The last tie was broken.

Man and the claims of man no longer bound him.
Hunting their living meat, as the Yeehats were hunting it, on the flanks of the migrating moose, the wolf pack had at last crossed over from the land of streams and timber and invaded Buck's valley.

Into the clearing where the moonlight streamed, they poured in a silvery flood; and in the centre of the clearing stood Buck, motionless as a statue, waiting their coming.

They were awed, so still and large he stood, and a moment's pause fell, till the boldest one leaped straight for him.

Like a flash Buck struck, breaking the neck.