Белый клык
The Trail of the Gods
Thefrostwasinhisfeet,andhekeptliftingfirstoneforefootandthentheother. Hecurvedhisbushytailaroundtocoverthem,andatthesametimehesawavision. Therewasnothingstrangeaboutit. Uponhisinwardsightwasimpressedasuccessionofmemory-pictures. Hesawthecampagain,thetepees,andtheblazeofthefires. Heheardtheshrillvoicesofthewomen,thegruffbassesofthemen,andthesnarlingofthedogs. Hewashungry,andherememberedpiecesofmeatandfishthathadbeenthrownhim. Herewasnomeat,nothingbutathreateningandinediblesilence.
Hisbondagehadsoftenedhim. Irresponsibilityhadweakenedhim. Hehadforgottenhowtoshiftforhimself. Thenightyawnedabouthim. Hissenses,accustomedtothehumandbustleofthecamp,usedtothecontinuousimpactofsightsandsounds,werenowleftidle. Therewasnothingtodo,nothingtoseenorhear. Theystrainedtocatchsomeinterruptionofthesilenceandimmobilityofnature. Theywereappalledbyinactionandbythefeelofsomethingterribleimpending.
Hegaveagreatstartoffright. Acolossalandformlesssomethingwasrushingacrossthefieldofhisvision. Itwasatree-shadowflungbythemoon,fromwhosefacethecloudshadbeenbrushedaway. Reassured,hewhimperedsoftly;thenhesuppressedthewhimperforfearthatitmightattracttheattentionofthelurkingdangers.
Atree,contractinginthecoolofthenight,madealoudnoise.Itwasdirectlyabovehim. Heyelpedinhisfright.Apanicseizedhim,andheranmadlytowardthevillage. Heknewanoverpoweringdesirefortheprotectionandcompanionshipofman. Inhisnostrilswasthesmellofthecamp-smoke.Inhisearsthecamp-soundsandcrieswereringingloud. Hepassedoutoftheforestandintothemoonlitopenwherewerenoshadowsnordarknesses. Butnovillagegreetedhiseyes. Hehadforgotten.Thevillagehadgoneaway.
