Lost! by Bindi Irwin Read Free Book Online Page B

is the name of one of the languages people speak in the park?’
    Ines shook her head, distracted. ‘This is fascinating but I can’t stop thinking something bad has happened to Jonas.’
    Bindi exchanged a glance with DJ before she tried to reassure Ines the best she could. ‘We don’t know that for sure.’
    Ines’s eyes welled up again withtears and she stopped to take a deep breath. ‘Jonas is a very experienced hiker. He had food and water with him. For him not to come back must mean that he is hurt.’
    Bindi frowned. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll find him.’
    Despite Bindi’s best efforts, Ines was becoming more and more panicked. ‘But will he be okay? He’s had a whole night alone in the Australian bush. You have snakes here, crocodiles … It’s a dangerous place.’
    Ines was right, the bush could be unsafe, but that was no reason to panic. Bindi reached up and placed an encouraging hand onInes’s shoulder. She suddenly looked much older than her twelve years. ‘Most so-called dangerous animals just want to be left alone and won’t attack unless they feel threatened.’
    Ines was startled by the change in Bindi’s tone.
    DJ laughed. ‘Ines, you’re talking to an authority on Australia’s native animals. You better believe what Bindi has to say.’
    Ines looked confused. ‘Is this so? But you are just a little girl.’
    Bindi nodded seriously. ‘When it comes to wildlife I’m older than I look.’
    With DJ’s help, Bindi managed to put Ines more at ease. But she andDJ shared a knowing look. Who knew what had really happened to Ines’s boyfriend? The sooner they found him, the better!

An hour later the search party was still scouting the area. Robert was very keen to help find the German tourist but there was so much to see at Kakadu. The National Park was included on the World Heritage List for its amazing culturaland natural resources. There were many different types of mammals, birds and reptiles but Robert was particularly interested to hear that there were more than twenty-five species of frogs living in the area.
    As far as Robert was concerned, Kakadu was like Jurassic Park , but for frogs, not dinosaurs. It wasn’t as though people discovered new species every day, but it did happen in Kakadu. He had seen three different types of frogs that morning. Unfortunately they had all already been discovered.
    â€˜You are a beaut example of your species.’ Robert crouched down by a dried-up waterhole and turned toa brown tree frog who was watching him. ‘I know there are species of frogs here that nobody has ever seen, so why don’t you let me know where they are?’
    The amphibian eyeballed Robert.
    â€˜Come on,’ he coaxed, ‘I can be trusted.’
    But the frog continued to look at the boy suspiciously, giving nothing away. Robert wasn’t impressed. Here he was on the brink of a major scientific discovery and the wildlife wasn’t coming to the party.

    â€˜Robert!’ called Bindi, for what felt like the tenth time. They were meant to be looking for Jonas but she was spending most of her time keeping tabs on her little brother.
    An exasperated Bindi peered down from the rock she was standing on. ‘Robert Irwin! We’ll never find Jonas if I have to keep track of you all the time!’
    Robert gave a small sigh as he rejoined his sister. ‘I’m sorry, Bindi. I want to find Jonas too but I also have some frogs that need my attention.’
    Bindi shook her head in amusement. It was difficult to stay cross with her brother for long.
    Robert decided DJ might be able to help with the frog hunt. ‘Tell me more about the lizards and frogs around here. Do you think I might be able to discover a new species?’
    DJ shrugged. ‘I’m not sure but Dad would know.’
    Robert sped off in the direction of Terri and Tommy who