Transcriber's Notes & Errata This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction December 1955. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. The original page numbers from the magazine have been retained. Illustrations have been moved to their appropriate places in the text. The following typographical errors have been corrected. Page 14 dessicated corrected to desiccated Page 14 Anglo-Anglo-Saxon--girls corrected to Anglo-Saxon girls Page 22 carrousel corrected to carousel Page 23 dessication corrected to desiccation Page 28 derelect corrected to derelict Page 43 sand-swept corrected to sand swept