Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

STAR HAVEN “You said that they left,” said Hermitage thoughtfully. ‘“What makes you think that ?” ‘“Isn’t it obvious? Are they dead? If so where are their bodies? Did something come out of the lake and snatch them away? If so why wasn’t it recorded? No. All the evidence points to the fact that they must have left of their own free will. They deserted! They walked out on all they had done and left their equipment and supplies to rot, and went—where?”’ “It’s a big planet,” said Gerald slowly. “They must have taken the ’copter, of course; that would be the logical thing to do.” ‘*As far as I can remember,”’ said Hermitage dryly, “a helicopter, one of the portable ones, that is, can carry four men at a time. Allow one for piloting and that leaves four hundred and forty-seven men and women to shift by air. A hundred and fourty-nine double journeys. Logical? When they could have walked ?” 19 “Walked to where?’ Wil- liams banged his fist down onto the desk. “This dis- cussion isn’t getting us any- where. I must remind you that we have no time for idle speculation; it is essential that we find out what happened to the first settlers. It isn’t important to argue about > where they went or how. We must find out why! What made them forget their duty to Earth? Why did they neglect their sacred trust? That is what we must discover and, in the meantime, we can continue, with the work they neglected to do.’’ He rose to his feet. ‘“‘Gerald! You will work with Hermitage and determine whether or not the local fruits are edible and harmless. Hermitage! Despite your conviction that we have nothing to fear from alien disease, I want you to test and test again everything and anything which could menace our health. Ignore the previous records. If they showed their neglect in one comicloooks.com