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179 CHAPTER ELEVEN159 CAmp hope, SepT. 21, 1862. We are now about five miles above Red Iron village. We do not know of any name being given to this camp by the Indians, but for convenience we will call it Camp Hope; for we have a faint hope that Gen. Sibley will reach here soon, probably this week. In the meantime we will give a brief history of some of the captives. Mrs. Crothers we never saw, but learned a little about her.160 She had two little children, both too young to walk any distance. Her life being threatened, she was told that she had better try to escape. She weighed the matter, and concluded that between two evils she would choose the less, and start for the Fort. We do not know how far she had to walk; but if she fled from camp at Yellow Medicine she must have walked over forty miles. She had little or no food, depending upon what she could pick up. At one time she was obliged to secrete herself in a cellar, and being afraid her little child would cry, she gave it the last pin she had to play with. This kept the child quiet until the Indians, who were right above her, left. Had they found out that she was in the cellar, we can imagine what cruelty, and perhaps death, awaited her. She tore strips of cloth off from her broadcloth skirt, which was an old one, to tie one of her children on her back, carrying the other in her arms. When she became too exhausted to carry both, she put one down, went on a short distance, and then went after her other child. In this way, she finally succeeded in getting to the Fort. When the officers saw her coming one of them carried her a blanket, we are told, that she might appear more comfortably clothed. Her husband was more than overjoyed to see his dear companion and darling children once more, and spoke to others of her prudence and untiring energy in a way that showed he felt she deserved much praise, especially from him. Mrs. White told us they had been in Minnesota only about six months when she was taken captive with her daughter Julia, and a little girl of A Thrilling nArrATive of indiAn CApTiviTy 180 about ten summers, and an infant she carried in her arms.161 Mrs. White always maintained a cheerful, quiet spirit, at least to observers; said she thought it the best way. The first time we met her she could scarcely refrain from weeping; but soon assumed a cheerful look. Many other captives we became partially acquainted with, but not knowing much of their sufferings we leave them for the present at least. One day Paul was in our tent, and hearing a white woman talking in another tent; told Mr. R. he had better invite her to call in, as it might be a pleasure for his wife to talk with her. We were always glad to see any of the captives. When she came in she threw her arms about our neck and wept bitterly. She was about twenty years of age. Though we never saw a murder committed, yet they were brought before us so vividly by the captives it seemed as if we were living in the scenes. Mrs. Adams, on the morning she was taken, had just returned with her husband and little one to their home, having been absent some time on account of the Indian raid.162 Thinking it safe for them to remain at their house long enough to do some washing and pack up some clothing, they did so, not waiting for the clothes to dry. They started for Hutchinson, and had got within a few miles of the place, when some Indians, three, I believe, in number, ran after them. Having an ox team, they took to their feet. Mr. Adams took the baby in his arms and ran for life. His wife seeing that the Indians were gaining on him called for him to put the child down. He ran to where there were some more white men, but could not return in time to save his wife and child. Mrs. Adams took up her child and hid while the Indians were pursuing her husband, but they soon found her, and caught hold of the child’s feet and dashed it to the ground...

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