Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/495

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INDIAN PREPARATIONS.
483

branch being known as Cottonwood, and the western branch as Willow creek. On each of these branches, at the crossing of the roads, was a rancho; that on the Cottonwood being owned by Van Brewer, and that on Willow creek by Fairchild. Another stream entering the lake on the west side was known as Hot creek; and here too, at the crossing, was a settler named Dorris. Others were living in the vicinity. Between Dorris' and Fairchild's places was an encampment of forty-five Indians called the Hot Creeks, a squalid band, not yet hostile, but which might become so if left to the persuasions or coercion of Captain Jack. These the settlers, after the fight at Lost river, determined to remove to the reservation. The Indians were not unaware of the position in which Jack's band was placed by their refusal to go upon the reservation. Being greatly frightened they easily yielded, and on the 5th of December started for the reservation under the charge of Fairchild, Dorris, Colver, and others whom Dyar had been notified to meet at Linkville, where the Indians would be turned over to him. But being told by a drunken German that if they started for the reservation they would be killed on the way, they fled.

Fairchild, Dorris, Ball and Beswick then determined to make an effort to persuade Captain Jack to surrender, submit to the authorities, and prevent the impending war. Being personally well known to the Indians, they went accompanied by three of the Hot Creeks, and without arms, to seek Jack among the Juniper ridges between Lost river and the lava beds south of Tule lake. They were successful in finding him, and used every argument to influence him to accept the proffered peace but without avail. Jack rejected any and all overtures that looked toward any interference with his liberty, and boldly declared his desire to fight, telling Fairchild that he wished the soldiers to come, and was prepared for them. Toward