,andwere,whennottooformidable,lawfulspoilforanydog。AllhisdaysWhiteFanghadforagedamongthelivethingsforfood。ItdidnotenterhisheadthatintheSouthlanditwasotherwise。

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