ion or no President of the Galactic Federation, we ought to take
over this ship and man the life boats for everyone's good. If they don't
want to save their lives and ours--let's us save our lives and theirs!"

Roars of approval greeted Boone's words, but Spacer McCormick and some
of the other veterans stood apart from the loud speech-making which
followed. Actually, Boone's wild words--which he gambled with after the
first flush of enthusiasm for his plan--began to lose converts. One by
one the men drifted toward McCormick's silent group until, finally,
Boone had lost almost his entire audience.

Just then a T/2 rushed into crew quarters and shouted: "Hey, is Boone
around? Has anyone seen Boone?"

This brought general laughter. Under the circumstances, the question was
not without its humorous aspect.

"What'll you have?" Boone demanded.

"The refrigs, Boone! They are on the blink. Overstrained themselves and
burned themselves out. Inside of half an hour this ship's going to be an
oven hot enough to kill us all!"

"Half an hour, men!" Ackerman Boone cried. "Now, do we take over the
ship and man those lifeboats or don't we!"

The roar which followed his words was a decidedly affirmative one.

* * * * *

"These are the figures," Admiral Stapleton said. "You can see, Mr.
President, that we have absolutely no chance whatever if we man the
lifeboats. We would perish as assuredly as we would if we remained with
the _Glory of the Galaxy_ in normal space."

"Admiral, I have to hand it to you. I don't know how you can think--in
all this heat."

"Have to, sir. Otherwise we all die."

"The air temperature--"

"Is a hundred and thirty degrees and rising. We've passed salt tablets
out to everyone, sir, but even then it's only a matter of time before
we're all prostrated. If you're sure you give your permission, sir--"

"Admiral Stapleton, you are running this ship, not I."

"Very well, sir. I've sent our subspace officer, Lieutenant Ormundy, to
throw in the subspace drive. We should know in a few moments--"

"No crash hammocks or anything?"

"I'm sorry, sir."

"It isn't your fault, Admiral. I was merely pointing out a fact."

The squawk box blared: "Now hear this! Now hear this! T/3 Ackerman Boone
to Admiral Stapleton. Are you listening, Admiral?"

Admiral Stapleton's haggard, heat-worn face bore a look of astonishment
as he listened. Ackerman said, "We have Lieutenant Ormundy,