Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/201

 CAPTAIN JACK out five and a half months among the labyrinthine corridors of one of the strongest natural fortifications in the world, backed as it is by miles of rugged outworks and honeycombed with yawning fissures if unknown depth."

Massacre of the United States Commission. Generals Wheaton and Gilliam proved unsuccessful in their efforts to dislodge the Modocs. In the meantime, the government appointed a commission of inquiry, consisting of General E. R. S. Canby, Rev. E. Thomas, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Colonel A. B. Meacham, and Indian Agent L. F. Dyer. The meeting of the Commission with the insurgent chief Captain Jack, and his staff, took place in a depression in the lava beds one mile from the soldiers, April II, 1873. General Canby, Supt. Meacham and Agent Dyer addressed the Indians. Thereupon Captain Jack gave the signal "All Ready," and General Canby and Rev. Thomas were treacherously killed, and Meacham, with five bullet wounds, fell apparently dead. "While he lay prostrate among the rocks, unconscious and bloody, a Modoc placed the muzzle of his gun against Mr. Meacham's head, but the Modoc woman, Winema the interpreter, with the valor of Pocahontas, dashed away the gun, saying in Modoc, 'Do not shoot a dead man I* Another drew his knife and made an incision around the margin of Mr. Meacham's hair preparatory to scalping him, when Winema cried out in Modoc, 'The soldiers are coming.' Instantly the Modocs sprang for the rocks, carrying with them clothing and valuables taken from the victims." The soldiers appeared; Agent Dyer and