Page:The History of Oregon Bancroft 1888.djvu/635

 which the caves are situated, only two ledges of rock intervened. On Mason's side, also, the outer line of the Modoc defences was abandoned. At six o'clock the mortars were again moved forward, and by nightfall the troops in front of the stronghold were ready to scale the heights. At midnight Mason's troops took up the position abandoned by the Modocs, within one hundred yards of their defences.

Their last position was now nearly surrounded, but they fought the troops on every side, indicating more strength than they were supposed to possess. The troops remained upon the field, and mortar practice was kept up throughout the night at intervals of ten minutes. In the morning, Mason's force with the Warm Spring scouts being found in possession of the mesa, the Modocs abandoned their stronghold, passing out by unseen trails, and getting on Mason's left, prevented his joining with Green's right. Subsequently, he was ordered to advance his right and join Green on the shore of the lake, which cut the Indians off from water.

By ten o clock in the forenoon Green's line had reached the top of the bluff nearest the stronghold, meeting little opposition, but it was decided not to push the troops at this point, as there might be heavy loss without any gain, and the want of water must soon force the Modocs out of their caverns and defences, while it was not probable they could find a stronger position anywhere. The day's work consisted simply of skirmishings. No junction was effected between Mason and Green on the west; the principal resistance offered being to this movement.

In the evening Thomas dropped two shells into the Modoc camp-fire, causing cries of rage and pain. After this the Indians showed themselves, and challenged the soldiers to do the same; but the latter were hidden behind stone breastworks, five or six in a place, with orders not to allow themselves to be surprised in these little forts, built at night; they also caught a little