Part 1 Summary (page 50 through page 94)

At the trial presided over by Judge Oscar Moody, Curly brings in both the coffin and safe as evidence, the latter of which by this time has a nesting robin in it. Jack corrects the judge, saying that the bird is, in fact, a purple martin. It makes a noise throughout the trial. The judge questions Jack, who admits to having done the things of which he is accused because, he says, Curly is 'aggravating.'

Judge Moody is incensed by the lack of respect shown for those in office (Curly is the marshal in Banner) and decides to make an example of Jack, charging him with aggravated battery and robbery and sentencing him to two years in the state penitentiary. Upon hearing the verdict, Aycock, a long-time friend of Jack, stands up and says that he...