Six years of life among the Dakotas has taught me many things. Very plainly I recall the first glimpse of their homes, as, October 1st, 1880, I wended my way, the sole occupant of the stage, between Yankton and Yankton Agency, Dakota—a distance of 65 miles, to the home of Rev. Mr. Williamson. Home warnings were still ringing in my ears—for, had I not been told, “You are doing a foolish thing, seeking only adventure, spending your strength for naught; _Indians can’t be educated_; you will live in one common room with only a sheet partition, and you will have only a penny candle for your evening luminary, and the Indians _may scalp_ you.” I saw the tents, I saw the one-room log houses, and I met blanket Indians face to face in paint, bells and feathers. Home warnings came vividly before me as possible realities. But in a moment the hearty welcome of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, and their children too, changed my thoughts. The cheerful sitting room itself had a welcome, and home letters were there to greet me, which uttered no more warnings, neither have I thought of them since, except as fund for amusement. This was my introduction to life on a reservation. From among varied experiences, I would like first to take you on a recent trip with me, to some of the homes of the Dakotas scattered along the Missouri and its tributaries, in our Oahe field. There are now a number of stations, varying from five to fifteen miles apart, where native teachers are at work; they having been prepared for this at our schools in the past. There are day-schools of between twenty and thirty pupils each. The teachers have religious services on the Sabbath, and also visit among the people, becoming acquainted with each man, woman and child. At one of these stations, Cherry Creek, the Indians have been associated with Sitting Bull, and it is of their homes I wish to speak as types of the field when taking the first steps toward civilization. Log houses of one room, with the earth only for a floor; bedsteads of planks loosely laid on wooden posts about a foot high from the ground. These serve also for chairs in the daytime. A cook stove is found in the center of each room and this is all. On the log wall hangs the coffee pot, the iron kettle and their extra coats and dresses (if they have any). They still keep their tents and use them in summer, which adds greatly to their comfort. At most places the women were working industriously; some embroidering with porcupine quills, some preparing corn for drying by braiding the husks into a rope, leaving the various colored ears hanging; others were pounding between stones their native fruits, which they dry and preserve for winter use. A few men were building their log houses and plastering the crevices with earth; some were at work in their fields, and many sat with their friends smoking and telling entertaining stories.