Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 52 — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION as a man came crashing through the bushes towards them. “Doctor ?” **Here.”’ “The commander wants you to return at once. There’s trouble, bad trouble.’ The man wiped sweat from his face and his eyes reflected his fear. ““Hurry.”’ “TilIness?”” Hermitage rose quickly to his feet. “Is it sickness ?”” “Yes. Hurry!” THE MAN WAS DYING. Hermitage could see that at a glance without the necessity of making a closer examina- tion, but he made it just the same, carefully touching the angry red blotches and pursing his lips at the colouration of the eyes. Williams stood beside him, his attention to duty over-riding his instinctive fear of plague, and gestured the doctor outside after the ex- amination. *“Will he live ?’’ “No.” “Is it catching?” “T don’t think so. How did it happen?” “That’s the mysterious thing about it. He was all right this morning, but just after lunch he collapsed. Those red patches seemed to appear within seconds.” Wil- liams swallowed. “Is it plague?” “No.” “What is it then? Don’t just keep saying ‘no.’. What do you advise?” “Lift your restriction on the eating of native produce. Serve it at the next meal and see that every man and woman has a fair share.” ‘““What!” Anger thinned the commander’s lips. “Must [ remind you that this is hardly the time for joking? There’s a man dying in there and there may be others. For all you know the native food may be to blame, and yet you ask me to order everyone to eat at? “I’m not joking, Williams. There’s a good reason for my suggestions, and as for the comiclbooks.corn