"Just don't spend all your credits at the first booth," continued Strong. "And watch that Venusian cloud candy. It's good, but murder on the Earthman's stomach."
"Captain Strong!" A voice called from the platform above. It was one of the Venusian delegates. "They want some pictures of you!"
"Be right there, sir," replied Strong. He turned to the boys and smiled. "You're lucky you don't have to go through this. See you aboard ship later." Spinning quickly on his heel, he made his way back through the crowd to the platform.
"Well, fellas," announced Roger, "we've got twelve hours liberty and a small scale model of the whole solar system to have fun in! What're we waiting for?"
Fighting their way through the crowds in the plaza, the three boys finally reached the amusement area where they wandered among gaily colored booths and plastic tents, their eyes lighting up with each new attraction.
Two hours later, stuffed with spaceburgers and Martian water, their arms loaded with assorted prizes, won by Astro's prowess in the weight-lifting booth, Tom's skill as a marksman, and Roger's luck at the wheels of chance, the cadets wearily returned to the Polaris.
As they neared their section of the fair site they heard a harsh voice appealing to a small crowd around the stand in front of Wallace and Simms' spaceship. A huge sign spelled out the attraction: RIDE IN SPACE--ONE CREDIT.
Luther Simms, a bamboo cane in one hand, a roll of tickets in another, was hawking his attraction to the bystanders.
"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Step right up! It's a thrill of a lifetime, the greatest sensation of the entire exposition. Ride a rocket ship, and all this for one credit! A lone, single credit, ladies and gents, will buy you a pathway to the stars! Step right up--"
In laughing groups, the crowd around the stand began to purchase tickets and climb aboard the old freighter.
The three cadets watched from the outer edge of the crowd.
"Hey, fellas," said Roger suddenly, "whaddya say we go?"
"But that hulk should have been shipped back to the scrap furnace years ago!" Tom protested.
"So what, Junior?" drawled Roger. "Scared?"
"Don't be silly," replied Tom. "But with all the other things to do here, why should we--"