By the time Chahda emerged, rubbing sleep from his eyes, Rick was on target. Four out of five shots hit the glove. Then, nine out of ten were in the palm. Zircon called a halt, took the glove from the tarp, and slipped it on. He tucked a folded handkerchief into the glove, then stood with hand outstretched before the tarp. "Hit it," he invited. "I'll hurt you," Rick objected. "No. My hand will give with the arrow. I want an idea of the impact." Rick nodded. He nocked the arrow, took a firm stance, and drew. For an instant he held, then loosed smoothly. The ball smacked into the scientist's hand. The scientist swung lightly with the blow and stood grinning, the ball and its projecting shaft held firmly in his hand. "A real beanball," Zircon boomed. "It will do, Rick. Now check your equipment and put it away. We have to make plans." Rick realized the professor had chosen an apt simile when he said beanball. Like a fast ball hurled by a big-league pitcher, the arrow could be caught in the hand, but would knock for a loop anyone it hit in the head. Now all he had to do was shoot straight just one time. Zircon gathered the boys around him. "Tony says the lookout changes at sundown, and again sometime near dawn. So, if we make our try as soon after dark as possible, we'll have until dawn to return. And this time, there will be no beating to windward with the vinta. We'll take it in as you did last night. But when it's time to leave, Chahda will come after us in the big boat. Meanwhile, we say nothing to Tony and Howard. We'll explain after we've landed." The Hindu boy looked pained. "I not go?" Zircon put a hand gently on the boy's wounded shoulder. "You can't climb without opening that shoulder, Chahda. So you're elected to operate the boat. You'll keep your own radio set and we'll call you in when we're ready to be taken off. And when we call, come a-running!" "That I will do," Chahda promised. "Right. Now, from your description of the climb, boys, I think we need a few rope ladders. Let's get started making them!" CHAPTER XVIII Under Cover of Darkness Hobart Zircon's usually booming voice couldn't have been heard more than two yards away as he spoke into the tiny Megabuck radio unit. "We're starting down the western slope of the volcano. How are things, Tony?" Rick and Scotty, their ears close to the tiny earphone Zircon held out, heard Briotti's reply. The kidnaped scientists had given up trying to dissuade them. "Everything normal, Hobart. The lookout is settling down now. He's one of the regulars. He relaxes completely as a sleeping cat, but he's wide awake. Don't let his appearance deceive you." "We won't," Zircon promised. "We'll call you again as we get into the danger zone. Chahda?" The Hindu boy answered instantly. "Here." "Fine. Keep listening and you'll know how we're doing." "Will do. Tell Rick shoot straight."