Белый клык
The Covenant
Therewas,furthermore,anothervirtueinthefan-formation. Theropesofvaryinglengthpreventedthedogsattackingfromtherearthosethatraninfrontofthem. Foradogtoattackanother,itwouldhavetoturnupononeatashorterrope. Inwhichcaseitwouldfinditselffacetofacewiththedogattacked,andalsoitwouldfinditselffacingthewhipofthedriver. Butthemostpeculiarvirtueofalllayinthefactthatthedogthatstrovetoattackoneinfrontofhimmustpullthesledfaster,andthatthefasterthesledtravelled,thefastercouldthedogattackedrunaway. Thus,thedogbehindcouldnevercatchupwiththeoneinfront. Thefasterheran,thefasterrantheonehewasafter,andthefasterranallthedogs. Incidentally,thesledwentfaster,andthus,bycunningindirection,didmanincreasehismasteryoverthebeasts.
Mit-sahresembledhisfather,muchofwhosegreywisdomhepossessed. InthepasthehadobservedLip-lip’spersecutionofWhiteFang; butatthattimeLip-lipwasanotherman’sdog,andMit-sahhadneverdaredmorethantoshyanoccasionalstoneathim. ButnowLip-lipwashisdog,andheproceededtowreakhisvengeanceonhimbyputtinghimattheendofthelongestrope. ThismadeLip-liptheleader,andwasapparentlyanhonour! butinrealityittookawayfromhimallhonour,andinsteadofbeingbullyandmasterofthepack,henowfoundhimselfhatedandpersecutedbythepack.
Becauseheranattheendofthelongestrope,thedogshadalwaystheviewofhimrunningawaybeforethem. Allthattheysawofhimwashisbushytailandfleeinghindlegs—aviewfarlessferociousandintimidatingthanhisbristlingmaneandgleamingfangs. Also,dogsbeingsoconstitutedintheirmentalways,thesightofhimrunningawaygavedesiretorunafterhimandafeelingthatheranawayfromthem.
Themomentthesledstarted,theteamtookafterLip-lipinachasethatextendedthroughouttheday.
