“Have you seen this before?” the woman asked in broken English.
She moved closer to the child, her eyes running through her. She nodded. “Yes I have.”
“Did the child die?” Bear Claw asked.
“Some children die. When it is too late,” Hannah said. If scarlet fever went on for a long time, it could affect the immune system of a child and she would die. But if treated fast, the child may survive. “How long has she been sick?” Hannah asked.
“Three days,” Bear Claw said.
There was still enough time, but if the child continued this way, with little nourishment, she would die.
“Can you heal her?” Bear Claw asked, with hope.
When her brother had the fever, they had thought he would die, since he had been affected when he was very little, more than when most children had it when they were older. Mary had also come down with it, and Hannah had been the one to care for them, as her mother had been sick at the time. There was a bit of a problem though. The supplies she had used for her siblings would not be easy to come by out here. But they might be able to get alternatives. She looked around the packed fill room.
“I believe it is scarlet fever,” Hannah said.
“Scarlet fever?” Sparrow asked.
Bear Claw frowned. He had heard about this cholera. It was a dangerous disease, which also affected the white devils. It mostly affected the children.
“Yes. And it spreads fast. We need to find those she has been in contact with and see if they are sick,” Hannah said. “But first, we must attend to her.”
“What do you need?” Sparrow asked.
“Saltwater. Fluid. She has to drink them all day. We need to take her out to fresh air,” Hannah said. The windows had been opened back home to allow cool air in for ventilation. “Do you have anything for fever?”
Sparrow nodded.
“Then let’s get started,” Hannah smiled.
The little girl was first bathed in warm water with a mixture of honey and salt. Her body shivered as Hannah soothed her with lullabies she used to sing for her younger ones. Then she wrapped her with thicker clothes. A small tepee was placed by the river, with the little girl in it. With Hannah’s guidance, the little girl gargled repeatedly with warm saltwater. Then she gave the child the roots Sparrow provided.
A while later, a tired Hannah stared at the sleeping child who was sleeping peacefully. They had rubbed some oil all over her body. It would take days, but they rashes would fade away.
She turned to Bear Claw who looked tired as well. She could tell he had bad news. “Four other children are sick,” Bear Claw said. They did not show clear signs but he had told the parents to check all over them for rashes as Hannah had instructed. Two of the children had been complaining of sore throats. The other two had rashes.
“They will be fine,” Hannah said, placing a hand on his chest. “But we need to stop the spread.”
He agreed with this. A sick village was an invitation for death and war. The disease affected mostly the children, but that didn’t mean the adults were safe.
“Gather all items that have been used by the children in the past days. We burn them. Everyone has to wash their hands.”
He grimaced at this. His people were not used to such a life. But they valued their children, and they would do anything to stop the spread. Now that he thought about it, it was a wonder more children had not died in the past years. Or perhaps, those deaths had been overlooked. They did have their own share of infants’ deaths, which were blamed on the spirits.
“Cleanliness is important. We wash utensils. We wash our hands. We do all that to prevent the spread of the fever,” Hannah said.
It was late at night when they retired to their tepee. Hannah was totally tired. She had spent all day caring for the children. Thankfully, they were all getting better, and in a few days, they would join the rest of the village.
Her eyes opened half-way as Bear Claw pulled her to him, his arm around her waist. “Thank you,” he said. He was proud of her. He had seen her take charge and ensure that the children were attended to properly. He had never seen her spring to action that way.
Hannah managed a shrug. There was no need to be thanked. She had just done what needed to be done. Those children had been sick, and it was within her power and experience to be of help. She would never let the children go through such pain. Despite Samuel meanness, she had been good to his children, treating them like her siblings, even when their father had tried to poison their minds against her. Mary was a sweet child who had bonded with her. However, Thomas walked in his father’s footsteps, in his attempts to please his father. But she saw him as a young boy who needed loving.
Her eyes closed, and she quickly reached out for sleep. Bear Claw watched her as she breathed softly. He marveled at how blessed he was to have her in his life. They would have lost the children today and in the next couple of days if not for her. And the deaths would have continued. Now that they knew what ailed the children, they would be prepared for the next time. He planted a kiss on her head and she stirred with a smile, whispering his name.
*
The next morning presented itself with gifts. Hannah woke up to a basket of fruits in front of the teepee. It was from Ela's parents. The mother was in tears as she thanked Hannah. She was grateful to her for saving her child. Angel, she called her several times, and Hannah smiled. She was no angel.
