[00:00.26] Chapter 12.
[00:02.10] Going home.
[00:05.64] Something was in the air.
[00:08.70] White Fang knew it.
[00:11.74] All his senses told him that some big change was about to come.
[00:18.64] Listen to that, will you?
[00:22.15] said Matt one night.
[00:25.68] Scott listened.
[00:29.51] Through the open door came a low, anxious whine, like a sobbing under the breath.
[00:38.07] Then came a long sniff as White Fang looked at his master, checking he was still there.
[00:47.56] I reckon that dog's onto you, said Matt.
[00:53.91] Scott looked at his friend sadly.
[00:58.83] I can't stay any longer.
[01:03.32] I've got a new job in California.
[01:08.68] How could I look after a wolf dog there?
[01:13.63] he said.
[01:14.83] He would hate living in a city anyway.
[01:21.42] Matt looked at him.
[01:25.30] That dog loves you, he said.
[01:32.84] Scott glared across the table.
[01:37.49] Don't make me feel bad.
[01:41.09] I've got to do what I think is best.
[01:47.47] The truth was that Scott was torn.
[01:52.73] He was miserable at the idea of leaving White Fang, but he knew a dog like him needed the wide open spaces of the frozen north.
[02:05.52] Five or six times he changed his mind, but in the end he decided firmly against taking him.
[02:18.25] Then came the day when through the cabin door, White Fang saw his master packing his bags.
[02:28.29] This was just like last time.
[02:33.41] Except that this time he knew what it meant.
[02:39.85] His master was going away and leaving him behind.
[02:49.39] Inside the cabin, the two men were getting ready for bed.
[02:55.40] He's gone off his food again, said Matt.
[03:02.89] Don't say another word, said Scott.
[03:11.36] The next day, White Fang's fears grew and grew.
[03:19.37] He wouldn't leave his master's side for a second.
[03:24.83] And when Scott went inside, he stood outside by the door, watching his every move.
[03:35.79] Then Scott took his two large bags out of the cabin, followed by a tin box.
[03:46.46] Now there was no doubt.
[03:51.49] The terrible thing was happening.
[03:59.33] White Fang watched as two men arrived.
[04:08.42] They took the bags away down the hill towards the steamship port.
[04:17.72] Scott called White Fang.
[04:22.80] Poor fellow, said Scott, gently rubbing White Fang's ears.
[04:32.21] I'm hitting the trail, old boy, where you can't follow.
[04:39.93] Now give me one of your growls.
[04:44.47] The last, a goodbye growl.
[04:51.85] But White Fang wouldn't growl.
[04:57.71] He gave his master a wistful, searching look, and buried his head out of sight between his master's arm and body.
[05:11.76] A ship's horn sounded.
[05:17.17] There she blows, said Matt.
[05:22.34] You've got to go now.
[05:25.86] You don't want to miss the boat.
[05:31.78] The two men closed up the cabin.
[05:39.94] Matt locked the door.
[05:43.38] From inside came a low whining and sobbing.
[05:52.61] Scott wiped his eyes.
[05:57.89] Take good care of him, Matt, he said.
[06:04.86] Write and let me know how he gets on.
[06:09.98] Sure, replied Matt.
[06:16.94] But listen to that, will you?
[06:21.68] Both men stopped.
[06:26.86] White Fang was howling as dogs howl when their masters die.
[06:36.11] His cry burst upwards, dying down into quavering misery.
[06:45.77] A heartbreaking cry.
[06:49.76] It rose up again and again.
[06:56.72] The steamship was jammed with passengers.
[07:02.68] Near the gangplank, Scott was saying goodbye to Matt.
[07:10.08] As Matt got ready to go ashore, they had a final handshake.
[07:19.50] But Matt's hand dropped.
[07:23.99] He stared at something behind them.
[07:28.97] Scott turned to see.
[07:34.35] Sitting on the deck of the steamship, watching wistfully, was White Fang.
[07:48.01] Did you lock the door?
[07:51.29] asked Scott.
[07:53.99] Sure did, said Matt.
[08:00.32] White Fang flattened himself to the ground, his ears back.
[08:07.58] He felt desperate.
[08:12.99] Matt tried to catch him to take him ashore, but in a second he ran off into the crowd of passengers.
[08:24.16] It was only when Scott called that he came to them.
[08:29.86] As Scott patted the dog, he noticed something.
[08:36.68] He bent in closer and saw blood on his muzzle and a fresh cut between his eyes.
[08:47.70] We forgot the window, he cried.
[08:53.58] He's all cut up.
[08:57.14] Must have butted his way clean through the glass.
[09:03.95] I don't believe it.
[09:10.50] The steamship hooted its final whistle.
[09:18.27] I'd better have him now, said Matt.
[09:24.78] Goodbye, Matt, said Scott, taking no notice.
[09:33.19] I'll write to you about the dog.
[09:38.32] You don't mean, I do, said Scott firmly.
[09:47.88] I'm taking him with me.
[09:53.25] The gangplank was hauled in, and the steamship swung out from the bank.
[10:03.25] Scott waved a last goodbye to Matt on the shore.
[10:10.82] Then he bent down to White Fang.
[10:16.12] Growl for me now, won't you, you stupid brave fellow, he said.
[10:28.37] White Fang knew he had won.
[10:35.01] He growled and purred and nuzzled his beloved master for all he was worth.