The Call of the Wild
Chapter 5: The Toil of Trace and Trail
by Jack London
The exhausted sled team arrives at Skaguay, where they meet their new owners.
The exhausted sled team arrives at Skaguay, where they meet their new owners.
The narrator describes his stay on Daytona Beach and what he saw there — from birds to plays to scenery.
Carol and Will travel to Gopher Prairie by train, following their marriage. Carol observes the other passengers as the travels, feeling that she could help improve their lives. After great anticipation, Carol arrives in Gopher Prairie.
The group rest in the Mohican hideout. As they sleep a strange cry is heard. Hawkeye goes out to investigate.
George's work on the Mayoral campaign results in ethically questionable compensation.
The characteristics of the vampire are defined. The group makes a plan of action. Renfield shows that he has the ability to act in a sane and logical manner.
Brunhild is welcomed home.
Phoebe begins to brighten the house with her presence. Hepzibah and Phoebe quarrel, but Hepzibah is persuaded to let Phoebe stay for a few weeks. After making breakfast, Phoebe helps out in the store and sells most of the inventory. Hepzibah is thrilled at Phoebe’s work and gives her a tour of the house.
Siegfried returns to Nibelungen, and Alberich tells a tale.
Bertuccio finishes telling his story for why he fears the house Auteuil to the Count of Monte Cristo. The Count and Bertuccio then return to the house in Paris.
Heyward continues to search for Alice. Magua's arrival in camp does no bode well for Uncas.
David returns to London where he visits with old friends and acquaintances.
Ishmael stays the night at the Spouter Inn, where he encounters Queequeg.
Marian worries about what sort of document Laura is supposed to sign. The group walks to the lake, where a discussion of murder and crime commences. Mention of the Catherick name causes a rapid departure of Sir Percival.
The narrator travels down the St. Augustine Road and describes the scenery and meeting other travelers along the road
Two drunken sailors happen upon a strange scene at the undertaker's shop.
Carol accompanies Kennicott on a hunting trip, admiring the natural landscape of Gopher Prairie. Carol is introduced to the like minded Vida Sherwin and Guy Pollock. Carol's home refurnishing is met with disdain by a miserly and religious neighbor. Carol hosts a party of her own, hoping it will have some influence on the townspeople of Gopher Prairie.
David brings Mr. Peggotty to the Doctors' Commons. Mr. Spenlow extends an invitation to David. Dora and David's reconciliation results in a secret arrangement.
Thoreau prepares for winter.
The same night, Jane is startled by a sudden cry for help. She hurries into the hallway, where Rochester assures everyone that a servant has merely had a nightmare. After everyone returns to bed, Rochester knocks on Jane’s door. He tells her that he can use her help and asks whether she is afraid of blood. He leads her to the third story of the house and shows her Mr. Mason, who has been stabbed in the arm. Rochester asks Jane to stanch the wound and then leaves, ordering Mason and Jane not to speak to one another. In the silence, Jane gazes at the image of the apostles and Christ’s crucifixion that is painted on the cabinet across from her. Rochester returns with a surgeon, and as the men tend to Mason’s wounds, Rochester sends Jane to find a potion downstairs. He gives some of it to Mason, saying that it will give him heart for an hour. Once Mason is gone, Jane and Rochester stroll in the orchard, and Rochester tells Jane a hypothetical story about a young man who commits a “capital error” in a foreign country and proceeds to lead a life of dissipation in an effort to “obtain relief.” The young man then hopes to redeem himself and live morally with a wife, but convention prevents him from doing so. He asks whether the young man would be justified in “overleaping an obstacle of custom.” Jane’s reply is that such a man should look to God for his redemption, not to another person. Rochester—who obviously has been describing his own situation—asks Jane to reassure him that marrying Blanche would bring him salvation. He then hurries away before she has a chance to answer.
The reader is introduced to Reverend Bute. The subject of death is taken lightly.
As school begins at Salem House, David and Steerforth share stories. Mr. Peggotty and Ham visit David at school.
Eliza pays a visit to Higgins and Pickering.
Du Bois tells the story of John Jones.
Raskolnikov has a strange conversation with Zamyotov, the police inspector, at the local diner.