Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 74: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“My name Is Owens.” “O.K., Owens. Now, look—l’d like to help you if | can. | Know you're in a difficult position here—” “I'll do my worrying,” Owens said. “You do yours.” Collins felt himself oddly drawn toward this man before him. A savage? Perhaps. But courage was courage, and even in an enemy it commanded respect. “You know you could be killed,” he told him quietly. “1 may not be able to save you for long. Our food supplies are Short. | Know what would happen to me if | were your Captive.” “You might make a good meal at that,” Owens stated. “You,” Collins informed him, “are not exactly a born diplomat. Doesn't the prospect of death mean anything to you? Your situation is not ideal, you know.” “Neither’ is yours,” the man said surprisingly. “I have Known death all my life. | know that it comes whether you are afraid of it or not, so why be afraid? Your own life will soon be over; perhaps you would do well to reserve your Charity.” Collins floated toward the man through the shadows, his own eyes cold and hard. He gripped Owens’ arm tightly and applied pressure until his fingers ached. Owens did not flinch and continued to meet his gaze squarely. “What did you mean by that?” whispered Collins tensely. “What do you know about my life?” “Your world will be dead within twenty sleep periods, and you will die with it,” the man said, his voice edged with hate. The world will be ours.” Those are big words,” Collins said, fingering his knife with his free hand. “But they are only words.” Owens smiled coldly. “You think that we are fools because we do not believe as you do,” he said evenly. “You think that we are fools because we know the stars are gods. But we Know other things as well, my stupid friend.” “Such as?” suggested Collins, drawing his knife. “You threaten me?” the CORniclooo SS CO