CHAPTER 7
* * thesoundingofthecall
whenbuckearnedsixteenhundreddollarsinfiveminutesforjohnthornton,hemadeitpossibleforhissandtojourneywithhispartnersintotheeastafterafabledlostoryofwhichwasasoldasthehistoryofthecountry.manymenhadsoughtit;fewhadfoundit;andherewerewhohadneverreturnedfroeepedintragedyandshroudedinhefirstman.theoldesttraditionstoppedbeforeitgotbacktohim.fromthebeginningtherehadbeenanancientandraabin.dyingmenhadsworntoit,andtotheeofwhichitestihatwereunlikeanyknowngradeofgoldinthenorthland.
butnolivingmanhadlootedthistreasurehouse,andthedeadweredead;whereforejohnthorntonandpeteandhans,withbuckandhalfadozenotherdogs,facedintotheeastonanunknowntrailtoachievewheremenanddogsasgoodasthemselveshadfailed.theysleddedseventymilesuptheyukon,swungtotheleftintothestewartriver,passedthemayoandthemcquestion,andheldonuntilthestewartitselfbecaandingpeakswhichhecontinent.
johnthorntonaskedlittleofmanornature.hewasunafraidofthewild.withahandfulofsaltandariflehecouldplungeintothewildernessandfarewhereverhepleasedandaslongashepleased.beinginnohaste,indianfashion,hehuntedhisdinnerinthecourseofthedaystraveling;andifhefailedtofindit,liketheindian,hekeptontraveling,secureintheknowledgethatsoonerorlaterhewouldetoit.so,onthisgreatjourneyintotheeast,straightmeatwasthebilloffare,ammunitionandtoolsprincipallymadeuptheloadonthesled,andthetilessfuture.
tobuckitwasboundlessdelight,thishunting,fishing,andindefinitewanderingthroughstrangeplaces.forweeksatatimetheywouldholdonsteadily,dayafterday;andforweeksuponendtheywouldcahedogsloafingandthehroughfrozentlesspansofdirtbytheheatofthefire.sometimestheywenthungry,sometimestheyfeastedriotously,allaordingtotheabundanceofgauneofhunting.summerarrived,anddogsandtheirbacks,raftedacrossbluededorascendedunknownriversinslenderboatswhipsawedfro.
the,andbackandforththeytwistedthroughtheunchartedvastness,wherenohelostcabinweretrue.theywentacrossdividesinsuhemidnightsunonnakediernalsnows,droppedintosummervalleysamidswarminggnatsandflies,andintheshadowsofglacierspickedstrawberriesandflohlandcouldboast.inthefalloftheyeartheyperatedaweirdlakecountry,sadandsilent,wherewildfowlhadbeen,butwherethentherewasnolifenorsignoflife——onlytheblowingofchillwinds,theforeredplaces,andthemelancholyripplingofwavesonlonelybeaches.
andthroughanotherwintertheywanderedontheobliteratedtrailsofheycameuponapathblazedthroughouttheforest,anancientpath,andthelostcabinseemedverynear.butthepathbegannowhereandendednowhere,andremainedamystery,asthemanwhomadeitandthereasonhemadeitreiime-gravenwreckageofahuntinglodge,andasjohnthorntonfoundalong-barreledflintlock.heknewitforahudsonbaycohwest,whensuchagunwasworthitsweightinbeaverskinspackedflat.andthatwasall——nohintastothemanwhoinanearlydayhadrearedthelodgeandleftthegunas.
springcameononcemore,andattheendofalltheirwanderingtheyfound,notthelostcabin,butashallowplacerinabroadvalleywherethegoldshowedlikeyellowbutteracrossthebottomofthewashingpan.theysoughtnofarther.eachdaytheyworkedearnedthedustandnuggets,andtheyworkedeveryday.thegoldwassackedinmoosehidebags,fiftypoundstothebag,andpiledlikesomuchfirewoodoutsidethespruce-boughlodge.likegiantstheytoiled,daysflashingontheheelsofdayslikedreamsastheyheapedthetreasureup.
therewasnothingforthedogstodo,savethehaulingofmeatnowandagainthatthorntonkilled,andbuckspentlonghoursmusingbythefire.thevisionoftheshort-leggedhairyohimmorefrequently,nowthattherewaslittleworktobedone;andoften,blinkingbythefire,buckwanderedwithhiminthatotherworldwhichheremembered.
thesalientthingofthisotherworldseechedthehairymansleepingbythefire,headbetweenhiskneesandhandsclaspedabove,bucksawthathesleptrestlessly,withmanystartsandawakeningsatwhichtimeshewouldpeerfearfullyintothedarknessandflingmorewooduponthefire.didtheywalkbythebeachofasea,wherethehairyhemashegathered,itwaswitheyesthatrovedeverywhereforhiddendangerandwithlegspreparedtorunlikethewindatitsfirstappearance.throughtheforesttheycreptnoiselessly,buckatthehairymansheels;andtheywerealertandvigilant,thepairofthegandmovingandnostrilsquivering,forthemanheardandsmelledaskeenlyasbuck.thehairyreesandtravelaheadasfastasontheground,swingingbythearmsfrohing,neverfalling,nevermissinghisgrip.infact,heseereesasontheground;andbuckhadmemoriesofnightsofvigilspentbeneaththetreeswhereinthehairymanroosted,holdingontightlyasheslept.
andcloselyakintothevisionsofthehairymanwasthecallstillsoundinginthedepthsoftheforest.itfilledhiandstrangedesires.itcausedhimtofeelavague,sweetgladness,andhewasawareofwildyearningsandstirringsforheknewnotwhat.sototheforest,lookingforitasthoughitwereatangiblething,barkingsoftlyordefiantly,asthemoodmightdictate.hewouldthrusthisnoseintothecoolwoodmoss,orintotheblacksoilwherelonggrassesgrew,andsnortwithjoyatthefatearthshforhours,asifinconcealment,behindfunguscoveredtrunksoffallentrees,wide-eyedandwide-earedtoallthatmovedandsoundedabouthiosurprisethiscallhecouldnotunderstand.buthedidnotknowwhyhedidthesevariousthings.heelledtodothem,anddidnotreasonaboutthematall.
irresistibleimpulsesseizedhim.hewouldbelyingincaheday,whensuddenlyhisheadwouldliftandhisearscockup,intentandlistening,andhewouldspringtohisfeetanddashaway,andonandon,forhours,throughtheforestaislesandacrosstheopenspaceswheretheniggerheadsbunched.helovedtorundowndrywatercourses,andtocreepandspyuponthebirdlifeinthewoods.foradayatatimehewouldlieintheunderbrushwherehecouldwatchthepartridgesdrummingandstruttingupanddown.butespeciallyhelovedtoruninthedimtwilightofthesummermidnights,listeningtothesubduedandsleepymurmursoftheforest,readingsignsandsoundsasmanmayreadabook,andseekingforthemysterioussomethingthatcalled——called,wakingorsleeping,atalltie.
onenighthesprangfromsleepwithastart,eager-eyed,nostrilsquiveringandscenting,hislinginrecurrentwaves.fromtheforestca,forthecallwaseasneverbefore——along-drawnhowl,like,yetunlike,anynoise,intheoldfamiliarway,asasoundheardbefore.hesprangthroughthesleepingcampandinswiftsilencedashedthroughthewoods.ashedrewclosertothecryhewentmoreslowly,withcautionineverymovement,tillhecarees,andlookingoutsaw,erectonhaunches,withnosepointedtothesky,along,lean,timberwolf.
hehaditceasedfroosensehispresence.buckstalkedintotheopen,half-crouching,bodygatheredpactlytogether,tailstraightandstiff,feetfallingwithunwontedcare.everyhreateningandovertureoffriendliness.itwasthegtrucethatmarksthemeetingofwildbeaststhatprey.butthewolffledatsightofhim.hefollooovertake.heranhihecreek,whereatimberjambarredtheway.thewolfwhirledabout,pivotingonhishindlegsafterthefashionofjoeandofallcorneredhuskydogs,snarlingandbristling,clippinghisteethtogetherinacontinuousandrapidsuessionofsnaps.
buckdidnotattack,butcircledhimaboutandhedgedhiheiciousandafraid;forbuck,whilehisheadbarelyreachedbucksshoulder.watchinghischance,hedartedaway,andthechasewasresuered,andthethingrepeated,thoughheouldnotsoeasilyhaveovertakenhim.hewouldruntillbucksheadwasevenwithhisflank,whenhewouldwhirlaroundatbay,onlytodashawayagainatthefirstopportunity.
butintheendbuckspertinacitywasrewarded;forthewolf,findingthatnoharmwasintended,finallysniffednoseswithhim.thentheybecamefriendly,andplayedaboutinthenervous,half-coywaywithwhichfiercebeastsbelietheirfierceness.aftersometimeofthisthewolfstartedoffataneasylopeinaplainlyshowedhewasgoingsomewhere.hemadeitcleartobuckthathewastoe,andtheyransidebysidethroughthesombertwilight,straightupthecreekbed,intothegorgefromwhichitissued,andacrossthebleakdividewhereittookitsrise.
ontheoppositeslopeofthewatershedtheycatrywhereweregreatstretchesofforestandmanystreams,andthroughthesegreatstretchestheyransteadily,hourafterhour,thesunrisinghigherandthedaygrowingwarmer.buckwaswildlyglad.heknewhewasatlastansweringthecall,runningbythesideofhiswoodbrothertowardtheplacefroorieswerecoirringtothemasofoldhestirredtotherealitiesofwhichtheyweretheshadows.hehaddohisthingbefore,somewhereinthatotheranddimlyrememberedworld,andhewasdoingitagain,now,runningfreeintheopen,theunpackedearthunderfoot,thewideskyoverhead.
theystoppedbyarunningstreamtodrink,and,stopping,buckredown.thewolfstartedontowardtheplacefro,sniffingnosesandsasthoughtoencouragehiedaboutandstartedslowlyonthebacktrack.fortartofanhourthewildbrotherranbyhisside,whiningsoftly.thenhesatdown,pointedhisnoseupward,andhowled.itwasamournfulhowl,andasbuckheldsteadilyonhiswayhehearditgrowfaintandfainteruntilitwaslostinthedistance.
johnthorntonwaseatingdinnerwhenbuckdashedintocampandspranguponhiurninghighisface,bitinghishand——&aom-fool,&aterizedit,thewhileheshookbuckbackandforthandcursedhimlovingly.
fortwodaysandnightsbuckneverleftcahorntonoutofhissight.hefollowedhimaboutathiswork,watchedhimwhileheate,sawhinightandoutoftheminthemorning.butaftertwodaysthecallintheforestbegantosoundmoreimperiouslythanever.bucksrestlessnessca,andhewashauntedbyrecollectionsofthewildbrother,andoftheshedivideandtherunsidebysidethroughthewideforeststretches.onceagainhetooktowanderinginthewoods,butthewildbrothercahoughhelistenedthroughlongvigils,themournfulhowlwasneverraised.
hebegantosleepoutatnight,stayingawayfromcarossedthedivideattheheadofthecreekandwentdownintothelandoftiherehewanderedforaweek,seekingvainlyforfreshsignofthewildbrother,killinghismeatashetraveledandtravelingwiththelong,easylopethatseeire.hefishedforsalmoninabroadstreamthatemptiedsomewhereintothesea,andbythisstreamhekilledalargeblackbear,blindedbythemosquitoeswhilelikewisefishing,andragingthroughtheforesthelplessandterrible.evenso,itwasahardfight,anditarousedthelastlatentremnantsofbucksferocity.andtwodayslater,whenhereturnedtohiskillandfoundadozenwolverinesquarrelingoverthespoil,hescatteredthemlikechaff;andthosethatfledlefttwobehindwhowouldquarrelnomore.
theblood-longingbecahaneverbefore.hewasakiller,atreyed,livingonthethingsthatlived,unaided,alone,byvirtueofhisownstrengthandprowess,survivingtriumphantlyinahostileenvironrongsurvived.becauseofallthishebecamepossessedofagreatprideinhiselflikeacontagiontohisphysicalbeing.itadvertiseditselfinallhismovements,arentintheplayofeverymuscle,spokeplainlyasspeechinthewayhecarriedhimself,andmadehisgloriousfurrycoatifanythingmoreglorious.butforthestraybrownonhismuzzleandabovehiseyes,andforthesplashofwhitehairthatranmidmostdownhischest,hemightwellhavebeenmistakenforagiganticwolf,largerthanthelargestofthebreed.fromhisst.bernardfatherhehadinheritedsizeandweight,butitwashisshepherdhatsizeandweight.hismuzzlewasthelongwolfmuzzle,savethatitwaslargerthanthemuzzleofanywolf;andhishead,somewhatbroader,wasthewolfheadonamassivescale.
hiscunningwaswolfcunning,andwildcunning;hisintelligence,shepherdintelligenceandst.bernardintelligence;andallthis,plusanexperiencegainedinthefiercestofschools,madehimasformidableacreatureasanythatroaivorousanimal,livingonastraightmeatdiet,hewasinfullflower,atthehightideofhislife,over-spillingwithvigorandvirility.wassedacaressinghandalonghisback,asnappingandcracklingfollowedthehand,eachhairdischargingitspentist.everypart,brainandbody,nervetissueandfiber,waskeyedtotheweenallthepartsthereerfectequilibriumoradjustswhichrequiredaction,herespondedwithlighting-likerapidity.quicklyasahuskydogcouldleaptodefendfroouldleaptwiceasquickly.hesawthemovement,orheardsound,andrespondedinlesstimethananotherdogrequiredtopassthemereseeingorhearing.heperceivedanddeterhesameinstant.inpointoffactthethreeactionsofperceiving,determining,andrespondingweresequential;butsoinfinitesimalweretheintervalsoftitheyappearedsimultaneous.hismusclesweresurchargedwithvitality,andsnappedintoplaysharply,likesteelsprings.lifestreamedthroughhiminsplendidflood,gladandrampant,untilitseemedthatitwouldbursthiasyandputforthgenerouslyovertheworld.
&aheresuchadog,"saidjohnthorntononeday,asthepartnerswatchedbuckgoutofcamp.
"whenhewasmade,themoldwasbroke,"saidpete.
"pyjingo!ithinksomineself,"hansaffirmed.
theysawhistantandterribletransformationwhichtookplaceassoonashewaswithinthesecrecyoftheforest.henolongermarched.atoncehebecameathingofthewild,stealingalongsoftly,cat-footed,apassingsearedanddisappearedaotakeadvantageofeverycover,tocrawlonhisbellylikeasnake,andlikeasnaketoleapandstrike.hecouldtakeaptar,killarabbitasitslept,andsnapinmid-airthelittlechipoolateforthetrees.fish,inopenpools,werenottooquickforhim;norwerebeaver,mendingtheirdams,toowary.hekilledtoeat,notfromwantonness;buthepreferredtoeatwhathekilledhimself.soalurkinghumorranthroughhisdeeds,anditwashisdeligonthesquirrels,and,whenheallbuthadthem,toletthemgo,chatteringinmortalfeartots.
asthefalloftheyearcaerabundance,hewinterinthelowerandlessrigorousvalleys.buckhadalreadydraggeddownastraypart-growncalf;buthewishedstronglyforlargerandmoreformidablequarry,andhecameuponitonedayonthedivideattheheadofthecreek.abandoftwentymoosehadcrossedoverfromthelandofstreamsandtimber,andchiefamongthemwasagreatbull.hewasinasavagetemper,and,standingoversixfeetfromtheground,wasasformidableanantagonistasevenbuckcoulddesire.backandforththebulltossedhisgreatpalgtofourteenpointsandes.hisshaviciousandbitterlight,whileheroaredwithfuryatsightofbuck.
fromthebullsside,justforwardoftheflank,protrudedafeatheredarrow-end,whichaountedforhissavageness.guidedbythatinstinctwhichcamefromtheoldhuntingdaysoftheprieededtocutthebulloutfromtheherd.itwasnoslighttask.hewouldbarkanddanceaboutinfrontofthebull,justoutofreachofthegreatantlersandoftheterriblesplayhoofswhichcouldhavestampedhislifeoutwithasingleblow.unabletoturnhisbackonthefangeddangerandgoon,thebullwouldbedrivenintoparoxysentshechargedbuck,whoretreatedcraftily,luringhimonbyasimulatedinabilitytoescape.butwhenhewasthusseparatedfromhisfellows,twoorthreeoftheyoungerbullswouldchargebackuponbuckandenablethewoundedbulltorejointheherd.
thereisapatienceofthewild——dogged,tireless,persistentaslifeitself——thatholdsmotionlessforendlesshoursthespiderinitsweb,thesnakeinitscoils,thepantherinitsambuscade;thispatiencebelongspeculiarlytolifewhenithuntsitslivingfood;anditbelongedtobuckasheclungtotheflankoftheherd,retardingitsmarch,irritatingtheyoungbulls,worryingthecowswiththeirhalf-growncalves,anddrivingthewoundedbullmadwithhelplessrage.forhalfadaythiscontinued.buckgfromallsides,envelopingtheherdinawhirlwindofingouthisvictimasfastasitcouldrejoinitsmates,wearingoutthepatienceofcreaturespreyedupon,whichisalesserpatiencethanthatofcreaturespreying.
asthedayworealongandthesundroppedtoitsbedinthenorthwest(thedarknesshadcodthefallnightsweresixhourslong),theyoungbullsretracedtheirstepstlytotheaidoftheirbesetleader.thedown-coothelowerlevels,anditseeevershakeoffthistirelesscreaturethatheldthemback.besides,itwasnotthelifeoftheherd,oroftheyoungbulls,thatwasthreatened.thelifeofonlyonememberwasdemanded,whichwasarehantheirlives,andintheendtheywerecontenttopaythetoll.
astwilightfelltheoldbullstoodwithloweredhead,watchinghismates——thecowshehadknown,thecalveshehadfathered,thebullshehadmastered——astheyshambledonatarapidpacethroughthefadinglight.hecouldnotfollow,forbeforehisnoseleapedthehatwouldnotlethimgo.threehundredweightmorethanhalfatonheweighed;hehadlivedalong,stronglife,fulloffightandstruggle,andattheendhefaceddeathattheteethofacreaturewhoseheaddidnotreachbeyondhisgreatknuckledknees.
froeverlefthisprey,nevergaveita,neverpermittedittobrowsetheleavesoftreesortheshootsofyoungbirchandwillow.nordidhegivethewoundedbullopportunitytoslakehisburningthirstintheslendertricklingstreaion,heburstintolongstretchesofflight.atsucttostayhim,butlopedeasilyathisheels,satisfiedwiththewaythegaheghirovetoeatordrink.
thegreatheaddroopedreeofhorns,andtheshamblingtrotgrewweakerandweaker.hetooktostandingforlongperiods,withnosetothegroundanddejectedearsdroppedliimeinwhichtogetwaterforhimselfandinwhichtorest.atsuchmoments,pantingwithredlollingtongueandwitheyesfixeduponthebigbull,itappearedtobuckthatachangewascohefaceofthings.hecouldfeelanewstirintheland.astheingintotheland,otherkindsoflifewerecoandstreamandairseemedpalpitantwiththeirpresence.thenewsofitwasborneinuponhim,notbysight,orsound,orsmell,butbysomeotherandsubtlersense.heheardnothing,sawnothing,yetknewthatthelandwassomehowdifferent;thatthroughitstrangethingswereafootandranging;andheresolvedtoinvestigateafterhehadfinishedthebusinessinhand.
atlast,attheendofthefourthday,hepulledthegreatmoosedown.foradayandanightherehekill,eatingandsleeping,turnandturnabout.then,rested,refreshedandstrong,heturnedhisfacetoandjohnthornton.hebrokeintothelongeasylope,andwenton,hourafterhour,neveratlossforthetangledway,headingstraighthorywithacertitudeofdirectionthatputoshame.
asheheldonhebecamemoreandirintheland.therewaslifeabroadinitdifferentfrohroughoutthesuhisfactborneinuponhile,mysteriousway.thebirdstalkedofit,thesquirrelschatteredaboutit,theverybreezewhisperedofit.severaltihefreshsniffs,readingamessagewhichmadehimleaponwithgreaterspeed.heressedwithasenseofcalamityhappening,ifitwerenotcalamityalreadyhappened,andashecrossedthelastwatershedanddroppeddownintothevalleyto,heproceededwithgreatercaution.
threerailthatsenthisneckhairripplingandbristling.itledstraighttoandjohnthornton.buckhurriedon,swiftlyandstealthily,everynervestrainingandtense,alerttotheailswhichtoldastory——allbuttheend.hisnosegavehimavaryingdescriptionofthepassageofthelifeontheheelsofwhichhewastraveling.hereheforest.thebirdlifehadflitted.thesquirrelswereinhiding.oneonlyhesaw——asleekgrayfellow,flattenedagainstagraydeadlithewooditself.
asbuckslidalongwiththeobscurenessofaglidingshadow,hisnosewasjerkedsuddenlytothesideasthoughapositiveforcehadgrippedandpulledit.hefollowedthenewscentintoathicketandfoundnig.hewaslyingonhisside,deadwherehehaddraggedhimself,anarrowprotruding,headandfeathers,fromeithersideofhisbody.
ahundredyardsfartheron,buckcahesleddogsthorntonhadboughtindawson.thisdogwasthrashingaboutinadeath-struggle,directlyonthetrail,andbuckpassedarounding.froamethefaintsoundofmanyvoices,risingandfallinginasing-songchant.bellyingforwardtotheedgeoftheclearing,hefoundhans,lyingonhisface,featheredwitharrowslikeaporcupine.atthesameinstantbuckpeeredoutwherethespruce-boughlodgehadbeenandsawwhatmadehishairleapstraightuponhisneckandshoulders.agustofoverpoweringragesweptoverhim.hedidnotknowthathegrowled,buthegrowledaloudwithaterribleferocity.forthelasttimeinhislifeheallowedpassiontousurpcunningandreason,anditwasbecauseofhisgreatloveforjohnthorntonthathelosthishead.
theyeehatsweredancingaboutthewreckageofthespruce-boughlodgewhentheyheardafearfulroaringandsawrushinguponthemananimalthelikeofwhichtheyhadneverseenbefore.itwasbuck,alivehurricaneoffury,hurlinghiodestroy.hesprangattheforemostman——itwasthechiefoftheyeehats——rippingthethroatwideopentilltherentjugularspoutedafountainofblood.hedidnotpausetoworrythevictim,butrippedinpassing,withthenextboundtearingwidethethroatofasecondman.therewasnowithstandinghim.heplungedaboutintheirveryroying,inconstantandterrificmotionwhichdefiedthearrowstheydischargedathieivablyrapidwerehismovements,andsocloselyweretheindianstangledtogether,thattheyshotoneanotherwiththearrows;andoneyounghunter,hurlingaspearatbuckinmid-air,droveitthroughthechestofanotherhunterwithsuchforcetointbrokethroughtheskinofthebackandstoodoutbeyond.thenapanicseizedtheyeehats,andtheyfledinterrortothewoods,proclaimingastheyfledtheadventoftheevilspirit.
andtrulybuckwasthefiendincarnate,ragingattheirheelsanddraggingthemdownlikedeerastheyracedthroughthetrees.itwasafatefuldayfortheyeehats.theyscatteredfarandwideoverthecountry,anditwasnottillaweeklaterthatthelastofthesurvivorsgatheredtogetherinalowervalleyandcountedtheirlosses.asforbuck,wearyingofthepursuit,hereturnedtothedesolatedcaewherehehadbeenkilledinhisblanketsinthefirstmomentofsurprise.thorntonsdesperatestrugglewasfresh-writtenontheearthandbuckscentedeverydetailofitdowntotheedgeofadeeppool.bytheedge,headandforefeetinthewater,layskeet,faithfultotoolitself,muddyanddiscoloredfromthesluiceboxes,effectuallyhidwhatitcontained,anditcontainedjohnthornton;forbuckfollowedhistraceintothewater,frootraceledaway.
alldaybuckbroodedbythepoolorroamedrestlesslyaboutthecamp.death,asacessationofmovement,asapassingoutandawayfromthelivesoftheliving,heknew,andheknewjohnthorntonwasdead.itleftagreatvoidinhiavoidwhichachedandached,andwhichfoodcouldnotfill.attiethecarcassesoftheyeehats,heforgotthepainofit;andatsuchtimeshewasawareofagreatprideinhimself——apridegreaterthananyhehadyetexperienced.hehadkilledgameofall,andhehadkilledinthefaceofthelawofclubandfang.hesniffedthebodiescuriously.theyhaddiedsoeasily.itwashardertokillahuskydogthanthem.theywerenomatchatall,wereitnotfortheirarroearsandclubs.thenceforwardhewouldbeunafraidofthemexceptwhentheyboreintheirhandstheirarrows,spearsandclubs.
nightcameon,andafullmoonrosehighoverthetreesintothesky,lightingthelandtillitlaybathedinghostlyday.andwiththeingofthenight,broodingandamealivetoastirringofthenewlifeintheforestotherthanthatwhichtheyeehatshadmade.hestoodup,listeningandscenting.fromfarawaydriftedafaint,sharpyelp,followedbyachorusofsimilarsharpyelps.asthemomentspassedtheyelpsgrewcloserandlouder.againbuckknewthemasthingsheardinthatotherworldwhichpersistedinhisheopenspaceandlistened.itwasthecall,themany-notedcall,soundingpellingthaneverbefore.andasneverbefore,hewasreadytoobey.johnthorntonwasdead.thelasttiewasbroken.manandtheclaimsofmannolongerboundhim.
huntingtheirlivingmeat,astheyeehatswerehuntingit,ontheflanksofthemigratingmoose,thewolfpackhadatlastcrossedoverfromthelandofstreamsandtimberandinvadedbucksvalley.intotheclearingwherethemoonlightstreamed,theypouredinasilveryflood;andinthecenteroftheclearingstoodbuck,motionlessasastatue,waitingtheiring.theywereawed,sostillandlargehestood,andamomentspausefell,tilltheboldestoneleapedstraightforhim.likeaflashbuckstruck,breakingtheneck.thenhestood,withoutmovewolfrollinginagonybehindhim.threeotherstrieditinsharpsuession;andoneaftertheothertheydrewback,streamingbloodfromslashedthroatsorshoulders.
thiswassufficienttoflingthewholepackforellmell,crowdedtogether,blockedandconfusedbyitseagernesstopulldowntheprey.bucksessandagilitystoodhimingoodstead.pivotingonhishindlegs,andsnappingandgashing,hewaseverywhereatonce,presentingafrontwhicharentlyunbrokensoswiftlydidhewhirlandguardfromsidetoside.buttopreventthemfromgettingbehindhik,downpastthepoolandintothecreekbed,tillhebroughtupagainstahighgravelbank.heworkedalongtoarightangleinthebankwhichthemenhadmadeinthecourseofobay,protectedonthreesidesandwithnothingtodobutfacethefront.
andsowelldidhefaceit,thatattheendofhalfanhourthewolvesdrewbackdisfited.thetonguesofallwereoutandlolling,thewhitefangsshowingcruellywhiteinthemoonlight.somewerelyingdownwithheadsraisedandearsprickedforward;othersstoodontheirfeet,watchinghim;andstillothersingwaterfromthepool.onewolf,longandleanandgray,advancedcautiously,inafriendlyhewildbrotherwithwhomhehadrunforanightandaday.hewaswhiningsoftly,and,asbuckwhined,theytouchednoses.
thenanoldwolf,gauntandbattle-scarred,cameforward.buckwrithedhislipsintothepreliminaryofasnarl,butsniffednoseswithhim.whereupontheoldwolfsatdown,pointednoseatthemoon,andbrokeoutthelongwolfhowl.theotherssatdownandhowled.andnowthecallcaoo,satdownandhowled.thisover,hecahepackcrowdedaroundhim,sniffinginhalf-friendly,half-savageheleadersliftedtheyelpofthepackandsprangawayintothewoods.thewolvesswunginbehind,yelpinginchorus.andbuckranwiththem,sidebysidewiththewildbrother,yelpingasheran.
andhereoryofbuck.theyearswerenotsnotedachangeinthebreedoftimberwolves;forsomewereseenwithsplashesofbrownonheadandmuzzle,andwithariftofwhitecenteringdownthechest.butmoreremarkablethanthistheyeehatstellofaghostdogthatrunsattheheadofthepack.theyareafraidofthisghostdog,forithascunninggreaterthanthey,stealingfroters,robbingtheirtraps,slayingtheirdogs,anddefyingtheirbravesthunters.
nay,thetalegrowsworse.hunterstherearewhofailtoreturntothecaherehavebeenwhomtheirtribesmenfoundwiththroatsslashedcruellyopenandwithwolfprintsaboutthesofanywolf.eachfall,whentheyeehatsfollowthemovementofthemoose,thereisacertainvalleywhichtheyneverenter.andwoesadwhenthewordgoesoverthefireofhowtheevilspiritcametoselectthatvalleyforanabiding-place.
inthesuor,however,tothatvalley,ofwhichtheyeehatsdonotknow.itisagreat,gloriouslycoatedwolf,like,andyetunlike,allotherwolves.hecrossesalonefromthesesdownintoanopenspacearees.hereayellowstreamflowsfrodsinksintotheground,withlonggrassesgrowingthroughitandvegetablemoldoverrunningitandhidingitsyellowfromthesun;andherehegandmournfully,erehedeparts.
butheisnotalwaysalone.whenthelongwinternightseonandthewolvesfollowtheirmeatintothelowervalleys,hemaybeseenrunningattheheadofthepackthroughthepalemoonlightorglimmeringborealis,leapinggiganticabovehisfellows,hisgreatthroata-bellowashesingsasongoftheyoungerworld,whichisthesongofthepack.
whenbuckearnedsixteenhundreddollarsinfiveminutesforjohnthornton,hemadeitpossibleforhissandtojourneywithhispartnersintotheeastafterafabledlostoryofwhichwasasoldasthehistoryofthecountry.manymenhadsoughtit;fewhadfoundit;andherewerewhohadneverreturnedfroeepedintragedyandshroudedinhefirstman.theoldesttraditionstoppedbeforeitgotbacktohim.fromthebeginningtherehadbeenanancientandraabin.dyingmenhadsworntoit,andtotheeofwhichitestihatwereunlikeanyknowngradeofgoldinthenorthland.
butnolivingmanhadlootedthistreasurehouse,andthedeadweredead;whereforejohnthorntonandpeteandhans,withbuckandhalfadozenotherdogs,facedintotheeastonanunknowntrailtoachievewheremenanddogsasgoodasthemselveshadfailed.theysleddedseventymilesuptheyukon,swungtotheleftintothestewartriver,passedthemayoandthemcquestion,andheldonuntilthestewartitselfbecaandingpeakswhichhecontinent.
johnthorntonaskedlittleofmanornature.hewasunafraidofthewild.withahandfulofsaltandariflehecouldplungeintothewildernessandfarewhereverhepleasedandaslongashepleased.beinginnohaste,indianfashion,hehuntedhisdinnerinthecourseofthedaystraveling;andifhefailedtofindit,liketheindian,hekeptontraveling,secureintheknowledgethatsoonerorlaterhewouldetoit.so,onthisgreatjourneyintotheeast,straightmeatwasthebilloffare,ammunitionandtoolsprincipallymadeuptheloadonthesled,andthetilessfuture.
tobuckitwasboundlessdelight,thishunting,fishing,andindefinitewanderingthroughstrangeplaces.forweeksatatimetheywouldholdonsteadily,dayafterday;andforweeksuponendtheywouldcahedogsloafingandthehroughfrozentlesspansofdirtbytheheatofthefire.sometimestheywenthungry,sometimestheyfeastedriotously,allaordingtotheabundanceofgauneofhunting.summerarrived,anddogsandtheirbacks,raftedacrossbluededorascendedunknownriversinslenderboatswhipsawedfro.
the,andbackandforththeytwistedthroughtheunchartedvastness,wherenohelostcabinweretrue.theywentacrossdividesinsuhemidnightsunonnakediernalsnows,droppedintosummervalleysamidswarminggnatsandflies,andintheshadowsofglacierspickedstrawberriesandflohlandcouldboast.inthefalloftheyeartheyperatedaweirdlakecountry,sadandsilent,wherewildfowlhadbeen,butwherethentherewasnolifenorsignoflife——onlytheblowingofchillwinds,theforeredplaces,andthemelancholyripplingofwavesonlonelybeaches.
andthroughanotherwintertheywanderedontheobliteratedtrailsofheycameuponapathblazedthroughouttheforest,anancientpath,andthelostcabinseemedverynear.butthepathbegannowhereandendednowhere,andremainedamystery,asthemanwhomadeitandthereasonhemadeitreiime-gravenwreckageofahuntinglodge,andasjohnthorntonfoundalong-barreledflintlock.heknewitforahudsonbaycohwest,whensuchagunwasworthitsweightinbeaverskinspackedflat.andthatwasall——nohintastothemanwhoinanearlydayhadrearedthelodgeandleftthegunas.
springcameononcemore,andattheendofalltheirwanderingtheyfound,notthelostcabin,butashallowplacerinabroadvalleywherethegoldshowedlikeyellowbutteracrossthebottomofthewashingpan.theysoughtnofarther.eachdaytheyworkedearnedthedustandnuggets,andtheyworkedeveryday.thegoldwassackedinmoosehidebags,fiftypoundstothebag,andpiledlikesomuchfirewoodoutsidethespruce-boughlodge.likegiantstheytoiled,daysflashingontheheelsofdayslikedreamsastheyheapedthetreasureup.
therewasnothingforthedogstodo,savethehaulingofmeatnowandagainthatthorntonkilled,andbuckspentlonghoursmusingbythefire.thevisionoftheshort-leggedhairyohimmorefrequently,nowthattherewaslittleworktobedone;andoften,blinkingbythefire,buckwanderedwithhiminthatotherworldwhichheremembered.
thesalientthingofthisotherworldseechedthehairymansleepingbythefire,headbetweenhiskneesandhandsclaspedabove,bucksawthathesleptrestlessly,withmanystartsandawakeningsatwhichtimeshewouldpeerfearfullyintothedarknessandflingmorewooduponthefire.didtheywalkbythebeachofasea,wherethehairyhemashegathered,itwaswitheyesthatrovedeverywhereforhiddendangerandwithlegspreparedtorunlikethewindatitsfirstappearance.throughtheforesttheycreptnoiselessly,buckatthehairymansheels;andtheywerealertandvigilant,thepairofthegandmovingandnostrilsquivering,forthemanheardandsmelledaskeenlyasbuck.thehairyreesandtravelaheadasfastasontheground,swingingbythearmsfrohing,neverfalling,nevermissinghisgrip.infact,heseereesasontheground;andbuckhadmemoriesofnightsofvigilspentbeneaththetreeswhereinthehairymanroosted,holdingontightlyasheslept.
andcloselyakintothevisionsofthehairymanwasthecallstillsoundinginthedepthsoftheforest.itfilledhiandstrangedesires.itcausedhimtofeelavague,sweetgladness,andhewasawareofwildyearningsandstirringsforheknewnotwhat.sototheforest,lookingforitasthoughitwereatangiblething,barkingsoftlyordefiantly,asthemoodmightdictate.hewouldthrusthisnoseintothecoolwoodmoss,orintotheblacksoilwherelonggrassesgrew,andsnortwithjoyatthefatearthshforhours,asifinconcealment,behindfunguscoveredtrunksoffallentrees,wide-eyedandwide-earedtoallthatmovedandsoundedabouthiosurprisethiscallhecouldnotunderstand.buthedidnotknowwhyhedidthesevariousthings.heelledtodothem,anddidnotreasonaboutthematall.
irresistibleimpulsesseizedhim.hewouldbelyingincaheday,whensuddenlyhisheadwouldliftandhisearscockup,intentandlistening,andhewouldspringtohisfeetanddashaway,andonandon,forhours,throughtheforestaislesandacrosstheopenspaceswheretheniggerheadsbunched.helovedtorundowndrywatercourses,andtocreepandspyuponthebirdlifeinthewoods.foradayatatimehewouldlieintheunderbrushwherehecouldwatchthepartridgesdrummingandstruttingupanddown.butespeciallyhelovedtoruninthedimtwilightofthesummermidnights,listeningtothesubduedandsleepymurmursoftheforest,readingsignsandsoundsasmanmayreadabook,andseekingforthemysterioussomethingthatcalled——called,wakingorsleeping,atalltie.
onenighthesprangfromsleepwithastart,eager-eyed,nostrilsquiveringandscenting,hislinginrecurrentwaves.fromtheforestca,forthecallwaseasneverbefore——along-drawnhowl,like,yetunlike,anynoise,intheoldfamiliarway,asasoundheardbefore.hesprangthroughthesleepingcampandinswiftsilencedashedthroughthewoods.ashedrewclosertothecryhewentmoreslowly,withcautionineverymovement,tillhecarees,andlookingoutsaw,erectonhaunches,withnosepointedtothesky,along,lean,timberwolf.
hehaditceasedfroosensehispresence.buckstalkedintotheopen,half-crouching,bodygatheredpactlytogether,tailstraightandstiff,feetfallingwithunwontedcare.everyhreateningandovertureoffriendliness.itwasthegtrucethatmarksthemeetingofwildbeaststhatprey.butthewolffledatsightofhim.hefollooovertake.heranhihecreek,whereatimberjambarredtheway.thewolfwhirledabout,pivotingonhishindlegsafterthefashionofjoeandofallcorneredhuskydogs,snarlingandbristling,clippinghisteethtogetherinacontinuousandrapidsuessionofsnaps.
buckdidnotattack,butcircledhimaboutandhedgedhiheiciousandafraid;forbuck,whilehisheadbarelyreachedbucksshoulder.watchinghischance,hedartedaway,andthechasewasresuered,andthethingrepeated,thoughheouldnotsoeasilyhaveovertakenhim.hewouldruntillbucksheadwasevenwithhisflank,whenhewouldwhirlaroundatbay,onlytodashawayagainatthefirstopportunity.
butintheendbuckspertinacitywasrewarded;forthewolf,findingthatnoharmwasintended,finallysniffednoseswithhim.thentheybecamefriendly,andplayedaboutinthenervous,half-coywaywithwhichfiercebeastsbelietheirfierceness.aftersometimeofthisthewolfstartedoffataneasylopeinaplainlyshowedhewasgoingsomewhere.hemadeitcleartobuckthathewastoe,andtheyransidebysidethroughthesombertwilight,straightupthecreekbed,intothegorgefromwhichitissued,andacrossthebleakdividewhereittookitsrise.
ontheoppositeslopeofthewatershedtheycatrywhereweregreatstretchesofforestandmanystreams,andthroughthesegreatstretchestheyransteadily,hourafterhour,thesunrisinghigherandthedaygrowingwarmer.buckwaswildlyglad.heknewhewasatlastansweringthecall,runningbythesideofhiswoodbrothertowardtheplacefroorieswerecoirringtothemasofoldhestirredtotherealitiesofwhichtheyweretheshadows.hehaddohisthingbefore,somewhereinthatotheranddimlyrememberedworld,andhewasdoingitagain,now,runningfreeintheopen,theunpackedearthunderfoot,thewideskyoverhead.
theystoppedbyarunningstreamtodrink,and,stopping,buckredown.thewolfstartedontowardtheplacefro,sniffingnosesandsasthoughtoencouragehiedaboutandstartedslowlyonthebacktrack.fortartofanhourthewildbrotherranbyhisside,whiningsoftly.thenhesatdown,pointedhisnoseupward,andhowled.itwasamournfulhowl,andasbuckheldsteadilyonhiswayhehearditgrowfaintandfainteruntilitwaslostinthedistance.
johnthorntonwaseatingdinnerwhenbuckdashedintocampandspranguponhiurninghighisface,bitinghishand——&aom-fool,&aterizedit,thewhileheshookbuckbackandforthandcursedhimlovingly.
fortwodaysandnightsbuckneverleftcahorntonoutofhissight.hefollowedhimaboutathiswork,watchedhimwhileheate,sawhinightandoutoftheminthemorning.butaftertwodaysthecallintheforestbegantosoundmoreimperiouslythanever.bucksrestlessnessca,andhewashauntedbyrecollectionsofthewildbrother,andoftheshedivideandtherunsidebysidethroughthewideforeststretches.onceagainhetooktowanderinginthewoods,butthewildbrothercahoughhelistenedthroughlongvigils,themournfulhowlwasneverraised.
hebegantosleepoutatnight,stayingawayfromcarossedthedivideattheheadofthecreekandwentdownintothelandoftiherehewanderedforaweek,seekingvainlyforfreshsignofthewildbrother,killinghismeatashetraveledandtravelingwiththelong,easylopethatseeire.hefishedforsalmoninabroadstreamthatemptiedsomewhereintothesea,andbythisstreamhekilledalargeblackbear,blindedbythemosquitoeswhilelikewisefishing,andragingthroughtheforesthelplessandterrible.evenso,itwasahardfight,anditarousedthelastlatentremnantsofbucksferocity.andtwodayslater,whenhereturnedtohiskillandfoundadozenwolverinesquarrelingoverthespoil,hescatteredthemlikechaff;andthosethatfledlefttwobehindwhowouldquarrelnomore.
theblood-longingbecahaneverbefore.hewasakiller,atreyed,livingonthethingsthatlived,unaided,alone,byvirtueofhisownstrengthandprowess,survivingtriumphantlyinahostileenvironrongsurvived.becauseofallthishebecamepossessedofagreatprideinhiselflikeacontagiontohisphysicalbeing.itadvertiseditselfinallhismovements,arentintheplayofeverymuscle,spokeplainlyasspeechinthewayhecarriedhimself,andmadehisgloriousfurrycoatifanythingmoreglorious.butforthestraybrownonhismuzzleandabovehiseyes,andforthesplashofwhitehairthatranmidmostdownhischest,hemightwellhavebeenmistakenforagiganticwolf,largerthanthelargestofthebreed.fromhisst.bernardfatherhehadinheritedsizeandweight,butitwashisshepherdhatsizeandweight.hismuzzlewasthelongwolfmuzzle,savethatitwaslargerthanthemuzzleofanywolf;andhishead,somewhatbroader,wasthewolfheadonamassivescale.
hiscunningwaswolfcunning,andwildcunning;hisintelligence,shepherdintelligenceandst.bernardintelligence;andallthis,plusanexperiencegainedinthefiercestofschools,madehimasformidableacreatureasanythatroaivorousanimal,livingonastraightmeatdiet,hewasinfullflower,atthehightideofhislife,over-spillingwithvigorandvirility.wassedacaressinghandalonghisback,asnappingandcracklingfollowedthehand,eachhairdischargingitspentist.everypart,brainandbody,nervetissueandfiber,waskeyedtotheweenallthepartsthereerfectequilibriumoradjustswhichrequiredaction,herespondedwithlighting-likerapidity.quicklyasahuskydogcouldleaptodefendfroouldleaptwiceasquickly.hesawthemovement,orheardsound,andrespondedinlesstimethananotherdogrequiredtopassthemereseeingorhearing.heperceivedanddeterhesameinstant.inpointoffactthethreeactionsofperceiving,determining,andrespondingweresequential;butsoinfinitesimalweretheintervalsoftitheyappearedsimultaneous.hismusclesweresurchargedwithvitality,andsnappedintoplaysharply,likesteelsprings.lifestreamedthroughhiminsplendidflood,gladandrampant,untilitseemedthatitwouldbursthiasyandputforthgenerouslyovertheworld.
&aheresuchadog,"saidjohnthorntononeday,asthepartnerswatchedbuckgoutofcamp.
"whenhewasmade,themoldwasbroke,"saidpete.
"pyjingo!ithinksomineself,"hansaffirmed.
theysawhistantandterribletransformationwhichtookplaceassoonashewaswithinthesecrecyoftheforest.henolongermarched.atoncehebecameathingofthewild,stealingalongsoftly,cat-footed,apassingsearedanddisappearedaotakeadvantageofeverycover,tocrawlonhisbellylikeasnake,andlikeasnaketoleapandstrike.hecouldtakeaptar,killarabbitasitslept,andsnapinmid-airthelittlechipoolateforthetrees.fish,inopenpools,werenottooquickforhim;norwerebeaver,mendingtheirdams,toowary.hekilledtoeat,notfromwantonness;buthepreferredtoeatwhathekilledhimself.soalurkinghumorranthroughhisdeeds,anditwashisdeligonthesquirrels,and,whenheallbuthadthem,toletthemgo,chatteringinmortalfeartots.
asthefalloftheyearcaerabundance,hewinterinthelowerandlessrigorousvalleys.buckhadalreadydraggeddownastraypart-growncalf;buthewishedstronglyforlargerandmoreformidablequarry,andhecameuponitonedayonthedivideattheheadofthecreek.abandoftwentymoosehadcrossedoverfromthelandofstreamsandtimber,andchiefamongthemwasagreatbull.hewasinasavagetemper,and,standingoversixfeetfromtheground,wasasformidableanantagonistasevenbuckcoulddesire.backandforththebulltossedhisgreatpalgtofourteenpointsandes.hisshaviciousandbitterlight,whileheroaredwithfuryatsightofbuck.
fromthebullsside,justforwardoftheflank,protrudedafeatheredarrow-end,whichaountedforhissavageness.guidedbythatinstinctwhichcamefromtheoldhuntingdaysoftheprieededtocutthebulloutfromtheherd.itwasnoslighttask.hewouldbarkanddanceaboutinfrontofthebull,justoutofreachofthegreatantlersandoftheterriblesplayhoofswhichcouldhavestampedhislifeoutwithasingleblow.unabletoturnhisbackonthefangeddangerandgoon,thebullwouldbedrivenintoparoxysentshechargedbuck,whoretreatedcraftily,luringhimonbyasimulatedinabilitytoescape.butwhenhewasthusseparatedfromhisfellows,twoorthreeoftheyoungerbullswouldchargebackuponbuckandenablethewoundedbulltorejointheherd.
thereisapatienceofthewild——dogged,tireless,persistentaslifeitself——thatholdsmotionlessforendlesshoursthespiderinitsweb,thesnakeinitscoils,thepantherinitsambuscade;thispatiencebelongspeculiarlytolifewhenithuntsitslivingfood;anditbelongedtobuckasheclungtotheflankoftheherd,retardingitsmarch,irritatingtheyoungbulls,worryingthecowswiththeirhalf-growncalves,anddrivingthewoundedbullmadwithhelplessrage.forhalfadaythiscontinued.buckgfromallsides,envelopingtheherdinawhirlwindofingouthisvictimasfastasitcouldrejoinitsmates,wearingoutthepatienceofcreaturespreyedupon,whichisalesserpatiencethanthatofcreaturespreying.
asthedayworealongandthesundroppedtoitsbedinthenorthwest(thedarknesshadcodthefallnightsweresixhourslong),theyoungbullsretracedtheirstepstlytotheaidoftheirbesetleader.thedown-coothelowerlevels,anditseeevershakeoffthistirelesscreaturethatheldthemback.besides,itwasnotthelifeoftheherd,oroftheyoungbulls,thatwasthreatened.thelifeofonlyonememberwasdemanded,whichwasarehantheirlives,andintheendtheywerecontenttopaythetoll.
astwilightfelltheoldbullstoodwithloweredhead,watchinghismates——thecowshehadknown,thecalveshehadfathered,thebullshehadmastered——astheyshambledonatarapidpacethroughthefadinglight.hecouldnotfollow,forbeforehisnoseleapedthehatwouldnotlethimgo.threehundredweightmorethanhalfatonheweighed;hehadlivedalong,stronglife,fulloffightandstruggle,andattheendhefaceddeathattheteethofacreaturewhoseheaddidnotreachbeyondhisgreatknuckledknees.
froeverlefthisprey,nevergaveita,neverpermittedittobrowsetheleavesoftreesortheshootsofyoungbirchandwillow.nordidhegivethewoundedbullopportunitytoslakehisburningthirstintheslendertricklingstreaion,heburstintolongstretchesofflight.atsucttostayhim,butlopedeasilyathisheels,satisfiedwiththewaythegaheghirovetoeatordrink.
thegreatheaddroopedreeofhorns,andtheshamblingtrotgrewweakerandweaker.hetooktostandingforlongperiods,withnosetothegroundanddejectedearsdroppedliimeinwhichtogetwaterforhimselfandinwhichtorest.atsuchmoments,pantingwithredlollingtongueandwitheyesfixeduponthebigbull,itappearedtobuckthatachangewascohefaceofthings.hecouldfeelanewstirintheland.astheingintotheland,otherkindsoflifewerecoandstreamandairseemedpalpitantwiththeirpresence.thenewsofitwasborneinuponhim,notbysight,orsound,orsmell,butbysomeotherandsubtlersense.heheardnothing,sawnothing,yetknewthatthelandwassomehowdifferent;thatthroughitstrangethingswereafootandranging;andheresolvedtoinvestigateafterhehadfinishedthebusinessinhand.
atlast,attheendofthefourthday,hepulledthegreatmoosedown.foradayandanightherehekill,eatingandsleeping,turnandturnabout.then,rested,refreshedandstrong,heturnedhisfacetoandjohnthornton.hebrokeintothelongeasylope,andwenton,hourafterhour,neveratlossforthetangledway,headingstraighthorywithacertitudeofdirectionthatputoshame.
asheheldonhebecamemoreandirintheland.therewaslifeabroadinitdifferentfrohroughoutthesuhisfactborneinuponhile,mysteriousway.thebirdstalkedofit,thesquirrelschatteredaboutit,theverybreezewhisperedofit.severaltihefreshsniffs,readingamessagewhichmadehimleaponwithgreaterspeed.heressedwithasenseofcalamityhappening,ifitwerenotcalamityalreadyhappened,andashecrossedthelastwatershedanddroppeddownintothevalleyto,heproceededwithgreatercaution.
threerailthatsenthisneckhairripplingandbristling.itledstraighttoandjohnthornton.buckhurriedon,swiftlyandstealthily,everynervestrainingandtense,alerttotheailswhichtoldastory——allbuttheend.hisnosegavehimavaryingdescriptionofthepassageofthelifeontheheelsofwhichhewastraveling.hereheforest.thebirdlifehadflitted.thesquirrelswereinhiding.oneonlyhesaw——asleekgrayfellow,flattenedagainstagraydeadlithewooditself.
asbuckslidalongwiththeobscurenessofaglidingshadow,hisnosewasjerkedsuddenlytothesideasthoughapositiveforcehadgrippedandpulledit.hefollowedthenewscentintoathicketandfoundnig.hewaslyingonhisside,deadwherehehaddraggedhimself,anarrowprotruding,headandfeathers,fromeithersideofhisbody.
ahundredyardsfartheron,buckcahesleddogsthorntonhadboughtindawson.thisdogwasthrashingaboutinadeath-struggle,directlyonthetrail,andbuckpassedarounding.froamethefaintsoundofmanyvoices,risingandfallinginasing-songchant.bellyingforwardtotheedgeoftheclearing,hefoundhans,lyingonhisface,featheredwitharrowslikeaporcupine.atthesameinstantbuckpeeredoutwherethespruce-boughlodgehadbeenandsawwhatmadehishairleapstraightuponhisneckandshoulders.agustofoverpoweringragesweptoverhim.hedidnotknowthathegrowled,buthegrowledaloudwithaterribleferocity.forthelasttimeinhislifeheallowedpassiontousurpcunningandreason,anditwasbecauseofhisgreatloveforjohnthorntonthathelosthishead.
theyeehatsweredancingaboutthewreckageofthespruce-boughlodgewhentheyheardafearfulroaringandsawrushinguponthemananimalthelikeofwhichtheyhadneverseenbefore.itwasbuck,alivehurricaneoffury,hurlinghiodestroy.hesprangattheforemostman——itwasthechiefoftheyeehats——rippingthethroatwideopentilltherentjugularspoutedafountainofblood.hedidnotpausetoworrythevictim,butrippedinpassing,withthenextboundtearingwidethethroatofasecondman.therewasnowithstandinghim.heplungedaboutintheirveryroying,inconstantandterrificmotionwhichdefiedthearrowstheydischargedathieivablyrapidwerehismovements,andsocloselyweretheindianstangledtogether,thattheyshotoneanotherwiththearrows;andoneyounghunter,hurlingaspearatbuckinmid-air,droveitthroughthechestofanotherhunterwithsuchforcetointbrokethroughtheskinofthebackandstoodoutbeyond.thenapanicseizedtheyeehats,andtheyfledinterrortothewoods,proclaimingastheyfledtheadventoftheevilspirit.
andtrulybuckwasthefiendincarnate,ragingattheirheelsanddraggingthemdownlikedeerastheyracedthroughthetrees.itwasafatefuldayfortheyeehats.theyscatteredfarandwideoverthecountry,anditwasnottillaweeklaterthatthelastofthesurvivorsgatheredtogetherinalowervalleyandcountedtheirlosses.asforbuck,wearyingofthepursuit,hereturnedtothedesolatedcaewherehehadbeenkilledinhisblanketsinthefirstmomentofsurprise.thorntonsdesperatestrugglewasfresh-writtenontheearthandbuckscentedeverydetailofitdowntotheedgeofadeeppool.bytheedge,headandforefeetinthewater,layskeet,faithfultotoolitself,muddyanddiscoloredfromthesluiceboxes,effectuallyhidwhatitcontained,anditcontainedjohnthornton;forbuckfollowedhistraceintothewater,frootraceledaway.
alldaybuckbroodedbythepoolorroamedrestlesslyaboutthecamp.death,asacessationofmovement,asapassingoutandawayfromthelivesoftheliving,heknew,andheknewjohnthorntonwasdead.itleftagreatvoidinhiavoidwhichachedandached,andwhichfoodcouldnotfill.attiethecarcassesoftheyeehats,heforgotthepainofit;andatsuchtimeshewasawareofagreatprideinhimself——apridegreaterthananyhehadyetexperienced.hehadkilledgameofall,andhehadkilledinthefaceofthelawofclubandfang.hesniffedthebodiescuriously.theyhaddiedsoeasily.itwashardertokillahuskydogthanthem.theywerenomatchatall,wereitnotfortheirarroearsandclubs.thenceforwardhewouldbeunafraidofthemexceptwhentheyboreintheirhandstheirarrows,spearsandclubs.
nightcameon,andafullmoonrosehighoverthetreesintothesky,lightingthelandtillitlaybathedinghostlyday.andwiththeingofthenight,broodingandamealivetoastirringofthenewlifeintheforestotherthanthatwhichtheyeehatshadmade.hestoodup,listeningandscenting.fromfarawaydriftedafaint,sharpyelp,followedbyachorusofsimilarsharpyelps.asthemomentspassedtheyelpsgrewcloserandlouder.againbuckknewthemasthingsheardinthatotherworldwhichpersistedinhisheopenspaceandlistened.itwasthecall,themany-notedcall,soundingpellingthaneverbefore.andasneverbefore,hewasreadytoobey.johnthorntonwasdead.thelasttiewasbroken.manandtheclaimsofmannolongerboundhim.
huntingtheirlivingmeat,astheyeehatswerehuntingit,ontheflanksofthemigratingmoose,thewolfpackhadatlastcrossedoverfromthelandofstreamsandtimberandinvadedbucksvalley.intotheclearingwherethemoonlightstreamed,theypouredinasilveryflood;andinthecenteroftheclearingstoodbuck,motionlessasastatue,waitingtheiring.theywereawed,sostillandlargehestood,andamomentspausefell,tilltheboldestoneleapedstraightforhim.likeaflashbuckstruck,breakingtheneck.thenhestood,withoutmovewolfrollinginagonybehindhim.threeotherstrieditinsharpsuession;andoneaftertheothertheydrewback,streamingbloodfromslashedthroatsorshoulders.
thiswassufficienttoflingthewholepackforellmell,crowdedtogether,blockedandconfusedbyitseagernesstopulldowntheprey.bucksessandagilitystoodhimingoodstead.pivotingonhishindlegs,andsnappingandgashing,hewaseverywhereatonce,presentingafrontwhicharentlyunbrokensoswiftlydidhewhirlandguardfromsidetoside.buttopreventthemfromgettingbehindhik,downpastthepoolandintothecreekbed,tillhebroughtupagainstahighgravelbank.heworkedalongtoarightangleinthebankwhichthemenhadmadeinthecourseofobay,protectedonthreesidesandwithnothingtodobutfacethefront.
andsowelldidhefaceit,thatattheendofhalfanhourthewolvesdrewbackdisfited.thetonguesofallwereoutandlolling,thewhitefangsshowingcruellywhiteinthemoonlight.somewerelyingdownwithheadsraisedandearsprickedforward;othersstoodontheirfeet,watchinghim;andstillothersingwaterfromthepool.onewolf,longandleanandgray,advancedcautiously,inafriendlyhewildbrotherwithwhomhehadrunforanightandaday.hewaswhiningsoftly,and,asbuckwhined,theytouchednoses.
thenanoldwolf,gauntandbattle-scarred,cameforward.buckwrithedhislipsintothepreliminaryofasnarl,butsniffednoseswithhim.whereupontheoldwolfsatdown,pointednoseatthemoon,andbrokeoutthelongwolfhowl.theotherssatdownandhowled.andnowthecallcaoo,satdownandhowled.thisover,hecahepackcrowdedaroundhim,sniffinginhalf-friendly,half-savageheleadersliftedtheyelpofthepackandsprangawayintothewoods.thewolvesswunginbehind,yelpinginchorus.andbuckranwiththem,sidebysidewiththewildbrother,yelpingasheran.
andhereoryofbuck.theyearswerenotsnotedachangeinthebreedoftimberwolves;forsomewereseenwithsplashesofbrownonheadandmuzzle,andwithariftofwhitecenteringdownthechest.butmoreremarkablethanthistheyeehatstellofaghostdogthatrunsattheheadofthepack.theyareafraidofthisghostdog,forithascunninggreaterthanthey,stealingfroters,robbingtheirtraps,slayingtheirdogs,anddefyingtheirbravesthunters.
nay,thetalegrowsworse.hunterstherearewhofailtoreturntothecaherehavebeenwhomtheirtribesmenfoundwiththroatsslashedcruellyopenandwithwolfprintsaboutthesofanywolf.eachfall,whentheyeehatsfollowthemovementofthemoose,thereisacertainvalleywhichtheyneverenter.andwoesadwhenthewordgoesoverthefireofhowtheevilspiritcametoselectthatvalleyforanabiding-place.
inthesuor,however,tothatvalley,ofwhichtheyeehatsdonotknow.itisagreat,gloriouslycoatedwolf,like,andyetunlike,allotherwolves.hecrossesalonefromthesesdownintoanopenspacearees.hereayellowstreamflowsfrodsinksintotheground,withlonggrassesgrowingthroughitandvegetablemoldoverrunningitandhidingitsyellowfromthesun;andherehegandmournfully,erehedeparts.
butheisnotalwaysalone.whenthelongwinternightseonandthewolvesfollowtheirmeatintothelowervalleys,hemaybeseenrunningattheheadofthepackthroughthepalemoonlightorglimmeringborealis,leapinggiganticabovehisfellows,hisgreatthroata-bellowashesingsasongoftheyoungerworld,whichisthesongofthepack.