Sunday, June 14, 2009

Chapter four: A Gypsy

Megan and Jonathan shivered with fright. "Come out of the cave, little girl who was looking for her brother," called a monotonous voice from the outside. Megan and Jonathan stepped out into the bright sunlight. "What do you need with us?" Megan asked in a small voice. "Come with me, girl. I see you found your brother. He may come as well," The gypsy took Megan and Jonathan's hands and marched towards the meadow. "I am taking you to my people. They live in a cave much like this one. It is a day's journey. We will stop for the night in the forest," the gypsy spoke in short, sure sentences. Megan looked worriedly into Jonathan's eyes. "What have we gotten ourselves into?" Megan whispered. "I don't know," Jonathan shook his head. Megan and Jonathan would whisper to each other every now and then, trying to divise a plan of escape from the gypsy. "We should leave a note to Mom and Dad somehow," Megan whispered and quickly looked away from Jonathan because the gypsy was looking at her. About a minute later Jonathan was able to answer her. "When we set up camp we'll have to figure out a way." The trio walked on untill sunset. The gypsy gave them some berries from the forest and boiled some sort of roots. Megan and Jonathan were so hungry that they didn't care how bad the roots tasted. Soon they were so tired that they forgot all about their note to their parents...
~Julie

Chapter three: The Disappearing Woman

Megan rushed over to Jonathan and hugged him. He looked tired, hungry, and he needed a bath! Megan asked him what happened. Jonathan said that he had seen a strange women over by their house. I walked over to her and asked what she was doing. All the sudden she disappeared. I heard a noise in the woods and went to see who it was. It was the strange, disappearing, gypsy lady. I followed her deep into the forest. For a while she just stared into space. And then she took a nap. When she got up she walked over to a vine covered cliff and whispered "open cave of my people". And all the sudden there was a cave. I followed her into it and then he hid in the shadows. All around of me there were dozens of Gypsy's. They were wearing tons of jewelry. Then, when I was about to leave a coughed. The women came and grabbed me. I got away and ran towards the opening but it closed. Then the lady took me into this room. I had only been here for a hour or two when you got here. Megan glanced around and then she said "lets go". But Jonathan whispered terrified, "someone is coming".
*Marie*

Chapter two: Jonathan?

Megan gasped and looked around for a trace of the strange woman. But then, like magic, there was the cave! Megan knew there was no such thing as magic, but who was that woman, and where was Jonathan?!? Megan sprinted to the cave, hoping she would find her brother there. "Jonathan?" Megan called his name multiple times. All of a sudden she heard a slight noise, coming from deep inside the cave. What was it? "J-Jonathan?" Megan whispered. It was very dark in the cave but Megan was detemined to find her now lost brother. She walked farther, and farther, but still no sign of Jonathan. All of a sudden she heard a noise again, but this time it was louder. Soon she saw light, like a fire. As she came around the corner she saw him. "Jonathan! Where have you been?!?"*Julie*

Chapter one: The Deepest, Darkest Cave

Jonathan, Where are you? Megan called. Megan searched and searched but could not find her brother. Its lunch time, she shouted. This usually brought him on the run, he loved to eat. But there was no answer. So she went inside and reported to her Mom that she could not find Jonathan. So, Mrs.Burns told her to take Jordan (their dog) and a small basket with food and try to find him. Megan searched and searched but to no avail. Jonathan had disappeared! She was looking in the nearby woods when she got the feeling that someone was watching her. Slowly she turned around there right in front of her was a gypsy! The gypsy talked in a cackling voice, and said clearly for such an old lady "you will find Jonathan in the Deep Dark Cave, but watch out for the-" and then she vanished!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Keen River's Destiny

Chapter One
Little river! Rain! Come to the tepee," White Braids, their Kautsa (grandmother) called. "Coming Kautsa!" They called back, they loved the time of day when they got to sit in the tepee with Kautsa and work on their baskets. It was almost time for berry picking so they had been working more time each day on baskets. Everyday Kautsa told then a different story. Today she told them about when she got lost in the woods with her friend and came face to face with some of the stick people! Soon it was time for dinner, they had dried samon and finger cakes. Rain loved finger cakes. Long after everyone had gone to sleep, Little River sat up in bed, something wasn't right. She sniffed the air and ran across the camp where her Toe-Ta (father )was keeping gaurd. "Toe-Ta! Fire!"

Chapter Two
Toe-Ta ran around the small village yelling fire,fire! A couple dozen Indian braves ran to the burning tepees and started beating out the raging flames! After a a few minutes which seemed like hours to Little River, and Rain, they fire was finally put out. Exhausted the braves went back to their tepees and slept until early dawn, which would be 4:00. Early the next morning Little River was given a a shark necklace for her attentiveness. Her name was changed to Keen River. Her kausta made her a new dress, and the whole tribe had a ceremony for her renaming. When Keen River turned twelve, which would be in two moons (months), she would be a woman. She would start making clay pots, making dresses, and deer skinning. That night as they went to sleep Keen River dreamed that one day she would be a healer. Would her dream come true? Would her kautsa let her train under the wise herb woman? Only the future held the answers.

Chapter Three
One moon passed with much wondering from Keen River. "My dear, what's troubling you?" Kautsa asked Keen River one day. "Well, um... Kautsa, when I'm twelve, may I train from the Herb woman?" she asked. "Why don't we go ask her now." Kautsa said. "Good morning White Braids, and is it? Yes, Keen River." Brown Deer, the herb woman was blind and know one knew how she could cure things, but she did. Somehow she sensed Keen River and White Braids coming in. "Keen River wanted to ask if she might train from you when she becomes a woman." White Braids said. "Why, of course. Keen River would be a perfect Herb woman, she is a very brave girl." Brown Deer declared. "Oh, thank you Brown Deer! When may I start?" One week after you become a woman." The old indian said. Keen river was very excited about becoming a woman and training from the Herb woman. Keen river, Rain, and Kautsa worked very hard making new dresses for Keen River's cermony.

Chapter Four
That night was Keen Rivers ceremony! Her dress was finished, her hair was combed and neatly braided with rawhide string. The young braves were gathering fire for that night. They were going to have a huge bon fire, and eating, and dancing!!! Soon the evening came. Keen River and her kausta came out of their tepee and walked to the seat of honor beside the chief (Keen Rivers father). Her father gave a speech and and presented her with the beautiful necklace! She was now a young woman! After the necklace giving, the fun began. Keen River danced with a young Indian brave named Red Hawk, he was a very good dancer and very polite! Keen River liked him a lot. After dinner everyone danced some more and then they went home. Except for Red Hawk, who went to talk to the chief about Keen River.

Chapter Five
That night was Keen Rivers ceremony! Her dress was finished, her hair was combed and neatly braided with rawhide string. The young braves were gathering fire for that night. They were going to have a huge bon fire, and eating, and dancing!!! Soon the evening came. Keen River and her kausta came out of their tepee and walked to the seat of honor beside the chief (Keen Rivers father). Her father gave a speech and and presented her with the beautiful necklace! She was now a young woman! After the necklace giving, the fun began. Keen River danced with a young Indian brave named Red Hawk, he was a very good dancer and very polite! Keen River liked him a lot. After dinner everyone danced some more and then they went home. Except for Red Hawk, who went to talk to the chief about Keen River.

Chapter Six
Keen River watched her father's face and asked, is everything well? Her father declared everything is fine. Now do you like Red Hawk? Keen River asked, what does Red Hawk have to do with this? Toe-Ta answered, he has asked if you will marry him in half a moon. Keen River , whispered, let me think about it, and then she walked away. Soon She went to Red Hawks hut, they talked for a while then Keen river went home. She told her father that in six moons she would marry Red Hawk, but no sooner. Keen River wanted to train under the herb women before she was married. Toe-Ta agreed that six moons was reasonable and so the date was set. Red Hawk brought twelve horses in payment for Keen River. Little did the tribe expect what tomorrow would bring

Chapter Seven
Good morning, Keen River. We shall now start your training!" Brown Deer said. She showed her different roots, what they were called, their uses, and how to use them. "This one, you grind into powder, then sprinkle it on the wound." Brown Deer explained to her. At mid afternoon, Brown Deer made some finger cakes for their lunch. They ate then went down to the river to find a certain kind of root. Keen River lead her horse, Mistic around to Brown Deer's tepee. They climbed on and rode down to the river. "This herb you can only find at the river, you will see three or four green stalks, to make sure it's what you want, break off the edge of one and smell it." Keen River smelled it and said "wild onion." "Excactly" Brown Deer replyed. She showed her a few more herbs and at Sundown they headed back to the camp. Keen River was very excited about all she had learned, she couldn't wait to use her new skills. But when it was time to, would she still want to be an herb woman?

Chapter Eight
Soon it was time for Keen River's wedding, she was so excited! That night around a enormous bon fire they danced, talked, told story's, and ate. Then it was the necklace exchange. Red hawk put a beautiful shell necklace around both of their necks, then Toe-Ta gave them his blessings. Late that night Keen River and Red Hawk walked back to their tepee as happy as could be. They had been given clay pots, shells, skins, knives, and other Lovely gifts. Then they went to bed.
The End
By Julie and Marie

Friday, October 31, 2008

Chapter Eight

Soon it was time for Keen River's wedding, she was so excited! That night around a enormous bon fire they danced, talked, told story's, and ate. Then it was the necklace exchange. Red hawk put a beautiful shell necklace around both of their necks, then Toe-Ta gave them his blessings. Late that night Keen River and Red Hawk walked back to their tepee as happy as could be. They had been given clay pots, shells, skins, knives, and other Lovely gifts. Then they went to bed.
*Marie*
The End.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Chapter Seven

"Good morning, Keen River. We shall now start your training!" Brown Deer said. She showed her different roots, what they were called, their uses, and how to use them. "This one, you grind into powder, then sprinkle it on the wound." Brown Deer explained to her. At mid afternoon, Brown Deer made some finger cakes for their lunch. They ate then went down to the river to find a certain kind of root. Keen River lead her horse, Mistic around to Brown Deer's tepee. They climbed on and rode down to the river. "This herb you can only find at the river, you will see three or four green stalks, to make sure it's what you want, break off the edge of one and smell it." Keen River smelled it and said "wild onion." "Excactly" Brown Deer replyed. She showed her a few more herbs and at Sundown they headed back to the camp. Keen River was very excited about all she had learned, she couldn't wait to use her new skills. But when it was time to, would she still want to be an herb woman?
*Julie*

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Chapter Six

Keen River watched her father's face and asked, is everything well? Her father declared everything is fine. Now do you like Red Hawk? Keen River asked, what does Red Hawk have to do with this? Toe-Ta answered, he has asked if you will marry him in half a moon. Keen River , whispered, let me think about it, and then she walked away. Soon She went to Red Hawks hut, they talked for a while then Keen river went home. She told her father that in six moons she would marry Red Hawk, but no sooner. Keen River wanted to train under the herb women before she was married. Toe-Ta agreed that six moons was reasonable and so the date was set. Red Hawk brought twelve horses in payment for Keen River. Little did the tribe expect what tomorrow would bring.
YMarie

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Chapter five

Keen River, Rain, and Kausta were finished with their baskets and were about to go berry picking with the rest of the tribe. "Keen River, come please," Toe-Ta said. "Yes Toe-Ta?" "I'd like for you to stay behind from the berry picking, I have something to talk about with you," Toe-Ta lead her to the tepee. what have I done wrong? Keen River wondered. Meanwhile Rain and White Braids were picking berries with Brown Deer and her grand-daugher, White Rabbit. "I heard that Keen River is going to train from my grandmother, it'll be so wonderful because I'll get to see her a lot," White Rabbit said to Rain. "Yes, she's very excited!" Rain said. All of a sudden they heard a woman scream "Wolf!" White Rabbit and Rain helped White Braids and Brown Deer up and ran to the tepee, trying to keep from spilling the berries, but it was no use. Red Hawk grabbed his knife and chased the wolf away. Everyone cheered for him. Toe-Ta said, Red Hawk has asked me something,"
Julie

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Chapter Four

That night was Keen Rivers ceremony! Her dress was finished, her hair was combed and neatly braided with rawhide string. The young braves were gathering fire for that night. They were going to have a huge bon fire, and eating, and dancing!!! Soon the evening came. Keen River and her kausta came out of their tepee and walked to the seat of honor beside the chief (Keen Rivers father). Her father gave a speech and and presented her with the beautiful necklace! She was now a young woman! After the necklace giving, the fun began. Keen River danced with a young Indian brave named Red Hawk, he was a very good dancer and very polite! Keen River liked him a lot. After dinner everyone danced some more and then they went home. Except for Red Hawk, who went to talk to the chief about Keen River.
Marie

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Chapter three

One moon passed with much wondering from Keen River. "My dear, what's troubling you?" Kautsa asked Keen River one day. "Well, um... Kautsa, when I'm twelve, may I train from the Herb woman?" she asked. "Why don't we go ask her now." Kautsa said. "Good morning White Braids, and is it? Yes, Keen River." Brown Deer, the herb woman was blind and know one knew how she could cure things, but she did. Somehow she sensed Keen River and White Braids coming in. "Keen River wanted to ask if she might train from you when she becomes a woman." White Braids said. "Why, of course. Keen River would be a perfect Herb woman, she is a very brave girl." Brown Deer declared. "Oh, thank you Brown Deer! When may I start?" One week after you become a woman." The old indian said. Keen river was very excited about becoming a woman and training from the Herb woman. Keen river, Rain, and Kautsa worked very hard making new dresses for Keen River's cermony.
^Julie^

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Chapter two

Toe-Ta ran around the small village yelling fire,fire! A couple dozen Indian braves ran to the burning tepees and started beating out the raging flames! After a a few minutes which seemed like hours to Little River, and Rain, they fire was finally put out. Exhausted the braves went back to their tepees and slept until early dawn, which would be 4:00. Early the next morning Little River was given a a shark necklace for her attentiveness. Her name was changed to Keen River. Her kausta made her a new dress, and the whole tribe had a ceremony for her renaming. When Keen River turned twelve, which would be in two moons (months), she would be a woman. She would start making clay pots, making dresses, and deer skinning. That night as they went to sleep Keen River dreamed that one day she would be a healer. Would her dream come true? Would her kautsa let her train under the wise herb woman? Only the future held the answers.
.Marie.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Chapter one

"Little river! Rain! Come to the tepee," White Braids, their Kautsa (grandmother) called. "Coming Kautsa!" They called back, they loved the time of day when they got to sit in the tepee with Kautsa and work on their baskets. It was almost time for berry picking so they had been working more time each day on baskets. Everyday Kautsa told then a different story. Today she told them about when she got lost in the woods with her friend and came face to face with some of the stick people! Soon it was time for dinner, they had dried samon and finger cakes. Rain loved finger cakes. Long after everyone had gone to sleep, Little River sat up in bed, something wasn't right. She sniffed the air and ran across the camp where her Toe-Ta (father )was keeping gaurd. "Toe-Ta! Fire!"
YJulie

The Frontier Family

By Marie and Julie.

Boom, crash!! Thunder, wind, lighting , and torrents of rain filled the sky. All the children rushed inside, they were so scared. These children lived on the frontier with their parents and grandma. The children's names were John, Shayla, Peter, and Nicola. The rain continued long into the night, making sleep useless, (except for Nicola). The next morning John and Shayla ran outside to see what damage had been done. The were shocked when they stepped out of the small, shabby, yet clean log cabin. Branches were everywhere, the chicken coop had a large hole in it, and the barn door was torn off. The garden was completely ruined except for the underground vegetables. John went to the barn and Shayla and Mother who had joined them went to the chicken coop. The corrals with the cows and horses were fine! Father and John fixed the barn door while the others made breakfast. The chicken were gone, so no more eggs until they had enough money to buy more chickens. Father decided that John should work at the General Store in exchange for vegetables and eggs. John would also earn 10 cents a week. So after breakfast John started down the muddy, long, tiring, road to the General Store.

Chapter Two.

John spent most of the day working at Pete's General Store. Peter helped his father a lot more now that John was gone. Shayla would help her mama and grandma cook, clean, and watch Nicola. At five o'clock when John came home, Shayla rushed up to him. "John!" she said out of breath. "Tomorrow, we are going cherry picking at Mary's, can you come?" "I don't think so, I have to work and I don't think Mr. Peter would let me take tomorrow off, he said he's getting a big load of supplies for the store." John said. "Well, I'll pick plenty of cherries to make you a cherry pie." Shayla said. John went inside, exhausted by the day's work.The next day Shayla, Mary, Mary's mama, Shayla's mama and Grandma went to pick cherries. John woke up early and went to town to unload another delivery. They picked enough to last them all winter for cherry pies, cobblers, and just plain cherries. Shayla knew how much John and Peter liked cherries, so she packed her pockets full with cherries for them. That night they had fresh cherry pie made by grandma.

Chapter Three.

The next day after lunch the family had school lessons until 2:00, then John then went back to work and the girls canned cherries. While the girls canned cherries, they sang songs and made funny faces. The family went swimming. Nicola did not swim though. Grandma watched her. Nicola was two. At the pond they had a picnic. In the state of Mississippi, it was hot, hot, hot! They had so much fun at the pond, Peter found two turtles!!! The named the turtles Tip, and Tuck. They had sandwiches and cherry cobbler. They also had carrots and turnips. Nicola wondered off near the woods. All the sudden Shayla screamed! There right in front of Nicola was a huge rattlesnake!

Chapter Four.

The light brown rattlesnake was in the S position, ready to strike little Nicola. John rushed to see what Shayla was screaming about when he saw the poiseness snake before Nicola. "Run Shayla!" He whispered. Shayla wouldn't move, she was staring at Nicola. John grabbed Nicola and carried her to safety. Shayla ran after John to where her parents were. Father got his ax and killed the poisones rattlesnake. After that, the family packed up and went home which took them about ten minutes. Peter brought home one turtle, the one he named Tuck, he was going to let it free the next day. For supper Grandma cooked hasty pudding with maple syrup, a favorite by all of the children! Since it was a Friday night, the children were allowed to stay up half and hour later, except Nicola, who didn't care anyway. Father read from the newspaper while Mother and Shayla knitted. John whittled with his knife and Peter worked on his whip for training his calves. He would never hit Penny or Pet with the whip, he'd just crack it to get them going. All the children went to bed and slept soundly.

Chapter Five.

Early the next morning John woke up remembering that it was his birthday! John was thirteen! For a celebration they had pancakes and maple syrup. John also got a fishing poll and a new knife to whittle with. John did not go to work that day, instead he went fishing. For lunch they had a mess of trout. John carved Shayla and Nicola dolls, and Peter a whistle. That night Shayla gave John a scarf she had knitted. Peter and John went to the barn to feed the animals and when they opened the door, they heard a faint meowing. John silently climbed up to the hayloft and looked around. On a pile of clothes and hay lay seven kittens! Peter ran inside to tell the others. They named the kittens, Lucy, Tom, Tootsie, Storm, Sarah, Hope, and and Tiger. Quietly they left the loft and then went to bed.

Chapter Six.

The next day Mr. Peter let John off work early since he was working so hard. John ran home so fast that he almost dropped his wages. "Father? May I go fishing with my new pole?" John asked when he got home. "After you do your evening chores around the house, you mother's not feeling well." Father answered. John fed the chickens and gave them fresh water, cleaned out the horses stalls and milked the cow, Buttercup. Half an hour later he was walking down the road to the pond with little Nicola tagging along. He didn't really want to bring Nicola but he didn't really have a choice, with Mother in bed, Shayla cooking supper, and Peter doing everyone's chores, John was left with the task of watching Nicola. "I see fish!" Nicola said excitedly. "Shh Nicola, you see, you just be really quiet and when you see one trying to get the bait just tell me." John whispered to Nicola. Soon he had caught two fat trout, enough for the whole family's supper tomorrow! He put Nicola on his shoulders and went down the dirt road towards home. Mother wasn't feeling well for the next few days, and Father needed to go to another farm ten miles away to breed Buttercup. It was now up to the children to cook, clean, and watch Nicola for their Mother while Father was gone.

Chapter Seven.

Early the next morning the children's father set out for the farm, he would be leaving the cow at the farm for a week, but he would come back the next day. As soon as John said good bye to his father he went to the barn and did his chores. Shayla made breakfast while Nicola and Peter slept. Soon Peter and Nicola were awoke and then they ate the oatmeal that Shayla made and did chores and school. John and Shayla were worried about their Mother, she was getting sicker as the day went on. That afternoon John went to Dr. Minses house to see if he could come look at Mother. Dr. Minses came and looked at Mother and said that she had appendicitis, and that she needed to go to the hospital.

Chapter Eight.

The doctor came by early the next morning to pick up mother. Shayla was cooking a big lunch for when father came home and John and Peter were watching Nicola and doing all the chores at the same time. Soon father came home. All the children rushed to meet him. They were so excited that her was home!! When he got inside he asked where was mother? "You said she wasn't feeling well, and she just got sicker and sicker so the Doctor came by and said she needed to have her appendix taken out," John said. Father ate a bite then rushed to the hospital to see mother. Hours passed and John, Shayla, Peter, and Nicola were getting restless. After what seemed like forever, father came home-with mother!!! He gave them the happy news that mother's surgery had gone well, and that she was going to have a baby! All the children nearly screamed with excitement! They were one happy family! THE END

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Chapter eight

The doctor came by early the next morning to pick up mother. Shayla was cooking a big lunch for when father came home and John and Peter were watching Nicola and doing all the chores at the same time. Soon father came home. All the children rushed to meet him. They were so excited that her was home!! When he got inside he asked where was mother? "You said she wasn't feeling well, and she just got sicker and sicker so the Doctor came by and said she needed to have her appendix taken out," John said. Father ate a bite then rushed to the hospital to see mother. Hours passed and John, Shayla, Peter, and Nicola were getting restless. After what seemed like forever, father came home-with mother!!! He gave them the happy news that mother's surgery had gone well, and that she was going to have a baby! All the children nearly screamed with excitement! They were one happy family!
THE END
by Julie and Marie

Monday, September 29, 2008

Chapter Seven

Early the next morning the children's father set out for the farm, he would be leaving the cow at the farm for a week, but he would come back the next day. As soon as John said good bye to his father he went to the barn and did his chores. Shayla made breakfast while Nicola and Peter slept. Soon Peter and Nicola were awoke and then they ate the oatmeal that Shayla made and did chores and school. John and Shayla were worried about their Mother, she was getting sicker as the day went on. That afternoon John went to Dr. Minses house to see if he could come look at Mother. Dr. Minses came and looked at Mother and said that she had appendicitis, and that she needed to go to the hospital.
Marie

Chapter six

The next day Mr. Peter let John off work early since he was working so hard. John ran home so fast that he almost dropped his wages. "Father? May I go fishing with my new pole?" John asked when he got home. "After you do your evening chores around the house, you mother's not feeling well." Father answered. John fed the chickens and gave them fresh water, cleaned out the horses stalls and milked the cow, Buttercup. Half an hour later he was walking down the road to the pond with little Nicola tagging along. He didn't really want to bring Nicola but he didn't really have a choice, with Mother in bed, Shayla cooking supper, and Peter doing everyone's chores, John was left with the task of watching Nicola. "I see fish!" Nicola said excitedly. "Shh Nicola, you see, you just be really quiet and when you see one trying to get the bait just tell me." John whispered to Nicola. Soon he had caught two fat trout, enough for the whole family's supper tomorrow! He put Nicola on his shoulders and went down the dirt road towards home. Mother wasn't feeling well for the next few days, and Father needed to go to another farm ten miles away to breed Buttercup. It was now up to the children to cook, clean, and watch Nicola for their Mother while Father was gone.
Julie.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Chapter five

Early the next morning John woke up remembering that it was his birthday! John was thirteen! For a celebration they had pancakes and maple syrup. John also got a fishing poll and a new knife to whittle with. John did not go to work that day, instead he went fishing. For lunch they had a mess of trout. John carved Shayla and Nicola dolls, and Peter a whistle. That night Shayla gave John a scarf she had knitted. Peter and John went to the barn to feed the animals and when they opened the door, they heard a faint meowing. John silently climbed up to the hayloft and looked around. On a pile of clothes and hay lay seven kittens! Peter ran inside to tell the others. They named the kittens, Lucy, Tom, Tootsie, Storm, Sarah, Hope, and and Tiger. Quietly they left the loft and then went to bed.
Marie*

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Chapter four

The light brown rattlesnake was in the S position, ready to strike little Nicola. John rushed to see what Shayla was screaming about when he saw the poisiones snake before Nicola. "Run Shayla!" He whispered. Shayla wouldn't move, she was staring at Nicola. John grabbed Nicola and carried her to safety. Shayla ran after John to where her parents were. Father got his ax and killed the poisones rattlesnake. After that, the family packed up and went home which took them about ten minutes. Peter brought home one turtle, the one he named Tuck, he was going to let it free the next day. For supper Grandma cooked hasty pudding with maple syrup, a favorite by all of the children! Since it was a Friday night, the children were allowed to stay up half and hour later, except Nicola, who didn't care anyway. Father read from the newspaper while Mother and Shayla knitted. John whittled with his knife and Peter worked on his whip for training his calves. He would never hit Penny or Pet with the whip, he'd just crack it to get them going. All the children went to bed and slept soundly.
*Julie*

Chapter Three

The next day after lunch the family had school lessons until 2:00, then John then went back to work and the girls canned cherries. While the girls canned cherries, they sang songs and made funny faces. The family went swimming. Nicola did not swim though. Grandma watched her. Nicola was two. At the pond they had a picnic. In the state of Mississippi, it was hot, hot, hot! They had so much fun at the pond, Peter found two turtles!!! The named the turtles Tip, and Tuck. They had sandwiches and cherry cobbler. They also had carrots and turnips. Nicola wondered off near the woods. All the sudden Shayla screamed! There right in front of Nicola was a huge rattlesnake!
Marie