Білий ікол
The Covenant
Heknewonlyhowtofight,andfightwiththemhedid,returningtothemahundred-foldthesnapsandslashestheyhadgivenhiminthedayswhenLip-lipwasleaderofthepack. ButLip-lipwasnolongerleader—exceptwhenhefledawaybeforehismatesattheendofhisrope,thesledboundingalongbehind. IncamphekeptclosetoMit-sahorGreyBeaverorKloo-kooch. Hedidnotdareventureawayfromthegods,fornowthefangsofalldogswereagainsthim,andhetastedtothedregsthepersecutionthathadbeenWhiteFang’s.
WiththeoverthrowofLip-lip,WhiteFangcouldhavebecomeleaderofthepack. Buthewastoomoroseandsolitaryforthat. Hemerelythrashedhisteam-mates. Otherwiseheignoredthem. Theygotoutofhiswaywhenhecamealong;nordidtheboldestofthemeverdaretorobhimofhismeat. Onthecontrary,theydevouredtheirownmeathurriedly,forfearthathewouldtakeitawayfromthem. WhiteFangknewthelawwell: tooppresstheweakandobeythestrong. Heatehisshareofmeatasrapidlyashecould. Andthenwoethedogthathadnotyetfinished! Asnarlandaflashoffangs,andthatdogwouldwailhisindignationtotheuncomfortingstarswhileWhiteFangfinishedhisportionforhim.
Everylittlewhile,however,onedogoranotherwouldflameupinrevoltandbepromptlysubdued. ThusWhiteFangwaskeptintraining. Hewasjealousoftheisolationinwhichhekepthimselfinthemidstofthepack,andhefoughtoftentomaintainit. Butsuchfightswereofbriefduration. Hewastooquickfortheothers. Theywereslashedopenandbleedingbeforetheyknewwhathadhappened,werewhippedalmostbeforetheyhadbeguntofight.
Asrigidasthesled-disciplineofthegods,wasthedisciplinemaintainedbyWhiteFangamongsthisfellows. Heneverallowedthemanylatitude.Hecompelledthemtoanunremittingrespectforhim. Theymightdoastheypleasedamongstthemselves.
