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192 society of civilized life to endure privations incident to the removal of the different tribes on our borders; and like the ancient Law-Giver, is striving to lead the people in that straight and narrow path that leads to the heavenly Canaan, and not much unlike the Ancient One are his trials; and how many Aarons are there staying up his hands by fervent faithful prayer for the salvation of the heathen.188 Since the above went to press, Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, who have labored so faithfully for years past in the boarding school at Hazlewood, have called to bid us farewell, and are now in company with the Mr. Pond [sic] on their way to the Sioux Agency, in Missouri, to aid Rev. Mr. Williamson in his arduous duties as a Missionary in that field. May God protect them all, and should there ever be another outbreak, make a way for their escape, as He did in an almost miraculous manner but one short year ago.189 H. D. CUNNINGHAM’S STATEMENT. On the afternoon and evening of the 18th of August, 1862, the community around the Mission stations, among the Dakota Indians, was thrown into an intense excitement by reports that the Indians on the lower reservation were murdering and driving off the whites at the Lower Agency, and of the settlements on the opposite side of the river, and that it was extending up the Minnesota River, as well as to all the adjoining settlements. Many of the Indians came and warned us to flee for our lives, and among others were those who had always been the most calm in times of excitement, and in whom we had the most confidence. The parents of the children of the boarding school soon relieved us of the responsibility of them, at the same time urging us to get to a place of safety.190 The first thing that convinced the more unbelieving ones of us of the reality of our danger, A Thrilling nArrATive of indiAn CApTiviTy 193 was the stealing of Mr. Rigg’s [sic] horses and wagon from Mr. Petijohn [sic], some two miles from our place, who was moving his family to Saint Peter.191 During the evening and fore part of the night the excitement seemed to increase. The Christian and Friendly Indians gathered about our houses and offered to protect us all they could, but said they were but a few when compared to the others. We felt as though we didn’t like to expose them, to protect us when the odds seemed so much against us. They all gave one voice, and that was to get to a place of safety. We had, during the night, seen some of those who had come in, of the baser sort, trying to get the horses out of my stable, while they had taken several in the neighborhood. It was evident about midnight that the best thing we could do was to put ourselves under their care, follow their advice, and the sooner the better. About one o’clock A.m., we left our homes, never to return. When we started we had but one two-horse team and a single buggy to carry twenty-two persons, mostly women and children. Some of our company thought we had best not try to take my horses, as they would probably be taken from us. But we thought that we would only have to walk if they did, and we should start with them anyhow. Some of the Indians went with us as guides and guards. We followed them through the timber about three miles, to an Indian village, where we found some of our neighbors who had started before us. After a long council it was decided that we had better conceal ourselves on an island two miles from the village, and wait till the next night before we went any further. This was not at all agreeable to our feelings, but we submitted. Two men went with and ferried us across to the island in a canoe that would only carry about two persons beside the one who paddled it, at a time. We were all over in safety about daylight. When we got to our place of concealment we felt as though the flesh was weak indeed, and that it was necessary to rest if we could, which was a very difficult matter among the swarms of mosquitoes that infested the...

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