Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/543



Modocs would readily consent to go to Yainax, should that be thought best, and the next was obliged to report that they were not in a disposition favorable to any arrangement; they had sent one of their women into camp to say that at the last moment their hearts failed them, and they could not make up their minds to go to a new country. Time, the general said, was becoming of great importance, as the melting of the snow would soon enable the Indians to live in the mountains, but he hoped by a system of gradual compression, and an exhibition of the force to be used against them, to satisfy them of the hopelessness ot further resistance, and give the peace party sufficient strength to control the band. On the 22d generals Canby and Gillem made a reconnoissance with a cavalry company, during which an accidental meeting was had with Captain Jack and a party of his warriors. A conference between the generals and Jack and Sconchin was arranged; but instead of Sconchin, Jack brouo-ht Scarface, the acknowledgjed war chief. NotLing could be ellcited from Jack but protestations that ]]e did not want to fight, nor to be shut up in the lava beds, but would go back to Lost river. The gradual compression went on; headquarters were once more removed to the foot of the high bluff, within three miles of the stronghold ; while three other camps weie established within distances varying from four to thirteen miles.

At length on the 24th the new commissioners, Tliomas and Dj'ar, arrived at headquarters; and also Captain O. C. Applegate, with five reservation Modocs who had been sent for by General Canby to assist if possible in the peace negotiations. On the 26th General Gillem and Commissioner Thomas had an interview with Bogus Charley who had been passing freely between the stronghold and the camp of tl e commissioners for several weeks. In this interview it was once more asrreed that the Modocs should come out the following day; but according to their usual