"No longer--not so long as those near the terrestrial poles," continued Bennie. "The earth stays always in the same spot in the sky, just where we see it now as a huge crescent near the sun. As the sun sinks toward the horizon, the earth waxes like the moon seen from the earth, reaching its half-stage at sunset. Then, through the long lunar night it grows, until, at seven of our days after sundown, it becomes full. Then it wanes again, reaching the half at sunrise a week later. If we had landed on the other side of the moon, the earth would have remained invisible. If there were people living on the other side, they would never see the earth--their moon--at all--" "Unless they came over to this side for an excursion," interpolated Rhoda. "The earth would be worth their seeing, all right!" chuckled Burke. "And think of the wonderful lunar light! I wish we could stay until sunset and see the moon by earth-light." "Tea is served!" called Atterbury, and they all gathered hungrily around the chart-table. "I bet we're the first folks that ever had tea on the moon," remarked Burke. "That's your one best bet!" retorted Atterbury. "Or ham sandwiches, either!" PART V THE ATTACK ON THE ASTEROID I "It's time we were off," announced Bennie presently, glancing at his watch. "We've been here over two hours, and Medusa is coming on fast." Rhoda went to the glass port-hole and looked out. "By the way, where is she now?" she asked. "Below us," answered Bennie. "We're on the earth-side of the moon. The asteroid is away off in space on the other side." "Then we shall see the other side of the moon," exclaimed Rhoda, "the side we never see from the earth!" "Not much of it, I'm afraid," said Bennie. "It's nearly full-moon now, and the other side will be in darkness. Start up the dynamo, Atterbury, and run slow at first. We've got to rise from the surface without a starting-stage, and there may be trouble." Burke took his place at the control-lever, and presently the Ring pulsated again with the throb of the machinery. A dense cloud of dust arose around them, and loosened fragments of rock beat a thunderous tattoo against the under surface of the machine. The din and uproar increased second by second, the giant ray, as it bored down upon the moon's surface, making a sort of hole, into which the Ring, at first, seemed inclined to settle. Then the glare grew brighter, and the machine suddenly lifted itself out of the turmoil into full sunlight again. Once more they were pressed heavily toward the floor, and knew that the full acceleration of the tractor had been developed. They were off--off into space again, bound for the tilting sward of the celestial tournament, ready for the fiery joust, with their burning lance at rest!