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The Sounding of the Call
Hesawthemovement,orheardsound,andrespondedinlesstimethananotherdogrequiredtocompassthemereseeingorhearing. Heperceivedanddeterminedandrespondedinthesameinstant. Inpointoffactthethreeactionsofperceiving,determining,andrespondingweresequential; butsoinfinitesimalweretheintervalsoftimebetweenthemthattheyappearedsimultaneous. Hismusclesweresurchargedwithvitality,andsnappedintoplaysharply,likesteelsprings. Lifestreamedthroughhiminsplendidflood,gladandrampant,untilitseemedthatitwouldbursthimasunderinsheerecstasyandpourforthgenerouslyovertheworld.
"Neverwastheresuchadog,"saidJohnThorntononeday,asthepartnerswatchedBuckmarchingoutofcamp.
"Whenhewasmade,themouldwasbroke,"saidPete.
"Pyjingo!It’inksomineself,"Hansaffirmed.
Theysawhimmarchingoutofcamp,buttheydidnotseetheinstantandterribletransformationwhichtookplaceassoonashewaswithinthesecrecyoftheforest. Henolongermarched. Atoncehebecameathingofthewild,stealingalongsoftly,cat-footed,apassingshadowthatappearedanddisappearedamongtheshadows. Heknewhowtotakeadvantageofeverycover,tocrawlonhisbellylikeasnake,andlikeasnaketoleapandstrike. Hecouldtakeaptarmiganfromitsnest,killarabbitasitslept,andsnapinmidairthelittlechipmunksfleeingasecondtoolateforthetrees.
