No more was Spitz a leader greatly to be feared.

The old awe departed, and they grew equal to challenging his authority.

Pike robbed him of half a fish one night, and gulped it down under the protection of Buck.

Another night Dub and Joe fought Spitz and made him forego the punishment they deserved.

And even Billee, the good-natured, was less good-natured, and whined not half so placatingly as in former days.