Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction November 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
THE BOOK
A weird world—cut off from the Universe, it had universal wisdom; facing death at every moment, it had the secret of peace!
By MICHAEL SHAARA
Illustrated by Mel Hunter
eauclaire was given his first ship at Sirius. He was called up before the Commandant in the slow heat of the afternoon, and stood shuffling with awkward delight upon the shaggy carpet. He was twenty-five years old, and two months out of the Academy. It was a wonderful day.