Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

Chapter I. Into the Primitive (of the earliest kind)

“Old longings (deep yearning desire) nomadic (wandering) leap (to jump), Chafing at custom (settled usage)’s chain; Again from its brumal (of winter) sleep Wakens the ferine (wild; untamed) strain (to stretch hard; a family stock).”

Buck (Buck, the great St Bernard and shepherd cross, hero of the tale) did not read the newspapers, or he would have known that trouble was brewing (to make beer or tea; to gather like a storm), not alone for himself, but for every tide-water (tide-water: of the coast) dog, strong of muscle (the body's moving flesh) and with warm, long hair, from Puget Sound (the sea inlet of the Pacific north-west) to San Diego. Because men, groping (to feel one's way with the hands) in the Arctic darkness (absence of light), had found a yellow metal, and because steamship (a ship driven by steam) and transportation companies were booming (a deep hollow roar) the find, thousands of men were rushing (to move with violent haste) into the Northland. These men wanted dogs, and the dogs they wanted were heavy dogs, with strong muscles (the body's moving flesh) by which to toil (dress; ladies' finery), and furry (covered with fur) coats (an outer garment) to protect them from the frost (frozen dew).

Buck lived at a big house in the sun-kissed (sun-kissed: warmed by the sun) Santa Clara Valley (the warm Californian valley of Buck's first home). Judge Miller (Buck's first master in California)’s place, it was called. It stood back from the road, half hidden among the trees, through which glimpses (a brief sight) could be caught of the wide cool veranda (an open porch) that ran around its four sides. The house was approached by gravelled (surfaced with gravel) driveways (driveways: roads up to a house) which wound (a bodily hurt) about through wide-spreading (spreading wide) lawns (a stretch of cut grass) and under the interlacing (interlacing: interwoven) boughs (a branch of a tree) of tall poplars (the tall slim tree). At the rear (the back part; to bring up) things were on even a more spacious (with wide room) scale than at the front. There were great stables (the horses' house; firm), where a dozen (twelve) grooms (a servant who tends horses) and boys held forth (forward; out), rows of vine-clad (covered with vines) servants (one who serves)’ cottages (a small country house), an endless (without end) and orderly (in good order; an officer's soldier-servant) array (an ordered display) of outhouses (an outer farm building), long grape (the small fruit wine is made from) arbors (arbors: shaded garden walks), green pastures (grazing land), orchards (a field of fruit trees), and berry (a small round fruit) patches (a mending piece). Then there was the pumping (the water-raising machine) plant for the artesian (artesian well: a deep bored well) well, and the big cement (the grey building paste) tank where Judge Miller’s boys took their morning plunge (to dive suddenly) and kept cool in the hot afternoon.

And over this great demesne (a lord's own land) Buck ruled. Here he was born, and here he had lived the four years of his life. It was true, there were other dogs. There could not but be other dogs on so vast (very great) a place, but they did not count. They came and went, resided (resided: lived) in the populous (thickly peopled) kennels (kennelled: housed like a dog), or lived obscurely (in a dim, hidden way) in the recesses (a set-back hollow) of the house after the fashion of Toots (Toots, the Japanese pug at the Judge's house), the Japanese pug, or Ysabel (Ysabel, the Mexican hairless dog at the Judge's house), the Mexican hairless (without hair),—strange creatures (a living being) that rarely (seldom) put nose out of doors or set foot to ground. On the other hand, there were the fox terriers (a small lively dog), a score of them at least, who yelped (a sharp quick cry) fearful (full of fear; dreadful) promises at Toots and Ysabel looking out of the windows at them and protected by a legion (a great host; an army) of housemaids (a maid of the house) armed with brooms (a sweeping brush) and mops (a thick mass of hair).

But Buck was neither house-dog (a dog kept in the house) nor kennel-dog (a dog kept in a kennel). The whole realm (a kingdom) was his. He plunged (to dive suddenly) into the swimming (for swimming) tank or went hunting (to chase game) with the Judge’s sons; he escorted (a guarding company) Mollie (Mollie, the Judge's daughter) and Alice, the Judge’s daughters, on long twilight (the half light of evening) or early morning rambles (a walk for pleasure); on wintry (of winter's cold) nights he lay at the Judge’s feet before the roaring (a deep loud cry) library fire; he carried the Judge’s grandsons (a child's son) on his back, or rolled them in the grass (the green ground plant), and guarded their footsteps (the sound of a step) through wild adventures (a daring undertaking) down to the fountain (a spring of water thrown up) in the stable (the horses' house; firm) yard, and even beyond, where the paddocks (paddocks: fenced fields for horses) were, and the berry (a small round fruit) patches (a mending piece). Among the terriers (a small lively dog) he stalked (a plant's stem; to stride stiffly) imperiously (commandingly), and Toots and Ysabel he utterly (completely) ignored (to take no notice of), for he was king,—king over all creeping (to move low and slowly), crawling (to move on hands and knees), flying things of Judge Miller’s place, humans included.

His father, Elmo (Elmo, Buck's St Bernard father), a huge St. Bernard, had been the Judge’s inseparable (impossible to part) companion (one who keeps company), and Buck bid (to command; to offer) fair to follow in the way of his father. He was not so large,—he weighed (weighed: had a weight of) only one hundred and forty pounds (a weight measure; to beat heavily),—for his mother, Shep (Shep, Buck's shepherd-dog mother), had been a Scotch shepherd (one who keeps sheep) dog. Nevertheless (even so), one hundred and forty pounds (a weight measure; to beat heavily), to which was added the dignity (noble worth) that comes of good living and universal (of all) respect, enabled (to make able) him to carry himself in right royal fashion. During the four years since his puppyhood (the time of being a puppy) he had lived the life of a sated (fully satisfied) aristocrat (a person of noble birth); he had a fine pride (high self-regard) in himself, was even a trifle (a thing of no importance) egotistical (full of oneself), as country gentlemen (a man of good birth and manners) sometimes become because of their insular (narrow, like islanders) situation. But he had saved himself by not becoming a mere (nothing more than) pampered (indulged and cared for softly) house-dog (a dog kept in the house). Hunting (to chase game) and kindred (of the same family or kind) outdoor (in the open air) delights (great pleasure) had kept down the fat and hardened (to make hard) his muscles (the body's moving flesh); and to him, as to the cold-tubbing (taking cold baths) races, the love of water had been a tonic (bracing; giving strength) and a health preserver (one who saves).

And this was the manner of dog Buck was in the fall of 1897, when the Klondike strike dragged (to pull heavily along) men from all the world into the frozen (turned to ice) North. But Buck did not read the newspapers, and he did not know that Manuel (Manuel, the gardener's helper who sells Buck), one of the gardener (one who tends a garden)’s helpers (one who helps), was an undesirable (not wanted) acquaintance (a person one knows slightly). Manuel had one besetting (constantly attacking) sin (a wrong against God). He loved to play Chinese lottery (a game of chance). Also, in his gambling (playing for money), he had one besetting (constantly attacking) weakness (want of strength)—faith in a system; and this made his damnation (being damned to hell) certain. For to play a system requires money, while the wages (pay for labor; to carry on war) of a gardener (one who tends a garden)’s helper (one who helps) do not lap (the seated thighs; to lick up) over the needs of a wife and numerous progeny (offspring).

The Judge was at a meeting of the Raisin Growers’ Association, and the boys were busy organizing (to set in working order) an athletic (strong in body) club, on the memorable (worth remembering) night of Manuel’s treachery (betrayal). No one saw him and Buck go off through the orchard (a field of fruit trees) on what Buck imagined was merely (only) a stroll (to walk idly). And with the exception (a case left out) of a solitary (alone) man, no one saw them arrive (to come) at the little flag station known as College Park. This man talked with Manuel, and money chinked (a narrow crack; the ring of coins) between them.

“You might wrap (to fold a covering around) up the goods before you deliver ’m,” the stranger (one unknown) said gruffly (roughly; in a harsh voice), and Manuel doubled a piece of stout (fat and solid; brave) rope (a thick twisted cord) around Buck’s neck under the collar (the neck band).

“Twist (to wind together) it, an’ you’ll choke (to stop the breath) ’m plentee,” said Manuel, and the stranger (one unknown) grunted (a village on the Austrian campaign road) a ready affirmative (saying yes).

Buck had accepted the rope (a thick twisted cord) with quiet dignity (noble worth). To be sure, it was an unwonted (unusual for the person) performance: but he had learned to trust in men he knew, and to give them credit for a wisdom (deep good sense) that outreached (outreached: went beyond) his own. But when the ends of the rope (a thick twisted cord) were placed in the stranger (one unknown)’s hands, he growled (a low angry rumble) menacingly (threateningly). He had merely (only) intimated (closely familiar) his displeasure (annoyed disapproval), in his pride (high self-regard) believing that to intimate (closely familiar) was to command. But to his surprise the rope (a thick twisted cord) tightened (to make tight) around his neck, shutting off his breath. In quick rage (violent anger) he sprang at the man, who met him halfway (at the middle point), grappled (to struggle gripping) him close by the throat (the neck's passage), and with a deft (quick and skillful with the hands) twist (to wind together) threw him over on his back. Then the rope (a thick twisted cord) tightened (to make tight) mercilessly (without mercy), while Buck struggled in a fury (raging anger), his tongue (the mouth's organ; a language) lolling (to lounge at ease) out of his mouth and his great chest panting (to breathe in short gasps) futilely (uselessly). Never in all his life had he been so vilely (shamefully) treated, and never in all his life had he been so angry. But his strength ebbed (the flowing back; fading away), his eyes glazed (to turn glassy), and he knew nothing when the train was flagged and the two men threw him into the baggage (traveling goods and cases) car.

The next he knew, he was dimly (faintly) aware that his tongue (the mouth's organ; a language) was hurting and that he was being jolted (to shake with sudden jerks) along in some kind of a conveyance (a means of transport). The hoarse (rough and husky of voice) shriek (a piercing scream) of a locomotive (a railway engine) whistling (a shrill air note) a crossing (a passing over) told him where he was. He had travelled too often with the Judge not to know the sensation (a feeling; a public stir) of riding in a baggage (traveling goods and cases) car. He opened his eyes, and into them came the unbridled (without restraint) anger (hot displeasure) of a kidnapped (to carry off a person) king. The man sprang for his throat (the neck's passage), but Buck was too quick for him. His jaws (the mouth's bone) closed on the hand, nor did they relax (to loosen; rest) till his senses (the body's five ways of knowing; good judgment) were choked (to stop the breath) out of him once more.

“Yep, has fits,” the man said, hiding his mangled (to crush and tear) hand from the baggageman (the man in charge of luggage), who had been attracted (to draw toward) by the sounds of struggle. “I’m takin’ ’m up for the boss to ’Frisco. A crack (a sharp break or noise) dog-doctor (a dog's doctor) there thinks that he can cure (to heal) ’m.”

Concerning that night’s ride, the man spoke most eloquently (with moving power) for himself, in a little shed (a rough shelter; to let fall) back of a saloon (a drinking bar) on the San Francisco water front.

“All I get is fifty (fifty) for it,” he grumbled (grumbled: complained); “an’ I wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t do it over for a thousand, cold cash.”

His hand was wrapped (to fold a covering around) in a bloody (covered in blood) handkerchief (a cloth for the nose or eyes), and the right trouser (trousers) leg was ripped (to tear; ripped: pulled hard) from knee (the leg's middle joint) to ankle (the foot joint).

“How much did the other mug (a drinking cup) get?” the saloon-keeper (the keeper of a drinking bar) demanded.

“A hundred,” was the reply. “Wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)’t take a sou less, so help me.”

“That makes a hundred and fifty (fifty),” the saloon-keeper (the keeper of a drinking bar) calculated (to reckon); “and he’s worth it, or I’m a squarehead (a blockhead — slang).”

The kidnapper (one who steals a person or animal away) undid (to open what was fastened; to ruin) the bloody (covered in blood) wrappings (wrappings: bandages) and looked at his lacerated (torn) hand. “If I don’t get the hydrophoby (hydrophobia, the madness from a dog's bite — in rough speech)—”

“It’ll be because you was born to hang,” laughed the saloon-keeper (the keeper of a drinking bar). “Here, lend (to give on loan) me a hand before you pull your freight (a load of goods),” he added.

Dazed (stunned; unable to think), suffering intolerable (unbearable) pain from throat (the neck's passage) and tongue (the mouth's organ; a language), with the life half throttled (to choke by the throat) out of him, Buck attempted to face his tormentors (one who torments). But he was thrown down and choked (to stop the breath) repeatedly (again and again), till they succeeded (to follow; to prosper) in filing the heavy brass (the yellow metal) collar (the neck band) from off his neck. Then the rope (a thick twisted cord) was removed, and he was flung (to throw with force) into a cagelike (like a cage) crate (a wooden packing box).

There he lay for the remainder (what is left) of the weary (tired out) night, nursing (one who tends the sick; to feed at the breast) his wrath (fierce anger) and wounded (a bodily hurt) pride (high self-regard). He could not understand what it all meant. What did they want with him, these strange men? Why were they keeping him pent (the writing tool) up in this narrow (of little width) crate (a wooden packing box)? He did not know why, but he felt oppressed (weighed down) by the vague (unclear; dim) sense of impending (to hang threatening overhead) calamity (a great disaster). Several times during the night he sprang to his feet when the shed (a rough shelter; to let fall) door rattled (a quick knocking noise) open, expecting to see the Judge, or the boys at least. But each time it was the bulging (to swell out) face of the saloon-keeper (the keeper of a drinking bar) that peered (to look closely; an equal) in at him by the sickly (weak with illness) light of a tallow (candle fat) candle (a wax light). And each time the joyful (full of joy) bark (a tree's skin; a dog's cry) that trembled (to shake finely) in Buck’s throat (the neck's passage) was twisted (to wind together) into a savage (wild; fierce) growl (a low angry rumble).

But the saloon-keeper (the keeper of a drinking bar) let him alone, and in the morning four men entered and picked up the crate (a wooden packing box). More tormentors (one who torments), Buck decided, for they were evil-looking (looking wicked) creatures (a living being), ragged (torn and tattered) and unkempt (uncombed; neglected); and he stormed and raged (a torn scrap of cloth) at them through the bars. They only laughed and poked (to jab) sticks at him, which he promptly (without delay) assailed (to attack) with his teeth till he realized that that was what they wanted. Whereupon (upon which) he lay down sullenly (in gloomy ill humor) and allowed the crate (a wooden packing box) to be lifted into a wagon (the four-wheeled load cart). Then he, and the crate (a wooden packing box) in which he was imprisoned (to shut in prison), began a passage (passage: a sea-journey — the old sense here) through many hands. Clerks (a writing officer) in the express office took charge of him; he was carted (a two-wheeled load carrier) about in another wagon (the four-wheeled load cart); a truck carried him, with an assortment (a mixed lot) of boxes and parcels (a wrapped package), upon a ferry (the crossing boat) steamer (a steam-driven ship); he was trucked off the steamer (a steam-driven ship) into a great railway (a road of rails for trains) depot (a storehouse), and finally he was deposited (a layer laid down; to put down) in an express car.

For two days and nights this express car was dragged (to pull heavily along) along at the tail (the rear end) of shrieking (a piercing scream) locomotives (a railway engine); and for two days and nights Buck neither ate (took food) nor drank (took drink). In his anger (hot displeasure) he had met the first advances of the express messengers (a bearer of messages) with growls (a low angry rumble), and they had retaliated (to strike back) by teasing (to mock playfully) him. When he flung (to throw with force) himself against the bars, quivering (trembling finely) and frothing (foaming), they laughed at him and taunted (to mock with stinging words) him. They growled (a low angry rumble) and barked (a tree's skin; a dog's cry) like detestable (hateful) dogs, mewed (mewed: cried like cats), and flapped (to swing loosely; a hanging piece) their arms and crowed (crowed: cried out in triumph). It was all very silly (foolish), he knew; but therefore the more outrage (a shocking wrong) to his dignity (noble worth), and his anger (hot displeasure) waxed (the candle substance; to grow) and waxed (the candle substance; to grow). He did not mind the hunger (the need for food) so much, but the lack of water caused him severe suffering and fanned his wrath (fierce anger) to fever-pitch (the highest heat of feeling). For that matter, high-strung (tense and nervous) and finely (with fine delicacy) sensitive (quick to feel), the ill treatment had flung (to throw with force) him into a fever (burning body heat), which was fed by the inflammation (hot swelling of a wound) of his parched (dried out with heat) and swollen (grown big and puffed) throat (the neck's passage) and tongue (the mouth's organ; a language).

He was glad for one thing: the rope (a thick twisted cord) was off his neck. That had given them an unfair (not fair) advantage; but now that it was off, he would show them. They would never get another rope (a thick twisted cord) around his neck. Upon that he was resolved (to decide firmly). For two days and nights he neither ate (took food) nor drank (took drink), and during those two days and nights of torment (torturing pain), he accumulated (to pile up) a fund of wrath (fierce anger) that boded (to be a sign of what is coming) ill for whoever (any person who) first fell foul (filthy; against the rules) of him. His eyes turned blood-shot (red-veined — of eyes), and he was metamorphosed (metamorphosed: transformed) into a raging (a torn scrap of cloth) fiend (a devil; a savage creature). So changed was he that the Judge himself would not have recognized him; and the express messengers (a bearer of messages) breathed (to draw air) with relief when they bundled (things tied together) him off the train at Seattle.

Four men gingerly (with careful steps) carried the crate (a wooden packing box) from the wagon (the four-wheeled load cart) into a small, high-walled (with high walls) back yard. A stout (fat and solid; brave) man, with a red sweater (a knitted woollen jersey) that sagged (sagged: hung loose) generously (with open hands) at the neck, came out and signed the book for the driver. That was the man, Buck divined (of God), the next tormentor (one who torments), and he hurled (to fling with force) himself savagely (with fierce cruelty) against the bars. The man smiled grimly (sternly), and brought a hatchet (a small axe) and a club.

“You ain’t going to take him out now?” the driver asked.

“Sure,” the man replied, driving the hatchet (a small axe) into the crate (a wooden packing box) for a pry (to poke into others' affairs).

There was an instantaneous (happening in an instant) scattering (a running in all directions) of the four men who had carried it in, and from safe perches (to sit high like a bird) on top the wall they prepared to watch the performance.

Buck rushed (to move with violent haste) at the splintering (a sharp broken sliver) wood, sinking (to go down) his teeth into it, surging (a swelling rush) and wrestling (to fight by gripping and throwing) with it. Wherever (in whatever place) the hatchet (a small axe) fell on the outside, he was there on the inside, snarling (growling with bared teeth) and growling (rumbling angrily), as furiously (with raging fury) anxious (full of worry) to get out as the man in the red sweater (a knitted woollen jersey) was calmly (with calm) intent (fixed purpose) on getting him out.

“Now, you red-eyed (with red eyes) devil (the evil one),” he said, when he had made an opening sufficient (enough) for the passage (passage: a sea-journey — the old sense here) of Buck’s body. At the same time he dropped the hatchet (a small axe) and shifted the club to his right hand.

And Buck was truly a red-eyed (with red eyes) devil (the evil one), as he drew himself together for the spring, hair bristling (with hair standing stiff), mouth foaming (frothing), a mad glitter (to sparkle) in his blood-shot (red-veined — of eyes) eyes. Straight at the man he launched his one hundred and forty pounds (a weight measure; to beat heavily) of fury (raging anger), surcharged (surcharged: overfilled) with the pent (the writing tool) passion (burning feeling) of two days and nights. In mid air, just as his jaws (the mouth's bone) were about to close on the man, he received a shock (a violent jolt) that checked his body and brought his teeth together with an agonizing (causing agony) clip (clipping: sharp and quick). He whirled (to spin fast) over, fetching (to go and bring) the ground on his back and side. He had never been struck by a club in his life, and did not understand. With a snarl (to growl through the teeth) that was part bark (a tree's skin; a dog's cry) and more scream (a piercing cry) he was again on his feet and launched into the air. And again the shock (a violent jolt) came and he was brought crushingly (with crushing force) to the ground. This time he was aware that it was the club, but his madness (being mad) knew no caution (care against danger). A dozen (twelve) times he charged, and as often the club broke the charge and smashed (to break to pieces) him down.

After a particularly fierce (savagely violent) blow, he crawled (to move on hands and knees) to his feet, too dazed (stunned; unable to think) to rush (to move with violent haste). He staggered (to walk unsteadily) limply (loosely, without firmness) about, the blood flowing from nose and mouth and ears (the organ of hearing), his beautiful coat (an outer garment) sprayed (flying drops) and flecked (a small spot) with bloody (covered in blood) slaver (wet dribble from the mouth). Then the man advanced and deliberately (deliberately: slowly and carefully — the old sense here) dealt him a frightful (causing fright) blow on the nose. All the pain he had endured (to bear; to last) was as nothing compared with the exquisite (perfectly fine and delicate) agony (extreme suffering) of this. With a roar (a deep loud cry) that was almost lionlike (like a lion) in its ferocity (fierce cruelty), he again hurled (to fling with force) himself at the man. But the man, shifting the club from right to left, coolly (with cool composure) caught him by the under jaw (the mouth's bone), at the same time wrenching (to twist violently) downward (toward below) and backward (toward the back). Buck described a complete circle in the air, and half of another, then crashed to the ground on his head and chest.

For the last time he rushed (to move with violent haste). The man struck the shrewd (sharply clever in practical things) blow he had purposely (on purpose) withheld (withheld: held back; kept from telling) for so long, and Buck crumpled (crushed into wrinkles) up and went down, knocked (to strike with the knuckles) utterly (completely) senseless (without sense; unconscious).

“He’s no slouch (to move with a lazy bent body) at dog-breakin’, that’s wot I say,” one of the men on the wall cried enthusiastically (with burning eagerness).

“Druther break cayuses (cayuses: wild ponies of the West) any day, and twice on Sundays,” was the reply of the driver, as he climbed (to go up) on the wagon (the four-wheeled load cart) and started the horses.

Buck’s senses (the body's five ways of knowing; good judgment) came back to him, but not his strength. He lay where he had fallen, and from there he watched the man in the red sweater (a knitted woollen jersey).

“‘Answers to the name of Buck,’” the man soliloquized (soliloquized: spoke to himself), quoting from the saloon-keeper (the keeper of a drinking bar)’s letter which had announced the consignment (goods sent) of the crate (a wooden packing box) and contents. “Well, Buck, my boy,” he went on in a genial (warm and kindly) voice, “we’ve had our little ruction (a row), and the best thing we can do is to let it go at that. You’ve learned your place, and I know mine. Be a good dog and all ’ll go well and the goose (the long-necked farm bird) hang high. Be a bad dog, and I’ll whale (the great sea animal) the stuffin’ outa (out of — slang) you. Understand?”

As he spoke he fearlessly (without fear) patted (a light tap of the hand) the head he had so mercilessly (without mercy) pounded (a weight measure; to beat heavily), and though Buck’s hair involuntarily (without willing it) bristled (bristled: stood up stiff with anger) at touch of the hand, he endured (to bear; to last) it without protest (a spoken objection). When the man brought him water he drank (took drink) eagerly (with eager keenness), and later bolted (a bar for a door; to dash off) a generous (free in giving) meal (a sitting of food) of raw meat, chunk (a thick lump) by chunk (a thick lump), from the man’s hand.

He was beaten (he knew that); but he was not broken. He saw, once for all, that he stood no chance against a man with a club. He had learned the lesson (a taught portion), and in all his after life he never forgot it. That club was a revelation (an unveiling; the Bible's last book). It was his introduction to the reign (a ruler's time of rule) of primitive (of the earliest kind) law, and he met the introduction halfway (at the middle point). The facts of life took on a fiercer (more fierce) aspect (aspect: look; appearance — the old sense here); and while he faced that aspect (aspect: look; appearance — the old sense here) uncowed (uncowed: not frightened down), he faced it with all the latent (hidden and sleeping) cunning (sly skill) of his nature aroused (stirred up; awakened). As the days went by, other dogs came, in crates (a wooden packing box) and at the ends of ropes (a thick twisted cord), some docilely (meekly), and some raging (a torn scrap of cloth) and roaring (a deep loud cry) as he had come; and, one and all, he watched them pass under the dominion (rule; lordship) of the man in the red sweater (a knitted woollen jersey). Again and again, as he looked at each brutal (cruel as a beast) performance, the lesson (a taught portion) was driven home to Buck: a man with a club was a lawgiver (lawgivers: makers of laws), a master to be obeyed (to do as ordered), though not necessarily (of necessity) conciliated (to win over; soothe). Of this last Buck was never guilty, though he did see beaten dogs that fawned (a young deer; its shy softness) upon the man, and wagged (to swing from side to side) their tails (the rear end), and licked (to pass the tongue over) his hand. Also he saw one dog, that would neither conciliate (to win over; soothe) nor obey (to do as ordered), finally killed in the struggle for mastery (full command over).

Now and again men came, strangers (one unknown), who talked excitedly (with stirred-up feeling), wheedlingly (with soft flattering talk), and in all kinds of fashions to the man in the red sweater (a knitted woollen jersey). And at such times that money passed between them the strangers (one unknown) took one or more of the dogs away with them. Buck wondered where they went, for they never came back; but the fear of the future was strong upon him, and he was glad each time when he was not selected.

Yet his time came, in the end, in the form of a little weazened (dried up and wrinkled) man who spat (to throw from the mouth) broken English and many strange and uncouth (rough and awkward) exclamations (a cry of surprise or feeling) which Buck could not understand.

“Sacredam!” he cried, when his eyes lit upon Buck. “Dat (that — the German's accent) one dam (a water-holding wall) bully (one who torments the weaker) dog! Eh? How moch?”

“Three hundred, and a present at that,” was the prompt (quick to act; to move to action) reply of the man in the red sweater (a knitted woollen jersey). “And seem’ it’s government money, you ain’t got no kick coming, eh, Perrault (Perrault, the French-Canadian government courier)?”

Perrault grinned (a wide smile). Considering that the price of dogs had been boomed (a deep hollow roar) skyward (toward the sky) by the unwonted (unusual for the person) demand, it was not an unfair (not fair) sum (an amount of money; a total) for so fine an animal. The Canadian Government would be no loser (one who loses), nor would its despatches (to send off; an official message) travel the slower. Perrault knew dogs, and when he looked at Buck he knew that he was one in a thousand—“One in ten t’ousand,” he commented mentally (in the mind).

Buck saw money pass between them, and was not surprised when Curly (Curly, the good-natured Newfoundland), a good-natured (kindly by nature) Newfoundland, and he were led away by the little weazened (dried up and wrinkled) man. That was the last he saw of the man in the red sweater (a knitted woollen jersey), and as Curly and he looked at receding (to draw back) Seattle from the deck (a ship's floor) of the Narwhal, it was the last he saw of the warm Southland. Curly and he were taken below by Perrault and turned over to a black-faced (dark-faced) giant called François (François, the French-Canadian dog-driver). Perrault was a French-Canadian, and swarthy (dark-skinned); but François was a French-Canadian half-breed (half-breed: of mixed race — the word of the book's time), and twice as swarthy (dark-skinned). They were a new kind of men to Buck (of which he was destined (fixed by fate) to see many more), and while he developed no affection (warm love) for them, he none the less grew honestly to respect them. He speedily (quickly) learned that Perrault and François were fair men, calm and impartial (fair to all) in administering (to manage; to give out) justice, and too wise in the way of dogs to be fooled (one without sense) by dogs.

In the ’tween-decks (between the decks of a ship) of the Narwhal, Buck and Curly joined two other dogs. One of them was a big, snow-white (white as snow) fellow from Spitzbergen who had been brought away by a whaling (the hunting of whales) captain, and who had later accompanied (to go along with) a Geological Survey (the government mapping service) into the Barrens. He was friendly, in a treacherous (not to be trusted; dangerous) sort of way, smiling into one’s face the while he meditated (to think deeply) some underhand (sly and secret) trick (a deceiving act), as, for instance, when he stole (to take by theft) from Buck’s food at the first meal (a sitting of food). As Buck sprang to punish (to make suffer for a fault) him, the lash (a whip stroke; an eyelash) of François’s whip (the lash; to beat) sang through the air, reaching the culprit (the guilty one) first; and nothing remained to Buck but to recover (to get back; to grow well) the bone (the body's hard frame). That was fair of François, he decided, and the half-breed (half-breed: of mixed race — the word of the book's time) began his rise in Buck’s estimation (judgment of worth).

The other dog made no advances, nor received any; also, he did not attempt to steal (to take by theft) from the newcomers (one newly come). He was a gloomy (dark and heavy of spirit), morose (gloomy and sour) fellow, and he showed Curly plainly (clearly; simply) that all he desired was to be left alone, and further, that there would be trouble if he were not left alone. “Dave” he was called, and he ate (took food) and slept, or yawned (to open the mouth wide with tiredness) between times, and took interest (interest: the spectacle that draws a crowd — the old sense here) in nothing, not even when the Narwhal crossed Queen Charlotte Sound and rolled and pitched (to throw; the height of a note; tar) and bucked like a thing possessed (to own; to hold). When Buck and Curly grew excited, half wild with fear, he raised his head as though annoyed (to irritate), favored them with an incurious (without interest) glance (a quick look), yawned (to open the mouth wide with tiredness), and went to sleep again.

Day and night the ship throbbed (a strong beat of the heart) to the tireless (never tiring) pulse (the blood's beat) of the propeller (the screw that drives a ship), and though one day was very like another, it was apparent (plain to see) to Buck that the weather was steadily (without wavering) growing colder (more cold). At last, one morning, the propeller (the screw that drives a ship) was quiet, and the Narwhal was pervaded (spreading through everything) with an atmosphere (the surrounding air or mood) of excitement (stirred-up feeling). He felt it, as did the other dogs, and knew that a change was at hand. François leashed (the cord holding hunting dogs) them and brought them on deck (a ship's floor). At the first step upon the cold surface, Buck’s feet sank (to go down) into a white mushy (soft and pulpy) something very like mud (wet soft earth). He sprang back with a snort (to blow sharply through the nose). More of this white stuff was falling through the air. He shook (to move quickly to and fro) himself, but more of it fell upon him. He sniffed (to draw air sharply through the nose) it curiously (with curiosity; strangely), then licked (to pass the tongue over) some up on his tongue (the mouth's organ; a language). It bit like fire, and the next instant (a moment; immediate) was gone. This puzzled (a baffling question) him. He tried it again, with the same result. The onlookers (one who watches) laughed uproariously (with loud laughter), and he felt ashamed (feeling shame), he knew not why, for it was his first snow.