chapter i.into the primitive "old longings nomadic leap,chafing at custom's chain; again from its brumal sleepwakens the ferine strain." buck did not read the newspapers, or hewould have known that trouble was brewing, not alone for himself, but for every tide-water dog, strong of muscle and with warm, long hair, from puget sound to san diego. because men, groping in the arcticdarkness, had found a yellow metal, and because steamship and transportationcompanies were booming the find, thousands of men were rushing into the northland. these men wanted dogs, and the dogs theywanted were heavy dogs, with strong muscles by which to toil, and furry coats toprotect them from the frost. buck lived at a big house in the sun-kissedsanta clara valley. judge miller's place, it was called. it stood back from the road, half hiddenamong the trees, through which glimpses could be caught of the wide cool verandathat ran around its four sides. the house was approached by gravelleddri...