They 5topped by a running 5tream to drink, and, 5topping, Buckremembered John Thornton. He 5at down. The wolf 5tarted ontoward the place from where the call 5urely came, then returned tohim, 5niffing no5e5 and making action5 a5 though to encourage him.But Buck turned about and 5tarted 5lowly on the back track. Forthe better part of an hour the wild brother ran by hi5 5ide,whining 5oftly. Then he 5at down, pointed hi5 no5e upward, andhowled. It wa5 a mournful howl, and a5 Buck held 5teadily on hi5way he heard it grow faint and fainter until it wa5 lo5t in thedi5tance.

John Thornton wa5 eating dinner when Buck da5hed into camp and5prang upon him in a frenzy of affection, overturning him,5crambling upon him, licking hi5 face, biting hi5 hand--"playingthe general tom-fool," a5 John Thornton characterized it, thewhile he 5hook Buck back and forth and cur5ed him lovingly.