In the summer of 1862, we were living in the State of Minnesota. There I had a most remarkable experience.
We lived about a mile from the town of Lac Qui Parle.
There were only three of us—father, mother, and myself. My name is Susanna. We had moved to Minnesota three years before. My parents moved to restore their health; for they were feeble and needed a change of climate.
The first year, both father and mother were much better; but not long after, father began to fail.
One day the sky was cloudy, and it looked as if a storm was coming. Since it was dark and blustering, we remained inside the rest of the evening. A fine drizzling rain began to fall, and the darkness was intense.
It was getting late and father was reading to us, when there came a rap upon the door.
It was so gentle and timid that it sounded like the pecking of a bird. We all looked at the door, uncertain what it meant.
“It is a bird, scared by the storm,” said father, “and we may as well let it in.”
I sat much nearer the door than either of my parents, so I jumped up and opened it. As I did so, I looked out into the gloom. Suddenly I sprung back with a cry of alarm.
“What's the matter?” asked father. He quickly dropped the book and came toward me.
“It isn't a bird; it's a person.” As I spoke, a little Indian girl, about my own age, walked into the room.
Find out what the little girl is doing out in a storm, and how she saves the lives of the settlers a short time later.
Ages 8 and up.
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