Darkspruceforestfrownedoneithersidethefrozenwaterway。Thetreeshadbeenstrippedbyarecentwindoftheirwhitecoveringoffrost，andtheyseemedtoleantowardeachother，blackandominous，inthefadinglight。Avastsilencereignedovertheland。Thelanditselfwasadesolation，lifeless，withoutmovement，soloneandcoldthatthespiritofitwasnoteventhatofsadness。Therewasahintinitoflaughter，butofalaughtermoreterriblethananysadness——alaughterthatwasmirthlessasthesmileoftheSphinx，alaughtercoldasthefrostandpartakingofthegrimnessofinfallibility。Itwasthemasterfulandincommunicablewisdomofeternitylaughingatthefutilityoflifeandtheeffortoflife。
　　ItwastheWild，thesavage，frozen-heartedNorthlandWild。
　　Buttherewaslife，abroadinthelandanddefiant。Downthefrozenwaterwaytoiledastringofwolfishdogs。Theirbristlyfurwasrimedwithfrost。Theirbreathfrozeintheairasitlefttheirmouths，spoutingforthinspumesofvaporthatsettleduponthehairoftheirbodiesandformedintocrystalsoffrost。Leatherharnesswasonthedogs，andleathertracesattachedthemtoasledwhichdraggedalongbehind。Thesledwaswithoutrunners。Itwasmadeofstoutbirch-bark，anditsfullsurfacerestedonthesnow。Thefrontendofthesledwasturnedup，likeascroll，inordertoforcedownandundertheboreofsoftsnowthatsurgedlikeawavebeforeit。Onthesled，securelylashed，wasalongandnarrowoblongbox。Therewereotherthingsonthesled——blankets，anaxe，andacoffee-potandfrying-pan；butprominent，occupyingmostofthespace，wasthelongandnarrowoblongbox。
　　Inadvanceofthedogs，onwidesnowshoes，toiledaman。Attherearofthesledtoiledasecondman。Onthesled，inthebox，layathirdmanwhosetoilwasover，——amanwhomtheWildhadconqueredandbeatendownuntilhewouldnevermovenorstruggleagain。ItisnotthewayoftheWildtolikemovement。Lifeisanoffencetoit，forlifeismovement；
　　andtheWildaimsalwaystodestroymovement。Itfreezesthewatertopreventitrunningtothesea；itdrivesthesapoutofthetreestilltheyarefrozentotheirmightyhearts；andmostferociouslyandterriblyofalldoestheWildharryandcrushintosubmissionman——man，whoisthemostrestlessoflife，everinrevoltagainstthedictumthatallmovementmustintheendcometothecessationofmovement。
　　Butatfrontandrear，unawedandindomitable，toiledthetwomenwhowerenotyetdead。Theirbodieswerecoveredwithfurandsoft-tannedleather。
　　Eyelashesandcheeksandlipsweresocoatedwiththecrystalsfromtheirfrozenbreaththattheirfaceswerenotdiscernible。Thisgavethemtheseemingofghostlymasques，undertakersinaspectralworldatthefuneralofsomeghost。Butunderitalltheyweremen，penetratingthelandofdesolationandmockeryandsilence，punyadventurersbentoncolossaladventure，pittingthemselvesagainstthemightofaworldasremoteandalienandpulselessastheabyssesofspace。
　　Theytravelledonwithoutspeech，savingtheirbreathfortheworkoftheirbodies。Oneverysidewasthesilence，pressinguponthemwithatangiblepresence。Itaffectedtheirmindsasthemanyatmospheresofdeepwateraffectthebodyofthediver。Itcrushedthemwiththeweightofunendingvastnessandunalterabledecree。Itcrushedthemintotheremotestrecessesoftheirownminds，pressingoutofthem，likejuicesfromthegrape，allthefalseardorsandexaltationsandundueself-valuesofthehumansoul，untiltheyperceivedthemselvesfiniteandsmall，specksandmotes，movingwithweakcunningandlittlewisdomamidsttheplayandinterplayofthegreatblindelementsandforces。
　　Anhourwentby，andasecondhour。Thepalelightoftheshortsunlessdaywasbeginningtofade，whenafaintfarcryaroseonthestillair。
　　Itsoaredupwardwithaswiftrush，tillitreacheditstopmostnote，whereitpersisted，palpitantandtense，andthenslowlydiedaway。Itmighthavebeenalostsoulwailing，haditnotbeeninvestedwithacertainsadfiercenessandhungryeagerness。Thefrontmanturnedhisheaduntilhiseyesmettheeyesofthemanbehind。Andthen，acrossthenarrowoblongbox，eachnoddedtotheother。
　　Asecondcryarose，piercingthesilencewithneedlelikeshrillness。
　　Bothmenlocatedthesound。Itwastotherear，somewhereinthesnowexpansetheyhadjusttraversed。Athirdandansweringcryarose，alsototherearandtotheleftofthesecondcry。
　　"They'reafterus，Bill，"saidthemanatthefront。
　　Hisvoicesoundedhoarseandunreal，andhehadspokenwithapparenteffort。
　　"Meatisscarce，"answeredhiscomrade。"Iain'tseenarabbitsignfordays。"
　　Thereaftertheyspokenomore，thoughtheirearswerekeenforthehunting-criesthatcontinuedtorisebehindthem。
　　Atthefallofdarknesstheyswungthedogsintoaclusterofsprucetreesontheedgeofthewaterwayandmadeacamp。Thecoffin，atthesideofthefire，servedforseatandtable。Thewolf-dogs，clusteredonthefarsideofthefire，snarledandbickeredamongthemselves，butevincednoinclinationtostrayoffintothedarkness。
　　"Seemstome，Henry，they'restayin'remarkableclosetocamp，"Billcommented。
　　Henry，squattingoverthefireandsettlingthepotofcoffeewithapieceofice，nodded。Nordidhespeaktillhehadtakenhisseatonthecoffinandbeguntoeat。
　　"Theyknowwheretheirhidesissafe，"hesaid。"They'dsoonereatgrubthanbegrub。They'reprettywise，themdogs。"
　　Billshookhishead。"Oh，Idon'tknow。"
　　Hiscomradelookedathimcuriously。"FirsttimeIeverheardyousayanythin'abouttheirnotbein'wise。"
　　"Henry，"saidtheother，munchingwithdeliberationthebeanshewaseating，"didyouhappentonoticethewaythemdogskickedupwhenIwasa-feedin''em？""Theydidcutupmore'nusual，"Henryacknowledged。
　　"Howmanydogs'vewegot，Henry？"
　　"Six。"
　　"Well，Henry……"Billstoppedforamoment，inorderthathiswordsmightgaingreatersignificance。"AsIwassayin'，Henry，we'vegotsixdogs。Itooksixfishoutofthebag。Igaveonefishtoeachdog，an'，Henry，Iwasonefishshort。"
　　"Youcountedwrong。"
　　"We'vegotsixdogs，"theotherreiterateddispassionately。"tookoutsixfish。OneEardidn'tgetnofish。Icomebacktothebagafterwardan'got'mhisfish。"
　　"We'veonlygotsixdogs，"Henrysaid。
　　"Henry，"Billwenton，"Iwon'tsaytheywasalldogs，buttherewassevenof'mthatgotfish。"
　　Henrystoppedeatingtoglanceacrossthefireandcountthedogs。
　　"There'sonlysixnow，"hesaid。
　　"Isawtheotheronerunoffacrossthesnow，"Billannouncedwithcoolpositiveness。"Isawseven。"
　　Hiscomradelookedathimcommiseratingly，andsaid，"I'llbealmightygladwhenthistrip'sover。"
　　"Whatd'yemeanbythat？"Billdemanded。
　　"Imeanthatthisloadofournisgettin'onyournerves，an'thatyou'rebeginnin'toseethings。"
　　"Ithoughtofthat，"Billansweredgravely。"An'so，whensawitrunoffacrossthesnow，Ilookedinthesnowan'sawitstracks。ThenIcountedthedogsan'therewasstillsixof'em。Thetracksisthereinthesnownow。D'yewanttolookat'em？I'llshow'mtoyou。"
　　Henrydidnotreply，butmunchedoninsilence，until，themealfinished，hetoppeditwithafinalcupofcoffee。Hewipedhismouthwiththebackofhishandandsaid:
　　"Thenyou'rethinkin'asitwas——"
　　Alongwailingcry，fiercelysad，fromsomewhereinthedarkness，hadinterruptedhim。Hestoppedtolistentoit，thenhefinishedhissentencewithawaveofhishandtowardthesoundofthecry，"——oneofthem？"
　　Billnodded。"I'dablamesightsoonerthinkthatthananythingelse。
　　Younoticedyourselftherowthedogsmade。"
　　Cryaftercry，andansweringcries，wereturningthesilenceintoabedlam。Fromeverysidethecriesarose，andthedogsbetrayedtheirfearbyhuddlingtogetherandsoclosetothefirethattheirhairwasscorchedbytheheat。Billthrewonmorewood，beforelightinghispipe。
　　"I'mthinkin'you'redowninthemouthsome，"Henrysaid。"Henry……"Hesuckedmeditativelyathispipeforsometimebeforehewenton。
　　"Henry，Iwasa-thinkin'whatablamesightluckierheisthanyouan'
　　me'lleverbe。"
　　Heindicatedthethirdpersonbyadownwardthrustofthethumbtotheboxonwhichtheysat。
　　"Youan'me，Henry，whenwedie，we'llbeluckyifwegetenoughstonesoverourcarcasestokeepthedogsoffofus。"
　　"Butweain'tgotpeoplean'moneyan'alltherest，likehim，"Henryrejoined。"Long-distancefuneralsissomethin'youan'mecan'texactlyafford。"
　　"Whatgetsme，Henry，iswhatachaplikethis，that'salordorsomethinginhisowncountry，andthat'sneverhadtobotheraboutgrubnorblankets，whyhecomesa-buttin'roundtheGod-forsakenendsoftheearth——that'swhatIcan'texactlysee。"
　　"Hemighthavelivedtoaripeoldageifhe'dstayedtohome，"Henryagreed。
　　Billopenedhismouthtospeak，butchangedhismind。Instead，hepointedtowardthewallofdarknessthatpressedaboutthemfromeveryside。Therewasnosuggestionofformintheutterblackness；onlycouldbeseenapairofeyesgleaminglikelivecoals。Henryindicatedwithhisheadasecondpair，andathird。Acircleofthegleamingeyeshaddrawnabouttheircamp。Nowandagainapairofeyesmoved，ordisappearedtoappearagainamomentlater。
　　Theunrestofthedogshadbeenincreasing，andtheystampeded，inasurgeofsuddenfear，tothenearsideofthefire，cringingandcrawlingaboutthelegsofthemen。Inthescrambleoneofthedogshadbeenoverturnedontheedgeofthefire，andithadyelpedwithpainandfrightasthesmellofitssingedcoatpossessedtheair。Thecommotioncausedthecircleofeyestoshiftrestlesslyforamomentandeventowithdrawabit，butitsettleddownagainasthedogsbecamequiet。
　　"Henry，it'sablamemisfortunetobeoutofammunition。"
　　Billhadfinishedhispipeandwashelpinghiscompanionspreadthebedoffurandblanketuponthespruceboughswhichhehadlaidoverthesnowbeforesupper。Henrygrunted，andbeganunlacinghismoccasins。
　　"Howmanycartridgesdidyousayyouhadleft？"heasked。
　　"Three，"cametheanswer。"An'Iwisht'twasthreehundred。ThenI'dshow'emwhatfor，damn'em!"
　　Heshookhisfistangrilyatthegleamingeyes，andbegansecurelytoprophismoccasinsbeforethefire。
　　"An'Iwishtthiscoldsnap'dbreak，"hewenton。"It'sbenfiftybelowfortwoweeksnow。An'IwishtI'dneverstartedonthistrip，Henry。I
　　don'tlikethelooksofit。Itdon'tfeelright，somehow。An'whileI'mwishin'，Iwishtthetripwasoveran'donewith，an'youan'mea-sittin'
　　bythefireinFortMcGurryjustaboutnowan'playin'cribbage——that'swhatIwisht。"
　　Henrygruntedandcrawledintobed。Ashedozedoffhewasarousedbyhiscomrade'svoice。
　　"Say，Henry，thatotheronethatcomeinan'gotafish——whydidn'tthedogspitchintoit？That'swhat'sbotherin'me。"
　　"You'rebotherin'toomuch，Bill，"camethesleepyresponse。"Youwasneverlikethisbefore。Youjes'shutupnow，an'gotosleep，an'you'llbeallhunkydoryinthemornin'。Yourstomach'ssour，that'swhat'sbotherin'
　　you。"
　　Themenslept，breathingheavily，sidebyside，undertheonecovering。
　　Thefiredieddown，andthegleamingeyesdrewcloserthecircletheyhadflungaboutthecamp。Thedogsclusteredtogetherinfear，nowandagainsnarlingmenacinglyasapairofeyesdrewclose。OncetheiruproarbecamesoloudthatBillwokeup。Hegotoutofbedcarefully，soasnottodisturbthesleepofhiscomrade，andthrewmorewoodonthefire。Asitbegantoflameup，thecircleofeyesdrewfartherback。Heglancedcasuallyatthehuddlingdogs。Herubbedhiseyesandlookedatthemmoresharply。
　　Thenhecrawledbackintotheblankets。
　　"Henry，"hesaid。"Oh，Henry。"
　　Henrygroanedashepassedfromsleeptowaking，anddemanded，"What'swrongnow？"
　　"Nothin'，"cametheanswer；"onlythere'ssevenof'emagain。Ijustcounted。"
　　Henryacknowledgedreceiptoftheinformationwithagruntthatslidintoasnoreashedriftedbackintosleep。
　　InthemorningitwasHenrywhoawokefirstandroutedhiscompanionoutofbed。Daylightwasyetthreehoursaway，thoughitwasalreadysixo'clock；andinthedarknessHenrywentaboutpreparingbreakfast，whileBillrolledtheblanketsandmadethesledreadyforlashing。
　　"Say，Henry，"heaskedsuddenly，"howmanydogsdidyousaywehad？"
　　"Six。"
　　"Wrong，"Billproclaimedtriumphantly。
　　"Sevenagain？"Henryqueried。
　　"No，five；one'sgone。"
　　"Thehell!"Henrycriedinwrath，leavingthecookingtocomeandcountthedogs。
　　"You'reright，Bill，"heconcluded。"Fatty'sgone。"
　　"An'hewentlikegreasedlightnin'oncehegotstarted。Couldn't'veseen'mforsmoke。"
　　"Nochanceatall，"Henryconcluded。"Theyjes'swallowed'malive。
　　Ibethewasyelpin'ashewentdowntheirthroats，damn'em!"
　　"Healwayswasafooldog，"saidBill。
　　"Butnofooldogoughttobefoolenoughtogooffan'commitsuicidethatway。"Helookedovertheremainderoftheteamwithaspeculativeeyethatsummedupinstantlythesalienttraitsofeachanimal。"Ibetnoneoftheotherswoulddoit。"
　　"Couldn'tdrive'emawayfromthefirewithaclub，"Billagreed。"I
　　alwaysdidthinktherewassomethin'wrongwithFatty，anyway。"
　　AndthiswastheepitaphofadeaddogontheNorthlandtrail——lessscantthantheepitaphofmanyanotherdog，ofmanyaman。WhiteFang:PartI:TheWild:Chapter2:TheShe-WolfPartI:TheWildChapter2
　　THESHE-WOLF
　　Breakfasteatenandtheslimcamp-outfitlashedtothesled，thementurnedtheirbacksonthecheeryfireandlaunchedoutintothedarkness。
　　Atoncebegantorisethecriesthatwerefiercelysad——criesthatcalledthroughthedarknessandcoldtooneanotherandansweredback。Conversationceased。Daylightcameatnineo'clock。Atmiddaytheskytothesouthwarmedtorose-color，andmarkedwherethebulgeoftheearthintervenedbetweenthemeridiansunandthenorthernworld。Buttherose-colorswiftlyfaded。
　　Thegraylightofdaythatremainedlasteduntilthreeo'clock，whenit，too，faded，andthepalloftheArcticnightdescendedupontheloneandsilentland。
　　Asdarknesscameon，thehunting-criestorightandleftandreardrewcloser——soclosethatmorethanoncetheysentsurgesoffearthroughthetoilingdogs，throwingthemintoshort-livedpanics。
　　Attheconclusionofonesuchpanic，whenheandHenryhadgotthedogsbackinthetraces，Billsaid:
　　"Iwishtthey'dstrikegamesomewheres，an'goawayan'leaveusalone。"
　　"Theydogetonthenerveshorrible，"Henrysympathized。
　　Theyspokenomoreuntilcampwasmade。
　　Henrywasbendingoverandaddingicetothebubblingpotofbeanswhenhewasstartledbythesoundofablow，anexclamationfromBill，andasharpsnarlingcryofpainfromamongthedogs。Hestraightenedupintimetoseeadimformdisappearingacrossthesnowintotheshelterofthedark。ThenhesawBill，standingamidthedogs，halftriumphant，halfcrest-fallen，inonehandastoutclub，intheotherthetailandpartofthebodyofasun-curedsalmon。
　　"Itgothalfofit，"heannounced；"butIgotawhackatitjes'thesame。D'yehearitsqueal？"
　　"What'ditlooklike？"Henryasked。
　　"Couldn'tsee。Butithadfourlegsan'amouthan'hairan'lookedlikeanydog。"
　　"Mustbeatamewolf，Ireckon。"
　　"It'sdamnedtame，whateveritis，comin'inhereatfeedin'timean'
　　gettin'itswhackoffish。"
　　Thatnight，whensupperwasfinishedandtheysatontheoblongboxandpulledattheirpipes，thecircleofgleamingeyesdrewinevencloserthanbefore。
　　"Iwishtthey'dspringupabunchofmooseorsomethin'，an'goawayan'leaveusalone，"Billsaid。
　　Henrygruntedwithanintonationthatwasnotallsympathy，andforaquarterofanhourtheysatoninsilence，Henrystaringatthefire，andBillatthecircleofeyesthatburnedinthedarknessjustbeyondthefirelight。
　　"Iwishtwewaspullin'intoMcGurryrightnow，"hebeganagain。
　　"Shutupyourwishin'an'yourcroakin'，"Henryburstoutangrily。"Yourstomach'ssour。That'swhat'sailin'you。Swallowaspoonfulofsody，an'
　　you'llsweetenupwonderfulan'bemorepleasantcompany。"
　　Inthemorning，HenrywasarousedbyfervidblasphemythatproceededfromthemouthofBill。Henryproppedhimselfuponanelbowandlookedtoseehiscomradestandingamongthedogsbesidethereplenishedfire，hisarmsraisedinobjurgation，hisfacedistortedwithpassion。
　　"Hello!"Henrycalled。"What'supnow？"
　　"Frog'sgone，"cametheanswer。
　　"No。"
　　"Itellyouyes。"
　　Henryleapedoutoftheblanketsandtothedogs。Hecountedthemwithcare，andthenjoinedhispartnerincursingthepowersoftheWildthathadrobbedthemofanotherdog。
　　"Frogwasthestrongestdogofthebunch，"Billpronouncedfinally。
　　"An'hewasnofooldogneither，"Henryadded。
　　Andsowasrecordedthesecondepitaphintwodays。
　　Agloomybreakfastwaseaten，andthefourremainingdogswereharnessedtothesled。Thedaywasarepetitionofthedaysthathadgonebefore。
　　Thementoiledwithoutspeechacrossthefaceofthefrozenworld。Thesilencewasunbrokensavebythecriesoftheirpursuers，that，unseen，hungupontheirrear。Withthecomingofnightinthemid-afternoon，thecriessoundedcloserasthepursuersdrewinaccordingtotheircustom；
　　andthedogsgrewexcitedandfrightened，andwereguiltyofpanicsthattangledthetracesandfurtherdepressedthetwomen。
　　"There，that'llfixyoufoolcritters，"Billsaidwithsatisfactionthatnight，standingerectatcompletionofhistask。
　　Henrylefthiscookingtocomeandsee。Notonlyhadhispartnertiedthedogsup，buthehadtiedthem，aftertheIndianfashion，withsticks。
　　Abouttheneckofeachdoghehadfastenedaleatherthong。Tothis，andsoclosetotheneckthatthedogcouldnotgethisteethtoit，hehadtiedastoutstickfourorfivefeetinlength。Theotherendofthestick，inturn，wasmadefasttoastakeinthegroundbymeansofaleatherthong。
　　Thedogwasunabletognawthroughtheleatherathisownendofthestick。
　　Thestickpreventedhimfromgettingattheleatherthatfastenedtheotherend。
　　Henrynoddedhisheadapprovingly。
　　"It'stheonlycontraptionthat'lleverholdOneEar，"hesaid。"Hecangnawthroughleatherascleanasaknifean'jes'abouthalfasquick。
　　Theyall'llbehereinthemornin'hunky-dory。""Youjes'bettheywill，"
　　Billaffirmed。"Ifoneof'emturnsupmissin'，I'llgowithoutmycoffee。"
　　"Theyjes'knowweain'tloadedtokill，"Henryremarkedatbedtime，indicatingthegleamingcirclethathemmedthemin。"Ifwecouldputacoupleofshotsinto'em，they'dbemorerespectful。Theycomeclosereverynight。Getthefirelightoutofyoureyesan'lookhard——there!Didyouseethatone？"
　　Forsometimethetwomenamusedthemselveswithwatchingthemovementofvagueformsontheedgeofthefirelight。Bylookingcloselyandsteadilyatwhereapairofeyesburnedinthedarkness，theformoftheanimalwouldslowlytakeshape。Theycouldevenseetheseformsmoveattimes。
　　Asoundamongthedogsattractedthemen'sattention。OneEarwasutteringquick，eagerwhines，lungingatthelengthofhissticktowardthedarkness，anddesistingnowandagaininordertomakefranticattacksonthestickwithhisteeth。
　　"Lookatthat，Bill，"Henrywhispered。
　　Fullintothefirelight，withastealthy，sidelongmovement，glidedadoglikeanimal。Itmovedwithcommingledmistrustanddaring，cautiouslyobservingthemen，itsattentionfixedonthedogs。OneEarstrainedthefulllengthofthesticktowardtheintruderandwhinedwitheagerness。
　　"ThatfoolOneEardon'tseemscairtmuch，"Billsaidinalowtone。
　　"It'sashe-wolf，"Henrywhisperedback，"an'thataccountsforFattyan'Frog。She'sthedecoyforthepack。Shedrawsoutthedogan'thenalltherestpitchesinan'eats'mup。"
　　Thefirecrackled。Alogfellapartwithaloudsplutteringnoise。Atthesoundofitthestrangeanimalleapedbackintothedarkness。
　　"Henry，I'ma-thinkin'，"Billannounced。
　　"Thinkin'what？"
　　"I'ma-thinkin'thatwastheoneIlambastedwiththeclub。"
　　"Ain'ttheslightestdoubtintheworld，"wasHenry'sresponse。
　　"An'righthereIwanttoremark，"Billwenton，"thatthatanimal'sfamilyaritywithcampfiresissuspiciousan'immoral。"
　　"Itknowsforcertainmore'naself-respectin'wolfoughttoknow，"
　　Henryagreed。"Awolfthatknowsenoughtocomeinwiththedogsatfeedin'
　　timehashadexperiences。"
　　"Ol'Villanhadadogoncethatrunawaywiththewolves，"Billcogitatedaloud。"Ioughttoknow。IshotitoutofthepackinamoosepastureoveronLittleStick。An'Ol'Villancriedlikeababy。Hadn'tseenitforthreeyears，hesaid。Benwiththewolvesallthattime。"
　　"Ireckonyou'vecalledtheturn，Bill。Thatwolf'sadog，an'it'seatenfishmany'sthetimefromthehandofman。"
　　"An'ifIgetachanceatit，thatwolfthat'sadog'llbejes'meat，"
　　Billdeclared。"Wecan'taffordtolosenomoreanimals。""Butyou'veonlygotthreecartridges，"Henryobjected。
　　"I'llwaitforadeadsureshot，"wasthereply。
　　InthemorningHenryrenewedthefireandcookedbreakfasttotheaccompanimentofhispartner'ssnoring。
　　"Youwassleepin'jes'toocomfortableforanythin'，"Henrytoldhim，asheroutedhimoutforbreakfast。"Ihadn'tthehearttorouseyou。"
　　Billbegantoeatsleepily。Henoticedthathiscupwasemptyandstartedtoreachforthepot。Butthepotwasbeyondarm'slengthandbesideHenry。
　　"Say，Henry，"hechidedgently，"ain'tyouforgotsomethin'？"
　　Henrylookedaboutwithgreatcarefulnessandshookhishead。Billhelduptheemptycup。
　　"Youdon'tgetnocoffee，"Henryannounced。
　　"Ain'trunout？"Billaskedanxiously。
　　"Nope。"
　　"Ain'tthinkin'it'llhurtmydigestion？"
　　"Nope。"
　　AflushofangrybloodpervadedBill'sface。
　　"Thenit'sjes'warman'anxiousIamtobehearin'youexplainyourself，"
　　hesaid。
　　"Spanker'sgone，"Henryanswered。
　　Withouthaste，withtheairofoneresignedtomisfortune，Billturnedhishead，andfromwherehesatcountedthedogs。
　　"How'dithappen？"heaskedapathetically。
　　Henryshruggedhisshoulders。"Don'tknow。UnlessOneEargnawed'mloose。Hecouldn'ta-doneithimself，that'ssure。"
　　"Thedarnedcuss。"Billspokegravelyandslowly，withnohintoftheangerthatwasragingwithin。"Jes'becausehecouldn'tchewhimselfloose，hechewsSpankerloose。"
　　"Well，Spanker'stroublesisover，anyway；Iguesshe'sdigestedbythistimean'cavortin'overthelandscapeinthebelliesoftwentydifferentwolves，"wasHenry'sepitaphonthis，thelatestlostdog。"Havesomecoffee，Bill。"
　　ButBillshookhishead。
　　"Goon，"Henrypleaded，elevatingthepot。
　　Billshovedhiscupaside。"I'llbeding-dong-dangedifIdo。IsaidIwouldn'tifarydogturnedupmissin'，an'Iwon't。"
　　"It'sdarngoodcoffee，"Henrysaidenticingly。
　　ButBillwasstubborn，andheateadrybreakfast，washeddownwithmumbledcursesatOneEarforthetrickhehadplayed。
　　"I'lltie'emupoutofreachofeachotherto-night，"Billsaid，astheytookthetrail。
　　Theyhadtravelledlittlemorethanahundredyards，whenHenry，whowasinfront，bentdownandpickedupsomethingwithwhichhissnowshoehadcollided。Itwasdark，andhecouldnotseeit，butherecognizeditbythetouch。Heflungitback，sothatitstruckthesledandbouncedalonguntilitfetcheduponBill'ssnowshoes。
　　"Mebbeyou'llneedthatinyourbusiness，"Henrysaid。
　　Billutteredanexclamation。ItwasallthatwasleftofSpanker——
　　thestickwithwhichhehadbeentied。
　　"Theyate'mhidean'all，"Billannounced。"Thestick'sascleanasawhistle。They'veatetheleatheroffenbothends。They'redamnhungry，Henry，an'they'llhaveyouan'meguessin'beforethistrip'sover。"
　　Henrylaugheddefiantly。"Iain'tbeentrailedthiswaybywolvesbefore，butI'vegonethroughawholelotworsean'keptmyhealth。Takesmore'nahandfulofthempeskycritterstodoforyourstruly，Bill，myson。"
　　"Idon'tknow，Idon'tknow，"Billmutteredominously。
　　"Well，you'llknowallrightwhenwepullintoMcGurry。"
　　"Iain'tfeelin'specialenthusiastic，"Billpersisted。
　　"You'reoffcolor，that'swhat'sthematterwithyou，"Henrydogmatized。
　　"Whatyouneedisquinine，an'I'mgoin'todoseyouupstiffassoonaswemakeMcGurry。"
　　Billgruntedhisdisagreementwiththediagnosis，andlapsedintosilence。
　　Thedaywaslikeallthedays。Lightcameatnineo'clock。Attwelveo'clockthesouthernhorizonwaswarmedbytheunseensun；andthenbeganthecoldgrayofafternoonthatwouldmerge，threehourslater，intonight。
　　Itwasjustafterthesun'sfutileefforttoappear，thatBillslippedtheriflefromunderthesled-lashingsandsaid:
　　"Youkeeprighton，Henry，I'mgoin'toseewhatIcansee。"
　　"You'dbetterstickbythesled，"hispartnerprotested。"You'veonlygotthreecartridges，an'there'snotellin'whatmighthappen。"
　　"Who'scroakin'now？"Billdemandedtriumphantly。
　　Henrymadenoreply，andploddedonalone，thoughoftenhecastanxiousglancesbackintothegraysolitudewherehispartnerhaddisappeared。
　　Anhourlater，takingadvantageofthecut-offsaroundwhichthesledhadtogo，Billarrived。
　　"They'rescatteredan'rangin'alongwide，"hesaid；"keepin'upwithusan'lookin'forgameatthesametime。Yousee，they'resureofus，onlytheyknowthey'vegottowaittogetus。Inthemeantimethey'rewillin'
　　topickupanythin'eatablethatcomeshandy。"
　　"Youmeantheythinkthey'resureofus，"Henryobjectedpointedly。
　　ButBillignoredhim。"Iseensomeofthem。They'reprettythin。Theyain'thadabiteinweeks，Ireckon，outsideofFattyan'Frogan'Spanker；an'
　　there'ssomanyof'emthatthatdidn'tgofar。They'reremarkablethin。
　　Theirribsislikewashboards，an'theirstomachsisrightupagainsttheirbackbones。They'reprettydesperate，Icantellyou。They'llbegoin'mad，yet，an'thenwatchout。"
　　Afewminuteslater，Henry，whowasnowtravellingbehindthesled，emittedalow，warningwhistle。Billturnedandlooked，thenquietlystoppedthedogs。Totherear，fromaroundthelastbendandplainlyintoview，ontheverytrailtheyhadjustcovered，trottedafurry，slinkingform。
　　Itsnosewastothetrail，andittrottedwithapeculiar，sliding，effortlessgait。Whentheyhalted，ithalted，throwingupitsheadandregardingthemsteadilywithnostrilsthattwitchedasitcaughtandstudiedthescentofthem。
　　"It'stheshe-wolf，"Billwhispered。
　　Thedogshadlaindowninthesnow，andhewalkedpastthemtojoinhispartneratthesled。Togethertheywatchedthestrangeanimalthathadpursuedthemfordaysandthathadalreadyaccomplishedthedestructionofhalftheirdog-team。
　　Afterasearchingscrutiny，theanimaltrottedforwardafewsteps。
　　Thisitrepeatedseveraltimes，tillitwasashorthundredyardsaway。
　　Itpaused，headup，closebyaclumpofsprucetrees，andwithsightandscentstudiedtheoutfitofthewatchingmen。Itlookedattheminastrangelywistfulway，afterthemannerofadog；butinitswistfulnesstherewasnoneofthedogaffection。Itwasawistfulnessbredofhunger，ascruelasitsownfangs，asmercilessasthefrostitself。
　　Itwaslargeforawolf，itsgauntframeadvertisingthelinesofananimalthatwasamongthelargestofitskind。
　　"Standsprettyclosetotwofeetan'ahalfattheshoulders，"Henrycommented。"An'I'llbetitain'tfarfromfivefeetlong。"
　　"Kindofstrangecolorforawolf，"wasBill'scriticism。"neverseenaredwolfbefore。Looksalmostcinnamontome。"
　　Theanimalwascertainlynotcinnamon-colored。Itscoatwasthetruewolf-coat。Thedominantcolorwasgray，andyettherewastoitafaintreddishhue——ahuethatwasbaffling，thatappearedanddisappeared，thatwasmorelikeanillusionofthevision，nowgray，distinctlygray，andagaingivinghintsandglintsofavaguerednessofcolornotclassifiableintermsofordinaryexperience。
　　"Looksforalltheworldlikeabighuskysled-dog，"Billsaid。"Iwouldn'tbes'prisedtoseeitwagitstail。
　　"Hello，youhusky!"hecalled。"Comehere，you，whatever-your-name-is。"
　　"Ain'tabitscairtofyou，"Henrylaughed。
　　Billwavedhishandatitthreateninglyandshoutedloudly；buttheanimalbetrayednofear。Theonlychangeinitthattheycouldnoticewasanaccessionofalertness。Itstillregardedthemwiththemercilesswistfulnessofhunger。Theyweremeat，anditwashungry；anditwouldliketogoinandeatthemifitdared。
　　"Lookhere，Henry，"Billsaid，unconsciouslyloweringhisvoicetoawhisperbecauseofwhathemeditated。"We'vegotthreecartridges。Butit'sadeadshot。Couldn'tmissit。It'sgotawaywiththreeofourdogs，an'weoughterputastoptoit。Whatd'yesay？"
　　Henrynoddedhisconsent。Billcautiouslyslippedthegunfromunderthesled-lashing。Thegunwasonthewaytohisshoulder，butitnevergotthere。Forinthatinstanttheshe-wolfleapedsidewisefromthetrailintotheclumpofsprucetreesanddisappeared。
　　Thetwomenlookedateachother。Henrywhistledlongandcomprehendingly。
　　"Imighthaveknowedit，"Billchidedhimselfaloud，ashereplacedthegun。"Ofcourseawolfthatknowsenoughtocomeinwiththedogsatfeedin'time，'dknowallaboutshooting-irons。Itellyourightnow，Henry，thatcritter'sthecauseofallourtrouble。We'dhavesixdogsatthepresenttime，'steadofthree，ifitwasn'tforher。An'Itellyourightnow，Henry，I'mgoin'together。She'stoosmarttobeshotintheopen。
　　ButI'mgoin'tolayforher。I'llbushwhackherassureasmynameisBill。"
　　"Youneedn'tstrayofftoofarindoin'it，"hispartneradmonished。
　　"Ifthatpackeverstartstojumpyou，themthreecartridges'dbewuthnomore'nthreewhoopsinhell。Themanimalsisdamnhungry，an'oncetheystartin，they'llsuregetyou，Bill。"
　　Theycampedearlythatnight。Threedogscouldnotdragthesledsofastnorforsolonghoursascouldsix，andtheywereshowingunmistakablesignsofplayingout。Andthemenwentearlytobed，Billfirstseeingtoitthatthedogsweretiedoutofgnawing-reachofoneanother。
　　Butthewolvesweregrowingbolder，andthemenwerearousedmorethanoncefromtheirsleep。Soneardidthewolvesapproach，thatthedogsbecamefranticwithterror，anditwasnecessarytoreplenishthefirefromtimetotimeinordertokeeptheadventurousmaraudersatsaferdistance。
　　"I'vehearnsailorstalkofsharksfollowin'aship，"Billremarked，ashecrawledbackintotheblanketsafteronesuchreplenishingofthefire。"Well，themwolvesislandsharks。Theyknowtheirbusinessbetter'nwedo，an'theyain'ta-holdin'ourtrailthiswayfortheirhealth。They'regoin'togetus。They'resuregoin'togetus，Henry。"
　　"They'vehalfgotyoua'ready，a-talkin'likethat，"Henryretortedsharply。"Aman'shalflickedwhenhesaysheis。An'you'rehalfeatenfromthewayyou'regoin'onaboutit。"
　　"They'vegotawaywithbettermenthanyouan'me，"Billanswered。
　　"Oh，shetupyourcroakin'。Youmakemeall-firedtired。"
　　Henryrolledoverangrilyonhisside，butwassurprisedthatBillmadenosimilardisplayoftemper。ThiswasnotBill'sway，forhewaseasilyangeredbysharpwords。Henrythoughtlongoveritbeforehewenttosleep，andashiseyelidsfluttereddownandhedozedoff，thethoughtinhismindwas:"There'snomistakin'it，Bill'salmightyblue。I'llhavetocheerhimupto-morrow。"WhiteFang:PartI:TheWild:Chapter3:TheHungerCryPartI:TheWildChapter3
　　THEHUNGERCRY
　　Thedaybeganauspiciously。Theyhadlostnodogsduringthenight，andtheyswungoutuponthetrailandintothesilence，thedarkness，andthecoldwithspiritsthatwerefairlylight。Billseemedtohaveforgottenhisforebodingsofthepreviousnight，andevenwaxedfacetiouswiththedogswhen，atmidday，theyoverturnedthesledonabadpieceoftrail。
　　Itwasanawkwardmix-up。Thesledwasupsidedownandjammedbetweenatree-trunkandahugerock，andtheywereforcedtounharnessthedogsinordertostraightenoutthetangle。Thetwomenwerebentoverthesledandtryingtorightit，whenHenryobservedOneEarsidlingaway。
　　"Here，you，OneEar!"hecried，straighteningupandturningaroundonthedog。
　　ButOneEarbrokeintoarunacrossthesnow，histracestrailingbehindhim。Andthere，outinthesnowoftheirback-track，wastheshe-wolfwaitingforhim。Ashenearedher，hebecamesuddenlycautious。Hesloweddowntoanalertandmincingwalkandthenstopped。Heregardedhercarefullyanddubiously，yetdesirefully。Sheseemedtosmileathim，showingherteethinaningratiatingratherthanamenacingway。Shemovedtowardhimafewsteps，playfully，andthenhalted。OneEardrewneartoher，stillalertandcautious，histailandearsintheair，hisheadheldhigh。
　　Hetriedtosniffnoseswithher，butsheretreatedplayfullyandcoyly。
　　Everyadvanceonhispartwasaccompaniedbyacorrespondingretreatonherpart。Stepbystepshewasluringhimawayfromthesecurityofhishumancompanionship。Once，asthoughawarninghadinvaguewaysflittedthroughhisintelligence，heturnedhisheadandlookedbackattheoverturnedsled，athisteam-mates，andatthetwomenwhowerecallingtohim。
　　Butwhateverideawasforminginhismind，wasdissipatedbytheshe-wolf，whoadvanceduponhim，sniffednoseswithhimforafleetinginstant，andthenresumedhercoyretreatbeforehisrenewedadvances。
　　Inthemeantime，Billhadbethoughthimselfoftherifle。Butitwasjammedbeneaththeoverturnedsled，andbythetimeHenryhadhelpedhimtorighttheload，OneEarandtheshe-wolfweretooclosetogetherandthedistancetoogreattoriskashot。
　　Toolate，OneEarlearnedhismistake。Beforetheysawthecause，thetwomensawhimturnandstarttorunbacktowardthem。Then，approachingatrightanglestothetrailandcuttingoffhisretreat，theysawadozenwolves，leanandgray，boundingacrossthesnow。Ontheinstant，theshe-wolf'scoynessandplayfulnessdisappeared。WithasnarlshespranguponOneEar。
　　Hethrustheroffwithhisshoulder，and，hisretreatcutoffandstillintentonregainingthesled，healteredhiscourseinanattempttocirclearoundtoit。Morewolveswereappearingeverymomentandjoininginthechase。Theshe-wolfwasoneleapbehindOneEarandholdingherown。
　　"Whereareyougoin'？"Henrysuddenlydemanded，layinghishandonhispartner'sarm。
　　Billshookitoff。"Iwon'tstandit，"hesaid。"Theyain'ta-goin'
　　togetanymoreofourdogsifIcanhelpit。"
　　Guninhand，heplungedintotheunderbrushthatlinedthesideofthetrail。Hisintentionwasapparentenough。TakingthesledasthecentreofthecirclethatOneEarwasmaking，Billplannedtotapthatcircleatapointinadvanceofthepursuit。Withhisrifle，inthebroaddaylight，itmightbepossibleforhimtoawethewolvesandsavethedog。
　　"Say，Bill!"Henrycalledafterhim。"Becareful!Don'ttakenochances!"
　　Henrysatdownonthesledandwatched。Therewasnothingelseforhimtodo。Billhadalreadygonefromsight；butnowandagain，appearinganddisappearingamongsttheunderbrushandthescatteredclumpsofspruce，couldbeseenOneEar。Henryjudgedhiscasetobehopeless。Thedogwasthoroughlyalivetoitsdanger，butitwasrunningontheoutercirclewhilethewolf-packwasrunningontheinnerandshortercircle。ItwasvaintothinkofOneEarsooutdistancinghispursuersastobeabletocutacrosstheircircleinadvanceofthemandtoregainthesled。
　　Thedifferentlineswererapidlyapproachingapoint。Somewhereoutthereinthesnow，screenedfromhissightbytreesandthickets，Henryknewthatthewolf-pack，OneEar，andBillwerecomingtogether。Alltooquickly，farmorequicklythanhehadexpected，ithappened。Heheardashot，thentwoshotsinrapidsuccession，andheknewthatBill'sammunitionwasgone。Thenheheardagreatoutcryofsnarlsandyelps。HerecognizedOneEar'syellofpainandterror，andheheardawolf-crythatbespokeastrickenanimal。Andthatwasall。Thesnarlsceased。Theyelpingdiedaway。Silencesettleddownagainoverthelonelyland。
　　Hesatforalongwhileuponthesled。Therewasnoneedforhimtogoandseewhathadhappened。Heknewitasthoughithadtakenplacebeforehiseyes。Once，herousedwithastartandhastilygottheaxeoutfromunderneaththelashings。Butforsometimelongerhesatandbrooded，thetworemainingdogscrouchingandtremblingathisfeet。
　　Atlasthearoseinawearymanner，asthoughalltheresiliencehadgoneoutofhisbody，andproceededtofastenthedogstothesled。Hepassedaropeoverhisshoulder，aman-trace，andpulledwiththedogs。
　　Hedidnotgofar。Atthefirsthintofdarknesshehastenedtomakeacamp，andhesawtoitthathehadageneroussupplyoffirewood。Hefedthedogs，cookedandatehissupper，andmadehisbedclosetothefire。
　　Buthewasnotdestinedtoenjoythatbed。Beforehiseyesclosedthewolveshaddrawntoonearforsafety。Itnolongerrequiredaneffortofthevisiontoseethem。Theywereallabouthimandthefire，inanarrowcircle，andhecouldseethemplainlyinthefirelight，lyingdown，sittingup，crawlingforwardontheirbellies，orslinkingbackandforth。Theyevenslept。Hereandtherehecouldseeonecurledupinthesnowlikeadog，takingthesleepthatwasnowdeniedhimself。
　　Hekeptthefirebrightlyblazing，forheknewthatitaloneintervenedbetweenthefleshofhisbodyandtheirhungryfangs。Histwodogsstayedclosebyhim，oneoneitherside，leaningagainsthimforprotection，cryingandwhimpering，andattimessnarlingdesperatelywhenawolfapproachedalittlecloserthanusual。Atsuchmoments，whenhisdogssnarled，thewholecirclewouldbeagitated，thewolvescomingtotheirfeetandpressingtentativelyforward，achorusofsnarlsandeageryelpsrisingabouthim。
　　Thenthecirclewouldliedownagain，andhereandthereawolfwouldresumeitsbrokennap。
　　Butthiscirclehadacontinuoustendencytodrawinuponhim。Bitbybit，aninchatatime，withhereawolfbellyingforward，andthereawolfbellyingforward，thecirclewouldnarrowuntilthebruteswerealmostwithinspringingdistance。Thenhewouldseizebrandsfromthefireandhurlthemintothepack。Ahastydrawingbackalwaysresulted，accompaniedbyangryyelpsandfrightenedsnarlswhenawell-aimedbrandstruckandscorchedatoodaringanimal。
　　Morningfoundthemanhaggardandworn，wide-eyedfromwantofsleep。
　　Hecookedbreakfastinthedarkness，andatnineo'clock，when，withthecomingofdaylight，thewolf-packdrewback，hesetaboutthetaskhehadplannedthroughthelonghoursofthenight。Choppingdownyoungsaplings，hemadethemcross-barsofascaffoldbylashingthemhighuptothetrunksofstandingtrees。Usingthesled-lashingforaheavingrope，andwiththeaidofthedogs，hehoistedthecoffintothetopofthescaffold。
　　"TheygotBill，an'theymaygetme，butthey'llsurenevergetyou，youngman，"hesaid，addressingthedeadbodyinitstree-sepulchre。
　　Thenhetookthetrail，thelightenedsledboundingalongbehindthewillingdogs；forthey，too，knewthatsafetylayonlyinthegainingofFortMcGurry。Thewolveswerenowmoreopenintheirpursuit，trottingsedatelybehindandrangingalongoneitherside，theirredtongueslollingout，theirleansidesshowingtheundulatingribswitheverymovement。
　　Theywereverylean，mereskin-bagsstretchedoverbonyframes，withstringsformuscles——soleanthatHenryfounditinhismindtomarvelthattheystillkepttheirfeetanddidnotcollapseforthrightinthesnow。
　　Hedidnotdaretraveluntildark。Atmidday，notonlydidthesunwarmthesouthernhorizon，butiteventhrustitsupperrim，paleandgolden，abovethesky-line。Hereceiveditasasign。Thedaysweregrowinglonger。
　　Thesunwasreturning。Butscarcelyhadthecheerofitslightdeparted，thanhewentintocamp。Therewerestillseveralhoursofgraydaylightandsombretwilight，andheutilizedtheminchoppinganenormoussupplyoffirewood。
　　Withnightcamehorror。Notonlywerethestarvingwolvesgrowingbolder，butlackofsleepwastellinguponHenry。Hedozeddespitehimself，crouchingbythefire，theblanketsabouthisshoulders，theaxebetweenhisknees，andoneithersideadogpressingcloseagainsthim。Heawokeonceandsawinfrontofhim，notadozenfeetaway，abiggraywolf，oneofthelargestofthepack。Andevenashelooked，thebrutedeliberatelystretchedhimselfafterthemannerofalazydog，yawningfullinhisfaceandlookinguponhimwithapossessiveeye，asif，intruth，heweremerelyadelayedmealthatwassoontobeeaten。
　　Thiscertitudewasshownbythewholepack。Fullyascorehecouldcount，staringhungrilyathimorcalmlysleepinginthesnow。Theyremindedhimofchildrengatheredaboutaspreadtableandawaitingpermissiontobegintoeat。Andhewasthefoodtheyweretoeat!Hewonderedhowandwhenthemealwouldbegin。
　　Ashepiledwoodonthefirehediscoveredanappreciationofhisownbodywhichhehadneverfeltbefore。Hewatchedhismovingmusclesandwasinterestedinthecunningmechanismofhisfingers。Bythelightofthefirehecrookedhisfingersslowlyandrepeatedly，nowoneatatime，nowalltogether，spreadingthemwideormakingquickgrippingmovements。