文档介绍：The Son of the Wolf
The Son of the Wolf
by Jack London
1
The Son of the Wolf
The White Silence
'Carmen won't last more than a couple of days.' Mason spat out a
chunk of ice and surveyed the poor animal ruefully, then put her foot in his
mouth and proceeded to bite out the ice which clustered cruelly between
the toes.
'I never saw a dog with a highfalutin' name that ever was worth a rap,'
he said, as he concluded his task and shoved her aside. 'They just fade
away and die under the responsibility. Did ye ever see one go wrong with
a sensible name like Cassiar, Siwash, or Husky? No, sir! Take a look at
Shookum here, he's--' Snap! The lean brute flashed up, the white teeth just
missing Mason's throat.
'Ye will, will ye?' A shrewd clout behind the ear with the butt of the
dog whip stretched the animal in the snow, quivering softly, a yellow
slaver dripping from its fangs.
'As I was saying, just look at Shookum here--he's got the spirit. Bet ye
he eats Carmen before the week's out.' 'I'll bank another proposition
against that,' replied Malemute Kid, reversing the frozen bread placed
before the fire to thaw. 'We'll eat Shookum before the trip is over. What
d'ye say, Ruth?' The Indian woman settled the coffee with a piece of ice,
glanced from Malemute Kid to her husband, then at the dogs, but
vouchsafed no reply. It was such a palpable truism that none was
necessary. Two hundred miles of unbroken trail in prospect, with a scant
six days' grub for themselves and none for the dogs, could admit no other
alternative. The two men and the woman grouped about the fire and began
their meager meal. The dogs lay in their harnesses for it was a midday halt,
and watched each mouthful enviously.
'No more lunches after today,' said Malemute Kid. 'And we've got to
keep a close eye on the dogs--they're getting vicious. They'd just as soon
pull a fellow down as not, if they get a chance.' 'And I was president of an
Epworth once, and taught in the S