proceed to Shasta city at once, and endeavour to get
arms and ammunition at all risks.
I chose two Modoc Indians and two Shastas al] young men, brave, resolute, and full of fire and prepared to set out at once on my dangerous mission of peace.
The Indians had captured two stage-coaches carry ing treasure and the United States mails, besides a small train with general supplies and a sum of gold and silver for the payment of soldiers, and had an abundance of money. They cared nothing for it, however. I have seen children laying little mosaic plots in the sand with silver and gold coins, which they valued only for their brightness and colour. But this now to me was of use. I took rny men, with a good supply of money, crossed the river, pushed on through the woods to the stage- road, and there, after some delay, bought the best horses to be had, of several Mexican vaqueros making their way from Yreka to Red Bluffs. I also secured their sympathy and their friendship by liberal and generous dealing, and assurance of safety through the country.
These Mexicans, packers and vaqueros, ever since the war with Mexico and the conquest of California by the United States, have with reason held only ill-will toward the Americans. Speaking another tongue, adhering to another form of religion, the mass of white men have never yet come to forget the battle-fields of a quarter of a century ago.
