It is July 4,2009. The small rural town of Ninety Six, SC, has an all day celebration. The day begins with a parade led by antique autos, motorcycles, decorated bicycles, and horses at the rear. Bronco Manley and his friends are dressed like Indians. They sneak out of the parade to whoop and holler and scare their girlfriends. They are typical teenage pranksters. Later, Bronco is too close to the fireworks pre-test and the explosion throws him back in time. Again he finds himself in the old village of 96 in the year of 1760. He relives the explosion of the ammunition shed and discovers that Shad and his Indian friends have stolen all the guns and weapons. Bronco and his two young friends track the group to Keowee, the main village of the Cherokee. Along the way, Bronco avoids Shad's traps until he meets a mama bear who has been lured into his path. Suddenly a large chocolate and white dog attacks the bear and rescues Bronco from the river and the waterfall. Shad takes Bronco to the Cherokee village where Issaqueena helps him regain his health. Enjoy the Cherokee village of Keowee and its beloved game of Stickball. Travel with Issaqueena as she rides to 96 to warn Bronco of the impending attack on the Stockade-Fort. Experience the climactic fight between Bronco and Shad. Discover why there is an Issaqueena Falls and a Lake Issaqueena in the upstate of South Carolina. Live through this exciting adventure based on the history of Ninety Six, South Carolina. Make 96, SC, and Star Fort Historic Site a must-see adventure of your own.

Bronco of 96

The Cherokee WarBy Patsy H. Manley

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Patsy H. Manley
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-9556-7

Chapter One

It is July 4, 2009, in the small rural town of 96, South Carolina. The 96 Mill Village Organization and the town council have organized an all day festival, "Festival of the Stars." The opening event is a town parade. A local motorcycle club leads a number of 4-wheelers, bicycles, and several decorated tricycles. Classic cars and golf carts follow the vehicles.

Leading the second wave of the parade is a group of teenage boys dressed as Indians. The tallest boy wears a buckskin outfit and war paint. His name is Bronco Manley. He has lived in 96 all of his life. His best friend Michael is wearing only a breech cloth and moccasins. Not only does he have war paint on his face, but on his arms, legs, and chest.

"Michael," Bronco whispers. "There's Kristin and Kathy. Let's see if we can scare them. You go left and I'll go right."

"Yeah!" Michael snickers. "We'll sneak up behind them and let out some war whoops."

The mischievous boys come up quietly behind the girls. They whoop and holler as loud as they can. The girls scream and run for their lives. Michael is laughing so hard he can't stand up.

"Michael, get up off the ground! The girls are getting away." Bronco reaches out to help Michael. "Come on. You can finish laughing later. Right now we need to get back to the parade. I hope my mom and dad didn't see us fooling around. They get so jacked out of shape every time I try to have some fun."

Bronco and Michael meander through the crowd until they reach their section of the parade. Bronco wipes his forehead and sighs deeply, "Well, I think we just might get away with it this time."

As the girls slow down and catch their breath, Kristin vows, "They are not going to get away with this. They almost made me wet my pants. We have to do something to pay them back."

"I agree," Kathy is breathing hard, "but it has to be something drastic. We'll just butter them up until the right opportunity comes along. Then we'll stick it to them real good."

The parade pulls into the town park where games, rides, and old-fashioned contests are in progress. The mayor begins the festival with a short speech. "We are happy to have all of you with us to celebrate the 4th of July. We are sad our nation is in the midst of the War for Iraqi Freedom, but I'm sure our soldiers want us to continue festivals and firework displays to commemorate the war fought for our independence, The Revolutionary War."

The mayor continues, "Due to the state of the economy, many festivals have been dropped. Greenwood is no different. For over 20 years, our technical college has provided games, rides, and fireworks for the enjoyment of the surrounding area. Due to educational cutbacks by the state, it was announced in May that the festival would no longer be sponsored by the college."

The mayor pauses, "I am proud to say that the internet news site known as Greenwood Today originated in 96. After the announcement, Greenwood Today's staff began a campaign to raise $10,000 so our town could sponsor a fireworks display. They challenged individuals to donate $96 toward a town celebration. Greenwood Today, the 96 Mill Village Association, and 96 citizens raised the necessary funds in less than two months. Congratulations, it is you who have pulled together this festival and fireworks display. By the power invested in me, I proclaim this to be the 'First Annual Festival of the Stars'."

Deafening applause and hip-hip-hoorays explode over the park. People are shaking hands and hugging necks. The citizens of 96 are indeed proud of what they've accomplished.

Michael turns to Bronco. "Can you believe how silly these grown-ups are acting? I'm glad my mom's not here today. I would be embarrassed."

Bronco laughs, "I didn't have any choice. You know my mom and dad come to everything. You couldn't keep them away. I just do my best to avoid being seen with them."

"Yeah, but that's hard to do. They'll be tracking you down so they can show you off to people they haven't seen in a long time. Don't you just hate it when they treat you like a new puppy? They pat you on the back and then rub your head. Their friends say how cute you are and how much you look like your mom or dad. Then, they tell you to go play in the park. "

"You are so-o-o right, Michael. Festivals are for old people. Just look at the silly rides. And if the merry-go-round, train rides and live pony rides aren't embarrassing enough, we have games such as bean-bag-toss, go fishing and picking up ducks. Geez, they must think we are still children. They could at least have a roller coaster or a bullet for us to ride."

Bronco adds, "Consider this. We have music, but it's all a throwback to our parent's childhood, not ours. Now I ask you. Have you ever heard of Hack Bartley and Shuffle? He must be ancient. His hair is as white as my dad's. In fact, my folks went to high school with him. They say he was a member of the 'great' singing group known as the Swinging Medallions. Man, all this beach music is for the seagulls, not for me." The boys laugh. "Next year they'll probably have a country music group. Why don't they ask us who we would like to have?"

"Because they're doing all this for themselves," Michael repeats. "They are reliving their youth. I wish they'd give us a chance to live our youth instead of theirs."

"Well, I tell you what," Bronco leans toward Michael. "I'm not sticking around here and grow old like my parents. Let's go find some fun."

The music starts on the stage. Hack Bartley and Shuffle begin the festivities. "Folks, we've been asked to start the fun with something different. Two locals have volunteered to come on stage and perform with us."

Hack pauses. "Bronco Manley and Michael Bell, where are you? Come up on stage."

Kristin and Kathy walk up behind the stunned boys and push them toward the stage.

Michael's eyes open wide. "What's going on here?"

Kathy's sweet little smile shows him that the girls are behind whatever is about to happen.

"I think you'll enjoy what we've planned for you and Bronco."

Kristin giggles. "You guys didn't really think we'd let you get away with what you did. You embarrassed us, and Uncle Hack is helping us with our payback. Now, get on that stage!"

Bronco and Michael have no choice. They climb up on the stage where the executioner waits.

Kristen laughs. "Nothing is sweeter than revenge served cold."

Kathy has a serious look on her face. "Who said that?"

"I don't remember. I don't pay a lot of attention in my Shakespeare class, but I'm definitely going to enjoy this."

"Here's my guys, now. I understand you are two of our biggest fans in 96 and your favorite song dates back to my days with the Swinging Medallions. We are happy you want to dance with us to the classic 'Doubleshot of My Baby's Love'."

Looking first to his band, Hack winks. "What do you guys say?" He pauses and then turns to the crowd. "What do you citizens of 96 say about this?"

The crowd roars as the band begins the familiar chords of the classic hit. Hack shows Bronco and Michael the basic dance step. He places Bronco on one side of the band and Michael on the other.

Hack motions to the guys. "Use the step I just showed you and then follow the band members for the rest."

It doesn't take long for Bronco and Michael to catch the rhythm and attempt to out dance the band members.

The song ends. "Guys, you were fantastic!! What do you 96'ers think of their performance?"

The crowd roars while applauding and jumping into the air.

"Guys, you were awesome! You two fit right in with the band. Are you interested in joining us on tour as dancers?" Hack laughs as he applauds the good sports. "Take a bow, guys!"

The crowd encourages Bronco and Michael who take bows and even throw kisses to their adoring fans. They jump from the stage and find the girls on the front row.

Bronco speaks first, "That was great! Thanks for getting us this gig! We haven't had this much fun in a long, long time. Right, Michael?" The boys are still flushed and breathless from the experience.

The girls are stunned. Kristin speaks up. "Bronco, we didn't want you to like it. We wanted payback. You and Michael were supposed to be embarrassed and miserable. You just ruined everything." The girls stomp away.

"What did we do?" Bronco and Michael call after them. "Why're you so mad at us? We didn't do anything wrong. We were just having a good time."

Michael laughs and cuts his eyes at Bronco. "We really turned the table on them, didn't we? High 5! We are still the payback kings!"

Laughingly Bronco says, "You know the girls are still mad at us about this morning, don't you? They definitely feel the need to punish us. I think we had better watch them closely. They're not finished with us, yet."

"You're right. I say we come up with something else before they do." Michael thinks for a minute. "I know we can talk them into going closer to the fireworks exhibit. We won't tell them where they are. Then, the noise and the lights will scare them, but we'll be there to rescue them with hugs and kisses. Ha! Ha! It'll be great."

"Yeah! Huh! You don't really think they're going to hug and kiss us while the fireworks go off. Get real, Michael. Our girls aren't that gullible, but I would like to go up to the complex and look around. The area is roped off, and you know what that means. It's like an open invitation to 'come on down.' I'd like to see what the fireworks setup looks like before it goes off."

"OK! Let's go exploring." Then Michael challenges, "I bet I can beat you to the complex."

"And I'll just take that bet. You've never beaten me in a foot race. See you when you get there, slow poke."

"It's true. Michael has never outrun Bronco. This time is no exception. Bronco arrives at the complex with time to spare. The area is roped off and has signs about the danger of explosions.

A typical teenager, Bronco doesn't hesitate to crawl under the yellow warning tape. As he turns to give Michael his victory jump, a freak event occurs. Some premature explosions push Bronco toward a huge white light. He feels himself being pulled into a vortex for the second time in less than a month.

"Oh, no! This can't be happening again. I must be the unluckiest person in 96. I hope I get back in time for graduation."

Chapter Two

The bright light grows larger and larger until it finally bursts. It is exactly like the explosion at the stockade-fort that ended his first leap into the past.

"Oh, no!" Bronco yells. He is back in Old 96. Once again he sees the storage building as it explodes. He throws himself onto the ground and covers his head. The force of the blast blows away the backside of the building that doubles as a part of the outer wall.

He lifts his head. He sees his dad and the other men lying on the ground with their heads covered. No one is hurt.

"Dad," Bronco calls. "Are you OK? Is anyone hurt?" Bronco walks into the shed to examine what is left. "We had rifles and supplies in here. The gunpowder alone should've made an explosion that could be seen for miles. We should be dead, or at least hurt. There should be debris everywhere. The explosion should have been much greater."

Bronco's dad, William, follows him into the shed. "There are no weapons or gunpowder left in this shed. This wall was rigged to blow as a distraction. The charge was ignited by a rifle from a distance. Someone planned this so we wouldn't realize our guns and ammo were gone. Who do you think could have done this?"

"It had to be Shad. It's my fault, Dad. He was invited in because of me. He came into the village to rob us of our supplies. He used me as means to an end. I'll go after him and bring back what he has stolen. I'll leave at first light."

"You can't go alone, son. You'll need some help. I'll go with you."

"Dad, I would rather you didn't. I'll take Michael and Jonathan with me. I can use them to send messages to you, but I'll take care of Shad myself."

"Son, I'm disappointed you don't want me to go; but, at least you're taking the terrible two-some with you. They'll keep you busy, if not entertained."

Daylight brings rain and fog. It's difficult to find the trail.

Michael interrupts Bronco's thoughts. "How can you tell which way they went? I don't see anything."

Bronco speaks sharply, "Michael, I'll do the tracking. You do the carrying." Then he stops what he's doing. "I'm sorry. Just let me think about this and I'll explain it to you. Deal?"

"Deal. I'll just talk to Jonathan so you can think by yourself."

Bronco laughs loudly, "You haven't changed a bit, have you? Always the clown."

Bronco looks at Jonathan, "Are you ready to have Michael speak only to you?"

Jonathan laughs, "Oh, no! My ears will be bleeding before we're five miles away from town."

These few minutes of male bonding start the trip on a good note. Bronco relaxes and enjoys the company of his two young friends.

"These tracks probably belong to Shad. He and his friends must have made several trips to the fort for the guns and ammo. Once they had all of our supplies, they made carriers of strong limbs and hides. Two people can easily carry supplies by placing the ends of the limbs on their shoulders. A group of Indians can move quickly with evenly distributed loads."

"Why didn't they bring horses and wagons?"

"Michael, only a white man would ask a question like that. Horses and wagons aren't only noisy, but they're slow. Look at this trail. A wagon can't navigate here. Warriors can."

Bronco smiles, "Since I'm responsible for you missing school today, I'll take care of your lessons. Now pay attention and learn some important things. We're going to Keowee. It's a major Cherokee town and the starting point of this path."

Michael interrupts. "Is it 96 miles from here? Does it have anything to do with the name of our town?"

Bronco explains, "We are located on the 96 mile marker of this trail."

Jonathan laughs loudly, "I often wondered about our name. I thought we were named after Mr. Gouedy because he's 96 years old."

Michael joins in on the fun. "I knew Mr. Gouedy was old, but I didn't think he was that old. Besides, I never thought the town was named after him. I thought someone was counting towns as they walked here from Charles Town, and we were the 96th town from the coast."

They all laugh.

"Golly! Gee!" Bronco exclaims. "I don't know what to think about you two boys. But I'll pass your theories on to my mom. She'll really get a hoot out of them."

Jonathan laughs, "Now that I think about it, I've always had trouble keeping Mr. Gouedy and Mr. Brown straight. Since Mr. Brown runs a store and Mr. Gouedy runs a trading post, I thought they were brothers who split one business."

"Come on, guys. You're really reaching way out to top one another's stories. This is not one of your sleepovers where each guy tries to tell a better story than the others."

Michael leans close to Jonathan and whispers, "Wouldn't you just love to pick up a rock and throw it at Bronco?"

"I heard that Michael. Be careful. I might be the one throwing rocks."

Chapter Three

It is sunset and time for some rest.

"I hear water nearby. Michael, you and Jonathan take the canteens and fill them. I'll build a small fire pit. The group should be far ahead, but we'll still be careful. Shad could be hanging back to stop us."

Michael is confused. "Bronco, you give Shad a lot of credit. Do you think he's clever enough to stop us?"

"Shad did several things that make me wary of him. First, he knew how to read my plans for building the stockade-fort. Second, he worked side by side with our men cutting down trees. Third, he helped in storing the supplies in the building. He removed the supplies from under our noses, and then blew up the shed to cover his escape. He's most definitely an intelligent man with an ulterior motive. It's probably his job to hang back and keep us from overtaking his group and regaining our supplies. Be on the lookout for obstacles, traps, and anything out of the ordinary. Never underestimate your opponent."

"I thought Indians weren't smart," Jonathan states. "After all, they live in huts, not houses."

Michael changes the subject, "Bronco, I know Shad isn't Cherokee. What is he?"

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Bronco of 96by Patsy H. Manley Copyright © 2010 by Patsy H. Manley. Excerpted by permission.
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