Read Online The Secret of the Desert Stone by Frank Peretti - Free Book Online Page B

control such outbursts!”
    â€œSorry.” Her tone said she wasn’t.
    They seemed to be going toward the smell, marching up a narrow path that wound between the grass huts and beneath the sheltering limbs of ancient trees. When they rounded the last corner, they beheld a sight that made them stare. At the end of the path was a special grass hut, built in and around a massive tree so that the roof timbers were suspended from the tree’s lower limbs.
    â€œNow this is different,” said Jay.
    â€œIt’s like something out of Peter Pan!” said Lila, captivated. “Where the Lost Boys live!”
    The warriors led them up to the front door and halted there in a neat formation. There was a shout and the tribal chief, now without his ornate headdress, emerged from his house and stood before his door, his expression grim, his fists on his hips.
    â€œBen-ga-ti!” he hollered.
    Bengati shouted in acknowledgment as he came running from behind the crowd.
    The chief thundered a few sentences as Bengati came alongside to interpret. “The chief wishes to have you as his guests for dinner.”
    The Coopers and Dr. Henderson exchanged glances. Now just what did he mean by that?
    The warriors all bowed slightly and turned away, heading back down the path into the village. The only ones who remained were Bengati and those bearing Jennifer Henderson.
    â€œCome,” said the chief, gesturing with his big arms, “You come. Come eat.”
    Dr. Henderson went first—she had no choice, as the warriors carried her gently through the narrow door. Dr. Cooper, Jay, and Lila followed behind. Their eyes darted everywhere, alert for knives in hands, warriors waiting in ambush, any sign of danger.
    Inside the chief’s hut, they saw dinner already prepared, laid out in banquet style on a low, roughhewn table. In the center of the table, surrounded by meticulous arrangements of fruits and vegetables, was a huge roast pig, still hot and crackling, just off the spit.
    They were going to eat dinner, not be dinner. Their relief was so obvious the chief asked through Bengati, “Are you all right? Is something wrong with the food?”
    Dr. Cooper waved his hand and shook his head and even chuckled with relief. “No, no, everything’s wonderful. The roast pig is . . . it’s a wonderful sight to see!”
    â€œFabulous!” Dr. Henderson agreed, still drawing deep breaths so she could sigh with relief, her hand over her heart.
    The chief introduced his family: a beautiful wife with coal black skin and a smooth, sculptured face—“She is Renyata”; a handsome, athletic son just a little older than Jay—“He is my son, Ontolo”; and a beautiful daughter about Lila’s age with long, intricate braids—“She is Beset.” Then he thumped his chest and announced proudly, “And I am Gotono! I am chief!”
    The Coopers and Dr. Henderson bowed in greeting and respect as they shook hands with each of Chief Gotono’s family. Jay and Ontolo hit it off immediately and even exchanged a few small gifts. Then, at the chief and Renyata’s invitation—and with the four warriors assisting Dr. Henderson— they took their places around the table, sitting on the floor on a comfortable woven mat of straw. The chief extended his hand over the table while he pronounced some kind of blessing, and they started eating. It felt just like family dinner on a Sunday afternoon.
    As they ate, the chief spoke and Bengati interpreted. “I apologize for the embarrassment we caused you. You were not who we expected.” Before they could figure out what that was supposed to mean, the chief kept right on going. “But now you are guests here with us, and we welcome you.”
    â€œThank you,” said Dr. Cooper. “And we apologize that we did not meet your expectations.”
    Bengati relayed the message in Motosa and the chief laughed. “So