tribes in whose possession I
had once been, in order to learn more of my former history. At the
same time I was sworn to return to the tribe within a year after I
left the train at St. Paul, and to ensure the fulfillment of this
condition, my wife and children were to be retained in the old chief's
family at the headquarters of the tribe. To these conditions I freely
consented, and waited eagerly for the day when I should set out on my
journey.

At last the day arrived and I took a farewell of my wife and children.
The thought of them checked a little my eagerness to set out, but at
length I left them, fully intending to return as soon as I could
discover something of my former history.

CHAPTER IX.

MATTHEW BRAYTON'S NARRATIVE.

Return to St. Paul -- Sick at Chicago -- Sets out in search
of his Parents -- Reaches Cleveland -- Gets his Story Printed
-- Visits Warren, O. -- Attends Camp Meeting -- Experiences
Religion -- Reaches Sugar Grove.

The snows of winter had begun to fall when our party set out on the
route I had so recently traveled. The present company was placed under
command of a son of the principal chief, he being also the brother of
my wife. There is no reason for again describing the route, as we
traveled in the same trail that we pursued with the former party, and
this time there were no incidents of consequence to diversify the
monotony of the progress. About the beginning of April, 1859, we
reached our camping ground near St. Anthony, and on the 10th of that
month I arrived with a detachment of the tribe at St. Paul. We
remained here a few days, making inquiries of the Siouxs and Chippewas
that occasionally came in to trade, and from them I obtained a clue to
farther discoveries.

On the 16th of April I obtained leave from the chief to set out on
investigations, promising faithfully to return to St. Paul in July,
when the train would be ready to return.

To aid me in my researches I was accompanied part of the way by the
chief himself and some members of the tribe, and our party was
furnished with three ponies and five dogs. In pursuance to the
information obtained from the Sioux and Chippewas, we proceeded in
search of a party of Winnebagoes said to be located in Northern
Wisconsin. After traveling some days we reached the Wisconsin river,
and following it towards its source came on the Winnebagoes, who were
making sugar in the woods. From them I obtained the particul