The Southland

           WhiteFanglandedfromthesteamerinSanFrancisco. Hewasappalled. Deepinhim,belowanyreasoningprocessoractofconsciousness,hehadassociatedpowerwithgodhead. Andneverhadthewhitemenseemedsuchmarvellousgodsasnow,whenhetrodtheslimypavementofSanFrancisco. Thelogcabinshehadknownwerereplacedbytoweringbuildings. Thestreetswerecrowdedwithperils—waggons,carts,automobiles;great,straininghorsespullinghugetrucks; andmonstrouscableandelectriccarshootingandclangingthroughthemidst,screechingtheirinsistentmenaceafterthemannerofthelynxeshehadknowninthenorthernwoods. 

           Allthiswasthemanifestationofpower. Throughitall,behinditall,wasman,governingandcontrolling,expressinghimself,asofold,byhismasteryovermatter. Itwascolossal,stunning.WhiteFangwasawed. Fearsatuponhim. AsinhiscubhoodhehadbeenmadetofeelhissmallnessandpuninessonthedayhefirstcameinfromtheWildtothevillageofGreyBeaver,sonow,inhisfull-grownstatureandprideofstrength,hewasmadetofeelsmallandpuny. Andthereweresomanygods! Hewasmadedizzybytheswarmingofthem. Thethunderofthestreetssmoteuponhisears. Hewasbewilderedbythetremendousandendlessrushandmovementofthings. Asneverbefore,hefelthisdependenceonthelove-master,closeatwhoseheelshefollowed,nomatterwhathappenedneverlosingsightofhim. 

           ButWhiteFangwastohavenomorethananightmarevisionofthecity—anexperiencethatwaslikeabaddream,unrealandterrible,thathauntedhimforlongafterinhisdreams. Hewasputintoabaggage-carbythemaster,chainedinacornerinthemidstofheapedtrunksandvalises. Hereasquatandbrawnygodheldsway,withmuchnoise,hurlingtrunksandboxesabout,draggingtheminthroughthedoorandtossingthemintothepiles,orflingingthemoutofthedoor,smashingandcrashing,toothergodswhoawaitedthem.