CHAPTER 6
( 起笔屋最快更新) fortheloveofaman
whenjohnthorntonfrozehisfeetinthepreviousdecember,hispartnershadhimtogetwell,goingonthemselvesuptherivertogetoutaraftofsaw-logsfordawson.hewasstilllimpingslightlyatthetimeherescuedbuck,butwiththecontinuedwarmweathereventheslightlimplefthim.andhere,lyingbytheriverbankthroughthelongspringdays,watchingtherunningwater,listeninglazilytothesongsofbirdsandthehumofnature,buckslowlywonbackhisstrength.
arestcoraveledthreethousandbuckwaxedlazyashiswoundshealed,hismusclesswelledout,andthefleshcaoverhisbones.forthatmatter,theywereallloafing,——buck,johnthornton,andskeetandnig——waitingfortherafttoethatwastocarrythewasalittleirishsetterwhoearlymadefriendswithbuck,who,inadyingcondition,wasunabletoresentherfirstadvances.shehadthedoctortraitwhichsomedogspossess;andasamothercatwashesherkittens,soshewashedandcleansedbuckswounds.regularly,eachmorningafterhehadfinishedhisbreakfast,sheperforask,tillhecametolookforherministrationsasmuchashedidforthorntons.nig,equallyfriendlythoughlessdemonstrative,wasahugeblackdog,half-bloodhoundandhalf-deerhound,witheyesthatlaughedandaboundlessgoodnature.
tobuckssurprisethesedogsednojealousytowardhim.theyseemedtosharethekindlinessandlargenessofjohnthornton.asbuckgrewstrongertheyenticedhies,inwhichthorntonhiotforbeartojoin;andinthisfashionbuckroeandintoanewexistence.love,genuinepassionatelove,washisforthefirsttime.thishehadneverexperiencedatjudgemillersdowninthesun-kissedsantaclaravalley.withthejudgessons,huntingandtramping,ithadbeenaworkingpartnership;withthejudgesgrandsons,asortofpompousguardianship;andwiththejudgehimself,astatelyanddignifiedfriendship.butlovethatwasfeverishandburning,thatwasadoration,thatwashadtakenjohnthorntontoarouse.
thismanhadsavedhislife,whichwassomething;but,further,hewastheidealmaster.othermensawtothewelfareoftheirdogsfroyandbusinessexpediency;hesawtothewelfareofhisasiftheywerehisownchildren,becausehecouldnothelpit.andhesawfurther.heneverforgotakindlygreetingoracheeringword,andtositdownforalongtalkwiththem——"gas"hecalledit——wasasmuchhisdelightastheirs.hehadawayoftakingbucksheadroughlybetweenhishands,andrestinghisoonbucks,ofshakinghighitobuckwerelovenaerjoythanthatroughedthesoundofmurmuredoaths,andateachjerkbackandforthitseemedthathisheartwouldbeshakenoutofhisbody,sogreatwasitsecstasy.andwhen,released,hesprangtohisfeet,hismouthlaughing,hiseyeseloquent,histhroatvibrantwithunutteredsound,andinthatfashionrehoutmovement,johnthorntonwouldreverentlyexclaiallbutspeak!"
buckhadatrickofloveexpressionthatwasakintohurt.hewouldoftenseizethorntonshandinhismouthandclosesofiercelythatthefleshboretheimpressofhisteethforsometioodtheoathstobelovewords,sotheeforacaress.
forthemostpart,however,bucksloveressedinadoration.whilehewentwildinesswhenthorntontouchedhihesetokens.unlikeskeet,horntonshandandnudgeandnudgetillpetted,ornig,whowouldstalkupandresthisgreatheadonthorntonsknee,buckwascontenttoadoreatadistance.hewouldliebythehour,eager,alert,atthorntonsfeet,lookingupintohisface,dwellinguponit,studyingit,followingwithkeenestinteresteachfleetingexpression,everygeoffeature.or,aschancemighthaveit,hewouldliefartheraway,tothesideorrear,watchingtheoutlinesoftheovementsofhisbody.andoften,suchwasthemunioninwhichtheylived,thestrengthofbucksgazewoulddrawjohnthorntonsheadaround,andhewouldreturnthegaze,withoutspeech,hisheartshiningoutofhiseyesasbucksheartshoneout.
foralongtiotlikethorntontogetoutofhissight.frohetenttowhenheentereditagain,buckwouldfollowathisheels.histransienthlandhadbredinhimafearthatno.hewasafraidthatthorntonwouldpassoutofhislifeasperraultandfrancoisandthescotchhalf-breedhadpassedout.eveninthenight,inhisdreahisfear.atsuchtimeshewouldshakeoffsleepandcreepthroughthechilltotheflapofthetent,wherehewouldstandandlistentothesoundofhismastersbreathing.
butinspiteofthisgreatloveheborejohnthornton,whichseemedtobespeakthesoftcivilizinginfluence,thestrainofthepriorthlandhadarousedinhim,remainedaliveandactive.faithfulnessanddevotion,thingsbornoffireandroof,werehis;yetheretainedhiswildnessandwiliness.hewasathingofthewild,einfromthewildtositbyjohnthorntonsfire,ratherthanadogofthesoftsouthlandstaionsofcivilization.becauseofhisverygreatlove,hecouldnotstealfromthisman,butfroinstant;whilethecunningwithwhichhestoleenabledhi.
hisfaceandbodywerescoredbytheteethofmanydogs,andhefoughtasfiercelyaseverandoogood-naturedforquarreling——besides,theybelongedtojohnthornton;butthestrangedog,nomatterwhatthebreedorvalor,swiftlyacknowledgedbuckssupremacyorfoundhimselfstrugglingforlifewithaterribleantagonist.andbuckwashelawofclubandfang,andheneverforewentanadvantageordrewbackfroodeath.hehadlessonedfromspitz,andfromthechieffightingdogsofthepoliceandherewasnomiddlecourse.hemustmasterorbemastered;whiletoshowmercywasaweakness.intheprioodforfear,andsuchandingsmadefordeath.killorbekilled,eatorbeeaten,wasthelaw;andthismandate,downoutofthedepthsoftime,heobeyed.
hewasolderthanthedayshehadseenandthebreathshehaddrawn.helinkedtresent,andtheeternitybehindhimthrobbedthroughhiminamightyrhythmtowhichheswayedasthetidesandseasonsswayed.hesatbyjohnthorntonsfire,abroad-breasteddog,white-fangedandlong-furred;butbehindhimweretheshadesofallmannerofdogs,halfwolvesandwildwolves,urgentandprompting,tastingthesavorofthemeatheate,thirstingforthewaterhedrank,scentingthewindwithhim,listeningwithhimandtellinghimthesoundsmadebythewildlifeintheforest;dictatinghiss,lyingdowntosleepwithhimwhenhelaydown,anddreamingwithhiingthemselvesthestuffofhisdreams.
soperemptorilydidtheseshadesbeckonhim,thateachdaymankindandtheclaimsofmankindslippedfartherfromhim.deepintheforestacallwassounding,andasoftenasheheardthiscall,mysteriouslythrillingandluring,hefeltcothefireandthebeateneartharoundit,andtoplungeintotheforest,andonandon,heknewnotwhereorwhy;nordidhewonderwhereorwhy,thecallsoundingimperiously,deepintheforest.butasoftenashegainedthesoftunbrokenearthandthegreenshade,theloveforjohnthorntondrewhimbacktothefireagain.
thorntonaloneheldhim.therestofravelersmightpraiseorpethiall,andfromatoodemonstrativemanhewouldgetupande,arrivedonthelong-expectedraft,buckrefusedtonoticetheheywereclosetothornton;afterthathetoleratedtheeptingfavorsfromthemasthoughhefavoredtheepting.theywereofthesamelargetypeasthornton,livingclosetotheearth,thinkingsiheyswungtheraftintothebigeddybythesaw-oodbuckandhisways,anddidnotinsistuponanintihskeetandnig.
forthornton,however,hisloveseemedtogrowandgrow.he,aloneamongkinthesummertraveling.nothingwastoogreatforbucktodo,whenthorntoncoheyhadgrub-stakedthemselvesfrodawsonfortheheadwatersofthetanana)theofacliffwhichfellaway,straightdown,tonakedbedrockthreehundredfeetbelow.johnthorntonwassittingneartheedge,buckathisshoulder.athoughtlesswhiheattentionofhansandpetetotheexperimenthehadinmind."juanded,sweepinghisarinstanthereeweredraggingthetosafety.
&ay,"petesaid,afteritwasoverandtheyhadcaughttheirspeech.
thorntonshookhishead."no,itissplendid,anditisterrible,too.doyouknow,itsometimesmakesmeafraid."
&ahemanthatlayshandsonyouwhilehesaround,&alusively,noddinghisheadtowardbuck.
"pyjingo!&atribution.&aher."
itwasatcirclecity,eretheyearwasout,trehensionswererealized."black&aemperedandgaquarrelwithatenderfootatthebar,whentedgoodnaturedlybetween.buck,aswashiscustoer,headonpaws,watchinghis.burtonstruckout,withoutwarning,straightfrospinning,andsavedhihingtherailofthebar.
thosewhowerelookingonheardwhatwasneitherbarknoryelp,butasomethingwhichisbestdescribedasaroar,andtheysawbucksbodyriseupintheairasheleftthefloorforburtonsthroat.thehrowingouthisarm,butwashurledbackwardtothefloorwithbuckontopofhim.buckloosedhisteethfromthefleshofthearmanddroveinagainforthethroat.thistieededonlyinpartlyblocking,andhisten.thenthecrodhewasdrivenoff;butwhileasurgeoncheckedthebleeding,heprowledupanddown,growlingfuriously,attemptingtorushin,andbeingforcedbackbyanarrayofhostileclubs.a&aing&a,decidedthatthedoghadsufficientprovocation,andbuckwasdischarged.buthisreputationwasmade,andfromthatdayhisnaalaska.
lateron,inthefalloftheyear,hesavedjohnthorntonslifeinquiteanotherfasartnerswereliningalongandnarrowpolingboatdownabadstretchofrapidsonthefortyemovedalongthebank,snubbingwithathinmanilaropefromtreetotree,whilethorntonre,helpingitsdescentbyionstotheshore.buck,onthebank,worriedandanxious,keptabreastoftheboat,hiseyesneveroffhismaster.
ataparticularlybadspot,wherealedgeofbarelysubmergedrocksjuttedoutintotheriver,hanscastofftherope,and,woledtheboatoutintothestream,randownthebankwiththeendinhishandtosnubtheboatwhenithadclearedtheledge.thisitdid,andwasflyingdown-streatasswiftasakeditwiththeropeandcheckedtoosuddenly.theboatflirtedoverandsnubbedintothebankbottoofit,wascarrieddown-streamtowardtheworstpartoftherapids,astretchofwildwaterinwhichnoswimmercouldlive.
buckhadsprunginontheinstant;andattheendofthreehundredyards,amidamadswirlofwater,heover-hauledthornton.whenhefelthimgrasphistail,buckheadedforthebank,swimmingwithallhissplendidstrengtrogressshorewardwasslow;theprogressdown-streamatwentwilderandwasrentinshredsandspraybytherockswhichthrustthroughliketheteethofanenorb.thesuckofthewaterasittookthebeginningoftitchwasfrightful,andthorntonknewthattheshoreossible.hescrapedfuriouslyoverarock,bruisedacrossasecond,andstruckathirdwithcrushingforce.heclutcheditsslipperytopwithbothhands,releasingbuck,andabovetheroarofthechurningwatershouted:≈quot;
buckcouldnotholdhisown,andsweptondownstream,strugglingdesperately,butunabletowinback.whenheheardthorntonscoed,hepartlyrearedoutofthewater,throwinghisheadhigh,asthoughforalastlook,thenturnedobedientlytowardthebank.hesowerfullyandwasdraggedashorebypeteandhansattheverypointwhereswiobepossibleanddestructionbegan.
theyknewthatthetilingtoaslipperyrockinthefaceofthatdrivingcurrentwasamatterofminutes,andtheyranasfastastheycouldupthebanktoapointfarabovewherethorntonwashangingon.theyattachedthelinewithwhichtheyhadbeensnubbingtheboattobucksneckandshoulders,beingcarefulthatitshouldneitherstranglehimnorimpedehisswiream.hestruckoutboldly,butnotstraightenoughintothestream.hediscoveredthemistaketoolate,whenthorntonwasabreastofhimandabarehalf-dozenstrokesawaywhilehewasbeingcarriedhelplesslypast.
hansprohtherope,asthoughbuckwereaboat.theropethustighteningonhit,hewasjerkedunderthesurface,andunderthesurfacehereillhisbodystruckagainstthebankandhewashauledout.hewashalfdrowned,andhansandpetethrewthehintohieroutofhim.hestaggeredtohisfeetandfelldown.thefaintsoundofthorntonsvoicecaotmakeoutthewordsofit,theyknewthathewasinhisextretedonbucklikeanelectricshock.hesprangtohisfeetandranupthebankaheadoftheofhispreviousdeparture.
againtheropewasattachedandhewaslaunched,andagainhestruckout,butthistireahewouldnotbeguiltyofitasecondtime.hanspaidouttherope,permittingnoslack,whilepetekeptitclearofcoils.buckheldontillhewasonalinestraightabovethornton;thenheturned,andwiththespeedofanexpresstrainheadeddownuponhiing,and,asbuckstruckhimlikeabatteringram,withthewholeforceofthecurrentbehindhim,hereachedupandclosedwithbotharssnubbedtheropearoundthetree,andbuckandthorntonwerejerkedunderthewater.strangling,suffocating,soihejaggedbottodsnags,theyveeredintothebank.
thorntoncameto,bellydownwardandbeingviolentlypropelledbackandforthacrossadriftlogbyhansandpete.hisfirstglancewasforbuck,overwhoselimpandapparentlylifelessbodynigwassettingupahowl,whileskeetwaslickingthewetfaceandclosedeyes.thorntonwashimselfbruisedandbattered,andhewentcarefullyoverbucksbody,whenhehadbeenbroughtaround,findingthreebrokenribs.
"thatsettlesit,"heannounced."righthere."andcamptheydid,tillbucksribsknittedandhewasabletotravel.
thatwinter,atdawson,buckperformedanotherexploit,notsoheroicperhaps,butohatputshisnaehisexploitarticularlygratifyingtothethreeheoutfitwhichitfurnished,andwereenabledtomakealong-desiredtripintothevirgineast,eared.itwasbroughtaboutbyaconversationintheeldoradosaloon,inwhichmenwaxedboastfuloftheirfavoritedogs.buck,becauseofhisrecord,wasthetargetforthesemen,andthorntonwasdrivenstoutlytodefendhiatedthathisdogcouldstartasledwithfivehundredpoundsandwalkoffwithit;asecondbraggedsixhundredforhisdog;andathird,sevenhundred.
"pooh!pooh!"saidjohnthornton.&aanstartathousandpounds."
&aout,andwalkoffwithitforahundredyards?&ahewson,abonanzaking,heofthesevenhundredvaunt.
&aout,andwalkoffwithitforahundredyards,"johnthorntonsaidcooly.
"well,"matthewsonsaid,slowlyanddeliberately,sothatallcouldhear,"ivegotathousanddollarsthatsayshecant.andthereitis."sosaying,heslammedasackofgolddustofthesizeofabolognasausagedownuponthebar.
nobodyspoke.thorntonsbluff,ifbluffitwas,hadbeencalled.hecouldfeelaflushofwarmbloodcreepinguphisface.histonguehadtrickedhiherbuckcouldstartathousandpounds.halfaton!theenormousnessofitappalledhim.hehadgreatfaithinbucksstrengthandhadoftenthoughthimcapableofstartingsuchaload;butnever,asnow,hadhefacedthepossibilityofit,theeyesofadozenmenfixeduponhim,silentandwaiting.further,hehadnothousanddollars;norhadhansandpete.
"ivegotasledstandingoutsidenow,witoundsacksofflouronit,&aonwithbrutaldirectness;&ahinderyou."
thorntondidnotreply.hedidnotknowwhattosay.heglancedfrotheabsentwayofamanwhohaslostthepowerofthoughtandisseekingsohingthatwillstartitgoingagain.thefaceofjimobrien,arade,caughthiseyes.itwasacuetohim,seemingtorousehimtodowhathewouldneverhavedreamedofdoing.
&ahousand?"heasked,almostinawhisper.
"sure,"answeredobrien,thuhoricsackbythesideofmatthewsons."thoughitslittlefaithimhaving,john,thatthebeastcandothetrick."
theeldoradoereettoseethetest.thetablesweredeserted,andthedealersandgamekeeperscaeofthewagerandtolayodds.severalhundredmen,furredandmittened,bankedaroundthesledwithineasydistance.matthewsonssled,loadedwithathousandpoundsofflour,hadbeenstandingforacoupleofhours,andintheintensecold——itwassixtybelowzero——therunnershadfrozenfasttothehard-packedsnow.buckcouldnotbudgethesled.aquibblearoseconcerningthephrase"breakout.&awasthorntonsprivilegetoknocktherunnersloose,leavingbuckto"breakitout"fromadeadstandstill.thephraseincludedbreakingtherunnersfromthefrozengripofthesnow.amajorityofthehemakingofthebetdecidedinhisfavor,whereattheoddswentuptothreetooneagainstbuck.
therewerenotakers.notamanbelievedhimcapableofthefeat.thorntonhadbeenhurriedintothewager,heavywithdoubt;andnowthathelookedatthesleditself,theconcretefact,withtheregularteamoftendogscurledupinthesnowbeforeit,themoreimpossiblethetaskappeared.matthewsonwaxedjubilant.
"threetoone!"heproclaimed.&ahousandatthatfigure,thornton,whatdoyousay?"
thorntonsdoubtwasstronginhisface,buthisfightingspiritwasaroused——thefightingspiritthatsoarsaboveodds,failstorecognizetheioallsavetheclamorforbattle.hecalledhansandpetetohim.theirsackswereslihreepartnerscouldraketogetheronlytwohundreddollars.intheebboftheirfortunes,thissumwastital;yettheylaiditunhesitatinglyagainstmatthewsonssixhundred.
theteamoftendogswasunhitched,andbuck,withhisownharness,utintothesled.hehadcaughtthecontagionoftheexcitehatinsomewayhemustdoagreatthingforjohnthornton.murmursofadmirationathissplendidappearancewentup.heondition,withoutanounceofsuperfluousflesh,andtheonehundredandfiftypoundsthatheweighedweresomanypoundsofgritandvirility.hisfurrycoatshonewiththesheenofsilk.downtheneckandacrosstheshoulders,hismane,inreposeasitwas,halfbristledandseemedtoliftwitheverymovement,asthoughexcessofvigormadeeachparticularhairaliveandactive.thegreatbreastandheavyforelegswerenomorethaninproportionwiththerestofhisbody,wherethemusclesshowedintightrollsunderneaththeskin.hesedproclaimedthemhardasiron,andtheoddswentdowntotwotoone.
"gad,sir!gad,sir!"stutteredamemberofthelatestdynasty,akingoftheskookumbenches."iofferyoueighthundredforhim,sir,beforethetest;eighthundredjustashestands."
thorntonshookhisheadandsteppedovertobucksside.
"youmuststandofffromhied.&ayofroom."
thecrowdfellsilent;onlycouldbeheardthevoicesofthegamblersvainlyofferingtwotoone.everybodyacknowledgedbuckaanimal,buttwentyfifty-poundsacksofflourbulkedtoolargeintheireyesforthemtoloosentheirpouchstrings.
thorntonkneltdownbybucksside.hetookhisheadinhishandsandrestedcheekoncheek.hedidnotplayfullyshakehim,aswashiswont,ormurmursoftlovecurses;buthewhisperedinhisear."asyouloveme,buck.asyouloveme,"waswhathewhispered.buckwhinedwithsuppressedeagerness.
thecrouriously.theaffairwasgrowingmysterious.itseejuration.asthorntongottohisfeet,buckseizedhisweenhisjaws,pressinginwithhisteethandreleasingslowly,half-reluctantly.itwastheanswer,interms,notofspeech,butoflove.tedwellback.
"now,buck,"hesaid.
bucktightenedthetraces,thenslackedthewasthewayhehadlearned.
"gee!&agout,sharpinthetensesilence.
buckswungtotheright,endingtheookuptheslackandwithasuddenjerkarrestedhisonehundredandfiftypounds.theloadquivered,andfroherunnersaroseacrispcrackling.
"haw!&aanded.
buckduplicatedthehistiklingturnedintoasnapping,thesledpivotingandtherunnersslippingandgratingseveralinchestotheside.thesledwasbrokenout.menwereholdingtheirbreaths,intenselyunconsciousofthefact.
"now,mush!"
thorntonscokedoutlikeapistolshot.buckthrewhiraceswithajarringlunge.hiswholebodywasgatheredcore,themuscleswrithingandknottinglikelivethingsunderthesilkyfur.hisgreatchestwaslowtotheground,hisheadforwardanddown,whilehisfeetwereflyinglikegthehard-packedsnowinparallelgrooves.thesledswayedandtrembled,half-startedforward.oneofhisfeetslipped,andonemangroanedaloud.thesledlurchedaheadinhoughitneverreallycametoadeadstopagainhalfaninchaninchtwoinchesthejerksperceptiblydihesledgainedmomentum,hecaug,tillitwasmovingsteadilyalong.
heagain,unawarethatforamomenttheyhadceasedtobreathe.thorntonwasrunningbehind,encouragingbuckwithshort,cheerywords.thedistancehadbeenhepileoffirewoodwhichmarkedtheendofthehundredyards,acheerbegantogrowandgrow,whichburstintoaroarashepassedthefirewoodandhaltedatmand.everymanwastearinghimselfloose,evenmatthewson.hatsandmittenswereflyingintheair.menwereshakinghands,itdidnotmatterwithwhom,andbubblingoverinageneralincoherentbabel.
butthorntonfellonhiskneesbesidebuck.headwasagainsthead,andhewasshakinghidforth.thosewhohurriedupheardhidhecursedhily,andsoftlyandlovingly.
"gad,sir!gad,sir!"sputteredtheskookug."illgiveyouathousandforhim,sir,athousand,sir——twelvehundred,sir."
thorntonrosetohisfeet.hiseyeswerewet.thetearswerestreamingfranklydownhischeeks."sir,"hesaidtotheskookug,&agotohell,sir.itsthebesticandoforyou,sir."
buckseizedthorntonshandinhisteeth.thorntonshookhidforth.asthoughanipulse,theonlookersdrewbacktoarespectfuldistance;norweretheyagainindiscreetenougt.
whenjohnthorntonfrozehisfeetinthepreviousdecember,hispartnershadhimtogetwell,goingonthemselvesuptherivertogetoutaraftofsaw-logsfordawson.hewasstilllimpingslightlyatthetimeherescuedbuck,butwiththecontinuedwarmweathereventheslightlimplefthim.andhere,lyingbytheriverbankthroughthelongspringdays,watchingtherunningwater,listeninglazilytothesongsofbirdsandthehumofnature,buckslowlywonbackhisstrength.
arestcoraveledthreethousandbuckwaxedlazyashiswoundshealed,hismusclesswelledout,andthefleshcaoverhisbones.forthatmatter,theywereallloafing,——buck,johnthornton,andskeetandnig——waitingfortherafttoethatwastocarrythewasalittleirishsetterwhoearlymadefriendswithbuck,who,inadyingcondition,wasunabletoresentherfirstadvances.shehadthedoctortraitwhichsomedogspossess;andasamothercatwashesherkittens,soshewashedandcleansedbuckswounds.regularly,eachmorningafterhehadfinishedhisbreakfast,sheperforask,tillhecametolookforherministrationsasmuchashedidforthorntons.nig,equallyfriendlythoughlessdemonstrative,wasahugeblackdog,half-bloodhoundandhalf-deerhound,witheyesthatlaughedandaboundlessgoodnature.
tobuckssurprisethesedogsednojealousytowardhim.theyseemedtosharethekindlinessandlargenessofjohnthornton.asbuckgrewstrongertheyenticedhies,inwhichthorntonhiotforbeartojoin;andinthisfashionbuckroeandintoanewexistence.love,genuinepassionatelove,washisforthefirsttime.thishehadneverexperiencedatjudgemillersdowninthesun-kissedsantaclaravalley.withthejudgessons,huntingandtramping,ithadbeenaworkingpartnership;withthejudgesgrandsons,asortofpompousguardianship;andwiththejudgehimself,astatelyanddignifiedfriendship.butlovethatwasfeverishandburning,thatwasadoration,thatwashadtakenjohnthorntontoarouse.
thismanhadsavedhislife,whichwassomething;but,further,hewastheidealmaster.othermensawtothewelfareoftheirdogsfroyandbusinessexpediency;hesawtothewelfareofhisasiftheywerehisownchildren,becausehecouldnothelpit.andhesawfurther.heneverforgotakindlygreetingoracheeringword,andtositdownforalongtalkwiththem——"gas"hecalledit——wasasmuchhisdelightastheirs.hehadawayoftakingbucksheadroughlybetweenhishands,andrestinghisoonbucks,ofshakinghighitobuckwerelovenaerjoythanthatroughedthesoundofmurmuredoaths,andateachjerkbackandforthitseemedthathisheartwouldbeshakenoutofhisbody,sogreatwasitsecstasy.andwhen,released,hesprangtohisfeet,hismouthlaughing,hiseyeseloquent,histhroatvibrantwithunutteredsound,andinthatfashionrehoutmovement,johnthorntonwouldreverentlyexclaiallbutspeak!"
buckhadatrickofloveexpressionthatwasakintohurt.hewouldoftenseizethorntonshandinhismouthandclosesofiercelythatthefleshboretheimpressofhisteethforsometioodtheoathstobelovewords,sotheeforacaress.
forthemostpart,however,bucksloveressedinadoration.whilehewentwildinesswhenthorntontouchedhihesetokens.unlikeskeet,horntonshandandnudgeandnudgetillpetted,ornig,whowouldstalkupandresthisgreatheadonthorntonsknee,buckwascontenttoadoreatadistance.hewouldliebythehour,eager,alert,atthorntonsfeet,lookingupintohisface,dwellinguponit,studyingit,followingwithkeenestinteresteachfleetingexpression,everygeoffeature.or,aschancemighthaveit,hewouldliefartheraway,tothesideorrear,watchingtheoutlinesoftheovementsofhisbody.andoften,suchwasthemunioninwhichtheylived,thestrengthofbucksgazewoulddrawjohnthorntonsheadaround,andhewouldreturnthegaze,withoutspeech,hisheartshiningoutofhiseyesasbucksheartshoneout.
foralongtiotlikethorntontogetoutofhissight.frohetenttowhenheentereditagain,buckwouldfollowathisheels.histransienthlandhadbredinhimafearthatno.hewasafraidthatthorntonwouldpassoutofhislifeasperraultandfrancoisandthescotchhalf-breedhadpassedout.eveninthenight,inhisdreahisfear.atsuchtimeshewouldshakeoffsleepandcreepthroughthechilltotheflapofthetent,wherehewouldstandandlistentothesoundofhismastersbreathing.
butinspiteofthisgreatloveheborejohnthornton,whichseemedtobespeakthesoftcivilizinginfluence,thestrainofthepriorthlandhadarousedinhim,remainedaliveandactive.faithfulnessanddevotion,thingsbornoffireandroof,werehis;yetheretainedhiswildnessandwiliness.hewasathingofthewild,einfromthewildtositbyjohnthorntonsfire,ratherthanadogofthesoftsouthlandstaionsofcivilization.becauseofhisverygreatlove,hecouldnotstealfromthisman,butfroinstant;whilethecunningwithwhichhestoleenabledhi.
hisfaceandbodywerescoredbytheteethofmanydogs,andhefoughtasfiercelyaseverandoogood-naturedforquarreling——besides,theybelongedtojohnthornton;butthestrangedog,nomatterwhatthebreedorvalor,swiftlyacknowledgedbuckssupremacyorfoundhimselfstrugglingforlifewithaterribleantagonist.andbuckwashelawofclubandfang,andheneverforewentanadvantageordrewbackfroodeath.hehadlessonedfromspitz,andfromthechieffightingdogsofthepoliceandherewasnomiddlecourse.hemustmasterorbemastered;whiletoshowmercywasaweakness.intheprioodforfear,andsuchandingsmadefordeath.killorbekilled,eatorbeeaten,wasthelaw;andthismandate,downoutofthedepthsoftime,heobeyed.
hewasolderthanthedayshehadseenandthebreathshehaddrawn.helinkedtresent,andtheeternitybehindhimthrobbedthroughhiminamightyrhythmtowhichheswayedasthetidesandseasonsswayed.hesatbyjohnthorntonsfire,abroad-breasteddog,white-fangedandlong-furred;butbehindhimweretheshadesofallmannerofdogs,halfwolvesandwildwolves,urgentandprompting,tastingthesavorofthemeatheate,thirstingforthewaterhedrank,scentingthewindwithhim,listeningwithhimandtellinghimthesoundsmadebythewildlifeintheforest;dictatinghiss,lyingdowntosleepwithhimwhenhelaydown,anddreamingwithhiingthemselvesthestuffofhisdreams.
soperemptorilydidtheseshadesbeckonhim,thateachdaymankindandtheclaimsofmankindslippedfartherfromhim.deepintheforestacallwassounding,andasoftenasheheardthiscall,mysteriouslythrillingandluring,hefeltcothefireandthebeateneartharoundit,andtoplungeintotheforest,andonandon,heknewnotwhereorwhy;nordidhewonderwhereorwhy,thecallsoundingimperiously,deepintheforest.butasoftenashegainedthesoftunbrokenearthandthegreenshade,theloveforjohnthorntondrewhimbacktothefireagain.
thorntonaloneheldhim.therestofravelersmightpraiseorpethiall,andfromatoodemonstrativemanhewouldgetupande,arrivedonthelong-expectedraft,buckrefusedtonoticetheheywereclosetothornton;afterthathetoleratedtheeptingfavorsfromthemasthoughhefavoredtheepting.theywereofthesamelargetypeasthornton,livingclosetotheearth,thinkingsiheyswungtheraftintothebigeddybythesaw-oodbuckandhisways,anddidnotinsistuponanintihskeetandnig.
forthornton,however,hisloveseemedtogrowandgrow.he,aloneamongkinthesummertraveling.nothingwastoogreatforbucktodo,whenthorntoncoheyhadgrub-stakedthemselvesfrodawsonfortheheadwatersofthetanana)theofacliffwhichfellaway,straightdown,tonakedbedrockthreehundredfeetbelow.johnthorntonwassittingneartheedge,buckathisshoulder.athoughtlesswhiheattentionofhansandpetetotheexperimenthehadinmind."juanded,sweepinghisarinstanthereeweredraggingthetosafety.
&ay,"petesaid,afteritwasoverandtheyhadcaughttheirspeech.
thorntonshookhishead."no,itissplendid,anditisterrible,too.doyouknow,itsometimesmakesmeafraid."
&ahemanthatlayshandsonyouwhilehesaround,&alusively,noddinghisheadtowardbuck.
"pyjingo!&atribution.&aher."
itwasatcirclecity,eretheyearwasout,trehensionswererealized."black&aemperedandgaquarrelwithatenderfootatthebar,whentedgoodnaturedlybetween.buck,aswashiscustoer,headonpaws,watchinghis.burtonstruckout,withoutwarning,straightfrospinning,andsavedhihingtherailofthebar.
thosewhowerelookingonheardwhatwasneitherbarknoryelp,butasomethingwhichisbestdescribedasaroar,andtheysawbucksbodyriseupintheairasheleftthefloorforburtonsthroat.thehrowingouthisarm,butwashurledbackwardtothefloorwithbuckontopofhim.buckloosedhisteethfromthefleshofthearmanddroveinagainforthethroat.thistieededonlyinpartlyblocking,andhisten.thenthecrodhewasdrivenoff;butwhileasurgeoncheckedthebleeding,heprowledupanddown,growlingfuriously,attemptingtorushin,andbeingforcedbackbyanarrayofhostileclubs.a&aing&a,decidedthatthedoghadsufficientprovocation,andbuckwasdischarged.buthisreputationwasmade,andfromthatdayhisnaalaska.
lateron,inthefalloftheyear,hesavedjohnthorntonslifeinquiteanotherfasartnerswereliningalongandnarrowpolingboatdownabadstretchofrapidsonthefortyemovedalongthebank,snubbingwithathinmanilaropefromtreetotree,whilethorntonre,helpingitsdescentbyionstotheshore.buck,onthebank,worriedandanxious,keptabreastoftheboat,hiseyesneveroffhismaster.
ataparticularlybadspot,wherealedgeofbarelysubmergedrocksjuttedoutintotheriver,hanscastofftherope,and,woledtheboatoutintothestream,randownthebankwiththeendinhishandtosnubtheboatwhenithadclearedtheledge.thisitdid,andwasflyingdown-streatasswiftasakeditwiththeropeandcheckedtoosuddenly.theboatflirtedoverandsnubbedintothebankbottoofit,wascarrieddown-streamtowardtheworstpartoftherapids,astretchofwildwaterinwhichnoswimmercouldlive.
buckhadsprunginontheinstant;andattheendofthreehundredyards,amidamadswirlofwater,heover-hauledthornton.whenhefelthimgrasphistail,buckheadedforthebank,swimmingwithallhissplendidstrengtrogressshorewardwasslow;theprogressdown-streamatwentwilderandwasrentinshredsandspraybytherockswhichthrustthroughliketheteethofanenorb.thesuckofthewaterasittookthebeginningoftitchwasfrightful,andthorntonknewthattheshoreossible.hescrapedfuriouslyoverarock,bruisedacrossasecond,andstruckathirdwithcrushingforce.heclutcheditsslipperytopwithbothhands,releasingbuck,andabovetheroarofthechurningwatershouted:≈quot;
buckcouldnotholdhisown,andsweptondownstream,strugglingdesperately,butunabletowinback.whenheheardthorntonscoed,hepartlyrearedoutofthewater,throwinghisheadhigh,asthoughforalastlook,thenturnedobedientlytowardthebank.hesowerfullyandwasdraggedashorebypeteandhansattheverypointwhereswiobepossibleanddestructionbegan.
theyknewthatthetilingtoaslipperyrockinthefaceofthatdrivingcurrentwasamatterofminutes,andtheyranasfastastheycouldupthebanktoapointfarabovewherethorntonwashangingon.theyattachedthelinewithwhichtheyhadbeensnubbingtheboattobucksneckandshoulders,beingcarefulthatitshouldneitherstranglehimnorimpedehisswiream.hestruckoutboldly,butnotstraightenoughintothestream.hediscoveredthemistaketoolate,whenthorntonwasabreastofhimandabarehalf-dozenstrokesawaywhilehewasbeingcarriedhelplesslypast.
hansprohtherope,asthoughbuckwereaboat.theropethustighteningonhit,hewasjerkedunderthesurface,andunderthesurfacehereillhisbodystruckagainstthebankandhewashauledout.hewashalfdrowned,andhansandpetethrewthehintohieroutofhim.hestaggeredtohisfeetandfelldown.thefaintsoundofthorntonsvoicecaotmakeoutthewordsofit,theyknewthathewasinhisextretedonbucklikeanelectricshock.hesprangtohisfeetandranupthebankaheadoftheofhispreviousdeparture.
againtheropewasattachedandhewaslaunched,andagainhestruckout,butthistireahewouldnotbeguiltyofitasecondtime.hanspaidouttherope,permittingnoslack,whilepetekeptitclearofcoils.buckheldontillhewasonalinestraightabovethornton;thenheturned,andwiththespeedofanexpresstrainheadeddownuponhiing,and,asbuckstruckhimlikeabatteringram,withthewholeforceofthecurrentbehindhim,hereachedupandclosedwithbotharssnubbedtheropearoundthetree,andbuckandthorntonwerejerkedunderthewater.strangling,suffocating,soihejaggedbottodsnags,theyveeredintothebank.
thorntoncameto,bellydownwardandbeingviolentlypropelledbackandforthacrossadriftlogbyhansandpete.hisfirstglancewasforbuck,overwhoselimpandapparentlylifelessbodynigwassettingupahowl,whileskeetwaslickingthewetfaceandclosedeyes.thorntonwashimselfbruisedandbattered,andhewentcarefullyoverbucksbody,whenhehadbeenbroughtaround,findingthreebrokenribs.
"thatsettlesit,"heannounced."righthere."andcamptheydid,tillbucksribsknittedandhewasabletotravel.
thatwinter,atdawson,buckperformedanotherexploit,notsoheroicperhaps,butohatputshisnaehisexploitarticularlygratifyingtothethreeheoutfitwhichitfurnished,andwereenabledtomakealong-desiredtripintothevirgineast,eared.itwasbroughtaboutbyaconversationintheeldoradosaloon,inwhichmenwaxedboastfuloftheirfavoritedogs.buck,becauseofhisrecord,wasthetargetforthesemen,andthorntonwasdrivenstoutlytodefendhiatedthathisdogcouldstartasledwithfivehundredpoundsandwalkoffwithit;asecondbraggedsixhundredforhisdog;andathird,sevenhundred.
"pooh!pooh!"saidjohnthornton.&aanstartathousandpounds."
&aout,andwalkoffwithitforahundredyards?&ahewson,abonanzaking,heofthesevenhundredvaunt.
&aout,andwalkoffwithitforahundredyards,"johnthorntonsaidcooly.
"well,"matthewsonsaid,slowlyanddeliberately,sothatallcouldhear,"ivegotathousanddollarsthatsayshecant.andthereitis."sosaying,heslammedasackofgolddustofthesizeofabolognasausagedownuponthebar.
nobodyspoke.thorntonsbluff,ifbluffitwas,hadbeencalled.hecouldfeelaflushofwarmbloodcreepinguphisface.histonguehadtrickedhiherbuckcouldstartathousandpounds.halfaton!theenormousnessofitappalledhim.hehadgreatfaithinbucksstrengthandhadoftenthoughthimcapableofstartingsuchaload;butnever,asnow,hadhefacedthepossibilityofit,theeyesofadozenmenfixeduponhim,silentandwaiting.further,hehadnothousanddollars;norhadhansandpete.
"ivegotasledstandingoutsidenow,witoundsacksofflouronit,&aonwithbrutaldirectness;&ahinderyou."
thorntondidnotreply.hedidnotknowwhattosay.heglancedfrotheabsentwayofamanwhohaslostthepowerofthoughtandisseekingsohingthatwillstartitgoingagain.thefaceofjimobrien,arade,caughthiseyes.itwasacuetohim,seemingtorousehimtodowhathewouldneverhavedreamedofdoing.
&ahousand?"heasked,almostinawhisper.
"sure,"answeredobrien,thuhoricsackbythesideofmatthewsons."thoughitslittlefaithimhaving,john,thatthebeastcandothetrick."
theeldoradoereettoseethetest.thetablesweredeserted,andthedealersandgamekeeperscaeofthewagerandtolayodds.severalhundredmen,furredandmittened,bankedaroundthesledwithineasydistance.matthewsonssled,loadedwithathousandpoundsofflour,hadbeenstandingforacoupleofhours,andintheintensecold——itwassixtybelowzero——therunnershadfrozenfasttothehard-packedsnow.buckcouldnotbudgethesled.aquibblearoseconcerningthephrase"breakout.&awasthorntonsprivilegetoknocktherunnersloose,leavingbuckto"breakitout"fromadeadstandstill.thephraseincludedbreakingtherunnersfromthefrozengripofthesnow.amajorityofthehemakingofthebetdecidedinhisfavor,whereattheoddswentuptothreetooneagainstbuck.
therewerenotakers.notamanbelievedhimcapableofthefeat.thorntonhadbeenhurriedintothewager,heavywithdoubt;andnowthathelookedatthesleditself,theconcretefact,withtheregularteamoftendogscurledupinthesnowbeforeit,themoreimpossiblethetaskappeared.matthewsonwaxedjubilant.
"threetoone!"heproclaimed.&ahousandatthatfigure,thornton,whatdoyousay?"
thorntonsdoubtwasstronginhisface,buthisfightingspiritwasaroused——thefightingspiritthatsoarsaboveodds,failstorecognizetheioallsavetheclamorforbattle.hecalledhansandpetetohim.theirsackswereslihreepartnerscouldraketogetheronlytwohundreddollars.intheebboftheirfortunes,thissumwastital;yettheylaiditunhesitatinglyagainstmatthewsonssixhundred.
theteamoftendogswasunhitched,andbuck,withhisownharness,utintothesled.hehadcaughtthecontagionoftheexcitehatinsomewayhemustdoagreatthingforjohnthornton.murmursofadmirationathissplendidappearancewentup.heondition,withoutanounceofsuperfluousflesh,andtheonehundredandfiftypoundsthatheweighedweresomanypoundsofgritandvirility.hisfurrycoatshonewiththesheenofsilk.downtheneckandacrosstheshoulders,hismane,inreposeasitwas,halfbristledandseemedtoliftwitheverymovement,asthoughexcessofvigormadeeachparticularhairaliveandactive.thegreatbreastandheavyforelegswerenomorethaninproportionwiththerestofhisbody,wherethemusclesshowedintightrollsunderneaththeskin.hesedproclaimedthemhardasiron,andtheoddswentdowntotwotoone.
"gad,sir!gad,sir!"stutteredamemberofthelatestdynasty,akingoftheskookumbenches."iofferyoueighthundredforhim,sir,beforethetest;eighthundredjustashestands."
thorntonshookhisheadandsteppedovertobucksside.
"youmuststandofffromhied.&ayofroom."
thecrowdfellsilent;onlycouldbeheardthevoicesofthegamblersvainlyofferingtwotoone.everybodyacknowledgedbuckaanimal,buttwentyfifty-poundsacksofflourbulkedtoolargeintheireyesforthemtoloosentheirpouchstrings.
thorntonkneltdownbybucksside.hetookhisheadinhishandsandrestedcheekoncheek.hedidnotplayfullyshakehim,aswashiswont,ormurmursoftlovecurses;buthewhisperedinhisear."asyouloveme,buck.asyouloveme,"waswhathewhispered.buckwhinedwithsuppressedeagerness.
thecrouriously.theaffairwasgrowingmysterious.itseejuration.asthorntongottohisfeet,buckseizedhisweenhisjaws,pressinginwithhisteethandreleasingslowly,half-reluctantly.itwastheanswer,interms,notofspeech,butoflove.tedwellback.
"now,buck,"hesaid.
bucktightenedthetraces,thenslackedthewasthewayhehadlearned.
"gee!&agout,sharpinthetensesilence.
buckswungtotheright,endingtheookuptheslackandwithasuddenjerkarrestedhisonehundredandfiftypounds.theloadquivered,andfroherunnersaroseacrispcrackling.
"haw!&aanded.
buckduplicatedthehistiklingturnedintoasnapping,thesledpivotingandtherunnersslippingandgratingseveralinchestotheside.thesledwasbrokenout.menwereholdingtheirbreaths,intenselyunconsciousofthefact.
"now,mush!"
thorntonscokedoutlikeapistolshot.buckthrewhiraceswithajarringlunge.hiswholebodywasgatheredcore,themuscleswrithingandknottinglikelivethingsunderthesilkyfur.hisgreatchestwaslowtotheground,hisheadforwardanddown,whilehisfeetwereflyinglikegthehard-packedsnowinparallelgrooves.thesledswayedandtrembled,half-startedforward.oneofhisfeetslipped,andonemangroanedaloud.thesledlurchedaheadinhoughitneverreallycametoadeadstopagainhalfaninchaninchtwoinchesthejerksperceptiblydihesledgainedmomentum,hecaug,tillitwasmovingsteadilyalong.
heagain,unawarethatforamomenttheyhadceasedtobreathe.thorntonwasrunningbehind,encouragingbuckwithshort,cheerywords.thedistancehadbeenhepileoffirewoodwhichmarkedtheendofthehundredyards,acheerbegantogrowandgrow,whichburstintoaroarashepassedthefirewoodandhaltedatmand.everymanwastearinghimselfloose,evenmatthewson.hatsandmittenswereflyingintheair.menwereshakinghands,itdidnotmatterwithwhom,andbubblingoverinageneralincoherentbabel.
butthorntonfellonhiskneesbesidebuck.headwasagainsthead,andhewasshakinghidforth.thosewhohurriedupheardhidhecursedhily,andsoftlyandlovingly.
"gad,sir!gad,sir!"sputteredtheskookug."illgiveyouathousandforhim,sir,athousand,sir——twelvehundred,sir."
thorntonrosetohisfeet.hiseyeswerewet.thetearswerestreamingfranklydownhischeeks."sir,"hesaidtotheskookug,&agotohell,sir.itsthebesticandoforyou,sir."
buckseizedthorntonshandinhisteeth.thorntonshookhidforth.asthoughanipulse,theonlookersdrewbacktoarespectfuldistance;norweretheyagainindiscreetenougt.