er of the spirits against any
other human being. Terrible consequences lay in store for the shaman who
did so.

_I'm probably going to be hanged as it is. What else can happen to me?_

Auguste heard Raoul's voice from somewhere behind him, among the
spectators. "Hey, Bennett! Aren't you going to say anything? What's this
got to do with the mongrel?"

"Order!" Cooper rapped on his table with a carpenter's mallet.

Bennett stood up a little uncertainly. "If it please your honor, I
called Mr. Perrault to testify about what happened at Old Man's Creek. I
don't see why counsel for the defense is bringing up this other
incident."

"All right, Your Honor," said Ford. "I have no more questions for this
baby killer." Auguste saw sudden pallor in the part of Armand's face not
covered by his beard.

"Objection!" shouted Bennett.

Ford looked pained. "What in Heaven's name is wrong with calling a spade
a spade?"

Cooper said, "Well, try to keep your language a little more elevated,
Mr. Ford."

"Certainly, Your Honor. I have no more questions for this infanticide."

As Ford turned away to sit down, Auguste saw a quick little smile crease
Judge Cooper's face, then disappear. He began to feel hope stirring in a
heart that had been heavy ever since he came to Victor. This trial would
not be conducted according to Lynch's law.

But he still burned with hatred for Armand Perrault. He turned to watch
Perrault go back to his seat.

And his skin tingled. Just past the gaunt-faced Lieutenant Davis, Nancy
was sitting, only two rows of chairs away. Her deep blue eyes widened as
she looked at him. Her smile was, as Cooper's had been, just a brief
shadow, but her face flushed, and she shook her head almost
imperceptibly.

Auguste understood. As Ford had said, if Nancy were to testify in his
behalf, people must never know what they had been to each other. All
their hatred for red men would come boiling up, and they would hang him
for having intercourse with a white woman, if for nothing else. He
nodded ever so slightly, tore his eyes away from hers.

Woodrow was sitting beside Nancy, holding her hand. He had no need to
hide his feelings, and gave Auguste a big grin. Auguste smiled back at
him, but at the sight of Woodrow, longing for Eagle Feather was a knife
in his heart.

_I don't even know whether Eagle Feather is alive._

And grief for poor little Floating Lily crushed him.

There were Frank and Nicole sitting together,