Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 67 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION worry about radiation; we can get all the thrust we need from it, and we can breathe the same stuff we use for fuel. Some prospectors drink it, too, but they must be tired of life. As a partner, Harry turned out to be almost useless. For one thing he couldn’t read a spectroscope without fiddling around with a stack of match- ing plates. For another he didn’t seem to know how erratic some of the rocks are. I had to stand by for long periods and, finally, I had it out with him. ““You’re no prospector,” I told him. “Why did you say you were?” “Did 1?” ‘Perhaps not, but you acted like one. Why didn’t you tell me you were a greenhorn?’” *“Would you have accepted me if I had?’ He rubbed the bristles on his chin and his eyes crinkled a little around the corners. ““Would you?” “You know damn well I wouldn’t.” I didn’t have to tell him why. When two 18 people work together you get so that you begin to trust each other. That’s all right when you’re both experienced and know what you’re doing. But to rely on a greenhorn is the same as committing sui- cide. That’s why I liked to operate on my own. If a man can’t trust himself, then there’s no one he can trust. Also, even though it was hard going, the profits were that much bigger. *‘Mad at me, Jim?’’ “Yes.” I tried to get in a temper, failed, then shrugged. ““What’s the use? I’m stuck with you now, so shouting about it won’t make any’ difference. But why go through all that performance? You could have grub-staked me and stayed behind at Central. An old man like you shouldn’t be out in the Belt unless he has to.” “I wanted to come,” he said sharply. ““And a man is only as old as he feels.” | ~ “You can feel like a two- year-old,” I said brutally. “But that don’t make your comicbooks. conn