Astounding Science Fiction, British Edition — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

MISSION OF GRAVITY 105 to suggest. He might even reduce your _ port fee, if he deems them of sufficient value. Until then, I think you had better stay entirely away from our gliders; you might notice some of their more valuable features, and then we would regretfully have to consider you a spy.’ Barlennan and his mate retired to the Bree without argument, highly satisfied with the effect they had pro- duced, and reported the conversation in its entirety to the Earthmen. “You say that more than one of them speaks your language, and yet none of your people have ever heard of this country?’ asked Lackland when the captain had finished. ‘““They seem to have explorers of their own, then, and ships as well. Their reasons for keeping their owa country unknown might be very interesting to your government.” “I can believe that,” replied Bar- lennan, to whom Dondragmer had already communicated his thoughts on this subject. ‘““They wouldn’t need ships, though; perhaps they fly to the continent at this or lower latitudes, and then travel overland to better known parts of the world. Many of our trading caravans have penetrated to the eastern shore of the continent, though of course far south of here.” “That may be true. If so, you'll have to hope that the explorers from these islands did not learn too much about your country along with the language.” “I wouldn’t worry about that,” put in Dondragmer. “They'll probably assume that we kept our knowledge secret just as they have theirs.” ‘How do you think he reacted to the implication that you had gliders capable of flying up in the two-hun- dred-gravity latitudes?” asked Lack- land. “Do you think he believed you?”’ “T couldn’t say; he decided about then either that he was saying too much or hearing too much, and put us in storage until his chief returns. I think we started the right attitude de- veloping, though.” Barlennan may have been right, But the interpreter gave no particular evidence of it when he returned. There was some delay between his actual landing and his descent of the hill to the Bree, and it seemed likely that the guard had reported the conversation ; but he made no reference to it at first. He was accompanied by quite a large party this time, and many more people who must have come by some mode of ground travel began to gather on the hills looking down on the imprisoned vessel. Reejaaren’s attitude was still one of superiority. | “The Officer of the Outer Ports has decided to assume for the moment that your intentions are harmless,”’ he began. “‘You have, of course, violated our rules in coming ashore without permission ; but he recognized that you were in difficulties at the time, and is inclined to be lenient. He authorizes me to inspect your cargo and evaluate the amount of the necessary port fee and fine.” “The officer would not care to see our cargo for himself and perhaps ac- cept some token of our gratitude for his kindness?’’ Barlennan managed to keep sarcasm out of his. voice. Ree- jaaren gave the equivalent of a smile. “Your attitude is commendable, and I am sure we will get along very well with each other. Unfortunately, he is occupied on one of the other islands, and will be for many days to come. Should you still be here at the end of that time, I am sure he will be delighted to take advantage of your offer. In the meantime we might pro- ceed to business.” Reejaaren lost little if any of his - superiority during his examination of the Bree’s cargo, but he managed to Conmcloolkks.conhn