Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-03-24
Captain Jack and his Cabinet.
VISIT TO THE CANT OF THE NAN VINO DEFKs
FoRrY MILLION AMRRIcANs


VISIT TO THE CANT OF THE NAN VINO DETEs
FORTY MILLION AMERICANS.
correspondent writes from the Modoc camp: | =
"Lhe prinsipal portion OF the camp is situated
IN a huge opening or widening Of the rAVne, of
perhaps an acre in On AL sides Of this opeu-
ing which seems more like a huge WashbOwl than
anything else; the natural wall rises hundred
feet or more but il is easily scaled for the inner
side IS inclined and the rocks are sharp and tut
out Gil over 1t. Once IN this basin there Is but
one open way out, and that is by the trait we en-
tered. There are other ways out but they are by
tunnels leading to the many caves sinkholes IN
another part OF the lAVa-bed, aud which will be
mora fully described further On the outside of
this basin there y succession OF ridges high as
that which incoaes 1t, but these do not extend all
the wey around. To the west of the basin is a Fat
table-lks surface OF lava, extending from the very
summit OF its rim clear back for more than NILE |
In this level place the sin%Ioes or caves form
ed thousands OF years ago, perhaps il the cooling
OF this immense body of molten earth. The open
ings Of the holes vsIy small indeed, one does
not see them until he has almost fallen in But |
they widen as they go down, and their sides being
sloping, one can pick his way to the bottom with
| out diihculty. Most OF these connected
with each other and with the Is-ge basin by sub
torranean passages, so that one cP go for half
/ mile in the bed without ing to the surface at
| all. This Is OF '1calculabls benefit in defending
/ the stronghold, for one man can keep q hunS red
| at bay almost anywhere in it without fear OF be-
/ ing smoked out or having h's retreat cut of.
| "Atter supper, which, by the way, was shared
| with = keen relish by about dozen naked Indian
babies, Bogus Charley came and said he would
conduct us TO Captain Jack. So the whole patty
gathered up their blankets and followed. Char
ley led the way right up one side OF the basin
through little trail not easy of ascent by un-
practiced feet and across the level place above so
yards, when We came suddenly t. the mouth of q
pithole at least 40 feet deep. The hole inclined
as it led downward, and the bottom W.densd nd
formed perfect cave, extending under the rock
at least so feet At the mouth Of the cave proper
but yet 80 or 40 feet below the surface, piece Of
r canvas was stretched. THIS was Captain Jsck's
front dOor, and the behind it was his abiding
place-tha palace OF the Modoc King. Behind the
canvas we could see bright fire burning, aud
nearly the whole tribs encircled around it ready
tor the talk which they knew was to come. The
descent into the cave was somewhat perIous, but
by \ vlgOrous elinging TO the rocks aad csreful
D stepping we managed to reach the canvas. Then
throwing that back we stood in the presence Of
CaptliI Jack. 1t was easily seen that he was
sicK. His eye was dull, hseks emaciated, and he
- was weak that he could not stand, but remain
ed reclining on huge pie OF bear skins, with his
two wives by his side. M Steele went up to km
L and shook hands warmly, as did the rsst OF the
'r party. Then, passing completely around the e.
n Gle, all shook hands with the entire tribe Thii
ceremony lasted several minutes, aud when finish
ed we were furnished seats in the circle Cap
tain Jack. The only wood in the lava bed is sage
- bush. but this was piled on the fire with an uu
# spaEing hand, and tbs flames Shot upward anC
u illuminated the save brilliantly. Then each mem
Der Of our party lighted his pipe and, after tsknt
q Whit or two, passed 1t around to the right, be
ginning with Captain Jack, who took VhH ami
in passed it on to the next, and 50 on.
tai In such large circle, of course onO pipsfA
i would not go 70 Snd, and 90 when It got smoke
~ out they did not hesitate 10 bring 1t back to b
Nj rehled, and then send it to complete Its joul
v ney. During this ceremony not word was spoil
- en-, and 50 the correspondent had abundant tim
: to take good look at the savages. Captain Jac
hs the central figure, and attracted most after
W tlon. He is a stern, dignifed-looking man, nc
he over 80, though he looks Older. He has goo
head; though like all Indians, the forehead Is low
His complexion Is dark, the pure copper color
and his eyes are black, full, and piercing. H
p, hair Is long, hanging d0Wn to his shoulders an
n he is, of course, destitute ofal beard His mOut
tn is large, and its shape Indicates Rrmness, dete
X minatlon, and great deal of character. He Wa
st very glad to Steele but he did not show it
he his manner When he shook hands it was wit
in an indifference that, to one unacquRintsd with Ii
ass dian character would seem to beabsOlute rudenes
ge He dressed ln a hickory shirt, and was cove
zee ell with blankets. Scarfaced Charley, the nel
tai noted one in the tribe has Jewish cast of cOu
~, tenance, his nose being long and aquillne, an
RS his face thin and narrow. He has terrible &C;
tilt on his right cheek, which, bot for his natural
oily pleasant expression would make his cou1tenanC
ng rather repqlsve. e s about IS ysara of age ~
- is regarded Gs the hFsVest Indian in the trib
er- But enough has been written oil his exploits.
the was very polite TO his guests, aud did all in
iv- power to make them comfortable. He was WI
dl- dressed, and all he wanted to do was to get out
as the laya-bed. Shack Nasty jim is yOungster
has not over 20 to -. He sat in circle with u
mis- diers coat on, and looked wise as judge. Hc
ker Jim, the leader Of the band who oOmmltt
oo the murders the eastside VI tue lake, was Il
. ged out IN a calvary jacket, army pants and bla
'Oh hat. tie has bad face, and, though quite youn
Of looked rs if he could be guilty of anything.
,hn is just now anxious for peace, In hope of gettt
,n amnesty for his share in the massacre, aud is
any ing all he can to make q treaty. The doctor
OF decidedly the worst looking man in the VIII
tribe. Ills face is absolutely devellsh, narro
contracted, with little eye that tWinkles
wickedness, and mouth full and sensual II
countsnanee that would make anybody shudd
70 70 lie had on straw hat, with q long black fsatl
70 In it, and several articles of soldiers cloth
;n0 l need hardly say that all clothing Of Il
nO, description was stripped from the dead bod
Ieu OF the soldiers killed In the iate hattie. Hld
acs Ilm, another Qf the IAurdeVeTs, Is tall f1I
9eI looking fellow, hut one that would EAtE
~ nls not meet alone OF dark night. He wore
t the military cap that Captain Burton lost in I
aat fight. It had bNgle aad the figures 2l on
ay- He also carried cavalry carbine, Lost on
ihg day Of the battle. In fact, saw quite nlml
I, ! of eech-lOadIng muskets and whole piles
Plss metallic cartridges, all OF which goes 70 sh
2 Q. that our troops In their retreat must have
anu M good deal Of war material behihd them. ="