Hi Everyone! So I'm going to try posting a chapter every 2-3 days. I have limited computer time so bear with me...Anyway enjoy!

Chapter 2: Deep Creek

Mandie looked around. "It looks like we're almost there!" She recognized the area as the place where a panther had nearly killed her when she was younger. Mandie shuddered at the memory.

"Good because I'm almost out of food", Jonathan exclaimed, licking his fingers. Suddenly the wagon ran over a rock and jolted. Joe climbed out to check on the wheel. "It looks like the wheel came loose. How bout' you girls go ahead and walk to Uncle Ned's house since it's not far from here. Jonathan can stay here and help me fix the wheel."

"Why do I have to stay here?" Jonathan complained.

"Because I need you to hold up the wheel while I screw it back in place".

"Fine", Jonathan grumbled. Celia glanced at Mandie.

"Well it's not far off so it should be fine", Celia said. "Let's go!" Mandie agreed. They hadn't walked very far yet when Mandie suddenly spotted a pair of hungry, yellow eyes

glistening down on them from a tree. She screamed and grabbed Celia's hand. The girls started to run but the panther leapt down and prepared to pounce onto them. Almost

immediately, an arrow whizzed through the air and struck the panther, which limped away to die.

"Papoose okay? Mandie heard a familiar voice ask.

"Uncle Ned!" Mandie cried as she ran to hug him.

"Papoose take too long. Ned see if okay."

"Thanks Uncle Ned, I was so scared," Mandie exclaimed.

"Me too", Celia chimed in.

"Where Joe boy and friend?" Uncle Ned asked, looking around.

"Our wagon broke down back there. Joe and Jonathan are fixing it", Mandie explained. They walked down the path until they reached the wagon, which was almost fixed. Celia and Mandie explained to the boys about how the panther had tried to eat them and Uncle Ned saved them.

Joe ran his hand through his hair worriedly.

"Mandie, you and Celia could have gotten hurt!" he exclaimed.

"Well we're fine now", Mandie told him.

"Thanks to Uncle Ned", Celia said.

"I should have sent Jonathan with you not that he'd be much help anyway".

"Hey!"Jonathan exclaimed.

"Papoose come, Morning Star make food. Ready now." Uncle Ned said.

"Oh good, I'm growing hungry again," Jonathan announced.

"Jonathan Guyer, stop thinking about your stomach!" Mandie scolded.

After convincing Uncle Ned to ride in the wagon with them, they started off to Uncle Ned's cabin. It wasn't far, and they arrived quickly. Mandie saw Sallie standing at the front door.

"Sallie!"

"Mandie! Celia! It seems like ages since I saw you!"

Mandie and Celia hugged the Indian girl.

"Where is Morning Star?" asked Mandie.

"Cooking", Sallie replied simply.

Joe and Jonathan unloaded the trunks off the wagon.

"Hi Sallie!" they said.

"It's so good to see everyone. We've all been studying and going to school." Sallie commented eagerly. "Come in"

Mandie spotted Morning Star in the kitchen and ran over to her.

"Morning Star!" The old woman turned and smiled at her. "Love to Papoose," she said.

Mandie grinned at her. "Your english is improving every time I see you", she told Morning Star.

After unpacking their things, Mandie, Celia, Joe and Jonathan joined Sallie and Morning Star in the dining room.

"Whatever this is, it sure smells delicious", Jonathan declared.

"Sure does. I'm starving. I'd eat anything right now", Joe agreed

"Even owl stew?" teased Mandie.

"Maybe not", Joe said.

"So how's school?" Sallie asked. "Did you make any friends?"

"A few", Celia answered. "We had a little incident at school but it's fine now".

"We made friends with Mary Lou and Grace Wilson", Mandie commented.

Morning Star popped her head in the doorway. "Eat"

"Yes! It's time to eat!" Jonathan exclaimed. In his hurry to get to the table, he accidentally tripped over a loose floorboard and a sheet of paper slid to Mandie's feet unnoticed.

"Are you okay?" Celia asked as she and Joe helped Jonathan up. Mandie took the paper and slipped in her pocket. She wondered what it was and planned to read it later.

"Mandie, are you coming?" Sallie called.

"Yes, be right there!"

She scrambled to the dining room and sat down in between Joe and Sallie.

Morning Star set down bowls of fried chicken and soup. The boys ate ravenously. "Wow, this is delicious!" Mandie declared.

"Glad you like it. This is a special recipe from my great-grandmother." Sallie explained.

"Eat", Morning Star ordered. Everyone laughed and finished up their meal. Mandie noticed Joe staring at her while they were eating. She turned pink and looked away. Celia,

who sat across from Mandie, grinned at her.

That night, Sallie, Mandie and Celia stayed up late talking.

"Mandie, did you see Joe staring at you the whole time?" Celia teased. Sallie giggled. "Yes, I could see that as well".

Mandie groaned. "Did you receive any love letters from Robert yet? I'm sure he misses you terribly," Mandie shot back. Celia blushed.

"What about you, Sallie?" Mandie asked.

"What about me?" Sallie asked hesitantly.

"She means did you meet someone you like", Celia explained.

Sallie turned pink.

"Like Dimar?" Mandie said smiling.

" Oh Mandie!"

As soon as Celia and Sallie had fallen asleep, Mandie crawled out of bed and lit a small candle to read the paper.

'To whomever receives this:

I am sending you on a hunt for the Cherokee heirloom. However, to ensure that it lands in the right hands, only an honest and truthful Cherokee will be able to figure out the

clues. Here is the first clue: Near the place where children learn, underneath a huge tall fern, oldest tree in history, where is the next clue? Talitha Pindar. Mandie thought and

thought then suddenly it dawned on her. But first she would show this to all her friends. She climbed back in bed and fell asleep.