1698天

20260604There he lay for the remainder of the weary night, nursing his wrath and wounded pride.He could not understand what it all meant.What did they want with him, these strange men? Why were they keeping him pent up in this narrow crate? He did not know why, but he felt oppressed by the vague sense of impending calamity.Several times during the night he sprang to his feet when the shed door rattled open, expecting to see the Judge, or the boys at least.But each time it was the bulging face of the saloon-keeper that peered in at him by the sickly light of a tallow candle.And each time the joyful bark that trembled in Buck's throat was twisted into a savage growl.

But the saloon-keeper le