Белый клык
The Long Trail
"I’llhavetotake‘mashorewithme."
MattmadeacoupleofstepstowardWhiteFang,butthelatterslidawayfromhim. Thedog-mushermadearushofit,andWhiteFangdodgedbetweenthelegsofagroupofmen. Ducking,turning,doubling,heslidaboutthedeck,eludingtheother’seffortstocapturehim.
Butwhenthelove-masterspoke,WhiteFangcametohimwithpromptobedience.
"Won’tcometothehandthat’sfed‘mallthesemonths,"thedog-mushermutteredresentfully. "Andyou—youain’tneverfed‘mafterthemfirstdaysofgettin’acquainted. I’mblamedifIcanseehowheworksitoutthatyou’retheboss."
Scott,whohadbeenpattingWhiteFang,suddenlybentcloserandpointedoutfresh-madecutsonhismuzzle,andagashbetweentheeyes.
MattbentoverandpassedhishandalongWhiteFang’sbelly.
"Weplumpforgotthewindow. He’sallcutan’gougedunderneath. Must‘a’buttedcleanthroughit,b’gosh!"
ButWeedonScottwasnotlistening.Hewasthinkingrapidly. TheAurora’swhistlehootedafinalannouncementofdeparture. Menwerescurryingdownthegang-planktotheshore. MattloosenedthebandanafromhisownneckandstartedtoputitaroundWhiteFang’s. Scottgraspedthedog-musher’shand.
"Good-bye,Matt,oldman. Aboutthewolf—youneedn’twrite.Yousee,I’ve...!"
"What!"thedog-musherexploded. "Youdon’tmeantosay...?"
