Chapter 24 Jim Hall's Revenge White Fang's adventures were not quite over yet.
There was one more surprise in store for him.
A prisoner had escaped from a nearby jail.
Jim Hall was a violent and dangerous man.
Judge Scott had sentenced Hall to fifty years in jail for his many crimes and offenses.
Hall swore revenge.
When news of his escape reached the Scott family, they were all worried.
Everyone except the judge.
He did not think Hall would bother with him.
The police will catch him soon enough, he said.
There's no need to worry.
Whedon's wife thought the family needed more protection.
It was good to keep everyone from worrying, but she took no chances.
Each night after everyone was in bed, she let White Fang in.
The wolf slept in the front hall, guarding the house.
Each morning she let him back out before anyone else was up.
On one such night, White Fang smelled something strange.
There was something dangerous in the house.
He walked softly to the staircase and saw a man.
The stranger moved quietly around the corner.
He stayed very close to the wall, making no sound as he walked.
Just as the man lifted a foot to walk up the stairs, White Fang attacked.
The man cried out.
White Fang's teeth sank into his leg.
The wolf pulled him off the stairs and onto the floor.
The hall was dark, and the man could not see his attacker.
They continued to roll on the carpet together.
A revolver was fired three times.
The fight was over.
The whole house woke up and ran to the front hall.
Whedon turned on the light.
There was Jim Hall. lying on the rug.
He was dead.
Beside him lay White Fang, breathing very slowly.
Whedon went to his side.
White Fang!
The wolf gave a soft growl, trying to look up at his master, but he had no strength.
I'm right here, he said.
Whedon stroked the wolf's head.
Don't worry.
We'll get you help.
The judge rode into town to notify the police and to bring back a surgeon for White Fang.
As dawn broke, the family waited nervously for a report.
There are three broken ribs, a broken hind leg, and three bullet holes, the doctor said.
I'm sorry to say that this will be difficult.
Spare no expense, the judge said.
Treat this wolf as you would treat any hero.
We owe him our lives.
The surgeon said that he understood and went to work on the wolf.
The entire Scott family sat quietly in the living room.
Whedon's wife wept softly, saying a prayer that White Fang's life would be saved.
No one wanted to think what might have happened without their wolf.
No one wanted to think what life might be like if their wolf did not make it.
Whedon sat by the window on his own.
He cried quietly to himself.
Please, boy, he whispered, you can do it.
Don't let me down.
After what felt like hours, the surgeon returned.
Thankfully, he had good news to report.
Your wolf made it through the operation, he said.
Whedon's children clapped and the judge slapped him on the back.
Thank goodness, doctor, he said.
We couldn't be happier.
Can I go and see him?
Whedon asked.
He's still asleep, but you can check in if you'd like, the doctor answered.
But you should know that it will be a very long recovery period.
There were three bullets in him and it will take a long time to heal.
He's going to be in a cast for quite some time, too.
Whedon hugged the doctor.
He's going to be just fine, the young man said.
I can feel it.
He went to see his wolf.
The dying room had been turned into a temporary operating room.
White Fang was lying on his side on the table.
His ribcage was wrapped in bandages and there was a cast on his leg.
He did not look sick.
He looked like he was sleeping very soundly.
So...
What do you say, old boy?
Whedon whispered.
Let's make this our last adventure.
How about we live a nice, quiet life after this?
