Q. Had you received any information which led you to think that it was dangerous? A. Yes, sir, I had; my woman, some week or ten days before that, went to carry a message into Jack’s cave, where he was living, and there was an Indian called William—he followed her after she started for home back to camp, he followed her out.
Q. How do you know this? A. My woman told me.
Q. In consequence of some information which you received, what did you then do? Did you speak to the commissioners about it? A. Yes, sir; I told them I received information, and then I went to the peace commissioners and told them it was dangerous to go out there any more to meet them, and I advised them not to go. While I was at Fairchild’s, this Hooker Jim, he came there and took me out one side and told me, “If you ever come with them peace commissioners to meet us any more, and I come to you and push you to one side, you stand back one side and we won’t hurt you, but will murder them.”
Q. Do I understand you to say you then cautioned the commissioners? A. Yes; I told them of it.
Q. What did you say? A. I told them what Hooker Jim told me; and I said I didn’t think it was of any use to try to make peace with those Indians without going to the Lava Beds, right where they were. I said, “I think the best way, if you want to make peace with them, is to give them a good licking, and then make peace.”
Q. Did you tell them what Hooker Jim said? A. Yes, sir; and at another time, I believe it was the very next time after we were out in the Lava Beds—after General Gillam had moved over to the Lava Beds—we met, and Hooker Jim came to me after we got to the ground where we were to hold our council, and he took hold of me and said, “You come out here and sit down;” and he pushed me as he said he would. I said “No.”
Q. When was this? A. I don’t remember the date; it was some time in April.
Q. The first or second meeting? A. The first meeting after Hooker Jim had told me this at Fairchild’s.
Q. Where they the same, or other commissioners? A. It was General Canby, Dr. Thomas, and Mr. Dyer, and Judge Roseborough, I believe, was along, if I am not mistaken; I won’t be positive. Hooker Jim came to me and caught hold of me, and pushed me one side, and said, “You stand out here.” I told him “No;” that I had to go and talk and interpret for them; and my woman here spoke up to him to behave himself, and not go doing anything while he was there; and he then said, “Well, go and sit down.”
Q. Did you visit the Lava Beds before the massacre; and, if so, did you go alone, or with some one else? A. The first time I went in there was with Squire Steele. Fairchild—