One of the men was severely wounded by the thrust of a spear, and the Professor instantly saw that he was suffering from internal bleeding. Pushing aside the men who surrounded him, the Professor knelt down, changed the position of the bleeding warrior, and pressed his hand against the artery which led to the wound.
His presence there, and the peremptory manner in which he undertook the relief, astonished the new arrivals, but it was for a moment only, when the hurried tales which spread from one to the other circulated among the crowd, and as the chief stepped forward and noticed the Professor he gave a command which plainly showed that his work had been appreciated.
The Professor held his hand on the artery for fully an hour, until the blood clots began to form, and thus staunched the flow. The other wounded ones were attended to immediately after the critical patient had been put into a safe condition.
The men, women and children followed him around, as he moved from place to place. Returning to the chief’s child, he found a slight fever, but this soon abated, and the second day the little patient began to assume a brighter appearance.
During all this time the Professor had not partaken of a mouthful of the food offered him. His only nutriment was obtained from the tablets referred to. The chief could not understand this. Their amazement was intensified when he again refused food the third day.
The Professor was, of course, playing a part. Mystery is the most potent thing with uncivilized tribes. He knew that John and the boys would be able to take care of themselves, and felt sure that before long he would hear from them. He was making a strong ally of these people, and the proper course was pursued to bring this about.
He would have been able at any time after the first day to go back to his companions, and to add to his service something mysterious would make his power over them more potent than the mere healing.
It should also be understood that the motive behind this had another meaning. All tribes have their own physicians, or medicine men, and the great factor of strength with them is the mysteries with which they are able to shroud their cures. To heal the chief’s child, or to perform any other cures, would mean the bitter and vindictive hatred of that class.
It was necessary, therefore, that he should be able to do that which was beyond their power to perform. To live without eating would be such an extraordinary power that it must impress them. The medicine men performed their incantations, but he made no objections, and it was plain that his ministrations were distasteful to them, when he saw their frowning faces.
The chief’s power, and the grateful looks of the one which first received his attention, were sufficient to assure him that the policy he had pursued was successful.