had been sent down to the cedars, and with two of her
favorites, Blake and Ray, in attendance, she and her guests from Camp
Almy were seated where they could watch the proceedings and almost hear
what was said. Many a curious glance was levelled in their direction,
for by Mrs. Stannard's side sat Lilian Archer, pale almost as a calla,
and rarely smiling or speaking, but, as all Fort Whipple could see, she
was _there_, whereas Evelyn Darrah had not been out since the night of
the dance. The colonel had explained, as he was probably bidden, that
Evvy had contracted a severe cold, and her mother could not leave her.
At least, said certain eager spectators, Willett must now be here, "for
he is back from McDowell, or wherever he went." But even in this there
was disappointment. The general had looked to that. Willett's
accusation against the chieftain had been reduced to writing. It had
all been carefully translated to 'Tonio, as had the reports of the post
commanders of Camps Almy and McDowell. No further allegations had been,
or were to be, made. With his witnesses in readiness, 'Tonio stood
before the Great White Chief, the only man, save one, perhaps, to whom
he would deign full explanation.

And now, with the agency interpreter at his left and the agent himself
seated among the officials, an eager and nervous listener, 'Tonio
strode forward a pace or two, halted, looked calmly round upon the
circle of expectant faces, then, the observed of every eye, the object
of absorbed attention, with occasional use of a Spanish phrase, but, as
a rule, speaking only in the dialect of the Apache, the tall chieftain
began. With every few words he would pause, that the interpreter might
repeat. It would be difficult, indeed, to translate his exact words or
to portray their effect. To imitate the simple dignity of the aging
warrior would be in itself a triumph of dramatic art.

"My father has told me of the lies against my people--and me. My people
are not many now, and we are poor, often hungry and homeless, and our
hearts are sore. We believed the promise of our father and we strove to
obey him, but while he was gone, and we knew not where to find him,
others came, unlike him. Our enemies, the Tontos, were many and strong.
Their agent gave them much meat and bread, but my people were denied.
The Tontos jeered at them; their young braves taunted ours, and our
young women were afraid. The Tontos killed our white brothers and
burned the