“Garry, how’ll I ever get them on?” Patch protested.
“I’ll hold onto you while you put them on,” Garry offered. “That’ll make it easier—I guess.”
Garry got behind Patch and held him by the collar. Then began Patch’s struggles with the shoes. It was comical for Garry to see his friend having such a hard time, but he knew Patch would have the laugh on him later.
It took them both a good while to get the shoes on. When the floor current of the gravity plates finally held them down, the boys laughed at each other in their oversized equipment.
“I guess we look like snowshoe rabbits with our big feet!” Patch said with a laugh. “Good thing those straps pulled up tight, or we’d never be able to keep them on.”
The craft had been moving along smoothly, but before long it began to shudder irregularly.
“The jets have cut out, Patch,” Garry said. “We’re coasting. Without any air friction out here in space, we could coast along forever.”
“Garry, don’t say that!” Patch gasped.
But Garry found out that his guess was wrong, and he was glad that it had been. Presently, twin jets of flame were seen pouring from the front of the craft.
“Garry, we’re on fire!” Patch shouted.