and it very soon was understood that though Jack had signed the treaty with the other chiefs, he had no intention of keeping it. This probable repudiation of the treaty during the interval before it was known to be ratified by congress, and before the agency was well established, was not, however, a subject of serious concern.
In the meantime they were not keeping their agreement either with Steele or the United States. In the ;autumn of 1867 two of them were apprehended by Agent Applegate, and placed in chains at Fort Klamath, for distributing ammunition to the hostile Snakes; and in the following year, having refused to come on the reservation, military aid was asked to compel them to remove. In 1869 the settlers of Siskiyou county petitioned General Crook to remove the Modocs to the reservation, as their presence in that district was detrimental to the interests of the people. In reply, Crook stated that the Modocs would have been removed before this, but for a report from the former commander at Fort Klamath that the Indian department did not supply sufficient food there, and that they would not submit to remain upon a reservation where they were not fed, and could kill but little game. After some weeks, however. General Crook, on the demand of Superintendent Meacham, ordered the commanding officer at Fort Klamath, Lieutenant Goodale, if he believed the Indian department prepared to take charge of them in such a manner as to give no cause of complaint, to bring Jack and his band upon the reservation.
Accordingly, in December, Meacham, accompanied by a detachment of troops from the fort, repaired to Stone Bridge, on Lost river, where he met Captain Jack and his band, and informed them of the purpose of the government to insist on his observance of the treaty. During the night following the council. Jack, with a few of the most desperate characters in his following, left the camp and fled to the lava beds,
