Strong and James had returned to ferry more passengers
to the _Polaris_. Immediately the fun was forgotten and the passengers
crowded around for the roll call.
"Where's Astro?" asked Strong, as he reappeared in the lounge.
"He's down on the jet-boat deck, sir, trying to fix another one,"
replied Tom. "I think he's out testing one now."
"Good," said Strong. "How're they taking it?" He indicated the
passengers.
"Roger's been keeping them amused with games and songs, sir," said Tom
proudly.
"They'll need it. I don't mind telling you, Corbett," said Strong, "it's
a wonder to me this tub hasn't blown up already."
In less than a half hour, the forty passengers and crewmen of the _Lady
Venus_ were transferred in alphabetical order to the waiting _Polaris_.
Roger kept up a continual line of patter and jokes and stories, making a
fool of himself, but keeping the remaining passengers amused and their
minds off the dangers of the rapidly building reaction mass.
"Just one passenger left," said Strong, "with myself and you three. I
think we can squeeze five in that jet boat and get off here."
"That's for me," said Roger. "I'm the only man in the whole universe
that's ever played to a packed house sitting on top of an atomic bomb!"
"All right, Barrymore," said Strong, "get aboard!"
"Say," asked Tom, "where's Astro?"
"I don't know," replied Roger.
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