In their elevated position, the boys had an extensive view of the landscape. For miles around, the ground was dead black. Only in the distance did the razor-sharp line of sunlight begin. The _Northern Cross_ was in the broad shadow of Archimedes and the distant _Dog Star_ was also. Between the ships lay irregular rock shapes and uneven ground. A rift sliced across the area, appearing to make contact between the ships impossible. “I wonder if Kalmus knows we’ve landed?” Shep said. “Even if they don’t know we’re here,” Johnny put in, “they are protected by that big ditch. Not to mention being safely inside the ship.” “I’ll admit we’ve got our job cut out for us,” Rock said, “but I don’t think we should try going back to Earth for help and count on the _Dog Star_ remaining here to be captured. We might never see Ed and Leo again.” “Rock is right,” Hugh said. “We’ll have to figure out how to get over to the _Dog Star_ and free the boys from those crooks as soon as possible.” Rock got out the pair of binoculars he had found among the things belonging to the ill-fated crewmen before them. Then he looked through them at the distant globe of the _Dog Star_. The ship had barely missed a high wall of dark-colored lunabase rock. The wall was jagged and spongy, like most formations on Luna, which had so little atmospheric erosion to wear them down. As he examined the wall, a sudden idea came to him. “Why don’t a couple of us try to get over to that rock wall next to the _Dog Star_?” he proposed. “We can climb it and look through some of the ports. That way we may be able to see what the others are up to and make our plans accordingly.” “Why just two?” Sparky wanted to know. “Less chance of being seen by Kalmus,” Rock answered. “Also, if the two get caught, that still leaves three to think of something to do.” “We haven’t yet figured how to cross that big ditch,” Hugh pointed out. “I’ve thought of that too,” Rock said. “We can carry along a bunk ladder out of one of the dorms. From here it looks as if the ladder will span the ditch.” “It sounds risky,” Johnny remarked. “We’ve got to do something,” Shep countered. “I agree with Rock. How about you and me trying it, Rock?” The matter was settled. But before anyone could go outside, the area had to be given time to clear of residual radioactivity around the atomic rocket nozzles. After waiting an hour, Rock and Shep got the ladder and carried it downstairs several flights to the air lock. The ladder was tossed through the air lock to the ground. It floated feather-light. The former cadets descended by way of the ship’s ladder. They carried a Geiger counter for checking contamination. Besides the portable ladder, they had with them binoculars, a safety rope, and a walkie-talkie radio for communicating with the _Northern Cross_.