Chapter 5 Summary

Thirty days after they leave Dawson, Buck and the team arrive at Skaguay completely worn out. Buck has lost a considerable amount of weight, and several of the dogs are limping. When they reach the town all they want to do is take advantage of the rest period they believe awaits them. After covering 1,200 miles, even the humans on the team expect some rest. However, because of the increased amount of mail coming into the gold strike areas, the teams must keep moving. Dogs that cannot immediately go out on the trail again must be sold.

After three days, Hal and Charles, newcomers to the northland, purchase Buck. The newcomers have a woman with them, Charles's wife and Hal's sister, Mercedes. It is clear that these people have no idea what they are doing. Buck knows they are trouble as soon as he...