Forest Fire by J. Burchett Read Free Book Online

territory,” added Zoe. “There’s no bird scarer to keep him away now.”
    â€œYou go and enjoy your surprise,” said their godfather. “And leave everything to me.”
    â€œAre you ready?” they heard Mat calling from the courtyard. They swung their rucksacks on to their backs and headed outside to find him standing by a small, open-top jeep. He grinned. “Hop in!”
    â€œWhere are we going?” asked Zoe, as Mat steered them down a bumpy track. It was impossible to see ahead because of the dense trees.
    â€œYou’ll see in a minute.”

    The jeep turned a corner and in front of them was a cleared area, about the size of a football pitch, leading to a runway. Ben and Zoe could see it was a small airstrip, and then they spotted the craft shimmering in the heat in the middle of the tarmac.

“A balloon!” gasped Ben. “Fantastic!”
    Zoe gave a whoop of delight. “Double fantastic!”
    â€œIt’s the best way to see the rainforest.” Mat beamed. “Ready for a little ride?”
    They walked towards the balloon, which was still being filled with hot air.
    â€œPerhaps our surprise hasn’t come at the wrong time after all,” Zoe murmured to Ben.
    Ben frowned. “How d’you work that out?”
    â€œIf a fire did start, at least we could see exactly where it was and put out an alert immediately!”

    Whoosh! Mat turned up the flame that burnt under the huge red balloon envelope. A man untied the rope tethers and Ben and Zoe felt the basket rise up into the air.
    â€œIt’s a bit bumpy!” yelled Zoe, over the noise of the roaring flare.
    â€œYou’ll get used to it.” Mat smiled.
    They were soon at the height of the treetops. Mat pulled on a cord.
    â€œThis opens the parachute valve a little,” he told them. “Don’t worry, we’re not jumping! It just lets out hot air to stop us gaining any more height. Can you feel the tug on the basket? At different heights the winds travel in different directions. We’ve reached a patch of wind that’s blowing south-eastwards. Just what we need to go over the reservation.”
    â€œAnd if we have to change direction we just go up or down to catch a different wind,” said Ben.
    â€œYou’ve got it!” said Mat. “I can’t guarantee to get us back in the centre of the tarmac, but I’ve never missed the airstrip yet.”
    Above the forest canopy the air felt fresher, and Ben and Zoe could feel a welcome breeze on their skin. Parrots glided over the treetops below them, their bright wings flashing through the air.
    â€œThis is all the Adilah Reservation,” said Mat, proudly gesturing over his land.
    The tops of the tallest trees reached out but didn’t quite touch each other. Small trees filled the gaps below. It looked like an endless sea of green.
    â€œSome of the trees are seventy-five metres tall,” explained Mat. “All sorts of creatures live up there: monkeys, spiders, snakes, lizards.”
    Zoe screened her eyes. “What’s that mountain over there?” she asked, as she looked at a barren peak far in the distance.

    â€œMount Kinabalu,” said their guide. “You’ll have a good view now we’re so high.” He handed them binoculars.
    â€œI don’t like the look of the dark clouds over it,” said Ben, focusing on the mountain. “Are we going to get wet?”
    â€œThey’re a long way off,” Mat told them. “Don’t worry, we should be back before it rains. I’m turning to take you right across the reservation. We’re at the south-eastern point here. You can see the oil palms stretching away at the edge of my land.”
    â€œThere are the seedlings,” said Zoe. “It looks like a join-the-dots puzzle from here.”
    â€œWe have to get higher,” said Mat, turning up the flame. “Hopefully we’ll pick up a