Evening star., 1924-08-21
tContinued from Yesterdays star.)

NSohlHucu iToIii SStciudS
He did not know what to make of
1t. Perhaps some new deviltry of the
gods was about to be perpetrated on
him. He walked slowly and eau
tfously, prepared to be assailed at
any moment. He did not know what
to do, it was all so unprecedented.
He took the precaution to sheer of
from the two watching gods, and
walked carefully to the corner Of the
cabin. Nothing happened. He was
plainly perplexed, and he came back
again, pausing a dozen feet away
and regarding the two men intently.
won't he run away?" his new own
er asked.
Matt shrugged his shoulders. Got
to take a gamble. Only way to find
out is to find out"
Poor devil" Scott murmured pity
ingly. What he needs is some show
of human Kindness" he added, turn
ing and going into the cabin.
He came out with a piece of meat.
which he tossed to White Fang. He
sprang away from it, and from a dis
tance studied it suspiciously.
"Hi-yu, Major"' Matt shouted warn
ingly, but too late.
Major had made a spring for the
meat. At the instant his jaws closed
on 1t, White Fang struck him. He
was overthrown. Matt rushed in, but
quicker than he was White Fang.
Major staggered to his feet, but the
blood spouting from his throat red
dened the snow in widening path.
Its too bad, but it served him
right" Scott said hastily.
But Mats foot had already start
ed on it's way to kick White Fang.
There was a leap. a flash Of teeth. a
sharp exclamation. White Fang,
snarling fiercely, scrambled backward
for several yards. while Matt stopped
and investigated his leg.
He got me all right" he an
nounced. pointing to the torn trousers
and underclothes. and the growing
stain or red.
IT told you 1t was hopeless Matt"
Scott said in discouraged voice. I've
thought about it off and on, while
not wanting to think Of it But we've
come to it now. It's the only thing
to do
AS he talked, with reluctant move
ments he drew his revolver, threw
open the cylinder, and assured him.
self of its contents.
Look here. Mr. Scott" Matt OBJ
jected; that dogs been through hell.
You can't expect m to come out a
white an shnin' angel. Give m time"
Look at Major" the other re-
Joined.
The dog-musher surveyed the
stricken dog. He had sunk down on
the snow in the circle of his blood,
and was plainly in the last gasp.
Served m right. You said so your
self, Mr.. Scott. He tried to take
White Fang's meat, an he's dead-O.
That was to be expected. I wouldn't
give two whoops in hell for do
that wouldn't fight for his own meat"
But look at yourself, Matt. It's
all right about the dogs. but We must
draw the line somewhere"
Served me right" Matt argued
stubbornly. "What'd I want to kick
m for? You said yourself he'd done
right. Then had no right to kick IN. '
1T would be a mercy to kill him, u
Scott insisted. Hes untamable."
Now look here, Mr.. Scott. give the
poor devil fghtin' chance. He. amt
had no chance yet. He's just come
through hell, an this is the first time
he's been loose. Give m a fair
chance, an if he don't deliver the
= goods, I'll kill m myself. There"
God knows 1 don't want to kill
him or have him killed Scott
answered. putting away the revolver.
"We'll let him run loose and see what
kindness can do for him. And here's
try at it,
He walked over to White Fang and
began talking to him gently and
Better have a club handy" Matt
warned.
Scott shook his head and went on
trying to Win White Fang's conf
dence.
White Fang was suspicious. Some
thing was impending. He had killed
this gods dog, bitten his companion
god, and what else was to be expected
than some terrible punishment? But
in the face of it he was indomitable.
He bristled and showed his teeth, his
eyes vigilant. his whole body wary
and prepared for anything. The god
/: had no club so he suffered him to
/ approach quite near. The gods hand
had come out and was descending
| upon his head. White Fang shrank
| together and grew tense as he
I crouched under it. Here was danger.
I some treachery or something. He
| knew the hands of the gods. their
proved mastery, their cunning to hurt.
Besides, there was his old antipathy
] to being touched He snarled more
!. menacingly, crouched still lower. and
I still the hand descended. He did not
4 want to bite the hand, and he endured
! the peril of it until his instinct
4 surged up in him, mastering him with
( its Unsuitable yearning for life.