The boys made a rude but satisfactory meal, and, building a fire on the hearth, with some dry wood in the cabin, they made their clothing more comfortable. They had just donned their dry garments, when Jack, looking from the door of the shack, said: "Hello, it's almost morning. The sun is beginning to rise." There was a faint light in the east, over the tops of the mountains. "Yes, and some one is coming up the valley," remarked Nat, as he peered over Jack's shoulder. The two boys saw, walking slowly along the trail that led to the cabin, the dim figure of a man. Over his shoulder he carried a gun, and, as he approached, he stopped every few feet to listen, the while regarding the cabin intently. It was growing lighter every minute, and the boys could see him quite well. Suddenly, when the man was within a hundred yards of the shack, he dropped to one knee, and leveled the gun straight at the opened cabin door: "Who's there?" he cried. "Speak or I'll fire!" Jack, who was in the center of the portal, uttered an exclamation. He caught his breath sharply. Then, as the sun, mounting nearer the mountain tops, threw more light into the valley, showing clearly the figure of the crouching man, Jack cried: "Father! Father! It's me! It's your son Jack!" He was about to rush toward the figure, which he recognized from his aunts' description as that of his parent, when the voice of the man halted him: "If you come a step nearer I'll fire!" the kneeling one exclaimed. "I've been fooled too often to have any tricks played on me now. I know you. You are members of the gang that has been hounding me so many years. But my time is almost up. Stand back or I'll fire!" "Father! Father!" cried Jack. "Your time is up now. I have come to take you back with me!" "Who is this, who says he is my son?" the man asked, his rifle trembling. "My son is thousands of miles away from here. You can't deceive me again." "But I am your son! Your Jack!" the boy cried, hardly knowing what to do. "See I have the ring--" Then he stopped, for he remembered that his ring had been stolen from him. "What is that about a ring?" asked the kneeling man. With a quick motion Jack pulled from his pocket the golden lizard with the ruby eyes which Mr. Tevis had given him. He threw it toward his father, and it fell near the man. "What is that?" the latter asked. "Look at it," exclaimed Jack. "It will prove who I am. It is from Mr. Tevis. See, don't you recognize me?" The old man, still keeping his eyes fixed on the cabin, and his gun in readiness, rose to his feet and, going forward, picked up the golden charm. As he caught sight of it he uttered a cry. At the same time Jack, who had been standing in the shadow of the door, stepped into the morning light. The man, with a sudden motion, threw aside his gun. He ran toward Jack, who sprang forward to meet him. The next moment father and son were locked in each other's arms.