are from
the first to dress in the plainest and commonest dress of the time, there was not the least suspicion of my name or mission.
As I rode back, the farmers were gathering in their grain. On the low marshy plains of Shasta river they were mowing and making hay. I heard the mowers whetting their scythes and the clear ringing melody came to me full of memories and stories of my childhood. I passed close to some of these broad-shouldered merry men, as they sat on the grass at lunch, and they called to me kindly to stop and rest and share their meal. It was like merry hay making of the Old World. All peace, merriment and prosperity here ; out yonder, burning camps, starving children, and mourning mothers ; and only a hun dred miles away.
I did not again enter a house or partake of hospi tality. I slept on the wild grass that night, and in another day rode into the camp where the Indians had gathered in such force as they could to await my action.
A council was called, and I told them all. I told them it was possible to take the city, that my plan was feasible, and yet I could not lead them where women and children and old men and honest labourers would be ruined, and perish alike with the arrogant and cruel destroyers. An old man answered me ; his women, his children, his old father, his lodges, his horses had all been swept away ; it was now time to die.
