Yetagain，inthisneworientation，itwasthethumbofcircumstancethatpressedandproddedhim，softeningthatwhichhadbecomehardandremouldingitintofairerform。WeedonScottwasintruththisthumb。HehadgonetotherootsofWhiteFang'snature，andwithkindnesstouchedtolifepotenciesthathadlanguishedandwell-nighperished。Onesuchpotencywaslove。Ittooktheplaceoflike，whichlatterhadbeenthehighestfeelingthatthrilledhiminhisintercoursewiththegods。
　　Butthislovedidnotcomeinaday。Itbeganwithlikeandoutofitslowlydeveloped。WhiteFangdidnotrunaway，thoughhewasallowedtoremainloose，becausehelikedthisnewgod。ThiswascertainlybetterthanthelifehehadlivedinthecageofBeautySmith，anditwasnecessarythatheshouldhavesomegod。
　　Thelordshipofmanwasaneedofhisnature。
　　ThesealofhisdependenceonmanhadbeensetuponhiminthatearlydaywhenheturnedhisbackontheWildandcrawledtoGrayBeaver'sfeettoreceivetheexpectedbeating。Thissealhadbeenstampeduponhimagain，andineradicably，onhissecondreturnfromtheWild，whenthelongfaminewasoverandtherewasfishoncemoreinthevillageofGrayBeaver。
　　Andso，becauseheneededagodandbecausehepreferredWeedonScotttoBeautySmith，WhiteFangremained。Inacknowledgmentoffealty，heproceededtotakeuponhimselftheguardianshipofhismaster'sproperty。Heprowledaboutthecabinwhilethesled-dogsslept，andthefirstnight-visitortothecabinfoughthimoffwithaclubuntilWeedonScottcametotherescue。ButWhiteFangsoonlearnedtodifferentiatebetweenthievesandhonestmen，toappraisethetruevalueofstepandcarriage。Themanwhotravelled，loud-stepping，thedirectlinetothecabindoor，heletalone——thoughhewatchedhimvigilantlyuntilthedooropenedandhereceivedtheindorsementofthemaster。Butthemanwhowentsoftly，bycircuitousways，peeringwithcaution，seekingaftersecrecy——thatwasthemanwhoreceivednosuspensionofjudgmentfromWhiteFang，andwhowentawayabruptly，hurriedly，andwithoutdignity。
　　WeedonScotthadsethimselfthetaskofredeemingWhiteFang——orrather，ofredeemingmankindfromthewrongithaddoneWhiteFang。Itwasamatterofprincipleandconscience。HefeltthattheilldoneWhiteFangwasadebtincurredbymanandthatitmustbepaid。SohewentoutofhiswaytobeespeciallykindtotheFightingWolf。EachdayhemadeitapointtocaressandpetWhiteFang，andtodoitatlength。
　　Atfirstsuspiciousandhostile，WhiteFanggrewtolikethispetting。
　　Buttherewasonethingthatheneveroutgrew——hisgrowling。Growlhewould，fromthemomentthepettingbeganuntilitended。Butitwasagrowlwithanewnoteinit。Astrangercouldnothearthisnote，andtosuchastrangerthegrowlingofWhiteFangwasanexhibitionofprimordialsavagery，nerve-rackingandblood-curdling。ButWhiteFang'sthroathadbecomeharsh-fibredfromthemakingofferocioussoundsthroughthemanyyearssincehisfirstlittleraspofangerinthelairofhiscubhood，andhecouldnotsoftenthesoundsofthatthroatnowtoexpressthegentlenesshefelt。Nevertheless，WeedonScott'searandsympathywerefineenoughtocatchthenewnoteallbutdrownedinthefierceness——thenotethatwasthefaintesthintofacroonofcontentandthatnonebuthecouldhear。
　　Asthedayswentby，theevolutionoflikeintolovewasaccelerated。WhiteFanghimselfbegantogrowawareofit，thoughinhisconsciousnessheknewnotwhatlovewas。Itmanifesteditselftohimasavoidinhisbeing——ahungry，aching，yearningvoidthatclamoredtobefilled。Itwasapainandanunrest；anditreceivedeasementonlybythetouchofthenewgod'spresence。Atsuchtimeslovewasajoytohim，awild，keen-thrillingsatisfaction。Butwhenawayfromhisgod，thepainandtheunrestreturned；thevoidinhimsprangupandpressedagainsthimwithitsemptiness，andthehungergnawedandgnawedunceasingly。
　　WhiteFangwasintheprocessoffindinghimself。Inspiteofthematurityofhisyearsandofthesavagerigidityofthemouldthathadformedhim，hisnaturewasundergoinganexpansion。Therewasaburgeoningwithinhimofstrangefeelingsandunwontedimpulses。Hisoldcodeofconductwaschanging。Inthepasthehadlikedcomfortandsurceasefrompain，dislikeddiscomfortandpain，andhehadadjustedhisactionsaccordingly。Butnowitwasdifferent。Becauseofthisnewfeelingwithinhim，heofttimeselecteddiscomfortandpainforthesakeofhisgod。Thus，intheearlymorning，insteadofroamingandforaging，orlyinginashelterednook，hewouldwaitforhoursonthecheerlesscabin-stoopforasightofthegod'sface。
　　Atnight，whenthegodreturnedhome，WhiteFangwouldleavethewarmsleeping-placehehadburrowedinthesnowinordertoreceivethefriendlysnapoffingersandthewordofgreeting。Meat，evenmeatitself，hewouldforegotobewithhisgod，toreceiveacaressfromhimortoaccompanyhimdownintothetown。
　　Likehadbeenreplacedbylove。Andlovewastheplummetdroppeddownintothedeepsofhimwherelikehadnevergone。Andresponsive，outofhisdeepshadcomethenewthing——love。Thatwhichwasgivenuntohimdidhereturn。Thiswasagodindeed，alove-god，awarmandradiantgod，inwhoselightWhiteFang'snatureexpandedasaflowerexpandsunderthesun。
　　ButWhiteFangwasnotdemonstrative。Hewastooold，toofirmlymoulded，tobecomeadeptatexpressinghimselfinnewways。Hewastooself-possessed，toostronglypoisedinhisownisolation。Toolonghadhecultivatedreticence，aloofness，andmoroseness。Hehadneverbarkedinhislife，andhecouldnotnowlearntobarkawelcomewhenhisgodapproached。Hewasneverintheway，neverextravagantnorfoolishintheexpressionofhislove。
　　Heneverrantomeethisgod。Hewaitedatadistance；buthealwayswaited，wasalwaysthere。Hislovepartookofthenatureofworship，dumb，inarticulate，asilentadoration。Onlybythesteadyregardofhiseyesdidheexpresshislove，andbytheunceasingfollowingwithhiseyesofhisgod'severymovement。Also，attimes，whenhisgodlookedathimandspoketohim，hebetrayedanawkwardself-consciousness，causedbythestruggleofhislovetoexpressitselfandhisphysicalinabilitytoexpressit。
　　Helearnedtoadjusthimselfinmanywaystohisnewmodeoflife。Itwasborneinuponhimthathemustlethismaster'sdogsalone。Yethisdominantnatureasserteditself，andhehadfirsttothrashthemintoanacknowledgmentofhissuperiorityandleadership。Thisaccomplished，hehadlittletroublewiththem。Theygavetrailtohimwhenhecameandwentorwalkedamongthem，andwhenheassertedhiswilltheyobeyed。
　　Inthesameway，hecametotolerateMatt——asapossessionofhismaster。Hismasterrarelyfedhim。Mattdidthat，itwashisbusiness；
　　yetWhiteFangdivinedthatitwashismaster'sfoodheateandthatitwashismasterwhothusfedhimvicariously。Mattitwaswhotriedtoputhimintotheharnessandmakehimhaulsledwiththeotherdogs。ButMattfailed。ItwasnotuntilWeedonScottputtheharnessonWhiteFangandworkedhim，thatheunderstood。Hetookitashismaster'swillthatMattshoulddrivehimandworkhimjustashedroveandworkedhismaster'sotherdogs。
　　DifferentfromtheMackenzietoboggansweretheKlondikesledswithrunnersunderthem。Anddifferentwasthemethodofdrivingthedogs。Therewasnofan-formationoftheteam。Thedogsworkedinsinglefile，onebehindanother，haulingondoubletraces。Andhere，intheKlondike，theleaderwasindeedtheleader。Thewisestaswellasstrongestdogwastheleader，andtheteamobeyedhimandfearedhim。ThatWhiteFangshouldquicklygainthispostwasinevitable。Hecouldnotbesatisfiedwithless，asMattlearnedaftermuchinconvenienceandtrouble。WhiteFangpickedoutthepostforhimself，andMattbackedhisjudgmentwithstronglanguageaftertheexperimenthadbeentried。But，thoughheworkedinthesledintheday，WhiteFangdidnotforegotheguardingofhismaster'spropertyinthenight。Thushewasondutyallthetime，evervigilantandfaithful，themostvaluableofallthedogs。
　　"Makin'freetospitoutwhat'sinme，"Mattsaid，oneday，"begtostatethatyouwasawiseguyallrightwhenyoupaidthepriceyoudidforthatdog。YoucleanswindledBeautySmithontopofpushin'hisfaceinwithyourfist。"
　　ArecrudescenceofangerglintedinWeedonScott'sgrayeyes，andhemutteredsavagely，"Thebeast!"
　　InthelatespringagreattroublecametoWhiteFang。Withoutwarning，thelove-masterdisappeared。Therehadbeenwarning，butWhiteFangwasunversedinsuchthingsanddidnotunderstandthepackingofagrip。Herememberedafterwardthatthispackinghadprecededthemaster'sdisappearance；
　　butatthetimehesuspectednothing。Thatnighthewaitedforthemastertoreturn。Atmidnightthechillwindthatblewdrovehimtoshelterattherearofthecabin。Therehedrowsed，onlyhalfasleep，hisearskeyedforthefirstsoundofthefamiliarstep。But，attwointhemorning，hisanxietydrovehimouttothecoldfrontstoop，wherehecrouchedandwaited。
　　Butnomastercame。InthemorningthedooropenedandMattsteppedoutside。WhiteFanggazedathimwistfully。Therewasnocommonspeechbywhichhemightlearnwhathewantedtoknow。Thedayscameandwent，butneverthemaster。WhiteFang，whohadneverknownsicknessinhislife，becamesick。Hebecameverysick，sosickthatMattwasfinallycompelledtobringhiminsidethecabin。Also，inwritingtohisemployer，MattdevotedapostscripttoWhiteFang。
　　WeedonScottreadingtheletterdowninCircleCity，cameuponthefollowing:
　　"Thatdamwolfwontwork。Wonteat。Aintgotnospunkleft。Allthedogsislickinghim。Wantstoknowwhathasbecomeofyou，andIdontknowhowtotellhim。Mebbeheisgoingtodie。"
　　ItwasasMatthadsaid。WhiteFanghadceasedeating，lostheart，andallowedeverydogoftheteamtothrashhim。Inthecabinhelayonthefloornearthestove，withoutinterestinfood，inMatt，norinlife。Mattmighttalkgentlytohimorswearathim，itwasallthesame；heneverdidmorethanturnhisdulleyesupontheman，thendrophisheadbacktoitscustomarypositiononhisfore-paws。
　　Andthen，onenight，Matt，readingtohimselfwithmovinglipsandmumbledsounds，wasstartledbyalowwhinefromWhiteFang。Hehadgotuponhisfeet，hisearscockedtowardthedoor，andhewaslisteningintently。A
　　momentlater，Mattheardafootstep。Thedooropened，andWeedonScottsteppedin。Thetwomenshookhands。ThenScottlookedaroundtheroom。
　　"Where'sthewolf？"heasked。
　　Thenhediscoveredhim，standingwherehehadbeenlying，neartothestove。Hehadnotrushedforwardafterthemannerofotherdogs。Hestood，watchingandwaiting。
　　"Holysmoke!"Mattexclaimed。"Lookat'mwaghistail!"
　　WeedonScottstrodehalfacrosstheroomtowardhim，atthesametimecallinghim。WhiteFangcametohim，notwithagreatbound，yetquickly。
　　Hewasawkwardfromself-consciousness，butashedrewnear，hiseyestookonastrangeexpression。Something，anincommunicablevastnessoffeeling，roseupintohiseyesasalightandshoneforth。
　　"Heneverlookedatmethatwayallthetimeyouwasgone，"Mattcommented。
　　WeedonScottdidnothear。Hewassquattingdownonhisheels，facetofacewithWhiteFangandpettinghim——rubbingattherootsoftheears，makinglong，caressingstrokesdownthenecktotheshoulders，tappingthespinegentlywiththeballsofhisfingers。AndWhiteFangwasgrowlingresponsively，thecrooningnoteofthegrowlmorepronouncedthanever。
　　Butthatwasnotall。Whatofhisjoy，thegreatloveinhim，eversurgingandstrugglingtoexpressitself，succeededinfindinganewmodeofexpression。
　　Hesuddenlythrusthisheadforwardandnudgedhiswayinbetweenthemaster'sarmandbody。Andhere，confined，hiddenfromviewallexcepthisears，nolongergrowling，hecontinuedtonudgeandsnuggle。
　　Thetwomenlookedateachother。Scott'seyeswereshining。
　　"Gosh!"saidMattinanawe-strickenvoice。
　　Amomentlater，whenhehadrecoveredhimself，hesaid，"alwaysinsistedthatwolfwasadog。Lookat'm!"
　　Withthereturnofthelove-master，WhiteFang'srecoverywasrapid。
　　Twonightsandadayhespentinthecabin。Thenhesalliedforth。Thesled-dogshadforgottenhisprowess。Theyrememberedonlythelatest，whichwashisweaknessandsickness。Atthesightofhimashecameoutofthecabin，theyspranguponhim。
　　"Talkaboutyourrough-houses，"Mattmurmuredgleefully，standinginthedoorwayandlookingon。"Give'mhell，youwolf!Give'mhell!——andthensome!"
　　WhiteFangdidnotneedtheencouragement。Thereturnofthelove-masterwasenough。Lifewasflowingthroughhimagain，splendidandindomitable。
　　Hefoughtfromsheerjoy，findinginitanexpressionofmuchthathefeltandthatotherwisewaswithoutspeech。Therecouldbebutoneending。Theteamdispersedinignominiousdefeat，anditwasnotuntilafterdarkthatthedogscamesneakingback，onebyone，bymeeknessandhumilitysignifyingtheirfealtytoWhiteFang。
　　Havinglearnedtosnuggle，WhiteFangwasguiltyofitoften。Itwasthefinalword。Hecouldnotgobeyondit。Theonethingofwhichhehadalwaysbeenparticularlyjealous，washishead。Hehadalwaysdislikedtohaveittouched。ItwastheWildinhim，thefearofhurtandofthetrap，thathadgivenrisetothepanickyimpulsestoavoidcontacts。Itwasthemandateofhisinstinctthatthatheadmustbefree。Andnow，withthelove-master，hissnugglingwasthedeliberateactofputtinghimselfintoapositionofhopelesshelplessness。Itwasanexpressionofperfectconfidence，ofabsoluteself-surrender，asthoughhesaid:"Iputmyselfintothyhands。Workthouthywillwithme。"
　　Onenight，notlongafterthereturn，ScottandMattsatatagameofcribbagepreliminarytogoingtobed。"Fifteen-two，fifteen-fouran'apairmakessix，"Mattwaspeggingup，whentherewasanoutcryandsoundofsnarlingwithout。Theylookedateachotherastheystartedtorisetotheirfeet。
　　"Thewolf'snailedsomebody，"Mattsaid。
　　Awildscreamoffearandanguishhastenedthem。
　　"Bringalight!"Scottshouted，ashesprangoutside。
　　Mattfollowedwiththelamp，andbyitslighttheysawamanlyingonhisbackinthesnow。Hisarmswerefolded，oneabovetheother，acrosshisfaceandthroat。ThushewastryingtoshieldhimselffromWhiteFang'steeth。Andtherewasneedforit。WhiteFangwasinarage，wickedlymakinghisattackonthemostvulnerablespot。Fromshouldertowristofthecrossedarms，thecoat-sleeve，blueflannelshirtandundershirtwererippedinrags，whilethearmsthemselveswereterriblyslashedandstreamingblood。
　　Allthisthetwomensawinthefirstinstant。ThenextinstantWeedonScotthadWhiteFangbythethroatandwasdragginghimclear。WhiteFangstruggledandsnarled，butmadenoattempttobite，whilehequicklyquieteddownatasharpwordfromthemaster。Matthelpedthemantohisfeet。
　　Ashearoseheloweredhiscrossedarms，exposingthebestialfaceofBeautySmith。Thedog-musherletgoofhimprecipitately，withactionsimilartothatofamanwhohaspickeduplivefire。BeautySmithblinkedinthelamplightandlookedabouthim。HecaughtsightofWhiteFangandterrorrushedintohisface。
　　AtthesamemomentMattnoticedtwoobjectslyinginthesnow。Heheldthelampclosetothem，indicatingthemwithhistoeforhisemployer'sbenefit——asteeldog-chainandastoutclub。
　　WeedonScottsawandnodded。Notawordwasspoken。Thedog-musherlaidhishandonBeautySmith'sshoulderandfacedhimtotheright-about。Nowordneededtobespoken。BeautySmithstarted。
　　Inthemeantimethelove-masterwaspattingWhiteFangandtalkingtohim。
　　"Triedtostealyou，eh？Andyouwouldn'thaveit!Well，well，hemadeamistake，didn'the？"
　　"Must'a'thoughthehadholdofseventeendevils，"thedog-mushersniggered。
　　WhiteFang，stillwroughtupandbristling，growledandgrowled，thehairslowlylyingdown，thecrooningnoteremoteanddim，butgrowinginhisthroat。WhiteFang:PartV:TheTame:Chapter1:TheLongTrailPartV:TheTameChapter1
　　THELONGTRAIL
　　Itwasintheair。WhiteFangsensedthecomingcalamity，evenbeforetherewastangibleevidenceofit。Invaguewaysitwasborneinuponhimthatachangewasimpending。Heknewnothownorwhy，yethegothisfeeloftheoncomingeventfromthegodsthemselves。Inwayssubtlerthantheyknew，theybetrayedtheirintentionstothewolf-dogthathauntedthecabin-stoop，andthat，thoughhenevercameinsidethecabin，knewwhatwentoninsidetheirbrains。
　　"Listentothat，willyou!"thedog-musherexclaimedatsupperonenight。
　　WeedonScottlistened。Throughthedoorcamealow，anxiouswhine，likeasobbingunderthebreaththathasjustgrownaudible。Thencamethelongsniff，asWhiteFangreassuredhimselfthathisgodwasstillinsideandhadnotyettakenhimselfoffinmysteriousandsolitaryflight。
　　"Idobelievethatwolf'sontoyou，"thedog-mushersaid。
　　WeedonScottlookedacrossathiscompanionwitheyesthatalmostpleaded，thoughthiswasgiventheliebyhiswords。
　　"WhatthedevilcanIdowithawolfinCalifornia？"hedemanded。
　　"That'swhatIsay，"Mattanswered。"WhatthedevilcanyoudowithawolfinCalifornia？"ButthisdidnotsatisfyWeedonScott。Theotherseemedtobejudginghiminanon-committalsortofway。
　　"White-man'sdogswouldhavenoshowagainsthim，"Scottwenton。"He'dkillthemonsight。Ifhedidn'tbankruptmewithdamagesuits，theauthoritieswouldtakehimawayfrommeandelectrocutehim。"
　　"He'sadownrightmurderer，Iknow，"wasthedog-musher'scomment。
　　WeedonScottlookedathimsuspiciously。
　　"Itwouldneverdo，"hesaiddecisively。
　　"Itwouldneverdo，"Mattconcurred。"Why，you'dhavetohireaman'speciallytotakecareof'm。"
　　Theother'ssuspicionwasallayed。Henoddedcheerfully。Inthesilencethatfollowed，thelow，half-sobbingwhinewasheardatthedoorandthenthelong，questingsniff。
　　"There'snodenyin'hethinksahellofalotofyou，"Mattsaid。
　　Theotherglaredathiminsuddenwrath。"Damnitall，man!knowmyownmindandwhat'sbest!"
　　"I'magreein'withyou，only……"
　　"Onlywhat？"Scottsnappedout。
　　"Only……"thedog-musherbegansoftly，thenchangedhismindandbetrayedarisingangerofhisown。"Well，youneedn'tgetsoall-firedhetupaboutit。Judgin'byyouractionsone'dthinkyoudidn'tknowyourownmind。"
　　WeedonScottdebatedwithhimselfforawhile，andthensaidmoregently:
　　"Youareright，Matt。Idon'tknowmyownmind，andthat'swhat'sthetrouble。"
　　"Why，itwouldberankridiculousnessformetotakethatdogalong，"
　　hebrokeoutafteranotherpause。
　　"I'magreein'withyou，"wasMatt'sanswer，andagainhisemployerwasnotquitesatisfiedwithhim。
　　"ButhowinthenameofthegreatSardanapalusheknowsyou'regoin'
　　iswhatgetsme，"thedog-mushercontinuedinnocently。
　　"It'sbeyondme，Matt，"Scottanswered，withamournfulshakeofthehead。
　　Thencamethedaywhen，throughtheopencabindoor，WhiteFangsawthefatalgriponthefloorandthelove-masterpackingthingsintoit。
　　Also，therewerecomingsandgoings，andtheerstwhileplacidatmosphereofthecabinwasvexedwithstrangeperturbationsandunrest。Herewasindubitableevidence。WhiteFanghadalreadysensedit。Henowreasonedit。Hisgodwaspreparingforanotherflight。Andsincehehadnottakenhimwithhimbefore，so，now，hecouldlooktobeleftbehind。
　　Thatnightheliftedthelongwolf-howl。Ashehadhowled，inhispuppydays，whenhefledbackfromtheWildtothevillagetofinditvanishedandnaughtbutarubbish-heaptomarkthesiteofGrayBeaver'stepee，sonowhepointedhismuzzletothecoldstarsandtoldtothemhiswoe。
　　Insidethecabinthetwomenhadjustgonetobed。
　　"He'sgoneoffhisfoodagain，"Mattremarkedfromhisbunk。
　　TherewasagruntfromWeedonScott'sbunk，andastirofblankets。
　　"Fromthewayhecutuptheothertimeyouwentaway，wouldn'twonderthistimebutwhathedied。"
　　Theblanketsintheotherbunkstirredirritably。
　　"Oh，shutup!"Scottcriedoutthroughthedarkness。"Younagworsethanawoman。"
　　"I'magreein'withyou，"thedog-musheranswered，andWeedonScottwasnotquitesurewhetherornottheotherhadsnickered。
　　ThenextdayWhiteFang'sanxietyandrestlessnesswereevenmorepronounced。
　　Hedoggedhismaster'sheelswheneverheleftthecabin，andhauntedthefrontstoopwhenheremainedinside。Throughtheopendoorhecouldcatchglimpsesoftheluggageonthefloor。Thegriphadbeenjoinedbytwolargecanvasbagsandabox。Mattwasrollingthemaster'sblanketsandfurrobeinsideasmalltarpaulin。WhiteFangwhinedashewatchedtheoperation。
　　Lateron，twoIndiansarrived。HewatchedthemcloselyastheyshoulderedtheluggageandwereledoffdownthehillbyMatt，whocarriedthebeddingandthegrip。ButWhiteFangdidnotfollowthem。Themasterwasstillinthecabin。Afteratime，Mattreturned。ThemastercametothedoorandcalledWhiteFanginside。
　　"Youpoordevil，"hesaidgently，rubbingWhiteFang'searsandtappinghisspine。"I'mhittingthelongtrail，oldman，whereyoucannotfollow。
　　Nowgivemeagrowl——thelast，good，good-bygrowl。"
　　ButWhiteFangrefusedtogrowl。Instead，andafterawistful，searchinglook，hesnuggledin，burrowinghisheadoutofsightbetweenthemaster'sarmandbody。
　　"Theresheblows!"Mattcried。FromtheYukonarosethehoarsebellowingofariversteamboat。"You'vegottocutitshort。Besureandlockthefrontdoor。I'llgoouttheback。Getamoveon!"
　　Thetwodoorsslammedatthesamemoment，andWeedonScottwaitedforMatttocomearoundtothefront。Frominsidethedoorcamealowwhiningandsobbing。Thentherewerelong，deep-drawnsniffs。
　　"Youmusttakegoodcareofhim，Matt，"Scottsaid，astheystarteddownthehill。"Writeandletmeknowhowhegetsalong。"
　　"Sure，"thedog-musheranswered。"Butlistentothat，willyou!"
　　Bothmenstopped。WhiteFangwashowlingasdogshowlwhentheirmastersliedead。Hewasvoicinganutterwoe，hiscryburstingupwardingreat，heart-breakingrushes，dyingdownintoquaveringmisery，andburstingupwardagainwithrushuponrushofgrief。
　　TheAurorawasthefirststeamboatoftheyearfortheOutside，andherdeckswerejammedwithprosperousadventurersandbrokengoldseekers，allequallyasmadtogettotheOutsideastheyhadbeenoriginallytogettotheInside。Nearthegang-plank，ScottwasshakinghandswithMatt，whowaspreparingtogoashore。ButMatt'shandwentlimpintheother'sgraspashisgazeshotpastandremainedfixedonsomethingbehindhim。
　　Scottturnedtosee。SittingonthedeckseveralfeetawayandwatchingwistfullywasWhiteFang。
　　Thedog-mushersworesoftly，inawe-strickenaccents。Scottcouldonlylookinwonder。
　　"Didyoulockthefrontdoor？"Mattdemanded。
　　Theothernodded，andasked，"Howabouttheback？"
　　"YoujustbetIdid，"wastheferventreply。
　　WhiteFangflattenedhisearsingratiatingly，butremainedwherehewas，makingnoattempttoapproach。
　　"I'llhavetotake'mashorewithme。"
　　MattmadeacoupleofstepstowardWhiteFang，butthelatterslidawayfromhim。Thedog-mushermadearushofit，andWhiteFangdodgedbetweenthelegsofagroupofmen。Ducking，turning，doubling，heslidaboutthedeck，eludingtheother'seffortstocapturehim。
　　Butwhenthelove-masterspoke，WhiteFangcametohimwithpromptobedience。
　　"Won'tcometothehandthat'sfed'mallthesemonths，"thedog-mushermutteredresentfully。"Andyou——youain'tneverfed'mafterthemfirstdaysofgettin'acquainted。I'mblamedifIcanseehowheworksitoutthatyou'retheboss。"
　　Scott，whohadbeenpattingWhiteFang，suddenlybentcloserandpointedoutfresh-madecutsonhismuzzle，andagashbetweentheeyes。
　　MattbentoverandpassedhishandalongWhiteFang'sbelly。
　　"Weplumbforgotthewindow。He'sallcutan'gougedunderneath。Must'a'buttedcleanthroughit，b'gosh!"
　　ButWeedonScottwasnotlistening。Hewasthinkingrapidly。TheAurora'swhistlehootedafinalannouncementofdeparture。Menwerescurryingdownthegang-planktotheshore。MattloosenedthebandanafromhisownneckandstartedtoputitaroundWhiteFang's。Scottgraspedthedog-musher'shand。
　　"Good-by，Matt，oldman。Aboutthewolf——youneedn'twrite。Yousee，I've……!"
　　"What!"thedog-musherexploded。"Youdon'tmeantosay……？"
　　"TheverythingImean。Here'syourbandana。I'llwritetoyouabouthim。"
　　Mattpausedhalfwaydownthegang-plank。
　　"He'llneverstandtheclimate!"heshoutedback。"Unlessyouclip'minwarmweather!"
　　Thegang-plankwashauledin，andtheAuroraswungoutfromthebank。WeedonScottwavedalastgood-by。ThenheturnedandbentoverWhiteFang，standingbyhisside。"Nowgrowl，damnyou，growl，"hesaid，ashepattedtheresponsiveheadandrubbedtheflatteningears。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter2:TheSouthlandPartV:TheTameChapter2
　　THESOUTHLAND
　　WhiteFanglandedfromthesteamerinSanFrancisco。Hewasappalled。
　　Deepinhim，belowanyreasoningprocessoractofconsciousness，hehadassociatedpowerwithgodhead。Andneverhadthewhitemenseemedsuchmarvellousgodsasnow，whenhetrodtheslimypavementofSanFrancisco。
　　Thelogcabinshehadknownwerereplacedbytoweringbuildings。Thestreetswerecrowdedwithperils——wagons，carts，automobiles；great，straininghorsespullinghugetrucks；andmonstrouscableandelectriccarshootingandclangingthroughthemidst，screechingtheirinsistentmenaceafterthemannerofthelynxeshehadknowninthenorthernwoods。
　　Allthiswasthemanifestationofpower。Throughitall，behinditall，wasman，governingandcontrolling，expressinghimself，asofold，byhismasteryovermatter。Itwascolossal，stunning。WhiteFangwasawed。Fearsatuponhim。AsinhiscubhoodhehadbeenmadetofeelhissmallnessandpuninessonthedayhefirstcameinfromtheWildtothevillageofGrayBeaver，sonow，inhisfull-grownstatureandprideofstrength，hewasmadetofeelsmallandpuny。Andthereweresomanygods!Hewasmadedizzybytheswarmingofthem。Thethunderofthestreetssmoteuponhisears。Hewasbewilderedbythetremendousandendlessrushandmovementofthings。Asneverbefore，hefelthisdependenceonthelove-master，closeatwhoseheelshefollowed，nomatterwhathappenedneverlosingsightofhim。
　　ButWhiteFangwastohavenomorethananightmarevisionofthecity——anexperiencethatwaslikeabaddream，unrealandterrible，thathauntedhimforlongafterinhisdreams。Hewasputintoabaggage-carbythemaster，chainedinacornerinthemidstofheapedtrunksandvalises。
　　Hereasquatandbrawnygodheldsway，withmuchnoise，hurlingtrunksandboxesabout，draggingtheminthroughthedoorandtossingthemintothepiles，orflingingthemoutofthedoor，smashingandcrashing，toothergodswhoawaitedthem。
　　Andhere，inthisinfernoofluggage，wasWhiteFangdesertedbythemaster。OratleastWhiteFangthoughthewasdeserted，untilhesmelledoutthemaster'scanvasclothes-bagsalongsideofhimandproceededtomountguardoverthem。
　　"'Bouttimeyoucome，"growledthegodofthecar，anhourlater，whenWeedonScottappearedatthedoor。"Thatdogofyournwon'tletmelayafingeronyourstuff。"
　　WhiteFangemergedfromthecar。Hewasastonished。Thenightmarecitywasgone。Thecarhadbeentohimnomorethanaroominahouse，andwhenhehadentereditthecityhadbeenallaroundhim。Intheintervalthecityhaddisappeared。Theroarofitnolongerdinneduponhisears。Beforehimwassmilingcountry，streamingwithsunshine，lazywithquietude。Buthehadlittletimetomarvelatthetransformation。Heaccepteditasheacceptedalltheunaccountabledoingsandmanifestationsofthegods。Itwastheirway。
　　Therewasacarriagewaiting。Amanandawomanapproachedthemaster。
　　Thewoman'sarmswentoutandclutchedthemasteraroundtheneck——ahostileact!ThenextmomentWeedonScotthadtornloosefromtheembraceandclosedwithWhiteFang，whohadbecomeasnarling，ragingdemon。"It'sallright，mother，"ScottwassayingashekepttightholdofWhiteFangandplacatedhim。"Hethoughtyouweregoingtoinjureme，andhewouldn'tstandforit。It'sallright。It'sallright。He'lllearnsoonenough。"
　　"AndinthemeantimeImaybepermittedtolovemysonwhenhisdogisnotaround，"shelaughed，thoughshewaspaleandweakfromthefright。
　　ShelookedatWhiteFang，whosnarledandbristledandglaredmalevolently。
　　"He'llhavetolearn，andheshall，withoutpostponement，"Scottsaid。
　　HespokesoftlytoWhiteFanguntilhehadquietedhim，thenhisvoicebecamefirm。
　　"Down，sir!Downwithyou!"
　　Thishadbeenoneofthethingstaughthimbythemaster，andWhiteFangobeyed，thoughhelaydownreluctantlyandsullenly。
　　"Now，mother。"
　　Scottopenedhisarmstoher，butkepthiseyesonWhiteFang。
　　"Down!"hewarned。"Down!"
　　WhiteFang，bristlingsilently，half-crouchingasherose，sankbackandwatchedthehostileactrepeated。Butnoharmcameofit，noroftheembracefromthestrangeman-godthatfollowed。Thentheclothes-bagsweretakenintothecarriage，thestrangegodsandthelove-masterfollowed，andWhiteFangpursued，nowrunningvigilantlybehind，nowbristlinguptotherunninghorsesandwarningthemthathewastheretoseethatnoharmbefellthegodtheydraggedsoswiftlyacrosstheearth。
　　Attheendoffifteenminutes，thecarriageswunginthroughastonegatewayandonbetweenadoublerowofarchedandinterlacingwalnuttrees。
　　Oneithersidestretchedlawns，theirbroadsweepbroken，hereandthere，bygreat，sturdy-limbedoaks。Intheneardistance，incontrastwiththeyounggreenofthetendedgrass，sunburnthay-fieldsshowedtanandgold；
　　whilebeyondwerethetawnyhillsanduplandpastures。Fromtheheadofthelawn，onthefirstsoftswellfromthevalley-level，lookeddownthedeep-porched，many-windowedhouse。
　　LittleopportunitywasgivenWhiteFangtoseeallthis。Hardlyhadthecarriageenteredthegrounds，whenhewassetuponbyasheep-dog，bright-eyed，sharp-muzzled，righteouslyindignantandangry。Itwasbetweenhimandthemaster，cuttinghimoff。WhiteFangsnarlednowarning，buthishairbristledashemadehissilentanddeadlyrush。Thisrushwasnevercompleted。Hehaltedwithawkwardabruptness，withstifffore-legsbracinghimselfagainsthismomentum，almostsittingdownonhishaunches，sodesirouswasheofavoidingcontactwiththedoghewasintheactofattacking。Itwasafemale，andthelawofhiskindthrustabarrierbetween。
　　Forhimtoattackherwouldrequirenothinglessthanaviolationofhisinstinct。
　　Butwiththesheep-dogitwasotherwise。Beingafemale，shepossessednosuchinstinct。Ontheotherhand，beingasheep-dog，herinstinctivefearoftheWild，andespeciallyofthewolf，wasunusuallykeen。WhiteFangwastoherawolf，thehereditarymarauderwhohadpreyeduponherflocksfromthetimesheepwerefirstherdedandguardedbysomedimancestorofhers。Andso，asheabandonedhisrushatherandbracedhimselftoavoidthecontact，shespranguponhim。Hesnarledinvoluntarilyashefeltherteethinhisshoulder，butbeyondthismadenooffertohurther。
　　Hebackedaway，stiff-leggedwithself-consciousness，andtriedtogoaroundher。Hedodgedthiswayandthat，andcurvedandturned，buttonopurpose。
　　Sheremainedalwaysbetweenhimandthewayhewantedtogo。
　　"Here，Collie!"calledthestrangemaninthecarriage。
　　WeedonScottlaughed。
　　"Nevermind，father。Itisgooddiscipline。WhiteFangwillhavetolearnmanythings，andit'sjustaswellthathebeginsnow。He'lladjusthimselfallright。"
　　Thecarriagedroveon，andstillCollieblockedWhiteFang'sway。Hetriedtooutrunherbyleavingthedriveandcirclingacrossthelawn；
　　butsheranontheinnerandsmallercircle，andwasalwaysthere，facinghimwithhertworowsofgleamingteeth。Backhecircled，acrossthedrivetotheotherlawn，andagainsheheadedhimoff。
　　Thecarriagewasbearingthemasteraway。WhiteFangcaughtglimpsesofitdisappearingamongstthetrees。Thesituationwasdesperate。Heessayedanothercircle。Shefollowed，runningswiftly。Andthen，suddenly，heturneduponher。Itwashisoldfightingtrick。Shouldertoshoulder，hestruckhersquarely。Notonlywassheoverthrown。Sofasthadshebeenrunningthatsherolledalong，nowonherback，nowonherside，asshestruggledtostop，clawinggravelwithherfeetandcryingshrillyherhurtprideandindignation。
　　WhiteFangdidnotwait。Thewaywasclear，andthatwasallhehadwanted。Shetookafterhim，neverceasingheroutcry。Itwasthestraightawaynow，andwhenitcametorealrunning，WhiteFangcouldteachherthings。
　　Sheranfrantically，hysterically，strainingtotheutmost，advertisingtheeffortshewasmakingwitheveryleap；andallthetimeWhiteFangslidsmoothlyawayfromher，silently，withouteffort，glidinglikeaghostovertheground。
　　Asheroundedthehousetotheporte-cochre，hecameuponthecarriage。Ithadstopped，andthemasterwasalighting。Atthismoment，stillrunningattopspeed，WhiteFangbecamesuddenlyawareofanattackfromtheside。Itwasadeer-houndrushinguponhim。WhiteFangtriedtofaceit。Buthewasgoingtoofast，andthehoundwastooclose。Itstruckhimontheside；andsuchwashisforwardmomentumandtheunexpectednessofit，WhiteFangwashurledtothegroundandrolledclearover。Hecameoutofthetangleaspectacleofmalignancy，earsflattenedback，lipswrithing，nosewrinkling，histeethclippingtogetherasthefangsbarelymissedthehound'ssoftthroat。
　　Themasterwasrunningup，butwastoofaraway；anditwasColliethatsavedthehound'slife。BeforeWhiteFangcouldspringinanddeliverthefatalstroke，andjustashewasintheactofspringingin，Colliearrived。
　　Shehadbeenout-man渦vredandout-run，tosaynothingofherhavingbeenunceremoniouslytumbledinthegravel，andherarrivalwaslikethatofatornado——madeupofoffendeddignity，justifiablewrath，andinstinctivehatredforthismarauderfromtheWild。ShestruckWhiteFangatrightanglesinthemidstofhisspring，andagainhewasknockedoffhisfeetandrolledover。
　　Thenextmomentthemasterarrived，andwithonehandheldWhiteFang，whilethefathercalledoffthedogs。
　　"Isay，thisisaprettywarmreceptionforapoorlonewolffromtheArctic，"themastersaid，whileWhiteFangcalmeddownunderhiscaressinghand。"Inallhislifehe'sonlybeenknownoncetogooffhisfeet，andherehe'sbeenrolledtwiceinthirtyseconds。"
　　Thecarriagehaddrivenaway，andotherstrangegodshadappearedfromoutthehouse。Someofthesestoodrespectfullyatadistance；buttwoofthem，women，perpetratedthehostileactofclutchingthemasteraroundtheneck。WhiteFang，however，wasbeginningtotoleratethisact。Noharmseemedtocomeofit，whilethenoisesthegodsmadewerecertainlynotthreatening。ThesegodsalsomadeoverturestoWhiteFang，buthewarnedthemoffwithasnarl，andthemasterdidlikewisewithwordofmouth。
　　AtsuchtimesWhiteFangleanedincloseagainstthemaster'slegsandreceivedreassuringpatsonthehead。
　　Thehound，underthecommand，"Dick!Liedown，sir!"hadgoneupthestepsandlaindowntoonesideontheporch，stillgrowlingandkeepingasullenwatchontheintruder。Colliehadbeentakeninchargebyoneofthewoman-gods，whoheldarmsaroundherneckandpettedandcaressedher；butColliewasverymuchperplexedandworried，whiningandrestless，outragedbythepermittedpresenceofthiswolfandconfidentthatthegodsweremakingamistake。
　　Allthegodsstartedupthestepstoenterthehouse。WhiteFangfollowedcloselyatthemaster'sheels。Dick，ontheporch，growled，andWhiteFang，onthesteps，bristledandgrowledback。
　　"TakeCollieinsideandleavethetwoofthemtofightitout，"suggestedScott'sfather。"Afterthatthey'llbefriends。"
　　"ThenWhiteFang，toshowhisfriendship，willhavetobechiefmourneratthefuneral，"laughedthemaster。
　　TheelderScottlookedincreduously，firstatWhiteFang，thenatDick，andfinallyathisson。
　　"Youmeanthat……？"
　　Weedonnoddedhishead。"Imeanjustthat。You'dhaveadeadDickinsideoneminute——twominutesatthefarthest。"
　　HeturnedtoWhiteFang。"Comeon，youwolf。It'syouthat'llhavetocomeinside。"
　　WhiteFangwalkedstiff-leggedupthestepsandacrosstheporch，withtailrigidlyerect，keepinghiseyesonDicktoguardagainstaflankattack，andatthesametimepreparedforwhateverfiercemanifestationoftheunknownthatmightpounceoutuponhimfromtheinteriorofthehouse。
　　Butnothingoffearpouncedout，andwhenhehadgainedtheinsidehescoutedcarefullyaround，lookingforitandfindingitnot。Thenhelaydownwithacontentedgruntatthemaster'sfeet，observingallthatwenton，everreadytospringtohisfeetandfightforlifewiththeterrorshefeltmustlurkunderthetrap-roofofthedwelling。WhiteFang:PartIV:TheSuperiorGods:Chapter3:TheGod'sDomainPartV:TheTameChapter3
　　THEGOD'SDOMAIN
　　NotonlywasWhiteFangadaptablebynature，buthehadtravelledmuch，andknewthemeaningandnecessityofadjustment。Here，inSierraVista，whichwasthenameofJudgeScott'splace，WhiteFangquicklybegantomakehimselfathome。Hehadnofurtherserioustroublewiththedogs。
　　TheyknewmoreaboutthewaysoftheSouthlandgodsthandidhe，andintheireyeshehadqualifiedwhenheaccompaniedthegodsinsidethehouse。
　　Wolfthathewas，andunprecedentedasitwas，thegodshadsanctionedhispresence，andthey，thedogsofthegods，couldonlyrecognizethissanction。
　　Dick，perforce，hadtogothroughafewstiffformalitiesatfirst，afterwhichhecalmlyacceptedWhiteFangasanadditiontothepremises。
　　HadDickhadhisway，theywouldhavebeengoodfriends；butWhiteFangwasadversetofriendship。Allheaskedofotherdogswastobeletalone。
　　Hiswholelifehehadkeptalooffromhiskind，andhestilldesiredtokeepaloof。Dick'soverturesbotheredhim，sohesnarledDickaway。Inthenorthhehadlearnedthelessonthathemustletthemaster'sdogsalone，andhedidnotforgetthatlessonnow。Butheinsistedonhisownprivacyandself-seclusion，andsothoroughlyignoredDickthatthatgood-naturedcreaturefinallygavehimupandscarcelytookasmuchinterestinhimasinthehitching-postnearthestable。
　　NotsowithCollie。Whilesheacceptedhimbecauseitwasthemandateofthegods，thatwasnoreasonthatsheshouldleavehiminpeace。Wovenintoherbeingwasthememoryofcountlesscrimesheandhishadperpetratedagainstherancestry。Notinadaynoragenerationweretheravagedsheepfoldstobeforgotten。Allthiswasaspurtoher，prickinghertoretaliation。
　　Shecouldnotflyinthefaceofthegodswhopermittedhim，butthatdidnotpreventherfrommakinglifemiserableforhiminpettyways。Afeud，agesold，wasbetweenthem，andshe，forone，wouldseetoitthathewasreminded。
　　SoCollietookadvantageofhersextopickuponWhiteFangandmaltreathim。Hisinstinctwouldnotpermithimtoattackher，whileherpersistencewouldnotpermithimtoignoreher。Whensherushedathimheturnedhisfur-protectedshouldertohersharpteethandwalkedawaystiff-leggedandstately。Whensheforcedhimtoohard，hewascompelledtogoaboutinacircle，hisshoulderpresentedtoher，hisheadturnedfromher，andonhisfaceandinhiseyesapatientandboredexpression。Sometimes，however，aniponhishind-quartershastenedhisretreatandmadeitanythingbutstately。Butasarulehemanagedtomaintainadignitythatwasalmostsolemnity。Heignoredherexistencewheneveritwaspossible，andmadeitapointtokeepoutofherway。Whenhesaworheardhercoming，hegotupandwalkedoff。
　　TherewasmuchinothermattersforWhiteFangtolearn。LifeintheNorthlandwassimplicityitselfwhencomparedwiththecomplicatedaffairsofSierraVista。Firstofall，hehadtolearnthefamilyofthemaster。
　　Inawayhewaspreparedtodothis。AsMit-sahandKloo-koochhadbelongedtoGrayBeaver，sharinghisfood，hisfire，andhisblankets，sonow，atSierraVista，belongedtothelove-masterallthedenizensofthehouse。
　　Butinthismattertherewasadifference，andmanydifferences。SierraVistawasafarvasteraffairthanthetepeeofGrayBeaver。Thereweremanypersonstobeconsidered。TherewasJudgeScott，andtherewashiswife。Therewerethemaster'stwosisters，BethandMary。Therewashiswife，Alice，andthentherewerehischildren，WeedonandMaud，toddlersoffourandsix。Therewasnowayforanybodytotellhimaboutallthesepeople，andofblood-tiesandrelationshipheknewnothingwhateverandneverwouldbecapableofknowing。Yethequicklyworkeditoutthatallofthembelongedtothemaster。Then，byobservation，wheneveropportunityoffered，bystudyofaction，speech，andtheveryintonationsofthevoice，heslowlylearnedtheintimacyandthedegreeoffavortheyenjoyedwiththemaster。Andbythisascertainedstandard，WhiteFangtreatedthemaccordingly。
　　Whatwasofvaluetothemasterhevalued；whatwasdeartothemasterwastobecherishedbyWhiteFangandguardedcarefully。
　　Thusitwaswiththetwochildren。Allhislifehehaddislikedchildren。
　　Hehatedandfearedtheirhands。ThelessonswerenottenderthathehadlearnedoftheirtyrannyandcrueltyinthedaysoftheIndianvillages。
　　WhenWeedonandMaudhadfirstapproachedhim，hegrowledwarninglyandlookedmalignant。Acufffromthemasterandasharpwordhadthencompelledhimtopermittheircaresses，thoughhegrowledandgrowledundertheirtinyhands，andinthegrowltherewasnocrooningnote。Later，heobservedthattheboyandgirlwereofgreatvalueinthemaster'seyes。Thenitwasthatnocuffnorsharpwordwasnecessarybeforetheycouldpathim。
　　YetWhiteFangwasnevereffusivelyaffectionate。Heyieldedtothemaster'schildrenwithanillbuthonestgrace，andenduredtheirfoolingasonewouldendureapainfuloperation。Whenhecouldnolongerendure，hewouldgetupandstalkdeterminedlyawayfromthem。Butafteratime，hegreweventolikethechildren。Stillhewasnotdemonstrative。Hewouldnotgouptothem。Ontheotherhand，insteadofwalkingawayatsightofthem，hewaitedforthemtocometohim。Andstilllater，itwasnoticedthatapleasedlightcameintohiseyeswhenhesawthemapproaching，andthathelookedafterthemwithanappearanceofcuriousregretwhentheylefthimforotheramusements。
　　Allthiswasamatterofdevelopment，andtooktime。Nextinhisregard，afterthechildren，wasJudgeScott。Thereweretworeasons，possibly，forthis。First，hewasevidentlyavaluablepossessionofthemaster's，andnext，hewasundemonstrative。WhiteFanglikedtolieathisfeetonthewideporchwhenhereadthenewspaper，fromtimetotimefavoringWhiteFangwithalookoraword——untroublesometokensthatherecognizedWhiteFang'spresenceandexistence。Butthiswasonlywhenthemasterwasnotaround。Whenthemasterappeared，allotherbeingsceasedtoexistsofarasWhiteFangwasconcerned。
　　WhiteFangallowedallthemembersofthefamilytopethimandmakemuchofhim；buthenevergavetothemwhathegavetothemaster。Nocaressoftheirscouldputthelove-croonintohisthroat，and，tryastheywould，theycouldneverpersuadehimintosnugglingagainstthem。Thisexpressionofabandonandsurrender，ofabsolutetrust，hereservedforthemasteralone。Infact，heneverregardedthemembersofthefamilyinanyotherlightthanpossessionsofthelove-master。
　　AlsoWhiteFanghadearlycometodifferentiatebetweenthefamilyandtheservantsofthehousehold。Thelatterwereafraidofhim，whilehemerelyrefrainedfromattackingthem。Thisbecauseheconsideredthattheywerelikewisepossessionsofthemaster。BetweenWhiteFangandthemexistedaneutralityandnomore。Theycookedforthemasterandwashedthedishesanddidotherthings，justasMatthaddoneupintheKlondike。Theywere，inshort，appurtenancesofthehousehold。
　　OutsidethehouseholdtherewasevenmoreforWhiteFangtolearn。Themaster'sdomainwaswideandcomplex，yetithaditsmetesandbounds。
　　Thelanditselfceasedatthecountyroad。Outsidewasthecommondomainofallgods——theroadsandstreets。Theninsideotherfencesweretheparticulardomainsofothergods。Amyriadlawsgovernedallthesethingsanddeterminedconduct；yethedidnotknowthespeechofthegods，norwasthereanywayforhimtolearnsavebyexperience。Heobeyedhisnaturalimpulsesuntiltheyranhimcountertosomelaw。Whenthishadbeendoneafewtimes，helearnedthelawandafterthatobservedit。
　　Butmostpotentinhiseducationwerethecuffofthemaster'shand，thecensureofthemaster'svoice。BecauseofWhiteFang'sverygreatlove，acufffromthemasterhurthimfarmorethananybeatingGrayBeaverorBeautySmithhadevergivenhim。Theyhadhurtonlythefleshofhim；beneaththefleshthespirithadstillraged，splendidandinvincible。Butwiththemasterthecuffwasalwaystoolighttohurttheflesh。Yetitwentdeeper。Itwasanexpressionofthemaster'sdisapproval，andWhiteFang'sspiritwiltedunderit。
　　Inpointoffact，thecuffwasrarelyadministered。Themaster'svoicewassufficient。ByitWhiteFangknewwhetherhedidrightornot。Byithetrimmedhisconductandadjustedhisactions。Itwasthecompassbywhichhesteeredandlearnedtochartthemannersofanewlandandlife。
　　IntheNorthland，theonlydomesticatedanimalwasthedog。AllotheranimalslivedintheWild，andwere，whennottooformidable，lawfulspoilforanydog。AllhisdaysWhiteFanghadforagedamongthelivethingsforfood。ItdidnotenterhisheadthatintheSouthlanditwasotherwise。