n, and
followed Wallace into the old freighter. He then collected the tickets
and made sure all the passengers were strapped into their acceleration
chairs and finally went below to the power deck. Wallace disappeared
into the control room and seconds later his voice was heard over the
ship's intercom gruffly announcing the blast-off. The lights in the
cabin dimmed, the air was filled with a low whining hiss, and for an
instant the old ship bucked and groaned. Suddenly, with a loud explosive
roar, she blasted into the sky and began a sluggish arching climb into
space.

"All right, fellas," said Roger, after the force of acceleration eased
off, "let's try a little encircling maneuver on those girls up ahead."

"Oh, no, Roger," answered Tom. "You're flying solo on that project!"

"Yeah, you go ahead, Romeo." Astro laughed. "I'd like to see the Manning
technique in action."

A loud explosion suddenly rocked the spaceship.

"What was that?" cried Roger. "Maybe this old tub won't make it after
all!"

Astro smiled. "This is a chemical burner, remember? Her initial
acceleration isn't enough. They have to keep blasting her to make
speed."

"Oh, sure," drawled Roger, relaxing again and watching the girls ahead.
"Well, here I go!" He got up and lurched down the aisle running between
the seats.

"Hey there!" roared Simms, who had suddenly appeared at the power-deck
hatch. "Keep your seat!"

"Who, me?" asked Roger.

"Not your Aunt Tilly, wise guy! Sit down and shut up!"

"Listen," said Roger, "you don't seem to realize--"

"I realize you're going to sit down or else!" snarled Simms.

Roger retreated to his seat and sat down. "Ah, go blast your jets," he
grumbled as Simms continued up the aisle to the control deck.

Tom and Astro doubled over with laughter. "Welcome back, Roger,"
bellowed the big Venusian. "I don't think those girls are the sociable
type, anyway."

"Wouldn't you know," moaned Roger, "that space creep had to show up just
when I had the whole campaign laid out in my mind." He gazed sadly at
the pert heads of the girls in front of him.

Tom gave Astro a wink. "Poor Manning. All set to go hyperdrive and ran
into space junk before he cleared atmosphere."

Suddenly another explosion racked the ship and the rockets cut out all
together. The passengers began to look around nervously.

"By the craters of Luna, what was _that_?" demanded Tom, looking at
Astro.

"The rockets have cut out," answered th