第2章

Hestudiedthenail-formation，andproddedthefinger-tips，nowsharply，andagainsoftly，gaugingthewhilethenerve-sensationsproduced。Itfascinatedhim，andhegrewsuddenlyfondofthissubtlefleshofhisthatworkedsobeautifullyandsmoothlyanddelicately。Thenhewouldcastaglanceoffearatthewolf-circledrawnexpectantlyabouthim，andlikeablowtherealizationwouldstrikehimthatthiswonderfulbodyofhis，thislivingflesh，wasnomorethansomuchmeat，aquestofravenousanimals，tobetornandslashedbytheirhungryfangs，tobesustenancetothemasthemooseandtherabbithadoftenbeensustenancetohim。

Hecameoutofadozethatwashalfnightmare，toseethered-huedshe-wolfbeforehim。Shewasnotmorethanhalfadozenfeetaway，sittinginthesnowandwistfullyregardinghim。Thetwodogswerewhimperingandsnarlingathisfeet，butshetooknonoticeofthem。Shewaslookingattheman，andforsometimehereturnedherlook。Therewasnothingthreateningabouther。Shelookedathimmerelywithagreatwistfulness，butheknewittobethewistfulnessofanequallygreathunger。Hewasthefood，andthesightofhimexcitedinherthegustatorysensations。Hermouthopened，thesalivadrooledforth，andshelickedherchopswiththepleasureofanticipation。

Aspasmoffearwentthroughhim。Hereachedhastilyforabrandtothrowather。Butevenashereached，andbeforehisfingershadclosedonthemissile，shesprangbackintosafety；andheknewthatshewasusedtohavingthingsthrownather。Shehadsnarledasshesprangaway，baringherwhitefangstotheirroots，allherwistfulnessvanishing，beingreplacedbyacarnivorousmalignitythatmadehimshudder。Heglancedatthehandthatheldthebrand，noticingthecunningdelicacyofthefingersthatgrippedit，howtheyadjustedthemselvestoalltheinequalitiesofthesurface，curlingoverandunderandabouttheroughwood，andonelittlefinger，tooclosetotheburningportionofthebrand，sensitivelyandautomaticallywrithingbackfromthehurtfulheattoacoolergripping-place；

andinthesameinstantheseemedtoseeavisionofthosesamesensitiveanddelicatefingersbeingcrushedandtornbythewhiteteethoftheshe-wolf。

Neverhadhebeensofondofthisbodyofhisasnowwhenhistenureofitwassoprecarious。

Allnight，withburningbrands，hefoughtoffthehungrypack。Whenhedozeddespitehimself，thewhimperingandsnarlingofthedogsarousedhim。Morningcame，butforthefirsttimethelightofdayfailedtoscatterthewolves。Themanwaitedinvainforthemtogo。Theyremainedinacircleabouthimandhisfire，displayinganarroganceofpossessionthatshookhiscouragebornofthemorninglight。

Hemadeonedesperateattempttopulloutonthetrail。Butthemomenthelefttheprotectionofthefire，theboldestwolfleapedforhim，butleapedshort。Hesavedhimselfbyspringingback，thejawssnappingtogetherascantsixinchesfromhisthigh。Therestofthepackwasnowupandsurginguponhim，andathrowingoffirebrandsrightandleftwasnecessarytodrivethembacktoarespectfuldistance。

Eveninthedaylighthedidnotdareleavethefiretochopfreshwood。

Twentyfeetawaytoweredahugedeadspruce。Hespenthalfthedayextendinghiscampfiretothetree，atanymomentahalfdozenburningfagotsreadyathandtoflingathisenemies。Onceatthetree，hestudiedthesurroundingforestinordertofellthetreeinthedirectionofthemostfirewood。

Thenightwasarepetitionofthenightbefore，savethattheneedforsleepwasbecomingoverpowering。Thesnarlingofhisdogswaslosingitsefficacy。Besides，theyweresnarlingallthetime，andhisbenumbedanddrowsysensesnolongertooknoteofchangingpitchandintensity。Heawokewithastart。Theshe-wolfwaslessthanayardfromhim。Mechanically，atshortrange，withoutlettinggoofit，hethrustabrandfullintoheropenandsnarlingmouth。Shesprangaway，yellingwithpain，andwhilehetookdelightinthesmellofburningfleshandhair，hewatchedhershakingherheadandgrowlingwrathfullyascoreoffeetaway。

Butthistime，beforehedozedagain，hetiedaburningpine-knottohisrighthand。Hiseyeswereclosedbutafewminuteswhentheburnoftheflameonhisfleshawakenedhim。Forseveralhoursheadheredtothisprogramme。Everytimehewasthusawakenedhedrovebackthewolveswithflyingbrands，replenishedthefire，andrearrangedthepine-knotonhishand。Allworkedwell，buttherecameatimewhenhefastenedthepineknotinsecurely。Ashiseyescloseditfellawayfromhishand。

Hedreamed。ItseemedtohimthathewasinFortMcGurry。Itwaswarmandcomfortable，andhewasplayingcribbagewiththeFactor。Also，itseemedtohimthatthefortwasbesiegedbywolves。Theywerehowlingattheverygates，andsometimesheandtheFactorpausedfromthegametolistenandlaughatthefutileeffortsofthewolvestogetin。Andthen，sostrangewasthedream，therewasacrash。Thedoorwasburstopen。Hecouldseethewolvesfloodingintothebigliving-roomofthefort。TheywereleapingstraightforhimandtheFactor。Withtheburstingopenofthedoor，thenoiseoftheirhowlinghadincreasedtremendously。Thishowlingnowbotheredhim。Hisdreamwasmergingintosomethingelse——heknewnotwhat；butthroughitall，followinghim，persistedthehowling。

Andthenheawoketofindthehowlingreal。Therewasagreatsnarlingandyelping。Thewolveswererushinghim。Theywereallabouthimanduponhim。Theteethofonehadcloseduponhisarm。Instinctivelyheleapedintothefire，andasheleaped，hefeltthesharpslashofteeththattorethroughthefleshofhisleg。Thenbeganafirefight。Hisstoutmittenstemporarilyprotectedhishands，andhescoopedlivecoalsintotheairinalldirections，untilthecamp-firetookonthesemblanceofavolcano。

Butitcouldnotlastlong。Hisfacewasblisteringintheheat，hiseyebrowsandlashesweresingedoff，andtheheatwasbecomingunbearabletohisfeet。Withaflamingbrandineachhand，hesprangtotheedgeofthefire。Thewolveshadbeendrivenback。Oneveryside，whereverthelivecoalshadfallen，thesnowwassizzling，andeverylittlewhilearetiringwolf，withwildleapandsnortandsnarl，announcedthatonesuchlivecoalhadbeensteppedupon。

Flinginghisbrandsatthenearestofhisenemies，themanthrusthissmoulderingmittensintothesnowandstampedabouttocoolhisfeet。Histwodogsweremissing，andhewellknewthattheyhadservedasacourseintheprotractedmealwhichhadbegundaysbeforewithFatty，thelastcourseofwhichwouldlikelybehimselfinthedaystofollow。

"Youain"tgotmeyet!"hecried，savagelyshakinghisfistatthehungrybeasts；andatthesoundofhisvoicethewholecirclewasagitated，therewasageneralsnarl，andtheshe-wolfslidupclosetohimacrossthesnowandwatchedhimwithhungrywistfulness。

Hesettoworktocarryoutanewideathathadcometohim。Heextendedthefireintoalargecircle。Insidethiscirclehecrouched，hissleepingoutfitunderhimasaprotectionagainstthemeltingsnow。Whenhehadthusdisappearedwithinhisshelterofflame，thewholepackcamecuriouslytotherimofthefiretoseewhathadbecomeofhim。Hithertotheyhadbeendeniedaccesstothefire，andtheynowsettleddowninaclose-drawncircle，likesomanydogs，blinkingandyawningandstretchingtheirleanbodiesintheunaccustomedwarmth。Thentheshe-wolfsatdown，pointedhernoseatastar，andbegantohowl。Onebyonethewolvesjoinedher，tillthewholepack，onhaunches，withnosespointedskyward，washowlingitshungercry。

Dawncame，anddaylight。Thefirewasburninglow。Thefuelhadrunout，andtherewasneedtogetmore。Themanattemptedtostepoutofhiscircleofflame，butthewolvessurgedtomeethim。Burningbrandsmadethemspringaside，buttheynolongersprangback。Invainhestrovetodrivethemback。Ashegaveupandstumbledinsidehiscircle，awolfleapedforhim，missed，andlandedwithallfourfeetinthecoals。Itcriedoutwithterror，atthesametimesnarling，andscrambledbacktocoolitspawsinthesnow。

Themansatdownonhisblanketsinacrouchingposition。Hisbodyleanedforwardfromthehips。Hisshoulders，relaxedanddrooping，andhisheadonhiskneesadvertisedthathehadgivenupthestruggle。Nowandagainheraisedhisheadtonotethedyingdownofthefire。Thecircleofflameandcoalswasbreakingintosegmentswithopeningsinbetween。Theseopeningsgrewinsize，thesegmentsdiminished。

"Iguessyoucancomean"getmeanytime，"hemumbled。"Anyway，I"mgoin"tosleep。"

Oncehewakened，andinanopeninginthecircle，directlyinfrontofhim，hesawtheshe-wolfgazingathim。

Againheawakened，alittlelater，thoughitseemedhourstohim。A

mysteriouschangehadtakenplace——somysteriousachangethathewasshockedwiderawake。Somethinghadhappened。Hecouldnotunderstandatfirst。Thenhediscoveredit。Thewolvesweregone。Remainedonlythetrampledsnowtoshowhowcloselytheyhadpressedhim。Sleepwaswellingupandgrippinghimagain，hisheadwassinkingdownuponhisknees，whenherousedwithasuddenstart。

Therewerecriesofmen，thechurnofsleds，thecreakingofharnesses，andtheeagerwhimperingofstrainingdogs。Foursledspulledinfromtheriverbedtothecampamongthetrees。Halfadozenmenwereaboutthemanwhocrouchedinthecentreofthedyingfire。Theywereshakingandproddinghimintoconsciousness。Helookedatthemlikeadrunkenmanandmaunderedinstrange，sleepyspeech:

"Redshe-wolf……Comeinwiththedogsatfeedin"time……Firstsheatethedog-food……Thensheatethedogs……An"afterthatsheateBill……"

"Where"sLordAlfred？"oneofthemenbellowedinhisear，shakinghimroughly。

Heshookhisheadslowly。"No，shedidn"teathim……He"sroostin"

inatreeatthelastcamp。"

"Dead？"themanshouted。

"An"inabox，"Henryanswered。Hejerkedhisshoulderpetulantlyawayfromthegripofhisquestioner。"Say，youlemmealone……I"mjes"

plumbtuckeredout……Goo"night，everybody。"

Hiseyesflutteredandwentshut。Hischinfellforwardonhischest。

Andevenastheyeasedhimdownupontheblanketshissnoreswererisingonthefrostyair。

Buttherewasanothersound。Farandfaintitwas，intheremotedistance，thecryofthehungrywolf-packasittookthetrailofothermeatthanthemanithadjustmissed。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter2:TheBattleoftheFangsPartII:BornoftheWildChapter1

THEBATTLEOFTHEFANGS

Itwastheshe-wolfwhohadfirstcaughtthesoundofmen"svoicesandthewhiningofthesled-dogs；anditwastheshe-wolfwhowasfirsttospringawayfromthecorneredmaninhiscircleofdyingflame。Thepackhadbeenloathtoforegothekillithadhunteddown，anditlingeredforseveralminutes，makingsureofthesounds；andthenit，too，sprangawayonthetrailmadebytheshe-wolf。

Runningattheforefrontofthepackwasalargegraywolf——oneofitsseveralleaders。Itwashewhodirectedthepack"scourseontheheelsoftheshe-wolf。Itwashewhosnarledwarninglyattheyoungermembersofthepackorslashedatthemwithhisfangswhentheyambitiouslytriedtopasshim。Anditwashewhoincreasedthepacewhenhesightedtheshe-wolf，nowtrottingslowlyacrossthesnow。

Shedroppedinalongsidebyhim，asthoughitwereherappointedposition，andtookthepaceofthepack。Hedidnotsnarlather，norshowhisteeth，whenanyleapofherschancedtoputherinadvanceofhim。Onthecontrary，heseemedkindlydisposedtowardher——tookindlytosuither，forhewaspronetorunneartoher，andwhenherantoonearitwasshewhosnarledandshowedherteeth。Norwassheaboveslashinghisshouldersharplyonoccasion。Atsuchtimeshebetrayednoanger。Hemerelysprangtothesideandranstifflyaheadforseveralawkwardleaps，incarriageandconductresemblinganabashedcountryswain。

Thiswashisonetroubleintherunningofthepack；butshehadothertroubles。Onherothersideranagauntoldwolf，grizzledandmarkedwiththescarsofmanybattles。Heranalwaysonherrightside。Thefactthathehadbutoneeye，andthatthelefteye，mightaccountforthis。He，also，wasaddictedtocrowdingher，toveeringtowardhertillhisscarredmuzzletouchedherbody，orshoulder，orneck。Aswiththerunningmateontheleft，sherepelledtheseattentionswithherteeth；butwhenbothbestowedtheirattentionsatthesametimeshewasroughlyjostled，beingcompelled，withquicksnapstoeitherside，todrivebothloversawayandatthesametimetomaintainherforwardleapwiththepackandseethewayofherfeetbeforeher。Atsuchtimesherrunningmatesflashedtheirteethandgrowledthreateninglyacrossateachother。Theymighthavefought，butevenwooinganditsrivalrywaiteduponthemorepressinghunger-needofthepack。

Aftereachrepulse，whentheoldwolfsheeredabruptlyawayfromthesharp-toothedobjectofhisdesire，heshoulderedagainstayoungthree-year-oldthatranonhisblindrightside。Thisyoungwolfhadattainedhisfullsize；and，consideringtheweakandfamishedconditionofthepack，hepossessedmorethantheaveragevigorandspirit。Nevertheless，heranwithhisheadevenwiththeshoulderofhisone-eyedelder。Whenheventuredtorunabreastoftheolderwolf，(whichwasseldom)，asnarlandasnapsenthimbackevenwiththeshoulderagain。Sometimes，however，hedroppedcautiouslyandslowlybehindandedgedinbetweentheoldleaderandtheshe-wolf。Thiswasdoublyresented，eventriplyresented。Whenshesnarledherdispleasure，theoldleaderwouldwhirlonthethree-year-old。Sometimesshewhirledwithhim。Andsometimestheyoungleaderontheleftwhirled，too。

Atsuchtimes，confrontedbythreesetsofsavageteeth，theyoungwolfstoppedprecipitately，throwinghimselfbackonhishaunches，withfore-legsstiff，mouthmenacing，andmanebristling。Thisconfusioninthefrontofthemovingpackalwayscausedconfusionintherear。Thewolvesbehindcollidedwiththeyoungwolfandexpressedtheirdispleasurebyadministeringsharpnipsonhishind-legsandflanks。Hewaslayinguptroubleforhimself，forlackoffoodandshorttemperswenttogether；butwiththeboundlessfaithofyouthhepersistedinrepeatingtheman渦vreeverylittlewhile，thoughitneversucceededingaininganythingforhimbutdiscomfiture。

Hadtherebeenfood，love-makingandfightingwouldhavegoneonapace，andthepack-formationwouldhavebeenbrokenup。Butthesituationofthepackwasdesperate。Itwasleanwithlong-standinghunger。Itranbelowitsordinaryspeed。Attherearlimpedtheweakmembers，theveryyoungandtheveryold。Atthefrontwerethestrongest。Yetallweremorelikeskeletonsthanfull-bodiedwolves。Nevertheless，withtheexceptionoftheonesthatlimped，themovementsoftheanimalswereeffortlessandtireless。Theirstringymusclesseemedfountsofinexhaustibleenergy。

Behindeverysteel-likecontractionofamuscle，layanothersteel-likecontraction，andanother，andanother，apparentlywithoutend。

Theyranmanymilesthatday。Theyranthroughthenight。Andthenextdayfoundthemstillrunning。Theywererunningoverthesurfaceofaworldfrozenanddead。Nolifestirred。Theyalonemovedthroughthevastinertness。

Theyalonewerealive，andtheysoughtforotherthingsthatwerealiveinorderthattheymightdevourthemandcontinuetolive。

Theycrossedlowdividesandrangedadozensmallstreamsinalower-lyingcountrybeforetheirquestwasrewarded。Thentheycameuponmoose。Itwasabigbulltheyfirstfound。Herewasmeatandlife，anditwasguardedbynomysteriousfiresnorflyingmissilesofflame。Splayhoofsandpalmatedantlerstheyknew，andtheyflungtheircustomarypatienceandcautiontothewind。Itwasabrieffightandfierce。Thebigbullwasbesetoneveryside。Herippedthemopenorsplittheirskullswithshrewdlydrivenblowsofhisgreathoofs。Hecrushedthemandbrokethemonhislargehorns。

Hestampedthemintothesnowunderhiminthewallowingstruggle。Buthewasforedoomed，andhewentdownwiththeshe-wolftearingsavagelyathisthroat，andwithotherteethfixedeverywhereuponhim，devouringhimalive，beforeeverhislaststrugglesceasedorhislastdamagehadbeenwrought。

Therewasfoodinplenty。Thebullweighedovereighthundredpounds——fullytwentypoundsofmeatpermouthfortheforty-oddwolvesofthepack。Butiftheycouldfastprodigiously，theycouldfeedprodigiously，andsoonafewscatteredboneswereallthatremainedofthesplendidlivebrutethathadfacedthepackafewhoursbefore。

Therewasnowmuchrestingandsleeping。Withfullstomachs，bickeringandquarrelingbeganamongtheyoungermales，andthiscontinuedthroughthefewdaysthatfollowedbeforethebreaking-upofthepack。Thefaminewasover。Thewolveswerenowinthecountryofgame，andthoughtheystillhuntedinpack，theyhuntedmorecautiously，cuttingoutheavycowsorcrippledoldbullsfromthesmallmoose-herdstheyranacross。

Therecameaday，inthislandofplenty，whenthewolf-packsplitinhalfandwentindifferentdirections。Theshe-wolf，theyoungleaderonherleft，andtheone-eyedelderonherright，ledtheirhalfofthepackdowntotheMackenzieRiverandacrossintothelakecountrytotheeast。

Eachdaythisremnantofthepackdwindled。Twobytwo，maleandfemale，thewolvesweredeserting。Occasionallyasolitarymalewasdrivenoutbythesharpteethofhisrivals。Intheendthereremainedonlyfour:

theshe-wolf，theyoungleader，theone-eyedone，andtheambitiousthree-year-old。

Theshe-wolfhadbynowdevelopedaferocioustemper。Herthreesuitorsallborethemarksofherteeth。Yettheyneverrepliedinkind，neverdefendedthemselvesagainsther。Theyturnedtheirshoulderstohermostsavageslashes，andwithwaggingtailsandmincingstepsstrovetoplacateherwrath。Butiftheywereallmildnesstowardher，theywereallfiercenesstowardoneanother。Thethree-year-oldgrewtooambitiousinhisfierceness。

Hecaughttheone-eyedelderonhisblindsideandrippedhisearintoribbons。Thoughthegrizzledoldfellowcouldseeonlyononeside，againsttheyouthandvigoroftheotherhebroughtintoplaythewisdomoflongyearsofexperience。Hislosteyeandhisscarredmuzzleboreevidencetothenatureofhisexperience。Hehadsurvivedtoomanybattlestobeindoubtforamomentaboutwhattodo。

Thebattlebeganfairly，butitdidnotendfairly。Therewasnotellingwhattheoutcomewouldhavebeen，forthethirdwolfjoinedtheelder，andtogether，oldleaderandyoungleader，theyattackedtheambitiousthree-year-oldandproceededtodestroyhim。Hewasbesetoneithersidebythemercilessfangsofhiserstwhilecomrades。Forgottenwerethedaystheyhadhuntedtogether，thegametheyhadpulleddown，thefaminetheyhadsuffered。Thatbusinesswasathingofthepast。Thebusinessoflovewasathand——everasternerandcruelerbusinessthanthatoffood-getting。

Andinthemeanwhile，theshe-wolf，thecauseofitall，satdowncontentedlyonherhaunchesandwatched。Shewasevenpleased。Thiswasherday，——

anditcamenotoften，——whenmanesbristled，andfangsmotefangorrippedandtoretheyieldingflesh，allforthepossessionofher。

Andinthebusinessoflovethethree-year-old，whohadmadethishisfirstadventureuponit，yieldeduphislife。Oneithersideofhisbodystoodhistworivals。Theyweregazingattheshe-wolf，whosatsmilinginthesnow。Buttheelderleaderwaswise，verywise，inloveevenasinbattle。Theyoungerleaderturnedhisheadtolickawoundonhisshoulder。

Thecurveofhisneckwasturnedtowardhisrival。Withhisoneeyetheeldersawtheopportunity。Hedartedinlowandclosedwithhisfangs。

Itwasalong，rippingslash，anddeepaswell。Histeeth，inpassing，burstthewallofthegreatveinofthethroat。Thenheleapedclear。

Theyoungleadersnarledterribly，buthissnarlbrokemidmostintoaticklingcough。Bleedingandcoughing，alreadystricken，hesprangattheelderandfoughtwhilelifefadedfromhim，hislegsgoingweakbeneathhim，thelightofdaydullingonhiseyes，hisblowsandspringsfallingshorterandshorter。

Andallthewhiletheshe-wolfsatonherhaunchesandsmiled。Shewasmadegladinvaguewaysbythebattle，forthiswasthelove-makingoftheWild，thesex-tragedyofthenaturalworldthatwastragedyonlytothosethatdied。Tothosethatsurviveditwasnottragedy，butrealizationandachievement。

Whentheyoungleaderlayinthesnowandmovednomore，OneEyestalkedovertotheshe-wolf。Hiscarriagewasoneofmingledtriumphandcaution。

Hewasplainlyexpectantofarebuff，andhewasjustasplainlysurprisedwhenherteethdidnotflashoutathiminanger。Forthefirsttimeshemethimwithakindlymanner。Shesniffednoseswithhim，andevencondescendedtoleapaboutandfriskandplaywithhiminquitepuppyishfashion。Andhe，forallhisgrayyearsandsageexperience，behavedquiteaspuppyishlyandevenalittlemorefoolishly。

Forgottenalreadywerethevanquishedrivalsandthelove-talered-writtenonthesnow。Forgotten，saveonce，whenoldOneEyestoppedforamomenttolickhisstiffeningwounds。Thenitwasthathislipshalfwrithedintoasnarl，andthehairofhisneckandshouldersinvoluntarilybristled，whilehehalfcrouchedforaspring，hisclawsspasmodicallyclutchingintothesnow-surfaceforfirmerfooting。Butitwasallforgottenthenextmoment，ashesprangaftertheshe-wolf，whowascoylyleadinghimachasethroughthewoods。

Afterthattheyransidebyside，likegoodfriendswhohavecometoanunderstanding。Thedayspassedby，andtheykepttogether，huntingtheirmeatandkillingandeatingitincommon。Afteratimetheshe-wolfbegantogrowrestless。Sheseemedtobesearchingforsomethingthatshecouldnotfind。Thehollowsunderfallentreesseemedtoattracther，andshespentmuchtimenosingaboutamongthelargersnow-piledcrevicesintherocksandinthecavesofoverhangingbanks。OldOneEyewasnotinterestedatall，buthefollowedhergood-naturedlyinherquest，andwhenherinvestigationsinparticularplaceswereunusuallyprotracted，hewouldliedownandwaituntilshewasreadytogoon。

Theydidnotremaininoneplace，buttravelledacrosscountryuntiltheyregainedtheMackenzieRiver，downwhichtheyslowlywent，leavingitoftentohuntgamealongthesmallstreamsthatenteredit，butalwaysreturningtoitagain。Sometimestheychanceduponotherwolves，usuallyinpairs；buttherewasnofriendlinessofintercoursedisplayedoneitherside，nogladnessatmeeting，nodesiretoreturntothepack-formation。

Severaltimestheyencounteredsolitarywolves。Thesewerealwaysmales，andtheywerepressinglyinsistentonjoiningwithOneEyeandhismate。

Thisheresented，andwhenshestoodshouldertoshoulderwithhim，bristlingandshowingherteeth，theaspiringsolitaryoneswouldbackoff，turntail，andcontinueontheirlonelyway。

Onemoonlightnight，runningthroughthequietforest，OneEyesuddenlyhalted。Hismuzzlewentup，histailstiffened，andhisnostrilsdilatedashescentedtheair。Onefootalsoheheldup，afterthemannerofadog。Hewasnotsatisfied，andhecontinuedtosmelltheair，strivingtounderstandthemessageborneuponittohim。Onecarelesssniffhadsatisfiedhismate，andshetrottedontoreassurehim。Thoughhefollowedher，hewasstilldubious，andhecouldnotforbearanoccasionalhaltinordermorecarefullytostudythewarning。

Shecreptoutcautiouslyontheedgeofalargeopenspaceinthemidstofthetrees。Forsometimeshestoodalone。ThenOneEye，creepingandcrawling，everysenseonthealert，everyhairradiatinginfinitesuspicion，joinedher。Theystoodsidebyside，watchingandlisteningandsmelling。

Totheirearscamethesoundsofdogswranglingandscuffling，thegutturalcriesofmen，thesharpervoicesofscoldingwomen，andoncetheshrillandplaintivecryofachild。Withtheexceptionofthehugebulksoftheskinlodges，littlecouldbeseensavetheflamesofthefire，brokenbythemovementsofinterveningbodies，andthesmokerisingslowlyonthequietair。ButtotheirnostrilscamethemyriadsmellsofanIndiancamp，carryingastorythatwaslargelyincomprehensibletoOneEye，buteverydetailofwhichtheshe-wolfknew。

Shewasstrangelystirred，andsniffedandsniffedwithanincreasingdelight。ButoldOneEyewasdoubtful。Hebetrayedhisapprehension，andstartedtentativelytogo。Sheturnedandtouchedhisneckwithhermuzzleinareassuringway，thenregardedthecampagain。Anewwistfulnesswasinherface，butitwasnotthewistfulnessofhunger。Shewasthrillingtoadesirethaturgedhertogoforward，tobeinclosertothatfire，tobesquabblingwiththedogs，andtobeavoidinganddodgingthestumblingfeetofmen。

OneEyemovedimpatientlybesideher；herunrestcamebackuponher，andsheknewagainherpressingneedtofindthethingforwhichshesearched。

Sheturnedandtrottedbackintotheforest，tothegreatreliefofOneEye，whotrottedalittletotheforeuntiltheywerewellwithintheshelterofthetrees。

Astheyslidalong，noiselessasshadows，inthemoonlight，theycameuponarun-way。Bothnoseswentdowntothefootprintsinthesnow。Thesefootprintswereveryfresh。OneEyeranaheadcautiously，hismateathisheels。Thebroadpadsoftheirfeetwerespreadwideandincontactwiththesnowwerelikevelvet。OneEyecaughtsightofadimmovementofwhiteinthemidstofthewhite。Hisslidinggaithadbeendeceptivelyswift，butitwasasnothingtothespeedatwhichhenowran。Beforehimwasboundingthefaintpatchofwhitehehaddiscovered。

Theywererunningalonganarrowalleyflankedoneithersidebyagrowthofyoungspruce。Throughthetreesthemouthofthealleycouldbeseen，openingoutonamoonlitglade。OldOneEyewasrapidlyoverhaulingthefleeingshapeofwhite。Boundbyboundhegained。Nowhewasuponit。Oneleapmoreandhisteethwouldbesinkingintoit。Butthatleapwasnevermade。Highintheair，andstraightup，soaredtheshapeofwhite，nowastrugglingsnowshoerabbitthatleapedandbounded，executingafantasticdancethereabovehimintheairandneveroncereturningtoearth。

OneEyesprangbackwithasnortofsuddenfright，thenshrankdowntothesnowandcrouched，snarlingthreatsatthisthingoffearhedidnotunderstand。Buttheshe-wolfcoollythrustpasthim。Shepoisedforamoment，thensprangforthedancingrabbit。She，too，soaredhigh，butnotsohighasthequarry，andherteethclippedemptilytogetherwithametallicsnap。Shemadeanotherleap，andanother。

Hermatehadslowlyrelaxedfromhiscrouchandwaswatchingher。Henowevinceddispleasureatherrepeatedfailures，andhimselfmadeamightyspringupward。Histeethclosedupontherabbit，andheboreitbacktoearthwithhim。Butatthesametimetherewasasuspiciouscracklingmovementbesidehim，andhisastonishedeyesawayoungsprucesaplingbendingdownabovehimtostrikehim。Hisjawsletgotheirgrip，andheleapedbackwardtoescapethisstrangedanger，hislipsdrawnbackfromhisfangs，histhroatsnarling，everyhairbristlingwithrageandfright。Andinthatmomentthesaplingreareditsslenderlengthuprightandtherabbitsoareddancingintheairagain。

Theshe-wolfwasangry。Shesankherfangsintohermate"sshoulderinreproof；andhe，frightened，unawareofwhatconstitutedthisnewonslaught，struckbackferociouslyandinstillgreaterfright，rippingdownthesideoftheshe-wolf"smuzzle。Forhimtoresentsuchreproofwasequallyunexpectedtoher，andshespranguponhiminsnarlingindignation。Thenhediscoveredhismistakeandtriedtoplacateher。Butsheproceededtopunishhimroundly，untilhegaveoverallattemptsatplacation，andwhirledinacircle，hisheadawayfromher，hisshouldersreceivingthepunishmentofherteeth。

Inthemeantimetherabbitdancedabovethemintheair。Theshe-wolfsatdowninthesnow，andoldOneEye，nowmoreinfearofhismatethanofthemysterioussapling，againsprangfortherabbit。Ashesankbackwithitbetweenhisteeth，hekepthiseyeonthesapling。Asbefore，itfollowedhimbacktoearth。Hecroucheddownundertheimpendingblow，hishairbristling，buthisteethstillkeepingtightholdoftherabbit。

Buttheblowdidnotfall。Thesaplingremainedbentabovehim。Whenhemoveditmoved，andhegrowledatitthroughhisclenchedjaws；whenheremainedstill，itremainedstill，andheconcludeditwassafertocontinueremainingstill。Yetthewarmbloodoftherabbittastedgoodinhismouth。

Itwashismatewhorelievedhimfromthequandaryinwhichhefoundhimself。Shetooktherabbitfromhim，andwhilethesaplingswayedandteeteredthreateninglyabovehershecalmlygnawedofftherabbit"shead。

Atoncethesaplingshotup，andafterthatgavenomoretrouble，remaininginthedecorousandperpendicularpositioninwhichnaturehadintendedittgrow。Then，betweenthem，theshe-wolfandOneEyedevouredthegamewhichthemysterioussaplinghadcaughtforthem。

Therewereotherrunwaysandalleyswhererabbitswerehangingintheair，andthewolf-pairporspectedthemall，theshe-wolfleadingtheway，oldOneEyefollowingandobservant，learningthemethodofrobbingsnares——aknowledgedestinedtostandhimingoodsteadinthedaystocome。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter2:TheLairPartII:BornoftheWildChapter2

THELAIR

Fortwodaystheshe-wolfandOneEyehungabouttheIndiancamp。Hewasworriedandapprehensive，yetthecampluredhismateandshewasloathtodepart。Butwhen，onemorning，theairwasrentwiththereportofariflecloseathand，andabulletsmashedagainstatreetrunkseveralinchesfromOneEye"shead，theyhesitatednomore，butwentoffonalong，swinginglopethatputquickmilesbetweenthemandthedanger。

Theydidnotgofar——acoupleofdays"journey。Theshe-wolf"sneedtofindthethingforwhichshesearchedhadnowbecomeimperative。Shewasgettingveryheavy，andcouldrunbutslowly。Once，inthepursuitofarabbit，whichsheordinarilywouldhavecaughtwithease，shegaveoverandlaydownandrested。OneEyecametoher；butwhenhetouchedherneckgentlywithhismuzzleshesnappedathimwithsuchquickfiercenessthathetumbledoverbackwardandcutaridiculousfigureinhisefforttoescapeherteeth。Hertemperwasnowshorterthanever；buthehadbecomemorepatientthaneverandmoresolicitous。

Andthenshefoundthethingforwhichshesought。ItwasafewmilesupasmallstreamthatinthesummertimeflowedintotheMackenzie，butthatthenwasfrozenoverandfrozendowntoitsrockybottom——adeadstreamofsolidwhitefromsourcetomouth。Theshe-wolfwastrottingwearilyalong，hermatewellinadvance，whenshecameupontheoverhanging，highclay-bank。Sheturnedasideandtrottedovertoit。Thewearandtearofspringstormsandmeltingsnowshadunderwashedthebankandinoneplacehadmadeasmallcaveoutofanarrowfissure。

Shepausedatthemouthofthecaveandlookedthewallovercarefully。

Then，ononesideandtheother，sheranalongthebaseofthewalltowhereitsabruptbulkmergedfromthesofter-linedlandscape。Returningtothecave，sheentereditsnarrowmouth。Forashortthreefeetshewascompelledtocrouch，thenthewallswidenedandrosehigherinalittleroundchambernearlysixfeetindiameter。Theroofbarelyclearedherhead。Itwasdryandcosey。Sheinspecteditwithpainstakingcare，whileOneEye，whohadreturned，stoodintheentranceandpatientlywatchedher。Shedroppedherhead，withhernosetothegroundanddirectedtowardapointneartohercloselybunchedfeet，andaroundthispointshecircledseveraltimes；then，withatiredsighthatwasalmostagrunt，shecurledherbodyin，relaxedherlegs，anddroppeddown，herheadtowardtheentrance。

OneEye，withpointed，interestedears，laughedather，andbeyond，outlinedagainstthewhitelight，shecouldseethebrushofhistailwavinggood-naturedly。

Herownears，withasnugglingmovement，laidtheirsharppointsbackwardanddownagainsttheheadforamoment，whilehermouthopenedandhertonguelolledpeaceablyout，andinthiswaysheexpressedthatshewaspleasedandsatisfied。OneEyewashungry。Thoughhelaydownintheentranceandslept，hissleepwasfitful。Hekeptawakingandcockinghisearsatthebrightworldwithout，wheretheAprilsunwasblazingacrossthesnow。

Whenhedozed，uponhisearswouldstealthefaintwhispersofhiddentricklesofrunningwater，andhewouldrouseandlistenintently。Thesunhadcomeback，andalltheawakeningNorthlandworldwascallingtohim。Lifewasstirring。Thefeelofspringwasintheair，thefeelofgrowinglifeunderthesnow，ofsapascendinginthetrees，ofbudsburstingtheshacklesofthefrost。

Hecastanxiousglancesathismate，butsheshowednodesiretogetup。Helookedoutside，andhalfadozensnow-birdsflutteredacrosshisfieldofvision。Hestartedtogetup，thenlookedbacktohismateagain，andsettleddownanddozed。Ashrillandminutesingingstoleuponhishearing。Once，andtwice，hesleepilybrushedhisnosewithhispaw。Thenhewokeup。There，buzzingintheairatthetipofhisnose，wasalonemosquito。Itwasafull-grownmosquito，onethathadlainfrozeninadrylogallwinterandthathadnowbeenthawedoutbythesun。Hecouldresistthecalloftheworldnolonger。Besides，hewashungry。

Hecrawledovertohismateandtriedtopersuadehertogetup。Butsheonlysnarledathim，andhewalkedoutaloneintothebrightsunshinetofindthesnow-surfacesoftunderfootandthetravellingdifficult。Hewentupthefrozenbedofthestream，wherethesnow，shadedbythetrees，wasyethardandcrystalline。Hewasgoneeighthours，andhecamebackthroughthedarknesshungrierthanwhenhehadstarted。Hehadfoundgame，buthehadnotcaughtit。Hehadbrokenthroughthemeltingsnow-crust，andwallowed，whilethesnowshoerabbitshadskimmedalongontoplightlyasever。

Hepausedatthemouthofthecavewithasuddenshockofsuspicion。

Faint，strangesoundscamefromwithin。Theyweresoundsnotmadebyhismate，andyettheywereremotelyfamiliar。Hebelliedcautiouslyinsideandwasmetbyawarningsnarlfromtheshe-wolf。Thishereceivedwithoutperturbation，thoughheobeyeditbykeepinghisdistance；butheremainedinterestedintheothersounds——faint，muffledsobbingsandslubberings。

Hismatewarnedhimirritablyaway，andhecurledupandsleptintheentrance。Whenmorningcameandadimlightpervadedthelair，heagainsoughtafterthesourceoftheremotelyfamiliarsounds。Therewasanewnoteinhismate"swarningsnarl。Itwasajealousnote，andhewasverycarefulinkeepingarespectfuldistance。Nevertheless，hemadeout，shelteringbetweenherlegsagainstthelengthofherbody，fivestrangelittlebundlesoflife，veryfeeble，veryhelpless，makingtinywhimperingnoises，witheyesthatdidnotopentothelight。Hewassurprised。Itwasnotthefirsttimeinhislongandsuccessfullifethatthisthinghadhappened。Ithadhappenedmanytimes，yeteachtimeitwasasfreshasurpriseasevertohim。

Hismatelookedathimanxiously。Everylittlewhilesheemittedalowgrowl，andattimes，whenitseemedtoherheapproachedtoonear，thegrowlshotupinherthroattoasharpsnarl。Ofherownexperienceshehadnomemoryofthethinghappening；butinherinstinct，whichwastheexperienceofallthemothersofwolves，therelurkedamemoryoffathersthathadeatentheirnew-bornandhelplessprogeny。Itmanifesteditselfasafearstrongwithinher，thatmadeherpreventOneEyefrommorecloselyinspectingthecubshehadfathered。

Buttherewasnodanger。OldOneEyewasfeelingtheurgeofanimpulse，thatwas，inturn，aninstinctthathadcomedowntohimfromallthefathersofwolves。Hedidnotquestionit，norpuzzleoverit。Itwasthere，inthefibreofhisbeing；anditwasthemostnaturalthingintheworldthatheshouldobeyitbyturninghisbackonhisnew-bornfamilyandbytrottingoutandawayonthemeat-trailwherebyhelived。

Fiveorsixmilesfromthelair，thestreamdivided，itsforksgoingoffamongthemountainsatarightangle。Here，leadinguptheleftfork，hecameuponafreshtrack。Hesmelleditandfounditsorecentthathecrouchedswiftly，andlookedinthedirectioninwhichitdisappeared。

Thenheturneddeliberatelyandtooktherightfork。Thefootprintwasmuchlargerthantheonehisownfeetmade，andheknewthatinthewakeofsuchatrailtherewaslittlemeatforhim。

Halfamileuptherightfork，hisquickearscaughtthesoundofgnawingteeth。Hestalkedthequarryandfoundittobeaporcupine，standinguprightagainstatreeandtryinghisteethonthebark。OneEyeapproachedcarefullybuthopelessly。Heknewthebreed，thoughhehadnevermetitsofarnorthbefore；andneverinhislonglifehadporcupineservedhimforameal。

ButhehadlongsincelearnedthattherewassuchathingasChance，orOpportunity，andhecontinuedtodrawnear。Therewasneveranytellingwhatmighthappen，forwithlivethingseventsweresomehowalwayshappeningdifferently。

Theporcupinerolleditselfintoaball，radiatinglong，sharpneedlesinalldirectionsthatdefiedattack。InhisyouthOneEyehadoncesniffedtoonearasimilar，apparentlyinertballofquills，andhadthetailflickoutsuddenlyinhisface。Onequillhehadcarriedawayinhismuzzle，whereithadremainedforweeks，aranklingflame，untilitfinallyworkedout。Sohelaydown，inacomfortablecrouchingposition，hisnosefullyafootaway，andoutofthelineofthetail。Thushewaited，keepingperfectlyquiet。Therewasnotelling。Somethingmighthappen。Theporcupinemightunroll。Theremightbeopportunityforadeftandrippingthrustofpawintothetender，unguardedbelly。

Butattheendofhalfanhourhearose，growledwrathfullyatthemotionlessball，andtrottedon。Hehadwaitedtoooftenandfutilelyinthepastforporcupinestounroll，towasteanymoretime。Hecontinueduptherightfork。Thedayworealong，andnothingrewardedhishunt。

Theurgeofhisawakenedinstinctoffatherhoodwasstronguponhim。

Hemustfindmeat。Intheafternoonheblundereduponaptarmigan。Hecameoutofathicketandfoundhimselffacetofacewiththeslow-wittedbird。

Itwassittingonalog，notafootbeyondtheendofhisnose。Eachsawtheother。Thebirdmadeastartledrise，buthestruckitwithhispaw，andsmasheditdowntoearth，thenpounceduponit，andcaughtitinhisteethasitscuttledacrossthesnowtryingtoriseintheairagain。Ashisteethcrunchedthroughthetenderfleshandfragilebones，hebegannaturallytoeat。Thenheremembered，and，turningontheback-track，startedforhome，carryingtheptarmiganinhismouth。

Amileabovetheforks，runningvelvet-footedaswashiscustom，aglidingshadowthatcautiouslyprospectedeachnewvistaofthetrail，hecameuponlaterimprintsofthelargetrackshehaddiscoveredintheearlymorning。Asthetrackledhisway，hefollowed，preparedtomeetthemakerofitateveryturnofthestream。

Heslidhisheadaroundacornerofrock，wherebegananunusuallylargebendinthestream，andhisquickeyesmadeoutsomethingthatsenthimcrouchingswiftlydown。Itwasthemakerofthetrack，alargefemalelynx。

Shewascrouchingashehadcrouchedoncethatday，infrontofherthetight-rolledballofquills。Ifhehadbeenaglidingshadowbefore，henowbecametheghostofsuchashadow，ashecreptandcircledaround，andcameupwelltoleewardofthesilent，motionlesspair。

Helaydowninthesnow，depositingtheptarmiganbesidehim，andwitheyespeeringthroughtheneedlesofalow-growingsprucehewatchedtheplayoflifebeforehim——thewaitinglynxandthewaitingporcupine，eachintentonlife；and，suchwasthecuriousnessofthegame，thewayoflifeforonelayintheeatingoftheother，andthewayoflifefortheotherlayinbeingnoteaten。WhileoldOneEye，thewolf，crouchinginthecovert，playedhispart，too，inthegame，waitingforsomestrangefreakofChance，thatmighthelphimonthemeat-trailwhichwashiswayoflife。

Halfanhourpassed，anhour；andnothinghappened。Theballofquillsmighthavebeenastoneforallitmoved；thelynxmighthavebeenfrozentomarble；andoldOneEyemighthavebeendead。Yetallthreeanimalswerekeyedtoatensenessoflivingthatwasalmostpainful，andscarcelyeverwoulditcometothemtobemorealivethantheywerethenintheirseemingpetrifaction。

OneEyemovedslightlyandpeeredforthwithincreasedeagerness。Somethingwashappening。Theporcupinehadatlastdecidedthatitsenemyhadgoneaway。Slowly，cautiously，itwasunrollingitsballofimpregnablearmor。

Itwasagitatedbynotremorofanticipation。Slowly，slowly，thebristlingballstraightenedoutandlengthened。OneEye，watching，feltasuddenmoistnessinhismouthandadroolingofsaliva，involuntarily，excitedbythelivingmeatthatwasspreadingitselflikearepastbeforehim。

Notquiteentirelyhadtheporcupineunrolledwhenitdiscovereditsenemy。Inthatinstantthelynxstruck。Theblowwaslikeaflashoflight。

Thepaw，withrigidclawscurvingliketalons，shotunderthetenderbellyandcamebackwithaswiftrippingmovement。Hadtheporcupinebeenentirelyunrolled，orhaditnotdiscovereditsenemyafractionofasecondbeforetheblowwasstruck，thepawwouldhaveescapedunscathed；butaside-flickofthetailsanksharpquillsintoitasitwaswithdrawn。

Everythinghadhappenedatonce，——theblow，thecounter-blow，thesquealofagonyfromtheporcupine，thebigcat"ssquallofsuddenhurtandastonishment。OneEyehalfaroseinhisexcitement，hisearsup，histailstraightoutandquiveringbehindhim。Thelynx"sbadtempergotthebestofher。Shesprangsavagelyatthethingthathadhurther。Buttheporcupine，squealingandgrunting，withdisruptedanatomytryingfeeblytorollupintoitsball-protection，flickedoutitstailagain，andagainthebigcatsqualledwithhurtandastonishment。Thenshefelltobackingawayandsneezing，hernosebristlingwithquillslikeamonstrouspin-cushion。

Shebrushedhernosewithherpaws，tryingtodislodgethefierydarts，thrustitintothesnow，andrubbeditagainsttwigsandbranches，allthetimeleapingabout，ahead，sidewise，upanddown，inafrenzyofpainandfright。

Shesneezedcontinually，andherstubofatailwasdoingitsbesttowardlashingaboutbygivingquick，violentjerks。Shequitherantics，andquieteddownforalongminute。OneEyewatched。Andevenhecouldnotrepressastartandaninvoluntarybristlingofhairalonghisbackwhenshesuddenlyleaped，withoutwarning，straightupintheair，atthesametimeemittingalongandmostterriblesquall。Thenshesprangaway，upthetrail，squallingwitheveryleapshemade。

ItwasnotuntilherrackethadfadedawayinthedistanceanddiedoutthatOneEyeventuredforth。Hewalkedasdelicatelyasthoughallthesnowwerecarpetedwithporcupinequills，erectandreadytopiercethesoftpadsofhisfeet。Theporcupinemethisapproachwithafurioussquealingandaclashingofitslongteeth。Ithadmanagedtorollupinaballagain，butitwasnotquitetheoldcompactball；itsmusclesweretoomuchtornforthat。Ithadbeenrippedalmostinhalf，andwasstillbleedingprofusely。

OneEyescoopedoutmouthfulsoftheblood-soakedsnow，andchewedandtastedandswallowed。Thisservedasarelish，andhishungerincreasedmightily；buthewastoooldintheworldtoforgethiscaution。Hewaited。

Helaydownandwaited，whiletheporcupinegrateditsteethandutteredgruntsandsobsandoccasionalsharplittlesqueals。Inalittlewhile，OneEyenoticedthatthequillsweredroopingandthatagreatquiveringhadsetup。Thequiveringcametoanendsuddenly。Therewasafinaldefiantclashofthelongteeth。Thenallthequillsdroopedquitedown，andthebodyrelaxedandmovednomore。

Withanervous，shrinkingpaw，OneEyestretchedouttheporcupinetoitsfulllengthandturneditoveronitsback。Nothinghadhappened。Itwassurelydead。Hestudieditintentlyforamoment，thentookacarefulgripwithhisteethandstartedoffdownthestream，partlycarrying，partlydraggingtheporcupine，withheadturnedtothesidesoastoavoidsteppingonthepricklymass。Herecollectedsomething，droppedtheburden，andtrottedbacktowherehehadlefttheptarmigan。Hedidnothesitateamoment。Heknewclearlywhatwastobedone，andthishedidbypromptlyeatingtheptarmigan。Thenhereturnedandtookuphisburden。

Whenhedraggedtheresultofhisday"shuntintothecave，theshe-wolfinspectedit，turnedhermuzzletohim，andlightlylickedhimontheneck。

Butthenextinstantshewaswarninghimawayfromthecubswithasnarlthatwaslessharshthanusualandthatwasmoreapologeticthanmenacing。

Herinstinctivefearofthefatherofherprogenywastoningdown。Hewasbehavingasawolffathershould，andmanifestingnounholydesiretodevourtheyounglivesshehadbroughtintotheworld。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter3:TheGrayCubPartII:BornoftheWildChapter3

THEGRAYCUB

Hewasdifferentfromhisbrothersandsisters。Theirhairalreadybetrayedthereddishhueinheritedfromtheirmother，theshe-wolf；whilehealone，inthisparticular，tookafterhisfather。Hewastheonelittlegraycubofthelitter。Hehadbredtruetothestraightwolf-stock——infact，hehadbredtrue，physically，tooldOneEyehimself，withbutasingleexception，andthatwasthathehadtwoeyestohisfather"sone。

Thegraycub"seyeshadnotbeenopenlong，yetalreadyhecouldseewithsteadyclearness。Andwhilehiseyeswerestillclosed，hehadfelt，tasted，andsmelled。Heknewhistwobrothersandhistwosistersverywell。Hehadbeguntorompwiththeminafeeble，awkwardway，andeventosquabble，hislittlethroatvibratingwithaqueerraspingnoise，(theforerunnerofthegrowl)，asheworkedhimselfintoapassion。Andlongbeforehiseyeshadopened，hehadlearnedbytouch，taste，andsmelltoknowhismother——afountofwarmthandliquidfoodandtenderness。Shepossessedagentle，caressingtonguethatsoothedhimwhenitpassedoverhissoftlittlebody，andthatimpelledhimtosnugglecloseagainstherandtodozeofftosleep。

Mostofthefirstmonthofhislifehadbeenpassedthusinsleeping；

butnowhecouldseequitewell，andhestayedawakeforlongerperiodsoftime，andhewascomingtolearnhisworldquitewell。Hisworldwasgloomy；buthedidnotknowthat，forheknewnootherworld。Itwasdim-lighted；

buthiseyeshadneverhadtoadjustthemselvestoanyotherlight。Hisworldwasverysmall。Itslimitswerethewallsofthelair；butashehadnoknowledgeofthewideworldoutside，hewasneveroppressedbythenarrowconfinesofhisexistence。

Buthehadearlydiscoveredthatonewallofhisworldwasdifferentfromtherest。Thiswasthemouthofthecaveandthesourceoflight。

Hehaddiscoveredthatitwasdifferentfromtheotherwallslongbeforehehadanythoughtsofhisown，anyconsciousvolitions。Ithadbeenanirresistibleattractionbeforeeverhiseyesopenedandlookeduponit。

Thelightfromithadbeatuponhissealedlids，andtheeyesandtheopticnerveshadpulsatedtolittle，sparklikeflashes，warm-coloredandstrangelypleasing。Thelifeofhisbody，andofeveryfibreofhisbody，thelifethatwastheverysubstanceofhisbodyandthatwasapartfromhisownpersonallife，hadyearnedtowardthislightandurgedhisbodytowarditinthesamewaythatthecunningchemistryofaplanturgesittowardthesun。

Always，inthebeginning，beforehisconsciouslifedawned，hehadcrawledtowardthemouthofthecave。Andinthishisbrothersandsisterswereonewithhim。Never，inthatperiod，didanyofthemcrawltowardthedarkcornersoftheback-wall。Thelightdrewthemasiftheywereplants；thechemistryofthelifethatcomposedthemdemandedthelightasanecessityofbeing；andtheirlittlepuppet-bodiescrawledblindlyandchemically，likethetendrilsofavine。Lateron，wheneachdevelopedindividualityandbecamepersonallyconsciousofimpulsionsanddesires，theattractionofthelightincreased。Theywerealwayscrawlingandsprawlingtowardit，andbeingdrivenbackfromitbytheirmother。

Itwasinthiswaythatthegraycublearnedotherattributesofhismotherthanthesoft，soothingtongue。Inhisinsistentcrawlingtowardthelight，hediscoveredinheranosethatwithasharpnudgeadministeredrebuke，andlater，apaw，thatcrushedhimdownorrolledhimoverandoverwithswift，calculatingstroke。Thushelearnedhurt；andontopofithelearnedtoavoidhurt，first，bynotincurringtheriskofit；andsecond，whenhehadincurredtherisk，bydodgingandbyretreating。Thesewereconsciousactions，andweretheresultsofhisfirstgeneralizationsupontheworld。Beforethathehadrecoiledautomaticallyfromhurt，ashehadcrawledautomaticallytowardthelight。Afterthatherecoiledfromhurtbecauseheknewthatitwashurt。

Hewasafiercelittlecub。Sowerehisbrothersandsisters。Itwastobeexpected。Hewasacarnivorousanimal。Hecameofabreedofmeat-killersandmeat-eaters。Hisfatherandmotherlivedwhollyuponmeat。Themilkhehadsuckedwithhisfirstflickeringlifewasmilktransformeddirectlyfrommeat，andnow，atamonthold，whenhiseyeshadbeenopenforbutaweek，hewasbeginninghimselftoeatmeat——meathalf-digestedbytheshe-wolfanddisgorgedforthefivegrowingcubsthatalreadymadetoogreatdemanduponherbreast。