Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 43 — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

THE LAVA SEAS TUNNEL waved, and dragged stones. from his pockets. “Diamonds, Martel! as eggs! We're rich!” Martel dropped lightly Big down to the bottom of the . boring, still hot to his touch. ‘““We’re prospecting for heat— power!’ he snapped. “Not diamonds. Money is no use when industry cracks up! We're boring again in five hours. Get back inside!” McGilligan laughed un- evenly. ““Think you’re always boss, eh?” he said. One hand went into a pocket and came out holding a gun. “I’m not boring any more,” he said. ““Not a foot!” “We'll see!’? Martel said. He sprang. A foot caught in a crack in the uneven floor and he stumbled. The weapon exploded above his head. He twisted, but McGilligan had leapt for the deck edge and disappeared. Martel scram- bled up, and halted. Mc- Gilligan was boring the weapon into Dave’s chest. “Stop, or I fire!’ His eyes were red and wild. ‘“‘Get in- side! You’re fools to think I’m Staying down here any longer!” Fuming, Martel retreated into the store room. He saw that Hedgerley was already there, then the door slammed on them and its bolt rattled into place. There was silence. Martel took up one of the tools littering the floor, and attacked the door. Once he paused as there was a jerk. *“He’s taken a life-balloon,” Hedgerley said, uneasily. At last the door swung open under Martel’s blows. The instruments in the control room had been smashed and were useless. The transmitter was ruined, though Steve Martel saw that the receiver still functioned. Both Mc- Gilligan and the third balloon had gone. Minutes passed, and the receiver began calling them. They listened helplessly, un- able to reply, and at last the voice dropped silent. They were once again on their own, Martel thought. It had been like that once before. But 141 comiclooks.corn