With faint hope of survival, some measure of good spirits was restored to the astronauts. Ben called upon Mr. Klecker to help him work on the space taxi, and Captain Eaton said he would go to the observatory to take a “fix” and try to determine the course the _Carefree_ had taken. “I’ll have to change clothes,” Mr. Klecker said. “I don’t want to get my uniform soiled.” “Guess I’ll go and whip up some breakfast,” Gino said. “That’s about all _I_ can do, although maybe nobody will be hungry.” Captain Eaton turned to Garry and Patch before he left. “I know it’s going to be hard for you,” he said, “but try to feel hopeful about this situation. A terrible misfortune has come our way, but try to believe that things will work out for us. Chins up, eh, fellows?” He forced a smile. The boys gave him a brave smile in return, although they did not feel it any more than he had. “May we go with you to the observatory, Captain?” Patch asked. “Maybe we can help.” “Yes, if you like. I know how hard it will be to remain idle at a time like this. Let’s go.” In the observatory, Garry and Patch watched the captain at his telescope and other instruments. He worked for a little while, then turned away from his work with a brooding, disturbed look on his face. He stroked his neat beard. Then he worked again for several more minutes. He stopped once more, but then resumed his watching. He kept this up for some time, and, as the minutes passed, his face grew more and more serious. Garry was afraid to ask, but he felt that he had to know. “Captain, is—is it bad?” he said softly. Captain Eaton shook his head grimly, the look of despair in his eyes. “You may as well know,” he replied. “I’ve been hoping I was wrong, but now I know I’m not. We’re moving into the gravity field of the moon. My guess is that we’re only a few hours away from collision.” 12. A STARTLING DISCOVERY This latest bad news filled Garry with a new dread. But he refused to give up hope. He remembered that Ben was working in the flier, trying to put it in shape. “Captain Eaton,” he asked, “do you think Ben will have the flier ready by the time we begin falling to the moon?” “I couldn’t even guess at that. If there’s not too much wrong with the flier, he may get it repaired in short order. But a major repair—I just don’t know. I guess the next thing now is to inform the men of our course and get Ben’s estimate of the flier’s damage.” The three of them joined Ben and Mr. Klecker in the flier a few moments later. The small rocket ship was still held fast to the bigger _Carefree_, their two air locks joined as if they were one ship. When Captain Eaton had told the men that they were headed for the moon, whether they liked it or not, Ben replied, “Well, Captain, I suppose we’ve just _got_ to get the space taxi in shape in mighty short order. I don’t imagine the _Carefree_ will bounce very well on the moon’s hard, rocky surface.”