The Mandie Collection (8 page)

“What will they do when they catch him?” Mandie asked.

“He will be brought before a council meeting,” said Dimar. “The council will decide the punishment. It will be severe, too, for kidnapping someone and damaging Cherokee property,” the boy told her.

Sallie spoke up. “I have never heard of a Cherokee doing such a bad thing. They all know the Cherokee laws.”

“I hate to see anyone punished, but in this case I think it is right. The crook should have to pay for his bad deeds,” Mandie said.

As the young people talked on, the sun climbed higher in the sky and birds sang cheery greetings along the way. Now and then stray pigs ran along the road with chickens cackling and flying out of their way.

Soon the seven-sided, dome-roofed council house came into view. Hundreds of Cherokees were already milling about, laughing and talking with each other. Most of the women had red kerchiefs tied around their heads. The young girls, dressed in their finest, shyly chatted with the young Indian men. There was a festival air about the meeting.

Uncle Ned pulled into a vacant spot along the road and unhitched the horses. Uncle Wirt stopped his wagon right behind them.

As they all walked to the council house, Elizabeth spoke to Uncle Ned. “Am I supposed to wait outside?” she asked.

“No, sit in backside. Wait there,” he said.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied.

The Indians standing around the entrance smiled at Mandie, then moved aside as Uncle Ned led the way into the building.

Mandie looked around. She had been here once before, but the place still interested her. There were wooden benches to sit on. Huge log poles held up the dome-shaped thatched roof. The symbols of the various clans adorned the posts. The place of the sacred fire was directly ahead as they entered. The six leaders of the clans sat behind the fire.

Uncle Ned motioned for everyone to sit near the front, and then he went to stand behind the fire with the leaders. As he did, all the Cherokees quickly took their seats and became silent.

Mandie sat between Dimar and Sallie. She turned slightly to look behind her. The council house was full. She saw Tsa'ni come down the aisle with two other boys and sit down nearby. Tsa'ni looked directly at Mandie but did not speak.

One of the men behind the fire stood and began waving his arms and chanting loudly in the Cherokee language. Mandie looked at Dimar questioningly.

“He is praying,” Dimar whispered.

Mandie smiled and watched as the man sat down. Then Uncle Ned began his speech in Cherokee. His voice was angry and demanding, but Mandie could not understand a thing he was saying.

Dimar leaned toward her and whispered, “He is telling the Cherokees what a disgrace it is that an Indian would kidnap a white boy who is our guest. He also says it is a bad crime to destroy the hospital—Cherokee property.”

Sallie helped with the translation, too. “He is telling the Cherokees that every man, woman, and child must stop whatever he is doing and join the search,” she whispered. “Nothing else is to be done until Joe is found.”

Mandie silently looked around the council house. The Cherokees were listening to every word and nodding in agreement.

Uncle Ned concluded his speech with some loud, angry words. The Cherokees rose to their feet and echoed whatever he had said. As they sat back down, Uncle Ned beckoned to Mandie to come forward.

Her heart beat rapidly. Must she go up there before all these people? She had done it once before but she was so frightened, she could hardly speak. She hesitated, but Uncle Ned called loudly, “Come, Papoose.”

Sallie and Dimar pulled her to her feet and pushed her out into the aisle.

“But what does he want with me?” she whispered.

“He wants you to speak to your people,” Sallie replied.

“Go. He is waiting,” Dimar urged.

Uncle Ned stepped down from the platform to meet Mandie on the way. Taking her small white trembling hand in his old wrinkled one, he led her up on the platform by his side.

“Must tell Cherokees you want their help,” Uncle Ned said softly.

Mandie looked at him and smiled. She could do that.

“My people,” she began in a weak, shaky voice. “Please help me find my dear friend, Joe Woodard. The same terrible people who have been tearing down the walls of your hospital have taken my friend.” Her voice grew stronger as she continued. “We must find Joe first, and then catch the crooks. We must put a stop to their destructive work and get the hospital built before someone really needs it. Will you help me, please?”

She paused, and Uncle Ned translated her speech into Cherokee. Instantly, the Indians stood and applauded wildly, stomping their feet and chanting.

Tears glistened in Mandie's eyes as she smiled and motioned for them to sit down.

“Thank you, my people, thank you!” she cried. “I know some of y'all know Dr. Woodard, Joe's father, but I want him to come up here and let everyone meet him. Dr. Woodard?”

While Uncle Ned translated, Mandie motioned for Dr. Woodard to join her. Dr. Woodard looked startled, but after an awkward silence, he got to his feet and walked rapidly to the platform.

“I know a white man is not supposed to speak at a council meeting, but Dr. Woodard is no ordinary white man,” Mandie began again, pausing after every few words for Uncle Ned to translate. “First of all, he's Joe's father and he is the best friend the Cherokees ever had. Without his doctoring, many Cherokees would have died. And he will be in charge of the hospital when it is finished. Now, here he is,” she said.

When Uncle Ned finished translating, the crowd again stood, this time to welcome the doctor. Then they sat back down.

Beads of sweat formed on Dr. Woodard's brow as he stepped forward nervously. “Thank you, my dear friends,” he said loudly. Uncle Ned translated again. “I know you will do everything possible to find my son, Joe. I have faith in you. And when the person or persons
responsible for destroying the hospital walls is caught, I hope you mete out a stiff punishment. Thank you.”

As the crowd again clapped, and stomped, and beat on the boards of the benches, Mandie turned to Uncle Ned. “May we sit down now?” she asked.

“Go, sit, Papoose. Doctor, sit,” he said, smiling.

When Mandie and Dr. Woodard had returned to their seats, Uncle Ned quieted the crowd. “Now we vote to find Joe,” he said in both Cherokee and English, obviously wanting everyone present to know what was happening. “Everyone who say yes raise hand.”

It looked as though all the Cherokees in the audience raised their hands except Tsa'ni and the boys with him.

“Now everyone who say no raise hand,” the old man said.

There was complete silence. Mandie turned slightly and gasped as Tsa'ni and the two boys raised their hands.

Uncle Ned looked directly at the boys in disgust. “Why you raise hand no?” he asked.

The three stood up.

Tsa'ni spoke in English. “We think the Cherokee gods are tearing down the hospital and would not like our interference.”

Everyone stared at him in silence.

“No Cherokee gods,” Uncle Ned said angrily. “Only one God, Big God. You know that.”

“That is what the white man wants you to believe,” Tsa'ni replied. “Do not forget the Big God is the white man's God.”

Mandie jumped up. “That is not so, Tsa'ni, and you know it!” she yelled. “There is only one God. You are just trying to confuse things. I think you are the one who is tearing down the walls. And I believe you also know what happened to Joe.”

“I am not tearing down walls,” Tsa'ni argued. “But if I knew who it was, I would help them destroy the white man's building. And Joe got lost somewhere because he is not man enough to take care of himself,” the Indian boy scoffed.

Trembling with anger, Uncle Ned yelled at Tsa'ni in Cherokee. Mandie couldn't understand but Tsa'ni did. He plopped down on the bench and said no more.

Mandie sat down and looked at Sallie. “What did Uncle Ned say to him?” she asked.

“He said unless Tsa'ni repents and believes in the Big God, his soul will burn in hell forever,” Sallie explained. “And if he is involved in this crime in any way, he will be severely punished.”

As Uncle Ned continued to speak in Cherokee, Dimar told her that Uncle Ned was explaining how to go about the search.

Finally Uncle Ned stepped to the edge of the platform and raised his hand. He said something softly in Cherokee, and the crowd stood. Looking toward Mandie and then the sky, he said loudly in English, “Big God, we ask help to find doctor boy and to stop crook.” Then he began praying in Cherokee so the people could understand him.

They all raised their faces upward.

Mandie squeezed Sallie's hand on one side and Dimar's on the other as she prayed silently,
Dear God, please help us find Joe. Guide our footsteps in the right direction, and help us stop the crooks from tearing down the hospital. I know you will help us. You always do. I love you, dear God. Amen
.

As the meeting broke up, Mandie felt a heavy burden lift from her heart. She knew God would answer her prayers. She didn't know how, but she knew she could depend on Him.

CHAPTER EIGHT

TROUBLE FOR MANDIE AND SALLIE

Just as Mandie came out of the council house, Uncle Wirt grabbed Tsa'ni by the shoulders and shook him so hard his head wobbled. The whole time he was screaming at his grandson in Cherokee.

Everyone stood back watching. No one spoke.

Uncle Ned stepped forward and laid a hand on Uncle Wirt's arm. “Must go now,” Uncle Ned told him. “Go search.”

Uncle Wirt dropped his hands and nodded in assent. Tsa'ni quickly turned to leave.

“Tsa'ni,” Mandie called to him. “I still believe you know where Joe is, and if you don't tell us, you're going to be awfully sorry.”

“Ask your Big God where he is. You say He knows everything,” Tsa'ni called back, disappearing into the crowd.

“He is a bad Cherokee,” Sallie repeated.

“He does not like white people,” Dimar said. “He is afraid they will change the way of life for the Cherokees. He does not realize the Cherokees must learn better ways of living.”

“I think the hospital will be the best thing that ever happened to the Cherokees,” Sallie said.

“We'll get it built in spite of all this trouble,” Mandie assured them. “God will help us.”

Elizabeth caught up with Mandie as the young people walked toward Uncle Ned's wagon. “I am proud of you, Amanda,” Elizabeth told her daughter. “That was an impressive speech you made. I know the Cherokees will find Joe, wherever he is.”

“Thank you, Mother,” Mandie said, smiling up at her. “May I go with the Cherokees on their search?”

“I don't think they will want you to, Amanda. Your Uncle John says that the men will begin first, and if necessary the women will join in later, and then maybe the children,” her mother said.

“But, Mother, when the women join in, I should also help,” Mandie argued.

“We'll talk about it later, dear,” said Elizabeth, starting toward Uncle Wirt's wagon.

Mandie followed her mother and climbed into Uncle Ned's wagon with Sallie and Dimar. As she sat down, Mandie let out a big sigh.

Sallie patted Mandie's hand. “I know you are disappointed, Mandie, but it is better this way,” Sallie tried to comfort her friend.

“The men can move faster without the women,” Dimar added. “And I promise to let you know the minute we find Joe.”

“You're going with Uncle Ned and the men?” Mandie asked.

“Yes. As soon as we take y'all home, we will meet the other men at the hospital and start searching from there,” the Indian boy explained.

“But you aren't really a full-grown man, Dimar,” Mandie teased.

“The Cherokees consider me a man. I am now thirteen years old,” Dimar said solemnly.

Just then Uncle Ned came and helped Morning Star onto the seat of the wagon. Then he harnessed his horses.

Climbing into the wagon, he looked at the young people. “We hurry now. We go home,” he said. Picking up the reins, he turned the wagon onto the road.

Mandie was sitting in the wagon bed behind Uncle Ned. “Thank you, Uncle Ned,” she called to him. “Thank you for asking all the Cherokees to join in the search for Joe.”

“Doctor boy friend of Papoose. I promise Jim Shaw I watch over Papoose when he go to happy hunting ground,” the old man explained. “We find doctor boy for sad Papoose.”

Mandie smiled. “Thank you, Uncle Ned. I love every one of those Cherokee people. After all, they are my people, too.”

Sallie gave Mandie a hug. “We all love you, too, Mandie.”

Dimar smiled at her. “Yes, we do.”

Mandie blushed. Dimar was good-looking and awfully nice. She looked down.

Dimar sensed her discomfort. “We will find Joe for you,” he promised. “And the crooks, too.”

“Thank you, Dimar. You are truly a friend,” Mandie said.

“If I am in the group that finds Joe, I will let you know myself, I promise,” he said.

Uncle Ned looked back at Mandie. “If I find doctor boy
I
bring him to Papoose,” he called to her over the rattle of the wagon. “We hurry fast.” He whipped the reins, and the horses sped off down the road.

When they reached Uncle Ned's house, Morning Star ran into the cabin and quickly began packing food for the men.

Uncle Ned was already unharnessing the horses by the time Uncle Wirt and his wagonload had arrived. Elizabeth went inside to help Morning Star, and the girls stood around in the way, not knowing what to do.

Dimar brought fresh horses from the pasture for the three men and himself and tethered them at the door. The girls went outside to wait with him until the men came outside and prepared to leave.

“Please be careful,” Mandie called to them as they mounted their horses.