The fight almost happened one night when they stopped by Lake Laberge. There was
heavy snow and it was very cold. The lake was frozen and Francois, Perrault, and the dogs
had to spend the night on the ice, under a big rock. Buck had made a warm hole in the snow
and was sorry to leave it to get his piece of fish. But when he had eaten, and returned to his
hole, he found Spitz in it. Buck had tried not to fight Spitz before, but this was too much. He
attacked him angrily. Spitz was surprised. He knew Buck was big, but he didn't know he was
so wild. Francois was surprised too, and guessed why Buck was angry.
'Go on Buck!' he shouted. 'Fight him, the dirty thief!'