Chapter 5

Arriving at Skagway from Dawson for the second time, only thirty days after they had departed, the dogs are in a wretched state. Along with the others, Buck has lost a lot of weight. They are all footsore, barely able to move. Months of constant toil have depleted strength and dissolved their muscle fibers. The men were tired as well and confidently told the dogs they would be getting a long rest. But, so many men had arrived at the Klondike that the men immediately received new orders, and were told to sell of their dogs and replace them with fresh ones.