Buck did not read the newspapers. He not know that trouble was coming for every big dog in California . Men had found gold in the Yukon, and these men wanted big, strong dog to walk in the cold and snow of the north.
Buck lived in Mr. Miller's big house in the sunny Santa Clara valley. There were large gardens and fields of fruit trees around the house, and a river nearby. In a big place like this, of course , there were many dogs. There were house dogs and farm dogs, but they were not important. Buck was chief dog; he was born here and this was his place. He was four years old and weight sixty kilos. He went swimming with Mr. Miller's sons, and walking with his daughters. He carried the grandchildren on his back, and she sat at Mr. Miller's feet in front of the fire in winter.
But his was 1897, and Buck did not know that men and dogs were hurrying to north-west Canada to look for gold. And he not know that Manuel, one of Mr. Miller's gardeners, needed money for his large family. One day, when MR. Miller was out, Manuel and Buck left the garden together. It was just an evening walk , Buck thought. No one saw them go, and only one man saw them arrive at the railway station. This man talked to Manuel, and gave him some money. Then he tied a piece of rope around Buck's neck.