INTOTHEPRIMITIVE

    Oldlongingsnomadicleap,

    Chafingats;

    Againfromitsbrumalsleep

    Wakenstheferirain.

    Buckdidheneers,orhewouldhaveknownthattroublewasbrewing,notaloneforhimself,butforeverytidewaterdog,strongofmusdwithwarm,longhair,fromPugetSoundtoSanDiego.Becausemen,gropingiicdarkness,hadfoundayellowmetal,andbecausesteamshipandtransportationpanieswereboomingthefind,thousandsofmenwererushingintotheNorthland.Thesemenwanteddogs,andthedogstheywantedwereheavydogs,withstrongmusclesbywhichtotoil,andfurrycoatstoprotectthemfromthefrost.

    Bucklivedatabighouseinthesun-kissedSantaClaraValley.JudgeMillersplace,itwascalled.Itstoodbatheroad,half-hiddenamorees,throughwhichglimpsescouldbecaughtofthewidecoolverandathatranarounditsfoursides.Thehouseroachedbygraveleddrivewayswhichwoundaboutthroughwide-spreadinglawnsanduheinterlagboughsoftallpoplars.Attherearthingswereonevenamorespaciousscalethanatthefront.Thereweregreatstables,whereadozengroomsandboysheldforth,rowsofvine-cladservantscottages,anendlessandorderlyarrayofouthouses,longgrapearbreenpastures,orchards,andberrypatches.Thentherewasthepumpingplantfortheartesianwell,andthebigttankwhereJudgeMilersboystooktheirmplungeacooliafternoon.

    AhisgreatdemesneBuckruled.Herehewasborn,andherehehadlivedthefouryearsofhislife.Itwastrue,thereweres.Therecouldnotbutbesonsovastaplace,buttheydidnott.Theycamea,residedinthepopulouskennels,orlivedobscurelyintherecessesofthehouseafterthefashionofToots,theJapanesepug,orYsa