Douglass had written; but we were as much in the dark as ever when the
morning for the trial of the suit arrived.

The case had excited much interest, and the court-room was crowded, many
persons having been drawn thither by a curiosity to look upon "The Boy
Indian Slayer." There was a cheerful unanimity of opinion upon the utter
hopelessness of the Cody side of the case. Not only were prominent and
wealthy men arrayed against us, but our young and inexperienced lawyer
faced the heaviest legal guns of the Leavenworth bar. Our only witnesses
were a frail woman and a girl of eighteen, though by their side, with
his head held high, was the family protector, our brave young brother.
Against us were might and malignity; upon our side, right and the high
courage with which Christianity steels the soul of a believer. Mother
had faith that the invisible forces of the universe were fighting for
our cause.

She and Martha swore to the fact that all the bills had been settled;
and after the opposition had rested its case, Lawyer Douglass arose for
the defense. His was a magnificent plea for the rights of the widow and
the orphan, and was conceded to be one of the finest speeches ever
heard in a Kansas court-room; but though all were moved by our counsel's
eloquence--some unto tears by the pathos of it--though the justice
of our cause was freely admitted throughout the court-room, our best
friends feared the verdict.

But the climax was as stunning to our enemies as it was unexpected. As
Lawyer Douglass finished his last ringing period, the missing
witness, Mr. Barnhart, hurried into the court-room. He had started
for Leavenworth upon the first intimation that his presence there was
needed, and had reached it just in time. He took the stand, swore to