Their usefulness has been sapped, so they are sold to two men from the States, Charles and Hal. The callowness of Hal is evident in his belt that bristles with knives and cartridges. They look out of place for the expedition on which they are embarking. The camp is shoddy. There waits Mercedes, wife of Charles, sister of Hal.
Buck watches apprehensively as they clumsily take down the camp, improperly rolling the tent.
Two other men from a neighboring camp warn them that the sled is too heavy, but they will not listen. The team cannot move the sled. They are repeatedly whipped by Hal, as Mercedes cries over them. Buck does not like her, but tolerates her pleading pats. When the sled finally moves, items fall from the top.