She tried a decoction of willow bark, but it did her no good.

She took the root of the yucca, or soapweed, and drank the froth produced by whipping water with it, but gained no relief.

The poor woman did not know that these remedies are not employed by the Indians in a case like hers, but only for toothache and, in the case of soapweed, for consumption.
Thus it went on for three years.

During the dry seasons there were no signs of the illness; but as soon as, in July or August, thunderstorms shed their moisture over the mountains, and chilly nights alternated with warm sunshine, the fever made its appearance.

Two years before the rainy season had lasted unusually long, and it was followed immediately by snow-falls.