Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition, December 1955 — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

THE WAITABITS | 37 to sleep beside it. Scintilloscope marched in a careful zigzag around the base of the bluff. After two hours Harding’s whistle recalled the outside lotus-eaters who responded with reluctance. They slouched back into the gigantic bottle that already had contained them so long. Another two hundred went out, played all the same tricks including the tightrope act on the rails. By the time that gang had enjoyed its ration of liberty the mess bells announced a main meal ready. The crew ate, after which Number One Watch took to its berths and the, deepest sleep within memory. A third freedom party cavorted on the turf. The indefatigable Shallom passed along the news that nine varieties of flea-sized bugs were awaiting introduction to Garside, the entomologist, whenever that worthy gentieman deigned to crawl out of bed. By the time the fourth and last section of the crew returned from its two- hours spree, Pascoe had had enough. He was baggy-eyed from lack of slumber, disappointed with having curiosity left unsatisfied. ‘‘More than seven hours waiting in the sky,” he complained to Leigh, ‘and another eight down here. That’s over fifteen hours all told. Where has it got us?” “It has given the men a badly needed break,” Leigh reproved. “The first rule of captaincy is to consider the men before considering an exterior problem. There is no real solution to any predicament unless there is also the means to apply it. The men are the means and more so than is the ship or any part of it. Men can build ships but ships cannot manufacture men.” “All right. They’ve had their outing. They are refreshed and their morale is boosted, all in accordance with the best psychological advice. .What — next?” “If nothing turns up it will enable them to catch up on their sleep. The first watch is snoring its collective head off right now. The other two watches are entitled to their turn.” “But that means sitting idle for another eighteen hours,” Pascoe pro- tested. “Not necessarily. The Waitabits may arrive at any time, in unguessable number, with unknown intentions and with unknown means of enforcing them. If so, everyone will have a rude awakening and you may get enough action to last you a lifetime.” Leigh jerked a thumb toward the door. ““Mean- while, take to bed while the going is good. If trouble starts, it’s likely to be days before you get another chance. Exhausted men are crippled men in a Situation such as this.” “What about you?” “I intend to slump into sweet dreams myself as soon as Harding is ready to take over.”’ Pascoe snorted with impatience, glanced at Walterson, gained no support from that quarter. Walterson was dozing on his feet at mere mention of bed. Pascoe snorted again, more loudly this time, departed with the other following. They returned within ten hours, found Leigh freshly shaved and spruced. COMiIcloOolkxs.COnl