They could see that the gangplank had been put down because of the depth of the Lunar dust. It was obviously quite deep in this area, since the _Carefree_ itself was half buried in it. Deep, enormous dust pits were very common on the moon and were among the most dangerous obstacles to travel, because they never gave any indication of how deep they were until someone fell in and was suffocated. Carefully, Garry, with Patch right behind him, stepped out on the narrow gangplank and moved slowly forward toward the air lock at the other end. It was a little unsteady underfoot, but it was rigid and did not sink beneath the boys’ light lunar weight. Besides, Garry felt pretty sure now that Katrinka had crossed it, and she was far heavier than both of them together. Garry reached the air lock, his heart thumping rapidly with hope and expectation. He raised his gloved hand and began pounding on the outer door. They waited. Five seconds, then ten, fifteen.... Garry’s hopes began to dim. It didn’t look as if there were anyone alive inside after all. But then the air-lock door began to swing open. The boys scrambled inside, too tense and excited to speak to one another. They heard air swishing into the air lock. Then, after another half minute, the inner door swung open. Standing there inside facing them was—Ben. 19. A NEW LIFE “Ben!” Garry exclaimed jubilantly, rushing into the main part of the ship. “Is it really you?” “I’m not a ghost,” Ben said with a grin, “if that’s what you mean.” “How did you ever do it?” Patch asked, amazement written all over his chubby features. “I mean crash-land the _Carefree_.” “First tell me how the others are,” Ben asked anxiously. Garry told him that they were all right, at least for the time being. Ben was limping as he moved about. Patch asked about this, and Ben said it would come out in his story. The boys had entered into the central tunnel of the _Carefree_, with its webbing network, and Garry noticed that Ben had laid down metallic sheets over the webbing so that it could be more easily stood upon. Ben sat down on this and began his story. “I had made plans to remain aboard the _Carefree_ before we even started working on the flier. When I found that the space taxi would hold only seven passengers safely, I knew someone had to stay behind. I was afraid the captain would realize that the flier would be overcrowded, but I guess he was too busy thinking about other things. The likely one to bow out was myself, because I felt that quite possibly I might be able to bring the _Carefree_ down in one piece. I knew this region of Hornfield was full of huge dust pits that could cushion the fall of a ship if she belly-landed in one of them just right. But don’t think I wasn’t scared even thinking of trying such a thing! Don’t get me wrong, fellows—I wasn’t out to make a hero of myself!”