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