The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-04-11
IN THE TREE TOP.
A STORY OF THE INDIAN TROUBLES
IN MINNESOTA,

STORY OF THE INDIAN TROUBLES
IN MINNESOTA.
Somebody ought to let the settlers
at Armstrong; know about the danger
they're in; but don't see how we're
going to do it.
The speaker was a man dressed as
farmer; he was speaking to his neigh
bors, and they were all gathered in a
large barn. built of logs, in one of the
newly settled portions of Minnesota.
1t was in the time of the Indian out
break, and they had sought safety here,
men, women, and children, inspired by
feeling Of terror only understood by
those who have lived on the frontier,
and know from actual experience the
danger of such life in places where
the Indians are unfriendly and MUIR
derous.
Stories had come to them of horrible
massacres at New Clm and other set
Elements not far away, and they were
expecting an attack at any time.
Every hour passed slowly in fear and
suspense.
The remark with which Ihave begun
Yais story was called out by the tidings
which scout had just brought in. He
had learned that the Indians intended
to attack settlement some ten miles
down the river. armstrong;" it
was called, because the name of the
leading man there was Armstrong. 1t
was lonely place, quite by itself, and
as it had been but recently settled, the
only communication it had with the
outside world was by way Of the river,
and rough trail along the bluffs.
It's just like this, said the man.
The Indians are scattered along the
river, on either side of it, for four or
five miles below here, clear back to the
swamps, thus cutting off all chance of
escape for the folks at Armstrong;, if
they knew Of the danger, for there are
Indians on the other side of them. The
only chance for them to save them
selves is in getting together as we've
done, and holding out against the red
skins until help comes, and that will
be soon, Tn sure. But they don't
know anything about what's been done
or what is going to be done; therefore
they'll be taken by surprise, and they'll
be butchered, every man, woman, and
child of them, as the whites were at
New Ulm. It's terrible, but / don't
see how we can help it. It's sure
death to attempt to get from here to
Armstrong;. The woods are full Of
Indians, and they'd discover fellow
before he'd made two miles Of the dis
lance
Robert Woods listened to what was
being said with sad heart. He was
a poor boy, with but one relative in the
world, as far as he knew. That rela.
tive was sister living at Armstrong;
Must I stay here and let her be
killed he said to himself--let her be
killed, without making an attempt to
save her2 No; I'll try to get to Arm.
strong's in some way, if 1 die for it.
See here, he said, going up to the
man who seemed to be the one in
charge of affairs, l have sister al
Armstrong;. l can't stay here and de
nothing while she's in such danger
I'll undertake to get there and give
them warning.
Why, boy, you'd be shot before you't
got out of hearing almost, was the re
ply. know it seems cruel for us t.
stay here while they're exposed to sucl
danger; but we've got our families tt
protect, and we know that there ISM
one chance in thousand of getting t,
them. 1t would be like running
gauntlet.
I'll take that chance, then, sait
Robert. must 60. Don't try t.
keep me back. l have a plan that ma,
work. I'll try it, anyway.
What is it? they asked him How
are you going?
By river, answered Robert.
4. They're camped all along the banl
a few miles below here, and no boat o
canoe could possibly get past them un
seen, they told him.
But am not going in a boat o
canoe, he said. / am going to floa
down in tree-top.
Just a. dusk that night treo-to
drifted out slowly into the river fror