The Project Gutenberg EBook of Friends In Need,by W.W. Jacobs

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere atno cost and withalmost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copyit, give it away orre-use it under the terms of the ProjectGutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: Friends In NeedShip's Company, Part 2.

Author: W.W. Jacobs

Release Date: January 1, 2004 [EBook #10562]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOKFRIENDS IN NEED ***

Produced by David Widger

cover.jpg (139K)

BOOK 2

ILLUSTRATIONSFROM DRAWINGS BY WILL OWEN

"Cheer up," said Mr GeorgeBrownMr Gibbs, with his back againstthe post, fought for nearly half anhour"Where is he?" she gasped"Gone!" exclaimed bothgentlemen "Where?"

FRIENDS INNEED

R. Joseph Gibbs finished his half-pint inthe private bar of the Red Lion with the

slowness of a man unable to see where thenext was coming from, and, placing themug on the counter, filled his pipe from asmall paper of tobacco and shook his headslowly at his companions.

"First I've 'ad since ten o'clock thismorning," he said, in a hard voice.

"Cheer up," said Mr. George Brown.

"It can't go on for ever," said Bob Kidd,encouragingly.

"All I ask for—is work," said Mr. Gibbs,impressively. "Not slavery, mind yer, butwork."

"It's rather difficult to distinguish," saidMr. Brown.

"'Specially for some people," added Mr.Kidd.

"Go on," said Mr. Gibbs, gloomily. "Goon. Stand a man 'arf a pint, and then go andhurt 'is feelings. Twice yesterday I

wondered to myself what it would feellike to make a hole in the water."

"Lots o' chaps do do it," said Mr. Brown,musingly.

"And leave their wives and families tostarve," said Mr. Gibbs, icily.

"Very often the wife is better off," said hisfriend. "It's one mouth less for her to feed.Besides, she gen'rally gets something.When pore old Bill went they 'ad aFriendly Lead at the 'King's Head' and gothis missis pretty nearly seventeenpounds."

"And I believe we'd get more than that foryour old woman," said Mr. Kidd. "There's

no kids, and she could keep 'erself easy.Not that I want to encourage you to makeaway with yourself."

Mr. Gibbs scowled and, tilting his mug,peered gloomily into the interior.

"Joe won't make no 'ole in the water," saidMr. Brown, wagging his head. "If it wasbeer, now—"

Mr. Gibbs turned and, drawing himself upto five feet three, surveyed the speakerwith an offensive stare.

"I don't see why he need make a 'ole inanything," said Mr. Kidd, slowly. "It 'uddo just as well if we said he 'ad. Then wecould pass the hat round and share it."

"Divide it into three halves and each 'aveone," said Mr. Brown, nodding; "but 'owis it to be done?"

"'Ave some more beer and think it over,"said Mr. Kidd, pale with excitement."Three pints, please."

He and Mr. Brown took up their pints, andnodded at each other. Mr. Gibbs, toyingidly with the handle of his, eyed themcarefully. "Mind, I'm not promisinganything," he said, slowly. "Understand, Iain't a-committing of myself by drinkingthis 'ere pint."

"You leave it to me, Joe," said Mr. Kidd.

Mr. Gibbs left it to him after a discussion

in which pints played a persuasive part;with the result that Mr. Brown, sitting inthe same bar the next evening with two orthree friends, was rudely disturbed by thecyclonic entrance of Mr. Kidd, who,dripping with water, sank on a bench andbreathed heavily.

"What's up? What's the matter?" demandedseveral voices.

"It's Joe—poor Joe Gibbs," said Mr.Kidd. "I was on Smith's wharf shifting thatlighter to the next berth, and, o' course Joemust come aboard to help. He wasshoving her off with 'is foot when—"

He broke off and shuddered and,accepting a mug of beer, pending the

arrival of some brandy that a sympathizerhad ordered, drank it slowly.

"It all 'appened in a flash," he said,looking round. "By the time I 'ad run roundto his end he was just going down for thethird time. I hung over the side andgrabbed at 'im, and his collar and tie cameoff in my hand. Nearly went in, I did."

He held out the collar and tie; andapproving notice was taken of the fact thathe was soaking wet from the top of hishead to the middle button of his waistcoat.

"Pore chap!" said the landlord, leaningover the bar. "He was in 'ere only 'arf anhour ago, standing in this very bar."

"Well, he's 'ad his last drop o' beer," saida carman in a chastened voice.

"That's more than anybody can say," saidthe landlord, sharply. "I never heardanything against the man; he's led a goodlife so far as I know, and 'ow can we tellthat he won't 'ave beer?"

He made Mr. Kidd a present of anothersmall glass of brandy.

"He didn't leave any family, did he?" heinquired, as he passed it over.

"Only a wife," said Mr. Kidd; "and who'sto tell that pore soul I don't know. She fairdoated on 'im. 'Ow she's to live I don'tknow. I shall do what I can for 'er."

"Same 'ere," said Mr. Brown, in a deepvoice.

"Something ought to be done for 'er," saidthe carman, as he went out.

"First thing is to tell the police," said thelandlord. "They ought to know; thenp'r'aps one of them'll tell her. It's whatthey're paid for."

"It's so awfully sudden. I don't knowwhere I am 'ardly," said Mr. Kidd. "I don'tbelieve she's got a penny-piece in the'ouse. Pore Joe 'ad a lot o' pals. I wonderwhether we could'nt get up something forher."

"Go round and tell the police first," said

the landlord, pursing up his lipsthoughtfully. "We can talk about that lateron."

Mr. Kidd thanked him warmly andwithdrew, accompanied by Mr. Brown.Twenty minutes later they left the station,considerably relieved at the matter-of-factway in which the police had received thetidings, and, hurrying across LondonBridge, made their way towards a smallfigure supporting its back against a post inthe Borough market.

"Well?" said Mr. Gibbs, snappishly, as heturned at the sound of their footsteps.

"It'll be all right, Joe," said Mr. Kidd."We've sowed the seed."

"Sowed the wot?" demanded the other.

Mr. Kidd explained.

"Ho!" said Mr. Gibbs. "An' while yourprecious seed is a-coming up, wot am I todo? Wot about my comfortable 'ome? Wotabout my bed and grub?"

His two friends looked at each otheruneasily. In the excitement of thearrangements they had for gotten thesethings, and a long and sometimes painfulexperience of Mr. Gibbs showed themonly too plainly where they were drifting.

"You'll 'ave to get a bed this side o' theriver somewhere," said Mr. Brown,slowly. "Coffee-shop or something; and a

smart, active man wot keeps his eyes opencan always pick up a little money."

Mr. Gibbs laughed.

"And mind," said Mr. Kidd, furiously, inreply to the laugh, "anything we lend youis to be paid back out of your half whenyou get it. And, wot's more, you don't get aha'penny till you've come into a barber'sshop and 'ad them whiskers off. We don'twant no accidents."

Mr. Gibbs, with his back against the post,fought for his whiskers for nearly half anhour, and at the end of that time was ledinto a barber's, and in a state of sullenindignation proffered his request for a"clean" shave. He gazed at the bare-facedcreature that confronted him in the glassafter the operation in open-eyedconsternation, and Messrs. Kidd andBrown's politeness easily gave waybefore their astonishment.

"Well, I may as well have a 'air-cut whileI'm here," said Mr. Gibbs, after a lengthysurvey.

"And a shampoo, sir?" said the assistant.

"Just as you like," said Mr. Gibbs, turninga deaf ear to the frenzied expostulations ofhis financial backers. "Wot is it?"

He sat in amazed discomfort during theoperation, and emerging with his friendsremarked that he felt half a stone lighter.The information was received in stonysilence, and, having spent some time in theselection, they found a quiet public-house,and in a retired corner formed themselvesinto a Committee of Ways and Means.

"That'll do for you to go on with," saidMr. Kidd, after he and Mr. Brown hadeach made a contribution; "and, mind, it'scoming off of your share."

Mr. Gibbs nodded. "And any evening youwant to see me you'll find me in here," heremarked. "Beer's ripping. Now you'dbetter go and see my old woman."

The two friends departed, and, to theirgreat relief, found a little knot of peopleoutside the abode of Mrs. Gibbs. It wasclear that the news had been alreadybroken, and, pushing their way upstairs,they found the widow with a damphandkerchief in her hand surrounded byattentive friends. In feeble accents shethanked Mr. Kidd for his noble attempts atrescue.

"He ain't dry yet," said Mr. Brown.

"I done wot I could," said Mr. Kidd,

simply. "Pore Joe! Nobody could ha' hada better pal. Nobody!"

"Always ready to lend a helping 'and tothem as was in trouble, he was," said Mr.Brown, looking round.

"'Ear, 'ear!" said a voice.

"And we'll lend 'im a helping 'and," saidMr. Kidd, energetically. "We can't do 'imno good, pore chap, but we can try and dosomething for 'er as is left behind."

He moved slowly to the door,accompanied by Mr. Brown, and catchingthe eye of one or two of the men beckonedthem to follow. Under his able guidance asmall but gradually increasing crowd

made its way to the "Red Lion." For thenext three or four days the friends workedunceasingly. Cards stating that a FriendlyLead would be held at the "Red Lion," forthe benefit of the widow of the late Mr.Joseph Gibbs, were distributed broadcast;and anecdotes portraying a singularly rareand beautiful character obtained an evenwider circulation. Too late Wappingrealized the benevolent disposition andthe kindly but unobtrusive nature that haddeparted from it for ever.

Mr. Gibbs, from his retreat across thewater, fully shared his friends' enthusiasm,but an insane desire—engendered byvanity—to be present at the function was asource of considerable trouble andannoyance to them. When he offered to

black his face and take part in theentertainment as a nigger minstrel, Mr.Kidd had to be led outside and kept thereuntil such time as he could converse inEnglish pure and undefiled.

"Getting above 'imself, that's wot it is,"said Mr. Brown, as they wended their wayhome. "He's having too much money out ofus to spend; but it won't be for long now."

"He's having a lord's life of it, whilewe're slaving ourselves to death,"grumbled Mr. Kidd. "I never see'imlooking so fat and well. By rights heoughtn't to 'ave the same share as wotwe're going to 'ave; he ain't doing none ofthe work."

His ill-humour lasted until the night of the"Lead," which, largely owing to thepresence of a sporting fishmonger whohad done well at the races that day, andsome of his friends, realized a sum farbeyond the expectations of the hard-working promoters. The fishmonger ledoff by placing a five-pound note in theplate, and the packed audience breathedso hard that the plate-holder'sresponsibility began to weigh upon hisspirits. In all, a financial tribute of thirty-seven pounds three and fourpence waspaid to the memory of the late Mr. Gibbs.

"Over twelve quid apiece," said thedelighted Mr. Kidd as he bade his co-worker good night. "Sounds too good tobe true."

The next day passed all too slowly, butwork was over at last, and Mr. Kidd ledthe way over London Bridge a yard or twoahead of the more phlegmatic Mr. Brown.Mr. Gibbs was in his old corner at the"Wheelwright's Arms," and, instead ofgoing into ecstasies over the sum realized,hinted darkly that it would have beenlarger if he had been allowed to have hada hand in it.

"It'll 'ardly pay me for my trouble," hesaid, shaking his head. "It's very dull over'ere all alone by myself. By the time youtwo have 'ad your share, besides takingwot I owe you, there'll be 'ardly anythingleft."

"I'll talk to you another time," said Mr.

Kidd, regarding him fixedly. "Wot you'vegot to do now is to come acrost the riverwith us."

"What for?" demanded Mr. Gibbs.

"We're going to break the joyful news toyour old woman that you're alive afore shestarts spending money wot isn't hers," saidMr. Kidd. "And we want you to be closeby in case she don't believe us.

"Well, do it gentle, mind," said the fondhusband. "We don't want 'er screaming, oranything o' that sort. I know 'er better thanwot you do, and my advice to you is to goeasy."

He walked along by the side of them, and,

after some demur, consented, as a furtherdisguise, to put on a pair of spectacles, forwhich Mr. Kidd's wife's mother had beenhunting high and low since eight o'clockthat morning.

"You doddle about 'ere for ten minutes,"said Mr. Kidd, as they reached theMonument, "and then foller on. When youpass a lamp-post 'old your handkerchiefup to your face. And wait for us at thecorner of your road till we come for you."

He went off at a brisk pace with Mr.Brown, a pace moderated to one of almostfuneral solemnity as they approached theresidence of Mrs. Gibbs. To their reliefshe was alone, and after the usualamenities thanked them warmly for all

they had done for her.

"I'd do more than that for pore Joe," saidMr. Brown.

"They—they 'aven't found 'im yet?" saidthe widow.

Mr. Kidd shook his head. "My idea is theywon't find 'im," he said, slowly.

"Went down on the ebb tide," explainedMr. Brown; and spoilt Mr. Kidd'sopening.

"Wherever he is 'e's better off," said Mrs.Gibbs.

"No more trouble about being out o' work;no more worry; no more pain. We've all

got to go some day.

"Yes," began Mr. Kidd; "but—

"I'm sure I don't wish 'im back," said Mrs.Gibbs; "that would be sinful."

"But 'ow if he wanted to come back?" saidMr. Kidd, playing for an opening.

"And 'elp you spend that money," said Mr.Brown, ignoring the scowls of his friend.

Mrs. Gibbs looked bewildered. "Spendthe money?" she began.

"Suppose," said Mr. Kidd, "suppose hewasn't drownded after all? Only last nightI dreamt he was alive."

"So did I," said Mr. Brown.

"He was smiling at me," said Mr. Kidd, ina tender voice. "'Bob,' he ses, 'go and tellmy pore missis that I'm alive,' he ses;'break it to 'er gentle.'"

"It's the very words he said to me in mydream," said Mr. Brown. "Bit strange,ain't it?"

"Very," said Mrs. Gibbs.

"I suppose," said Mr. Kidd, after a pause,"I suppose you haven't been dreamingabout 'im?"

"No; I'm a teetotaller," said the widow.

The two gentlemen exchanged glances,

and Mr. Kidd, ever of an impulsivenature, resolved to bring matters to a head.

"Wot would you do if Joe was to come in'ere at this door?" he asked.

"Scream the house down," said thewidow, promptly.

"Scream—scream the 'ouse down?" saidthe distressed Mr. Kidd.

Mrs. Gibbs nodded. "I should goscreaming, raving mad," she said, withconviction.

"But—but not if 'e was alive!" said Mr.Kidd.

"I don't know what you're driving at," said

Mrs. Gibbs. "Why don't you speak outplain? Poor Joe is drownded, you knowthat; you saw it all, and yet you cometalking to me about dreams and things."

Mr. Kidd bent over her and put his handaffectionately on her shoulder. "Heescaped," he said, in a thrilling whisper."He's alive and well."

"WHAT?" said Mrs. Gibbs, starting back.

"True as I stand 'ere," said Mr. Kidd;"ain't it, George?"

"Truer," said Mr. Brown, loyally.

Mrs. Gibbs leaned back, gasping. "Alive!"she said. "But 'ow? 'Ow can he be?"

"Don't make such a noise," said Mr. Kidd,earnestly. "Mind, if anybody else gets to'ear of it you'll 'ave to give that moneyback."

"I'd give more than that to get 'im back,"said Mrs. Gibbs, wildly. "I believe you'redeceiving me."

"True as I stand 'ere," asseverated theother. "He's only a minute or two off, andif it wasn't for you screaming I'd go outand fetch 'im in."

"I won't scream," said Mrs. Gibbs, "not ifI know it's flesh and blood. Oh, where ishe? Why don't you bring 'im in? Let me goto 'im."

"All right," said Mr. Kidd, with a satisfiedsmile at Mr. Brown; "all in good time. I'llgo and fetch 'im now; but, mind, if youscream you'll spoil everything."

He bustled cheerfully out of the room anddownstairs, and Mrs. Gibbs, motioningMr. Brown to silence, stood by the doorwith parted lips, waiting. Three or fourminutes elapsed.

"'Ere they come," said Mr. Brown, asfootsteps sounded on the stairs. "Now, noscreaming, mind!"

Mrs. Gibbs drew back, and, to thegratification of all concerned, did not uttera sound as Mr. Kidd, followed by herhusband, entered the room. She stood

looking expectantly towards the doorway.

"Where is he?" she gasped.

"Eh?" said Mr. Kidd, in a startled voice."Why here. Don't you know 'im?"

"It's me, Susan," said Mr. Gibbs, in a lowvoice.

"Oh, I might 'ave known it was a joke,"cried Mrs. Gibbs, in a faint voice, as shetottered to a chair. "Oh,'ow cruel of you totell me my pore Joe was alive! Oh, 'owcould you?"

"Lor' lumme," said the incensed Mr. Kidd,pushing Mr. Gibbs forward. "Here he is.Same as you saw 'im last, except for 'iswhiskers. Don't make that sobbing noise;

people'll be coming in."

"Oh! Oh! Oh! Take 'im away," cried Mrs.Gibbs. "Go and play your tricks withsomebody else's broken 'art."

"But it's your husband," said Mr. Brown.

"Take 'im away," wailed Mrs. Gibbs.

Mr. Kidd, grinding his teeth, tried to think."'Ave you got any marks on your body,Joe?" he inquired.

"I ain't got a mark on me," said Mr. Gibbswith a satisfied air, "or a blemish. Myskin is as whi—"

"That's enough about your skin,"interrupted Mr. Kidd, rudely.

"If you ain't all of you gone before I countten," said Mrs. Gibbs, in a suppressedvoice, "I'll scream. 'Ow dare you comeinto a respectable woman's place and talkabout your skins? Are you going? One!Two! Three! Four! Five!"

Her voice rose with each numeral; andMr. Gibbs himself led the waydownstairs, and, followed by his friends,slipped nimbly round the corner.

"It's a wonder she didn't rouse the whole'ouse," he said, wiping his brow on hissleeve; "and where should we ha' beenthen? I thought at the time it was a mistakeyou making me 'ave my whiskers off, but Ilet you know best. She's never seen mewithout 'em. I 'ad a remarkable strong

growth when I was quite a boy. Whileother boys was—"

"Shut-up!" vociferated Mr. Kidd.

"Sha'n't!" said Mr. Gibbs, defiantly. "I've'ad enough of being away from mycomfortable little 'ome and my wife; andI'm going to let 'em start growing agin thisvery night. She'll never reckernize mewithout 'em, that's certain."

"He's right, Bob," said Mr. Brown, withconviction.

"D'ye mean to tell me we've got to waittill 'is blasted whiskers grow?" cried Mr.Kidd, almost dancing with fury. "And goon keeping 'im in idleness till they do?"

"You'll get it all back out o' my share,"said Mr. Gibbs, with dignity. "But you canplease yourself. If you like to call it quitsnow, I don't mind."

Mr. Brown took his seething friend aside,and conferred with him in low but earnesttones. Mr. Gibbs, with an indifferent air,stood by whistling softly.

"'Ow long will they take to grow?"inquired Mr. Kidd, turning to him with agrowl.

Mr. Gibbs shrugged his shoulders. "Can'tsay," he replied; "but I should think two orthree weeks would be enough for 'er toreckernize me by. If she don't, we mustwait another week or so, that's all."

"Well, there won't be much o' your shareleft, mind that," said Mr. Kidd, gloweringat him.

"I can't help it," said Mr. Gibbs. "Youneedn't keep reminding me of it."

They walked the rest of the way insilence; and for the next fortnight Mr.Gibbs's friends paid nightly visits to notethe change in his appearance, and grumbleat its slowness.

"We'll try and pull it off to-morrow night,"said Mr. Kidd, at the end of that period."I'm fair sick o' lending you money."

Mr. Gibbs shook his head and spokesagely about not spoiling the ship for a

ha'porth o' tar; but Mr. Kidd wasobdurate.

"There's enough for 'er to reckernize youby," he said, sternly, "and we don't wantother people to. Meet us at the Monumentat eight o'clock to-morrow night, and we'llget it over."

"Give your orders," said Mr. Gibbs, in anasty voice.

"Keep your 'at well over your eyes,"commanded Mr. Kidd, sternly. "Put themspectacles on wot I lent you, and itwouldn't be a bad idea if you tied yourface up in a piece o' red flannel."

"I know wot I'm going to do without you

telling me," said Mr. Gibbs, nodding. "I'llbet you pots round that you don't either ofyou reckernize me tomorrow night."

The bet was taken at once, and from eighto'clock until ten minutes to nine thefollowing night Messrs. Kidd and Browndid their best to win it. Then did Mr.Kidd, turning to Mr. Brown in perplexity,inquire with many redundant words whatit all meant.

"He must 'ave gone on by 'imself," saidMr. Brown. "We'd better go and see."

In a state of some disorder they hurriedback to Wapping, and, mounting the stairsto Mrs. Gibbs's room, found the door fast.To their fervent and repeated knocking

there was no answer.

"Ah, you won't make her 'ear," said awoman, thrusting an untidy head over thebalusters on the next landing. "She'sgone."

"Gone!" exclaimed both gentlemen."Where?"

"Canada," said the woman. "She went offthis morning."

Mr. Kidd leaned up against the wall forsupport; Mr. Brown stood open- mouthedand voiceless.

"It was a surprise to me," said the woman,"but she told me this morning she's beengetting ready on the quiet for the lastfortnight. Good spirits she was in, too;laughing like anything."

"Laughing!" repeated Mr. Kidd, in aterrible voice.

The woman nodded. "And when I spokeabout it and reminded 'er that she 'ad onlyjust lost 'er pore husband, I thought shewould ha' burst," she said, severely. "Shesat down on that stair and laughed till thetears ran dowwn 'er face like water."

Mr. Brown turned a bewildered face uponhis partner. "Laughing!" he said, slowly."Wot 'ad she got to laugh at?"

"Two born-fools," replied Mr. Kidd.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Friends InNeed, by W.W. Jacobs

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FRIENDSIN NEED ***

***** This file should be named 10562-h.htm or10562-h.zip *****This and all associated files of various formatswill be found in:http://www.gutenberg.net/1/0/5/6/10562/

Produced by David Widger

Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editionswill be renamed.

Creating the works from public domain printeditions means that noone owns a United States copyright in theseworks, so the Foundation(and you!) can copy and distribute it in theUnited States withoutpermission and without paying copyrightroyalties. Special rules,set forth in the General Terms of Use part ofthis license, apply to

copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tmelectronic works toprotect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept andtrademark. ProjectGutenberg is a registered trademark, and may notbe used if youcharge for the eBooks, unless you receivespecific permission. If youdo not charge anything for copies of this eBook,complying with therules is very easy. You may use this eBook fornearly any purposesuch as creation of derivative works, reports,performances andresearch. They may be modified and printed andgiven away--you may dopractically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.Redistribution issubject to the trademark license, especiallycommercialredistribution.

*** START: FULL LICENSE ***

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSEPLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USETHIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission ofpromoting the freedistribution of electronic works, by using ordistributing this work(or any other work associated in any way withthe phrase "ProjectGutenberg"), you agree to comply with all theterms of the Full ProjectGutenberg-tm License (available with this fileor online athttp://gutenberg.net/license).

Section 1. General Terms of Use andRedistributing Project Gutenberg-tmelectronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of thisProject Gutenberg-tmelectronic work, you indicate that you haveread, understand, agree toand accept all the terms of this license andintellectual property(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do notagree to abide by allthe terms of this agreement, you must ceaseusing and return or destroyall copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic

works in your possession.If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of oraccess to a ProjectGutenberg-tm electronic work and you do notagree to be bound by theterms of this agreement, you may obtain a refundfrom the person orentity to whom you paid the fee as set forth inparagraph 1.E.8.

1 . B . "Project Gutenberg" is a registeredtrademark. It may only beused on or associated in any way with anelectronic work by people whoagree to be bound by the terms of thisagreement. There are a fewthings that you can do with most ProjectGutenberg-tm electronic workseven without complying with the full terms ofthis agreement. Seeparagraph 1.C below. There are a lot of thingsyou can do with ProjectGutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow theterms of this agreementand help preserve free future access to ProjectGutenberg-tm electronicworks. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive

Foundation ("the Foundation"or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in thecollection of ProjectGutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all theindividual works in thecollection are in the public domain in theUnited States. If anindividual work is in the public domain in theUnited States and you arelocated in the United States, we do not claim aright to prevent you fromcopying, distributing, performing, displaying orcreating derivativeworks based on the work as long as allreferences to Project Gutenbergare removed. Of course, we hope that you willsupport the ProjectGutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access toelectronic works byfreely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works incompliance with the terms ofthis agreement for keeping the ProjectGutenberg-tm name associated withthe work. You can easily comply with the termsof this agreement bykeeping this work in the same format with itsattached full ProjectGutenberg-tm License when you share it withoutcharge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where youare located also governwhat you can do with this work. Copyright lawsin most countries are ina constant state of change. If you are outsidethe United States, checkthe laws of your country in addition to theterms of this agreementbefore downloading, copying, displaying,performing, distributing orcreating derivative works based on this work orany other ProjectGutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes norepresentations concerningthe copyright status of any work in any countryoutside the UnitedStates.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references toProject Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active linksto, or other immediateaccess to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm Licensemust appear prominentlywhenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work(any work on which thephrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with

which the phrase "ProjectGutenberg" is associated) is accessed,displayed, performed, viewed,copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere atno cost and withalmost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copyit, give it away orre-use it under the terms of the ProjectGutenberg License includedwith this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tmelectronic work is derivedfrom the public domain (does not contain anotice indicating that it isposted with permission of the copyright holder),the work can be copiedand distributed to anyone in the United Stateswithout paying any feesor charges. If you are redistributing orproviding access to a workwith the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associatedwith or appearing on thework, you must comply either with therequirements of paragraphs 1.E.1through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the useof the work and the

Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth inparagraphs 1.E.8 or1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tmelectronic work is postedwith the permission of the copyright holder,your use and distributionmust comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through1.E.7 and any additionalterms imposed by the copyright holder.Additional terms will be linkedto the Project Gutenberg-tm License for allworks posted with thepermission of the copyright holder found at thebeginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove thefull Project Gutenberg-tmLicense terms from this work, or any filescontaining a part of thiswork or any other work associated with ProjectGutenberg-tm.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distributeor redistribute thiselectronic work, or any part of this electronicwork, withoutprominently displaying the sentence set forth in

paragraph 1.E.1 withactive links or immediate access to the fullterms of the ProjectGutenberg-tm License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute thiswork in any binary,compressed, marked up, nonproprietary orproprietary form, including anyword processing or hypertext form. However, ifyou provide access to ordistribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm workin a format other than"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used inthe official versionposted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website (www.gutenberg.net),you must, at no additional cost, fee or expenseto the user, provide acopy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means ofobtaining a copy uponrequest, of the work in its original "PlainVanilla ASCII" or otherform. Any alternate format must include the fullProject Gutenberg-tmLicense 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 ProjectGutenberg-tm worksunless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee forcopies of or providingaccess to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tmelectronic works providedthat

- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the grossprofits you derive fromthe use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculatedusing the methodyou already use to calculate your applicabletaxes. The fee isowed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tmtrademark, but hehas agreed to donate royalties under thisparagraph to theProject Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.Royalty paymentsmust be paid within 60 days following each dateon which youprepare (or are legally required to prepare)your periodic taxreturns. Royalty payments should be clearlymarked as such andsent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive

Foundation at theaddress specified in Section 4, "Informationabout donations tothe Project Gutenberg Literary ArchiveFoundation."

- You provide a full refund of any money paid bya user who notifiesyou in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days ofreceipt that s/hedoes not agree to the terms of the full ProjectGutenberg-tmLicense. You must require such a user to returnordestroy all copies of the works possessed in aphysical mediumand discontinue all use of and all access toother copies ofProject Gutenberg-tm works.

- You provide, in accordance with paragraph1.F.3, a full refund of anymoney paid for a work or a replacement copy, ifa defect in theelectronic work is discovered and reported toyou within 90 daysof receipt of the work.

- You comply with all other terms of this

agreement for freedistribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distributea Project Gutenberg-tmelectronic work or group of works on differentterms than are setforth in this agreement, you must obtainpermission in writing fromboth the Project Gutenberg Literary ArchiveFoundation and MichaelHart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tmtrademark. Contact theFoundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers andemployees expend considerableeffort to identify, do copyright research on,transcribe and proofreadpublic domain works in creating the ProjectGutenberg-tmcollection. Despite these efforts, ProjectGutenberg-tm electronicworks, and the medium on which they may bestored, may contain"Defects," such as, but not limited to,incomplete, inaccurate or

corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyrightor other intellectualproperty infringement, a defective or damageddisk or other medium, acomputer virus, or computer codes that damage orcannot be read byyour equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES -Except for the "Rightof Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph1.F.3, the ProjectGutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the ownerof the ProjectGutenberg-tm trademark, and any other partydistributing a ProjectGutenberg-tm electronic work under thisagreement, disclaim allliability to you for damages, costs andexpenses, including legalfees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FORNEGLIGENCE, STRICTLIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OFCONTRACT EXCEPT THOSEPROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THEFOUNDATION, THETRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THISAGREEMENT WILL NOT BELIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT,

CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE ORINCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OFTHE POSSIBILITY OF SUCHDAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND -If you discover adefect in this electronic work within 90 days ofreceiving it, you canreceive a refund of the money (if any) you paidfor it by sending awritten explanation to the person you receivedthe work from. If youreceived the work on a physical medium, you mustreturn the medium withyour written explanation. The person or entitythat provided you withthe defective work may elect to provide areplacement copy in lieu of arefund. If you received the work electronically,the person or entityproviding it to you may choose to give you asecond opportunity toreceive the work electronically in lieu of arefund. If the second copyis also defective, you may demand a refund inwriting without furtheropportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right ofreplacement or refund set forthin paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you'AS-IS," WITH NO OTHERWARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TOWARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANYPURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers ofcertain impliedwarranties or the exclusion or limitation ofcertain types of damages.If any disclaimer or limitation set forth inthis agreement violates thelaw of the state applicable to this agreement,the agreement shall beinterpreted to make the maximum disclaimer orlimitation permitted bythe applicable state law. The invalidity orunenforceability of anyprovision of this agreement shall not void theremaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify andhold the Foundation, thetrademark owner, any agent or employee of theFoundation, anyoneproviding copies of Project Gutenberg-tm

electronic works in accordancewith this agreement, and any volunteersassociated 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 ofthe following which you door cause to occur: (a) distribution of this orany Project Gutenberg-tmwork, (b) alteration, modification, or additionsor deletions to anyProject Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defectyou cause.

Section 2 . Information about the Mission ofProject Gutenberg-tm

Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the freedistribution ofelectronic works in formats readable by thewidest variety of computersincluding obsolete, old, middle-aged and newcomputers. It existsbecause of the efforts of hundreds of volunteersand donations frompeople in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to providevolunteers with theassistance they need, is critical to reachingProject Gutenberg-tm'sgoals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tmcollection willremain freely available for generations to come.In 2001, the ProjectGutenberg Literary Archive Foundation wascreated to provide a secureand permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tmand future generations.To learn more about the Project GutenbergLiterary Archive Foundationand how your efforts and donations can help, seeSections 3 and 4and the Foundation web page athttp://www.pglaf.org.

Section 3. Information about the ProjectGutenberg Literary ArchiveFoundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary ArchiveFoundation is a non profit501(c)(3) educational corporation organizedunder the laws of the

state of Mississippi and granted tax exemptstatus by the InternalRevenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federaltax identificationnumber is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter isposted athttp://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions tothe Project GutenbergLiterary Archive Foundation are tax deductibleto the full extentpermitted by U.S. federal laws and your state'slaws.

The Foundation's principal office is located at4557 Melan Dr. S.Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers andemployees are scatteredthroughout numerous locations. Its businessoffice is located at809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116,(801) 596-1887, emailbusiness@pglaf.org. Email contact links and upto date contactinformation can be found at the Foundation's website and officialpage at http://pglaf.org

For additional contact information:Dr. Gregory B. Newby

Chief Executive and Directorgbnewby@pglaf.org

Section 4. Information about Donations to theProject GutenbergLiterary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannotsurvive without widespread public support and donations to carry outits mission ofincreasing the number of public domain andlicensed works that can befreely distributed in machine readable formaccessible by the widestarray of equipment including outdated equipment.Many small donations($1 to $5,000) are particularly important tomaintaining tax exemptstatus with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying withthe laws regulatingcharities and charitable donations in all 50states of the UnitedStates. Compliance requirements are not uniformand it takes aconsiderable effort, much paperwork and manyfees to meet and keep up

with these requirements. We do not solicitdonations in locationswhere we have not received written confirmationof compliance. ToSEND DONATIONS or determine the status ofcompliance for anyparticular state visit http://pglaf.org

While we cannot and do not solicit contributionsfrom states where wehave not met the solicitation requirements, weknow of no prohibitionagainst accepting unsolicited donations fromdonors in such states whoapproach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted,but we cannot makeany statements concerning tax treatment ofdonations received fromoutside the United States. U.S. laws alone swampour small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages forcurrent donationmethods and addresses. Donations are accepted ina number of otherways including including checks, online paymentsand credit card

donations. To donate, please visit:http://pglaf.org/donate

Section 5. General Information About ProjectGutenberg-tm electronicworks.

Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator ofthe Project Gutenberg-tmconcept of a library of electronic works thatcould be freely sharedwith anyone. For thirty years, he produced anddistributed ProjectGutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network ofvolunteer support.

Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often createdfrom several printededitions, all of which are confirmed as PublicDomain in the U.S.unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, wedo not necessarilykeep eBooks in compliance with any particularpaper edition.

Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the samenumber as the eBook'seBook number, often in several formats including

plain vanilla ASCII,compressed (zipped), HTML and others.

Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the oldfile and take overthe old filename and etext number. The replacedolder file is renamed.VERSIONS based on separate sources are treatedas new eBooks receivingnew filenames and etext numbers.

Most people start at our Web site which has themain PG search facility:

http://www.gutenberg.net

This Web site includes information about ProjectGutenberg-tm,including how to make donations to the ProjectGutenberg LiteraryArchive Foundation, how to help produce our neweBooks, and how tosubscribe to our email newsletter to hear aboutnew eBooks.

EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBooknumbers BELOW #10000,are filed in directories based on their releasedate. If you want to

download any of these eBooks directly, ratherthan using the regularsearch system you may utilize the followingaddresses and justdownload by the etext year.

http://www.gutenberg.net/etext06

(Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99,98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90)

EBooks posted since November 2003, with etextnumbers OVER #10000, arefiled in a different way. The year of a releasedate is no longer partof the directory path. The path is based on theetext number (which isidentical to the filename). The path to the fileis made up of singledigits corresponding to all but the last digitin the filename. Forexample an eBook of filename 10234 would befound at:

http://www.gutenberg.net/1/0/2/3/10234

or filename 24689 would be found at:http://www.gutenberg.net/2/4/6/8/24689

An alternative method of locating eBooks:http://www.gutenberg.net/GUTINDEX.ALL