Authentic Science Fiction, December 1951 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

22 THE MOON IS HEAVEN kind of atmosphere that you find around a coach taking school kids off for their annual beano. But there’s a much deeper current underlying all this. A much more serious idea behind it all. “‘JT don’t think we’ll be worried by the mob,’’ Atah goes on. ‘“‘ A special detachment of police from Popayan has arrived. They’ve put a cordon round the site that ought to keep wild elephants out. We'll let the L.C. chaps come out and see us on to the ship. Then they’ll clear off the danger zone while we blast-off.’’ “ That’s a fine idea, Atah,’’ Leeson drawled. ‘‘ Those boys’ve done a great job around here these last few days. It’s only right to let them see as much as possible.”’ There was a general murmur of approval. Everyone kept off the topic of Reina. The public didn’t know yet that a woman was going on the trip—that had been the hardest part for you, not being allowed to break the story. But Atah thought they’d best get the news when you were all safely up in space. Atah puts down his cup. He turns and walks out of the door. You all follow him, comicbooks.com