Laughing Whitefish by Robert Traver

Author:Robert Traver
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Michigan State University Press

16

FOR SEVERAL REASONS I had wanted badly to call Philo Everett as my first witness: because of the precarious state of his health; to get the background clearly before the judge; and also to get the execution and delivery of the vital original Marji Kawbawgam agreement swiftly proved by the very man who had drawn and witnessed it, now the only remaining living person who could do so. Moreover Philo Everett had known Laughing Whitefish since she was a little girl and knew that she was Marji's daughter. There was no evading it—he was a crucial witness on a crucial phase of our case. Now he was gravely ill and could not come and my first witness, the voluble Octave Bissonette, had just unwittingly dealt our case a heavy blow. Guy Nesbitt aroused me from my doleful reverie.

“If it please the court,” he was on his feet saying, “if plaintiff's counsel has some problem about the next witness to call, I think I have a suggestion that will give him more time to cogitate and yet permit us to get on with the testimony.” I looked at him hopefully.

“The court is listening,” the judge said, plainly vexed over my delay.

“We have a witness who happens to be here in the court today observing the proceedings and who must himself testify at some point during this trial,” Guy Nesbitt continued. “If it is agreeable I suggest that he be called now. This would not only permit us to proceed with the case but also permit our witness to proceed with his plans for a European trip. In fact if he cannot testify now I am afraid we might have to notice the taking of his deposition in Ann Arbor.”

The judge looked at me. “What do you say, Mr. Poe?”

“Who is the witness?” I inquired, suspecting some kind of trap. “And what does he propose to testify to?”

“A fair question,” Guy Nesbitt smilingly agreed. “He is Professor Hugh Naughton, professor of anthropology at the University in Ann Arbor. Doctor Naughton will testify on the marriage and other related customs, rituals and practices of the Chippewa Indians, a subject upon which he is an acknowledged expert. Surely, Mr. Poe, you have heard of him?”

“Indeed I have, Mr. Nesbitt, although I must confess I was unaware that he was an expert on Chippewa Indian customs or I might have called him myself.”

One thing was certain: I could not in any case keep Professor Naughton ultimately from testifying, so why not hear him now? If he was about to destroy our case wasn't it more merciful to learn it fast? Moreover neither I nor Guy Nesbitt could change the Indian customs; they had been fashioned centuries before either of us was born; they were what they were.

“What do you say, Mr. Poe?” the judge repeated, with more than an edge in his voice.

“The complainant has no objections,” I said, taking the plunge.

“The defense will call Professor Hugh Naughton,” Guy Nesbitt announced before the words were fairly out of my mouth.

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