She, too, realized the disadvantage of Rod's position in the contest, and now with a thrilling cry she sprang to the outlaw's head and stepped with all her weight upon his extended arm.
"Quick, Rod--quick!" she cried.

"Strike! Strike!" With a terrible yell the powerful savage wrenched his arm free; in a last superhuman effort he swung his knife upward as Rod's blade sank to the hilt in his breast, and the blow fell with a sickening thud under Rod's arm.

With a sharp cry the young hunter staggered to his feet, and the Indian's knife fell from him, red with blood.

Making an effort to control himself he picked up the knife and loosed the captive girl's arms.
There came over him then a strange dizziness, a weakness in his limbs.
He was conscious that his head was sinking, and he knew, too, that a pair of arms was about him, and that from what seemed to be a great, great distance a voice was calling to him, calling his name.

And then he seemed to be sinking into a deep and painless sleep.
When he regained consciousness his eyes were first turned to the door, which was still open, and through which he caught the white gleam of the snow.