Buthewas，further，thefiercestofthelitter。Hecouldmakealouderraspinggrowlthananyofthem。Histinyragesweremuchmoreterriblethantheirs。Itwashethatfirstlearnedthetrickofrollingafellow-cuboverwithacunningpaw-stroke。Anditwashethatfirstgrippedanothercubbytheearandpulledandtuggedandgrowledthroughjawstight-clenched。
Andcertainlyitwashethatcausedthemotherthemosttroubleinkeepingherlitterfromthemouthofthecave。
Thefascinationofthelightforthegraycubincreasedfromdaytoday。
Hewasperpetuallydepartingonyard-longadventurestowardthecave\'sentrance，andasperpetuallybeingdrivenback。Onlyhedidnotknowitforanentrance。Hedidnotknowanythingaboutentrances——passageswherebyonegoesfromoneplacetoanotherplace。Hedidnotknowanyotherplace，muchlessofawaytogetthere。Sotohimtheentranceofthecavewasawall——awalloflight。Asthesunwastotheoutsidedweller，thiswallwastohimthesunofhisworld。Itattractedhimasacandleattractsamoth。Hewasalwaysstrivingtoattainit。Thelifethatwassoswiftlyexpandingwithinhim，urgedhimcontinuallytowardthewalloflight。Thelifethatwaswithinhimknewthatitwastheonewayout，thewayhewaspredestinedtotread。Buthehimselfdidnotknowanythingaboutit。Hedidnotknowtherewasanyoutsideatall。
Therewasonestrangethingaboutthiswalloflight。Hisfather(hehadalreadycometorecognizehisfatherastheoneotherdwellerintheworld，acreaturelikehismother，whosleptnearthelightandwasabringerofmeat)——hisfatherhadawayofwalkingrightintothewhitefarwallanddisappearing。Thegraycubcouldnotunderstandthis。Thoughneverpermittedbyhismothertoapproachthatwall，hehadapproachedtheotherwalls，andencounteredhardobstructionontheendofhistendernose。
Thishurt。Andafterseveralsuchadventures，heleftthewallsalone。
Withoutthinkingaboutit，heacceptedthisdisappearingintothewallasapeculiarityofhisfather，asmilkandhalf-digestedmeatwerepeculiaritiesofhismother。
Infact，thegraycubwasnotgiventothinking——atleast，tothekindofthinkingcustomaryofmen。Hisbrainworkedindimways。Yethisconclusionswereassharpanddistinctasthoseachievedbymen。Hehadamethodofacceptingthings，withoutquestioningthewhyandwherefore。
Inreality，thiswastheactofclassification。Hewasneverdisturbedoverwhyathinghappened。Howithappenedwassufficientforhim。Thus，whenhehadbumpedhisnoseontheback-wallafewtimes，heacceptedthathewouldnotdisappearintowalls。Inthesamewayheacceptedthathisfathercoulddisappearintowalls。Buthewasnotintheleastdisturbedbydesiretofindoutthereasonforthedifferencebetweenhisfatherandhimself。Logicandphysicswerenopartofhismentalmake-up。
LikemostcreaturesoftheWild，heearlyexperiencedfamine。Therecameatimewhennotonlydidthemeat-supplycease，butthemilknolongercamefromhismother\'sbreast。Atfirst，thecubswhimperedandcried，butforthemostparttheyslept。Itwasnotlongbeforetheywerereducedtoacomaofhunger。Therewerenomorespatsandsquabbles，nomoretinyragesnorattemptsatgrowling；whiletheadventurestowardthefarwhitewallceasedaltogether。Thecubsslept，whilethelifethatwasinthemflickeredanddieddown。
OneEyewasdesperate。Herangedfarandwide，andsleptbutlittleinthelairthathadnowbecomecheerlessandmiserable。Theshe-wolf，too，leftherlitterandwentoutinsearchofmeat。Inthefirstdaysafterthebirthofthecubs，OneEyehadjourneyedseveraltimesbacktotheIndiancampandrobbedtherabbitsnares；but，withthemeltingofthesnowandtheopeningofthestreams，theIndiancamphadmovedaway，andthatsourceofsupplywasclosedtohim。
Whenthegraycubcamebacktolifeandagaintookinterestinthefarwhitewall，hefoundthatthepopulationofhisworldhadbeenreduced。
Onlyonesisterremainedtohim。Therestweregone。Ashegrewstronger，hefoundhimselfcompelledtoplayalone，forthesisternolongerliftedherheadnormovedabout。Hislittlebodyroundedoutwiththemeathenowate；butthefoodhadcometoolateforher。Shesleptcontinuously，atinyskeletonflungroundwithskininwhichtheflameflickeredlowerandlowerandatlastwentout。
Thentherecameatimewhenthegraycubnolongersawhisfatherappearinganddisappearinginthewallnorlyingdownasleepintheentrance。Thishadhappenedattheendofasecondandlessseverefamine。Theshe-wolfknewwhyOneEyenevercameback，buttherewasnowaybywhichshecouldtellwhatshehadseentothegraycub。Huntingherselfformeat，uptheleftforkofthestreamwherelivedthelynx，shehadfollowedaday-oldtrailofOneEye。Andshehadfoundhim，orwhatremainedofhim，attheendofthetrail。Thereweremanysignsofthebattlethathadbeenfought，andofthelynx\'swithdrawaltoherlairafterhavingwonthevictory。
Beforeshewentaway，theshe-wolfhadfoundthislair，butthesignstoldherthatthelynxwasinside，andshehadnotdaredtoventurein。
Afterthat，theshe-wolfinherhuntingavoidedtheleftfork。Forsheknewthatinthelynx\'slairwasalitterofkittens，andsheknewthelynxforafierce，bad-temperedcreatureandaterriblefighter。Itwasallverywellforhalfadozenwolvestodrivealynx，spittingandbristling，upatree；butitwasquiteadifferentmatterforalonewolftoencounteralynx——especiallywhenthelynxwasknowntohavealitterofhungrykittensatherback。
ButtheWildistheWild，andmotherhoodismotherhood，atalltimesfiercelyprotectivewhetherintheWildoroutofit；andthetimewastocomewhentheshe-wolf，forhergraycub\'ssake，wouldventuretheleftfork，andthelairintherocks，andthelynx\'swrath。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter4:TheWalloftheWorldPartII:BornoftheWildChapter4
THEWALLOFTHEWORLD
Bythetimehismotherbeganleavingthecaveonhuntingexpeditions，thecubhadlearnedwellthelawthatforbadehisapproachingtheentrance。
Notonlyhadthislawbeenforciblyandmanytimesimpressedonhimbyhismother\'snoseandpaw，butinhimtheinstinctoffearwasdeveloping。
Never，inhisbriefcave-life，hadheencounteredanythingofwhichtobeafraid。Yetfearwasinhim。Ithadcomedowntohimfromaremoteancestrythroughathousandthousandlives。ItwasaheritagehehadreceiveddirectlyfromOneEyeandtheshe-wolf；buttothem，inturn，ithadbeenpasseddownthroughallthegenerationsofwolvesthathadgonebefore。Fear!——
thatlegacyoftheWildwhichnoanimalmayescapenorexchangeforpottage。
Sothegraycubknewfear，thoughheknewnotthestuffofwhichfearwasmade。Possiblyheaccepteditasoneoftherestrictionsoflife。Forhehadalreadylearnedthatthereweresuchrestrictions。Hungerhehadknown；andwhenhecouldnotappeasehishungerhehadfeltrestriction。
Thehardobstructionofthecave-wall，thesharpnudgeofhismother\'snose，thesmashingstrokeofherpaw，thehungerunappeasedofseveralfamines，hadborneinuponhimthatallwasnotfreedomintheworld，thattolifetherewerelimitationsandrestraints。Theselimitationsandrestraintswerelaws。Tobeobedienttothemwastoescapehurtandmakeforhappiness。
Hedidnotreasonthequestionoutinthisman-fashion。Hemerelyclassifiedthethingsthathurtandthethingsthatdidnothurt。Andaftersuchclassificationheavoidedthethingsthathurt，therestrictionsandrestraints，inordertoenjoythesatisfactionsandtheremunerationsoflife。
Thusitwasthatinobediencetothelawlaiddownbyhismother，andinobediencetothelawofthatunknownandnamelessthing，fear，hekeptawayfromthemouthofthecave。Itremainedtohimawhitewalloflight。
Whenhismotherwasabsent，hesleptmostofthetime，whileduringtheintervalsthathewasawakehekeptveryquiet，suppressingthewhimperingcriesthattickledinhisthroatandstrovefornoise。
Once，lyingawake，heheardastrangesoundinthewhitewall。Hedidnotknowthatitwasawolverine，standingoutside，alla-tremblewithitsowndaring，andcautiouslyscentingoutthecontentsofthecave。Thecubknewonlythatthesniffwasstrange，asomethingunclassified，thereforeunknownandterrible——fortheunknownwasoneofthechiefelementsthatwentintothemakingoffear。
Thehairbristleduponthegraycub\'sback，butitbristledsilently。
Howwashetoknowthatthisthingthatsniffedwasathingatwhichtobristle？Itwasnotbornofanyknowledgeofhis，yetitwasthevisibleexpressionofthefearthatwasinhim，andforwhich，inhisownlife，therewasnoaccounting。Butfearwasaccompaniedbyanotherinstinct——
thatofconcealment。Thecubwasinafrenzyofterror，yethelaywithoutmovementorsound，frozen，petrifiedintoimmobility，toallappearancesdead。Hismother，cominghome，growledasshesmeltthewolverine\'strack，andboundedintothecaveandlickedandnozzledhimwithunduevehemenceofaffection。Andthecubfeltthatsomehowhehadescapedagreathurt。
Buttherewereotherforcesatworkinthecub，thegreatestofwhichwasgrowth。Instinctandlawdemandedofhimobedience。Butgrowthdemandeddisobedience。Hismotherandfearimpelledhimtokeepawayfromthewhitewall。Growthislife，andlifeisforeverdestinedtomakeforlight。Sotherewasnodammingupthetideoflifethatwasrisingwithinhim——
risingwitheverymouthfulofmeatheswallowed，witheverybreathhedrew。
Intheend，oneday，fearandobedienceweresweptawaybytherushoflife，andthecubstraddledandsprawledtowardtheentrance。
Unlikeanyotherwallwithwhichhehadhadexperience，thiswallseemedtorecedefromhimasheapproached。Nohardsurfacecollidedwiththetenderlittlenosehethrustouttentativelybeforehim。Thesubstanceofthewallseemedaspermeableandyieldingaslight。Andascondition，inhiseyes，hadtheseemingofform，soheenteredintowhathadbeenwalltohimandbathedinthesubstancethatcomposedit。
Itwasbewildering。Hewassprawlingthroughsolidity。Andeverthelightgrewbrighter。Fearurgedhimtogoback，butgrowthdrovehimon。
Suddenlyhefoundhimselfatthemouthofthecave。Thewall，insidewhichhehadthoughthimself，assuddenlyleapedbackbeforehimtoanimmeasurabledistance。Thelighthadbecomepainfullybright。Hewasdazzledbyit。
Likewisehewasmadedizzybythisabruptandtremendousextensionofspace。
Automatically，hiseyeswereadjustingthemselvestothebrightness，focussingthemselvestomeettheincreaseddistanceofobjects。Atfirst，thewallhadleapedbeyondhisvision。Henowsawitagain；butithadtakenuponitselfaremarkableremoteness。Also，itsappearancehadchanged。Itwasnowavariegatedwall，composedofthetreesthatfringedthestream，theopposingmountainthattoweredabovethetrees，andtheskythatout-toweredthemountain。
Agreatfearcameuponhim。Thiswasmoreoftheterribleunknown。Hecroucheddownonthelipofthecaveandgazedoutontheworld。Hewasverymuchafraid。Becauseitwasunknown，itwashostiletohim。Thereforethehairstooduponendalonghisbackandhislipswrinkledweaklyinanattemptataferociousandintimidatingsnarl。Outofhispuninessandfrighthechallengedandmenacedthewholewideworld。
Nothinghappened。Hecontinuedtogaze，andinhisinterestheforgottosnarl。Also，heforgottobeafraid。Forthetime，fearhadbeenroutedbygrowth，whilegrowthhadassumedtheguiseofcuriosity。Hebegantonoticenearobjects——anopenportionofthestreamthatflashedinthesun，theblastedpinetreethatstoodatthebaseoftheslope，andtheslopeitself，thatranrightuptohimandceasedtwofeetbeneaththelipofthecaveonwhichhecrouched。
Nowthegraycubhadlivedallhisdaysonalevelfloor。Hehadneverexperiencedthehurtofafall。Hedidnotknowwhatafallwas。Sohesteppedboldlyoutupontheair。Hishind-legsstillrestedonthecave-lip，sohefellforwardheaddownward。Theearthstruckhimaharshblowonthenosethatmadehimyelp。Thenhebeganrollingdowntheslope，overandover。Hewasinapanicofterror。Theunknownhadcaughthimatlast。
Ithadgrippedsavagelyholdofhimandwasabouttowreakuponhimsometerrifichurt。Growthwasnowroutedbyfear，andheki-yi\'dlikeanyfrightenedpuppy。
Theunknownborehimonheknewnottowhatfrightfulhurt，andheyelpedandki-yi\'dunceasingly。Thiswasadifferentpropositionfromcrouchinginfrozenfearwhiletheunknownlurkedjustalongside。Nowtheunknownhadcaughttightholdofhim。Silencewoulddonogood。Besides，itwasnotfear，butterror，thatconvulsedhim。
Buttheslopegrewmoregradual，anditsbasewasgrass-covered。Herethecublostmomentum。Whenatlasthecametoastop，hegaveonelastagonizedyelpandthenalong，whimperingwail。Also，andquiteasamatterofcourse，asthoughinhislifehehadalreadymadeathousandtoilets，heproceededtolickawaythedryclaythatsoiledhim。
Afterthathesatupandgazedabouthim，asmightthefirstmanoftheearthwholandeduponMars。Thecubhadbrokenthroughthewalloftheworld，theunknownhadletgoitsholdofhim，andherehewaswithouthurt。ButthefirstmanonMarswouldhaveexperiencedlessunfamiliaritythandidhe。Withoutanyantecedentknowledge，withoutanywarningwhateverthatsuchexisted，hefoundhimselfanexplorerinatotallynewworld。
Nowthattheterribleunknownhadletgoofhim，heforgotthattheunknownhadanyterrors。Hewasawareonlyofcuriosityinallthethingsabouthim。Heinspectedthegrassbeneathhim，themoss-berryplantjustbeyond，andthedeadtrunkoftheblastedpinethatstoodontheedgeofanopenspaceamongthetrees。Asquirrel，runningaroundthebaseofthetrunk，camefulluponhim，andgavehimagreatfright。Hecowereddownandsnarled。Butthesquirrelwasasbadlyscared。Itranupthetree，andfromapointofsafetychatteredbacksavagely。
Thishelpedthecub\'scourage，andthoughthewoodpeckerhenextencounteredgavehimastart，heproceededconfidentlyonhisway。Suchwashisconfidence，thatwhenamoose-birdimpudentlyhoppeduptohim，hereachedoutatitwithaplayfulpaw。Theresultwasasharppeckontheendofhisnosethatmadehimcowerdownandki-yi。Thenoisehemadewastoomuchforthemoose-bird，whosoughtsafetyinflight。
Butthecubwaslearning。Hismistylittlemindhadalreadymadeanunconsciousclassification。Therewerelivethingsandthingsnotalive。
Also，hemustwatchoutforthelivethings。Thethingsnotaliveremainedalwaysinoneplace；butthelivethingsmovedabout，andtherewasnotellingwhattheymightdo。Thethingtoexpectofthemwastheunexpected，andforthishemustbeprepared。
Hetravelledveryclumsily。Heranintosticksandthings。Atwigthathethoughtalongwayoff，wouldthenextinstanthithimonthenoseorrakealonghisribs。Therewereinequalitiesofsurface。Sometimesheoversteppedandstubbedhisnose。Quiteasoftenheundersteppedandstubbedhisfeet。
Thentherewerethepebblesandstonesthatturnedunderhimwhenhetroduponthem；andfromthemhecametoknowthatthethingsnotalivewerenotallinthesamestateofstableequilibriumaswashiscave；also，thatsmallthingsnotaliveweremoreliablethanlargethingstofalldownorturnover。Butwitheverymishaphewaslearning。Thelongerhewalked，thebetterhewalked。Hewasadjustinghimself。Hewaslearningtocalculatehisownmuscularmovements，toknowhisphysicallimitations，tomeasuredistancesbetweenobjects，andbetweenobjectsandhimself。
Hiswastheluckofthebeginner。Borntobeahunterofmeat，(thoughhedidnotknowit)，heblundereduponmeatjustoutsidehisowncave-dooronhisfirstforayintotheworld。Itwasbysheerblunderingthathechancedupontheshrewdlyhiddenptarmigannest。Hefellintoit。Hehadessayedtowalkalongthetrunkofafallenpine。Therottenbarkgavewayunderhisfeet，andwithadespairingyelphepitcheddowntheroundeddescent，smashedthroughtheleafageandstalksofasmallbush，andintheheartofthebush，ontheground，fetchedupamongstsevenptarmiganchicks。
Theymadenoises，andatfirsthewasfrightenedatthem。Thenheperceivedthattheywereverylittle，andhebecamebolder。Theymoved。Heplacedhispawonone，anditsmovementswereaccelerated。Thiswasasourceofenjoymenttohim。Hesmelledit。Hepickeditupinhismouth。Itstruggledandtickledhistongue。Atthesametimehewasmadeawareofasensationofhunger。Hisjawsclosedtogether。Therewasacrunchingoffragilebones，andwarmbloodraninhismouth。Thetasteofitwasgood。Thiswasmeat，thesameashismothergavehim，onlyitwasalivebetweenhisteethandthereforebetter。Soheatetheptarmigan。Nordidhestoptillhehaddevouredthewholebrood。Thenhelickedhischopsinquitethesamewayhismotherdid，andbegantocrawloutofthebush。
Heencounteredafeatheredwhirlwind。Hewasconfusedandblindedbytherushofitandthebeatofangrywings。Hehidhisheadbetweenhispawsandyelped。Theblowsincreased。Themother-ptarmiganwasinafury。
Thenhebecameangry。Heroseup，snarling，strikingoutwithhispaws。
Hesankhistinyteethintooneofthewingsandpulledandtuggedsturdily。
Theptarmiganstruggledagainsthim，showeringblowsuponhimwithherfreewing。Itwashisfirstbattle。Hewaselated。Heforgotallabouttheunknown。Henolongerwasafraidofanything。Hewasfighting，tearingatalivethingthatwasstrikingathim。Also，thislivethingwasmeat。
Thelusttokillwasonhim。Hehadjustdestroyedlittlelivethings。
Hewouldnowdestroyabiglivething。Hewastoobusyandhappytoknowthathewashappy。Hewasthrillingandexultinginwaysnewtohimandgreatertohimthananyhehadknownbefore。
Heheldontothewingandgrowledbetweenhistight-clenchedteeth。
Theptarmigandraggedhimoutofthebush。Whensheturnedandtriedtodraghimbackintothebush\'sshelter，hepulledherawayfromitandonintotheopen。Andallthetimeshewasmakingoutcryandstrikingwithherwing，whilefeatherswereflyinglikeasnow-fall。Thepitchtowhichhewasarousedwastremendous。Allthefightingbloodofhisbreedwasupinhimandsurgingthroughhim。Thiswasliving，thoughhedidnotknowit。Hewasrealizinghisownmeaningintheworld；hewasdoingthatforwhichhewasmade——killingmeatandbattlingtokillit。Hewasjustifyinghisexistence，thanwhichlifecandonogreater；forlifeachievesitssummitwhenitdoestotheutter-mostthatwhichitwasequippedtodo。
Afteratime，theptarmiganceasedherstruggling。Hestillheldherbythewing，andtheylayonthegroundandlookedateachother。Hetriedtogrowlthreateningly，ferociously。Shepeckedonhisnose，whichbynow，whatofpreviousadventures，wassore。Hewincedbutheldon。Shepeckedhimagainandagain。Fromwincing，hewenttowhimpering。Hetriedtobackawayfromher，obliviousofthefactthatbyhisholdonherhedraggedherafterhim。Arainofpecksfellonhisill-usednose。Thefloodoffightebbeddowninhim，and，releasinghisprey，heturnedtailandscamperedoffacrosstheopeniningloriousretreat。
Helaydowntorestontheothersideoftheopen，neartheedgeofthebushes，histonguelollingout，hischestheavingandpanting，hisnosestillhurtinghimandcausinghimtocontinuehiswhimper。Butashelaythere，suddenlytherecametohimafeelingasofsomethingterribleimpending。Theunknownwithallitsterrorsrusheduponhim，andheshrankbackinstinctivelyintotheshelterofthebush。Ashedidso，adraughtofairfannedhim，andalarge，wingedbodysweptominouslyandsilentlypast。Ahawk，drivingdownoutoftheblue，hadbarelymissedhim。
Whilehelayinthebush，recoveringfromthisfrightandpeeringfearfullyout，themother-ptarmiganontheothersideoftheopenspaceflutteredoutoftheravagednest。Itwasbecauseofherlossthatshepaidnoattentiontothewingedboltofthesky。Butthecubsaw，anditwasawarningandalessontohim——theswiftdownwardswoopofthehawk，theshortskimofitsbodyjustabovetheground，thestrikeofitstalonsinthebodyoftheptarmigan，theptarmigan\'ssquawkofagonyandfright，andthehawk\'srushupwardintotheblue，carryingtheptarmiganawaywithit。
Itwasalongtimebeforethecublefthisshelter。Hehadlearnedmuch。
Livethingsweremeat。Theyweregoodtoeat。Also，livethingswhentheywerelargeenough，couldgivehurt。Itwasbettertoeatsmalllivethingslikeptarmiganchicks，andtoletalonelargelivethingslikeptarmiganhens。Neverthelesshefeltalittleprickofambition，asneakingdesiretohaveanotherbattlewiththatptarmiganhen——onlythehawkhadcarriedheraway。Maybetherewereotherptarmiganhens。Hewouldgoandsee。
Hecamedownashelvingbanktothestream。Hehadneverseenwaterbefore。Thefootinglookedgood。Therewerenoinequalitiesofsurface。
Hesteppedboldlyoutonit；andwentdown，cryingwithfear，intotheembraceoftheunknown。Itwascold，andhegasped，breathingquickly。
Thewaterrushedintohislungsinsteadoftheairthathadalwaysaccompaniedhisactofbreathing。Thesuffocationheexperiencedwaslikethepangofdeath。Tohimitsignifieddeath。Hehadnoconsciousknowledgeofdeath，butlikeeveryanimaloftheWild，hepossessedtheinstinctofdeath。
Tohimitstoodasthegreatestofhurts。Itwastheveryessenceoftheunknown；itwasthesumoftheterrorsoftheunknown，theoneculminatingandunthinkablecatastrophethatcouldhappentohim，aboutwhichheknewnothingandaboutwhichhefearedeverything。
Hecametothesurface，andthesweetairrushedintohisopenmouth。
Hedidnotgodownagain。Quiteasthoughithadbeenalong-establishedcustomofhis，hestruckoutwithallhislegsandbegantoswim。Thenearbankwasayardaway；buthehadcomeupwithhisbacktoit，andthefirstthinghiseyesresteduponwastheoppositebank，towardwhichheimmediatelybegantoswim。Thestreamwasasmallone，butinthepoolitwidenedouttoascoreoffeet。
Midwayinthepassage，thecurrentpickedupthecubandswepthimdown-stream。
Hewascaughtintheminiaturerapidatthebottomofthepool。Herewaslittlechanceforswimming。Thequietwaterhadbecomesuddenlyangry。
Sometimeshewasunder，sometimesontop。Atalltimeshewasinviolentmotion，nowbeingturnedoveroraround，andagain，beingsmashedagainstarock。Andwitheveryrockhestruck，heyelped。Hisprogresswasaseriesofyelps，fromwhichmighthavebeenadducedthenumberofrocksheencountered。
Belowtherapidwasasecondpool，andhere，capturedbytheeddy，hewasgentlybornetothebankandasgentlydepositedonabedofgravel。
Hecrawledfranticallyclearofthewaterandlaydown。Hehadlearnedsomemoreabouttheworld。Waterwasnotalive。Yetitmoved。Also，itlookedassolidastheearth，butwaswithoutanysolidityatall。Hisconclusionwasthatthingswerenotalwayswhattheyappearedtobe。Thecub\'sfearoftheunknownwasaninheriteddistrust，andithadnowbeenstrengthenedbyexperience。Thenceforth，inthenatureofthings，hewouldpossessanabidingdistrustofappearances。Hewouldhavetolearntherealityofathingbeforehecouldputhisfaithintoit。
Oneotheradventurewasdestinedforhimthatday。Hehadrecollectedthattherewassuchathingintheworldashismother。Andthentherecametohimafeelingthathewantedhermorethanalltherestofthethingsintheworld。Notonlywashisbodytiredwiththeadventuresithadundergone，buthislittlebrainwasequallytired。Inallthedayshehadlivedithadnotworkedsohardasonthisoneday。Furthermore，hewassleepy。Sohestartedouttolookforthecaveandhismother，feelingatthesametimeanoverwhelmingrushoflonelinessandhelplessness。
Hewassprawlingalongbetweensomebushes，whenheheardasharp，intimidatingcry。Therewasaflashofyellowbeforehiseyes。Hesawaweaselleapingswiftlyawayfromhim。Itwasasmalllivething，andhehadnofear。Then，beforehim，athisfeet，hesawanextremelysmalllivething，onlyseveralincheslong——ayoungweasel，that，likehimself，haddisobedientlygoneoutadventuring。Ittriedtoretreatbeforehim。Heturneditoverwithhispaw。Itmadeaqueer，gratingnoise。Thenextmomenttheflashofyellowreappearedbeforehiseyes。Heheardagaintheintimidatingcry，andatthesameinstantreceivedasevereblowonthesideoftheneckandfeltthesharpteethofthemother-weaselcutintohisflesh。
Whileheyelpedandky-yi\'dandscrambledbackward，hewasthemother-weaselleapuponheryoungneanddisappearwithitintotheneighboringthicket。
Thecutofherteethinhisneckstillhurt，buthisfeelingswerehurtmoregrievously，andhesatdownandweaklywhimpered。Thismother-weaselwassosmallandsosavage!Hewasyettolearnthatforsizeandweight，theweaselwasthemostferocious，vindictive，andterribleofallthekillersoftheWild。Butaportionofthisknowledgewasquicklytobehis。
Hewasstillwhimperingwhenthemother-weaselreappeared。Shedidnotrushhim，nowthatheryoungonewassafe。Sheapproachedmorecautiously，andthecubhadfullopportunitytoobserveherlean，snakelikebody，andherhead，erect，eager，andsnakelikeitself。Hersharp，menacingcrysentthehairbristlingalonghisback，andhesnarledwarninglyather。Shecamecloserandcloser，Therewasaleap，swifterthanhisunpracticedsight，andthelean，yellowbodydisappearedforamomentoutofthefieldofhisvision。Thenextmomentshewasathisthroat，herteethburiedinhishairandflesh。
Atfirsthesnarledandtriedtofight；buthewasveryyoung，andthiswasonlyhisfirstdayintheworld，andhissnarlbecameawhimper，hisfightastruggletoescape。Theweaselneverrelaxedherhold。Shehungon，strivingtopressdownwithherteethtothegreatveinwherehislife-bloodbubbled。Theweaselwasadrinkerofblood，anditwaseverherpreferencetodrinkfromthethroatoflifeitself。
Thegraycubwouldhavedied，andtherewouldhavebeennostorytowriteabouthim，hadnottheshe-wolfcomeboundingthroughthebushes。
Theweaselletgothecubandflashedattheshe-wolf\'sthroat，missing，butgettingaholdonthejawinstead。Thenshe-wolfflirtedherheadlikethesnapofawhip，breakingtheweasel\'sholdandflingingithighintheair。And，stillintheair，theshe-wolf\'sjawsclosedonthelean，yellowbody，andtheweaselknewdeathbetweenthecrunchingteeth。
Thecubexperiencedanotheraccessofaffectiononthepartofhismother。
Herjoyatfindinghimseemedgreatereventhanhisjoyatbeingfound。
Shenozzledhimandcaressedhimandlickedthecutsmadeinhimbytheweasel\'steeth。Then，betweenthem，motherandcub，theyatetheblood-drinker，andafterthatwentbacktothecaveandslept。WhiteFang:PartII:BornoftheWild:Chapter5:TheLawofMeatPartII:BornoftheWildChapter5
THELAWOFMEAT
Thecub\'sdevelopmentwasrapid。Herestedfortwodays，andthenventuredforthfromthecaveagain。Itwasonthisadventurethathefoundtheyoungweaselwhosemotherhehadhelpedeat，andhesawtoitthattheyoungweaselwentthewayofitsmother。Butonthistriphedidnotgetlost。
Whenhegrewtired，hefoundhiswaybacktothecaveandslept。Andeverydaythereafterfoundhimoutandrangingawiderarea。
Hebegantogetanaccuratemeasurementofhisstrengthandhisweakness，andtoknowwhentobeboldandwhentobecautious。Hefounditexpedienttobecautiousallthetime，exceptfortheraremoments，when，assuredofhisownintrepidity，heabandonedhimselftopettyragesandlusts。
Hewasalwaysalittledemonoffurywhenhechanceduponastrayptarmigan。
Neverdidhefailtorespondsavagelytothechatterofthesquirrelhehadfirstmetontheblastedpine。Whilethesightofamoose-birdalmostinvariablyputhimintothewildestofrages；forheneverforgotthepeckonthenosehehadreceivedfromthefirstofthatilkheencountered。
Butthereweretimeswhenevenamoose-birdfailedtoaffecthim，andthoseweretimeswhenhefelthimselftobeindangerfromsomeotherprowlingmeat-hunter。Heneverforgotthehawk，anditsmovingshadowalwayssenthimcrouchingintothenearestthicket。Henolongersprawledandstraddled，andalreadyhewasdevelopingthegaitofhismother，slinkingandfurtive，apparentlywithoutexertion，yetslidingalongwithaswiftnessthatwasasdeceptiveasitwasimperceptible。
Inthematterofmeat，hisluckhadbeenallinthebeginning。Thesevenptarmiganchicksandthebabyweaselrepresentedthesumofhiskillings。
Hisdesiretokillstrengthenedwiththedays，andhecherishedhungryambitionsforthesquirrelthatchatteredsovolublyandalwaysinformedallwildcreaturesthatthewolf-cubwasapproaching。Butasbirdsflewintheair，squirrelscouldclimbtrees，andthecubcouldonlytrytocrawlunobserveduponthesquirrelwhenitwasontheground。
Thecubentertainedagreatrespectforhismother。Shecouldgetmeat，andsheneverfailedtobringhimhisshare。Further，shewasunafraidofthings。Itdidnotoccurtohimthatthisfearlessnesswasfoundeduponexperienceandknowledge。Itseffectonhimwasthatofanimpressionofpower。Hismotherrepresentedpower；andashegrewolderhefeltthispowerinthesharperadmonitionofherpaw；whilethereprovingnudgeofhernosegaveplacetotheslashofherfangs。Forthis，likewise，herespectedhismother。Shecompelledobediencefromhim，andtheolderhegrewtheshortergrewhertemper。
Faminecameagain，andthecubwithclearerconsciousnessknewoncemorethebiteofhunger。Theshe-wolfranherselfthininthequestformeat。Sherarelysleptanymoreinthecave，spendingmostofhertimeonthemeat-trailandspendingitvainly。Thisfaminewasnotalongone，butitwasseverewhileitlasted。Thecubfoundnomoremilkinhismother\'sbreast，nordidhegetonemouthfulofmeatforhimself。
Before，hehadhuntedinplay，forthesheerjoyousnessofit；nowhehuntedindeadlyearnestness，andfoundnothing。Yetthefailureofitacceleratedhisdevelopment。Hestudiedthehabitsofthesquirrelwithgreatercarefulness，andstrovewithgreatercrafttostealuponitandsurpriseit。Hestudiedthewood-miceandtriedtodigthemoutoftheirburrows；andhelearnedmuchaboutthewaysofmoose-birdsandwoodpeckers。
Andtherecameadaywhenthehawk\'sshadowdidnotdrivehimcrouchingintothebushes。Hehadgrownstronger，andwiser，andmoreconfident。
Also，hewasdesperate。Sohesatonhishaunches，conspicuously，inanopenspace，andchallengedthehawkdownoutofthesky。Forheknewthatthere，floatingintheblueabovehim，wasmeat，themeathisstomachyearnedaftersoinsistently。Butthehawkrefusedtocomedownandgivebattle，andthecubcrawledawayintoathicketandwhimperedhisdisappointmentandhunger。
Thefaminebroke。Theshe-wolfbroughthomemeat。Itwasstrangemeat，differentfromanyshehadeverbroughtbefore。Itwasalynxkitten，partlygrown，likethecub，butnosolarge。Anditwasallforhim。Hismotherhadsatisfiedherhungerelsewhere；thoughhedidnotknowthatitwastherestofthelynxlitterthathadgonetosatisfyher。Nordidheknowthedesperatenessofherdeed。Heknewonlythatthevelvet-furredkittenwasmeat，andheateandwaxedhappierwitheverymouthful。
Afullstomachconducestoinaction，andthecublayinthecave，sleepingagainsthismother\'sside。Hewasrousedbyhersnarling。Neverhadheheardhersnarlsoterribly。Possiblyinherwholelifeitwasthemostterriblesnarlsheevergave。Therewasreasonforit，andnoneknewitbetterthanshe。Alynx\'slairisnotdespoiledwithimpunity。Inthefullglareoftheafternoonlight，crouchingintheentranceofthecave，thecubsawthelynx-mother。Thehairrippledupallalonghisbackatthesight。Herewasfear，anditdidnotrequirehisinstincttotellhimofit。Andifsightalonewerenotsufficient，thecryofragetheintrudergave，beginningwithasnarlandrushingabruptlyupwardintoahoarsescreech，wasconvincingenoughinitself。
Thecubfelttheprodofthelifethatwasinhim，andstoodupandsnarledvaliantlybyhismother\'sside。Butshethrusthimignominiouslyawayandbehindher。Becauseofthelow-roofedentrancethelynxcouldnotleapin，andwhenshemadeacrawlingrushofittheshe-wolfspranguponherandpinnedherdown。Thecubsawlittleofthebattle。Therewasatremendoussnarlingandspittingandscreeching。Thetwoanimalsthreshedabout，thelynxrippingandtearingwithherclawsandusingherteethaswell，whiletheshe-wolfusedherteethalone。
Once，thecubspranginandsankhisteethintothehindlegofthelynx。Heclungon，growlingsavagely。Thoughhedidnotknowit，bytheweightofhisbodyhecloggedtheactionofthelegandtherebysavedhismothermuchdamage。Achangeinthebattlecrushedhimunderboththeirbodiesandwrenchedloosehishold。Thenextmomentthetwomothersseparated，and，beforetheyrushedtogetheragain，thelynxlashedoutatthecubwithahugefore-pawthatrippedhisshoulderopentotheboneandsenthimhurtlingsidewiseagainstthewall。Thenwasaddedtotheuproarthecub\'sshrillyelpofpainandfright。Butthefightlastedsolongthathehadtimetocryhimselfoutandtoexperienceasecondburstofcourage；
andtheendofthebattlefoundhimagainclingingtoahind-legandfuriouslygrowlingbetweenhisteeth。
Thelynxwasdead。Buttheshe-wolfwasveryweakandsick。Atfirstshecaressedthecubandlickedhiswoundedshoulder；butthebloodshehadlosthadtakenwithitherstrength，andforallofadayandanightshelaybyherdeadfoe\'sside，withoutmovement，scarcelybreathing。Foraweeksheneverleftthecave，exceptforwater，andthenhermovementswereslowandpainful。Attheendofthattimethelynxwasdevoured，whiletheshe-wolf\'swoundshadhealedsufficientlytopermithertotakethemeat-trailagain。
Thecub\'sshoulderwasstiffandsore，andforsometimehelimpedfromtheterribleslashhehadreceived。Buttheworldnowseemedchanged。Hewentaboutinitwithgreaterconfidence，withafeelingofprowessthathadnotbeenhisinthedaysbeforethebattlewiththelynx。Hehadlookeduponlifeinamoreferociousaspect；hehadfought；hehadburiedhisteethinthefleshofafoe；andhehadsurvived。Andbecauseofallthis，hecarriedhimselfmoreboldly，withatouchofdefiancethatwasnewinhim。Hewasnolongerafraidofminorthings，andmuchofhistimidityhadvanished，thoughtheunknownneverceasedtopressuponhimwithitsmysteriesandterrors，intangibleandever-menacing。
Hebegantoaccompanyhismotheronthemeat-trail，andhesawmuchofthekillingofmeatandbegantoplayhispartinit。Andinhisowndimwayhelearnedthelawofmeat。Thereweretwokindsoflife，——hisownkindandtheotherkind。Hisownkindincludedhismotherandhimself。
Theotherkindincludedalllivethingsthatmoved。Buttheotherkindwasdivided。Oneportionwaswhathisownkindkilledandate。Thisportionwascomposedofthenon-killersandthesmallkillers。Theotherportionkilledandatehisownkind，orwaskilledandeatenbyhisownkind。Andoutofthisclassificationarosethelaw。Theaimoflifewasmeat。Lifeitselfwasmeat。Lifelivedonlife。Thereweretheeatersandtheeaten。
Thelawwas:EATORBEEATEN。Hedidnotformulatethelawinclear，settermsandmoralizeaboutit。Hedidnoteventhinkthelaw；hemerelylivedthelawwithoutthinkingaboutitatall。
Hesawthelawoperatingaroundhimoneveryside。Hehadeatentheptarmiganchicks。Thehawkhadeatentheptarmigan-mother。Thehawkwouldalsohaveeatenhim。Later，whenhehadgrownmoreformidable，hewantedtoeatthehawk。Hehadeatenthelynxkitten。Thelynx-motherwouldhaveeatenhimhadshenotherselfbeenkilledandeaten。Andsoitwent。Thelawwasbeinglivedabouthimbyalllivethings，andhehimselfwaspartandparcelofthelaw。Hewasakiller。Hisonlyfoodwasmeat，livemeat，thatranawayswiftlybeforehim，orflewintotheair，orclimbedtrees，orhidintheground，orfacedhimandfoughtwithhim，orturnedthetablesandranafterhim。
Hadthecubthoughtinman-fashion，hemighthaveepitomizedlifeasavoraciousappetite，andtheworldasaplacewhereinrangedamultitudeofappetites，pursuingandbeingpursued，huntingandbeinghunted，eatingandbeingeaten，allinblindnessandconfusion，withviolenceanddisorder，achaosofgluttonyandslaughter，ruledoverbychance，merciless，planless，endless。
Butthecubdidnotthinkinman-fashion。Hedidnotlookatthingswithwidevision。Hewassingle-purposed，andentertainedbutonethoughtordesireatatime。Besidesthelawofmeat，therewasamyriadotherandlesserlawsforhimtolearnandobey。Theworldwasfilledwithsurprise。
Thestirofthelifethatwasinhim，theplayofhismuscles，wasanunendinghappiness。Torundownmeatwastoexperiencethrillsandelations。Hisragesandbattleswerepleasures。Terroritself，andthemysteryoftheunknown，lenttohisliving。
Andtherewereeasementsandsatisfactions。Tohaveafullstomach，todozelazilyinthesunshine——suchthingswereremunerationinfullforhisardorsandtoils，whilehisardorsandtoilswereinthemselvesself-remunerative。Theywereexpressionsoflife，andlifeisalwayshappywhenitisexpressingitself。Sothecubhadnoquarrelwithhishostileenvironment。Hewasverymuchalive，veryhappy，andveryproudofhimself。WhiteFang:PartIII:TheGodsoftheWild:Chapter1:TheMakersofFirePartIII:TheGodsoftheWildChapter1
THEMAKERSOFFIRE
Thecubcameuponitsuddenly。Itwashisownfault。Hehadbeencareless。
Hehadleftthecaveandrundowntothestreamtodrink。Itmighthavebeenthathetooknonoticebecausehewasheavywithsleep。(Hehadbeenoutallnightonthemeat-trail，andhadbutjustthenawakened)。Andhiscarelessnessmighthavebeenduetothefamiliarityofthetrailtothepool。Hehadtravelleditoften，andnothinghadeverhappenedonit。
Hewentdownpasttheblastedpine，crossedtheopenspace，andtrottedinamongstthetrees。Then，atthesameinstant，hesawandsmelt。Beforehim，sittingsilentlyontheirhaunches，werefivelivethings，thelikeofwhichhehadneverseenbefore。Itwashisfirstglimpseofmankind。
Butatthesightofhimthefivemendidnotspringtotheirfeet，norshowtheirteeth，norsnarl。Theydidnotmove，butsatthere，silentandominous。
Nordidthecubmove。Everyinstinctofhisnaturewouldhaveimpelledhimtodashwildlyaway，hadtherenotsuddenlyandforthefirsttimeariseninhimanotherandcounterinstinct。Agreatawedescendeduponhim。Hewasbeatendowntomovelessnessbyanoverwhelmingsenseofhisownweaknessandlittleness。Herewasmasteryandpower，somethingfarandawaybeyondhim。
Thecubhadneverseenman，yettheinstinctconcerningmanwashis。
IndimwaysherecognizedinmantheanimalthathadfoughtitselftoprimacyovertheotheranimalsoftheWild。Notaloneoutofhisowneyes，butoutoftheeyesofallhisancestorswasthecubnowlookinguponman——
outofeyesthathadcircledinthedarknessaroundcountlesswintercampfires，thathadpeeredfromsafedistancesandfromtheheartsofthicketsatthestrange，two-leggedanimalthatwaslordoverlivingthings。Thespellofthecub\'sheritagewasuponhim，thefearandtherespectbornofthecenturiesofstruggleandtheaccumulatedexperienceofthegenerations。
Theheritagewastoocompellingforawolfthatwasonlyacub。Hadhebeenfull-grown，hewouldhaverunaway。Asitwas，hecowereddowninaparalysisoffear，alreadyhalfprofferingthesubmissionthathiskindhadprofferedfromthefirsttimeawolfcameintositbyman\'sfireandbemadewarm。
OneoftheIndiansaroseandwalkedovertohimandstoopedabovehim。
Thecubcoweredclosertotheground。Itwastheunknown，objectifiedatlast，inconcretefleshandblood，bendingoverhimandreachingdowntoseizeholdofhim。Hishairbristledinvoluntarily；hislipswrithedbackandhislittlefangswerebared。Thehand，poisedlikedoomabovehim，hesitated，andthemanspoke，laughing，\"Wabamwabiscaippittah。\"(\"Look!Thewhitefangs!\")
TheotherIndianslaughedloudly，andurgedthemanontopickupthecub。Asthehanddescendedcloserandcloser，thereragedwithinthecubabattleoftheinstincts。Heexperiencedtwogreatimpulsions，——toyieldandtofight。Theresultingactionwasacompromise。Hedidboth。Heyieldedtillthehandalmosttouchedhim。Thenhefought，histeethflashinginasnapthatsankthemintothehand。Thenextmomenthereceivedacloutalongsidetheheadthatknockedhimoveronhisside。Thenallfightfledoutofhim。Hispuppyhoodandtheinstinctofsubmissiontookchargeofhim。Hesatuponhishaunchesandki-yi\'d。Butthemanwhosehandhehadbittenwasangry。Thecubreceivedacloutontheothersideofhishead。
Whereuponhesatupandki-yi\'dlouderthanever。
ThefourIndianslaughedmoreloudly，whileeventhemanwhohadbeenbittenbegantolaugh。Theysurroundedthecubandlaughedathim，whilehewailedouthisterrorandhishurt。Inthemidstofit，heheardsomething。
TheIndiansheardit，too。Butthecubknewwhatitwas，andwithalast，longwailthathadinitmoreoftriumphthangrief，heceasedhisnoiseandwaitedforthecomingofhismother，ofhisferociousandindomitablemotherwhofoughtandkilledallthingsandwasneverafraid。Shewassnarlingassheran。Shehadheardthecryofhercubandwasdashingtosavehim。
Sheboundedinamongstthem，heranxiousandmilitantmotherhoodmakingheranythingbutaprettysight。Buttothecubthespectacleofherprotectiveragewaspleasing。Heutteredagladlittlecryandboundedtomeether，whiletheman-animalswentbackhastilyseveralsteps。Theshe-wolfstoodoveragainsthercub，facingthemen，withbristlinghair，asnarlrumblingdeepinherthroat。Herfacewasdistortedandmalignantwithmenace，eventhebridgeofthenosewrinklingfromtiptoeyessoprodigiouswashersnarl。
Thenitwasthatacrywentupfromoneofthemen。\"Kiche!\"waswhatheuttered。Itwasanexclamationofsurprise。Thecubfelthismotherwiltingatthesound。
\"Kiche!\"themancriedagain，thistimewithsharpnessandauthority。
Andthenthecubsawhismother，theshe-wolf，thefearlessone，crouchingdowntillherbellytouchedtheground，whimpering，wagginghertail，makingpeacesigns。Thecubcouldnotunderstand。Hewasappalled。Theaweofmanrushedoverhimagain。Hisinstincthadbeentrue。Hismotherverifiedit。She，too，renderedsubmissiontotheman-animals。
Themanwhohadspokencameovertoher。Heputhishanduponherhead，andsheonlycrouchedcloser。Shedidnotsnap，northreatentosnap。Theothermencameup，andsurroundedher，andfelther，andpawedher，whichactionsshemadenoattempttoresent。Theyweregreatlyexcited，andmademanynoiseswiththeirmouths。Thesenoiseswerenotindicationsofdanger，thecubdecided，ashecrouchednearhismother，stillbristlingfromtimetotimebutdoinghisbesttosubmit。
\"Itisnotstrange，\"anIndianwassaying。\"Herfatherwasawolf。Itistrue，hermotherwasadog；butdidnotmybrothertieheroutinthewoodsallofthreenightsinthematingseason？ThereforewasthefatherofKicheawolf。\"
\"Itisayear，GrayBeaver，sincesheranaway，\"spokeasecondIndian。
\"Itisnotstrange，SalmonTongue，\"GrayBeaveranswered。\"Itwasthetimeofthefamine，andtherewasnomeatforthedogs。\"
\"Shehaslivedwiththewolves，\"saidathirdIndian。
\"Soitwouldseem，ThreeEagles，\"GrayBeaveranswered，layinghishandonthecub；\"andthisbethesignofit。\"
Thecubsnarledalittleatthetouchofthehand，andthehandflewbacktoadministeraclout。Whereuponthecubcovereditsfangsandsankdownsubmissively，whilethehand，returning，rubbedbehindhisears，andupanddownhisback。
\"Thisbethesignofit，\"GrayBeaverwenton。\"ItisplainthathismotherisKiche。Buthisfatherwasawolf。Whereforeisthereinhimlittledogandmuchwolf。Hisfangsbewhite，andWhiteFangshallbehisname。
Ihavespoken。Heismydog。ForwasnotKichemybrother\'sdog？Andisnotmybrotherdead？\"
Thecub，whohadthusreceivedanameintheworld，layandwatched。
Foratimetheman-animalscontinuedtomaketheirmouth-noises。ThenGrayBeavertookaknifefromasheaththathungaroundhisneck，andwentintothethicketandcutastick。WhiteFangwatchedhim。Henotchedthestickateachendandinthenotchesfastenedstringsofraw-hide。OnestringhetiedaroundthethroatofKiche。Thenheledhertoasmallpine，aroundwhichhetiedtheotherstring。
WhiteFangfollowedandlaydownbesideher。SalmonTongue\'shandreachedouttohimandrolledhimoveronhisback。Kichelookedonanxiously。
WhiteFangfeltfearmountinginhimagain。Hecouldnotquitesuppressasnarl，buthemadenooffertosnap。Thehand，withfingerscrookedandspreadapart，rubbedhisstomachinaplayfulwayandrolledhimfromsidetoside。Itwasridiculousandungainly，lyingthereonhisbackwithlegssprawlingintheair。Besides，itwasapositionofsuchutterhelplessnessthatWhiteFang\'swholenaturerevoltedagainstit。
Hecoulddonothingtodefendhimself。Ifthisman-animalintendedharm，WhiteFangknewthathecouldnotescapeit。Howcouldhespringawaywithhisfourlegsintheairabovehim？Yetsubmissionmadehimmasterhisfear，andheonlygrowledsoftly。Thisgrowlhecouldnotsuppress；nordidtheman-animalresentitbygivinghimablowonthehead。Andfurthermore，suchwasthestrangenessofit，WhiteFangexperiencedanunaccountablesensationofpleasureasthehandrubbedbackandforth。Whenhewasrolledonhissideheceasedthegrowl；whenthefingerspressedandproddedatthebaseofhisearsthepleasurablesensationincreased；andwhen，withafinalrubandscratch，themanlefthimaloneandwentaway，allfearhaddiedoutofWhiteFang。Hewastoknowfearmanytimesinhisdealingswithman；
yetitwasatokenofthefearlesscompanionshipwithmanthatwasultimatelytobehis。
Afteratime，WhiteFangheardstrangenoisesapproaching。Hewasquickinhisclassification，forheknewthematonceforman-animalnoises。
Afewminuteslatertheremainderofthetribe，strungoutasitwasonthemarch，trailedin。Thereweremoremenandmanywomenandchildren，fortysoulsofthem，andallheavilyburdenedwithcampequipageandoutfit。
Alsothereweremanydogs；andthese，withtheexceptionofthepart-grownpuppies，werelikewiseburdenedwithcampoutfit。Ontheirbacks，inbagsthatfastenedtightlyaroundunderneath，thedogscarriedfromtwentytothirtypoundsofweight。
WhiteFanghadneverseendogsbefore，butatsightofthemhefeltthattheywerehisownkind，onlysomehowdifferent。Buttheydisplayedlittledifferencefromthewolfwhentheydiscoveredthecubandhismother。
Therewasarush。WhiteFangbristledandsnarledandsnappedinthefaceoftheopen-mouthedoncomingwaveofdogs，andwentdownandunderthem，feelingthesharpslashofteethinhisbody，himselfbitingandtearingatthelegsandbelliesabovehim。Therewasagreatuproar。HecouldhearthesnarlofKicheasshefoughtforhim；andhecouldhearthecriesoftheman-animals，thesoundofclubsstrikinguponbodies，andtheyelpsofpainfromthedogssostruck。
Onlyafewsecondselapsedbeforehewasonhisfeetagain。Hecouldnowseetheman-animalsdrivingbackthedogswithclubsandstones，defendinghim，savinghimfromthesavageteethofhiskindthatsomehowwasnothiskind。Andthoughtherewasnoreasoninhisbrainforaclearconceptionofsoabstractathingasjustice，nevertheless，inhisownway，hefeltthejusticeoftheman-animals，andheknewthemforwhattheywere——
makersoflawandexecutorsoflaw。Also，heappreciatedthepowerwithwhichtheyadministeredthelaw。Unlikeanyanimalshehadeverencountered，theydidnotbitenorclaw。Theyenforcedtheirlivestrengthwiththepowerofdeadthings。Deadthingsdidtheirbidding。Thus，sticksandstones，directedbythesestrangecreatures，leapedthroughtheairlikelivingthings，inflictinggrievoushurtsuponthedogs。
Tohismindthiswaspowerunusual，powerinconceivableandbeyondthenatural，powerthatwasgodlike。WhiteFang，intheverynatureofhim，couldneverknowanythingaboutgods；atthebesthecouldknowonlythingsthatwerebeyondknowing；butthewonderandawethathehadoftheseman-animalsinwaysresembledwhatwouldbethewonderandaweofmanatsightofsomecelestialcreature，onamountaintop，hurlingthunderboltsfromeitherhandatanastonishedworld。
Thelastdoghadbeendrivenback。Thehubbubdieddown。AndWhiteFanglickedhishurtsandmeditateduponthis，hisfirsttasteofpack-crueltyandhisintroductiontothepack。HehadneverdreamedthathisownkindconsistedofmorethanOneEye，hismother，andhimself。Theyhadconstitutedakindapart，andhere，abruptly，hehaddiscoveredmanymorecreaturesapparentlyofhisownkind。Andtherewasasubconsciousresentmentthatthese，hiskind，atfirstsighthadpitcheduponhimandtriedtodestroyhim。Inthesamewayheresentedhismotherbeingtiedwithastick，eventhoughitwasdonebythesuperiorman-animals。Itsavoredofthetrap，ofbondage。Yetofthetrapandofbondageheknewnothing。Freedomtoroamandrunandliedownatwill，hadbeenhisheritage；andhereitwasbeinginfringedupon。Hismother\'smovementswererestrictedtothelengthofastick，andbythelengthofthatsamestickwasherestricted，forhehadnotyetgotbeyondtheneedofhismother\'sside。
Hedidnotlikeit。Nordidhelikeitwhentheman-animalsaroseandwentonwiththeirmarch；foratinyman-animaltooktheotherendofthestickandledKichecaptivebehindhim，andbehindKichefollowedWhiteFang，greatlyperturbedandworriedbythisnewadventurehehadenteredupon。
Theywentdownthevalleyofthestream，farbeyondWhiteFang\'swidestranging，untiltheycametotheendofthevalley，wherethestreamranintotheMackenzieRiver。Here，wherecanoeswerecachedonpoleshighintheairandwherestoodfish-racksforthedryingoffish，campwasmade；andWhiteFanglookedonwithwonderingeyes。Thesuperiorityoftheseman-animalsincreasedwitheverymoment。Therewastheirmasteryoverallthesesharp-fangeddogs。Itbreathedofpower。Butgreaterthanthat，tothewolf-cub，wastheirmasteryoverthingsnotalive；theircapacitytocommunicatemotiontounmovingthings；theircapacitytochangetheveryfaceoftheworld。
Itwasthislastthatespeciallyaffectedhim。Theelevationofframesofpolescaughthiseye；yetthisinitselfwasnotsoremarkable，beingdonebythesamecreaturesthatflungsticksandstonestogreatdistances。
Butwhentheframesofpolesweremadeintotepeesbybeingcoveredwithclothandskins，WhiteFangwasastounded。Itwasthecolossalbulkofthemthatimpressedhim。Theyarosearoundhim，oneveryside，likesomemonstrousquick-growingformoflife。Theyoccupiednearlythewholecircumferenceofhisfieldofvision。Hewasafraidofthem。Theyloomedominouslyabovehim；andwhenthebreezestirredthemintohugemovements，hecowereddowninfear，keepinghiseyeswarilyuponthem，andpreparedtospringawayiftheyattemptedtoprecipitatethemselvesuponhim。
Butinashortwhilehisfearofthetepeespassedaway。Hesawthewomenandchildrenpassinginandoutofthemwithoutharm，andhesawthedogstryingoftentogetintothem，andbeingdrivenawaywithsharpwordsandflyingstones。Afteratime，heleftKiche\'ssideandcrawledcautiouslytowardthewallofthenearesttepee。Itwasthecuriosityofgrowththaturgedhimon——thenecessityoflearningandlivinganddoingthatbringsexperience。Thelastfewinchestothewallofthetepeewerecrawledwithpainfulslownessandprecaution。Theday\'seventshadpreparedhimfortheunknowntomanifestitselfinmoststupendousandunthinkableways。Atlasthisnosetouchedthecanvas。Hewaited。Nothinghappened。
Thenhesmelledthestrangefabric，saturatedwiththeman-smell。Heclosedonthecanvaswithhisteethandgaveagentletug。Nothinghappened，thoughtheadjacentportionsofthetepeemoved。Hetuggedharder。Therewasagreatermovement。Itwasdelightful。Hetuggedstillharder，andrepeatedly，untilthewholetepeewasinmotion。ThenthesharpcryofasquawinsidesenthimscamperingbacktoKiche。Butafterthathewasafraidnomoreoftheloomingbulksofthetepees。
Amomentlaterhewasstrayingawayagainfromhismother。Herstickwastiedtoapeginthegroundandshecouldnotfollowhim。Apart-grownpuppy，somewhatlargerandolderthanhe，cametowardhimslowly，withostentatiousandbelligerentimportance。Thepuppy\'sname，asWhiteFangwasafterwardtohearhimcalled，wasLip-lip。Hehadhadexperienceinpuppyfightsandwasalreadysomethingofabully。
Lip-lipwasWhiteFang\'sownkind，and，beingonlyapuppy，didnotseemdangerous；soWhiteFangpreparedtomeethiminfriendlyspirit。
Butwhenthestranger\'swalkbecamestiff-leggedandhislipsliftedclearofhisteeth，WhiteFangstiffened，too，andansweredwithliftedlips。
Theyhalfcircledabouteachother，tentatively，snarlingandbristling。
Thislastedseveralminutes，andWhiteFangwasbeginningtoenjoyit，asasortofgame。Butsuddenly，withremarkableswiftness，Lip-lipleapedin，deliveredaslashingsnap，andleapedawayagain。Thesnaphadtakeneffectontheshoulderthathadbeenhurtbythelynxandthatwasstillsoredeepdownnearthebone。ThesurpriseandhurtofitbroughtayelpoutofWhiteFang；butthenextmoment，inarushofanger，hewasuponLip-lipandsnappingviciously。
ButLip-liphadlivedhislifeincampandhadfoughtmanypuppyfights。
Threetimes，fourtimes，andhalfadozentimes，hissharplittleteethscoredonthenewcomer，untilWhiteFang，yelpingshamelessly，fledtotheprotectionofhismother。ItwasthefirstofthemanyfightshewastohavewithLip-lip，fortheywereenemiesfromthestart，bornso，withnaturesdestinedperpetuallytoclash。
KichelickedWhiteFangsoothinglywithhertongue，andtriedtoprevailuponhimtoremainwithher。Buthiscuriositywasrampant，andseveralminuteslaterhewasventuringforthonanewquest。Hecameupononeoftheman-animals，GrayBeaver，whowassquattingonhishamsanddoingsomethingwithsticksanddrymossspreadbeforehimontheground。WhiteFangcameneartohimandwatched。GrayBeavermademouth-noiseswhichWhiteFanginterpretedasnothostile，sohecamestillnearer。
WomenandchildrenwerecarryingmoresticksandbranchestoGrayBeaver。
Itwasevidentlyanaffairofmoment。WhiteFangcameinuntilhetouchedGrayBeaver\'sknee，socuriouswashe，andalreadyforgetfulthatthiswasaterribleman-animal。SuddenlyhesawastrangethinglikemistbeginningtoarisefromthesticksandmossbeneathGrayBeaver\'shands。Then，amongstthesticksthemselves，appearedalivething，twistingandturning，ofacolorlikethecolorofthesuninthesky。WhiteFangknewnothingaboutfire。Itdrewhimasthelightinthemouthofthecavehaddrawnhiminhisearlypuppyhood。Hecrawledtheseveralstepstowardtheflame。HeheardGrayBeaverchuckleabovehim，andheknewthesoundwasnothostile。
Thenhisnosetouchedtheflame，andatthesameinstanthislittletonguewentouttoit。
Foramomenthewasparalyzed。Theunknown，lurkinginthemidstofthesticksandmoss，wassavagelyclutchinghimbythenose。Hescrambledbackward，burstingoutinanastonishedexplosionofki-yi\'s。Atthesound，Kicheleapedsnarlingtotheendofherstick，andthereragedterriblybecauseshecouldnotcometohisaid。ButGrayBeaverlaughedloudly，andslappedhisthighs，andtoldthehappeningtoalltherestofthecamp，tilleverybodywaslaughinguproariously。ButWhiteFangsatonhishaunchesandki-yi\'dandki-yi\'d，aforlornandpitiablelittlefigureinthemidstoftheman-animals。
Itwastheworsthurthehadeverknown。Bothnoseandtonguehadbeenscorchedbythelivething，sun-colored，thathadgrownupunderGrayBeaver\'shands。Hecriedandcriedinterminably，andeveryfreshwailwasgreetedbyburstsoflaughteronthepartoftheman-animals。Hetriedtosoothehisnosewithhistongue，butthetonguewasburnttoo，andthetwohurtscomingtogetherproducedgreaterhurt；whereuponhecriedmorehopelesslyandhelplesslythanever。
Andthenshamecametohim。Heknewlaughterandthemeaningofit。
Itisnotgivenustoknowhowsomeanimalsknowlaughter，andknowwhentheyarebeinglaughedat；butitwasthissamewaythatWhiteFangknewit。Andhefeltshamethattheman-animalsshouldbelaughingathim。Heturnedandfledaway，notfromthehurtofthefire，butfromthelaughterthatsankevendeeper，andhurtinthespiritofhim。AndhefledtoKiche，ragingattheendofhersticklikeananimalgonemad——toKiche，theonecreatureintheworldwhowasnotlaughingathim。
Twilightdrewdownandnightcameon，andWhiteFanglaybyhismother\'sside。Hisnoseandtonguestillhurt，buthewasperplexedbyagreatertrouble。Hewashomesick。Hefeltavacancyinhim，aneedforthehushandquietudeofthestreamandthecaveinthecliff。Lifehadbecometoopopulous。Thereweresomanyoftheman-animals，men，women，andchildren，allmakingnoisesandirritations。Andtherewerethedogs，eversquabblingandbickering，burstingintouproarsandcreatingconfusions。Therestfullonelinessoftheonlylifehehadknownwasgone。Heretheveryairwaspalpitantwithlife。Ithummedandbuzzedunceasingly。Continuallychangingitsintensityandabruptlyvariantinpitch，itimpingedonhisnervesandsenses，madehimnervousandrestlessandworriedhimwithaperpetualimminenceofhappening。
