The Mandie Collection Read Online Free PDF Page B

ever heerd of. Fast as we’uns builds it, summins else is atearin’ it down.”
    As the workers stood staring at the mess, Uncle John called to Mandie, and she came to his side. “Amanda, this is Mr. Green,” said Uncle John. “He’s in charge of building this hospital. Mr. Green, this is my niece, Amanda Shaw, who discovered the Cherokees’ gold and is responsible for this hospital being built in the first place,” he said proudly.
    Mandie stepped forward, holding out her small white hand. “How do you do, Mr. Green,” she said, shaking his big rough hand. “I know it’s frustrating to you to have your work undone every night, but we are here to do something about it. And I think we can find a way to stop it.”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Mr. Green said, in awe of the well-spoken young girl who had such a great responsibility. He had heard the whole story.
    Suddenly Mandie saw Dimar emerge from the bushes. His great admiration for her gleamed in his eyes. Mandie immediately dropped her ladylike air as she raced to meet him.
    â€œDimar!” she cried, catching his brown hand in hers. “I’m so glad to see you. It’s been so long.”
    â€œYes, it has been a long time,” Dimar replied, transfixed by her friendly greeting. He withdrew his hand and stepped toward the others. Mandie walked by his side.
    â€œGood morning,” he said to the waiting group. “Either you are early or I am late.”
    â€œWe not here long,” said Uncle Ned as Sallie and Joe greeted the boy.
    â€œDimar, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Uncle John told him.
    â€œYou just missed the excitement,” said Mandie. “Last night someone tied up Kent, over there, and just left him. We found him just a few minutes ago.”
    â€œI promise to stay tonight and watch,” said Dimar. “I will not let them tie me up.”
    â€œI have permission to stay with you, Dimar,” Joe told him. “Between the two of us nothing will happen tonight,” Dimar said. Sallie smiled at Tsa’ni, who was standing nearby. “Tsa’ni, are you staying with Joe and Dimar also?” she asked.
    Everyone grew silent, waiting for his reply.
    Tsa’ni rubbed the toe of his moccasin in the dirt. “No, I do not wish to stay,” he said.
    The others pretended they had heard nothing and went on discussing the forthcoming night.
    â€œAll right, Mr. Green, we will be back before you quit work at five o’clock,” said Uncle John. “And we’ll do everything possible to catch these vandals tonight.”
    â€œIt sho’ is disgustin’ to do all that hard work and then have somebody tear it all down,” Mr. Green replied. “I sho’ hope you catch ’em, and I hope the punishment ain’t too mild.”
    â€œI can assure you it will be quite severe,” Uncle John promised.
    Uncle Ned examined the splintered boards scattered all around. “No piece of wall good. Must have new boards,” he said, stooping and tossing the wood around.
    â€œWe got a load of boards in the wagon, and we got ’nother one comin,’ ” Mr. Green said. “Sho’ is a waste of money to buy all them boards and have ’em split up that way.”
    Mandie was not worried about the money. The supply of gold seemed endless. “It’s a waste of time, too,” she said. “This hospital needs to be finished so it can be used.”
    â€œUsed?” Joe queried. “Who’s sick?”
    â€œJoe,” Mandie said with irritation, “your father will be coming here at least once a month to keep up with everyone’s health. Besides, we’re going to hire a nurse who will stay here all the time.”
    â€œThis is a wonderful thing for the Cherokees,” Sallie told her.
    â€œHumph!” Tsa’ni grunted.
    Dimar frowned at Tsa’ni. “The Cherokees do get sick