No expression could be obtained from them. Of the success of his mission, Steele was so confident that he proposed to return the next day to Captain Jack’s camp, and reassure himself and the commission. He accordingly started early the next morning, accompanied by the Modocs who came out with him, and “Bill Dad” (the scribe). Mr. Fairchild was invited, but he declined with a peculiarly slow swinging of his head from side to side, that said a great deal; especially when he shut his eyes closely, while so doing. Riddle, also, objected to going, but consented to let his wife Tobey go.
The party left behind them some minds full of anxiety, especially when reflecting on Fairchild’s pantomime.
The Modocs, who were returning with Steele, reached the stronghold some time before he did. On his arrival, the greeting made his “hair stand on end,”—he saw fearful possibilities. It required no words to convince him that he had been mistaken. He realized, in a moment, the great peril of the hour. The slightest exhibition of fear on his part would have closed up his career, and the scribe’s, also. Steele’s long experience with the Indians had not fully qualified him to understand them in council; but it had taught him that real courage commands respect even from infuriated savages.
He sought to appear indifferent to the changed
manner, and extended his hand to the chief, who exchanged the greetings with great caution, though giving Steele to understand that he was still his friend.
The council was opened, the chief remarking that they had not yet shown their hearts; that his friend Steele had missed some of his words.
Steele replied that he was their friend, and that he would not, knowingly, misrepresent them.
Schonchin accused him of being a traitor to the Modocs, and of telling falsehoods about them; and, more by manner than by word, intimated that he was done talking peace, showing a bad heart in his action, sufficiently to enlighten Steele on the most important thing in the world to him, namely, that Schonchin did not intend to give Steele another opportunity to misrepresent the Modocs.
Steele’s courage and coolness saved him. He said to Schonchin, “I do not want to talk to a man when his heart is bad. We will talk again to-morrow.”
The council was dissolved, the Modocs scattering about the camp, or gathering in little squads, and talking in low tones.