One day, early in July, Kindred was examining plants alongside a small tributary stream of the Ogeechee when he smelled a foul odor and traced the scent to a growth of purple blossoms. He knelt among them and saw that they were trilliums, with their generic triple leaves and blossoms. As he examined them closely he felt that he was being watched, but could not see anyone when he looked around. Some minutes later he thought he heard a twig snap and quickly turned in the direction of some willow saplings alongside the stream above him. He remained still for a minute or two, examining the area closely, but could see nothing. Finally, he turned back and prepared to collect a sample of the plants so he could identify it from his books at home. A shadow fell across him, and he looked up to see a young Indian, not quite his age, who had approached silently and was watching with a slight smile on his face. He was taller than Kindred, with a slender waist and surprisingly broad shoulders. His hair was parted in the middle and tied in back. He was barefoot, his only clothing a leather strip between his legs, with each end tucked into a thong around his waist.

They examined each other carefully, and Kindred was determined not to break the long silence. The Indian seemed friendly and finally said, “If I was an enemy, you would be dead.”

Kindred replied, not altogether truthfully, “No, you broke a stick and revealed yourself.”

After a moment, the Indian asked, “Do you have a bad wound to cure?”

Kindred was perplexed by the question and assumed that his limited knowledge of the language had caused him to misunderstand.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“This plant is sometimes used to treat rotting flesh, since it has the same smell.”

“If so, I think it may be what we call Trillium erectum, which is found in the northern colonies and has been used for the same purpose, and also for the pain of childbirth. How do you know about it?”

“I am Newota, and my mother, Soyarna, uses plants for treatment of illness in our village. I am learning from her and from my uncle.”

“My name is Kindred, and my home is two hours’ walk to the east. I have an interest in all the living things in this area, including insects, birds, animals, and plants.”