Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/480

 hardly less alarmed, and talked of organizing a militia company for protection. The usual correspondence followed between the Indian and military departments, Canby assuring the superintendent that the settlers would be protected.

While the Modoc question was thus approaching a climax, influences unknown to the departments were at work to confirm Captain Jack in his defiant course, his friends in Yreka having encouraged him to believe that an arrangement could be made by which he could remain at Lost river by offering to secure the permission of the government. This offer led to further opposition by the Modocs, who in their ignorance of government affairs, and respect for Steele—whom they still regarded as clothed with authority to direct them, and whom they trusted as their confidential friend believed they would be defended in resisting the authorities in Oregon—a mistake which was to lead to the most deplorable consequences.

It was now definitely settled by the proper authorities that the Modocs were to be removed to the reservation before winter. For this purpose superintendent Odeneal repaired to Klamath where he arrived on the 25th of November, whence he sent James Brown, of Salem, and Ivan Applegate to Lost river to request the Modocs to meet him at Linkville on the 27th. At the same time the messengers were instructed to say that the superintendent had only the kindest feelings for them; that he had made ample provision for their comfortable support at Yainax, where, if they would go within a reasonable time, they should be fairly dealt with and fully protected; and if they would go there at once with Applegate, he would meet them there, but if they refused he required them to meet him at Linkville in order that a final understanding with them might be had.

Captain Jackson had been superseded m the command of Fort Klamath by Major Hunt, who in turn