Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAVA SEAS TUNNEL “Well enough—the blow- back missed me.” His eyes wént to the operator and his brows rose. “Just a_ kid. Too bad.” “Too bad,” Martel agreed. He thought it best to say no more. He supposed that Dave had taken the position of the usuai operator at the last moment—but that could wait. At the moment, the first thing was to get the boy to safety. There were three col- lapsible balloons—the ma- chine’s ‘“‘life boats’”—which ‘could be released in emer- gency. With some luck, per- haps a lot, Martel thought grimly, one of the balloons might float up the shaft to the open world above. Dave was stirring. Steve Martel made his face grim, and when Dave’s eyes opened, Steve glared. ‘“‘What do you think you’re doing, son, pulling tricks like this? You’re going up in one of the life-balloons, now!” Dave looked rebellious. “Pll not! Youcan’t make me!” 139 Martel admired the other’s spirit, but did not let that show. “You'll do as you're told!’ he snapped. “Tl not, then! There are only three bailoons—for all of us!” There was no answer to that, Steve Martel knew. He fumed, and abruptly won- dered what had happened to McGilligan. “We'll see!”’ he said. He took down a respirator, adjusting it as he went. The outside compartment was in- tact. McGilligan, trembling like a jelly, was inside it, and Martel dragged him out. “Pull yourself together, man! There’s work to be done!” McGilligan shivered. ““Leave me alone. I’ve had enough!” “Not while I’m_ boss!” Martel snapped. ‘“‘Get back to work.’ He saw Dave had foilowed, and glared at him. “And you too! While you’re here you’re under my com- mand!”’ comiclooks.corn