第6章

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。WhiteFanghadneverseensuchadog(itwasamastiff)；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。