whom he owed his freedom, he went to the Eastern States, and told the story of the sufferings and wrongs of his tribe to large audiences in inany of the larger cities and towns. Money was generously subscribed everywhere for the purpose of bringing suits to test the question of the Poncas' legal right which the United States Government had by treaty ceded to them in specified "townships," thus giving sort of title which would be given to any corporation or individual to the lands to them the same

Very soon this movement of Standing Bear and his companions began to produce on the community a strong effeet, shown by the interest in their public meetings, and by cxpressions of strong feeling in the newspapers. This attracted the attention of the authorities at Washington. Letters were published contradieting many of Standing Bcar's assortions; statements were eireulated injurious to the repntation of all members of the party the Department of the Interior in this matter could not fail to

A careful observer of the whole course of mysterions, unexplained, come to the conclusion that for some and unexplaiuable reason the Department did not wish-in fact, was unwilling-that the Ponca tribe should be reinstated on its lands. Discussions on the matter grew warm. The iu spector who had been concerned in their removal published long letters reflecting equally ou the veracity of Standing Bear and of the Seeretary of the Interior. Standing Bear replied in a few pithy words, which were conclusive n their proving of the falsity of some of the inspector's statements. The Sec- retary, also, did not think it beneath his dignity to successive newspaper articles to the inspector's reflections npon him; bnt the only thing that was made clear by this means was that either the Secretary or the inspector, or both, said what reply in was not true

Iu Boston the interest in the Ponca case reached such a height that a conmittee was appointed to recpresent the case iu