第5章

Baseekwasold，andalreadyhehadcometoknowtheincreasingvalorofthedogsithadbeenhiswonttobully。Bitterexperiencesthese，which，perforce，heswallowed，callinguponallhiswisdomtocopewiththem。

Intheolddays，hewouldhavesprunguponWhiteFanginafuryofrighteouswrath。Butnowhiswaningpowerswouldnotpermitsuchacourse。Hebristledfiercelyandlookedominouslyacrosstheshin-boneatWhiteFang。AndWhiteFang，resurrectingquiteadealoftheoldawe，seemedtowiltandtoshrinkinuponhimselfandgrowsmall，ashecastaboutinhismindforawaytobeataretreatnottooinglorious。

AndrighthereBaseekerred。Hadhecontentedhimselfwithlookingfierceandominous，allwouldhavebeenwell。WhiteFang，onthevergeofretreat，wouldhaveretreated，leavingthemeattohim。ButBaseekdidnotwait。

Heconsideredthevictoryalreadyhisandsteppedforwardtothemeat。

Ashebenthisheadcarelesslytosmellit，WhiteFangbristledslightly。

EventhenitwasnottoolateforBaseektoretrievethesituation。Hadhemerelystoodoverthemeat，headupandglowering，WhiteFangwouldultimatelyhaveslunkaway。ButthefreshmeatwasstronginBaseek"snostrils，andgreedurgedhimtotakeabiteofit。

ThiswastoomuchforWhiteFang。Freshuponhismonthsofmasteryoverhisownteam-mates，itwasbeyondhisself-controltostandidlybywhileanotherdevouredthemeatthatbelongedtohim。Hestruck，afterhiscustom，withoutwarning。Withthefirstslash，Baseek"srightearwasrippedintoribbons。Hewasastoundedatthesuddennessofit。Butmorethings，andmostgrievousones，werehappeningwithequalsuddenness。Hewasknockedoffhisfeet。Histhroatwasbitten。Whilehewasstrugglingtohisfeettheyoungdogsankteethtwiceintohisshoulder。Theswiftnessofitwasbewildering。HemadeafutilerushatWhiteFang，clippingtheemptyairwithanoutragedsnap。Thenextmomenthisnosewaslaidopenandhewasstaggeringbackwardawayfromthemeat。

Thesituationwasnowreversed。WhiteFangstoodovertheshin-bone，bristlingandmenacing，whileBaseekstoodalittlewayoff，preparingtoretreat。Hedarednotriskafightwiththisyounglightning-flash，andagainheknew，andmorebitterly，theenfeeblementofoncomingage。

Hisattempttomaintainhisdignitywasheroic。Calmlyturninghisbackuponyoungdogandshin-bone，asthoughbothwerebeneathhisnoticeandunworthyofconsideration，hestalkedgrandlyaway。Nor，untilwelloutofsight，didhestoptolickhisbleedingwounds。

TheeffectonWhiteFangwastogivehimagreaterfaithinhimself，andagreaterpride。Hewalkedlesssoftlyamongthegrowndogs；hisattitudetowardthemwaslesscompromising。Notthathewentoutofhiswaylookingfortrouble。Farfromit。Butuponhiswayhedemandedconsideration。Hestooduponhisrighttogohiswayunmolestedandtogivetrailtonodog。

Hehadtobetakenintoaccount，thatwasall。Hewasnolongertobedisregardedandignored，aswasthelotofpuppiesandascontinuedtobethelotofthepuppiesthatwerehisteam-mates。Theygotoutoftheway，gavetrailtothegrowndogs，andgaveupmeattothemundercompulsion。ButWhiteFang，uncompanionable，solitary，morose，scarcelylookingtorightorleft，redoubtable，forbiddingofaspect，remoteandalien，wasacceptedasanequalbyhispuzzledelders。Theyquicklylearnedtoleavehimalone，neitherventuringhostileactsnormakingoverturesoffriendliness。Iftheylefthimalone，heleftthemalone——astateofaffairsthattheyfound，afterafewencounters，tobepreminentlydesirable。

InmidsummerWhiteFanghadanexperience。Trottingalonginhissilentwaytoinvestigateanewtepeewhichhadbeenerectedontheedgeofthevillagewhilehewasawaywiththehuntersaftermoose，hecamefulluponKiche。Hepausedandlookedather。Herememberedhervaguely，butherememberedher，andthatwasmorethancouldbesaidforher。Sheliftedherlipathimintheoldsnarlofmenace，andhismemorybecameclear。Hisforgottencubhood，allthatwasassociatedwiththatfamiliarsnarl，rushedbacktohim。Beforehehadknownthegods，shehadbeentohimthecentre-pinoftheuniverse。Theoldfamiliarfeelingsofthattimecamebackuponhim，surgedupwithinhim。Heboundedtowardherjoyously，andshemethimwithshrewdfangsthatlaidhischeekopentothebone。Hedidnotunderstand。Hebackedaway，bewilderedandpuzzled。

ButitwasnotKiche"sfault。Awolf-motherwasnotmadetorememberhercubsofayearorsobefore。SoshedidnotrememberWhiteFang。Hewasastrangeanimal，anintruder；andherpresentlitterofpuppiesgavehertherighttoresentsuchintrusion。

OneofthepuppiessprawleduptoWhiteFang。Theywerehalf-brothers，onlytheydidnotknowit。WhiteFangsniffedthepuppycuriously，whereuponKicherusheduponhim，gashinghisfaceasecondtime。Hebackedfartheraway。Alltheoldmemoriesandassociationsdieddownagainandpassedintothegravefromwhichtheyhadbeenresurrected。HelookedatKichelickingherpuppyandstoppingnowandthentosnarlathim。Shewaswithoutvaluetohim。Hehadlearnedtogetalongwithouther。Hermeaningwasforgotten。Therewasnoplaceforherinhisschemeofthings，astherewasnoplaceforhiminhers。

Hewasstillstanding，stupidandbewildered，thememoriesforgotten，wonderingwhatitwasallabout，whenKicheattackedhimathirdtime，intentondrivinghimawayaltogetherfromthevicinity。AndWhiteFangallowedhimselftobedrivenaway。Thiswasafemaleofhiskind，anditwasalawofhiskindthatthemalesmustnotfightthefemales。Hedidnotknowanythingaboutthislaw，foritwasnogeneralizationofthemind，notasomethingacquiredbyexperienceintheworld。Heknewitasasecretprompting，asanurgeofinstinct——ofthesameinstinctthatmadehimhowlatthemoonandstarsofnightsandthatmadehimfeardeathandtheunknown。

Themonthswentby。WhiteFanggrewstronger，heavier，andmorecompact，whilehischaracterwasdevelopingalongthelineslaiddownbyhisheredityandhisenvironment。Hishereditywasalife-stuffthatmaybelikenedtoclay。Itpossessedmanypossibilities，wascapableofbeingmouldedintomanydifferentforms。Environmentservedtomodeltheclay，togiveitaparticularform。Thus，hadWhiteFangnevercomeintothefiresofman，theWildwouldhavemouldedhimintoatruewolf。Butthegodshadgivenhimadifferentenvironment，andhewasmouldedintoadogthatwasratherwolfish，butthatwasadogandnotawolf。

Andso，accordingtotheclayofhisnatureandthepressureofhissurroundings，hischaracterwasbeingmouldedintoacertainparticularshape。Therewasnoescapingit。Hewasbecomingmoremorose，moreuncompanionable，moresolitary，moreferocious；whilethedogswerelearningmoreandmorethatitwasbettertobeatpeacewithhimthanatwar，andGrayBeaverwascomingtoprizehimmoregreatlywiththepassageofeachday。

WhiteFang，seemingtosumupstrengthinallhisqualities，neverthelesssufferedfromonebesettingweakness。Hecouldnotstandbeinglaughedat。Thelaughterofmenwasahatefulthing。Theymightlaughamongthemselvesaboutanythingtheypleasedexcepthimself，andhedidnotmind。Butthemomentlaughterwasturneduponhimhewouldflyintoamostterriblerage。

Grave，dignified，sombre，alaughmadehimfrantictoridiculousness。Itsooutragedhimandupsethimthatforhourshewouldbehavelikeademon。

Andwoetothedogthatatsuchtimesranfoulofhim。HeknewthelawtoowelltotakeitoutonGrayBeaver；behindGrayBeaverwereaclubandgod-head。Butbehindthedogstherewasnothingbutspace，andintothisspacetheyfledwhenWhiteFangcameonthescene，mademadbylaughter。

InthethirdyearofhislifetherecameagreatfaminetotheMackenzieIndians。Inthesummerthefishfailed。Inthewinterthecaribooforsooktheiraccustomedtrack。Moosewerescarce，therabbitsalmostdisappeared，huntingandpreyinganimalsperished。Deniedtheirusualfood-supply，weakenedbyhunger，theyfelluponanddevouredoneanother。Onlythestrongsurvived。

WhiteFang"sgodswerealsohuntinganimals。Theoldandtheweakofthemdiedofhunger。Therewaswailinginthevillage，wherethewomenandchildrenwentwithoutinorderthatwhatlittletheyhadmightgointothebelliesoftheleanandhollow-eyedhunterswhotrodtheforestinthevainpursuitofmeat。

Tosuchextremitywerethegodsdriventhattheyatethesoft-tannedleatheroftheirmoccasinsandmittens，whilethedogsatetheharnessesofftheirbacksandtheverywhip-lashes。Also，thedogsateoneanother，andalsothegodsatethedogs。Theweakestandthemoreworthlesswereeatenfirst。Thedogsthatstilllived，lookedonandunderstood。Afewoftheboldestandwisestforsookthefiresofthegods，whichhadnowbecomeashambles，andfledintotheforest，where，intheend，theystarvedtodeathorwereeatenbywolves。

Inthistimeofmisery，WhiteFang，too，stoleawayintothewoods。

Hewasbetterfittedforthelifethantheotherdogs，forhehadthetrainingofhiscubhoodtoguidehim。Especiallyadeptdidhebecomeinstalkingsmalllivingthings。Hewouldlieconcealedforhours，followingeverymovementofacautioustree-squirrel，waiting，withapatienceashugeasthehungerhesufferedfrom，untilthesquirrelventuredoutupontheground。Eventhen，WhiteFangwasnotpremature。Hewaiteduntilhewassureofstrikingbeforethesquirrelcouldgainatree-refuge。Then，andnotuntilthen，wouldheflashfromhishiding-place，agrayprojectile，incrediblyswift，neverfailingitsmark——thefleeingsquirrelthatflednotfastenough。

Successfulashewaswithsquirrels，therewasonedifficultythatpreventedhimfromlivingandgrowingfatonthem。Therewerenotenoughsquirrels。

Sohewasdriventohuntstillsmallerthings。Soacutedidhishungerbecomeattimesthathewasnotaboverootingoutwood-micefromtheirburrowsintheground。Nordidhescorntodobattlewithaweaselashungryashimselfandmanytimesmoreferocious。

Intheworstpinchesofthefaminehestolebacktothefiresofthegods。Buthedidnotgointothefires。Helurkedintheforest，avoidingdiscoveryandrobbingthesnaresattherareintervalswhengamewascaught。

HeevenrobbedGrayBeaver"ssnareofarabbitatatimewhenGrayBeaverstaggeredandtotteredthroughtheforest，sittingdownoftentorest，whatofweaknessandofshortnessofbreath。

OnedayWhiteFangencounteredayoungwolf，gauntandscrawny，loose-jointedwithfamine。Hadhenotbeenhungryhimself，WhiteFangmighthavegonewithhimandeventuallyfoundhiswayintothepackamongsthiswildbrethren。

Asitwas，herantheyoungwolfdownandkilledandatehim。

Fortuneseemedtofavorhim。Always，whenhardestpressedforfood，hefoundsomethingtokill。Again，whenhewasweak，itwashisluckthatnoneofthelargerpreyinganimalschanceduponhim。Thus，hewasstrongfromthetwodays"eatingalynxhadaffordedhim，whenthehungrywolf-packranfulltiltuponhim。Itwasalong，cruelchase，buthewasbetternourishedthanthey，andintheendoutranthem。Andnotonlydidheoutrunthem，but，circlingwidelybackonhistrack，hegatheredinoneofhisexhaustedpursuers。

Afterthatheleftthatpartofthecountryandjourneyedovertothevalleywhereinhehadbeenborn。Here，intheoldlair，heencounteredKiche。Uptoheroldtricks，she，too，hadfledtheinhospitablefiresofthegodsandgonebacktoheroldrefugetogivebirthtoheryoung。

OfthislitterbutoneremainedalivewhenWhiteFangcameuponthescene，andthisonewasnotdestinedtolivelong。Younglifehadlittlechanceinsuchafamine。

Kiche"sgreetingofhergrownsonwasanythingbutaffectionate。ButWhiteFangdidnotmind。Hehadoutgrownhismother。Soheturnedtailphilosophicallyandtrottedonupthestream。Attheforkshetooktheturningtotheleft，wherehefoundthelairofthelynxwithwhomhismotherandhehadfoughtlongbefore。Here，intheabandonedlair，hesettleddownandrestedforaday。

Duringtheearlysummer，inthelastdaysofthefamine，hemetLip-lip，whohadlikewisetakentothewoods，wherehehadekedoutamiserableexistence。WhiteFangcameuponhimunexpectedly。Trottinginoppositedirectionsalongthebaseofahighbluff，theyroundedacornerofrockandfoundthemselvesfacetoface。Theypausedwithinstantalarm，andlookedateachothersuspiciously。

WhiteFangwasinsplendidcondition。Hishuntinghadbeengood，andforaweekhehadeatenhisfill。Hewasevengorgedfromhislatestkill。

ButinthemomenthelookedatLip-liphishairroseonendallalonghisback。Itwasaninvoluntarybristlingonhispart，thephysicalstatethatinthepasthadalwaysaccompaniedthementalstateproducedinhimbyLip-lip"sbullyingandpersecution。AsinthepasthehadbristledandsnarledatsightofLip-lip，sonow，andautomatically，hebristledandsnarled。Hedidnotwasteanytime。Thethingwasdonethoroughlyandwithdespatch。Lip-lipessayedtobackaway，butWhiteFangstruckhimhard，shouldertoshoulder。Lip-lipwasoverthrownandrolleduponhisback。

WhiteFang"steethdroveintothescrawnythroat。Therewasadeath-struggle，duringwhichWhiteFangwalkedaround，stiff-leggedandobservant。Thenheresumedhiscourseandtrottedonalongthebaseofthebluff。

Oneday，notlongafter，hecametotheedgeoftheforest，whereanarrowstretchofopenlandslopeddowntotheMackenzie。Hehadbeenoverthisgroundbefore，whenitwasbare，butnowavillageoccupiedit。Stillhiddenamongstthetrees，hepausedtostudythesituation。Sightsandsoundsandscentswerefamiliartohim。Itwastheoldvillagechangedtoanewplace。Butsightsandsoundsandsmellsweredifferentfromthosehehadlasthadwhenhefledawayfromit。Therewasnowhimperingnorwailing。Contentedsoundssalutedhisear，andwhenheheardtheangryvoiceofawomanheknewittobetheangerthatproceedsfromafullstomach。

Andtherewasasmellintheairoffish。Therewasfood。Thefaminewasgone。HecameoutboldlyfromtheforestandtrottedintocampstraighttoGrayBeaver"stepee。GrayBeaverwasnotthere；butKloo-koochwelcomedhimwithgladcriesandthewholeofafresh-caughtfish，andhelaydowntowaitGrayBeaver"scoming。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter1:TheEnemyofhisKindPartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter1

THEENEMYOFHISKIND

HadtherebeeninWhiteFang"snatureanypossibility，nomatterhowremote，ofhisevercomingtofraternizewithhiskind，suchpossibilitywasirretrievablydestroyedwhenhewasmadeleaderofthesled-team。Fornowthedogshatedhim——hatedhimfortheextrameatbestoweduponhimbyMit-sah；hatedhimforalltherealandfanciedfavorshereceived；

hatedhimforthathefledalwaysattheheadoftheteam，hiswavingbrushofatailandhisperpetuallyretreatinghind-quartersforevermaddeningtheireyes。

AndWhiteFangjustasbitterlyhatedthemback。Beingsled-leaderwasanythingbutgratifyingtohim。Tobecompelledtorunawaybeforetheyellingpack，everydogofwhich，forthreeyears，hehadthrashedandmastered，wasalmostmorethanhecouldendure。Butendureithemust，orperish，andthelifethatwasinhimhadnodesiretoperish。ThemomentMit-sahgavehisorderforthestart，thatmomentthewholeteam，witheager，savagecries，sprangforwardatWhiteFang。

Therewasnodefenceforhim。Ifheturneduponthem，Mit-sahwouldthrowthestinginglashofthewhipintohisface。Onlyremainedtohimtorunaway。Hecouldnotencounterthathowlinghordewithhistailandhind-quarters。Thesewerescarcelyfitweaponswithwhichtomeetthemanymercilessfangs。Sorunawayhedid，violatinghisownnatureandpridewitheveryleaphemade，andleapingalldaylong。

Onecannotviolatethepromptingsofone"snaturewithouthavingthatnaturerecoiluponitself。Sucharecoilislikethatofahair，madetogrowoutfromthebody，turningunnaturallyuponthedirectionofitsgrowthandgrowingintothebody——arankling，festeringthingofhurt。AndsowithWhiteFang。Everyurgeofhisbeingimpelledhimtospringuponthepackthatcriedathisheels，butitwasthewillofthegodsthatthisshouldnotbe；andbehindthewill，toenforceit，wasthewhipofcariboo-gutwithitsbitingthirty-footlash。SoWhiteFangcouldonlyeathisheartinbitternessanddevelopahatredandmalicecommensuratewiththeferocityandindomitabilityofhisnature。

Ifeveracreaturewastheenemyofitskind，WhiteFangwasthatcreature。

Heaskednoquarter，gavenone。Hewascontinuallymarredandscarredbytheteethofthepack，andascontinuallyhelefthisownmarksuponthepack。Unlikemostleaders，who，whencampwasmadeandthedogswereunhitched，huddledneartothegodsforprotection，WhiteFangdisdainedsuchprotection。

Hewalkedboldlyaboutthecamp，inflictingpunishmentinthenightforwhathehadsufferedintheday。Inthetimebeforehewasmadeleaderoftheteam，thepackhadlearnedtogetoutofhisway。Butnowitwasdifferent。Excitedbytheday-longpursuitofhim，swayedsubconsciouslybytheinsistentiterationontheirbrainsofthesightofhimfleeingaway，masteredbythefeelingofmasteryenjoyedallday，thedogscouldnotbringthemselvestogivewaytohim。Whenheappearedamongstthem，therewasalwaysasquabble。Hisprogresswasmarkedbysnarlandsnapandgrowl。Theveryatmospherehebreathedwassurchargedwithhatredandmalice，andthisbutservedtoincreasethehatredandmalicewithinhim。

WhenMit-sahcriedouthiscommandfortheteamtostop，WhiteFangobeyed。

Atfirstthiscausedtroublefortheotherdogs。Allofthemwouldspringuponthehatedleader，onlytofindthetablesturned。BehindhimwouldbeMit-sah，thegreatwhipsinginginhishand。Sothedogscametounderstandthatwhentheteamstoppedbyorder，WhiteFangwastobeletalone。ButwhenWhiteFangstoppedwithoutorders，thenitwasallowedthemtospringuponhimanddestroyhimiftheycould。Afterseveralexperiences，WhiteFangneverstoppedwithoutorders。Helearnedquickly。Itwasinthenatureofthingsthathemustlearnquickly，ifheweretosurvivetheunusuallysevereconditionsunderwhichlifewasvouchsafedhim。

Butthedogscouldneverlearnthelessontoleavehimaloneincamp。

Eachday，pursuinghimandcryingdefianceathim，thelessonofthepreviousnightwaserased，andthatnightwouldhavetobelearnedoveragain，tobeasimmediatelyforgotten。Besides，therewasagreaterconsistenceintheirdislikeofhim。Theysensedbetweenthemselvesandhimadifferenceofkind——causesufficientinitselfforhostility。Likehim，theyweredomesticatedwolves。Buttheyhadbeendomesticatedforgenerations。MuchoftheWildhadbeenlost，sothattothemtheWildwastheunknown，theterrible，theevermenacingandeverwarring。Buttohim，inappearanceandactionandimpulse，stillclungtheWild。Hesymbolizedit，wasitspersonification；sothatwhentheyshowedtheirteethtohimtheyweredefendingthemselvesagainstthepowersofdestructionthatlurkedintheshadowsoftheforestandinthedarkbeyondthecamp-fire。

Buttherewasonelessonthedogsdidlearn，andthatwastokeeptogether。

WhiteFangwastooterribleforanyofthemtofacesingle-handed。Theymethimwiththemass-formation，otherwisehewouldhavekilledthem，onebyone，inanight。Asitwas，heneverhadachancetokillthem。Hemightrolladogoffitsfeet，butthepackwouldbeuponhimbeforehecouldfollowupanddeliverthedeadlythroat-stroke。Atthefirsthintofconflict，thewholeteamdrewtogetherandfacedhim。Thedogshadquarrelsamongthemselves，butthesewereforgottenwhentroublewasbrewingwithWhiteFang。

Ontheotherhand，tryastheywould，theycouldnotkillWhiteFang。

Hewastooquickforthem，tooformidable，toowise。Heavoidedtightplacesandalwaysbackedoutofitwhentheybadefairtosurroundhim。While，asforgettinghimoffhisfeet，therewasnodogamongthemcapableofdoingthetrick。Hisfeetclungtotheearthwiththesametenacitythatheclungtolife。Forthatmatter，lifeandfootingweresynonymousinthisunendingwarfarewiththepack，andnoneknewitbetterthanWhiteFang。

Sohebecametheenemyofhiskind，domesticatedwolvesthattheywere，softenedbythefiresofman，weakenedintheshelteringshadowofman"sstrength。WhiteFangwasbitterandimplacable。Theclayofhimwassomoulded。Hedeclaredavendettaagainstalldogs。AndsoterriblydidhelivethisvendettathatGrayBeaver，fiercesavagehimself，couldnotbutmarvelatWhiteFang"sferocity。Never，heswore，hadtherebeenthelikeofthisanimal；andtheIndiansinstrangevillagessworelikewisewhentheyconsideredthetaleofhiskillingsamongsttheirdogs。

WhenWhiteFangwasnearlyfiveyearsold，GrayBeavertookhimonanothergreatjourney，andlongrememberedwasthehavocheworkedamongstthedogsofthemanyvillagesalongtheMackenzie，acrosstheRockies，anddownthePorcupinetotheYukon。Herevelledinthevengeancehewreakeduponhiskind。Theywereordinary，unsuspectingdogs。Theywerenotpreparedforhisswiftnessanddirectness，forhisattackwithoutwarning。Theydidnotknowhimforwhathewas，alightning-flashofslaughter。Theybristleduptohim，stiff-leggedandchallenging，whilehe，wastingnotimeonelaboratepreliminaries，snappingintoactionlikeasteelspring，wasattheirthroatsanddestroyingthembeforetheyknewwhatwashappeningandwhiletheywereyetinthethroesofsurprise。

Hebecameanadeptatfighting。Heeconomized。Heneverwastedhisstrength，nevertussled。Hewasintooquicklyforthat，and，ifhemissed，wasoutagaintooquickly。Thedislikeofthewolfforclosequarterswashistoanunusualdegree。Hecouldnotendureaprolongedcontactwithanotherbody。Itsmackedofdanger。Itmadehimfrantic。Hemustbeaway，free，onhisownlegs，touchingnolivingthing。ItwastheWildstillclingingtohim，assertingitselfthroughhim。ThisfeelinghadbeenaccentuatedbytheIshmaelitelifehehadledfromhispuppyhood。Dangerlurkedincontacts。Itwasthetrap，everthetrap，thefearofitlurkingdeepinthelifeofhim，wovenintothefibreofhim。

Inconsequence，thestrangedogsheencounteredhadnochanceagainsthim。Heeludedtheirfangs。Hegotthem，orgotaway，himselfuntouchedineitherevent。Inthenaturalcourseofthingstherewereexceptionstothis。Thereweretimeswhenseveraldogs，pitchingontohim，punishedhimbeforehecouldgetaway；andthereweretimeswhenasingledogscoreddeeplyonhim。Butthesewereaccidents。Inthemain，soefficientafighterhadhebecome，hewenthiswayunscathed。

Anotheradvantagehepossessedwasthatofcorrectlyjudgingtimeanddistance。Notthathedidthisconsciously，however。Hedidnotcalculatesuchthings。Itwasallautomatic。Hiseyessawcorrectly，andthenervescarriedthevisioncorrectlytohisbrain。Thepartsofhimwerebetteradjustedthanthoseoftheaveragedog。Theyworkedtogethermoresmoothlyandsteadily。Hiswasabetter，farbetter，nervous，mental，andmuscularco[[Yacute]]rdination。Whenhiseyesconveyedtohisbrainthemovingimageofanaction，hisbrain，withoutconsciouseffort，knewthespacethatlimitedthatactionandthetimerequiredforitscompletion。Thus，hecouldavoidtheleapofanotherdog，orthedriveofitsfangs，andatthesamemomentcouldseizetheinfinitesimalfractionoftimeinwhichtodeliverhisownattack。Bodyandbrain，hiswasamoreperfectedmechanism。

Notthathewastobepraisedforit。Naturehadbeenmoregeneroustohimthantotheaverageanimal，thatwasall。

ItwasinthesummerthatWhiteFangarrivedatFortYukon。GrayBeaverhadcrossedthegreatwater-shedbetweentheMackenzieandtheYukoninthelatewinter，andspentthespringinhuntingamongthewesternoutlyingspursoftheRockies。Then，afterthebreak-upoftheiceonthePorcupine，hehadbuiltacanoeandpaddleddownthatstreamtowhereiteffecteditsjunctionwiththeYukonjustundertheArcticCircle。HerestoodtheoldHudson"sBayCompanyfort；andhereweremanyIndians，muchfood，andunprecedentedexcitement。Itwasthesummerof1898，andthousandsofgold-huntersweregoinguptheYukontoDawsonandtheKlondike。Stillhundredsofmilesfromtheirgoal，neverthelessmanyofthemhadbeenonthewayforayear，andtheleastanyofthemhadtravelledtogetthatfarwasfivethousandmiles，whilesomehadcomefromtheothersideoftheworld。

HereGrayBeaverstopped。Awhisperofthegold-rushhadreachedhisears，andhehadcomewithseveralbalesoffurs，andanotherofgut-sewnmittensandmoccasins。Hewouldnothaveventuredsolongatriphadhenotexpectedgenerousprofits。Butwhathehadexpectedwasnothingtowhatherealized。Hiswildestdreamhadnotexceededahundredpercent。

profit；hemadeathousandpercent。AndlikeatrueIndian，hesettleddowntotradecarefullyandslowly，evenifittookallsummerandtherestofthewintertodisposeofhisgoods。

ItwasatFortYukonthatWhiteFangsawhisfirstwhitemen。AscomparedwiththeIndianshehadknown，theyweretohimanotherraceofbeings，araceofsuperiorgods。Theyimpressedhimaspossessingsuperiorpower，anditisonpowerthatgod-headrests。WhiteFangdidnotreasonitout，didnotinhismindmakethesharpgeneralizationthatthewhitegodsweremorepowerful。Itwasafeeling，nothingmore，andyetnonethelesspotent。

As，inhispuppyhood，theloomingbulksofthetepees，man-reared，hadaffectedhimasmanifestationsofpower，sowasheaffectednowbythehousesandthehugefortallofmassivelogs。Herewaspower。Thosewhitegodswerestrong。Theypossessedgreatermasteryovermatterthanthegodshehadknown，mostpowerfulamongwhichwasGrayBeaver。AndyetGrayBeaverwasasachild-godamongthesewhite-skinnedones。

Tobesure，WhiteFangonlyfeltthesethings。Hewasnotconsciousofthem。Yetitisuponfeeling，moreoftenthanthinking，thatanimalsact；andeveryactWhiteFangnowperformedwasbaseduponthefeelingthatthewhitemenwerethesuperiorgods。Inthefirstplacehewasverysuspiciousofthem。Therewasnotellingwhatunknownterrorsweretheirs，whatunknownhurtstheycouldadminister。Hewascurioustoobservethem，fearfulofbeingnoticedbythem。Forthefirstfewhourshewascontentwithslinkingaroundandwatchingthemfromasafedistance。Thenhesawthatnoharmbefellthedogsthatwereneartothem，andhecameincloser。

Inturn，hewasanobjectofgreatcuriositytothem。Hiswolfishappearancecaughttheireyesatonce，andtheypointedhimouttooneanother。ThisactofpointingputWhiteFangonhisguard，andwhentheytriedtoapproachhimheshowedhisteethandbackedaway。Notonesucceededinlayingahandonhim，anditwaswellthattheydidnot。

WhiteFangsoonlearnedthatveryfewofthesegods——notmorethanadozen——livedatthisplace。Everytwoorthreedaysasteamer(anotherandcolossalmanifestationofpower)cameintothebankandstoppedforseveralhours。Thewhitemencamefromoffthesesteamersandwentawayonthemagain。Thereseemeduntoldnumbersofthesewhitemen。Inthefirstdayorso，hesawmoreofthemthanhehadseenIndiansinallhislife；

andasthedayswentbytheycontinuedtocomeuptheriver，stop，andthengoonuptheriverandoutofsight。

Butifthewhitegodswereall-powerful，theirdogsdidnotamounttomuch。ThisWhiteFangquicklydiscoveredbymixingwiththosethatcameashorewiththeirmasters。Theywereofirregularshapesandsizes。Somewereshort-legged——tooshort；otherswerelong-legged——toolong。Theyhadhairinsteadoffur，andafewhadverylittlehairatthat。Andnoneofthemknewhowtofight。

Asanenemyofhiskind，itwasinWhiteFang"sprovincetofightwiththem。Thishedid，andhequicklyachievedforthemamightycontempt。

Theyweresoftandhelpless，mademuchnoise，andflounderedaroundclumsily，tryingtoaccomplishbymainstrengthwhatheaccomplishedbydexterityandcunning。Theyrushedbellowingathim。Hesprangtotheside。Theydidnotknowwhathadbecomeofhim；andinthatmomenthestruckthemontheshoulder，rollingthemofftheirfeetanddeliveringhisstrokeatthethroat。

Sometimesthisstrokewassuccessful，andastrickendogrolledinthedirt，tobepounceduponandtorntopiecesbythepackofIndiandogsthatwaited。WhiteFangwaswise。Hehadlongsincelearnedthatthegodsweremadeangrywhentheirdogswerekilled。Thewhitemenwerenoexceptiontothis。Sohewascontent，whenhehadoverthrownandslashedwidethethroatofoneoftheirdogs，todropbackandletthepackgoinanddothecruelfinishingwork。Itwasthenthatthewhitemenrushedin，visitingtheirwrathheavilyonthepack，whileWhiteFangwentfree。Hewouldstandoffatalittledistanceandlookon，whilestones，clubs，axes，andallsortsofweaponsfelluponhisfellows。WhiteFangwasverywise。

Buthisfellowsgrewwise，intheirownway；andinthisWhiteFanggrewwisewiththem。Theylearnedthatitwaswhenasteamerfirsttiedtothebankthattheyhadtheirfun。Afterthefirsttwoorthreestrangedogshadbeendownedanddestroyed，thewhitemenhustledtheirownanimalsbackonboardandwreakedsavagevengeanceontheoffenders。Onewhiteman，havingseenhisdog，asetter，torntopiecesbeforehiseyes，drewarevolver。Hefiredrapidly，sixtimes，andsixofthepacklaydeadordying——anothermanifestationofpowerthatsankdeepintoWhiteFang"sconsciousness。

WhiteFangenjoyeditall。Hedidnotlovehiskind，andhewasshrewdenoughtoescapehurthimself。Atfirst，thekillingofthewhitemen"sdogshadbeenadiversion。Afteratimeitbecamehisoccupation。Therewasnoworkforhimtodo。GrayBeaverwasbusytradingandgettingwealthy。

SoWhiteFanghungaroundthelandingwiththedisreputablegangofIndiandogs，waitingforsteamers。Withthearrivalofasteamerthefunbegan。

Afterafewminutes，bythetimethewhitemenhadgotovertheirsurprise，thegangscattered。Thefunwasoveruntilthenextsteamershouldarrive。

ButitcanscarcelybesaidthatWhiteFangwasamemberofthegang。

Hedidnotminglewithit，butremainedaloof，alwayshimself，andwasevenfearedbyit。Itistrue，heworkedwithit。Hepickedthequarrelwiththestrangedogwhilethegangwaited。Andwhenhehadoverthrownthestrangedogthegangwentintofinishit。Butitisequallytruethathethenwithdrew，leavingthegangtoreceivethepunishmentoftheoutragedgods。

Itdidnotrequiremuchexertiontopickthesequarrels。Allhehadtodo，whenthestrangedogscameashore，wastoshowhimself。Whentheysawhimtheyrushedforhim。Itwastheirinstinct。HewastheWild——

theunknown，theterrible，theevermenacing，thethingthatprowledinthedarknessaroundthefiresoftheprimevalworldwhenthey，coweringclosetothefires，werereshapingtheirinstincts，learningtofeartheWildoutofwhichtheyhadcome，andwhichtheyhaddesertedandbetrayed。

Generationbygeneration，downallthegenerations，hadthisfearoftheWildbeenstampedintotheirnatures。ForcenturiestheWildhadstoodforterroranddestruction。Andduringallthistimefreelicensehadbeentheirs，fromtheirmasters，tokillthethingsoftheWild。Indoingthistheyhadprotectedboththemselvesandthegodswhosecompanionshiptheyshared。

Andso，freshfromthesoftsouthernworld，thesedogs，trottingdownthegang-plankandoutupontheYukonshore，hadbuttoseeWhiteFangtoexperiencetheirresistibleimpulsetorushuponhimanddestroyhim。

Theymightbetown-reareddogs，buttheinstinctivefearoftheWildwastheirsjustthesame。Notalonewiththeirowneyesdidtheyseethewolfishcreatureintheclearlightofday，standingbeforethem。Theysawhimwiththeeyesoftheirancestors，andbytheirinheritedmemorytheyknewWhiteFangforthewolf，andtheyrememberedtheancientfeud。

AllofwhichservedtomakeWhiteFang"sdaysenjoyable。Ifthesightofhimdrovethesestrangedogsuponhim，somuchthebetterforhim，somuchtheworseforthem。Theylookeduponhimaslegitimateprey，andaslegitimatepreyhelookeduponthem。

Notfornothinghadhefirstseenthelightofdayinalonelylairandfoughthisfirstfightswiththeptarmigan，theweasel，andthelynx。

AndnotfornothinghadhispuppyhoodbeenmadebitterbythepersecutionofLip-lipandthewholepuppy-pack。Itmighthavebeenotherwise，andhewouldthenhavebeenotherwise。HadLip-lipnotexisted，hewouldhavepassedhispuppyhoodwiththeotherpuppiesandgrownupmoredoglikeandwithmorelikingfordogs。HadGrayBeaverpossessedtheplummetofaffectionandlove，hemighthavesoundedthedeepsofWhiteFang"snatureandbroughtuptothesurfaceallmannerofkindlyqualities。Butthesethingshadnotbeenso。TheclayofWhiteFanghadbeenmouldeduntilhebecamewhathewas，moroseandlonely，unlovingandferocious，theenemyofallhiskind。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter2:TheMadGodPartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter2

THEMADGOD

AsmallnumberofwhitemenlivedinFortYukon。Thesemenhadbeenlonginthecountry。TheycalledthemselvesSour-doughs，andtookgreatprideinsoclassifyingthemselves。Forothermen，newintheland，theyfeltnothingbutdisdain。Themenwhocameashorefromthesteamerswerenewcomers。Theywereknownaschechaquos，andtheyalwayswiltedattheapplicationofthename。Theymadetheirbreadwithbaking-powder。

ThiswastheinvidiousdistinctionbetweenthemandtheSour-doughs，who，forsooth，madetheirbreadfromsour-doughbecausetheyhadnobaking-powder。

Allofwhichisneitherherenorthere。Themeninthefortdisdainedthenewcomersandenjoyedseeingthemcometogrief。Especiallydidtheyenjoythehavocworkedamongstthenewcomers"dogsbyWhiteFangandhisdisreputablegang。Whenasteamerarrived，themenofthefortmadeitapointalwaystocomedowntothebankandseethefun。TheylookedforwardtoitwithasmuchanticipationasdidtheIndiandogs，whiletheywerenotslowtoappreciatethesavageandcraftypartplayedbyWhiteFang。

Buttherewasonemanamongstthemwhoparticularlyenjoyedthesport。

Hewouldcomerunningatthefirstsoundofasteamboat"swhistle；andwhenthelastfightwasoverandWhiteFangandthepackhadscattered，hewouldreturnslowlytothefort，hisfaceheavywithregret。Sometimes，whenasoftSouthlanddogwentdown，shriekingitsdeath-cryunderthefangsofthepack，thismanwouldbeunabletocontainhimself，andwouldleapintotheairandcryoutwithdelight。AndalwayshehadasharpandcovetouseyeforWhiteFang。

Thismanwascalled"Beauty"bytheothermenofthefort。Nooneknewhisfirstname，andingeneralhewasknowninthecountryasBeautySmith。

Buthewasanythingsaveabeauty。Toantithesiswasduehisnaming。Hewaspreminentlyunbeautiful。Naturehadbeenniggardlywithhim。Hewasasmallmantobeginwith；anduponhismeagreframewasdepositedanevenmorestrikinglymeagrehead。Itsapexmightbelikenedtoapoint。Infact，inhisboyhood，beforehehadbeennamedBeautybyhisfellows，hehadbeencalled"Pinhead。"

Backward，fromtheapex，hisheadslanteddowntohisneck；andforward，itslanteduncompromisinglytomeetalowandremarkablywideforehead。

Beginninghere，asthoughregrettingherparsimony，Naturehadspreadhisfeatureswithalavishhand。Hiseyeswerelarge，andbetweenthemwasthedistanceoftwoeyes。Hisface，inrelationtotherestofhim，wasprodigious。Inordertodiscoverthenecessaryarea，Naturehadgivenhimanenormousprognathousjaw。Itwaswideandheavy，andprotrudedoutwardanddownuntilitseemedtorestonhischest。Possiblythisappearancewasduetothewearinessoftheslenderneck，unableproperlytosupportsogreataburden。

Thisjawgavetheimpressionofferociousdetermination。Butsomethinglacked。Perhapsitwasfromexcess。Perhapsthejawwastoolarge。Atanyrate，itwasalie。BeautySmithwasknownfarandwideastheweakestofweak-kneedandsnivellingcowards。Tocompletehisdescription，histeethwerelargeandyellow，whilethetwoeye-teeth，largerthantheirfellows，showedunderhisleanlipslikefangs。Hiseyeswereyellowandmuddy，asthoughNaturehadrunshortonpigmentsandsqueezedtogetherthedregsofallhertubes。Itwasthesamewithhishair，sparseandirregularofgrowth，muddy-yellowanddirty-yellow，risingonhisheadandsproutingoutofhisfaceinunexpectedtuftsandbunches，inappearancelikeclumpedandwind-blowngrain。

Inshort，BeautySmithwasamonstrosity，andtheblameofitlayelsewhere。

Hewasnotresponsible。Theclayofhimhadbeensomouldedinthemaking。

Hedidthecookingfortheothermeninthefort，thedish-washingandthedrudgery。Theydidnotdespisehim。Ratherdidtheytoleratehiminabroadhumanway，asonetoleratesanycreatureevillytreatedinthemaking。Also，theyfearedhim。Hiscowardlyragesmadethemdreadashotinthebackorpoisonintheircoffee。Butsomebodyhadtodothecooking，andwhateverelsehisshortcomings，BeautySmithcouldcook。

ThiswasthemanthatlookedatWhiteFang，delightedinhisferociousprowess，anddesiredtopossesshim。HemadeoverturestoWhiteFangfromthefirst。WhiteFangbeganbyignoringhim。Lateron，whentheoverturesbecamemoreinsistent，WhiteFangbristledandbaredhisteethandbackedaway。Hedidnotliketheman。Thefeelofhimwasbad。Hesensedtheevilinhim，andfearedtheextendedhandandtheattemptsatsoft-spokenspeech。

Becauseofallthis，hehatedtheman。

Withthesimplercreatures，goodandbadarethingssimplyunderstood。

Thegoodstandsforallthingsthatbringeasementandsatisfactionandsurceasefrompain。Therefore，thegoodisliked。Thebadstandsforallthingsthatarefraughtwithdiscomfort，menace，andhurt，andishatedaccordingly。WhiteFang"sfeelofBeautySmithwasbad。Fromtheman"sdistortedbodyandtwistedmind，inoccultways，likemistsrisingfrommalarialmarshes，cameemanationsoftheunhealthwithin。Notbyreasoning，notbythefivesensesalone，butbyotherandremoterandunchartedsenses，camethefeelingtoWhiteFangthatthemanwasominouswithevil，pregnantwithhurtfulness，andthereforeathingbad，andwiselytobehated。

WhiteFangwasinGrayBeaver"scampwhenBeautySmithfirstvisitedit。Atthefaintsoundofhisdistantfeet，beforehecameinsight，WhiteFangknewwhowascomingandbegantobristle。Hehadbeenlyingdowninanabandonofcomfort，buthearosequickly，and，asthemanarrived，slidawayintruewolf-fashiontotheedgeofthecamp。Hedidnotknowwhattheysaid，buthecouldseethemanandGrayBeavertalkingtogether。Once，themanpointedathim，andWhiteFangsnarledbackasthoughthehandwerejustdescendinguponhiminsteadofbeing，asitwas，fiftyfeetaway。

Themanlaughedatthis；andWhiteFangslunkawaytotheshelteringwoods，hisheadturnedtoobserveasheglidedsoftlyovertheground。

GrayBeaverrefusedtosellthedog。Hehadgrownrichwithhistradingandstoodinneedofnothing。Besides，WhiteFangwasavaluableanimal，thestrongestsled-doghehadeverowned，andthebestleader。Furthermore，therewasnodoglikehimontheMackenzienortheYukon。Hecouldfight。

Hekilledotherdogsaseasilyasmenkilledmosquitoes。(BeautySmith"seyeslightedupatthis，andhelickedhisthinlipswithaneagertongue。)

No，WhiteFangwasnotforsaleatanyprice。

ButBeautySmithknewthewaysofIndians。HevisitedGrayBeaver"scampoften，andhiddenunderhiscoatwasalwaysablackbottleorso。

Oneofthepotenciesofwhiskeyisthebreedingofthirst。GrayBeavergotthethirst。Hisfeveredmembranesandburntstomachbegantoclamorformoreandmoreofthescorchingfluid；whilehisbrain，thrustallawrybytheunwontedstimulant，permittedhimtogoanylengthtoobtainit。

Themoneyhehadreceivedforhisfursandmittensandmoccasinsbegantogo。Itwentfasterandfaster，andtheshorterhismoney-sackgrew，theshortergrewhistemper。

Intheendhismoneyandgoodsandtemperwereallgone。Nothingremainedtohimbuthisthirst，aprodigiouspossessioninitselfthatgrewmoreprodigiouswitheverysoberbreathhedrew。ThenitwasthatBeautySmithhadtalkwithhimagainaboutthesaleofWhiteFang；butthistimethepriceofferedwasinbottles，notdollars，andGrayBeaver"searsweremoreeagertohear。

"Youketchumdogyoutakeumallright，"washislastword。

Thebottlesweredelivered，butaftertwodays，"Youketchumdog，"

wereBeautySmith"swordstoGrayBeaver。

WhiteFangslunkintocamponeeveninganddroppeddownwithasighofcontent。Thedreadedwhitegodwasnotthere。Fordayshismanifestationsofdesiretolayhandsonhimhadbeengrowingmoreinsistent，andduringthattimeWhiteFanghadbeencompelledtoavoidthecamp。Hedidnotknowwhatevilwasthreatenedbythoseinsistenthands。Heknewonlythattheydidthreatenevilofsomesort，andthatitwasbestforhimtokeepoutoftheirreach。

ButscarcelyhadhelaindownwhenGrayBeaverstaggeredovertohimandtiedaleatherthongaroundhisneck。HesatdownbesideWhiteFang，holdingtheendofthethonginhishand。Intheotherhandheheldabottle，which，fromtimetotime，wasinvertedabovehisheadtotheaccompanimentofgurglingnoises。

Anhourofthispassed，whenthevibrationsoffeetincontactwiththegroundforerantheonewhoapproached。WhiteFanghearditfirst，andhewasbristlingwithrecognitionwhileGrayBeaverstillnoddedstupidly。

WhiteFangtriedtodrawthethongsoftlyoutofhismaster"shand；buttherelaxedfingersclosedtightlyandGrayBeaverrousedhimself。

BeautySmithstrodeintocampandstoodoverWhiteFang。Hesnarledsoftlyupatthethingoffear，watchingkeenlythedeportmentofthehands。

Onehandextendedoutwardandbegantodescenduponhishead。Hissoftsnarlgrewtenseandharsh。Thehandcontinuedslowlytodescend，whilehecrouchedbeneathit，eyingitmalignantly，hissnarlgrowingshorterandshorteras，withquickeningbreath，itapproacheditsculmination。

Suddenlyhesnapped，strikingwithhisfangslikeasnake。Thehandwasjerkedback，andtheteethcametogetheremptilywithasharpclick。BeautySmithwasfrightenedandangry。GrayBeavercloutedWhiteFangalongsidethehead，sothathecowereddownclosetotheearthinrespectfulobedience。

WhiteFang"ssuspiciouseyesfollowedeverymovement。HesawBeautySmithgoawayandreturnwithastoutclub。ThentheendofthethongwasgivenovertohimbyGrayBeaver。BeautySmithstartedtowalkaway。Thethonggrewtaut。WhiteFangresistedit。GrayBeavercloutedhimrightandlefttomakehimgetupandfollow。Heobeyed，butwitharush，hurlinghimselfuponthestrangerwhowasdragginghimaway。BeautySmithdidnotjumpaway。Hehadbeenwaitingforthis。Heswungtheclubsmartly，stoppingtherushmidwayandsmashingWhiteFangdownupontheground。GrayBeaverlaughedandnoddedapproval。BeautySmithtightenedthethongagain，andWhiteFangcrawledlimplyanddizzilytohisfeet。

Hedidnotrushasecondtime。Onesmashfromtheclubwassufficienttoconvincehimthatthewhitegodknewhowtohandleit，andhewastoowisetofighttheinevitable。SohefollowedmoroselyatBeautySmith"sheels，histailbetweenhislegs，yetsnarlingsoftlyunderhisbreath。

ButBeautySmithkeptawaryeyeonhim，andtheclubwasheldalwaysreadytostrike。

AtthefortBeautySmithlefthimsecurelytiedandwentintobed。

WhiteFangwaitedanhour。Thenheappliedhisteethtothethong，andinthespaceoftensecondswasfree。Hehadwastednotimewithhisteeth。

Therehadbeennouselessgnawing。Thethongwascutacross，diagonally，almostascleanasthoughdonebyaknife。WhiteFanglookedupatthefort，atthesametimebristlingandgrowling。ThenheturnedandtrottedbacktoGrayBeaver"scamp。Heowednoallegiancetothisstrangeandterriblegod。HehadgivenhimselftoGrayBeaver，andtoGrayBeaverheconsideredhestillbelonged。

Butwhathadoccurredbeforewasrepeated——withadifference。GrayBeaveragainmadehimfastwithathong，andinthemorningturnedhimovertoBeautySmith。Andherewaswherethedifferencecamein。BeautySmithgavehimabeating。Tiedsecurely，WhiteFangcouldonlyragefutilelyandendurethepunishment。Clubandwhipwerebothuseduponhim，andheexperiencedtheworstbeatinghehadeverreceivedinhislife。EventhebigbeatinggivenhiminhispuppyhoodbyGrayBeaverwasmildcomparedwiththis。

BeautySmithenjoyedthetask。Hedelightedinit。Hegloatedoverhisvictim，andhiseyesflameddully，asheswungthewhiporclubandlistenedtoWhiteFang"scriesofpainandtohishelplessbellowsandsnarls。ForBeautySmithwascruelinthewaythatcowardsarecruel。Cringingandsnivellinghimselfbeforetheblowsorangryspeechofaman，herevengedhimself，inturn，uponcreaturesweakerthanhe。Alllifelikespower，andBeautySmithwasnoexception。Deniedtheexpressionofpoweramongsthisownkind，hefellbackuponthelessercreaturesandtherevindicatedthelifethatwasinhim。ButBeautySmithhadnotcreatedhimself，andnoblamewastobeattachedtohim。Hehadcomeintotheworldwithatwistedbodyandabruteintelligence。Thishadconstitutedtheclayofhim，andithadnotbeenkindlymouldedbytheworld。

WhiteFangknewwhyhewasbeingbeaten。WhenGrayBeavertiedthethongaroundhisneck，andpassedtheendofthethonginto

BeautySmith"skeeping，WhiteFangknewthatitwashisgod"swillforhimtogowithBeautySmith。