The Final Threat: Jim Hall's Revenge

The narrative reaches a tense climax with the re-emergence of Jim Hall, a "violent and dangerous man" who had previously been sentenced to fifty years in jail by Judge Scott. Upon his escape, Hall harbored a singular, malicious goal: "Hall swore revenge." While Judge Scott remained dismissive of the danger, believing the police would handle it, his wife took a more proactive approach to safeguarding the family. Recognizing the potential peril, she secretly invited White Fang into the house each night to serve as a silent, vigilant guardian, ensuring the wolf "slept in the front hall, guarding the house."

The Confrontation in the Dark

White Fang’s instincts proved vital when he detected an intruder. On a fateful night, the wolf "smelled something strange" and identified "something dangerous in the house." As the intruder crept toward the staircase, White Fang launched a decisive assault. The ensuing struggle was violent and chaotic; the man, later identified as Jim Hall, was pulled from the stairs as the wolf’s "teeth sank into his leg." In the darkness of the hall, a "revolver was fired three times," ultimately leaving Hall dead on the rug and White Fang critically wounded, "breathing very slowly."

A Heroic Recovery

The aftermath of the attack saw the Scott family rallying around their protector. Judge Scott, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, instructed the surgeon to "treat this wolf as you would treat any hero," declaring, "We owe him our lives." The medical assessment was grim, revealing "three broken ribs, a broken hind leg, and three bullet holes." The family’s anxiety was palpable; Whedon’s wife wept, and Whedon himself sat by the window, pleading, "Please, boy... you can do it. Don't let me down."

The Path to Peace

After a grueling operation, the surgeon delivered the hopeful news that White Fang had "made it through the operation." Although the road ahead would involve a "very long recovery period" with casts and bandages, the wolf’s survival brought immense relief to the household. The story concludes on a poignant note of transition. Whedon visits the recovering wolf, now wrapped in bandages and resting soundly, and proposes a shift in their trajectory: "Let's make this our last adventure. How about we live a nice, quiet life after this?" This final sentiment underscores the transformation of White Fang from a wild creature into a cherished, heroic member of the Scott family, finally earning the peace he so richly deserves.