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。