牛津書蟲系列1-6級 雙語 3A-02.The Call of the Wild

第1頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)lloftheWildbyJackLondonIIntothePrimitiveIITheLawofClubandFangIIITheDominantPrimordialBeastIVWhoHasWontoMastershipVTheToilofTraceandTailVIFortheLoveofaManVIITheSoundingofeCallterIPrimitiveOldlongingsnomadicleapChafingatcustomschainAgainfromitsbrumalsleepWakenstheferinestrain."Buckdidnotreadthenewspapers,orhewouldhaveknownthattroublewasbrewing,notaloneforhimself,butforeverytide-waterdog,strongofmuscleandwithwarm,longhair,fromPugetSoundtoSanDiego.Becausemen,gropingintheArcticdarkness,hadfoundayellowmetal,andbecausesteamshipandtransportationcompanieswereboomingthefind,thousandsofmenwererushingintotheNorthland.Thesemenwanteddogs,andthedogstheywantedwereheavydogs,withstrongmusclesbywhichtotoil,andfurrycoatstoprotectthemfromthefrost.Bucklivedatabighouseinthesun-kissedSantaClaraValley.JudgeMiller'splace,itwascalled.Itstoodbackfromtheroadhalfhiddenamongthetrees,throughwhichglimpsescouldbecaughtofthewidecoolverandathatranarounditsfoursides.Thehousewasapproachedbygravelled第2頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)drivewayswhichwoundaboutthroughwide-spreadinglawnsandundertheinterlacingboughsoftallpoplars.Attherearthingswereonevenamorespaciousscalethanatthefront.Thereweregreatstables,whereadozengroomsandboysheldforth,rowsofvine-cladservants'cottages,anendlessandorderlyarrayofouthouses,longgrapearbors,greenpastures,orchards,andberrypatches.Thentherewasthepumpingplantfortheartesianwell,andthebigcementtankwhereJudgeMiller'sboystooktheirmorningplungeandkeptcoolinthehotafternoon.AndoverthisgreatdemesneBuckruled.Herehewasborn,andherehehadlivedthefouryearsofhislife.Itwastrue,therewereotherdogs,Therecouldnotbutbeotherdogsonsovastaplace,buttheydidnotcount.Theycameandwent,residedinthepopulouskennels,orlivedobscurelyintherecessesofthehouseafterthefashionofToots,theJapanesepug,orYsabel,theMexicanhairless,--strangecreaturesthatrarelyputnoseoutofdoorsorsetfoottoground.Ontheotherhand,therewerethefoxterriers,ascoreofthematleast,whoyelpedfearfulpromisesatTootsandYsabellookingoutofthewindowsatthemandprotectedbyalegionofhousemaidsarmedwithbroomsandmops.ButBuckwasneitherhousedognorkennel-dog.Thewholerealmwashis.HeplungedintotheswimmingtankorwenthuntingwiththeJudge'ssons;heescortedMollieandAlice,theJudge'sdaughters,onlongtwilightorearlymorningrambles;onwintrynightshelayattheJudge'sfeetbeforetheroaringlibraryfire;hecarriedtheJudge'sgrandsonsonhisback,orrolledtheminthegrassandguardedtheirfootstepsthroughwildadventuresdowntothefountaininthestableyard,andevenbeyond,wherethepaddockswere,andtheberrypatches.AmongtheterriershestalkedimperiouslyandTootsandYsabelheutterlyignored,forhewasking,--kingoverallcreeping,crawling,flyingthingsofJudgeMiller'splace,humansincluded.HisfatherElmoahugeSt.Bernard,hadbeentheJudge'sinseparablecompanion,andBuckbidfairtofollowinthewayofhisfather.Hewasnotsolarge,--heweighedonlyonehundredandfortypounds,--forhismother,Shep,hadbeenaScotchshepherddog.Nevertheless,onehundredandfortypoundstowhichwasaddedthedignitythatcomesofgoodlivinganduniversalrespect,enabledhimtocarryhimselfinrightroyalfashion.Duringthefouryearssincehispuppyhoodhehadlivedthelifeofasatedaristocrat;hehadafineprideinhimself,wasevenatrifleegotistical,ascountrygentlemensometimesbecomebecauseoftheirinsularsituation.Buthehadsavedhimselfbynotbecomingamerepamperedhouse-dog.Huntingandkindredoutdoordelightshadkeptdownthefatandhardenedhismuscles;andtohim,astothecold-tubbingraces,theloveofwaterhadbeenatonicandahealthpreserver.AndthiswasthemannerofdogBuckwasinthefallof1897,whentheKlondikestrikedraggedmenfromalltheworldintothefrozenNorth.ButBuckdidnotreadthenewspapers,andhedidnotknowthatManuel,oneofthegardener'shelpers,wasanundesirableacquaintance.ManuelhadonebesettingsinHelovedtoplayChineselottery.Also,inhisgambling,hehadonebesettingweaknessfaithinasystem;andthismadehisdamnationcertain.Fortoplayasystemrequiresmoneywhilethewagesofagardener'shelperdonotlapovertheneedsofawifeandnumerousprogeny.TheJudgewasatameetingoftheRaisinGrowers'Association,andtheboyswerebusyorganizinganathleticclub,onthememorablenightofManuel'streachery.NoonesawhimandBuckgooffthroughtheorchardonwhatBuckimaginedwasmerelyastroll.Andwiththeexceptionofa第3頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)solitarymannoonesawthemarriveatthelittleflagstationknownasCollegePark.ThismantalkedwithManuel,andmoneychinkedbetweenthem.Youmightwrapupthegoodsbeforeyoudelivermthestrangersaidgruffly,andManueldoubledapieceofstoutropearoundBuck'sneckunderthecollar.TwistitanyoullchokemplenteesaidManuelandthestrangergruntedareadyaffirmative.Buckhadacceptedtheropewithquietdignity.Tobesure,itwasanunwontedperformance:buthehadlearnedtotrustinmenheknew,andtogivethemcreditforawisdomthatoutreachedhisown.Butwhentheendsoftheropewereplacedinthestranger'shands,hegrowledmenacingly.Hehadmerelyintimatedhisdispleasure,inhispridebelievingthattointimatewastocommand.Buttohissurprisetheropetightenedaroundhisneck,shuttingoffhisbreath.Inquickragehesprangattheman,whomethimhalfway,grappledhimclosebythethroat,andwithadefttwistthrewhimoveronhisbackThentheropetightenedmercilessly,whileBuckstruggledinafury,histonguelollingoutofhismouthandhisgreatchestpantingfutilely.Neverinallhislifehadhebeensovilelytreatedandneverinallhislifehadhebeensoangry.Buthisstrengthebbed,hiseyesglazed,andheknewnothingwhenthetrainwasflaggedandthetwomenthrewhimintothebaggagecar.Thenextheknew,hewasdimlyawarethathistonguewashurtingandthathewasbeingjoltedalonginsomekindofaconveyance.Thehoarseshriekofalocomotivewhistlingacrossingtoldhimwherehewas.HehadtravelledtoooftenwiththeJudgenottoknowthesensationofridinginabaggagecar.Heopenedhiseyes,andintothemcametheunbridledangerofakidnappedking.Themansprangforhisthroat,butBuckwastooquickforhim.Hisjawsclosedonthehand,nordidtheyrelaxtillhissenseswerechokedoutofhimoncemore.Yephasfitsthemansaidhidinghismangledhandfromthebaggageman,whohadbeenattractedbythesoundsofstruggle."I'mtakin''mupforthebossto'Frisco.Acrackdog-doctortherethinksthathecancure'm."Concerningthatnightsridethemanspokemosteloquentlyforhimself,inalittleshedbackofasaloonontheSanFranciscowaterfront.AllIgetisfiftyforithegrumbledanIwouldn'tdoitoverforathousand,coldcash."Hishandwaswrappedinabloodyhandkerchief,andtherighttrouserlegwasrippedfromkneetoankle.Howmuchdidtheothermugget?"thesaloon-keeperdemanded.Ahundredwasthereply."Wouldn'ttakeasouless,sohelpme."Thatmakesahundredandfiftythesaloonkeepercalculatedandhe'sworthit,orI'masquarehead."Thekidnapperundidthebloodywrappingsandlookedathislaceratedhand."IfIdon'tgetthehydrophoby--"Itllbebecauseyouwasborntohanglaughedthesaloonkeeper."Here,lendmeahandbeforeyoupullyourfreight,"headded.Dazedsufferingintolerablepainfromthroatandtongue,withthelifehalfthrottledoutofhim,Buckattemptedtofacehistormentors.Buthewasthrowndownandchokedrepeatedly,tillthey第4頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)succeededinfilingtheheavybrasscollarfromoffhisneckThentheropewasremoved,andhewasflungintoacagelikecrate.Therehelayfortheremainderofthewearynight,nursinghiswrathandwoundedpride.Hecouldnotunderstandwhatitallmeant.Whatdidtheywantwithhim,thesestrangemen?Whyweretheykeepinghimpentupinthisnarrowcrate?Hedidnotknowwhy,buthefeltoppressedbythevaguesenseofimpendingcalamity.SeveraltimesduringthenighthesprangtohisfeetwhenthesheddoorrattledopenexpectingtoseetheJudge,ortheboysatleast.Buteachtimeitwasthebulgingfaceofthesaloonkeeperthatpeeredinathimbythesicklylightofatallowcandle.AndeachtimethejoyfulbarkthattrembledinBuck'sthroatwastwistedintoasavagegrowl.Butthesaloonkeeperlethimalone,andinthemorningfourmenenteredandpickedupthecrate.Moretormentors,Buckdecided,fortheywereevil-lookingcreatures,raggedandunkempt;andhestormedandragedatthemthroughthebars.Theyonlylaughedandpokedsticksathim,whichhepromptlyassailedwithhisteethtillherealizedthatthatwaswhattheywanted.Whereuponhelaydownsullenlyandallowedthecratetobeliftedintoawagon.Thenhe,andthecrateinwhichhewasimprisoned,beganapassagethroughmanyhands.Clerksintheexpressofficetookchargeofhim;hewascartedaboutinanotherwagon;atruckcarriedhim,withanassortmentofboxesandparcels,uponaferrysteamer;hewastruckedoffthesteamerintoagreatrailwaydepot,andfinallyhewasdepositedinanexpresscar.Fortwodaysandnightsthisexpresscarwasdraggedalongatthetailofshriekinglocomotives;andfortwodaysandnightsBuckneitheratenordrank.Inhisangerhehadmetthefirstadvancesoftheexpressmessengerswithgrowls,andtheyhadretaliatedbyteasinghim.Whenheflunghimselfagainstthebars,quiveringandfrothing,theylaughedathimandtauntedhim.Theygrowledandbarkedlikedetestabledogs,mewed,andflappedtheirarmsandcrowed.Itwasallverysilly,heknew;butthereforethemoreoutragetohisdignity,andhisangerwaxedandwaxed.Hedidnotmindthehungersomuch,butthelackofwatercausedhimseveresufferingandfannedhiswrathtofever-pitch.Forthatmatter,high-strungandfinelysensitive,theilltreatmenthadflunghimintoafever,whichwasfedbytheinflammationofhisparchedandswollenthroatandtongue.Hewasgladforonething:theropewasoffhisneck.Thathadgiventhemanunfairadvantage;butnowthatitwasoff,hewouldshowthem.Theywouldnevergetanotherropearoundhisneck.Uponthathewasresolved.Fortwodaysandnightsheneitheratenordrank,andduringthosetwodaysandnightsoftorment,heaccumulatedafundofwraththatbodedillforwhoeverfirstfellfoulofhim.Hiseyesturnedblood-shot,andhewasmetamorphosedintoaragingfiend.SochangedwashethattheJudgehimselfwouldnothaverecognizedhim;andtheexpressmessengersbreathedwithreliefwhentheybundledhimoffthetrainatSeattle.Fourmengingerlycarriedthecratefromthewagonintoasmall,high-walledbackyard.Astoutmanwitharedsweaterthatsaggedgenerouslyattheneck,cameoutandsignedthebookforthedriverThatwastheman,Buckdivined,thenexttormentor,andhehurledhimselfsavagelyagainstthebars.Themansmiledgrimly,andbroughtahatchetandaclub."Youain'tgoingtotakehimoutnow?"thedriverasked.Sure"themanreplied,drivingthehatchetintothecrateforapry.第5頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)Therewasaninstantaneousscatteringofthefourmenwhohadcarrieditin,andfromsafeperchesontopthewalltheypreparedtowatchtheperformance.Buckrushedatthesplinteringwood,sinkinghisteethintoit,surgingandwrestlingwithit.Whereverthehatchetfellontheoutside,hewasthereontheinside,snarlingandgrowling,asfuriouslyanxioustogetoutasthemanintheredsweaterwascalmlyintentongettinghimout."Now,youred-eyeddevil,"hesaid,whenhehadmadeanopeningsufficientforthepassageofBuck'sbody.Atthesametimehedroppedthehatchetandshiftedtheclubtohisrighthand.AndBuckwastrulyared-eyeddevil,ashedrewhimselftogetherforthespring,hairbristling,mouthfoaming,amadglitterinhisblood-shoteyes.Straightatthemanhelaunchedhisonehundredandfortypoundsoffury,surchargedwiththepentpassionoftwodaysandnights.Inmidair,justashisjawswereabouttocloseontheman,hereceivedashockthatcheckedhisbodyandbroughthisteethtogetherwithanagonizingclip.Hewhirledover,fetchingthegroundonhisbackandside.Hehadneverbeenstruckbyaclubinhislife,anddidnotunderstand.Withasnarlthatwaspartbarkandmorescreamhewasagainonhisfeetandlaunchedintotheair.Andagaintheshockcameandhewasbroughtcrushinglytotheground.Thistimehewasawarethatitwastheclub,buthismadnessknewnocaution.Adozentimeshecharged,andasoftentheclubbrokethechargeandsmashedhimdown.Afteraparticularlyfierceblow,hecrawledtohisfeet,toodazedtorush.Hestaggeredlimplyaboutthebloodflowingfromnoseandmouthandears,hisbeautifulcoatsprayedandfleckedwithbloodyslaver.Thenthemanadvancedanddeliberatelydealthimafrightfulblowonthenose.Allthepainhehadenduredwasasnothingcomparedwiththeexquisiteagonyofthis.Witharoarthatwasalmostlionlikeinitsferocity,heagainhurledhimselfattheman.Buttheman,shiftingtheclubfromrighttoleft,coollycaughthimbytheunderjaw,atthesametimewrenchingdownwardandbackward.Buckdescribedacompletecircleintheair,andhalfofanother,thencrashedtothegroundonhisheadandchest.Forthelasttimeherushed.Themanstrucktheshrewdblowhehadpurposelywithheldforsolong,andBuckcrumpledupandwentdown,knockedutterlysenseless.HesnoslouchatdogbreakinthatswotIsayoneofthemenonthewallcriedenthusiastically.DrutherbreakcayusesanydayandtwiceonSundays"wasthereplyofthedriver,asheclimbedonthewagonandstartedthehorses.Buckssensescamebacktohim,butnothisstrength.Helaywherehehadfallen,andfromtherehewatchedthemanintheredsweater.AnswerstothenameofBuckthemansoliloquizedquotingfromthesaloon-keeper'sletterwhichhadannouncedtheconsignmentofthecrateandcontents."Well,Buck,myboy,"hewentoninagenialvoice,"we'vehadourlittleruction,andthebestthingwecandoistoletitgoatthat.Youvelearnedyourplace,andIknowmine.Beagooddogandall'llgowellandthegoosehanghighBeabaddog,andI'llwhalethestuffin'outayou.Understand?"Ashespokehefearlesslypattedtheheadhehadsomercilesslypounded,andthoughBuck'shairinvoluntarilybristledattouchofthehand,heendureditwithoutprotest.Whenthemanbroughthimwaterhedrankeagerly,andlaterboltedagenerousmealofrawmeat,chunkbychunk,fromtheman'shand. 第6頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)Hewasbeatenheknewthat);buthewasnotbroken.Hesaw,onceforall,thathestoodnochanceagainstamanwithaclub.Hehadlearnedthelesson,andinallhisafterlifeheneverforgotit.Thatclubwasarevelation.Itwashisintroductiontothereignofprimitivelaw,andhemettheintroductionhalfway.Thefactsoflifetookonafierceraspect;andwhilehefacedthataspectuncowed,hefaceditwithallthelatentcunningofhisnaturearoused.Asthedayswentby,otherdogscame,incratesandattheendsofropes,somedocilely,andsomeragingandroaringashehadcome;and,oneandall,hewatchedthempassunderthedominionofthemanintheredsweater.Againandagain,ashelookedateachbrutalperformance,thelessonwasdrivenhometoBuckamanwithaclubwasalawgiver,amastertobeobeyed,thoughnotnecessarilyconciliated.OfthislastBuckwasneverguilty,thoughhedidseebeatendogsthatfawnedupontheman,andwaggedtheirtails,andlickedhishand.Alsohesawonedog,thatwouldneitherconciliatenorobey,finallykilledinthestruggleformastery.Nowandagainmencame,strangers,whotalkedexcitedly,wheedlingly,andinallkindsoffashionstothemanintheredsweater.Andatsuchtimesthatmoneypassedbetweenthemthestrangerstookoneormoreofthedogsawaywiththem.Buckwonderedwheretheywent,fortheynevercameback;butthefearofthefuturewasstronguponhim,andhewasgladeachtimewhenhewasnotselected.Yethistimecame,intheend,intheformofalittleweazenedmanwhospatbrokenEnglishandmanystrangeanduncouthexclamationswhichBuckcouldnotunderstand.SacredamhecriedwhenhiseyeslituponBuckDatonedambullydog!Eh?Howmoch?"Threehundredandapresentatthatwasthepromptreplyofthemanintheredsweater."Andseemitsgovernmentmoneyyouaintgotnokickcoming,eh,Perrault?"PerraultgrinnedConsideringthatthepriceofdogshadbeenboomedskywardbytheunwonteddemanditwasnotanunfairsumforsofineananimal.TheCanadianGovernmentwouldbenoloser,norwoulditsdespatchestraveltheslower.Perraultknewdogs,andwhenhelookedatBuckheknewthathewasoneinathousand--"Oneintent'ousand,"hecommentedmentally.Bucksawmoneypassbetweenthem,andwasnotsurprisedwhenCurly,agood-naturedNewfoundland,andhewereledawaybythelittleweazenedman.Thatwasthelasthesawofthemanintheredsweater,andasCurlyandhelookedatrecedingSeattlefromthedeckoftheNarwhal,itwasthelasthesawofthewarmSouthland.CurlyandheweretakenbelowbyPerraultandturnedovertoablack-facedgiantcalledFrancois.PerraultwasaFrench-Canadian,andswarthy;butFrancoiswasaFrench-Canadianhalf-breed,andtwiceasswarthy.TheywereanewkindofmentoBuck(ofwhichhewasdestinedtoseemanymore),andwhilehedevelopednoaffectionforthem,henonethelessgrewhonestlytorespectthem.HespeedilylearnedthatPerraultandFrancoiswerefairmen,calmandimpartialinadministeringjustice,andtoowiseinthewayofdogstobefooledbydogs.InthetweendecksoftheNarwhal,BuckandCurlyjoinedtwootherdogs.Oneofthemwasabig,snowwhitefellowfromSpitzbergenwhohadbeenbroughtawaybyawhalingcaptain,andwhohadlateraccompaniedaGeologicalSurveyintotheBarrens.Hewasfriendly,inatreacheroussortofwaysmilingintoone'sfacethewhilehemeditatedsomeunderhandtrick,as,forinstance,whenhestolefromBuck'sfoodatthefirstmeal.AsBucksprangtopunishhim,thelashofFrancois'swhipsangthroughtheair,reachingtheculpritfirst;andnothingremainedtoBuckbuttorecover theboneThatwasfairofFrancois,hedecided,andthehalf-breedbeganhisriseinBuck'sestimation.Theotherdogmadenoadvancesnorreceivedany;also,hedidnotattempttostealfromthenewcomers.Hewasagloomy,morosefellow,andheshowedCurlyplainlythatallhedesiredwastobeleftalone,andfurther,thattherewouldbetroubleifhewerenotleftalone."Dave"hewascalled,andheateandslept,oryawnedbetweentimes,andtookinterestinnothing,notevenwhentheNarwhalcrossedQueenCharlotteSoundandrolledandpitchedandbuckedlikeathingpossessed.WhenBuckandCurlygrewexcited,halfwildwithfear,heraisedhisheadasthoughannoyed,favoredthemwithanincuriousglance,yawned,andwenttosleepagain.Dayandnighttheshipthrobbedtothetirelesspulseofthepropeller,andthoughonedaywasverylikeanotheritwasapparenttoBuckthattheweatherwassteadilygrowingcolder.Atlast,onemorning,thepropellerwasquiet,andtheNarwhalwaspervadedwithanatmosphereofexcitementHefeltit,asdidtheotherdogs,andknewthatachangewasathand.Francoisleashedthemandbroughtthemondeck.Atthefirststepuponthecoldsurface,Buck'sfeetsankintoawhitemushysomethingverylikemud.Hesprangbackwithasnort.Moreofthiswhitestuffwasfallingthroughtheair.Heshookhimself,butmoreofitfelluponhim.Hesniffeditcuriously,thenlickedsomeuponhistongue.Itbitlikefire,andthenextinstantwasgone.Thispuzzledhim.Hetrieditagain,withthesameresult.Theonlookerslaugheduproariously,andhefeltashamed,heknewnotwhy,foritwashisfirstsnow.heLawofClubandFangBucksfirstdayontheDyeabeachwaslikeanightmare.Everyhourwasfilledwithshockandsurprise.HehadbeensuddenlyjerkedfromtheheartofcivilizationandflungintotheheartofthingsprimordialNolazy,sun-kissedlifewasthis,withnothingtodobutloafandbebored.Herewasneitherpeace,norrest,noramoment'ssafety.Allwasconfusionandaction,andeverymomentlifeandlimbwereinperil.Therewasimperativeneedtobeconstantlyalert;forthesedogsandmenwerenottowndogsandmen.Theyweresavages,allofthem,whoknewnolawbutthelawofclubandfang.Hehadneverseendogsfightasthesewolfishcreaturesfought,andhisfirstexperiencetaughthimanunforgetablelesson.Itistrue,itwasavicariousexperience,elsehewouldnothavelivedtoprofitbyit.Curlywasthevictim.Theywerecampednearthelogstore,whereshe,inherfriendlyway,madeadvancestoahuskydogthesizeofafull-grownwolf,thoughnothalfsolargeasshe.Therewasnowarning,onlyaleapinlikeaflash,ametallicclipofteeth,aleapoutequallyswift,andCurly'sfacewasrippedopenfromeyetojaw.Itwasthewolfmanneroffighting,tostrikeandleapaway;buttherewasmoretoitthanthis.Thirtyorfortyhuskiesrantothespotandsurroundedthecombatantsinanintentandsilentcircle.Buckdidnotcomprehendthatsilentintentness,northeeagerwaywithwhichtheywerelickingtheirchops.Curlyrushedherantagonist,whostruckagainandleapedaside.Hemethernextrushwithhischestinapeculiarfashionthattumbledheroffherfeet.Sheneverregainedthem,Thiswaswhattheonlookinghuskieshadwaitedfor.Theyclosedinuponher,snarlingandyelping,andshewasburied,screamingwithagony,beneaththebristlingmassofbodies.第7頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)SosuddenwasitandsounexpectedthatBuckwastakenabackHesawSpitzrunouthisscarlettongueinawayhehadoflaughing;andhesawFrancois,swinginganaxe,springintothemessofdogsThreemenwithclubswerehelpinghimtoscatterthem.Itdidnottakelong.TwominutesfromthetimeCurlywentdown,thelastofherassailantswereclubbedoff.Butshelaytherelimpandlifelessinthebloody,trampledsnow,almostliterallytorntopieces,theswarthalf-breedstandingoverherandcursinghorribly.ThesceneoftencamebacktoBucktotroublehiminhissleepSothatwastheway.Nofairplay.Oncedown,thatwastheendofyou.Well,hewouldseetoitthatheneverwentdown.Spitzranouthistongueandlaughedagain,andfromthatmomentBuckhatedhimwithabitteranddeathlesshatred.BeforehehadrecoveredfromtheshockcausedbythetragicpassingofCurly,hereceivedanothershockFrancoisfasteneduponhimanarrangementofstrapsandbuckles.Itwasaharness,suchashehadseenthegroomsputonthehorsesathome.Andashehadseenhorseswork,sohewassettoworkhaulingFrancoisonasledtotheforestthatfringedthevalley,andreturningwithaloadoffirewood.Thoughhisdignitywassorelyhurtbythusbeingmadeadraughtanimal,hewastoowisetorebel.Hebuckleddownwithawillanddidhisbest,thoughitwasallnewandstrange.Francoiswasstern,demandinginstantobedience,andbyvirtueofhiswhipreceivinginstantobedience;whileDave,whowasanexperiencedwheeler,nippedBuck'shindquarterswheneverhewasinerror.Spitzwastheleader,likewiseexperienced,andwhilehecouldnotalwaysgetatBuck,hegrowledsharpreproofnowandagain,orcunninglythrewhisweightinthetracestojerkBuckintothewayheshouldgo.Bucklearnedeasily,andunderthecombinedtuitionofhistwomatesandFrancoismaderemarkableprogress.Eretheyreturnedtocampheknewenoughtostopatho,"togoaheadat"mush,"toswingwideonthebends,andtokeepclearofthewheelerwhentheloadedsledshotdownhillattheirheels.TreevairgooddogsFrancoistoldPerraultDatBuckheempoollakhell.Itichheemqueekasanyt'ing."ByafternoonPerraultwhowasinahurrytobeonthetrailwithhisdespatches,returnedwithtwomoredogs."Billee"and"Joe"hecalledthem,twobrothers,andtruehuskiesboth.Sonsoftheonemotherthoughtheywere,theywereasdifferentasdayandnight.Billee'sonefaultwashisexcessivegoodnature,whileJoewastheveryopposite,sourandintrospective,withaperpetualsnarlandamalignanteye.Buckreceivedthemincomradelyfashion,Daveignoredthem,whileSpitzproceededtothrashfirstoneandthentheother.Billeewaggedhistailappeasingly,turnedtorunwhenhesawthatappeasementwasofnoavail,andcried(stillappeasingly)whenSpitz'ssharpteethscoredhisflank.ButnomatterhowSpitzcircled,Joewhirledaroundonhisheelstofacehimmanebristling,earslaidback,lipswrithingandsnarling,jawsclippingtogetherasfastashecouldsnap,andeyesdiabolicallygleaming--theincarnationofbelligerentfear.SoterriblewashisappearancethatSpitzwasforcedtoforegodisciplininghim;buttocoverhisowndiscomfitureheturnedupontheinoffensiveandwailingBilleeanddrovehimtotheconfinesofthecamp.ByeveningPerraultsecuredanotherdog,anoldhusky,longandleanandgaunt,withabattle-scarredfaceandasingleeyewhichflashedawarningofprowessthatcommandedrespect.HewascalledSollekswhichmeanstheAngryOne.LikeDave,heaskednothing,gavenothing,expectednothingandwhenhemarchedslowlyanddeliberatelyintotheirmidst,evenSpitzlefthimalone.HehadonepeculiaritywhichBuckwasunluckyenoughtodiscover.Hedidnotliketobeapproachedonhisblindside.OfthisoffenceBuckwasunwittinglyguilty,andthefirstknowledge第8頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng) 第9頁共49頁httpwwwencomcn/原版英語閱讀網(wǎng)hehadofhisindiscretionwaswhenSol-lekswhirleduponhimandslashedhisshouldertotheboneforthreeinchesupanddown.ForeverafterB