call of wild.odt

8/10/2019 call of wild.odt

1/105


2/105

$"ck did not read the news'a'ers+ or he wo"!d have known that tro"b!e

was brewin#+ not a!one or himse!+ b"t or every tide/water do#+ stron#

o m"sc!e and with warm+ !on# hair+ rom P"#et (o"nd to (an Die#o)

$eca"se men+ #ro'in# in the Arctic darkness+ had o"nd a ye!!ow meta!+

and beca"se steamshi' and trans'ortation com'anies were boomin# the

,nd+ tho"sands o men were r"shin# into the 0orth!and) These men wanted

do#s+ and the do#s they wanted were heavy do#s+ with stron# m"sc!es by

which to toi!+ and "rry coats to 'rotect them rom the rost)

$"ck !ived at a bi# ho"se in the s"n/kissed (anta C!ara %a!!ey) J"d#e

&i!!er-s '!ace+ it was ca!!ed) It stood back rom the road+ ha! hidden

amon# the trees+ thro"#h which #!im'ses co"!d be ca"#ht o the wide

coo! veranda that ran aro"nd its o"r sides) The ho"se was a''roached by

#rave!!ed driveways which wo"nd abo"t thro"#h wide/s'readin# !awns and

"nder the inter!acin# bo"#hs o ta!! 'o'!ars) At the rear thin#s were on

even a more s'acio"s sca!e than at the ront) There were #reat stab!es+

where a do1en #rooms and boys he!d orth+ rows o vine/c!ad servants-

cotta#es+ an end!ess and order!y array o o"tho"ses+ !on# #ra'e arbors+

#reen 'ast"res+ orchards+ and berry 'atches) Then there was the '"m'in#

'!ant or the artesian we!!+ and the bi# cement tank where J"d#e

&i!!er-s boys took their mornin# '!"n#e and ke't coo! in the hot

aternoon)

And over this #reat demesne $"ck r"!ed) Here he was born+ and here he

had !ived the o"r years o his !ie) It was tr"e+ there were other

do#s+ There co"!d not b"t be other do#s on so vast a '!ace+ b"t they did

not co"nt) They came and went+ resided in the 'o'"!o"s kenne!s+ or !ived

obsc"re!y in the recesses o the ho"se ater the ashion o Toots+ the

Ja'anese '"#+ or 2sabe!+ the &e3ican hair!ess+//stran#e creat"res that


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rare!y '"t nose o"t o doors or set oot to #ro"nd) On the other hand+

there were the o3 terriers+ a score o them at !east+ who ye!'ed

ear"! 'romises at Toots and 2sabe! !ookin# o"t o the windows at them

and 'rotected by a !e#ion o ho"semaids armed with brooms and mo's)

$"t $"ck was neither ho"se/do# nor kenne!/do#) The who!e rea!m was his)

He '!"n#ed into the swimmin# tank or went h"ntin# with the J"d#e-s sons.

he escorted &o!!ie and A!ice+ the J"d#e-s da"#hters+ on !on# twi!i#ht

or ear!y mornin# ramb!es. on wintry ni#hts he !ay at the J"d#e-s eet

beore the roarin# !ibrary ,re. he carried the J"d#e-s #randsons on his

back+ or ro!!ed them in the #rass+ and #"arded their ootste's thro"#h

wi!d advent"res down to the o"ntain in the stab!e yard+ and even

beyond+ where the 'addocks were+ and the berry 'atches) Amon# the

terriers he sta!ked im'erio"s!y+ and Toots and 2sabe! he "tter!y

i#nored+ or he was kin#+//kin# over a!! cree'in#+ craw!in#+ 4yin#

thin#s o J"d#e &i!!er-s '!ace+ h"mans inc!"ded)

His ather+ E!mo+ a h"#e (t) $ernard+ had been the J"d#e-s inse'arab!e

com'anion+ and $"ck bid air to o!!ow in the way o his ather) He was

not so !ar#e+//he wei#hed on!y one h"ndred and orty 'o"nds+//or his

mother+ (he'+ had been a (cotch she'herd do#) 0everthe!ess+ one h"ndred

and orty 'o"nds+ to which was added the di#nity that comes o #ood

!ivin# and "niversa! res'ect+ enab!ed him to carry himse! in ri#ht

roya! ashion) D"rin# the o"r years since his '"''yhood he had !ived

the !ie o a sated aristocrat. he had a ,ne 'ride in himse!+ was even

a tri4e e#otistica!+ as co"ntry #ent!emen sometimes become beca"se o

their ins"!ar sit"ation) $"t he had saved himse! by not becomin# a mere

'am'ered ho"se/do#) H"ntin# and kindred o"tdoor de!i#hts had ke't down

the at and hardened his m"sc!es. and to him+ as to the co!d/t"bbin#


4/105

races+ the !ove o water had been a tonic and a hea!th 'reserver)

And this was the manner o do# $"ck was in the a!! o 5678+ when the

9!ondike strike dra##ed men rom a!! the wor!d into the ro1en 0orth)

$"t $"ck did not read the news'a'ers+ and he did not know that &an"e!+

one o the #ardener-s he!'ers+ was an "ndesirab!e ac:"aintance) &an"e!

had one besettin# sin) He !oved to '!ay Chinese !ottery) A!so+ in his

#amb!in#+ he had one besettin# weakness//aith in a system. and this

made his damnation certain) For to '!ay a system re:"ires money+ whi!e

the wa#es o a #ardener-s he!'er do not !a' over the needs o a wie and

n"mero"s 'ro#eny)

The J"d#e was at a meetin# o the ;aisin


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#ive them credit or a wisdom that o"treached his own) $"t when the ends

o the ro'e were '!aced in the stran#er-s hands+ he #row!ed menacin#!y)

He had mere!y intimated his dis'!eas"re+ in his 'ride be!ievin# that to

intimate was to command) $"t to his s"r'rise the ro'e ti#htened aro"nd

his neck+ sh"ttin# o= his breath) In :"ick ra#e he s'ran# at the man+

who met him ha!way+ #ra''!ed him c!ose by the throat+ and with a det

twist threw him over on his back) Then the ro'e ti#htened merci!ess!y+

whi!e $"ck str"##!ed in a "ry+ his ton#"e !o!!in# o"t o his mo"th and

his #reat chest 'antin# "ti!e!y) 0ever in a!! his !ie had he been so

vi!e!y treated+ and never in a!! his !ie had he been so an#ry) $"t his

stren#th ebbed+ his eyes #!a1ed+ and he knew nothin# when the train was

4a##ed and the two men threw him into the ba##a#e car)

The ne3t he knew+ he was dim!y aware that his ton#"e was h"rtin# and

that he was bein# o!ted a!on# in some kind o a conveyance) The hoarse

shriek o a !ocomotive whist!in# a crossin# to!d him where he was) He

had trave!!ed too oten with the J"d#e not to know the sensation o

ridin# in a ba##a#e car) He o'ened his eyes+ and into them came the

"nbrid!ed an#er o a kidna''ed kin#) The man s'ran# or his throat+ b"t

$"ck was too :"ick or him) His aws c!osed on the hand+ nor did they

re!a3 ti!! his senses were choked o"t o him once more)

*2e'+ has ,ts+* the man said+ hidin# his man#!ed hand rom the

ba##a#eman+ who had been attracted by the so"nds o str"##!e) *I-m

takin- -m "' or the boss to -Frisco) A crack do#/doctor there thinks

that he can c"re -m)*

Concernin# that ni#ht-s ride+ the man s'oke most e!o:"ent!y or himse!+

in a !itt!e shed back o a sa!oon on the (an Francisco water ront)


6/105

*A!! I #et is ,ty or it+* he #r"mb!ed. *an- I wo"!dn-t do it over or

a tho"sand+ co!d cash)*

His hand was wra''ed in a b!oody handkerchie+ and the ri#ht tro"ser !e#

was ri''ed rom knee to ank!e)

*How m"ch did the other m"# #etB* the sa!oon/kee'er demanded)

*A h"ndred+* was the re'!y) *Wo"!dn-t take a so" !ess+ so he!' me)*

*That makes a h"ndred and ,ty+* the sa!oon/kee'er ca!c"!ated. *and

he-s worth it+ or I-m a s:"arehead)*

The kidna''er "ndid the b!oody wra''in#s and !ooked at his !acerated

hand) *I I don-t #et the hydro'hoby//*

*It-!! be beca"se yo" was born to han#+* !a"#hed the sa!oon/kee'er)

*Here+ !end me a hand beore yo" '"!! yo"r rei#ht+* he added)

Da1ed+ s"=erin# into!erab!e 'ain rom throat and ton#"e+ with the !ie

ha! thrott!ed o"t o him+ $"ck attem'ted to ace his tormentors) $"t he

was thrown down and choked re'eated!y+ ti!! they s"cceeded in ,!in# the

heavy brass co!!ar rom o= his neck) Then the ro'e was removed+ and he

was 4"n# into a ca#e!ike crate)

There he !ay or the remainder o the weary ni#ht+ n"rsin# his wrath and

wo"nded 'ride) He co"!d not "nderstand what it a!! meant) What did they

want with him+ these stran#e menB Why were they kee'in# him 'ent "' in


7/105

this narrow crateB He did not know why+ b"t he e!t o''ressed by the

va#"e sense o im'endin# ca!amity) (evera! times d"rin# the ni#ht he

s'ran# to his eet when the shed door ratt!ed o'en+ e3'ectin# to see the

J"d#e+ or the boys at !east) $"t each time it was the b"!#in# ace o

the sa!oon/kee'er that 'eered in at him by the sick!y !i#ht o a ta!!ow

cand!e) And each time the oy"! bark that tremb!ed in $"ck-s throat was

twisted into a sava#e #row!)

$"t the sa!oon/kee'er !et him a!one+ and in the mornin# o"r men entered

and 'icked "' the crate) &ore tormentors+ $"ck decided+ or they were

evi!/!ookin# creat"res+ ra##ed and "nkem't. and he stormed and ra#ed at

them thro"#h the bars) They on!y !a"#hed and 'oked sticks at him+ which

he 'rom't!y assai!ed with his teeth ti!! he rea!i1ed that that was what

they wanted) Where"'on he !ay down s"!!en!y and a!!owed the crate to be

!ited into a wa#on) Then he+ and the crate in which he was im'risoned+

be#an a 'assa#e thro"#h many hands) C!erks in the e3'ress o?ce took

char#e o him. he was carted abo"t in another wa#on. a tr"ck carried

him+ with an assortment o bo3es and 'arce!s+ "'on a erry steamer. he

was tr"cked o= the steamer into a #reat rai!way de'ot+ and ,na!!y he

was de'osited in an e3'ress car)

For two days and ni#hts this e3'ress car was dra##ed a!on# at the tai!

o shriekin# !ocomotives. and or two days and ni#hts $"ck neither ate

nor drank) In his an#er he had met the ,rst advances o the e3'ress

messen#ers with #row!s+ and they had reta!iated by teasin# him) When he

4"n# himse! a#ainst the bars+ :"iverin# and rothin#+ they !a"#hed

at him and ta"nted him) They #row!ed and barked !ike detestab!e do#s+

mewed+ and 4a''ed their arms and crowed) It was a!! very si!!y+ he

knew. b"t thereore the more o"tra#e to his di#nity+ and his an#er wa3ed


8/105

and wa3ed) He did not mind the h"n#er so m"ch+ b"t the !ack o water

ca"sed him severe s"=erin# and anned his wrath to ever/'itch) For

that matter+ hi#h/str"n# and ,ne!y sensitive+ the i!! treatment had

4"n# him into a ever+ which was ed by the in4ammation o his 'arched

and swo!!en throat and ton#"e)

He was #!ad or one thin#@ the ro'e was o= his neck) That had #iven

them an "nair advanta#e. b"t now that it was o=+ he wo"!d show them)

They wo"!d never #et another ro'e aro"nd his neck) 'on that he was

reso!ved) For two days and ni#hts he neither ate nor drank+ and d"rin#

those two days and ni#hts o torment+ he acc"m"!ated a "nd o wrath

that boded i!! or whoever ,rst e!! o"! o him) His eyes t"rned

b!ood/shot+ and he was metamor'hosed into a ra#in# ,end) (o chan#ed was

he that the J"d#e himse! wo"!d not have reco#ni1ed him. and the e3'ress

messen#ers breathed with re!ie when they b"nd!ed him o= the train at

(eatt!e)

Fo"r men #in#er!y carried the crate rom the wa#on into a sma!!+

hi#h/wa!!ed back yard) A sto"t man+ with a red sweater that sa##ed

#enero"s!y at the neck+ came o"t and si#ned the book or the driver)

That was the man+ $"ck divined+ the ne3t tormentor+ and he h"r!ed

himse! sava#e!y a#ainst the bars) The man smi!ed #rim!y+ and bro"#ht a

hatchet and a c!"b)

*2o" ain-t #oin# to take him o"t nowB* the driver asked)

*("re+* the man re'!ied+ drivin# the hatchet into the crate or a 'ry)

There was an instantaneo"s scatterin# o the o"r men who had carried


9/105

it in+ and rom sae 'erches on to' the wa!! they 're'ared to watch the

'erormance)

$"ck r"shed at the s'!interin# wood+ sinkin# his teeth into it+ s"r#in#

and wrest!in# with it) Wherever the hatchet e!! on the o"tside+ he was

there on the inside+ snar!in# and #row!in#+ as "rio"s!y an3io"s to #et

o"t as the man in the red sweater was ca!m!y intent on #ettin# him o"t)

*0ow+ yo" red/eyed devi!+* he said+ when he had made an o'enin#

s"?cient or the 'assa#e o $"ck-s body) At the same time he dro''ed

the hatchet and shited the c!"b to his ri#ht hand)

And $"ck was tr"!y a red/eyed devi!+ as he drew himse! to#ether or the

s'rin#+ hair brist!in#+ mo"th oamin#+ a mad #!itter in his b!ood/shot

eyes) (trai#ht at the man he !a"nched his one h"ndred and orty 'o"nds

o "ry+ s"rchar#ed with the 'ent 'assion o two days and ni#hts) In

mid air+ "st as his aws were abo"t to c!ose on the man+ he received

a shock that checked his body and bro"#ht his teeth to#ether with an

a#oni1in# c!i') He whir!ed over+ etchin# the #ro"nd on his back and

side) He had never been str"ck by a c!"b in his !ie+ and did not

"nderstand) With a snar! that was 'art bark and more scream he was a#ain

on his eet and !a"nched into the air) And a#ain the shock came and he

was bro"#ht cr"shin#!y to the #ro"nd) This time he was aware that it was

the c!"b+ b"t his madness knew no ca"tion) A do1en times he char#ed+ and

as oten the c!"b broke the char#e and smashed him down)

Ater a 'artic"!ar!y ,erce b!ow+ he craw!ed to his eet+ too da1ed to

r"sh) He sta##ered !im'!y abo"t+ the b!ood 4owin# rom nose and mo"th

and ears+ his bea"ti"! coat s'rayed and 4ecked with b!oody s!aver)


10/105

Then the man advanced and de!iberate!y dea!t him a ri#ht"! b!ow on

the nose) A!! the 'ain he had end"red was as nothin# com'ared with the

e3:"isite a#ony o this) With a roar that was a!most !ion!ike in its

erocity+ he a#ain h"r!ed himse! at the man) $"t the man+ shitin# the

c!"b rom ri#ht to !et+ coo!!y ca"#ht him by the "nder aw+ at the same

time wrenchin# downward and backward) $"ck described a com'!ete circ!e

in the air+ and ha! o another+ then crashed to the #ro"nd on his head

and chest)

For the !ast time he r"shed) The man str"ck the shrewd b!ow he had

'"r'ose!y withhe!d or so !on#+ and $"ck cr"m'!ed "' and went down+

knocked "tter!y sense!ess)

*He-s no s!o"ch at do#/breakin-+ that-s wot I say+* one o the men on

the wa!! cried enth"siastica!!y)

*Dr"ther break cay"ses any day+ and twice on ("ndays+* was the re'!y o

the driver+ as he c!imbed on the wa#on and started the horses)

$"ck-s senses came back to him+ b"t not his stren#th) He !ay where he

had a!!en+ and rom there he watched the man in the red sweater)

*-Answers to the name o $"ck+-* the man so!i!o:"i1ed+ :"otin# rom the

sa!oon/kee'er-s !etter which had anno"nced the consi#nment o the crate

and contents) *We!!+ $"ck+ my boy+* he went on in a #enia! voice+ *we-ve

had o"r !itt!e r"ction+ and the best thin# we can do is to !et it #o at

that) 2o"-ve !earned yo"r '!ace+ and I know mine) $e a #ood do# and a!!

-!! #o we!! and the #oose han# hi#h) $e a bad do#+ and I-!! wha!e the

st"?n- o"ta yo") nderstandB*


11/105

As he s'oke he ear!ess!y 'atted the head he had so merci!ess!y 'o"nded+

and tho"#h $"ck-s hair invo!"ntari!y brist!ed at to"ch o the hand+

he end"red it witho"t 'rotest) When the man bro"#ht him water he drank

ea#er!y+ and !ater bo!ted a #enero"s mea! o raw meat+ ch"nk by ch"nk+

rom the man-s hand)

He was beaten he knew that. b"t he was not broken) He saw+ once or

a!!+ that he stood no chance a#ainst a man with a c!"b) He had !earned

the !esson+ and in a!! his ater !ie he never or#ot it) That c!"b was

a reve!ation) It was his introd"ction to the rei#n o 'rimitive !aw+

and he met the introd"ction ha!way) The acts o !ie took on a ,ercer

as'ect. and whi!e he aced that as'ect "ncowed+ he aced it with a!! the

!atent c"nnin# o his nat"re aro"sed) As the days went by+ other do#s

came+ in crates and at the ends o ro'es+ some doci!e!y+ and some ra#in#

and roarin# as he had come. and+ one and a!!+ he watched them 'ass

"nder the dominion o the man in the red sweater) A#ain and a#ain+ as he

!ooked at each br"ta! 'erormance+ the !esson was driven home to $"ck@

a man with a c!"b was a !aw#iver+ a master to be obeyed+ tho"#h not

necessari!y conci!iated) O this !ast $"ck was never #"i!ty+ tho"#h he

did see beaten do#s that awned "'on the man+ and wa##ed their tai!s+

and !icked his hand) A!so he saw one do#+ that wo"!d neither conci!iate

nor obey+ ,na!!y ki!!ed in the str"##!e or mastery)

0ow and a#ain men came+ stran#ers+ who ta!ked e3cited!y+ wheed!in#!y+

and in a!! kinds o ashions to the man in the red sweater) And at s"ch

times that money 'assed between them the stran#ers took one or more o

the do#s away with them) $"ck wondered where they went+ or they never

came back. b"t the ear o the "t"re was stron# "'on him+ and he was


12/105


13/105

he deve!o'ed no a=ection or them+ he none the !ess #rew honest!y to

res'ect them) He s'eedi!y !earned that Perra"!t and Francois were air

men+ ca!m and im'artia! in administerin# "stice+ and too wise in the

way o do#s to be oo!ed by do#s)

In the -tween/decks o the 0arwha!+ $"ck and C"r!y oined two other

do#s) One o them was a bi#+ snow/white e!!ow rom ('it1ber#en who had

been bro"#ht away by a wha!in# ca'tain+ and who had !ater accom'anied

a


14/105

the weather was steadi!y #rowin# co!der) At !ast+ one mornin#+ the

'ro'e!!er was :"iet+ and the 0arwha! was 'ervaded with an atmos'here o

e3citement) He e!t it+ as did the other do#s+ and knew that a chan#e

was at hand) Francois !eashed them and bro"#ht them on deck) At the

,rst ste' "'on the co!d s"race+ $"ck-s eet sank into a white m"shy

somethin# very !ike m"d) He s'ran# back with a snort) &ore o this white

st"= was a!!in# thro"#h the air) He shook himse!+ b"t more o it e!!

"'on him) He sni=ed it c"rio"s!y+ then !icked some "' on his ton#"e) It

bit !ike ,re+ and the ne3t instant was #one) This '"11!ed him) He tried

it a#ain+ with the same res"!t) The on!ookers !a"#hed "'roario"s!y+ and

he e!t ashamed+ he knew not why+ or it was his ,rst snow)

Cha'ter II) The Law o C!"b and Fan#

$"ck-s ,rst day on the Dyea beach was !ike a ni#htmare) Every ho"r was

,!!ed with shock and s"r'rise) He had been s"dden!y erked rom the

heart o civi!i1ation and 4"n# into the heart o thin#s 'rimordia!)

0o !a1y+ s"n/kissed !ie was this+ with nothin# to do b"t !oa and be

bored) Here was neither 'eace+ nor rest+ nor a moment-s saety) A!!

was con"sion and action+ and every moment !ie and !imb were in 'eri!)

There was im'erative need to be constant!y a!ert. or these do#s and men

were not town do#s and men) They were sava#es+ a!! o them+ who knew no

!aw b"t the !aw o c!"b and an#)

He had never seen do#s ,#ht as these wo!,sh creat"res o"#ht+ and his


15/105

,rst e3'erience ta"#ht him an "nor#etab!e !esson) It is tr"e+ it was

a vicario"s e3'erience+ e!se he wo"!d not have !ived to 'ro,t by it)

C"r!y was the victim) They were cam'ed near the !o# store+ where she+ in

her riend!y way+ made advances to a h"sky do# the si1e o a "!!/#rown

wo!+ tho"#h not ha! so !ar#e as she) There was no warnin#+ on!y a !ea'

in !ike a 4ash+ a meta!!ic c!i' o teeth+ a !ea' o"t e:"a!!y swit+ and

C"r!y-s ace was ri''ed o'en rom eye to aw)

It was the wo! manner o ,#htin#+ to strike and !ea' away. b"t there

was more to it than this) Thirty or orty h"skies ran to the s'ot and

s"rro"nded the combatants in an intent and si!ent circ!e) $"ck did not

com'rehend that si!ent intentness+ nor the ea#er way with which they

were !ickin# their cho's) C"r!y r"shed her anta#onist+ who str"ck a#ain

and !ea'ed aside) He met her ne3t r"sh with his chest+ in a 'ec"!iar

ashion that t"mb!ed her o= her eet) (he never re#ained them+ This

was what the on!ookin# h"skies had waited or) They c!osed in "'on her+

snar!in# and ye!'in#+ and she was b"ried+ screamin# with a#ony+ beneath

the brist!in# mass o bodies)

(o s"dden was it+ and so "ne3'ected+ that $"ck was taken aback) He saw

('it1 r"n o"t his scar!et ton#"e in a way he had o !a"#hin#. and he saw

Francois+ swin#in# an a3e+ s'rin# into the mess o do#s) Three men

with c!"bs were he!'in# him to scatter them) It did not take !on#) Two

min"tes rom the time C"r!y went down+ the !ast o her assai!ants were

c!"bbed o=) $"t she !ay there !im' and !ie!ess in the b!oody+ tram'!ed

snow+ a!most !itera!!y torn to 'ieces+ the swart ha!/breed standin#

over her and c"rsin# horrib!y) The scene oten came back to $"ck to

tro"b!e him in his s!ee') (o that was the way) 0o air '!ay) Once down+

that was the end o yo") We!!+ he wo"!d see to it that he never went


16/105

down) ('it1 ran o"t his ton#"e and !a"#hed a#ain+ and rom that moment

$"ck hated him with a bitter and death!ess hatred)

$eore he had recovered rom the shock ca"sed by the tra#ic 'assin#

o C"r!y+ he received another shock) Francois astened "'on him an

arran#ement o stra's and b"ck!es) It was a harness+ s"ch as he had seen

the #rooms '"t on the horses at home) And as he had seen horses work+

so he was set to work+ ha"!in# Francois on a s!ed to the orest that

rin#ed the va!!ey+ and ret"rnin# with a !oad o ,rewood) Tho"#h his

di#nity was sore!y h"rt by th"s bein# made a dra"#ht anima!+ he was too

wise to rebe!) He b"ck!ed down with a wi!! and did his best+ tho"#h

it was a!! new and stran#e) Francois was stern+ demandin# instant

obedience+ and by virt"e o his whi' receivin# instant obedience.

whi!e Dave+ who was an e3'erienced whee!er+ ni''ed $"ck-s hind :"arters

whenever he was in error) ('it1 was the !eader+ !ikewise e3'erienced+

and whi!e he co"!d not a!ways #et at $"ck+ he #row!ed shar' re'roo now

and a#ain+ or c"nnin#!y threw his wei#ht in the traces to erk $"ck

into the way he sho"!d #o) $"ck !earned easi!y+ and "nder the combined

t"ition o his two mates and Francois made remarkab!e 'ro#ress) Ere they

ret"rned to cam' he knew eno"#h to sto' at *ho+* to #o ahead at *m"sh+*

to swin# wide on the bends+ and to kee' c!ear o the whee!er when the

!oaded s!ed shot downhi!! at their hee!s)

*T-ree vair- #ood do#s+* Francois to!d Perra"!t) *Dat $"ck+ heem 'oo!

!ak he!!) I tich heem :"eek as anyt-in#)*

$y aternoon+ Perra"!t+ who was in a h"rry to be on the trai! with his

des'atches+ ret"rned with two more do#s) *$i!!ee* and *Joe* he ca!!ed

them+ two brothers+ and tr"e h"skies both) (ons o the one mother tho"#h


17/105

they were+ they were as di=erent as day and ni#ht) $i!!ee-s one a"!t

was his e3cessive #ood nat"re+ whi!e Joe was the very o''osite+ so"r and

intros'ective+ with a 'er'et"a! snar! and a ma!i#nant eye) $"ck received

them in comrade!y ashion+ Dave i#nored them+ whi!e ('it1 'roceeded to

thrash ,rst one and then the other) $i!!ee wa##ed his tai! a''easin#!y+

t"rned to r"n when he saw that a''easement was o no avai!+ and cried

sti!! a''easin#!y when ('it1-s shar' teeth scored his 4ank) $"t no

matter how ('it1 circ!ed+ Joe whir!ed aro"nd on his hee!s to ace

him+ mane brist!in#+ ears !aid back+ !i's writhin# and snar!in#+ aws

c!i''in# to#ether as ast as he co"!d sna'+ and eyes diabo!ica!!y

#!eamin#//the incarnation o be!!i#erent ear) (o terrib!e was his

a''earance that ('it1 was orced to ore#o disci'!inin# him. b"t to

cover his own discom,t"re he t"rned "'on the ino=ensive and wai!in#

$i!!ee and drove him to the con,nes o the cam')

$y evenin# Perra"!t sec"red another do#+ an o!d h"sky+ !on# and !ean

and #a"nt+ with a batt!e/scarred ace and a sin#!e eye which 4ashed a

warnin# o 'rowess that commanded res'ect) He was ca!!ed (o!/!eks+ which

means the An#ry One) Like Dave+ he asked nothin#+ #ave nothin#+ e3'ected

nothin#. and when he marched s!ow!y and de!iberate!y into their midst+

even ('it1 !et him a!one) He had one 'ec"!iarity which $"ck was "n!"cky

eno"#h to discover) He did not !ike to be a''roached on his b!ind side)

O this o=ence $"ck was "nwittin#!y #"i!ty+ and the ,rst know!ed#e he

had o his indiscretion was when (o!/!eks whir!ed "'on him and s!ashed

his sho"!der to the bone or three inches "' and down) Forever ater

$"ck avoided his b!ind side+ and to the !ast o their comradeshi' had

no more tro"b!e) His on!y a''arent ambition+ !ike Dave-s+ was to be !et

a!one. tho"#h+ as $"ck was aterward to !earn+ each o them 'ossessed

one other and even more vita! ambition)


18/105

That ni#ht $"ck aced the #reat 'rob!em o s!ee'in#) The tent+ i!!"mined

by a cand!e+ #!owed warm!y in the midst o the white '!ain. and when he+

as a matter o co"rse+ entered it+ both Perra"!t and Francois bombarded

him with c"rses and cookin# "tensi!s+ ti!! he recovered rom his

consternation and 4ed i#nominio"s!y into the o"ter co!d) A chi!! wind

was b!owin# that ni''ed him shar'!y and bit with es'ecia! venom into his

wo"nded sho"!der) He !ay down on the snow and attem'ted to s!ee'+

b"t the rost soon drove him shiverin# to his eet) &iserab!e and

disconso!ate+ he wandered abo"t amon# the many tents+ on!y to ,nd that

one '!ace was as co!d as another) Here and there sava#e do#s r"shed

"'on him+ b"t he brist!ed his neck/hair and snar!ed or he was !earnin#

ast+ and they !et him #o his way "nmo!ested)

Fina!!y an idea came to him) He wo"!d ret"rn and see how his own

team/mates were makin# o"t) To his astonishment+ they had disa''eared)

A#ain he wandered abo"t thro"#h the #reat cam'+ !ookin# or them+ and

a#ain he ret"rned) Were they in the tentB 0o+ that co"!d not be+ e!se he

wo"!d not have been driven o"t) Then where co"!d they 'ossib!y beB With

droo'in# tai! and shiverin# body+ very or!orn indeed+ he aim!ess!y

circ!ed the tent) ("dden!y the snow #ave way beneath his ore !e#s

and he sank down) (omethin# wri##!ed "nder his eet) He s'ran# back+

brist!in# and snar!in#+ ear"! o the "nseen and "nknown) $"t a

riend!y !itt!e ye!' reass"red him+ and he went back to investi#ate) A

whi= o warm air ascended to his nostri!s+ and there+ c"r!ed "' "nder

the snow in a sn"# ba!!+ !ay $i!!ee) He whined '!acatin#!y+ s:"irmed and

wri##!ed to show his #ood wi!! and intentions+ and even vent"red+ as a

bribe or 'eace+ to !ick $"ck-s ace with his warm wet ton#"e)


19/105

Another !esson) (o that was the way they did it+ ehB $"ck con,dent!y

se!ected a s'ot+ and with m"ch "ss and waste e=ort 'roceeded to di# a

ho!e or himse!) In a trice the heat rom his body ,!!ed the con,ned

s'ace and he was as!ee') The day had been !on# and ard"o"s+ and he s!e't

so"nd!y and comortab!y+ tho"#h he #row!ed and barked and wrest!ed with

bad dreams)

0or did he o'en his eyes ti!! ro"sed by the noises o the wakin# cam')

At ,rst he did not know where he was) It had snowed d"rin# the ni#ht

and he was com'!ete!y b"ried) The snow wa!!s 'ressed him on every side+

and a #reat s"r#e o ear swe't thro"#h him//the ear o the wi!d thin#

or the tra') It was a token that he was harkin# back thro"#h his own

!ie to the !ives o his orebears. or he was a civi!i1ed do#+ an

"nd"!y civi!i1ed do#+ and o his own e3'erience knew no tra' and so

co"!d not o himse! ear it) The m"sc!es o his who!e body contracted

s'asmodica!!y and instinctive!y+ the hair on his neck and sho"!ders

stood on end+ and with a erocio"s snar! he bo"nded strai#ht "' into

the b!indin# day+ the snow 4yin# abo"t him in a 4ashin# c!o"d) Ere he

!anded on his eet+ he saw the white cam' s'read o"t beore him and knew

where he was and remembered a!! that had 'assed rom the time he went

or a stro!! with &an"e! to the ho!e he had d"# or himse! the ni#ht

beore)

A sho"t rom Francois hai!ed his a''earance) *Wot I sayB* the do#/driver

cried to Perra"!t) *Dat $"ck or s"re !earn :"eek as anyt-in#)*

Perra"!t nodded #rave!y) As co"rier or the Canadian


20/105

Three more h"skies were added to the team inside an ho"r+ makin# a tota!

o nine+ and beore another :"arter o an ho"r had 'assed they were in

harness and swin#in# "' the trai! toward the Dyea Canon) $"ck was

#!ad to be #one+ and tho"#h the work was hard he o"nd he did not

'artic"!ar!y des'ise it) He was s"r'rised at the ea#erness which

animated the who!e team and which was comm"nicated to him. b"t sti!!

more s"r'risin# was the chan#e wro"#ht in Dave and (o!/!eks) They

were new do#s+ "tter!y transormed by the harness) A!! 'assiveness and

"nconcern had dro''ed rom them) They were a!ert and active+ an3io"s

that the work sho"!d #o we!!+ and ,erce!y irritab!e with whatever+ by

de!ay or con"sion+ retarded that work) The toi! o the traces seemed

the s"'reme e3'ression o their bein#+ and a!! that they !ived or and

the on!y thin# in which they took de!i#ht)

Dave was whee!er or s!ed do#+ '"!!in# in ront o him was $"ck+ then

came (o!/!eks. the rest o the team was str"n# o"t ahead+ sin#!e ,!e+

to the !eader+ which 'osition was ,!!ed by ('it1)

$"ck had been '"r'ose!y '!aced between Dave and (o!/!eks so that he

mi#ht receive instr"ction) A't scho!ar that he was+ they were e:"a!!y

a't teachers+ never a!!owin# him to !in#er !on# in error+ and enorcin#

their teachin# with their shar' teeth) Dave was air and very wise) He

never ni''ed $"ck witho"t ca"se+ and he never ai!ed to ni' him when he

stood in need o it) As Francois-s whi' backed him "'+ $"ck o"nd it

to be chea'er to mend his ways than to reta!iate) Once+ d"rin# a brie

ha!t+ when he #ot tan#!ed in the traces and de!ayed the start+ both

Dave and (o!!eks 4ew at him and administered a so"nd tro"ncin#) The

res"!tin# tan#!e was even worse+ b"t $"ck took #ood care to kee' the


21/105

traces c!ear thereater. and ere the day was done+ so we!! had he

mastered his work+ his mates abo"t ceased na##in# him) Francois-s whi'

sna''ed !ess re:"ent!y+ and Perra"!t even honored $"ck by !itin# "'

his eet and care"!!y e3aminin# them)

It was a hard day-s r"n+ "' the Canon+ thro"#h (hee' Cam'+ 'ast the

(ca!es and the timber !ine+ across #!aciers and snowdrits h"ndreds o

eet dee'+ and over the #reat Chi!coot Divide+ which stands between

the sa!t water and the resh and #"ards orbiddin#!y the sad and !one!y

0orth) They made #ood time down the chain o !akes which ,!!s the

craters o e3tinct vo!canoes+ and !ate that ni#ht '"!!ed into the h"#e

cam' at the head o Lake $ennett+ where tho"sands o #o!dseekers were

b"i!din# boats a#ainst the break/"' o the ice in the s'rin#) $"ck made

his ho!e in the snow and s!e't the s!ee' o the e3ha"sted "st+ b"t a!!

too ear!y was ro"ted o"t in the co!d darkness and harnessed with his

mates to the s!ed)

That day they made orty mi!es+ the trai! bein# 'acked. b"t the ne3t

day+ and or many days to o!!ow+ they broke their own trai!+ worked

harder+ and made 'oorer time) As a r"!e+ Perra"!t trave!!ed ahead o

the team+ 'ackin# the snow with webbed shoes to make it easier or them)

Francois+ #"idin# the s!ed at the #ee/'o!e+ sometimes e3chan#ed '!aces

with him+ b"t not oten) Perra"!t was in a h"rry+ and he 'rided himse!

on his know!ed#e o ice+ which know!ed#e was indis'ensab!e+ or the a!!

ice was very thin+ and where there was swit water+ there was no ice at

a!!)

Day ater day+ or days "nendin#+ $"ck toi!ed in the traces) A!ways+

they broke cam' in the dark+ and the ,rst #ray o dawn o"nd them


22/105


23/105

thin#s into acco"nt was a oo!+ and in so ar as he observed them he

wo"!d ai! to 'ros'er)

0ot that $"ck reasoned it o"t) He was ,t+ that was a!!+ and

"nconscio"s!y he accommodated himse! to the new mode o !ie) A!! his

days+ no matter what the odds+ he had never r"n rom a ,#ht) $"t

the c!"b o the man in the red sweater had beaten into him a more

"ndamenta! and 'rimitive code) Civi!i1ed+ he co"!d have died or a

mora! consideration+ say the deence o J"d#e &i!!er-s ridin#/whi'. b"t

the com'!eteness o his decivi!i1ation was now evidenced by his abi!ity

to 4ee rom the deence o a mora! consideration and so save his

hide) He did not stea! or oy o it+ b"t beca"se o the c!amor o his

stomach) He did not rob o'en!y+ b"t sto!e secret!y and c"nnin#!y+ o"t o

res'ect or c!"b and an#) In short+ the thin#s he did were done beca"se

it was easier to do them than not to do them)

His deve!o'ment or retro#ression was ra'id) His m"sc!es became hard as

iron+ and he #rew ca!!o"s to a!! ordinary 'ain) He achieved an interna!

as we!! as e3terna! economy) He co"!d eat anythin#+ no matter how

!oathsome or indi#estib!e. and+ once eaten+ the "ices o his stomach

e3tracted the !ast !east 'artic!e o n"triment. and his b!ood carried it

to the arthest reaches o his body+ b"i!din# it into the to"#hest and

sto"test o tiss"es) (i#ht and scent became remarkab!y keen+ whi!e his

hearin# deve!o'ed s"ch ac"teness that in his s!ee' he heard the aintest

so"nd and knew whether it hera!ded 'eace or 'eri!) He !earned to bite

the ice o"t with his teeth when it co!!ected between his toes. and when

he was thirsty and there was a thick sc"m o ice over the water ho!e+ he

wo"!d break it by rearin# and strikin# it with sti= ore !e#s) His most

cons'ic"o"s trait was an abi!ity to scent the wind and orecast it a


24/105

ni#ht in advance) 0o matter how breath!ess the air when he d"# his

nest by tree or bank+ the wind that !ater b!ew inevitab!y o"nd him to

!eeward+ she!tered and sn"#)

And not on!y did he !earn by e3'erience+ b"t instincts !on# dead became

a!ive a#ain) The domesticated #enerations e!! rom him) In va#"e ways

he remembered back to the yo"th o the breed+ to the time the wi!d do#s

ran#ed in 'acks thro"#h the 'rimeva! orest and ki!!ed their meat as

they ran it down) It was no task or him to !earn to ,#ht with c"t

and s!ash and the :"ick wo! sna') In this manner had o"#ht or#otten

ancestors) They :"ickened the o!d !ie within him+ and the o!d tricks

which they had stam'ed into the heredity o the breed were his tricks)

They came to him witho"t e=ort or discovery+ as tho"#h they had been

his a!ways) And when+ on the sti!! co!d ni#hts+ he 'ointed his nose at a

star and how!ed !on# and wo!4ike+ it was his ancestors+ dead and d"st+

'ointin# nose at star and how!in# down thro"#h the cent"ries and thro"#h

him) And his cadences were their cadences+ the cadences which voiced

their woe and what to them was the meanin# o the sti=ness+ and the

co!d+ and dark)

Th"s+ as token o what a '"''et thin# !ie is+ the ancient son# s"r#ed

thro"#h him and he came into his own a#ain. and he came beca"se men had

o"nd a ye!!ow meta! in the 0orth+ and beca"se &an"e! was a #ardener-s

he!'er whose wa#es did not !a' over the needs o his wie and divers

sma!! co'ies o himse!)


25/105

Cha'ter III) The Dominant Primordia! $east

The dominant 'rimordia! beast was stron# in $"ck+ and "nder the ,erce

conditions o trai! !ie it #rew and #rew) 2et it was a secret #rowth)

His newborn c"nnin# #ave him 'oise and contro!) He was too b"sy

ad"stin# himse! to the new !ie to ee! at ease+ and not on!y did

he not 'ick ,#hts+ b"t he avoided them whenever 'ossib!e) A certain

de!iberateness characteri1ed his attit"de) He was not 'rone to rashness

and 'reci'itate action. and in the bitter hatred between him and ('it1

he betrayed no im'atience+ sh"nned a!! o=ensive acts)

On the other hand+ 'ossib!y beca"se he divined in $"ck a dan#ero"s

riva!+ ('it1 never !ost an o''ort"nity o showin# his teeth) He even

went o"t o his way to b"!!y $"ck+ strivin# constant!y to start the

,#ht which co"!d end on!y in the death o one or the other) Ear!y in

the tri' this mi#ht have taken '!ace had it not been or an "nwonted

accident) At the end o this day they made a b!eak and miserab!e cam'

on the shore o Lake Le $ar#e) Drivin# snow+ a wind that c"t !ike a

white/hot knie+ and darkness had orced them to #ro'e or a cam'in#

'!ace) They co"!d hard!y have ared worse) At their backs rose a

'er'endic"!ar wa!! o rock+ and Perra"!t and Francois were com'e!!ed to

make their ,re and s'read their s!ee'in# robes on the ice o the !ake

itse!) The tent they had discarded at Dyea in order to trave! !i#ht)

A ew sticks o dritwood "rnished them with a ,re that thawed down

thro"#h the ice and !et them to eat s"''er in the dark)

C!ose in "nder the she!terin# rock $"ck made his nest) (o sn"# and warm

was it+ that he was !oath to !eave it when Francois distrib"ted the


26/105

,sh which he had ,rst thawed over the ,re) $"t when $"ck ,nished his

ration and ret"rned+ he o"nd his nest occ"'ied) A warnin# snar! to!d

him that the tres'asser was ('it1) Ti!! now $"ck had avoided tro"b!e

with his enemy+ b"t this was too m"ch) The beast in him roared) He

s'ran# "'on ('it1 with a "ry which s"r'rised them both+ and ('it1

'artic"!ar!y+ or his who!e e3'erience with $"ck had #one to teach him

that his riva! was an "n"s"a!!y timid do#+ who mana#ed to ho!d his own

on!y beca"se o his #reat wei#ht and si1e)

Francois was s"r'rised+ too+ when they shot o"t in a tan#!e rom the

disr"'ted nest and he divined the ca"se o the tro"b!e) *A/a/ah*

he cried to $"ck) *


27/105

#r"b/bo3) His c!"b !anded heavi!y on the #a"nt ribs+ and the #r"b/bo3

was ca'si1ed on the #ro"nd) On the instant a score o the amished

br"tes were scramb!in# or the bread and bacon) The c!"bs e!! "'on them

"nheeded) They ye!'ed and how!ed "nder the rain o b!ows+ b"t str"##!ed

none the !ess mad!y ti!! the !ast cr"mb had been devo"red)

In the meantime the astonished team/do#s had b"rst o"t o their nests

on!y to be set "'on by the ,erce invaders) 0ever had $"ck seen s"ch

do#s) It seemed as tho"#h their bones wo"!d b"rst thro"#h their skins)

They were mere ske!etons+ dra'ed !oose!y in dra##!ed hides+ with b!a1in#

eyes and s!avered an#s) $"t the h"n#er/madness made them terriyin#+

irresistib!e) There was no o''osin# them) The team/do#s were swe't back

a#ainst the c!i= at the ,rst onset) $"ck was beset by three h"skies+

and in a trice his head and sho"!ders were ri''ed and s!ashed) The din

was ri#ht"!) $i!!ee was cryin# as "s"a!) Dave and (o!/!eks+ dri''in#

b!ood rom a score o wo"nds+ were ,#htin# brave!y side by side) Joe

was sna''in# !ike a demon) Once+ his teeth c!osed on the ore !e# o

a h"sky+ and he cr"nched down thro"#h the bone) Pike+ the ma!in#erer+

!ea'ed "'on the cri''!ed anima!+ breakin# its neck with a :"ick 4ash o

teeth and a erk+ $"ck #ot a rothin# adversary by the throat+ and was

s'rayed with b!ood when his teeth sank thro"#h the "#"!ar) The warm

taste o it in his mo"th #oaded him to #reater ,erceness) He 4"n#

himse! "'on another+ and at the same time e!t teeth sink into his own

throat) It was ('it1+ treachero"s!y attackin# rom the side)

Perra"!t and Francois+ havin# c!eaned o"t their 'art o the cam'+

h"rried to save their s!ed/do#s) The wi!d wave o amished beasts ro!!ed

back beore them+ and $"ck shook himse! ree) $"t it was on!y or a

moment) The two men were com'e!!ed to r"n back to save the #r"b+ "'on


28/105

which the h"skies ret"rned to the attack on the team) $i!!ee+ terri,ed

into bravery+ s'ran# thro"#h the sava#e circ!e and 4ed away over the

ice) Pike and D"b o!!owed on his hee!s+ with the rest o the team

behind) As $"ck drew himse! to#ether to s'rin# ater them+ o"t o the

tai! o his eye he saw ('it1 r"sh "'on him with the evident intention

o overthrowin# him) Once o= his eet and "nder that mass o h"skies+

there was no ho'e or him) $"t he braced himse! to the shock o ('it1-s

char#e+ then oined the 4i#ht o"t on the !ake)

Later+ the nine team/do#s #athered to#ether and so"#ht she!ter in the

orest) Tho"#h "n'"rs"ed+ they were in a sorry '!i#ht) There was not

one who was not wo"nded in o"r or ,ve '!aces+ whi!e some were wo"nded

#rievo"s!y) D"b was bad!y in"red in a hind !e#. Do!!y+ the !ast h"sky

added to the team at Dyea+ had a bad!y torn throat. Joe had !ost an eye.

whi!e $i!!ee+ the #ood/nat"red+ with an ear chewed and rent to ribbons+

cried and whim'ered thro"#ho"t the ni#ht) At daybreak they !im'ed wari!y

back to cam'+ to ,nd the mara"ders #one and the two men in bad tem'ers)

F"!!y ha! their #r"b s"''!y was #one) The h"skies had chewed thro"#h

the s!ed !ashin#s and canvas coverin#s) In act+ nothin#+ no matter how

remote!y eatab!e+ had esca'ed them) They had eaten a 'air o Perra"!t-s

moose/hide moccasins+ ch"nks o"t o the !eather traces+ and even two

eet o !ash rom the end o Francois-s whi') He broke rom a mo"rn"!

contem'!ation o it to !ook over his wo"nded do#s)

*Ah+ my rien-s+* he said sot!y+ *mebbe it mek yo" mad do#+ dose many

bites) &ebbe a!! mad do#+ sacredam Wot yo" t-ink+ eh+ Perra"!tB*

The co"rier shook his head d"bio"s!y) With o"r h"ndred mi!es o trai!

sti!! between him and Dawson+ he co"!d i!! a=ord to have madness break


29/105

o"t amon# his do#s) Two ho"rs o c"rsin# and e3ertion #ot the harnesses

into sha'e+ and the wo"nd/sti=ened team was "nder way+ str"##!in#

'ain"!!y over the hardest 'art o the trai! they had yet enco"ntered+

and or that matter+ the hardest between them and Dawson)

The Thirty &i!e ;iver was wide o'en) Its wi!d water de,ed the rost+

and it was in the eddies on!y and in the :"iet '!aces that the ice he!d

at a!!) (i3 days o e3ha"stin# toi! were re:"ired to cover those thirty

terrib!e mi!es) And terrib!e they were+ or every oot o them was

accom'!ished at the risk o !ie to do# and man) A do1en times+

Perra"!t+ nosin# the way broke thro"#h the ice brid#es+ bein# saved by

the !on# 'o!e he carried+ which he so he!d that it e!! each time across

the ho!e made by his body) $"t a co!d sna' was on+ the thermometer

re#isterin# ,ty be!ow 1ero+ and each time he broke thro"#h he was

com'e!!ed or very !ie to b"i!d a ,re and dry his #arments)

0othin# da"nted him) It was beca"se nothin# da"nted him that he had been

chosen or #overnment co"rier) He took a!! manner o risks+ reso!"te!y

thr"stin# his !itt!e wea1ened ace into the rost and str"##!in# on rom

dim dawn to dark) He skirted the rownin# shores on rim ice that bent

and crack!ed "nder oot and "'on which they dared not ha!t) Once+ the

s!ed broke thro"#h+ with Dave and $"ck+ and they were ha!/ro1en and

a!! b"t drowned by the time they were dra##ed o"t) The "s"a! ,re was

necessary to save them) They were coated so!id!y with ice+ and the two

men ke't them on the r"n aro"nd the ,re+ sweatin# and thawin#+ so c!ose

that they were sin#ed by the 4ames)

At another time ('it1 went thro"#h+ dra##in# the who!e team ater him "'

to $"ck+ who strained backward with a!! his stren#th+ his ore 'aws on


30/105

the s!i''ery ed#e and the ice :"iverin# and sna''in# a!! aro"nd) $"t

behind him was Dave+ !ikewise strainin# backward+ and behind the s!ed

was Francois+ '"!!in# ti!! his tendons cracked)

A#ain+ the rim ice broke away beore and behind+ and there was no esca'e

e3ce't "' the c!i=) Perra"!t sca!ed it by a mirac!e+ whi!e Francois

'rayed or "st that mirac!e. and with every thon# and s!ed !ashin# and

the !ast bit o harness rove into a !on# ro'e+ the do#s were hoisted+

one by one+ to the c!i= crest) Francois came "' !ast+ ater the s!ed

and !oad) Then came the search or a '!ace to descend+ which descent was

"!timate!y made by the aid o the ro'e+ and ni#ht o"nd them back on the

river with a :"arter o a mi!e to the day-s credit)

$y the time they made the Hoota!in:"a and #ood ice+ $"ck was '!ayed o"t)

The rest o the do#s were in !ike condition. b"t Perra"!t+ to make

"' !ost time+ '"shed them !ate and ear!y) The ,rst day they covered

thirty/,ve mi!es to the $i# (a!mon. the ne3t day thirty/,ve more to

the Litt!e (a!mon. the third day orty mi!es+ which bro"#ht them we!! "'

toward the Five Fin#ers)

$"ck-s eet were not so com'act and hard as the eet o the h"skies)

His had sotened d"rin# the many #enerations since the day his !ast

wi!d ancestor was tamed by a cave/dwe!!er or river man) A!! day !on# he

!im'ed in a#ony+ and cam' once made+ !ay down !ike a dead do#) H"n#ry as

he was+ he wo"!d not move to receive his ration o ,sh+ which Francois

had to brin# to him) A!so+ the do#/driver r"bbed $"ck-s eet or ha!

an ho"r each ni#ht ater s"''er+ and sacri,ced the to's o his own

moccasins to make o"r moccasins or $"ck) This was a #reat re!ie+ and

$"ck ca"sed even the wea1ened ace o Perra"!t to twist itse! into a


31/105

#rin one mornin#+ when Francois or#ot the moccasins and $"ck !ay on his

back+ his o"r eet wavin# a''ea!in#!y in the air+ and re"sed to b"d#e

witho"t them) Later his eet #rew hard to the trai!+ and the worn/o"t

oot/#ear was thrown away)

At the Pe!!y one mornin#+ as they were harnessin# "'+ Do!!y+ who had

never been cons'ic"o"s or anythin#+ went s"dden!y mad) (he anno"nced

her condition by a !on#+ heartbreakin# wo! how! that sent every do#

brist!in# with ear+ then s'ran# strai#ht or $"ck) He had never seen a

do# #o mad+ nor did he have any reason to ear madness. yet he knew

that here was horror+ and 4ed away rom it in a 'anic) (trai#ht away he

raced+ with Do!!y+ 'antin# and rothin#+ one !ea' behind. nor co"!d she

#ain on him+ so #reat was his terror+ nor co"!d he !eave her+ so #reat

was her madness) He '!"n#ed thro"#h the wooded breast o the is!and+

4ew down to the !ower end+ crossed a back channe! ,!!ed with ro"#h ice

to another is!and+ #ained a third is!and+ c"rved back to the main river+

and in des'eration started to cross it) And a!! the time+ tho"#h he

did not !ook+ he co"!d hear her snar!in# "st one !ea' behind) Francois

ca!!ed to him a :"arter o a mi!e away and he do"b!ed back+ sti!! one

!ea' ahead+ #as'in# 'ain"!!y or air and '"ttin# a!! his aith in that

Francois wo"!d save him) The do#/driver he!d the a3e 'oised in his hand+

and as $"ck shot 'ast him the a3e crashed down "'on mad Do!!y-s head)

$"ck sta##ered over a#ainst the s!ed+ e3ha"sted+ sobbin# or breath+

he!'!ess) This was ('it1-s o''ort"nity) He s'ran# "'on $"ck+ and twice

his teeth sank into his "nresistin# oe and ri''ed and tore the 4esh to

the bone) Then Francois-s !ash descended+ and $"ck had the satisaction

o watchin# ('it1 receive the worst whi''in# as yet administered to any

o the teams)


32/105

*One devi!+ dat ('it1+* remarked Perra"!t) *(ome dam day heem kee! dat

$"ck)*

*Dat $"ck two devi!s+* was Francois-s reoinder) *A!! de tam I watch dat

$"ck I know or s"re) Lissen@ some dam ,ne day heem #et mad !ak he!!

an- den heem chew dat ('it1 a!! "' an- s'it heem o"t on de snow) ("re) I

know)*

From then on it was war between them) ('it1+ as !ead/do# and

acknow!ed#ed master o the team+ e!t his s"'remacy threatened by this

stran#e (o"th!and do#) And stran#e $"ck was to him+ or o the many

(o"th!and do#s he had known+ not one had shown "' worthi!y in cam' and

on trai!) They were a!! too sot+ dyin# "nder the toi!+ the rost+ and

starvation) $"ck was the e3ce'tion) He a!one end"red and 'ros'ered+

matchin# the h"sky in stren#th+ sava#ery+ and c"nnin#) Then he was a

master"! do#+ and what made him dan#ero"s was the act that the c!"b o

the man in the red sweater had knocked a!! b!ind '!"ck and rashness o"t

o his desire or mastery) He was 'reeminent!y c"nnin#+ and co"!d bide

his time with a 'atience that was nothin# !ess than 'rimitive)

It was inevitab!e that the c!ash or !eadershi' sho"!d come) $"ck wanted

it) He wanted it beca"se it was his nat"re+ beca"se he had been

#ri''ed ti#ht by that name!ess+ incom'rehensib!e 'ride o the trai! and

trace//that 'ride which ho!ds do#s in the toi! to the !ast #as'+ which

!"res them to die oy"!!y in the harness+ and breaks their hearts

i they are c"t o"t o the harness) This was the 'ride o Dave as

whee!/do#+ o (o!/!eks as he '"!!ed with a!! his stren#th. the 'ride

that !aid ho!d o them at break o cam'+ transormin# them rom so"r and


33/105

s"!!en br"tes into strainin#+ ea#er+ ambitio"s creat"res. the 'ride

that s'"rred them on a!! day and dro''ed them at 'itch o cam' at ni#ht+

!ettin# them a!! back into #!oomy "nrest and "ncontent) This was the

'ride that bore "' ('it1 and made him thrash the s!ed/do#s who b!"ndered

and shirked in the traces or hid away at harness/"' time in the mornin#)

Likewise it was this 'ride that made him ear $"ck as a 'ossib!e

!ead/do#) And this was $"ck-s 'ride+ too)

He o'en!y threatened the other-s !eadershi') He came between him and the

shirks he sho"!d have '"nished) And he did it de!iberate!y) One ni#ht

there was a heavy snowa!!+ and in the mornin# Pike+ the ma!in#erer+

did not a''ear) He was sec"re!y hidden in his nest "nder a oot o snow)

Francois ca!!ed him and so"#ht him in vain) ('it1 was wi!d with wrath)

He ra#ed thro"#h the cam'+ sme!!in# and di##in# in every !ike!y

'!ace+ snar!in# so ri#ht"!!y that Pike heard and shivered in his

hidin#/'!ace)

$"t when he was at !ast "nearthed+ and ('it1 4ew at him to '"nish him+

$"ck 4ew+ with e:"a! ra#e+ in between) (o "ne3'ected was it+ and so

shrewd!y mana#ed+ that ('it1 was h"r!ed backward and o= his eet) Pike+

who had been tremb!in# abect!y+ took heart at this o'en m"tiny+

and s'ran# "'on his overthrown !eader) $"ck+ to whom air '!ay was a

or#otten code+ !ikewise s'ran# "'on ('it1) $"t Francois+ ch"ck!in# at

the incident whi!e "nswervin# in the administration o "stice+ bro"#ht

his !ash down "'on $"ck with a!! his mi#ht) This ai!ed to drive $"ck

rom his 'rostrate riva!+ and the b"tt o the whi' was bro"#ht into

'!ay) Ha!/st"nned by the b!ow+ $"ck was knocked backward and the !ash

!aid "'on him a#ain and a#ain+ whi!e ('it1 so"nd!y '"nished the many

times o=endin# Pike)


34/105

In the days that o!!owed+ as Dawson #rew c!oser and c!oser+ $"ck sti!!

contin"ed to interere between ('it1 and the c"!'rits. b"t he did it

crati!y+ when Francois was not aro"nd+ With the covert m"tiny o $"ck+

a #enera! ins"bordination s'ran# "' and increased) Dave and (o!/!eks

were "na=ected+ b"t the rest o the team went rom bad to worse)

Thin#s no !on#er went ri#ht) There was contin"a! bickerin# and an#!in#)

Tro"b!e was a!ways aoot+ and at the bottom o it was $"ck) He ke't

Francois b"sy+ or the do#/driver was in constant a''rehension o the

!ie/and/death str"##!e between the two which he knew m"st take '!ace

sooner or !ater. and on more than one ni#ht the so"nds o :"arre!!in#

and strie amon# the other do#s t"rned him o"t o his s!ee'in# robe+

ear"! that $"ck and ('it1 were at it)

$"t the o''ort"nity did not 'resent itse!+ and they '"!!ed into Dawson

one dreary aternoon with the #reat ,#ht sti!! to come) Here were many

men+ and co"nt!ess do#s+ and $"ck o"nd them a!! at work) It seemed the

ordained order o thin#s that do#s sho"!d work) A!! day they sw"n# "'

and down the main street in !on# teams+ and in the ni#ht their in#!in#

be!!s sti!! went by) They ha"!ed cabin !o#s and ,rewood+ rei#hted "'

to the mines+ and did a!! manner o work that horses did in the (anta

C!ara %a!!ey) Here and there $"ck met (o"th!and do#s+ b"t in the main

they were the wi!d wo! h"sky breed) Every ni#ht+ re#"!ar!y+ at nine+ at

twe!ve+ at three+ they !ited a noct"rna! son#+ a weird and eerie chant+

in which it was $"ck-s de!i#ht to oin)

With the a"rora borea!is 4amin# co!d!y overhead+ or the stars !ea'in#

in the rost dance+ and the !and n"mb and ro1en "nder its 'a!! o snow+

this son# o the h"skies mi#ht have been the de,ance o !ie+ on!y it


35/105

was 'itched in minor key+ with !on#/drawn wai!in#s and ha!/sobs+ and

was more the '!eadin# o !ie+ the artic"!ate travai! o e3istence) It

was an o!d son#+ o!d as the breed itse!//one o the ,rst son#s o the

yo"n#er wor!d in a day when son#s were sad) It was invested with the woe

o "nn"mbered #enerations+ this '!aint by which $"ck was so stran#e!y

stirred) When he moaned and sobbed+ it was with the 'ain o !ivin# that

was o o!d the 'ain o his wi!d athers+ and the ear and mystery o the

co!d and dark that was to them ear and mystery) And that he sho"!d be

stirred by it marked the com'!eteness with which he harked back thro"#h

the a#es o ,re and roo to the raw be#innin#s o !ie in the how!in#

a#es)

(even days rom the time they '"!!ed into Dawson+ they dro''ed down the

stee' bank by the $arracks to the 2"kon Trai!+ and '"!!ed or Dyea and

(a!t Water) Perra"!t was carryin# des'atches i anythin# more "r#ent

than those he had bro"#ht in. a!so+ the trave! 'ride had #ri''ed him+

and he '"r'osed to make the record tri' o the year) (evera! thin#s

avored him in this) The week-s rest had rec"'erated the do#s and '"t

them in thoro"#h trim) The trai! they had broken into the co"ntry was

'acked hard by !ater o"rneyers) And "rther+ the 'o!ice had arran#ed

in two or three '!aces de'osits o #r"b or do# and man+ and he was

trave!!in# !i#ht)

They made (i3ty &i!e+ which is a ,ty/mi!e r"n+ on the ,rst day. and

the second day saw them boomin# "' the 2"kon we!! on their way to Pe!!y)

$"t s"ch s'!endid r"nnin# was achieved not witho"t #reat tro"b!e and

ve3ation on the 'art o Francois) The insidio"s revo!t !ed by $"ck

had destroyed the so!idarity o the team) It no !on#er was as one do#

!ea'in# in the traces) The enco"ra#ement $"ck #ave the rebe!s !ed them


36/105

into a!! kinds o 'etty misdemeanors) 0o more was ('it1 a !eader #reat!y

to be eared) The o!d awe de'arted+ and they #rew e:"a! to cha!!en#in#

his a"thority) Pike robbed him o ha! a ,sh one ni#ht+ and #"!'ed

it down "nder the 'rotection o $"ck) Another ni#ht D"b and Joe o"#ht

('it1 and made him ore#o the '"nishment they deserved) And even

$i!!ee+ the #ood/nat"red+ was !ess #ood/nat"red+ and whined not ha!

so '!acatin#!y as in ormer days) $"ck never came near ('it1 witho"t

snar!in# and brist!in# menacin#!y) In act+ his cond"ct a''roached that

o a b"!!y+ and he was #iven to swa##erin# "' and down beore ('it1-s

very nose)

The breakin# down o disci'!ine !ikewise a=ected the do#s in their

re!ations with one another) They :"arre!!ed and bickered more than ever

amon# themse!ves+ ti!! at times the cam' was a how!in# bed!am) Dave and

(o!/!eks a!one were "na!tered+ tho"#h they were made irritab!e by the

"nendin# s:"abb!in#) Francois swore stran#e barbaro"s oaths+ and stam'ed

the snow in "ti!e ra#e+ and tore his hair) His !ash was a!ways sin#in#

amon# the do#s+ b"t it was o sma!! avai!) Direct!y his back was t"rned

they were at it a#ain) He backed "' ('it1 with his whi'+ whi!e $"ck

backed "' the remainder o the team) Francois knew he was behind a!! the

tro"b!e+ and $"ck knew he knew. b"t $"ck was too c!ever ever a#ain to be

ca"#ht red/handed) He worked aith"!!y in the harness+ or the toi!

had become a de!i#ht to him. yet it was a #reater de!i#ht s!y!y to

'reci'itate a ,#ht amon#st his mates and tan#!e the traces)

At the mo"th o the Tahkeena+ one ni#ht ater s"''er+ D"b t"rned "' a

snowshoe rabbit+ b!"ndered it+ and missed) In a second the who!e team

was in "!! cry) A h"ndred yards away was a cam' o the 0orthwest

Po!ice+ with ,ty do#s+ h"skies a!!+ who oined the chase) The rabbit


37/105

s'ed down the river+ t"rned o= into a sma!! creek+ "' the ro1en bed o

which it he!d steadi!y) It ran !i#ht!y on the s"race o the snow+ whi!e

the do#s '!o"#hed thro"#h by main stren#th) $"ck !ed the 'ack+ si3ty

stron#+ aro"nd bend ater bend+ b"t he co"!d not #ain) He !ay down !ow

to the race+ whinin# ea#er!y+ his s'!endid body 4ashin# orward+ !ea'

by !ea'+ in the wan white moon!i#ht) And !ea' by !ea'+ !ike some 'a!e

rost wraith+ the snowshoe rabbit 4ashed on ahead)

A!! that stirrin# o o!d instincts which at stated 'eriods drives men

o"t rom the so"ndin# cities to orest and '!ain to ki!! thin#s

by chemica!!y 'ro'e!!ed !eaden 'e!!ets+ the b!ood !"st+ the oy to

ki!!//a!! this was $"ck-s+ on!y it was in,nite!y more intimate) He was

ran#in# at the head o the 'ack+ r"nnin# the wi!d thin# down+ the !ivin#

meat+ to ki!! with his own teeth and wash his m"11!e to the eyes in warm

b!ood)

There is an ecstasy that marks the s"mmit o !ie+ and beyond which !ie

cannot rise) And s"ch is the 'arado3 o !ivin#+ this ecstasy comes when

one is most a!ive+ and it comes as a com'!ete or#et"!ness that one is

a!ive) This ecstasy+ this or#et"!ness o !ivin#+ comes to the artist+

ca"#ht "' and o"t o himse! in a sheet o 4ame. it comes to the

so!dier+ war/mad on a stricken ,e!d and re"sin# :"arter. and it came

to $"ck+ !eadin# the 'ack+ so"ndin# the o!d wo!/cry+ strainin# ater

the ood that was a!ive and that 4ed swit!y beore him thro"#h the

moon!i#ht) He was so"ndin# the dee's o his nat"re+ and o the 'arts o

his nat"re that were dee'er than he+ #oin# back into the womb o Time)

He was mastered by the sheer s"r#in# o !ie+ the tida! wave o bein#+

the 'erect oy o each se'arate m"sc!e+ oint+ and sinew in that it was

everythin# that was not death+ that it was a#!ow and ram'ant+ e3'ressin#


38/105

itse! in movement+ 4yin# e3"!tant!y "nder the stars and over the ace

o dead matter that did not move)

$"t ('it1+ co!d and ca!c"!atin# even in his s"'reme moods+ !et the 'ack

and c"t across a narrow neck o !and where the creek made a !on# bend

aro"nd) $"ck did not know o this+ and as he ro"nded the bend+ the rost

wraith o a rabbit sti!! 4ittin# beore him+ he saw another and !ar#er

rost wraith !ea' rom the overhan#in# bank into the immediate 'ath o

the rabbit) It was ('it1) The rabbit co"!d not t"rn+ and as the white

teeth broke its back in mid air it shrieked as !o"d!y as a stricken man

may shriek) At so"nd o this+ the cry o Lie '!"n#in# down rom Lie-s

a'e3 in the #ri' o Death+ the a!! 'ack at $"ck-s hee!s raised a he!!-s

chor"s o de!i#ht)

$"ck did not cry o"t) He did not check himse!+ b"t drove in "'on ('it1+

sho"!der to sho"!der+ so hard that he missed the throat) They ro!!ed

over and over in the 'owdery snow) ('it1 #ained his eet a!most as

tho"#h he had not been overthrown+ s!ashin# $"ck down the sho"!der and

!ea'in# c!ear) Twice his teeth c!i''ed to#ether+ !ike the stee! aws o

a tra'+ as he backed away or better ootin#+ with !ean and !itin# !i's

that writhed and snar!ed)

In a 4ash $"ck knew it) The time had come) It was to the death) As

they circ!ed abo"t+ snar!in#+ ears !aid back+ keen!y watch"! or the

advanta#e+ the scene came to $"ck with a sense o ami!iarity) He seemed

to remember it a!!+//the white woods+ and earth+ and moon!i#ht+ and the

thri!! o batt!e) Over the whiteness and si!ence brooded a #host!y ca!m)

There was not the aintest whis'er o air//nothin# moved+ not a !ea

:"ivered+ the visib!e breaths o the do#s risin# s!ow!y and !in#erin# in


39/105

the rosty air) They had made short work o the snowshoe rabbit+ these

do#s that were i!!/tamed wo!ves. and they were now drawn "' in an

e3'ectant circ!e) They+ too+ were si!ent+ their eyes on!y #!eamin# and

their breaths dritin# s!ow!y "'ward) To $"ck it was nothin# new or

stran#e+ this scene o o!d time) It was as tho"#h it had a!ways been+

the wonted way o thin#s)

('it1 was a 'ractised ,#hter) From ('it1ber#en thro"#h the Arctic+ and

across Canada and the $arrens+ he had he!d his own with a!! manner o

do#s and achieved to mastery over them) $itter ra#e was his+ b"t never

b!ind ra#e) In 'assion to rend and destroy+ he never or#ot that his

enemy was in !ike 'assion to rend and destroy) He never r"shed ti!!

he was 're'ared to receive a r"sh. never attacked ti!! he had ,rst

deended that attack)

In vain $"ck strove to sink his teeth in the neck o the bi# white do#)

Wherever his an#s str"ck or the soter 4esh+ they were co"ntered by

the an#s o ('it1) Fan# c!ashed an#+ and !i's were c"t and b!eedin#+

b"t $"ck co"!d not 'enetrate his enemy-s #"ard) Then he warmed "' and

enve!o'ed ('it1 in a whir!wind o r"shes) Time and time a#ain he tried

or the snow/white throat+ where !ie b"bb!ed near to the s"race+ and

each time and every time ('it1 s!ashed him and #ot away) Then $"ck took

to r"shin#+ as tho"#h or the throat+ when+ s"dden!y drawin# back his

head and c"rvin# in rom the side+ he wo"!d drive his sho"!der at the

sho"!der o ('it1+ as a ram by which to overthrow him) $"t instead+

$"ck-s sho"!der was s!ashed down each time as ('it1 !ea'ed !i#ht!y away)

('it1 was "nto"ched+ whi!e $"ck was streamin# with b!ood and 'antin#

hard) The ,#ht was #rowin# des'erate) And a!! the whi!e the si!ent and


40/105

wo!,sh circ!e waited to ,nish o= whichever do# went down) As $"ck

#rew winded+ ('it1 took to r"shin#+ and he ke't him sta##erin# or

ootin#) Once $"ck went over+ and the who!e circ!e o si3ty do#s started

"'. b"t he recovered himse!+ a!most in mid air+ and the circ!e sank

down a#ain and waited)

$"t $"ck 'ossessed a :"a!ity that made or #reatness//ima#ination) He

o"#ht by instinct+ b"t he co"!d ,#ht by head as we!!) He r"shed+ as

tho"#h attem'tin# the o!d sho"!der trick+ b"t at the !ast instant swe't

!ow to the snow and in) His teeth c!osed on ('it1-s !et ore !e#) There

was a cr"nch o breakin# bone+ and the white do# aced him on three

!e#s) Thrice he tried to knock him over+ then re'eated the trick and

broke the ri#ht ore !e#) Des'ite the 'ain and he!'!essness+ ('it1

str"##!ed mad!y to kee' "') He saw the si!ent circ!e+ with #!eamin#

eyes+ !o!!in# ton#"es+ and si!very breaths dritin# "'ward+ c!osin# in

"'on him as he had seen simi!ar circ!es c!ose in "'on beaten anta#onists

in the 'ast) On!y this time he was the one who was beaten)

There was no ho'e or him) $"ck was ine3orab!e) &ercy was a thin#

reserved or #ent!er c!imes) He manoe"vred or the ,na! r"sh) The

circ!e had ti#htened ti!! he co"!d ee! the breaths o the h"skies on

his 4anks) He co"!d see them+ beyond ('it1 and to either side+ ha!

cro"chin# or the s'rin#+ their eyes ,3ed "'on him) A 'a"se seemed to

a!!) Every anima! was motion!ess as tho"#h t"rned to stone) On!y ('it1

:"ivered and brist!ed as he sta##ered back and orth+ snar!in# with

horrib!e menace+ as tho"#h to ri#hten o= im'endin# death) Then $"ck

s'ran# in and o"t. b"t whi!e he was in+ sho"!der had at !ast s:"are!y

met sho"!der) The dark circ!e became a dot on the moon/4ooded snow as

('it1 disa''eared rom view) $"ck stood and !ooked on+ the s"ccess"!


41/105


42/105

*


43/105

o b!ood in his veins. and he answered c"rse with snar! and ke't o"t o

their reach) He did not try to r"n away+ b"t retreated aro"nd and aro"nd

the cam'+ advertisin# '!ain!y that when his desire was met+ he wo"!d

come in and be #ood)

Francois sat down and scratched his head) Perra"!t !ooked at his watch

and swore) Time was 4yin#+ and they sho"!d have been on the trai! an

ho"r #one) Francois scratched his head a#ain) He shook it and #rinned

shee'ish!y at the co"rier+ who shr"##ed his sho"!ders in si#n that they

were beaten) Then Francois went "' to where (o!/!eks stood and ca!!ed

to $"ck) $"ck !a"#hed+ as do#s !a"#h+ yet ke't his distance) Francois

"nastened (o!/!eks-s traces and '"t him back in his o!d '!ace) The team

stood harnessed to the s!ed in an "nbroken !ine+ ready or the trai!)

There was no '!ace or $"ck save at the ront) Once more Francois

ca!!ed+ and once more $"ck !a"#hed and ke't away)

*T-row down de c!"b+* Perra"!t commanded)

Francois com'!ied+ where"'on $"ck trotted in+ !a"#hin# tri"m'hant!y+

and sw"n# aro"nd into 'osition at the head o the team) His traces were

astened+ the s!ed broken o"t+ and with both men r"nnin# they dashed o"t

on to the river trai!)

Hi#h!y as the do#/driver had oreva!"ed $"ck+ with his two devi!s+ he

o"nd+ whi!e the day was yet yo"n#+ that he had "nderva!"ed) At a bo"nd

$"ck took "' the d"ties o !eadershi'. and where "d#ment was re:"ired+

and :"ick thinkin# and :"ick actin#+ he showed himse! the s"'erior even

o ('it1+ o whom Francois had never seen an e:"a!)


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$"t it was in #ivin# the !aw and makin# his mates !ive "' to it+ that

$"ck e3ce!!ed) Dave and (o!/!eks did not mind the chan#e in !eadershi')

It was none o their b"siness) Their b"siness was to toi!+ and toi!

mi#hti!y+ in the traces) (o !on# as that were not interered with+ they

did not care what ha''ened) $i!!ee+ the #ood/nat"red+ co"!d !ead or a!!

they cared+ so !on# as he ke't order) The rest o the team+ however+ had

#rown "nr"!y d"rin# the !ast days o ('it1+ and their s"r'rise was #reat

now that $"ck 'roceeded to !ick them into sha'e)

Pike+ who '"!!ed at $"ck-s hee!s+ and who never '"t an o"nce more o his

wei#ht a#ainst the breast/band than he was com'e!!ed to do+ was swit!y

and re'eated!y shaken or !oa,n#. and ere the ,rst day was done he was

'"!!in# more than ever beore in his !ie) The ,rst ni#ht in cam'+

Joe+ the so"r one+ was '"nished ro"nd!y//a thin# that ('it1 had never

s"cceeded in doin#) $"ck sim'!y smothered him by virt"e o s"'erior

wei#ht+ and c"t him "' ti!! he ceased sna''in# and be#an to whine or

mercy)

The #enera! tone o the team 'icked "' immediate!y) It recovered its

o!d/time so!idarity+ and once more the do#s !ea'ed as one do# in the

traces) At the ;ink ;a'ids two native h"skies+ Teek and 9oona+ were

added. and the ce!erity with which $"ck broke them in took away

Francois-s breath)

*0evaire s"ch a do# as dat $"ck* he cried) *0o+ nevaire Heem worth one

t-o"san- do!!air+ by


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there was no new/a!!en snow with which to contend) It was not too co!d)

The tem'erat"re dro''ed to ,ty be!ow 1ero and remained there the who!e

tri') The men rode and ran by t"rn+ and the do#s were ke't on the "m'+

with b"t inre:"ent sto''a#es)

The Thirty &i!e ;iver was com'arative!y coated with ice+ and they

covered in one day #oin# o"t what had taken them ten days comin# in) In

one r"n they made a si3ty/mi!e dash rom the oot o Lake Le $ar#e to

the White Horse ;a'ids) Across &arsh+ Ta#ish+ and $ennett seventy mi!es

o !akes+ they 4ew so ast that the man whose t"rn it was to r"n

towed behind the s!ed at the end o a ro'e) And on the !ast ni#ht o the

second week they to''ed White Pass and dro''ed down the sea s!o'e with

the !i#hts o (ka#"ay and o the shi''in# at their eet)

It was a record r"n) Each day or o"rteen days they had avera#ed orty

mi!es) For three days Perra"!t and Francois threw chests "' and down the

main street o (ka#"ay and were de!"#ed with invitations to drink+ whi!e

the team was the constant centre o a worshi'"! crowd o do#/b"sters

and m"shers) Then three or o"r western bad men as'ired to c!ean o"t

the town+ were ridd!ed !ike 'e''er/bo3es or their 'ains+ and '"b!ic

interest t"rned to other ido!s) 0e3t came o?cia! orders) Francois

ca!!ed $"ck to him+ threw his arms aro"nd him+ we't over him) And that

was the !ast o Francois and Perra"!t) Like other men+ they 'assed o"t

o $"ck-s !ie or #ood)

A (cotch ha!/breed took char#e o him and his mates+ and in com'any

with a do1en other do#/teams he started back over the weary trai! to

Dawson) It was no !i#ht r"nnin# now+ nor record time+ b"t heavy toi!

each day+ with a heavy !oad behind. or this was the mai! train+


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carryin# word rom the wor!d to the men who so"#ht #o!d "nder the shadow

o the Po!e)

$"ck did not !ike it+ b"t he bore "' we!! to the work+ takin# 'ride in

it ater the manner o Dave and (o!/!eks+ and seein# that his mates+

whether they 'rided in it or not+ did their air share) It was a

monotono"s !ie+ o'eratin# with machine/!ike re#"!arity) One day was

very !ike another) At a certain time each mornin# the cooks t"rned o"t+

,res were b"i!t+ and breakast was eaten) Then+ whi!e some broke cam'+

others harnessed the do#s+ and they were "nder way an ho"r or so beore

the darkness e!! which #ave warnin# o dawn) At ni#ht+ cam' was made)

(ome 'itched the 4ies+ others c"t ,rewood and 'ine bo"#hs or the

beds+ and sti!! others carried water or ice or the cooks) A!so+ the

do#s were ed) To them+ this was the one eat"re o the day+ tho"#h it

was #ood to !oa aro"nd+ ater the ,sh was eaten+ or an ho"r or so

with the other do#s+ o which there were ,vescore and odd) There were

,erce ,#hters amon# them+ b"t three batt!es with the ,ercest bro"#ht

$"ck to mastery+ so that when he brist!ed and showed his teeth they #ot

o"t o his way)

$est o a!!+ 'erha's+ he !oved to !ie near the ,re+ hind !e#s cro"ched

"nder him+ ore !e#s stretched o"t in ront+ head raised+ and eyes

b!inkin# dreami!y at the 4ames) (ometimes he tho"#ht o J"d#e &i!!er-s

bi# ho"se in the s"n/kissed (anta C!ara %a!!ey+ and o the cement

swimmin#/tank+ and 2sabe!+ the &e3ican hair!ess+ and Toots+ the Ja'anese

'"#. b"t otener he remembered the man in the red sweater+ the death o

C"r!y+ the #reat ,#ht with ('it1+ and the #ood thin#s he had eaten or

wo"!d !ike to eat) He was not homesick) The ("n!and was very dim and

distant+ and s"ch memories had no 'ower over him) Far more 'otent were


47/105

the memories o his heredity that #ave thin#s he had never seen beore

a seemin# ami!iarity. the instincts which were b"t the memories o

his ancestors become habits which had !a'sed in !ater days+ and sti!!

!ater+ in him+ :"ickened and become a!ive a#ain)

(ometimes as he cro"ched there+ b!inkin# dreami!y at the 4ames+ it

seemed that the 4ames were o another ,re+ and that as he cro"ched

by this other ,re he saw another and di=erent man rom the ha!/breed

cook beore him) This other man was shorter o !e# and !on#er o arm+

with m"sc!es that were strin#y and knotty rather than ro"nded and

swe!!in#) The hair o this man was !on# and matted+ and his head s!anted

back "nder it rom the eyes) He "ttered stran#e so"nds+ and seemed very

m"ch araid o the darkness+ into which he 'eered contin"a!!y+ c!"tchin#

in his hand+ which h"n# midway between knee and oot+ a stick with a

heavy stone made ast to the end) He was a!! b"t naked+ a ra##ed and

,re/scorched skin han#in# 'art way down his back+ b"t on his body there

was m"ch hair) In some '!aces+ across the chest and sho"!ders and down

the o"tside o the arms and thi#hs+ it was matted into a!most a thick

"r) He did not stand erect+ b"t with tr"nk inc!ined orward rom

the hi's+ on !e#s that bent at the knees) Abo"t his body there was

a 'ec"!iar s'rin#iness+ or resi!iency+ a!most cat!ike+ and a :"ick

a!ertness as o one who !ived in 'er'et"a! ear o thin#s seen and

"nseen)

At other times this hairy man s:"atted by the ,re with head between

his !e#s and s!e't) On s"ch occasions his e!bows were on his knees+ his

hands c!as'ed above his head as tho"#h to shed rain by the hairy arms)

And beyond that ,re+ in the circ!in# darkness+ $"ck co"!d see many

#!eamin# coa!s+ two by two+ a!ways two by two+ which he knew to be the


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eyes o #reat beasts o 'rey) And he co"!d hear the crashin# o their

bodies thro"#h the "nder#rowth+ and the noises they made in the ni#ht)

And dreamin# there by the 2"kon bank+ with !a1y eyes b!inkin# at the

,re+ these so"nds and si#hts o another wor!d wo"!d make the hair to

rise a!on# his back and stand on end across his sho"!ders and "' his

neck+ ti!! he whim'ered !ow and s"''ressed!y+ or #row!ed sot!y+ and the

ha!/breed cook sho"ted at him+ *Hey+ yo" $"ck+ wake "'* Where"'on the

other wor!d wo"!d vanish and the rea! wor!d come into his eyes+ and he

wo"!d #et "' and yawn and stretch as tho"#h he had been as!ee')

It was a hard tri'+ with the mai! behind them+ and the heavy work wore

them down) They were short o wei#ht and in 'oor condition when they

made Dawson+ and sho"!d have had a ten days- or a week-s rest at

!east) $"t in two days- time they dro''ed down the 2"kon bank rom the

$arracks+ !oaded with !etters or the o"tside) The do#s were tired+ the

drivers #r"mb!in#+ and to make matters worse+ it snowed every day) This

meant a sot trai!+ #reater riction on the r"nners+ and heavier '"!!in#

or the do#s. yet the drivers were air thro"#h it a!!+ and did their

best or the anima!s)

Each ni#ht the do#s were attended to ,rst) They ate beore the drivers

ate+ and no man so"#ht his s!ee'in#/robe ti!! he had seen to the eet o

the do#s he drove) (ti!!+ their stren#th went down) (ince the be#innin#

o the winter they had trave!!ed ei#hteen h"ndred mi!es+ dra##in# s!eds

the who!e weary distance. and ei#hteen h"ndred mi!es wi!! te!! "'on !ie

o the to"#hest) $"ck stood it+ kee'in# his mates "' to their work and

maintainin# disci'!ine+ tho"#h he+ too+ was very tired) $i!!ee cried and

whim'ered re#"!ar!y in his s!ee' each ni#ht) Joe was so"rer than ever+

and (o!/!eks was "na''roachab!e+ b!ind side or other side)


49/105

$"t it was Dave who s"=ered most o a!!) (omethin# had #one wron# with

him) He became more morose and irritab!e+ and when cam' was 'itched at

once made his nest+ where his driver ed him) Once o"t o the harness

and down+ he did not #et on his eet a#ain ti!! harness/"' time in the

mornin#) (ometimes+ in the traces+ when erked by a s"dden sto''a#e o

the s!ed+ or by strainin# to start it+ he wo"!d cry o"t with 'ain) The

driver e3amined him+ b"t co"!d ,nd nothin#) A!! the drivers became

interested in his case) They ta!ked it over at mea!/time+ and over their

!ast 'i'es beore #oin# to bed+ and one ni#ht they he!d a cons"!tation)

He was bro"#ht rom his nest to the ,re and was 'ressed and 'rodded

ti!! he cried o"t many times) (omethin# was wron# inside+ b"t they co"!d

!ocate no broken bones+ co"!d not make it o"t)

$y the time Cassiar $ar was reached+ he was so weak that he was a!!in#

re'eated!y in the traces) The (cotch ha!/breed ca!!ed a ha!t and took

him o"t o the team+ makin# the ne3t do#+ (o!/!eks+ ast to the s!ed)

His intention was to rest Dave+ !ettin# him r"n ree behind the s!ed)

(ick as he was+ Dave resented bein# taken o"t+ #r"ntin# and #row!in#

whi!e the traces were "nastened+ and whim'erin# broken/hearted!y when

he saw (o!/!eks in the 'osition he had he!d and served so !on#) For the

'ride o trace and trai! was his+ and+ sick "nto death+ he co"!d not

bear that another do# sho"!d do his work)

When the s!ed started+ he 4o"ndered in the sot snow a!on#side the

beaten trai!+ attackin# (o!/!eks with his teeth+ r"shin# a#ainst him and

tryin# to thr"st him o= into the sot snow on the other side+ strivin#

to !ea' inside his traces and #et between him and the s!ed+ and a!! the

whi!e whinin# and ye!'in# and cryin# with #rie and 'ain) The ha!/breed


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$"t he he!d o"t ti!! cam' was reached+ when his driver made a '!ace or

him by the ,re) &ornin# o"nd him too weak to trave!) At harness/"'

time he tried to craw! to his driver) $y conv"!sive e=orts he #ot on

his eet+ sta##ered+ and e!!) Then he wormed his way orward s!ow!y

toward where the harnesses were bein# '"t on his mates) He wo"!d advance

his ore !e#s and dra# "' his body with a sort o hitchin# movement+

when he wo"!d advance his ore !e#s and hitch ahead a#ain or a ew more

inches) His stren#th !et him+ and the !ast his mates saw o him he !ay

#as'in# in the snow and yearnin# toward them) $"t they co"!d hear him

mo"rn"!!y how!in# ti!! they 'assed o"t o si#ht behind a be!t o river

timber)

Here the train was ha!ted) The (cotch ha!/breed s!ow!y retraced his

ste's to the cam' they had !et) The men ceased ta!kin#) A revo!ver/shot

ran# o"t) The man came back h"rried!y) The whi's sna''ed+ the be!!s

tink!ed merri!y+ the s!eds ch"rned a!on# the trai!. b"t $"ck knew+ and

every do# knew+ what had taken '!ace behind the be!t o river trees)

Cha'ter %) The Toi! o Trace and Trai!

Thirty days rom the time it !et Dawson+ the (a!t Water &ai!+ with $"ck

and his mates at the ore+ arrived at (ka#"ay) They were in a wretched

state+ worn o"t and worn down) $"ck-s one h"ndred and orty 'o"nds

had dwind!ed to one h"ndred and ,teen) The rest o his mates+ tho"#h

!i#hter do#s+ had re!ative!y !ost more wei#ht than he) Pike+ the


52/105

ma!in#erer+ who+ in his !ietime o deceit+ had oten s"ccess"!!y

ei#ned a h"rt !e#+ was now !im'in# in earnest) (o!/!eks was !im'in#+

and D"b was s"=erin# rom a wrenched sho"!der/b!ade)

They were a!! terrib!y ootsore) 0o s'rin# or rebo"nd was !et in them)

Their eet e!! heavi!y on the trai!+ arrin# their bodies and do"b!in#

the ati#"e o a day-s trave!) There was nothin# the matter with them

e3ce't that they were dead tired) It was not the dead/tiredness that

comes thro"#h brie and e3cessive e=ort+ rom which recovery is a

matter o ho"rs. b"t it was the dead/tiredness that comes thro"#h the

s!ow and 'ro!on#ed stren#th draina#e o months o toi!) There was no

'ower o rec"'eration !et+ no reserve stren#th to ca!! "'on) It had

been a!! "sed+ the !ast !east bit o it) Every m"sc!e+ every ,bre+

every ce!!+ was tired+ dead tired) And there was reason or it) In !ess

than ,ve months they had trave!!ed twenty/,ve h"ndred mi!es+ d"rin#

the !ast ei#hteen h"ndred o which they had had b"t ,ve days- rest)

When they arrived at (ka#"ay they were a''arent!y on their !ast !e#s)

They co"!d bare!y kee' the traces ta"t+ and on the down #rades "st

mana#ed to kee' o"t o the way o the s!ed)

*&"sh on+ 'oor sore eets+* the driver enco"ra#ed them as they tottered

down the main street o (ka#"ay) *Dis is de !as-) Den we #et one !on#

res-) EhB For s"re) One b"!!y !on# res-)*

The drivers con,dent!y e3'ected a !on# sto'over) Themse!ves+ they had

covered twe!ve h"ndred mi!es with two days- rest+ and in the nat"re o

reason and common "stice they deserved an interva! o !oa,n#) $"t so

many were the men who had r"shed into the 9!ondike+ and so many were the

sweethearts+ wives+ and kin that had not r"shed in+ that the con#ested


53/105


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*Oh+ that-s a!! ri#ht+ that-s a!! ri#ht+* the man hastened meek!y to

say) *I was "st a/wonderin-+ that is a!!) It seemed a mite to'/heavy)*

Char!es t"rned his back and drew the !ashin#s down as we!! as he co"!d+

which was not in the !east we!!)

*An- o co"rse the do#s can hike a!on# a!! day with that contra'tion

behind them+* a?rmed a second o the men)

*Certain!y+* said Ha!+ with ree1in# 'o!iteness+ takin# ho!d o the

#ee/'o!e with one hand and swin#in# his whi' rom the other) *&"sh* he

sho"ted) *&"sh on there*

The do#s s'ran# a#ainst the breast/bands+ strained hard or a ew

moments+ then re!a3ed) They were "nab!e to move the s!ed)

*The !a1y br"tes+ I-!! show them+* he cried+ 're'arin# to !ash o"t at

them with the whi')

$"t &ercedes interered+ cryin#+ *Oh+ Ha!+ yo" m"stn-t+* as she ca"#ht

ho!d o the whi' and wrenched it rom him) *The 'oor dears 0ow yo"

m"st 'romise yo" won-t be harsh with them or the rest o the tri'+ or I

won-t #o a ste')*

*Precio"s !ot yo" know abo"t do#s+* her brother sneered. *and I wish

yo"-d !eave me a!one) They-re !a1y+ I te!! yo"+ and yo"-ve #ot to whi'

them to #et anythin# o"t o them) That-s their way) 2o" ask any one) Ask

one o those men)*


56/105

&ercedes !ooked at them im'!orin#!y+ "nto!d re'"#nance at si#ht o 'ain

written in her 'retty ace)

*They-re weak as water+ i yo" want to know+* came the re'!y rom one

o the men) *P!"m t"ckered o"t+ that-s what-s the matter) They need a

rest)*

*;est be b!anked+* said Ha!+ with his beard!ess !i's. and &ercedes said+

*Oh* in 'ain and sorrow at the oath)

$"t she was a c!annish creat"re+ and r"shed at once to the deence o

her brother) *0ever mind that man+* she said 'ointed!y) *2o"-re drivin#

o"r do#s+ and yo" do what yo" think best with them)*

A#ain Ha!-s whi' e!! "'on the do#s) They threw themse!ves a#ainst the

breast/bands+ d"# their eet into the 'acked snow+ #ot down !ow to it+

and '"t orth a!! their stren#th) The s!ed he!d as tho"#h it were an

anchor) Ater two e=orts+ they stood sti!!+ 'antin#) The whi' was

whist!in# sava#e!y+ when once more &ercedes interered) (he dro''ed on

her knees beore $"ck+ with tears in her eyes+ and '"t her arms aro"nd

his neck)

*2o" 'oor+ 'oor dears+* she cried sym'athetica!!y+ *why don-t yo" '"!!

hardB//then yo" wo"!dn-t be whi''ed)* $"ck did not !ike her+ b"t he

was ee!in# too miserab!e to resist her+ takin# it as 'art o the day-s

miserab!e work)

One o the on!ookers+ who had been c!enchin# his teeth to s"''ress hot


57/105

s'eech+ now s'oke "'@//

*It-s not that I care a whoo' what becomes o yo"+ b"t or the do#s-

sakes I "st want to te!! yo"+ yo" can he!' them a mi#hty !ot by

breakin# o"t that s!ed) The r"nners are ro1e ast) Throw yo"r wei#ht

a#ainst the #ee/'o!e+ ri#ht and !et+ and break it o"t)*

A third time the attem't was made+ b"t this time+ o!!owin# the advice+

Ha! broke o"t the r"nners which had been ro1en to the snow) The

over!oaded and "nwie!dy s!ed or#ed ahead+ $"ck and his mates str"##!in#

rantica!!y "nder the rain o b!ows) A h"ndred yards ahead the 'ath

t"rned and s!o'ed stee'!y into the main street) It wo"!d have re:"ired

an e3'erienced man to kee' the to'/heavy s!ed "'ri#ht+ and Ha! was not

s"ch a man) As they sw"n# on the t"rn the s!ed went over+ s'i!!in#

ha! its !oad thro"#h the !oose !ashin#s) The do#s never sto''ed) The

!i#htened s!ed bo"nded on its side behind them) They were an#ry beca"se

o the i!! treatment they had received and the "n"st !oad) $"ck was

ra#in#) He broke into a r"n+ the team o!!owin# his !ead) Ha! cried

*Whoa whoa* b"t they #ave no heed) He tri''ed and was '"!!ed o= his

eet) The ca'si1ed s!ed #ro"nd over him+ and the do#s dashed on "' the

street+ addin# to the #ayety o (ka#"ay as they scattered the remainder

o the o"t,t a!on# its chie thoro"#hare)

9ind/hearted citi1ens ca"#ht the do#s and #athered "' the scattered

be!on#in#s) A!so+ they #ave advice) Ha! the !oad and twice the do#s+

i they ever e3'ected to reach Dawson+ was what was said) Ha! and

his sister and brother/in/!aw !istened "nwi!!in#!y+ 'itched tent+ and

overha"!ed the o"t,t) Canned #oods were t"rned o"t that made men !a"#h+

or canned #oods on the Lon# Trai! is a thin# to dream abo"t) *$!ankets


58/105

or a hote!* :"oth one o the men who !a"#hed and he!'ed) *Ha! as

many is too m"ch. #et rid o them) Throw away that tent+ and a!! those

dishes+//who-s #oin# to wash them+ anywayB


59/105

they o"nd themse!ves and by the i!! treatment they had received) The

two mon#re!s were witho"t s'irit at a!!. bones were the on!y thin#s

breakab!e abo"t them)

With the newcomers ho'e!ess and or!orn+ and the o!d team worn o"t by

twenty/,ve h"ndred mi!es o contin"o"s trai!+ the o"t!ook was anythin#

b"t bri#ht) The two men+ however+ were :"ite cheer"!) And they were

'ro"d+ too) They were doin# the thin# in sty!e+ with o"rteen do#s) They

had seen other s!eds de'art over the Pass or Dawson+ or come in rom

Dawson+ b"t never had they seen a s!ed with so many as o"rteen do#s) In

the nat"re o Arctic trave! there was a reason why o"rteen do#s sho"!d

not dra# one s!ed+ and that was that one s!ed co"!d not carry

Documents

call of wild.odt