The Mad God

           AsmallnumberofwhitemenlivedinFortYukon. Thesemenhadbeenlonginthecountry.TheycalledthemselvesSour-doughs,andtookgreatprideinsoclassifyingthemselves. Forothermen,newintheland,theyfeltnothingbutdisdain. Themenwhocameashorefromthesteamerswerenewcomers.Theywereknownaschechaquos,andtheyalwayswiltedattheapplicationofthename. Theymadetheirbreadwithbaking-powder.ThiswastheinvidiousdistinctionbetweenthemandtheSour-doughs,who,forsooth,madetheirbreadfromsour-doughbecausetheyhadnobaking-powder. 

           Allofwhichisneitherherenorthere. Themeninthefortdisdainedthenewcomersandenjoyedseeingthemcometogrief. Especiallydidtheyenjoythehavocworkedamongstthenewcomers’dogsbyWhiteFangandhisdisreputablegang. Whenasteamerarrived,themenofthefortmadeitapointalwaystocomedowntothebankandseethefun. TheylookedforwardtoitwithasmuchanticipationasdidtheIndiandogs,whiletheywerenotslowtoappreciatethesavageandcraftypartplayedbyWhiteFang. 

           Buttherewasonemanamongstthemwhoparticularlyenjoyedthesport. Hewouldcomerunningatthefirstsoundofasteamboat’swhistle;andwhenthelastfightwasoverandWhiteFangandthepackhadscattered,hewouldreturnslowlytothefort,hisfaceheavywithregret. Sometimes,whenasoftsouthlanddogwentdown,shriekingitsdeath-cryunderthefangsofthepack,thismanwouldbeunabletocontainhimself,andwouldleapintotheairandcryoutwithdelight. AndalwayshehadasharpandcovetouseyeforWhiteFang. 

           Thismanwascalled"Beauty"bytheothermenofthefort. Nooneknewhisfirstname,andingeneralhewasknowninthecountryasBeautySmith. Buthewasanythingsaveabeauty.