Chapter I. Into the Primitive “ Old longings nomadic leap , Chafing at custom 's chain ; Again from its brumal sleep Wakens the ferine strain . ”
did not read the newspapers , or would have known that trouble was brewing , not alone for , but for .
Because , groping in darkness , had found a yellow metal , and because steamship and transportation companies were booming the find , were rushing into .
wanted dogs , and the dogs wanted were heavy dogs , with strong muscles by which to toil , and furry coats to protect them from the frost .
lived at in .
, was called .
stood back from , half hidden among the trees , through which glimpses could be caught of that ran around four sides .
was approached by gravelled which wound about through wide-spreading lawns and under the interlacing boughs of tall poplars .
At the rear things were on even a more spacious scale than at the front .
There were great , where and held forth , rows of vine-clad , an endless and orderly array of , long grape arbors , green , , and berry patches .
Then there was for the artesian well , and the big cement tank where took morning plunge and kept cool in the hot afternoon .
And over ruled .
was born , and had lived the four years of life .
It was true , there were , There could not but be on so vast , but they did not count .
They came and went , resided in , or lived obscurely in after the fashion of , , or , , -- strange creatures that rarely put nose out of doors or set foot to ground .
On the other hand , there were , a score of at least , who yelped fearful promises at and looking out of the windows at and protected by armed with brooms and mops .
But was neither nor .
was .
plunged into or went hunting with ; escorted and , , on long twilight or early morning rambles ; on wintry nights lay at 's feet before the roaring library fire ; carried on back , or rolled in the grass , and guarded footsteps through wild adventures down to the fountain in , and even , , and the berry patches .
Among stalked imperiously , and and utterly ignored , for was , -- .
, , , had been , and bid fair to follow in the way of .
was not so large , -- weighed only one hundred and forty pounds , -- for , , had been .
Nevertheless , one hundred and forty pounds , to which was added the dignity that comes of good living and universal respect , enabled to carry in right royal fashion .
During the four years since puppyhood had lived the life of ; had a fine pride in , was even a trifle egotistical , as sometimes become because of insular situation .
But had saved by not becoming a mere pampered house-dog .
Hunting and kindred outdoor delights had kept down the fat and hardened muscles ; and to , as to the cold-tubbing races , the love of water had been a tonic and a health preserver .
And this was the manner of dog was in the fall of 1897 , when the Klondike strike dragged into .
But did not read the newspapers , and did not know that , one of , was .
had one besetting sin .
loved to play Chinese lottery .
Also , in gambling , had one besetting weakness -- faith in a system ; and this made damnation certain .
For to play a system requires money , while the wages of do not lap over the needs of and numerous .
was at a meeting of the Raisin Growers ' Association , and were busy organizing an athletic club , on the memorable night of 's treachery .
saw and go off through on what imagined was merely a stroll .
And with the exception of a solitary , saw arrive at known as .
talked with , and money chinked between .
“ might wrap up the goods before deliver 'm , ” said gruffly , and doubled a piece of stout rope around 's neck under the collar .
“ Twist it , an ' 'll choke 'm plentee , ” said , and grunted a ready affirmative .
had accepted the rope with quiet dignity .
To be sure , it was an unwonted performance : but had learned to trust in knew , and to give credit for a wisdom that outreached own .
But when the ends of the rope were placed in 's hands , growled menacingly .
had merely intimated displeasure , in pride believing that to intimate was to command .
But to surprise the rope tightened around neck , shutting off breath .
In quick rage sprang at , who met halfway , grappled close by the throat , and with a deft twist threw over on back .
Then the rope tightened mercilessly , while struggled in a fury , tongue lolling out of mouth and great chest panting futilely .
Never in all life had been so vilely treated , and never in all life had been so angry .
But strength ebbed , eyes glazed , and knew nothing when the train was flagged and threw into .
The next knew , was dimly aware that tongue was hurting and that was being jolted along in some kind of .
The hoarse shriek of a locomotive whistling a crossing told .
had travelled too often with not to know the sensation of riding in .
opened eyes , and into them came the unbridled anger of .
sprang for throat , but was too quick for .
jaws closed on the hand , nor did they relax till senses were choked out of once more .
“ Yep , has fits , ” said , hiding mangled hand from , who had been attracted by the sounds of struggle .
“ 'm takin ' 'm up for to ' .
thinks that can cure 'm . ”
Concerning that night 's ride , spoke most eloquently for , in back of on the .
“ All get is fifty for it , ” grumbled ; “ an ' would n't do it over for a thousand , cold cash . ”
hand was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief , and the right trouser leg was ripped from knee to ankle .
“ How much did get ? ”
demanded .
“ A hundred , ” was the reply .
“ Would n't take a sou less , so help . ”
“ That makes a hundred and fifty , ” calculated ; “ and 's worth it , or 'm . ”
undid the bloody wrappings and looked at lacerated hand .
“ If do n't get the hydrophoby -- ” “ It 'll be because was born to hang , ” laughed .
“ Here , lend a hand before pull freight , ” added .
Dazed , suffering intolerable pain from throat and tongue , with the life half throttled out of , attempted to face .
But was thrown down and choked repeatedly , till succeeded in filing the heavy brass collar from off neck .
Then the rope was removed , and was flung into .
lay for the remainder of the weary night , nursing wrath and wounded pride .
could not understand what it all meant .
What did want with , ?
Why were keeping pent up in ?
did not know why , but felt oppressed by the vague sense of impending calamity .
Several times during the night sprang to feet when the shed door rattled open , expecting to see the , or the at least .
But each time it was the bulging face of that peered in at by the sickly light of a tallow candle .
And each time the joyful bark that trembled in 's throat was twisted into a savage growl .
But let alone , and in the morning four entered and picked up the crate .
More , decided , for were , ragged and unkempt ; and stormed and raged at through the bars .
only laughed and poked sticks at , which promptly assailed with teeth till realized that that was what wanted .
Whereupon lay down sullenly and allowed to be lifted into .
Then , and in which was imprisoned , began a passage through many hands .
in took charge of ; was carted about in ; carried , with an assortment of boxes and parcels , upon ; was trucked off into , and finally was deposited in .