CHAPTER XXVI.

OLIVE BRANCH AND CANNON BALLS——WHICH WILL WIN?

The Peace Commission Appointed——Terms of Peace unwisely Proposed to the “Modocs”——The “Modocs” seem to accept the Terms——Joy in Camp——It is suddenly Dampened——The Great Mistake of Steele, the Messenger——The Fearful Crisis——A Most Suitable Time to say Prayers——Honor among Savages——The Messenger’s Strategy——It Saves his Life——His Report——The Author’s Dispatch to Washington——The Reply——Anxiety and Gloom in Camp——Modoc Messengers——What they Propose——Commission in the hands of General Canby——Prejudiced against Tobey——The Modocs offer to Surrender——Wagons sent to Receive Them——Their Intentions——They Fail to Agree——Modoc Horses Captured——General Canby won’t return them 413