第8章
ButthishewastolearnearlyinhisresidenceinSantaClaraValley。
Saunteringaroundthecornerofthehouseintheearlymorning，hecameuponachickenthathadescapedfromthechicken-yard。WhiteFang"snaturalimpulsewastoeatit。Acoupleofbounds，aflashofteethandafrightenedsquawk，andhehadscoopedintheadventurousfowl。Itwasfarm-bredandfatandtender；andWhiteFanglickedhischopsanddecidedthatsuchfarewasgood。
Laterintheday，hechanceduponanotherstraychickennearthestables。
Oneofthegroomsrantotherescue。HedidnotknowWhiteFang"sbreed，soforweaponhetookalightbuggy-whip。Atthefirstcutofthewhip，WhiteFangleftthechickenfortheman。AclubmighthavestoppedWhiteFang，butnotawhip。Silently，withoutflinching，hetookasecondcutinhisforwardrush，andasheleapedforthethroatthegroomcriedout，"MyGod!"andstaggeredbackward。Hedroppedthewhipandshieldedhisthroatwithhisarms。Inconsequence，hisforearmwasrippedopentothebone。
Themanwasbadlyfrightened。ItwasnotsomuchWhiteFang"sferocityasitwashissilencethatunnervedthegroom。Stillprotectinghisthroatandfacewithhistornandbleedingarm，hetriedtoretreattothebarn。
AnditwouldhavegonehardwithhimhadnotCollieappearedonthescene。
AsshehadsavedDick"slife，shenowsavedthegroom"s。SherusheduponWhiteFanginfrenziedwrath。Shehadbeenright。Shehadknownbetterthantheblunderinggods。Allhersuspicionswerejustified。Herewastheancientmarauderuptohisoldtricksagain。
Thegroomescapedintothestables，andWhiteFangbackedawaybeforeCollie"swickedteeth，orpresentedhisshouldertothemandcircledroundandround。ButColliedidnotgiveover，aswasherwont，afteradecentintervalofchastisement。Onthecontrary，shegrewmoreexcitedandangryeverymoment，until，intheend，WhiteFangflungdignitytothewindsandfranklyfledawayfromheracrossthefields。
"He"lllearntoleavechickensalone，"themastersaid。"Butcan"tgivehimthelessonuntilIcatchhimintheact。"
Twonightslatercametheact，butonamoregenerousscalethanthemasterhadanticipated。WhiteFanghadobservedcloselythechicken-yardsandthehabitsofthechickens。Inthenight-time，aftertheyhadgonetoroost，heclimbedtothetopofapileofnewlyhauledlumber。Fromtherehegainedtheroofofachicken-house，passedovertheridgepoleanddroppedtothegroundinside。Amomentlaterhewasinsidethehouse，andtheslaughterbegan。
Inthemorning，whenthemastercameoutontotheporch，fiftywhiteLeghornhens，laidoutinarowbythegroom，greetedhiseyes。Hewhistledtohimself，softly，firstwithsurprise，andthen，attheend，withadmiration。
HiseyeswerelikewisegreetedbyWhiteFang，butaboutthelattertherewerenosignsofshamenorguilt。Hecarriedhimselfwithpride，asthough，forsooth，hehadachievedadeedpraiseworthyandmeritorious。Therewasabouthimnoconsciousnessofsin。Themaster"slipstightenedashefacedthedisagreeabletask。Thenhetalkedharshlytotheunwittingculprit，andinhisvoicetherewasnothingbutgodlikewrath。Also，heheldWhiteFang"snosedowntotheslainhens，andatthesametimecuffedhimsoundly。
WhiteFangneverraidedachicken-roostagain。Itwasagainstthelaw，andhehadlearnedit。Thenthemastertookhimintothechicken-yards。
WhiteFang"snaturalimpulse，whenhesawthelivefoodflutteringabouthimandunderhisverynose，wastospringuponit。Heobeyedtheimpulse，butwascheckedbythemaster"svoice。Theycontinuedintheyardsforhalfanhour。TimeandagaintheimpulsesurgedoverWhiteFang，andeachtime，asheyieldedtoit，hewascheckedbythemaster"svoice。Thusitwashelearnedthelaw，andereheleftthedomainofthechickens，hehadlearnedtoignoretheirexistence。
"Youcannevercureachicken-killer。"JudgeScottshookhisheadsadlyattheluncheontable，whenhissonnarratedthelessonhehadgivenWhiteFang。"Oncethey"vegotthehabitandthetasteofblood……"Againheshookhisheadsadly。
ButWeedonScottdidnotagreewithhisfather。
"I"lltellyouwhatI"lldo，"hechallengedfinally。"I"lllockWhiteFanginwiththechickensallafternoon。"
"Butthinkofthechickens，"objectedtheJudge。
"Andfurthermore，"thesonwenton，"foreverychickenhekills，I"llpayyouonedollargoldcoinoftherealm。"
"Butyoushouldpenalizefather，too，"interposedBeth。
Hersistersecondedher，andachorusofapprovalarosefromaroundthetable。JudgeScottnoddedhisheadinagreement。
"Allright。"WeedonScottponderedforamoment。"Andif，attheendoftheafternoon，WhiteFanghasn"tharmedachicken，foreverytenminutesofthetimehehasspentintheyard，youwillhavetosaytohim，gravelyandwithdeliberation，justasifyouweresittingonthebenchandsolemnlypassingjudgment，`WhiteFang，youaresmarterthanIthought。""
Fromhiddenpointsofvantagethefamilywatchedtheperformance。Butitwasafizzle。Lockedintheyardandtheredesertedbythemaster，WhiteFanglaydownandwenttosleep。Oncehegotupandwalkedovertothetroughforadrinkofwater。Thechickenshecalmlyignored。Sofarashewasconcernedtheydidnotexist。Atfouro"clockheexecutedarunningjump，gainedtheroofofthechickenhouseandleapedtothegroundoutside，whencehesaunteredgravelytothehouse。Hehadlearnedthelaw。Andontheporch，beforethedelightedfamily，JudgeScott，facetofacewithWhiteFang，saidslowlyandsolemnly，sixteentimes，"WhiteFang，youaresmarterthanthought。"
ButitwasthemultiplicityoflawsthatbefuddledWhiteFangandoftenbroughthimintodisgrace。Hehadtolearnthathemustnottouchthechickensthatbelongedtoothergods。Thentherewerecats，andrabbits，andturkeys；
allthesehemustletalone。Infact，whenhehadbutpartlylearnedthelaw，hisimpressionwasthathemustleavealllivethingsalone。Outintheback-pasture，aquailcouldflutterupunderhisnoseunharmed。Alltenseandtremblingwitheagernessanddesire，hemasteredhisinstinctandstoodstill。Hewasobeyingthewillofthegods。
Andthen，oneday，againoutintheback-pasture，hesawDickstartajackrabbitandrunit。Themasterhimselfwaslookingonanddidnotinterfere。Nay，heencouragedWhiteFangtojoininthechase。Andthushelearnedthattherewasnotabooonjackrabbits。Intheendheworkedoutthecompletelaw。Betweenhimandalldomesticanimalstheremustbenohostilities。Ifnotamity，atleastneutralitymustobtain。Buttheotheranimals——thesquirrels，andquail，andcottontails，werecreaturesoftheWildwhohadneveryieldedallegiancetoman。Theywerethelawfulpreyofanydog。Itwasonlythetamethatthegodsprotected，andbetweenthetamedeadlystrifewasnotpermitted。Thegodsheldthepoweroflifeanddeathovertheirsubjects，andthegodswerejealousoftheirpower。
LifewascomplexintheSantaClaraValleyafterthesimplicitiesoftheNorthland。Andthechiefthingdemandedbytheseintricaciesofcivilizationwascontrol，restraint——apoiseofselfthatwasasdelicateastheflutteringofgossamerwingsandatthesametimeasrigidassteel。Lifehadathousandfaces，andWhiteFangfoundhemustmeetthemall——thus，whenhewenttotown，intoSanJose，runningbehindthecarriageorloafingaboutthestreetswhenthecarriagestopped。Lifeflowedpasthim，deepandwideandvaried，continuallyimpinginguponhissenses，demandingofhiminstantandendlessadjustmentsandcorrespondences，andcompellinghim，almostalways，tosuppresshisnaturalimpulses。
Therewerebutcher-shopswheremeathungwithinreach。Thismeathemustnottouch。Therewerecatsatthehousesthemastervisitedthatmustbeletalone。Andthereweredogseverywherethatsnarledathimandthathemustnotattack。Andthen，onthecrowdedsidewalks，therewerepersonsinnumerablewhoseattentionheattracted。Theywouldstopandlookathim，pointhimouttooneanother，examinehim，talktohim，and，worstofall，pathim。Andtheseperilouscontactsfromallthesestrangehandshemustendure。Yetthisenduranceheachieved。Furthermorehegotoverbeingawkwardandself-conscious。Inaloftywayhereceivedtheattentionsofthemultitudesofstrangegods。Withcondescensionheacceptedtheircondescension。Ontheotherhand，therewassomethingabouthimthatpreventedgreatfamiliarity。
Theypattedhimontheheadandpassedon，contentedandpleasedwiththeirowndaring。
ButitwasnotalleasyforWhiteFang。RunningbehindthecarriageintheoutskirtsofSanJose，heencounteredcertainsmallboyswhomadeapracticeofflingingstonesathim。Yetheknewthatitwasnotpermittedhimtopursueanddragthemdown。Herehewascompelledtoviolatehisinstinctofself-preservation，andviolateithedid，forhewasbecomingtameandqualifyinghimselfforcivilization。
Nevertheless，WhiteFangwasnotquitesatisfiedwiththearrangement。
Hehadnoabstractideasaboutjusticeandfairplay。Butthereisacertainsenseofequitythatresidesinlife，anditwasthissenseinhimthatresentedtheunfairnessofhisbeingpermittednodefenseagainstthestone-throwers。
Heforgotthatinthecovenantenteredintobetweenhimandthegodstheywerepledgedtocareforhimanddefendhim。Butonedaythemastersprangfromthecarriage，whipinhand，andgavethestone-throwersathrashing。
Afterthattheythrewstonesnomore，andWhiteFangunderstoodandwassatisfied。
Oneotherexperienceofsimilarnaturewashis。Onthewaytotown，hangingaroundthesaloonatthecross-roads，werethreedogsthatmadapracticeofrushingoutuponhimwhenhewentby。Knowinghisdeadlymethodoffighting，themasterhadneverceasedimpressinguponWhiteFangthelawthathemustnotfight。Asaresult，havinglearnedthelessonwell，WhiteFangwashardputwheneverhepassedthecrossroadssaloon。
Afterthefirstrush，eachtime，hissnarlkeptthethreedogsatadistance，buttheytrailedalongbehind，yelpingandbickeringandinsultinghim。
Thisenduredforsometime。ThemenatthesaloonevenurgedthedogsontoattackWhiteFang。Onedaytheyopenlysickedthedogsonhim。Themasterstoppedthecarriage。
"Gotoit，"hesaidtoWhiteFang。
ButWhiteFangcouldnotbelieve。Helookedatthemaster，andhelookedatthedogs。Thenhelookedbackeagerlyandquestioninglyatthemaster。
Themasternoddedhishead。"Gotothem，oldfellow。Eatthemup。"
WhiteFangnolongerhesitated。Heturnedandleapedsilentlyamonghisenemies。Allthreefacedhim。Therewasagreatsnarlingandgrowling，aclashingofteethandaflurryofbodies。Thedustoftheroadaroseinacloudandscreenedthebattle。Butattheendofseveralminutestwodogswerestrugglinginthedirtandthethirdwasinfullflight。Heleapedaditch，wentthrougharailfence，andfledacrossafield。WhiteFangfollowed，slidingoverthegroundinwolffashionandwithwolfspeed，swiftlyandwithoutnoise，andinthecenterofthefieldhedraggeddownandslewthedog。
Withthistriplekillinghismaintroublewithdogsceased。Thewordwentupanddownthevalley，andmensawtoitthattheirdogsdidnotmolesttheFightingWolf。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter4:TheCallofKindPartV:TheTameChapter4
THECALLOFKIND
Themonthscameandwent。TherewasplentyoffoodandnoworkintheSouthland，andWhiteFanglivedfatandprosperousandhappy。NotalonewasheinthegeographicalSouthland，forhewasintheSouthlandoflife。
Humankindnesswaslikeasunshininguponhim，andheflourishedlikeaflowerplantedingoodsoil。
Andyetheremainedsomehowdifferentfromotherdogs。Heknewthelawevenbetterthandidthedogsthathadknownnootherlife，andheobservedthelawmorepunctiliously；butstilltherewasabouthimasuggestionoflurkingferocity，asthoughtheWildstilllingeredinhimandthewolfinhimmerelyslept。
Heneverchummedwithotherdogs。Lonelyhehadlived，sofarashiskindwasconcerned，andlonelyhewouldcontinuetolive。Inhispuppyhood，underthepersecutionofLip-lipandthepuppy-pack，andinhisfightingdayswithBeautySmith，hehadacquiredafixedaversionfordogs。Thenaturalcourseofhislifehadbeendiverted，and，recoilingfromhiskind，hehadclungtothehuman。
Besides，allSouthlanddogslookeduponhimwithsuspicion。HearousedinthemtheirinstinctivefearoftheWild，andtheygreetedhimalwayswithsnarlandgrowlandbelligerenthatred。He，ontheotherhand，learnedthatitwasnotnecessarytousehisteethuponthem。Hisnakedfangsandwrithinglipswereuniformlyefficacious，rarelyfailingtosendabellowingon-rushingdogbackonitshaunches。
ButtherewasonetrialinWhiteFang"slife——Collie。Shenevergavehimamoment"speace。Shewasnotsoamenabletothelawashe。ShedefiedalleffortsofthemastertomakeherbecomefriendswithWhiteFang。Everinhisearswassoundinghersharpandnervoussnarl。Shehadneverforgivenhimthechicken-killingepisode，andpersistentlyheldtothebeliefthathisintentionswerebad。Shefoundhimguiltybeforetheact，andtreatedhimaccordingly。Shebecameapesttohim，likeapolicemanfollowinghimaroundthestableandthegrounds，and，ifheevensomuchasglancedcuriouslyatapigeonorchicken，burstingintoanoutcryofindignationandwrath。
Hisfavoritewayofignoringherwastoliedown，withhisheadonhisfore-paws，andpretendsleep。Thisalwaysdumfoundedandsilencedher。
WiththeexceptionofCollie，allthingswentwellwithWhiteFang。
Hehadlearnedcontrolandpoise，andheknewthelaw。Heachievedastaidness，andcalmness，andphilosophicaltolerance。Henolongerlivedinahostileenvironment。Dangerandhurtanddeathdidnotlurkeverywhereabouthim。
Intime，theunknown，asathingofterrorandmenaceeverimpending，fadedaway。Lifewassoftandeasy。Itflowedalongsmoothly，andneitherfearnorfoelurkedbytheway。
Hemissedthesnowwithoutbeingawareofit。"Anundulylongsummer"
wouldhavebeenhisthoughthadhethoughtaboutit；asitwas，hemerelymissedthesnowinavague，subconsciousway。Inthesamefashion，especiallyintheheatofsummerwhenhesufferedfromthesun，heexperiencedfaintlongingsfortheNorthland。Theironlyeffectuponhim，however，wastomakehimuneasyandrestlesswithouthisknowingwhatwasthematter。
WhiteFanghadneverbeenverydemonstrative。Beyondhissnugglingandthethrowingofacrooningnoteintohislove-growl，hehadnowayofexpressinghislove。Yetitwasgivenhimtodiscoverathirdway。Hehadalwaysbeensusceptibletothelaughterofthegods。Laughterhadaffectedhimwithmadness，madehimfranticwithrage。Buthedidnothaveitinhimtobeangrywiththelove-master，andwhenthatgodelectedtolaughathiminagood-natured，banteringway，hewasnonplussed。Hecouldfeeltheprickingandstingingoftheoldangerasitstrovetoriseupinhim，butitstroveagainstlove。Hecouldnotbeangry；yethehadtodosomething。Atfirsthewasdignified，andthemasterlaughedtheharder。Thenhetriedtobemoredignified，andthemasterlaughedharderthanbefore。Intheend，themasterlaughedhimoutofhisdignity。Hisjawsslightlyparted，hislipsliftedalittle，andaquizzicalexpressionthatwasmorelovethanhumorcameintohiseyes。Hehadlearnedtolaugh。
Likewisehelearnedtorompwiththemaster，tobetumbleddownandrolledover，andbethevictimofinnumerableroughtricks。Inreturnhefeignedanger，bristlingandgrowlingferociously，andclippinghisteethtogetherinsnapsthathadalltheseemingofdeadlyintention。Butheneverforgothimself。Thosesnapswerealwaysdeliveredontheemptyair。
Attheendofsucharomp，whenblowandcuffandsnapandsnarlwerefastandfurious，theywouldbreakoffsuddenlyandstandseveralfeetapart，glaringateachother。Andthen，justassuddenly，likethesunrisingonastormysea，theywouldbegintolaugh。Thiswouldalwaysculminatewiththemaster"sarmsgoingaroundWhiteFang"sneckandshoulderswhilethelattercroonedandgrowledhislove-song。
ButnobodyelseeverrompedwithWhiteFang。Hedidnotpermitit。Hestoodonhisdignity，andwhentheyattemptedit，hiswarningsnarlandbristlingmanewereanythingbutplayful。Thatheallowedthemastertheselibertieswasnoreasonthatheshouldbeacommondog，lovinghereandlovingthere，everybody"spropertyforarompandgoodtime。Helovedwithsingleheartandrefusedtocheapenhimselforhislove。
Themasterwentoutonhorsebackagreatdeal，andtoaccompanyhimwasoneofWhiteFang"schiefdutiesinlife。IntheNorthlandhehadevidencedhisfealtybytoilingintheharness；buttherewerenosledsintheSouthland，nordiddogspackburdensontheirbacks。Soherenderedfealtyinthenewway，byrunningwiththemaster"shorse。ThelongestdayneverplayedWhiteFangout。Hiswasthegaitofthewolf，smooth，tireless，andeffortless，andattheendoffiftymileshewouldcomeinjauntilyaheadofthehorse。
Itwasinconnectionwiththeriding，thatWhiteFangachievedoneothermodeofexpression——remarkableinthathediditbuttwiceinallhislife。Thefirsttimeoccurredwhenthemasterwastryingtoteachaspiritedthoroughbredthemethodofopeningandclosinggateswithouttherider"sdismounting。Timeandagainandmanytimesherangedthehorseuptothegateintheefforttocloseit，andeachtimethehorsebecamefrightenedandbackedandplungedaway。Itgrewmorenervousandexcitedeverymoment。
Whenitreared，themasterputthespurstoitandmadeitdropitsfore-legsbacktoearth，whereuponitwouldbeginkickingwithitshind-legs。WhiteFangwatchedtheperformancewithincreasinganxietyuntilhecouldcontainhimselfnolonger，whenhespranginfrontofthehorseandbarkedsavagelyandwarningly。
Thoughheoftentriedtobarkthereafter，andthemasterencouragedhim，hesucceededonlyonce，andthenitwasnotinthemaster"spresence。
Ascamperacrossthepasture，ajackrabbitrisingsuddenlyunderthehorse"sfeet，aviolentsheer，astumble，afalltoearth，andabrokenlegforthemasterwerethecauseofit。WhiteFangspranginarageatthethroatoftheoffendinghorse，butwascheckedbythemaster"svoice。
"Home!Gohome!"themastercommanded，whenhehadascertainedhisinjury。
WhiteFangwasdisinclinedtodeserthim。Themasterthoughtofwritinganote，butsearchedhispocketsvainlyforpencilandpaper。AgainhecommandedWhiteFangtogohome。
Thelatterregardedhimwistfully，startedaway，thenreturnedandwhinedsoftly。Themastertalkedtohimgentlybutseriously，andhecockedhisearsandlistenedwithpainfulintentness。
"That"sallright，oldfellow，youjustrunalonghome，"ranthetalk。
"Goonhomeandtellthemwhat"shappenedtome。Homewithyou，youwolf。
Getalonghome!"
WhiteFangknewthemeaningof"home，"andthoughhedidnotunderstandtheremainderofthemaster"slanguage，heknewitwashiswillthatheshouldgohome。Heturnedandtrottedreluctantlyaway。Thenhestopped，undecided，andlookedbackoverhisshoulder。
"Gohome!"camethesharpcommand，andthistimeheobeyed。
Thefamilywasontheporch，takingthecooloftheafternoon，whenWhiteFangarrived。Hecameinamongthem，panting，coveredwithdust。
"Weedon"sback，"Weedon"smotherannounced。
ThechildrenwelcomedWhiteFangwithgladcriesandrantomeethim。
Heavoidedthemandpasseddowntheporch，buttheycorneredhimagainstarocking-chairandtherailing。Hegrowledandtriedtopushbythem。
Theirmotherlookedapprehensivelyintheirdirection。
"Iconfess，hemakesmenervousaroundthechildren，"shesaid。"Ihaveadreadthathewillturnuponthemunexpectedlysomeday。"
Growlingsavagely，WhiteFangsprangoutofthecorner，overturningtheboyandthegirl。Themothercalledthemtoherandcomfortedthem，tellingthemnottobotherWhiteFang。"Awolfisawolf，"commentedJudgeScott。"Thereisnotrustingone。"
"Butheisnotallwolf，"interposedBeth，standingforherbrotherinhisabsence。
"YouhaveonlyWeedon"sopinionforthat，"rejoinedtheJudge。"HemerelysurmisesthatthereissomestrainofdoginWhiteFang；butashewilltellyouhimself，heknowsnothingaboutit。Asforhisappearance——"
Hedidnotfinishthesentence。WhiteFangstoodbeforehim，growlingfiercely。
"Goaway!Liedown，sir!"JudgeScottcommanded。
WhiteFangturnedtothelove-master"swife。Shescreamedwithfrightasheseizedherdressinhisteethanddraggedonittillthefrailfabrictoreaway。Bythistimehehadbecomethecentreofinterest。Hehadceasedfromhisgrowlingandstood，headup，lookingintotheirfaces。Histhroatworkedspasmodically，butmadenosound，whilehestruggledwithallhisbody，convulsedwiththeefforttoridhimselfoftheincommunicablesomethingthatstrainedforutterance。
"Ihopeheisnotgoingmad，"saidWeedon"smother。"ItoldWeedonthatIwasafraidthewarmclimatewouldnotagreewithanArcticanimal。"
"He"stryingtospeak，Idobelieve，"Bethannounced。
AtthismomentspeechcametoWhiteFang，rushingupinagreatburstofbarking。
"SomethinghashappenedtoWeedon，"hiswifesaiddecisively。
Theywereallontheirfeet，now，andWhiteFangrandownthesteps，lookingbackforthemtofollow。Forthesecondandlasttimeinhislifehehadbarkedandmadehimselfunderstood。
AfterthiseventhefoundawarmerplaceintheheartsoftheSierraVistapeople，andeventhegroomwhosearmhehadslashedadmittedthathewasawisedogevenifhewasawolf。JudgeScottstillheldtothesameopinion，andprovedittoeverybody"sdissatisfactionbymeasurementsanddescriptionstakenfromtheencyclopaediaandvariousworksonnaturalhistory。
Thedayscameandwent，streamingtheirunbrokensunshineovertheSantaClaraValley。ButastheygrewshorterandWhiteFang"ssecondwinterintheSouthlandcameon，hemadeastrangediscovery。Collie"steethwerenolongersharp。Therewasaplayfulnessabouthernipsandagentlenessthatpreventedthemfromreallyhurtinghim。Heforgotthatshehadmadelifeaburdentohim，andwhenshedisportedherselfaroundhimherespondedsolemnly，strivingtobeplayfulandbecomingnomorethanridiculous。
Onedaysheledhimoffonalongchasethroughtheback-pastureandintothewoods。Itwastheafternoonthatthemasterwastoride，andWhiteFangknewit。Thehorsestoodsaddledandwaitingatthedoor。WhiteFanghesitated。Buttherewasthatinhimdeeperthanallthelawhehadlearned，thanthecustomsthathadmouldedhim，thanhisloveforthemaster，thantheverywilltoliveofhimself；andwhen，inthemomentofhisindecision，Collienippedhimandscamperedoff，heturnedandfollowedafter。Themasterrodealonethatday；andinthewoods，sidebyside，WhiteFangranwithCollie，ashismother，Kiche，andoldOneEyehadrunlongyearsbeforeinthesilentNorthlandforest。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter5:TheSleepingWolfPartV:TheTameChapter5
THESLEEPINGWOLF
ItwasaboutthistimethatthenewspaperswerefullofthedaringescapeofaconvictfromSanQuentinprison。Hewasaferociousman。Hehadbeenill-madeinthemaking。Hehadnotbeenbornright，andhehadnotbeenhelpedanybythemouldinghehadreceivedatthehandsofsociety。Thehandsofsocietyareharsh，andthismanwasastrikingsampleofitshandiwork。
Hewasabeast——ahumanbeast，itistrue，butneverthelesssoterribleabeastthathecanbestbecharacterizedascarnivorous。
InSanQuentinprisonhehadprovedincorrigible。Punishmentfailedtobreakhisspirit。Hecoulddiedumb-madandfightingtothelast，buthecouldnotliveandbebeaten。Themorefiercelyhefought，themoreharshlysocietyhandledhim，andtheonlyeffectofharshnesswastomakehimfiercer。Straight-jackets，starvation，andbeatingsandclubbingswerethewrongtreatmentforJimHall；butitwasthetreatmenthereceived。
ItwasthetreatmenthehadreceivedfromthetimehewasalittlepulpyboyinaSanFranciscoslum——softclayinthehandsofsocietyandreadytobeformedintosomething。
ItwasduringJimHall"sthirdterminprisonthatheencounteredaguardthatwasalmostasgreatabeastashe。Theguardtreatedhimunfairly，liedabouthimtothewarden，losthimhiscredits，persecutedhim。Thedifferencebetweenthemwasthattheguardcarriedabunchofkeysandarevolver。JimHallhadonlyhisnakedhandsandhisteeth。Buthesprangupontheguardonedayandusedhisteethontheother"sthroatjustlikeanyjungleanimal。
Afterthis，JimHallwenttoliveintheincorrigiblecell。Helivedtherethreeyears。Thecellwasofiron，thefloor，thewalls，theroof。
Heneverleftthiscell。Heneversawtheskynorthesunshine。Daywasatwilightandnightwasablacksilence。Hewasinanirontomb，buriedalive。Hesawnohumanface，spoketonohumanthing。Whenhisfoodwasshovedintohim，hegrowledlikeawildanimal。Hehatedallthings。Fordaysandnightshebellowedhisrageattheuniverse。Forweeksandmonthshenevermadeasound，intheblacksilenceeatinghisverysoul。Hewasamanandamonstrosity，asfearfulathingoffearasevergibberedinthevisionsofamaddenedbrain。
Andthen，onenight，heescaped。Thewardensaiditwasimpossible，butneverthelessthecellwasempty，andhalfinhalfoutofitlaythebodyofadeadguard。Twootherdeadguardsmarkedhistrailthroughtheprisontotheouterwalls，andhehadkilledwithhishandstoavoidnoise。
Hewasarmedwiththeweaponsoftheslainguards——alivearsenalthatfledthroughthehillspursuedbytheorganizedmightofsociety。
Aheavypriceofgoldwasuponhishead。Avariciousfarmershuntedhimwithshot-guns。Hisbloodmightpayoffamortgageorsendasontocollege。
Public-spiritedcitizenstookdowntheirriflesandwentoutafterhim。
Apackofbloodhoundsfollowedthewayofhisbleedingfeet。Andthesleuth-houndsofthelaw，thepaidfightinganimalsofsociety，withtelephone，andtelegraph，andspecialtrain，clungtohistrailnightandday。
Sometimestheycameuponhim，andmenfacedhimlikeheroes，orstampededthroughbarb-wirefencestothedelightofthecommonwealthreadingtheaccountatthebreakfasttable。Itwasaftersuchencountersthatthedeadandwoundedwerecartedbacktothetowns，andtheirplacesfilledbymeneagerfortheman-hunt。
AndthenJimHalldisappeared。Thebloodhoundsvainlyquestedonthelosttrail。Inoffensiveranchersinremotevalleyswereheldupbyarmedmenandcompelledtoidentifythemselves；whiletheremainsofJimHallwerediscoveredonadozenmountainsidesbygreedyclaimantsforblood-money。
InthemeantimethenewspaperswerereadatSierraVista，notsomuchwithinterestaswithanxiety。Thewomenwereafraid。JudgeScottpooh-poohedandlaughed，butnotwithreason，foritwasinhislastdaysonthebenchthatJimHallhadstoodbeforehimandreceivedsentence。Andinopencourtroom，beforeallmen，JimHallhadproclaimedthatthedaywouldcomewhenhewouldwreakvengeanceonthejudgethatsentencedhim。
Foronce，JimHallwasright。Hewasinnocentofthecrimeforwhichhewassentenced。Itwasacase，intheparlanceofthievesandpolice，of"railroading。"JimHallwasbeing"railroaded"toprisonforacrimehehadnotcommitted。Becauseofthetwopriorconvictionsagainsthim，JudgeScottimposeduponhimasentenceoffiftyyears。
JudgeScottdidnotknowallthings，andhedidnotknowthathewaspartytoapoliceconspiracy，thattheevidencewashatchedandperjured，thatJimHallwasguiltlessofthecrimecharged。AndJimHall，ontheotherhand，didnotknowthatJudgeScottwasmerelyignorant。JimHallbelievedthatthejudgeknewallaboutitandwashandinglovewiththepoliceintheperpetrationofthemonstrousinjustice。Soitwas，whenthedoomoffiftyyearsoflivingdeathwasutteredbyJudgeScott，thatJimHall，hatingallthingsinthesocietythatmisusedhim，roseupandragedinthecourtroomuntildraggeddownbyhalfadozenofhisblue-coatedenemies。Tohim，JudgeScottwasthekeystoneinthearchofinjustice，anduponJudgeScottheemptiedthevialsofhiswrathandhurledthethreatsofhisrevengeyettocome。ThenJimHallwenttohislivingdeath……andescaped。
OfallthisWhiteFangknewnothing。ButbetweenhimandAlice，themaster"swife，thereexistedasecret。Eachnight，afterSierraVistahadgonetobed，shearoseandletinWhiteFangtosleepinthebighall。
NowWhiteFangwasnotahouse-dog，norwashepermittedtosleepinthehouse；soeachmorning，early，sheslippeddownandlethimoutbeforethefamilywasawake。
Ononesuchnight，whileallthehouseslept，WhiteFangawokeandlayveryquietly。Andveryquietlyhesmelledtheairandreadthemessageitboreofastrangegod"spresence。Andtohisearscamesoundsofthestrangegod"smovements。WhiteFangburstintonofuriousoutcry。Itwasnothisway。Thestrangegodwalkedsoftly，butmoresoftlywalkedWhiteFang，forhehadnoclothestorubagainstthefleshofhisbody。Hefollowedsilently。IntheWildhehadhuntedlivemeatthatwasinfinitelytimid，andheknewtheadvantageofsurprise。
Thestrangegodpausedatthefootofthegreatstaircaseandlistened，andWhiteFangwasasdead，sowithoutmovementwasheashewatchedandwaited。Upthatstaircasethewayledtothelove-masterandtothelove-master"sdearestpossessions。WhiteFangbristled，butwaited。Thestrangegod"sfootlifted。Hewasbeginningtheascent。
ThenitwasthatWhiteFangstruck。Hegavenowarning，withnosnarlanticipatedhisownaction。Intotheairheliftedhisbodyinthespringthatlandedhimonthestrangegod"sback。WhiteFangclungwithhisfore-pawstotheman"sshoulders，atthesametimeburyinghisfangsintothebackoftheman"sneck。Heclungonforamoment，longenoughtodragthegodoverbackward。Togethertheycrashedtothefloor。WhiteFangleapedclear，and，asthemanstruggledtorise，wasinagainwiththeslashingfangs。
SierraVistaawokeinalarm。Thenoisefromdownstairswasasthatofascoreofbattlingfiends。Therewererevolvershots。Aman"svoicescreamedonceinhorrorandanguish。Therewasagreatsnarlingandgrowling，andoverallaroseasmashingandcrashingoffurnitureandglass。
Butalmostasquicklyasithadarisen，thecommotiondiedaway。Thestrugglehadnotlastedmorethanthreeminutes。Thefrightenedhouseholdclusteredatthetopofthestairway。Frombelow，asfromoutanabyssofblackness，cameupagurglingsound，asofairbubblingthroughwater。
Sometimesthisgurglebecamesibilant，almostawhistle。Butthis，too，quicklydieddownandceased。Thennaughtcameupoutoftheblacknesssaveaheavypantingofsomecreaturestrugglingsorelyforair。
WeedonScottpressedabutton，andthestaircaseanddownstairshallwerefloodedwithlight。ThenheandJudgeScott，revolversinhand，cautiouslydescended。Therewasnoneedforthiscaution。WhiteFanghaddonehiswork。Inthemidstofthewreckageofoverthrownandsmashedfurniture，partlyonhisside，hisfacehiddenbyanarm，layaman。WeedonScottbentover，removedthearm，andturnedtheman"sfaceupward。Agapingthroatexplainedthemannerofhisdeath。
"JimHall，"saidJudgeScott，andfatherandsonlookedsignificantlyateachother。
ThentheyturnedtoWhiteFang。He，too，waslyingonhisside。Hiseyeswereclosed，butthelidsslightlyliftedinanefforttolookatthemastheybentoverhim，andthetailwasperceptiblyagitatedinavainefforttowag。WeedonScottpattedhim，andhisthroatrumbledanacknowledginggrowl。Butitwasaweakgrowlatbest，anditquicklyceased。
Hiseyelidsdroopedandwentshut，andhiswholebodyseemedtorelaxandflattenoutuponthefloor。
"He"sallin，poordevil，"mutteredthemaster。
"We"llseeaboutthat，"assertedtheJudge，ashestartedforthetelephone。
"Frankly，hehasonechanceinathousand，"announcedthesurgeon，afterhehadworkedanhourandahalfonWhiteFang。
Dawnwasbreakingthroughthewindowsanddimmingtheelectriclights。
Withtheexceptionofthechildren，thewholefamilywasgatheredaboutthesurgeontohearhisverdict。
"Onebrokenhind-leg，"hewenton。"Threebrokenribs，oneatleastofwhichhaspiercedthelungs。Hehaslostnearlyallthebloodinhisbody。Thereisalargelikelihoodofinternalinjuries。Hemusthavebeenjumpedupon。Tosaynothingofthreebulletholesclearthroughhim。Onechanceinathousandisreallyoptimistic。Hehasn"tachanceintenthousand。"
"Buthemustn"tloseanychancethatmightbeofhelptohim，"JudgeScottexclaimed。"Nevermindexpense。PuthimundertheX-ray——anything。
Weedon，telegraphatoncetoSanFranciscoforDoctorNichols。Noreflectiononyou，doctor，youunderstand；buthemusthavetheadvantageofeverychance。"
Thesurgeonsmiledindulgently。"OfcourseIunderstand。Hedeservesallthatcanbedoneforhim。Hemustbenursedasyouwouldnurseahumanbeing，asickchild。Anddon"tforgetwhatItoldyouabouttemperature。
I"llbebackatteno"clockagain。"WhiteFangreceivedthenursing。JudgeScott"ssuggestionofatrainednursewasindignantlyclamoreddownbythegirls，whothemselvesundertookthetask。AndWhiteFangwonoutontheonechanceintenthousanddeniedhimbythesurgeon。
Thelatterwasnottobecensuredforhismisjudgment。Allhislifehehadtendedandoperatedonthesofthumansofcivilization，wholivedshelteredlivesandhaddescendedoutofmanyshelteredgenerations。ComparedwithWhiteFang，theywerefrailandflabby，andclutchedlifewithoutanystrengthintheirgrip。WhiteFanghadcomestraightfromtheWild，wheretheweakperishearlyandshelterisvouchsafedtonone。Inneitherhisfathernorhismotherwasthereanyweakness，norinthegenerationsbeforethem。AconstitutionofironandthevitalityoftheWildwereWhiteFang"sinheritance，andheclungtolife，thewholeofhimandeverypartofhim，inspiritandinflesh，withthetenacitythatofoldbelongedtoallcreatures。
Bounddownaprisoner，deniedevenmovementbytheplastercastsandbandages，WhiteFanglingeredouttheweeks。Hesleptlonghoursanddreamedmuch，andthroughhismindpassedanunendingpageantofNorthlandvisions。
Alltheghostsofthepastaroseandwerewithhim。OnceagainhelivedinthelairwithKiche，crepttremblingtothekneesofGrayBeavertotenderhisallegiance，ranforhislifebeforeLip-lipandallthehowlingbedlamofthepuppy-pack。
Heranagainthroughthesilence，huntinghislivingfoodthroughthemonthsoffamine；andagainheranattheheadoftheteam，thegut-whipsofMit-sahandGrayBeaversnappingbehind，theirvoicescrying"Raa!Raa!"
whentheycametoanarrowpassageandtheteamclosedtogetherlikeafantogothrough。HelivedagainallhisdayswithBeautySmithandthefightshehadfought。Atsuchtimeshewhimperedandsnarledinhissleep，andtheythatlookedonsaidthathisdreamswerebad。
Buttherewasoneparticularnightmarefromwhichhesuffered——theclanking，clangingmonstersofelectriccarsthatweretohimcolossalscreaminglynxes。Hewouldlieinascreenofbushes，watchingforasquirreltoventurefarenoughoutonthegroundfromitstree-refuge。Then，whenhesprangoutuponit，itwouldtransformitselfintoanelectriccar，menacingandterrible，toweringoverhimlikeamountain，screamingandclangingandspittingfireathim。Itwasthesamewhenhechallengedthehawkdownoutofthesky。Downoutoftheblueitwouldrush，asitdroppeduponhimchangingitselfintotheubiquitouselectriccar。Oragain，hewouldbeinthepenofBeautySmith。Outsidethepen，menwouldbegathering，andheknewthatafightwason。Hewatchedthedoorforhisantagonisttoenter。Thedoorwouldopen，andthrustinuponhimwouldcometheawfulelectriccar。Athousandtimesthisoccurred，andeachtimetheterroritinspiredwasasvividandgreatasever。
Thencamethedaywhenthelastbandageandthelastplastercastweretakenoff。Itwasagaladay。AllSierraVistawasgatheredaround。Themasterrubbedhisears，andhecroonedhislove-growl。Themaster"swifecalledhimthe"BlessedWolf，"whichnamewastakenupwithacclaimandallthewomencalledhimtheBlessedWolf。
Hetriedtorisetohisfeet，andafterseveralattemptsfelldownfromweakness。Hehadlainsolongthathismuscleshadlosttheircunning，andallthestrengthhadgoneoutofthem。Hefeltalittleshamebecauseofhisweakness，asthough，forsooth，hewerefailingthegodsintheserviceheowedthem。Becauseofthishemadeheroiceffortstoarise，andatlasthestoodonhisfourlegs，totteringandswayingbackandforth。
"TheBlessedWolf!"chorusedthewomen。
JudgeScottsurveyedthemtriumphantly。
"Outofyourownmouthsbeit，"hesaid。"JustasIcontendedrightalong。Nomeredogcouldhavedonewhathedid。He"sawolf。"
"ABlessedWolf，"amendedtheJudge"swife。
"Yes，BlessedWolf，"agreedtheJudge。"Andhenceforththatshallbemynameforhim。"
"He"llhavetolearntowalkagain，"saidthesurgeon；"sohemightaswellstartinrightnow。Itwon"thurthim。Takehimoutside。"
Andoutsidehewent，likeaking，withallSierraVistaabouthimandtendingonhim。Hewasveryweak，andwhenhereachedthelawnhelaydownandrestedforawhile。
Thentheprocessionstartedon，littlespurtsofstrengthcomingintoWhiteFang"smusclesasheusedthemandthebloodbegantosurgethroughthem。Thestableswerereached，andthereinthedoorwaylayCollie，ahalf-dozenpudgypuppiesplayingaboutherinthesun。
WhiteFanglookedonwithawonderingeye。Colliesnarledwarninglyathim，andhewascarefultokeephisdistance。Themasterwithhistoehelpedonesprawlingpuppytowardhim。Hebristledsuspiciously，butthemasterwarnedhimthatallwaswell。Collie，claspedinthearmsofoneofthewomen，watchedhimjealouslyandwithasnarlwarnedhimthatallwasnotwell。
Thepuppysprawledinfrontofhim。Hecockedhisearsandwatcheditcuriously。Thentheirnosestouched，andhefeltthewarmlittletongueofthepuppyonhisjowl。WhiteFang"stonguewentout，heknewnotwhy，andhelickedthepuppy"sface。
Hand-clappingandpleasedcriesfromthegodsgreetedtheperformance。
Hewassurprised，andlookedattheminapuzzledway。Thenhisweaknessasserteditself，andhelaydown，hisearscocked，hisheadononeside，ashewatchedthepuppy。Theotherpuppiescamesprawlingtowardhim，toCollie"sgreatdisgust；andhegravelypermittedthemtoclamberandtumbleoverhim。Atfirst，amidtheapplauseofthegods，hebetrayedatrifleofhisoldself-consciousnessandawkwardness。Thispassedawayasthepuppies"anticsandmaulingcontinued，andhelaywithhalf-shut，patienteyes，drowsinginthesun。