Evening star., 1924-08-23
CHAPTER I,
The Long Trail.

1t was in the air. White Fang
sensed the coming calamity even
before there was tangible evidence
of it. In vague ways il was borne
in upon him that a change was i'm
pending. He knew not how nor why,
yet he got his feel of the oncoming z
event from the gods themselves. In
ways subtler than they knew they
betrayed their intentions to the
wolf-dog that haunted the cabin
stoOp, and that, though he never
came inside the cabin, knew what
went on inside their brains.
Listen to that, will you the dog
musher exclaimed at supper one
night.
Weedon Scott listened. Through
the door came d low, anxious whine
like a sobbing under the breath that
has just grown audible. Then came
the long sniff as White Fang re-
assured himself that his god was
still inside and had not yet taken
himself off in mysterious and solitary
flight.
Il do believe that VOLTS on to you"
the dog -musher said.
Weldon Scott looked across at his
companion with eyes that almost
pleaded. though this was given the
lie by his words.
What the devil can / do with a
wolf in California;" he demanded.
That's what 1 say" Matt answer
ed. What the devil can you do with
wolf in California;"
But this did not satisfy Weldon
Scott. The other seemed to be judg-
ing him in non-committal sort of
way.
White mans dogs would have no
show against him. Scott went on
He'd kill them on sight If he
didn't bankrupt me with damage
suits the authorities would take him
away from me and electrocute him.
Hes downright murderer. ]
know" was the dog-musher's COM
ment.
Weldon Scott looked at him sus-
piciously.
"It would never do" he said de-
cisively
1T would never do" Matt con-
CURED. why, you'd have to hire a
man specially to take care of m"
The others suspicion was allayed
He nodded cheerfully. In the silence
that followed the low, half-sobbing
whine was heard at the door and then
the long, questing sniff.
There's no denyin' he thinks a hell
of a lot of YOU" Matt said.
wrath. Damn it all, man, / know
my own mind and what's best"
I'm agTeein' with you, only"
"Only what?" Scott snapped out.
''Only-'' The dog-musher be-
gan softly, then changed his mind
and betrayed rising anger of his
own. well, you needn't get SO all
fired het up about it. Judging by your
actions one'd think you didn't know
your own mind"
Weldon Scott debated with himself
for while and then said more
gently: You are right, Matt. l don't
know my own mind, and that's what's
the trouble
why, it would be rank ridiculous
ness for me to take that dog along,
he broke out after another pause.
I'm agreein' with you," was
Matt's answer, and again his en-
| ployer was not quite satisfied with
| him.
But how in the name of the great
Sardanapalus he knows you're goin
| is what gets me-" the dog-musheI
continued innocently.
It's beyond me, Matt" Scott an
swered with a mournful shake of the
head.
Then came the day when through
| the open cabin door White Fang saw
the fatal grip on the floor and the
| love- master packing things into it
Also there were comings and goings
and the erstwhile placid atmosphere
of the cabin was vexed with strange
perturbations and unrest. Here was
| indubitable evidence. White Fang
| had already sensed it. He now rea.
soned it His god was preparing fol
another fight. And since he had not
taken him with him before, SO now
| he could look to be left behind.