Зов предков
The Sounding of the Call
Ashedrewclosertothecryhewentmoreslowly,withcautionineverymovement, tillhecametoanopenplaceamongthetrees,andlookingoutsaw,erectonhaunches,withnosepointedtothesky,along,lean,timberwolf.
Hehadmadenonoise,yetitceasedfromitshowlingandtriedtosensehispresence. Buckstalkedintotheopen,halfcrouching,bodygatheredcompactlytogether,tailstraightandstiff,feetfallingwithunwontedcare. Everymovementadvertisedcommingledthreateningandovertureoffriendliness. Itwasthemenacingtrucethatmarksthemeetingofwildbeaststhatprey. Butthewolffledatsightofhim. Hefollowed,withwildleapings,inafrenzytoovertake. Heranhimintoablindchannel,inthebedofthecreekwhereatimberjambarredtheway. Thewolfwhirledabout,pivotingonhishindlegsafterthefashionofJoeandofallcorneredhuskydogs,snarlingandbristling,clippinghisteethtogetherinacontinuousandrapidsuccessionofsnaps.
Buckdidnotattack,butcircledhimaboutandhedgedhiminwithfriendlyadvances. Thewolfwassuspiciousandafraid;forBuckmadethreeofhiminweight,whilehisheadbarelyreachedBuck’sshoulder. Watchinghischance,hedartedaway,andthechasewasresumed. Timeandagainhewascornered,andthethingrepeated,thoughhewasinpoorcondition,orBuckcouldnotsoeasilyhaveovertakenhim. HewouldruntillBuck’sheadwasevenwithhisflank,whenhewouldwhirlaroundatbay,onlytodashawayagainatthefirstopportunity.
