You know what I just realized, I think the hint I'm thinking of isn't in the manual, its on the little hint/overworld map booklet that was packaged with it. I can't find any pics of it on the net though--anyone who still has it willing to give it a once over?
Also, while looking over the instruction manual here:
http://zs.ffshrine.org/legend-of-zelda/english-instruction-manual-scans.php I just got to thinking how much I miss beautiful manuals like that. The art is just spectacular, and all of the fun little hints and background info is great. I miss that about modern games, a lot.