Not a motion is made unobserved. Still, no unkindly words are spoken; indeed, all parties appear to be in cheerful humor.
Appearances are deceitful sometimes, and especially in this instance. One party is intending to commit an unparalleled crime; the other, suspicious of their intention, awaits the issue, not quite without hope, but almost in despair.
The white men do not seem anxious to begin the council. The Modocs are trying to appear careless.
What does that mean? Bogus is going out towards a low cliff, carrying his rifle with him. Watch him a moment. While standing on a prominent rock, he is scanning the ledge that runs towards the soldiers’ camp. Ah, yes! he is looking for sage brush with which to feed the fire. Now he has laid down his gun and breaks off the brush and returns to the council. That, then, was the pretended object of his trip. Curious that in all former councils the Modoc women have performed this work, but that none of them are here now!
Hooker Jim is on the alert, and if you will watch his eye you will see that it glances often in the direction of the soldiers’ camp. Something excites his suspicion, and the other Indians, except Captain Jack, follow his gaze; and the white men, too, discover some one’s head above the rocks. All arise to their feet. Is the terrible affair to begin now? Wait a moment and keep your eyes divided, watching the intruder and the Modocs. The former is looking around him, as if hunting for some lost article. The latter are nervous, and a hateful fire is burning in their eyes. The moment is one of intense peril. The least motion
of distrust now on the part of the white men will precipitate the bloody scene, awaiting only for a signal to begin.
Mr. Riddle recognizes the intruder as Mr. Clark, who is hunting lost horses.
“Why for he come here? We no want him,” says Boston Charley.
“Mr. Dyer, will you go out to Mr. Clark and send him back?” requests Mr. Meacham.
Mr. Dyer rides out to the man, and, after explaining to him the desire of the commissioners, returns to the council fire. Oh, how near we were to witnessing a horrible murder! But it is averted for the moment, and we breathe again.