the 19th J. K. Luttrel of the third cono;resslonal district of Cahfornia arrived in Yreka with the intelligence that the Indians of the lower Klamath and Salmon rivers were fully informed on the Modoc war, and there could be no doubt that Modoc runners had visited all the northern California and southern Oregon tribes. He had joined a company of volunteers going out to bring in the remains of young Hovey, shot on the 17th, for the purpose of visiting the scenes of hostilities, and to make a report upon them in his position as representative. The information he acquired, however, was obtained in Yreka, and from the same source that furnished all the information that was permitted to reach Washington at this time.
On the 20th the courier from headquarters to Yreka was fired on while riding express about four miles west of camp, the news of which alarmed the settlers on Willow and Hot creeks, who apprehended visits from small marauding bands of Modocs, and sent their families to Yreka. To add to the excitement, the Indians on the lower Klamath and in Scott valley were holding mysterious dances and ceremonials, decked in their war paint. The same rites had been observed in Goose Lake valley, where also much alarm was felt.
Fresh direction was soon imparted to operations by the discovery of the Warm Spring scouts that the Modocs were, after all, within the lava bed limits, although six miles to the south of the former camp. Here they had strongly intrenched themselves, and were adding to their supplies and courage by frequent descents on goods-trains and wayfarers. Their retreat revealed, they became more daring, and ventured with great bravado within range of the military headquarters only to disappear as if by magic before pursuers. It had been learned by experience that in these natural strongholds, with their knowledge of the ground, they could defy a manifold superior force in compara
