CHAPTER 3

  THEDOMINANTPRIMORDIALBEAST

  ThedominantprimordialbeastwasstronginBuduhefierditionsoftraillifeitgrewandgrew.Yetitwasasecretgrowth.Hisnewborninggavehimpoiseandtrol.Hewastoobusyadjustinghimselftothenewlifetofeelatease,andnotonlydidhenotpickfights,butheavoidedthemwheneverpossible.Acertaindeliberatenesscharacterizedhisattitude.Hewasnotproorashnessandprecipitatea;andierhatredbetweenhimandSpitzhebetrayednoimpatience,shunnedalloffes.

  Oherhand,possiblybecausehedivinedinBuckadangerousrival,Spitzneverlostanopportunityofshowinghisteeth.HeeveoutofhiswaytobullyBuck,strivingstantlytostartthefightwhichcouldendonlyihofoheother.

  Earlyiripthismighthavetakenplacehaditnotbeenforanunwontedact.AttheendofthisdaytheymadeableakandmiserablecampontheshoreofLakeLeBarge.Drivingsnow,awindthatcutlikeawhite-hotknife,anddarkness,hadforcedthemtogropeforacampingplace.Theycouldhardlyhavefaredworse.AttheirbacksroseaperpendicularwallofrodPerraultandFrancoiswerepelledtomaketheirfireandspreadtheirsleepingrobesontheiceofthelakeitself.ThetenttheyhaddiscardedatYeairavellight.Afewsticksofdriftwoodfurhemwithafirethatthaweddownthroughtheidleftthemtoeatsupperinthedark.

  CloseiheshelteringrockBuckmadehis.Sosnugandwarmwasit,thathewasloathtoleaveitwhenFrancoisdistributedthefishwhichhehadfirstthawedoverthefire.ButwhenBuishedhisrationaurned,hefoundhisoccupied.Awarningsnarltoldhimthatthetrespasseritz.TillnowBuckhadavoidedtroublewithhisenemy,butthiswastoomuch.Thebeastinhimroared.HespranguponSpitzwithafurywhichsurprisedthemboth,andSpitzparticularly,forhiswholeexperiehBuckhadgoeachhimthathisrivalwasanunusuallytimiddog,whomaoholdhisownonlybecauseofhisgreatweightandsize.

  Francoiswassurprised,too,whentheyshotoutinatanglefromthedisruptedandhedivihecauseofthetrouble."A-a-ah!"hecriedtoBuck."GiveittohimbyGar!Giveittohim,thedirtythief!"

  Spitzwasequallywilling.Hewasgwithsheerrageandeagernessashecircledbadforthforacetin.Buckwasnolesseager,andnolesscautious,ashelikewisecircledbadforthfortheadvaitwasthenthattheuedhappehethingwhichprojectedtheirstruggleforsupremacyfarintothefuture,pastmanyawearymileoftrailandtoil.

  AnoathfromPerrault,theresoundingimpactofaclubuponabonyframe,andashrillyelpofpain,heraldedthebreakingforthofpandemonium.thecampwassuddenlydiscoveredtobealivewithskulkingfurryforms--starvinghuskies,fourorfivescoreofthem,whohadstedthecampfromsomeIndianvillage.TheyhadcreptinwhileBudSpitzwerefighting,ahetwomensprangamohstoutclubstheyshowedtheirteethandfoughtback.Theywerecrazedbythesmellofthefood.Perraultfouhheadburiedinthegrub-box.Hisclublandedheavilyonthegauntribs,andthegrub-boxsizedontheground.Oantascoreofthefamishedbruteswerescramblingforthebreadandba.Theclubsfelluponthemunheeded.Theyyelpedandhowleduherainofblows,butstruggledhelessmadlytillthelastcrumbhadbeendevoured.

  Inthemeaheastoeam-dogshadburstoutoftheirsonlytobesetuponbythefiervaders.NeverhadBuckseensuchdogs.Itseemedasthoughtheirboneswouldburstthroughtheirskins.Theyweremereskeletons,drapedlooselyindraggledhides,withblazingeyesandslaveredfangs.Butthehunger-madnessmadethemterrifying,irresistible.Therewasnoopposiheteam-dogsweresweptbackagainstthecliffatthefirsto.Buckwasbesetbythreehuskies,andinatricehisheadandshoulderswererippedandslashed.Thedinwasfrightful.Billeewasgasusual.DaveandSol-leks,drippingbloodfromascoreofwounds,werefightingbravelysidebyside.Joewassnappinglikeademon.Oeethclosedonthefofahusky,andhecheddownthroughthebone.Pike,themalingerer,leapeduponthecrippledanimal,breakingitsneckwithaquickflashofteethandajerk.Buckgotafrothingadversarybythethroat,andrayedwithbloodwhenhisteethsankthroughthejugular.Thewarmtasteofitinhismouthgoadedhimtogreaterfieress.Heflunghimselfuponanother,andatthesametimefeltteethsinkintohisownthroat.Ititz,treacherouslyattagfromtheside.

  PerraultandFrancois,havingedouttheirpartofthecamp,hurriedtosavetheirsled-dogs.Thewildwaveoffamishedbeastsrolledbackbeforethem,andBuckshookhimselffree.Butiswasonlyforamoment.Thetwomenwerepelledtorunbacktosavethegrub;uponwhichthehuskiesreturheattatheteam.Billee,terrifiedintobravery,sprangthroughthesavagecirdfledawayovertheice.PikeandDubfollowedonhisheels,withtherestoftheteambehind.AsBuckdrewhimselftogethertafterthem,outofthetailofhiseyehesawSpitzrushuponhimwiththeevidentiionofoverthrowinghim.Onceoffhisfeetanduhatmassofhuskies,therewasnohopeforhim.ButhebracedhimselftotheshockofSpitzscharge,thenjoiheflightoutonthelake.

  Later,theeam-dogsgatheredtogetherandsoughtshelterintheforest.Thoughunpursued,theywereinasorryplight.Therewasnotonewhowasnotwoundedinfourorfiveplaces,whilesomewerewoundedgrievously.Dubwasbadlyinjuredinahindleg;Dolly,thelasthuskyaddedtotheteamatYea,hadabadlytornthroat;Joehadlostaneye;whileBillee,thegood-natured,withanearchewedaoribbons,criedandwhimperedthroughoutthenight.Atdaybreaktheylimpedwarilybap,tofindthemaraudersgohetwomeninbadtempers.Fullyhalftheirgrubsupplywasgohehuskieshadchewedthroughthesledlashingsandvascs.Infaothing,nomatterhowremotelyeatable,hadescapedthem.TheyhadeatenapairofPerraultsmoose-hidemocs,ksoutoftheleathertraces,awofeetoflashfromtheendofFrancoisswhip.Hebrokefromamournfulplationofittolookoverhiswoundeddogs.

  "Ah,myfriends,"hesaidsoftly,"mebbeitmakeyoumaddog,thosemanybites.Mebbeallmaddog,sacredam!Whatyouthink,eh,Perrault?"

  Thecouriershookhisheaddubiously.WithfourhundredmilesoftrailstillbetweenhimandDawson,hecouldillaffordtohavemadnessbreakoutamonghisdogs.Twohoursaiongottheharoshape,andthewound-stiffeeamwasunderway,strugglingpainfullyoverthehardestpartofthetrailtheyhadyetentered,andforthatmatter,thehardestbetweenthemandDawson.

  TheThirtyMileRiverwaswideopen.Itswildwaterdefiedthefrost,anditwasintheeddiesonlyandinthequietplacesthattheiceheldatall.Sixdaysofexhaustingtoilwererequiredtocoverthosethirtyterriblemiles.Andterribletheywere,foreveryfootofthemwasaplishedattheriskoflifetodogandman.Adozentimes,Perrault,nosingtheway,brokethroughtheicebridges,beingsavedbythelongpolehecarried,whichhesoheldthatitfelleachtimeacrosstheholemadebyhisbody.Butacoldsnapwasohermometerregisteringfiftybelowzero,aimehebrokethroughhewaspelledforverylifetobuildafireanddryhisgarments.

  Nothingdauntedhim.Itwasbecausenothingdauntedhimthathehadbeenchosenfovercourier.Hetookallmannerofrisks,resolutelythrustinghislittleweazenedfatothefrostandstrugglingonfromdimdawntodark.Heskirtedthefrowningshoresonrimicethatbentandcrackledunderfootanduponwhichtheydarednothalt.Ohesledbrokethrough,withDaveandBudtheywerehalf-frozenandallbutdrowhetimetheyweredraggedout.Theusualfirewasnecessarytosavethem.Theywerecoatedsolidlywithidthetwomehemontherunaroundthefire,sweatingandthawing,soclosethattheyweresiheflames.

  AtaimeSpitzwentthrough,draggingthewholeteamafterhimuptoBuck,whostrainedbackwardwithallhisstrength,hisforepawsontheslipperyedgeandtheicequiveringandsnappingallaround.ButbehindhimwasDave,likewisestrainingbackward,andbehindthesledwasFrancois,pullingtillhistendonscracked.

  Again,therimicebrokeawaybeforeandbehind,andtherewasnoescapeexceptupthecliff.Perraultscaleditbyamiracle,whileFrancoisprayedforjustthatmiracle;andwitheverythongandsledlashingabitofharnessroveintoalongrope,thedogswerehoisted,onebyohecliffcrest.Francoiscameuplast,afterthesledandload.Thehesearchforaplacetodesd,whichdestwasultimatelymadebytheaidoftherope,andnightfoundthembatheriverwithaquarterofamiletothedayscredit.

  BythetimetheymadetheHootalinquaandgoodice,Bucklayedout.Therestofthedogswereinlikedition;butPerrault,tomakeuplosttime,pushedthemlateandearly.Thefirstdaytheycoveredthirty-fivemilestotheBigSalmodaythirty-fivemoretotheLittleSalmohirddayfortymiles,whichbroughtthemwelluptowardtheFiveFingers.

  Bucksfeetwerenotsopadhardasthefeetofthehuskies.Hishadsoftenedduringthemanygeionssihedayhislastwildaorwastamedbyacavedwellerorriverman.Alldaylonghelimpedinagony,andade,laydownlikeadeaddog.Hungryashewas,hewouldnotmovetoreceivehisrationoffish,whichFrancoishadttohim.Also,thedog-driverrubbedBucksfeetforhalfanhoureaightaftersupper,andsacrificedthetopsofhisownmocstomakefourmocsforBuck.Thiswasagreatrelief,andBuckcausedeventheweazenedfaceofPerraulttotwistitselfintoagrinonem,whenFrancoisfotthemocsandBucklayonhisback,hisfourfeetwavingappealinglyintheair,andrefusedtobudgewithoutthem.laterhisfeetgrewhardtothetrail,andtheworn-outfootgearwasthrownaway.

  AtthePellyonem,astheywereharnessingup,dolly,whohadneverbeenspicuousforanythisuddenlymad.Sheannouncedherditionbyalo-breakingwolfhowlthatsenteverydogbristlingwithfear,thensprangstraightforBuck.Hehadneverseenadoggomad,nordidhehaveanyreasontofearmadness;yethekhatherewashorror,andfledawayfromitinapanic.Straightawayheraced,withDolly,pantingandfrothing,oneleapbehind;norcouldshegainonhim,sogreatwashisterror,norcouldheleaveher,sogreatwashermadness.Hepluhroughthewoodedbreastoftheisland,flewdowntothelowerend,crossedabackelfilledwithroughicetoanotherisland,gaihirdisland,curvedbaainriver,andindesperationstartedtocrossit.Andallthetime,thoughhedidnotlook,hecouldhearhersnarlingjustoneleapbehind.Francoiscalledtohimaquarterofamileawayandhedoubledback,stilloneleapahead,gaspingpainfullyforairandputtingallhisfaithinthatFrancoiswouldsavehim.thedog-driverheldtheaxepoisedinhishand,andasBuckshotpasthimtheaxecrasheddownuponmadDollyshead.

  Buckstaggeredainstthesled,exhausted,sobbingforbreath,helpless.Thisitzsopportunity.HespranguponBudtwicehisteethsankintohisuingfoeandrippedandtorethefleshtothebohenFrancoislashdesded,andBuckhadthesatisfaofwatgSpitzreceivetheworstwhippingasyetadmioanyoftheteam.

  "Onedevil,datSpitz,"remarkedPerrault."SomedamdayhimkilldatBuck."

  "DatBucktwodevils,"wasFrancoissrejoinder."AlldetimeIwatchdatBuowforsure.Lissen:somedamfinedayhimgetmadlikehellanddenhimcheitzallupandspithimoutondesnow.Sure,Iknow."

  Fromthenonitwaswarbetweenthem.Spitz,aslead-dogandaowledgedmasteroftheteam,felthissupremacythreatehisstrahlanddog.FAndstrangeBuckwastohim,forofthemanySouthlanddogshehadknown,notonehadshownupworthilyincampandontrail.Theywerealltoosoft,dyinguhetoil,thefrost,andstarvation.Buckwastheexception.Healoneenduredandprospered,matgthehuskyih,savagery,andihenhewasamasterfuldog,andwhatmadehimdangerouswasthefactthattheclubofthemanintheredsweaterhadknockedallblindpludrashnessoutofhisdesireformastery.Hereemilying,andcouldbidehistimeatiewasnothihanprimitive.

  Itwasiablethattheclashforleadershipshoulde.Butedit.Hewabecauseitwashisnature,becausehehadbeengrippedtightbythatnameless,inprehensibleprideofthetrailandtrace--thatpridewhichholdsdogsioiltothelastgasp,whichluresthemtodiejoyfullyintheharness,aheirheartsiftheyarecutoutoftheharhiswastheprideofDaveaswheel-dog,ofSol-leksashepulledwithallhisstrength;thepridethatlaidholdofthematbreakofcamp,transfthemfromsourandsullenbrutesintostraining,eager,ambitiouscreatures;thepridethatspurredthemonalldayanddroppedthematpitpatnight,lettingthemfallbatogloomyuanddistent.ThiswasthepridethatboreupSpitzandmadehimthrashthesled-dogswhoblunderedandshirkediracesorhidawayatharness-uptimeinthem.LikewiseitwasthispridethatmadehimfearBuckasapossiblelead-dog.AndthiswasBuckspride,too.

  Heopenlythreateheothersleadership.Hecamebetweenhimandtheshirksheshouldhavepunished.Andhediditdeliberately.Onenighttherewasaheavysnowfall,andinthemPike,themalingerer,didnotappear.Hewassecurelyhiddeninhisunderafootofsnow.Francoiscalledhimandsoughthiminvain.Spitzithwrath.Heragedthroughthecamp,smellinganddiggingineverylikelyplaarlingshtfullythatPikeheardandshiveredinhishiding-place.

  Butwhenhewasatlastuhed,andSpitzflewathimtopunishhim,Buckflewwithequalrage,iween.Souedwasit,andsoshrewdlymahatSpitzwashurledbackwardandoffhisfeet.Pike,whohadbeentremblingabjectly,tookheartatthisopenmutiny,andspranguponhisoverthrownleader.Bufairplaywasafottencode,likewisespranguponSpitz.ButFrancois,chugattheiwhileunswervingintheadministrationofjustice,broughthislashdownuponBuckwithallhismight.ThisfailedtodriveBuhisprostraterival,aofthewhipwasbroughtintoplay.Half-stuheblow,Buckwasknockedbackwardandthelashlaiduponhimagainandagain,whileSpitzsoundlypuhemanytimesoffendingPike.

  Inthedaysthatfollowed,asDawsongrewcloserandcloser,BuckstilltiointerferebetweenSpitzandtheculprits;buthediditcraftily,whenFrancoiswasnotaround.WiththecovertmutinyofBuck,ageneralinsubordinatiupandincreased.DaveandSol-lekswereued,buttherestoftheteamwentfrombadtoworse.Thingsnolongerwentright.Therewastinualbickeringandjangling.Troublewasalwaysafoot,andatthebottomofitwasBuck.HekeptFrancoisbusy,forthedog-driverwasinstantapprehensionofthelife-ahstrugglebetweewowhichheknewmusttakeplacesoonerorlater;andohanonenightthesoundsofquarrelingandstrifeamoherdogsturnedhimoutofhissleepingrobe,fearfulthatBudSpitzwereatit.

  Buttheopportunitydidnotpresentitself,andtheypulledintoDawsononedrearyafternoonwiththegreatfightstilltoe.Hereweremanymen,andtlessdogs,andBuckfoundthemallatwork.Itseemedtheordainedorderofthingsthatdogsshouldwork.Alldaytheyswungupanddownthemaiinlongteams,andinthenighttheirjinglingbellsstillwentby.Theyhauledlogsandfirewohteduptothemines,anddidallmannerofworkthathorsesdidiaClaraValley.HereandthereBuckmetSouthlanddogs,butinthemaintheywerethewildwolfhuskybreed.Everynight,regularly,atwelve,andthree,theyliftedanoalsong,aweirdandeeriet,inwhichitwasBucksdelighttojoin.

  Withtheauroraborealisflamingcoldlyoverhead,orthestarsleapinginthefrostdandthelandnumbandfrozespallofsnow,thissongofthehuskiesmighthavebeenthedefianceoflife,onlyititchedinminorkey,withlong-drawnwailingsandhalf-sobs,andwasmorethepleadingoflife,thearticulatetravailofexistewasanoldsong,oldasthebreeditself--ohefirstsongsoftheyoungerworldinadaywhensongsweresad.Itwasiedwiththewoeofunnumberedgeions,thisplaintbywhichBuckwasselystirred.Whenhemoanedandsobbed,itwaswiththepainoflivingthatwasofoldthepainofhiswildfathers,andthefearandmysteryofthecoldanddarkthatwastothemfearandmystery.Andthatheshouldbestirredbyitmarkedthepletenesswithwhichheharkedbackthroughtheagesoffireandrooftotherawbeginningsoflifeinthehowlingages.

  SevendaysfromthetimetheypulledintoDawson,theydroppeddoweepbankbytheBarrackstotheYukonTrail,andpulledforYeaandSaltWater.Perraultwascarryingdispatchesifanythingmentthanthosehehadbroughtin;also,thetravelpridehadgrippedhim,andhepurposedtomaketherecordtripoftheyear.Severalthingsfavoredhiminthis.Theweeksresthadrecuperatedthedogsandputtheminthhtrim.Thetrailtheyhadbrokenintothetryackedhardbylaterjourneyers.Andfurther,thepolicehadarrawoorthreeplacesdepositsofgrubfandman,aravelinglight.

  TheymadeSixtyMile,whichisafifty-milerun,onthefirstday;andtheseddaysawthemboominguptheYukonwellontheirelly.ButsuchsplendidrunningwasachievednotwithoutgreattroubleaionoofFrancois.TheinsidiousrevoltledbyBuckhaddestroyedthesolidarityoftheteam.Itnolongerwasasonedogleapingiraces.TheencementBuckgavetherebelsledthemintoallkindsofpettymisdemeanors.Nomoreitzaleadergreatlytobefeared.Theoldawedeparted,andtheygrewequaltochallenginghisauthority.Pikerobbedhimofhalfafishonenight,andgulpeditdowheproteofBuhtDubandJoefoughtSpitzandmadehimfothepunishmenttheydeserved.AndevenBillee,thegood-natured,waslessgood-natured,andwhihalfsoplaglyasinformerdays.BueverearSpitzwithoutsnarlingandbristlingmenagly.Infact,hisductapproachedthatofabully,andhewasgiventoswaggeringupanddownbeforeSpitzsverynose.

  Thebreakingdownofdisciplinelikewiseaffectedthedogsintheirrelationswithoher.Theyquarreledandbickeredmorethaneveramongthemselves,tillattimesthecampwasahowlingbedlam.DaveandSol-leksalonewereunaltered,thoughtheyweremadeirritablebytheunendingsquabbling.Francoissworestrangebarbarousoaths,andstampedthesnowinfutilerage,andtorehishair.Hislashwasalwayssingingamongthedogs,butitwasofsmallavail.Directlyhisbackwasturheywereatitagain.HebackedupSpitzwithhiswhip,whileBuckbackeduptheremaiheteam.Francoisknewhewasbehindallthetrouble,andBuewheknew;butBuckwastooclevereveragaintobecaughtred-handed.Heworkedfaithfullyintheharness,forthetoilhadbeeadelighttohim;yetitwasagreaterdelightslylytoprecipitateafightamongsthismatesandtaraces.

  AtthemouthoftheTahkeena,onenightaftersupper,Dubturnedupasnowshoerabbit,blu,andmissed.Inasedthewholeteamwasinfullcry.AhundredyardsawayoftheNorthwestPolice,withfiftydogs,huskiesall,whojoihechase.Therabbitspeddowntheriver,turnedoffintoasmallcreek,upthefrozenbedofwhichitheldsteadily.Itranlightlyonthesurfaceofthesnow,whilethedogsplowedthroughbymaih.Buckledthepack,sixtystrong,aroundbendafterbend,buthecouldnotgain.Helaydownlowtotherace,whiningeagerly,hissplendidbodyflashingforward,leapbyleap,inthewanwhitemoonlight.Andleapbyleap,likesomepalefrostwraith,thesnowshoerabbitflashedonahead.

  Allthatstirringofoldinstinctswhichatstatedperiodsdrivesmenoutfromthesoundingcitiestoforestandplaintokillthingsbychemicallypropelledleades,thebloodlust,thejoytokill--allthiswasBucks,onlyitwasinfinitelymoreintimate.Hewasrangingattheheadofthepack,runningthewildthingdown,theliviokillwithhisowhandwashhismuzzletotheeyesinwarmblood.

  Thereisaasythatmarksthesummitoflife,andbeyondwhichlifeotrise.Andsuchistheparadoxofliving,thisecstasyeswhenoneismostalive,anditesasapletefetfulhatoneisalive.Thisecstasy,thisfetfulnessofliving,estotheartist,caughtupandoutofhimselfiofflame;itestothesoldier,war-madonastrifieldandrefusingquarter;anditcametoBuck,leadingthepack,soundingtheoldwolf-cry,strainingafterthefoodthatwasaliveandthatfledswiftlybeforehimthroughthemoonlight.Hewassoundingthedeepsofhisnature,andofthepartsofhisnaturethatweredeeperthanhe,goingbatothewombofTime.Hewasmasteredbythesheersurgingoflife,thetidalwaveofbeing,theperfectjoyofeachseparatemuscle,joint,andsihatitwaseverythingthatwash,thatitwasaglowandrampant,expressingitselfi,flyiantlyuhestarsahefaceofdeadmatterthatdidnotmove.

  ButSpitz,coldandcalculatingeveninhissuprememoods,leftthepadcutacrossanarrowneckoflahecreekmadealongbendaround.Buckdidnotknowofthis,andasherouhebend,thefrostwraithofarabbitstillflittingbeforehim,hesawanotherandlargerfrostwraithleapfromtheingbankintotheimmediatepathoftherabbit.Ititz.Therabbitcouldnotturn,andasthewhiteteethbrokeitsbamidairitshriekedasloudlyasastrimanmayshriek.Atsoundofthis,thecryofLifeplungingdownfromLifesapexinthegripofDeath,thefullpackatBucksheelsraisedahellschorusofdelight.

  Buckdidnotcryout.Hedidnotcheckhimself,butdroveinuponSpitz,shouldertoshoulder,sohardthathemissedthethroat.Theyrolledoverahepowderysnow.Spitzgainedhisfeetalmostasthoughhehadnotbeehrown,slashingBuckdowntheshoulderandleapiwicehisteethclippedtogether,likethesteelja,ashebackedawayforbetterfooting,withleanandliftinglipsthatwrithedandsnarled.

  InaflashBuewit.Thetimehade.Itwastothedeath.Astheycircledabout,snarling,earslaidback,keenlywatchfulfortheadvahesecametoBuckwithasenseoffamiliarity.Heseemedtorememberitall--thewhitewoods,ah,andmoonlight,ahrillofbattle.Overthewhitenessandsilencebroodedaghostlycalm.Therewasnotthefaiwhisperofair--nothingmoved,notaleafquivered,thevisiblebreathsofthedogsrisingslowlyandlingeringinthefrostyair.Theyhadmadeshortworkofthesnowshoerabbit,thesedogsthatwereill-tamedwolves;andtheywerenoinaantcircle.They,too,weresilent,theireyesonlygleamingandtheirbreathsdriftingslowlyupward.ToBuckitwasnothingnewe,thisseofoldtime.Itwasasthoughithadalwaysbeeedwayofthings.

  Spitzracticedfighter.FromSpitzbergenthroughtheArctidacrossadaandtheBarrens,hehadheldhisownwithallmannerofdogsandachievedtomasteryoverthem.Bitterragewashis,butneverblindrage.Inpassiontorendaroy,heneverfotthathisenemywasinlikepassiontorendaroy.Heneverrushedtillhereparedtoreceivearush;ackedtillhehadfirstdefehatattack.

  InvainBuckstrovetosinkhisteethintheneckofthebigwhitedog.Whereverhisfangsstruckforthesofterflesh,theywereteredbythefangsofSpitz.Fangclashedfang,andlipsweredbleeding,butBuckcouldratehisenemysguard.ThenhewarmedupandenvelopedSpitzinawhirlwindofrushes.Timeandtimeagairiedforthesnow-whitethroat,wherelifebubbledothesurfadeachtimeaimeSpitzslashedhimandgotaway.ThenBucktooktorushing,asthoughforthethroat,when,suddenlydrawingbackhisheadandcurvinginfromtheside,hewoulddrivehisshoulderattheshoulderofSpitz,asarambywhichtooverthrowhim.Butinstead,BucksshoulderwasslasheddowimeasSpitzleapedlightlyaway.

  Spitzwasuntouched,whileBuckwasstreamingwithbloodandpantinghard.Thefightwasgrowingdesperate.Andallthewhilethesilentandwolfishcirclewaitedtofinishoffwhicheverdogwentdown.AsBuckgrewwinded,Spitztooktorushing,ahimstaggeringforfooting.OnceButover,andthewholecircleofsixtydogsstartedup;butherecoveredhimself,almostinmidair,andthecirclesankdownagainandwaited.

  ButBuckpossessedaqualitythatmadefreatness--imagination.Hefoughtbyinstinct,buthecouldfightbyheadaswellherushed,asthoughattemptingtheoldshouldertrick,butatthelastinstalowtothesnowandin.HisteethclosedonSpitzsleftf.Therewasachofbreakingbone,aedogfacedhimonthreelegs.Thricehetriedtoknockhimover,theedthetridbroketherightf.Despitethepainandhelplessness,Spitzstruggledmadlytokeepup.Hesawthesilentcircle,withgleamingeyes,lollingtongues,andsilverybreathsdriftingupward,closinginuponhimashehadseensimilarcirclescloseinupoenantagonistsi.Onlythistimehewastheonewhowasbeaten.

  Therewasnohopeforhim.Buckwasinexorable.Mercywasathingreservedfentlerclimes.Hemaneuveredforthefinalrush.Thecirclehadtighteillhecouldfeelthebreathsofthehuskiesonhisflanks.Hecouldseethem,beyondSpitzaherside,half-crougforthespring,theireyesfixeduponhim.Apauseseemedtofall.Everyanimalwasmotionlessasthoughturostone.OnlySpitzquiveredandbristledashestaggeredbadforth,snarlingwithhorriblemehoughthtenoffimpendih.ThenBuckspranginandout;butwhilehewasin,shoulderhadatlastsquarelymetshoulder.Thedarkcirclebecameadotonthemoonfloodedsnoitzdisappearedfromview.Buckstoodandlookedon,thesuccessfulchampion,thedominantprimordialbeastwhohadmadehiskillandfounditgood.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读

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