Белый клык
The Covenant
Becausehewasmoroseandsolitary,havingnothingtodowiththeotherdogs,hewasunusuallyfittedtoguardhismaster’sproperty;andinthishewasencouragedandtrainedbyGreyBeaver. OneresultofthiswastomakeWhiteFangmoreferociousandindomitable,andmoresolitary.
Themonthswentby,bindingstrongerandstrongerthecovenantbetweendogandman. ThiswastheancientcovenantthatthefirstwolfthatcameinfromtheWildenteredintowithman. And,likeallsucceedingwolvesandwilddogsthathaddonelikewise,WhiteFangworkedthecovenantoutforhimself. Thetermsweresimple. Forthepossessionofaflesh-and~bloodgod,heexchangedhisownliberty. Foodandfire,protectionandcompanionship,weresomeofthethingshereceivedfromthegod. Inreturn,heguardedthegod’sproperty,defendedhisbody,workedforhim,andobeyedhim.
Thepossessionofagodimpliesservice. WhiteFang’swasaserviceofdutyandawe,butnotoflove. Hedidnotknowwhatlovewas. Hehadnoexperienceoflove. Kichewasaremotememory. Besides,notonlyhadheabandonedtheWildandhiskindwhenhegavehimselfuptoman, butthetermsofthecovenantweresuchthatifeverhemetKicheagainhewouldnotdeserthisgodtogowithher. Hisallegiancetomanseemedsomehowalawofhisbeinggreaterthantheloveofliberty,ofkindandkin.
