diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'old/65945-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/65945-0.txt | 1451 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 1451 deletions
diff --git a/old/65945-0.txt b/old/65945-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 19117bc..0000000 --- a/old/65945-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1451 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Toy, by Kris Neville - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Toy - -Author: Kris Neville - -Release Date: July 28, 2021 [eBook #65945] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TOY *** - - - - - THE TOY - - By Kris Neville - - Neju did not hate the God-men, but he did - hate the metal demons they used to destroy his - people. So he prayed to the Old Gods for aid.... - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy - December 1952 - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - -"_I hate to leave._" - -"... _But the time has come._" - -"_I suppose so ... but momma?_" - -"_Yes?_" - -"_May we leave them a present?_" - -"_What, my child, what could they want for?_" - -"... _I don't know: surely there's something. One of my toys or -something. I'd like to leave them something._" - -"_That's very thoughtful, but...._" - -"_Please, momma._" - -"_Perhaps we could._" - -"_They might find use for a toy, someday._" - -"_Might they, child? Well.... Who knows? Perhaps they might._" - - * * * * * - -The night, starry, cold, clear, was around them, unfriendly. The -natives huddled at the edge of the clearing and stared out at the -stockade. There was movement there--two sentries, abreast, threading -their way in and out of shadows. The moonlight was pale and uncertain, -blending away harshness, distorting, enlarging. The night was still. -One of the natives let himself down until he lay flat upon the ground. -A twig crackled sharply, and the other four held their breath, but the -sound did not carry to the sentries. Another and another and another -lay down near the first, and then all of them began to inch their way -slowly through the tall swift growing grasses toward the stockade. - -Their progress was slow; every few minutes they paused until their -breathing returned to normal. The light, sunset shower had not softened -the ground, for it was in the middle of the dry season when the rain -fell sparingly. After tedious, hard gained feet, sweat stood glistening -on their nearly naked bodies and grass shoots, saw edged, itched and -stung their skins. Rough top roots and sharp, brutal rocks reddened -them in welts and bruises. - -Still they went forward, slowly, doggedly. The moon fell away toward -the horizon, and the shadows unhuddled from trees and the stockade wall -and stretched out on the grasses. - -With clock-like precision the sentries passed along the narrow walk -atop the wall. The wall was made of _conje_ trunks, sheered of limbs, -driven upright into the ground, pressed so closely together that -between logs there was scarcely a chink. For the people inside the -stockade, aided by a howling demon of steel that uprooted and stripped -trees effortlessly, it had been scarcely the work of a day; for the -natives outside, depending for power upon their own muscles it would -represent the year's work of a village. - -Each time the sentries passed the spot nearest the natives, they -pressed hard to the ground and held their breath for fear some tiny, -artificial movement would reveal them. - -The moon hovered on the far tree tops and then vanished from sight, -leaving a curtain of night, faintly star-dotted. - -The five natives were at the edge of the grasses. Beyond them, to the -stockade wall, there was no protection. As one they straightened and -ran fleetly to the _conje_ trunks. Under their feet, a few pebbles -crunched and rattled. They pressed in against the wall, merging with -the darker shadow of it, waiting for the sentries to pass. The heavy -booted footfalls became louder and louder, until they came from -directly overhead. The natives hugged the wall, praying silently to -their alien Gods, and the footfalls slowly emptied into silence. - - * * * * * - -One of the five sent exploring hands over the wooden surface. It was -rough enough for his purpose, and awkwardly, hesitantly, he began to -work his way upward. Once bark peeled from under his foot and fell -away, but it was caught and silenced by one of those below. He drew -himself over the top of the wall with a swift, sure movement, and -dropped the two feet to the walk on the other side. He crouched there, -fumbling with the coil of rope at his waist. - -It was a slender, moist rope, and, as he cast the end over the wall, -it slithered through his hand like a line of liquid. He could hear -the muffled approach of feet, and his heart beat faster. Hurriedly he -expanded the slip loop in the end of the rope. He placed the loop over -one of the trunks and forced it down between those on each side. It was -a tight fit, and he had to jerk it savagely once. That done, he pulled -it tight and slipped over the wall, looping the rope in his hand to -support himself. Almost immediately the sentries were overhead. - -The rope began to slip down the pole; it slipped an inch and jerked; -two inches. His muscles stood out, bulging the skin. He closed his eyes. - -There were voices above. The rope slipped again, and then the knot -began to peel. In another moment, the rope would give way and the -native would crash loudly to the ground. The footsteps began again, but -only one pair now. Somewhere above in the silence a sentry was waiting. -The sentry, unconcerned, lit his pipe and the match flare made those -below catch their breaths. The rope slipped again. - -In desperation, the native threw one arm over the wall. He glanced down -fearfully. Then cautiously he drew himself up. In the pale star shine -he could see that the sentry was not facing him. He dropped to the -inside walk. The sentry half-turned. - -Reluctantly, the native leaped the few intervening feet and hit him. -There was a brittle snap and the native lowered the sentry gently to -the walk. Then he turned, relooped the rope, pulled it more securely -around the trunk. Up came the four who had been waiting below. - -In a whispery hiss, he explained what had happened. The leader of the -group shook his head in the darkness. "If we go inside, now," he said, -"the other will discover this one and then warn the demon before we can -destroy it. We must silence the other one too." - -They nodded. - -One of the group bent and removed the fallen sentry's weapon. He turned -it over and over in his hands, curiously. - -"Hey! Hey!" the other sentry called, suddenly, from out of the -darkness along the wall. "Hey, Ed!" Receiving no answer, he fumbled his -weapon into his hand. "Hey! Ed! Answer me!" - -"Too late," the leader of the natives hissed. "He will wake the demon. -Run!" - -They vaulted the wall, striking the ground and scattered toward the -tall grasses and the forest beyond. One dragged a broken leg painfully. - - * * * * * - -The body of Ed, the limp sentry, teetered for a moment on the walk and -then slipped awkwardly over the side. It struck a wall buttress and -bent over it like a horseshoe. - -The other sentry rushed to the corner. One glance was enough to tell -him what had happened. He grabbed the huge spotlamp at the juncture of -the two walls and tripped the button. Inside the stockade a generator -whined and the arc of the lamp flared its sunbright blue. - -The beam was temporarily blinding, and the sentry cursed. Then his -field of vision came clear, and all the details of the grassy stretch -were etched sharply. He saw two running figures, each at the outer edge -of the beam. He swiveled the light until it focused upon the nearest -one. - -It was the leader--the one with the broken leg--and he froze in the -light. He did not even attempt to fall to the ground. - -The sentry stared for a fraction of a second before he could bring his -gun to eye level and fire it. - -The leader of the natives waited, blinking his faceted orange eyes in -the cruel blinding glare. The eyes glistened brightly. The four arms -hung motionless, relaxed at his side. - -The sentry shuddered involuntarily as the leader came within his -sights. He squeezed the trigger and a burst of hissing flame came from -the muzzle. The flame died in the air and the gun jumped in recoil. - -The projectile struck and the leader screamed in pain. He twitched but -he did not fall. One hand shot out to support himself, but still his -eyes blinked into the light and still he remained upright, a perfect -target. - -The sentry fired twice more, one projectile kicking up a tiny shower of -rocks and moaning away, almost spent; the other, scoring in the target. - -The native in the field whined. But still he did not fall. - -Shuddering, the sentry fired time after time at him, and finally, very -slowly, the native crumpled to the ground. Once or twice the tip of the -tail twitched and then the body was absolutely motionless. - -The sentry swung the light again. The other natives were gone. He -shuddered again and spat out toward the body. - -Lights in the stockade began to come on, sucking at the tiny generator. -They were dim lights. - -Looking down, the sentry saw his companion lying across the buttress. - -The sentry began to curse nervously. Then, with fumbling fingers, he -shut off the arc lamp and the lights inside the stockade brightened. - -The sentry glanced out at the vast alien darkness beyond the wall. He -whimpered in sudden, childish fear. - - * * * * * - -Within the forest, beyond the terrifying brilliance of the stockade -light, the natives stopped running. After the light went off, they -called to each other with piping, night bird whistles. Slowly they came -together, forming a silent lonely group. - -"We must leave him there," one said, in the shrill, chattering native -language. - -Reluctantly they turned their backs on the stockade. Leaves crackled -under their feet. Branches whipped at their faces, bringing sharp -tears. They hurried, and dry things rustled and startled animals fled. -From time to time they grunted at each other, more for encouragement, -more as protest against the tangle of vines than for communication. -Neju carried the stolen stockade weapon pressed tightly to his chest. - -On they went, and finally the sun came up, penetrating the forest here -and there, sending sharp rays of new light mottling the ground. Once -they stopped to rest, but only for a short time. - -After two hours of sun they came to the natural clearing and the tribal -village. - -The village was a crude thing by stockade standards. It was a cluster -of mud and stick houses around the central more pretentious Chieftain's -lodge. Before the lodge there was the large fireplace where the -community roasted the hunters' kills on three huge spits. The ground -around the fireplace was smooth and covered with white sand taken -from the bottom of the fast running creek that at the far left of the -clearing threaded its way off into the tangle of trees. Bones and other -refuse were carried in reed baskets to a pit well back in the forest -away from the clearing. The whole of the village was clean and orderly, -and, in back of the lodge, there was a patch of flower-like plants most -of which were dead with autumn and frost. - -Several meat animals were staked out near the stream and two tiny -domesticated arboreal animals called _corlieu_ sat before their owners' -huts, in the sunshine. - -When the four natives stepped into the clearing, all other activity -ceased. Children broke off their cries, and adults turned from their -labors. A great silence fell upon the village. Natives appeared at -doors. - -Slowly the four walked toward the lodge; one limped slightly from a -thorn in his naked foot. All eyes turned to mark their progress. - -The Chieftain sat at the door of his lodge. Upon their funeral-like -approach, he rose. He stared at each one in turn as if trying to -believe one of them were someone else. Then he shifted his eyes over -their heads to the spot in the forest where they had emerged. - -Neju shook his head slowly and the Chieftain seemed to retreat as if -from an invisible blow; then he stood erect, gestured that they should -enter, and followed them in. - - * * * * * - -Slowly, outside, movement began again. There was a floating whisper of -soft words and the children moved gravely about. Even the _corlieus_ -seemed to sense the change and did not try to attract attention. -Overhead, a great bird flapped by. - -Inside the lodge the four arranged themselves differentially at their -Chieftain's feet. - -The Chieftain was old. His arms were loose shells of skin over bone -and his face was pinched with wrinkles; even the eyes were misty and -bluish with age. And his voice, when he broke the silence, was thin and -querulous. - -"You have returned," he said. - -The four remained quiet, sitting with their legs coiled under them as -pillows. After a while, Neju answered, "Yes, we have returned." - -The ritual question and answer gave the old Chieftain time to get his -emotions under control; his eyes were clouded with grief, and his head -bobbed loosely on his skinny neck. And then: he was unsure as to why -there were tears in his eyes. - -"He will not join us," Neju said quietly. - -The old one sighed and rubbed a wrinkled hand over his face. - -Outside, the mourners began their chant, slow, terrifying. A distant -drum picked up the beat and throbbed out the heart-rhythm. - -"We took one of the weapons," Neju said. "But we were prevented from -entering their village." - -The old one nodded. He closed his eyes and turned his face toward the -ceiling of the lodge. He was tired; it was odd, how suddenly tired. -Yesterday there had been ... no, that was not yesterday. His son coming -up from the stream with his first catch. The air had been bright (it -was no longer bright any more) and he had laughed, saying.... But now -there was something about a demon somewhere, wasn't there? A fearsome -thing. It was hard to believe in demons; yes, and in Gods, too. That -summer when _his_ father pointed to the moon being eaten by shadow, he -had believed in Gods, then. He must tell his grandson about that. It -was very strange. And there was an old ritual one should make when the -drought came.... - -"Here, their weapon...." - -The old one opened his eyes once more. His young friend, Neju, was -handing him a strange thing. He marveled at it, thinking that perhaps -the Gods had left it when they went away. - -"It is dangerous." - -The old one was trying to think. There was something about the new Gods -who had come down from the sky; but they brought demons with them, so -perhaps they were not Gods at all and it was quite confusing, being -old. He must remember to ask his grandson to tell him all about it. -They placed the weapon before him and rose, making their bows, and left -him in peace. - -He stared at the weapon for many minutes. His grandson, Zoon--no, Zoon -had been his son--his grandson's name was--was--ah--Zoee, yes. A little -child. - -An odd thing, what weapon, and perhaps.... No, it was not for spring -planting. And winters used to be longer: we plant earlier--a moon -earlier, now, at least. And Zoee was a grown man, and Zoon was dead. Or -was it the other way around? - -He blinked his eyes, and strangely, it seemed that they were _both_ -dead. They were playing the funeral dirge out there in the sunshine. - -The old one stirred uneasily. - - * * * * * - -Neju sat on the white sand before the fire place. Two of his hands -plucked nervously at the sliver of wood. A group of hunters formed a -semicircle around him. - -"The old Father is ill with sorrow," he said, after a while. "And with -time." - -The others nodded, and again the hunters' council fell silent. The rest -of the village was muted, and the women went about gathering funeral -offerings for their Chieftain. - -Neju studied the splinter, trying to focus his thoughts on it. Finally -he said, "We did not destroy the demon." - -"We must try again," one of the hunters said, and like a tired sigh, -agreement ran from mouth to mouth. - -Neju flipped the splinter into the ashes and sat with eyes downcast. - -"The demon must be destroyed," the hunter repeated. "Or it will kill -again and again." - -Neju stared across the fireplace at the forest beyond. His eyes clouded. - -On his right, a young hunter who had been with him the previous night -at the wall cleared his throat nervously. "They come from the sky, but -they are not Gods." He wrinkled his brow as if this were difficult to -understand. "It is strange," he said. "They come like Gods, but they -are not. Gods are kind." He looked appealing at Neju. - -Neju smiled wearily and touched the young hunter on the shoulder. "They -are not Gods." - -"They are servants of the demon," another hunter insisted. "I was -there," he said monotonously. "After they came." - -The others stirred uneasily. - -"We watched the demon," the hunter said, his voice still flat, as if -(although he knew them to be true) he could not quite believe the words -himself. "I was with Mela. We watched the demon go to the forest and -rip out a standing tree by the roots. Then trembling, Mela stepped out -to greet it with a friendship offering. And the demon turned on her -and roared down on her and mashed her body lifeless under it, and the -god-man who was astride the demon became so terrified that he seemed to -laugh. I fled." - -There was silence for a moment. - -"The Old Gods," one hunter began, but he did not finish the sentence. - -The hunters shuffled. - -"I saw the demon kill Mela," the hunter said with finality. "We must -kill the demon." - -The young hunter cleared his throat again. "They are not Gods, but -still I should not have harmed the god-man, last night, at the wall. We -do not mean them any harm." He paused. "Only the demon." - -The hunters nodded. - -"They will thank us for destroying the demon." - -"The god-men, themselves, have killed four of us," Neju said suddenly. - -"They cannot help themselves," the young hunter insisted. "They must do -the demon's will." He paused again. "They cannot be gods, to obey the -demon, but we should not harm them." - -Suddenly the funeral drum ceased in mid-note. - - * * * * * - -The village began to stir uncertainly, and a native burst, running, -upon the clearing. He was crying something in an excited voice. A wail -went up from those nearest him, and each ran off toward his house. A -young lad sped toward the seated hunters. - -When he arrived, he was panting. "A demon comes! _It is in the air like -a bird!_" - -The hunters glanced at Neju for leadership. Then, from a great -distance, they heard a whirring like the beat of giant wings. - -"Run!" Neju cried, and they scrambled to their feet. - -"Separate and run!" Neju cried. - -The other villagers were scattering toward the forest in all -directions. Neju glanced around him. He saw a female stop, rush back, -scoop up a child who had been playing with a polished bone. Then, -almost as if by magic, the village was empty. The staked animals began -to whine, and one of the _corlieu_ at the far edge of the clearing gave -a gigantic leap and disappeared into the tightly woven branches. - -Then Neju turned to run and the sound of the air demon was nearer. But -he had taken only two or three steps before he stopped, frozen, for a -single instant. Then he turned and sped toward the Chieftain's lodge. - -No one had warned the old Father. - -At the moment he reached the door of the lodge, the helicopter burst -upon the clearing. Neju darted it one frightened glance and then ducked -through the doorway. - -The old one still sat as Neju had left him, motionless, staring at the -strange weapon before him. He did not even look up when Neju entered. - -"Come, Father," Neju said very gently. - -"Eh?" - -Neju glanced over his shoulder. The sky demon was heading straight for -the lodge. - -Very tenderly, Neju drew the old one to his feet. He wrapped two arms -around his body, protectively. "We must hurry, Father." - -The old one blinked, but he moved as Neju urged, and the two of them -stepped from the back entrance of the lodge. The helicopter was flying -low, and it seemed almost on top of them. - -It was then that the Chieftain saw it. There was fear and wonder in his -eyes. - -"We must run!" Neju said. - -Together they trampled across the dying garden, their feet moving -rapidly, and the old one's breath came in sharp rasps. - -Then the very edge of the helicopter's shadow touched them. - -And there was a blinding light and a great wave of air that threw them -to the ground like a giant hand, and there was a roar greater than the -northern cataracts. And the sound and light was gone, but still their -ears rang with the thunder of it and their eyes pained. - -Ahead of them there was another roar. And a group of huts seemed to -come apart from quick flashes inside of them. Bits of the lodge plopped -down on their backs, and one huge piece of timber embedded in the earth -only a foot from Neju's body. - -Neju threw himself over the old Chieftain to protect him; he felt dirt -and sticks and dust shower over him and the air smelled sharp and -bitter and stifling. - -_Wham! Wham! Wham!_ - -The earth jarred with explosions, one after another, measured, -methodical. Neju gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tightly. - -And the world was light and noise and flying debris. - -Then it was over. Neju was holding his breath. For several minutes, he -did not dare lift his head; his ears rang and his head was weighted. He -brushed at it, and his hand came away wet with blood. - -He looked up, and the air demon was gone. - -The lodge was no more--only a smoking crater, and, except for two huts, -miraculously intact, all of the village was mashed flat as though a -giant hammer had worked it over carefully. - -Neju bent to the Chieftain. The old one moaned. - - * * * * * - -They constructed a crude shelter for the Chieftain back of the -clearing, fast in the forest, where the old one could not see the -scene of destruction. All that night, almost fearfully, the villagers -crouched near him. When the moon first dropped its rays across his face -they all tensed, hushed, waiting, and when his breathing continued they -sighed in relief (for he would live another day: a Chieftain's spirit -always goes up the first moon path to the stars, or else it will not -leave until the moon path comes again). - -The night was long and cold, and toward dawn, they drew in upon each -other and the fire for warmth. - -When the sun was an hour high and the hasty meal was over, the young -hunters surrounded Neju, looking to him for leadership since the last -of the royal line lay in a coma. - -"You will be our leader until our Chieftain Father is well again," they -told Neju, one after another. - -Neju sat for a long time in thought and silence. At last he said, -almost sadly, "I will serve until the old Father is well again." - -There was a relieved sigh from the listeners. - -Again there was a long silence. - -Neju toyed with a new grass shoot, rubbing it between his fingers. He -rumbled deep in his chest to break the silence. "We must move further -into the forest. Wait for the god-men and the demons to go away. We -cannot fight." - -"Perhaps they will not go away." - -Neju thought about this. "The Old Gods came from the sky," he said. -"The Old Gods went away." He looked around him at the circle of taut, -angry faces. "I do not like to give up our home ground," he said -slowly. He shrugged helplessly. "With two demons, one to watch while -the other sleeps, how can we steal near enough to destroy them?" He -looked at the mashed grass shoot. "The earth is kind. We can live and -be happy in some new place." - -A hunter slipped out of the brush near Neju, scarcely rustling it. Neju -turned his head and the hunter bent and whispered in his ear. Neju -looked suddenly concerned and frightened. He stood up, motioning for -the others to keep their seats. He turned and followed the hunter into -the forest. - - * * * * * - -They threaded their way toward what was left of their village. Near the -edge of the natural clearing, the hunter hissed and began to advance -cautiously. - -When they both stood looking out from behind a clump of _clato_, Neju -saw a group of the god-men in the middle of the wrecked village; the -god-men were poking around idly, kicking rubble, fingering this and -that. They talked. Their voices were, to Neju, slow, low pitched, lazy. -Neju held his breath, watching. - -Finally one of the god-men, seemingly the leader, started toward the -very spot where they were standing. - -Neju and his companions drew back hastily, and their movements rustled -a dew heavy bush, causing it to shower a spray of water on the dead -leaves of the ground. - -Almost immediately, there was the deadly hiss of the leader's weapon, -and a projectile thudded into a tree, just to the left of Neju. - -"I saw two of them! Over here!" the leader called, running heavily -toward the forest. The other god-men galvanized into action. - -"Let's hide," Neju's companion whimpered, terrified. - -"No! They'd find us. Follow me." Neju started off, skirting the -clearing, going away from the direction of the villagers' temporary -camp. - -The god-men fired four times in the direction of their flight. The -shots came at short, measured intervals, and they struck in a fan-like -arc. The nearest one snapped by Neju's ear with a loud popping noise. - -"This way!" the god-man cried excitedly crashing after his prey. He was -joined by the others, all running heavily, and the air was filled with -their coarse explosive curses. - -Neju and the hunter ran for what seemed a long time, the noise of -pursuit still loud behind them. Then the noise ceased. - -Neju stopped, puzzled, breathing heavily. On the other side of a small -clump of viny _scarbj_, there was the sound of god-men's voices. - -"They might be leading us into a trap," the one said. - -There was assent. - -"They must be near. I don't hear 'em runnin' any more. Over that way. -Let's spray that whole damn section!" - -Their weapons began to hiss. - -Neju instinctively dropped flat to the ground. In following his lead, -the hunter coughed once, a projectile catching him in the chest even as -he was dropping. Blood gurgled in his throat. - -"That's one, by God!" one of the god-men cried in elation, and after -another barrage of increased violence, they began to withdraw, -nervously, darting glances at the quiet trees around them. - -Neju remained motionless. Then, leaving his dead comrade, he set off at -a lope in the direction of the makeshift camp. - -When he arrived the villagers were still huddled fearfully together. - -Neju walked to the circle of young hunters. "They killed Whenj just -now," he said without preamble. - -He sat down. - -"Come here!" he said. "I want you all to come here!" - -Slowly the natives gathered around him. - -"Sit down." - -They sat down, and Neju waited until they quieted. There was fear and -uncertainty in the air; mothers darted anxious glances in the direction -of their sons. - - * * * * * - -Neju began to speak. He spoke slowly. "I have just seen the god-men -chase and kill. They are controlled by demons that cannot be appeased. -One has only to hear them--the hate in their voices--to know." He -swallowed and looked around at the green brilliant foliage and listened -to the life movements in the trees. "I said that we should move away -into the forest.... But now.... I cannot think like a demon, but I -somehow see that ... unlike the Old Gods ... the demons will not leave -us to the world in peace. They are creatures of hate, who will hunt us -out, little by little, and destroy us all...." He looked around at the -frightened faces. "They will build more and bigger villages for their -servants, the god-men. They will strip away our forests and burn our -grasses. They will kill our food and destroy our homes wherever they -find them. They will trample our gardens. They will force us back and -ever further back until we have no place left to go.... And only after -they have killed us all, only then, will the demons be satisfied and -leave our world.... That is what I see." - -The rest, terrified, waited. - -"I am your Chieftain while the Father is ill. Yet, I cannot command you -in this. What shall we do? Shall we flee to live in fear, or...?" - -There was a sad little moan from the women. - -"One demon," Neju said, "we might have killed. But I do not know how -many demons there are." - -The men moved nervously. - -Finally one said, very softly, "If there are a hundred, we must not -flee." - -Assent muttered among them. - -"Very well," Neju said. He stood up. "I will go see the Father. He must -guide me in my actions now. Perhaps he can recall a weapon to fight -demons with. Perhaps the destruction of the village will help him to -think." - -From the distance there was the great beat of demon wings on the air. - -Neju went to the old one. He frowned at the woman who had been assigned -to care for him. She stood, bowed, and withdrew. - -Neju sat down beside the Father. - -"Father," he said softly. "Father, can you hear me?" - -The Chieftain moved his head wearily; his lips opened slowly. "Yes," he -whispered. - -"We must destroy great demons. We must have the help of the Old Gods. -What must we do, Father? You could not remember when Zoee asked you. -Can you remember now?" - -The Chieftain lay silent for a long time. A tiny insect crawled -unnoticed over one wrinkled arm. He had heard the question but somehow -the sense had gone out of the words. The Old Gods--did he believe in -Old Gods? Was that the question? - - * * * * * - -He tried to remember: Old Gods had come from the sky--but that had -been long ago. His father had seen them--no, no--grandfather, wasn't -it? Or even further back than that? The Chieftain imagined the stars, -which were bright souls in the sky, and had the Old Gods really come -down from the sky at all? Maybe no one had ever seen them: maybe it was -a dream, there were so many dreams. Here he was dreaming that he was -old, and only yesterday his mother had whipped him for going too near -the _yeama_ Zaptl had staked out over at the base of the hill. Or was -it yesterday? - -"We must have the Old Gods' help," Neju repeated quietly. - -The Old Gods' help? He tried to remember. There had been something--a -dance--a ritual--a chant, hadn't there? - -"For the killing of demons." - -The Chieftain was tired. It seemed that there was something important -to remember. Hadn't.... What was it? - -"Please, Father." - -The old one wished the voice would go away because he was sleepy. -_Wasn't that the moonlight on his face?_ - -"Pray," he said, dying. - -After a time, Neju stood up. The Chieftain was very quiet. - -He left the side of the dead and turned to the female waiting a short -distance away. "After the moon has taken his soul tonight, prepare him -for the funeral. His soul is very quiet as it waits. And there is no -need to disturb him." - - * * * * * - -Pray, the old one had said. The moon came down full, splintering beams -on a tangle of branches overhead. The old Chieftain was covered with -the ceremonial cloak of fur and by his side the formal mourner buried -her head in her hands, rocked back and forth intoning musically, "Ah, -ahhhhha, ah, ah." - -"Old Gods," Neju said, standing in the middle of the villagers, "... -Old Gods, I do not know how to talk to you the way I should." His voice -was small and embarrassed. "I hope you do not mind too much. I'm trying -to get it right. Old Gods, legends tell how you controlled mighty -demons when you came to our world. Now there have come to our world -some demons who control god-men." He wrinkled his brow, trying to state -the case as dearly as possible. - -"These demons are very bad. They kill our people." He paused a moment. -"We want you to help us kill these demons so the god-men will be free -and we can live without fear." - -Neju waited. The ground did not tremble. The moon did not darken. The -Old Gods did not answer. - -"Maybe we haven't any right to ask, for ourselves," Neju said. "But -for the god-men, who are your brothers from the sky. Help us to free -_them_, Old Gods. They want to be free, like all things want to be -free." - -Still the Old Gods did not answer. - -Slowly, from mouth to mouth, a moan passed among the villagers. - -"Answer us, Old Gods," Neju pleaded. - -The moan grew louder and louder. - -"Answer us, Old Gods," Neju repeated. "Please answer us." - -And still no answer; only a vagrant breeze in the leaves; no sound, no -voice, no sign that the Old Gods had heard. - -And the moan died helplessly. - -Neju stood, head bowed until silence came. - -"I cannot talk to the Gods," he said. "I am no Chieftain. I am not -worthy to talk to Gods." - -"We prayed too," a female said. "We all prayed with you. And still they -did not answer." - -Neju smiled twistedly. "We do not know how to pray. Or the Gods do not -know how to listen." - -The female said, "They came long ago. Perhaps they have forgotten us." - -Silence fell. - -Neju looked toward the dead Chieftain. "How can I lead you, unless They -make a sign?" - - * * * * * - -Morning. A _corlieu_ dropped into the clearing to beg for food. A fire -sputtered wetly. The mourners came back from the Chieftain's grave -(only they knew its location, and the autumn leaves hid the spot). - -The hunters slowly came to Neju. They stood awkwardly in a circle -around him. Finally one spoke. - -"We talked among ourselves, last night, after you went away." - -"Yes?" Neju said. - -The native shifted on his feet. "You say we must destroy the demons. As -you say, we cannot run, only to run again and again." - -"The Old Gods did not make a sign to me," Neju said wearily. - -"The Father said only to pray. He did not say that They would answer." - -Neju considered this gravely. - -"We must give the god-men heart," the native continued. "They must take -courage from us. Together with the god-men, we can defeat the demons. -If the Old Gods do not help us, the god-men must." - -Neju still listened; only his arms moved, restlessly. - -"First we must show the god-men that _we_ are not afraid of demons." - -Neju waited. - -"All of us, children, females, the old, all, must go toward their -village, beating drums, crying encouragement. We must show no fear. The -god-men will take heart." - -Neju stirred. - -"They will see that we are not afraid, and they will lose _their_ fear. -Together we will turn on the evil demons and destroy them. And you must -lead us." - -"Leave me," Neju said. "I must think about it." - - * * * * * - -Neju stood for the hour preceding the heat. The sun moved to a position -directly overhead. Then he arose stiffly. - -"People!" he called. - -The villagers stopped their work. They turned to face him. - -"Come to me!" he called. - -They came. - -"You have heard the plan of the hunters?" he asked when they were -quiet. - -One by one they nodded their heads. - -"And you are not afraid?" - -They were silent. Finally, one said, "We are afraid. But we will do -what must be done." - -"... Very well," Neju said. "If it is what you wish, I will lead you." - -"We only do what we must," one said. - -Neju looked them over carefully. "We will eat, and then we will leave. -We will travel to the village of the god-men. Each of you will bring an -instrument upon which to make noise to frighten the demons and hearten -the god-men." - -They nodded, silently, and began to drift away. - -Neju named three hunters to remain with him. - -"Before we do this," he told them when the others had gone, "we must -try once more to slip beyond the wall and slay the demons." - -"They will guard each other," a hunter protested. "We cannot overcome -them without the help of the god-men." - -"We must try," Neju said. - -The three hunters looked at each other. - -"We will leave the party at the edge of the clearing when the moon is -high and try as we did before. And if we fail then they must follow us -crying encouragement to the god-men. But we must try first." - -The hunters, one by one, said, "We will obey you." - - * * * * * - -They gathered, all of them. And they began to move: a slow, twisting -line, hesitating now and again to help the older members. A baby cried -and its mother shushed it. The forest was alive with movement and -chattering. There was fear and resolve on the natives' faces. - -Neju and the three hunters led them. They scouted the territory ahead. - -The column rested frequently and the aged clucked to themselves, -confused, uncertain. And the others tried to reassure them and make -them comfortable. The children ranged, but not far. The tame _corlieu_ -followed them in the tree tops, chattering down, from time to time, -bewildered. - -On they moved and the sun fell and the first forest shadows came out to -welcome the night. The sunset shower came, unusually heavy, silencing -the forest sounds by its patter on the leaves. The air smelled new and -crisp. - -A group of birds huddled together, chirping sleepily, in a century old -_conje_ tree. - -"We must hurry," Neju said. - -And the column moved faster, its sounds of movement being hushed by the -damp foliage. Vines and branches parted before it and folded into place -after it, swishing softly. The children huddled in, and the column -hurried. - -When twilight was full upon the forest, and the first bright hero souls -were in the sky, Neju slipped back from the advance of the column to -whisper, "We are almost there. Be very still." - -Neju gestured that they should spread out, and when their positions -suited him, he motioned for them to advance. - -And finally they came to the edge of the forest. - -There lay the stockade, asparkle with electric lights. The females drew -in sharp breaths at the sight of such a magnificent structure--Ah, -what the demons build for their servants! they seemed to say. And the -helicopter, coming in from a long flight of exploration settled inside -the stockade, its blades sparkling in the new moon. - -The natives shuddered in superstitious awe; they clutched their noise -makers closer to their bodies as if for protection. - - * * * * * - -Neju and the three hunters were at the edge of the grasses; the -stockade was silent except for the pound of sentry boots. - -Neju motioned for the three to remain. He hunched his body and ran -to the base of the wall, breaking the almost invisible wire without -noticing. - -On the wall a red light blinked three times. But Neju did not notice -it. Frantically his hands sought holds in the trunks of the wall. - -"Here's one of them!" someone cried above. "Over here!" - -"They didn't catch us asleep this time!" another voice said. - -"I toldja they'd be back!" - -There was swearing, and Neju froze, terrified. - -Above him, the pounding of many boots. - -"What's wrong with this light?... Ah, there!" - -And the light came on. - -It cut a path across the grasses. - -A weapon hissed in the direction of a shadow. - -"They're out there somewhere!" - -"I don't see 'em!" - -A weapon hissed again. - -"See something?" - -"Nah. Thought I did's all." - -Neju pressed in against the wall. The light put him in full view but -still they did not look down. Neju glanced toward his comrades. As yet -those on the wall had not seen them. - -"Hey! Look!" a god-man screamed. "There's one!" - -Neju looked up. - -"Right there!" - -And Neju tensed, waiting. - -"Well, I'll be damned!" - -Neju was looking into two of their faces; the faces were demon -controlled, contorted with fear and hate. He saw one of the god-men -bring up a weapon. He stared unbelieving into it. - -It spurted flame. - -In his left side he felt a hot searing arrow of fire. His hands -relaxed and he was falling. He fell a long time, through sickness and -unreality. Then he was not falling. - -In the distance he heard the drum beats and cries from his people. He -wanted to tell them something. He twitched in pain trying to cry out. - -"Look!" the god-men cried. - - * * * * * - -The natives burst from the forest crying encouragement to the god-men. -"Take heart! Turn on the demons! We will free you! Join us!" - -"Like sitting ducks!" someone on the wall screamed in elation. "Look at -'em come! Crazy! Chatterin' like monkeys!" - -The natives were nearer, shaking their noise makers, screaming. - -Someone on the wall smiled and fired and one of the natives stumbled -and fell. - -"Like sitting ducks!" he screamed. - -The other god-men began swiveling their most powerful weapons, focusing -the natives in their sights. - -And still the natives came, crying that the god-men take heart. - -_And then the ground trembled!_ - -The forest behind the natives began to crackle; trees came apart in all -directions flying like matchwood. - -A giant being trampled aside all obstructions with invincible power. - -Then the metal monster was clear of the forest. It hovered carefully -over, around, between the natives. - -The stockade light swung, halted. - -And a concerted gasp went up from the wall; then curses of terror. - -There it stood. A shining colossus. Huge. And serene beyond imagining. -It was facing the stockade. - -It had traveled far: from the deep, sheltered cave in the far -north--where it had rested in silence until, upon its vastly complex -and sensitive electronic brain it had received the commands of its -owners. After many, many years, as the little child master had thought, -they had need of it. - -It moved again. - -Stockade weapons swiveled; all the hellish energy that they were -capable of spewed in its direction. - -In its way, it smiled. - -Then, very methodically, it began to take the stockade apart, cracking -the _conje_ trunks like toothpicks. - -It noticed one of its masters, Neju, lying wounded by the base of the -stockade. It bent and carefully scooped him up. It placed him tenderly -in the shoulder pocket, out of harm's way, observing the seriousness of -his wound and automatically remembering the proper treatment. - -The helicopter took off and headed east. - -Absently the toy of a child of the Old Gods swatted the helicopter out -of the air, knocking it nearly a quarter of a mile before it crashed -into the _conje_ trunks of the forest.... - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TOY *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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 an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. 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 -www.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 unprotected by copyright law 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 other than 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 in the United States and - most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (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 website -(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 the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager 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 -works not protected by U.S. copyright law 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 1.F.3. 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 MERCHANTABILITY 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 are 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 information page at -www.gutenberg.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. 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 business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread 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 www.gutenberg.org/donate - -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: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty 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 not protected by copyright 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 website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website 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. |