Buthewas，further，thefiercestofthelitter。Hecouldmakealouderraspinggrowlthananyofthem。Histinyragesweremuchmoreterriblethantheirs。Itwashethatfirstlearnedthetrickofrollingafellow-cuboverwithacunningpaw-stroke。Anditwashethatfirstgrippedanothercubbytheearandpulledandtuggedandgrowledthroughjawstight-clenched。
　　Andcertainlyitwashethatcausedthemotherthemosttroubleinkeepingherlitterfromthemouthofthecave。
　　Thefascinationofthelightforthegraycubincreasedfromdaytoday。
　　Hewasperpetuallydepartingonyard-longadventurestowardthecave'sentrance，andasperpetuallybeingdrivenback。Onlyhedidnotknowitforanentrance。Hedidnotknowanythingaboutentrances——passageswherebyonegoesfromoneplacetoanotherplace。Hedidnotknowanyotherplace，muchlessofawaytogetthere。Sotohimtheentranceofthecavewasawall——awalloflight。Asthesunwastotheoutsidedweller，thiswallwastohimthesunofhisworld。Itattractedhimasacandleattractsamoth。Hewasalwaysstrivingtoattainit。Thelifethatwassoswiftlyexpandingwithinhim，urgedhimcontinuallytowardthewalloflight。Thelifethatwaswithinhimknewthatitwastheonewayout，thewayhewaspredestinedtotread。Buthehimselfdidnotknowanythingaboutit。Hedidnotknowtherewasanyoutsideatall。
　　Therewasonestrangethingaboutthiswalloflight。Hisfatherhehadalreadycometorecognizehisfatherastheoneotherdwellerintheworld，acreaturelikehismother，whosleptnearthelightandwasabringerofmeat——hisfatherhadawayofwalkingrightintothewhitefarwallanddisappearing。Thegraycubcouldnotunderstandthis。Thoughneverpermittedbyhismothertoapproachthatwall，hehadapproachedtheotherwalls，andencounteredhardobstructionontheendofhistendernose。
　　Thishurt。Andafterseveralsuchadventures，heleftthewallsalone。
　　Withoutthinkingaboutit，heacceptedthisdisappearingintothewallasapeculiarityofhisfather，asmilkandhalf-digestedmeatwerepeculiaritiesofhismother。
　　Infact，thegraycubwasnotgiventothinking——atleast，tothekindofthinkingcustomaryofmen。Hisbrainworkedindimways。Yethisconclusionswereassharpanddistinctasthoseachievedbymen。Hehadamethodofacceptingthings，withoutquestioningthewhyandwherefore。
　　Inreality，thiswastheactofclassification。Hewasneverdisturbedoverwhyathinghappened。Howithappenedwassufficientforhim。Thus，whenhehadbumpedhisnoseontheback-wallafewtimes，heacceptedthathewouldnotdisappearintowalls。Inthesamewayheacceptedthathisfathercoulddisappearintowalls。Buthewasnotintheleastdisturbedbydesiretofindoutthereasonforthedifferencebetweenhisfatherandhimself。Logicandphysicswerenopartofhismentalmake-up。
　　LikemostcreaturesoftheWild，heearlyexperiencedfamine。Therecameatimewhennotonlydidthemeat-supplycease，butthemilknolongercamefromhismother'sbreast。Atfirst，thecubswhimperedandcried，butforthemostparttheyslept。Itwasnotlongbeforetheywerereducedtoacomaofhunger。Therewerenomorespatsandsquabbles，nomoretinyragesnorattemptsatgrowling；whiletheadventurestowardthefarwhitewallceasedaltogether。Thecubsslept，whilethelifethatwasinthemflickeredanddieddown。
　　OneEyewasdesperate。Herangedfarandwide，andsleptbutlittleinthelairthathadnowbecomecheerlessandmiserable。Theshe-wolf，too，leftherlitterandwentoutinsearchofmeat。Inthefirstdaysafterthebirthofthecubs，OneEyehadjourneyedseveraltimesbacktotheIndiancampandrobbedtherabbitsnares；but，withthemeltingofthesnowandtheopeningofthestreams，theIndiancamphadmovedaway，andthatsourceofsupplywasclosedtohim。
　　Whenthegraycubcamebacktolifeandagaintookinterestinthefarwhitewall，hefoundthatthepopulationofhisworldhadbeenreduced。
　　Onlyonesisterremainedtohim。Therestweregone。Ashegrewstronger，hefoundhimselfcompelledtoplayalone，forthesisternolongerliftedherheadnormovedabout。Hislittlebodyroundedoutwiththemeathenowate；butthefoodhadcometoolateforher。Shesleptcontinuously，atinyskeletonflungroundwithskininwhichtheflameflickeredlowerandlowerandatlastwentout。
　　Thentherecameatimewhenthegraycubnolongersawhisfatherappearinganddisappearinginthewallnorlyingdownasleepintheentrance。Thishadhappenedattheendofasecondandlessseverefamine。Theshe-wolfknewwhyOneEyenevercameback，buttherewasnowaybywhichshecouldtellwhatshehadseentothegraycub。Huntingherselfformeat，uptheleftforkofthestreamwherelivedthelynx，shehadfollowedaday-oldtrailofOneEye。Andshehadfoundhim，orwhatremainedofhim，attheendofthetrail。Thereweremanysignsofthebattlethathadbeenfought，andofthelynx'swithdrawaltoherlairafterhavingwonthevictory。
　　Beforeshewentaway，theshe-wolfhadfoundthislair，butthesignstoldherthatthelynxwasinside，andshehadnotdaredtoventurein。
　　Afterthat，theshe-wolfinherhuntingavoidedtheleftfork。Forsheknewthatinthelynx'slairwasalitterofkittens，andsheknewthelynxforafierce，bad-temperedcreatureandaterriblefighter。Itwasallverywellforhalfadozenwolvestodrivealynx，spittingandbristling，upatree；butitwasquiteadifferentmatterforalonewolftoencounteralynx——especiallywhenthelynxwasknowntohavealitterofhungrykittensatherback。
　　ButtheWildistheWild，andmotherhoodismotherhood，atalltimesfiercelyprotectivewhetherintheWildoroutofit；andthetimewastocomewhentheshe-wolf，forhergraycub'ssake，wouldventuretheleftfork，andthelairintherocks，andthelynx'swrath。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter4:TheWalloftheWorldPartII:BornoftheWildChapter4
　　THEWALLOFTHEWORLD
　　Bythetimehismotherbeganleavingthecaveonhuntingexpeditions，thecubhadlearnedwellthelawthatforbadehisapproachingtheentrance。
　　Notonlyhadthislawbeenforciblyandmanytimesimpressedonhimbyhismother'snoseandpaw，butinhimtheinstinctoffearwasdeveloping。
　　Never，inhisbriefcave-life，hadheencounteredanythingofwhichtobeafraid。Yetfearwasinhim。Ithadcomedowntohimfromaremoteancestrythroughathousandthousandlives。ItwasaheritagehehadreceiveddirectlyfromOneEyeandtheshe-wolf；buttothem，inturn，ithadbeenpasseddownthroughallthegenerationsofwolvesthathadgonebefore。Fear!——
　　thatlegacyoftheWildwhichnoanimalmayescapenorexchangeforpottage。
　　Sothegraycubknewfear，thoughheknewnotthestuffofwhichfearwasmade。Possiblyheaccepteditasoneoftherestrictionsoflife。Forhehadalreadylearnedthatthereweresuchrestrictions。Hungerhehadknown；andwhenhecouldnotappeasehishungerhehadfeltrestriction。
　　Thehardobstructionofthecave-wall，thesharpnudgeofhismother'snose，thesmashingstrokeofherpaw，thehungerunappeasedofseveralfamines，hadborneinuponhimthatallwasnotfreedomintheworld，thattolifetherewerelimitationsandrestraints。Theselimitationsandrestraintswerelaws。Tobeobedienttothemwastoescapehurtandmakeforhappiness。
　　Hedidnotreasonthequestionoutinthisman-fashion。Hemerelyclassifiedthethingsthathurtandthethingsthatdidnothurt。Andaftersuchclassificationheavoidedthethingsthathurt，therestrictionsandrestraints，inordertoenjoythesatisfactionsandtheremunerationsoflife。
　　Thusitwasthatinobediencetothelawlaiddownbyhismother，andinobediencetothelawofthatunknownandnamelessthing，fear，hekeptawayfromthemouthofthecave。Itremainedtohimawhitewalloflight。
　　Whenhismotherwasabsent，hesleptmostofthetime，whileduringtheintervalsthathewasawakehekeptveryquiet，suppressingthewhimperingcriesthattickledinhisthroatandstrovefornoise。
　　Once，lyingawake，heheardastrangesoundinthewhitewall。Hedidnotknowthatitwasawolverine，standingoutside，alla-tremblewithitsowndaring，andcautiouslyscentingoutthecontentsofthecave。Thecubknewonlythatthesniffwasstrange，asomethingunclassified，thereforeunknownandterrible——fortheunknownwasoneofthechiefelementsthatwentintothemakingoffear。
　　Thehairbristleduponthegraycub'sback，butitbristledsilently。
　　Howwashetoknowthatthisthingthatsniffedwasathingatwhichtobristle？Itwasnotbornofanyknowledgeofhis，yetitwasthevisibleexpressionofthefearthatwasinhim，andforwhich，inhisownlife，therewasnoaccounting。Butfearwasaccompaniedbyanotherinstinct——
　　thatofconcealment。Thecubwasinafrenzyofterror，yethelaywithoutmovementorsound，frozen，petrifiedintoimmobility，toallappearancesdead。Hismother，cominghome，growledasshesmeltthewolverine'strack，andboundedintothecaveandlickedandnozzledhimwithunduevehemenceofaffection。Andthecubfeltthatsomehowhehadescapedagreathurt。
　　Buttherewereotherforcesatworkinthecub，thegreatestofwhichwasgrowth。Instinctandlawdemandedofhimobedience。Butgrowthdemandeddisobedience。Hismotherandfearimpelledhimtokeepawayfromthewhitewall。Growthislife，andlifeisforeverdestinedtomakeforlight。Sotherewasnodammingupthetideoflifethatwasrisingwithinhim——
　　risingwitheverymouthfulofmeatheswallowed，witheverybreathhedrew。
　　Intheend，oneday，fearandobedienceweresweptawaybytherushoflife，andthecubstraddledandsprawledtowardtheentrance。
　　Unlikeanyotherwallwithwhichhehadhadexperience，thiswallseemedtorecedefromhimasheapproached。Nohardsurfacecollidedwiththetenderlittlenosehethrustouttentativelybeforehim。Thesubstanceofthewallseemedaspermeableandyieldingaslight。Andascondition，inhiseyes，hadtheseemingofform，soheenteredintowhathadbeenwalltohimandbathedinthesubstancethatcomposedit。
　　Itwasbewildering。Hewassprawlingthroughsolidity。Andeverthelightgrewbrighter。Fearurgedhimtogoback，butgrowthdrovehimon。
　　Suddenlyhefoundhimselfatthemouthofthecave。Thewall，insidewhichhehadthoughthimself，assuddenlyleapedbackbeforehimtoanimmeasurabledistance。Thelighthadbecomepainfullybright。Hewasdazzledbyit。
　　Likewisehewasmadedizzybythisabruptandtremendousextensionofspace。
　　Automatically，hiseyeswereadjustingthemselvestothebrightness，focussingthemselvestomeettheincreaseddistanceofobjects。Atfirst，thewallhadleapedbeyondhisvision。Henowsawitagain；butithadtakenuponitselfaremarkableremoteness。Also，itsappearancehadchanged。Itwasnowavariegatedwall，composedofthetreesthatfringedthestream，theopposingmountainthattoweredabovethetrees，andtheskythatout-toweredthemountain。
　　Agreatfearcameuponhim。Thiswasmoreoftheterribleunknown。Hecroucheddownonthelipofthecaveandgazedoutontheworld。Hewasverymuchafraid。Becauseitwasunknown，itwashostiletohim。Thereforethehairstooduponendalonghisbackandhislipswrinkledweaklyinanattemptataferociousandintimidatingsnarl。Outofhispuninessandfrighthechallengedandmenacedthewholewideworld。
　　Nothinghappened。Hecontinuedtogaze，andinhisinterestheforgottosnarl。Also，heforgottobeafraid。Forthetime，fearhadbeenroutedbygrowth，whilegrowthhadassumedtheguiseofcuriosity。Hebegantonoticenearobjects——anopenportionofthestreamthatflashedinthesun，theblastedpinetreethatstoodatthebaseoftheslope，andtheslopeitself，thatranrightuptohimandceasedtwofeetbeneaththelipofthecaveonwhichhecrouched。
　　Nowthegraycubhadlivedallhisdaysonalevelfloor。Hehadneverexperiencedthehurtofafall。Hedidnotknowwhatafallwas。Sohesteppedboldlyoutupontheair。Hishind-legsstillrestedonthecave-lip，sohefellforwardheaddownward。Theearthstruckhimaharshblowonthenosethatmadehimyelp。Thenhebeganrollingdowntheslope，overandover。Hewasinapanicofterror。Theunknownhadcaughthimatlast。
　　Ithadgrippedsavagelyholdofhimandwasabouttowreakuponhimsometerrifichurt。Growthwasnowroutedbyfear，andheki-yi'dlikeanyfrightenedpuppy。
　　Theunknownborehimonheknewnottowhatfrightfulhurt，andheyelpedandki-yi'dunceasingly。Thiswasadifferentpropositionfromcrouchinginfrozenfearwhiletheunknownlurkedjustalongside。Nowtheunknownhadcaughttightholdofhim。Silencewoulddonogood。Besides，itwasnotfear，butterror，thatconvulsedhim。
　　Buttheslopegrewmoregradual，anditsbasewasgrass-covered。Herethecublostmomentum。Whenatlasthecametoastop，hegaveonelastagonizedyelpandthenalong，whimperingwail。Also，andquiteasamatterofcourse，asthoughinhislifehehadalreadymadeathousandtoilets，heproceededtolickawaythedryclaythatsoiledhim。
　　Afterthathesatupandgazedabouthim，asmightthefirstmanoftheearthwholandeduponMars。Thecubhadbrokenthroughthewalloftheworld，theunknownhadletgoitsholdofhim，andherehewaswithouthurt。ButthefirstmanonMarswouldhaveexperiencedlessunfamiliaritythandidhe。Withoutanyantecedentknowledge，withoutanywarningwhateverthatsuchexisted，hefoundhimselfanexplorerinatotallynewworld。
　　Nowthattheterribleunknownhadletgoofhim，heforgotthattheunknownhadanyterrors。Hewasawareonlyofcuriosityinallthethingsabouthim。Heinspectedthegrassbeneathhim，themoss-berryplantjustbeyond，andthedeadtrunkoftheblastedpinethatstoodontheedgeofanopenspaceamongthetrees。Asquirrel，runningaroundthebaseofthetrunk，camefulluponhim，andgavehimagreatfright。Hecowereddownandsnarled。Butthesquirrelwasasbadlyscared。Itranupthetree，andfromapointofsafetychatteredbacksavagely。
　　Thishelpedthecub'scourage，andthoughthewoodpeckerhenextencounteredgavehimastart，heproceededconfidentlyonhisway。Suchwashisconfidence，thatwhenamoose-birdimpudentlyhoppeduptohim，hereachedoutatitwithaplayfulpaw。Theresultwasasharppeckontheendofhisnosethatmadehimcowerdownandki-yi。Thenoisehemadewastoomuchforthemoose-bird，whosoughtsafetyinflight。
　　Butthecubwaslearning。Hismistylittlemindhadalreadymadeanunconsciousclassification。Therewerelivethingsandthingsnotalive。
　　Also，hemustwatchoutforthelivethings。Thethingsnotaliveremainedalwaysinoneplace；butthelivethingsmovedabout，andtherewasnotellingwhattheymightdo。Thethingtoexpectofthemwastheunexpected，andforthishemustbeprepared。
　　Hetravelledveryclumsily。Heranintosticksandthings。Atwigthathethoughtalongwayoff，wouldthenextinstanthithimonthenoseorrakealonghisribs。Therewereinequalitiesofsurface。Sometimesheoversteppedandstubbedhisnose。Quiteasoftenheundersteppedandstubbedhisfeet。
　　Thentherewerethepebblesandstonesthatturnedunderhimwhenhetroduponthem；andfromthemhecametoknowthatthethingsnotalivewerenotallinthesamestateofstableequilibriumaswashiscave；also，thatsmallthingsnotaliveweremoreliablethanlargethingstofalldownorturnover。Butwitheverymishaphewaslearning。Thelongerhewalked，thebetterhewalked。Hewasadjustinghimself。Hewaslearningtocalculatehisownmuscularmovements，toknowhisphysicallimitations，tomeasuredistancesbetweenobjects，andbetweenobjectsandhimself。
　　Hiswastheluckofthebeginner。Borntobeahunterofmeat，thoughhedidnotknowit，heblundereduponmeatjustoutsidehisowncave-dooronhisfirstforayintotheworld。Itwasbysheerblunderingthathechancedupontheshrewdlyhiddenptarmigannest。Hefellintoit。Hehadessayedtowalkalongthetrunkofafallenpine。Therottenbarkgavewayunderhisfeet，andwithadespairingyelphepitcheddowntheroundeddescent，smashedthroughtheleafageandstalksofasmallbush，andintheheartofthebush，ontheground，fetchedupamongstsevenptarmiganchicks。
　　Theymadenoises，andatfirsthewasfrightenedatthem。Thenheperceivedthattheywereverylittle，andhebecamebolder。Theymoved。Heplacedhispawonone，anditsmovementswereaccelerated。Thiswasasourceofenjoymenttohim。Hesmelledit。Hepickeditupinhismouth。Itstruggledandtickledhistongue。Atthesametimehewasmadeawareofasensationofhunger。Hisjawsclosedtogether。Therewasacrunchingoffragilebones，andwarmbloodraninhismouth。Thetasteofitwasgood。Thiswasmeat，thesameashismothergavehim，onlyitwasalivebetweenhisteethandthereforebetter。Soheatetheptarmigan。Nordidhestoptillhehaddevouredthewholebrood。Thenhelickedhischopsinquitethesamewayhismotherdid，andbegantocrawloutofthebush。
　　Heencounteredafeatheredwhirlwind。Hewasconfusedandblindedbytherushofitandthebeatofangrywings。Hehidhisheadbetweenhispawsandyelped。Theblowsincreased。Themother-ptarmiganwasinafury。
　　Thenhebecameangry。Heroseup，snarling，strikingoutwithhispaws。
　　Hesankhistinyteethintooneofthewingsandpulledandtuggedsturdily。
　　Theptarmiganstruggledagainsthim，showeringblowsuponhimwithherfreewing。Itwashisfirstbattle。Hewaselated。Heforgotallabouttheunknown。Henolongerwasafraidofanything。Hewasfighting，tearingatalivethingthatwasstrikingathim。Also，thislivethingwasmeat。
　　Thelusttokillwasonhim。Hehadjustdestroyedlittlelivethings。
　　Hewouldnowdestroyabiglivething。Hewastoobusyandhappytoknowthathewashappy。Hewasthrillingandexultinginwaysnewtohimandgreatertohimthananyhehadknownbefore。
　　Heheldontothewingandgrowledbetweenhistight-clenchedteeth。
　　Theptarmigandraggedhimoutofthebush。Whensheturnedandtriedtodraghimbackintothebush'sshelter，hepulledherawayfromitandonintotheopen。Andallthetimeshewasmakingoutcryandstrikingwithherwing，whilefeatherswereflyinglikeasnow-fall。Thepitchtowhichhewasarousedwastremendous。Allthefightingbloodofhisbreedwasupinhimandsurgingthroughhim。Thiswasliving，thoughhedidnotknowit。Hewasrealizinghisownmeaningintheworld；hewasdoingthatforwhichhewasmade——killingmeatandbattlingtokillit。Hewasjustifyinghisexistence，thanwhichlifecandonogreater；forlifeachievesitssummitwhenitdoestotheutter-mostthatwhichitwasequippedtodo。
　　Afteratime，theptarmiganceasedherstruggling。Hestillheldherbythewing，andtheylayonthegroundandlookedateachother。Hetriedtogrowlthreateningly，ferociously。Shepeckedonhisnose，whichbynow，whatofpreviousadventures，wassore。Hewincedbutheldon。Shepeckedhimagainandagain。Fromwincing，hewenttowhimpering。Hetriedtobackawayfromher，obliviousofthefactthatbyhisholdonherhedraggedherafterhim。Arainofpecksfellonhisill-usednose。Thefloodoffightebbeddowninhim，and，releasinghisprey，heturnedtailandscamperedoffacrosstheopeniningloriousretreat。
　　Helaydowntorestontheothersideoftheopen，neartheedgeofthebushes，histonguelollingout，hischestheavingandpanting，hisnosestillhurtinghimandcausinghimtocontinuehiswhimper。Butashelaythere，suddenlytherecametohimafeelingasofsomethingterribleimpending。Theunknownwithallitsterrorsrusheduponhim，andheshrankbackinstinctivelyintotheshelterofthebush。Ashedidso，adraughtofairfannedhim，andalarge，wingedbodysweptominouslyandsilentlypast。Ahawk，drivingdownoutoftheblue，hadbarelymissedhim。
　　Whilehelayinthebush，recoveringfromthisfrightandpeeringfearfullyout，themother-ptarmiganontheothersideoftheopenspaceflutteredoutoftheravagednest。Itwasbecauseofherlossthatshepaidnoattentiontothewingedboltofthesky。Butthecubsaw，anditwasawarningandalessontohim——theswiftdownwardswoopofthehawk，theshortskimofitsbodyjustabovetheground，thestrikeofitstalonsinthebodyoftheptarmigan，theptarmigan'ssquawkofagonyandfright，andthehawk'srushupwardintotheblue，carryingtheptarmiganawaywithit。
　　Itwasalongtimebeforethecublefthisshelter。Hehadlearnedmuch。
　　Livethingsweremeat。Theyweregoodtoeat。Also，livethingswhentheywerelargeenough，couldgivehurt。Itwasbettertoeatsmalllivethingslikeptarmiganchicks，andtoletalonelargelivethingslikeptarmiganhens。Neverthelesshefeltalittleprickofambition，asneakingdesiretohaveanotherbattlewiththatptarmiganhen——onlythehawkhadcarriedheraway。Maybetherewereotherptarmiganhens。Hewouldgoandsee。
　　Hecamedownashelvingbanktothestream。Hehadneverseenwaterbefore。Thefootinglookedgood。Therewerenoinequalitiesofsurface。
　　Hesteppedboldlyoutonit；andwentdown，cryingwithfear，intotheembraceoftheunknown。Itwascold，andhegasped，breathingquickly。
　　Thewaterrushedintohislungsinsteadoftheairthathadalwaysaccompaniedhisactofbreathing。Thesuffocationheexperiencedwaslikethepangofdeath。Tohimitsignifieddeath。Hehadnoconsciousknowledgeofdeath，butlikeeveryanimaloftheWild，hepossessedtheinstinctofdeath。
　　Tohimitstoodasthegreatestofhurts。Itwastheveryessenceoftheunknown；itwasthesumoftheterrorsoftheunknown，theoneculminatingandunthinkablecatastrophethatcouldhappentohim，aboutwhichheknewnothingandaboutwhichhefearedeverything。
　　Hecametothesurface，andthesweetairrushedintohisopenmouth。
　　Hedidnotgodownagain。Quiteasthoughithadbeenalong-establishedcustomofhis，hestruckoutwithallhislegsandbegantoswim。Thenearbankwasayardaway；buthehadcomeupwithhisbacktoit，andthefirstthinghiseyesresteduponwastheoppositebank，towardwhichheimmediatelybegantoswim。Thestreamwasasmallone，butinthepoolitwidenedouttoascoreoffeet。
　　Midwayinthepassage，thecurrentpickedupthecubandswepthimdown-stream。
　　Hewascaughtintheminiaturerapidatthebottomofthepool。Herewaslittlechanceforswimming。Thequietwaterhadbecomesuddenlyangry。
　　Sometimeshewasunder，sometimesontop。Atalltimeshewasinviolentmotion，nowbeingturnedoveroraround，andagain，beingsmashedagainstarock。Andwitheveryrockhestruck，heyelped。Hisprogresswasaseriesofyelps，fromwhichmighthavebeenadducedthenumberofrocksheencountered。
　　Belowtherapidwasasecondpool，andhere，capturedbytheeddy，hewasgentlybornetothebankandasgentlydepositedonabedofgravel。
　　Hecrawledfranticallyclearofthewaterandlaydown。Hehadlearnedsomemoreabouttheworld。Waterwasnotalive。Yetitmoved。Also，itlookedassolidastheearth，butwaswithoutanysolidityatall。Hisconclusionwasthatthingswerenotalwayswhattheyappearedtobe。Thecub'sfearoftheunknownwasaninheriteddistrust，andithadnowbeenstrengthenedbyexperience。Thenceforth，inthenatureofthings，hewouldpossessanabidingdistrustofappearances。Hewouldhavetolearntherealityofathingbeforehecouldputhisfaithintoit。
　　Oneotheradventurewasdestinedforhimthatday。Hehadrecollectedthattherewassuchathingintheworldashismother。Andthentherecametohimafeelingthathewantedhermorethanalltherestofthethingsintheworld。Notonlywashisbodytiredwiththeadventuresithadundergone，buthislittlebrainwasequallytired。Inallthedayshehadlivedithadnotworkedsohardasonthisoneday。Furthermore，hewassleepy。Sohestartedouttolookforthecaveandhismother，feelingatthesametimeanoverwhelmingrushoflonelinessandhelplessness。
　　Hewassprawlingalongbetweensomebushes，whenheheardasharp，intimidatingcry。Therewasaflashofyellowbeforehiseyes。Hesawaweaselleapingswiftlyawayfromhim。Itwasasmalllivething，andhehadnofear。Then，beforehim，athisfeet，hesawanextremelysmalllivething，onlyseveralincheslong——ayoungweasel，that，likehimself，haddisobedientlygoneoutadventuring。Ittriedtoretreatbeforehim。Heturneditoverwithhispaw。Itmadeaqueer，gratingnoise。Thenextmomenttheflashofyellowreappearedbeforehiseyes。Heheardagaintheintimidatingcry，andatthesameinstantreceivedasevereblowonthesideoftheneckandfeltthesharpteethofthemother-weaselcutintohisflesh。
　　Whileheyelpedandky-yi'dandscrambledbackward，hewasthemother-weaselleapuponheryoungneanddisappearwithitintotheneighboringthicket。
　　Thecutofherteethinhisneckstillhurt，buthisfeelingswerehurtmoregrievously，andhesatdownandweaklywhimpered。Thismother-weaselwassosmallandsosavage!Hewasyettolearnthatforsizeandweight，theweaselwasthemostferocious，vindictive，andterribleofallthekillersoftheWild。Butaportionofthisknowledgewasquicklytobehis。
　　Hewasstillwhimperingwhenthemother-weaselreappeared。Shedidnotrushhim，nowthatheryoungonewassafe。Sheapproachedmorecautiously，andthecubhadfullopportunitytoobserveherlean，snakelikebody，andherhead，erect，eager，andsnakelikeitself。Hersharp，menacingcrysentthehairbristlingalonghisback，andhesnarledwarninglyather。Shecamecloserandcloser，Therewasaleap，swifterthanhisunpracticedsight，andthelean，yellowbodydisappearedforamomentoutofthefieldofhisvision。Thenextmomentshewasathisthroat，herteethburiedinhishairandflesh。
　　Atfirsthesnarledandtriedtofight；buthewasveryyoung，andthiswasonlyhisfirstdayintheworld，andhissnarlbecameawhimper，hisfightastruggletoescape。Theweaselneverrelaxedherhold。Shehungon，strivingtopressdownwithherteethtothegreatveinwherehislife-bloodbubbled。Theweaselwasadrinkerofblood，anditwaseverherpreferencetodrinkfromthethroatoflifeitself。
　　Thegraycubwouldhavedied，andtherewouldhavebeennostorytowriteabouthim，hadnottheshe-wolfcomeboundingthroughthebushes。
　　Theweaselletgothecubandflashedattheshe-wolf'sthroat，missing，butgettingaholdonthejawinstead。Thenshe-wolfflirtedherheadlikethesnapofawhip，breakingtheweasel'sholdandflingingithighintheair。And，stillintheair，theshe-wolf'sjawsclosedonthelean，yellowbody，andtheweaselknewdeathbetweenthecrunchingteeth。
　　Thecubexperiencedanotheraccessofaffectiononthepartofhismother。
　　Herjoyatfindinghimseemedgreatereventhanhisjoyatbeingfound。
　　Shenozzledhimandcaressedhimandlickedthecutsmadeinhimbytheweasel'steeth。Then，betweenthem，motherandcub，theyatetheblood-drinker，andafterthatwentbacktothecaveandslept。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter5:TheLawofMeatPartII:BornoftheWildChapter5
　　THELAWOFMEAT
　　Thecub'sdevelopmentwasrapid。Herestedfortwodays，andthenventuredforthfromthecaveagain。Itwasonthisadventurethathefoundtheyoungweaselwhosemotherhehadhelpedeat，andhesawtoitthattheyoungweaselwentthewayofitsmother。Butonthistriphedidnotgetlost。
　　Whenhegrewtired，hefoundhiswaybacktothecaveandslept。Andeverydaythereafterfoundhimoutandrangingawiderarea。
　　Hebegantogetanaccuratemeasurementofhisstrengthandhisweakness，andtoknowwhentobeboldandwhentobecautious。Hefounditexpedienttobecautiousallthetime，exceptfortheraremoments，when，assuredofhisownintrepidity，heabandonedhimselftopettyragesandlusts。
　　Hewasalwaysalittledemonoffurywhenhechanceduponastrayptarmigan。
　　Neverdidhefailtorespondsavagelytothechatterofthesquirrelhehadfirstmetontheblastedpine。Whilethesightofamoose-birdalmostinvariablyputhimintothewildestofrages；forheneverforgotthepeckonthenosehehadreceivedfromthefirstofthatilkheencountered。
　　Butthereweretimeswhenevenamoose-birdfailedtoaffecthim，andthoseweretimeswhenhefelthimselftobeindangerfromsomeotherprowlingmeat-hunter。Heneverforgotthehawk，anditsmovingshadowalwayssenthimcrouchingintothenearestthicket。Henolongersprawledandstraddled，andalreadyhewasdevelopingthegaitofhismother，slinkingandfurtive，apparentlywithoutexertion，yetslidingalongwithaswiftnessthatwasasdeceptiveasitwasimperceptible。
　　Inthematterofmeat，hisluckhadbeenallinthebeginning。Thesevenptarmiganchicksandthebabyweaselrepresentedthesumofhiskillings。
　　Hisdesiretokillstrengthenedwiththedays，andhecherishedhungryambitionsforthesquirrelthatchatteredsovolublyandalwaysinformedallwildcreaturesthatthewolf-cubwasapproaching。Butasbirdsflewintheair，squirrelscouldclimbtrees，andthecubcouldonlytrytocrawlunobserveduponthesquirrelwhenitwasontheground。
　　Thecubentertainedagreatrespectforhismother。Shecouldgetmeat，andsheneverfailedtobringhimhisshare。Further，shewasunafraidofthings。Itdidnotoccurtohimthatthisfearlessnesswasfoundeduponexperienceandknowledge。Itseffectonhimwasthatofanimpressionofpower。Hismotherrepresentedpower；andashegrewolderhefeltthispowerinthesharperadmonitionofherpaw；whilethereprovingnudgeofhernosegaveplacetotheslashofherfangs。Forthis，likewise，herespectedhismother。Shecompelledobediencefromhim，andtheolderhegrewtheshortergrewhertemper。
　　Faminecameagain，andthecubwithclearerconsciousnessknewoncemorethebiteofhunger。Theshe-wolfranherselfthininthequestformeat。Sherarelysleptanymoreinthecave，spendingmostofhertimeonthemeat-trailandspendingitvainly。Thisfaminewasnotalongone，butitwasseverewhileitlasted。Thecubfoundnomoremilkinhismother'sbreast，nordidhegetonemouthfulofmeatforhimself。
　　Before，hehadhuntedinplay，forthesheerjoyousnessofit；nowhehuntedindeadlyearnestness，andfoundnothing。Yetthefailureofitacceleratedhisdevelopment。Hestudiedthehabitsofthesquirrelwithgreatercarefulness，andstrovewithgreatercrafttostealuponitandsurpriseit。Hestudiedthewood-miceandtriedtodigthemoutoftheirburrows；andhelearnedmuchaboutthewaysofmoose-birdsandwoodpeckers。
　　Andtherecameadaywhenthehawk'sshadowdidnotdrivehimcrouchingintothebushes。Hehadgrownstronger，andwiser，andmoreconfident。
　　Also，hewasdesperate。Sohesatonhishaunches，conspicuously，inanopenspace，andchallengedthehawkdownoutofthesky。Forheknewthatthere，floatingintheblueabovehim，wasmeat，themeathisstomachyearnedaftersoinsistently。Butthehawkrefusedtocomedownandgivebattle，andthecubcrawledawayintoathicketandwhimperedhisdisappointmentandhunger。
　　Thefaminebroke。Theshe-wolfbroughthomemeat。Itwasstrangemeat，differentfromanyshehadeverbroughtbefore。Itwasalynxkitten，partlygrown，likethecub，butnosolarge。Anditwasallforhim。Hismotherhadsatisfiedherhungerelsewhere；thoughhedidnotknowthatitwastherestofthelynxlitterthathadgonetosatisfyher。Nordidheknowthedesperatenessofherdeed。Heknewonlythatthevelvet-furredkittenwasmeat，andheateandwaxedhappierwitheverymouthful。
　　Afullstomachconducestoinaction，andthecublayinthecave，sleepingagainsthismother'sside。Hewasrousedbyhersnarling。Neverhadheheardhersnarlsoterribly。Possiblyinherwholelifeitwasthemostterriblesnarlsheevergave。Therewasreasonforit，andnoneknewitbetterthanshe。Alynx'slairisnotdespoiledwithimpunity。Inthefullglareoftheafternoonlight，crouchingintheentranceofthecave，thecubsawthelynx-mother。Thehairrippledupallalonghisbackatthesight。Herewasfear，anditdidnotrequirehisinstincttotellhimofit。Andifsightalonewerenotsufficient，thecryofragetheintrudergave，beginningwithasnarlandrushingabruptlyupwardintoahoarsescreech，wasconvincingenoughinitself。
　　Thecubfelttheprodofthelifethatwasinhim，andstoodupandsnarledvaliantlybyhismother'sside。Butshethrusthimignominiouslyawayandbehindher。Becauseofthelow-roofedentrancethelynxcouldnotleapin，andwhenshemadeacrawlingrushofittheshe-wolfspranguponherandpinnedherdown。Thecubsawlittleofthebattle。Therewasatremendoussnarlingandspittingandscreeching。Thetwoanimalsthreshedabout，thelynxrippingandtearingwithherclawsandusingherteethaswell，whiletheshe-wolfusedherteethalone。
　　Once，thecubspranginandsankhisteethintothehindlegofthelynx。Heclungon，growlingsavagely。Thoughhedidnotknowit，bytheweightofhisbodyhecloggedtheactionofthelegandtherebysavedhismothermuchdamage。Achangeinthebattlecrushedhimunderboththeirbodiesandwrenchedloosehishold。Thenextmomentthetwomothersseparated，and，beforetheyrushedtogetheragain，thelynxlashedoutatthecubwithahugefore-pawthatrippedhisshoulderopentotheboneandsenthimhurtlingsidewiseagainstthewall。Thenwasaddedtotheuproarthecub'sshrillyelpofpainandfright。Butthefightlastedsolongthathehadtimetocryhimselfoutandtoexperienceasecondburstofcourage；
　　andtheendofthebattlefoundhimagainclingingtoahind-legandfuriouslygrowlingbetweenhisteeth。
　　Thelynxwasdead。Buttheshe-wolfwasveryweakandsick。Atfirstshecaressedthecubandlickedhiswoundedshoulder；butthebloodshehadlosthadtakenwithitherstrength，andforallofadayandanightshelaybyherdeadfoe'sside，withoutmovement，scarcelybreathing。Foraweeksheneverleftthecave，exceptforwater，andthenhermovementswereslowandpainful。Attheendofthattimethelynxwasdevoured，whiletheshe-wolf'swoundshadhealedsufficientlytopermithertotakethemeat-trailagain。
　　Thecub'sshoulderwasstiffandsore，andforsometimehelimpedfromtheterribleslashhehadreceived。Buttheworldnowseemedchanged。Hewentaboutinitwithgreaterconfidence，withafeelingofprowessthathadnotbeenhisinthedaysbeforethebattlewiththelynx。Hehadlookeduponlifeinamoreferociousaspect；hehadfought；hehadburiedhisteethinthefleshofafoe；andhehadsurvived。Andbecauseofallthis，hecarriedhimselfmoreboldly，withatouchofdefiancethatwasnewinhim。Hewasnolongerafraidofminorthings，andmuchofhistimidityhadvanished，thoughtheunknownneverceasedtopressuponhimwithitsmysteriesandterrors，intangibleandever-menacing。
　　Hebegantoaccompanyhismotheronthemeat-trail，andhesawmuchofthekillingofmeatandbegantoplayhispartinit。Andinhisowndimwayhelearnedthelawofmeat。Thereweretwokindsoflife，——hisownkindandtheotherkind。Hisownkindincludedhismotherandhimself。
　　Theotherkindincludedalllivethingsthatmoved。Buttheotherkindwasdivided。Oneportionwaswhathisownkindkilledandate。Thisportionwascomposedofthenon-killersandthesmallkillers。Theotherportionkilledandatehisownkind，orwaskilledandeatenbyhisownkind。Andoutofthisclassificationarosethelaw。Theaimoflifewasmeat。Lifeitselfwasmeat。Lifelivedonlife。Thereweretheeatersandtheeaten。
　　Thelawwas:EATORBEEATEN。Hedidnotformulatethelawinclear，settermsandmoralizeaboutit。Hedidnoteventhinkthelaw；hemerelylivedthelawwithoutthinkingaboutitatall。
　　Hesawthelawoperatingaroundhimoneveryside。Hehadeatentheptarmiganchicks。Thehawkhadeatentheptarmigan-mother。Thehawkwouldalsohaveeatenhim。Later，whenhehadgrownmoreformidable，hewantedtoeatthehawk。Hehadeatenthelynxkitten。Thelynx-motherwouldhaveeatenhimhadshenotherselfbeenkilledandeaten。Andsoitwent。Thelawwasbeinglivedabouthimbyalllivethings，andhehimselfwaspartandparcelofthelaw。Hewasakiller。Hisonlyfoodwasmeat，livemeat，thatranawayswiftlybeforehim，orflewintotheair，orclimbedtrees，orhidintheground，orfacedhimandfoughtwithhim，orturnedthetablesandranafterhim。
　　Hadthecubthoughtinman-fashion，hemighthaveepitomizedlifeasavoraciousappetite，andtheworldasaplacewhereinrangedamultitudeofappetites，pursuingandbeingpursued，huntingandbeinghunted，eatingandbeingeaten，allinblindnessandconfusion，withviolenceanddisorder，achaosofgluttonyandslaughter，ruledoverbychance，merciless，planless，endless。
　　Butthecubdidnotthinkinman-fashion。Hedidnotlookatthingswithwidevision。Hewassingle-purposed，andentertainedbutonethoughtordesireatatime。Besidesthelawofmeat，therewasamyriadotherandlesserlawsforhimtolearnandobey。Theworldwasfilledwithsurprise。
　　Thestirofthelifethatwasinhim，theplayofhismuscles，wasanunendinghappiness。Torundownmeatwastoexperiencethrillsandelations。Hisragesandbattleswerepleasures。Terroritself，andthemysteryoftheunknown，lenttohisliving。
　　Andtherewereeasementsandsatisfactions。Tohaveafullstomach，todozelazilyinthesunshine——suchthingswereremunerationinfullforhisardorsandtoils，whilehisardorsandtoilswereinthemselvesself-remunerative。Theywereexpressionsoflife，andlifeisalwayshappywhenitisexpressingitself。Sothecubhadnoquarrelwithhishostileenvironment。Hewasverymuchalive，veryhappy，andveryproudofhimself。WhiteFang:PartIII:TheGodsoftheWild:Chapter1:TheMakersofFirePartIII:TheGodsoftheWildChapter1
　　THEMAKERSOFFIRE
　　Thecubcameuponitsuddenly。Itwashisownfault。Hehadbeencareless。
　　Hehadleftthecaveandrundowntothestreamtodrink。Itmighthavebeenthathetooknonoticebecausehewasheavywithsleep。Hehadbeenoutallnightonthemeat-trail，andhadbutjustthenawakened。Andhiscarelessnessmighthavebeenduetothefamiliarityofthetrailtothepool。Hehadtravelleditoften，andnothinghadeverhappenedonit。
　　Hewentdownpasttheblastedpine，crossedtheopenspace，andtrottedinamongstthetrees。Then，atthesameinstant，hesawandsmelt。Beforehim，sittingsilentlyontheirhaunches，werefivelivethings，thelikeofwhichhehadneverseenbefore。Itwashisfirstglimpseofmankind。
　　Butatthesightofhimthefivemendidnotspringtotheirfeet，norshowtheirteeth，norsnarl。Theydidnotmove，butsatthere，silentandominous。
　　Nordidthecubmove。Everyinstinctofhisnaturewouldhaveimpelledhimtodashwildlyaway，hadtherenotsuddenlyandforthefirsttimeariseninhimanotherandcounterinstinct。Agreatawedescendeduponhim。Hewasbeatendowntomovelessnessbyanoverwhelmingsenseofhisownweaknessandlittleness。Herewasmasteryandpower，somethingfarandawaybeyondhim。
　　Thecubhadneverseenman，yettheinstinctconcerningmanwashis。
　　IndimwaysherecognizedinmantheanimalthathadfoughtitselftoprimacyovertheotheranimalsoftheWild。Notaloneoutofhisowneyes，butoutoftheeyesofallhisancestorswasthecubnowlookinguponman——
　　outofeyesthathadcircledinthedarknessaroundcountlesswintercampfires，thathadpeeredfromsafedistancesandfromtheheartsofthicketsatthestrange，two-leggedanimalthatwaslordoverlivingthings。Thespellofthecub'sheritagewasuponhim，thefearandtherespectbornofthecenturiesofstruggleandtheaccumulatedexperienceofthegenerations。
　　Theheritagewastoocompellingforawolfthatwasonlyacub。Hadhebeenfull-grown，hewouldhaverunaway。Asitwas，hecowereddowninaparalysisoffear，alreadyhalfprofferingthesubmissionthathiskindhadprofferedfromthefirsttimeawolfcameintositbyman'sfireandbemadewarm。
　　OneoftheIndiansaroseandwalkedovertohimandstoopedabovehim。
　　Thecubcoweredclosertotheground。Itwastheunknown，objectifiedatlast，inconcretefleshandblood，bendingoverhimandreachingdowntoseizeholdofhim。Hishairbristledinvoluntarily；hislipswrithedbackandhislittlefangswerebared。Thehand，poisedlikedoomabovehim，hesitated，andthemanspoke，laughing，"Wabamwabiscaippittah。""Look!Thewhitefangs!"
　　TheotherIndianslaughedloudly，andurgedthemanontopickupthecub。Asthehanddescendedcloserandcloser，thereragedwithinthecubabattleoftheinstincts。Heexperiencedtwogreatimpulsions，——toyieldandtofight。Theresultingactionwasacompromise。Hedidboth。Heyieldedtillthehandalmosttouchedhim。Thenhefought，histeethflashinginasnapthatsankthemintothehand。Thenextmomenthereceivedacloutalongsidetheheadthatknockedhimoveronhisside。Thenallfightfledoutofhim。Hispuppyhoodandtheinstinctofsubmissiontookchargeofhim。Hesatuponhishaunchesandki-yi'd。Butthemanwhosehandhehadbittenwasangry。Thecubreceivedacloutontheothersideofhishead。
　　Whereuponhesatupandki-yi'dlouderthanever。
　　ThefourIndianslaughedmoreloudly，whileeventhemanwhohadbeenbittenbegantolaugh。Theysurroundedthecubandlaughedathim，whilehewailedouthisterrorandhishurt。Inthemidstofit，heheardsomething。
　　TheIndiansheardit，too。Butthecubknewwhatitwas，andwithalast，longwailthathadinitmoreoftriumphthangrief，heceasedhisnoiseandwaitedforthecomingofhismother，ofhisferociousandindomitablemotherwhofoughtandkilledallthingsandwasneverafraid。Shewassnarlingassheran。Shehadheardthecryofhercubandwasdashingtosavehim。
　　Sheboundedinamongstthem，heranxiousandmilitantmotherhoodmakingheranythingbutaprettysight。Buttothecubthespectacleofherprotectiveragewaspleasing。Heutteredagladlittlecryandboundedtomeether，whiletheman-animalswentbackhastilyseveralsteps。Theshe-wolfstoodoveragainsthercub，facingthemen，withbristlinghair，asnarlrumblingdeepinherthroat。Herfacewasdistortedandmalignantwithmenace，eventhebridgeofthenosewrinklingfromtiptoeyessoprodigiouswashersnarl。
　　Thenitwasthatacrywentupfromoneofthemen。"Kiche!"waswhatheuttered。Itwasanexclamationofsurprise。Thecubfelthismotherwiltingatthesound。
　　"Kiche!"themancriedagain，thistimewithsharpnessandauthority。
　　Andthenthecubsawhismother，theshe-wolf，thefearlessone，crouchingdowntillherbellytouchedtheground，whimpering，wagginghertail，makingpeacesigns。Thecubcouldnotunderstand。Hewasappalled。Theaweofmanrushedoverhimagain。Hisinstincthadbeentrue。Hismotherverifiedit。She，too，renderedsubmissiontotheman-animals。
　　Themanwhohadspokencameovertoher。Heputhishanduponherhead，andsheonlycrouchedcloser。Shedidnotsnap，northreatentosnap。Theothermencameup，andsurroundedher，andfelther，andpawedher，whichactionsshemadenoattempttoresent。Theyweregreatlyexcited，andmademanynoiseswiththeirmouths。Thesenoiseswerenotindicationsofdanger，thecubdecided，ashecrouchednearhismother，stillbristlingfromtimetotimebutdoinghisbesttosubmit。
　　"Itisnotstrange，"anIndianwassaying。"Herfatherwasawolf。Itistrue，hermotherwasadog；butdidnotmybrothertieheroutinthewoodsallofthreenightsinthematingseason？ThereforewasthefatherofKicheawolf。"
　　"Itisayear，GrayBeaver，sincesheranaway，"spokeasecondIndian。
　　"Itisnotstrange，SalmonTongue，"GrayBeaveranswered。"Itwasthetimeofthefamine，andtherewasnomeatforthedogs。"
　　"Shehaslivedwiththewolves，"saidathirdIndian。
　　"Soitwouldseem，ThreeEagles，"GrayBeaveranswered，layinghishandonthecub；"andthisbethesignofit。"
　　Thecubsnarledalittleatthetouchofthehand，andthehandflewbacktoadministeraclout。Whereuponthecubcovereditsfangsandsankdownsubmissively，whilethehand，returning，rubbedbehindhisears，andupanddownhisback。
　　"Thisbethesignofit，"GrayBeaverwenton。"ItisplainthathismotherisKiche。Buthisfatherwasawolf。Whereforeisthereinhimlittledogandmuchwolf。Hisfangsbewhite，andWhiteFangshallbehisname。
　　Ihavespoken。Heismydog。ForwasnotKichemybrother'sdog？Andisnotmybrotherdead？"
　　Thecub，whohadthusreceivedanameintheworld，layandwatched。
　　Foratimetheman-animalscontinuedtomaketheirmouth-noises。ThenGrayBeavertookaknifefromasheaththathungaroundhisneck，andwentintothethicketandcutastick。WhiteFangwatchedhim。Henotchedthestickateachendandinthenotchesfastenedstringsofraw-hide。OnestringhetiedaroundthethroatofKiche。Thenheledhertoasmallpine，aroundwhichhetiedtheotherstring。
　　WhiteFangfollowedandlaydownbesideher。SalmonTongue'shandreachedouttohimandrolledhimoveronhisback。Kichelookedonanxiously。
　　WhiteFangfeltfearmountinginhimagain。Hecouldnotquitesuppressasnarl，buthemadenooffertosnap。Thehand，withfingerscrookedandspreadapart，rubbedhisstomachinaplayfulwayandrolledhimfromsidetoside。Itwasridiculousandungainly，lyingthereonhisbackwithlegssprawlingintheair。Besides，itwasapositionofsuchutterhelplessnessthatWhiteFang'swholenaturerevoltedagainstit。
　　Hecoulddonothingtodefendhimself。Ifthisman-animalintendedharm，WhiteFangknewthathecouldnotescapeit。Howcouldhespringawaywithhisfourlegsintheairabovehim？Yetsubmissionmadehimmasterhisfear，andheonlygrowledsoftly。Thisgrowlhecouldnotsuppress；nordidtheman-animalresentitbygivinghimablowonthehead。Andfurthermore，suchwasthestrangenessofit，WhiteFangexperiencedanunaccountablesensationofpleasureasthehandrubbedbackandforth。Whenhewasrolledonhissideheceasedthegrowl；whenthefingerspressedandproddedatthebaseofhisearsthepleasurablesensationincreased；andwhen，withafinalrubandscratch，themanlefthimaloneandwentaway，allfearhaddiedoutofWhiteFang。Hewastoknowfearmanytimesinhisdealingswithman；
　　yetitwasatokenofthefearlesscompanionshipwithmanthatwasultimatelytobehis。
　　Afteratime，WhiteFangheardstrangenoisesapproaching。Hewasquickinhisclassification，forheknewthematonceforman-animalnoises。
　　Afewminuteslatertheremainderofthetribe，strungoutasitwasonthemarch，trailedin。Thereweremoremenandmanywomenandchildren，fortysoulsofthem，andallheavilyburdenedwithcampequipageandoutfit。
　　Alsothereweremanydogs；andthese，withtheexceptionofthepart-grownpuppies，werelikewiseburdenedwithcampoutfit。Ontheirbacks，inbagsthatfastenedtightlyaroundunderneath，thedogscarriedfromtwentytothirtypoundsofweight。
　　WhiteFanghadneverseendogsbefore，butatsightofthemhefeltthattheywerehisownkind，onlysomehowdifferent。Buttheydisplayedlittledifferencefromthewolfwhentheydiscoveredthecubandhismother。
　　Therewasarush。WhiteFangbristledandsnarledandsnappedinthefaceoftheopen-mouthedoncomingwaveofdogs，andwentdownandunderthem，feelingthesharpslashofteethinhisbody，himselfbitingandtearingatthelegsandbelliesabovehim。Therewasagreatuproar。HecouldhearthesnarlofKicheasshefoughtforhim；andhecouldhearthecriesoftheman-animals，thesoundofclubsstrikinguponbodies，andtheyelpsofpainfromthedogssostruck。
　　Onlyafewsecondselapsedbeforehewasonhisfeetagain。Hecouldnowseetheman-animalsdrivingbackthedogswithclubsandstones，defendinghim，savinghimfromthesavageteethofhiskindthatsomehowwasnothiskind。Andthoughtherewasnoreasoninhisbrainforaclearconceptionofsoabstractathingasjustice，nevertheless，inhisownway，hefeltthejusticeoftheman-animals，andheknewthemforwhattheywere——
　　makersoflawandexecutorsoflaw。Also，heappreciatedthepowerwithwhichtheyadministeredthelaw。Unlikeanyanimalshehadeverencountered，theydidnotbitenorclaw。Theyenforcedtheirlivestrengthwiththepowerofdeadthings。Deadthingsdidtheirbidding。Thus，sticksandstones，directedbythesestrangecreatures，leapedthroughtheairlikelivingthings，inflictinggrievoushurtsuponthedogs。
　　Tohismindthiswaspowerunusual，powerinconceivableandbeyondthenatural，powerthatwasgodlike。WhiteFang，intheverynatureofhim，couldneverknowanythingaboutgods；atthebesthecouldknowonlythingsthatwerebeyondknowing；butthewonderandawethathehadoftheseman-animalsinwaysresembledwhatwouldbethewonderandaweofmanatsightofsomecelestialcreature，onamountaintop，hurlingthunderboltsfromeitherhandatanastonishedworld。
　　Thelastdoghadbeendrivenback。Thehubbubdieddown。AndWhiteFanglickedhishurtsandmeditateduponthis，hisfirsttasteofpack-crueltyandhisintroductiontothepack。HehadneverdreamedthathisownkindconsistedofmorethanOneEye，hismother，andhimself。Theyhadconstitutedakindapart，andhere，abruptly，hehaddiscoveredmanymorecreaturesapparentlyofhisownkind。Andtherewasasubconsciousresentmentthatthese，hiskind，atfirstsighthadpitcheduponhimandtriedtodestroyhim。Inthesamewayheresentedhismotherbeingtiedwithastick，eventhoughitwasdonebythesuperiorman-animals。Itsavoredofthetrap，ofbondage。Yetofthetrapandofbondageheknewnothing。Freedomtoroamandrunandliedownatwill，hadbeenhisheritage；andhereitwasbeinginfringedupon。Hismother'smovementswererestrictedtothelengthofastick，andbythelengthofthatsamestickwasherestricted，forhehadnotyetgotbeyondtheneedofhismother'sside。
　　Hedidnotlikeit。Nordidhelikeitwhentheman-animalsaroseandwentonwiththeirmarch；foratinyman-animaltooktheotherendofthestickandledKichecaptivebehindhim，andbehindKichefollowedWhiteFang，greatlyperturbedandworriedbythisnewadventurehehadenteredupon。
　　Theywentdownthevalleyofthestream，farbeyondWhiteFang'swidestranging，untiltheycametotheendofthevalley，wherethestreamranintotheMackenzieRiver。Here，wherecanoeswerecachedonpoleshighintheairandwherestoodfish-racksforthedryingoffish，campwasmade；andWhiteFanglookedonwithwonderingeyes。Thesuperiorityoftheseman-animalsincreasedwitheverymoment。Therewastheirmasteryoverallthesesharp-fangeddogs。Itbreathedofpower。Butgreaterthanthat，tothewolf-cub，wastheirmasteryoverthingsnotalive；theircapacitytocommunicatemotiontounmovingthings；theircapacitytochangetheveryfaceoftheworld。
　　Itwasthislastthatespeciallyaffectedhim。Theelevationofframesofpolescaughthiseye；yetthisinitselfwasnotsoremarkable，beingdonebythesamecreaturesthatflungsticksandstonestogreatdistances。
　　Butwhentheframesofpolesweremadeintotepeesbybeingcoveredwithclothandskins，WhiteFangwasastounded。Itwasthecolossalbulkofthemthatimpressedhim。Theyarosearoundhim，oneveryside，likesomemonstrousquick-growingformoflife。Theyoccupiednearlythewholecircumferenceofhisfieldofvision。Hewasafraidofthem。Theyloomedominouslyabovehim；andwhenthebreezestirredthemintohugemovements，hecowereddowninfear，keepinghiseyeswarilyuponthem，andpreparedtospringawayiftheyattemptedtoprecipitatethemselvesuponhim。
　　Butinashortwhilehisfearofthetepeespassedaway。Hesawthewomenandchildrenpassinginandoutofthemwithoutharm，andhesawthedogstryingoftentogetintothem，andbeingdrivenawaywithsharpwordsandflyingstones。Afteratime，heleftKiche'ssideandcrawledcautiouslytowardthewallofthenearesttepee。Itwasthecuriosityofgrowththaturgedhimon——thenecessityoflearningandlivinganddoingthatbringsexperience。Thelastfewinchestothewallofthetepeewerecrawledwithpainfulslownessandprecaution。Theday'seventshadpreparedhimfortheunknowntomanifestitselfinmoststupendousandunthinkableways。Atlasthisnosetouchedthecanvas。Hewaited。Nothinghappened。
　　Thenhesmelledthestrangefabric，saturatedwiththeman-smell。Heclosedonthecanvaswithhisteethandgaveagentletug。Nothinghappened，thoughtheadjacentportionsofthetepeemoved。Hetuggedharder。Therewasagreatermovement。Itwasdelightful。Hetuggedstillharder，andrepeatedly，untilthewholetepeewasinmotion。ThenthesharpcryofasquawinsidesenthimscamperingbacktoKiche。Butafterthathewasafraidnomoreoftheloomingbulksofthetepees。
　　Amomentlaterhewasstrayingawayagainfromhismother。Herstickwastiedtoapeginthegroundandshecouldnotfollowhim。Apart-grownpuppy，somewhatlargerandolderthanhe，cametowardhimslowly，withostentatiousandbelligerentimportance。Thepuppy'sname，asWhiteFangwasafterwardtohearhimcalled，wasLip-lip。Hehadhadexperienceinpuppyfightsandwasalreadysomethingofabully。
　　Lip-lipwasWhiteFang'sownkind，and，beingonlyapuppy，didnotseemdangerous；soWhiteFangpreparedtomeethiminfriendlyspirit。
　　Butwhenthestranger'swalkbecamestiff-leggedandhislipsliftedclearofhisteeth，WhiteFangstiffened，too，andansweredwithliftedlips。
　　Theyhalfcircledabouteachother，tentatively，snarlingandbristling。
　　Thislastedseveralminutes，andWhiteFangwasbeginningtoenjoyit，asasortofgame。Butsuddenly，withremarkableswiftness，Lip-lipleapedin，deliveredaslashingsnap，andleapedawayagain。Thesnaphadtakeneffectontheshoulderthathadbeenhurtbythelynxandthatwasstillsoredeepdownnearthebone。ThesurpriseandhurtofitbroughtayelpoutofWhiteFang；butthenextmoment，inarushofanger，hewasuponLip-lipandsnappingviciously。
　　ButLip-liphadlivedhislifeincampandhadfoughtmanypuppyfights。
　　Threetimes，fourtimes，andhalfadozentimes，hissharplittleteethscoredonthenewcomer，untilWhiteFang，yelpingshamelessly，fledtotheprotectionofhismother。ItwasthefirstofthemanyfightshewastohavewithLip-lip，fortheywereenemiesfromthestart，bornso，withnaturesdestinedperpetuallytoclash。
　　KichelickedWhiteFangsoothinglywithhertongue，andtriedtoprevailuponhimtoremainwithher。Buthiscuriositywasrampant，andseveralminuteslaterhewasventuringforthonanewquest。Hecameupononeoftheman-animals，GrayBeaver，whowassquattingonhishamsanddoingsomethingwithsticksanddrymossspreadbeforehimontheground。WhiteFangcameneartohimandwatched。GrayBeavermademouth-noiseswhichWhiteFanginterpretedasnothostile，sohecamestillnearer。
　　WomenandchildrenwerecarryingmoresticksandbranchestoGrayBeaver。
　　Itwasevidentlyanaffairofmoment。WhiteFangcameinuntilhetouchedGrayBeaver'sknee，socuriouswashe，andalreadyforgetfulthatthiswasaterribleman-animal。SuddenlyhesawastrangethinglikemistbeginningtoarisefromthesticksandmossbeneathGrayBeaver'shands。Then，amongstthesticksthemselves，appearedalivething，twistingandturning，ofacolorlikethecolorofthesuninthesky。WhiteFangknewnothingaboutfire。Itdrewhimasthelightinthemouthofthecavehaddrawnhiminhisearlypuppyhood。Hecrawledtheseveralstepstowardtheflame。HeheardGrayBeaverchuckleabovehim，andheknewthesoundwasnothostile。
　　Thenhisnosetouchedtheflame，andatthesameinstanthislittletonguewentouttoit。
　　Foramomenthewasparalyzed。Theunknown，lurkinginthemidstofthesticksandmoss，wassavagelyclutchinghimbythenose。Hescrambledbackward，burstingoutinanastonishedexplosionofki-yi's。Atthesound，Kicheleapedsnarlingtotheendofherstick，andthereragedterriblybecauseshecouldnotcometohisaid。ButGrayBeaverlaughedloudly，andslappedhisthighs，andtoldthehappeningtoalltherestofthecamp，tilleverybodywaslaughinguproariously。ButWhiteFangsatonhishaunchesandki-yi'dandki-yi'd，aforlornandpitiablelittlefigureinthemidstoftheman-animals。
　　Itwastheworsthurthehadeverknown。Bothnoseandtonguehadbeenscorchedbythelivething，sun-colored，thathadgrownupunderGrayBeaver'shands。Hecriedandcriedinterminably，andeveryfreshwailwasgreetedbyburstsoflaughteronthepartoftheman-animals。Hetriedtosoothehisnosewithhistongue，butthetonguewasburnttoo，andthetwohurtscomingtogetherproducedgreaterhurt；whereuponhecriedmorehopelesslyandhelplesslythanever。
　　Andthenshamecametohim。Heknewlaughterandthemeaningofit。
　　Itisnotgivenustoknowhowsomeanimalsknowlaughter，andknowwhentheyarebeinglaughedat；butitwasthissamewaythatWhiteFangknewit。Andhefeltshamethattheman-animalsshouldbelaughingathim。Heturnedandfledaway，notfromthehurtofthefire，butfromthelaughterthatsankevendeeper，andhurtinthespiritofhim。AndhefledtoKiche，ragingattheendofhersticklikeananimalgonemad——toKiche，theonecreatureintheworldwhowasnotlaughingathim。
　　Twilightdrewdownandnightcameon，andWhiteFanglaybyhismother'sside。Hisnoseandtonguestillhurt，buthewasperplexedbyagreatertrouble。Hewashomesick。Hefeltavacancyinhim，aneedforthehushandquietudeofthestreamandthecaveinthecliff。Lifehadbecometoopopulous。Thereweresomanyoftheman-animals，men，women，andchildren，allmakingnoisesandirritations。Andtherewerethedogs，eversquabblingandbickering，burstingintouproarsandcreatingconfusions。Therestfullonelinessoftheonlylifehehadknownwasgone。Heretheveryairwaspalpitantwithlife。Ithummedandbuzzedunceasingly。Continuallychangingitsintensityandabruptlyvariantinpitch，itimpingedonhisnervesandsenses，madehimnervousandrestlessandworriedhimwithaperpetualimminenceofhappening。