Shepherds of the Wild · Chapter
XVII explained
Alice Crowson and her flock are attacked by a savage pack of hounds, set upon them by Landy Fargo.
What happens
Alice Crowson and her flock are attacked by a savage pack of hounds, set upon them by Landy Fargo. She fires her pistol in desperation, but runs out of ammunition. Hugh Gaylord, hearing the shots, rides desperately to her rescue, arriving just in time to fight off the dogs with his rifle butt and then shoot them. He later confronts Fargo at the camp, telling him he can have his horse and his dead dogs, leaving Fargo to brood over his defeat.
Themes in this chapter
Civilization vs. Wilderness
The dog pack, once domestic, reverts to savage wildness, while Hugh's civilized strength and purpose overcome the primitive threat.
Duty and Sacrifice
Alice refuses to abandon her flock despite mortal danger, and Hugh risks his life to rescue her.
The Primitive and Atavistic
The dogs shed their domestic instincts and become savage killers; Hugh fights with primal fury, yet his human dominance prevails.
Characters to notice
- Alice Crowson
Attacked by Fargo's dog pack while guarding her sheep; fires her pistol until out of ammunition, then is rescued by Hugh.
- Hugh Gaylord
Rides desperately to save Alice, fights off the dog pack with rifle butt and gun, then confronts Fargo at camp.
- Landy Fargo
Planned the dog attack; later confronted by Hugh and left to stare at the heap of his dead dogs.
- Old Ben
Pack leader; wounded by Alice's shot and later killed by Hugh.
Key passages
“the coyotes knew—the dog pack was at the kill, and, they trembled and shivered themselves with passion.”
The coyotes sensed that the dog pack was making a kill, and they shook with excitement.
Sets the scene of the dog pack's attack.
“Hugh fought with the fury of a wild creature himself, and behind it was the high purpose and the inner strength that has made man the ruler and master of the earth.”
Hugh fought like a wild animal, but his human purpose and strength made him the victor.
Highlights the theme of human dominance over nature.
“The first law of the forest is that it is better to run away than to die; but now they were out of striking range he opened fire upon them with his rifle, and with amazing, deadly accuracy.”
The dogs fled, following the forest's rule of survival, but Hugh shot them with deadly precision.
Shows the dogs' retreat and Hugh's marksmanship.
“It seemed to Fargo, when he went to look, that only a laugh followed him out of the firelight. It was to haunt him for months, that laugh.”
Fargo felt mocked by Hugh's laugh as he went to see his dead dogs, and the memory haunted him.
Foreshadows Fargo's lingering humiliation.