The squaw gathered these plants and did as he told her with them; the sores on his feet were healed and he was better very soon. She promised not to forget the secret of the healing plants.
In a few days he was taken with a fever; again he told the old squaw what plants and leaves to go out and gather for him. She did so, and it was not long before he was well. She promised again not to forget what she had learned.
Many times he fell sick; each time it was with a new sickness. Each time he told the squaw what to find that would heal him. The squaw learned more than all her nation knew of medicine.
One morning the old man told her that he had come to her village just to teach the people the secrets which she now knew. No one had welcomed him but the Bear band.
The old man said: “I am going away from this people now. I came to do them good. No one but you would show kindness to the stranger. When you see the sun again, you will find a young hemlock tree growing by the door of your wigwam. It will grow taller than any tree that you or your tribe have seen. [[132]]
“This will show that the Bear tribe is the greatest. All the tribes shall come to the Bear tribe for help in sickness. You will show them the plants, roots, and leaves that can heal their sick people.”
When the old man was done talking he went out of sight. No one has ever seen him since that morning. The Bears have become strong, and their warriors are very brave. Their medicine men can do more than the medicine men of other tribes.
Arranged from Powell’s Report. [[133]]