They sang on and on while First Rider drummed and danced around the woman. The hours seem to pass slowly, until, at last, First Rider set his drum aside, and returning to his position next to the woman, he placed his hands over the woman's face, then he positioned his hands over the rest of her body, all the while with his eyes closed.
Liliann was watching his actions closely and saw when he, at last, opened his eyes, and she found he was glancing at her.
Then, he brought up one of his hands to say in sign, "My woman, at last I know what is wrong with the chief's sits-beside-him-woman. But, I have not what Creator tells me will heal her. I have need to go to our lodge, where I have the herbs and roots I need."
Liliann nodded.
"Close…come to me," First Rider said. "Place hand where mine is…exactly. When I say 'now,' you put hand there. You can do?"
Again, she nodded.
"Now!"
Liliann did as instructed, and as soon as he lifted his hand, she put her own hand in the exact same place where his had been.
She could feel First Rider watching her, and then his attention shifted to the sick woman. This he did over and over, his glance going from one of them to the other. The minutes seemed to pass by slowly, and Liliann wondered what he might be waiting for.
At last, he asked, "You feel…beat…woman's heart?"
Liliann nodded, then murmured, "I do."
"Spirit life from me was…pouring into heart…of her. Now spirit from you go…into heart…of her, helping keep heart beating. If remove hand, she die."
Surprised, Liliann swallowed. But, she didn't take her hand away.
"Sing medicine song while I gone…it help."
Liliann nodded, and, glancing at the woman, she could think of nothing to say except a prayer. Whispering softly, she murmured, "Dear God, please be helpin' me. Me own self wishes White Necklace Woman to live. Please, Lord, help me."
"Good you pray. Remember…sing song," First Rider said.
As she nodded, she felt First Rider's hand upon her shoulder before he sprung to his feet and was quickly gone.
