The Law of Club and Fang
Far from the "lazy, sun-kissed life" of the civilized Southland, Buck's first
day on the snowy shores of Dyea Beach is a "nightmare." He quickly
senses that this place is not for leisurely loafing, but a perilous
frontier where there is "neither peace, nor rest, norÉsafety." "Life and
limb" are constantly in danger, requiring one to be vigilantly alert
because these are not "town dogs and men," but "savages" who abide by
the law of the club and fang.
Buck observes the cruel ways of the Northland and its "wolfish creatures" immediately through an "unforgettable lesson." Curly approaches a husky in a friendly manner, but the dog strikes at her, ripping her face wide open. The other dogs circle as Curly attempts to defend herself. Yet the husky rushes against her, knocking her off her feet. Because Curly is unable to regain her footing, the surrounding canines join in the carnage, trampling her to death. Buck observer Spitz emerging from the fray with his tongue sticking out; he appears to be laughing. Franois, with an ax, and three other men, club the remaining dogs off of Curly's lifeless and shredded body. The image disturbs Buck, who recognizes that in the Northland there is "no fair play."
Buck receives "another shock" when Franois harnesses him to the traces. Having observed horses harnessed in a similar manner to haul loads, Buck's pride is hurt because he's reduced to the level of a working animal. But he embraces his work obediently and quickly learns from Dave and Spitz how to work in traces. Upon returning to camp, he knows to stop at "ho," go at "mush," makes wide turns, and to keep clear when going downhill.
On the trail, Perrault acquires two more dogs, brothers Billee and Joe. Billee is good-natured, while Joe is sullen and mean-spirited, confronting Spitz with growls. Buck welcomes the new recruits, while Spitz thrashes Billee in retribution for Joe's belligerence. By evening, Perrault acquires a one-eyed, old husky, called Sol-leks, or the "Angry One." Like Dave, he likes to be left alone and does not like being approached from his blind side, as Buck learns when he gets slashed on the shoulder when he approaches Sol-leks from this angle. Buck learns that each dog possesses a "vital ambition."
Night descends upon the trail. Buck, troubled by cold and sleeplessness, attempts to enter Franois and Perrault's candle-lit tent, but they drive him away. Buck wanders the camp in search of shelter, but finds no warmth or protection, until he stumbles upon a loose patch of snow, under which Billee is sleeping. Billee gives a friendly yelp, inviting Buck to burrow in the snow with him. Buck finds himself a spot, buries himself in the snow, and sleeps soundly.
Buck, awakened by the camp's morning stirrings breaks out of his snowy mound. The team breaks camp for Dyea Ca–on--Spitz in the lead, followed by Sol-leks, Buck, and Dave in the rear. Situated between Dave and Sol-leks, Buck receives "instruction" in dog sledding. They correct his errors with little nips, while Franois administers his whip when needed. A quick learner, Buck "masters his work" after toiling in the traces for only a few days, learning to always keep the traces clear, or else face a "sound trouncing."
On the trail, Buck develops a "ravenous" hunger, but learns to eat his food quickly so that the other dogs will not steal his ration. He learns to steal food, as well, after watching Pike, a sly dog, steal a slice of bacon from Perrault. Buck repeats the theft, but this time stealing the whole chunk of pork. He is never caught, nor suspected of the crime. Buck observes that his ability to steal without "moral consideration" marks his adjustment to the competitive lifestyle of the Northland and his "retrogression" into a primitive animal. He recognizes that he does not steal "for the joy of it," but because he is driven by hunger.
As Buck gains experience on the trail, he transforms physically. His senses sharpen. His body strengthens against pain. He learns to care for himself by biting out the ice between his toes and eating anything. His domesticated habits fall away, while his latent instincts awaken. He remembers the days of wild wolf packs frolicking through the woods and begins to fight and howl like a wolf, bringing the wolves' "ancient song" to life.
Buck observes the cruel ways of the Northland and its "wolfish creatures" immediately through an "unforgettable lesson." Curly approaches a husky in a friendly manner, but the dog strikes at her, ripping her face wide open. The other dogs circle as Curly attempts to defend herself. Yet the husky rushes against her, knocking her off her feet. Because Curly is unable to regain her footing, the surrounding canines join in the carnage, trampling her to death. Buck observer Spitz emerging from the fray with his tongue sticking out; he appears to be laughing. Franois, with an ax, and three other men, club the remaining dogs off of Curly's lifeless and shredded body. The image disturbs Buck, who recognizes that in the Northland there is "no fair play."
Buck receives "another shock" when Franois harnesses him to the traces. Having observed horses harnessed in a similar manner to haul loads, Buck's pride is hurt because he's reduced to the level of a working animal. But he embraces his work obediently and quickly learns from Dave and Spitz how to work in traces. Upon returning to camp, he knows to stop at "ho," go at "mush," makes wide turns, and to keep clear when going downhill.
On the trail, Perrault acquires two more dogs, brothers Billee and Joe. Billee is good-natured, while Joe is sullen and mean-spirited, confronting Spitz with growls. Buck welcomes the new recruits, while Spitz thrashes Billee in retribution for Joe's belligerence. By evening, Perrault acquires a one-eyed, old husky, called Sol-leks, or the "Angry One." Like Dave, he likes to be left alone and does not like being approached from his blind side, as Buck learns when he gets slashed on the shoulder when he approaches Sol-leks from this angle. Buck learns that each dog possesses a "vital ambition."
Night descends upon the trail. Buck, troubled by cold and sleeplessness, attempts to enter Franois and Perrault's candle-lit tent, but they drive him away. Buck wanders the camp in search of shelter, but finds no warmth or protection, until he stumbles upon a loose patch of snow, under which Billee is sleeping. Billee gives a friendly yelp, inviting Buck to burrow in the snow with him. Buck finds himself a spot, buries himself in the snow, and sleeps soundly.
Buck, awakened by the camp's morning stirrings breaks out of his snowy mound. The team breaks camp for Dyea Ca–on--Spitz in the lead, followed by Sol-leks, Buck, and Dave in the rear. Situated between Dave and Sol-leks, Buck receives "instruction" in dog sledding. They correct his errors with little nips, while Franois administers his whip when needed. A quick learner, Buck "masters his work" after toiling in the traces for only a few days, learning to always keep the traces clear, or else face a "sound trouncing."
On the trail, Buck develops a "ravenous" hunger, but learns to eat his food quickly so that the other dogs will not steal his ration. He learns to steal food, as well, after watching Pike, a sly dog, steal a slice of bacon from Perrault. Buck repeats the theft, but this time stealing the whole chunk of pork. He is never caught, nor suspected of the crime. Buck observes that his ability to steal without "moral consideration" marks his adjustment to the competitive lifestyle of the Northland and his "retrogression" into a primitive animal. He recognizes that he does not steal "for the joy of it," but because he is driven by hunger.
As Buck gains experience on the trail, he transforms physically. His senses sharpen. His body strengthens against pain. He learns to care for himself by biting out the ice between his toes and eating anything. His domesticated habits fall away, while his latent instincts awaken. He remembers the days of wild wolf packs frolicking through the woods and begins to fight and howl like a wolf, bringing the wolves' "ancient song" to life.