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Page 25
in western Pennsylvania, that the plants had died. Not here, though. There were often dainty little flowers on the most grim-looking plants. Life here had adapted to the sparseness of rainfall.
Abby sought the goat nut plant, called jojoba by the Indians. The oil pressed from its seeds would help heal the parched skin of the emigrants. Hunwet had told her that palo verde, with its yellow flowers, and similar-looking cassia shrubs might grow in this vicinity. Abby knew they were members of the senna plant family and could therefore be used as cathartics. Abby also hoped to find desert lavender. If it was similar to the lavender with which she was familiar, it might aid queasy stomachs and help heal wounds. Desert buckwheat might be useful as a coagulant.
Abby had been a healer on the farm the Wynnes had left behind. She had treated both livestock and people, and neighbors had often come to her for help. She had never been taught; she simply picked up cures here and there from rumors and intuition. Her abilities, plus her visions, had set her apart from other people. As much as others sought her aid, they avoided socializing with her, for despite all her efforts to be friendly, they were afraid of her.
Abby suspected that her father's decision to move west was partly to help her start over. It was for Lucy's benefit, too, for Abby's reputation seemed to have tainted her older sister. Lucy was 24 years old, and although she had had a beau

 
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