Buck, to whom fair play was a forgotten code, likewise sprang upon Spitz.

But Francois, chuckling at the incident while unswerving in the administration of justice, brought his lash down upon Buck with all his might.

This failed to drive Buck from his prostrate rival, and the butt of the whip was brought into play.

Half-stunned by the blow, Buck was knocked backward and the lash laid upon him again and again, while Spitz soundly punished the many times offending Pike.
In the days that followed, as Dawson grew closer and closer, Buck still continued to interfere between Spitz and the culprits; but he did it craftily, when Francois was not around, With the covert mutiny of Buck, a general insubordination sprang up and increased.

Dave and Sol-leks were unaffected, but the rest of the team went from bad to worse.
Things no longer went right.