CHAPTER 3
() thedominantprimordialbeast
thedominantprimordialbeastwasstronginbuck,andunderthefierceconditionsoftraillifeitgrewandgrew.yetitwasasecretgrowth.hisnewborncunninggavehitrol.hewastoobusyadjustinghimselftothenewlifetofeelatease,andnotonlydidhenotpickfights,butheavoidedthemwheneverpossible.acertaindeliberatenesscharacterizedhisattitude.heateaction;andinthebitterhatredbetweenhimandspitzhebetrayednoimpatience,shunnedalloffensiveacts.
ontheotherhand,possiblybecausehedivinedinbuckadangerousrival,spitzneverlostanopportunityofshowinghisteeth.heevenwentoutofhiswaytobullybuck,strivingconstantlytostartthefightwhichcouldendonlyinthedeathofoneortheother.
earlyinthetripthisnotbeenforanunwontedaident.attheendofthisdaytheytheshoreoflakelebarge.drivingsnow,awindthatcutlikeawhite-hotknife,anddarkness,hadforcedthegplace.theycouldhardlyhavefaredworse.attheirbacksroseaperpendicularwallofrock,andperraultandfrancoiswerecoheirsleepingrobesontheiceofthelakeitself.thetenttheyhaddiscardedatyeainordertotravellight.afewsticksofdriftwoodfurnishedthemwithafirethatthaweddownthroughtheiceandleftterinthedark.
closeinundertheshelteringrockbuck.sosnugandwarmwasit,thathewasloathtoleaveitwhenfrancoisdistributedthefishwhichhehadfirstthawedoverthefire.butwhenbuckfinishedhisrationandreturned,hefoundhisnestoupied.awarningsnarltoldhimtasseritz.tillnowbuckhadavoidedtroublewithhisenemy,butthiswastoomuch.thebeastinhimroared.hespranguponspitzwithafurywhichsurprisedthemboth,andspitzparticularly,forhiswholeexperiencewithbuckhadgooteachhimthathisrivalwasanunusuallytioholdhisownonlybecauseofhisgreatweightandsize.
francoisoutinatanglefroandhedivinedthecauseofthetrouble."a-a-ah!"hecriedtobuck."giveittohimbygar!giveittohim,thedirtythief!"
spitzwasequallywilling.hewascryingwithsheerrageandeagernessashecircledbackandforthforachancetospringin.buckwasnolesseager,andnolesscautious,ashelikewisecircledbackandforthfortheadvantage.butitwasthenthattheunexpectedhappened,thethingwhichprojectedtheirstruggleforsupreure,pastmanyawearymileoftrailandtoil.
anoathfromperrault,theresoundingilubuponabonyframe,andashrillyelpofpain,heraldedthebreakingforthofpandemonium.thecampwassuddenlydiscoveredtobealivewithskulkingfurryforms——starvinghuskies,fourorfivescoreofthehecampfromsomeindianvillage.theyhadcreptinwhilebuckandspitzwerefighting,andwhenthetwohstoutclubstheyshowedtheirteethandfoughtback.theywerecrazedbythesmellofthefood.perraultfoundonewithheadburiedinthegrub-box.hisclublandedheavilyonthegauntribs,andthegrub-boxantascoreofthefamishedbruteswerescra.theclubsfellupontheheyyelpedandhowledundertherainofblows,butstrugglednohelessmadlytillthelastcrumbhadbeendevoured.
intheeam-dogshadburstoutoftheirnestsonlytobesetuponbythefierceinvaders.neverhadbuckseensuchdogs.itseemedasthoughtheirboneswouldburstthroughtheirskins.theyweremereskeletons,drapedlooselyindraggledhides,withblazingeyesandslaveredfangs.butthehunger-madnessmadethemterrifying,irresistible.thereheteam-dogsweresweptbackagainstthecliffatthefirstonset.buckwasbesetbythreehuskies,andinatricehisheadandshoulderswererippedandslashed.thedinwasfrightful.billeewascryingasusual.daveandsol-leks,drippingbloodfromascoreofwounds,werefightingbravelysidebyside.joeinglikeadeeethclosedontheforelegofahusky,andhecruncheddownthroughthebone.pike,themalingerer,leapeduponthecrippledanihaquickflashofteethandajerk.buckgotafrothingadversarybythethroat,andhsankthroughthejugular.thewarmtasteofitinhismouthgoadedhiess.heflunghimselfuponanother,andatthesametimefeltteethsinkintohisownthroat.itgfromtheside.
perraultandfrancois,havingcleanedouttheirpartofthecamp,hurriedtosavetheirsled-dogs.thewildwaveoffamishedbeastsrolledbackbeforetheselffree.butiswasonlyforawopelledtorunbacktosavethegrub;uponwhichthehuskiesreturnedtotheattackontheteam.billee,terrifiedintobravery,sprangthroughthesavagecircleandfledawayovertheice.pikeanddubfollowedonhisheels,withtherestoftheteambehind.asbuckdrewhihem,outofthetailofhiseyehesawspitzrushuponhihrowinghimassofhuskies,therewasnohopeforhim.buthebracedhimselftotheshockofspitzscharge,thenjoinedtheflightoutonthelake.
later,thenieam-dogsgatheredtogetherandsoughtshelterintheforest.thoughunpursued,theywereinasorryplight.therewasnotonewhowasnotwoundedinfourorfiveplaces,whilesomewerewoundedgrievously.dubwasbadlyinjuredinahindleg;dolly,thelasthuskyaddedtotheteamatyea,hadabadlytornthroat;joehadlostaneye;whilebillee,thegood-natured,withanearchewedandrenttoribbons,criedandwhimperedthroughoutthenight.atdaybreaktheyliahetwomeninbadtempers.fullyhalftheirgrubsupplywasgone.thehuskieshadchewedthroughthesledlashingsandcanvascoverings.infact,nothing,nomatterhowremotelyeatable,hadescapedthem.theyhadeatenapairofperraultsasins,chunksoutoftheleathertraces,andeventwofeetoflashfromtheendoffrancoisswhip.hebrokefroionofittolookoverhiswoundeddogs.
"ah,myfriends,"hesaidsoftly,"mebbeitmakeyoumaddog,thosemanybites.mebbeallmaddog,sacredam!whatyouthink,eh,perrault?"
thecouriershookhisheaddubiously.withfourhundredmilesoftrailstillbetweenhimanddawson,hecouldillaffordtohaveiongottheharnessesintoshape,andthewound-stiffenedteamwasunderway,strugglingpainfullyoverthehardestpartofthetrailtheyhadyetencountered,andforthatmatter,thehardestbetweenthemanddawson.
thethirtymileriverwaswideopen.itswildwaterdefiedthefrost,anditwasintheeddiesonlyandinthequietplacesthattheiceheldatall.sixdaysofexhaustingtoilwererequiredtocoverthosethirtyterriblemiles.andterribletheywere,foreveryfootoftheplishedattheriskoflifetodogandman.adozentimes,perrault,nosingtheway,brokethroughtheicebridges,beingsavedbythelongpolehecarried,whichhesoheldthatitfelleachtihermometerregisteringfiftybelowzero,andeachtipelledforverylifetobuildafireanddryhisgarments.
nothingdauntedhiothingdauntedhiforgovernmentcourier.hetookallmannerofrisks,resolutelythrustinghislittleweazenedfaceintothefrostandstrugglingonfromdimdawntodark.heskirtedthefrowningshoresonrikledunderfootanduponwhichtheydarednothalt.once,thesledbrokethrough,withdaveandbuck,andtheywerehalf-frozenandallbutdrownedbythetimetheyweredraggedout.theusualfirewasnecessarytosavethem.theywerecoatedsolidlywithice,andthetwohemontherunaroundthefire,sweatingandthawing,soclosethattheyweresingedbytheflames.
atanothertimespitzwentthrough,draggingthewholeteamafterhimuptobuck,whostrainedbackwardwithallhisstrength,hisforepawsontheslipperyedgeandtheicequiveringandsnappingallaround.butbehindhimwasdave,likewisestrainingbackward,andbehindthesledwasfrancois,pullingtillhistendonscracked.
again,therimicebrokeawaybeforeandbehind,andtherewasnoescapeexceptupthecliff.perraultscaleditbyamiracle,whilefrancoisprayedforjustthatdwitheverythongandsledlashingandthelastbitofharnessroveintoalongrope,thedogswerehoisted,onebyone,tothecliffcrest.francoiscameuplast,afterthesledandload.thencamethesearchforaplacetodescend,whichdescentwasultimatelymadebytheaidoftherope,andnightfoundthetheriverwithaquarterofamiletothedayscredit.
bythetimetheymadethehootalinquaandgoodice,bucklayedout.therestofthedogswereinlikecondition;butperrault,tomakeuplosttime,pushedthemlateandearly.thefirstdaytheycoveredthirty-fivedaythirty-fivehirddayfortymiles,whichbroughtthemwelluptowardthefivefingers.
bucksfeetwerenotsocodhardasthefeetofthehuskies.hishadsoftenedduringthehedayhislastwildancestorwastamedbyacavedwellerorriverman.alldaylongheliade,laydownlikeadeaddog.hungryashewas,hewouldnotmovetoreceivehisrationoffish,whichfrancoishadtobringtohim.also,thedog-driverrubbedbucksfeetforhalfanhoureacper,andsacrificedthetopsofhisownasinsforbuck.thiswasagreatrelief,andbuckcausedeventheweazenedfaceofperraulttotwistitselfintoagrinonemorning,whenfrancoisforgottheasinsandbucklayonhisback,hisfourfeetwavingappealinglyintheair,andrefusedtobudgewithoutthem.laterhisfeetgrewhardtothetrail,andtheworn-outfootgearwasthrownaway.
atthepellyonemorning,astheywereharnessingup,dolly,whohadneverbeenconspicuousforanything,wentsuddenlyditionbyalong,heart-breakingwolfhowlthatsenteverydogbristlingwithfear,thensprangstraightforbuck.hehadneverseenadoggoofearherewashorror,andfledawayfromitinapanic.straightawayheraced,withdolly,pantingandfrothing,oneleapbehind;norcouldshegainonhim,sogreatwashisterror,norcouldheleaveher,sogreatwasherhroughthewoodedbreastoftheisland,flewdowntothelowerend,crossedabackchannelfilledwithroughicetoanotherisland,gainedathirdisland,curvedbacktotheionstartedtocrossit.andallthetime,thoughhedidnotlook,hecouldhearhersnarlingjustoneleapbehind.francoiscalledtohimaquarterofamileawayandhedoubledback,stilloneleapahead,gaspingpainfullyforairandputtingallhisfaithinthatfrancoiswouldsavehim.thedog-driverheldtheaxepoisedinhishand,andasbuckshotpasthimtheaxecrasheddownuponmaddollyshead.
buckstaggeredoveragainstthesled,exhausted,sobbingforbreath,helpless.thisitzsopportunity.hespranguponbuck,andtwicehisteethsankintohisunresistingfoeandrippedandtorethefleshtothebone.thenfrancoislashdescended,andbuckhadthesatisfactionofwatchingspitzreceivetheworstwhippingasyetadoanyoftheteam.
"onedevil,datspitz,"remarkedperrault."somedamdayhimkilldatbuck."
"datbucktwodevils,"wasfrancoissrejoinder."alldetiowforsure.lissen:somedamfinedayhimgetmadlikehellanddenhimcheitzallupandspithimoutondesnow.sure,ikno;quot;
fromthenonitwaswarbetweentheowledgedmasteroftheteahlanddog.fandstrangebuckwastohim,forofthemanysouthlanddogshehadknown,notonehadshownupworthilyincampandontrail.theywerealltoosoft,dyingunderthetoil,thefrost,andstarvation.buckwastheexception.healoneenduredandprospered,h,savagery,andcunning.ethenhewasamasterfuldog,andwhatmadehimdangerouswasthefactthattheclubofthemanintheredsweaterhadknockedallblindpluckandrashnessoutofhisdesireforlycunning,andcouldbidehistiwasnothinglessthanprimitive.
itwasinevitablethattheclashforleadershipshouldcobecauseitwashisnature,becausehehadbeengrippedtigrehensibleprideofthetrailandtrace——thatpridewhichholdsdogsinthetoiltothelastgasp,whichluresthemtodiejoyfullyintheharness,andbreakstheirheartsiftheyarecutoutoftheharness.thisrideofdaveaswheel-dog,ofsol-leksashepulledwithallhisstrength;thepridethatlaidholdoftheing,eager,ambitiouscreatures;thepridethatspurredthemonalldayanddroppedthepatnight,lettingtheanddiscontent.thishrashthesled-dogswhoblunderedandshirkedinthetracesorhidawayatharness-uptimeinthemorning.likewiseitwasthispridethatmadehimfearbuckasapossiblelead-dog.andthiswasbuckspride,too.
heopenlythreatenedtheothersleadership.hecamebetweenhimandtheshirksheshouldhavepunished.andhediditdeliberately.onenighttherewasaheavysnowfall,andinthehemalingerer,didnotappear.hewassecurelyhiddeninhisnestunderafootofsnow.francoiscalledhimandsoughthiminvain.spitzwaswildwithwrath.heragedthroughthecamp,smellinganddiggingineverylikelyplace,snarlingsofrightfullythatpikeheardandshiveredinhishiding-place.
butwhenhewasatlastunearthed,andspitzflewathimtopunishhim,buckflewwithequalrage,inbetween.sounexpectedwasit,andsoshreitzwashurledbackwardandoffhisfeet.pike,whohadbeentrely,tookenmutiny,andspranguponhisoverthrownleader.buck,tolaywasaforgottencode,likewisespranguponspitz.butfrancois,chucklingattheincidentwhileunswervingintheadministrationofjustice,broughthislashdownuponbuckwithallhismight.thisfailedtodrivebuckfroofthewhipwasbrouglay.half-stunnedbytheblow,buckwasknockedbackwardandthelashlaiduponhimagainandagain,whilespitzsoundlypunishedthemanytimesoffendingpike.
inthedaysthatfollowed,asdawsongrewcloserandcloser,buckstillcontinuedtointerferebetweenspitzandtheculprits;buthediditcraftily,whenfrancoiswasnotaround.withthecovertmutinyofbuck,ageneralinsubordinationsprangupandincreased.daveandsol-lekswereunaffected,buttherestoftheteaualbickeringandjangling.troublewasalwaysafoot,andatthebottomofitwasbuck.hekeptfrancoisbusy,forthedog-driverwasinconstantapprehensionofthelife-and-deathstrugglebetweenthetwowhichheknewerorlater;andonthesoundsofquarrelingandstrifeaherdogsturnedhimoutofhissleepingrobe,fearfulthatbuckandspitzwereatit.
buttheopportunitydidnotpresentitself,andtheypulledintodawsononedrearyafternoonwiththegreatfightstilltocotlessdogs,andbuckfoundthemallatwork.itseemedtheordainedorderofthingsthatdogsshouldwork.alldaytheyswungupanddowntheinlongteatheirjinglingbellsstillwentby.theyhauledcabinlogsandfirewood,freighteduptothemines,anddidallmannerofworkthathorsesdidinthesantaclaravalley.hereandtherebuckheywerethewildwolfhuskybreed.everynight,regularly,atnine,attwelve,andthree,theyliftedanocturnalsong,aweirdandeeriechant,inwhichitwasbucksdelighttojoin.
withtheauroraborealisflamingcoldlyoverhead,orthestarsleapinginthefrostdance,andthelandnuspallofsnow,thissongofthehuskiesmighthavebeenthedefianceoflife,onlyithlong-drawnwailingsandhalf-sobs,andwasmorethepleadingoflife,thearticulatetravailofexistence.itwasanoldsong,oldasthebreeditself——oneofthefirstsongsoftheyoungerworldinadaywhensongsweresad.itwasinvestedwiththewoeofunnuions,thisplaintbywhichbuckwassostrangelystirred.whenhemoanedandsobbed,itwaswiththepainoflivingthatwasofoldthepainofhiswildfathers,andthefearandddarkthatwastothemfearandmystery.andthatheshouldbestirredbyithwhichheharkedbackthroughtheagesoffireandrooftotherawbeginningsoflifeinthehowlingages.
sevendaysfromtulledintodawson,theydroppeddownthesteepbankbythebarrackstotheyukontrail,andpulledforyeaandsalterraultwascarryingdispatchesifanythingmoreurgentthanthosehehadbroughtin;also,thetravelpridehadgrippedhim,andhepurposedtomaketherecordtripoftheyear.severalthingsfavoredhiminthis.theweeksresthadrecuperatedthedogsandputtheminthoroughtrim.thetrailtheyhadbrokenintothecountryackedhardbylaterjourneyers.andfurther,thepolicehadarrangedintwoorthreeplacesdepositsofgrubfordogandravelinglight.
theymadesixtymile,whichisafifty-day;andtheseconddaysawtheheirelly.butsuchsplendidrunningwasachievednotwithoutgreattroubleandvexationonthepartoffrancois.theinsidiousrevoltledbybuckhaddestroyedthesolidarityoftheteam.itnolongerwasasonedogleapinginthetraces.theencouragementbuckgavetherebelsledthemintoallkindsofpettyzaleadergreatlytobefeared.theoldawedeparted,andtheygrewequaltochallengingikerobbedhi,andgulpeditdownundertheprotectionofbuck.anothernightdubandjoefoughtspitzandheydeserved.andevenbillee,thegood-natured,waslessgood-natured,andwhinednothalfsoplacatinglyasinforearspitzwithoutsnarlingandbristlingtapproachedthatofabully,andhewasgiventoswaggeringupanddownbeforespitzsverynose.
thebreakingdownofdisciplinelikewiseaffectedthedogsintheirrelationswithoneanother.theyquarreledandbickeredmorethaneveramongthemselves,tillattimesthecampwasahowlingbedlaered,thoughtheyweremadeirritablebytheunendingsquabbling.francoissworestrangebarbarousoaths,andstampedthesnowinfutilerage,andtorehishair.hislashwasalwayssingingamongthedogs,butitwasofsmallavail.directlyhisbackwasturnedtheywereatitagain.hebackedupspitzwithhiswhip,whilebuckbackedupthereheteaewhewasbehindallthetrouble,andbuckknewheknew;butbuckwastooclevereveragaintobecaughtred-handed.heworkedfaithfullyintheharness,forthetoilhadbeeadelighttohim;yetitwasagreaterdelightslylytoprecipitateafightaraces.
attheaftersupper,dubturnedupasnowshoerabbit,blunderedit,andhewholeteamwasinfullcry.ahundredyardsawayoftolice,withfiftydogs,huskiesall,whojoinedthechase.therabbitspeddowntheriver,turnedoffintoasmallcreek,upthefrozenbedofwhichitheldsteadily.itranlightlyonthesurfaceofthesnow,whilethedogsplowedthroughbyh.buckledthepack,sixtystrong,aroundbendafterbend,buthecouldnotgain.helaydownlowtotherace,whiningeagerly,hissplendidbodyflashingforward,leapbyleap,inthewanwhitemoonlight.andleapbyleap,likesomepalefrostwraith,thesnowshoerabbitflashedonahead.
allthatstirringofoldinstinctsweriodsdrivesmenoutfromthesoundingcitiestoforestandplaintokillthingsbychehebloodlust,thejoytokill——allthiswasbucks,onlyitwasinfinitelymoreintimate.hewasrangingattheheadofthepack,runningthewildthingdown,thelivinghandwashhismuzzletotheeyesinwarmblood.
thereisanecstasythatmarksthesummitoflife,andbeyondwhichlifecannotrise.andsuchistheparadoxofliving,thisecstasyeswhenoneismostalive,anditcohatoneisalive.thisecstasy,thisforgetfulnessofliving,estotheartist,caughtupandoutofhiofflaestothesoldier,war-fieldandrefusingquarter;anditcametobuck,leadingthepack,soundingtheoldwolf-cry,strainingafterthefoodthatwasaliveandthatfledswiftlybeforehimthroughthemoonlight.hewassoundingthedeepsofhisnature,andofthepartsofhisnaturethatweredeeperthanhe,goingbackintothewomboftime.hewasmasteredbythesheersurgingoflife,thetidalwaveofbeing,theperfectjoyofeachseparatehatitwaseverythingthatwasnotdeath,thatitwasaglowandra,flyingexultantlyunderthestarsandoverthefaceofdeadmatterthatdidnotmove.
butspitz,coldandcalculatingeveninhissuprerossanarrowneckoflandwherethecreekotknowofthis,andasheroundedthebend,thefrostwraithofarabbitstillflittingbeforehim,hesawanotherandlargerfrostwraithleapfromtheoverhangingbankintotheimmediatepathoftherabbit.itotturn,andasthewhiteteethbrokeitsbackinmidairitshriekedasloudlyasastrickenmanmayshriek.atsoundofthis,thecryoflifeplungingdownfromlifesapexinthegripofdeath,thefullpackatbucksheelsraisedahellschorusofdelight.
buckdidnotcryout.hedidnotcheckhimself,butdroveinuponspitz,shouldertoshoulder,sohardthathemissedthethroat.theyrolledoverandoverinthepowderysnow.spitzgainedhisfeetalhrown,slashingbuckdowntheshoulderandleapingclear.twicepedtogether,likethesteelja,ashebackedawayforbetterfooting,withleanandliftinglipsthatwrithedandsnarled.
inaflashbuckknewit.thetie.itwastothedeath.astheycircledabout,snarling,earslaidback,keenlywatchfulfortheadvantage,thescenecametobuckwithasenseoffamiliarity.heseemedtorememberitall——thewhitewoods,andearth,andhrillofbattle.overthewhitenessandsilencebroodedaghostlycalwhisperofair——nothingmoved,notaleafquivered,thevisiblebreathsofthedogsrisingslowlyandlingeringinthefrostyair.theyhadmadeshortworkofthesnowshoerabbit,thesedogsthatwereill-tale.they,too,weresilent,theireyesonlygleamingandtheirbreathsdriftingslowlyupward.tobuckitwasnothingneworstrange,thissceneofoldtime.itwasasthoughithadalwaysbeen,thewontedwayofthings.
spitzedfighter.fromspitzbergenthroughthearctic,andacrosscanadaandthebarrens,hehadheldhisownwithallmannerofdogsandachievedtomasteryoverthem.bitterragewashis,butneverblindrage.inpassiontorendanddestroy,heneverforgotthathisenemywasinlikepassiontorendanddestroy.heneverrushedtillheackedtillhehadfirstdefendedthatattack.
invainbuckstrovetosinkhisteethintheneckofthebigwhitedog.whereverhisfangsstruckforthesofterflesh,theywerecounteredbythefangsofspitz.fangclashedfang,andlipswerecutandbleeding,butbuckcouldnotperatehisenemysguard.thenhewarmedupandenvelopedspitzinawhirlwindofrushes.tiriedforthesnow-whitethroat,wherelifebubbledneartothesurface,andeachtiimespitzslashedhimandgotaway.thenbucktooktorushing,asthoughforthethroat,when,suddenlydrawingbackhisheadandcurvinginfromtheside,hewoulddrivehisshoulderattheshoulderofspitz,asarambywhichtooverthrowhim.butinstead,bucksshoulderwasslasheddowneachtimeasspitzleapedlightlyaway.
spitzwasuntouched,whilebuckwasstreamingwithbloodandpantinghard.thefightwasgrowingdesperate.andallthewhilethesilentandwolfishcirclewaitedtofinishoffwhicheverdogwentdown.asbuckgrewwinded,spitztooktorushing,andhekepthimstaggeringforfooting.oncebuckwentover,andthewholecircleofsixtydogsstartedup;butherecoveredhimself,allesankdownagainandwaited.
butbuckpossessedaqualitythatmadeforgreatness——imagination.hefoughtbyinstinct,buthecouldfightbyheadaswellherushed,asthougtingtheoldshouldertrick,butatthelastinstantsweptlowtothesnowandin.histeethclosedonspitzsleftforeleg.therewasacrunchofbreakingbone,andthewhitedogfacedhimonthreelegs.thricehetriedtoknockhihetrickandbroketherightforeleg.despitethepainandhelplessness,spitzstruggledmadlytokeepup.hesawthesilentcircle,withgleamingeyes,lollingtongues,andsilverybreathsdriftingupward,closinginuponhi.onlythistimehewastheonewhowasbeaten.
therewasnohopeforhim.buckwasinexorable.mercywasathingreservedforgentlerclimes.hemaneuveredforthefinalrush.thecirclehadtightenedtillhecouldfeelthebreathsofthehuskiesonhisflanks.hecouldseetheherside,half-crouchingforthespring,theireyesfixeduponhim.apauseseemedtofall.everyanihoughturnedtostone.onlyspitzquiveredandbristledashestaggeredbackandforth,snarlingwithhorriblehoughtofrightenoffihenbuckspranginandout;butwhilehewasin,shoulderhadatlastsquarelyameadotonthemoonfloodedsnoitzdisappearedfromview.buckstoodandlookedon,thesuessfulchampion,thedominantprimordialbeastwhohadmadehiskillandfounditgood.
thedominantprimordialbeastwasstronginbuck,andunderthefierceconditionsoftraillifeitgrewandgrew.yetitwasasecretgrowth.hisnewborncunninggavehitrol.hewastoobusyadjustinghimselftothenewlifetofeelatease,andnotonlydidhenotpickfights,butheavoidedthemwheneverpossible.acertaindeliberatenesscharacterizedhisattitude.heateaction;andinthebitterhatredbetweenhimandspitzhebetrayednoimpatience,shunnedalloffensiveacts.
ontheotherhand,possiblybecausehedivinedinbuckadangerousrival,spitzneverlostanopportunityofshowinghisteeth.heevenwentoutofhiswaytobullybuck,strivingconstantlytostartthefightwhichcouldendonlyinthedeathofoneortheother.
earlyinthetripthisnotbeenforanunwontedaident.attheendofthisdaytheytheshoreoflakelebarge.drivingsnow,awindthatcutlikeawhite-hotknife,anddarkness,hadforcedthegplace.theycouldhardlyhavefaredworse.attheirbacksroseaperpendicularwallofrock,andperraultandfrancoiswerecoheirsleepingrobesontheiceofthelakeitself.thetenttheyhaddiscardedatyeainordertotravellight.afewsticksofdriftwoodfurnishedthemwithafirethatthaweddownthroughtheiceandleftterinthedark.
closeinundertheshelteringrockbuck.sosnugandwarmwasit,thathewasloathtoleaveitwhenfrancoisdistributedthefishwhichhehadfirstthawedoverthefire.butwhenbuckfinishedhisrationandreturned,hefoundhisnestoupied.awarningsnarltoldhimtasseritz.tillnowbuckhadavoidedtroublewithhisenemy,butthiswastoomuch.thebeastinhimroared.hespranguponspitzwithafurywhichsurprisedthemboth,andspitzparticularly,forhiswholeexperiencewithbuckhadgooteachhimthathisrivalwasanunusuallytioholdhisownonlybecauseofhisgreatweightandsize.
francoisoutinatanglefroandhedivinedthecauseofthetrouble."a-a-ah!"hecriedtobuck."giveittohimbygar!giveittohim,thedirtythief!"
spitzwasequallywilling.hewascryingwithsheerrageandeagernessashecircledbackandforthforachancetospringin.buckwasnolesseager,andnolesscautious,ashelikewisecircledbackandforthfortheadvantage.butitwasthenthattheunexpectedhappened,thethingwhichprojectedtheirstruggleforsupreure,pastmanyawearymileoftrailandtoil.
anoathfromperrault,theresoundingilubuponabonyframe,andashrillyelpofpain,heraldedthebreakingforthofpandemonium.thecampwassuddenlydiscoveredtobealivewithskulkingfurryforms——starvinghuskies,fourorfivescoreofthehecampfromsomeindianvillage.theyhadcreptinwhilebuckandspitzwerefighting,andwhenthetwohstoutclubstheyshowedtheirteethandfoughtback.theywerecrazedbythesmellofthefood.perraultfoundonewithheadburiedinthegrub-box.hisclublandedheavilyonthegauntribs,andthegrub-boxantascoreofthefamishedbruteswerescra.theclubsfellupontheheyyelpedandhowledundertherainofblows,butstrugglednohelessmadlytillthelastcrumbhadbeendevoured.
intheeam-dogshadburstoutoftheirnestsonlytobesetuponbythefierceinvaders.neverhadbuckseensuchdogs.itseemedasthoughtheirboneswouldburstthroughtheirskins.theyweremereskeletons,drapedlooselyindraggledhides,withblazingeyesandslaveredfangs.butthehunger-madnessmadethemterrifying,irresistible.thereheteam-dogsweresweptbackagainstthecliffatthefirstonset.buckwasbesetbythreehuskies,andinatricehisheadandshoulderswererippedandslashed.thedinwasfrightful.billeewascryingasusual.daveandsol-leks,drippingbloodfromascoreofwounds,werefightingbravelysidebyside.joeinglikeadeeethclosedontheforelegofahusky,andhecruncheddownthroughthebone.pike,themalingerer,leapeduponthecrippledanihaquickflashofteethandajerk.buckgotafrothingadversarybythethroat,andhsankthroughthejugular.thewarmtasteofitinhismouthgoadedhiess.heflunghimselfuponanother,andatthesametimefeltteethsinkintohisownthroat.itgfromtheside.
perraultandfrancois,havingcleanedouttheirpartofthecamp,hurriedtosavetheirsled-dogs.thewildwaveoffamishedbeastsrolledbackbeforetheselffree.butiswasonlyforawopelledtorunbacktosavethegrub;uponwhichthehuskiesreturnedtotheattackontheteam.billee,terrifiedintobravery,sprangthroughthesavagecircleandfledawayovertheice.pikeanddubfollowedonhisheels,withtherestoftheteambehind.asbuckdrewhihem,outofthetailofhiseyehesawspitzrushuponhihrowinghimassofhuskies,therewasnohopeforhim.buthebracedhimselftotheshockofspitzscharge,thenjoinedtheflightoutonthelake.
later,thenieam-dogsgatheredtogetherandsoughtshelterintheforest.thoughunpursued,theywereinasorryplight.therewasnotonewhowasnotwoundedinfourorfiveplaces,whilesomewerewoundedgrievously.dubwasbadlyinjuredinahindleg;dolly,thelasthuskyaddedtotheteamatyea,hadabadlytornthroat;joehadlostaneye;whilebillee,thegood-natured,withanearchewedandrenttoribbons,criedandwhimperedthroughoutthenight.atdaybreaktheyliahetwomeninbadtempers.fullyhalftheirgrubsupplywasgone.thehuskieshadchewedthroughthesledlashingsandcanvascoverings.infact,nothing,nomatterhowremotelyeatable,hadescapedthem.theyhadeatenapairofperraultsasins,chunksoutoftheleathertraces,andeventwofeetoflashfromtheendoffrancoisswhip.hebrokefroionofittolookoverhiswoundeddogs.
"ah,myfriends,"hesaidsoftly,"mebbeitmakeyoumaddog,thosemanybites.mebbeallmaddog,sacredam!whatyouthink,eh,perrault?"
thecouriershookhisheaddubiously.withfourhundredmilesoftrailstillbetweenhimanddawson,hecouldillaffordtohaveiongottheharnessesintoshape,andthewound-stiffenedteamwasunderway,strugglingpainfullyoverthehardestpartofthetrailtheyhadyetencountered,andforthatmatter,thehardestbetweenthemanddawson.
thethirtymileriverwaswideopen.itswildwaterdefiedthefrost,anditwasintheeddiesonlyandinthequietplacesthattheiceheldatall.sixdaysofexhaustingtoilwererequiredtocoverthosethirtyterriblemiles.andterribletheywere,foreveryfootoftheplishedattheriskoflifetodogandman.adozentimes,perrault,nosingtheway,brokethroughtheicebridges,beingsavedbythelongpolehecarried,whichhesoheldthatitfelleachtihermometerregisteringfiftybelowzero,andeachtipelledforverylifetobuildafireanddryhisgarments.
nothingdauntedhiothingdauntedhiforgovernmentcourier.hetookallmannerofrisks,resolutelythrustinghislittleweazenedfaceintothefrostandstrugglingonfromdimdawntodark.heskirtedthefrowningshoresonrikledunderfootanduponwhichtheydarednothalt.once,thesledbrokethrough,withdaveandbuck,andtheywerehalf-frozenandallbutdrownedbythetimetheyweredraggedout.theusualfirewasnecessarytosavethem.theywerecoatedsolidlywithice,andthetwohemontherunaroundthefire,sweatingandthawing,soclosethattheyweresingedbytheflames.
atanothertimespitzwentthrough,draggingthewholeteamafterhimuptobuck,whostrainedbackwardwithallhisstrength,hisforepawsontheslipperyedgeandtheicequiveringandsnappingallaround.butbehindhimwasdave,likewisestrainingbackward,andbehindthesledwasfrancois,pullingtillhistendonscracked.
again,therimicebrokeawaybeforeandbehind,andtherewasnoescapeexceptupthecliff.perraultscaleditbyamiracle,whilefrancoisprayedforjustthatdwitheverythongandsledlashingandthelastbitofharnessroveintoalongrope,thedogswerehoisted,onebyone,tothecliffcrest.francoiscameuplast,afterthesledandload.thencamethesearchforaplacetodescend,whichdescentwasultimatelymadebytheaidoftherope,andnightfoundthetheriverwithaquarterofamiletothedayscredit.
bythetimetheymadethehootalinquaandgoodice,bucklayedout.therestofthedogswereinlikecondition;butperrault,tomakeuplosttime,pushedthemlateandearly.thefirstdaytheycoveredthirty-fivedaythirty-fivehirddayfortymiles,whichbroughtthemwelluptowardthefivefingers.
bucksfeetwerenotsocodhardasthefeetofthehuskies.hishadsoftenedduringthehedayhislastwildancestorwastamedbyacavedwellerorriverman.alldaylongheliade,laydownlikeadeaddog.hungryashewas,hewouldnotmovetoreceivehisrationoffish,whichfrancoishadtobringtohim.also,thedog-driverrubbedbucksfeetforhalfanhoureacper,andsacrificedthetopsofhisownasinsforbuck.thiswasagreatrelief,andbuckcausedeventheweazenedfaceofperraulttotwistitselfintoagrinonemorning,whenfrancoisforgottheasinsandbucklayonhisback,hisfourfeetwavingappealinglyintheair,andrefusedtobudgewithoutthem.laterhisfeetgrewhardtothetrail,andtheworn-outfootgearwasthrownaway.
atthepellyonemorning,astheywereharnessingup,dolly,whohadneverbeenconspicuousforanything,wentsuddenlyditionbyalong,heart-breakingwolfhowlthatsenteverydogbristlingwithfear,thensprangstraightforbuck.hehadneverseenadoggoofearherewashorror,andfledawayfromitinapanic.straightawayheraced,withdolly,pantingandfrothing,oneleapbehind;norcouldshegainonhim,sogreatwashisterror,norcouldheleaveher,sogreatwasherhroughthewoodedbreastoftheisland,flewdowntothelowerend,crossedabackchannelfilledwithroughicetoanotherisland,gainedathirdisland,curvedbacktotheionstartedtocrossit.andallthetime,thoughhedidnotlook,hecouldhearhersnarlingjustoneleapbehind.francoiscalledtohimaquarterofamileawayandhedoubledback,stilloneleapahead,gaspingpainfullyforairandputtingallhisfaithinthatfrancoiswouldsavehim.thedog-driverheldtheaxepoisedinhishand,andasbuckshotpasthimtheaxecrasheddownuponmaddollyshead.
buckstaggeredoveragainstthesled,exhausted,sobbingforbreath,helpless.thisitzsopportunity.hespranguponbuck,andtwicehisteethsankintohisunresistingfoeandrippedandtorethefleshtothebone.thenfrancoislashdescended,andbuckhadthesatisfactionofwatchingspitzreceivetheworstwhippingasyetadoanyoftheteam.
"onedevil,datspitz,"remarkedperrault."somedamdayhimkilldatbuck."
"datbucktwodevils,"wasfrancoissrejoinder."alldetiowforsure.lissen:somedamfinedayhimgetmadlikehellanddenhimcheitzallupandspithimoutondesnow.sure,ikno;quot;
fromthenonitwaswarbetweentheowledgedmasteroftheteahlanddog.fandstrangebuckwastohim,forofthemanysouthlanddogshehadknown,notonehadshownupworthilyincampandontrail.theywerealltoosoft,dyingunderthetoil,thefrost,andstarvation.buckwastheexception.healoneenduredandprospered,h,savagery,andcunning.ethenhewasamasterfuldog,andwhatmadehimdangerouswasthefactthattheclubofthemanintheredsweaterhadknockedallblindpluckandrashnessoutofhisdesireforlycunning,andcouldbidehistiwasnothinglessthanprimitive.
itwasinevitablethattheclashforleadershipshouldcobecauseitwashisnature,becausehehadbeengrippedtigrehensibleprideofthetrailandtrace——thatpridewhichholdsdogsinthetoiltothelastgasp,whichluresthemtodiejoyfullyintheharness,andbreakstheirheartsiftheyarecutoutoftheharness.thisrideofdaveaswheel-dog,ofsol-leksashepulledwithallhisstrength;thepridethatlaidholdoftheing,eager,ambitiouscreatures;thepridethatspurredthemonalldayanddroppedthepatnight,lettingtheanddiscontent.thishrashthesled-dogswhoblunderedandshirkedinthetracesorhidawayatharness-uptimeinthemorning.likewiseitwasthispridethatmadehimfearbuckasapossiblelead-dog.andthiswasbuckspride,too.
heopenlythreatenedtheothersleadership.hecamebetweenhimandtheshirksheshouldhavepunished.andhediditdeliberately.onenighttherewasaheavysnowfall,andinthehemalingerer,didnotappear.hewassecurelyhiddeninhisnestunderafootofsnow.francoiscalledhimandsoughthiminvain.spitzwaswildwithwrath.heragedthroughthecamp,smellinganddiggingineverylikelyplace,snarlingsofrightfullythatpikeheardandshiveredinhishiding-place.
butwhenhewasatlastunearthed,andspitzflewathimtopunishhim,buckflewwithequalrage,inbetween.sounexpectedwasit,andsoshreitzwashurledbackwardandoffhisfeet.pike,whohadbeentrely,tookenmutiny,andspranguponhisoverthrownleader.buck,tolaywasaforgottencode,likewisespranguponspitz.butfrancois,chucklingattheincidentwhileunswervingintheadministrationofjustice,broughthislashdownuponbuckwithallhismight.thisfailedtodrivebuckfroofthewhipwasbrouglay.half-stunnedbytheblow,buckwasknockedbackwardandthelashlaiduponhimagainandagain,whilespitzsoundlypunishedthemanytimesoffendingpike.
inthedaysthatfollowed,asdawsongrewcloserandcloser,buckstillcontinuedtointerferebetweenspitzandtheculprits;buthediditcraftily,whenfrancoiswasnotaround.withthecovertmutinyofbuck,ageneralinsubordinationsprangupandincreased.daveandsol-lekswereunaffected,buttherestoftheteaualbickeringandjangling.troublewasalwaysafoot,andatthebottomofitwasbuck.hekeptfrancoisbusy,forthedog-driverwasinconstantapprehensionofthelife-and-deathstrugglebetweenthetwowhichheknewerorlater;andonthesoundsofquarrelingandstrifeaherdogsturnedhimoutofhissleepingrobe,fearfulthatbuckandspitzwereatit.
buttheopportunitydidnotpresentitself,andtheypulledintodawsononedrearyafternoonwiththegreatfightstilltocotlessdogs,andbuckfoundthemallatwork.itseemedtheordainedorderofthingsthatdogsshouldwork.alldaytheyswungupanddowntheinlongteatheirjinglingbellsstillwentby.theyhauledcabinlogsandfirewood,freighteduptothemines,anddidallmannerofworkthathorsesdidinthesantaclaravalley.hereandtherebuckheywerethewildwolfhuskybreed.everynight,regularly,atnine,attwelve,andthree,theyliftedanocturnalsong,aweirdandeeriechant,inwhichitwasbucksdelighttojoin.
withtheauroraborealisflamingcoldlyoverhead,orthestarsleapinginthefrostdance,andthelandnuspallofsnow,thissongofthehuskiesmighthavebeenthedefianceoflife,onlyithlong-drawnwailingsandhalf-sobs,andwasmorethepleadingoflife,thearticulatetravailofexistence.itwasanoldsong,oldasthebreeditself——oneofthefirstsongsoftheyoungerworldinadaywhensongsweresad.itwasinvestedwiththewoeofunnuions,thisplaintbywhichbuckwassostrangelystirred.whenhemoanedandsobbed,itwaswiththepainoflivingthatwasofoldthepainofhiswildfathers,andthefearandddarkthatwastothemfearandmystery.andthatheshouldbestirredbyithwhichheharkedbackthroughtheagesoffireandrooftotherawbeginningsoflifeinthehowlingages.
sevendaysfromtulledintodawson,theydroppeddownthesteepbankbythebarrackstotheyukontrail,andpulledforyeaandsalterraultwascarryingdispatchesifanythingmoreurgentthanthosehehadbroughtin;also,thetravelpridehadgrippedhim,andhepurposedtomaketherecordtripoftheyear.severalthingsfavoredhiminthis.theweeksresthadrecuperatedthedogsandputtheminthoroughtrim.thetrailtheyhadbrokenintothecountryackedhardbylaterjourneyers.andfurther,thepolicehadarrangedintwoorthreeplacesdepositsofgrubfordogandravelinglight.
theymadesixtymile,whichisafifty-day;andtheseconddaysawtheheirelly.butsuchsplendidrunningwasachievednotwithoutgreattroubleandvexationonthepartoffrancois.theinsidiousrevoltledbybuckhaddestroyedthesolidarityoftheteam.itnolongerwasasonedogleapinginthetraces.theencouragementbuckgavetherebelsledthemintoallkindsofpettyzaleadergreatlytobefeared.theoldawedeparted,andtheygrewequaltochallengingikerobbedhi,andgulpeditdownundertheprotectionofbuck.anothernightdubandjoefoughtspitzandheydeserved.andevenbillee,thegood-natured,waslessgood-natured,andwhinednothalfsoplacatinglyasinforearspitzwithoutsnarlingandbristlingtapproachedthatofabully,andhewasgiventoswaggeringupanddownbeforespitzsverynose.
thebreakingdownofdisciplinelikewiseaffectedthedogsintheirrelationswithoneanother.theyquarreledandbickeredmorethaneveramongthemselves,tillattimesthecampwasahowlingbedlaered,thoughtheyweremadeirritablebytheunendingsquabbling.francoissworestrangebarbarousoaths,andstampedthesnowinfutilerage,andtorehishair.hislashwasalwayssingingamongthedogs,butitwasofsmallavail.directlyhisbackwasturnedtheywereatitagain.hebackedupspitzwithhiswhip,whilebuckbackedupthereheteaewhewasbehindallthetrouble,andbuckknewheknew;butbuckwastooclevereveragaintobecaughtred-handed.heworkedfaithfullyintheharness,forthetoilhadbeeadelighttohim;yetitwasagreaterdelightslylytoprecipitateafightaraces.
attheaftersupper,dubturnedupasnowshoerabbit,blunderedit,andhewholeteamwasinfullcry.ahundredyardsawayoftolice,withfiftydogs,huskiesall,whojoinedthechase.therabbitspeddowntheriver,turnedoffintoasmallcreek,upthefrozenbedofwhichitheldsteadily.itranlightlyonthesurfaceofthesnow,whilethedogsplowedthroughbyh.buckledthepack,sixtystrong,aroundbendafterbend,buthecouldnotgain.helaydownlowtotherace,whiningeagerly,hissplendidbodyflashingforward,leapbyleap,inthewanwhitemoonlight.andleapbyleap,likesomepalefrostwraith,thesnowshoerabbitflashedonahead.
allthatstirringofoldinstinctsweriodsdrivesmenoutfromthesoundingcitiestoforestandplaintokillthingsbychehebloodlust,thejoytokill——allthiswasbucks,onlyitwasinfinitelymoreintimate.hewasrangingattheheadofthepack,runningthewildthingdown,thelivinghandwashhismuzzletotheeyesinwarmblood.
thereisanecstasythatmarksthesummitoflife,andbeyondwhichlifecannotrise.andsuchistheparadoxofliving,thisecstasyeswhenoneismostalive,anditcohatoneisalive.thisecstasy,thisforgetfulnessofliving,estotheartist,caughtupandoutofhiofflaestothesoldier,war-fieldandrefusingquarter;anditcametobuck,leadingthepack,soundingtheoldwolf-cry,strainingafterthefoodthatwasaliveandthatfledswiftlybeforehimthroughthemoonlight.hewassoundingthedeepsofhisnature,andofthepartsofhisnaturethatweredeeperthanhe,goingbackintothewomboftime.hewasmasteredbythesheersurgingoflife,thetidalwaveofbeing,theperfectjoyofeachseparatehatitwaseverythingthatwasnotdeath,thatitwasaglowandra,flyingexultantlyunderthestarsandoverthefaceofdeadmatterthatdidnotmove.
butspitz,coldandcalculatingeveninhissuprerossanarrowneckoflandwherethecreekotknowofthis,andasheroundedthebend,thefrostwraithofarabbitstillflittingbeforehim,hesawanotherandlargerfrostwraithleapfromtheoverhangingbankintotheimmediatepathoftherabbit.itotturn,andasthewhiteteethbrokeitsbackinmidairitshriekedasloudlyasastrickenmanmayshriek.atsoundofthis,thecryoflifeplungingdownfromlifesapexinthegripofdeath,thefullpackatbucksheelsraisedahellschorusofdelight.
buckdidnotcryout.hedidnotcheckhimself,butdroveinuponspitz,shouldertoshoulder,sohardthathemissedthethroat.theyrolledoverandoverinthepowderysnow.spitzgainedhisfeetalhrown,slashingbuckdowntheshoulderandleapingclear.twicepedtogether,likethesteelja,ashebackedawayforbetterfooting,withleanandliftinglipsthatwrithedandsnarled.
inaflashbuckknewit.thetie.itwastothedeath.astheycircledabout,snarling,earslaidback,keenlywatchfulfortheadvantage,thescenecametobuckwithasenseoffamiliarity.heseemedtorememberitall——thewhitewoods,andearth,andhrillofbattle.overthewhitenessandsilencebroodedaghostlycalwhisperofair——nothingmoved,notaleafquivered,thevisiblebreathsofthedogsrisingslowlyandlingeringinthefrostyair.theyhadmadeshortworkofthesnowshoerabbit,thesedogsthatwereill-tale.they,too,weresilent,theireyesonlygleamingandtheirbreathsdriftingslowlyupward.tobuckitwasnothingneworstrange,thissceneofoldtime.itwasasthoughithadalwaysbeen,thewontedwayofthings.
spitzedfighter.fromspitzbergenthroughthearctic,andacrosscanadaandthebarrens,hehadheldhisownwithallmannerofdogsandachievedtomasteryoverthem.bitterragewashis,butneverblindrage.inpassiontorendanddestroy,heneverforgotthathisenemywasinlikepassiontorendanddestroy.heneverrushedtillheackedtillhehadfirstdefendedthatattack.
invainbuckstrovetosinkhisteethintheneckofthebigwhitedog.whereverhisfangsstruckforthesofterflesh,theywerecounteredbythefangsofspitz.fangclashedfang,andlipswerecutandbleeding,butbuckcouldnotperatehisenemysguard.thenhewarmedupandenvelopedspitzinawhirlwindofrushes.tiriedforthesnow-whitethroat,wherelifebubbledneartothesurface,andeachtiimespitzslashedhimandgotaway.thenbucktooktorushing,asthoughforthethroat,when,suddenlydrawingbackhisheadandcurvinginfromtheside,hewoulddrivehisshoulderattheshoulderofspitz,asarambywhichtooverthrowhim.butinstead,bucksshoulderwasslasheddowneachtimeasspitzleapedlightlyaway.
spitzwasuntouched,whilebuckwasstreamingwithbloodandpantinghard.thefightwasgrowingdesperate.andallthewhilethesilentandwolfishcirclewaitedtofinishoffwhicheverdogwentdown.asbuckgrewwinded,spitztooktorushing,andhekepthimstaggeringforfooting.oncebuckwentover,andthewholecircleofsixtydogsstartedup;butherecoveredhimself,allesankdownagainandwaited.
butbuckpossessedaqualitythatmadeforgreatness——imagination.hefoughtbyinstinct,buthecouldfightbyheadaswellherushed,asthougtingtheoldshouldertrick,butatthelastinstantsweptlowtothesnowandin.histeethclosedonspitzsleftforeleg.therewasacrunchofbreakingbone,andthewhitedogfacedhimonthreelegs.thricehetriedtoknockhihetrickandbroketherightforeleg.despitethepainandhelplessness,spitzstruggledmadlytokeepup.hesawthesilentcircle,withgleamingeyes,lollingtongues,andsilverybreathsdriftingupward,closinginuponhi.onlythistimehewastheonewhowasbeaten.
therewasnohopeforhim.buckwasinexorable.mercywasathingreservedforgentlerclimes.hemaneuveredforthefinalrush.thecirclehadtightenedtillhecouldfeelthebreathsofthehuskiesonhisflanks.hecouldseetheherside,half-crouchingforthespring,theireyesfixeduponhim.apauseseemedtofall.everyanihoughturnedtostone.onlyspitzquiveredandbristledashestaggeredbackandforth,snarlingwithhorriblehoughtofrightenoffihenbuckspranginandout;butwhilehewasin,shoulderhadatlastsquarelyameadotonthemoonfloodedsnoitzdisappearedfromview.buckstoodandlookedon,thesuessfulchampion,thedominantprimordialbeastwhohadmadehiskillandfounditgood.