CHAPTER XXXI.

HARNESSED LIGHTNING CARRYING AWFUL TIDINGS——HE MAKES IT——A BROKEN FINGER WON’T DISFIGURE A CORPSE.

Making Coffins in the Lava Bed——The Patient in the Hospital——A Broken Finger will not Disfigure a Corpse——The Commotion in the Modoc Camp——The Disputes——Common Interest a Strong Bond—— The Great Medicine Dance——The Modocs Exultant——The Wife’s Suspense——The Dreadful News——Its Effect on Wife and Children—— First Robbed by the Government, then its Defenders——Our Nation’s Perfidy——The Sorrowful Hearts at Home——Prayer and Praise in Camp——A Lesson for Bigots and Cowards to Learn——The Medicine Man in the Modoc Camp——He Fires the Modoc Heart—— Capt. Jack Despondent——Long Jim——Novel Scene in the Soldier’s Camp——The Murder of the Commission to be Avenged——Long Jim Escapes——Much Powder Wasted——“Nary a Wound” 508