his and many similar explanations she wrought in my soul wonderful
and lively conceptions of the "Great Mystery" and of the effects of
prayer and solitude. I continued my childish questioning.

"But why did you not dig those plants that we saw in the woods, of the
same kind that you are digging now?"

"For the same reason that we do not like the berries we find in the
shadow of deep woods as well as the ones which grow in sunny places. The
latter have more sweetness and flavor. Those herbs which have medicinal
virtues should be sought in a place that is neither too wet nor too
dry, and where they have a generous amount of sunshine to maintain their
vigor.

"Some day Ohiyesa will be old enough to know the secrets of medicine;
then I will tell him all. But if you should grow up to be a bad man, I
must withhold these treasures from you and give them to your brother,
for a medicine man must be a good and wise man. I hope Ohiyesa will be
a great medicine man when he grows up. To be a great warrior is a noble
ambition; but to be a mighty medicine man is a nobler!"

She said these things so thoughtfully and impressively that I cannot but
feel and remember them even to this day.

Our native women gathered all the wild rice, roots, berries and fruits
which formed an important part of our food. This was distinctively
a woman's work. Uncheedah (grandmother) understood these matters
perfectly, and it became a kind of instinct with her to know just where
to look for each edible variety and at what season of the year. This
sort of labor gave the Indian women every opportunity to observe and
study Nature after their fashion; and in this Uncheedah was more acute
than most of the men. The abilities of her boys were not all inherited
from their father; indeed, the stronger family traits came obviously
from her. She was a leader among the native women, and they came to her,
not only for medical aid, but for advice in all their affairs.

In bravery she equaled any of the men. This trait, together with her
ingenuity and alertness of mind, more than once saved her and her people
from destruction. Once, when we were roaming over a region occupied by
other tribes, and on a day when most of the men were out upon the hunt,
a party of hostile Indians suddenly appeared. Although there were a few
men left at home, they were taken by surprise at first and scarcely knew
what to do, when this woman came forward and advanced alone to meet our
foe