CHAPTER 5
(起qi笔bi屋wu最快更新) thetoiloftraceandtrail
thirtydaysfrowaterdhismatesatthefore,arrivedatskaguay.theywereinawretchedstate,wornoutandworndown.bucksonehundredandfortypoundshaddwindledtoonehundredandfifteen.therestofhismates,thoughlighterdogs,hadrelativelylostmoreweightthanhe.pike,themalingerer,who,inhislifetiessfullyfeignedahurtleg,wasnowli.sol-leksing,anddubwassufferingfromawrenchedshoulderblade.
theywereallterriblyfootsore.nospringorreboundwasleftintherail,jarringtheirbodiesanddoublingthefatigueofadaystravel.therewasnothingthematterwiththemexceptthattheyweredeadtired.itwasnotthedeadtirednessthatesthroughbriefandexcessiveeffort,frooveryisamatterofhours;butitwasthedeadtirednessthatesthroughtheslorengthdrainageofrengthtocallupon.ithadbeenallused,thelastleastbitofit.everymuscle,everyfiber,everycell,wastired,deadtired.andtherewasreasonforit.inlessthanfivemonthstheyhadtraveledtwenty-fivehundredeighteenhundredofwhichtheyhadbutfivedaysrest.whentheyarrivedatskaguay,theyarentlyontheirlastlegs.theycouldbarelykeepthetracestaut,andonthedowngradesjustokeepoutofthewayofthesled.
"mushon,poorsorefeets,"thedriverencouragedthemastheytottereddowntheofskaguay.&aonelongrest.eh?forsure.onebullylongrest."
thedriversconfidentlyexpectedalongstopover.themselves,theyhadcoveredtwelvehundredmileswithtwodaysrest,andinthenatureofreasonandmonjusticetheydeservedanintervalofloafing.butsohemenwhohadrushedintotheklondike,andsohesweethearts,wives,andkinthathadnotrushedin,thatthecongestedmailwastakingonalpineproportions;also,therewereofficialorders.freshbatchesofhudsonbaydogsweretotaketheplacesofthoseworthlessforthetrail.theworthlessonesweretobegotridof,and,sincedogscountforlittleagainstdollars,theyweretobesold.
threedayspassed,bywhichtidhismatesfoundhowreallytiredandweaktheywere.then,onthemorningofthefourthday,twomenfromthestatescamealongandboughtthem,harnessandall,forasong.themenaddressedeachotheras"hal"and"charles".charleswasaan,withweakandwateryeyesandadvigorouslyup,givingthelietotheliealed.halwasayoungsterofnieenortwenty,withabigcoltsrevolverandahuntingknifestrappedabouthihatfairlybristledwithcartridges.thisbeltwasthemostsalientthingabouthim.itadvertisedhiscallowness——acallownesssheerandunutterable.bothlyoutofplace,andwhysuchastheyshouldadventurethenorthispartoftheanding.
buckheardthechaffering,sawthethescotchhalf-breedandthemail-traindriverswerepassingoutofhislifeontheheelsofperraultandfrancoisandtheotherswhohadgonebefore.whendrivenwithhismatestothenewownerscamp,bucksashodandslovenlyaffair,tenthalf-stretched,dishesunwashed,everythingindisorder;also,hesawawoman."mercedes"themencalledher.shewascharlesswifeandhalssister——anicefamilyparty.
buckwatchedtheheyproceededtotakedownthetentandloadthesled.therewasagreatdealofeffortabouttheirnobusinesslikemethod.thetentwasrolledintoanawkwardbundlethreetimesaslargeasitshouldhavebeen.thetindisheswerepackedawayunwashed.ontinuallyflutteredinthewayofherteringofreaclothes-sackonthefrontofthesled,shesuggesteditshouldgoontheback;andwhentheyhaditputontheback,andcovereditoverleofthebundles,shediscoveredoverlookedarticleswhichcouldabidenowhereelsebutinthatverysack,andtheyunloadedagain.
threeandlookedon,grinningandwinkingatoneanother.
"youvegotarightsmartloadasitis,&ahem;"anditsnotmeshouldtellyouyourbusiness,butiwouldnttotethattentalongifiwasyou."
"undreamedof!"criedmercedes,throwingupherhandsindaintydismay."howeverintheworldcouldi;quot;
"itsspringtianymorecoldweather,"themanreplied.
sheshookherheaddecidedly,andcharlesandhalputthelastoddsandendsontopthemountainousload.
"thinkitllride?&ahemenasked.
"whyshouldntit?&ahershortly.
"oh,thatsallright,thatsallright,&aosay."iwasjustawondering,thatisall.itseemedamitetop-heavy."
charlesturnedhisbackanddrewthelashingsdownaswellashecould,whichwasnotintheleastwell.
"andofcoursethedogscanhikealongalldaywittionbehindtheen.
"certainly,"saidhal,withfreezingpoliteness,takingholdofthegee-polewithonehandandswinginghiswhipfromtheother."mush!"heshouted."mushonthere!"
thedogssprangagainstthebreastbands,strainedhardforafewmoments,thenrelaxed.theywereunabletomovethesled.
"thelazybrutes,illshowthem,"hecried,preparingtolashoutatthemwiththewhip.
butg,"oh,hal,youmustnt,"asshecaughtholdofthewhipandwrencheditfromhim."thepoordears!nowyoumustpromiseyouwontbeharshwiththemfortherestofthetrip,oriwontgoastep."
"preciouslotyouknowaboutdogs,"herbrothersneered,"andiwishyoudleaveheyrelazy,itellyou,andyouvegottowhipthemtogetanythingoutofthem.thatstheirway.youaskanyone.askoneofthosemen."
mercedeslookedatthetyface.
"theyreweakaswater,ifyouwanttokno;quot;cahemen."plumtuckeredout,thatswhatsthematter.theyneedarest."
"restbeblanked,"saidhal,withhisbeardlesslips;andmercedessaid,"oh!"inpainandsorrowattheoath.
butshewasaclannishcreature,andrushedatoncetothedefenseofherbrother."nevermindthatman,"shesaidpointedly."youredrivingourdogsandyoudowhatyouthinkbestwiththem."
againhalswhipfelluponthedogs.theythrewthemselvesagainstthebreastbands,dugtheirfeetintothepackedsnow,gotdownlowtoit,andputforthalltheirstrength.thesledheldasthoughitwereananchor.aftertwoefforts,tanting.thewhipwaswhistlingsavagely,whenoncemoremercedesinterfered.shedroppedonherkneesbeforebuck,withtearsinhereyes,andputherarmsaroundhisneck.
"youpoor,poordears,"shecriedsympathetically,"whydontyoupullhard?thenyouwouldntbewhipped.&aotlikeher,buthewasfeelingtoomiserabletoresisther,takingitasapartofthedaysmiserablework.
oneoftheonlookers,whohadbeenclenchingresshotspeech,nowspokeup:
"itsnotthaticareawhoopwhatbeesofyou,butforthedogssakesijustwanttotellyou,youcanhelpthemamightylotbybreakingoutthatsled.therunnersarefrozefast.throwyourweightagainstthegee-pole,rightandleft,andbreakitout."
athirdtimettwasmade,butthistime,followingtheadvice,halbrokeouttherunnerswhichhadbeenfrozentothesnow.theoverloadedandunwieldysledforgedahead,buckandhismatesstrugglingfranticallyundertherainofblows.ahundredyardsaheadthepathturnedandslopedsteeplyintothewouldhaverequiredanexperiencedop-heavysledupright,andhalwasnotsuchahesledwentover,spillinghalfitsloadthroughthelooselashings.thedogsneverstopped.thelightenedsledboundedonitssidebehindthem.theywereangrybecauseoftheilltreatmenttheyhadreceivedandtheunjustload.buckwasraging.hebrokeintoarun,theteamfollowinghislead.halcried,"whoa!whoa!&arippedandulledoffhisfeet.thecapsizedsledgroundoverhireet,addingtothegaietyofskaguayastheyscatteredthereheoutfitalongitschiefthoroughfare.
kind-heartedcitizenscaughtthedogsandgatheredupthescatteredbelongings.also,theygaveadvice.halftheloadandtwicethedogs,iftheyeverexpectedtoreachdawson,waswhatwassaid.halandhissisterandbrother-in-lawlistenedunwillingly,pitchedtent,andoverhauledtheoutfit.cannedgoodswereturnedoutthatedgoodsonthelongtrailisathingtodreasforahotel,&ahemenwholaughedandhelped."halfasmanyistoomuch;getridofthem.throwawaythattent,andallthosedishes——whosgoingtowashthem,anyway?goodlord,doyouthinkyouretravelingonapullman?"
andsoitwent,theinexorableeliminationofthesuperfluous.hes-bagsweredumpedonthegroundandarticleafterarticlewasthrownout.shecriedingeneral,andshecriedinparticularovereachdiscardedthing.sheclaspedhandsaboutknees,rockingbackandforthbroken-heartedly.sheaverredshewouldnotgoaninch,notforadozencharleses.sheappealedtoeverybodyandtoeverything,finallywipinghereyesandproceedingtocastoutevenarticlesofapparelthatwereimperativenecessaries.andinherzeal,whenshehadfinishedwithherown,sheattackedthebelongingsofherhroughthemlikeatornado.
thisacplished,theoutfit,thoughcutinhalf,wasstillaformidablebulk.charlesandhalwentoutintheeveningandboughtsixoutsidedogs.they,addedtothesixoftheoriginalteam,andteekandkoona,thehuskiesobtainedattherinkrapidsontherecordtrip,brougtofourteen.buttheoutsidedogs,thoughpracticallybrokeninsincetheirlanding,didnotamounttomuch.threewereshort-hairedpointers,onewasanewfoundland,andtheothertwowereeroknowanything,thesenewcodhiscohdisgust,andthoughhespeedilytaughtthedwhatnottodo,hecouldnotteachthemwhattodo.theydidnottakekindlytotraceandtrail.withtheexceptionofthetwoheywerebewilderedandspirit-brokenbythestrangesavageenvironmentinwhichtheyfoundthemselvesandbytheilltreatmenttheyhadreceived.thetwomongrelswerewithoutspiritatall;bonesweretheonlythingsbreakableaboutthem.
withthenewershopelessandforlorn,andtheoldteamwornoutbytwenty-fivehundreduoustrail,theoutlookwasanythingbutbright.thetwomen,however,werequitecheerful.andtheywereproud,too.theyweredoingthethinginstyle,withfourteendogs.theyhadseenothersledsdepartoverthepassfordawson,orcoheyseenasledwithsoureofarctictraveltherewasareasonwhyfourteendogsshouldnotdragonesled,andthatwasthatonesledcouldnotcarrythefoodforfourteendogs.butcharlesandhaldidnotknowthis.theyhadworkedthetripoutuchtoadog,somanydogs,andsomanydays,q.e.d.mercedeslookedovertheirshouldersandnoddedcowasallsoverysimple.
latenexthestreet.therewasnothinglivelyaboutit,nosnaporgoinhimandhisfellows.theywerestartingdeadweary.fourtiweensaltwateranddawson,andtheknowledgethat,jadedandtired,hewasfacingthesaadehimbitter.hisheartwasnotinthework,norwastheheartofanydog.theoutsidersweretihoutconfidenceintheirmasters.
buckfeltvaguelythattherewasnodependinguponthesetwomenandthewoman.theydidnotknowhowtodoanything,andasthedayswentbyitbecaheywereslackinallthings,withoutorderordiscipline.ittookthemhalfthenigitchaslovenlycamp,andhalfthehesledloadedinfashionsoslovenlythatfortherestofthedaytheywereoupiedinstoppingandrearrangingtheload.somedaystheydidnotmaketenmiles.onotherdaystheywereunabletogetstartedatall.andonnodaydidtheysueedinhanhalfthedistanceusedbythemenasabasisintheirdog-foodputation.
itwasinevitablethattheyshouldgoshortondogfood.buttheyhasteneditbyoverfeeding,bringingthedaynearerwhenunderfeedingwouldcoheoutsiderdogswhosedigestionshadnotbeentrainedbychronicfaomakethemostoflittle,hadvoraciousappetites.andwhen,inadditiontothis,theworn-outhuskiespulledweakly,haldecidedthattheorthodoxrationwastoosmall.hedoubledit.andtocapitall,whentyeyesandaquaverinherthroat,couldnotcajolehimintogivingthedogsstillmore,shestolefrohemslyly.butiswasnotfoodthatbuckandthehuskiesneeded,butrest.andthoughtheyoortime,theheavyloadtheydraggedsappedtheirstrengthseverely.
thencametheunderfeeding.halawokeonedaytothefactthathisdogfoodwashalf-goneandthedistanceonlyquartercovered;further,thatforloveormoneynoadditionaldogfoodwastobeobtained.sohecutdowneventheorthodoxrationandtriedtoincreasethedaystravel.hissisterandbrother-in-lawsecondedhim;buttheywerefrustratedbytheirheavyoutfitandtheirownincolemattertogivethedogslessfood;butitossibletomakethedogstravelfaster,whiletheirowninabilitytogetunderwayearlierinthehemfromtravelinglongerhours.notonlydidtheynotknowhowtoworkdogs,buttheydidnotknowhowtoworkthemselves.
thefirsttogowasdub.poorblunderingthiefthathewas,alwaysgettingcaughtandpunished,hehadnohelessbeenafaithfulworker.hiswrenchedshoulder-blade,untreatedandunrested,wentfrombadtoworse,tillfinallyhalshothimwiththebigcoltsrevolver.itisasayingofthecountrythatanoutsidedogstarvestodeathontherationofthehusky,sothesixoutsidedogsunderbuckcoulddonolessthandieonhalftherationofthehusky.thenewfoundlandwentfirst,followedbythethreeshort-hairedpointers,thetwoilyontolife,butgoingintheend.
bythistihesouthlandhadfallenawayfromthethreepeople.shornofitsglaictravelbecametothemarealitytooharshfortheirmanhoodandwomanhood.hedogs,beingtoooupiedwithweepingoverherselfandwithquarrelingwithherhusbandandbrother.toquarrelwastheohingtheywerenevertoowearytodo.theirirritabilityaroseoutoftheirmisery,increasedwithit,doubleduponit,out-distancedit.thewonderfulpatienceofthetrailwhichestomenwhotoilhardandsuffersore,andreofspeechandkindly,didnotetothesetwomenandthewoman.theyhadnoinklingofsuchapatience.theywerestiffandinpain;theirhed,theirbonesached,theirveryheartsached;andbecauseofthistheybecadhardwordswerefirstontheirlipsinthemorningandlastatnight.
charlesandhalwrangledwheneverwasthecherishedbeliefofeachthathedidmorethanhisshareofthework,andneitherforboretospeakthisbeliefateveryopportunity.sometimesmercedessidedwithherhusband,sometimeswithherbrother.theresultwasabeautifulandunendingfamilyquarrel.startingfromadisputeastowhichshouldchopafewsticksforthefire(adisputewhichconcernedonlycharlesandhal),presentlywouldbeluggedintherestofthefamily,fathers,housandsofhemdead.thathalsviewsonart,orthesortofsocietyplayshismothersbrotherwrote,shouldhaveanythingtodowiththechoppingofafewsticksoffirewood,passescohelessthequarrelwasaslikelytotendinthatdirectionasinthedirectionofcharlesspoliticalprejudices.andthatcharlesssisterstale-bearingtongueshouldberelevanttothebuildingofayukonfire,arentonlytomercedes,whodisburdenedherselfofcopiousopinionsupontic,andincidentallyuponafewotleasantlypeculiartoherhusbandsfahefireremainedunbuilt,thecamphalf-pitched,andthedogsunfed.
ursedaspecialgrievance——thegrievanceofsex.sherettyandsoft,andhadbeenchivalrouslytreatedallherdays.butthepresenttreatmentbyherhusbandandbrotherwaseverythingsavechivalrous.itwashercustoplained.uponwhichitofwhattoherwashermostessentialsexprerogative,shemadetheirlivesunendurable.shenolongerconsideredthedogs,andbecauseshewassoreandtired,shepersistedinridinginthesled.sherettyandsoft,butsheweighedonehundredandtwentypounds——alustylaststrawtotheloaddraggedbytheweakandstarvinganimals.sherodefordays,tilltheyfellinthetracesandthesledstoodstill.charlesandhalbeggedhertogetoffanded,thewhilesheortunedheavenwitharecitaloftheirbrutality.
ononeoasiontheytookheroffthesledbyh.theyneverdiditagain.sheletherlegsgolimplikeaspoiledchild,andsatdownonthetrail.theywentontheirway,butshedidnotmove.aftertheyhadtraveledthreehesled,cahputheronthesledagain.
intheexcessoftheirownmiserytheywerecalloustothesufferingoftheiranimals.halstheory,whichhepracticedonothers,wasthatoneartedoutpreachingittohissisterandbrother-in-law.failingthere,hehammereditintothedogswithaclub.atthefivefingersthedogfoodgaveout,andatoothlessoldsquawofferedtotradethemafewpoundsoffrozenhorsehideforthecoltsrevolverthatkeptthebighuntingknifepanyathalship.apoorsubstituteforfoodwasthishide,justasithadbeenstrippedfromthestarvedhorsesofthecattlemensixwasmorelikestripsofgalvanizediron,andwhenadogwrestleditintohisstomach,itthawedintothinandunnutritiousleatherystringsandintoamassofshorthair,irritatingandindigestible.
andthroughitallbuckstaggeredalongattheheadoftheteamasinanightmare.hepulledwhenhecould;whenhecouldnolongerpull,hefelldownandremaineddowntillblowsfromwhiporclubdrovehimtohisfeetagain.allthestiffnessandglosshadgoneoutofhisbeautifulfurrycoat.thehairhungdown,limpanddraggled,ormattedwithdriedbloodwherehalsclubhadbruisedhim.hismuscleshadwastedawaytoknottystrings,andthefleshpadshaddisappeared,sothateachribandeveryboneinhisfrahroughtheloosehidethatwaswrinkledinfoldsofewasheartbreaking,onlybucksheartwasunbreakable.themanintheredsweaterhadprovedthat.
asitwaswithbuck,sowasitwithhismates.theywereperaons.thereweresevenalltogether,includinghim.intheirverygreathebiteofthelashorthebruiseoftheclub.thepainofthebeatingwasdullanddistant,justasthethingstheireyessawandtheirearsheardseemeddullanddistant.theywerenothalf-living,orquarter-living.theyweresimplysomanybagsofbonesinwhichsparksoflifeflutteredfaintly.whenahaltwasraceslikedeaddogs,andthesparkdiogoout.andwhenthecluborwhipfelluponthem,thesparkflutteredfeeblyup,andtheytotteredtotheirfeetandstaggeredon.
therecahegood-natured,fellandcouldnotrise.halhadtradedoffhisrevolver,sohetooktheaxeandknockedbilleeontheheadashelayinthetraces,thencutthecarcassoutoftheharnessanddraggedittooneside.bucksaw,andhisthisthingwasveryclosetothe,andbutfiveoftheobemalignant;pike,crippledandliiousandnotconsciousenoughlongertoillfaithfultothetoiloftraceandtrail,andmournfulinthathehadsolittlestrengthwithwhichtopull;teek,whohadnottraveledsofarthatwinterandwhowasnowbeatenhersbecausehewasfresher;andbuck,stillattheheadoftheteagdisciplineorstrivingtoenforceit,blindwithweaknesshalfthetirailbytheloomofitandbythedimfeelofhisfeet.
itwasbeautifulspringweather,butneitherdogsnorhumanswereawareofit.eachdaythesunroseearlierandsetlater.itwasdawnbythreeintheillnineatnight.thewholelongdaywasablazeofsunshine.theghostlywintersilencehadgivenwaytothegreatspringhismurmurarosefromalltheland,fraughtwiththejoyofliving.itcamefromthethingsthatlivedandmovedagain,thingswhichhadbeenasdeadandwhichhadnotmovedduringthelongmonthsoffrost.thesapwasrisinginthepines.thewilloingoutinyoungbuds.shrubsandvineswereputtingonfreshgarbsofgreen.cricketssanginthenights,andinthedaysallmannerofcreeping,crawlingthingsrustledforthintothesun.partridgesandwoodpeckerswereboogintheforest.squirrelswerechattering,birdssinging,andoverheadhonkedthewildfowldrivingupfrohatsplittheair.
fromeveryhillslopecamethetrickleofwater,theseenfountains.allthingswerethawing,bending,snapping.theyukonwasstrainingtobreakloosetheicethatbounditdown.itateawayfrohesunatefromabove.air-holesformed,fissuressprangandspreadapart,whilethinsectionsoficefellthroughbodilyintotheriver.andamidallthisbursting,rending,throbbingofawakeninglife,undertheblazingsunandthroughthesoft-sighingbreezes,likewayfarerstodeath,staggeredthetwomen,thewomanandthehuskies.
withthedogsfalling,mercedesweepingandriding,halswearinginnocuously,andcharleseyeswistfullywatering,theystaggeredintojohnthorntonscampatthemouthofthewhiteriver.whentheyhalted,thedogsdroppeddownasthoughtheyhadallbeenstruckdead.mercedesdriedhereyesandlookedatjohnthornton.charlessatdownonalogtorest.hesatdownverysloainstakingly,whatofhisgreatstiffness.haldidthetalking.johnthorntonwaswhittlingthelasttouchesonanaxe-handlehehadmadefromastickofbirch.hewhittledandlistened,gavewasasked,terseadvice.heknewthebreed,andhegavehisadviceinthecertaintythatitwouldnotbefollowed.
"theytoldusupabovetingoutofthetrailandthatthebestthingforustodowastolayover,&ahorntonswarningtotakenoenice.&atmakewhiteriver,andhereweare."thislastwithasneeringringoftriumphinit.
&aoldyoutrue,"johnthorntonanswered."thebotto.onlyfools,withtheblindluckoffools,couldhavemadeit.itellyoustraight,iwouldntriskassonthaticeforallthegoldinalaska."
"thatsbecauseyourenotafool,isuppose,"saidhal."allthesame,wellgoontodawson."heuncoiledhiswhip."getupthere,buck!hi!getupthere!mushon!"
thorntonwentonwhittling.itwasidle,heknew,togetbetweenafoolandhisfolly;whiletwoorthreefoolsmoreorlesswouldnotaltertheschemeofthings.
buttheteathemand.ithadlongsincepassedintothestagewhereblowswererequiredtorouseit.thewhipflashedout,hereandthere,onitsmercilesserrands.joressedhislips.sol-lekswasthefirsttocrawltohisfeet.teekfollowed.joeca,yelpingikes.twicehefellover,hirdatteorise.buck.helayquietlywherehehadfallen.thelashbitintohiherwhinednorstruggled.severaltimesthorntonstarted,asthoughtospeak,butchangedhistohiseyes,and,asthewhippingcontinued,hearoseandwalkedirresolutelyupanddown.
thiswasthefirsttimebuckhadfailed,initselfasufficientreasontodrivehalintoarage.heexchangedthewhipforthecustomaryclub.buckrefusedtoherainofheavierblowswhichnowfelluponhim.likehismates,hewasbarelyabletogetup,but,unlikethem,hehadmadeuphismindnottogetup.hehadavaguefeelingofimpendingdoom.thishadbeenstronguponhimwhenhepulledintothebank,andithadnotdepartedfromhim.whatofthethinandrottenicehehadfeltunderhisfeetallday,itseemedthathesenseddisastercloseathand,outthereaheadontheicewherehismasterwastryingtodrivehim.herefusedtostir.sogreatlyhadhesuffered,andsofargonewashe,thattheblowsdidnothurtofalluponhim,thesparkoflifewithinflickeredandwentdown.itwasnearlyout.hefeltstrangelynumb.asthoughfromagreatdistance,hewasawarethathewasbeingbeaten.thelastsensationsofpainlefthianything,thoughveryfaintlyhecouldheartheimpactoftheclubuponhisbody.butitwasnolongerhisbody,itseemedsofaraway.
andthen,suddenly,withoutwarning,utteringacrythatwasinarticulateandmorelikethecryofananimal,joranguponthemanwhowieldedtheclub.halwashurledbackward,asthoughstruckbyafallingtree.mercedesscreamed.charleslookedonwistfully,wipedhiswateryeyes,butdidnotgetupbecauseofhisstiffness.
johnthorntonstoodoverbuck,strugglingtocontrolhihragetospeak.
"ifyoustrikethatdogagain,illkillyou,&aosayinachokingvoice.
"itsmydog,"halreplied,wipingthebloodfromhismouthashecameback."getoutofmyway,orillfixyou.imgoingtodawson."
thorntonstoodbetweenhiionofgettingoutoftheway.haldrewhislonghuntingknife.donmentofhysteria.thorntonrappedhalsknuckleswiththeaxe-handle,knockingtheknifetotheground.herappedhisknucklesagainasickitup.thenhestooped,pickedituphikstraces.
halhadnofightleftinhim.besides,hishandswerefullwithhissister,orhisarms,rather;whilebuckwastooneardeadtobeoffurtheruseinhaulingthesled.afewertheypulledoutfromthebankanddowntheriver.buckheardthemgoandraisedhisheadtosee.pikewasleading,sol-lekswasatthewheel,andbetweenwerejoeandteek.theywerelimpingandstaggering.mercedeswasridingtheloadedsled.halguidedatthegee-pole,andcharlesstumbledalongintherear.
asbuckwatchedthebesidehimandwithrough,kindlyhandssearchedforbrokenbones.bythetimehissearchhaddisclosednothingmorethanmanybruisesandastateofterriblestarvation,thesledwasaquarterofamileaway.dogandheice.suddenly,theysawitsbackenddropdown,asintoarut,andthegee-pole,withhalclingingtoit,jerkintotheair.ametotheirears.theysawcharlesturnonesteptorunback,sandthenawholesectionoficegivewayanddogsandhumansdisappear.ayawningholewasallthatwastobeseen.thebottomhaddroppedoutofthetrail.
"youpoordevil,"saidjohnthorntonandbucklickedhishand.
thirtydaysfrowaterdhismatesatthefore,arrivedatskaguay.theywereinawretchedstate,wornoutandworndown.bucksonehundredandfortypoundshaddwindledtoonehundredandfifteen.therestofhismates,thoughlighterdogs,hadrelativelylostmoreweightthanhe.pike,themalingerer,who,inhislifetiessfullyfeignedahurtleg,wasnowli.sol-leksing,anddubwassufferingfromawrenchedshoulderblade.
theywereallterriblyfootsore.nospringorreboundwasleftintherail,jarringtheirbodiesanddoublingthefatigueofadaystravel.therewasnothingthematterwiththemexceptthattheyweredeadtired.itwasnotthedeadtirednessthatesthroughbriefandexcessiveeffort,frooveryisamatterofhours;butitwasthedeadtirednessthatesthroughtheslorengthdrainageofrengthtocallupon.ithadbeenallused,thelastleastbitofit.everymuscle,everyfiber,everycell,wastired,deadtired.andtherewasreasonforit.inlessthanfivemonthstheyhadtraveledtwenty-fivehundredeighteenhundredofwhichtheyhadbutfivedaysrest.whentheyarrivedatskaguay,theyarentlyontheirlastlegs.theycouldbarelykeepthetracestaut,andonthedowngradesjustokeepoutofthewayofthesled.
"mushon,poorsorefeets,"thedriverencouragedthemastheytottereddowntheofskaguay.&aonelongrest.eh?forsure.onebullylongrest."
thedriversconfidentlyexpectedalongstopover.themselves,theyhadcoveredtwelvehundredmileswithtwodaysrest,andinthenatureofreasonandmonjusticetheydeservedanintervalofloafing.butsohemenwhohadrushedintotheklondike,andsohesweethearts,wives,andkinthathadnotrushedin,thatthecongestedmailwastakingonalpineproportions;also,therewereofficialorders.freshbatchesofhudsonbaydogsweretotaketheplacesofthoseworthlessforthetrail.theworthlessonesweretobegotridof,and,sincedogscountforlittleagainstdollars,theyweretobesold.
threedayspassed,bywhichtidhismatesfoundhowreallytiredandweaktheywere.then,onthemorningofthefourthday,twomenfromthestatescamealongandboughtthem,harnessandall,forasong.themenaddressedeachotheras"hal"and"charles".charleswasaan,withweakandwateryeyesandadvigorouslyup,givingthelietotheliealed.halwasayoungsterofnieenortwenty,withabigcoltsrevolverandahuntingknifestrappedabouthihatfairlybristledwithcartridges.thisbeltwasthemostsalientthingabouthim.itadvertisedhiscallowness——acallownesssheerandunutterable.bothlyoutofplace,andwhysuchastheyshouldadventurethenorthispartoftheanding.
buckheardthechaffering,sawthethescotchhalf-breedandthemail-traindriverswerepassingoutofhislifeontheheelsofperraultandfrancoisandtheotherswhohadgonebefore.whendrivenwithhismatestothenewownerscamp,bucksashodandslovenlyaffair,tenthalf-stretched,dishesunwashed,everythingindisorder;also,hesawawoman."mercedes"themencalledher.shewascharlesswifeandhalssister——anicefamilyparty.
buckwatchedtheheyproceededtotakedownthetentandloadthesled.therewasagreatdealofeffortabouttheirnobusinesslikemethod.thetentwasrolledintoanawkwardbundlethreetimesaslargeasitshouldhavebeen.thetindisheswerepackedawayunwashed.ontinuallyflutteredinthewayofherteringofreaclothes-sackonthefrontofthesled,shesuggesteditshouldgoontheback;andwhentheyhaditputontheback,andcovereditoverleofthebundles,shediscoveredoverlookedarticleswhichcouldabidenowhereelsebutinthatverysack,andtheyunloadedagain.
threeandlookedon,grinningandwinkingatoneanother.
"youvegotarightsmartloadasitis,&ahem;"anditsnotmeshouldtellyouyourbusiness,butiwouldnttotethattentalongifiwasyou."
"undreamedof!"criedmercedes,throwingupherhandsindaintydismay."howeverintheworldcouldi;quot;
"itsspringtianymorecoldweather,"themanreplied.
sheshookherheaddecidedly,andcharlesandhalputthelastoddsandendsontopthemountainousload.
"thinkitllride?&ahemenasked.
"whyshouldntit?&ahershortly.
"oh,thatsallright,thatsallright,&aosay."iwasjustawondering,thatisall.itseemedamitetop-heavy."
charlesturnedhisbackanddrewthelashingsdownaswellashecould,whichwasnotintheleastwell.
"andofcoursethedogscanhikealongalldaywittionbehindtheen.
"certainly,"saidhal,withfreezingpoliteness,takingholdofthegee-polewithonehandandswinginghiswhipfromtheother."mush!"heshouted."mushonthere!"
thedogssprangagainstthebreastbands,strainedhardforafewmoments,thenrelaxed.theywereunabletomovethesled.
"thelazybrutes,illshowthem,"hecried,preparingtolashoutatthemwiththewhip.
butg,"oh,hal,youmustnt,"asshecaughtholdofthewhipandwrencheditfromhim."thepoordears!nowyoumustpromiseyouwontbeharshwiththemfortherestofthetrip,oriwontgoastep."
"preciouslotyouknowaboutdogs,"herbrothersneered,"andiwishyoudleaveheyrelazy,itellyou,andyouvegottowhipthemtogetanythingoutofthem.thatstheirway.youaskanyone.askoneofthosemen."
mercedeslookedatthetyface.
"theyreweakaswater,ifyouwanttokno;quot;cahemen."plumtuckeredout,thatswhatsthematter.theyneedarest."
"restbeblanked,"saidhal,withhisbeardlesslips;andmercedessaid,"oh!"inpainandsorrowattheoath.
butshewasaclannishcreature,andrushedatoncetothedefenseofherbrother."nevermindthatman,"shesaidpointedly."youredrivingourdogsandyoudowhatyouthinkbestwiththem."
againhalswhipfelluponthedogs.theythrewthemselvesagainstthebreastbands,dugtheirfeetintothepackedsnow,gotdownlowtoit,andputforthalltheirstrength.thesledheldasthoughitwereananchor.aftertwoefforts,tanting.thewhipwaswhistlingsavagely,whenoncemoremercedesinterfered.shedroppedonherkneesbeforebuck,withtearsinhereyes,andputherarmsaroundhisneck.
"youpoor,poordears,"shecriedsympathetically,"whydontyoupullhard?thenyouwouldntbewhipped.&aotlikeher,buthewasfeelingtoomiserabletoresisther,takingitasapartofthedaysmiserablework.
oneoftheonlookers,whohadbeenclenchingresshotspeech,nowspokeup:
"itsnotthaticareawhoopwhatbeesofyou,butforthedogssakesijustwanttotellyou,youcanhelpthemamightylotbybreakingoutthatsled.therunnersarefrozefast.throwyourweightagainstthegee-pole,rightandleft,andbreakitout."
athirdtimettwasmade,butthistime,followingtheadvice,halbrokeouttherunnerswhichhadbeenfrozentothesnow.theoverloadedandunwieldysledforgedahead,buckandhismatesstrugglingfranticallyundertherainofblows.ahundredyardsaheadthepathturnedandslopedsteeplyintothewouldhaverequiredanexperiencedop-heavysledupright,andhalwasnotsuchahesledwentover,spillinghalfitsloadthroughthelooselashings.thedogsneverstopped.thelightenedsledboundedonitssidebehindthem.theywereangrybecauseoftheilltreatmenttheyhadreceivedandtheunjustload.buckwasraging.hebrokeintoarun,theteamfollowinghislead.halcried,"whoa!whoa!&arippedandulledoffhisfeet.thecapsizedsledgroundoverhireet,addingtothegaietyofskaguayastheyscatteredthereheoutfitalongitschiefthoroughfare.
kind-heartedcitizenscaughtthedogsandgatheredupthescatteredbelongings.also,theygaveadvice.halftheloadandtwicethedogs,iftheyeverexpectedtoreachdawson,waswhatwassaid.halandhissisterandbrother-in-lawlistenedunwillingly,pitchedtent,andoverhauledtheoutfit.cannedgoodswereturnedoutthatedgoodsonthelongtrailisathingtodreasforahotel,&ahemenwholaughedandhelped."halfasmanyistoomuch;getridofthem.throwawaythattent,andallthosedishes——whosgoingtowashthem,anyway?goodlord,doyouthinkyouretravelingonapullman?"
andsoitwent,theinexorableeliminationofthesuperfluous.hes-bagsweredumpedonthegroundandarticleafterarticlewasthrownout.shecriedingeneral,andshecriedinparticularovereachdiscardedthing.sheclaspedhandsaboutknees,rockingbackandforthbroken-heartedly.sheaverredshewouldnotgoaninch,notforadozencharleses.sheappealedtoeverybodyandtoeverything,finallywipinghereyesandproceedingtocastoutevenarticlesofapparelthatwereimperativenecessaries.andinherzeal,whenshehadfinishedwithherown,sheattackedthebelongingsofherhroughthemlikeatornado.
thisacplished,theoutfit,thoughcutinhalf,wasstillaformidablebulk.charlesandhalwentoutintheeveningandboughtsixoutsidedogs.they,addedtothesixoftheoriginalteam,andteekandkoona,thehuskiesobtainedattherinkrapidsontherecordtrip,brougtofourteen.buttheoutsidedogs,thoughpracticallybrokeninsincetheirlanding,didnotamounttomuch.threewereshort-hairedpointers,onewasanewfoundland,andtheothertwowereeroknowanything,thesenewcodhiscohdisgust,andthoughhespeedilytaughtthedwhatnottodo,hecouldnotteachthemwhattodo.theydidnottakekindlytotraceandtrail.withtheexceptionofthetwoheywerebewilderedandspirit-brokenbythestrangesavageenvironmentinwhichtheyfoundthemselvesandbytheilltreatmenttheyhadreceived.thetwomongrelswerewithoutspiritatall;bonesweretheonlythingsbreakableaboutthem.
withthenewershopelessandforlorn,andtheoldteamwornoutbytwenty-fivehundreduoustrail,theoutlookwasanythingbutbright.thetwomen,however,werequitecheerful.andtheywereproud,too.theyweredoingthethinginstyle,withfourteendogs.theyhadseenothersledsdepartoverthepassfordawson,orcoheyseenasledwithsoureofarctictraveltherewasareasonwhyfourteendogsshouldnotdragonesled,andthatwasthatonesledcouldnotcarrythefoodforfourteendogs.butcharlesandhaldidnotknowthis.theyhadworkedthetripoutuchtoadog,somanydogs,andsomanydays,q.e.d.mercedeslookedovertheirshouldersandnoddedcowasallsoverysimple.
latenexthestreet.therewasnothinglivelyaboutit,nosnaporgoinhimandhisfellows.theywerestartingdeadweary.fourtiweensaltwateranddawson,andtheknowledgethat,jadedandtired,hewasfacingthesaadehimbitter.hisheartwasnotinthework,norwastheheartofanydog.theoutsidersweretihoutconfidenceintheirmasters.
buckfeltvaguelythattherewasnodependinguponthesetwomenandthewoman.theydidnotknowhowtodoanything,andasthedayswentbyitbecaheywereslackinallthings,withoutorderordiscipline.ittookthemhalfthenigitchaslovenlycamp,andhalfthehesledloadedinfashionsoslovenlythatfortherestofthedaytheywereoupiedinstoppingandrearrangingtheload.somedaystheydidnotmaketenmiles.onotherdaystheywereunabletogetstartedatall.andonnodaydidtheysueedinhanhalfthedistanceusedbythemenasabasisintheirdog-foodputation.
itwasinevitablethattheyshouldgoshortondogfood.buttheyhasteneditbyoverfeeding,bringingthedaynearerwhenunderfeedingwouldcoheoutsiderdogswhosedigestionshadnotbeentrainedbychronicfaomakethemostoflittle,hadvoraciousappetites.andwhen,inadditiontothis,theworn-outhuskiespulledweakly,haldecidedthattheorthodoxrationwastoosmall.hedoubledit.andtocapitall,whentyeyesandaquaverinherthroat,couldnotcajolehimintogivingthedogsstillmore,shestolefrohemslyly.butiswasnotfoodthatbuckandthehuskiesneeded,butrest.andthoughtheyoortime,theheavyloadtheydraggedsappedtheirstrengthseverely.
thencametheunderfeeding.halawokeonedaytothefactthathisdogfoodwashalf-goneandthedistanceonlyquartercovered;further,thatforloveormoneynoadditionaldogfoodwastobeobtained.sohecutdowneventheorthodoxrationandtriedtoincreasethedaystravel.hissisterandbrother-in-lawsecondedhim;buttheywerefrustratedbytheirheavyoutfitandtheirownincolemattertogivethedogslessfood;butitossibletomakethedogstravelfaster,whiletheirowninabilitytogetunderwayearlierinthehemfromtravelinglongerhours.notonlydidtheynotknowhowtoworkdogs,buttheydidnotknowhowtoworkthemselves.
thefirsttogowasdub.poorblunderingthiefthathewas,alwaysgettingcaughtandpunished,hehadnohelessbeenafaithfulworker.hiswrenchedshoulder-blade,untreatedandunrested,wentfrombadtoworse,tillfinallyhalshothimwiththebigcoltsrevolver.itisasayingofthecountrythatanoutsidedogstarvestodeathontherationofthehusky,sothesixoutsidedogsunderbuckcoulddonolessthandieonhalftherationofthehusky.thenewfoundlandwentfirst,followedbythethreeshort-hairedpointers,thetwoilyontolife,butgoingintheend.
bythistihesouthlandhadfallenawayfromthethreepeople.shornofitsglaictravelbecametothemarealitytooharshfortheirmanhoodandwomanhood.hedogs,beingtoooupiedwithweepingoverherselfandwithquarrelingwithherhusbandandbrother.toquarrelwastheohingtheywerenevertoowearytodo.theirirritabilityaroseoutoftheirmisery,increasedwithit,doubleduponit,out-distancedit.thewonderfulpatienceofthetrailwhichestomenwhotoilhardandsuffersore,andreofspeechandkindly,didnotetothesetwomenandthewoman.theyhadnoinklingofsuchapatience.theywerestiffandinpain;theirhed,theirbonesached,theirveryheartsached;andbecauseofthistheybecadhardwordswerefirstontheirlipsinthemorningandlastatnight.
charlesandhalwrangledwheneverwasthecherishedbeliefofeachthathedidmorethanhisshareofthework,andneitherforboretospeakthisbeliefateveryopportunity.sometimesmercedessidedwithherhusband,sometimeswithherbrother.theresultwasabeautifulandunendingfamilyquarrel.startingfromadisputeastowhichshouldchopafewsticksforthefire(adisputewhichconcernedonlycharlesandhal),presentlywouldbeluggedintherestofthefamily,fathers,housandsofhemdead.thathalsviewsonart,orthesortofsocietyplayshismothersbrotherwrote,shouldhaveanythingtodowiththechoppingofafewsticksoffirewood,passescohelessthequarrelwasaslikelytotendinthatdirectionasinthedirectionofcharlesspoliticalprejudices.andthatcharlesssisterstale-bearingtongueshouldberelevanttothebuildingofayukonfire,arentonlytomercedes,whodisburdenedherselfofcopiousopinionsupontic,andincidentallyuponafewotleasantlypeculiartoherhusbandsfahefireremainedunbuilt,thecamphalf-pitched,andthedogsunfed.
ursedaspecialgrievance——thegrievanceofsex.sherettyandsoft,andhadbeenchivalrouslytreatedallherdays.butthepresenttreatmentbyherhusbandandbrotherwaseverythingsavechivalrous.itwashercustoplained.uponwhichitofwhattoherwashermostessentialsexprerogative,shemadetheirlivesunendurable.shenolongerconsideredthedogs,andbecauseshewassoreandtired,shepersistedinridinginthesled.sherettyandsoft,butsheweighedonehundredandtwentypounds——alustylaststrawtotheloaddraggedbytheweakandstarvinganimals.sherodefordays,tilltheyfellinthetracesandthesledstoodstill.charlesandhalbeggedhertogetoffanded,thewhilesheortunedheavenwitharecitaloftheirbrutality.
ononeoasiontheytookheroffthesledbyh.theyneverdiditagain.sheletherlegsgolimplikeaspoiledchild,andsatdownonthetrail.theywentontheirway,butshedidnotmove.aftertheyhadtraveledthreehesled,cahputheronthesledagain.
intheexcessoftheirownmiserytheywerecalloustothesufferingoftheiranimals.halstheory,whichhepracticedonothers,wasthatoneartedoutpreachingittohissisterandbrother-in-law.failingthere,hehammereditintothedogswithaclub.atthefivefingersthedogfoodgaveout,andatoothlessoldsquawofferedtotradethemafewpoundsoffrozenhorsehideforthecoltsrevolverthatkeptthebighuntingknifepanyathalship.apoorsubstituteforfoodwasthishide,justasithadbeenstrippedfromthestarvedhorsesofthecattlemensixwasmorelikestripsofgalvanizediron,andwhenadogwrestleditintohisstomach,itthawedintothinandunnutritiousleatherystringsandintoamassofshorthair,irritatingandindigestible.
andthroughitallbuckstaggeredalongattheheadoftheteamasinanightmare.hepulledwhenhecould;whenhecouldnolongerpull,hefelldownandremaineddowntillblowsfromwhiporclubdrovehimtohisfeetagain.allthestiffnessandglosshadgoneoutofhisbeautifulfurrycoat.thehairhungdown,limpanddraggled,ormattedwithdriedbloodwherehalsclubhadbruisedhim.hismuscleshadwastedawaytoknottystrings,andthefleshpadshaddisappeared,sothateachribandeveryboneinhisfrahroughtheloosehidethatwaswrinkledinfoldsofewasheartbreaking,onlybucksheartwasunbreakable.themanintheredsweaterhadprovedthat.
asitwaswithbuck,sowasitwithhismates.theywereperaons.thereweresevenalltogether,includinghim.intheirverygreathebiteofthelashorthebruiseoftheclub.thepainofthebeatingwasdullanddistant,justasthethingstheireyessawandtheirearsheardseemeddullanddistant.theywerenothalf-living,orquarter-living.theyweresimplysomanybagsofbonesinwhichsparksoflifeflutteredfaintly.whenahaltwasraceslikedeaddogs,andthesparkdiogoout.andwhenthecluborwhipfelluponthem,thesparkflutteredfeeblyup,andtheytotteredtotheirfeetandstaggeredon.
therecahegood-natured,fellandcouldnotrise.halhadtradedoffhisrevolver,sohetooktheaxeandknockedbilleeontheheadashelayinthetraces,thencutthecarcassoutoftheharnessanddraggedittooneside.bucksaw,andhisthisthingwasveryclosetothe,andbutfiveoftheobemalignant;pike,crippledandliiousandnotconsciousenoughlongertoillfaithfultothetoiloftraceandtrail,andmournfulinthathehadsolittlestrengthwithwhichtopull;teek,whohadnottraveledsofarthatwinterandwhowasnowbeatenhersbecausehewasfresher;andbuck,stillattheheadoftheteagdisciplineorstrivingtoenforceit,blindwithweaknesshalfthetirailbytheloomofitandbythedimfeelofhisfeet.
itwasbeautifulspringweather,butneitherdogsnorhumanswereawareofit.eachdaythesunroseearlierandsetlater.itwasdawnbythreeintheillnineatnight.thewholelongdaywasablazeofsunshine.theghostlywintersilencehadgivenwaytothegreatspringhismurmurarosefromalltheland,fraughtwiththejoyofliving.itcamefromthethingsthatlivedandmovedagain,thingswhichhadbeenasdeadandwhichhadnotmovedduringthelongmonthsoffrost.thesapwasrisinginthepines.thewilloingoutinyoungbuds.shrubsandvineswereputtingonfreshgarbsofgreen.cricketssanginthenights,andinthedaysallmannerofcreeping,crawlingthingsrustledforthintothesun.partridgesandwoodpeckerswereboogintheforest.squirrelswerechattering,birdssinging,andoverheadhonkedthewildfowldrivingupfrohatsplittheair.
fromeveryhillslopecamethetrickleofwater,theseenfountains.allthingswerethawing,bending,snapping.theyukonwasstrainingtobreakloosetheicethatbounditdown.itateawayfrohesunatefromabove.air-holesformed,fissuressprangandspreadapart,whilethinsectionsoficefellthroughbodilyintotheriver.andamidallthisbursting,rending,throbbingofawakeninglife,undertheblazingsunandthroughthesoft-sighingbreezes,likewayfarerstodeath,staggeredthetwomen,thewomanandthehuskies.
withthedogsfalling,mercedesweepingandriding,halswearinginnocuously,andcharleseyeswistfullywatering,theystaggeredintojohnthorntonscampatthemouthofthewhiteriver.whentheyhalted,thedogsdroppeddownasthoughtheyhadallbeenstruckdead.mercedesdriedhereyesandlookedatjohnthornton.charlessatdownonalogtorest.hesatdownverysloainstakingly,whatofhisgreatstiffness.haldidthetalking.johnthorntonwaswhittlingthelasttouchesonanaxe-handlehehadmadefromastickofbirch.hewhittledandlistened,gavewasasked,terseadvice.heknewthebreed,andhegavehisadviceinthecertaintythatitwouldnotbefollowed.
"theytoldusupabovetingoutofthetrailandthatthebestthingforustodowastolayover,&ahorntonswarningtotakenoenice.&atmakewhiteriver,andhereweare."thislastwithasneeringringoftriumphinit.
&aoldyoutrue,"johnthorntonanswered."thebotto.onlyfools,withtheblindluckoffools,couldhavemadeit.itellyoustraight,iwouldntriskassonthaticeforallthegoldinalaska."
"thatsbecauseyourenotafool,isuppose,"saidhal."allthesame,wellgoontodawson."heuncoiledhiswhip."getupthere,buck!hi!getupthere!mushon!"
thorntonwentonwhittling.itwasidle,heknew,togetbetweenafoolandhisfolly;whiletwoorthreefoolsmoreorlesswouldnotaltertheschemeofthings.
buttheteathemand.ithadlongsincepassedintothestagewhereblowswererequiredtorouseit.thewhipflashedout,hereandthere,onitsmercilesserrands.joressedhislips.sol-lekswasthefirsttocrawltohisfeet.teekfollowed.joeca,yelpingikes.twicehefellover,hirdatteorise.buck.helayquietlywherehehadfallen.thelashbitintohiherwhinednorstruggled.severaltimesthorntonstarted,asthoughtospeak,butchangedhistohiseyes,and,asthewhippingcontinued,hearoseandwalkedirresolutelyupanddown.
thiswasthefirsttimebuckhadfailed,initselfasufficientreasontodrivehalintoarage.heexchangedthewhipforthecustomaryclub.buckrefusedtoherainofheavierblowswhichnowfelluponhim.likehismates,hewasbarelyabletogetup,but,unlikethem,hehadmadeuphismindnottogetup.hehadavaguefeelingofimpendingdoom.thishadbeenstronguponhimwhenhepulledintothebank,andithadnotdepartedfromhim.whatofthethinandrottenicehehadfeltunderhisfeetallday,itseemedthathesenseddisastercloseathand,outthereaheadontheicewherehismasterwastryingtodrivehim.herefusedtostir.sogreatlyhadhesuffered,andsofargonewashe,thattheblowsdidnothurtofalluponhim,thesparkoflifewithinflickeredandwentdown.itwasnearlyout.hefeltstrangelynumb.asthoughfromagreatdistance,hewasawarethathewasbeingbeaten.thelastsensationsofpainlefthianything,thoughveryfaintlyhecouldheartheimpactoftheclubuponhisbody.butitwasnolongerhisbody,itseemedsofaraway.
andthen,suddenly,withoutwarning,utteringacrythatwasinarticulateandmorelikethecryofananimal,joranguponthemanwhowieldedtheclub.halwashurledbackward,asthoughstruckbyafallingtree.mercedesscreamed.charleslookedonwistfully,wipedhiswateryeyes,butdidnotgetupbecauseofhisstiffness.
johnthorntonstoodoverbuck,strugglingtocontrolhihragetospeak.
"ifyoustrikethatdogagain,illkillyou,&aosayinachokingvoice.
"itsmydog,"halreplied,wipingthebloodfromhismouthashecameback."getoutofmyway,orillfixyou.imgoingtodawson."
thorntonstoodbetweenhiionofgettingoutoftheway.haldrewhislonghuntingknife.donmentofhysteria.thorntonrappedhalsknuckleswiththeaxe-handle,knockingtheknifetotheground.herappedhisknucklesagainasickitup.thenhestooped,pickedituphikstraces.
halhadnofightleftinhim.besides,hishandswerefullwithhissister,orhisarms,rather;whilebuckwastooneardeadtobeoffurtheruseinhaulingthesled.afewertheypulledoutfromthebankanddowntheriver.buckheardthemgoandraisedhisheadtosee.pikewasleading,sol-lekswasatthewheel,andbetweenwerejoeandteek.theywerelimpingandstaggering.mercedeswasridingtheloadedsled.halguidedatthegee-pole,andcharlesstumbledalongintherear.
asbuckwatchedthebesidehimandwithrough,kindlyhandssearchedforbrokenbones.bythetimehissearchhaddisclosednothingmorethanmanybruisesandastateofterriblestarvation,thesledwasaquarterofamileaway.dogandheice.suddenly,theysawitsbackenddropdown,asintoarut,andthegee-pole,withhalclingingtoit,jerkintotheair.ametotheirears.theysawcharlesturnonesteptorunback,sandthenawholesectionoficegivewayanddogsandhumansdisappear.ayawningholewasallthatwastobeseen.thebottomhaddroppedoutofthetrail.
"youpoordevil,"saidjohnthorntonandbucklickedhishand.