Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 66 — page 103: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION deaf or plain dumb? Is that thing a flying saucer?” The thing turned, looked at George, then resumed its Original position. _ “You fool!” Fred grabbed George and dragged him out of prgblematical earshot. “After all I’ve told you, to say a thing like that!” *“What was wrong with it?” “A complete betrayal of our native intelligence and lack of ability to extrapolate from given data.” “Uh 7 aks “The thing is here,” ex- plained Fred irritably. “‘It wasn’t here yesterday. It wasn’t carried here, or built here, and we know that it didn’t grow. What else can it be but a flying saucer?” “I know.” “Then why ask the alien what the ship is if you already know? For Pete’s sake leave this to me; you'll only go and spoil everything.” ““How can I?” asked George reasonably. “It don’t answer, so it can’t understand what I say.” ‘““We can’t be sure of that,” said Fred. “It may be testing us.” He frowned towards the 102 creature in the opening. “‘Any- way, it will later, after it has learned the language. It’s probably got a highly retentive memory and will be able to remember every word and gesture we use. Hell, George! You’ve made it think we’re a couple of morons!” ““Maybe, but what’s so wrong with being a moron?” George spat reflectively on the grass. He seemed to be losing his first fear of the creature. “What makes you think it can hear, anyway?” “It turned to look at you when you spoke.” Fred began to fumble in his pockets. “You got a stick?” “No. What you want a stick for?” “Sign language. You sure you haven’t got a stick?” ““[’m sure.” | “*A knife then, ’’snapped Fred irritably. ““Anything to scratch the ground and make marks.” “ve got a switch-knife. Will that do?” ““Yes.”” Impatiently Fred snatched it, pressed the stud, and six inches of steel flashed in the sunlight. “‘Now, stay close behind me and don’t say a word.” a Ee eee Slee eee ee ee ee comiclooks.conn