Free The Adventures of Cherokee by Nancy Johnson

water and rest. Late in the night, Cherokee thought he heard someone calling him. He raised his head to look around. Sunee was still asleep. There were no animal sounds tonight. What had he heard? Thinking he had been mistaken, he laid his head back down again and closed his eyes.
    “Cherokee.”
    He heard it again.
    Again he raised his head and looked around. He saw nothing, but decided to get up and look around. Once he stood, he heard it again.
    “Cherokee.”
    “Who is there?” he whispered.
    “It’s me, Grandfather,” said the voice.
    “Grandfather?” he replied.
    “Yes.”
    “Why are you here, Grandfather?” asked Cherokee.
    “To help you,” answered Grandfather.
    “To help me what, Grandfather?” askedCherokee.
    “To help you cross the Father of Waters,” answered the horse spirit.
    “How did you know?”
    “I have been watching you and Sunee for a long time.” He answered. “I have seen both sides of the river and the water in between. I can show you where to swim and where the water is shallow and you can walk. I know where there are sand bars so you can rest when you tire.”
    “Then you are the answer to my prayer to Asga ya galun Latí,” responded Cherokee.
    “Yes, yours and Sunee’s.”
    “Sunee’s?”
    “Yes. Sunee prayed, too. She prayed, as you did, not for safety, but for you to receive wisdom to do the right thing. Because you said your prayers and said them properly, I am able to help you. When you get up in the morning, travel up the river away from the boats and men and their wagons. You will see three logs partly in the water and partly on the land. There will be small animals and birds living in them. It is at this place you will cross.”
    “And we will be safe?”
    “It is a safe place to begin. You must use your strength and wisdom to guide you once you enter the water.”
    Cherokee closed his eyes for a moment to think. Then he opened them and said, “Thank you Grandfather, for talking with me.” But Grandfather had disappeared. Cherokee did not sleep anymore that night.
     

-9-The Great Mississippi River  
    Cherokee heard the first faint sounds of the men as they began to stir in the camp below. He nuzzled Sunee awake. She stood, shook dead leaves and grass from her thick winter hair and side by side they walked to the river for a drink.
    “Are we going to watch the boats today, Cherokee?” she asked.
    “No,” he answered her. “We are going to swim across ourselves.”
    Her heart beat a little faster and she asked, “Right here? Where the men are crossing?”
    “No,” he said softly. “Follow me. I will showyou.”
    Silently they walked north, up the river for about two hours.
    Finally, Sunee asked, “Cherokee, where are we going? How do you know where we should cross?”
    “Trust me, Sunee,” he said. “I will tell yousoon enough.”
    As the horses continued to walk Cherokee kept a close watch on the river bank.
    “How much farther?” asked Sunee.
    “Here,” said Cherokee as he spotted the logs Grandfather had told him about. “Grandfather said to cross here where the three logs are.”
    “Grandfather? But he went to the land of his ancestors,” answered Sunee.
    “Grandfather came to me in a dream last night.” explained Cherokee. “He told me that you and I both prayed the right words to Asga ya galun Lati and Grandfather was used as the answer to our prayer. He told me first where to cross.”
    “Then what do we do?” asked Sunee.
    “I am not sure. I believe that the wisdom to do the right thing will come when we need it,” said Cherokee.
    Cherokee lowered his head and sniffed the water. He took a tentative step into it and then another. It was cold. Sunee’s eyes widened with fear. She was usually the brave one, but the river was so wide, she could not see the other side. On this day she depended completely on Cherokee.
    “Come on,” said Cherokee.
    Sunee walked slowly into the river. Soon the water was up to her knees. Then it