"There aren't any guards because the gang is busy repairing the _Silver Death_, as they call their ship, preparatory to finishing the job they started today. Oh, Jack, you must go, now. They may be through at any time. I don't know when I will see you again, if ever, but I couldn't resist talking to you, touching you, just once more." "One moment, dear. I have an idea. Is there any compartment, farther back or lower down, where you could gather the prisoners together, and be safe in case the outer wall was broken down?" * * * * * "Yes," she replied breathlessly, "one of the older, smaller caves is still airtight, and while the gang is busy on the _Silver Death_ we could go there and close the locks. What good would that do, though? They are certain you can't get in here, or they wouldn't leave the place unguarded. They have your ship surrounded by a wave-proof shield, so you can't communicate with the others of your fleet, you know." "I know that, but I think I can steal a leaf from their own book. Will they all be working, say three hours from now?" "I think so. Your guns did a great deal of damage, weakening the forward structures of their craft." "All right. Get your friends together in the old cave you mentioned, seal it, and then wait till I come back." Tenderly he kissed her good-bye, then hastened away, anxious to get his work done before the shadow of the cliff again receded. Thanking the fates for the good fortune that had saved Jean, and had led her to the air-lock at the moment he was there, he stumbled over the rocks and dust piles until halted by the picket line surrounding the _San Francisco_. He called the men into the ship, and hastened to the pilot room, where Edwards was testing the controls. "Any luck?" "Yes, a lot. Can you get the ship in shape to travel in three hours?" "She's in pretty good shape now, although not capable of the trip back to Earth." Captain Linet entered at that moment, and with him Professor Erickson. Holden recounted his adventures of the last hour and then set forth his plan. "The cave is walled up with thin plating from the ships the pirates have brought in here. The entire gang is at work, repairing their own flier; none of them, or at least only a few, are wearing space suits. I propose to drive the bow of the _San Francisco_ into the wall of their cave, previously weakening it by a few bursts from the _hexoxen_ guns!" "It is possible," replied Edwards, "but it will probably put us out of commission altogether." "In any case," put in Erickson, "we will be rid of this damnable shield, and can communicate with our companions." It certainly was the only plan, for, as soon as the pirates had repaired their ship, another unequal battle would be waged, with the result very little in doubt.