time, layers of frost covered the small rocket. White clouds and small explosions accompanied his and Duff’s efforts.

The door had had to be closed in order to keep the crewmen inside from suffering even more from the bone-chilling temperature. Through the frosted window Rob could see the men pushing against the door with their feeble strength, trying to help.

Rob felt panicky. It appeared that the few minutes’ delay in rescuing Jim might cost them their lives. He glanced down at the huddle on the ground that was Jim Hawley. If Jim didn’t get out of this biting freeze in another minute, he would probably never survive it.

Suddenly remembering the terrible danger from the Capella, Rob glanced in its direction through an opening in the clouds. “There’s a break!” he said hopefully over his radio. “An ice boulder has blocked the ship temporarily!”

In reply, Rob heard only a muffled squawk over his receiver. Their radios had succumbed to the freeze.

When it appeared that the door seams were free enough, Rob and Duff dropped their guns and began tugging on the door. Those inside pushed at the same time. With a tearing sound the door swung open. Rob and Duff helped Jim in swiftly.

“Keep him on his feet and moving!” Rob told them, forgetting for a moment that his radio was dead. He then made motions to show what he wanted them to do.

He jerked the door partially closed, took his pilot’s seat, and started the jets. They choked and gave fitful bursts. Then they died. Rob grabbed up his heat gun and hopped outside. He crunched over dry ice to the rear of the space boat and began blasting into the jet tubes.

The numbing glacial cold seeped through his insulated boots and space dress. He stamped his feet as he worked. Now and then he cast a glance at the Capella, which was working free of the ice boulder and slipping downhill again. The instantaneous freezing nature of the climate was causing friction and helping to delay the huge craft to some extent.

A moment later, when Rob decided that the jet tubes were opened, a strange feeling came over him. It was a mixture of giddiness and sleepy lethargy.

“You’re freezing to death!” his subconscious warned. “Get moving! Get moving!” He shook himself and staggered back on numb legs to the door of the space boat. His head cleared as he forced open the 

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