the call of the wilderness

اَلْفَصْلُThe chapterاَثَّالِثُthird

رِحْلَةُA journeyتَعَلُّمٍof learningلِلْبَقَاءِto surviveعَلَىonقَيْدِthe faceاَلْحَيَاةِof life

فِيInهَذِهِthisاَللَّيْلَةِ،night,وَاجَهَfacedبَاكْBuckمُشْكِلَةًa problemكَبِيرَةًbigوَقْتَat the timeاَلنَّوْمِ.of sleep.

كَانَتِWasاَلْخَيْمَةُthe tent——اَلَّتِيwhichتُضِيئُهَاilluminates itشَمْعَةٌa candle——يَمْلَؤُهَاfills itاَلدِّفْءُ،warmth,بَيْنَمَاwhileكَانَwasكُلُّeveryشَيْءٍthingحَوْلَهُمْaround themأَبْيَضَwhiteوَمَلِيئًاand fullبِالثَّلْجِ.of snow.

وَعِنْدَمَاAnd whenدَخَلَenteredبَاكْBuckاَلْخَيْمَةَthe tent——ظَنًّاthinkingمِنْهُfrom himأَنَّthatذَلِكَthatتَصَرُّفٌbehaviorعَادِيٌّnormal——صَرَخَshoutedپِيرُوPerraultوَفْرَانْسُوَاand Francoisفِيinوَجْهِهِhis face

وَأَخَذَاand they tookيَقْذِفَانِهِthrowing at himبِالْأَشْيَاءِwith thingsحَتَّىuntilجَرَىhe ranبَعِيدًاawayوَهُوَwhile heيَشْعُرُfeelsبِالْغَضَبِangerوَالْإِحْرَاجِ،and embarrassment,

وَخَرَجَand he went outمَرَّةًonceأُخْرَىmoreفِيintoاَلْجَوِّthe weatherاَلْبَارِدِ،cold,وَأَخَذَand tookاَلْهَوَاءُthe airشَدِيدُintenseاَلْبُرُودَةِin coldnessيَنْشِبُsinkسِهَامَهُits arrowsفِيintoعِظَامِهِ.his bones.

فَاسْتَلْقَىSo lay downبَاكْBuckعَلَىonاَثُّلُوجِthe snowوَحَاوَلَand triedأَنْtoيَنَامَ،sleep,وَلَكِنَّbutاَلصَّقِيعَthe frostجَعَلَmadeجَسَدَهُhis bodyكُلَّهُall of itيَرْتَجِفُ.shiver.

وَأَخَذَAnd tookبَاكْBuckيَسِيرُwalkingوَسْطَamidstاَلْخِيَمِthe tentsاَلْمُتَعَدِّدَةِmultipleوَهُوَwhile heفِيinحَالَةٍa stateيُرْثَىto be pitiedلَهَا،for it,وَلَكِنْbutلَمْdid notيَجِدْfindمَكَانًاa placeأَقَلَّlessبُرُودَةًcoldnessمِنَthanاَلْآخَرِ.the other.

حَاوَلَتِTriedاَلْكِلَابُthe dogsاَلْمُتَوَحِّشَةُwildاَلَّتِيwhichتُقَابِلُهُencounter himهُنَاhereوَهُنَاكَand thereأَنْtoتُرْهِبَهُ،scare him,وَلَكِنَّهُbut heكَانَwasيُزَمْجِرُgrowlingوَيَنْتَصِبُand standing upشَعْرُhairرَقَبَتِهِhis neck

(فَقَدْ(for indeedكَانَhe wasيَتَعَلَّمُlearningبِسُرْعَةٍquicklyكَيْفَhowيَرُدُّto respondعَلَىtoهُجُومِattackاَلْكِلَابِthe dogsاَلْأُخْرَى)،the other),فَيَتْرُكُونَهُso they leave himيَمْضِيto proceedفِيinطَرِيقِهِhis pathوَلَاand do notيَعُودُونَreturnلِمُضَايَقَتِهِ.to harass him.

ثُمَّThenخَطَرَتْoccurredلَهُto himفِكْرَةٌan ideaوَقَرَّرَand he decidedأَنْtoيَعُودَreturnإِلَىtoزُمَلَائِهِhis companionsفِيinاَلْقَطِيعِthe packوَيَرَىand seeكَيْفَhowيَنَامُونَ.they sleep.

وَلَكِنَّهُBut heفُوجِئَwas surprisedبِأَنَّهُمْthat theyقَدِhadاِخْتَفَوْا؛disappeared;أَخَذَtookبَاكْBuckيَدُورُroamingحَوْلَaroundاَلْمُعَسْكَرِthe campاَلْكَبِيرِbigبَاحِثًاsearchingعَنْهُمْ،for them,وَلَكِنَّهُbut heعَادَreturnedدُونَwithoutأَنْthatيَجِدَهُمْ.he finds them.

هَلْAreهُمْtheyدَاخِلَinsideاَلْخَيْمَةِ؟the tent?وَلَكِنَّButذَلِكَthatغَيْرُnotمُمْكِنٍ،possible,وَإِلَّاotherwiseلَمَاwhyكَانَwasطُرِدَhe kicked outمِنْهَا؟from it?

أَيْنَWhereيُمْكِنُcanأَنْtoيَكُونُواthey beإِذَنْ؟then?أَخَذَTookبَاكْBuckيَدُورُroamingحَوْلَaroundاَلْخَيْمَةِthe tentوَهُوَwhile heيَرْتَعِشُtremblesوَيَجُرُّand dragsذَيْلَهُhis tailخَلْفَهُ،behind him,كَانَhe wasيَشْعُرُfeelingبِاَلضَّيَاعِlossوَالْوَحْدَةِ.and loneliness.

وَفَجْأَةً،And suddenly,اِنْزَاحَshiftedاَثُّلُوجُthe snowمِنْfromتَحْتِunderقَدَمَيْهِhis feetاَلْأَمَامِيَّتَيْنِfrontوَغَاصَتْand sankقَدَمَاهُhis feetقَلِيلًا،a little,

ثُمَّthenشَعَرَhe feltبِشَيْءٍsomethingيَتَلَوَّىtwistingتَحْتَunderقَدَمَيْهِ،his feet,فَقَفَزَso he jumpedإِلَىtoاَلْوَرَاءِthe backوَأَخَذَand beganيُزَمْجِرُgrowlingوَقَدِwhileاِنْتَصَبَstood upشَعْرُهُ،his hair,

وَهُوَwhile heيَشْعُرُfeelsبِخَوْفٍfearمِنَfromاَلْمَجْهُولِ،the unknown,وَلَكِنَّهُbut heسَمِعَheardعُوَاءًhowlingوَدُودًاfriendlyوَيُطَمْئِنُهُand reassuring him

فَعَادَso he returnedمَرَّةًonceأُخْرَىmoreلِيَسْتَكْشِفَto discoverحَقِيقَةَthe truthاَلْأَمْرِ.of the matter.

اِشْتَمَّSmelledبَاكْBuckنَسْمَةَa whiffهَوَاءٍof airدَافِئٍ،warm,وَهُنَاكَand thereرَأَىhe sawبِيلِيBilleeوَهُوَwhile heمُتَكَوِّرٌcurled upعَلَىonنَفْسِهِhimselfتَحْتَunderاَثُّلُوجِthe snowمُسْتَلْقِيًاlyingفِيinكُرَةٍa ballدَافِئَةٍ.warm.

أَخَذَBeganبِيلِيBilleeيَعْوِيhowlingوَيَتَلَوَّىand twistingلِيُثْبِتَto proveلِبَاكْto Buckأَنَّهُthat heصَدِيقٌ،is a friend,بَلْnayوَلَعَقَand he lickedوَجْهَfaceبَاكْof Buckبِلِسَانِهِwith his tongueاَلرَّطْبِwetاَلدَّافِئِ.warm.

كَانَWasهَذَاthisدَرْسًاa lessonآخَرَanotherتَعَلَّمَهُhe learned itبَاكْ،Buck,فَهَكَذَاso thusيَنَامُsleepاَلْكِلَابُthe dogsوَسْطَamidstاَثُّلُوجِ.the snow.

اِنْتَقَىChoseبَاكْBuckمَوْضِعًا،a spot,وَبَدَأَand beganيَعْمَلُworkingبِجِدٍّhardلِيَحْفِرَto digلِنَفْسِهِfor himselfحُفْرَةً،a hole,وَسُرْعَانَand soonمَاwhatتَسَرَّبَتِleakedاَلْحَرَارَةُthe heatمِنْfromجَسَدِهِhis bodyلِتَمْلَأَto fillهَذَاthisاَلْمَكَانَplaceاَلصَّغِيرَsmallوَرَاحَand wentبَاكْBuckفِيintoاَلنَّوْمِ.sleep.

لَقَدْIndeedمَرَّhe passedبِيَوْمٍthrough a dayطَوِيلٍlongوَشَاقٍّ،and arduous,وَلِذَاand thereforeفَقَدْhe hasغَطَّsunkفِيinسُبَاتٍa slumberعَمِيقٍdeepوَمُرِيحٍ،and comfortable,رَغْمَdespiteأَنَّهُthat heكَانَwasيُزَمْجِرُgrowlingوَيَنْبَحُand barkingوَهُوَwhile heيُصَارِعُwrestlesاَلْأَحْلَامَthe dreamsاَلسَّيِّئَةَ.bad.

لَمْDid notيَفْتَحْopenبَاكْBuckعَيْنَيْهِhis eyesحَتَّىuntilأَيْقَظَتْهُawoke himضَوْضَاءُthe noiseاَلْمُعَسْكَرِ.of the camp.

فِيInاَلْبِدَايَةِthe beginningلَمْhe did notيُدْرِكْrealizeأَيْنَwhereهُوَ،he is,فَقَدْforتَسَاقَطَتِfellاَثُّلُوجُthe snowأَثْنَاءَduringاَللَّيْلِthe nightوَغَطَّتْهُand covered himتَمَامًا.completely.

وَكَانَتِAnd wereاَلْحَوَائِطُthe wallsاَثُّلْجِيَّةُsnowyتُحِيطُsurroundingبِهِhimمِنْfromكُلِّeveryمَكَانٍplaceوَتَضْغَطُand pressingعَلَىonجَسَدِهِ،his body,فَشَعَرَso he feltبِالرُّعْبِterrorوَتَقَلَّصَتْand contractedعَضَلَاتُهُhis musclesوَانْتَصَبَand stood upشَعْرُhairرَقَبَتِهِhis neckوَكَتِفَيْهِand his shouldersتَمَامًا.completely.

ثُمَّThenقَفَزَleapedبَاكْBuckوَهُوَwhile heيُزَمْجِرُroaredبِقُوَّةٍwith strengthإِلَىtoاَلْأَعْلَىthe topوَخَرَجَand went outإِلَىtoضَوْءِlightاَلنَّهَارِof dayاَلَّذِيwhichأَعْمَىblindedعَيْنَيْهِhis eyesفِيinاَلْبِدَايَةِ،the beginning,وَتَطَايَرَتْand scatteredكُتَلُchunksاَثُّلُوجِof snowمِنْfromفَوْقِهِ.above him.

وَقَبْلَAnd beforeأَنْthatيَسْتَقِرَّhe settlesعَلَىonقَدَمَيْهِhis feetمَرَّةًonceأُخْرَى،more,رَأَىsawبَاكْBuckمِنْfromحَوْلِهِaround himاَلْمُعَسْكَرَthe campاَلَّذِيwhichتُحِيطُsurroundsبِهِhimاَثُّلُوجُthe snowاَلْبَيْضَاءُ،white,وَتَذَكَّرَand rememberedأَيْنَwhereهُوَ.he is.

وَتَذَكَّرَAnd rememberedبَاكْBuckحِينَهَاat that timeمَاwhatحَدَثَhappenedلَهُto himمُنْذُsinceأَنْthatذَهَبَhe wentفِيinتِلْكَthatاَلنُّزْهَةِexcursionمَعَwithمَانُوِيلَManuelوَحَتَّىand untilحَفَرَhe dugلِنَفْسِهِfor himselfحُفْرَةًa holeاَللَّيْلَةَnightاَلْمَاضِيَةَpastلِيَنَامَto sleepفِيهَا.in it.

وَبِمُجَرَّدِAnd as soon asرُؤْيَةِseeingبَاكْ،Buck,صَاحَshoutedفْرَانْسُوَاFrancoisبِصَوْتٍin a voiceعَالٍloudلِپِيرُو:to Perrault:«أَلَمْ"Did notأَقُلْI sayلَكَto youإِنَّthatذَلِكَthatاَلْكَلْبَdogبَاكْBuckيَتَعَلَّمُlearnsأَيَّanyشَيْءٍthingبِسُرْعَةٍ؟»quickly?"

أَوْمَأَNoddedپِيرُوPerraultوَالْجِدِّيَّةُand seriousnessتَرْتَسِمُis drawnعَلَىonمَلَامِحِهِ،his features,فَنَظَرًاand lookingلِأَنَّهُbecause heيَعْمَلُworksسَاعِيَpostmanبَرِيدٍof mailلَدَىatاَلْحُكُومَةِthe governmentاَلْكَنَدِيَّةِCanadianوَيَنْقُلُand conveysاَلْمُرَاسَلَاتِcorrespondenceاَلْمُهِمَّةَ،important,كَانَhe wasيُرِيدُwantingأَنْtoيَحْصُلَgetعَلَىonأَفْضَلِbestاَلْكِلَابِ،dogs,وَلِذَاand thereforeكَانَhe wasسَعِيدًاhappyلِأَنَّهُbecause heوَجَدَfoundبَاكْ.Buck.

اِنْضَمَّتْJoinedثَلَاثَةُthreeكِلَابِdogsهَاسْكِيٍّHuskyأُخْرَىotherإِلَىtoاَلْقَطِيعِthe packفِيinأَقَلَّlessمِنْthanسَاعَةٍan hourلِيُصْبَحَto becomeعَدَدُnumberاَلْكِلَابِof the dogsتِسْعَةً.nine.

وَفِيAnd inغُضُونِduringرُبُعِquarterسَاعَةٍ،of an hour,كَانَتِwereاَلسُّرُوجُthe saddlesقَدْalreadyثُبِّتَتْfixedعَلَىonظُهُورِهَاtheir backsجَمِيعًا،all together,وَكَانَتْand wasتَنْعَطِفُturningبِالْمِزْلَجَةِwith the sledفَوْقَoverاَلطَّرِيقِthe pathاَلْمُؤَدِّيleadingإِلَىtoوَادِيvalleyدِيَا.Dyea.

كَانَWasبَاكْBuckسَعِيدًاhappyبِالْانْطِلَاقِwith the setting offلِلْعَمَلِ،for work,وَمَعَand withأَنَّthatاَلْعَمَلَthe workكَانَwasشَاقًّا،hard,لَمْdid notيَكُنْhe beمُنْزَعِجًاannoyedمِنْهُ.from it.

أَدْهَشَتْهُAmazed himحَمَاسَةُthe enthusiasm ofاَلْقَطِيعِ،the pack,وَانْدَهَشَand he was amazedأَكْثَرَmoreبِالتَّغْيِيرِby the changeاَلَّذِيwhichطَرَأَoccurredعَلَىonشَخْصِيَّتَيْtwo charactersدَيْفْDaveوَسُولِيكْسْ؛and Sol-leks;

فَقَدْfor indeedبَدَاappearedوَكَأَنَّas ifاَلسَّرْجَthe saddleاَلْمُثَبَّتَfixedعَلَىonظَهْرِbackكُلٍّeachمِنْهُمَاof themقَدْhasغَيَّرَهُمَاchanged themتَمَامًا.completely.

فَلَمْSo they did notيَعُودَاreturnهَادِئَيْنِcalmوَمُنْعَزِلَيْنِ،and isolated,بَلْnayبَاتَاthey becameمُتَيَقِّظَيْنِalertوَمُفْعَمَيْنِand filledبِالْحَيَوِيَّةِwith vitalityوَالنَّشَاطِ،and activity,

وَحَرِيصَيْنِand eagerعَلَىonأَدَاءِperformingاَلْعَمَلِthe workبِشَكْلٍin a mannerجَيِّدٍ،good,وَكَانَاand they wereيَغْضَبَانِgetting angryمِنْfromأَيِّanyشَيْءٍthingيُؤَخِّرُdelaysعَمَلَهُمَا؛their work;

بَدَاit seemedوَكَأَنَّas ifاَلْعَمَلَthe workاَلشَّاقَّhardهُوَisاَلشَّيْءُthe thingاَلْوَحِيدُonlyاَلَّذِيwhichيُسْعِدُهُمَا.makes them happy.

كَانَWasدَيْفْDaveهُوَheمَنْwhoيَجُرُّpullsاَلْمِزْلَجَةَthe sledمُبَاشَرَةًdirectlyوَمِنْand fromأَمَامِهِfront of himبَاكْ،Buck,ثُمَّthenسُولِيكْسْ،Sol-leks,وَمِنْand fromأَمَامِهِمْfront of themبَقِيَّةُremainder ofاَلْجَمْعِthe groupفِيinصَفٍّa lineوَاحِدٍsingleيَنْتَهِيendingبِسْبِيتْزِwith Spitzفِيinاَلْمُقَدَّمَةِ،the front,فَقَدْfor indeedكَانَhe wasهُوَheاَلْقَائِدَ.the leader.

لَقَدْIndeedوُضِعَwas placedبَاكْBuckبَيْنَbetweenدَيْفْDaveوَسُولِيكْسْand Sol-leksحَتَّىso thatيَتَسَنَّىit is possibleلَهُfor himأَنْtoيَتَعَلَّمَlearnمِنْfromهَذَيْنِthese twoاَلْكَلْبَيْنِdogsاَلْأَكْبَرِolderمِنْهُ.than him.

وَقَدْAnd indeedكَانَwasبَاكْBuckتِلْمِيذًاa studentنَجِيبًا،apt,وَهُمَاand theyكَانَاwereمُعَلِّمَيْنِtwo teachersقَدِيرَيْنِcapableلَمْdid notيَتْرُكَاthey leaveبَاكْBuckيَتَمَادَىpersistفِيinأَيِّanyخَطَأٍ،error,وَكَانَand wasدَيْفْDaveعَادِلًاfairوَحَكِيمًا.and wise.

وَفِيAnd inإِحْدَىoneاَلْمَرَّاتِof the timesاَلَّتِيwhichتَوَقَّفَتْstoppedفِيهَاin itاَلْمِزْلَجَةُthe sledلِفَتْرَةٍfor a periodقَصِيرَةٍ،short,تَعَثَّرَstumbledبَاكْBuckفِيinاَلْحِبَالِthe ropesوَأَخَّرَand delayedاِنْطِلَاقَهَاits setting offمَرَّةًonceأُخْرَى،more,

فَغَضِبَso got angryمِنْهُat himدَيْفْDaveوَسُولِيكْسْand Sol-leksكَثِيرًا،a lot,وَلَكِنَّbutبَاكْBuckاِتَّخَذَtookحِذْرَهُhis cautionبَعْدَafterذَلِكَthatوَظَلَّand remainedبَعِيدًاawayعَنِfromاَلْحِبَالِ.the ropes.

وَقَبْلَAnd beforeأَنْthatيَنْتَهِيَendsاَلْيَوْمُ،the day,أَصْبَحَbecameأَدَاءُperformanceبَاكْof BuckرَائِعًاwonderfulحَتَّىuntilإِنَّthatدَيْفْDaveوَسُولِيكْسْand Sol-leksكَفَّاstoppedعَنْfromمُضَايَقَتِهِ،harassing him,وَحَتَّىand evenپِيرُوPerraultقَدْindeedأَعْلَىraisedمِنْofقَدْرِهِhis worthعِنْدَمَاwhenرَفَعَhe raisedقَدَمَيْهِhis feetوَتَفَحَّصَهُمَاand examined themبِعِنَايَةٍ.with care.

كَانَتِWasاَلرِّحْلَةُthe journeyاَلَّتِيwhichقَطَعَتْهَاcovered itاَلْكِلَابُthe dogsفِيinذَلِكَthatاَلْيَوْمِdayشَاقَّةً؛arduous;فَقَدْfor indeedصَعِدَتْthey ascendedإِلَىtoاَلْوَادِيthe valleyعَبْرَviaمُعَسْكَرِcampشِيبْ،Sheep,

مُرُورًاpassingبِمِنْطَقَةِby area ofسِكَايْلْزْScalesوَحِزَامِand beltاَلْأَشْجَارِ،of the trees,عَبْرَacrossاَلْأَنْهَارِthe riversاَلْجَلِيدِيَّةِicyوَأَكْوَامِand pilesاَلْجَلِيدِof iceاَلَّتِيwhichيَصِلُreachesعُمْقُهَاits depthلِمِئَاتِto hundredsاَلْأَقْدَامِ،of feet,

وَعَبَرَتْand crossedفَوْقَaboveشَقِّgapتشِيلْكُوتْChilkootاَلَّذِيwhichيَفْصِلُseparatesبَيْنَbetweenاَلْمَاءِthe waterاَلْمَالِحِsaltyوَالْعَذْبِand freshوَيَقِفُand standsعِنْدَatحُدُودِbordersاَشِّمَالِof the northاَلْمُوحِشِdesolateاَلْكَئِيبِ.gloomy.

لَقَدْIndeedقَطَعَتْcrossedمِنْطَقَةَareaسِلْسِلَةِof chainاَلْبُحَيْرَاتِof the lakesاَلَّتِيwhichتَمْلَأُfillفُوَّهَاتِopeningsاَلْبَرَاكِينِof the volcanoesاَلْخَامِلَةِdormantبِسُرْعَةٍwith speedهَائِلَةٍ.huge.

فِيInوَقْتٍtimeمُتَأَخِّرٍlateمِنْfromتِلْكَthatاَللَّيْلَةِ،night,أَوْقَفَstoppedاَلْقَطِيعُthe packاَلْمِزْلَجَةَthe sledعِنْدَatاَلْمُعَسْكَرِthe campاَلْكَبِيرِbigاَلْمَوْجُودِexistingعِنْدَatبُحَيْرَةِLakeبِنِيتْ،Bennett,

حَيْثُwhereكَانَwereاَلْآلَافُthousandsمِنَofاَلْبَاحِثِينَthose seekingعَنِforاَلذَّهَبِgoldيَبْنُونَbuildingسُفُنَهُمْtheir shipsوَيَنْتَظِرُونَand waitingذَوَبَانَmeltingاَلْجَلِيدِof iceفِيinاَلرَّبِيعِ.spring.

حَفَرَDugبَاكْBuckحُفْرَةًa holeفِيinاَلْجَلِيدِthe iceوَنَامَand sleptنَوْمًاa sleepعَمِيقًا،deep,وَلَكِنْbutسُرْعَانَsoonمَاwhatأَيْقَظَهُawoke himاَلرِّجَالُthe menفِيinجَوْفِheartاَلظَّلَامِof darknessاَلْبَارِدِcold

وَوَضَعُواand putعَلَىonظَهْرِهِhis backسَرْجًاa saddleهُوَheوَالْكِلَابُand the dogsاَلْأُخْرَىotherوَرَبَطُوهَاand tied itفِيinاَلْمِزْلَجَةِ.the sled.

فِيInذَلِكَthatاَلْيَوْمِ،day,اسْتَطَاعَتِwere ableاَلْكِلَابُthe dogsأَنْtoتَقْطَعَcoverمَسَافَةَdistance ofأَرْبَعِينَfortyمِيلًا؛miles;لِأَنَّbecauseاَثَّلْجَthe snowكَانَwasقَدْalreadyأُزِيحَremovedمِنْfromعَلَىonاَلطَّرِيقِthe roadاَلَّذِيwhichكَانَتْwasتَسْلُكُهُ،traveling it,مِمَّاwhichجَعَلَmadeاَلسَّفَرَthe travelأَسْهَلَ.easier.

وَلَكِنْButفِيinاَلْيَوْمِdayاَلتَّالِي،the next,كَانَwasعَلَيْهَاupon herأَنْtoتَشُقَّmakeطَرِيقَهَاher wayبِنَفْسِهَاby herselfوَسْطَamidstاَثُّلُوجِthe snowاَلْجَدِيدَةِ،new,وَظَلَّتْand stayedهَكَذَاlike thisلِعِدَّةِfor severalأَيَّامٍ،days,مِمَّاwhichيَعْنِيmeansبَذْلَexertingمَزِيدٍmoreمِنَofاَلْجُهْدِeffortوَالسَّفَرَand travelingبِسُرْعَةٍat speedأَقَلَّ.less.

كَانَWasپِيرُوPerraultيَتَقَدَّمُهَاadvancing ahead of herلِيُزِيحَto removeاَثُّلُوجَthe snowبِحِذَائِهِwith his shoeاَلْمُخَصَّصِspecializedلِلسَّيْرِfor walkingعَلَىonاَلْجَلِيدِthe iceحَتَّىuntilيُيَسِّرَhe easesمُهِمَّتَهَا،her task,أَمَّاas forفْرَانْسُوَاFrancoisفَكَانَhe wasيَقُودُdrivingاَلْمِزْلَجَةَ،the sled,وَأَحْيَانًاand sometimesيَتَبَادَلُhe exchangesاَلْأَدْوَارَrolesمَعَwithپِيرُو،Perrault,وَلَكِنْbutلَيْسَnotكَثِيرًا.much.

فَقَدْFor indeedكَانَwasپِيرُوPerraultعَلَىinعَجَلَةٍhurryوَكَانَand wasيَفْتَخِرُproudبِمَعْرِفَتِهِof his knowledgeاَلْجَيِّدَةِgoodلِثُّلُوجِof snowوَالْجَلِيدِ.and ice.

وَقَدْAnd indeedكَانَتِwasاَلْمَعْرِفَةُknowledgeبِالْجَلِيدِof iceأَمْرًاa matterمُهِمًّاimportantلِلْغَايَةِ،very,لِأَنَّهُمْbecause theyكَانُواwereيُسَافِرُونَtravelingعَبْرَهُthrough itلِشُهُورٍfor monthsفِيinاَلرِّحْلَةِjourneyاَلْوَاحِدَةِ.the single.

وَفِيAnd inاَلْخَرِيفِautumnتَكُونُisطَبَقَةُlayerاَلْجَلِيدِof iceرَفِيعَةً،thin,وَيَخْتَفِيand disappearsتَمَامًاcompletelyفِيinاَلْمَنَاطِقِthe areasاَلَّتِيwhichتَجْرِيrunفِيهَا.in it.

وَيَوْمًاAnd dayبَعْدَafterيَوْمٍ،day,ظَلَّremainedبَاكْBuckيَعْمَلُworkingبِجِدٍّ،hard,وَكَانُواand they wereدَائِمًاalwaysيَتَوَقَّفُونَstoppingوَيُخَيِّمُونَand campingفِيinاَلظَّلَامِ،darkness,

فَتَأْكُلُthen eatsاَلْكِلَابُthe dogsاَلْأَسْمَاكَthe fishاَلْمُخَصَّصَةَallocatedلَهَاfor themثُمَّthenتَنْدَسُّthey sneakتَحْتَunderاَثُّلُوجِthe snowلِتَنَامَ،to sleep,

ثُمَّthenتَسْتَأْنِفُresumesجَرَّpullingاَلْمِزْلَجَةِthe sledعَلَىonاَلطَّرِيقِthe roadمَرَّةًonceأُخْرَىmoreلِتُشْرِقَfor to shineاَلشَّمْسُthe sunعَلَيْهَاon themوَقَدْand indeedقَطَعَتْthey cutبِالْفِعْلِactuallyعِدَّةَseveralأَمْيَالٍmilesعَلَىonاَلطَّرِيقِthe roadمَرَّةًonceأُخْرَى.more.

كَانَWasبَاكْBuckيَشْعُرُfeelingبِالْجُوعِhungerاَلشَّدِيدِ،severe,وَلَمْand was notتَكُنْbeحِصَّتُهُhis shareاَلْيَوْمِيَّةُdailyمِنَofاَلطَّعَامِfood——اَلَّتِيwhichتَتَكَوَّنُconsistsمِنْofرَطْلٍa poundوَنِصْفٍand halfمِنْofسَمَكِfishاَلسَّلَمُونِsalmonاَلْمُجَفَّفِdried——تَكْفِيهِ.enough for him.

أَمَّاAs forاَلْكِلَابُthe dogsاَلْأُخْرَىother——نَظَرًاconsideringلِأَنَّهَاthat theyكَانَتْwereأَقَلَّlessوَزْنًاin weightوَمُعْتَادَةًand accustomedعَلَىtoهَذِهِthisاَلْحَيَاةِlife——فَكَانَتْwasحِصَّتُهَاher shareاَلْيَوْمِيَّةُdailyرَطْلًاa poundوَاحِدًاoneفَقَطْonlyمِنْofاَلسَّمَكِ،the fish,وَاسْتَطَاعَتِand they were ableاَلْحِفَاظَto maintainعَلَىonلِيَاقَتِهَا.their fitness.

سُرْعَانَSoonمَاwhatتَخَلَّىabandonedبَاكْBuckعَنْfromنِظَامِهِhis systemوَهِنْدَامِهِand his appearanceوَهُمَاand theyمَاwhatكَانَاwereصِفَةًa traitأَسَاسِيَّةًessentialمِنْofحَيَاتِهِhis lifeفِيinاَلْمَاضِي؛the past;

فَقَدِfor indeedاَعْتَادَbecame accustomedبَاكْBuckعَلَىtoتَنَاوُلِtakingطَعَامِهِhis foodبِعِنَايَةٍ،with care,وَلَكِنَّهُbut heاِكْتَشَفَdiscoveredأَنَّthatاَلْكِلَابَthe dogsاَلْأُخْرَىother——بَعْدَafterأَنْthatتَنْتَهِيَendsمِنْfromطَعَامِهَاits foodقَبْلَهُbefore him——تَسْرِقُstealطَعَامَهُhis foodوَلَمْand was notيَكُنْbeفِيinوُسْعِcapacityبَاكْof Buckأَنْtoيُدَافِعَdefendعَنْهُ.it.

فَعِنْدَمَاSo whenكَانَhe wasيَرْكُضُrunningوَرَاءَbehindاثْنَيْنِtwoأَوْorثَلَاثَةٍthreeمِمَّنْfrom those whoسَرَقُواstoleطَعَامَهُ،his food,كَانَwereاَلْآخَرُونَthe othersيَأْكُلُونَeatingمَاwhatبَقِيَremainedمِنْهُ.from it.

وَلِذَاAnd thereforeكَانَwasبَاكْBuckيَتَنَاوَلُtakingطَعَامَهُhis foodبِسُرْعَةٍquicklyمِثْلَهُمْ،like them,وَكَانَand wasغَالِبًاoftenمَاwhatيَظَلُّremainsجَائِعًا،hungry,حَتَّىuntilإِنَّهُthat indeed heيَسْرِقُstealsاَلطَّعَامَfoodمِنَfromاَلْكِلَابِthe dogsاَلَّتِيwhichلَاdo notتَأْكُلُeatبِمِثْلِlikeسُرْعَتِهِ.his speed.

وَكَانَAnd wasبَاكْBuckيُشَاهِدُwatchingوَيَتَعَلَّمُand learningمِمَّاfrom whatيُشَاهِدُهُ.he watches.

وَفِيAnd inإِحْدَىoneاَلْمَرَّاتِof the timesرَأَىsawبَايِكْBikoوَهُوَwhile heكَلْبٌa dogاِنْضَمَّjoinedلِلْقَطِيعِto the packحَدِيثًاrecentlyوَكَانَand wasمَاهِرًاskilledفِيinاَلسَّرِقَةِthe theft——وَهُوَwhile heيَسْرِقُstealsشَرِيحَةَa sliceلَحْمٍof meatعِنْدَمَاwhenاِسْتَدَارَturnedپِيرُو.Perrault.

فَفَعَلَSo didبَاكْBuckمِثْلَهُlike himفِيinاَلْيَوْمِthe dayاَلتَّالِيnextوَسَرَقَand stoleقِطْعَةَa pieceلَحْمٍof meatكَامِلَةً.whole.

غَضِبَGot angryپِيرُوPerraultلِلْغَايَةِ،very much,وَلَكِنَّهُbut heلَمْdid notيَشُكَّsuspectفِيinبَاكْ،Buck,بَلِnayاِتَّهَمَhe accusedكَلْبًاa dogآخَرَotherاِسْمُهُnamedدَابْDab——وَهُوَwhile heكَلْبٌis a dogأَخْرَقُclumsyدَائِمًاalwaysمَاwhatيُمْسِكُcatchesبِهِhimپِيرُوPerraultوَهُوَwhile heيَسْرِقُsteals——وَعَاقَبَهُ.and punished him.

اسْتَطَاعَWas ableبَاكْBuckبِفَضْلِthanks toاَلطَّعَامِthe foodاَلَّذِيwhichسَرَقَهُhe stole itفِيinاَلْمَرَّةِtimeاَلْأُولَىthe firstأَنْtoيَبْقَىremainعَلَىonقَيْدِtetherاَلْحَيَاةِof lifeفِيinأَرْضِlandاَشِّمَالِ.of the north.

وَقَدْAnd indeedأَظْهَرَshowedذَلِكَthatشَيْئًاsomethingمُهِمًّاimportantلِلْغَايَةِ؛very;أَلَاnamelyوَهُوَand it isقُدْرَتُهُhis abilityعَلَىonاَلتَّكَيُّفِadaptingمَعَwithحَيَاتِهِhis lifeاَلْجَدِيدَةِ.new.

كَمَاAsأَظْهَرَتْit showedكَذَلِكَalsoأَنَّthatضَمِيرَهُhis conscienceلَمْdid notيَعُدْanymoreيُؤَنِّبُهُreproach himبِسَبَبِbecause ofاَلسَّرِقَةِ؛the theft;فَلَمْso did notيَكُنْbeأَمَامَهُbefore himخَيَارٌoptionآخَرُotherفِيinهَذَاthisاَلْمَكَانِplaceاَلْبَارِدِcoldاَلْمُوحِشِ.desolate.

فَهُوَSo heلَمْdid notيَسْرِقْstealلِأَنَّهُbecause heيُحِبُّlovesذَلِكَ،that,وَلَكِنْbutلِأَنَّهُbecause heكَانَwasجَائِعًا.hungry.

وَكَانَAnd wasبَاكْBuckيَسْرِقُstealingبِحِرْصٍwith careوَفِيand inسِرِّيَّةٍsecrecyلِأَنَّهُbecause heلَمْdid notيُرِيدُwantأَنْtoيُعَاقَبَbe punishedعَلَىforاَلسَّرِقَةِ.the theft.

وَسُرْعَانَAnd soonمَاwhatتَغَيَّرَ؛changed;فَقَدْfor indeedصَارَتْbecameعَضَلَاتُهُhis musclesقَوِيَّةًstrongكَالْحَدِيدِ،like iron,وَقَدَرَand he was ableعَلَىtoتَجَاوُزِovercomeاَلْآلَامِpainsاَلْعَادِيَّةِ،ordinary,وَأَصْبَحَand becameيَسْتَطِيعُableتَمَاوُلَto consumeأَيِّanyشَيْءٍ،thing,فَجَسَدُهُso his bodyكَانَwasيُحَوِّلُturningأَيَّanyطَعَامٍfoodإِلَىintoطَاقَةٍenergyحَتَّىuntilصَارَتْbecameعَضَلَاتُهُhis musclesأَكْثَرَmoreقُوَّةًstrengthوَصَلَابَةً.and solidity.

كَمَاAsأَصْبَحَتْbecameحَاسَّتَاtwo sensesاَلْبَصَرِof sightوَالشَّمِّand smellلَدَيْهِat himخَارِقَتَيْنِ،extraordinary,وَبَاتَand becameسَمْعُهُhis hearingحَادًّاacuteلِدَرَجَةِto degreeأَنَّهُthat heكَانَwasيَسْتَطِيعُableأَنْtoيَسْمَعَhearأَكْثَرَmostاَلْأَصْوَاتِof soundsاَلْخَافِتَةِfaintوَهُوَwhile heنَائِمٌis sleepingوَيَعْرِفَand knowمَصْدَرَهَا.its source.

وَتَعَلَّمَAnd learnedبَاكْBuckأَيْضًاalsoأَنْtoيَأْكُلَeatاَثَّلْجَthe iceبِأَسْنَانِهِwith his teethعِنْدَمَاwhenيَتَكَوَّمُit piles upبَيْنَbetweenأَصَابِعِfingersأَقْدَامِهِ،of his feet,

وَعِنْدَمَاand whenكَانَhe wasيَشْعُرُfeelingبِالْعَطَشِthirstوَيَجِدُand findsطَبَقَةَlayerجَلِيدٍof iceتُغَطِّيكَcoveringبِرْكَةَpondمِيَاهٍ،of water,كَانَhe wasيَقِفُstandingعَلَىonقَدَمَيْهِhis feetاَلْخَلْفِيَّتَيْنِhindثُمَّthenيَنْزِلُdescendsبِقَدَمَيْهِwith his feetاَلْأَمَامِيَّتَيْنِfrontعَلَىonاَلْجَلِيدِthe iceوَيُحَطِّمُهُ؛and breaks it;

بَلْnayوَأَصْبَحَand becameبِإِمْكَانِهِableكَذَلِكَalsoأَنْtoيَتَنَبَّأَpredictبِحَالَةِstate ofاَلطَّقْسِthe weatherإِذَاifاِشْتَمَّhe smelledاَلْهَوَاءَ.the air.

لَمْDid notيَتَعَلَّمْlearnبَاكْBuckفَقَدْonlyعَبْرَviaاِلتَّجْرِبَةِ،experience,بَلْnayاِسْتَيْقَظَتْawakenedدَاخِلَهُinside himغَرَائِزُinstinctsلَمْdid notيَكُنْhe beيَعْلَمْknowingأَنَّهَاthat itبِهِ؛in him;

فَقَدْfor indeedكَانَhe wasيَشْعُرُfeelingبِأَنَّهُthat heيَسْتَطِيعُcanاِسْتِعَادَةَrecallمَاwhatحَدَثَhappenedحِينَwhenكَانَتِwereاَلْكِلَابُthe dogsاَلْمُتَوَحِّشَةُwildتَجُوبُroamingاَلْغَابَاتِthe forestsفِيinقُطْعَانٍpacksلِتَصْتَادَto huntفَرَائِسَهَا،its prey,

وَعِنْدَمَاand whenكَانَhe wasيَتَشَاجَرُfightingمَعَwithاَلْكِلَابِthe dogsاَلْأُخْرَى،other,كَانَit wasيَشْعُرُfeelingوَكَأَنَّas ifأَحَدَoneأَجْدَادِهِof his ancestorsهُوَheاَلْمُحَارِبُ.the warrior.

لَقَدْIndeedكَأَنَّas ifحَيَاةًa lifeقَدِيمَةًancientعَاشَهَاlived itأَجْدَادُهُhis ancestorsفِيinاَلْمَاضِيthe pastوَالْحِيَلَand tricksاَلَّتِيwhichاِسْتَخْدَمُوهَاthey usedقَدِhasابْتُعِثَتْbeen resurrectedدَاخِلَهُinside himدُونَwithoutأَنْthatيُحَاوِلَhe triesاِسْتِعَادَتَهَا،recalling it,كَأَنَّهَاas if itكَانَتْwasمَازَالَتْstillمَعَهُwith himطُولَallحَيَاتِهِ.his life.

وَفِيAnd inاَللَّيَالِيnightsاَلْبَارِدَةِ،cold,عِنْدَمَاwhenكَانَwasبَاكْBuckيَرْفَعُraisingأَنْفَهُhis noseنَحْوَtowardنَجْمٍa starوَيَعْوِيand howlingطَوِيلًاlongكَالذِّئَابِ،like wolves,كَانَwasيَشْعُرُfeelingبِأَنَّthatاَلصَّوْتَthe soundاَلصَّادِرَemanatingمِنْfromدَاخِلِهِinside himهُوَisصَوْتُvoiceأَحَدِof oneأَجْدَادِهِof his ancestorsالْآتِيcomingمِنْfromعُمْقِdepthاَلْقُرُونِ،of the centuries,صَوْتُهُhis voiceالَّذِيwhichبَقِيَremainedصَوْتَهُمْ.their voice.

لَقَدْIndeedتَغَيَّرَتْchangedحَيَاةُlifeبَاكْof Buckتَغَيُّرًاa changeكَبِيرًا؛big;كُلُّallذَلِكَthatبِسَبَبِbecause ofأَنَّthatبَعْضَsomeاَلرِّجَالِmenقَدْhaveعَثَرُواdiscoveredعَلَىonمَعْدِنٍmineralأَصْفَرَyellowفِيinاَشِّمَالِ،the north,وَأَنَّand thatمَانُوِيلَManuelمُسَاعِدَassistantاَلْبُسْتَانِيِّof the gardenerكَانَwasيُحِبُّlovingاَلْمُقَامَرَةَ.gambling.