So John Thornton, Hans and Pete, with Buck and a few other dogs, traveled up the Yukon River with sleds and then on up the Stewart River. John Thornton was not afraid of the wild. He only needed his gun, and then he could go where he liked and stay for as long as he wanted. He hunted for his dinner during the day, and if he did not find it, he kept traveling. He knew that sooner or later he would find something to eat.