Winged Raiders of the Desert by Gilbert L. Morris Page B

on, let's get the crown,” Swiftwind said. He turned and disappeared into the cave, and Josh followed.
    â€œI don't like this, Sarah,” he said. “We're trapped in this cave.”
    Sarah shivered. “I don't like it either. I'll be glad when it's over.”
    â€œI can't see where I'm going,” Reb complained. “I don't want to step in a hole full of snakes or something.”
    â€œSnakes!” Abigail shrieked. “What snakes?”
    â€œOh, there ain't no snakes,” Wash said. “Don't be scaring her, Reb.”
    â€œHow do you know there aren't snakes?” Dave grumbled. He seemed to feel the same sort of apprehension that Sarah felt. “There might be a dragon down here for all we know.”
    â€œHush, be quiet,” Josh whispered. He turned to Swiftwind. “What do we do now?”
    Swiftwind looked ahead, peering into the darkness. “There's a light up ahead. That's probably where they keep the treasure. Come on.”
    He led them down the twisting corridor and then cried out, “There it is!” He broke into a run, and the others followed.
    They found themselves in a room that was piled high with plunder of all sorts—jewelry, clothing, armor, weapons —and Dave said, “Yikes, I wish we had a pickup truck.”
    â€œWe don't want anything but the crown,” Josh warned. “Do you see it, Swiftwind?”
    Swiftwind peered about. “Yes, there it is!” He ran at once across the cluttered room, and there, high on a rock, all by itself, was a golden crown. It seemed to glow with a light of its own. Swiftwind snatched it, his eyes burning with excitement. He turned to say, “Now, we're going back.”
    â€œWell, let's do it quick,” Josh said. “I don't like this.”
    They started to leave the room, but suddenly they were met by a tall, strong-looking guard who held a gleaming sword. He grinned through broken teeth and said, “Well, what have we here?”
    A smaller guard suddenly appeared beside him, holding a wicked-looking spear. “It looks like we've got thieves, come to rob us, eh?”
    Swiftwind showed then why he was fit to be a chief's son. Without warning he threw himself against the two, dispatching one of them with one blow of the sword that leaped into his hand. The other cried out, “Help! Help!” but he, too, went down bleeding.
    â€œLets get out of here! Come on!” Swiftwind shouted.
    Josh and the others drew their weapons, seeing there would be a fierce fight, for the enemy had obviously been alerted.
    Sarah fell behind, and the others were almost out of the cave when Swiftwind noticed her. “Get out of here!” he said to the others. He was holding the crown in his left hand and his sword in his right. “I'll take care of Sarah.”
    Josh and the others had their hands full with attacking warriors, but he knew that Swiftwind was the strongest and the best hope for rescuing Sarah. “Come on!” he cried and led them outside.
    They saw other figures gathering, many of them, and it was Dave who said, “We've got to get out of here, Josh.”
    â€œWe can't leave Sarah.”
    â€œShe's all right. Swiftwind'll bring her,” Abigail said. “Let's go! ”
    Josh allowed himself to be stampeded into action. Actually he had no choice, for enemy figures were appearing everywhere. He leaped into the air saying, “Come on, we'll go get help.”
    The others followed. When they were airborne, high above the camp, they were met by Jalor, who came up crying, “Where's Swiftwind?”
    â€œDown below. I think he's been captured.”
    Jalor shook his head. “That's too bad. We'll have to go back and convince the chief to bring a raiding party. We'll get him back.”
    As the Sleepers flew back in the gathering light of dawn, Josh's heart was filled with heaviness. “Sarah,” he mourned, “why couldn't it have been me