The Call of the Wild: Selected Short Stories by Jack London

Chapter 11 The Call of the Wild (7)
There are more than 100 sled dogs in this team.Many times, they wander around in groups after dinner.At this time, Booker will have a relaxed and happy feeling in his heart.

Some of them were fierce dogs too, and Booker had had fights with them.After a few fights, the reigns went to Booker, and he won it easily.From now on, the dogs would run away when they saw Buck's hair standing on end and his teeth showing.

However, Booker's favorite thing to do is not to scare his companions, although that is very fun.Lying on the edge of the fire and looking up at the jumping flames is its greatest pleasure.Whenever this time, its thoughts will drift away far away.Looking at the flaming red, it thought of the fireplace in the judge's house, where the fire had danced like this.Then it thought of the Santa Clara Valley, with its bright sun, and the wide swimming pool at Judge Miller's, and of Isabel, a bald Mexican, and Touts, a bald Mexican. Japanese pug.

It used to be Booker's hometown, but Booker didn't miss it very much.All kinds of things experienced after leaving home reminded him often.Many times, the man in the red shirt jumped out of nowhere, waving the stick in his hand, and then Curley and Spitz also appeared.Booker could vividly remember the tragic death of Curley and the duel between himself and Spitz.At this time, subconsciously, its upper body stood up, and at the same time, its ears kept upright, alert to every move around it.

Just when it was staring at the flames in a daze, the cook just walked towards it, and looking at his figure, Booker seemed to see someone else in a daze.This man has long hands and short legs, is covered in hair, and most of the time, he holds a long pole in his hand.He was still chanting words, his voice was very strange, as if he was trying to wake up something.Involuntarily, Booker also let out a low growl, and at this moment, a loud cry came from next to his ear: "Booker, wake up!"

It was the cook's voice, and its thoughts were immediately withdrawn.Those scenes that appeared in the mind disappeared in an instant, and it still lived in this world, which was real.So, it stretched its muscles and bones, yawned, and then straightened up.

All the way to Daosheng, they were extremely tired and looked very haggard.The mail was so heavy that they had to use all their strength to move forward.After arriving at the destination, Booker's body no longer has a muscle.

Rest is the only way for these dogs to return to their normal state.Even if it doesn't take half a month to recuperate, it will take ten days.But they only stayed for two days before embarking on their journey again.This time they will travel along the Bales River and then reach the banks of the Yukon River.The sled was still piled high with letters.

But this time their luck was not good. They encountered heavy snow on the first day of departure, and they followed each other all the way.As a result, the road under their feet became extremely difficult.The snow track was loose and soft, and the sleds walked on it as if they were stuck, and the skids did not work.The sled was already moving forward with a load, but it was even more difficult to move at this time.

For the current situation, their new owners have encountered it many times and know how to deal with it.So every now and then, they'd help Booker them.But even so, the burden on these sled dogs still hasn't lightened in the slightest.

Every day, as soon as the mail escorts set up camp, they were busy tending the sled dogs.Prepare dinner for them, and then give them a comprehensive body check, from head to toe, very carefully.After doing this, they either eat or get busy with other things.Even so, Booker and the others are still getting thinner and weaker day by day.

From the beginning of winter to the present, Booker and the others have been running non-stop, covering a total of [-] miles.Such a long distance, no matter how strong the dog's body is, its strength will be exhausted.What's more, they drag heavy sleds.

Booker's perseverance is very strong, he endured silently, and did not neglect his duties because of fatigue.It still performed the duties of the team leader as always, and supervised the work of its companions.It goes to great lengths to be disciplined.

Unrelieved from extreme fatigue, the dogs all changed, becoming not only cranky but also short-tempered.

Billy, even in his sleep, made noises and never ceased, either weeping or yelling.Joey's temper was already grumpy, and now it's even worse.Solox was only sensitive to the blind side before, but now regardless of which side, as long as other companions approach, whether intentionally or not, it will drive away the other side.

But even so, their situation is not the worst for the dog team.Worst of all was Dev as it had broken bones.This conclusion was drawn by the dog team, although they did not know where the bone was broken.Dev felt the most pain when the sled pulled violently or stopped suddenly.At this time, it can't help but let out a miserable cry.

Dev was the first to lie down and the last to get up every day.As long as it sees that the tent is set up, it will immediately prepare its own snow cave nearby, and then lie in it and moan non-stop.The next day, he didn't get up until everyone put on the harness.Even the dinner was fed by the dog team.

It struggled like this until it reached the Garcia River Beach.At this time, its body couldn't support it any longer, and it fell several times in a row.

Everyone in the dog team felt sorry for him seeing him like this.Out of sympathy, they intend to let it rest.So, Dave was brought out so that he only had to follow.

However, Dev was very reluctant about this arrangement and couldn't help throwing a fit.When it saw Thoroks taking its place, it immediately cried out, as if expressing its dissatisfaction.

Pulling a sled to run is a very hard work.But for Dev, the work is fun, and it's a source of pride.It can't bear to have other dogs take its place.

Because of this, it doesn't want to just follow the sled.As the sled hit the road, it also ran forward, trying to drive Thorock away and take back its place.Although it was very weak, it still tried its best to hold on and bit Sorox.

This way, it chased like this, with a face full of anger, even the whip was useless against it.However, it fell down once.I can't move anymore.Those sledges were still going, and the snowflakes on the road were lifted.Watching them pass by, Dev was desperate, and couldn't help roaring loudly, with a sense of sadness in his voice.

When the team rested, it immediately struggled to get up, and then ran forward.It didn't stabilize itself until it ran up to Sorox's side.

Seeing that his hopes failed again and again, Dev was very disappointed, so he bit off two reins of Solox.In this way, the sled can no longer go even if it wants to, and it can return to its original position.

Its behavior made the owner feel surprised and puzzled, and he couldn't say a word.Dev won and it was cleared to rejoin the team.

After thinking for a long time, its owner knew what Dev wanted.So, he made a decision to let it realize his wish.He thought, maybe this is the best destination for Dev, even if it died because of it, it would have nothing to regret.

Dev began to drag the sled forward again.But the pain on his body is still tormenting it, for this reason, it has cried out many times.He fell to the ground more than once, unable to get up, and had to be dragged forward by a sled.Even so, it still did not give up, still gritted its teeth and persisted, struggling to support it.

So it persisted all day, and in the evening the dog-driver made a den for him near the fire.At this time, it was able to lie down and rest without thinking about anything.

At dawn, there was a noisy scene in the camp, but Dev couldn't move.It could only watch helplessly as the dog team cleared up the camp.

Seeing them put on the harness, Dev tried to get up.It tried its best to support itself and tried, but its legs could no longer exert strength.In a flash, it fell to the ground.It didn't want to give up, so it stretched out its front legs, lay its body on the ground, and dragged it forward.Although this is very strenuous, compared with staying still, at least you can move a little bit.Its strength disappeared bit by bit, and its breathing almost stopped.By this time, its companions were all ready to go.It can only look at them, eyes full of envy and reluctance.It was unwilling, and couldn't help howling loudly, and the sound lasted for a long time.The dog team marched on to the river and through the woods, and Dev's miserable howling was still clearly audible.The sled team couldn't go any further.The long line stopped there.

The master stepped back, feeling very sad.After a while, there was a gunshot from the camp.In an instant, the tranquility of this snow field was broken.

The master came back, walking in a hurry.He waved his whip and ordered them to continue on their way.Then, the sled started, and under the creaking sound, he walked onto the snow track again.

What happened in the camp they just left?Not only Booker knows this problem, but other dogs are also very clear.

(Chapter 5) Weather-beaten

(Section [-]) Changing Owners Again
On the trip from Dawson to Skagui, Booker's sled team was at the head of the pack.When they finally reached the city of Skagui, Booker and his companions were tired and tired, and they moved slowly.

Booker used to weigh 140 pounds, but now he weighs 110 pounds, like a dried fish.With Booker's strong physique, if this is the case, the other companions need not be mentioned, not to mention that their bodies are not as good as Booker's.

Pike always finds all kinds of excuses to avoid hard labor.In the past, it often used lameness as an excuse.Unfortunately, that excuse turned out to be a real lame one.Even Thoroks walked with a limp.Dab's scapula was sprained, and it was in great pain. There was no way he could do it, he could only clenched his teeth and persisted.

"Hold on, dogs!" came the voice of their master from behind, who often cheered them up: "It's hard work for you, but this ride is over. I swear. It won't take long before we'll be able to Rested, and rested for a long time. You will all feel comfortable then. It's true, and I'm not lying!"

After leaving Daosheng, those who escorted the mail were also on their way.This journey took them 20 days without taking a break.In any case, they should have an interest rate adjustment period, and the time should not be too short.In this way, they can rest.But it didn't work out, Klondike had too many gold diggers, and with it, their letters piled up as high as Mount Alhaus.

So even they themselves only got two days of rest.On the third day, they embarked on the trip again, but Booker and the others were excluded.Because they were already very emaciated at this time, the official order, their work was replaced by the new Hudson bay dog.For Booker and the others, the government intends to sell them at a low price.

These things, Booker, they don't know.For the government at this time, Booker has no use for them.

They rested for three days.Three days later, early in the morning, Booker heard the conversation.There are two Americans who are talking to the Canadian government about the price of dogs, and then they come to an agreement and the money changes hands.The original owner is gone, and the rest of the dog team has also left.It wasn't until this time that Booker came to his senses that they could no longer return to the previous team.

And their new owners are those two Americans.Booker, them, and all the equipment on them were sold to the two of them, and the price was extremely low.

The two Americans' names were Charis and Hal.Charis was the older one, in his forties, with pale skin, no light in his eyes, and a beard curled up, looking funny.Hal was a lad, about 40 years old.Around his waist was a belt full of bullets, and on the belt was a pistol, a repeating Colt, and a hunting knife.With them was a woman named Messessa.Hal was her brother and Charis' brother-in-law.

After paying the money, they took Booker and his companion away.They also have their own camp.After returning, Booker found that the place where they lived was in a mess, the clothes in the tent were piled up randomly, and the dishes were thrown away after use.Seeing this scene, Booker knew that life here was not suitable for them at all.So, it is very worried.And they were busy putting up the tent, and their movements were not flexible at all.Booker was watching from the side, looking preoccupied.They had to pack everything up and move on to the sledge.Those things made them scramble, and it took a lot of energy, but they were all doing useless work.

While Charis and Hal worked, Messessa ran back and forth, cursing Charis and Hal.She thought she was great and, now and then, gave them advice.As far as the stowage of the luggage is concerned, Charis and Hal put the luggage in the front of the sled, while Messesa has to put it in the back.So, they flip it around and put something else on top.But at this time, something happened to Messesa again.She found some things that should have been packed, and insisted on putting them in her pocket, but the bag was already loaded on the sled, and it was at the bottom.They had no choice but to move their luggage again.

There are other tents beside them too.Just as they were tidying up, three men came out. Seeing that they had been busy for a long time without any results, it was as if they were performing a farce.The three people were a little gloating, and couldn't help but sneer: "You have so many things, look at how magnificent the scene is! I still have to say something, if it were me, I would throw away the tent, it takes too much weight up."

Messesa begs to agree with this suggestion.She waved her hands and said loudly, "That's impossible! There is ice and snow everywhere in this kind of place, and there is no way to live without the tent."

"Winter has long passed, and spring will not be so cold." The man who spoke just now said to her.

But Messessa held her ground, shaking her head as she focused on Charis and Hal, watching as they moved their bags until they made sure nothing was left behind.In the end, everything piled up on the sled like a hill.

"Can a dog pull that much?" asked another of the three men.

"Of course you can! Who says you can't?" Charis replied with a haughty look on his face.

"If this is the case, then it would be the best." The man continued, with a very modest attitude, "I want to share my opinion, of course this is just my personal opinion. The front weight of this sled seems to be too big."

When Charis heard it, he felt that what he said was true.So he went into the sledge, and arranged the packs so that they were as neatly arranged as possible, and then he tightened the ropes.But things don't seem to have changed.

"These dogs are very powerful. Although these things are very heavy, they must not be a problem. They must be able to drag the sled and run on the snowy road." Another person said, his tone was full of ridicule.

"That's for sure!" Hal took his words and replied without emotion.

Having said this, he took the sled pole in one hand, and the whip in the other, and waved it.

"Let's go!" he shouted loudly, looking very proud. "Hurry up and pull!"

Booker and his companions also want to hurry on the road.They tugged on the reins on their chests hard, but after only a short while, the reins loosened.That sled was too heavy for them to pull.

"You dogs don't use any strength at all. It seems that I have to teach you a lesson." Hal said while raising the whip in his hand.

Just then, Messessa ran up to stop him, "Hal! Don't whip them!" As she spoke, she grabbed the whip and tried to wrest it from Hal's hand. "Look at the dogs, they're miserable enough. So, Hal! You promise me you don't do this to them. If you can't, I'm not here."

But what responded to her was Howl's ridicule, as if mocking her, "You know everything! Don't meddle in my affairs. This is what I want. How to treat them, you know? Only under the whip , they do their work. If you have doubts about that, ask someone else."

Messesa looked at them, her eyes full of pleading, looking genuine.There was a kind of kindness and pity in her beautiful face.

"These dogs are too thin. They are exhausted from long hours of work. Now they need to rest," one person said.

Hearing this, Hal was very angry: "What kind of birds are resting? They still want to rest? I just bought them for pulling the sled. If I don't work, I'm still raising them for nothing."

Hal's lack of politeness in his answer made Mahid a little embarrassed.He couldn't help shouting out: "Hey!"

Messessa, considering that she and Hal are family, turns to defending him.So she said to Hal, "Forget it, don't talk to them. If you think it's useful, go for it."

Next, Hal beat down with a leather whip.The whip kept whipping on Booker and his companions without leaving any sympathy.

Forced to do nothing, they could only pull the sled with all their strength.Their feet sunk deep into the snow, holding tight to their chest straps.Still, the sled remained motionless, as if rooted.Pulled this twice, still nothing changed.So Booker and the others stopped panting.

However, the whip in Hal's hand didn't stop, on the contrary, he whipped more fiercely.

Seeing this, Messesa couldn't bear it anymore.She squatted in front of Booker and the others, tears welling up in her eyes.She put her arms around Buck's neck, and cried out sadly, "You dogs, you poor dogs! If you work harder, you will be spared the pain of flesh and blood."

(End of this chapter)