the most direct
way, and had not gone on to Talpers's nor to the agency.

Helen expected both men to be freed at once. To her dismay, the judge
announced that both would be held for trial, without bail, following
perfunctory statements from Plenty Buffalo, Walter Lowell, and Sheriff
Tom Redmond, relating to later events in the tragedy. As in a dream
Helen saw some of the spectators starting to leave and Redmond's deputy
beckon to his prisoners, when Walter Lowell rose and asked permission to
address the court in behalf of the Government's ward, Fire Bear.

Lowell, in a few words, explained that further imprisonment probably
would be fatal to Fire Bear. He produced the certificate of the agency
physician, showing that the prisoner had contracted tuberculosis.

"If Fire Bear will give me his word of honor that he will not try to
escape," said the agent, "I will guarantee his appearance on the day set
for his trial."

A murmur ran through the court-room, quickly hushed by the insistent
gavel.

Lowell had been reasonably sure of his ground before he spoke. The
venerable judge had always been interested in the work at the agency,
and was a close student of Indian tradition and history. The request had
come as a surprise, but the court hesitated only a moment, and then
announced that, if the Government's agent on the reservation would be
responsible for the delivery of the prisoner for trial, the defendant,
Fire Bear, would be delivered to said agent's care. The other defendant,
being in good health and not being a ward of the Government, would have
to stand committed to jail for trial.

Fire Bear accepted the news with outward indifference. Jim McFann, with
his hands tightly clenched and the big veins on his forehead testifying
to the rage that burned within him, was led away between Redmond and his
deputy. There was a shuffling of feet and clinking of spurs as men rose
from their seats. A buzz came from the crowd, as distinctly hostile as a
rattler's whirr. Words were not distinguishable, but the sentiment could
not have been any more distinctly indicated if the crowd had shouted in
unison.

Judge Garford rose and looked in a fatherly way upon the crowd. At a
motion from him the bailiff rapped for attention. The judge stroked his
white beard and said softly:

"Friends, there is some danger that excitement may run away with this
community. The arm of the law is long, and I want to say that it will be
reached out, w