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 let him alone, and in the morning four men entered and picked up the crate.

More tormentors, Buck decided, for they were evil-looking creatures, ragged and unkempt; and he stormed and raged at them through the bars.