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155 end.67 But, my Father, we are all captives; a small band of Christians surrounded by our persecuting neighbors, and whither, oh whither, shall we flee? Our trust is in God, and we hope He will put it into your heart, our Father, to tell us what we shall do. Think of it, our Father, and don’t let our wives and our little ones starve, or, what is worse, move on to Red River with our savage foes and perish for lack of food for both soul and body. I am a friend to the whites, to civilization, and christianity [sic]. Yours Respectfully, Paul, or Muza Ka-te-ma-ne. Gov. Ramsey: Dear Sir—If you will allow us to address you thus familiarly, for the name of a white man is even dear to those who though not an eye witness, yet as one hearing of the awful tragedies almost daily committed by the lower bands; we will not detain you with our family sufferings, after writing the lengthy epistle dictated by Paul; but at the earnest request of Lorenzo and Simon, state that they, with their families, are very anxious to escape to the white settlements, and will the first opportunity; our lives are threatened if we attempt to leave; we have but little provision on hand.68 If in the all wise Providence, we are not permitted to go among our white friends, we have resolved to die on Mission ground, rather than go among the idolatrous and wicked Indians. Please publish this at the request of Simon and Lorenzo.69 CHAPTER FIVE70 About the 25th of August Gabriel removed from Yellow Medicine, where he had been staying with his own and his sister’s family a short time.71 Mrs. Brown was warned of the intended massacre in time to have escaped; but A Thrilling nArrATive of indiAn CApTiviTy 156 with others did not credit the report. She started to go with her family, to the Fort, accompanied by her son and wife and son-in-law and his family. They were stopped by the Indians, and would all have been killed or taken captive, had not Mrs. B. satisfied them in regard to her mother’s family. Happily the relationship saved them.72 They let the son-in-law go. He barely escaped with his life, his health poor, having been under the care of physicians for a long time, and taking only five small crackers with him, and being obliged to lie hid in a marsh for a long time, surrounded by Indians who were searching for him. You can easily imagine in what an emaciated state he reached his destination.73 Mrs. Brown remained at the Lower Agency till her brother went after her.74 The Indians dressed them up in the poorest kind of Dakota clothes, and then laughed at them, saying, “these are the people who used to dress in silks so rich and fine,” little realizing that one cared not for fine dress in such perilous times as these. The day before this family moved from Yellow Medicine Mrs. A. B. had a little son. She was a delicate lady, and was preparing to go and make her mother a long visit before they were taken captive.75 They all suffered much during captivity, but not as much as those who were entire strangers ; the most of them having lived in the Indian country a long time, and being familiar with the language.76 The 26th the Lower Bands moved up to Yellow Medicine, seeming disappointed that Gabriel had moved away with their captives. A day or two after they sent a company of thirty soldiers to Hazlewood with the intention of making them move back, which they positively refused to do. Chagrined at their failure, they went back. Big Amos told them they had no business at Hazlewood, and that they had made themselves work enough below and had better remain there.77 It is strange how impudent these Indians are to each other, and still live in constant fear of the same ones. They frightened us very much, passing through the house, singing their war songs and threatening to burn all the buildings that p.m. Some of us kept hid; the rest went to packing up their things. Our readers will have to allow their imagination full scope to realize all that we suffered; there being none but women in the house at this time...

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