"In a minute, Manning, in a minute," growled Astro. "Only got two hands,
you know."
"You should learn to use your feet," quipped Roger. "Any normal Venusian
can do just as much with his toes as he can with his fingers!"
Back and forth the bantering had gone for twelve hours, while the three
members of the _Polaris_ unit tested, checked, adjusted, and rechecked
the many different circuits, relays, junction boxes, and terminals in
the miles of delicate wiring woven through the ship. Now, as dawn began
to creep pink and gray over the eastern horizon, they made their
last-minute search through the cavernous spaceship for any doubtful
connections. Satisfied there were none, the three weary cadets assembled
on the control deck and sipped the hot tea that Manning had thoughtfully
prepared.
[Illustration: _The three weary cadets assembled on the control deck_]
"You know, by the time we get out of the Academy I don't think there'll
be a single _inch_ of this space wagon that I haven't inspected with my
nose," commented Roger in a tired voice.
"You know you love it, Manning," said Astro, who, though as tired as Tom
and Roger, could still continue to work if necessary.
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