Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION blazed, illuminating the im- mediate area with their fierce glow. Small shapes, caught in the glare, froze before drop- ping down into the tall grass. “peo?” “Pygmies,” whispered Car- ter. “Or monkeys? Which?” *“Not monkeys,” said Mal- chin thoughtfully. “‘At least, they have no fur.” “Some have weapons.” Carter bit his lips as he stared through the window. ‘“‘Naked for the most part, though one of them seemed to be wearing some sort of necklace.’’ He reached out and killed the lights. “Save power,” he ex- plained. ““We need all we can for the beacon.” Malchin nodded, his face thoughtful. He wasn’t afraid; the projectors contained enough energy to incinerate a square mile of forest, but he was interested. The natives— already he was thinking of them as such—had obviously seen him as he collected the water. That presupposed a village of sorts and that, - again, presupposed a culture. It was possibly a very primi- tive culture, but a culture just 40) the same. A man, a shrewd business-man, could do many things with a primitive culture, especially if he were armed with the technology of modern civilisation. He said as much to Carter. The little man looked dubious. “I don’t-agree. For all we know they may consider us their enemies. Primitive cul- tures always fear the un- known, and the result of fear is always hate-induced violence. They are probably just waiting for a chance to kill us.” ‘““Nonsense!”” Malchin was very positive. ““They may be afraid of us, yes, but that is all to the good.”’ He expanded his theory. “Look at it from their point of view. They must have seen the ship land and, to them, it would appear as if we have come from the stars. They can see the stars on this planet and they probably have a concept of Gods dwelling on them. So that makes us gods. They have only just shown themselves because this is the first time either of us has been very far from the ship. I’d guess commiclsooks.com