CHAPTER 5
THETOILOFTRADTRAIL
ThirtydaysfromthetimeitleftDawsoWaterMail,withBudhismatesatthefore,arrivedatSkaguay.Theywereichedstate,wornoutandworndown.Buehundredandfortypoundshaddwioonehundredandfifteeofhismates,thoughlighterdogs,hadrelativelylostmoreweightthanhe.Pike,themalingerer,who,inhislifetimeofdeceit,hadoftensuccessfullyfeignedahurtleg,wasnowlimpinginear.Sol-lekswaslimping,andDubwassufferingfromawrenchedshoulderblade.
Theywereallterriblyfootsore.Norreboundwasleftiheirfeetfellheavilyorail,jarringtheirbodiesanddoubliigueofadaystravel.Therewasnothierwiththemexceptthattheyweredeadtired.Itwasnotthedeadtiredhatesthroughbriefandexcessiveeffort,fromwhichrecoveryisamatterofhours;butitwasthedeadtiredhatesthroughtheslorolorengthdrainageofmonthsoftoil.Thereowerofrecuperatio,noreservestrengthtocallupon.Ithadbeenallused,thelastleastbitofit.Everymuscle,everyfiber,everycell,wastired,deadtired.Andtherewasreasonforit.Ihahstheyhadtraveledtwenty-fivehundredmiles,durieighteenhundredofwhichtheyhadbutfivedaysrest.WhentheyarrivedatSkaguay,theyarentlyontheirlastlegs.Theycouldbarelykeepthetracestaut,andonthedowngradesjustmaokeepoutofthewayofthesled.
"Mushon,poorsorefeets,"thedriverencedthemastheytottereddownthemaiofSkaguay."Disisdelast.Deonelo.Eh?Forsure.Onebullylo."
Thedriversfidentlyexpectedalongstopover.Themselves,theyhadcoveredtwelvehundredmileswithtwodaysrest,andiureofreasonandonjusticetheydeservedanintervalofloafing.ButsomahemenwhohadrushedintotheKlondike,andsomahesweethearts,wives,andkinthathadnotrushedin,thatthegestedmailwastakingonAlpineproportions;also,therewereofficialorders.FreshbatchesofHudsonBaydogsweretotaketheplacesofthoseworthlessforthetrail.Theworthlessoobegotridof,and,sincedogstforlittleagainstdollars,theyweretobesold.
Threedayspassed,bywhichtimeBudhismatesfoundhowreallytiredaheywere.Then,onthemofthefourthday,twomenfromtheStatescamealongandboughtthem,harnessandall,forasong.Themenaddressedeachotheras"Hal"and"Charles".Charleswasamiddle-aged,lightishan,withweakandwateryeyesandamustachethattwistedfiercelyandvigorouslyup,giviothelimplydroopinglipitcealed.Halwasayoungsterofeenortwenty,withabigColtsrevolverandahuntingkrappedabouthimohatfairlybristledwithcartridges.Thisbeltwasthemostsalientthingabouthim.Itadvertisedhiscallowness--acallownesssheerandunutterable.BothmenweremalyoutofpladwhysuchastheyshouldadveheNorthispartofthemysteryofthingsthatpassesuanding.
Buckheardthechaffering,sawthemoneypassbetweenthemanandtheGoveragent,ahattheScotchhalf-breedandthemail-traindriverswerepassingoutofhislifeontheheelsofPerraultandFrancoisaherswhohadgonebefore.Whendrivenwithhismatestothenewownerscamp,Bucksashodandslovenlyaffair,tenthalf-stretched,dishesunwashed,everythingindisorder;also,hesawawoman."Mercedes"themencalledher.ShewasCharlesswifeandHalssister--anicefamilyparty.
Buckwatchedthemapprehensivelyastheyproceededtotakedowandloadthesled.Therewasagreatdealofeffortabouttheirmanner,butnobusinesslikemethod.Thetentwasrolledintoanawkwardbuhreetimesaslargeasitshouldhavebeeindisheswerepackedawayunwashed.Mercedestinuallyflutteredinthewayofhermenaupanunbrokenchatteringofremonstrandadvice.Wheaclothes-sathefrontofthesled,shesuggesteditshouldgoonthebadwhentheyhaditputonthebadcovereditoverleofthebundles,shediscoveredoverlookedarticleswhichcouldabidenowhereelsebutinthatverysadtheyunloadedagain.
Threemenfromaneighbtentcameoutandlookedon,grinningandwinkingatoher.
"Youveghtsmartloadasitis,"saidohem;"anditsnotmeshouldtellyouyourbusiness,butIwouldnttotethattentalongifIwasyou."
"Undreamedof!"criedMercedes,throwingupherhandsindaintydismay."HoweverintheworldcouldImahoutatent?"
"Itsspringtime,andyouwoanymorecoldweather,"themanreplied.
Sheshookherheaddecidedly,andCharlesandHalputthelastoddsandendsontopthemountainousload.
"Thinkitllride?"ohemenasked.
"Whyshouldntit?"Charlesdemahershortly.
"Oh,thatsallright,thatsallright,"themanhastenedmeeklytosay."Iwasjustaw,thatisall.Itseemedamitetop-heavy."
Charlesturnedhisbaddrewthelashingsdownaswellashecould,whichwasnotintheleastwell.
"Andofcoursethedogshikealongalldaywiththattraptionbehindthem,"affirmedasedofthemen.
"Certainly,"saidHal,withfreezingpoliteakingholdofthegee-polewithonehandandswinginghiswhipfromtheother."Mush!"Heshouted."Mushonthere!"
Thedogssprangagainstthebreastbands,strainedhardforafewmoments,thenrelaxed.Theywereuomovethesled.
"Thelazybrutes,Illshowthem,"hecried,preparingtolashoutatthemwiththewhip.
ButMercedesinterfered,g,"Oh,Hal,youmustnt,"asshecaughtholdofthewhipandwrefromhim."Thepoordears!Nowyoumustpromiseyouwontbeharshwiththemfortherestofthetrip,orIwontgoastep."
"Preciouslotyouknowaboutdogs,"herbrothersneered,"andIwishyoudleavemealoheyrelazy,Itellyou,andyouvegottowhipthemtogetanythingoutofthem.Thatstheirway.Youaskanyone.Askohosemen."
Mercedeslookedatthemimplly,untsightofpainwritteninherprettyface.
"Theyreweakaswater,ifyouwanttoknow,"camethereplyfromohemen."Plumtuckeredout,thatswhatsthematter.Theyneedarest."
"Restbeblanked,"saidHal,withhisbeardlesslips;andMercedessaid,"Oh!"inpainandsorrowattheoath.
Butshewasaishcreature,andrushedatohedefenseofherbrother."Nevermindthatman,"shesaidpointedly."Youredrivingsandyoudowhatyouthiwiththem."
AgainHalswhipfelluponthedogs.Theythrewthemselvesagainstthebreastbands,dugtheirfeetintothepackedsnow,gotdownlowtoit,andputforthalltheirstrength.Thesledheldasthoughitwereananchor.Aftertwoefforts,theystoodstill,panting.Thehistlingsavagely,whenonercedesinterfered.ShedroppedonherkneesbeforeBuck,withtearsinhereyes,andputherarmsaroundhisneck.
"Youpoor,poordears,"shecriedsympathetically,"whydontyoupullhard?Thenyouwouldntbewhipped."Buckdidnotlikeher,buthewasfeelingtoomiserabletoresisther,takingitasapartofthedaysmiserablework.
Oheonlookers,whohadbeenghisteethtosuppresshotspeeowspokeup:
"ItsnotthatIcareawhoopwhatbeesofyou,butforthedogssakesIjustwanttotellyou,youhelpthemamightylotbybreakingoutthatsled.Therunnersarefrozefast.Throwyhtagainstthegee-phta,aout."
Athirdtimetheattemptwasmade,butthistime,followingtheadvice,Halbrokeouttherunnerswhichhadbeenfrozentothesnow.Theoverloadedandunwieldysledfedahead,Budhismatesstrugglingfranticallyuherainofblows.Ahundredyardsaheadthepathturnedandslopedsteeplyintothemai.Itwouldhaverequiredanexperiencedmahetop-heavysledupright,andHalwasnotsuchaman.Astheyswungournthesledwentover,spillinghalfitsloadthroughthelooselashings.Thedogsopped.Thelightenedsledboundedonitssidebehiheywereangrybecauseoftheilltreatmenttheyhadreceivedandtheunjustload.Buckwasraging.Hebrokeintoarueamfollowinghislead.Halcried,"Whoa!Whoa!"Buttheygavenoheed.Hetrippedandulledoffhisfeet.Thecapsizedsledgroundoverhim,andthedogsdashedonupthestreet,addingtothegaietyofSkaguayastheyscatteredtheremaiheoutfitalongitschiefthhfare.
Kiedcitizenscaughtthedogsandgatheredupthescatteredbelongings.Also,theygaveadvice.Halftheloadandtwicethedogs,iftheyeverexpectedtoreachDawson,assaid.Halandhissisterandbrother-in-lawlistenedunwillingly,pitchedtent,andoverhauledtheoutfit.edgoodswereturthatmademenlaugh,foredgoodsontheLongTrailisathingtodreamabout."Blasforahotel,"quothohemenwholaughedandhelped."Halfasmanyistoomuch;getridofthem.Throwawaythattent,andallthosedishes--whosgoingtowashthem,anyway?GoodLord,doyouthinkyouretravelingonaPullman?"
Andsoitwent,theinexorableeliminationofthesuperfluous.Mercedescriedwhenherclothes-bagsweredumpedonthegroundandarticleafterarticlewasthrownout.Shecriedingeneral,andshecriedinparticularovereachdiscardedthing.Sheclaspedhandsaboutknees,rogbadforthbrokeedly.SheaverredshewouldnotgoaninotforadozenCharleses.Sheappealedtoeverybodyandtoeverything,finallywipinghereyesandproceedingtocastoutevenarticlesofapparelthatwereimperativenecessaries.Andinherzeal,whenshehadfihherowackedthebelongingsofhermenahroughthemlikeatornado.
Thisaplished,theoutfit,thoughhalf,wasstillaformidablebulk.CharlesandHalwentoutintheeveningandboughtsixOutsidedogs.They,addedtothesixoftheinalteam,andTeekandKoona,thehuskiesobtaiheRinkRapidsontherecordtrip,broughttheteamuptofourteen.ButtheOutsidedogs,thoughpracticallybrokeninsiheirlanding,didnotamounttomuch.Threewereshort-hairedpointers,onewasaNewfoundland,ahertwoweremongrelsofierminatebreed.Theydidoknowanything,thesenewers.Budhisradeslookedupohdisgust,andthoughhespeedilytaughtthemtheirpladwhatnottodo,hecouldhemwhattodo.Theydidnottakekindlytotradtrail.Withtheexceptionofthetwomoheywerebewilderedandspirit-brokenbythestrangesavageenviroinwhichtheyfoundthemselvesandbytheilltreatmenttheyhadreceived.Thetwomongrelswerewithoutspiritatall;boheonlythingsbreakableaboutthem.
Withthenewershopelessandforlorn,aeamwornoutbytwenty-fivehundredmilesoftinuoustrail,theoutlookwasanythingbutbright.Thetwomen,however,werequitecheerful.Andtheywereproud,too.Theyweredoihinginstyle,withfourteendogs.TheyhadseenothersledsdepartoverthePassforDawson,oreinfromDawson,butneverhadtheyseehsomanyasfourteendogs.IureofArctictraveltherewasareasonwhyfourteendogsshouldnonesled,andthatwasthatonesledcouldnotcarrythefoodforfourteendogs.ButCharlesandHaldidnotknowthis.Theyhadworkedthetripoutencil,somuchtoadog,somanydogs,andsomanydays,Q.E.D.Mercedeslookedovertheirshouldersandnoddedprehensively,itwasallsoverysimple.
LatemBuckledthelongteamupthestreet.Therewasnothinglivelyaboutit,nosnapoinhimandhisfellows.Theywerestartingdeadweary.FourtimeshehadcoveredthedistaweenSaltWaterandDawson,andthekhat,jadedandtired,hewasfagthesametrailonadehimbitter.Hisheartwasnotinthework,norwastheheartofanydog.TheOutsidersweretimidandfrighteheInsiderswithoutfideheirmasters.
Buckfeltvaguelythattherewasnodependingupowomenandthewoman.Theydidnotknowhowtodoanything,andasthedayswentbyitbecameapparentthattheycouldnotlearn.Theywereslaallthings,withoutorderordiscipliookthemhalfthenighttopitchaslovenlycamp,andhalfthemtobreakthatcampahesledloadedinfashionsoslovenlythatfortherestofthedaytheywereoccupiedinstoppingandrearrangingtheload.Somedaystheydidnotmaketenmiles.Onotherdaystheywereuogetstartedatall.Andonnodaydidtheysucceedinmakingmorethanhalfthedistanceusedbythemenasabasisintheirdog-foodputation.
Itwasiablethattheyshouldgoshortondogfood.Buttheyhastebyoverfeeding,bringingthedaynearerwhenunderfeedingwouldeheOutsiderdogswhosedigestionshadrainedbyicfamiomakethemostoflittle,hadvoraciousappetites.Andwhen,inadditiontothis,theworn-outhuskiespulledweakly,Haldecidedthattheorthodoxrationwastoosmall.Hedoubledit.Andtocapitall,whenMercedes,withtearsinherprettyeyesandaquaverihroat,couldnotcajolehimintogivingthedogsstillmore,shestolefromthefish-sadfedthemslyly.ButiswasnotfoodthatBudthehuskiesneeded,butrest.Andthoughtheyweremakingpoortime,theheavyloadtheydraggedsappedtheirstrengthseverely.
Theheunderfeeding.Halawokeoothefactthathisdogfoodwashalf-gohedistanlyquartercovered;further,thatforloveormoneynoadditionaldogfoodwastobeobtained.Sohecutdowheorthodoxrationandtriedtoihedaystravel.Hissisterandbrother-in-lawsededhim;buttheywerefrustratedbytheirheavyoutfitandtheirowninpetelemattertogivethedogslessfood;butitossibletomakethedogstravelfaster,whiletheirowninabilitytogetunderwayearlierinthemprevehemfromtravelinglongerhours.Notonlydidtheynotknos,buttheydidnotknoorkthemselves.
ThefirsttogowasDub.Poorblunderingthiefthathewas,alwaysgettingcaughtandpunished,hehadhelessbeenafaithfulworker.Hiswrenchedshoulder-blade,uedandued,wentfrombadtoworse,tillfinallyHalshothimwiththebigColtsrevolver.ItisasayingofthetrythatanOutsidedogstarvestodeathoionofthehusky,sothesixOutsidedogsunderBuckcoulddohandieonhalftherationofthehusky.TheNewfoundlafirst,followedbythethreeshort-hairedpoihetwomongrelshangingmrittilyontolife,butgoingintheend.
BythistimealltheamenitiesalenessoftheSouthlandhadfallenawayfromthethreepeople.Shornofitsglamourandromance,Arctictravelbecametothemarealitytooharshfortheirmanhoodandwomanhood.Mercedesceasedweepihedogs,beingtoooccupiedwithweepingoverherselfandwithquarrelingwithherhusbandandbrother.Toquarrelwastheohingtheywereoowearytodo.Theirirritabilityaroseoutoftheirmisery,increasedwithit,doubleduponit,out-dista.Thewonderfulpatiehetrailwhiestomenwhotoilhardandsuffersore,andremaiofspeedkindly,didnotetothesetwomenandthewoman.Theyhadnoinklingofsuchapatieheywerestiffandinpain;theirmusclesached,theirbonesached,theirveryheartsached;andbecauseofthistheybecamesharpofspeedhardwordswerefirstontheirlipsinthemandlastatnight.
CharlesandHalwrangledwheneverMercedesgavethemace.Itwasthecherishedbeliefofeachthathedidmorethanhisshareofthework,aherforboretospeakthisbeliefateveryopportunity.SometimesMercedessidedwithherhusband,sometimeswithherbrother.Theresultwasabeautifulandunendingfamilyquarrel.Startingfromadisputeastowhichshouldchopafewsticksforthefire(adisputewhiedonlyCharlesandHal),presentlywouldbeluggediofthefamily,fathers,mothers,uncles,cousins,peoplethousandsofmilesaway,andsomeofthemdead.ThatHalsviewsonart,orthesortofsocietyplayshismothersbrotherwrote,shouldhaveanythingtodowiththechoppingofafewsticksoffirewood,passesprehensiohelessthequarrelwasaslikelytotendinthatdireasinthedireofCharlesspoliticalprejudices.AndthatCharlesssisterstale-bearingtongueshouldberelevanttothebuildingofaYukonfire,arentonlytoMercedes,whodisburdenedherselfofcopiousopinionsuponthattopidiallyupohertraitsunpleasantlypeculiartoherhusbandsfamily.Inthemeahefireremainedunbuilt,thecamphalf-pitched,andthedogsunfed.
Mercedesnursedaspecialgrievahegrievanceofsex.Sherettyandsoft,andhadbeenchivalrouslytreatedallherdays.Butthepresementbyherhusbandandbrotherwaseverythingsavechivalrous.Itwashertobehelpless.Theyplained.Uponwhichimpeatofwhattoherwashermostessentialsexprerogative,shemadetheirlivesunendurable.Shenolongersideredthedogs,andbecauseshewassoreandtired,shepersistedinridinginthesled.Sherettyandsoft,butsheweighedonehundredaypounds--alustylaststrawtotheledbytheweakandstarvinganimals.Sherodefordays,tilltheyfelliradthesledstoodstill.CharlesandHalbeggedhertogetoffandleadedwithher,eed,thewhilesheweptandimportunedHeavenwitharecitaloftheirbrutality.
Ononeoccasioookheroffthesledbymaih.Theyneverdiditagaiherlegsgolimplikeaspoiledchild,andsatdownorail.Theywentontheirway,butshedidnotmove.Aftertheyhadtraveledthreemilestheyunloadedthesled,camebackforher,andbymaihputheronthesledagain.
Intheexcessoftheirowheywerecalloustothesufferingoftheiranimals.Halstheory,whichhepractiothers,wasthatogethardened.Hehadstartedoutpreagittohissisterandbrother-in-law.Failingthere,hehammereditintothedogswithaclub.AttheFiveFihedogfoodgaveout,andatoothlessoldsquawofferedtotradethemafewpoundsoffrozenhorsehidefortheColtsrevolverthatkeptthebighuntingknifepanyatHalship.Apoorsubstituteforfoodwasthishide,justasithadbeenstrippedfromthestarvedhorsesofthecattlemensixmonthsbaitsfrozenstateitwasmorelikestripsofgalvanizediron,andwhenadogwrestleditintohisstomach,itthawedintothinandunnutritiousleatherystringsandintoamassofshorthair,irritatingandiible.
AndthroughitallBuckstaggeredalongattheheadoftheteamasinanightmare.Hepulledwhenhecould;whenhecouldnolongerpull,hefelldownandremaineddowntillblowsfromwhiporclubdrovehimtohisfeetagain.Allthestiffnessandglosshadgoofhisbeautifulfurrycoat.Thehairhungdown,limpanddraggled,ormattedwithdriedbloodwhereHalsclubhadbruisedhim.Hismuscleshadwastedawaytoknottystrings,andthefleshpadshaddisappeared,sothateachribandeveryboneinhisframewereoutlinedlythroughtheloosehidethatwaswrinkledinfoldsofemptiness.Itwasheartbreaking,onlyBucksheartwasunbreakable.Themanintheredsweaterhadprovedthat.
AsitwaswithBuck,sowasitwithhismates.Theywereperambulations.Thereweresevenalltogether,includinghim.Intheirverygreatmiserytheyhadbeeinsensibletothebiteofthelashorthebruiseoftheclub.Thepainofthebeatingwasdullanddistant,justasthethingstheireyessawandtheirearsheardseemeddullanddistant.Theywerenothalf-living,orquarter-living.Theyweresimplysomanybagsofbonesinwhichsparksoflifeflutteredfaintly.Whenahaltwasmade,theydroppeddowniraceslikedeaddogs,andthesparkdimmedandpaledaogoout.Ahecluborwhipfellupohesparkflutteredfeeblyup,ateredtotheirfeetandstaggeredon.
TherecameadaywhenBillee,thegood-natured,fellandcouldnotrise.Halhadtradedoffhisrevolver,sohetooktheaxeandknockedBilleeontheheadashelayiraces,thencutthecarcassoutoftheharnessanddraggedittooneside.Bucksaw,andhismatessaw,andtheykhatthisthingwasveryclosetothem.OdayKoo,andbutfiveofthemremained:Joe,toobemalignant;Pike,crippledandlimping,onlyhalf-sciousandnotsciousenoughloomalinger;Sol-leks,theone-eyed,stillfaithfultothetoiloftradtrail,andmournfulinthathehadsolittlestrengthwithwhichtopull;Teek,whohadnottraveledsofarthatwinterandwhowasehahersbecausehewasfresher;andBuck,stillattheheadoftheteam,butnolongerenfdisciplirivingtoenforceit,blindwithweaknesshalfthetimeandkeepirailbytheloomofitandbythedimfeelofhisfeet.
Itwasbeautifulspriher,butherdogsnorhumanswereawareofit.Eachdaythesunroseearlieraer.Itwasdawnbythreeinthem,andtwilightliillnight.Thewholelongdaywasablazeofsunshiheghostlywintersilencehadgivenwaytothegreatspringmurmurofawakeninglife.Thismurmurarosefromalltheland,fraughtwiththejoyofliving.Itcamefromthethingsthatlivedandmovedagain,thingswhichhadbeenasdeadandwhichhadnotmovedduringthelongmonthsoffrost.Thesapwasrisinginthepihewillowsandaspenswereburstingoutinyoungbuds.Shrubsandvineswereputtingarbsofgreen.Cricketssanginthenights,andinthedaysallmannerofcreeping,crawlingthingsrustledforthintothesun.Partridgesandwoodpeckerswereboomingandknogintheforest.Squirrelswerechattering,birdssinging,andoverheadhohewildfowldrivingupfromthesouthiningwedgesthatsplittheair.
Fromeveryhillslopecamethetrickleofwater,themusiseenfountains.Allthihawing,bending,snapping.TheYukonwasstrainingtobreakloosetheicethatbounditdown.Itateawayfrombeh;thesunatefromabove.Air-holesformed,fissuressprangandspreadapart,whilethiionsoficefellthroughbodilyintotheriver.Andamidallthisbursting,rending,throbbingofawakeninglife,uheblazingsunandthroughthesoft-sighingbreezes,likewayfarerstodeath,staggeredthetwomen,thewomanandthehuskies.
Withthedogsfalling,Mercedesweepingandriding,Halswearinginnocuously,andCharleseyeswistfullywatering,theystaggeredintoJohnThorntonscampatthemouthoftheWhiteRiver.Whentheyhalted,thedogsdroppeddownasthoughtheyhadallbeenstruckdead.MercedesdriedhereyesandlookedatJohnThornton.Charlessatdownonalogtorest.Hesatdownverysloainstakingly,whatofhisgreatstiffness.Haldidthetalking.JohnThorntonwaswhittlitouchesonanaxe-handlehehadmadefromastickofbirch.Hewhittledandlistened,gavemonosyllabicreplies,awasasked,terseadvice.Hekhebreed,andhegavehisadvithecertaintythatitwouldnotbefollowed.
"Theytoldusupabovethatthebottomwasdroppingoutofthetrailandthatthebestthingforustodowastolayover,"Halsaidinrespohorntonswarningtotakenomoretherottenice."TheytolduswecouldntmakeWhiteRiver,andhereweare."Thislastwithasneeringringoftriumphinit.
"Aoldyoutrue,"JohnThorntonanswered."Thebottomslikelytodropoutatanymoment.Onlyfools,withtheblindluckoffools,couldhavemadeit.Itellyht,IwouldntriskmycarcassonthaticeforallthegoldinAlaska."
"Thatsbecauseyourenotafool,Isuppose,"saidHal."Allthesame,wellgoontoDawson."Heuncoiledhiswhip."Getupthere,Buck!Hi!Getupthere!Mushon!"
Thorntoonwhittling.Itwasidle,hekogetbetweenafoolandhisfolly;whiletwoorthreefoolsmoreorlesswouldnotaltertheschemeofthings.
Buttheteamdidupattheand.Ithadlongsincepassedintothestagewhereblowswererequiredtorouseit.Thewhipflashedout,hereandthere,onitsmercilesserrands.JohnThorntonpressedhislips.Sol-lekswasthefirsttocrawltohisfeet.Teekfollowed.Joeext,yelpingwithpain.Pikemadepainfulefforts.Twicehefellover,whenhalf-up,andohirdattemptmaorise.Buckmadenoeffort.Helayquietlywherehehadfallen.Thelashbitintohimagainandagain,butheherwhinednled.SeveraltimesThorntonstarted,asthoughtospeak,butgedhismind.Amoisturecameintohiseyes,and,asthewhippingtinued,hearoseandwalkedirresolutelyupanddown.
ThiswasthefirsttimeBuckhadfailed,initselfasuffitreasontodriveHalinte.Heexgedthewhipforthearyclub.Buckrefusedtomoveuherainofheavierblowswhiowfelluponhim.Likehismates,hewasbarelyabletogetup,but,uhem,Hehadmadeuphismindnottogetup.Hehadavaguefeelingofimpendingdoom.Thishadbeenstronguponhimwhenhepulledintothebank,andithadedfromhim.Whatofthethinandrottenicehehadfeltunderhisfeetallday,itseemedthathesenseddisastercloseathand,outthereaheadontheicewherehismasterwastryingtodrivehim.Herefusedtreatlyhadhesuffered,andsonewashe,thattheblowsdidnothurtmudastheytiofalluponhim,thesparkoflifewithinflickeredadown.Itwasnearlyout.Hefeltstrangelynumb.Asthoughfromagreatdistance,hewasawarethathewasbeiesensationsofpaihim.Henolongerfeltanything,thoughveryfaintlyhecouldheartheimpactoftheclubuponhisbody.Butitwasnolongerhisbody,itseemedsofaraway.
Andthen,suddenly,withoutwarning,utteringacrythatwasinarticulateandmorelikethecryofananimal,JohnThorntuponthemanwhowieldedtheclub.Halwashurledbackward,asthoughstruckbyafallingtree.Mercedesscreamed.Charleslookedonwistfully,wipedhiswateryeyes,butdidupbecauseofhisstiffness.
JohnThorntonstoodoverBuck,strugglingtotrolhimself,toovulsedwithragetospeak.
"Ifyoustrikethatdogagain,Illkillyou,"heatlastmaosayinachokingvoice.
"Itsmydog,"Halreplied,wipingthebloodfromhismouthashecameback."Getoutofmyway,orIllfixyou.ImgoingtoDawson."
ThorntonstoodbetweenhimandBudevinoiioingoutoftheway.Haldrewhislonghuntingknife.Mercedesscreamed,cried,laughed,andmaedthechaotidoofhysteria.ThorntonrappedHalsknuckleswiththeaxe-handle,knogthekheground.He松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
ThirtydaysfromthetimeitleftDawsoWaterMail,withBudhismatesatthefore,arrivedatSkaguay.Theywereichedstate,wornoutandworndown.Buehundredandfortypoundshaddwioonehundredandfifteeofhismates,thoughlighterdogs,hadrelativelylostmoreweightthanhe.Pike,themalingerer,who,inhislifetimeofdeceit,hadoftensuccessfullyfeignedahurtleg,wasnowlimpinginear.Sol-lekswaslimping,andDubwassufferingfromawrenchedshoulderblade.
Theywereallterriblyfootsore.Norreboundwasleftiheirfeetfellheavilyorail,jarringtheirbodiesanddoubliigueofadaystravel.Therewasnothierwiththemexceptthattheyweredeadtired.Itwasnotthedeadtiredhatesthroughbriefandexcessiveeffort,fromwhichrecoveryisamatterofhours;butitwasthedeadtiredhatesthroughtheslorolorengthdrainageofmonthsoftoil.Thereowerofrecuperatio,noreservestrengthtocallupon.Ithadbeenallused,thelastleastbitofit.Everymuscle,everyfiber,everycell,wastired,deadtired.Andtherewasreasonforit.Ihahstheyhadtraveledtwenty-fivehundredmiles,durieighteenhundredofwhichtheyhadbutfivedaysrest.WhentheyarrivedatSkaguay,theyarentlyontheirlastlegs.Theycouldbarelykeepthetracestaut,andonthedowngradesjustmaokeepoutofthewayofthesled.
"Mushon,poorsorefeets,"thedriverencedthemastheytottereddownthemaiofSkaguay."Disisdelast.Deonelo.Eh?Forsure.Onebullylo."
Thedriversfidentlyexpectedalongstopover.Themselves,theyhadcoveredtwelvehundredmileswithtwodaysrest,andiureofreasonandonjusticetheydeservedanintervalofloafing.ButsomahemenwhohadrushedintotheKlondike,andsomahesweethearts,wives,andkinthathadnotrushedin,thatthegestedmailwastakingonAlpineproportions;also,therewereofficialorders.FreshbatchesofHudsonBaydogsweretotaketheplacesofthoseworthlessforthetrail.Theworthlessoobegotridof,and,sincedogstforlittleagainstdollars,theyweretobesold.
Threedayspassed,bywhichtimeBudhismatesfoundhowreallytiredaheywere.Then,onthemofthefourthday,twomenfromtheStatescamealongandboughtthem,harnessandall,forasong.Themenaddressedeachotheras"Hal"and"Charles".Charleswasamiddle-aged,lightishan,withweakandwateryeyesandamustachethattwistedfiercelyandvigorouslyup,giviothelimplydroopinglipitcealed.Halwasayoungsterofeenortwenty,withabigColtsrevolverandahuntingkrappedabouthimohatfairlybristledwithcartridges.Thisbeltwasthemostsalientthingabouthim.Itadvertisedhiscallowness--acallownesssheerandunutterable.BothmenweremalyoutofpladwhysuchastheyshouldadveheNorthispartofthemysteryofthingsthatpassesuanding.
Buckheardthechaffering,sawthemoneypassbetweenthemanandtheGoveragent,ahattheScotchhalf-breedandthemail-traindriverswerepassingoutofhislifeontheheelsofPerraultandFrancoisaherswhohadgonebefore.Whendrivenwithhismatestothenewownerscamp,Bucksashodandslovenlyaffair,tenthalf-stretched,dishesunwashed,everythingindisorder;also,hesawawoman."Mercedes"themencalledher.ShewasCharlesswifeandHalssister--anicefamilyparty.
Buckwatchedthemapprehensivelyastheyproceededtotakedowandloadthesled.Therewasagreatdealofeffortabouttheirmanner,butnobusinesslikemethod.Thetentwasrolledintoanawkwardbuhreetimesaslargeasitshouldhavebeeindisheswerepackedawayunwashed.Mercedestinuallyflutteredinthewayofhermenaupanunbrokenchatteringofremonstrandadvice.Wheaclothes-sathefrontofthesled,shesuggesteditshouldgoonthebadwhentheyhaditputonthebadcovereditoverleofthebundles,shediscoveredoverlookedarticleswhichcouldabidenowhereelsebutinthatverysadtheyunloadedagain.
Threemenfromaneighbtentcameoutandlookedon,grinningandwinkingatoher.
"Youveghtsmartloadasitis,"saidohem;"anditsnotmeshouldtellyouyourbusiness,butIwouldnttotethattentalongifIwasyou."
"Undreamedof!"criedMercedes,throwingupherhandsindaintydismay."HoweverintheworldcouldImahoutatent?"
"Itsspringtime,andyouwoanymorecoldweather,"themanreplied.
Sheshookherheaddecidedly,andCharlesandHalputthelastoddsandendsontopthemountainousload.
"Thinkitllride?"ohemenasked.
"Whyshouldntit?"Charlesdemahershortly.
"Oh,thatsallright,thatsallright,"themanhastenedmeeklytosay."Iwasjustaw,thatisall.Itseemedamitetop-heavy."
Charlesturnedhisbaddrewthelashingsdownaswellashecould,whichwasnotintheleastwell.
"Andofcoursethedogshikealongalldaywiththattraptionbehindthem,"affirmedasedofthemen.
"Certainly,"saidHal,withfreezingpoliteakingholdofthegee-polewithonehandandswinginghiswhipfromtheother."Mush!"Heshouted."Mushonthere!"
Thedogssprangagainstthebreastbands,strainedhardforafewmoments,thenrelaxed.Theywereuomovethesled.
"Thelazybrutes,Illshowthem,"hecried,preparingtolashoutatthemwiththewhip.
ButMercedesinterfered,g,"Oh,Hal,youmustnt,"asshecaughtholdofthewhipandwrefromhim."Thepoordears!Nowyoumustpromiseyouwontbeharshwiththemfortherestofthetrip,orIwontgoastep."
"Preciouslotyouknowaboutdogs,"herbrothersneered,"andIwishyoudleavemealoheyrelazy,Itellyou,andyouvegottowhipthemtogetanythingoutofthem.Thatstheirway.Youaskanyone.Askohosemen."
Mercedeslookedatthemimplly,untsightofpainwritteninherprettyface.
"Theyreweakaswater,ifyouwanttoknow,"camethereplyfromohemen."Plumtuckeredout,thatswhatsthematter.Theyneedarest."
"Restbeblanked,"saidHal,withhisbeardlesslips;andMercedessaid,"Oh!"inpainandsorrowattheoath.
Butshewasaishcreature,andrushedatohedefenseofherbrother."Nevermindthatman,"shesaidpointedly."Youredrivingsandyoudowhatyouthiwiththem."
AgainHalswhipfelluponthedogs.Theythrewthemselvesagainstthebreastbands,dugtheirfeetintothepackedsnow,gotdownlowtoit,andputforthalltheirstrength.Thesledheldasthoughitwereananchor.Aftertwoefforts,theystoodstill,panting.Thehistlingsavagely,whenonercedesinterfered.ShedroppedonherkneesbeforeBuck,withtearsinhereyes,andputherarmsaroundhisneck.
"Youpoor,poordears,"shecriedsympathetically,"whydontyoupullhard?Thenyouwouldntbewhipped."Buckdidnotlikeher,buthewasfeelingtoomiserabletoresisther,takingitasapartofthedaysmiserablework.
Oheonlookers,whohadbeenghisteethtosuppresshotspeeowspokeup:
"ItsnotthatIcareawhoopwhatbeesofyou,butforthedogssakesIjustwanttotellyou,youhelpthemamightylotbybreakingoutthatsled.Therunnersarefrozefast.Throwyhtagainstthegee-phta,aout."
Athirdtimetheattemptwasmade,butthistime,followingtheadvice,Halbrokeouttherunnerswhichhadbeenfrozentothesnow.Theoverloadedandunwieldysledfedahead,Budhismatesstrugglingfranticallyuherainofblows.Ahundredyardsaheadthepathturnedandslopedsteeplyintothemai.Itwouldhaverequiredanexperiencedmahetop-heavysledupright,andHalwasnotsuchaman.Astheyswungournthesledwentover,spillinghalfitsloadthroughthelooselashings.Thedogsopped.Thelightenedsledboundedonitssidebehiheywereangrybecauseoftheilltreatmenttheyhadreceivedandtheunjustload.Buckwasraging.Hebrokeintoarueamfollowinghislead.Halcried,"Whoa!Whoa!"Buttheygavenoheed.Hetrippedandulledoffhisfeet.Thecapsizedsledgroundoverhim,andthedogsdashedonupthestreet,addingtothegaietyofSkaguayastheyscatteredtheremaiheoutfitalongitschiefthhfare.
Kiedcitizenscaughtthedogsandgatheredupthescatteredbelongings.Also,theygaveadvice.Halftheloadandtwicethedogs,iftheyeverexpectedtoreachDawson,assaid.Halandhissisterandbrother-in-lawlistenedunwillingly,pitchedtent,andoverhauledtheoutfit.edgoodswereturthatmademenlaugh,foredgoodsontheLongTrailisathingtodreamabout."Blasforahotel,"quothohemenwholaughedandhelped."Halfasmanyistoomuch;getridofthem.Throwawaythattent,andallthosedishes--whosgoingtowashthem,anyway?GoodLord,doyouthinkyouretravelingonaPullman?"
Andsoitwent,theinexorableeliminationofthesuperfluous.Mercedescriedwhenherclothes-bagsweredumpedonthegroundandarticleafterarticlewasthrownout.Shecriedingeneral,andshecriedinparticularovereachdiscardedthing.Sheclaspedhandsaboutknees,rogbadforthbrokeedly.SheaverredshewouldnotgoaninotforadozenCharleses.Sheappealedtoeverybodyandtoeverything,finallywipinghereyesandproceedingtocastoutevenarticlesofapparelthatwereimperativenecessaries.Andinherzeal,whenshehadfihherowackedthebelongingsofhermenahroughthemlikeatornado.
Thisaplished,theoutfit,thoughhalf,wasstillaformidablebulk.CharlesandHalwentoutintheeveningandboughtsixOutsidedogs.They,addedtothesixoftheinalteam,andTeekandKoona,thehuskiesobtaiheRinkRapidsontherecordtrip,broughttheteamuptofourteen.ButtheOutsidedogs,thoughpracticallybrokeninsiheirlanding,didnotamounttomuch.Threewereshort-hairedpointers,onewasaNewfoundland,ahertwoweremongrelsofierminatebreed.Theydidoknowanything,thesenewers.Budhisradeslookedupohdisgust,andthoughhespeedilytaughtthemtheirpladwhatnottodo,hecouldhemwhattodo.Theydidnottakekindlytotradtrail.Withtheexceptionofthetwomoheywerebewilderedandspirit-brokenbythestrangesavageenviroinwhichtheyfoundthemselvesandbytheilltreatmenttheyhadreceived.Thetwomongrelswerewithoutspiritatall;boheonlythingsbreakableaboutthem.
Withthenewershopelessandforlorn,aeamwornoutbytwenty-fivehundredmilesoftinuoustrail,theoutlookwasanythingbutbright.Thetwomen,however,werequitecheerful.Andtheywereproud,too.Theyweredoihinginstyle,withfourteendogs.TheyhadseenothersledsdepartoverthePassforDawson,oreinfromDawson,butneverhadtheyseehsomanyasfourteendogs.IureofArctictraveltherewasareasonwhyfourteendogsshouldnonesled,andthatwasthatonesledcouldnotcarrythefoodforfourteendogs.ButCharlesandHaldidnotknowthis.Theyhadworkedthetripoutencil,somuchtoadog,somanydogs,andsomanydays,Q.E.D.Mercedeslookedovertheirshouldersandnoddedprehensively,itwasallsoverysimple.
LatemBuckledthelongteamupthestreet.Therewasnothinglivelyaboutit,nosnapoinhimandhisfellows.Theywerestartingdeadweary.FourtimeshehadcoveredthedistaweenSaltWaterandDawson,andthekhat,jadedandtired,hewasfagthesametrailonadehimbitter.Hisheartwasnotinthework,norwastheheartofanydog.TheOutsidersweretimidandfrighteheInsiderswithoutfideheirmasters.
Buckfeltvaguelythattherewasnodependingupowomenandthewoman.Theydidnotknowhowtodoanything,andasthedayswentbyitbecameapparentthattheycouldnotlearn.Theywereslaallthings,withoutorderordiscipliookthemhalfthenighttopitchaslovenlycamp,andhalfthemtobreakthatcampahesledloadedinfashionsoslovenlythatfortherestofthedaytheywereoccupiedinstoppingandrearrangingtheload.Somedaystheydidnotmaketenmiles.Onotherdaystheywereuogetstartedatall.Andonnodaydidtheysucceedinmakingmorethanhalfthedistanceusedbythemenasabasisintheirdog-foodputation.
Itwasiablethattheyshouldgoshortondogfood.Buttheyhastebyoverfeeding,bringingthedaynearerwhenunderfeedingwouldeheOutsiderdogswhosedigestionshadrainedbyicfamiomakethemostoflittle,hadvoraciousappetites.Andwhen,inadditiontothis,theworn-outhuskiespulledweakly,Haldecidedthattheorthodoxrationwastoosmall.Hedoubledit.Andtocapitall,whenMercedes,withtearsinherprettyeyesandaquaverihroat,couldnotcajolehimintogivingthedogsstillmore,shestolefromthefish-sadfedthemslyly.ButiswasnotfoodthatBudthehuskiesneeded,butrest.Andthoughtheyweremakingpoortime,theheavyloadtheydraggedsappedtheirstrengthseverely.
Theheunderfeeding.Halawokeoothefactthathisdogfoodwashalf-gohedistanlyquartercovered;further,thatforloveormoneynoadditionaldogfoodwastobeobtained.Sohecutdowheorthodoxrationandtriedtoihedaystravel.Hissisterandbrother-in-lawsededhim;buttheywerefrustratedbytheirheavyoutfitandtheirowninpetelemattertogivethedogslessfood;butitossibletomakethedogstravelfaster,whiletheirowninabilitytogetunderwayearlierinthemprevehemfromtravelinglongerhours.Notonlydidtheynotknos,buttheydidnotknoorkthemselves.
ThefirsttogowasDub.Poorblunderingthiefthathewas,alwaysgettingcaughtandpunished,hehadhelessbeenafaithfulworker.Hiswrenchedshoulder-blade,uedandued,wentfrombadtoworse,tillfinallyHalshothimwiththebigColtsrevolver.ItisasayingofthetrythatanOutsidedogstarvestodeathoionofthehusky,sothesixOutsidedogsunderBuckcoulddohandieonhalftherationofthehusky.TheNewfoundlafirst,followedbythethreeshort-hairedpoihetwomongrelshangingmrittilyontolife,butgoingintheend.
BythistimealltheamenitiesalenessoftheSouthlandhadfallenawayfromthethreepeople.Shornofitsglamourandromance,Arctictravelbecametothemarealitytooharshfortheirmanhoodandwomanhood.Mercedesceasedweepihedogs,beingtoooccupiedwithweepingoverherselfandwithquarrelingwithherhusbandandbrother.Toquarrelwastheohingtheywereoowearytodo.Theirirritabilityaroseoutoftheirmisery,increasedwithit,doubleduponit,out-dista.Thewonderfulpatiehetrailwhiestomenwhotoilhardandsuffersore,andremaiofspeedkindly,didnotetothesetwomenandthewoman.Theyhadnoinklingofsuchapatieheywerestiffandinpain;theirmusclesached,theirbonesached,theirveryheartsached;andbecauseofthistheybecamesharpofspeedhardwordswerefirstontheirlipsinthemandlastatnight.
CharlesandHalwrangledwheneverMercedesgavethemace.Itwasthecherishedbeliefofeachthathedidmorethanhisshareofthework,aherforboretospeakthisbeliefateveryopportunity.SometimesMercedessidedwithherhusband,sometimeswithherbrother.Theresultwasabeautifulandunendingfamilyquarrel.Startingfromadisputeastowhichshouldchopafewsticksforthefire(adisputewhiedonlyCharlesandHal),presentlywouldbeluggediofthefamily,fathers,mothers,uncles,cousins,peoplethousandsofmilesaway,andsomeofthemdead.ThatHalsviewsonart,orthesortofsocietyplayshismothersbrotherwrote,shouldhaveanythingtodowiththechoppingofafewsticksoffirewood,passesprehensiohelessthequarrelwasaslikelytotendinthatdireasinthedireofCharlesspoliticalprejudices.AndthatCharlesssisterstale-bearingtongueshouldberelevanttothebuildingofaYukonfire,arentonlytoMercedes,whodisburdenedherselfofcopiousopinionsuponthattopidiallyupohertraitsunpleasantlypeculiartoherhusbandsfamily.Inthemeahefireremainedunbuilt,thecamphalf-pitched,andthedogsunfed.
Mercedesnursedaspecialgrievahegrievanceofsex.Sherettyandsoft,andhadbeenchivalrouslytreatedallherdays.Butthepresementbyherhusbandandbrotherwaseverythingsavechivalrous.Itwashertobehelpless.Theyplained.Uponwhichimpeatofwhattoherwashermostessentialsexprerogative,shemadetheirlivesunendurable.Shenolongersideredthedogs,andbecauseshewassoreandtired,shepersistedinridinginthesled.Sherettyandsoft,butsheweighedonehundredaypounds--alustylaststrawtotheledbytheweakandstarvinganimals.Sherodefordays,tilltheyfelliradthesledstoodstill.CharlesandHalbeggedhertogetoffandleadedwithher,eed,thewhilesheweptandimportunedHeavenwitharecitaloftheirbrutality.
Ononeoccasioookheroffthesledbymaih.Theyneverdiditagaiherlegsgolimplikeaspoiledchild,andsatdownorail.Theywentontheirway,butshedidnotmove.Aftertheyhadtraveledthreemilestheyunloadedthesled,camebackforher,andbymaihputheronthesledagain.
Intheexcessoftheirowheywerecalloustothesufferingoftheiranimals.Halstheory,whichhepractiothers,wasthatogethardened.Hehadstartedoutpreagittohissisterandbrother-in-law.Failingthere,hehammereditintothedogswithaclub.AttheFiveFihedogfoodgaveout,andatoothlessoldsquawofferedtotradethemafewpoundsoffrozenhorsehidefortheColtsrevolverthatkeptthebighuntingknifepanyatHalship.Apoorsubstituteforfoodwasthishide,justasithadbeenstrippedfromthestarvedhorsesofthecattlemensixmonthsbaitsfrozenstateitwasmorelikestripsofgalvanizediron,andwhenadogwrestleditintohisstomach,itthawedintothinandunnutritiousleatherystringsandintoamassofshorthair,irritatingandiible.
AndthroughitallBuckstaggeredalongattheheadoftheteamasinanightmare.Hepulledwhenhecould;whenhecouldnolongerpull,hefelldownandremaineddowntillblowsfromwhiporclubdrovehimtohisfeetagain.Allthestiffnessandglosshadgoofhisbeautifulfurrycoat.Thehairhungdown,limpanddraggled,ormattedwithdriedbloodwhereHalsclubhadbruisedhim.Hismuscleshadwastedawaytoknottystrings,andthefleshpadshaddisappeared,sothateachribandeveryboneinhisframewereoutlinedlythroughtheloosehidethatwaswrinkledinfoldsofemptiness.Itwasheartbreaking,onlyBucksheartwasunbreakable.Themanintheredsweaterhadprovedthat.
AsitwaswithBuck,sowasitwithhismates.Theywereperambulations.Thereweresevenalltogether,includinghim.Intheirverygreatmiserytheyhadbeeinsensibletothebiteofthelashorthebruiseoftheclub.Thepainofthebeatingwasdullanddistant,justasthethingstheireyessawandtheirearsheardseemeddullanddistant.Theywerenothalf-living,orquarter-living.Theyweresimplysomanybagsofbonesinwhichsparksoflifeflutteredfaintly.Whenahaltwasmade,theydroppeddowniraceslikedeaddogs,andthesparkdimmedandpaledaogoout.Ahecluborwhipfellupohesparkflutteredfeeblyup,ateredtotheirfeetandstaggeredon.
TherecameadaywhenBillee,thegood-natured,fellandcouldnotrise.Halhadtradedoffhisrevolver,sohetooktheaxeandknockedBilleeontheheadashelayiraces,thencutthecarcassoutoftheharnessanddraggedittooneside.Bucksaw,andhismatessaw,andtheykhatthisthingwasveryclosetothem.OdayKoo,andbutfiveofthemremained:Joe,toobemalignant;Pike,crippledandlimping,onlyhalf-sciousandnotsciousenoughloomalinger;Sol-leks,theone-eyed,stillfaithfultothetoiloftradtrail,andmournfulinthathehadsolittlestrengthwithwhichtopull;Teek,whohadnottraveledsofarthatwinterandwhowasehahersbecausehewasfresher;andBuck,stillattheheadoftheteam,butnolongerenfdisciplirivingtoenforceit,blindwithweaknesshalfthetimeandkeepirailbytheloomofitandbythedimfeelofhisfeet.
Itwasbeautifulspriher,butherdogsnorhumanswereawareofit.Eachdaythesunroseearlieraer.Itwasdawnbythreeinthem,andtwilightliillnight.Thewholelongdaywasablazeofsunshiheghostlywintersilencehadgivenwaytothegreatspringmurmurofawakeninglife.Thismurmurarosefromalltheland,fraughtwiththejoyofliving.Itcamefromthethingsthatlivedandmovedagain,thingswhichhadbeenasdeadandwhichhadnotmovedduringthelongmonthsoffrost.Thesapwasrisinginthepihewillowsandaspenswereburstingoutinyoungbuds.Shrubsandvineswereputtingarbsofgreen.Cricketssanginthenights,andinthedaysallmannerofcreeping,crawlingthingsrustledforthintothesun.Partridgesandwoodpeckerswereboomingandknogintheforest.Squirrelswerechattering,birdssinging,andoverheadhohewildfowldrivingupfromthesouthiningwedgesthatsplittheair.
Fromeveryhillslopecamethetrickleofwater,themusiseenfountains.Allthihawing,bending,snapping.TheYukonwasstrainingtobreakloosetheicethatbounditdown.Itateawayfrombeh;thesunatefromabove.Air-holesformed,fissuressprangandspreadapart,whilethiionsoficefellthroughbodilyintotheriver.Andamidallthisbursting,rending,throbbingofawakeninglife,uheblazingsunandthroughthesoft-sighingbreezes,likewayfarerstodeath,staggeredthetwomen,thewomanandthehuskies.
Withthedogsfalling,Mercedesweepingandriding,Halswearinginnocuously,andCharleseyeswistfullywatering,theystaggeredintoJohnThorntonscampatthemouthoftheWhiteRiver.Whentheyhalted,thedogsdroppeddownasthoughtheyhadallbeenstruckdead.MercedesdriedhereyesandlookedatJohnThornton.Charlessatdownonalogtorest.Hesatdownverysloainstakingly,whatofhisgreatstiffness.Haldidthetalking.JohnThorntonwaswhittlitouchesonanaxe-handlehehadmadefromastickofbirch.Hewhittledandlistened,gavemonosyllabicreplies,awasasked,terseadvice.Hekhebreed,andhegavehisadvithecertaintythatitwouldnotbefollowed.
"Theytoldusupabovethatthebottomwasdroppingoutofthetrailandthatthebestthingforustodowastolayover,"Halsaidinrespohorntonswarningtotakenomoretherottenice."TheytolduswecouldntmakeWhiteRiver,andhereweare."Thislastwithasneeringringoftriumphinit.
"Aoldyoutrue,"JohnThorntonanswered."Thebottomslikelytodropoutatanymoment.Onlyfools,withtheblindluckoffools,couldhavemadeit.Itellyht,IwouldntriskmycarcassonthaticeforallthegoldinAlaska."
"Thatsbecauseyourenotafool,Isuppose,"saidHal."Allthesame,wellgoontoDawson."Heuncoiledhiswhip."Getupthere,Buck!Hi!Getupthere!Mushon!"
Thorntoonwhittling.Itwasidle,hekogetbetweenafoolandhisfolly;whiletwoorthreefoolsmoreorlesswouldnotaltertheschemeofthings.
Buttheteamdidupattheand.Ithadlongsincepassedintothestagewhereblowswererequiredtorouseit.Thewhipflashedout,hereandthere,onitsmercilesserrands.JohnThorntonpressedhislips.Sol-lekswasthefirsttocrawltohisfeet.Teekfollowed.Joeext,yelpingwithpain.Pikemadepainfulefforts.Twicehefellover,whenhalf-up,andohirdattemptmaorise.Buckmadenoeffort.Helayquietlywherehehadfallen.Thelashbitintohimagainandagain,butheherwhinednled.SeveraltimesThorntonstarted,asthoughtospeak,butgedhismind.Amoisturecameintohiseyes,and,asthewhippingtinued,hearoseandwalkedirresolutelyupanddown.
ThiswasthefirsttimeBuckhadfailed,initselfasuffitreasontodriveHalinte.Heexgedthewhipforthearyclub.Buckrefusedtomoveuherainofheavierblowswhiowfelluponhim.Likehismates,hewasbarelyabletogetup,but,uhem,Hehadmadeuphismindnottogetup.Hehadavaguefeelingofimpendingdoom.Thishadbeenstronguponhimwhenhepulledintothebank,andithadedfromhim.Whatofthethinandrottenicehehadfeltunderhisfeetallday,itseemedthathesenseddisastercloseathand,outthereaheadontheicewherehismasterwastryingtodrivehim.Herefusedtreatlyhadhesuffered,andsonewashe,thattheblowsdidnothurtmudastheytiofalluponhim,thesparkoflifewithinflickeredadown.Itwasnearlyout.Hefeltstrangelynumb.Asthoughfromagreatdistance,hewasawarethathewasbeiesensationsofpaihim.Henolongerfeltanything,thoughveryfaintlyhecouldheartheimpactoftheclubuponhisbody.Butitwasnolongerhisbody,itseemedsofaraway.
Andthen,suddenly,withoutwarning,utteringacrythatwasinarticulateandmorelikethecryofananimal,JohnThorntuponthemanwhowieldedtheclub.Halwashurledbackward,asthoughstruckbyafallingtree.Mercedesscreamed.Charleslookedonwistfully,wipedhiswateryeyes,butdidupbecauseofhisstiffness.
JohnThorntonstoodoverBuck,strugglingtotrolhimself,toovulsedwithragetospeak.
"Ifyoustrikethatdogagain,Illkillyou,"heatlastmaosayinachokingvoice.
"Itsmydog,"Halreplied,wipingthebloodfromhismouthashecameback."Getoutofmyway,orIllfixyou.ImgoingtoDawson."
ThorntonstoodbetweenhimandBudevinoiioingoutoftheway.Haldrewhislonghuntingknife.Mercedesscreamed,cried,laughed,andmaedthechaotidoofhysteria.ThorntonrappedHalsknuckleswiththeaxe-handle,knogthekheground.He松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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并不代表本站立场!本站亦无法严格审:The Call of the Wild最新章节其版权归属。如您对The Call of the WildTXT下载持有版权方面的异议，请联系本站客服。我们将于72小时内处理。
Copyright (C) 2019 All Rights Reserved 版权所有：松语文学