THE GIRLS FROM EARTH
By FRANK M. ROBINSON
Illustrated by EMSH
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Science Fiction January 1952.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Problem: How can you arrange marriages with
men in one solar system, women in another—and
neither willing to leave his own world?
I
"The beasts aren't much help, are they?"
Karl Allen snatched a breath of air and gave another heave on the linetied to the raft of parampa logs bobbing in the middle of the river.
"No," he grunted, "they're not. They always balk at a time like this,when they can see it'll be hard work."
Joseph Hill wiped his plump face and coiled some of the rope's slackaround his thick waist.
"Together now, Karl. One! Two!"
They stood knee-deep in mud on the bank, pulling and straining on therope, while some few yards distant, in the shade of a grove of trees,their tiny yllumphs nibbled grass and watched them critically, but madeno effort to come closer.
"If we're late for ship's landing, Joe, we'll get crossed off the list."
Hill puffed and wheezed and took another hitch on the rope.
"That's what I've been thinking about," he said, worried.
They took a deep breath and hauled mightily on the raft rope. The raftbobbed nearer. For a moment the swift waters of the Karazoo threatenedto tear it out of their grasp, and then it was beached, most of itsolidly, on the muddy bank. One end of it still lay in the gurgling,rushing waters, but that didn't matter. They'd be back in ten hours orso, long before the heavy raft could be washed free.
"How much time have we got, Karl?"
The ground was thick with shadows, and Karl cast a critical eye atthem. He estimated that even with the refusal of their yllumphs to helpbeach the raft, they still had a good two hours before the rocket putdown at Landing City.
"Two hours, maybe a little more," he stated hastily when Hill lookedmore worried. "Time enough to get to Landing City and put in for ournumbers on the list."
He turned back to the raft, untied the leather and horn saddles, andthrew them over the backs of their reluctant mounts. He cinched hissaddle and tied on some robes and furs behind it.
Hill watched him curiously. "What are you taking the furs for? Thisisn't the trading rocket."
"I know. I thought that when we come back tonight, it might be cold andmaybe she'll appreciate the coverings then."
"You never would have thought of it yourself," Hill grunted. "Grundymust have told you to do it, the old fool. If you ask me, the lessyou give them, the less they'll come to expect. Once you spoil them,they'll expect you to do all the trapping and the farming and thefamily-raising yourself."
"You didn't have to sign up," Karl pointed out. "You could have appliedfor a wife from some different planet."
"One's probably just as good as another. They'll all have to work thefarms and raise families."
Karl laughed and aimed a friendly blow at Hill. They finished saddlingup and headed into the thick forest.
It was quiet as Karl guided his mount along the dimly marked trailand he caught himself thinking of th