Heads were bowed in reverent silence as Dr. Aylesworth stood before the
assembly and offered a solemn invocation that their deliberations might
receive divine guidance, and their minds be filled with wisdom to combat
the evil that had come upon them.

The minister was a big, ruddy-faced man with a lion's mane of white
hair. The unwavering authority of his voice filled the audience with the
conviction that they were better prepared to face their problems when he
had resumed his seat.

Mayor Hilliard outlined the worldwide situation as he had obtained it
through news reports up to an hour ago. He described the desperate
situation of the nation's larger cities. Their food supplies were
sufficient for only a few days without any replenishment by rail and
truck transportation. Ninety percent of automobile traffic had ceased.
The railroads were attempting to conserve their rolling stock, but 70
percent of it was out of commission, and the remainder could not be
expected to operate longer than a few days. Air traffic had stopped
entirely. On the oceans, only sailing vessels continued to move.

"Mayfield is already cut off," the Mayor went on. "Our last train went
through here 30 hours ago. The trucking companies out of Frederick have
suspended operations. We have no cars or trucks of our own here in town,
on which we can depend. We're on our own.

"So far, the scientists have found no solution. Tomorrow, they may find
one. Or it may be 10 years before they do. In the meantime, we have to
figure out how we, here in Mayfield, are going to carry on.

"Our first consideration is, of course, food supplies. The Council met
this morning, and we have appointed a committee to take immediate
possession of all foodstuffs and every facility for food production
within the entire valley. Beginning tomorrow morning, this committee
will begin to accumulate all food supplies into one or more central
warehouses where they will be inventoried for rationing.

"All stocks of fresh meat will be salted and cured. Home supplies will
be limited to no more than a week's needs of any one item. Hoarders who
persist in their unfair activities will be ordered to leave the
community.

"My fellow citizens, these are stringent and severe regulations, but we
are not facing a time of mild inconvenience. It may well be that in this
coming winter we shall be literally fighting for our very lives. We, as
your leaders, would like a vote of confidence fro