s you used, let alone kill
a tyranno."

The three cadets examined the rifles closely and with enthusiasm.

"These are the latest Solar Guard issue," said Connel. "When you pull
that trigger, you release a force three times greater than anything put
into a rifle before."

Then, checking the _Polaris_ and cutting all power, Connel removed the
master switch and hid it. "That's so no one will get any bright ideas
while we're gone," he explained as the boys watched curiously.

"You think someone might try to steal her, sir?" asked Tom.

"You never can tell, Corbett," answered Connel noncommittally.

Once again the three boys moved across the clearing toward the jungle
wall. Astro took the lead as before, followed by Roger and Tom, and
Connel brought up the rear. They moved directly to the spot where they
had last seen the tyrannosaurus, found the trampled underbrush and
massive tracks, and moved purposefully into the dank, suffocating green
world.

The trail was plain to see. Where the boys once had to hack their way
through the thick underbrush, the monster had created a path for them.
The three cadets felt better about being back in the jungle with more
reliable equipment and joked about what they would do to the
tyrannosaurus when they saw it again.

"I thought you were supposed to be the home-grown Venusian hick that
could manage in the jungle like that fairy-tale character, Tarzan,"
Roger teased Astro.

"Listen, you sleepwalking space Romeo," growled Astro, "I know more
about this jungle than you could learn in ten years. And I'm not foolish
enough to battle with a tyranno with the odds on his side. I ran for a
good reason!"

"Boy, did you run!" taunted Roger. "You were as fast as the _Polaris_ on
emergency thrust!"

"Knock off that rocket wash!" roared Connel. "The Nationalists might
have security patrols in this area. They could hear you talking and
blast you before you could bat an eyelash! Now keep quiet and stay
alert!"

The three cadets quieted down after that, walking carefully, stepping
around dead brush that might betray their presence. After working their
way along the tyrannosaurus's trail for several hours, Connel called a
halt, and after a quick look at his compass, motioned for them to cut
away from the monster's tracks.

"We'll start working around in a circle," he said. "One day east, one
south, west, and north. Then we'll move in closer to the heart of the
circle, and repeat the same p