Hewatchedtheman-animals，comingandgoingandmovingaboutthecamp。
Infashiondistantlyresemblingthewaymenlookuponthegodstheycreate，solookedWhiteFangupontheman-animalsbeforehim。Theyweresuperiorcreatures，ofaverity，gods。Tohisdimcomprehensiontheywereasmuchwonder-workersasgodsaretomen。Theywerecreaturesofmastery，possessingallmannerofunknownandimpossiblepotencies，overlordsofthealiveandthenotalive，——makingobeythatwhichmoved，impartingmovementtothatwhichdidnotmove，andmakinglife，sun-coloredandbitinglife，togrowoutofdeadmossandwood。Theywerefire-makers!Theyweregods!WhiteFang:PartIII:TheGodsoftheWild:Chapter2:TheBondagePartIII:TheGodsoftheWildChapter2
THEBONDAGE
ThedayswerethrongedwithexperienceforWhiteFang。DuringthetimethatKichewastiedbythestick，heranaboutoverallthecamp，inquiring，investigating，learning。Hequicklycametoknowmuchofthewaysoftheman-animals，butfamiliaritydidnotbreedcontempt。Themorehecametoknowthem，themoretheyvindicatedtheirsuperiority，themoretheydisplayedtheirmysteriouspowers，thegreaterloomedtheirgod-likeness。
Tomanhasbeengiventhegrief，often，ofseeinghisgodsoverthrownandhisaltarscrumbling；buttothewolfandthewilddogthathavecomeintocrouchatman\'sfeet，thisgriefhasnevercome。Unlikeman，whosegodsareoftheunseenandtheoverguessed，vaporsandmistsoffancyeludingthegarmentureofreality，wanderingwraithsofdesiredgoodnessandpower，intangibleoutcroppingsofselfintotherealmofspirit——unlikeman，thewolfandthewilddogthathavecomeintothefirefindtheirgodsinthelivingflesh，solidtothetouch，occupyingearth-spaceandrequiringtimefortheaccomplishmentoftheirendsandtheirexistence。Noeffortoffaithisnecessarytobelieveinsuchagod；noeffortofwillcanpossiblyinducedisbeliefinsuchagod。Thereisnogettingawayfromit。Thereitstands，onitstwohind-legs，clubinhand，immenselypotential，passionateandwrathfulandloving，godandmysteryandpowerallwrappedupandaroundbyfleshthatbleedswhenitistornandthatisgoodtoeatlikeanyflesh。
AndsoitwaswithWhiteFang。Theman-animalsweregodsunmistakableandunescapable。Ashismother，Kiche，hadrenderedherallegiancetothematthefirstcryofhername，sohewasbeginningtorenderhisallegiance。
Hegavethemthetrailasaprivilegeindubitablytheirs。Whentheywalked，hegotoutoftheirway。Whentheycalled，hecame。Whentheythreatened，hecowereddown。Whentheycommandedhimtogo，hewentawayhurriedly。
Forbehindanywishoftheirswaspowertoenforcethatwish，powerthathurt，powerthatexpresseditselfincloutsandclubs，inflyingstonesandstinginglashesofwhips。
Hebelongedtothemasalldogsbelongedtothem。Hisactionsweretheirstocommand。Hisbodywastheirstomaul，tostampupon，totolerate。Suchwasthelessonthatwasquicklyborneinuponhim。Itcamehard，goingasitdid，countertomuchthatwasstronganddominantinhisownnature；
and，whilehedislikeditinthelearningofit，unknowntohimselfhewaslearningtolikeit。Itwasaplacingofhisdestinyinanother\'shands，ashiftingoftheresponsibilitiesofexistence。Thisinitselfwascompensation，foritisalwayseasiertoleanuponanotherthantostandalone。
Butitdidnotallhappeninaday，thisgivingoverofhimself，bodyandsoul，totheman-animals。HecouldnotimmediatelyforegohiswildheritageandhismemoriesoftheWild。Thereweredayswhenhecrepttotheedgeoftheforestandstoodandlistenedtosomethingcallinghimfarandaway。Andalwayshereturned，restlessanduncomfortable，towhimpersoftlyandwistfullyatKiche\'ssideandtolickherfacewitheager，questioningtongue。
WhiteFanglearnedrapidlythewaysofthecamp。Heknewtheinjusticeandgreedinessoftheolderdogswhenmeatorfishwasthrownouttobeeaten。Hecametoknowthatmenweremorejust，childrenmorecruel，andwomenmorekindlyandmorelikelytotosshimabitofmeatorbone。Andaftertwoorthreepainfuladventureswiththemothersofpart-grownpuppies，hecameintotheknowledgethatitwasalwaysgoodpolicytoletsuchmothersalone，tokeepawayfromthemasfaraspossible，andtoavoidthemwhenhesawthemcoming。
ButthebaneofhislifewasLip-lip。Larger，older，andstronger，Lip-liphadselectedWhiteFangforhisspecialobjectofpersecution。WhiteFangfoughtwillinglyenough，buthewasoutclassed。Hisenemywastoobig。
Lip-lipbecameanightmaretohim。Wheneverheventuredawayfromhismother，thebullywassuretoappear，trailingathisheels，snarlingathim，pickinguponhim，andwatchfulofanopportunity，whennoman-animalwasnear，tospringuponhimandforceafight。AsLip-lipinvariablywon，heenjoyedithugely。Itbecamehischiefdelightinlife，asitbecameWhiteFang\'schieftorment。
ButtheeffectuponWhiteFangwasnottocowhim。Thoughhesufferedmostofthedamageandwasalwaysdefeated，hisspiritremainedunsubdued。
Yetabadeffectwasproduced。Hebecamemalignantandmorose。Histemperhadbeensavagebybirth，butitbecamemoresavageunderthisunendingpersecution。Thegenial，playful，puppyishsideofhimfoundlittleexpression。
Heneverplayedandgambolledaboutwiththeotherpuppiesofthecamp。
Lip-lipwouldnotpermitit。ThemomentWhiteFangappearednearthem，Lip-lipwasuponhim，bullyingandhectoringhim，orfightingwithhimuntilhehaddrivenhimaway。
TheeffectofallthiswastorobWhiteFangofmuchofhispuppyhoodandtomakehiminhiscomportmentolderthanhisage。Deniedtheoutlet，throughplay，ofhisenergies，herecoileduponhimselfanddevelopedhismentalprocesses。Hebecamecunning；hehadidletimeinwhichtodevotehimselftothoughtsoftrickery。Preventedfromobtaininghisshareofmeatandfishwhenageneralfeedwasgiventothecamp-dogs，hebecameacleverthief。Hehadtoforageforhimself，andheforagedwell，thoughhewasofttimesaplaguetothesquawsinconsequence。Helearnedtosneakaboutcamp，tobecrafty，toknowwhatwasgoingoneverywhere，toseeandtoheareverythingandtoreasonaccordingly，andsuccessfullytodevisewaysandmeansofavoidinghisimplacablepersecutor。
Itwasearlyinthedaysofhispersecutionthatheplayedhisfirstreallybigcraftygameandgottherefromhisfirsttasteofrevenge。AsKiche，whenwiththewolves，hadluredouttodestructiondogsfromthecampsofmen，soWhiteFang，inmannersomewhatsimilar，luredLip-lipintoKiche\'savengingjaws。RetreatingbeforeLip-lip，WhiteFangmadeanindirectflightthatledinandoutandaroundthevarioustepeesofthecamp。Hewasagoodrunner，swifterthananyotherpuppyofhissize，andswifterthanLip-lip。Buthedidnotrunhisbestinthischase。Hebarelyheldhisown，oneleapaheadofhispursuer。
Lip-lip，excitedbythechaseandbythepersistentnearnessofhisvictim，forgotcautionandlocality。Whenherememberedlocality，itwastoolate。Dashingattopspeedaroundatepee，heranfulltiltintoKichelyingattheendofherstick。Hegaveoneyelpofconsternation，andthenherpunishingjawscloseduponhim。Shewastied，buthecouldnotgetawayfromhereasily。Sherolledhimoffhislegssothathecouldnotrun，whilesherepeatedlyrippedandslashedhimwithherfangs。
Whenatlasthesucceededinrollingclearofher，hecrawledtohisfeet，badlydishevelled，hurtbothinbodyandinspirit。Hishairwasstandingoutalloverhimintuftswhereherteethhadmauled。Hestoodwherehehadarisen，openedhismouth，andbrokeoutthelong，heart-brokenpuppywail。Buteventhishewasnotallowedtocomplete。Inthemiddleofit，WhiteFang，rushingin，sankhisteethintoLip-lip\'shindleg。
TherewasnofightleftinLip-lip，andheranawayshamelessly，hisvictimhotonhisheelsandworryinghimallthewaybacktohisowntepee。Herethesquawscametohisaid，andWhiteFang，transformedintoaragingdemon，wasfinallydrivenoffonlybyafusilladeofstones。
CamethedaywhenGrayBeaver，decidingthattheliabilityofherrunningawaywaspast，releasedKiche。WhiteFangwasdelightedwithhismother\'sfreedom。Heaccompaniedherjoyfullyaboutthecamp；and，solongasheremainedclosebyherside，Lip-lipkeptarespectfuldistance。WhiteFangevenbristleduptohimandwalkedstiff-legged，butLip-lipignoredthechallenge。Hewasnofoolhimself，andwhatevervengeancehedesiredtowreak，hecouldwaituntilhecaughtWhiteFangalone。
Lateronthatday，KicheandWhiteFangstrayedintotheedgeofthewoodsnexttothecamp。Hehadledhismotherthere，stepbystep，andnow，whenshestopped，hetriedtoinveigleherfarther。Thestream，thelair，andthequietwoodswerecallingtohim，andhewantedhertocome。
Heranonafewsteps，stopped，andlookedback。Shehadnotmoved。Hewhinedpleadingly，andscurriedplayfullyinandoutoftheunderbrush。
Heranbacktoher，lickedherface，andranonagain。Andstillshedidnotmove。Hestoppedandregardedher，allofanintentnessandeagerness，physicallyexpressed，thatslowlyfadedoutofhimassheturnedherheadandgazedbackatthecamp。
Therewassomethingcallingtohimoutthereintheopen。Hismotherheardit，too。Butsheheardalsothatotherandloudercall，thecallofthefireandofman——thecallwhichithasbeengivenaloneofallanimalstothewolftoanswer，tothewolfandthewild-dog，whoarebrothers。
Kicheturnedandslowlytrottedbacktowardcamp。Strongerthanthephysicalrestraintofthestickwastheclutchofthecampuponher。Unseenandoccultly，thegodsstillgrippedwiththeirpowerandwouldnotlethergo。WhiteFangsatdownintheshadowofabirchandwhimperedsoftly。
Therewasastrongsmellofpine，andsubtlewoodsfragrancesfilledtheair，remindinghimofhisoldlifeoffreedombeforethedaysofhisbondage。
Buthewasstillonlyapart-grownpuppy，andstrongerthanthecalleitherofmanoroftheWildwasthecallofhismother。Allthehoursofhisshortlifehehaddependeduponher。Thetimewasyettocomeforindependence。
Sohearoseandtrottedforlornlybacktocamp，pausingonce，andtwice，tositdownandwhimperandtolistentothecallthatstillsoundedinthedepthsoftheforest。
IntheWildthetimeofamotherwithheryoungisshort；butunderthedominionofmanitissometimesevenshorter。ThusitwaswithWhiteFang。GrayBeaverwasinthedebtofThreeEagles。ThreeEagleswasgoingawayonatripuptheMackenzietotheGreatSlaveLake。Astripofscarletcloth，abearskin，twentycartridges，andKiche，wenttopaythedebt。
WhiteFangsawhismothertakenaboardThreeEagles\'canoe，andtriedtofollowher。AblowfromThreeEaglesknockedhimbackwardtotheland。
Thecanoeshovedoff。Hesprangintothewaterandswamafterit，deaftothesharpcriesofGrayBeavertoreturn。Evenaman-animal，agod，WhiteFangignored，suchwastheterrorhewasinoflosinghismother。
Butgodsareaccustomedtobeingobeyed，andGrayBeaverwrathfullylaunchedacanoeinpursuit。WhenheovertookWhiteFang，hereacheddownandbythenapeoftheneckliftedhimclearofthewater。Hedidnotdeposithimatonceinthebottomofthecanoe。Holdinghimsuspendedwithonehand，withtheotherhandheproceededtogivehimabeating。Anditwasabeating。Hishandwasheavy。Everyblowwasshrewdtohurt；andhedeliveredamultitudeofblows。
Impelledbytheblowsthatraineduponhim，nowfromthisside，nowfromthat，WhiteFangswungbackandforthlikeanerraticandjerkypendulum。
Varyingweretheemotionsthatsurgedthroughhim。Atfirst，hehadknownsurprise。Thencameamomentaryfear，whenheyelpedseveraltimestotheimpactofthehand。Butthiswasquicklyfollowedbyanger。Hisfreenatureasserteditself，andheshowedhisteethandsnarledfearlesslyinthefaceofthewrathfulgod。Thisbutservedtomakethegodmorewrathful。
Theblowscamefaster，heavier，moreshrewdtohurt。
GrayBeavercontinuedtobeat，WhiteFangcontinuedtosnarl。Butthiscouldnotlastforever。Oneortheothermustgiveover，andthatonewasWhiteFang。Fearsurgedthroughhimagain。Forthefirsttimehewasbeingreallyman-handled。Theoccasionalblowsofsticksandstoneshehadpreviouslyexperiencedwereascaressescomparedwiththis。Hebrokedownandbegantocryandyelp。Foratimeeachblowbroughtayelpfromhim；butfearpassedintoterror，untilfinallyhisyelpswerevoicedinunbrokensuccession，unconnectedwiththerhythmofthepunishment。
AtlastGrayBeaverwithheldhishand。WhiteFang，hanginglimply，continuedtocry。Thisseemedtosatisfyhismaster，whoflunghimdownroughlyinthebottomofthecanoe。Inthemeantimethecanoehaddrifteddownthestream。GrayBeaverpickedupthepaddle。WhiteFangwasinhisway。Hespurnedhimsavagelywithhisfoot。InthatmomentWhiteFang\'sfreenatureflashedforthagain，andhesankhisteethintothemoccasinedfoot。
Thebeatingthathadgonebeforewasasnothingcomparedwiththebeatinghenowreceived。GrayBeaver\'swrathwasterrible；likewisewasWhiteFang\'sfright。Notonlythehand，butthehardwoodenpaddlewasuseduponhim；
andhewasbruisedandsoreinallhissmallbodywhenhewasagainflungdowninthecanoe。Again，andthistimewithpurpose，didGrayBeaverkickhim。WhiteFangdidnotrepeathisattackonthefoot。Hehadlearnedanotherlessonofhisbondage。Never，nomatterwhatthecircumstance，musthedaretobitethegodwhowaslordandmasteroverhim；thebodyofthelordandmasterwassacred，nottobedefiledbytheteethofsuchashe。
Thatwasevidentlythecrimeofcrimes，theoneoffencetherewasnocondoningnoroverlooking。
Whenthecanoetouchedtheshore，WhiteFanglaywhimperingandmotionless，waitingthewillofGrayBeaver。ItwasGrayBeaver\'swillthatheshouldgoashore，forashorehewasflung，strikingheavilyonhissideandhurtinghisbruisesafresh。Hecrawledtremblinglytohisfeetandstoodwhimpering。
Lip-lip，whohadwatchedthewholeproceedingfromthebank，nowrusheduponhim，knockinghimoverandsinkinghisteethintohim。WhiteFangwastoohelplesstodefendhimself，anditwouldhavegonehardwithhimhadnotGrayBeaver\'sfootshotout，liftingLip-lipintotheairwithitsviolencesothathesmasheddowntoearthadozenfeetaway。Thiswastheman-animal\'sjustice；andeventhen，inhisownpitiableplight，WhiteFangexperiencedalittlegratefulthrill。AtGrayBeaver\'sheelshelimpedobedientlythroughthevillagetothetepee。AndsoitcamethatWhiteFanglearnedthattherighttopunishwassomethingthegodsreservedforthemselvesanddeniedtothelessercreaturesunderthem。
Thatnight，whenallwasstill，WhiteFangrememberedhismotherandsorrowedforher。HesorrowedtooloudlyandwokeupGrayBeaver，whobeathim。Afterthathemournedgentlywhenthegodswerearound。Butsometimes，strayingofftotheedgeofthewoodsbyhimself，hegaveventtohisgrief，andcrieditoutwithloudwhimperingsandwailings。
ItwasduringthisperiodthathemighthavehearkenedtothememoriesofthelairandthestreamandrunbacktotheWild。Butthememoryofhismotherheldhim。Asthehuntingman-animalswentoutandcameback，soshewouldcomebacktothevillagesometime。Soheremainedinhisbondagewaitingforher。
Butitwasnotaltogetheranunhappybondage。Therewasmuchtointeresthim。Somethingwasalwayshappening。Therewasnoendtothestrangethingsthesegodsdid，andhewasalwayscurioustosee。Besides，hewaslearninghowtogetalongwithGrayBeaver。Obedience，rigid，undeviatingobedience，waswhatwasexactedofhim；andinreturnheescapedbeatingsandhisexistencewastolerated。
Nay，GrayBeaverhimselfsometimestossedhimapieceofmeat，anddefendedhimagainsttheotherdogsintheeatingofit。Andsuchapieceofmeatwasofvalue。Itwasworthmore，insomestrangeway，thanadozenpiecesofmeatfromthehandofasquaw。GrayBeaverneverpettednorcaressed。
Perhapsitwastheweightofhishand，perhapshisjustice，perhapsthesheerpowerofhim，andperhapsitwasallthesethingsthatinfluencedWhiteFang；foracertaintieofattachmentwasformingbetweenhimandhissurlylord。
Insidiously，andbyremoteways，aswellasbythepowerofstickandstoneandcloutofhand，weretheshacklesofWhiteFang\'sbondagebeingriveteduponhim。Thequalitiesinhiskindthatinthebeginningmadeitpossibleforthemtocomeintothefiresofmen，werequalitiescapableofdevelopment。Theyweredevelopinginhim，andthecamp-life，repletewithmiseryasitwas，wassecretlyendearingitselftohimallthetime。
ButWhiteFangwasunawareofit。HeknewonlygriefforthelossofKiche，hopeforherreturn，andahungryyearningforthefreelifethathadbeenhis。WhiteFang:PartIII:TheGodsoftheWild:Chapter3:TheOutcastPartIII:TheGodsoftheWildChapter3
THEOUTCAST
Lip-lipcontinuedsotodarkenhisdaysthatWhiteFangbecamewickederandmoreociousthanitwashisnaturalrighttobe。Savagenesswasapartofhismake-up，butthesavagenessthusdevelopedexceededhismake-up。
Heacquiredareputationforwickednessamongsttheman-animalsthemselves。
Wherevertherewastroubleanduproarincamp，fightingandsquabblingortheoutcryofasquawoverabitofstolenmeat，theyweresuretofindWhiteFangmixedupinitandusuallyatthebottomofit。Theydidnotbothertolookafterthecausesofhisconduct。Theysawonlytheeffects，andtheeffectswerebad。Hewasasneakandathief，amischief-maker，afomenteroftrouble；andiratesquawstoldhimtohisface，thewhileheeyedthemalertandreadytododgeanyquick-flungmissile，thathewasawolfandworthlessandboundtocometoanevilend。
Hefoundhimselfanoutcastinthemidstofthepopulouscamp。AlltheyoungdogsfollowedLip-lip\'slead。TherewasadifferencebetweenWhiteFangandthem。Perhapstheysensedhiswild-woodbreed，andinstinctivelyfeltforhimtheenmitythatthedomesticdogfeelsforthewolf。Butbethatasitmay，theyjoinedwithLip-lipinthepersecution。And，oncedeclaredagainsthim，theyfoundgoodreasontocontinuedeclaredagainsthim。Oneandall，fromtimetotime，theyfelthisteeth；andtohiscredit，hegavemorethanhereceived。Manyofthemhecouldwhipinsinglefight；
butsinglefightwasdeniedhim。Thebeginningofsuchafightwasasignalforalltheyoungdogsincamptocomerunningandpitchuponhim。
Outofthispack-persecutionhelearnedtwoimportantthings:howtotakecareofhimselfinamass-fightagainsthim；andhow，onasingledog，toinflictthegreatestamountofdamageinthebriefestspaceoftime。Tokeepone\'sfeetinthemidstofthehostilemassmeantlife，andthishelearnedwell。Hebecamecat-likeinhisabilitytostayonhisfeet。Evengrowndogsmighthurtlehimbackwardorsidewayswiththeimpactoftheirheavybodies；andbackwardorsidewayshewouldgo，intheairorslidingontheground，butalwayswithhislegsunderhimandhisfeetdownwardtothemotherearth。
Whendogsfight，thereareusuallypreliminariestotheactualcombat——snarlingsandbristlingsandstiff-leggedstruttings。ButWhiteFanglearnedtoomitthesepreliminaries。Delaymeantthecomingagainsthimofalltheyoungdogs。Hemustdohisworkquicklyandgetaway。Sohelearnedtogivenowarningofhisintention。Herushedinandsnappedandslashedontheinstant，withoutnotice，beforehisfoecouldpreparetomeethim。Thushelearnedhowtoinflictquickandseveredamage。Alsohelearnedthevalueofsurprise。Adog，takenoffitsguard，itsshoulderslashedopenoritsearrippedinribbonsbeforeitknewwhatwashappening，wasadoghalfwhipped。
Furthermore，itwasremarkablyeasytooverthrowadogtakenbysurprise；
whileadog，thusoverthrown，invariablyexposedforamomentthesoftundersideofitsneck——thevulnerablepointatwhichtostrikeforitslife。WhiteFangknewthispoint。Itwasaknowledgebequeathedtohimdirectlyfromthehuntinggenerationsofwolves。SoitwasthatWhiteFang\'smethod，whenhetooktheoffensive，was:first，tofindayoungdogalone；
second，tosurpriseitandknockitoffitsfeet；andthird，todriveinwithhisteethatthesoftthroat。
Beingbutpartlygrown，hisjawshadnotyetbecomelargeenoughnorstrongenoughtomakehisthroat-attackdeadly；butmanyayoungdogwentaroundcampwithalaceratedthroatintokenofWhiteFang\'sintention。
Andoneday，catchingoneofhisenemiesaloneontheedgeofthewoods，hemanaged，byrepeatedlyoverthrowinghimandattackingthethroat，tocutthegreatveinandletoutthelife。Therewasagreatrowthatnight。
Hehadbeenobserved，thenewshadbeencarriedtothedeaddog\'smaster，thesquawsrememberedalltheinstancesofstolenmeat，andGrayBeaverwasbesetbymanyangryvoices。Butheresolutelyheldthedoorofhistepee，insidewhichhehadplacedtheculprit，andrefusedtopermitthevengeanceforwhichhistribespeopleclamored。
WhiteFangbecamehatedbymananddog。Duringthisperiodofhisdevelopmentheneverknewamoment\'ssecurity。Thetoothofeverydogwasagainsthim，thehandofeveryman。Hewasgreetedwithsnarlsbyhiskind，withcursesandstonesbyhisgods。Helivedtensely。Hewasalwayskeyedup，alertforattack，waryofbeingattacked，withaneyeforsuddenandunexpectedmissiles，preparedtoactprecipitatelyandcoolly，toleapinwithaflashofteeth，ortoleapawaywithamenacingsnarl。
Asforsnarling，hecouldsnarlmoreterriblythananydog，youngorold，incamp。Theintentofthesnarlistowarnorfrighten，andjudgmentisrequiredtoknowwhenitshouldbeused。WhiteFangknewhowtomakeitandwhentomakeit。Intohissnarlheincorporatedallthatwasvicious，malignant，andhorrible。Withnoseserrulatedbycontinuousspasms，hairbristlinginrecurrentwaves，tonguewhippingoutlikearedsnakeandwhippingbackagain，earsflatteneddown，eyesgleaminghatred，lipswrinkledback，andfangsexposedanddripping，hecouldcompelapauseonthepartofalmostanyassailant。Atemporarypause，whentakenoffhisguard，gavehimthevitalmomentinwhichtothinkanddeterminehisaction。Butoftenapausesogainedlengthenedoutuntilitevolvedintoacompletecessationfromtheattack。AndbeforemorethanoneofthegrowndogsWhiteFang\'ssnarlenabledhimtobeatanhonorableretreat。
Anoutcasthimselffromthepackofthepart-growndogs，hissanguinarymethodsandremarkableefficiencymadethepackpayforitspersecutionofhim。Notpermittedhimselftorunwiththepack，thecuriousstateofaffairsobtainedthatnomemberofthepackcouldrunoutsidethepack。
WhiteFangwouldnotpermitit。Whatofhisbushwhackingandwaylayingtactics，theyoungdogswereafraidtorunbythemselves。WiththeexceptionofLip-lip，theywerecompelledtobunchtogetherformutualprotectionagainsttheterribleenemytheyhadmade。Apuppyalonebytheriverbankmeantapuppydeadorapuppythatarousedthecampwithitsshrillpainandterrorasitfledbackfromthewolf-cubthathadwaylaidit。
ButWhiteFang\'sreprisalsdidnotcease，evenwhentheyoungdogshadlearnedthoroughlythattheymuststaytogether。Heattackedthemwhenhecaughtthemalone，andtheyattackedhimwhentheywerebunched。Thesightofhimwassufficienttostartthemrushingafterhim，atwhichtimeshisswiftnessusuallycarriedhimintosafety。Butwoetothedogthatoutranhisfellowsinsuchpursuit!WhiteFanghadlearnedtoturnsuddenlyuponthepursuerthatwasaheadofthepackandthoroughlytoriphimupbeforethepackcouldarrive。Thisoccurredwithgreatfrequency，for，onceinfullcry，thedogswerepronetoforgetthemselvesintheexcitementofthechase，whileWhiteFangneverforgothimself。Stealingbackwardglancesasheran，hewasalwaysreadytowhirlaroundanddowntheoverzealouspursuerthatoutranhisfellows。
Youngdogsareboundtoplay，andoutoftheexigenciesofthesituationtheyrealizedtheirplayinthismimicwarfare。ThusitwasthatthehuntofWhiteFangbecametheirchiefgame——adeadlygame，withal，andatalltimesaseriousgame。He，ontheotherhand，beingthefastest-footed，wasunafraidtoventureanywhere。Duringtheperiodthathewaitedvainlyforhismothertocomeback，heledthepackmanyawildchasethroughtheadjacentwoods。Butthepackinvariablylosthim。Itsnoiseandoutcrywarnedhimofitspresence，whileheranalone，velvet-footed，silently，amovingshadowamongthetreesafterthemannerofhisfatherandmotherbeforehim。Further，hewasmoredirectlyconnectedwiththeWildthanthey；andheknewmoreofitssecretsandstratagems。Afavoritetrickofhiswastolosehistrailinrunningwaterandthenliequietlyinanear-bythicketwhiletheirbaffledcriesarosearoundhim。
Hatedbyhiskindandbymankind，indomitable，perpetuallywarreduponandhimselfwagingperpetualwar，hisdevelopmentwasrapidandone-sided。
Thiswasnosoilforkindlinessandaffectiontoblossomin。Ofsuchthingshehadnotthefaintestglimmering。Thecodehelearnedwastoobeythestrongandtooppresstheweak。GrayBeaverwasagod，andstrong。ThereforeWhiteFangobeyedhim。Butthedogyoungerorsmallerthanhimselfwasweak，athingtobedestroyed。Hisdevelopmentwasinthedirectionofpower。Inordertofacetheconstantdangerofhurtandevenofdestruction，hispredatoryandprotectivefacultieswereundulydeveloped。Hebecamequickerofmovementthantheotherdogs，swifteroffoot，craftier，deadlier，morelithe，moreleanwithironlikemuscleandsinew，moreenduring，morecruel，moreferocious，andmoreintelligent。Hehadtobecomeallthesethings，elsehewouldnothaveheldhisownnorsurvivedthehostileenvironmentinwhichhefoundhimself。WhiteFang:PartIII:TheGodsoftheWild:Chapter4:TheTrailoftheGodsPartIII:TheGodsoftheWildChapter4
THETRAILOFTHEGODS
Inthefalloftheyear，whenthedayswereshorteningandthebiteofthefrostwascomingintotheair，WhiteFanggothischanceforliberty。
Forseveraldaystherehadbeenagreathubbubinthevillage。Thesummercampwasbeingdismantled，andthetribe，bagandbaggage，waspreparingtogoofftothefallhunting。WhiteFangwatcheditallwitheagereyes，andwhenthetepeesbegantocomedownandthecanoeswereloadingatthebank，heunderstood。Alreadythecanoesweredeparting，andsomehaddisappeareddowntheriver。
Quitedeliberatelyhedeterminedtostaybehind。Hewaitedhisopportunitytoslinkoutofcamptothewoods。Here，intherunningstreamwhereicewasbeginningtoform，hehidhistrail。Thenhecrawledintotheheartofadensethicketandwaited。Thetimepassedby，andhesleptintermittentlyforhours。ThenhewasarousedbyGrayBeaver\'svoicecallinghimbyname。
Therewereothervoices。WhiteFangcouldhearGrayBeaver\'ssquawtakingpartinthesearch，andMit-sah，whowasGrayBeaver\'sson。
WhiteFangtrembledwithfear，andthoughtheimpulsecametocrawloutofhishiding-place，heresistedit。Afteratimethevoicesdiedaway，andsometimeafterthathecreptouttoenjoythesuccessofhisundertaking。
Darknesswascomingon，andforawhileheplayedaboutamongthetrees，pleasuringinhisfreedom。Then，andquitesuddenly，hebecameawareofloneliness。Hesatdowntoconsider，listeningtothesilenceoftheforestandperturbedbyit。Thatnothingmovednorsounded，seemedominous。Hefeltthelurkingofdanger，unseenandunguessed。Hewassuspiciousoftheloomingbulksofthetreesandofthedarkshadowsthatmightconcealallmannerofperilousthings。
Thenitwascold。Herewasnowarmsideofatepeeagainstwhichtosnuggle。Thefrostwasinhisfeet，andhekeptliftingfirstonefore-footandthentheother。Hecurvedhisbushytailaroundtocoverthem，andatthesametimehesawavision。Therewasnothingstrangeaboutit。Uponhisinwardsightwasimpressedasuccessionofmemory-pictures。Hesawthecampagain，thetepees，andtheblazeofthefires。Heheardtheshrillvoicesofthewomen，thegruffbassesofthemen，andthesnarlingofthedogs。Hewashungry，andherememberedpiecesofmeatandfishthathadbeenthrownhim。Herewasnomeat，nothingbutathreateningandinediblesilence。
Hisbondagehadsoftenedhim。Irresponsibilityhadweakenedhim。Hehadforgottenhowtoshiftforhimself。Thenightyawnedabouthim。Hissenses，accustomedtothehumandbustleofthecamp，usedtothecontinuousimpactofsightsandsounds，werenowleftidle。Therewasnothingtodo，nothingtoseenorhear。Theystrainedtocatchsomeinterruptionofthesilenceandimmobilityofnature。Theywereappalledbyinactionandbythefeelofsomethingterribleimpending。
Hegaveagreatstartoffright。Acolossalandformlesssomethingwasrushingacrossthefieldofhisvision。Itwasatree-shadowflungbythemoon，fromwhosefacethecloudshadbeenbrushedaway。Reassured，hewhimperedsoftly；thenhesuppressedthewhimperforfearthatitmightattracttheattentionofthelurkingdangers。
Atree，contractinginthecoolofthenight，madealoudnoise。Itwasdirectlyabovehim。Heyelpedinhisfright。Apanicseizedhim，andheranmadlytowardthevillage。Heknewanoverpoweringdesirefortheprotectionandcompanionshipofman。Inhisnostrilswasthesmellofthecamp-smoke。Inhisearsthecampsoundsandcrieswereringingloud。Hepassedoutoftheforestandintothemoonlitopenwherewerenoshadowsnordarknesses。Butnovillagegreetedhiseyes。Hehadforgotten。Thevillagehadgoneaway。
Hiswildflightceasedabruptly。Therewasnoplacetowhichtoflee。
Heslunkforlornlythroughthedesertedcamp，smellingtherubbish-heapsandthediscardedragsandtagsofthegods。Hewouldhavebeengladfortherattleofstonesabouthim，flungbyanangrysquaw，gladforthehandofGrayBeaverdescendinguponhiminwrath；whilehewouldhavewelcomedwithdelightLip-lipandthewholesnarling，cowardlypack。
HecametowhereGrayBeaver\'stepeehadstood。Inthecentreofthespaceithadoccupied，hesatdown。Hepointedhisnoseatthemoon。Histhroatwasafflictedbyrigidspasms，hismouthopened，andinaheart-brokencrybubbleduphislonelinessandfear，hisgriefforKiche，allhispastsorrowsandmiseriesaswellashisapprehensionofsufferingsanddangerstocome。Itwasthelongwolf-howl，full-throatedandmournful，thefirsthowlhehadeveruttered。
Thecomingofdaylightdispelledhisfears，butincreasedhisloneliness。
Thenakedearth，whichsoshortlybeforehadbeensopopulous，thrusthislonelinessmoreforciblyuponhim。Itdidnottakehimlongtomakeuphismind。Heplungedintotheforestandfollowedtheriverbankdownthestream。Alldayheran。Hedidnotrest。Heseemedmadetorunonforever。
Hisiron-likebodyignoredfatigue。Andevenafterfatiguecame，hisheritageofendurancebracedhimtoendlessendeavorandenabledhimtodrivehiscomplainingbodyonward。
Wheretheriverswunginagainstprecipitousbluffs，heclimbedthehighmountainsbehind。Riversandstreamsthatenteredthemainriverhefordedorswam。Oftenhetooktotherim-icethatwasbeginningtoform，andmorethanoncehecrashedthroughandstruggledforlifeintheicycurrent。Alwayshewasonthelookoutforthetrailofthegodswhereitmightleavetheriverandproceedinland。
WhiteFangwasintelligentbeyondtheaverageofhiskind；yethismentalvisionwasnotwideenoughtoembracetheotherbankoftheMackenzie。
Whatifthetrailofthegodsledoutonthatside？Itneverenteredhishead。Lateron，whenhehadtravelledmoreandgrownolderandwiserandcometoknowmoreoftrailsandrivers，itmightbethathecouldgraspandapprehendsuchapossibility。Butthatmentalpowerwasyetinthefuture。Justnowheranblindly，hisownbankoftheMackenziealoneenteringintohiscalculations。
Allnightheran，blunderinginthedarknessintomishapsandobstaclesthatdelayedbutdidnotdaunt。Bythemiddleoftheseconddayhehadbeenrunningcontinuouslyforthirtyhours，andtheironofhisfleshwasgivingout。Itwastheenduranceofhismindthatkepthimgoing。Hehadnoteateninfortyhours，andhewasweakwithhunger。Therepeateddrenchingsintheicywaterhadlikewisehadtheireffectonhim。Hishandsomecoatwasdraggled。Thebroadpadsofhisfeetwerebruisedandbleeding。Hehadbeguntolimp，andthislimpincreasedwiththehours。Tomakeitworse，thelightoftheskywasobscuredandsnowbegantofall——araw，moist，melting，clingingsnow，slipperyunderfoot，thathidfromhimthelandscapehetraversed，andthatcoveredovertheinequalitiesofthegroundsothatthewayofhisfeetwasmoredifficultandpainful。
GrayBeaverhadintendedcampingthatnightonthefarbankoftheMackenzie，foritwasinthatdirectionthatthehuntinglay。Butonthenearbank，shortlybeforedark，amoose，comingdowntodrink，hadbeenespiedbyKloo-kooch，whowasGrayBeaver\'ssquaw。Now，hadnotthemoosecomedowntodrink，hadnotMit-sahbeensteeringoutofthecoursebecauseofthesnow，hadnotKloo-koochsightedthemoose，andhadnotGrayBeaverkilleditwithaluckyshotfromhisrifle，allsubsequentthingswouldhavehappeneddifferently。GrayBeaverwouldnothavecampedonthenearsideoftheMackenzie，andWhiteFangwouldhavepassedbyandgoneon，eithertodieortofindhiswaytohiswildbrothersandbecomeoneofthem，——awolftotheendofhisdays。
Nighthadfallen。Thesnowwasflyingmorethickly，andWhiteFang，whimperingsoftlytohimselfashestumbledandlimpedalong，cameuponafreshtrailinthesnow。Sofreshwasitthatheknewitimmediatelyforwhatitwas。Whiningwitheagerness，hefollowedbackfromtheriverbankandinamongthetrees。Thecamp-soundscametohisears。Hesawtheblazeofthefire，Kloo-koochcooking，andGrayBeaversquattingonhishamsandmumblingachunkofrawtallow。Therewasfreshmeatincamp!
WhiteFangexpectedabeating。Hecrouchedandbristledalittleatthethoughtofit。Thenhewentforwardagain。Hefearedanddislikedthebeatingheknewtobewaitingforhim。Butheknew，further，thatthecomfortofthefirewouldbehis，theprotectionofthegods，thecompanionshipofthedogs——thelast，acompanionshipofenmity，butnonethelessacompanionshipandsatisfyingtohisgregariousneeds。
Hecamecringingandcrawlingintothefirelight。GrayBeaversawhim，andstoppedmunchingthetallow。WhiteFangcrawledslowly，cringingandgrovellingintheabjectnessofhisabasementandsubmission。HecrawledstraighttowardGrayBeaver，everyinchofhisprogressbecomingslowerandmorepainful。Atlasthelayatthemaster\'sfeet，intowhosepossessionhenowsurrenderedhimself，voluntarily，bodyandsoul。Ofhisownchoice，hecameintositbyman\'sfireandtoberuledbyhim。WhiteFangtrembled，waitingforthepunishmenttofalluponhim。Therewasamovementofthehandabovehim。Hecringedinvoluntarilyundertheexpectedblow。Itdidnotfall。Hestoleaglanceupward。GrayBeaverwasbreakingthelumpoftallowinhalf!GrayBeaverwasofferinghimonepieceofthetallow!Verygentlyandsomewhatsuspiciously，hefirstsmelledthetallowandthenproceededtoeatit。GrayBeaverorderedmeattobebroughttohim，andguardedhimfromtheotherdogswhileheate。Afterthat，gratefulandcontent，WhiteFanglayatGrayBeaver\'sfeet，gazingatthefirethatwarmedhim，blinkinganddozing，secureintheknowledgethatthemorrowwouldfindhim，notwanderingforlornthroughbleakforest-stretches，butinthecampoftheman-animals，withthegodstowhomhehadgivenhimselfanduponwhomhewasnowdependent。WhiteFang:PartIII:TheGodsoftheWild:Chapter5:TheCovenantPartIII:TheGodsoftheWildChapter5
THECOVENANT
WhenDecemberwaswellalong，GrayBeaverwentonajourneyuptheMackenzie。
Mit-sahandKloo-koochwentwithhim。Onesledhedrovehimself，drawnbydogshehadtradedfororborrowed。AsecondandsmallersledwasdrivenbyMit-sah，andtothiswasharnessedateamofpuppies。Itwasmoreofatoyaffairthananythingelse，yetitwasthedelightofMit-sah，whofeltthathewasbeginningtodoaman\'sworkintheworld。Also，hewaslearningtodrivedogsandtotraindogs；whilethepuppiesthemselveswerebeingbrokenintotheharness。Furthermore，thesledwasofsomeservice，foritcarriednearlytwohundredpoundsofoutfitandfood。
WhiteFanghadseenthecamp-dogstoilingintheharness，sothathedidnotresentovermuchthefirstplacingoftheharnessuponhimself。
Abouthisneckwasputamoss-stuffedcollar，whichwasconnectedbytwopulling-tracestoastrapthatpassedaroundhischestandoverhisback。
Itwastothisthatwasfastenedthelongropebywhichhepulledatthesled。
Thereweresevenpuppiesintheteam。Theothershadbeenbornearlierintheyearandwerenineandtenmonthsold，whileWhiteFangwasonlyeightmonthsold。Eachdogwasfastenedtothesledbyasinglerope。Notworopeswereofthesamelength，whilethedifferenceinlengthbetweenanytworopeswasatleastthatofadog\'sbody。Everyropewasbroughttoaringatthefrontendofthesled。Thesleditselfwaswithoutrunners，beingabirch-barktoboggan，withupturnedforwardendtokeepitfromploughingunderthesnow。Thisconstructionenabledtheweightofthesledandloadtobedistributedoverthelargestsnow-surface；forthesnowwascrystal-powderandverysoft。Observingthesameprincipleofwidestdistributionofweight，thedogsattheendsoftheirropesradiatedfan-fashionfromthenoseofthesled，sothatnodogtrodinanother\'sfootsteps。
Therewas，furthermore，anothervirtueinthefan-formation。Theropesofvaryinglengthpreventedthedogs\'attackingfromtherearthosethatraninfrontofthem。Foradogtoattackanother，itwouldhavetoturnupononeatashorterrope。Inwhichcaseitwouldfinditselffacetofacewiththedogattacked，andalsoitwouldfinditselffacingthewhipofthedriver。Butthemostpeculiarvirtueofalllayinthefactthatthedogthatstrovetoattackoneinfrontofhimmustpullthesledfaster，andthatthefasterthesledtravelled，thefastercouldthedogattackedrunaway。Thus，thedogbehindcouldnevercatchupwiththeoneinfront。
Thefasterheran，thefasterrantheonehewasafter，andthefasterranallthedogs。Incidentally，thesledwentfaster，andthus，bycunningindirection，didmanincreasehismasteryoverthebeasts。
Mit-sahresembledhisfather，muchofwhosegraywisdomhepossessed。
InthepasthehadobservedLip-lip\'spersecutionofWhiteFang；butatthattimeLip-lipwasanotherman\'sdog，andMit-sahhadneverdaredmorethantoshyanoccasionalstoneathim。ButnowLip-lipwashisdog，andheproceededtowreakhisvengeanceonhimbyputtinghimattheendofthelongestrope。ThismadeLip-liptheleader，andwasapparentlyanhonor；
butinrealityittookawayfromhimallhonor，andinsteadofbeingbullyandmasterofthepack，henowfoundhimselfhatedandpersecutedbythepack。
Becauseheranattheendofthelongestrope，thedogshadalwaystheviewofhimrunningawaybeforethem。Allthattheysawofhimwashisbushytailandfleeinghindlegs——aviewfarlessferociousandintimidatingthanhisbristlingmaneandgleamingfangs。Also，dogsbeingsoconstitutedintheirmentalways，thesightofhimrunningawaygavedesiretorunafterhimandafeelingthatheranawayfromthem。
Themomentthesledstarted，theteamtookafterLip-lipinachasethatextendedthroughouttheday。Atfirsthehadbeenpronetoturnuponhispursuers，jealousofhisdignityandwrathful；butatsuchtimesMit-sahwouldthrowthestinginglashofthethirty-footcariboo-gutwhipintohisfaceandcompelhimtoturntailandrunon。Lip-lipmightfacethepack，buthecouldnotfacethatwhip，andallthatwaslefthimtodowastokeephislongropetautandhisflanksaheadoftheteethofhismates。
ButastillgreatercunninglurkedintherecessesoftheIndianmind。
Togivepointtounendingpursuitoftheleader，Mit-sahfavoredhimovertheotherdogs。Thesefavorsarousedinthemjealousyandhatred。IntheirpresenceMit-sahwouldgivehimmeatandwouldgiveittohimonly。Thiswasmaddeningtothem。Theywouldragearoundjustoutsidethethrowing-distanceofthewhip，whileLip-lipdevouredthemeatandMit-sahprotectedhim。
Andwhentherewasnomeattogive，Mit-sahwouldkeeptheteamatadistanceandmakebelievetogivemeattoLip-lip。
WhiteFangtookkindlytothework。Hehadtravelledagreaterdistancethantheotherdogsintheyieldingofhimselftotheruleofthegods，andhehadlearnedmorethoroughlythefutilityofopposingtheirwill。
Inaddition，thepersecutionhehadsufferedfromthepackhadmadethepacklesstohimintheschemeofthings，andmanmore。Hehadnotlearnedtobedependentonhiskindforcompanionship。Besides，Kichewaswell-nighforgotten；andthechiefoutletofexpressionthatremainedtohimwasintheallegiancehetenderedthegodshehadacceptedasmasters。Soheworkedhard，learneddiscipline，andwasobedient。Faithfulnessandwillingnesscharacterizedhistoil。Theseareessentialtraitsofthewolfandthewild-dogwhentheyhavebecomedomesticated，andthesetraitsWhiteFangpossessedinunusualmeasure。
AcompanionshipdidexistbetweenWhiteFangandtheotherdogs，butitwasoneofwarfareandenmity。Hehadneverlearnedtoplaywiththem。
Heknewonlyhowtofight，andfightwiththemhedid，returningtothemahundred-foldthesnapsandslashestheyhadgivenhiminthedayswhenLip-lipwasleaderofthepack。ButLip-lipwasnolongerleader——exceptwhenhefledawaybeforehismatesattheendofhisrope，thesledboundingalongbehind。IncamphekeptclosetoMit-sahorGrayBeaverorKloo-kooch。
Hedidnotdareventureawayfromthegods，fornowthefangsofalldogswereagainsthim，andhetastedtothedregsthepersecutionthathadbeenWhiteFang\'s。
WiththeoverthrowofLip-lip，WhiteFangcouldhavebecomeleaderofthepack。Buthewastoomoroseandsolitaryforthat。Hemerelythrashedhisteam-mates。Otherwiseheignoredthem。Theygotoutofhiswaywhenhecamealong；nordidtheboldestofthemeverdaretorobhimofhismeat。Onthecontrary，theydevouredtheirownmeathurriedly，forfearthathewouldtakeitawayfromthem。WhiteFangknewthelawwell:tooppresstheweakandobeythestrong。Heatehisshareofmeatasrapidlyashecould。Andthenwoethedogthathadnotyetfinished!
Asnarlandaflashoffangs，andthatdogwouldwailhisindignationtotheuncomfortingstarswhileWhiteFangfinishedhisportionforhim。
Everylittlewhile，however，onedogoranotherwouldflameupinrevoltandbepromptlysubdued。ThusWhiteFangwaskeptintraining。Hewasjealousoftheisolationinwhichhekepthimselfinthemidstofthepack，andhefoughtoftentomaintainit。Butsuchfightswereofbriefduration。
Hewastooquickfortheothers。Theywereslashedopenandbleedingbeforetheyknewwhathadhappened，werewhippedalmostbeforetheyhadbeguntofight。
Asrigidasthesled-disciplineofthegods，wasthedisciplinemaintainedbyWhiteFangamongsthisfellows。Heneverallowedthemanylatitude。
Hecompelledthemtoanunremittingrespectforhim。Theymightdoastheypleasedamongstthemselves。Thatwasnoconcernofhis。Butitwashisconcernthattheyleavehimaloneinhisisolation，getoutofhiswaywhenheelectedtowalkamongthem，andatalltimesacknowledgehismasteryoverthem。Ahintofstiff-leggednessontheirpart，aliftedliporabristleofhair，andhewouldbeuponthem，mercilessandcruel，swiftlyconvincingthemoftheerroroftheirway。
Hewasamonstroustyrant。Hismasterywasrigidassteel。Heoppressedtheweakwithavengeance。Notfornothinghadhebeenexposedtothepitilessstruggleforlifeinthedaysofhiscubhood，whenhismotherandhe，aloneandunaided，heldtheirownandsurvivedintheferociousenvironmentoftheWild。Andnotfornothinghadhelearnedtowalksoftlywhensuperiorstrengthwentby。Heoppressedtheweak，butherespectedthestrong。AndinthecourseofthelongjourneywithGrayBeaverhewalkedsoftlyindeedamongstthefull-growndogsinthecampsofthestrangeman-animalstheyencountered。
Themonthspassedby。StillcontinuedthejourneyofGrayBeaver。WhiteFang\'sstrengthwasdevelopedbythelonghoursontrailandthesteadytoilatthesled；anditwouldhaveseemedthathismentaldevelopmentwaswell-nighcomplete。Hehadcometoknowquitethoroughlytheworldinwhichhelived。Hisoutlookwasbleakandmaterialistic。Theworldashesawitwasafierceandbrutalworld，aworldwithoutwarmth，aworldinwhichcaressesandaffectionandthebrightsweetnessesofthespiritdidnotexist。
HehadnoaffectionforGrayBeaver。True，hewasagod，butamostsavagegod。WhiteFangwasgladtoacknowledgehislordship，butitwasalordshipbaseduponsuperiorintelligenceandbrutestrength。TherewassomethinginthefibreofWhiteFang\'sbeingthatmadethislordshipathingtobedesired，elsehewouldnothavecomebackfromtheWildwhenhedidtotenderhisallegiance。Thereweredeepsinhisnaturewhichhadneverbeensounded。Akindword，acaressingtouchofthehand，onthepartofGrayBeaver，mighthavesoundedthesedeeps；butGrayBeaverdidnotcaressnorspeakkindwords。Itwasnothisway。Hisprimacywassavage，andsavagelyheruled，administeringjusticewithaclub，punishingtransgressionwiththepainofablow，andrewardingmerit，notbykindness，butbywithholdingablow。
SoWhiteFangknewnothingoftheheavenaman\'shandmightcontainforhim。Besides，hedidnotlikethehandsoftheman-animals。Hewassuspiciousofthem。Itwastruethattheysometimesgavemeat，butmoreoftentheygavehurt。Handswerethingstokeepawayfrom。Theyhurledstones，wieldedsticksandclubsandwhips，administeredslapsandclouts，and，whentheytouchedhim，werecunningtohurtwithpinchandtwistandwrench。Instrangevillageshehadencounteredthehandsofthechildrenandlearnedthattheywerecrueltohurt。Also，hehadoncenearlyhadaneyepokedoutbyatoddlingpapoose。Fromtheseexperienceshebecamesuspiciousofallchildren。Hecouldnottoleratethem。Whentheycamenearwiththeirominoushands，hegotup。ItwasinavillageattheGreatSlaveLake，that，inthecourseofresentingtheevilofthehandsoftheman-animals，hecametomodifythelawthathehadlearnedfromGrayBeaver；
namely，thattheunpardonablecrimewastobiteoneofthegods。Inthisvillage，afterthecustomofalldogsinallvillages，WhiteFangwentforagingforfood。Aboywaschoppingfrozenmoose-meatwithanaxe，andthechipswereflyinginthesnow。WhiteFang，slidingbyinquestofmeat，stoppedandbegantoeatthechips。Heobservedtheboylaydowntheaxeandtakeupastoutclub。WhiteFangsprangclear，justintimetoescapethedescendingblow。Theboypursuedhim，andhe，astrangerinthevillage，fledbetweentwotepees，tofindhimselfcorneredagainstahighearthbank。
TherewasnoescapeforWhiteFang。Theonlywayoutwasbetweenthetwotepees，andthistheboyguarded。Holdinghisclubpreparedtostrike，hedrewinonhiscorneredquarry。WhiteFangwasfurious。Hefacedtheboy，bristlingandsnarling，hissenseofjusticeoutraged。Heknewthelawofforage。Allthewastageofmeat，suchasthefrozenchips，belongedtothedogthatfoundit。Hehaddonenowrong，brokennolaw，yetherewasthisboypreparingtogivehimabeating。WhiteFangscarcelyknewwhathappened。Hediditinasurgeofrage。Andhediditsoquicklythattheboydidnotknow，either。Alltheboyknewwasthathehadinsomeunaccountablewaybeenoverturnedintothesnow，andthathisclub-handhadbeenrippedwideopenbyWhiteFang\'steeth。
ButWhiteFangknewthathehadbrokenthelawofthegods。Hehaddrivenhisteethintothesacredfleshofoneofthem，andcouldexpectnothingbutamostterriblepunishment。HefledawaytoGrayBeaver，behindwhoseprotectinglegshecrouchedwhenthebittenboyandtheboy\'sfamilycame，demandingvengeance。Buttheywentawaywithvengeanceunsatisfied。GrayBeaverdefendedWhiteFang。SodidMit-sahandKloo-kooch。WhiteFang，listeningtothewordywarandwatchingtheangrygestures，knewthathisactwasjustified。Andsoitcamethathelearnedthereweregodsandgods。
Therewerehisgods，andtherewereothergods，andbetweenthemtherewasadifference。Justiceorinjustice，itwasallthesame，hemusttakeallthingsfromthehandsofhisowngods。Buthewasnotcompelledtotakeinjusticefromtheothergods。Itwashisprivilegetoresentitwithhisteeth。Andthisalsowasalawofthegods。
Beforethedaywasout，WhiteFangwastolearnmoreaboutthislaw。
Mit-sah，alone，gatheringfirewoodintheforest，encounteredtheboythathadbeenbitten。Withhimwereotherboys。Hotwordspassed。ThenalltheboysattackedMit-sah。Itwasgoinghardwithhim。Blowswereraininguponhimfromallsides。WhiteFanglookedonatfirst。Thiswasanaffairofthegods，andnoconcernofhis。ThenherealizedthatthiswasMit-sah，oneofhisownparticulargods，whowasbeingmaltreated。ItwasnoreasonedimpulsethatmadeWhiteFangdowhathethendid。Amadrushofangersenthimleapinginamongstthecombatants。Fiveminuteslaterthelandscapewascoveredwithfleeingboys，manyofwhomdrippedblooduponthesnowintokenthatWhiteFang\'steethhadnotbeenidle。WhenMit-sahtoldhisstoryincamp，GrayBeaverorderedmeattobegiventoWhiteFang。Heorderedmuchmeattobegiven，andWhiteFang，gorgedandsleepybythefire，knewthatthelawhadreceiveditsverification。
ItwasinlinewiththeseexperiencesthatWhiteFangcametolearnthelawofpropertyandthedutyofthedefenceofproperty。Fromtheprotectionofhisgod\'sbodytotheprotectionofhisgod\'spossessionswasastep，andthisstephemade。Whatwashisgod\'swastobedefendedagainstalltheworld——eventotheextentofbitingothergods。Notonlywassuchanactsacrilegiousinitsnature，butitwasfraughtwithperil。Thegodswereall-powerful，andadogwasnomatchagainstthem；yetWhiteFanglearnedtofacethem，fiercelybelligerentandunafraid。Dutyroseabovefear，andthievinggodslearnedtoleaveGrayBeaver\'spropertyalone。
Onething，inthisconnection，WhiteFangquicklylearned，andthatwasthatathievinggodwasusuallyacowardlygodandpronetorunawayatthesoundingofthealarm。Also，helearnedthatbutbrieftimeelapsedbetweenhissoundingofthealarmandGrayBeaver\'scomingtohisaid。
Hecametoknowthatitwasnotfearofhimthatdrovethethiefaway，butfearofGrayBeaver。WhiteFangdidnotgivethealarmbybarking。
Heneverbarked。Hismethodwastodrivestraightattheintruder，andtosinkhisteethinifhecould。Becausehewasmoroseandsolitary，havingnothingtodowiththeotherdogs，hewasunusuallyfittedtoguardhismaster\'sproperty；andinthishewasencouragedandtrainedbyGrayBeaver。
OneresultofthiswastomakeWhiteFangmoreferociousandindomitable，andmoresolitary。
Themonthswentby，bindingstrongerandstrongerthecovenantbetweendogandman。ThiswastheancientcovenantthatthefirstwolfthatcameinfromtheWildenteredintowithman。And，likeallsucceedingwolvesandwilddogsthathaddonelikewise，WhiteFangworkedthecovenantoutforhimself。Thetermsweresimple。Forthepossessionofaflesh-and-bloodgod，heexchangedhisownliberty。Foodandfire，protectionandcompanionship，weresomeofthethingshereceivedfromthegod。Inreturn，heguardedthegod\'sproperty，defendedhisbody，workedforhim，andobeyedhim。
Thepossessionofagodimpliesservice。WhiteFang\'swasaserviceofdutyandawe，butnotoflove。Hedidnotknowwhatlovewas。Hehadnoexperienceoflove。Kichewasaremotememory。Besides，notonlyhadheabandonedtheWildandhiskindwhenhegavehimselfuptoman，butthetermsofthecovenantweresuchthatifheevermetKicheagainhewouldnotdeserthisgodtogowithher。Hisallegiancetomanseemedsomehowalawofhisbeinggreaterthantheloveofliberty，ofkindandkin。WhiteFang:PartIII:TheGodsoftheWild:Chapter6:TheFaminePartIII:TheGodsoftheWildChapter6
THEFAMINE
ThespringoftheyearwasathandwhenGrayBeaverfinishedhislongjourney。ItwasApril，andWhiteFangwasayearoldwhenhepulledintothehomevillageandwasloosedfromtheharnessbyMit-sah。Thoughalongwayfromhisfullgrowth，WhiteFang，nexttoLip-lip，wasthelargestyearlinginthevillage。Bothfromhisfather，thewolf，andfromKiche，hehadinheritedstatureandstrength，andalreadyhewasmeasuringupalongsidethefull-growndogs。Buthehadnotyetgrowncompact。Hisbodywasslenderandrangy，andhisstrengthmorestringythanmassive。Hiscoatwasthetruewolf-gray，andtoallappearanceshewastruewolfhimself。
Thequarter-strainofdoghehadinheritedfromKichehadleftnomarkonhimphysically，thoughitplayeditspartinhismentalmake-up。
Hewanderedthroughthevillage，recognizingwithstaidsatisfactionthevariousgodshehadknownbeforethelongjourney。Thentherewerethedogs，puppiesgrowinguplikehimself，andgrowndogsthatdidnotlooksolargeandformidableasthememory-picturesheretainedofthem。
Also，hestoodlessinfearofthemthanformerly，stalkingamongthemwithacertaincarelesseasethatwasasnewtohimasitwasenjoyable。
TherewasBaseek，agrizzledoldfellowthatinhisyoungerdayshadbuttouncoverhisfangstosendWhiteFangcringingandcrouchingtotheright-about。FromhimWhiteFanghadlearnedmuchofhisowninsignificance；
andfromhimhewasnowtolearnmuchofthechangeanddevelopmentthathadtakenplaceinhimself。WhileBaseekhadbeengrowingweakerwithage，WhiteFanghadbeengrowingstrongerwithyouth。
Itwasatthecutting-upofamoose，fresh-killed，thatWhiteFanglearnedofthechangedrelationsinwhichhestoodtothedog-world。Hehadgotforhimselfahoofandpartoftheshin-bone，towhichquiteabitofmeatwasattached。Withdrawnfromtheimmediatescrambleoftheotherdogs，——infact，outofsightbehindathicket，——hewasdevouringhisprize，whenBaseekrushedinuponhim。Beforeheknewwhathewasdoing，hehadslashedtheintrudertwiceandsprungclear。Baseekwassurprisedbytheother\'stemerityandswiftnessofattack。Hestood，gazingstupidlyacrossatWhiteFang，theraw，redshin-bonebetweenthem。
