to a conference if Steele and Roseborougli, of Yreka, and Fairchild should be present, but declined to meet the commissioners, saying that though their hearts might be good they were unacquainted with them, and desired their friends to be present.
The president had already anticipated their wishes, and by the advice of Canby appointed Koseborough as one of the commissioners; and in company with Steele, who, it was thought, would be useful in communicatino; with the Modocs, the new commissioner was on his way to the front, when a second interview was had with Captain Jack. At this meeting, on the 24th of February, Whittle was met a mile from the lava beds by a party of forty Modocs heavily armed, carrying needle guns, but declaring that they had no disposition to fight, and only wanted peace. Jack boasted to Whittle that he was not yet so thoroughly incensed as he might be, and pointed in evidence ta the fact that the houses of Dorris, Fairchild, Van Brimmer, Small, and Whittle, were jet standing; saying again that he would consent to talk with Steele, Roseborough, or Fairchild. No propositions on either side were made for peace, negotiations of this character being left to be considered in general council, should a council be arranged. Meantime Jack was growing impatient, and expressed a desire to have the meeting^ with the commissioners over, A Modoc named Dave returned to the camp of the commissioners with Whittle, and on the following day took a message to Jack that Fairchild would visit him on the 26th to arrange for the council.
Accordingly, on that day Fairchild visited Jack, accompanied, not by Whittle and Matilda, but by Riddle, and his Indian wife Toby, as interpreters. He was charged to tell Jack that the commissioners would come in good faith to make peace, and though he, Fairchild, could not give them the terms, he would fix upon a place and time of meeting, and whatever he agreed to would be accepted. But Jack would
