r were increased by the knowledge that during the time they had
been waiting for this insignificant present they could have earned from
$50 to $100 by hunting. Unintentionally, a Government servant added
fuel to the fire, and the Sioux, maddened, began their terrible
massacre of the scattered settlers.

The news of the rising was carried quickly to the Riggs by friendly
Indians, who urged them to hurry away as quickly as possible to a place
of safety. But the missionaries were not disposed to consider the
rising serious. The seizure of their horses and cows, and various
other unfriendly actions performed by the people among whom they had
lived for many years, soon, however, convinced them that it would be
wise to depart. So gathering together a few belongings the little band
of missionaries, some carrying children, crept away by night to an
island in the Minnesota River. But on the following day the friendly
Indians sent word to them that they were not safe on the island, and
urged further flight.

Acting on this advice, the Christians waded the river and started on a
tramp to the Hawk River, and on the way met other settlers, hurrying
like themselves, to escape from the infuriated Sioux. Joining forces
they proceeded on their journey, the women and children riding in two
open carts, and soon met a wounded man, whom they tenderly lifted into
one of the wagons. He was the sole survivor of a band of settlers
which had been attacked by the Sioux.

Keeping a sharp look-out for the Indians, the fugitives continued their
journey across the prairie. On the second night the rain fell heavily,
and as the women and children could obtain no shelter in the open carts
they crept under them. Wet and shivering, the fugitives found, when
daylight came, that they had scarcely any food. Wood was collected, a
fire built, and one of the animals killed and roasted.

A day later they were espied by an Indian, who fortunately proved to be
friendly. He advised the fugitives to hurry to Fort Ridgely, and
assured them that all the whites, with the exception of themselves, who
had not taken shelter in the fort had been killed. Acting on his
advice, they proceeded in the direction of the fort, but travelled very
cautiously, for there were signs that Indians were in the neighbourhood.

One of the fugitives crept into the fort, but the news he brought back
to his comrades in distress was not cheering; the fort was already
overcrowde