And how signally was the spirit of the parents transmitted to the children. Almost a whole family in the mission work: six sons and daughters among the Dakotas, the seventh in China. I know not another instance so marked as this. And what a power for good to the Dakota race, past, present, and future, is gathered up in one undaunted, single-hearted family of Christian toilers. A part of this family it has been the writer's privilege to know, and of two of the sons he had the pleasure to be the teacher in the original tongues of the Word of God. And he deems it an additional pleasure and privilege thus to connect his name with theirs and their mission. For not alone the dusky Dakotas, but all the friends of the Indian tribes and lovers of the Missionary cause, are called on to honor the names of Pond, Williamson, and RIGGS. S. C. BARTLETT. DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE 1837.--Our Parentage.--My Mother's Bear Story.--Mary's Education.--Her First School Teaching.--School-houses and Teachers in Ohio.--Learning the Catechism.--Ambitions.--The Lord's Leading.--Mary's Teaching in Bethlehem.--Life Threads Coming Together.--Licensure.--Our Decision as to Life Work.--Going to New England.--The Hawley Family.--Marriage.--Going West.--From Mary's Letters.--Mrs. Isabella Burgess.--"Steamer Isabella."--At St. Louis.--The Mississippi.--To the City of Lead.--Rev. Aratus Kent.--The Lord Provides.--Mary's Descriptions.--Upper Mississippi.--Reaching Fort Snelling 23 CHAPTER II. 1837.--First Knowledge of the Sioux.--Hennepin and Du Luth.--Fort Snelling.--Lakes Harriet and Calhoun.--Three Months at Lake Harriet.--Samuel W. Pond.--Learning the Language.--Mr. Stevens.--Temporary Home.--That Station Soon Broken Up.--Mary's Letters.--The Mission and People.--Native Customs.--Lord's Supper.--"Good Voice."--Description of Our Home.--The Garrison.--Seeing St. Anthony.--Ascent of the St. Peters.--Mary's Letters.--Traverse des Sioux.--Prairie Travelling.--Reaching Lac-qui-parle.--T. S. Williamson.--A Sabbath Service.--Our Upper Room.--Experiences.--Church at Lac-qui-parle.--Mr. Pond's Marriage.--Mary's Letters.--Feast 38 CHAPTER III.