Now that her husband was gone, Mahala decided to move her family to Dixie to start life anew. Because traveling plans did not work out well, she found herself starting the journey with her children (four - the oldest being twelve) on her own.
At one point the Indians were seen running along the top of a hill. They came down by the side of the road as though they might cause harm to the small party of travelers.
Mahala showed her faith and courage by gathering her children around her and prayed to God for protection.
When they came to where the Indians were, the latter were quietly picking berries from bushes by the roadside. The Indians paid no attention to them and let the party pass on without trouble.