unwise. But aside from this it was a silly suggestion. If Jack's men were hidden behind the rocks the soldiers of course would have been discovered; if they were not there the presence of the soldiers was unnecessary. Again, Boston Charley came into Gillem's camp on the evening of the 10th, and remained there until the commissioners left to go to the council tent next morning, seeing and reporting everything.
When Meachara heard of the arrangement, he remonstrated aoainst oroino- into the hole in the rocks Jack had designated, and indeed against any meeting at all; but he finally jaelded to the wishes of Canby and Thomas, when Jack consented to change the place of meeting to the council-tent, which he did on the morning of the 11th.
Everything being now arranged so far as it could be for what all wished might be a conclusive conference, Riddle once more warned the commissioners that in his belief the Modocs meant to kill them at this meeting, and Toby said the same. But Canby was confident that they dare not attack him with Mason's force where it could be put into the stronghold before the Indians could reach it; that the road to the council- tent had been watched from the signal station all the morning, and that only the number of Indians agreed upon were on the ground, and they apparently unarmed. With simple and refreshing faith Thomas said, "There is no danger; let us put our trust in God; surely he will not let harm come to men engaged in so good a work."
"Trust God, if you want to," growled Riddle, "but I tell you don't trust them Indians." Indeed, so earnest was Riddle that it should be well understood that it was all against his judgment, that he requested Canby and all the commissioners to accompany him to the tent of Gillem, who was ill, that he might make a formal protest in the presence of that officer, plainly stating that he consented to make one
