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。