The Call of the Wild (Shortened Version)

Author: Jack London, Brian Heith, D.K. Swan
Translator: Huang Jing
Country: United States
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-08-01
Features: On the ship, Buck and Curly joined two other dogs. One of them was a big, snow-white fellow from Spitzbergen who had been brought away by a sea-captain. He was called Spitz and was friendly, in an untrustworthy sort of way. He smiled into one's face while he was planning some dishonest trick—as when he stole from Buck's food at the first meal. Francois struck him before Buck could attack him; and the only thing Buck could do was to take back his bone. Buck decided that Francois had treated him fairly, and his opinion of him began to rise. The other dog, called Dave, made no advances, nor received any. Also, he did not attempt to steal from them. He was a dull, unfriendly fellow, and he showed Curly plainly that all he desired was to be left alone. He showed him, too, 'that there would be trouble if he was not left alone. Dave ate and slept, and took interest in nothing, not even when the ship sailed through rough seas. When Buck and Curly grew excited, half wild with fear, he raised his head as though annoyed, looked at them, and went to sleep again. Day and night the ship sailed on. One day was very like another, but Buck noticed that the weather was growing colder. At last, one morning, the ship stopped, and everyone on board was excited. Buck felt excited, as did the other dogs, and he knew that a change was near. Francois put a rope around them, and brought them off the ship. At the first step, Buck's feet went down in something very like mud. It was white and soft. He sprang back with a quick growl. More of this white stuff was falling through the air. He shook himself, but more of it fell on him. He smelled it curiously, then tasted some of it on his tongue. It bit like fire, and the next moment was gone. This puzzled him. He tried it again, with the same result. Those who were watching laughed loudly. It was his first snow.
On the ship, Buck and Curly were put with two other dogs. One of them was a big, snow-white fellow from Spitzbergen who had been brought away by a sea-captain. He was called Spitz and was friendly, but somewhat untrustworthy. He smiled while planning dishonest tricks—as when he stole from Buck's food at the first meal. Before Buck could punish him, Francois struck him; Buck could only retrieve his bone. Buck decided that Francois had treated him fairly, and his respect for him grew. The other dog, Dave, made no advances and received none. He never tried to steal from them. He was a dull, unfriendly fellow, and he made it clear to Curly that he wanted to be left alone. He also showed him that trouble would come if he wasn't left alone. Dave ate and slept, indifferent to everything—even when the ship sailed through rough seas. When Buck and Curly grew excited, half wild with fear, he raised his head as if annoyed, glanced at them, and went back to sleep. Day after day, the ship sailed on. One day was much like another, but Buck noticed the weather growing colder. Finally, one morning, the ship stopped, and everyone on board grew excited. Buck felt excited, as did the other dogs, and he knew a change was coming. Francois put ropes around them and brought them ashore. At the first step, Buck's feet sank into something like mud. It was white and soft. He sprang back with a growl. More of this white substance fell from the air. He shook himself, but more fell on him. He smelled it curiously, then tasted some on his tongue. It burned like fire, and vanished in an instant. This puzzled him. He tried it again, with the same result. Those watching laughed loudly. It was his first encounter with snow.
This first act of stealing showed that Buck was fit to take care of himself in this cruel and unfriendly country. It showed that he could change himself to fit the changing conditions. If he had been unable to do this, he would have died quickly. It showed that he was losing respect for the feelings of others and for what belonged to them. Whoever kept this respect in the Northland was foolish and would fail in life. Buck did not reason this out. He was fit, and that was all. Unknowingly, he had changed himself to the new way of life. Throughout his life, he had never run from a fight. The man with the club had beaten into him the law of the wild. Before that happened, he could have died to defend something that belonged to Judge Miller. Now he was able to forget all finer feelings and save himself. He did not steal for the joy of it, but because he was hungry. He did not steal openly, but secretly because he respected the law of the wild. The things he did were done because it was easier to do them than not to do them. His improvement was quick. His body became as hard as iron, and he did not care about pain. He could eat anything, no matter how bad it was. Once eaten, his stomach expelled everything, and his blood carried it to the farthest parts of his body. His sight and smell became sharp, while his hearing became so good that in his sleep he heard