The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-17

Commissioners were that the presidents had ap-
pointed treat with them. 1t also told them that
sion, and that their friend Elijah Steele had been
sent for, and, in order TO allow them time to get to
holding he bS SsSnd was ao
instructed to nnd out on what terms the ModOcs
proposed to meet, and whether they would agree
were Modocs. mr. Meac6am then turned to
10 point out TO Dave ami tell him the persons that
were going in Oh Monday morning. White told
couple white men going but as ne spoke
MIR. Meacham caught the last words, and inime-
in the government employ, and he was to take
Fairchild and no other man with him, especially
no newspaper reporters. did not say ANYTHING
on the moment, but afterwards went to Mr.
Meacham ana asked him to allow me to accompany
Whittle, and he most emphaticaly refused. Being
ont and had talk with John Fairchild, and as he
said personally he had no objection to my going
tempt. during the AFTERNOON there was a good
deal OF private conversa ton between the members
81 the Commission, and as ] saw they appeared q
would be best to ride over 10 Van Bremer's and
pass the night at that camp. Before going had
LITTLE TALK WITH ARTENA,
and she pointed out to me the gap In the range.
where the road they were to follow lett the main
r tsa between Falrenilds and van Bremers:
80 dine and pass the night with the officers OF the
Fourth artillery who were then camped at Van
occasions before nothing was SUSPECTED and rode
OF without hinderance OF any kind. on my way
soSsGed where the ROAD turned " OH and
led to the bridge over Willow Greek. AT
ne ocsrs ss
ant position II told them what intended to do
contrary to the orders of the commissioners: Be-
fore going to bed went down to the suffers,
flask filled, in case should require little stm1-
iawoke early ana was up ana dressed by six
O'Clock, and found that 1t had been showing during
the night and the ground was covered with the
white, heecy particles, lying about three inches
deep. Alter swallowing hasty breakfast sad
child's, in order to meet the other party, who
knew were to leave the ranch at seven A. N. In
stead OF going directly down to the bridge made
opinion between myself and horse, and as had
in defeating my Intentions. dismounted, and
having secured the services OF club returned to
The horse was, however, deaf to all arguments and
lndnuations OF the club, and consequently gave
Wnen / got there the unbroken snow gave no
signs Of any horses having passed over that morn.
ing, 80 ! rode back towards Fairchild's to meet
| them. Alter few minutes ride saw them COM
ing over spur, Fairchild and Artena leading,
with whittle and Matilda about twenty yards be:
hind. AS soon as Farchld and Artena came up
turned my horse round and rode alongside OF
| them. Fa!rchild presently said:-
| FARCHILD-Where are you going?
I HERALD CORRESPONDENCE the lava BEDS with
FAIRcHILp-wen, personally, 1 have not any oh.
! lection, and, in TACT, would be glad to have you
! with us; but, as am only accompanying Whtttle,
said, sAii right" and rode back to Join White
and his squaw. When joined them the following
conversation ensued:-
| WuITrLE--Where are you OFF TO this msrnng9
HERALD CORRESPONDENT hardly know-just
| taking little ride.
WnlrrLE.-I am sorry the Commissioners would
HERALD CoRKEsPoNpENr--Yes, it was rather
mean OF them. Bnt have an idea OF going with
out their permission, as do not see what au-
thority they have to govern my travelling to any
part OF the country deem proper.
WHTTLE-That IL so; but then you cannot go
with me.
HERALD CORRESPONDENCE If / choose to ride
along after you there Is nobody who can prevent
WHITTLE-lf you go there you will have to find
the way YOURSELF as, II you follow me, shall turn
HERALD ConREsPoNDExr-- need mot do that;
nobody can blame you il ! follow you:
before was engaged by the government would
have taken you, but, as tits, II Won go go back.
wnITrLE-None that I}snow OF.
HERALD CORREsPONDENFA-Well,if that is the case,
| suppose must defer my visit
WHITTLE-I am very sorry, but 1t cannot he
helped.
THE PROBLEM SOLVED
Whitte then rode on alter Tairchild and the
ssquaws, and turned wound and rode back in not
walked Slowly On began to think how could yet
into that lava bed without getting white into
Trouble s and Just ; as was giving up all hopes my
flashed across my mind that those tracks would
lead me TO the lava bed, and the Commissioners
could then throw 10 blame on white. For once
thought there was some sense in the poem Beau
while tramping through the slush in New York,
J. firmly believed that the man who penned
mina ss tnat s' m naSs Deen s HS ali
back, ana lnwardly apologized for my want OF
perception in not rendering homage to his talent
turned round Ia my saddle, and, seeing that the
party had passed over the next hill and were out
Of sight. wheeled and followed slowly after them.
For some minutes let the horse walk slowly
along until we came close to the top of the first
hill, when | dismounted and peeped cautiously
over. whittle and party were out OF sight, so I
mounted and trotted ,ieisurey along the trail.
About twenty INMATES ride brought me down to
the edge Of Little Klamath Lake, a large sheet OF
water, that appeared entirely frozen over. Turning
point OI rocks Reartke border OF the lake, saw
my unconscious guides. about two miles ahead.
waited behind the rocks until they turned the next
| point jutting out into the lake and then resumed
my Journey. trosting leisurely along. Ii Twas not
avery pleasant morning, rs the snow was still
! falling and the air Keen and sharp. The road
led along the edge of the lake, and, although the
ened 1t to some extent, there were many soft and
miry places. From what heard knew that this
must be the old California trail to the Atlantic
States, and that could not be far from portion
OF the road that had been the scene OF many an
years ago the fathers of these very Modocs wnom
desired so much to see had taken prominent
part In butchering hundreds of victims.
BIRDS OF EVIL OMEN.
This train of thought had rather an unpleasant
effect on my peace or mind, and the close p-Oxim
ity oil two large ravens that kept slowly lowering
over my head did not tend to enIiven inv spirits.
These birds kept right above my head, not five Yards
distant. and kept slowly tanning the air with
their wings and Tor two miles they never Jew
twenty yards away. Several times they came so
close to my head thai raised my hand to strike
them; but they were not easily frightened and still
| kept their position, flying faster when my horse
& trOtted and slower when he walked. PRESENTLY
n pVpr I IN lhpY ad hat bioffr foo
Danes, who, in their wars with the Anglo-SayOns.
scarred raven ntO battle and believed that when
the bird Mapped Its wings victory certain, but
when they lay dropping by its side, the omen was
unprOpiti0us. and IL was prudent to defer the fight
Tor that day. This was indeed a happy reminis-
dence. as there was not the slightest doubt about
this omen, as these birds had been tapping their
wings Tor the last half an hour. and looked az
II they intended keeping up that amusement