“Why, the old gourd’s shrinking like a toy balloon!” gasped Taggert, watching the Earth intently. Indeed, the rapidly changing appearance of the Earth was evidence of the remarkable rate at which they were shooting away from it. Gradually the entire continent took shape before their eyes, presenting an appearance startlingly like the relief maps one sees in every geography. Here and there, however, fields of clouds hid sections of it. It was at this point that Robert was possessed with a temporary but almost overwhelming impulse to rush the _Sphere_ back to the Earth. He suddenly recalled its many comforts and pleasures; its wonderful scenes, sunsets and countless other beauties. All these things seemed a thousandfold more desirable than the cold, cheerless and mysterious void through which they were rushing. It would be such a simple matter to return now while he knew they could; but later--who knew what would be their fate? A moment later the temptation was gone. The possibilities of the curious planet toward which they were bound filled his imagination. He became anxious only to reach it as quickly as possible. “Ugh,” he shivered, suddenly realizing that their air in the _Sphere_ had become chilled. “B-r-r,” echoed the professor and Taggert. “Why, it’s down to freezing,” exclaimed Taggert, as he caught sight of the thermometer near him on the inner wall. “Forgot all about our stoves,” chuckled the professor, turning on one of the two electric heaters with which the chamber had been equipped. “The cold is one of our greatest dangers,” the professor told Taggert. “Out here in space the cold is absolute. There is nothing to reflect or retain the heat from the sun’s rays. Even if the gyrostats should stop, the disk is powerful enough to keep the _Sphere_ from falling back into the Earth, or on any other planet if we lightened it by throwing out excess weight as we neared the planet where gravitation would be much stronger than it is at this distance. We have enough food to last us for weeks. But we must have warmth. Should our current fail us we should be in danger of freezing to death. Fortunately we have a petrol heater for emergencies.” “Oy, and me with my overcoat at home!” wailed Taggert, in mock consternation, backing up close to the heater. By this time the Earth had shrunk greatly. No longer did it constitute the greater part of their view. Suddenly a ribbon of fire appeared along its western rim! Steadily it widened, lighting up the _Sphere_ brilliantly. Then the explanation of this phenomenon dawned upon them. The _Sphere_ was carrying them beyond the Earth’s shadow into view of the sun, whose pleasant, warm rays shone cheerfully through the windows, buoying up their spirits considerably. * * * * *