In passion to rend and destroy, he never forgot that his enemy was in like passion to rend and destroy.

He never rushed till he was prepared to receive a rush; never attacked till he had first defended that attack.
In vain Buck strove to sink his teeth in the neck of the big white dog.
Wherever his fangs struck for the softer flesh, they were countered by the fangs of Spitz.

Fang clashed fang, and lips were cut and bleeding, but Buck could not penetrate his enemy's guard.

Then he warmed up and enveloped Spitz in a whirlwind of rushes.

Time and time again he tried for the snow-white throat, where life bubbled near to the surface, and each time and every time Spitz slashed him and got away.