Зов предков
The Sounding of the Call
Hewouldbarkanddanceaboutinfrontofthebull,justoutofreachofthegreatantlersandoftheterriblesplayhoofswhichcouldhavestampedhislifeoutwithasingleblow. Unabletoturnhisbackonthefangeddangerandgoon,thebullwouldbedrivenintoparoxysmsofrage. AtsuchmomentshechargedBuck,whoretreatedcraftily,luringhimonbyasimulatedinabilitytoescape. Butwhenhewasthusseparatedfromhisfellows,twoorthreeoftheyoungerbullswouldchargebackuponBuckandenablethewoundedbulltorejointheherd.
Thereisapatienceofthewild—dogged,tireless,persistentaslifeitself—thatholdsmotionlessforendlesshoursthespiderinitsweb,thesnakeinitscoils,thepantherinitsambuscade; thispatiencebelongspeculiarlytolifewhenithuntsitslivingfood; anditbelongedtoBuckasheclungtotheflankoftheherd,retardingitsmarch,irritatingtheyoungbulls,worryingthecowswiththeirhalf-growncalves,anddrivingthewoundedbullmadwithhelplessrage. Forhalfadaythiscontinued. Buckmultipliedhimself,attackingfromallsides,envelopingtheherdinawhirlwindofmenace,cuttingouthisvictimasfastasitcouldrejoinitsmates,wearingoutthepatienceofcreaturespreyedupon,whichisalesserpatiencethanthatofcreaturespreying.
