sun shone down on the half-naked giant moving through the jungle, a
new white-skinned animal who was braver than the rest, a creature who
dared to trail the king of the jungle.

* * * * *

"It's all my fault!" said Connel disgustedly. "I should have been able
to read his trail signs."

Tom did not answer. He pulled the straps of his jungle pack tighter and
slung it over his shoulder. Roger stood to one side, watching Major
Connel. Both boys sensed what was coming.

"Well, this is the last day we can spend searching for him," said
Connel. "We've already lost two days."

Roger glanced at Tom and said casually, "It wouldn't hurt to keep our
eyes open for signs of him, would it, sir?"

"Now listen, boys," said Connel firmly, "I know how you feel about
Astro. I have to admit I have a liking for the lad myself. But we've
been sent out here to locate the base of operations of the Nationalists.
The best way to do that is to work around the jungle in a given area. We
haven't done that so far. We've put all our time and effort into a
random search for Astro. We can't signal him, build a fire, shoot off a
blaster--or use any of the simple communication devices. We have to work
under cover, for fear of giving away our presence here in the jungle."
He slung his gear over his shoulder and added, "We'll continue our
search for Astro until noon and then we simply will have to abandon it.
And stop worrying about him. He's a big strong lad and he's been in this
jungle alone before. I have every confidence that he can make his way
back to Sinclair's plantation safely."

The Solar Guard officer paused and looked at the two downcast cadets
before him. "None of that sulking business!" he growled. "You're cadets
on an urgent mission. Now move out. I'll take the point first and you
bring up the rear, Corbett." Without another word, the burly spaceman
turned and moved off through the jungle.

Roger hung back to talk to Tom. "What do you think, Tom?"

Tom shook his head before answering. "He's right, Roger. We're on a job.
It's the same here in the jungle as it is in space. We know that
something is liable to happen to any one of us at any time. And the
mission always comes first."

Roger nodded. "Sure, that's the way it is in the book. But this is
real. That big hick might be hurt--or trapped. Maybe he needs our help!"

"I know how you feel, Roger," replied Tom. "I want to take off and hunt
for Astro