of the party rather than lay himself open to the charge of cowardice, and the declaration was there made. Then Riddle proposed that if the meeting must take place, the party should carry concealed arms. To this Canby and Thomas objected, determined on keeping faith with the Indians, though so strongly assured of their treacherous intent. Neither Meacham nor Dyar entertained the same scruples regarding the savages, nor the same trust in the justice of heaven and the protecting arm of providence; though opposed to the meeting, like Riddle they would go rather than be called cowards, or charged with deserting Canby and Thomas. Accordingly Meacham and Dyar concealed each a small pistol upon his person to be used in case of emergency.
At the time appointed the party set out for the council-tent. There were, besides the commissioners, Canby, the interpreter Riddle, and Toby. Meacham and Dyar took their horses to ride, though the nature of the ground made horseback travel slow. Toby also rode, all the others walked. On arriving at the ground, they found Jack awaiting them with the number of followers agreed upon; but these with the addition of Bogus Charley and Boston Charley, who had spent the night at Gillem's camp and accompanied the commissioners to the rendezvous, gave Jack just twice as many as were on the other side, exclu^ sive of the two interpreters.
Jack was indeed a cunning fellow, and nowhere was his shrewdness ever more craftily displayed than in this instance, where by making two of his confederates accompany the intended victims, he could not be accused by them of bringing more than the number agreed upon.
The commissioners' party joined the Indians, who were sitting in a semicircular group about a campfire near the tent. Canby offered them cigars, which they smoked for a little while. The council was then opened by the general, who spoke in a kind and fath
