They had been reënforced by twenty warriors. Sconchin[1] was openly hostile, Jack still professing to desire peace. The evidences of blood—thirstiness were so plain, however, that Steele's confidence was much shaken, and he sle t that night guarded by Scarface. In the morning Jack wore, instead of his own, a woman's hat—supposed to indicate his peace principles; and Sconchin made a violent war speech. When he had finished, Jack threw off his woman's hat and hypocrisy together, declaring that he would never go upon a reservation to be starved. When told by Steele of the futility of resistance, and the power of the American people, he listened with composure, replying: "Kill with bullets don't hurt much; starve to death hurt a heap."[2] No full report of this interview was made public. It was understood that a complete amnesty had been offered, provided the Modocs would surrender, and go to Angel Island in the bay of San Francisco, until a reservation could be found for them in a warm climate. They were to be comfortably fed and clothed where they were until removed to Angel Island, and Jack was offered permission to visit the city of Washington in company with a few of his head men. Jack made a counter—proposition, to be forgiven and left in the lava-beds. He desired Meacham and Applegate, with six men unarmed, to come on the following day and shake hands with him as a token of peace.
On returning from the conference, Steele advised the commissioners to cease negotiations until the Indians should themselves make overtures, saying that the Modocs thought the soldiers afraid of them, and carried on negotiations solely in the hope of getting Canby, Gillem, Meacham, and Applegate into their
- ↑ Sconchin of Jack's band was a brother of the chief Sconchin at Yainax, and an intelligent though unruly Indian.
- ↑ Steele's Modoc Question, MS., 25. It is noticeable that in all Steele's interviews with Jack he never made any attempt to impress upon his mind the benevolent intentions of the government, but only its coercive power, which he knew Jack defied.
