leave him master of the situation—the soldiers withdrawn, his people clothed and fed, and allowed to remain on Lost river, while he went forth free.
In spite of these significant demands of the Modoc leaders, Canby, who had been forced into a position where he felt that he must vindicate the power and the righteousness of the government, as well as his own ability as a representative of both, proceeded with the preparations for receiving the Modocs on the 10th. Tents were put up to shelter them, with hay for beds, new blankets, and plenty of food and firewood, besides many articles of convenience and even of luxury for the leaders. Four wagons, under the charge of Steele and a teamster named David Horn were dispatched to the place agreed upon, at Point of Rocks on lower Klamath lake, where they expected to find Jack and his party. After waiting for several hours and no Modocs appearing, Steele returned to Fairchild's and reported the failure of the expedition.
After this breach of faith, Meacham telegraphed the commissioner of Indian affairs at Washington that every honorable means to secure peace had been exhausted; that the Modocs broke every promise, and offered terms that were entirely inadmissible; that messeno-ers were unwillino; to return to their camp; and intimated that he considered the mission of peace as closed, but awaited orders. He received from the Secretary of the Interior an order to submit his telegrams thereafter to General Canby for approval, and in all proceedings to be governed by his advice until further directed by the department.
In the meantime Canby had telegraphed that although the Modocs had failed to keep their appointment, and some movement of the troops might be necessary, simply to keep them under close observation; he did not reo-ard this last action as decisive, and should spare no efforts to brmg about the result desired. With this the secretary was better pleased,
