Free Winged Raiders of the Desert by Gilbert L. Morris

teach you how to fly, Garfield. Come on, let's go pick out a pair of wings for you.”

8
On Wings As Eagles
    T his sure beats hacking rock, don't it now?”
    Reb looked over with satisfaction toward Wash. The two boys had been quick to answer the summons that had come. Both had simply been told they would be relieved from their duties for a while. Now, as they found their way to the spot where the others were gathered, Wash sighed deeply with satisfaction. “It sure does, Reb. I thought I knew what work was, but I guess I'm just really beginning to find out.”
    They joined the other five Sleepers, standing with a young woman and a young man of about seventeen on a slope that ran rather gently downhill.
    â€œHello, Reb,” Josh said, “and you too, Wash.” He gave them both a quick smile. “I hate to pull you away from your work, but I thought you might enjoy this.”
    â€œWhat's going on?” Reb demanded. He gave the young woman a careful look, then shifted his eyes to the winged warrior. “I don't mind telling you, I'm glad to be here.”
    â€œThis is Lareen, the daughter of Sure Flight. He's the chief lieutenant of Chief White Storm. And this is Swiftwind. He's the son of the chief.” Then Josh said, “Here's the deal. Jake here has proved himself to be a blooming hero.”
    Sarah interrupted, “Yes, he has, and I think we owe him a vote of thanks for that. I mean, he didn't want to come here in the first place.”
    â€œA hero?” Reb asked. He laid his pale blue eyes onJake and snorted, “The most heroic thing I ever saw him do is eat.”
    â€œWell, he did do something,” Lareen spoke up quickly. She related how Jake had saved her life, and then her eyes sparkled, and she said, “And my father went to the chief. As a reward you're all going to be given a chance to become full-fledged members of the tribe.”
    â€œWell, how do we do that? Sign a pledge card?” Wash asked.
    â€œNo,” Jake spoke up, his eyes glinting with amusement. “All you have to do is learn to fly.”
    â€œFly?” Josh blinked with shock, and Reb was quiet too, stunned with the thought.
    â€œWhat do you mean? With these wings?” Wash demanded.
    â€œWell, they're not going to give us a Cherokee airplane,” Josh said emphatically. “I guess at this point I'll have to say I'm grateful to Jake—but I'm not sure any of us will be able to master this thing. It looks pretty tough tome.”
    Jake spoke, “Aw, we can do it. Come on, Mistress Lareen, just show us how.”
    Lareen and Swiftwind gave each other an amused glance. They had learned that Jake would try practically anything.
    Swiftwind said, “Anybody that'll tackle a snake can learn to fly. Why don't you show them how, Lareen, then I'll give them a little demonstration when you finish.”
    Lareen said at once, “All right. Come, I'll show you how it works.” She led them over to a level spot where a large table and several chests rested on the stony floor. Opening one of the chests, she pulled out a pair of wings and said, “These are mine. Let me show you how to put them on.”
    The Sleepers watched carefully as Lareen began to don the wings. It was not as simple as it looked. Basically, the wings were joined together at the center and fastened to the body by two straps that crossed over the chest. That, however, was only the first step. An intricate system of tiny cables had to be carefully threaded along the limbs and fastened on the ankles, down the arms, and around the waist. Lareen put it on quickly, but they could all see it had taken long practice.
    â€œNow,” she said, “the wings are folded against my back, you see?” She turned around to show them. “But when I move this cable, they unfold.” She gave her body a slight twist—very slight, and suddenly the wings that had been folded like a bird's spread out