The Mandie Collection by Lois Gladys Leppard Read Free Book Online

what?”
    Dimar laughed. “Now, you know that is fried chicken,” he said. “Can you not smell it?”
    Joe spread the cloth on the steps and laid out the food. “I guess so, but I just plain don’t like some of those other things that Morning Star cooks up. I’m not used to it,” Joe told him.
    â€œLike we Cherokees are not used to some things that the white people eat.” Dimar laughed. “But I think we both like fried chicken, and Morning Star knows that.”
    â€œDo you think she notices when there are some things I don’t eat at her house?” Joe asked, alarmed.
    â€œYes, she notices, and she understands. So she tries to please you,” Dimar explained.
    â€œGoodness. I guess I’m a lot of trouble then,” Joe said. “No more than anyone else,” Dimar assured him.
    Joe hungrily ate the chicken with his fingers, cramming in a bite of biscuit now and then, and drinking a little coffee to wash it all down.
    â€œI suppose one of us ought to stay at the front of the building and the other one at the back. That way it would be easier to see anyone who comes up,” Joe suggested.
    â€œYes, I will stay at the back, and you stay here at the front,” Dimar agreed. “But we must stay far enough back in the bushes so no one will see us.”
    Joe looked concerned. “I hope they don’t see the horses.”
    â€œI do not think they will if the horses will just be contented to stay quietly down by the creek,” the Indian boy said. “If one of us sees someone coming here to do damage, we must let the other one know. Then one of us will ride quickly to get Mr. Shaw and the others.”
    So it was agreed. The two boys walked quietly back and forth in the bushes, keeping an eye on the building. Now and then they would meet each other and turn back. They talked very little and then only in low whispers.
    It grew dark. The birds settled down for the night. Frogs began croaking along the creek. Here and there lightning bugs flashed their lights. The scent of clean creek water drifted into the air. The horses seemed to be well satisfied as they continued to graze in the darkness. The two boys grew bored and weary.
    Joe stopped Dimar as they met in the bushes on one of their patrols. “How about some of that sweetcake and coffee that we’ve got left?” he whispered softly.
    â€œThat sounds good,” said Dimar.
    â€œI’ll get it,” Joe volunteered. Groping his way through the bushes to the basket they had hung on a tree limb near the horses, he took it down and hurried back uphill.
    Sitting down by Dimar, who sat waiting in the woods, Joe uncovered the basket.
    â€œIt’s so dark, I can’t see too well,” Joe told him. “But take what you want and then I’ll get mine.” He held out the basket.
    â€œHere is a piece of the cake,” said Dimar, feeling around in the dark basket. “And I think this is the jar of coffee I was drinking out of before.”
    â€œAnd I’ll have the same,” Joe said, reaching inside. He took a big bite of cake. “Mmm, this is good,” he said.
    â€œIt will help us stay awake and alert,” the Indian boy said.
    â€œI can—” Joe began to speak and then stopped, motioning Dimar to silence. “Listen,” he whispered.
    Someone was walking through the brush. The boys dropped their cake back into the basket and rose to their feet. The footsteps came closer.
    â€œThere is more than one person,” Dimar whispered in Joe’s ear. Then there was a loud bang as something crashed against the wooden walls of the hospital.
    â€œQuick! You go for the men! You ride faster than I do,” Joe told Dimar in a low whisper. “I’ll stay here and watch.”
    â€œDo not let them see you,” Dimar warned as he ran for one of the horses nearby.
    Joe stood frozen to the spot. Dimar was so quiet that Joe didn’t