Flight of the Phoenix Read Online Free PDF

that was the agreement," Nate said. "You have to stay in the pack. Actually," he said thoughtfully, "Aunt Phil said she'd deal with you once we landed."
    "No!" Greasle squeaked. "I'll be good." She clambered up Nate's leg to his knee and began plucking at his sleeve. "I'll stay in the pack, nice and quiet-like."
    "What do you think she'd do to you?" he asked.
    Greasle shrugged. "Don't know. Never been caught before."
    "Well, just stay quiet in the pack and we'll see what happens. Sometimes grownups forget stuff they've said."
    The little gremlin nodded and scampered into the rucksack. Nate hauled it over his shoulder and went to find Aunt Phil.
    She was outside, arguing with someone. They were standing in front of two camels piled high with supplies. As Nate
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    approached, the man spoke rapidly, shook his head, then stormed away.
    "Is something wrong?" Nate asked.
    "There you are. Had a good nap, did you?" Aunt Phil ignored his question.
    "Er, yes. What did that man want?"
    She sighed. "He was supposed to come with us as a guide, but he backed out. It seems some Bedouin have been sighted in the area and he doesn't want to risk it."
    "What are Bedouin?"
    "Nomads. They can be a bit territorial."
    It sounded to Nate as if the guide was being smart. "Maybe he's right? Maybe it isn't worth the risk?"
    "Nonsense. We'll be fine."
    "But what will we do for a guide?"
    "Why, I'll guide us, of course." Aunt Phil patted one of the large leather bags hanging from one of the camels' saddles. "I've got a Fludd family map and my compass. We'll be fine. Now climb aboard," she said. "The sun is setting and it's cool enough to get started. We'll travel most of the night and sleep during the heat of the day." Aunt Phil cupped her hands for Nate to step into.
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    [I mage: Nate on the camel.]
    He looked from her hands up to the saddle high on top of the camel. "We really have to ride those?"
    "Absolutely. These ships of the desert are much heartier for traveling under these conditions. They can go for five whole days without water in the heat of summer, fifty days in winter. Now, do hurry up, Nate. We've a long journey ahead of us and a schedule to keep."
    Nate bit back a sigh, clutched a leather strap hanging from the saddle, and placed his foot into Aunt Phil's hands. With a mighty heave, she sent him flying up. He grabbed hold of the saddle horn and scrambled into the saddle.
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    [I mage: Aunt Phil on the camel.]
    Aunt Phil gave a firm nod, then went over to mount her camel from a stool.
    As Nate sat waiting, his camel turned his long neck around to stare at him. The camel had big liquid brown eyes with long lashes. He was chewing something, his lips working up and down and all around. He did not look happy to have someone on his back. "Nice camel," Nate said, patting the creature's dusty, hairy neck. "Good camel."
    The camel gave one last chew, then opened his lips and spit a thick stream of camel saliva at Nate. Nate stared in disgust at the nasty glob plastered to his chest.
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    "His name is Shabiib," Aunt Phil said from atop her own camel. "You need to show him who's boss." She grabbed her reins and slapped them against her camel's back. "Hut hut hut!" she cried. Her camel launched into a fast trot.
    Nate grabbed his reins and slapped them like Aunt Phil had done. "Hut hut hut!" he cried.
    Shabiib turned back around to stare at him, his mobile lips working again. "Don't even think about it!" Nate said. "Hut hut hut!" he cried again, this time kicking his heels against the camel's flanks.
    Still nothing. He glanced at Aunt Phil, who was far ahead now. Suddenly, there was a loud thwack as one of the men gave Shabiib a swat.
    The camel launched forward. Nate's teeth crashed together as he slapped down on the camel's back. From inside the pack, Greasle squealed. And if he hadn't been so busy trying to stay on top of the camel, Nate would have checked on her. As it was, all he could do was hang on tightly while excitement and nerves warred