Little House On The Prarie The Ingalls Chapter Summary

Little House on the Prarie the Ingalls family (Pa, Ma, Laura, Mary and baby Carrie) leaves their small house in the Big Woods of Wisconsin and head for Kansas. Pa has made the decision to relocate to Indian country due to overpopulation of the Big Woods. Pa wants to live where animals roam free and aren't frightened away by loud axes and shotguns. Although Ma wants to put off the move until the warm weather arrives, Pa tells his family that they must cross the Mississippi river before the ice cracks. As the Ingalls move

West they make camp in a new place each night. The Ingalls are faced with rainstorms, flooded land and swollen rivers. They endure a terrifying experience in which they attempt to cross a swiftly rising river and nearly lose

Pa is clearly shaken by the experience but he tries to downplay it so as not to frighten the children.

Rather than talk about the wolves, Pa tells the family that he has met new neighbors who live six miles away and that he has spotted many Indians in the area. Laura is fascinated by the idea of Indians and yearns to see a papoose.

That night Laura is awoken by the loud sound of howling wolves. As she looks out her window with Pa they see half a dozen wolves staring back at them. As

Laura settles back to sleep Pa tells her that he and Jack will keep their family safe from the wolves. As the Ingalls continue to set up house Mary and Laura explore their environment, spending their days chasing snakes and playing in the wild grass. One morning as Pa goes out hunting he chains up Jack so that he will not follow him. He advises Laura and Mary not to unchain Jack, no matter what. That afternoon as Laura and Mary are playing outside they see two Indians arrive at their log cabin and walk inside their house as bold as brass. Mary and Laura are filled with fear and rage. Although Pa has instructed them not to unchain Jack under any circumstances they realize that their Ma and Carrie may be in grave