Flight of the Phoenix Read Online Free PDF Page A

won't die. He'll land just fine. That's why we got
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    such big feet, see?" She held hers up for him to inspect. They were large--like rabbits' feet. "He'll just have to find himself another plane. That's all." She sniffed.
    Nate turned back to Aunt Phil. "Do I have to throw her over? Can't I just keep her until we land, then let her go?"
    Aunt Phil shrugged. "I'm telling you, they're nothing but pests. But if you want, you can shove it into your rucksack until we land. I'll deal with it then."
    Nate turned back to the gremlin. "Did you hear that? It's into the rucksack if you want to stay."
    The gremlin nodded, then stuck out her tiny hand.
    Nate hesitated, then put his finger out, hoping she wouldn't bite it.
    She shook his finger solemnly. "Greasle's me name. My brother back there was Oiliver."
    "And I'm Nate. Again, I'm sorry about your brother." With his free hand, he opened the rucksack at his feet. "In you go," he said.
    Greasle sent him a cheerful wave before she disappeared into the pack.
    ***
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    Hours later, Aunt Phil swiveled around in her seat again. "There it is!"
    "There's what?" he yelled back.
    "Where we're going."
    Nate felt the plane shift directions and begin its descent. He peered down to the ground below. Far, far below. He could see nothing but sand everywhere he looked.
    Aunt Phil brought the plane lower. He could make out a ribbon of road that was a little darker than the sand. At one end was a cluster of tents and a few squat buildings.
    "Hang on!" Aunt Phil yelled. Nate clutched the sides of the plane and shut his eyes, then jerked them open again. Better to see, he decided.
    He could make out people now. Two men in white robes and turbans were waving small flags at Aunt Phil. She shifted the plane a bit to the left, then dropped the nose.
    Nate felt dizzy and sick as the ground rushed up. When the plane landed with a bone-jarring thud, his head snapped back and he bit his tongue. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth.
    The whole plane shuddered, and a fountain of sand flew up behind them. Aunt Phil cut the motor and they
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    bounced and jiggled their way to a stop. "That's why they call it a platypus," she said. "A regular plane could never have landed in the sand that easily. Welcome to Arabia, Nate."
    That was easy? Nate thought.
    The tents that had looked small from the air were actually quite large and sat next to a pen holding a dozen camels. A group of men in billowing white robes and head cloths rushed over to greet them. One of them set a step stool by the plane so Aunt Phil could climb out. When she was down, she motioned to Nate. He grabbed his pack and scrambled over the edge.
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    The leader folded his hands and gave a small bow. "Greetings, Dr. Fludd. We have everything ready for you, as you requested."
    "Thank you, Hakim." Then she began talking to him in an unfamiliar language. Arabian, Nate guessed, since they were in Arabia. When she was done talking, she clamped her hand on to Nate's shoulder and steered him to one of the tents. "We're going to catch a bit of sleep in here until the sun goes down. Then the real adventure will begin," she said with a wink.
    Nate gawped at her. He'd had quite enough adventure already, thank you. He wasn't sure he'd survive any more.
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    ***
    Chapter Seven
    When Nate awoke, he found Greasle sitting on his chest, staring at him. Startled, he sat up suddenly and she tumbled to the ground.
    "Ow. What'd you go and do that for?" she asked, rubbing her caboose.
    "Didn't mean to," Nate muttered. He swung his legs off the cot and rubbed the sand from his eyes. It was cooler than before, he noticed. And darker. He looked around for Aunt Phil.
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    "She's out talking to those men," Greasle told him. "You got any food on you? 'Cause there was nothing in that pack of yours."
    Nate pointed to a platter on a table. She studied it for a moment, then snagged a small brown fruit and took a nibble. She made a face. "I shouldn't have left the plane."
    "But