On Buck's first day on the beach he sees that he has been flung from into confusion and chaos. Attack is a constant threat. The good-natured is killed simply for trying to make ffriends with a husky dog only half her size. The dog attacks her and takes her down. Once it is certain that Curley will not rise again, the rest of the dogs in the camp attack and her. the lead dog of Buck's team, laughs. Buck him bitterly. He has learned that fair play does not exist, and he resolves that he will never go .
The first time Buck is harnessed to the sled, his dignity is hurt but he is "too wise to rebel." Dave an experienced wheeler, nips at Buck whenever he is making . Spitz growls at him warningly from his front post. learns quickly from these two dogs, and Francois is pleased. Two more huskies, Billie and are added to the team. They are brothers, but very different. Spitz attempts to dominate them both to establish his position as dog. immediately submits, but Joe refuses to back down, and Spitz is forced to leave off. Soon another husky, Sol-leks arrives. He expects nothing from anyone and is in one eye. Buck accidentally approached him from his blind side, and he is given a vicious cut in return. He learns quickly not to repeat the mistake.
When Buck tries to that night, he is unable to find warmth. He comes across Billie buried in the snow, so then he makes his own hole and falls asleep instantly. When he awakes, he instinctively forces his way out of the that has gathered over and around him. Without realizing it, he has begun to draw from his natural . Perrault and are very glad to have Buck. When the dogs are harnessed, Buck marvels at the change in Dave and . They are no longer passive, but excited and ready to work. Buck is still learning, but soon the whip snaps less frequently.
The journey grows more difficult as the dogs have to break their own trail. Every night in camp, Buck is . He is bigger than the other dogs, and though he receives more food, he never feels satisfied. Buck duplicates the actions of a new dog, by stealing a whole chunk of He is not caught, and another, weaker dog is punished in his place. Buck's theft marks him as "fit to survive" in his new . He now does things because they are necessary. He acts not on , but on instinct. Buck speedily develops more heightened senses hardened and an iron stomach. He becomes the son of his ancestors, and when he howls at the he repeats the same ancient song they sung before him.