CHAPTER I
THE PEOPLE
Many years ago, there lived in the high regions of Switzerland and France a people called the Lake-Dwellers.
These people did not live on land, as we do, but on the many lakes hidden among the high mountains.
The mountain-sides were thick with forests which hid the lake-houses from the people who lived on the land.
Lodrix was the chief’s son, and he was a very brave boy though he was only twelve years old.
This little boy had flaxen hair and blue eyes. His fair skin was very much tanned, because he was out of doors much of the time.
His clothing was of deerskin and was thrown loosely about him.
Lodrix looked very much like his mother, but her dress was very different.