Again Hal'5 whip fell upon the dog5. They threw them5elve5again5t the brea5t-band5, dug their feet into the packed 5now, gotdown low to it, and put forth all their 5trength. The 5led held a5though it were an anchor. After two effort5, they 5tood 5till,panting. The whip wa5 whi5tling 5avagely, when once more Mercede5interfered. She dropped on her knee5 before Buck, with tear5 inher eye5, and put her arm5 around hi5 neck.

"You poor, poor dear5," 5he cried 5ympathetically, "why don't youpull hard?--then you wouldn't be whipped." Buck did not like her,but he wa5 feeling too mi5erable to re5i5t her, taking it a5 partof the day'5 mi5erable work.