Soldier Boy

by Michael Shaara

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SOLDIER BOY

By MICHAEL SHAARA

Illustrated by EMSH

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Science Fiction July 1953.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

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It's one thing to laugh at a man because his job is useless
and outdated—another to depend on him when it suddenly isn't.

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In the northland, deep, and in a great cave, by an everburning fire the Warrior sleeps. For this is the resting time, the time of peace, and so shall it be for a thousand years. And yet we shall summon him again, my children, when we are sore in need, and out of the north he will come, and again and again, each time we call, out of the dark and the cold, with the fire in his hands, he will come.

—Scandinavian legend

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