diff options
Diffstat (limited to '26843-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 26843-h/26843-h.htm | 1637 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26843-h/images/001.png | bin | 0 -> 12552 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26843-h/images/002.jpg | bin | 0 -> 93222 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 26843-h/images/003.png | bin | 0 -> 13705 bytes |
4 files changed, 1637 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/26843-h/26843-h.htm b/26843-h/26843-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..da48339 --- /dev/null +++ b/26843-h/26843-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1637 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Dope on Mars, by Jack Sharkey + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + h1,h2 {text-align: left; clear: both;} + h2 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + hr {width: 45%; margin: 1em auto; visibility: hidden;} + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .figcenter {margin: 1em auto; width: 200px;} + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 1em; padding: 0; width: 381px;} + .poem {margin: 1em 10%; text-align: left; font-style: italic;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .trn {border: solid 1px; margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em; text-align: justify;} + img {border: none;} + p.cap:first-letter {float: left; margin-right: .05em; padding-top: .05em; font-size: 300%; line-height: .8em;} + .dcap {text-transform: uppercase;} + .bk1 {background: url("images/001.png") top right no-repeat; width: 400px; height: 300px; margin: 0 auto;} + .bk2 {padding-top: 80px; padding-right: 170px;} + .bk3 {margin: 0 auto 2em; width: 400px;} + .bk4 {width: 16em;} + .rgt {text-align: right; margin-bottom: 0;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dope on Mars, by John Michael Sharkey + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Dope on Mars + +Author: John Michael Sharkey + +Illustrator: Wood + +Release Date: October 8, 2008 [EBook #26843] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOPE ON MARS *** + + + + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="bk1"> + +<div class="bk2"><h1>THE DOPE<br /> +on Mars</h1> + +<h2><small>By JACK SHARKEY</small></h2></div></div> + +<div class="bk3"><div class="bk4"><p><i><b><big>Somebody had to get the human +angle on this trip ... but what +was humane about sending me?</big></b></i></p></div> + +<p class="rgt"><b><small>Illustrated by WOOD</small></b></p></div> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">My</span> agent was the one who +got me the job of going +along to write up the first +trip to Mars. He was always getting +me things like that—appearances +on TV shows, or mentions in writers' +magazines. If he didn't sell +much of my stuff, at least he sold +<i>me</i>.</p> + +<p>"It'll be the biggest break a +writer ever got," he told me, two +days before blastoff. "Oh, sure +there'll be scientific reports on the +trip, but the public doesn't want +them; they want the <i>human</i> slant +on things."</p> + +<p>"But, Louie," I said weakly, "I'll +probably be locked up for the +whole trip. If there are fights or accidents, +they won't tell <i>me</i> about +them."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Louie, sipping +carefully at a paper cup of scalding +coffee. "It'll be just like the +public going along vicariously. +They'll <i>identify</i> with you."</p> + +<p>"But, Louie," I said, wiping the +dampness from my palms on the +knees of my trousers as I sat there, +"how'll I go about it? A story? An +article? A <i>you-are-there</i> type of report? +What?"</p> + +<p>Louie shrugged. "So keep a +diary. It'll be more intimate, like."</p> + +<p>"But what if nothing happens?" +I insisted hopelessly.</p> + +<p>Louie smiled. "So you fake it."</p> + +<p>I got up from the chair in his office +and stepped to the door. +"That's dishonest," I pointed out.</p> + +<p>"Creative is the word," Louie +said.</p> + +<p>So I went on the first trip to +Mars. And I kept a diary. This is +it. And it is honest. Honest it is.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>October 1, 1960</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">They picked</span> the launching +date from the March, 1959, New +York <i>Times</i>, which stated that this +was the most likely time for launching. +Trip time is supposed to take +260 days (that's one way), so +we're aimed toward where Mars +will be (had <i>better</i> be, or else).</p> + +<p>There are five of us on board. A +pilot, co-pilot, navigator and biochemist. +And, of course, me. I've +met all but the pilot (he's very +busy today), and they seem friendly +enough.</p> + +<p>Dwight Kroger, the biochemist, +is rather old to take the "rigors of +the journey," as he puts it, but the +government had a choice between +sending a green scientist who could +stand the trip or an accomplished +man who would probably not survive, +so they picked Kroger. We've +blasted off, though, and he's still +with us. He looks a damn sight better +than I feel. He's kind of balding, +and very iron-gray-haired and +skinny, but his skin is tan as an Indian's, +and right now he's telling +jokes in the washroom with the co-pilot.</p> + +<p>Jones (that's the co-pilot; I +didn't quite catch his first name) is +scarlet-faced, barrel-chested and +gives the general appearance of belonging +under the spreading chestnut +tree, not in a metal bullet flinging +itself out into airless space. +Come to think of it, who <i>does</i> belong +where we are?</p> + +<p>The navigator's name is Lloyd +Streeter, but I haven't seen his face +yet. He has a little cubicle behind +the pilot's compartment, with all +kinds of maps and rulers and things. +He keeps bent low over a welded-to-the-wall +(they call it the bulkhead, +for some reason or other) +table, scratching away with a ballpoint +pen on the maps, and now +and then calling numbers over a +microphone to the pilot. His hair +is red and curly, and he looks as +though he'd be tall if he ever gets +to stand up. There are freckles on +the backs of his hands, so I think +he's probably got them on his face, +too. So far, all he's said is, "Scram, +I'm busy."</p> + +<p>Kroger tells me that the pilot's +name is Patrick Desmond, but that +I can call him Pat when I get to +know him better. So far, he's still +Captain Desmond to me. I haven't +the vaguest idea what he looks like. +He was already on board when I +got here, with my typewriter and +ream of paper, so we didn't meet.</p> + +<p>My compartment is small but +clean. I mean clean now. It wasn't +during blastoff. The inertial gravities +didn't bother me so much as +the gyroscopic spin they put on the +ship so we have a sort of artificial +gravity to hold us against the +curved floor. It's that constant +whirly feeling that gets me. I get +sick on merry-go-rounds, too.</p> + +<p>They're having pork for dinner +today. Not me.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>October 2, 1960</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Feeling much</span> better today. +Kroger gave me a box of Dramamine +pills. He says they'll help my +stomach. So far, so good.</p> + +<p>Lloyd came by, also. "You play +chess?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"A little," I admitted.</p> + +<p>"How about a game sometime?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," I said. "Do you have a +board?"</p> + +<p>He didn't.</p> + +<p>Lloyd went away then, but the +interview wasn't wasted. I learned +that he <i>is</i> tall and <i>does</i> have a +freckled face. Maybe we can build +a chessboard. With my paper and +his ballpoint pen and ruler, it should +be easy. Don't know what we'll use +for pieces, though.</p> + +<p>Jones (I still haven't learned his +first name) has been up with the +pilot all day. He passed my room +on the way to the galley (the +kitchen) for a cup of dark brown +coffee (they like it thick) and told +me that we were almost past the +Moon. I asked to look, but he said +not yet; the instrument panel is +Top Secret. They'd have to cover +it so I could look out the viewing +screen, and they still need it for +steering or something.</p> + +<p>I still haven't met the pilot.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>October 3, 1960</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Well, I've</span> met the pilot. He is +kind of squat, with a vulturish neck +and close-set jet-black eyes that +make him look rather mean, but he +was pleasant enough, and said I +could call him Pat. I still don't +know Jones' first name, though Pat +spoke to him, and it sounded like +Flants. That can't be right.</p> + +<p>Also, I am one of the first five +men in the history of the world to +see the opposite side of the Moon, +with a bluish blurred crescent beyond +it that Pat said was the Earth. +The back of the Moon isn't much +different from the front. As to the +space in front of the ship, well, it's +all black with white dots in it, and +none of the dots move, except in a +circle that Pat says is a "torque" +result from the gyroscopic spin +we're in. Actually, he explained to +me, the screen is supposed to keep +the image of space locked into +place no matter how much we spin. +But there's some kind of a "drag." +I told him I hoped it didn't mean +we'd land on Mars upside down. He +just stared at me.</p> + +<p>I can't say I was too impressed +with that 16 x 19 view of outer +space. It's been done much better +in the movies. There's just no awesomeness +to it, no sense of depth or +immensity. It's as impressive as a +piece of velvet with salt sprinkled +on it.</p> + +<p>Lloyd and I made a chessboard +out of a carton. Right now we're using +buttons for men. He's one of +these fast players who don't stop +and think out their moves. And so +far I haven't won a game.</p> + +<p>It looks like a long trip.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>October 4, 1960</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">I won</span> a game. Lloyd mistook my +queen-button for my bishop-button +and left his king in jeopardy, and +I checkmated him next move. He +said chess was a waste of time +and he had important work to do +and he went away.</p> + +<p>I went to the galley for coffee +and had a talk about moss with +Kroger. He said there was a good +chance of lichen on Mars, and I +misunderstood and said, "A good +chance of liking <i>what</i> on Mars?" +and Kroger finished his coffee and +went up front.</p> + +<p>When I got back to my compartment, +Lloyd had taken away the +chessboard and all his buttons. He +told me later he needed it to back +up a star map.</p> + +<p>Pat slept mostly all day in his +compartment, and Jones sat and +watched the screen revolve. There +wasn't much to do, so I wrote a +poem, sort of.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">Mary, Mary, quite contrary,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">How does your garden grow?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With Martian rime, Venusian slime,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And a radioactive hoe.<br /></span> +</div> + +<p>I showed it to Kroger. He says +it may prove to be environmentally +accurate, but that I should stick to +prose.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>October 5, 1960</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Learned Jones'</span> first name. +He wrote something in the ship's +log, and I saw his signature. His +name is Fleance, like in "Macbeth." +He prefers to be called Jones. Pat +uses his first name as a gag. Some +fun.</p> + +<p>And only 255 days to go.</p> + +<div class="figright"> +<img src="images/002.jpg" width="381" height="550" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>April 1, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">I've skipped</span> over the last 177 +days or so, because there's nothing +much new. I brought some books +with me on the trip, books that I'd +always meant to read and never +had the time. So now I know all +about <i>Vanity Fair</i>, <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, +<i>War and Peace</i>, <i>Gone with +the Wind</i>, and <i>Babbitt</i>.</p> + +<p>They didn't take as long as I +thought they would, except for +<i>Vanity Fair</i>. It must have been a +riot when it first came out. I mean, +all those sly digs at the aristocracy, +with copious interpolations by Mr. +Thackeray in case you didn't get +it when he'd pulled a particularly +good gag. Some fun.</p> + +<p>And only 78 days to go.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 1, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Only 17 days</span> to go. I saw Mars +on the screen today. It seems to be +descending from overhead, but Pat +says that that's the "torque" doing +it. Actually, it's we who are coming +in sideways.</p> + +<p>We've all grown beards, too. Pat +said it was against regulations, but +what the hell. We have a contest. +Longest whiskers on landing gets a +prize.</p> + +<p>I asked Pat what the prize was +and he told me to go to hell.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 18, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Mars has</span> the whole screen +filled. Looks like Death Valley. No +sign of canals, but Pat says that's +because of the dust storm down below. +It's nice to have a "down below" +again. We're going to land, so +I have to go to my bunk. It's all +foam rubber, nylon braid supports +and magnesium tubing. Might as +well be cement for all the good it +did me at takeoff. Earth seems awfully +far away.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 19, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Well, we're down.</span> We have +to wear gas masks with oxygen +hook-ups. Kroger says the air is +breathable, but thin, and it has too +much dust in it to be any fun to +inhale. He's all for going out and +looking for lichen, but Pat says he's +got to set up camp, then get instructions +from Earth. So we just have +to wait. The air is very cold, but the +Sun is hot as hell when it hits you. +The sky is a blinding pink, or maybe +more of a pale fuchsia. Kroger +says it's the dust. The sand underfoot +is kind of rose-colored, and not +really gritty. The particles are +round and smooth.</p> + +<p>No lichen so far. Kroger says +maybe in the canals, if there are +any canals. Lloyd wants to play +chess again.</p> + +<p>Jones won the beard contest. Pat +gave him a cigar he'd smuggled on +board (no smoking was allowed on +the ship), and Jones threw it away. +He doesn't smoke.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 20, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Got lost today.</span> Pat told me +not to go too far from camp, so, +when I took a stroll, I made sure +every so often that I could still see +the rocket behind me. Walked for +maybe an hour; then the oxygen +gauge got past the halfway mark, +so I started back toward the rocket. +After maybe ten steps, the rocket +disappeared. One minute it was +standing there, tall and silvery, the +next instant it was gone.</p> + +<p>Turned on my radio pack and +got hold of Pat. Told him what happened, +and he told Kroger. Kroger +said I had been following a mirage, +to step back a bit. I did, and I could +see the ship again. Kroger said to +try and walk toward where the ship +seemed to be, even when it wasn't +in view, and meantime they'd come +out after me in the jeep, following +my footprints.</p> + +<p>Started walking back, and the +ship vanished again. It reappeared, +disappeared, but I kept going. Finally +saw the real ship, and Lloyd +and Jones waving their arms at me. +They were shouting through their +masks, but I couldn't hear them. +The air is too thin to carry sound +well.</p> + +<p>All at once, something gleamed +in their hands, and they started +shooting at me with their rifles. +That's when I heard the noise behind +me. I was too scared to turn +around, but finally Jones and Lloyd +came running over, and I got up +enough nerve to look. There was +nothing there, but on the sand, +paralleling mine, were footprints. +At least I think they were footprints. +Twice as long as mine, and +three times as wide, but kind of +featureless because the sand's loose +and dry. They doubled back on +themselves, spaced considerably +farther apart.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" I asked Lloyd +when he got to me.</p> + +<p>"Damned if I know," he said. "It +was red and scaly, and I think it +had a tail. It was two heads taller +than you." He shuddered. "Ran off +when we fired."</p> + +<p>"Where," said Jones, "are Pat and +Kroger?"</p> + +<p>I didn't know. I hadn't seen +them, nor the jeep, on my trip back. +So we followed the wheel tracks for +a while, and they veered off from +my trail and followed another, very +much like the one that had been +paralleling mine when Jones and +Lloyd had taken a shot at the scaly +thing.</p> + +<p>"We'd better get them on the +radio," said Jones, turning back +toward the ship.</p> + +<p>There wasn't anything on the +radio but static.</p> + +<p>Pat and Kroger haven't come +back yet, either.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 21, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">We're not</span> alone here. More of +the scaly things have come toward +the camp, but a few rifle shots send +them away. They hop like kangaroos +when they're startled. Their +attitudes aren't menacing, but their +appearance is. And Jones says, +"Who knows what's 'menacing' in +an alien?"</p> + +<p>We're going to look for Kroger +and Pat today. Jones says we'd better +before another windstorm blows +away the jeep tracks. Fortunately, +the jeep has a leaky oil pan, so we +always have the smears to follow, +unless they get covered up, too. +We're taking extra oxygen, shells, +and rifles. Food, too, of course. +And we're locking up the ship.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="dcap">It's later</span>, now. We found the +jeep, but no Kroger or Pat. Lots of +those big tracks nearby. We're taking +the jeep to follow the aliens' +tracks. There's some moss around +here, on reddish brown rocks that +stick up through the sand, just on +the shady side, though. Kroger +must be happy to have found his +lichen.</p> + +<p>The trail ended at the brink of +a deep crevice in the ground. Seems +to be an earthquake-type split in +solid rock, with the sand sifting +over this and the far edge like pink +silk cataracts. The bottom is in the +shade and can't be seen. The crack +seems to extend to our left and +right as far as we can look.</p> + +<p>There looks like a trail down the +inside of the crevice, but the Sun's +setting, so we're waiting till tomorrow +to go down.</p> + +<p>Going down was Jones' idea, +not mine.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 22, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Well, we're</span> at the bottom, and +there's water here, a shallow stream +about thirty feet wide that runs +along the center of the canal (we've +decided we're in a canal). No sign +of Pat or Kroger yet, but the sand +here is hard-packed and damp, and +there are normal-size footprints +mingled with the alien ones, sharp +and clear. The aliens seem to have +six or seven toes. It varies from +print to print. And they're barefoot, +too, or else they have the damnedest-looking +shoes in creation.</p> + +<p>The constant shower of sand +near the cliff walls is annoying, but +it's sandless (shower-wise) near +the stream, so we're following the +footprints along the bank. Also, the +air's better down here. Still thin, +but not so bad as on the surface. +We're going without masks to save +oxygen for the return trip (Jones +assures me there'll <i>be</i> a return +trip), and the air's only a little bit +sandy, but handkerchiefs over nose +and mouth solve this.</p> + +<p>We look like desperadoes, what +with the rifles and covered faces. I +said as much to Lloyd and he told +me to shut up. Moss all over the +cliff walls. Swell luck for Kroger.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="dcap">We've found</span> Kroger and Pat, +with the help of the aliens. Or maybe +I should call them the Martians. +Either way, it's better than what +Jones calls them.</p> + +<p>They took away our rifles and +brought us right to Kroger and Pat, +without our even asking. Jones is +mad at the way they got the rifles so +easily. When we came upon them +(a group of maybe ten, huddling +behind a boulder in ambush), he +fired, but the shots either bounced +off their scales or stuck in their +thick hides. Anyway, they took the +rifles away and threw them into the +stream, and picked us all up and +took us into a hole in the cliff wall. +The hole went on practically forever, +but it didn't get dark. Kroger +tells me that there are phosphorescent +bacteria living in the mold on +the walls. The air has a fresh-dug-grave +smell, but it's richer in oxygen +than even at the stream.</p> + +<p>We're in a small cave that is just +off a bigger cave where lots of tunnels +come together. I can't remember +which one we came in through, +and neither can anyone else. Jones +asked me what the hell I kept writing +in the diary for, did I want to +make it a gift to Martian archeologists? +But I said where there's life +there's hope, and now he won't talk +to me. I congratulated Kroger on +the lichen I'd seen, but he just said +a short and unscientific word and +went to sleep.</p> + +<p>There's a Martian guarding the +entrance to our cave. I don't know +what they intend to do with us. +Feed us, I hope. So far, they've just +left us here, and we're out of rations.</p> + +<p>Kroger tried talking to the guard +once, but he (or it) made a whistling +kind of sound and flashed a +mouthful of teeth. Kroger says the +teeth are in multiple rows, like a +tiger shark's. I'd rather he hadn't +told me.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 23, 1961, I think</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">We're either</span> in a docket or a +zoo. I can't tell which. There's a +rather square platform surrounded +on all four sides by running water, +maybe twenty feet across, and +we're on it. Martians keep coming +to the far edge of the water and +looking at us and whistling at each +other. A little Martian came near +the edge of the water and a larger +Martian whistled like crazy and +dragged it away.</p> + +<p>"Water must be dangerous to +them," said Kroger.</p> + +<p>"We shoulda brought water pistols," +Jones muttered.</p> + +<p>Pat said maybe we can swim to +safety. Kroger told Pat he was +crazy, that the little island we're on +here underground is bordered by a +fast river that goes into the planet. +We'd end up drowned in some grotto +in the heart of the planet, says +Kroger.</p> + +<p>"What the hell," says Pat, "it's +better than starving."</p> + +<p>It is not.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 24, 1961, probably</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">I'm hungry</span>. So is everybody +else. Right now I could eat a dinner +raw, in a centrifuge, and keep it +down. A Martian threw a stone at +Jones today, and Jones threw one +back at him and broke off a couple +of scales. The Martian whistled +furiously and went away. When the +crowd thinned out, same as it did +yesterday (must be some sort of +sleeping cycle here), Kroger talked +Lloyd into swimming across the +river and getting the red scales. +Lloyd started at the upstream part +of the current, and was about a hundred +yards below this underground +island before he made the far side. +Sure is a swift current.</p> + +<p>But he got the scales, walked +very far upstream of us, and swam +back with them. The stream sides +are steep, like in a fjord, and we +had to lift him out of the swirling +cold water, with the scales gripped +in his fist. Or what was left of the +scales. They had melted down in +the water and left his hand all +sticky.</p> + +<p>Kroger took the gummy things, +studied them in the uncertain light, +then tasted them and grinned.</p> + +<p>The Martians are made of sugar.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="dcap">Later, same day</span>. Kroger +said that the Martian metabolism +must be like Terran (Earth-type) +metabolism, only with no pancreas +to make insulin. They store their +energy on the <i>outside</i> of their +bodies, in the form of scales. He's +watched them more closely and +seen that they have long rubbery +tubes for tongues, and that they +now and then suck up water from +the stream while they're watching +us, being careful not to get their lips +(all sugar, of course) wet. He +guesses that their "blood" must be +almost pure water, and that it +washes away (from the inside, of +course) the sugar they need for +energy.</p> + +<p>I asked him where the sugar +came from, and he said probably +their bodies isolated carbon from +something (he thought it might be +the moss) and combined it with +the hydrogen and oxygen in the +water (even <i>I</i> knew the formula for +water) to make sugar, a common +carbohydrate.</p> + +<p>Like plants, on Earth, he said. +Except, instead of using special +cells on leaves to form carbohydrates +with the help of sunpower, +as Earth plants do in photosynthesis +(Kroger spelled that word +for me), they used the <i>shape</i> of the +scales like prisms, to isolate the +spectra (another Kroger word) +necessary to form the sugar.</p> + +<p>"I don't get it," I said politely, +when he'd finished his spiel.</p> + +<p>"Simple," he said, as though he +were addressing me by name. +"They have a twofold reason to fear +water. One: by complete solvency +in that medium, they lose all energy +and die. Two: even partial sprinkling +alters the shape of the scales, +and they are unable to use sunpower +to form more sugar, and still die, +if a bit slower."</p> + +<p>"Oh," I said, taking it down verbatim. +"So now what do we do?"</p> + +<p>"We remove our boots," said +Kroger, sitting on the ground and +doing so, "and then we cross this +stream, fill the boots with water, +and <i>spray</i> our way to freedom."</p> + +<p>"Which tunnel do we take?" +asked Pat, his eyes aglow at the +thought of escape.</p> + +<p>Kroger shrugged. "We'll have to +chance taking any that seem to +slope upward. In any event, we can +always follow it back and start +again."</p> + +<p>"I dunno," said Jones. "Remember +those <i>teeth</i> of theirs. They must +be for biting something more substantial +than moss, Kroger."</p> + +<p>"We'll risk it," said Pat. "It's better +to go down fighting than to die +of starvation."</p> + +<p>The hell it is.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 24, 1961, for sure</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">The Martians</span> have coal +mines. <i>That's</i> what they use those +teeth for. We passed through one +and surprised a lot of them chewing +gritty hunks of anthracite out +of the walls. They came running at +us, whistling with those tubelike +tongues, and drooling dry coal dust, +but Pat swung one of his boots in +an arc that splashed all over the +ground in front of them, and they +turned tail (literally) and clattered +off down another tunnel, +sounding like a locomotive whistle +gone berserk.</p> + +<p>We made the surface in another +hour, back in the canal, and were +lucky enough to find our own trail +to follow toward the place above +which the jeep still waited.</p> + +<p>Jones got the rifles out of the +stream (the Martians had probably +thought they were beyond recovery +there) and we found the jeep. It +was nearly buried in sand, but we +got it cleaned off and running, and +got back to the ship quickly. First +thing we did on arriving was to +break out the stores and have a +celebration feast just outside the +door of the ship.</p> + +<p>It was pork again, and I got sick.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 25, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">We're going back</span>. Pat says +that a week is all we were allowed +to stay and that it's urgent to return +and tell what we've learned +about Mars (we know there are +Martians, and they're made of +sugar).</p> + +<p>"Why," I said, "can't we just tell +it on the radio?"</p> + +<p>"Because," said Pat, "if we tell +them now, by the time we get back +we'll be yesterday's news. This way +we may be lucky and get a parade."</p> + +<p>"Maybe even money," said +Kroger, whose mind wasn't always +on science.</p> + +<p>"But they'll ask why we didn't +radio the info, sir," said Jones uneasily.</p> + +<p>"The radio," said Pat, nodding to +Lloyd, "was unfortunately broken +shortly after landing."</p> + +<p>Lloyd blinked, then nodded +back and walked around the +rocket. I heard a crunching sound +and the shattering of glass, not unlike +the noise made when one +drives a rifle butt through a radio.</p> + +<p>Well, it's time for takeoff.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="dcap">This time</span> it wasn't so bad. I +thought I was getting my space-legs, +but Pat says there's less gravity on +Mars, so escape velocity didn't +have to be so fast, hence a smoother +(relatively) trip on our shock-absorbing +bunks.</p> + +<p>Lloyd wants to play chess again. +I'll be careful not to win this time. +However, if I don't win, maybe this +time <i>I'll</i> be the one to quit.</p> + +<p>Kroger is busy in his cramped +lab space trying to classify the little +moss he was able to gather, and +Jones and Pat are up front watching +the white specks revolve on that +black velvet again.</p> + +<p>Guess I'll take a nap.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 26, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Hell's bells</span>. Kroger says +there are two baby Martians loose +on board ship. Pat told him he +was nuts, but there are certain +signs he's right. Like the missing +charcoal in the air-filtration-and-reclaiming +(AFAR) system. And +the water gauges are going down. +But the clincher is those two sugar +crystals Lloyd had grabbed up +when we were in that zoo. They're +gone.</p> + +<p>Pat has declared a state of emergency. +Quick thinking, that's Pat. +Lloyd, before he remembered and +turned scarlet, suggested we radio +Earth for instructions. We can't.</p> + +<p>Here we are, somewhere in a +void headed for Earth, with enough +air and water left for maybe three +days—if the Martians don't take +any more.</p> + +<p>Kroger is thrilled that he is +learning something, maybe, about +Martian reproductive processes. +When he told Pat, Pat put it to a +vote whether or not to jettison +Kroger through the airlock. However, +it was decided that responsibility +was pretty well divided. +Lloyd had gotten the crystals, +Kroger had only studied them, and +Jones had brought them aboard.</p> + +<p>So Kroger stays, but meanwhile +the air is getting worse. Pat suggested +Kroger put us all into a state +of suspended animation till landing +time, eight months away. Kroger +said, "How?"</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 27, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Air is foul</span> and I'm very +thirsty. Kroger says that at least—when +the Martians get bigger—they'll +have to show themselves. +Pat says what do we do <i>then</i>? We +can't afford the water we need to +melt them down. Besides, the +melted crystals might <i>all</i> turn into +little Martians.</p> + +<p>Jones says he'll go down spitting.</p> + +<p>Pat says why not dismantle interior +of rocket to find out where +they're holing up? Fine idea.</p> + +<p>How do you dismantle riveted +metal plates?</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 28, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">The AFAR system</span> is no more +and the water gauges are still dropping. +Kroger suggests baking bread, +then slicing it, then toasting it till +it turns to carbon, and we can use +the carbon in the AFAR system.</p> + +<p>We'll have to try it, I guess.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="dcap">The Martians</span> ate the bread. +Jones came forward to tell us the +loaves were cooling, and when he +got back they were gone. However, +he did find a few of the red crystals +on the galley deck (floor). They're +good-sized crystals, too. Which +means so are the Martians.</p> + +<p>Kroger says the Martians must +be intelligent, otherwise they +couldn't have guessed at the carbohydrates +present in the bread after +a lifelong diet of anthracite. Pat +says let's jettison Kroger.</p> + +<p>This time the vote went against +Kroger, but he got a last-minute reprieve +by suggesting the crystals +be pulverized and mixed with sulphuric +acid. He says this'll produce +carbon.</p> + +<p>I certainly hope so.</p> + +<p>So does Kroger.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class="dcap">Brief reprieve</span> for us. The +acid-sugar combination not only +produces carbon but water vapor, +and the gauge has gone up a notch. +That means that we have a quart +of water in the tanks for drinking. +However, the air's a bit better, +and we voted to let Kroger stay inside +the rocket.</p> + +<p>Meantime, we have to catch +those Martians.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>June 29, 1961</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Worse and worse</span>. Lloyd +caught one of the Martians in the +firing chamber. We had to flood +the chamber with acid to subdue +the creature, which carbonized +nicely. So now we have plenty of +air and water again, but besides +having another Martian still on +the loose, we now don't have +enough acid left in the fuel tanks +to make a landing.</p> + +<p>Pat says at least our vector will +carry us to Earth and we can die +on our home planet, which is better +than perishing in space.</p> + +<p>The hell it is.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>March 3, 1962</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Earth in sight</span>. The other +Martian is still with us. He's where +we can't get at him without blow-torches, +but he can't get at the carbon +in the AFAR system, either, +which is a help. However, his tail +is prehensile, and now and then it +snakes out through an air duct and +yanks food right off the table from +under our noses.</p> + +<p>Kroger says watch out. <i>We</i> are +made of carbohydrates, too. I'd +rather not have known.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="rgt"><i>March 4, 1962</i></p> + +<p><span class="dcap">Earth fills</span> the screen in the +control room. Pat says if we're +lucky, he might be able to use the +bit of fuel we have left to set us +in a descending spiral into one of +the oceans. The rocket is tighter +than a submarine, he insists, and +it will float till we're rescued, if +the plates don't crack under the impact.</p> + +<p>We all agreed to try it. Not that +we thought it had a good chance of +working, but none of us had a better +idea.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="cap"><span class="dcap">I guess</span> you know the rest of +the story, about how that destroyer +spotted us and got us and +my diary aboard, and towed the +rocket to San Francisco. News of +the "captured Martian" leaked out, +and we all became nine-day wonders +until the dismantling of the +rocket.</p> + +<p>Kroger says he must have dissolved +in the water, and wonders +what <i>that</i> would do. There are +about a thousand of those crystal-scales +on a Martian.</p> + +<p>So last week we found out, when +those red-scaled things began clambering +out of the sea on every coastal +region on Earth. Kroger tried +to explain to me about salinity osmosis +and hydrostatic pressure and +crystalline life, but in no time at all +he lost me.</p> + +<p>The point is, bullets won't stop +these things, and wherever a crystal +falls, a new Martian springs up +in a few weeks. It looks like the +five of us have abetted an invasion +from Mars.</p> + +<p>Needless to say, we're no longer +heroes.</p> + +<p>I haven't heard from Pat or +Lloyd for a week. Jones was picked +up attacking a candy factory yesterday, +and Kroger and I were allowed +to sign on for the flight to +Venus scheduled within the next +few days—because of our experience.</p> + +<p>Kroger says there's only enough +fuel for a one-way trip. I don't care. +I've always wanted to travel with +the President.</p> + +<p class="rgt">—JACK SHARKEY</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/003.png" width="200" height="150" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="trn"><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> +This etext was produced from <i>Galaxy Magazine</i> June 1960. +Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. +copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and +typographical errors have been corrected without note.</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Dope on Mars, by John Michael Sharkey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOPE ON MARS *** + +***** This file should be named 26843-h.htm or 26843-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/8/4/26843/ + +Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/26843-h/images/001.png b/26843-h/images/001.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c800be --- /dev/null +++ b/26843-h/images/001.png diff --git a/26843-h/images/002.jpg b/26843-h/images/002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d74587 --- /dev/null +++ b/26843-h/images/002.jpg diff --git a/26843-h/images/003.png b/26843-h/images/003.png Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d764132 --- /dev/null +++ b/26843-h/images/003.png |
