Читать книгу Shaman's Dream: The Modoc War - Lu Boone's Mattson - Страница 84

Ivan stepped outside to get a good look at the sky. It felt like winter again, and the Snakes and Sprague River Modocs were starting to hang around the commissary most of the time now, their blankets pulled up around their ears and wrapped over their chests. But he couldn’t let them start in yet on the rations he held back for the coldest months. He reckoned they were hungry enough; this wasn’t just hope for a handout. But what was he supposed to do with a bunch of people who wouldn’t work? And if they would work, what would he do with them then?

He looked again at the letter, wondering whether he really was supposed to saddle up and ride down to Lost River.

1 November 71

A.B. Meacham

Superintendent of Indian Affairs

To: Ivan Applegate

1) See Captain Jack. Tell him to keep peace with the citizens. He must not beg and annoy them. 2) I have asked Washington, but have received no answer yet. 3) I have recommended a home for them near the mouth of Lost River. Enclosed is the diagram. Show it to them.

Meacham

That’s what he needed, Ivan thought: A hundred or two more ‘Wards of the Nation’ to divide allotments among. The Klamaths would really love that! For that matter, so would Ocheo’s and Old Schonchin’s people.

He really must stop thinking like this, he told himself as he went back into the office and started shrugging on his jacket. Diligence!, he thought, mouthing the word. Diligence and persistence!