Flight of the Eagles by Gilbert L. Morris Read Free Book Online Page A

“ USS Narwhale . It’s a submarine,” Josh explained. “Named after a whale. That’s about as close as you can get to a whale on dry land, I guess.”
    â€œYes—this must be what the song referred to,” Crusoe said excitedly. “It must be an old war monument in a park. Or maybe there was an Oldworld river in this place.”
    â€œCome on,” Josh said. “Let’s get inside.” They ran back to the exposed conning tower, and Josh turned to the giant. “Help me up to the top, Volka!” he begged.
    The giant seized Josh and set him up on the structure. Then one by one, the others joined Josh as the giant helped them.
    â€œI don’t suppose I can get in the door,” Volka said. “I’ll keep watch while you’re inside.”
    The plan sounded good, but they soon discovered that getting inside was not as easy as it looked. The steel hatch seemed to be welded to the deck. Not even Volka could have ripped it off.
    They had tried everything they could think of and were beginning to argue bitterly about what to do, when Josh held up his hand. “Wait a minute. Be quiet.”
    They watched as Josh strained to hear a far-off voice. Then he said, “I remember something. Something I read in my mother’s journal.”
    â€œWhat was it, Josh?” Crusoe asked quietly.
    â€œMom said, ‘Sometimes, if everything else fails to solve a problem, you just speak to it. If you want to get rid of unforgiveness, say, ‘Unforgiveness, get out of my heart.’”
    â€œWell, what in the world does that mean?” Mat threw up his hands.
    â€œI think,” Josh said slowly, “that it means just what it says: Speak to this thing!”
    â€œOh, wonderful,” Mat said mockingly. “You can talk to this thing—and I’ll talk to the rocks. Tam can chat with the birdies, and—”
    â€œHush!” Crusoe said. “Do you believe it will happen, Josh?”
    Josh said slowly, “I’ll believe if you will.”
    â€œYou’re going to look like an idiot if nothing happens!” Mat warned. “What if you fail?”
    Josh didn’t answer. He merely took a deep breath and began to sing.
    For a ghostly moment, nothing happened. Then, with a rusty groan, the hatch opened.
    Relief and surprise washed over Josh. With a gesture to the others, he scrambled down inside. His friends quickly followed.
    They found the capsule with ease, but, strangely, indecision seemed to seize Josh even as this part of his quest was ending. Finally, with a nod from Crusoe, he pushed the button and stepped closer for his first glimpse of the waiting sleeper.

5
    Trust the Heart
    S arah!” Josh said in amazement—and some disappointment. He suddenly realized how desperately he had hoped that this Sleeper would be a strong leader.
    Mat evidently felt the same. “You know this one? Humph! Well, it’s just another baby—and a female at that!”
    â€œBut a pretty one.” Tam beamed. Both he and Crusoe leaned closer to get a good look at Sarah.
    When one is rudely awakened and sees two hairy dwarfs and an ugly hunchback not two feet away—well, what does one do?
    Scream, of course! And the poor girl did exactly that, throwing herself into the arms of the startled Josh. He was torn by two emotions—terribly disappointed that no leader had emerged, yet finding it pleasant to hold the slim girl in his arms.
    It made him feel so masculine that he said, rather arrogantly, “Back up there, you fellows—give her a chance to breathe!”
    He was a little surprised when they obeyed instantly, so he said even louder, “Come on, Sarah. I’ll explain everything to you later. Right now we’ve got to get out of here.”
    As Josh led them to the door, Sarah clung closely to him, and he did not protest. Instead he said with newfound authority, “Step lively, men—be