that the radiation here is about the
same as Miami Beach in June, so don't let the air-conditioning fool
you."

Benson was spared further decisions on the issue, because at that moment
one of the sentries remembered to take a quick look at the vector of
forest he was supposed to be guarding. Unable to make his voice heard
over the hub-hub, the guard fired his pistol in the air.

We all jumped up and stared, and Benson muttered, "Dear God!"

* * * * *

Our people were scattered over an acre around the ramp, and encompassing
them was a semi-circle of at least a hundred "savages", frozen like
bronze statues at the sound of the gun-shot. They curved in an arc less
than a hundred yards from the ship.

Their hands were empty of weapons, and their motionless attitudes were
in no way threatening. To the contrary, they seemed small and quite
inoffensive except for their numbers.

Acting in my capacity as psychologist, I ran up the ramp and called out
as calmly as a shout would permit, "Everybody take it easy! Don't make
any quick moves. Above all, don't anyone fire off a weapon again unless
there is an obvious attack."

Benson clutched my arm. "Are you mad? We've got to get the women
inside."

"That's what I'm thinking," I said. "But if we invite attack by running
they won't all make it."

"They aren't armed. The men can stand them off."

"Then what are you worrying about?" I demanded. "Relax for a minute and
see what happens."

Benson simmered and reluctantly accepted my logic. Meanwhile, the line
of natives became mobile again. They closed in at a casual saunter,
rolling off the balls of their long feet with a peculiar, slow, bouncing
motion.

A ripple of subdued exclamations ran through our people, and in turn the
little natives moved their lips, turned their heads to one another and
seemed to be commenting among themselves.

Benson began hissing futile commands for the women to start boarding the
ship. No one paid any attention. I could sense no great danger in the
situation. In fact I felt more attracted than repelled by the little
golden-haired creatures.

Bailey, who was still on the ramp, took a different view. He called out,
"They don't look dangerous, but keep away from them. Lord knows what
kind of bugs they may have in them."

It was a sobering thought. Their most insignificant disease germ might
easily wipe out our colony if it proved contagious.

Yet, how could