Winged Raiders of the Desert Read Online Free

Look at it!”
    â€œCan we get across that, Abdul?” Josh asked doubtfully. “I've heard about people dying of thirst in the desert.”
    â€œThat is true. It is dangerous, but I know the oases and water holes. You must trust me,” he said firmly. “I will get you to my people—and then we must trust you.”
    They traveled for several days over the desert. Abdul had told the truth. He led them unerringly to watering holes. He found water sometimes by digging in the dry beds of streams. Their provisions grew slim, and only when Abdul killed a wild deer were they able to fill their stomachs again.
    And the wind! The deeper they penetrated the desert, the harder it blew. The Sleepers clung to their horses, and their clothing was nearly ripped from their bodies.
    â€œGood place to fly gliders.” Dave grunted. “But it makes for hard travel.”
    â€œThe Winged Raiders use these winds,” Abdul called out over the wind. “It carries them from their home, the Citadel, all over the desert.”
    Finally late one afternoon, when their lips were chapped and dry and the girls could hardly sit on their horses and the boys too for that matter, Abdul cried out, “Look! There is the home of my people.”
    Josh followed his gesture and saw a group of black tents on the far horizon. “Is that where Chief Ali will be?” he asked through his parched lips.
    â€œYes.” Abdul nodded eagerly. “Tonight you will be honored guests under the protection of Chief Ali Shareef.”
    â€œWouldn't be a minute too soon for me.” Reb groaned. He eased himself into the saddle. “I've been riding all my life, but this is the longest ride I've ever made. I'm about ready for some cornbread and pork chops.”
    Abdul smiled at him. “We won't have that, but I'm sure we'll have nice fresh goat.”
    Reb said to Abigail, who had just made a face, “Just what you wanted, isn't it? Nice fresh goat. Come on, Abbey—I'll give you the best part of the goat!”

3
The Enemy Strikes
    C hief Ali Shareef was an impressive man, tall and stern of face. He wore a white robe, as did most of the men that gathered in the council to greet the Seven Sleepers. The Sleepers themselves were curious about their host. They had been introduced by Abdul and were aware that some of the desert people were suspicious.
    â€œI'm not sure we're all that welcome here,” Sarah whispered to Josh. She was sitting beside him in front of a group of elders and wondering what would come next.
    â€œI guess all they have to do is look at Jake,” Josh answered almost grimly, “and see that some of us are a little suspicious too. The chief is getting up. I guess he's made up his mind about us.”
    Chief Ali rose to his feet and focused his dark eyes on the young people. “We welcome you to our home,” he said in a deep voice. “My servant Abdul has told us that you have come to help.” A frown swept across his dusky face, and he shook his head in despair. “Indeed,” he said sadly, “we are in desperate need.”
    One of the elders, a short muscular man with a bristling beard, spoke up. “Indeed, Chief Ali, we are in need of friends. But I fail to see how these—these children can be of any help.”
    Another elder spoke. “I agree. What we need is a host of mighty armed men. Only by force will we be able to combat the Winged Raiders.”
    A murmur of approval swept over the elders, and Josh felt a moment of despair. He waited until the men hadspoken, then rose to his feet. “May I speak, Chief Ali?” he asked. When the chief nodded, he said, “We have a saying in our world, 'The race is not always to the swift.' I realize that we seem to be useless to you, but Goél sometimes uses the weakest to overcome the strongest. We have seen him do mighty things when all looked impossible. All we ask is that you let us remain with