The boys watched intently as the object neared them. Although it was still pretty far off, they knew that it was not a true celestial object, because they could determine already that it was shaped like nothing usually found in space. In fact, it looked remarkably like a tin can! It was an odd shape for a space ship, but the boys were sure that was what it was. “That’s not like anything I’ve ever seen!” Garry said. “And I’ve seen all kinds of pictures of space ships in magazines and books.” “It must be a special kind of ship,” Patch suggested. “But just so it really is a space ship with living people in it, it can be shaped like a barbecue pit for all I care!” “Patch!” Garry said in a stricken voice. “What if it’s from another planet and carries strange people? Maybe even _unfriendly_ passengers!” Patch’s eyes shone like bright marbles. “Gee, you don’t really think so, do you? I—I mean, how could it be possible? We’ve already explored Mars and Venus, and those planets aren’t inhabited. How could anything possibly live on those big cold planets farther out?” “Maybe they are from another star,” Garry said in a solemn tone. They would know pretty soon where the flying object was from, because it was still heading in their direction, and its passengers could not possibly miss seeing them. Garry and Patch were silent as the object drew steadily closer, each of them engrossed in his own thoughts. “It really does look like a tin can,” Patch said. “A tin can with a big eye in front! But what a big tin can! It’s big as one of those ancient dirigibles.” “Patch, I can begin to make out some writing over the eye. See it?” “Yes. Just a moment. It’s coming into focus. It says ‘CAREFREE!’ I don’t know what it means, but it _sounds_ friendly.” “That must be the name of it,” Garry suggested. “No ship with a name like that could be carrying unfriendly passengers.” “It also means that there must be earthmen aboard, because it’s an earth word.” “I don’t think we have anything to worry about, Patch,” Garry said confidently. “Now they’re turning around,” Patch said. “They—they’re pulling even with us. I guess they’ll anchor to us with magnetic grapples.” Carefully, the _Carefree_ edged closer so that it could latch on. The big circular space ship dwarfed the tiny taxi so greatly that it seemed like David and Goliath. Garry and Patch heard a soft bump as the _Carefree_ coupled onto the side of their craft on which the door was located. Garry knew now that the ships were joined as one. Garry looked at Patch, and Patch looked at Garry. They knew all they had to do now was open the air locks between the ships. But they hesitated as if there were still some doubt in their minds as to the friendliness of those in the other space ship. There came a rap on their air-lock door. Once again Garry looked at Patch, and Patch looked at Garry. Then, after another few moments of hesitation, Garry shrugged and clicked over to the door.