Life at the Indian Village

Our first and most important work consisted in learning to
use the Dakota language.The people were very kind to help us
in this matter by using signs. The work of writing down new
words with their meaning in English occupied most of our
spare moments.
A day school was opened for the children as soon as pos-
sible. While in St. Paul I purchased a good-sized hand bell,
with which to let the children know the time to assemble at the
schoolroom. This one step toward regularity was hailed with
enthusiasm. I soon found another incentive quite helpful in
securing regular attendance. I bought raisins by the box, and
a few, such as a child could hold in one hand, given at the
close of school, were almost sure to bring the child next day.