ores of Lakes Calhoun and Harriet and Lac-qui-Parle, for the
conquest of the fiercest tribe of prairie warriors that ever roamed
over the beautiful plains of the New Northwest. He was a scholar and a
linguist; courageous, energetic, firm, diplomatic; she was cultured,
gentle, tactful, and withal, both were intensely spiritual and deeply
devoted to the glorious work of soul-winning. Both had been trained as
missionaries, with China as a prospective field of service. Step by
step in the Providence of God, they were drawn together as life
companions and then turned from the Orient to the Western plains.

During these years of beginnings, Dr. Williamson formed the
acquaintance of Stephen R. Riggs, then a young man, which culminated in
a life-long alliance of love and service. During his seminary course,
Mr. Riggs received a letter from his missionary friend, to which he
afterwards referred thus: "It seems to me now, strange that he should
have indicated in that letter the possible line of work open to me,
which has been so closely followed. I remember especially the
prominence he gave to the thought that the Bible should be translated
into the language of the Dakotas. Men do sometimes yet write as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost. That letter decided my going westward
rather than to China." It was a lovely day, the first of June, when
this young bride and groom arrived at Fort Snelling. Though it was
their honeymoon, they did not linger long in the romantic haunts of
Minnehaha and the Lakes; but pressed on to Lac-qui-Parle and joined
hands with the toilers there in their mighty work of laying foundations
broad and deep in the wilderness, like the coral workers in the ocean
depths, out of sight of man.

What a glorious trio of mission family bands were then gathered on
Minnesota's lovely plains, on the shores of those beautiful lakes!
Pond, Williamson, Riggs. Names that will never be forgotten while a
Sioux Christian exists in earth or glory.

[Illustration: A PARK DRIVE, LAKE CALHOUN.]

[Illustration: SOLDIERS' HOME.]

When the American Mission Hall of Fame shall be erected these three
names will shine out high upon the dome like "apples of gold in
pictures of silver," Pond, Williamson, Riggs. "And a book of
remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord
and that thought upon his name. * * * And they shall be mine, saith
the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels."

Chapter II.