ian women living with white men in Siskiyou county, the latter visiting the lava beds and carrying information. Soon after the battle of the 17th, and about the time of Bernard's last skirmish, an Indian woman from Dorris' made a stolen visit to Jack's camp, bringino" back with her when she returned another Indian woman named Dixie, who conveyed a message to Dorris and Fairchild from Jack, requesting them to meet him for a conference, at a place appointed, where they might come unarmed, without being molested. Dixie brought the further news, that on the 18tli a quarrel had occurred among the Modocs because Jack and Bogus Charley had not fought on the day of the battle, and that in the difficulty Jack had been shot through the arm, all of which was intended to create the belief that there was a peace party among the Modocs, of which Jack was the head.
This familiar phase of Indian diplomacy did not deceive anyone ; but Fairchild being anxious to converse with Jack, if indeed he wished to have a conference, went out to the bluff overlooking the lava beds, and sent Dixie to inform Jack that he would see him there, and that should he come he would not be harmed; but Jack refused to leave his camp. After sending messages back and forth for some time, Jack offered to come half-way, a proposition declined by Fairchild, who finally sent word he would receive him at his camp on the bluflT anytime up to the evening of the 1st. Jack, however, did not come; and it was believed by many that he had only made an effort to get Fairchild into his power, while others thought he really desired peace, but was afraid to risk being captured. Whatever his motives were, a scouting party of his men, after a quiet interval of two weeks, ventured out and burned the house of Denis Crawley, made historical by the events of the 29th of November, and escaped again to their caves, though pursued by the troops.
Meantime the forces ordered to the Modoc country
