"I shrunk behind father in fear and trembling. The renegade advanced, with a horrible curse, and struck father, ordering him to stand aside. You have seen him--you know how very strong he is; and then he was insane. "It was all over in a breath, almost. A brief, horrible struggle--then the renegade lay upon the lodge floor, quivering, dead! The blood was streaming from his mouth and nostrils. His neck was broken. "The chief had witnessed it all, but had not time to interfere, before all was over. He seemed frightfully angered and had I not clung to his knees, pleading piteously, I believe he would have killed father. As it was, he had time to reflect that a madman was not accountable for his acts. "A council was held, and father tried for the deed. But the fact of his madness saved him. And yet he seemed to realize that he was in danger, though he hid his feelings from all save me. "That night--a dark and stormy one--we left the village, passing through it undiscovered. By daylight we were far away, lost amidst the wild mountains. The beating rain had obliterated our tracks, and if the Indians sought for us it was without success. "For days we lay hid during the day, traveling at night, trying to find some way to civilization, but in vain. We nearly starved to death. But by a chance--or rather providence--father killed a wounded antelope that we found in a deep valley. On this we lived for several days. "Father seemed to have forgotten his desire to reach his fellow-men, and appeared contented with this wild life. We were living in a little den or cave in the rocks; not this one--but another miles away. "One night we were awakened by a muttering at the cave entrance. Outlined against the clear sky, we could distinguish the plumed crest of a savage. Probably he had observed us before night, and now had come to kill us. "I was petrified with fear, but not so father. I did not know he was awake, until I heard him move suddenly. Then came a dull, heavy thud, and the Indian's head disappeared, while a shrill yell of what seemed mortal agony followed. "I soon learned the truth. Father, with unerring aim, had flung a heavy, jagged rock at the intruder. As I saw when day came, the blow had shattered his skull to atoms. That was a long, dreary night of terror, but the savage must have been alone, for no further disturbance occurred. "In this manner father became armed as you have seen him, with bow and arrows, a knife and tomahawk. By long practice, he has become very skillful with the bow, and we never want for food. As for clothing, as you see, their skins furnish that. Though rude, they are very comfortable. "With that one exception, we have never been molested by the savages. During one of his wild rambles father found this cave, and ever since we have lived here." "A strange story, Lucy, and a sad one," commented Jack, feelingly. "But do you never long to return to civilization?"