AndwhenBeautySmithlefthimtiedoutsidethefort，heknewthatitwasBeautySmith'swillthatheshouldremainthere。Therefore，hehaddisobeyedthewillofboththegods，andearnedtheconsequentpunishment。Hehadseendogschangeownersinthepast，andhehadseentherunawaysbeatenashewasbeingbeaten。Hewaswise，andyetinthenatureofhimtherewereforcesgreaterthanwisdom。Oneofthesewasfidelity。HedidnotloveGrayBeaver；yet，eveninthefaceofhiswillandhisanger，hewasfaithfultohim。Hecouldnothelpit。
　　Thisfaithfulnesswasaqualityoftheclaythatcomposedhim。Itwasthequalitythatwaspeculiarlythepossessionofhiskind；thequalitythatsetaparthisspeciesfromallotherspecies；thequalitythathadenabledthewolfandthewilddogtocomeinfromtheopenandbethecompanionsofman。
　　Afterthebeating，WhiteFangwasdraggedbacktothefort。ButthistimeBeautySmithlefthimtiedwithastick。Onedoesnotgiveupagodeasily，andsowithWhiteFang。GrayBeaverwashisownparticulargod，and，inspiteofGrayBeaver'swill，WhiteFangstillclungtohimandwouldnotgivehimup。GrayBeaverhadbetrayedandforsakenhim，butthathadnoeffectuponhim。NotfornothinghadhesurrenderedhimselfbodyandsoultoGrayBeaver。TherehadbeennoreservationonWhiteFang'spart，andthebondwasnottobebrokeneasily。
　　So，inthenight，whenthemeninthefortwereasleep，WhiteFangappliedhisteethtothestickthatheldhim。Thewoodwasseasonedanddry，anditwastiedsocloselytohisneckthathecouldscarcelygethisteethtoit。Itwasonlybytheseverestmuscularexertionandneck-archingthathesucceededingettingthewoodbetweenhisteeth，andbarelybetweenhisteethatthat；anditwasonlybytheexerciseofanimmensepatience，extendingthroughmanyhours，thathesucceededingnawingthroughthestick。Thiswassomethingthatdogswerenotsupposedtodo。Itwasunprecedented。
　　ButWhiteFangdidit，trottingawayfromthefortintheearlymorning，withtheendofthestickhangingtohisneck。
　　Hewaswise。ButhadhebeenmerelywisehewouldnothavegonebacktoGrayBeaver，whohadalreadytwicebetrayedhim。Buttherewashisfaithfulness，andhewentbacktobebetrayedyetathirdtime。AgainheyieldedtothetyingofathongaroundhisneckbyGrayBeaver，andagainBeautySmithcametoclaimhim。Andthistimehewasbeatenevenmoreseverelythanbefore。
　　GrayBeaverlookedonstolidlywhilethewhitemanwieldedthewhip。
　　Hegavenoprotection。Itwasnolongerhisdog。WhenthebeatingwasoverWhiteFangwassick。AsoftSouthlanddogwouldhavediedunderit，butnothe。Hisschooloflifehadbeensterner，andhewashimselfofsternerstuff。Hehadtoogreatvitality。Hisclutchonlifewastoostrong。Buthewasverysick。Atfirsthewasunabletodraghimselfalong，andBeautySmithhadtowaithalfanhouronhim。Andthen，blindandreeling，hefollowedatBeautySmith'sheelsbacktothefort。
　　Butnowhewastiedwithachainthatdefiedhisteeth，andhestroveinvain，bylunging，todrawthestaplefromthetimberintowhichitwasdriven。Afterafewdays，soberandbankrupt，GrayBeaverdepartedupthePorcupineonhislongjourneytotheMackenzie。WhiteFangremainedontheYukon，thepropertyofamanmorethanhalfmadandallbrute。Butwhatisadogtoknowinitsconsciousnessofmadness？ToWhiteFang，BeautySmithwasaveritable，ifterrible，god。Hewasamadgodatbest，butWhiteFangknewnothingofmadness；heknewonlythathemustsubmittothewillofthisnewmaster，obeyhiseverywhimandfancy。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter3:TheReignofHatePartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter3
　　THEREIGNOFHATE
　　Underthetutelageofthemadgod，WhiteFangbecameafiend。Hewaskeptchainedinapenattherearofthefort，andhereBeautySmithteasedandirritatedanddrovehimwildwithpettytorments。ThemanearlydiscoveredWhiteFang'ssusceptibilitytolaughter，andmadeitapoint，afterpainfullytrickinghim，tolaughathim。Thislaughterwasuproariousandscornful，andatthesametimethegodpointedhisfingerderisivelyatWhiteFang。
　　AtsuchtimesreasonfledfromWhiteFang，andinhistransportsofragehewasevenmoremadthanBeautySmith。
　　Formerly，WhiteFanghadbeenmerelytheenemyofhiskind，withalaferociousenemy。Henowbecametheenemyofallthings，andmoreferociousthanever。Tosuchanextentwashetormented，thathehatedblindlyandwithoutthefaintestsparkofreason。Hehatedthechainthatboundhim，themenwhopeeredinathimthroughtheslatsofthepen，thedogsthataccompaniedthemenandthatsnarledmalignantlyathiminhishelplessness。
　　Hehatedtheverywoodofthepenthatconfinedhim。Andfirst，last，andmostofall，hehatedBeautySmith。
　　ButBeautySmithhadapurposeinallthathedidtoWhiteFang。Onedayanumberofmengatheredaboutthepen。BeautySmithentered，clubinhand，andtookthechainfromoffWhiteFang'sneck。Whenhismasterhadgoneout，WhiteFangturnedlooseandtorearoundthepen，tryingtogetatthemenoutside。Hewasmagnificentlyterrible。Fullyfivefeetinlength，andstandingtwoandone-halffeetattheshoulder，hefaroutweighedawolfofcorrespondingsize。Fromhismotherhehadinheritedtheheavierproportionsofthedog，sothatheweighed，withoutanyfatandwithoutanounceofsuperfluousflesh，overninetypounds。Itwasallmuscle，bone，andsinew——fightingfleshinthefinestcondition。
　　Thedoorofthepenwasbeingopenedagain。WhiteFangpaused。Somethingunusualwashappening。Hewaited。Thedoorwasopenedwider。Thenahugedogwasthrustinside，andthedoorwasslammedshutbehindhim。WhiteFanghadneverseensuchadogitwasamastiff；butthesizeandfierceaspectoftheintruderdidnotdeterhim。Herewassomething，notwoodnoriron，uponwhichtowreakhishate。Heleapedinwithaflashoffangsthatrippeddownthesideofthemastiff'sneck。Themastiffshookhishead，growledhoarsely，andplungedatWhiteFang。ButWhiteFangwashere，there，andeverywhere，alwaysevadingandeluding，andalwaysleapinginandslashingwithhisfangsandleapingoutagainintimetoescapepunishment。
　　Themenoutsideshoutedandapplauded，whileBeautySmith，inanecstasyofdelight，gloatedovertherippingandmanglingperformedbyWhiteFang。
　　Therewasnohopeforthemastifffromthefirst。Hewastooponderousandslow。Intheend，whileBeautySmithbeatWhiteFangbackwithaclub，themastiffwasdraggedoutbyitsowner。Thentherewasapaymentofbets，andmoneyclinkedinBeautySmith'shand。
　　WhiteFangcametolookforwardeagerlytothegatheringofthemenaroundhispen。Itmeantafight；andthiswastheonlywaythatwasnowvouchsafedhimofexpressingthelifethatwasinhim。Tormented，incitedtohate，hewaskeptaprisonersothattherewasnowayofsatisfyingthathateexceptatthetimeshismastersawfittoputanotherdogagainsthim。BeautySmithhadestimatedhispowerswell，forhewasinvariablythevictor。Oneday，threedogswereturnedinuponhiminsuccession。
　　Anotherday，afull-grownwolf，fresh-caughtfromtheWild，wasshovedinthroughthedoorofthepen。Andonstillanotherdaytwodogsweresetagainsthimatthesametime。Thiswashisseverestfight，andalthoughintheendhekilledthembothhewashimselfhalfkilledindoingit。
　　Inthefalloftheyear，whenthefirstsnowswerefallingandmush-icewasrunningintheriver，BeautySmithtookpassageforhimselfandWhiteFangonasteamboatbounduptheYukontoDawson。WhiteFanghadnowachievedareputationintheland。As"TheFightingWolf"hewasknownfarandwide，andthecageinwhichhewaskeptonthesteamboat'sdeckwasusuallysurroundedbycuriousmen。Heragedandsnarledatthem，orlayquietlyandstudiedthemwithcoldhatred。Whyshouldhenothatethem？Heneveraskedhimselfthequestion。Heknewonlyhateandlosthimselfinthepassionofit。
　　Lifehadbecomeahelltohim。Hehadnotbeenmadeforthecloseconfinementwildbeastsendureatthehandsofmen。Andyetitwasinpreciselythiswaythathewastreated。Menstaredathim，pokedsticksbetweenthebarstomakehimsnarl，andthenlaughedathim。
　　Theywerehisenvironment，thesemen，andtheyweremouldingtheclayofhimintoamoreferociousthingthanhadbeenintendedbyNature。Nevertheless，Naturehadgivenhimplasticity。Wheremanyanotheranimalwouldhavediedorhaditsspiritbroken，headjustedhimselfandlived，andatnoexpenseofthespirit。PossiblyBeautySmith，archfiendandtormentor，wascapableofbreakingWhiteFang'sspirit，butasyettherewerenosignsofhissucceeding。
　　IfBeautySmithhadinhimadevil，WhiteFanghadanother；andthetwoofthemragedagainsteachotherunceasingly。Inthedaysbefore，WhiteFanghadhadthewisdomtocowerdownandsubmittoamanwithaclubinhishand；butthiswisdomnowlefthim。ThemeresightofBeautySmithwassufficienttosendhimintotransportsoffury。Andwhentheycametoclosequarters，andhehadbeenbeatenbackbytheclub，hewentongrowlingandsnarlingandshowinghisfangs。Thelastgrowlcouldneverbeextractedfromhim。
　　Nomatterhowterriblyhewasbeaten，hehadalwaysanothergrowl；andwhenBeautySmithgaveupandwithdrew，thedefiantgrowlfollowedafterhim，orWhiteFangsprangatthebarsofthecagebellowinghishatred。
　　WhenthesteamboatarrivedatDawson，WhiteFangwentashore。Buthestilllivedapubliclife，inacage，surroundedbycuriousmen。Hewasexhibitedas"TheFightingWolf，"andmenpaidfiftycentsingolddusttoseehim。Hewasgivennorest。Didheliedowntosleep，hewasstirredupbyasharpstick——sothattheaudiencemightgetitsmoney'sworth。
　　Inordertomaketheexhibitioninteresting，hewaskeptinaragemostofthetime。Butworsethanallthis，wastheatmosphereinwhichhelived。
　　Hewasregardedasthemostfearfulofwildbeasts，andthiswasborneintohimthroughthebarsofthecage。Everyword，everycautiousaction，onthepartofthemen，impresseduponhimhisownterribleferocity。Itwassomuchaddedfueltotheflameofhisfierceness。Therecouldbebutoneresult，andthatwasthathisferocityfeduponitselfandincreased。
　　Itwasanotherinstanceoftheplasticityofhisclay，ofhiscapacityforbeingmouldedbythepressureofenvironment。
　　Inadditiontobeingexhibited，hewasaprofessionalfightinganimal。
　　Atirregularintervals，wheneverafightcouldbearranged，hewastakenoutofhiscageandledoffintothewoodsafewmilesfromtown。Usuallythisoccurredatnight，soastoavoidinterferencefromthemountedpoliceoftheTerritory。Afterafewhoursofwaiting，whendaylighthadcome，theaudienceandthedogwithwhichhewastofightarrived。Inthismanneritcameaboutthathefoughtallsizesandbreedsofdogs。Itwasasavageland，themenweresavage，andthefightswereusuallytothedeath。
　　SinceWhiteFangcontinuedtofight，itisobviousthatitwastheotherdogsthatdied。Heneverknewdefeat。Hisearlytraining，whenhefoughtwithLip-lipandthewholepuppy-pack，stoodhimingoodstead。Therewasthetenacitywithwhichheclungtotheearth。Nodogcouldmakehimlosehisfooting。Thiswasthefavoritetrickofthewolfbreeds——torushinuponhim，eitherdirectlyorwithanunexpectedswerve，inthehopeofstrikinghisshoulderandoverthrowinghim。Mackenziehounds，EskimoandLabradordogs，huskiesandMalemutes——alltrieditonhim，andallfailed。Hewasneverknowntolosehisfooting。Mentoldthistooneanother，andlookedeachtimetoseeithappen；butWhiteFangalwaysdisappointedthem。
　　Thentherewashislightningquickness。Itgavehimatremendousadvantageoverhisantagonists。Nomatterwhattheirfightingexperience，theyhadneverencounteredadogthatmovedsoswiftlyashe。Alsotobereckonedwith，wastheimmediatenessofhisattack。Theaveragedogwasaccustomedtothepreliminariesofsnarlingandbristlingandgrowling，andtheaveragedogwasknockedoffhisfeetandfinishedbeforehehadbeguntofightorrecoveredfromhissurprise。Sooftendidthishappen，thatitbecamethecustomtoholdWhiteFanguntiltheotherdogwentthroughitspreliminaries，wasgoodandready，andevenmadethefirstattack。
　　ButgreatestofalltheadvantagesinWhiteFang'sfavor，washisexperience。
　　Heknewmoreaboutfightingthandidanyofthedogsthatfacedhim。Hehadfoughtmorefights，knewhowtomeetmoretricksandmethods，andhadmoretrickshimself，whilehisownmethodwasscarcelytobeimprovedupon。
　　Asthetimewentby，hehadfewerandfewerfights。Mendespairedofmatchinghimwithanequal，andBeautySmithwascompelledtopitwolvesagainsthim。TheseweretrappedbytheIndiansforthepurpose，andafightbetweenWhiteFangandawolfwasalwayssuretodrawacrowd。Once，afull-grownfemalelynxwassecured，andthistimeWhiteFangfoughtforhislife。Herquicknessmatchedhis；herferocityequalledhis；whilehefoughtwithhisfangsalone，andshefoughtwithhersharp-clawedfeetaswell。
　　Butafterthelynx，allfightingceasedforWhiteFang。Therewerenomoreanimalswithwhichtofight——atleast，therewasnoneconsideredworthyoffightingwithhim。Soheremainedonexhibitionuntilspring，whenoneTimKeenan，afaro-dealer，arrivedintheland。WithhimcamethefirstbulldogthathadeverenteredtheKlondike。ThatthisdogandWhiteFangshouldcometogetherwasinevitable，andforaweektheanticipatedfightwasthemainspringofconversationincertainquartersofthetown。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter4:TheClingingDeathPartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter4
　　THECLINGINGDEATH
　　BeautySmithslippedthechainfromhisneckandsteppedback。
　　ForonceFangdidnotmakeanimmediateattack。Hestoodstill，earsprickedforward，alertandcurious，surveyingthestrangeanimalthatfacedhim。Hehadneverseensuchadogbefore。TimKeenanshovedthebulldogforwardwithamuttered"Gotoit。"Theanimalwaddledtowardthecentreofthecircle，shortandsquatandungainly。HecametoastopandblinkedacrossatWhiteFang。
　　Therewerecriesfromthecrowdof"Gotohim，Cherokee!""Sick'm，Cherokee!""Eat'mup!"
　　ButCherokeedidnotseemanxioustofight。Heturnedhisheadandblinkedatthemenwhoshouted，atthesametimewagginghisstumpofatailgood-naturedly。
　　Hewasnotafraid，butmerelylazy。Besides，itdidnotseemtohimthatitwasintendedheshouldfightwiththedoghesawbeforehim。Hewasnotusedtofightingwiththatkindofdog，andhewaswaitingforthemtobringontherealdog。
　　TimKeenansteppedinandbentoverCherokee，fondlinghimonbothsidesoftheshoulderswithhandsthatrubbedagainstthegrainofthehairandthatmadeslight，pushing-forwardmovements。Theseweresomanysuggestions。
　　Also，theireffectwasirritating，forCherokeebegantogrowl，verysoftly，deepdowninhisthroat。Therewasacorrespondenceinrhythmbetweenthegrowlsandthemovementsoftheman'shands。Thegrowlroseinthethroatwiththeculminationofeachforward-pushingmovement，andebbeddowntostartupafreshwiththebeginningofthenextmovement。Theendofeachmovementwastheaccentoftherhythm，themovementendingabruptlyandthegrowlingrisingwithajerk。
　　ThiswasnotwithoutitseffectonWhiteFang。Thehairbegantoriseonhisneckandacrosstheshoulders。TimKeenangaveafinalshoveforwardandsteppedbackagain。AstheimpetusthatcarriedCherokeeforwarddieddown，hecontinuedtogoforwardofhisownvolition，inaswift，bow-leggedrun。ThenWhiteFangstruck。Acryofstartledadmirationwentup。Hehadcoveredthedistanceandgoneinmorelikeacatthanadog；andwiththesamecatlikeswiftnesshehadslashedwithhisfangsandleapedclear。
　　Thebulldogwasbleedingbackofoneearfromaripinhisthickneck。
　　Hegavenosign，didnotevensnarl，butturnedandfollowedafterWhiteFang。Thedisplayonbothsides，thequicknessoftheoneandthesteadinessoftheother，hadexcitedthepartisanspiritofthecrowd，andthemenweremakingnewbetsandincreasingoriginalbets。Again，andyetagain，WhiteFangsprangin，slashed，andgotawayuntouched；andstillhisstrangefoefollowedafterhim，withouttoogreathaste，notslowly，butdeliberatelyanddeterminedly，inabusinesslikesortofway。Therewaspurposeinhismethod——somethingforhimtodothathewasintentupondoingandfromwhichnothingcoulddistracthim。
　　Hiswholedemeanor，everyaction，wasstampedwiththispurpose。ItpuzzledWhiteFang。Neverhadheseensuchadog。Ithadnohairprotection。
　　Itwassoft，andbledeasily。TherewasnothickmatoffurtobaffleWhiteFang'steeth，astheywereoftenbaffledbydogsofhisownbreed。Eachtimethathisteethstrucktheysankeasilyintotheyieldingflesh，whiletheanimaldidnotseemabletodefenditself。Anotherdisconcertingthingwasthatitmadenooutcry，suchashehadbeenaccustomedtowiththeotherdogshehadfought。Beyondagrowloragrunt，thedogtookitspunishmentsilently。Andneverdiditflaginitspursuitofhim。
　　NotthatCherokeewasslow。Hecouldturnandwhirlswiftlyenough，butWhiteFangwasneverthere。Cherokeewaspuzzled，too。Hehadneverfoughtbeforewithadogwithwhichhecouldnotclose。Thedesiretoclosehadalwaysbeenmutual。Butherewasadogthatkeptatadistance，dancinganddodginghereandthereandallabout。Andwhenitdidgetitsteethintohim，itdidnotholdonbutletgoinstantlyanddartedawayagain。
　　ButWhiteFangcouldnotgetatthesoftundersideofthethroat。Thebulldogstoodtooshort，whileitsmassivejawswereanaddedprotection。
　　WhiteFangdartedinandoutunscathed，whileCherokee'swoundsincreased。
　　Bothsidesofhisneckandheadwererippedandslashed。Hebledfreely，butshowednosignsofbeingdisconcerted。Hecontinuedhisploddingpursuit，thoughonce，forthemomentbaffled，hecametoafullstopandblinkedatthemenwholookedon，atthesametimewagginghisstumpofatailasanexpressionofhiswillingnesstofight。
　　InthatmomentWhiteFangwasinuponhimandout，inpassingrippinghistrimmedremnantofanear。Withaslightmanifestationofanger，Cherokeetookupthepursuitagain，runningontheinsideofthecircleWhiteFangwasmaking，andstrivingtofastenhisdeadlygriponWhiteFang'sthroat。
　　Thebulldogmissedbyahair's-breadth，andcriesofpraisewentupasWhiteFangdoubledsuddenlyoutofdangerintheoppositedirection。
　　Thetimewentby。WhiteFangstilldancedon，dodginganddoubling，leapinginandout，andeverinflictingdamage。Andstillthebulldog，withgrimcertitude，toiledafterhim。Soonerorlaterhewouldaccomplishhispurpose，getthegripthatwouldwinthebattle。Inthemeantimeheacceptedallthepunishmenttheothercoulddealhim。Histuftsofearshadbecometassels，hisneckandshoulderswereslashedinascoreofplaces，andhisverylipswerecutandbleeding——allfromthoselightningsnapsthatwerebeyondhisforeseeingandguarding。
　　TimeandagainWhiteFanghadattemptedtoknockCherokeeoffhisfeet；
　　butthedifferenceintheirheightwastoogreat。Cherokeewastoosquat，tooclosetotheground。WhiteFangtriedthetrickoncetoooften。Thechancecameinoneofhisquickdoublingsandcounter-circlings。HecaughtCherokeewithheadturnedawayashewhirledmoreslowly。Hisshoulderwasexposed。WhiteFangdroveinuponit；buthisownshoulderwashighabove，whilehestruckwithsuchforcethathismomentumcarriedhimonacrossovertheother'sbody。Forthefirsttimeinhisfightinghistory，mensawWhiteFanglosehisfooting。Hisbodyturnedahalf-somersaultintheair，andhewouldhavelandedonhisbackhadhenottwisted，catlike，stillintheair，intheefforttobringhisfeettotheearth。Asitwas，hestruckheavilyonhisside。Thenextinstanthewasonhisfeet，butinthatinstantCherokee'steethclosedonhisthroat。
　　Itwasnotagoodgrip，beingtoolowdowntowardthechest；butCherokeeheldon。WhiteFangsprangtohisfeetandtorewildlyaround，tryingtoshakeoffthebulldog'sbody。Itmadehimfrantic，thisclinging，draggingweight。Itboundhismovements，restrictedhisfreedom。Itwaslikethetrap，andallhisinstinctresenteditandrevoltedagainstit。Itwasamadrevolt。Forseveralminuteshewastoallintentsinsane。Thebasiclifethatwasinhimtookchargeofhim。Thewilltoexistofhisbodysurgedoverhim。Hewasdominatedbythismereflesh-loveoflife。Allintelligencewasgone。Itwasasthoughhehadnobrain。Hisreasonwasunseatedbytheblindyearningofthefleshtoexistandmove，atallhazardstomove，tocontinuetomove，formovementwastheexpressionofitsexistence。
　　Roundandroundhewent，whirlingandturningandreversing，tryingtoshakeoffthefifty-poundweightthatdraggedathisthroat。Thebulldogdidlittlebutkeephisgrip。Sometimes，andrarely，hemanagedtogethisfeettotheearthandforamomenttobracehimselfagainstWhiteFang。
　　ButthenextmomenthisfootingwouldbelostandhewouldbedraggingaroundinthewhirlofoneofWhiteFang'smadgyrations。Cherokeeidentifiedhimselfwithhisinstinct。Heknewthathewasdoingtherightthingbyholdingon，andtherecametohimcertainblissfulthrillsofsatisfaction。
　　Atsuchmomentsheevenclosedhiseyesandallowedhisbodytobehurledhitherandthither，willy-nilly，carelessofanyhurtthatmighttherebycometoit。Thatdidnotcount。Thegripwasthething，andthegriphekept。
　　WhiteFangceasedonlywhenhehadtiredhimselfout。Hecoulddonothing，andhecouldnotunderstand。Never，inallhisfighting，hadthisthinghappened。Thedogshehadfoughtwithdidnotfightthatway。Withthemitwassnapandslashandgetaway，snapandslashandgetaway。Helaypartlyonhisside，pantingforbreath。Cherokee，stillholdinghisgrip，urgedagainsthim，tryingtogethimoverentirelyonhisside。WhiteFangresisted，andhecouldfeelthejawsshiftingtheirgrip，slightlyrelaxingandcomingtogetheragaininachewingmovement。Eachshiftbroughtthegripcloserintohisthroat。Thebulldog'smethodwastoholdwhathehad，andwhenopportunityfavoredtoworkinformore。OpportunityfavoredwhenWhiteFangremainedquiet。WhenWhiteFangstruggled，Cherokeewascontentmerelytoholdon。
　　ThebulgingbackofCherokee'sneckwastheonlyportionofhisbodythatWhiteFang'steethcouldreach。Hegotholdtowardthebasewheretheneckcomesoutfromtheshoulders；buthedidnotknowthechewingmethodoffighting，norwerehisjawsadaptedtoit。Hespasmodicallyrippedandtorewithhisfangsforaspace。Thenachangeintheirpositiondivertedhim。Thebulldoghadmanagedtorollhimoveronhisback，andstillhangingontohisthroat，wasontopofhim。Likeacat，WhiteFangbowedhishind-quartersin，and，withthefeetdiggingintohisenemy'sabdomenabovehim，hebegantoclawwithlong，tearingstrokes。CherokeemightwellhavebeendisembowelledhadhenotquicklypivotedonhisgripandgothisbodyoffofWhiteFang'sandatrightanglestoit。
　　Therewasnoescapingthatgrip。ItwaslikeFateitself，andasinexorable。
　　Slowlyitshiftedupalongthejugular。AllthatsavedWhiteFangfromdeathwasthelooseskinofhisneckandthethickfurthatcoveredit。
　　ThisservedtoformalargerollinCherokee'smouth，thefurofwhichwell-nighdefiedhisteeth。Butbitbybit，wheneverthechanceoffered，hewasgettingmoreofthelooseskinandfurinhismouth。TheresultwasthathewasslowlythrottlingWhiteFang。Thelatter'sbreathwasdrawnwithgreaterandgreaterdifficultyasthemomentswentby。
　　Itbegantolookasthoughthebattlewereover。ThebackersofCherokeewaxedjubilantandofferedridiculousodds。WhiteFang'sbackerswerecorrespondinglydepressed，andrefusedbetsoftentooneandtwentytoone，thoughonemanwasrashenoughtocloseawageroffiftytoone。ThismanwasBeautySmith。HetookastepintotheringandpointedhisfingeratWhiteFang。
　　Thenhebegantolaughderisivelyandscornfully。Thisproducedthedesiredeffect。WhiteFangwentwildwithrage。Hecalleduphisreservesofstrengthandgainedhisfeet。Ashestruggledaroundthering，thefiftypoundsofhisfoeeverdraggingonhisthroat，hisangerpassedonintopanic。
　　Thebasiclifeofhimdominatedhimagain，andhisintelligencefledbeforethewillofhisfleshtolive。Roundandroundandbackagain，stumblingandfallingandrising，evenuprearingattimesonhishind-legsandliftinghisfoeclearoftheearth，hestruggledvainlytoshakeofftheclingingdeath。
　　Atlasthefell，topplingbackward，exhausted；andthebulldogpromptlyshiftedhisgrip，gettingincloser，manglingmoreandmoreofthefur-foldedflesh，throttlingWhiteFangmoreseverelythanever。Shoutsofapplausewentupforthevictor，andthereweremanycriesof"Cherokee!""Cherokee!"
　　TothisCherokeerespondedbyvigorouswaggingofthestumpofhistail。
　　Buttheclamorofapprovaldidnotdistracthim。Therewasnosympatheticrelationbetweenhistailandhismassivejaws。Theonemightwag，buttheothersheldtheirterriblegriponWhiteFang'sthroat。
　　Itwasatthistimethatadiversioncametothespectators。Therewasajingleofbells。Dog-mushers'crieswereheard。Everybody，saveBeautySmith，lookedapprehensively，thefearofthepolicestronguponthem。
　　Buttheysaw，upthetrail，andnotdown，twomenrunningwithsledanddogs。Theywereevidentlycomingdownthecreekfromsomeprospectingtrip。
　　Atsightofthecrowdtheystoppedtheirdogsandcameoverandjoinedit，curioustoseethecauseoftheexcitement。Thedog-musherworeamustache，buttheother，atallerandyoungerman，wassmooth-shaven，hisskinrosyfromthepoundingofhisbloodandtherunninginthefrostyair。
　　WhiteFanghadpracticallyceasedstruggling。Nowandagainheresistedspasmodicallyandtonopurpose。Hecouldgetlittleair，andthatlittlegrewlessandlessunderthemercilessgripthatevertightened。Inspiteofhisarmoroffur，thegreatveinofhisthroatwouldhavelongsincebeentornopen，hadnotthefirstgripofthebulldogbeensolowdownastobepracticallyonthechest。IthadtakenCherokeealongtimetoshiftthatgripupward，andthishadalsotendedfurthertocloghisjawswithfurandskin-fold。
　　Inthemeantime，theabysmalbruteinBeautySmithhadbeenrisingupintohisbrainandmasteringthesmallbitofsanitythathepossessedatbest。WhenhesawWhiteFang'seyesbeginningtoglaze，heknewbeyonddoubtthatthefightwaslost。Thenhebrokeloose。HespranguponWhiteFangandbegansavagelytokickhim。Therewerehissesfromthecrowdandcriesofprotest，butthatwasall。Whilethiswenton，andBeautySmithcontinuedtokickWhiteFang，therewasacommotioninthecrowd。Thetallyoungnewcomerwasforcinghiswaythrough，shoulderingmenrightandleftwithoutceremonyorgentleness。Whenhebrokethroughintothering，BeautySmithwasjustintheactofdeliveringanotherkick。Allhisweightwasononefoot，andhewasinastateofunstableequilibrium。Atthatmomentthenewcomer'sfistlandedasmashingblowfullinhisface。BeautySmith'sremainingleglefttheground，andhiswholebodyseemedtoliftintotheairasheturnedoverbackwardandstruckthesnow。Thenewcomerturneduponthecrowd。
　　"Youcowards!"hecried。"Youbeasts!"
　　Hewasinaragehimself——asanerage。Hisgrayeyesseemedmetallicandsteel-likeastheyflasheduponthecrowd。BeautySmithregainedhisfeetandcametowardhim，snifflingandcowardly。Thenewcomerdidnotunderstand。Hedidnotknowhowabjectacowardtheotherwas，andthoughthewascomingbackintentonfighting。So，witha"Youbeast!"hesmashedBeautySmithoverbackwardwithasecondblowintheface。BeautySmithdecidedthatthesnowwasthesafestplaceforhim，andlaywherehehadfallen，makingnoefforttogetup。
　　"Comeon，Matt，lendahand，"thenewcomercalledtothedog-musher，whohadfollowedhimintothering。
　　Bothmenbentoverthedogs。MatttookholdofWhiteFang，readytopullwhenCherokee'sjawsshouldbeloosened。Thistheyoungermanendeavoredtoaccomplishbyclutchingthebulldog'sjawsinhishandsandtryingtospreadthem。Itwasavainundertaking。Ashepulledandtuggedandwrenched，hekeptexclaimingwitheveryexpulsionofbreath，"Beasts!"
　　Thecrowdbegantogrowunruly，andsomeofthemenwereprotestingagainstthespoilingofthesport；buttheyweresilencedwhenthenewcomerliftedhisheadfromhisworkforamomentandglaredatthem。
　　"Youdamnbeasts!"hefinallyexploded，andwentbacktohistask。
　　"It'snouse，Mr。Scott，youcan'tbreak'mapartthatway，"Mattsaidatlast。
　　Thepairpausedandsurveyedthelockeddogs。
　　"Ain'tbleedin'much，"Mattannounced。"Ain'tgotallthewayinyet。"
　　"Buthe'sliabletoanymoment，"Scottanswered。"There，didyouseethat!Heshiftedhisgripinabit。"
　　Theyoungerman'sexcitementandapprehensionforWhiteFangwasgrowing。
　　HestruckCherokeeabouttheheadsavagelyagainandagain。Butthatdidnotloosenthejaws。Cherokeewaggedthestumpofhistailinadvertisementthatheunderstoodthemeaningoftheblows，butthatheknewhewashimselfintherightandonlydoinghisdutybykeepinghisgrip。
　　"Won'tsomeofyouhelp？"Scottcrieddesperatelyatthecrowd。
　　Butnohelpwasoffered。Instead，thecrowdbegansarcasticallytocheerhimonandshoweredhimwithfacetiousadvice。
　　"You'llhavetogetapry，"Mattcounselled。
　　Theotherreachedintotheholsterathiship，drewhisrevolver，andtriedtothrustitsmuzzlebetweenthebulldog'sjaws。Heshoved，andshovedhard，tillthegratingofthesteelagainstthelockedteethcouldbedistinctlyheard。Bothmenwereontheirknees，bendingoverthedogs。TimKeenanstrodeintothering。HepausedbesideScottandtouchedhimontheshoulder，sayingominously:
　　"Don'tbreakthemteeth，stranger。"
　　"ThenI'llbreakhisneck，"Scottretorted，continuinghisshovingandwedgingwiththerevolvermuzzle。
　　"Isaiddon'tbreakthemteeth，"thefaro-dealerrepeatedmoreominouslythanbefore。
　　Butifitwasabluffheintended，itdidnotwork。Scottneverdesistedfromhisefforts，thoughhelookedupcoollyandasked:
　　"Yourdog？"
　　Thefaro-dealergrunted。
　　"Thengetinhereandbreakthisgrip。"
　　"Well，stranger，"theotherdrawledirritatingly，"Idon'tmindtellingyouthat'ssomethingIain'tworkedoutformyself。Idon'tknowhowtoturnthetrick。"
　　"Thengetoutoftheway，"wasthereply，"anddon'tbotherme。I'mbusy。"
　　TimKeenancontinuedstandingoverhim，butScotttooknofurthernoticeofhispresence。Hehadmanagedtogetthemuzzleinbetweenthejawsononeside，andwastryingtogetitoutbetweenthejawsontheotherside。
　　Thisaccomplished，hepriedgentlyandcarefully，looseningthejawsabitatatime，whileMatt，abitatatime，extricatedWhiteFang'smangledneck。
　　"Standbytoreceiveyourdog，"wasScott'speremptoryordertoCherokee'sowner。
　　Thefaro-dealerstoopeddownobedientlyandgotafirmholdonCherokee。
　　"Now!"Scottwarned，givingthefinalpry。
　　Thedogsweredrawnapart，thebulldogstrugglingvigorously。
　　"Takehimaway，"Scottcommanded，andTimKeenandraggedCherokeebackintothecrowd。
　　WhiteFangmadeseveralineffectualeffortstogetup。Oncehegainedhisfeet，buthislegsweretooweaktosustainhim，andheslowlywiltedandsankbackintothesnow。Hiseyeswerehalfclosed，andthesurfaceofthemwasglassy。Hisjawswereapart，andthroughthemthetongueprotruded，draggledandlimp。Toallappearanceshelookedlikeadogthathadbeenstrangledtodeath。Mattexaminedhim。
　　"Justaboutallin，"heannounced；"buthe'sbreathin'allright。"
　　BeautySmithhadregainedhisfeetandcomeovertolookatWhiteFang。
　　"Matt，howmuchisagoodsled-dogworth？"Scottasked。
　　Thedog-musher，stillonhiskneesandstoopedoverWhiteFang，calculatedforamoment。
　　"Threehundreddollars，"heanswered。
　　"Andhowmuchforonethat'sallcheweduplikethisone？"Scottasked，nudgingWhiteFangwithhisfoot。
　　"Halfofthat，"wasthedog-musher'sjudgment。
　　ScottturnedfromBeautySmith。
　　"Didyouhear，Mr。Beast？I'mgoingtotakeyourdogfromyou，andI'mgoingtogiveyouahundredandfiftyforhim。"
　　Heopenedhispocketbookandcountedoutthebills。
　　BeautySmithputhishandsbehindhisback，refusingtotouchtheprofferedmoney。
　　"Iain'ta-sellin'，"hesaid。
　　"Oh，yesyouare，"theotherassuredhim。"BecauseI'mbuying。Here'syoumoney。Thedog'smine。"
　　BeautySmith，hishandsstillbehindhim，begantobackaway。
　　Scottsprangtowardhim，drawinghisfistbacktostrike。BeautySmithcowereddowninanticipationoftheblow。
　　"I'vegotmyrights，"hewhimpered。
　　"You'veforfeitedyourrightstoownthatdog，"wastherejoinder。"Areyougoingtotakethemoney？OrdoIhavetohityouagain？"
　　"Allright，"BeautySmithspokeupwiththealacrityoffear。"ButI
　　takethemoneyunderprotest，"headded。"Thedog'samint。Iain'ta-goin'
　　toberobbed。Aman'sgothisrights。"
　　"Correct，"Scottanswered，passingthemoneyovertohim。"Aman'sgothisrights。Butyou'renotaman。You'reabeast。"
　　"WaittillIgetbacktoDawson，"BeautySmiththreatened。"I'llhavethelawonyou。"
　　"IfyouopenyourmouthwhenyougetbacktoDawson，I'llhaveyourunoutoftown。Understand？"
　　BeautySmithrepliedwithagrunt。
　　"Understand？"theothermanthunderedwithabruptfierceness。
　　"Yes，"BeautySmithgrunted，shrinkingaway。
　　"yes，what？"
　　"Yes，sir。"BeautySmithsnarled。
　　"Lookout!He'llbite!"someoneshouted，andaguffawoflaughterwentup。
　　Someofthemenwerealreadydeparting；othersstoodingroups，lookingonandtalking。TimKeenanjoinedoneofthegroups。
　　"Who'sthatmug？"heasked。
　　"WeedonScott，"someoneanswered。
　　"AndwhoinhellisWeedonScott？"thefaro-dealerdemanded。
　　"Oh，oneofthemcrack-a-jackminingexperts。He'sinwithallthebigbugs。Ifyouwanttokeepoutoftrouble，you'llsteerclearofhim，that'smytalk。He'sallhunkywiththeofficials。TheGoldCommissioner'saspecialpalofhis。"
　　"Ithoughthemustbesomebody，"wasthefaro-dealer'scomment。"That'swhyIkeptmyhandsoffenhimatthestart。"WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter5:TheIndomitablePartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter5
　　THEINDOMITABLE
　　It'shopeless，"WeedonScottconfessed。
　　Hesatonthestepofhiscabinandstaredatthedog-musher，whorespondedwithashrugthatwasequallyhopeless。
　　TogethertheylookedatWhiteFangattheendofhisstretchedchain，bristling，snarling，ferocious，strainingtogetatthesled-dogs。HavingreceivedsundrylessonsfromMatt，saidlessonsbeingimpartedbymeansofaclub，thesled-dogshadlearnedtoleaveWhiteFangalone；andeventhentheywerelyingdownatadistance，apparentlyobliviousofhisexistence。
　　"It'sawolfandthere'snotamingit，"WeedonScottannounced。
　　"Oh，Idon'tknowaboutthat，"Mattobjected。"Mightbealotofdogin'm，forallyoucantell。Butthere'sonethingIknowsure，an'thatthere'snogettin'awayfrom。"
　　Thedog-musherpausedandnoddedhisheadconfidentiallyatMoosehideMountain。
　　"Well，don'tbeamiserwithwhatyouknow，"Scottsaidsharply，afterwaitingasuitablelengthoftime。"Spititout。Whatisit？"
　　Thedog-musherindicatedWhiteFangwithabackwardthrustofhisthumb。
　　"Wolfordog，it'sallthesame——he'sbentameda'ready。"
　　"No!"
　　"Itellyouyes，an'broketoharness。Lookclosethere。D'yeseethemmarksacrossthechest？"
　　"You'reright，Matt。Hewasasled-dogbeforeBeautySmithgotholdofhim。"
　　"An'there'snotmuchreasonagainsthisbein'asled-dogagain。"
　　"Whatd'yethink？"Scottqueriedeagerly。Thenthehopedieddownasheadded，shakinghishead，"We'vehadhimtwoweeksnow，andifanything，he'swilderthaneveratthepresentmoment。"
　　"Give'machance，"Mattcounselled。"Turn'mlooseforaspell。"
　　Theotherlookedathimincredulously。
　　"Yes，"Mattwenton，"Iknowyou'vetriedto，butyoudidn'ttakeaclub。"
　　"Youtryitthen。"
　　Thedog-mushersecuredaclubandwentovertothechainedanimal。WhiteFangwatchedtheclubafterthemannerofacagedlionwatchingthewhipofitstrainer。
　　"See'mkeephiseyeonthatclub，"Mattsaid。"That'sagoodsign。
　　He'snofool。Don'tdasttacklemesolongasIgotthatclubhandy。He'snotcleancrazy，sure。"
　　Astheman'shandapproachedhisneck，WhiteFangbristledandsnarledandcroucheddown。Butwhileheeyedtheapproachinghand，heatthesametimecontrivedtokeeptrackoftheclubintheotherhand，suspendedthreateninglyabovehim。Mattunsnappedthechainfromthecollarandsteppedback。
　　WhiteFangcouldscarcelyrealizethathewasfree。ManymonthshadgonebysincehepassedintothepossessionofBeautySmith，andinallthatperiodhehadneverknownamomentoffreedomexceptatthetimeshehadbeenloosedtofightwithotherdogs。Immediatelyaftersuchfightshehadalwaysbeenimprisonedagain。
　　Hedidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Perhapssomenewdeviltryofthegodswasabouttobeperpetratedonhim。Hewalkedslowlyandcautiously，preparedtobeassailedatanymoment。Hedidnotknowwhattodo，itwasallsounprecedented。Hetooktheprecautiontosheerofffromthetwowatchinggods，andwalkedcarefullytothecornerofthecabin。Nothinghappened。Hewasplainlyperplexed，andhecamebackagain，pausingadozenfeetawayandregardingthetwomenintently。
　　"Won'therunaway？"hisnewownerasked。
　　Mattshruggedhisshoulders。"Gottotakeagamble。Onlywaytofindoutistofindout。"
　　"Poordevil，"Scottmurmuredpityingly。"Whatheneedsissomeshowofhumankindness，"headded，turningandgoingintothecabin。
　　Hecameoutwithapieceofmeat，whichhetossedtoWhiteFang。Hesprangawayfromit，andfromadistancestudieditsuspiciously。
　　"Hi-yu，Major!"Mattshoutedwarningly，buttoolate。
　　Majorhadmadeaspringforthemeat。Attheinstanthisjawsclosedonit，WhiteFangstruckhim。Hewasoverthrown。Mattrushedin，butquickerthanhewasWhiteFang。Majorstaggeredtohisfeet，butthebloodspoutingfromhisthroatreddenedthesnowinawideningpath。
　　"It'stoobad，butitservedhimright，"Scottsaidhastily。
　　ButMatt'sfoothadalreadystartedonitswaytokickWhiteFang。Therewasaleap，aflashofteeth，asharpexclamation。WhiteFang，snarlingfiercely，scrambledbackwardforseveralyards，whileMattstoopedandinvestigatedhisleg。
　　"Hegotmeallright，"heannounced，pointingtothetorntrousersandunderclothes，andthegrowingstainofred。
　　"Itoldyouitwashopeless，Matt，"Scottsaidinadiscouragedvoice。
　　"I'vethoughtaboutitoffandon，whilenotwantingtothinkofit。Butwe'vecometoitnow。It'stheonlythingtodo。"
　　Ashetalked，withreluctantmovementshedrewhisrevolver，threwopenthecylinder，andassuredhimselfofitscontents。
　　"Lookhere，Mr。Scott，"Mattobjected；"thatdog'sbenthroughhell。
　　Youcan'texpect'mtocomeoutawhitean'shinin'angel。Give'mtime。"
　　"LookatMajor，"theotherrejoined。
　　Thedog-mushersurveyedthestrickendog。Hehadsunkdownonthesnowinthecircleofhisblood，andwasplainlyinthelastgasp。
　　"Served'mright。Yousaidsoyourself，Mr。Scott。HetriedtotakeWhiteFang'smeat，an'he'sdead-O。Thatwastobeexpected。wouldn'tgivetwowhoopsinhellforadogthatwouldn'tfightforhisownmeat。"
　　"Butlookatyourself，Matt。It'sallrightaboutthedogs，butwemustdrawthelinesomewhere。"
　　"Servedmeright，"Mattarguedstubbornly。"What'dIwanttokick'mfor？Yousaidyourselfhe'ddoneright。ThenIhadnorighttokick'm。"
　　"Itwouldbeamercytokillhim，"Scottinsisted。"He'suntamable。"
　　"Nowlookhere，Mr。Scott，givethepoordevilafightin'chance。Heain'thadnochanceyet。He'sjustcomethroughhell，an'thisisthefirsttimehe'sbenloose。Give'mafairchance，an'ifhedon'tdeliverthegoods，I'llkill'mmyself。There!"
　　"GodknowsIdon'twanttokillhimorhavehimkilled，"Scottanswered，puttingawaytherevolver。"We'lllethimrunlooseandseewhatkindnesscandoforhim。Andhere'satryatit。"
　　HewalkedovertoWhiteFangandbegantalkingtohimgentlyandsoothingly。
　　"Betterhaveaclubhandy，"Mattwarned。
　　ScottshookhisheadandwentontryingtowinWhiteFang'sconfidence。
　　WhiteFangwassuspicious。Somethingwasimpending。Hehadkilledthisgod'sdog，bittenhiscompaniongod，andwhatelsewastobeexpectedthansometerriblepunishment？Butinthefaceofithewasindomitable。Hebristledandshowedhisteeth，hiseyesvigilant，hiswholebodywaryandpreparedforanything。Thegodhadnoclub，sohesufferedhimtoapproachquitenear。Thegod'shandhadcomeoutandwasdescendinguponhishead。
　　WhiteFangshranktogetherandgrewtenseashecrouchedunderit。Herewasdanger，sometreacheryorsomething。Heknewthehandsofthegods，theirprovedmastery，theircunningtohurt。Besides，therewashisoldantipathytobeingtouched。Hesnarledmoremenacingly，crouchedstilllower，andstillthehanddescended。Hedidnotwanttobitethehand，andheenduredtheperilofituntilhisinstinctsurgedupinhim，masteringhimwithitsinsatiableyearningforlife。
　　WeedonScotthadbelievedthathewasquickenoughtoavoidanysnaporslash。ButhehadyettolearntheremarkablequicknessofWhiteFang，whostruckwiththecertaintyandswiftnessofacoiledsnake。
　　Scottcriedoutsharplywithsurprise，catchinghistornhandandholdingittightlyinhisotherhand。Mattutteredagreatoathandsprangtohisside。WhiteFangcroucheddownandbackedaway，bristling，showinghisfangs，hiseyesmalignantwithmenace。NowhecouldexpectabeatingasfearfulasanyhehadreceivedfromBeautySmith。
　　"Here!Whatareyoudoing？"Scottcriedsuddenly。
　　Matthaddashedintothecabinandcomeoutwitharifle。
　　"Nothin'，"hesaidslowly，withacarelesscalmnessthatwasassumed；
　　"onlygoin'tokeepthatpromiseImade。Ireckonit'suptometokill'masIsaidI'ddo。"
　　"Noyoudon't!"
　　"YesIdo。Watchme。"
　　AsMatthadpleadedforWhiteFangwhenhehadbeenbitten，itwasnowWeedonScott'sturntoplead。
　　"Yousaidtogivehimachance。Well，giveittohim。We'veonlyjuststarted，andwecan'tquitatthebeginning。Itservedmeright，thistime。
　　And——lookathim!"
　　WhiteFang，nearthecornerofthecabinandfortyfeetaway，wassnarlingwithblood-curdlingviciousness，notatScott，butatthedog-musher。
　　"Well，I'llbeeverlastin'lygosh-swoggled!"wasthedog-musher'sexpressionofastonishment。
　　"Lookattheintelligenceofhim，"Scottwentonhastily。"Heknowsthemeaningoffirearmsaswellasyoudo。He'sgotintelligence，andwe'vegottogivethatintelligenceachance。Putupthegun。"
　　"Allright，I'mwillin'，"Mattagreed，leaningtherifleagainstthewoodpile。
　　"Butwillyoulookatthat!"heexclaimedthenextmoment。
　　WhiteFanghadquieteddownandceasedsnarling。
　　"Thisisworthinvestigatin'。Watch。"
　　Mattreachedfortherifle，andatthesamemomentWhiteFangsnarled。
　　Hesteppedawayfromtherifle，andWhiteFang'sliftedlipsdescended，coveringhisteeth。
　　"Now，justforfun。"
　　Matttooktherifleandbeganslowlytoraiseittohisshoulder。WhiteFang'ssnarlingbeganwiththemovement，andincreasedasthemovementapproacheditsculmination。Butthemomentbeforetheriflecametoalevelonhim，heleapedsidewisebehindthecornerofthecabin。MattstoodstaringalongthesightsattheemptyspaceofsnowwhichhadbeenoccupiedbyWhiteFang。
　　Thedog-musherputtherifledownsolemnly，thenturnedandlookedathisemployer。
　　"Iagreewithyou，Mr。Scott。Thatdog'stoointelligenttokill。"WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter6:TheLove-MasterPartIV:TheSuperiorGodsChapter6
　　THELOVE-MASTER
　　AsWhiteFangwatchedWeedonScottapproach，hebristledandsnarledtoadverthathewouldnotsubmittopunishment。Twenty-fourhourshadpassedsincehehadslashedopenthehandthatwasnowbandagedandheldupbyaslingtokeepthebloodoutofit。InthepastWhiteFanghadexperienceddelayedpunishments，andheapprehendedthatsuchaonewasabouttobefallhim。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Hehadcommittedwhatwastohimsacrilege，sunkhisfangsintotheholyfleshofagod，andofawhite-skinnedsuperiorgodatthat。Inthenatureofthings，andofintercoursewithgods，somethingterribleawaitedhim。
　　Thegodsatdownseveralfeetaway。WhiteFangcouldseenothingdangerousinthat。Whenthegodsadministeredpunishmenttheystoodontheirlegs。
　　Besides，thisgodhadnoclub，nowhip，nofirearm。Andfurthermore，hehimselfwasfree。Nochainnorstickboundhim。Hecouldescapeintosafetywhilethegodwasscramblingtohisfeet。Inthemeantimehewouldwaitandsee。
　　Thegodremainedquiet，madenomovement；andWhiteFang'ssnarlslowlydwindledtoagrowlthatebbeddowninhisthroatandceased。Thenthegodspoke，andatthefirstsoundofhisvoice，thehairroseonWhiteFang'sneckandthegrowlrushedupinhisthroat。Butthegodmadenohostilemovement，andwentoncalmlytalking。ForatimeWhiteFanggrowledinunisonwithhim，acorrespondenceofrhythmbeingestablishedbetweengrowlandvoice。Butthegodtalkedoninterminably。HetalkedtoWhiteFangasWhiteFanghadneverbeentalkedtobefore。Hetalkedsoftlyandsoothingly，withagentlenessthatsomehow，somewhere，touchedWhiteFang。
　　Inspiteofhimselfandalltheprickingwarningsofhisinstinct，WhiteFangbegantohaveconfidenceinthisgod。Hehadafeelingofsecuritythatwasbeliedbyallhisexperiencewithmen。
　　Afteralongtime，thegodgotupandwentintothecabin。WhiteFangscannedhimapprehensivelywhenhecameout。Hehadneitherwhipnorclubnorweapon。Norwashisuninjuredhandbehindhisbackhidingsomething。
　　Hesatdownasbefore，inthesamespot，severalfeetaway。Heheldoutasmallpieceofmeat。WhiteFangprickedhisearsandinvestigateditsuspiciously，managingtolookatthesametimebothatthemeatandthegod，alertforanyovertact，hisbodytenseandreadytospringawayatthefirstsignofhostility。
　　Stillthepunishmentdelayed。Thegodmerelyheldneartohisnoseapieceofmeat。Andaboutthemeatthereseemednothingwrong。StillWhiteFangsuspected；andthoughthemeatwasprofferedtohimwithshortinvitingthrustsofthehand，herefusedtotouchit。Thegodswereall-wise，andtherewasnotellingwhatmasterfultreacherylurkedbehindthatapparentlyharmlesspieceofmeat。Inpastexperience，especiallyindealingwithsquaws，meatandpunishmenthadoftenbeendisastrouslyrelated。
　　Intheend，thegodtossedthemeatonthesnowatWhiteFang'sfeet。
　　Hesmelledthemeatcarefully；buthedidnotlookatit。Whilehesmelledithekepthiseyesonthegod。Nothinghappened。Hetookthemeatintohismouthandswallowedit。Stillnothinghappened。Thegodwasactuallyofferinghimanotherpieceofmeat。Againherefusedtotakeitfromthehand，andagainitwastossedtohim。Thiswasrepeatedanumberoftimes。
　　Buttherecameatimewhenthegodrefusedtotossit。Hekeptitinhishandandsteadfastlyprofferedit。
　　Themeatwasgoodmeat，andWhiteFangwashungry。Bitbybit，infinitelycautious，heapproachedthehand。Atlastthetimecamethathedecidedtoeatthemeatfromthehand。Henevertookhiseyesfromthegod，thrustinghisheadforwardwithearsflattenedbackandhairinvoluntarilyrisingandcrestingonhisneck。Alsoalowgrowlrumbledinhisthroataswarningthathewasnottobetrifledwith。Heatethemeat，andnothinghappened。
　　Piecebypiece，heateallthemeat，andnothinghappened。Stillthepunishmentdelayed。Helickedhischopsandwaited。Thegodwentontalking。Inhisvoicewaskindness——somethingofwhichWhiteFanghadnoexperiencewhatever。
　　Andwithinhimitarousedfeelingswhichhehadlikewiseneverexperiencedbefore。Hewasawareofacertainstrangesatisfaction，asthoughsomeneedwerebeinggratified，asthoughsomevoidinhisbeingwerebeingfilled。Thenagaincametheprodofhisinstinctandthewarningofpastexperience。Thegodswereevercrafty，andtheyhadunguessedwaysofattainingtheirends。
　　Ah，hehadthoughtso!Thereitcamenow，thegod'shand，cunningtohurt，thrustingoutathim，descendinguponhishead。Butthegodwentontalking。Hisvoicewassoftandsoothing。Inspiteofthemenacinghand，thevoiceinspiredconfidence。Andinspiteoftheassuringvoice，thehandinspireddistrust。WhiteFangwastornbyconflictingfeelings，impulses。
　　Itseemedhewouldflytopieces，soterriblewasthecontrolhewasexerting，holdingtogetherbyanunwontedindecisionthecounter-forcesthatstruggledwithinhimformastery。
　　Hecompromised。Hesnarledandbristledandflattenedhisears。Butheneithersnappednorsprangaway。Thehanddescended。Nearerandneareritcame。Ittouchedtheendsofhisupstandinghair。Heshrankdownunderit。Itfolloweddownafterhim，pressingmorecloselyagainsthim。Shrinking，almostshivering，hestillmanagedtoholdhimselftogether。Itwasatorment，thishandthattouchedhimandviolatedhisinstinct。Hecouldnotforgetinadayalltheevilthathadbeenwroughthimatthehandsofmen。Butitwasthewillofthegod，andhestrovetosubmit。
　　Thehandliftedanddescendedagaininapatting，caressingmovement。
　　Thiscontinued，buteverytimethehandlifted，thehairliftedunderit。
　　Andeverytimethehanddescended，theearsflatteneddownandacavernousgrowlsurgedinhisthroat。WhiteFanggrowledandgrowledwithinsistentwarning。Bythismeansheannouncedthathewaspreparedtoretaliateforanyhurthemightreceive。Therewasnotellingwhenthegod'sulteriormotivemightbedisclosed。Atanymomentthatsoft，confidence-inspiringvoicemightbreakforthinaroarofwrath，thatgentleandcaressinghandtransformitselfintoaviselikegriptoholdhimhelplessandadministerpunishment。
　　Butthegodtalkedonsoftly，andeverthehandroseandfellwithnon-hostilepats。WhiteFangexperienceddualfeelings。Itwasdistastefultohisinstinct。
　　Itrestrainedhim，opposedthewillofhimtowardpersonalliberty。Andyetitwasnotphysicallypainful。Onthecontrary，itwasevenpleasant，inaphysicalway。Thepattingmovementslowlyandcarefullychangedtoarubbingoftheearsabouttheirbases，andthephysicalpleasureevenincreasedalittle。Yethecontinuedtofear，andhestoodonguard，expectantofunguessedevil，alternatelysufferingandenjoyingasonefeelingortheothercameuppermostandswayedhim。
　　"Well，I'llbegosh-swoggled!"
　　SospokeMatt，comingoutofthecabin，hissleevesrolledup，apanofdirtydish-waterinhishands，arrestedintheactofemptyingthepanbythesightofWeedonScottpattingWhiteFang。
　　Attheinstanthisvoicebrokethesilence，WhiteFangleapedback，snarlingsavagelyathim。
　　Mattregardedhisemployerwithgrieveddisapproval。
　　"Ifyoudon'tmindmyexpressin'myfeelin's，Mr。Scott，I'llmakefreetosayyou'reseventeenkindsofadamnfoolan'allof'emdifferent，andthensome。"WeedonScottsmiledwithasuperiorair，gainedhisfeet，andwalkedovertoWhiteFang。Hetalkedsoothinglytohim，butnotforlong，thenslowlyputouthishand，resteditonWhiteFang'shead，andresumedtheinterruptedpatting。WhiteFangenduredit，keepinghiseyesfixedsuspiciously，notuponthemanthatpettedhim，butuponthemanthatstoodinthedoorway。
　　"Youmaybeanumberone，tip-topminin'expert，allrightallright，"
　　thedog-musherdeliveredhimselforacularly，"butyoumissedthechanceofyourlifewhenyouwasaboyan'didn'trunoffan'joinacircus。"
　　WhiteFangsnarledatthesoundofhisvoice，butthistimedidnotleapawayfromunderthehandthatwascaressinghisheadandthebackofhisneckwithlong，soothingstrokes。
　　ItwasthebeginningoftheendforWhiteFang——theendingoftheoldlifeandthereignofhate。Anewandincomprehensiblyfairerlifewasdawning。ItrequiredmuchthinkingandendlesspatienceonthepartofWeedonScotttoaccomplishthis。AndonthepartofWhiteFangitrequirednothinglessthanarevolution。Hehadtoignoretheurgesandpromptingsofinstinctandreason，defyexperience，givethelietolifeitself。
　　Life，ashehadknownit，notonlyhadhadnoplaceinitformuchthathenowdid；butallthecurrentshadgonecountertothosetowhichhenowabandonedhimself。Inshort，whenallthingswereconsidered，hehadtoachieveanorientationfarvasterthantheonehehadachievedatthetimehecamevoluntarilyinfromtheWildandacceptedGrayBeaverashislord。Atthattimehewasamerepuppy，softfromthemaking，withoutform，readyforthethumbofcircumstancetobeginitsworkuponhim。Butnowitwasdifferent。Thethumbofcircumstancehaddoneitsworkonlytoowell。ByithehadbeenformedandhardenedintotheFightingWolf，fierceandimplacable，unlovingandunlovable。Toaccomplishthechangewaslikearefluxofbeing，andthiswhentheplasticityofyouthwasnolongerhis；whenthefibreofhimhadbecometoughandknotty；whenthewarpandthewoofofhimhadmadeofhimanadamantinetexture，harshandunyielding；
　　whenthefaceofhisspirithadbecomeironandallhisinstinctsandaxiomshadcrystallizedintosetrules，cautions，dislikes，anddesires。