Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

102 say or do anything that would tend to oppose such a belief. There was no point in getting the interpreter angry— contempt was a safer emotion, whether the situation came to selling or simply getting away. A half truth that seemed like yielding on. Barlennan’s part would probably be the best move. We had much help pulling the ship across the land” he said, putting a little sullenness in his tone. “From the rock-rollers and river- dwellers? You must have a remark- ably persuasive tongue. We have never received anything but missiles from them.” To Barlennan’s relief, Reejaaren did not pursue the subject further. He re- turned to more immediate matters. “So you desire to trade with us, now that you are here. What have you to trade? And I suppose you wish to go to one of our cities?’ Barlennan sensed the trap, and answered ac- cordingly. “We will trade here, or anywhere else you desire, though we would rather not go any farther from the sea. All we have to trade at the moment is a load of foods from the isthmus, which you doubtless have in great quantity already because of your flying machines.” “Food can’ usually be sold,” the interpreter replied noncommittally. “Would you be willing to do your trading before you got any closer to the sea?”’ “If necessary, as I said, though I don’t see why it should be necessary. Your flying machines could catch us before we got very far, if we tried to leave the coast before you wanted, couldn’t they?” Reejaaren might have been losing his suspicions up to this point, but the last question restored them in full force. “Perhaps we could, but that is not for me to say. Marreni will decide, of course, but I suspect you might as well ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION plan on lightening Your ship here. There will be port fees, of course, in any case.” “Port fees? This is no port, and I didn’t land here; I was washed up.” “Nevertheless, foreign ships must pay port fees. I might point out that the amount is determined by the Officer of the Outer Ports, and he will get much of his impression of you through me. A little more courtesy might be in order.”’ Barlennan restrained his temper with difficulty, but agreed aloud that the interpreter spoke the clearest truth. He said it at some length, and - apparently mollified that individual to some extent. At any rate he departed without further threats, overt or im- plied. Barlennan expressed himself to his mate at length and with feeling as the interpreter climbed the hill once more and got into his glider. Two of his fellows accompanied him; the other remained behind. Men from the other gliders hastily seized the two ropes attached ‘to the collap- sible framework and pulled. The cords stretched unbelievably, until their hooks were finally fastened to an at- tachment in the glider’s nose. The air- craft was then released and the ropes contracted to their original length, hurling the glider into the air. Bar- lennan instantly desire for some of that stretching rope. He said so, and Dondragmer sympa~ thized. He had heard the entire con- versation, and sympathized also with his captain’s feelings toward the lin- guist for the Officer of the Outer Ports. “You know, Barl, I think we could put that lad in his place. Want to try it?”” “I'd love to, but I don’t think we can afford to let him get mad at us until we’re good and far away. I don’t want him and his friends dropping their spears on the Bree now or any other time.” Connicloooks.conn formed a heartfelt. —