Who Hal, Charles and Mercedes is
Hal, Charles and Mercedes are newcomers whose lack of knowledge makes them dangerous owners for the sled dogs. Mercedes is Hal's sister, and Charles is her husband, so the three travelers are also a family. They come from the south and know nothing of the northern conditions they must face.
Hal, Charles and Mercedes and the others in the story
The three buy the team after Buck has already learned sled work under other masters. They overload the sled and overfeed the dogs at first, then starve them as the journey continues. Their constant arguments accompany mistakes that leave the animals increasingly exhausted and poorly cared for.
For Buck, these owners bring a different test from the work he knows under the mail couriers. He becomes too weak to pull, yet remains too stubborn to give in. Their treatment shows how human carelessness can threaten animals just as surely as deliberate cruelty.
Questions
Who are Hal, Charles and Mercedes?
They are three inexperienced travelers from the south who buy Buck's sled team.
How are Hal, Charles and Mercedes related?
Mercedes is Hal's sister and Charles's wife.
How do Hal, Charles and Mercedes treat the dogs?
They treat the dogs with great carelessness, overloading their sled and failing to feed them properly. Their ignorance of northern travel puts Buck and the team under severe strain.
