The African Safari Discovery - Jeff Brown [3]
“It looks like a volcano!” said Arthur.
Captain Tony nodded from behind his sunglasses. “That is because it is one.” He laughed. “Do not worry. It has not erupted in thousands of years.”
Stanley reached over and shook his father, whose eyes had been squeezed tightly shut since the moment they’d left the ground.
“Dad, you have to see this!”
“No, thank you,” croaked Mr. Lambchop. Captain Tony turned the steering column, and the airplane banked hard to the left. Mr. Lambchop pulled his chin down to his chest and grimaced. He did not look well.
Stanley and Arthur grinned at each other.
“Now look over there,” said Captain Tony.
Stanley looked out the other window, and saw in the distance what appeared to be a giant mirror on the ground. It sparkled in the sun.
“That is lake Victoria, one of the largest lakes on Earth. It is as big as North Dakota.”
“Wow,” said Arthur.
The airplane made its way south. In the bright sun, Stanley could look out his window and see the airplane’s shadow following them on the ground below, bounding along like a graceful animal.
Stanley liked to travel. He thought of Mount Rushmore and of Calamity Jane, the adventurous cowgirl they had met there; and of Egypt and Amisi, the archaeologist’s daughter; and of Japan and Oda Nobu, the movie star; and of Carmen del Junco, the great matador of Mexico.
He never would have gone to any of those places or met any of those people if he hadn’t been flat.
Down below, a giraffe was now running alongside the airplane’s shadow. Even from this high up, it was an unusual-looking animal. It had such a very long neck and very thin legs. Stanley had once read that other animals liked to have a giraffe around, because its height allowed it to spot predators sooner. When a giraffe ran, all the animals ran. It was as if having a giraffe nearby helped everyone see farther.
As they crossed the border into Tanzania, the cockpit radio crackled to life. A voice spoke rapidly in Swahili. Captain Tony shouted something back.
“What is it?” asked Arthur.
“There is a brushfire in Nairobi National Park,” said Captain Tony. “This park is very close to our city. I must return at once.”
Mr. Lambchop opened his eyes. “You should land here and let us off,” he said bravely.
Captain Tony shook his head. “No time,” he said. “You will have to jump.”
Mr. Lambchop’s mouth fell open.
Captain Tony commanded Arthur to open a compartment on one side of the plane. Arthur reached inside and then held up a pack in each hand.
“Two parachutes!” he announced.
“That is what I was afraid of,” said Captain Tony.
“Are these are all there is?” said Mr. Lambchop.
Arthur said, “I think you mean ‘Are these all there are,’ Dad. Grammatically—”
“Quiet, Arthur!” said Mr. Lambchop.
Stanley swallowed. “You two use them,” he said. “I can jump without a parachute.”
“Stanley Lambchop, you will do no such thing,” said Mr. Lambchop. “You may be flat, but you are not a bird.”
“Dad, it’s the only way,” Stanley pleaded. “If I could ride the wind in Canada to the Northwest Territories, then I can be my own parachute.”
Mr. Lambchop looked hard at Stanley.
“Please hurry,” Captain Tony said.
Mr. Lambchop blinked. “Don’t tell your mother,” he said, grabbing a parachute from Arthur.
With Arthur and Mr. Lambchop suited up, they pulled open the cargo door.
Stanley’s father hugged him. “Fly safely, son.”
Arthur pulled a pair of goggles down over his eyes. He looked out the open door and grinned. “Now this is an adventure!”
And with that, Arthur Lambchop jumped out of the airplane.
“Arthur!” Mr. Lambchop was stunned. “Come back here!” He hurled himself out of the cargo door after his younger son.
Only Stanley remained.
“Follow the Sun until you come to a River,” said Captain Tony. “The place you are looking for is just a few hours downstream.”
“Thank you,” said Stanley. “Good luck with your fire.”
“And good luck with your skull,” replied Captain Tony with a salute.
Stanley stepped up to the opening. As he grabbed the handle beside the cargo door, the