第7章

Yetagain，inthisneworientation，itwasthethumbofcircumstancethatpressedandproddedhim，softeningthatwhichhadbecomehardandremouldingitintofairerform。WeedonScottwasintruththisthumb。HehadgonetotherootsofWhiteFang"snature，andwithkindnesstouchedtolifepotenciesthathadlanguishedandwell-nighperished。Onesuchpotencywaslove。Ittooktheplaceoflike，whichlatterhadbeenthehighestfeelingthatthrilledhiminhisintercoursewiththegods。

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

Thelordshipofmanwasaneedofhisnature。

ThesealofhisdependenceonmanhadbeensetuponhiminthatearlydaywhenheturnedhisbackontheWildandcrawledtoGrayBeaver"sfeettoreceivetheexpectedbeating。Thissealhadbeenstampeduponhimagain，andineradicably，onhissecondreturnfromtheWild，whenthelongfaminewasoverandtherewasfishoncemoreinthevillageofGrayBeaver。

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

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

Atfirstsuspiciousandhostile，WhiteFanggrewtolikethispetting。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Helearnedtoadjusthimselfinmanywaystohisnewmodeoflife。Itwasborneinuponhimthathemustlethismaster"sdogsalone。Yethisdominantnatureasserteditself，andhehadfirsttothrashthemintoanacknowledgmentofhissuperiorityandleadership。Thisaccomplished，hehadlittletroublewiththem。Theygavetrailtohimwhenhecameandwentorwalkedamongthem，andwhenheassertedhiswilltheyobeyed。

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

yetWhiteFangdivinedthatitwashismaster"sfoodheateandthatitwashismasterwhothusfedhimvicariously。Mattitwaswhotriedtoputhimintotheharnessandmakehimhaulsledwiththeotherdogs。ButMattfailed。ItwasnotuntilWeedonScottputtheharnessonWhiteFangandworkedhim，thatheunderstood。Hetookitashismaster"swillthatMattshoulddrivehimandworkhimjustashedroveandworkedhismaster"sotherdogs。

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

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

ArecrudescenceofangerglintedinWeedonScott"sgrayeyes，andhemutteredsavagely，"Thebeast!"

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

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

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

WeedonScottreadingtheletterdowninCircleCity，cameuponthefollowing:

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

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

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

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

"Where"sthewolf？"heasked。

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

"Holysmoke!"Mattexclaimed。"Lookat"mwaghistail!"

WeedonScottstrodehalfacrosstheroomtowardhim，atthesametimecallinghim。WhiteFangcametohim，notwithagreatbound，yetquickly。

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

"Heneverlookedatmethatwayallthetimeyouwasgone，"Mattcommented。

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

Butthatwasnotall。Whatofhisjoy，thegreatloveinhim，eversurgingandstrugglingtoexpressitself，succeededinfindinganewmodeofexpression。

Hesuddenlythrusthisheadforwardandnudgedhiswayinbetweenthemaster"sarmandbody。Andhere，confined，hiddenfromviewallexcepthisears，nolongergrowling，hecontinuedtonudgeandsnuggle。

Thetwomenlookedateachother。Scott"seyeswereshining。

"Gosh!"saidMattinanawe-strickenvoice。

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

Withthereturnofthelove-master，WhiteFang"srecoverywasrapid。

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

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

WhiteFangdidnotneedtheencouragement。Thereturnofthelove-masterwasenough。Lifewasflowingthroughhimagain，splendidandindomitable。

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

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

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

"Thewolf"snailedsomebody，"Mattsaid。

Awildscreamoffearandanguishhastenedthem。

"Bringalight!"Scottshouted，ashesprangoutside。

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

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

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

AtthesamemomentMattnoticedtwoobjectslyinginthesnow。Heheldthelampclosetothem，indicatingthemwithhistoeforhisemployer"sbenefit——asteeldog-chainandastoutclub。

WeedonScottsawandnodded。Notawordwasspoken。Thedog-musherlaidhishandonBeautySmith"sshoulderandfacedhimtotheright-about。Nowordneededtobespoken。BeautySmithstarted。

Inthemeantimethelove-masterwaspattingWhiteFangandtalkingtohim。

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

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

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

THELONGTRAIL

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

"Listentothat，willyou!"thedog-musherexclaimedatsupperonenight。

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

"Idobelievethatwolf"sontoyou，"thedog-mushersaid。

WeedonScottlookedacrossathiscompanionwitheyesthatalmostpleaded，thoughthiswasgiventheliebyhiswords。

"WhatthedevilcanIdowithawolfinCalifornia？"hedemanded。

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

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

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

WeedonScottlookedathimsuspiciously。

"Itwouldneverdo，"hesaiddecisively。

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

Theother"ssuspicionwasallayed。Henoddedcheerfully。Inthesilencethatfollowed，thelow，half-sobbingwhinewasheardatthedoorandthenthelong，questingsniff。

"There"snodenyin"hethinksahellofalotofyou，"Mattsaid。

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

"I"magreein"withyou，only……"

"Onlywhat？"Scottsnappedout。

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

WeedonScottdebatedwithhimselfforawhile，andthensaidmoregently:

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

"Why，itwouldberankridiculousnessformetotakethatdogalong，"

hebrokeoutafteranotherpause。

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

"ButhowinthenameofthegreatSardanapalusheknowsyou"regoin"

iswhatgetsme，"thedog-mushercontinuedinnocently。

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

Thencamethedaywhen，throughtheopencabindoor，WhiteFangsawthefatalgriponthefloorandthelove-masterpackingthingsintoit。

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

Thatnightheliftedthelongwolf-howl。Ashehadhowled，inhispuppydays，whenhefledbackfromtheWildtothevillagetofinditvanishedandnaughtbutarubbish-heaptomarkthesiteofGrayBeaver"stepee，sonowhepointedhismuzzletothecoldstarsandtoldtothemhiswoe。

Insidethecabinthetwomenhadjustgonetobed。

"He"sgoneoffhisfoodagain，"Mattremarkedfromhisbunk。

TherewasagruntfromWeedonScott"sbunk，andastirofblankets。

"Fromthewayhecutuptheothertimeyouwentaway，wouldn"twonderthistimebutwhathedied。"

Theblanketsintheotherbunkstirredirritably。

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

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

ThenextdayWhiteFang"sanxietyandrestlessnesswereevenmorepronounced。

Hedoggedhismaster"sheelswheneverheleftthecabin，andhauntedthefrontstoopwhenheremainedinside。Throughtheopendoorhecouldcatchglimpsesoftheluggageonthefloor。Thegriphadbeenjoinedbytwolargecanvasbagsandabox。Mattwasrollingthemaster"sblanketsandfurrobeinsideasmalltarpaulin。WhiteFangwhinedashewatchedtheoperation。

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

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

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

ButWhiteFangrefusedtogrowl。Instead，andafterawistful，searchinglook，hesnuggledin，burrowinghisheadoutofsightbetweenthemaster"sarmandbody。

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scottturnedtosee。SittingonthedeckseveralfeetawayandwatchingwistfullywasWhiteFang。

Thedog-mushersworesoftly，inawe-strickenaccents。Scottcouldonlylookinwonder。

"Didyoulockthefrontdoor？"Mattdemanded。

Theothernodded，andasked，"Howabouttheback？"

"YoujustbetIdid，"wastheferventreply。

WhiteFangflattenedhisearsingratiatingly，butremainedwherehewas，makingnoattempttoapproach。

"I"llhavetotake"mashorewithme。"

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

Butwhenthelove-masterspoke，WhiteFangcametohimwithpromptobedience。

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

Scott，whohadbeenpattingWhiteFang，suddenlybentcloserandpointedoutfresh-madecutsonhismuzzle，andagashbetweentheeyes。

MattbentoverandpassedhishandalongWhiteFang"sbelly。

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

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

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

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

"TheverythingImean。Here"syourbandana。I"llwritetoyouabouthim。"

Mattpausedhalfwaydownthegang-plank。

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

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

THESOUTHLAND

WhiteFanglandedfromthesteamerinSanFrancisco。Hewasappalled。

Deepinhim，belowanyreasoningprocessoractofconsciousness，hehadassociatedpowerwithgodhead。Andneverhadthewhitemenseemedsuchmarvellousgodsasnow，whenhetrodtheslimypavementofSanFrancisco。

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

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

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

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

Andhere，inthisinfernoofluggage，wasWhiteFangdesertedbythemaster。OratleastWhiteFangthoughthewasdeserted，untilhesmelledoutthemaster"scanvasclothes-bagsalongsideofhimandproceededtomountguardoverthem。

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

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

Therewasacarriagewaiting。Amanandawomanapproachedthemaster。

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

"AndinthemeantimeImaybepermittedtolovemysonwhenhisdogisnotaround，"shelaughed，thoughshewaspaleandweakfromthefright。

ShelookedatWhiteFang，whosnarledandbristledandglaredmalevolently。

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

HespokesoftlytoWhiteFanguntilhehadquietedhim，thenhisvoicebecamefirm。

"Down，sir!Downwithyou!"

Thishadbeenoneofthethingstaughthimbythemaster，andWhiteFangobeyed，thoughhelaydownreluctantlyandsullenly。

"Now，mother。"

Scottopenedhisarmstoher，butkepthiseyesonWhiteFang。

"Down!"hewarned。"Down!"

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

Attheendoffifteenminutes，thecarriageswunginthroughastonegatewayandonbetweenadoublerowofarchedandinterlacingwalnuttrees。

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

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

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

Forhimtoattackherwouldrequirenothinglessthanaviolationofhisinstinct。

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

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

Sheremainedalwaysbetweenhimandthewayhewantedtogo。

"Here，Collie!"calledthestrangemaninthecarriage。

WeedonScottlaughed。

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

Thecarriagedroveon，andstillCollieblockedWhiteFang"sway。Hetriedtooutrunherbyleavingthedriveandcirclingacrossthelawn；

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

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

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

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

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

Themasterwasrunningup，butwastoofaraway；anditwasColliethatsavedthehound"slife。BeforeWhiteFangcouldspringinanddeliverthefatalstroke，andjustashewasintheactofspringingin，Colliearrived。

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

Thenextmomentthemasterarrived，andwithonehandheldWhiteFang，whilethefathercalledoffthedogs。

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

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

AtsuchtimesWhiteFangleanedincloseagainstthemaster"slegsandreceivedreassuringpatsonthehead。

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

Allthegodsstartedupthestepstoenterthehouse。WhiteFangfollowedcloselyatthemaster"sheels。Dick，ontheporch，growled，andWhiteFang，onthesteps，bristledandgrowledback。

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

"ThenWhiteFang，toshowhisfriendship，willhavetobechiefmourneratthefuneral，"laughedthemaster。

TheelderScottlookedincreduously，firstatWhiteFang，thenatDick，andfinallyathisson。

"Youmeanthat……？"

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

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

WhiteFangwalkedstiff-leggedupthestepsandacrosstheporch，withtailrigidlyerect，keepinghiseyesonDicktoguardagainstaflankattack，andatthesametimepreparedforwhateverfiercemanifestationoftheunknownthatmightpounceoutuponhimfromtheinteriorofthehouse。

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

THEGOD"SDOMAIN

NotonlywasWhiteFangadaptablebynature，buthehadtravelledmuch，andknewthemeaningandnecessityofadjustment。Here，inSierraVista，whichwasthenameofJudgeScott"splace，WhiteFangquicklybegantomakehimselfathome。Hehadnofurtherserioustroublewiththedogs。

TheyknewmoreaboutthewaysoftheSouthlandgodsthandidhe，andintheireyeshehadqualifiedwhenheaccompaniedthegodsinsidethehouse。

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

Dick，perforce，hadtogothroughafewstiffformalitiesatfirst，afterwhichhecalmlyacceptedWhiteFangasanadditiontothepremises。

HadDickhadhisway，theywouldhavebeengoodfriends；butWhiteFangwasadversetofriendship。Allheaskedofotherdogswastobeletalone。

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

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

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

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

TherewasmuchinothermattersforWhiteFangtolearn。LifeintheNorthlandwassimplicityitselfwhencomparedwiththecomplicatedaffairsofSierraVista。Firstofall，hehadtolearnthefamilyofthemaster。

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

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

Whatwasofvaluetothemasterhevalued；whatwasdeartothemasterwastobecherishedbyWhiteFangandguardedcarefully。

Thusitwaswiththetwochildren。Allhislifehehaddislikedchildren。

Hehatedandfearedtheirhands。ThelessonswerenottenderthathehadlearnedoftheirtyrannyandcrueltyinthedaysoftheIndianvillages。

WhenWeedonandMaudhadfirstapproachedhim，hegrowledwarninglyandlookedmalignant。Acufffromthemasterandasharpwordhadthencompelledhimtopermittheircaresses，thoughhegrowledandgrowledundertheirtinyhands，andinthegrowltherewasnocrooningnote。Later，heobservedthattheboyandgirlwereofgreatvalueinthemaster"seyes。Thenitwasthatnocuffnorsharpwordwasnecessarybeforetheycouldpathim。

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

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

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

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

OutsidethehouseholdtherewasevenmoreforWhiteFangtolearn。Themaster"sdomainwaswideandcomplex，yetithaditsmetesandbounds。

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

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

Inpointoffact，thecuffwasrarelyadministered。Themaster"svoicewassufficient。ByitWhiteFangknewwhetherhedidrightornot。Byithetrimmedhisconductandadjustedhisactions。Itwasthecompassbywhichhesteeredandlearnedtochartthemannersofanewlandandlife。

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