Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-08
5flisfellameuns &eadimg,
CAPTAIN JACKS CAMP.
HOW HE LooKs-HIs CAVE IN IN THE LAVA

HOW HE LooKs-HIs CAVE IN IN THE LAVA
BEDS.
A correspondent of the San Francisco
Chronicle, who visited Captain Jack at his
headquarters in the Lava Beds some time be-
fore the killing of Gen. Candy, writes as fol-
lows:
The principal portion of the camp is situa-
ted in huge opening or widening, which
seems more like huge wash-bowl than any
thing else. The natural wall rises hundred
feet or more, but it is easily scaled, for the in
ner side is inclined, and the rocks are sharp
and jut out all over it. Once in this basin
there is but one way out, and that is by the
trail we entered. There are other ways out,
but they are by tunnels leading to the many
caves or sink holes in another part of the
Lava Bed, and which will be more fully de-
scrbed further. On the outside of this basin
there is succession of ridges as high as that
which inclose it, but these do not extend all
the way around. To the west of the basin is
fiat, table.like surface of lava, extending
from the very summit of its rim clear back for
more than mile. In this level place are the
sink holes or caves formed thousands Of years
ago, perhaps in the cooling of this immense
body of molten lava. The openings of the
holes are very small indeed, one does not see
them until he has almost fallen in. But they
widen as they 60 down, and their sides being
sloping one can pick his way to the bottom
without difficulty. Most of these caves are
connected with each other and with the larger
basin by subterranneous passages, so that one
can 90 for half mile in the beds without
coming to the surface at all. This is of in
calculable benefit in defending the stronghold,
for one man can keep one hundred at bay al
most anywhere in it without fear Of being
smoked out or having retreat cut of:
After 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 party gathered up their blankets
and followed. Charley led the way right up
one side ofthe basin, through little trail not
easy of ascent by unpracticed feet, and across
the level place about fifty yasds, when we
came suddenly to the mouth of pit hole, at
least forty feet deep. The hole inclined down
ward, and at the bottom widened and formed
perfect cave, extending under the rock at
least fifty feet. At the mouth of the cave
proper, but yet thirty or forty feet below the
surface, piece of canvas was stretched.
This was Captain Jacks front door, and
the cave behind it was his abiding place-the
palace Ct the Modoc king. Behind the CAN
vas we could see bright fire burning, and
nearly the whole tribe encircled around it,
ready for the talk, which they knew was to
come.
The descent in the cave was somewhat per-
ilous, but by vigorous clinging to the rocks
and careful stepping, We managed to reach
the canvas. Then, throwing that back, we
stood in the presence of Captain Jack. 1t
was easily seen that he was sick. His eyes
were dull, his cheeks emaciated, and he was
so weak he could not stand, but remained re-
clining on huge pile of bear skins, his two
wives by his side. Mr.. Steele went up to him
and shook hands warmly, as did the rest of
the party. Then passing completely around
the circle, all shook hands with the entire
tribe. This ceremony lasted several minutes,
and, when finished, we we're furnished seats
in the circle near Captain Jack. The only
wood in the Lava beds is sage brush, but this
was piled On the fire with an unsparing hand,
and the flames shot upward and illuminated
the cave most brilliantly. Then each mem:
ber of our little party lighted his pipe, and
after taking Whit or two, passed it around
to the right, beginning with Captain Jack,
who took Whit and passed it on to the next,
and so on. In such large circle, Of course,
one pipeful would not 60 round, and so, when
it was smoked out, they did not hesitate to
bring it back to be re6lled, and then send it
on to complete its journey. During this GER
emony not a word was spoken, and so the
correspondent had alb lndant time to take a
good look at the savases. Captain Jack was
the central figure, and attracted most atten-
ton. He is stern, digni6ed-looking man,
not over thirty, though he looks older. He
has good head, though, like all Indians, the
forehead is low. His complexion is dark
the pure copper color-and his eyes are full,
black and piercing. His hair is long, hang
ing down to his shoulders, and he is, of course,
destitute of beard. His mouth is large, and
its shape indicates frmness, determination
and great deal of character. He was very
glad to see Steele, but he did not show it by
his manner. When he shook hands it was
with an indifference that, to one unacquainted
with the Indian character, would seem to be
absolute rudeness. He was dressed in hick-
ory shirt, and was covered with blankets.