Chapter X: Vagabonds All

Together they cared for Detis and Mado; made them comfortable in their bunks until the time when the effects of the gas would wear off. Lucky it was that Rapaju had used the gas pistol rather than the ray. Perhaps it had been a mistake. Or perhaps he had needed the scientific knowledge of Detis, the familiarity with the inner planets that was Mado's. At any rate, they had no delusions regarding his designs on Ora or his hatred of Carr. By his own passions had the commander of the fleet been led to the error that cost him his life and made possible the destruction of his fleet.

Carr was torn by conflicting emotions. The delectable little Europan was most disturbing. He'd never had much use for the other sex--on Earth. Too dominating, most of them. And always thrown at his head by designing parents for his money. But Ora was different! Her very nearness set his pulses racing. And he knew that she cared for him as he did for her. Those moments in the control cabin after the explosion! But something had come over him since he cut loose from the old life. Wanderlust--that was it. He'd never go back. Neither would he be content to settle down to a domestic life in Pala-dar. Wanted to be up and going somewhere.

"Oh, Carr, Carr!" Ora's voice called to him. "Mado is awake. He wants you."

Good old Mado! Why couldn't they just continue on their way as they had started out? Roaming the universe in search of other adventures! But the silvery tinkle of Ora's laughter reached his ears. She was irresistible! He forgot his doubts as he hurried to his friend's cabin.

* * * * *

Mado was staring at the Europan maiden with a ludicrous expression of astonishment--gawping, Carr called it. And Ora was laughing at him.

"Your friend," she gurgled, "doesn't believe he's alive, or that I am, or you. Tell him we are."

Carr grinned. Mado did look funny at that. "Hello, old sock," he said, "had a bad dream?"

"Did I? Oh boy!" Mado rocked to and fro, his head in his hands. Then he displayed sudden intense interest. "Rapaju?" he asked. "His guards--the fleet--what's happened?"

"Ah ha! Now you know you're alive!" Carr laughed. "But the others are dead and gone. The fleet's gone to smash--and how!"

"But Carr. How did you do it? Tell me!"

Mado threw off his covers and clapped his friend on the back, a resounding thump that brought a gasp from Ora.

"Your Sargasso Sea did it. And it's a thing of the past, too. Wait till I tell you about it!"

* * * * *

Ora tripped from the room as Carr sat on the edge of the bunk to spin his yarn.

"But man alive!" Mado exclaimed when the story was finished. "Don't you know you've done a miraculous thing? I'd never have had the nerve. That damn creature out there had more than four times its former attracting energy. That's what made it impossible for the fleet to get away. And you--you lucky devil--you just doped it out right. The fleet of the Llotta gave you a tremendous push from astern when you used the repulsive energy. If they hadn't been there with their enormous mass to react against we'd all have been mincemeat now along with the Llotta. You Terrestrials sure can think fast! Me, now--Lord, if it had been me, I'd have thought of it after my spirit had departed to its reward--or punishment. Glory be! It's the greatest thing I ever heard of."

"Rats! You'd have done the same as I did. Probably would have missed it a mile instead of nearly getting caught as I did. A good thing the fleet's gone, though. Mars and Terra--Venus, too--they'll never know how close it was for them. Wouldn't have sense enough to appreciate it, anyway."

"They would if they ever got a taste of what the Llotta planned. But what's wrong with you Carr? You act sore. Want to go home?"

"Me? Don't be like that. No--I'd like to carry on as we planned. There's Saturn, Uranus and Neptune yet; Planet 9; a flock of satellites and asteroids. Oh, dammit!"

Mado looked his amazement. "Well, what's to prevent it?" he demanded. "The _Nomad's_ still here, and so are we. I'm just as anxious to keep going as you are. Why not?"

But Carr did not reply. Why not, indeed? He strode from the cabin and into the control room. The _Nomad_ was drifting in space, subject only to natural forces that swung it in a vast orbit around the sun. He started the generators and drove the vessel from her temporary orbit with rapid acceleration. Out--out into the jeweled blackness of the heavens. There was Jupiter out there, a bright orb that came suddenly very near when he centered it on the cross-hairs of the telescope.

The excited voices of Ora and Detis came to his ears. The booming speech of Mado. Why couldn't he be sensible and companionable as they were? But a perverse demon kept him at the controls. They'd think him a grouch. Well, maybe he was! But the vastness of the universe beckoned. New worlds to explore; mysteries to be solved; a life of countless new experiences! Anyone'd think he was the owner of the _Nomad_, the way he planned for the future.

* * * * *

They were in the control cabin now--Mado and Detis and Ora. A moment he hesitated, eyes glued to the telescope. Then, with a petulant gesture, he reached for the automatic control; locked it. Shouldn't be this way. They'd think him an awful cad. And they'd be right! He whirled to face them.

Detis was smiling. Mado gazed owlishly solemn. Ora clung to the arm of her father, and her long lashes hid the blue eyes that had played such havoc with the emotions of the Terrestrial.

"Carr," said Detis, gently, "we must thank you. You saved our lives, you know."

"Aw, forget it. Saved my own, too, didn't I? By a lucky break."

"It wasn't luck, Carr." Detis was gripping his hand now. "It was sheer grit and brains. You had them both. If you hadn't used them we'd all be corpses--or disintegrated--excepting Ora, perhaps. And you know the fate that awaited her. Instead, we are alive and well. The fleet is gone. Rapaju's body and that of his guard drift nameless in space where you disposed of them through the air-lock of the _Nomad_. The inner planets need fear no future invasion, for the resources of Ganymede have been expended in the one huge enterprise that has failed. All through your quick wit and bravery. No, it wasn't luck."

"Nonsense, Detis." Carr returned the pressure of the scientist's hand, smiling sheepishly. He pushed him away after a moment. He didn't want their gratitude or praise. Didn't know what he wanted. Ora still avoided meeting his gaze. "Nonsense," he repeated. "And now, please leave me. You, Detis. Mado, too. I'd like to be alone for a while--with Ora. Mind?"

Mado's owlish look broadened to a knowing grin as he backed into the passageway. Detis collided with the huge Martian in his eagerness to be out of the room. They were alone and Carr was on his feet. Nothing mattered now--excepting Ora. Suddenly she was in his arms, the fragrance of her hair in his nostrils.

* * * * *

Star gazing, the two of them. It was ridiculous! But the wonders of the universe held a new beauty now for Carr. The distant suns had taken on added brilliance. Still they beckoned.

"Carr," the girl whispered, after a time, "where are we going?"

"To Europa. Your home."

"To--to stay?"

"No." Carr was suddenly confident; determined. "We'll stop there to break the news. Then we'll be wedded, you and I, according to the custom of your people. Our honeymoon--years of it--will be spent in the _Nomad_, roving the universe. Mado'll agree, I know. Wanderers of the heavens we'll be, Ora. But we'll have each other; and when we've--you've--had enough of it, I'll be ready to settle down. Anywhere you say. Are you game?"

"Oh, Carr! How did you guess? It's just as we'd planned. Father and Mado and I. Didn't think I'd go, did you, you stupid old dear?"

"Why--why Ora." Carr was stammering now. He'd thought he was being masterful--making the plans himself. But she'd beat him to it, the adorable little minx! "I was a bit afraid," he admitted; "and I still can't believe that it's actually true. You're sure you want to?"

"Positive. Why Carr, I've always been a vagabond at heart. And now that I've found you we'll just be vagabonds together. Father and Mado will leave us very much to each other. Their scientific leanings, you know. And--oh--it'll just be wonderful!"

"It's you that'll make it wonderful, sweetheart."

Carr drew her close. The stars shone still more brightly and beckoned anew. Vagabonds, all of them! Like the gypsies of old, but with vastly more territory to roam. The humdrum routine of his old life seemed very far behind. He wondered what Courtney Davis would say if he could see him now. Wordless happiness had come to him, and he let his thoughts wander out into the limitless expanse of the heavens. Star gazing still--just he and Ora.

Reader's Corner

_From a Science Fiction "Fiend"_

Dear Editor:

I agree with you about the reprinting of old stories,
because you would only force older Science Fiction readers
to read the same stuff that they have read before. Any
Science Fiction fiend like myself will surely have the
reprinted story in his collection of magazines.

The size of your magazine is perfect, but your paper is not
very good. As for me, I don't care about your paper because
your stories are so very good that the paper doesn't matter.

My favorite story, and one of the best stories that I have
ever read so far, is "Murder Madness." It has a very
original idea and holds your interest from the very start.

I am also for a more often publication of your magazine;
about twice a month--Rupert Jones, New York, N. Y.

_Valuable Suggestions_

Dear Editor:

The July issue of Astounding Stories is one of the best
issues you have so far published.

Arthur J. Burks sure is a master at writing Science Fiction
tales. The first installment of "Earth, the Marauder" was
swell. Harl Vincent is another very good author. His
novelette, "The Terror of Air-Level Six," was a close
second. "The Forgotten Planet," by S. P. Wright, "Beyond the
Heaviside Layer," by S. P. Meek and "From an Amber Block,"
by Tom Curry were all good stories.

The cover illustration was the best yet. I hope that the
next dozen covers do not have blue backgrounds. Other colors
you might have are green, red, pink, orange, yellow, black
and light and dark purple.

When will Edmond Hamilton's first story be published in
Astounding Stories? Have you received any stories by Stanton
Coblentz, A. Hyatt Verrill, Ed Earl Repp, John W. Campbell,
Jr., Edward E. Chappelow and Edgar Rice Burroughs yet?

Why not have a page devoted to the authors? You could print
a picture and tell something about one author each month. I
think that an illustration representing Science Fiction
would look good on the contents page.

I hope that Wesso will soon be illustrating every story in
Astounding Stories, or that you will obtain another artist
equally as good (if possible).

Is it possible for you to use a better and thinner grade of
paper? I save all my Astounding Stories and I like them to
be thin so they will not take up so much room.--Jack Darrow,
4225 N. Spaulding Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

_Not Yet_

Dear Editor:

I have just received your July issue of Astounding Stories,
and I must say that it is the best yet.

The only thing wrong with it, in my opinion, is that it is
too small; the size should be at least 9x12. Also it should
be a semi-monthly, or at least accompanied by a quarterly
and annual.

The stories in the July issue are wonderful, all except
Murray Leinster's serial, which does not belong in your
magazine.

If you have any intention of putting an annual or a
quarterly on the market, will you be so kind as to
communicate with me as I am very much interested in your
magazine.--Louis Wentzler, 1933 Woodbine St., Brooklyn, N.
Y.

_"Ever Since"_

Dear Editor:

I want to tell you what I think of your new magazine. I
think it's great.

I stopped in a drug store and saw Astounding Stories on the
newsstand. I bought it and have been buying it ever since. I
am fourteen years old, but I am interested in science. Why
not get a story by Edgar Rice Burroughs, and some more by
Ray Cummings?

I wish success to your wonderful magazine.--Wm. McCalvy,
1244 Beech St., St. Paul, Minn.

_"Not One Poor Story Yet"_

Dear Editor:

I agree with you that reprints should absolutely be kept out
of your magazine. I admit that there are many stories of
unusual merit among the reprints but I favor new and fresher
stories.

In your last issue (June) I consider "The Moon Master" as
being the best story, closely followed by "Out of the
Dreadful Depths." "The Cavern World" came next, followed by
"Giants of the Ray," "Brigands of the Moon" and "Murder
Madness."

I have not found one poor story in your magazine yet, and
never expect to.

I, for one, favor a larger sized magazine with a five cent
increase in price, or, at least, if the magazine must remain
small, I would like to see a quarterly out on the third
Thursday every three months.

I am extremely pleased to see that an interplanetary story
by R. F. Starzl will appear in your next issue. Please have
more of his stories if possible.--Forrest James Ackerman,
530 Staples Ave., San Francisco, Calif.

_Likes Present Size_

Dear Editor:

Best stories in the last two issues: C. D. Willard's "Out of
the Dreadful Depths" (Excellent); Chas. W. Diffin's "The
Moon Master" (Very Good); Sewell P. Wright's "Forgotten
Planet" (Fairly Good).

I am a new reader, but interested in these kinds of
stories. I am pleased to see that your readers criticize
freely. A story that will please one reader will not
interest another, perhaps, and it may not be the fault of
the author's ability so much as that he doesn't like that
type of story.

"Out of the Dreadful Depths," by C. Willard is the best
story I've read for some time. I could not see a single way
it could be improved. "The Moon Master," by Chas. Diffin was
just as good but I didn't like the ending so well. I
certainly hope Mr. Diffin will write more stories like it,
especially using his same three leading characters. "The
Forgotten Planet," by Mr. Wright, was well written and
pretty good in spite of the fact that I don't like that type
of story so well.

"Murder Madness," by Murray Leinster was well written and
the characters interesting and real but I didn't like his
subject. I hope for more and different stories from him.
"Earth, the Marauder," by Arthur J. Burks looks as though it
was going to be a record winner for me--accomplish the
impossible, and make a good story from a story of the
future.

I don't like horror stories, crazy stories and stories
written far into the future, as "Brigands of the Moon."
These stories make light of the vast distances of space and
are too weird, droll and fail to give a single shiver down
my old backbone. They are strange and inhabited by strange
people. No story can give the faintest idea of the space
between those mighty suns of the universe. Most of them have
more imagination than scientific knowledge. "Earth, the
Marauder," an exception.

I would much rather hear stories of primeval days of the
lost Atlantis before Earth was populated with scientific
beings, when the cave man looked up at the unknown, then so
near to him. At the moon, which was then so close, and
uninhabited by superior beings. Tales of superstition and
all mystery stories of the unknown. I like interplanetary
stories, if not written too far into the future.

I like the present size and shape of your magazine. Best
wishes for the success of your magazine.--An Interested
Reader, Goffstown, N. H.

_Likes_

Dear Editor:

I have just finished reading the July issue of Astounding
Stories and I think every story is simply great, especially
"The Terror of Air-Level Six." That sure is a story! "The
Forgotten Planet" is a corker, too!

While reading the letters in "The Readers' Corner" I noticed
that almost everyone has a hankering for Edgar Rice
Burroughs' stories. Believe it or not, I'm wild about his
stories myself and I'm looking forward to reading his
stories in Astounding Stories. It won't make any difference
if they'll be originals or reprints, so long as they're
Burroughs!

Ray Cummings is another one of my favorites and I always
read his stories first. His "Brigands of the Moon" hit me in
the right spot. "The Moon Master" in the June issue was
also a very fine story.

Now about this argument about reprinted stories. I think
that if, at least, one reprinted story appeared in each
issue of Astounding Stories, it wouldn't hurt its
reputation. Here are some reprints that hit the ceiling:
"The War in the Air," by Wells; "Tarranto, the Conqueror,"
by Cummings; "The Conquest of Mars," by Serviss. I'm sure
the readers would enjoy reading them. But if you are
persistent about avoiding reprints then we'll have to do
without them.--Paul Nikolaieff, 4325 S. Seeley Ave.,
Chicago, Illinois.

_Wants Sequel_

Dear Editor:

I have read every issue of Astounding Stories though I can
barely afford it. I like it very much. The best novels were,
in order: 1. "The Moon Master"; 2. "Phantoms of Reality"; 3.
"Spawn of the Stars"; 4. "Terror of Air-Level Six."

In the July issue you published a story, "Earth, the
Marauder," which promises to be even better than the
"Skylark of Space" that once came out in another magazine. I
like Harl Vincent, Ray Cummings, Arthur Burks, and Martian
stories best. Interplanetary stories always agree with me.
Burroughs is an excellent author. I like his Martian books.
"The Beetle Horde" in the first two issues was very good.
But why not give a sequel about the other and more terrible
creatures in the earth whom the madman spoke of? Fourth
dimensionals are sometimes good. You should have reprints by
Burroughs, Cummings and Merritt. I am eagerly waiting for
the next issue. Do not enlarge the magazine because I cannot
afford it. Don't publish stories like "From an Amber Block."
They're rotten. Publish more future and interplanetary
stories.--Joseph Edelman, 721 De Kalb Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y.

_Stands Pat_

Dear Editor:

I have read all the issues of A. S. since the date of
publication and think that there is no other magazine like
it on the market. I would like to offer a few suggestions
contrary to most of your readers (i.e., Jack Darrow & Chas.
Barret):

1.--Keep magazine in present size and price.

2.--Issue it only once a month. If it was issued
semi-monthly the writers would soon run out of ideas; and
the readers would get sick of it if they read it so often
anyway.

3.--Keep up the style of stories now running, i.e., keep the
science a little in the background. Do not let it monopolize
the story.

I get other magazines that do not follow the last mentioned
rule and the result is the stories are full of machines
going 10,000 miles per hour, etc.; pink, black, purple and
eleventeen other colored rays. As a result the stories are
drier than the Sahara Desert.

The illustrations are fine (O.K.) as they are.--Walter
O'Brien, 6 Hageman Pl., North Bergen, N. J.

_Trial by Readers_

Dear Editor:

When Astounding Stories first appeared on the newsstands, a
brand new Science Fiction magazine, I was prejudiced against
it as a competitor to the existing magazines--one that might
carry an inferior quality of Science Fiction so closely
approaching the supernatural as to practically disregard
science. In a few cases, as with very good writers like A.
Merritt and H. P. Lovecraft, this is permissible, but,
otherwise, not at all so. In the first issue, "The Stolen
Mind" seemed to bear me out, but, then, there was "Tanks." I
bought the next issue--much better! And then the third
showed "The Soul Master," very well written, but not quite
science, as related. Yet, "Cold Light" held me on, and
"Brigands of the Moon." There is no danger of my dropping
off now!

In the current issue, "Murder Madness" and "The Power and
the Glory" stand out as mile-posts in the history of Science
Fiction. The rest are not far behind, though, as a matter of
fact, "Beyond the Heaviside Layer" and "Earth, the Marauder"
have more discernible flaws than the rest. Just for example,
a layer of organic matter would raise Cain with astronomy,
due to refraction. Air is bad enough. But the writing
overwhelms the error. You have certainly assembled a group
of excellent authors, new and old, and I am glad to see the
promise of R. F. Starzl in the next issue. His "Madness of
the Dust" is one of the most naturally written
interplanetary stories I have read--logical and clear, just
as it would happen to anybody.

And now for the big question--that of reprints. You seem to
have already decided the answer, and have defended your
action well, but I wonder if it is well enough. By far your
best argument is your last--"authors must eat"--with which I
have no quarrel at all. Still, one classic serial a year, or
at most two, might not prove too harmful. Following back, I
reach a statement concerning "The Saturday Evening Post." In
the past it has published hundreds of the world's best
stories, and never reprinted. True. But why? Because these
stories are all available in book form, in libraries and
book stores, in original or new editions or in the Grosset
and Dunlap list of perpetually printed best sellers. It is
possible to read them for years after publication. But try
to find the past masterpieces of Science Fiction. With the
exception of Burroughs' books, most were never printed in
book form. Even books by Wells and Verne, classics of their
kind are gone, totally gone, even from the shelves of
libraries. Many of Verne's best stories were never
translated from the French. And the other classics of which
readers write, classics familiar to most of us only by name
and a few lucky tastes of others, newer works by the same
authors, are absolutely gone--annihilated. Their best works
are beyond the reach of the reader. Only by republication,
in magazine or book, can they be revived in an age when they
will be remembered and preserved--an age awake to science
and Science Fiction. Other magazines are doing it, one or
two to the year, and it may be that you need not reprint;
but the reservoir of the past is large, and a few cannot
drain it. This leads to your first argument, that better
stories are being written to-day. They are--better than the
average of the past--but not better than the classics. It
would be folly to say that because the short story is a
modern development, and because Galsworthy or Walpole or
Reimarch are better than the average of yesterday, to our
present tastes, that the classics of the past should be
scrapped.

The analogy, I feel, is good. The classics of general
literature have their place in history. The classics of
Science Fiction should have theirs. There are dozens better
than the general run of present work, by A. Merritt, Homer
Eon Flint, George Allan England, Austin Hall, John Taine,
Garret P. Serviss, Ralph Milne Farley, Ray Cummings, and
others that stood out in an age when Science Fiction was
considered pure phantasy or imaginative "trash." In the
present age, they would be still better, and this time they
would not be lost to the world, for there are publishers and
readers who would preserve them. You may adhere to your
decision, but, to my mind, and, I think to far more than 1%
of other minds, reprints of classics are essential, actually
vitally necessary. Try to find out what a ballot would show.
Again, from the author's point of view. Up to now, Burroughs
has had all the breaks as to book publication. Now Ray
Cummings and others are being published. "An author must
eat." Give him a chance, by reviving his best efforts, and
bringing them to public attention, so that a publisher will
find them worthy of publication. Most of the masters of
Science Fiction are alive--give them a chance to eat. Too, a
great many of the best modern authors are modern readers:
ask them if they would be willing to see one of the best
stories of the past re-issued each year, stories unpublished
in existing magazines for ten years or more. I certainly
hope you will alter your decision.

And now to reverse some other decisions of readers. The size
is quite all right and very handy for binding purposes, Mr.
Mack to the contrary. Incidentally, the staples are so
placed as to make binding simple. Also contrary to Mr.
Darrow, I prefer the artist Gould, to Wesso, for interior
illustrations, though Wesso is best for mechanical
illustrations. Incidentally, give us the name of the artist
for each story, especially when the illustrations are
unsigned, as in the April issue. Wesso's best cover for you
has been that for April, illustrating "Monsters of Moyen."
It shows his best style very well.

As to my favorite type of Science Fiction, any kind, if well
written, will do. As it happens, the king of authors, A.
Merritt, has a type all his own, as Mr. Bryant notes, which
is unbeatable, and my favorite. However, at times, a good
writer may fall down in his fundamental assumptions. I don't
care where or how far he goes, so long as he starts with
something that present-day science does not deny. Here is
where "The Soul Master" fell down, and, even more so, "The
Soul Snatcher." Better leave souls and astrals and egos
alone, except in very, very rare cases, when an author turns
up who can make you believe in them as mechanical entities.

As a Science Fiction fan, a student of chemistry, and a
hopeful author, I will probably write to "The Readers'
Corner" as often as I want to blow off steam regarding
science or fiction or the way in which you are running the
magazine. I hope I won't be considered an utter nuisance,
and will be given a trial by jury--a jury of readers.--P.
Schuyler Miller, 302 So. Ten Broeck St., Scotia, New York.

"_Handy to Hold_"

Dear Editor:

I wish to say that I have the seven numbers of Astounding
Stories that have been issued thus far and I have read them
through ever word. It is wonderful, and there is no word of
fault to be uttered concerning any of them. I think "Murder
Madness" is the best story you have printed so far, but they
are all good in different ways.

You received some letters that surprise me. How anyone can
ask you to change the make-up to the blanket sheet form is
more than I can see. It is so handy to hold and to read as
it is now. I do hope you will not change it.

No, there is so much that one wants to read these days that
I do not advocate issuing twice a month. One issue each
month is just right. But I do wish you would increase the
number of pages to at least the number in Five Novels
magazine. Of course, you would want 25c. for it then, and
that is all right.

Am glad that you refuse to give us reprints. We do not want
them.

Astounding Stories is a gem, and I hope to read it for the
remainder of my life. Keep right on with the good
work.--Will S. Cushing, 21 Cottage St., Abington,
Massachusetts.

_We Hope So, Too_!

Dear Editor:

Your July issue of Astounding Stories was wonderful. Your
magazine is improving greatly. "Murder Madness" is a great
story, and "Earth, the Marauder," is one of the best stories
I have ever read. I hope the other parts of it are just as
interesting as the first part.--Mick Scotts, 115 W. 16th
Ave., Gary, Indiana.

_Another Sequel_

Dear Editor:

Well, I have so much to say, or rather would like to say for
your magazine. I like it in every detail but one, which is
waiting a whole month for the rest of my stories.

I wish you would give us the third sequel of "Out of the
Ocean's Depths." Let the young scientist discover a way to
perform matrimony between the girl of the ocean and the man,
and then let their child live either in or out of water.
There could be two more good stories or sequels of "Out of
the Ocean's Depths." I like them all.

I liked "Murder Madness," too. It seems as though it is
really real, and not fiction. I wish you would get the book
out twice a month.--Mrs. B. R. Woods, Cotte, Arkansas.

_From Author to Author_

Dear Editor:

Since Astounding Stories began you have published a goodly
number of really remarkable stories, chief among which, in
my estimation, are the following: "Spawn of the Stars," by
C. W. Diffin; "Brigands of the Moon," by Ray Cummings;
"Monsters of Moyen," by Arthur J. Burks; "The Atom Smasher,"
by Victor Rousseau; and "The Moon Master," C. W. Diffin.

But none of these can compare with Diffin's last short
story, "The Power and the Glory," which appeared in the last
(July) issue. For originality of theme, clever phraseology
and excellent literary craftsmanship it stands alone--a
little masterpiece. Its author should be congratulated.

To the best of my knowledge, Mr. Diffin is a newcomer in
Science Fiction. The first story of his that I read was
"Spawn of the Stars." Keep his pen busy, Mr. Editor; he's
valuable--an' I don't mean maybe!

If I could write a story like "The Power and the Glory," I'd
certainly congratulate myself!--L. A. Eshbach, 225 Chestnut
St., Reading, Pa.

"_Held Me Spellbound_"

Dear Editor:

I happened to read one of your books the other
day--Astounding Stories is the one--and I was very much
taken up with it. I found that it was a very interesting
book, indeed. I have no fear in saying that it held me
spellbound from the start till the finish. The one that I
happened to buy was the issue of May, 1930, and the story
that gripped me most was "Brigands of the Moon." It was very
thrilling, indeed, and I am very sorry I could not obtain
the previous copies so as to start at the beginning. But,
however, I am able to obtain a copy every month and am very
pleased, as I would hate to miss a copy again.

Well, I hope this letter will reach you safely. Remember me
as a contented reader of your magazine.--Geo. Young, 447
Canning St., Nth. Carlton N. 4, Melbourne, Australia.

_We Are Printing It_!

Dear Editor:

It seems that you have taken a wrong slant on my letter
which you published recently. True, I did give you a long
list of stories which I wanted to see, but I didn't mean
that you should publish only reprints, no new stories. Far
from it. Instead, I'd suggest that you give us a classic,
say, every six months. This arrangement ought to be okay
with everyone. That's that for reprints.

About the stories and the authors, they're all right.
There's one thing that I like about you that I don't find in
the other Science Fiction magazines. With the very first
issue you started off with the authors that are wanted by
everyone who reads this type of literature. You began with
Cummings, Rousseau, Meek and Leinster. Hm-m, let's see. And
you're keeping up the good system by having added Vincent,
Starzl, Burks, Curry, Miss Lorraine, Hamilton, etc. But you
don't escape entirely unscathed, for the other magazines
give us stories from authors which haven't as yet written a
story which appeared in your columns. Let's see; besides the
stars above, let's add to the galaxy Keller (three cheers),
Breuer, Smith (his story, "The Skylark of Space," ought to
have about six sequels), the late Mr. Serviss, Verrill, Poe,
Wells, Verne, Flint (o-o-oh, for that "Blind Spot"), Hall,
England, Hasta (one story by him is all I've read, but it
only whetted my appetite), and Simmons. Oh, yes, the two
Taines, the detective of Dr. Keller's and the author. But
there's something missing. Hm-m--ah, A. Merritt! What a
writer! How could I have forgotten him? Which reminds me of
Burroughs who has been left out in the rain for quite a
while. He belongs back in the fold.

Mr. Editor, do you remember way back when you said we should
write in to you to tell you of the stories we want and that
you would get them for us? Of course, you do. Stories and
authors cannot be parted, so get those authors I've listed
above and forget about the stories, for they'll all be good.

I do not kick about any particular author for the reason
that if I tried to write on the same subject they picked out
and are picking, my work would be pretty different from what
they'd produce, and their works would be the ones that would
be published. Please don't read that twice; I hope to be a
contributor very soon.

In my opinion you should enlarge the size of the magazine,
but for heaven's sake don't increase the departments. Every
day that we read a paper we learn of what science is doing.
And, at the end of the month we read the same thing in a
magazine which should give us a story instead. The price is
just right. But, even if the magazine were enlarged and the
price boosted to a quarter, do you really think that we get
enough material to devour? No! Then what? Get out a
Quarterly! And please don't wait about that for the next ten
years.

This is a pretty lengthy letter and I don't expect you to
print it but I want you to get the views of at least one
devoted reader--Isidore Mansen, 544 Myrtle Ave., Brooklyn,
N. Y.

_Every Single One_

Dear Editor:

I certainly received a pleasant surprise when I glanced at
the table of contents for the August issue. When one sees
Victor Rousseau, R. F. Starzl, Murray Leinster, Harl
Vincent, and Edmond Hamilton, one knows that the issue is
bound to be a good one. I wish to congratulate you on the
way you have been running Astounding Stories. If you intend
to keep giving us the authors you are now, throughout your
whole career, you are a law-breaker. What I mean by that is
that no other magazine has kept a high grade of authors very
long. The old magazines on the market have once had stories
by the authors you are giving us now, but they never kept
those authors long. If you keep the authors you have now you
may well be assured of success.

"Silver Dome" undoubtedly copped the prize for this issue.
It could not have been better. "The Lord of Space" was a
very good story. "The Planet of Dread" was another very good
story. "The Second Satellite," by Hamilton, was excellent.
For once in his life Hamilton has written a story that has
not the same old plot all his other stories have! I wish to
congratulate him on the best story he has ever written! "The
Flying City" was the same thing all over again. The world in
danger and suddenly our magnificent hero comes along, takes
a hand, and presto the danger is all over. Of course, he has
to meet the beautiful girl and fall in love with her, and at
the end of the story marry her! Remember, history repeats
itself. Have you ever heard of the world being saved by one
man? No! Neither have I. The world will never be saved by
one man. Therefore, all those stories are "the bunk."
"Murder Madness" was wonderful. I expect to see it in the
talkies before long. It could be filmed easily enough,
couldn't it! I know it certainly would make a wonderful
picture. I expect to see you publish "Murder Madness" and
"Brigands of the Moon" in book form. If you do, I will try
my darnedest to get a copy. Also in my list of good authors
up there I forgot to mention Arthur J. Burks.

Now I wish to broach the subject of a Quarterly to you. I
think Astounding Stories should have one. Every other
Science Fiction magazine has, so let us have one, too. Won't
you? You can give us over twice as much as you do in the
monthly and charge about 50c. a copy. Have one good book and
several short stories in each issue; no serials. How about
it?

And now let's talk a little about Astounding Stories! Why
not cut the paper smooth, the way you do in Five Novels
Monthly? It would make the magazine look a lot better. It
would also be a lot easier to find one's place when one has
to lay the book down for a moment. The last reason may sound
trivial, but it's really annoying to try to find one's place
among those bulky pages. The paper you use now gives the
magazine an inferior appearance when compared to others of
its kind. It certainly would be a relief to see you use
better paper. Won't you please consider the points I have
brought out in my letter?--Gabriel Kirschner, Box 301,
Temple, Texas.

"_What Authors_!"

Dear Editor:

Astounding Stories is improving with every issue. However,
you would have to go far to beat the August issue. It can
be called an "all star" number. What authors! Hamilton,
Rousseau, Starzl, Burks, and others, all of whom are among
my favorite authors. The stories were so good that it is
almost impossible to pick out the best one. However, after
some thought I have finally chosen Hamilton's "The Second
Satellite." "Earth, the Marauder," is a close second. I hope
you have many more stories by Edmond Hamilton.

I see that the cover is the first one to be of a different
color. Please have a new color each month.

There are a few ways in which Astounding Stories may be
improved. Enough of the readers have mentioned improving the
quality of the paper so that I do not have to comment on
this. An editorial each month would improve the magazine
greatly.

Here's hoping that Astounding Stories becomes a semi-monthly
soon--very soon--Michael Fogaris, 157 Fourth St., Passiac,
N. J.

_Stands Pat_

Dear Editor:

I have been a reader of your magazine for some time. I hope
to continue reading it in the future.

I notice in "The Readers' Corner" that some want reprints.
Others want the size of the magazine changed. I say, give us
"fresh" stories and leave the size of the magazine alone.

In my opinion, the best stories in your July issue were
"Beyond the Heaviside Layer" and "Earth, the Marauder." They
were both fine. Keep up the good work--Carlson Abernathy, P.
O. Box 584, Clearwater, Florida.

"_The Readers' Corner_"

All Readers are extended a sincere and cordial invitation to "come over in 'The Readers' Corner'" and join in our monthly discussion of stories, authors, scientific principles and possibilities--everything that's of common interest in connection with our Astounding Stories.

Although from time to time the Editor may make a comment or so, this is a department primarily for Readers, and we want you to make full use of it. Likes, dislikes, criticisms, explanations, roses, brickbats, suggestions--everything's welcome here; so "come over in 'The Readers-Corner'" and discuss it with all of us!

--_The Editor._

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