Astounding Science Fiction (British edition) — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

58 ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION I’ve had upstairs all this time, hasn’t showed much wit.” “Don’t believe her!’ said Hilda. “He has, too!” Judy laughed. Balch cleared his throat and said with a grin, “I’m not through yet, you know. Don’t you want to know the final score? For the nibblies—three casualties. One I’ve told you about; the second was another of the sappers, caught the same way. The third was one of the nibblies who didn’t make it . past that tree before it came down; he got completely panicked, apparently, and struck off at random. They ran him down easily. So three casualties for the nibblies. For the wolves—one casualty.” He gave a smile of satis- faction at the surprised gasps this drew. “You think the nibblies have no weapon to fight back with? They do, and I’ve already mentioned it: they can fell trees.” “But the trees fall slowly,” said Moreira. “The wolves could get out of the way.” ““Here’s how it worked. When the _ wolves saw they weren’t going to be able to catch up with the main group of nibblies, they returned to the bur- rows in which a few had hidden, and began to dig. I imagine the under- ground nibblies got away; if not, they're added casualties. Anyhow, while this was going on, a nibbly popped out of a burrow, took a few gnaws at a tree trunk, and popped back—completely unobserved! The tree fell, after he was already out of sight, and mashed the hind quarters of a wolf who was stuck half in and half out of the burrow he was digging in.”’ Judy Jones broke the silence. “That trunk must have been cut almost to the point of falling before the wolves attacked.” Sumer agreed. ““Not only that one. All the trees that were used must have been prepared, and probably others that weren’t used were ready in case they needed them.” Judy looked around, and realized that by now the whole crew was in the room and most of them had finished eating. She stood up. Balch said, ““What’s the announce- ment, Judy?” loudly, to get people listening. “It’s good news.” A broad grin flashed white in her pert black face. “I heard. it just before the meal, and it’s the best news since we got to Four.” Everyone stirred in his seat, guessing what it must be and wonder- ing that it had come so soon. “*Mel- kote, Abiosu, and my husband vouch for it. One of the yeasts we brought is growing on a diet of plants from Four! It’s thriving, and seems to have essen- tially the same chemical composition it would have back home. I’m sorry we couldn’t serve you a slice or two today; we’re not that confident of it. But even if it isn’t a wholesome diet as of now—and Frank’s group will have that checked soon—it’s doing well enough that we’re sure Four can support us. The food problem defi- nitely can be solved!” Her eyes swept the room, looking at everyone in turn. “Lots more to do yet,” she said solemnly, “but we know we'll succeed now. This will be the fourth world where men have made themselves thoroughly at home. The first to be settled from Procyon II. And the most congenial to men. Well, maybe not the most congenial; maybe Earth is better. But Pll tell you this: Four is the most congenial to me. “Let’s take the afternoon off from work, now that the pressure’s off a little, and let’s congratulate our- selves!” There was a good deal of whooping and shouting. Balch hurried around the table to where Chang sat smiling silently to herself. He took her hand Cconniclooolkks.€c© inn