Authentic Science Fiction, December 1951 — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

THE MOON I8 HEAVEN 39 “Yes,’’ Atah says. ‘‘ Let’s find the easiest way down to the plain,’’ Leeson has thoughtfully brought a coil of rope with him, which is a good idea. Most people think that because the Moon’s got a gravity so much less than Earth, you can skip and jump about like a fabulous mountain goat. But you can’t. You can still slip and fall pretty deep distances. The fall might not be too bad, but its effect on your space suit would probably put an end to you. Even so, the lower gravity does make things easier. Leeson doesn’t have to strain as he pays out the rope to Atah. He just stands at the top of the crevice while Atah scrambles over the rocks and plants his feet firmly on the ground. His muscles can quite simply take the reduced weight. Very soon Atah disappears from sight behind the rocks. Then, a few seconds later, he tells you over the radio that he’s reached the plain. All come down, he says, but lower the equipment first. Leeson pulls the rope up again while you and Clavier tun back to the rocket. Just as you are swinging open the equipment room door, Schnabel and Reina turn up, too. “I can help,’’ Reina says. ‘‘ I can carry some stuff.” She says it as if she’s afraid you might stop her. “Sure you can,’” you say. ‘‘ You’d better, too, if you want to earn your grub! Catch this!’ You toss her a box of bolts. She fields it Cleverly, gives you a grimace and walks back to the edge of the crevice. Schnabel is scrabbling about inside the equipment room. A few moments later, he comes out with a great load of stuff. and when you try to take some from him, he grunts and brushes past. You must admit that if he works like this all the time, he’ll be worth his weight and maybe a little of his nature. Then you grab an armful yourself and hike it back to Leeson.’ Clavier turns up with another load as you make your way back. In this way, very soon the whole of the equipment carried by the rocket gets piled up beside Leeson comicbooks.com