Pulling a handful of these up by the roots, he selected one of the
bulbs attached to them, pounded it until it was a mass of fibre, and
washing the river mud from the wounded hand, he replaced it with this.
The hand had already swollen and become very painful, but the
application of the bruised lily-root acted so like a charm that Rene's
face showed an instant sense of relief, and he expressed his gratitude
to Has-se.
"It is nothing to do," replied the other. "It is but the remedy of my
people for such things." Then he added, with a sort of pride,
"The pale-faces are wise in many matters that we poor red men know
nothing of; but we have at least learned that for every evil there is a
remedy close at hand, and that wherever poisonous serpents are found
there also grows a plant that will render their poison harmless. In a
short time thy hand will be as sound as before it laid hold of
Chitta-wewa, the great water-snake."
"Tis marvellous!" exclaimed Rene; "and if thou wouldst return with me
to France, bringing with thee a few of these samples and thy knowledge
of their application, thou wouldst become a great medicine-man and
obtain much honor of my people."
Has-se only shook his head and smiled at this suggestion; then he said,
"For a time thou must lie perfectly quiet, and keep that upon thy hand
wet with cool water. Meantime I will carry out a plan of which I have
just conceived the idea.
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