Danger in the Dust Read Free

Binti.
    ‘I bet the rhinos don’t like that!’ Joe could just imagine them stamping their feet and pushing against the sides of the crates.
    ‘No, I don’t suppose they do.’ Binti smiled at him.
    ‘How do they get the rhinos into the crates?’
    ‘It must take many men, a lot of ropes and a good deal of patience,’ said Binti.
    Joe cast a quick glance at the man opposite and whispered, ‘No one would be able to ambush the drivers before they reached the reserve, would they?’
    Even as he said this he realised how ridiculous it was going to sound to his mother.
    ‘You’re letting your imagination run away with you,’ Binti said, smiling.
    ‘I just want the rhinos to be safe, that’s all,’ said Joe.
    He was impatient now for the flight to end so that he could get away from the man and the silly thoughts he had had about him. He leant against his mother’s shoulder and closed his eyes.
     
    When Joe opened his eyes again, he was pleased to hear they would soon be landing in Nairobi.
    ‘I expect you’re excited, aren’t you?’ said his neighbour from across the aisle. ‘I know I would be if I were in your shoes.’
    Joe tried to smile at him.
    ‘Maybe I’ll bump into you guys while I’m in Kenya,’ the man continued.
    ‘We’re not staying in Kenya all the time,’ Joe said quickly. ‘We’re going to Tanzania as well.’
    ‘Then you’re one very lucky boy,’ the man said, before turning to chat with the woman on the other side of him.
    Joe wished his parents had been able to choose window seats so that he could watch the plane coming in to land, but because there were four of them they often wound up in the middle rows on larger aircraft. He tried to see past his family to the window on the far side, but all that was visible was a small square of blue.
    ‘Are you OK, Joe?’ Peter asked him. ‘You look a bit glum.’
    Before Joe could answer, the plane’s engines began to roar, there was a series of loud clunks, and a few seconds later a hefty bump shook the whole fuselage, followed by another. The engines screamed and Joe felt himself being pushed back in his seat, until at last the plane slowed enough for him to be able to relax.
    ‘That wasn’t the smoothest landing,’ his father said cheerily.
    ‘The pilot should have to take his test again,’ said Aesha, pursing her lips.
    ‘Shall I go and tell him?’ Peter offered.
    Aesha glared at him. ‘You’re not funny, Dad.’
    Peter put his arm round her. ‘Sorry, darling. I must try harder.’
    ‘I thought we were going to crash-land!’ said Joe.
    The plane taxied to a halt and everyone jumped to their feet. Joe waited until his neighbour had moved forward down the aisle before standing up. Now he could really enjoy the start of the trip.
    ‘How long till we go on safari?’ he asked his mother, as they waited to disembark.
    ‘We’ll spend this evening and tomorrow morning in Nairobi, then set off for the Maasai Mara after lunch,’ said Binti. ‘There’s somewhere in Nairobi I want us to visit before we leave.’
    She wouldn’t tell Joe where, but assured him he would like it. He and Aesha tried to find out more during the taxi ride to the hotel, but their parents stubbornly refused to provide even the slightest clue.
    ‘One thing at a time,’ said Peter. ‘First you need to shower and change into some fresh clothes, because this evening we’re going somewhere very, very special to eat. As for tomorrow – tomorrow is another day.’

Chapter 4
    The special place to eat was a big open-air restaurant where they served every variety of meat, including ostrich, crocodile and zebra. Joe couldn’t believe his eyes when they walked in. There was a huge charcoal pit just inside the entrance, into which numerous waiters thrust long skewers covered with meat, withdrawing them when the meat was cooked and carrying them to the eager diners.
    ‘Those skewers are traditional Maasai warrior swords,’ said Peter, as they were shown to