Wewerebewildered，stunned，semi—conscious。Wehadallbracedourcouragefordeath，butthisfearfulandsuddennewfact——thatwemustcontinuetoliveafterwehadsurvivedtheracetowhichwebelonged——struckuswiththeshockofaphysicalblowandleftusprostrate。Thengraduallythesuspendedmechanismbegantomoveoncemore；theshuttlesofmemoryworked；ideasweavedthemselvestogetherinourminds。Wesaw，withvivid，mercilessclearness，therelationsbetweenthepast，thepresent，andthefuture——thelivesthatwehadledandtheliveswhichwewouldhavetolive。Oureyesturnedinsilenthorroruponthoseofourcompanionsandfoundthesameansweringlookintheirs。Insteadofthejoywhichmenmighthavebeenexpectedtofeelwhohadsonarrowlyescapedanimminentdeath，aterriblewaveofdarkestdepressionsubmergedus。Everythingonearththatwelovedhadbeenwashedawayintothegreat，infinite，unknownocean，andherewerewemarooneduponthisdesertislandofaworld，withoutcompanions，hopes，oraspirations。Afewyears’skulkinglikejackalsamongthegravesofthehumanraceandthenourbelatedandlonelyendwouldcome。
\"It’sdreadful，George，dreadful!\"theladycriedinanagonyofsobs。\"Ifwehadonlypassedwiththeothers!Oh，whydidyousaveus？Ifeelasifitiswethataredeadandeveryoneelsealive。\"
Challenger’sgreateyebrowsweredrawndowninconcentratedthought，whilehishuge，hairypawclosedupontheoutstretchedhandofhiswife。Ihadobservedthatshealwaysheldoutherarmstohimintroubleasachildwouldtoitsmother。
\"Withoutbeingafatalisttothepointofnonresistance，\"saidhe，\"Ihavealwaysfoundthatthehighestwisdomliesinanacquiescencewiththeactual。\"Hespokeslowly，andtherewasavibrationoffeelinginhissonorousvoice。
\"IdoNOTacquiesce，\"saidSummerleefirmly。
\"Idon’tseethatitmattersarowofpinswhetheryouacquiesceorwhetheryoudon’t，\"remarkedLordJohn。\"You’vegottotakeit，whetheryoutakeitfightin’ortakeitlyin’down，sowhat’stheoddswhetheryouacquiesceornot？
Ican’trememberthatanyoneaskedourpermissionbeforethethingbegan，andnobody’slikelytoaskitnow。Sowhatdifferencecanitmakewhatwemaythinkofit？\"
\"Itisjustallthedifferencebetweenhappinessandmisery，\"
saidChallengerwithanabstractedface，stillpattinghiswife’shand。\"Youcanswimwiththetideandhavepeaceinmindandsoul，oryoucanthrustagainstitandbebruisedandweary。
Thisbusinessisbeyondus，soletusacceptitasitstandsandsaynomore。\"
\"Butwhatintheworldarewetodowithourlives？\"Iasked，appealingindesperationtotheblue，emptyheaven。
\"WhatamItodo，forexample？Therearenonewspapers，sothere’sanendofmyvocation。\"
\"Andthere’snothin’lefttoshoot，andnomoresoldierin’，sothere’sanendofmine，\"saidLordJohn。
\"Andtherearenostudents，sothere’sanendofmine，\"criedSummerlee。
\"ButIhavemyhusbandandmyhouse，soIcanthankheaventhatthereisnoendofmine，\"saidthelady。
\"Noristhereanendofmine，\"remarkedChallenger，\"forscienceisnotdead，andthiscatastropheinitselfwillofferusmanymostabsorbingproblemsforinvestigation。\"
Hehadnowflungopenthewindowsandweweregazingoutuponthesilentandmotionlesslandscape。
\"Letmeconsider，\"hecontinued。\"Itwasaboutthree，oralittleafter，yesterdayafternoonthattheworldfinallyenteredthepoisonbelttotheextentofbeingcompletelysubmerged。Itisnownineo’clock。Thequestionis，atwhathourdidwepassoutfromit？\"
\"Theairwasverybadatdaybreak，\"saidI。
\"Laterthanthat，\"saidMrs。Challenger。\"Aslateaseighto’clockIdistinctlyfeltthesamechokingatmythroatwhichcameattheoutset。\"
\"Thenweshallsaythatitpassedjustaftereighto’clock。Forseventeenhourstheworldhasbeensoakedinthepoisonousether。ForthatlengthoftimetheGreatGardenerhassterilizedthehumanmoldwhichhadgrownoverthesurfaceofHisfruit。Isitpossiblethattheworkisincompletelydone——thatothersmayhavesurvivedbesidesourselves？\"
\"That’swhatIwaswonderin’\"saidLordJohn。\"Whyshouldwebetheonlypebblesonthebeach？\"
\"Itisabsurdtosupposethatanyonebesidesourselvescanpossiblyhavesurvived，\"saidSummerleewithconviction。
\"Considerthatthepoisonwassovirulentthatevenamanwhoisasstrongasanoxandhasnotanerveinhisbody，likeMalonehere，couldhardlygetupthestairsbeforehefellunconscious。
Isitlikelythatanyonecouldstandseventeenminutesofit，farlesshours？\"
\"Unlesssomeonesawitcomingandmadepreparation，sameasoldfriendChallengerdid。\"
\"That，Ithink，ishardlyprobable，\"saidChallenger，projectinghisbeardandsinkinghiseyelids。\"Thecombinationofobservation，inference，andanticipatoryimaginationwhichenabledmetoforeseethedangeriswhatonecanhardlyexpecttwiceinthesamegeneration。\"
\"Thenyourconclusionisthateveryoneiscertainlydead？\"
\"Therecanbelittledoubtofthat。Wehavetoremember，however，thatthepoisonworkedfrombelowupwardsandwouldpossiblybelessvirulentinthehigherstrataoftheatmosphere。Itisstrange，indeed，thatitshouldbeso；butitpresentsoneofthosefeatureswhichwillaffordusinthefutureafascinatingfieldforstudy。Onecouldimagine，therefore，thatifonehadtosearchforsurvivorsonewouldturnone’seyeswithbesthopesofsuccesstosomeTibetanvillageorsomeAlpinefarm，manythousandsoffeetabovethesealevel。\"
\"Well，considerin’thattherearenorailroadsandnosteamersyoumightaswelltalkaboutsurvivorsinthemoon，\"saidLordJohn。\"ButwhatI’maskin’myselfiswhetherit’sreallyoverorwhetherit’sonlyhalf—time。\"
Summerleecranedhisnecktolookroundthehorizon。\"Itseemsclearandfine，\"saidheinaverydubiousvoice；\"butsoitdidyesterday。Iambynomeansassuredthatitisallover。\"
Challengershruggedhisshoulders。
\"Wemustcomebackoncemoretoourfatalism，\"saidhe。\"Iftheworldhasundergonethisexperiencebefore，whichisnotoutsidetherangeofpossibility；itwascertainlyaverylongtimeago。
Therefore，wemayreasonablyhopethatitwillbeverylongbeforeitoccursagain。\"
\"That’sallverywell，\"saidLordJohn，\"butifyougetanearthquakeshockyouaremightylikelytohaveasecondonerightonthetopofit。Ithinkwe’dbewisetostretchourlegsandhaveabreathofairwhilewehavethechance。Sinceouroxygenisexhaustedwemayjustaswellbecaughtoutsideasin。\"
Itwasstrangetheabsolutelethargywhichhadcomeuponusasareactionafterourtremendousemotionsofthelasttwenty—fourhours。Itwasbothmentalandphysical，adeep—lyingfeelingthatnothingmatteredandthateverythingwasawearinessandaprofitlessexertion。EvenChallengerhadsuccumbedtoit，andsatinhischair，withhisgreatheadleaninguponhishandsandhisthoughtsfaraway，untilLordJohnandI，catchinghimbyeacharm，fairlyliftedhimontohisfeet，receivingonlytheglareandgrowlofanangrymastiffforourtrouble。However，oncewehadgotoutofournarrowhavenofrefugeintothewideratmosphereofeverydaylife，ournormalenergycamegraduallybacktousoncemore。
Butwhatwerewetobegintodointhatgraveyardofaworld？
Couldevermenhavebeenfacedwithsuchaquestionsincethedawnoftime？Itistruethatourownphysicalneeds，andevenourluxuries，wereassuredforthefuture。Allthestoresoffood，allthevintagesofwine，allthetreasuresofartwereoursforthetaking。ButwhatwerewetoDO？Somefewtasksappealedtousatonce，sincetheylayreadytoourhands。Wedescendedintothekitchenandlaidthetwodomesticsupontheirrespectivebeds。Theyseemedtohavediedwithoutsuffering，oneinthechairbythefire，theotheruponthesculleryfloor。
ThenwecarriedinpoorAustinfromtheyard。Hismusclesweresetashardasaboardinthemostexaggeratedrigormortis，whilethecontractionofthefibreshaddrawnhismouthintoahardsardonicgrin。Thissymptomwasprevalentamongallwhohaddiedfromthepoison。Whereverwewentwewereconfrontedbythosegrinningfaces，whichseemedtomockatourdreadfulposition，smilingsilentlyandgrimlyattheill—fatedsurvivorsoftheirrace。
\"Lookhere，\"saidLordJohn，whohadpacedrestlesslyaboutthedining—roomwhilstwepartookofsomefood，\"Idon’tknowhowyoufellowsfeelaboutit，butformypart，IsimplyCAN’Tsithereanddonothin’。\"
\"Perhaps，\"Challengeranswered，\"youwouldhavethekindnesstosuggestwhatyouthinkweoughttodo。\"
\"Getamoveonusandseeallthathashappened。\"
\"ThatiswhatIshouldmyselfpropose。\"
\"Butnotinthislittlecountryvillage。Wecanseefromthewindowallthatthisplacecanteachus。\"
\"Whereshouldwego，then？\"
\"ToLondon!\"
\"That’sallverywell，\"grumbledSummerlee。\"Youmaybeequaltoaforty—milewalk，butI’mnotsosureaboutChallenger，withhisstumpylegs，andIamperfectlysureaboutmyself。\"
Challengerwasverymuchannoyed。
\"Ifyoucouldseeyourway，sir，toconfiningyourremarkstoyourownphysicalpeculiarities，youwouldfindthatyouhadanamplefieldforcomment，\"hecried。
\"Ihadnointentiontooffendyou，mydearChallenger，\"criedourtactlessfriend，\"Youcan’tbeheldresponsibleforyourownphysique。Ifnaturehasgivenyouashort，heavybodyyoucannotpossiblyhelphavingstumpylegs。\"
Challengerwastoofurioustoanswer。Hecouldonlygrowlandblinkandbristle。LordJohnhastenedtointervenebeforethedisputebecamemoreviolent。
\"Youtalkofwalking。Whyshouldwewalk？\"saidhe。
\"Doyousuggesttakingatrain？\"askedChallenger，stillsimmering。
\"What’sthematterwiththemotor—car？Whyshouldwenotgointhat？\"
\"Iamnotanexpert，\"saidChallenger，pullingathisbeardreflectively。\"Atthesametime，youarerightinsupposingthatthehumanintellectinitshighermanifestationsshouldbesufficientlyflexibletoturnitselftoanything。Yourideaisanexcellentone，LordJohn。ImyselfwilldriveyoualltoLondon。\"
\"Youwilldonothingofthekind，\"saidSummerleewithdecision。
\"No，indeed，George!\"criedhiswife。\"Youonlytriedonce，andyourememberhowyoucrashedthroughthegateofthegarage。\"
\"Itwasamomentarywantofconcentration，\"saidChallengercomplacently。\"Youcanconsiderthemattersettled。IwillcertainlydriveyoualltoLondon。\"
ThesituationwasrelievedbyLordJohn。
\"What’sthecar？\"heasked。
\"Atwenty—horsepowerHumber。\"
\"Why，I’vedrivenoneforyears，\"saidhe。\"ByGeorge!\"headded。\"IneverthoughtI’dlivetotakethewholehumanraceinoneload。There’sjustroomforfive，asIrememberit。Getyourthingson，andI’llbereadyatthedoorbyteno’clock。\"
Sureenough，atthehournamed，thecarcamepurringandcracklingfromtheyardwithLordJohnatthewheel。Itookmyseatbesidehim，whilethelady，ausefullittlebufferstate，wassqueezedinbetweenthetwomenofwrathattheback。ThenLordJohnreleasedhisbrakes，slidhisleverrapidlyfromfirsttothird，andwespedoffuponthestrangestdrivethateverhumanbeingshavetakensincemanfirstcameupontheearth。
YouaretopicturethelovelinessofnatureuponthatAugustday，thefreshnessofthemorningair，thegoldenglareofthesummersunshine，thecloudlesssky，theluxuriantgreenoftheSussexwoods，andthedeeppurpleofheather—claddowns。Asyoulookedrounduponthemany—colouredbeautyofthesceneallthoughtofavastcatastrophewouldhavepassedfromyourmindhaditnotbeenforonesinistersign——thesolemn，all—embracingsilence。Thereisagentlehumoflifewhichpervadesaclosely—settledcountry，sodeepandconstantthatoneceasestoobserveit，asthedwellerbythesealosesallsenseoftheconstantmurmurofthewaves。Thetwitterofbirds，thebuzzofinsects，thefar—offechoofvoices，thelowingofcattle，thedistantbarkingofdogs，roaroftrains，andrattleofcarts——alltheseformonelow，unremittingnote，strikingunheededupontheear。
Wemisseditnow。Thisdeadlysilencewasappalling。Sosolemnwasit，soimpressive，thatthebuzzandrattleofourmotor—carseemedanunwarrantableintrusion，anindecentdisregardofthisreverentstillnesswhichlaylikeapalloverandroundtheruinsofhumanity。Itwasthisgrimhush，andthetallcloudsofsmokewhichrosehereandthereoverthecountry—sidefromsmolderingbuildings，whichcastachillintoourheartsaswegazedroundatthegloriouspanoramaoftheWeald。
Andthentherewerethedead!Atfirstthoseendlessgroupsofdrawnandgrinningfacesfilleduswithashudderinghorror。SovividandmordantwastheimpressionthatIcanliveoveragainthatslowdescentofthestationhill，thepassingbythenurse—girlwiththetwobabes，thesightoftheoldhorseonhiskneesbetweentheshafts，thecabmantwistedacrosshisseat，andtheyoungmaninsidewithhishandupontheopendoorintheveryactofspringingout。Lowerdownweresixreapersallinalitter，theirlimbscrossing，theirdead，unwinkingeyesgazingupwardsattheglareofheaven。ThesethingsIseeasinaphotograph。Butsoon，bythemercifulprovisionofnature，theover—excitednerveceasedtorespond。Theveryvastnessofthehorrortookawayfromitspersonalappeal。Individualsmergedintogroups，groupsintocrowds，crowdsintoauniversalphenomenonwhichonesoonacceptedastheinevitabledetailofeveryscene。Onlyhereandthere，wheresomeparticularlybrutalorgrotesqueincidentcaughttheattention，didthemindcomebackwithasuddenshocktothepersonalandhumanmeaningofitall。
Aboveall，therewasthefateofthechildren。That，Iremember，filleduswiththestrongestsenseofintolerableinjustice。Wecouldhavewept——Mrs。Challengerdidweep——whenwepassedagreatcouncilschoolandsawthelongtrailoftinyfiguresscattereddowntheroadwhichledfromit。Theyhadbeendismissedbytheirterrifiedteachersandwerespeedingfortheirhomeswhenthepoisoncaughttheminitsnet。Greatnumbersofpeoplewereattheopenwindowsofthehouses。InTunbridgeWellstherewashardlyonewhichhadnotitsstaring，smilingface。Atthelastinstanttheneedofair，thatverycravingforoxygenwhichwealonehadbeenabletosatisfy，hadsentthemflyingtothewindow。Thesidewalkstoowerelitteredwithmenandwomen，hatlessandbonnetless，whohadrushedoutofthehouses。Manyofthemhadfallenintheroadway。ItwasaluckythingthatinLordJohnwehadfoundanexpertdriver，foritwasnoeasymattertopickone’sway。Passingthroughthevillagesortownswecouldonlygoatawalkingpace，andonce，Iremember，oppositetheschoolatTonbridge，wehadtohaltsometimewhilewecarriedasidethebodieswhichblockedourpath。
Afewsmall，definitepicturesstandoutinmymemoryfromamidthatlongpanoramaofdeathupontheSussexandKentishhighroads。Onewasthatofagreat，glitteringmotor—carstandingoutsidetheinnatthevillageofSouthborough。Itbore，asI
shouldguess，somepleasurepartyupontheirreturnfromBrightonorfromEastbourne。Therewerethreegailydressedwomen，allyoungandbeautiful，oneofthemwithaPekingspanieluponherlap。Withthemwerearakish—lookingelderlymanandayoungaristocrat，hiseyeglassstillinhiseye，hiscigaretteburneddowntothestubbetweenthefingersofhisbeglovedhand。Deathmusthavecomeontheminaninstantandfixedthemastheysat。Savethattheelderlymanhadatthelastmomenttornouthiscollarinanefforttobreathe，theymightallhavebeenasleep。Ononesideofthecarawaiterwithsomebrokenglassesbesideatraywashuddlednearthestep。Ontheother，twoveryraggedtramps，amanandawoman，laywheretheyhadfallen，themanwithhislong，thinarmstilloutstretched，evenashehadaskedforalmsinhislifetime。Oneinstantoftimehadputaristocrat，waiter，tramp，anddogupononecommonfootingofinertanddissolvingprotoplasm。
Irememberanothersingularpicture，somemilesontheLondonsideofSevenoaks。Thereisalargeconventupontheleft，withalong，greenslopeinfrontofit。Uponthisslopewereassembledagreatnumberofschoolchildren，allkneelingatprayer。Infrontofthemwasafringeofnuns，andhigheruptheslope，facingtowardsthem，asinglefigurewhomwetooktobetheMotherSuperior。Unlikethepleasure—seekersinthemotor—car，thesepeopleseemedtohavehadwarningoftheirdangerandtohavediedbeautifullytogether，theteachersandthetaught，assembledfortheirlastcommonlesson。
Mymindisstillstunnedbythatterrificexperience，andI
gropevainlyformeansofexpressionbywhichIcanreproducetheemotionswhichwefelt。Perhapsitisbestandwisestnottotry，butmerelytoindicatethefacts。EvenSummerleeandChallengerwerecrushed，andweheardnothingofourcompanionsbehindussaveanoccasionalwhimperfromthelady。AstoLordJohn，hewastoointentuponhiswheelandthedifficulttaskofthreadinghiswayalongsuchroadstohavetimeorinclinationforconversation。Onephraseheusedwithsuchwearisomeiterationthatitstuckinmymemoryandatlastalmostmademelaughasacommentuponthedayofdoom。
\"Prettydoin’s!What!\"
Thatwashisejaculationaseachfreshtremendouscombinationofdeathanddisasterdisplayeditselfbeforeus。\"Prettydoin’s!
What!\"hecried，aswedescendedthestationhillatRotherfield，anditwasstill\"Prettydoin’s!What!\"aswepickedourwaythroughawildernessofdeathintheHighStreetofLewishamandtheOldKentRoad。
Itwasherethatwereceivedasuddenandamazingshock。Outofthewindowofahumblecornerhousethereappearedaflutteringhandkerchiefwavingattheendofalong，thinhumanarm。Neverhadthesightofunexpecteddeathcausedourheartstostopandthenthrobsowildlyasdidthisamazingindicationoflife。
LordJohnranthemotortothecurb，andinaninstantwehadrushedthroughtheopendoorofthehouseandupthestaircasetothesecond—floorfrontroomfromwhichthesignalproceeded。
Averyoldladysatinachairbytheopenwindow，andclosetoher，laidacrossasecondchair，wasacylinderofoxygen，smallerbutofthesameshapeasthosewhichhadsavedourownlives。Sheturnedherthin，drawn，bespectacledfacetowardusaswecrowdedinatthedoorway。
\"IfearedthatIwasabandonedhereforever，\"saidshe，\"forI
amaninvalidandcannotstir。\"
\"Well，madam，\"Challengeranswered，\"itisaluckychancethatwehappenedtopass。\"
\"Ihaveoneall—importantquestiontoaskyou，\"saidshe。
\"Gentlemen，Ibegthatyouwillbefrankwithme。WhateffectwilltheseeventshaveuponLondonandNorth—WesternRailwayshares？\"
Weshouldhavelaughedhaditnotbeenforthetragiceagernesswithwhichshelistenedforouranswer。Mrs。Burston，forthatwashername，wasanagedwidow，whosewholeincomedependeduponasmallholdingofthisstock。Herlifehadbeenregulatedbytheriseandfallofthedividend，andshecouldformnoconceptionofexistencesaveasitwasaffectedbythequotationofhershares。Invainwepointedouttoherthatallthemoneyintheworldwashersforthetakingandwasuselesswhentaken。
Heroldmindwouldnotadaptitselftothenewidea，andsheweptloudlyoverhervanishedstock。\"ItwasallIhad，\"shewailed。\"IfthatisgoneImayaswellgotoo。\"
Amidherlamentationswefoundouthowthisfrailoldplanthadlivedwherethewholegreatforesthadfallen。Shewasaconfirmedinvalidandanasthmatic。Oxygenhadbeenprescribedforhermalady，andatubewasinherroomatthemomentofthecrisis。Shehadnaturallyinhaledsomeashadbeenherhabitwhentherewasadifficultywithherbreathing。Ithadgivenherrelief，andbydolingouthersupplyshehadmanagedtosurvivethenight。Finallyshehadfallenasleepandbeenawakenedbythebuzzofourmotor—car。Asitwasimpossibletotakeheronwithus，wesawthatshehadallnecessariesoflifeandpromisedtocommunicatewithherinacoupleofdaysatthelatest。Sowelefther，stillweepingbitterlyoverhervanishedstock。
AsweapproachedtheThamestheblockinthestreetsbecamethickerandtheobstaclesmorebewildering。ItwaswithdifficultythatwemadeourwayacrossLondonBridge。TheapproachestoitupontheMiddlesexsidewerechokedfromendtoendwithfrozentrafficwhichmadeallfurtheradvanceinthatdirectionimpossible。Ashipwasblazingbrightlyalongsideoneofthewharvesnearthebridge，andtheairwasfullofdriftingsmutsandofaheavyacridsmellofburning。TherewasacloudofdensesmokesomewhereneartheHousesofParliament，butitwasimpossiblefromwhereweweretoseewhatwasonfire。
\"Idon’tknowhowitstrikesyou，\"LordJohnremarkedashebroughthisenginetoastandstill，\"butitseemstomethecountryismorecheerfulthanthetown。DeadLondonisgettin’
onmynerves。I’mforacastroundandthengettin’backtoRotherfield。\"
\"IconfessthatIdonotseewhatwecanhopeforhere，\"saidProfessorSummerlee。
\"Atthesametime，\"saidChallenger，hisgreatvoiceboomingstrangelyamidthesilence，\"itisdifficultforustoconceivethatoutofsevenmillionsofpeoplethereisonlythisoneoldwomanwhobysomepeculiarityofconstitutionorsomeaccidentofoccupationhasmanagedtosurvivethiscatastrophe。\"
\"Ifthereshouldbeothers，howcanwehopetofindthem，George？\"askedthelady。\"AndyetIagreewithyouthatwecannotgobackuntilwehavetried。\"
Gettingoutofthecarandleavingitbythecurb，wewalkedwithsomedifficultyalongthecrowdedpavementofKingWilliamStreetandenteredtheopendoorofalargeinsuranceoffice。Itwasacornerhouse，andwechoseitascommandingaviewineverydirection。Ascendingthestair，wepassedthroughwhatI
supposetohavebeentheboard—room，foreightelderlymenwereseatedroundalongtableinthecentreofit。Thehighwindowwasopenandweallsteppedoutuponthebalcony。Fromitwecouldseethecrowdedcitystreetsradiatingineverydirection，whilebelowustheroadwasblackfromsidetosidewiththetopsofthemotionlesstaxis。All，ornearlyall，hadtheirheadspointedoutwards，showinghowtheterrifiedmenofthecityhadatthelastmomentmadeavainendeavortorejointheirfamiliesinthesuburbsorthecountry。Hereandthereamidthehumblercabstoweredthegreatbrass—spangledmotor—carofsomewealthymagnate，wedgedhopelesslyamongthedammedstreamofarrestedtraffic。Justbeneathustherewassuchaoneofgreatsizeandluxuriousappearance，withitsowner，afatoldman，leaningout，halfhisgrossbodythroughthewindow，andhispodgyhand，gleamingwithdiamonds，outstretchedasheurgedhischauffeurtomakealastefforttobreakthroughthepress。
Adozenmotor—busestowereduplikeislandsinthisflood，thepassengerswhocrowdedtheroofslyingallhuddledtogetherandacrosseashothers’lapslikeachild’stoysinanursery。Onabroadlamppedestalinthecentreoftheroadway，aburlypolicemanwasstanding，leaninghisbackagainstthepostinsonaturalanattitudethatitwashardtorealizethathewasnotalive，whileathisfeettherelayaraggednewsboywithhisbundleofpapersonthegroundbesidehim。Apaper—carthadgotblockedinthecrowd，andwecouldreadinlargeletters，blackuponyellow，\"SceneatLord’s。CountyMatchInterrupted。\"Thismusthavebeentheearliestedition，fortherewereotherplacardsbearingthelegend，\"IsIttheEnd？GreatScientist’sWarning。\"Andanother，\"IsChallengerJustified？OminousRumours。\"
Challengerpointedthelatterplacardouttohiswife，asitthrustitselflikeabannerabovethethrong。Icouldseehimthrowouthischestandstrokehisbeardashelookedatit。ItpleasedandflatteredthatcomplexmindtothinkthatLondonhaddiedwithhisnameandhiswordsstillpresentintheirthoughts。Hisfeelingsweresoevidentthattheyarousedthesardoniccommentofhiscolleague。
\"Inthelimelighttothelast，Challenger，\"heremarked。
\"Soitwouldappear，\"heansweredcomplacently。\"Well，\"headdedashelookeddownthelongvistaoftheradiatingstreets，allsilentandallchokedupwithdeath，\"IreallyseenopurposetobeservedbyourstayinganylongerinLondon。IsuggestthatwereturnatoncetoRotherfieldandthentakecounselastohowweshallmostprofitablyemploytheyearswhichliebeforeus。\"
OnlyoneotherpictureshallIgiveofthesceneswhichwecarriedbackinourmemoriesfromthedeadcity。ItisaglimpsewhichwehadoftheinterioroftheoldchurchofSt。Mary’s，whichisattheverypointwhereourcarwasawaitingus。
Pickingourwayamongtheprostratefiguresuponthesteps，wepushedopentheswingdoorandentered。Itwasawonderfulsight。Thechurchwascrammedfromendtoendwithkneelingfiguresineverypostureofsupplicationandabasement。Atthelastdreadfulmoment，broughtsuddenlyfacetofacewiththerealitiesoflife，thoseterrificrealitieswhichhangoverusevenwhilewefollowtheshadows，theterrifiedpeoplehadrushedintothoseoldcitychurcheswhichforgenerationshadhardlyeverheldacongregation。Theretheyhuddledascloseastheycouldkneel，manyofthemintheiragitationstillwearingtheirhats，whileabovetheminthepulpitayoungmaninlaydresshadapparentlybeenaddressingthemwhenheandtheyhadbeenoverwhelmedbythesamefate。Helaynow，likePunchinhisbooth，withhisheadandtwolimparmshangingovertheledgeofthepulpit。Itwasanightmare，thegrey，dustychurch，therowsofagonizedfigures，thedimnessandsilenceofitall。Wemovedaboutwithhushedwhispers，walkinguponourtip—toes。
AndthensuddenlyIhadanidea。Atonecornerofthechurch，nearthedoor，stoodtheancientfont，andbehinditadeeprecessinwhichtherehungtheropesforthebell—ringers。WhyshouldwenotsendamessageoutoverLondonwhichwouldattracttousanyonewhomightstillbealive？Iranacross，andpullingatthelist—coveredrope，Iwassurprisedtofindhowdifficultitwastoswingthebell。LordJohnhadfollowedme。
\"ByGeorge，youngfellah!\"saidhe，pullingoffhiscoat。
\"You’vehitonadoocedgoodnotion。Givemeagripandwe’llsoonhaveamoveonit。\"
But，eventhen，soheavywasthebellthatitwasnotuntilChallengerandSummerleehadaddedtheirweighttooursthatweheardtheroaringandclangingaboveourheadswhichtoldusthatthegreatclapperwasringingoutitsmusic。FaroverdeadLondonresoundedourmessageofcomradeshipandhopetoanyfellow—mansurviving。Itcheeredourownhearts，thatstrong，metalliccall，andweturnedthemoreearnestlytoourwork，draggedtwofeetofftheearthwitheachupwardjerkoftherope，butallstrainingtogetheronthedownwardheave，Challengerthelowestofall，bendingallhisgreatstrengthtothetaskandfloppingupanddownlikeamonstrousbull—frog，croakingwitheverypull。Itwasatthatmomentthatanartistmighthavetakenapictureofthefouradventurers，thecomradesofmanystrangeperilsinthepast，whomfatehadnowchosenforsosupremeanexperience。Forhalfanhourweworked，thesweatdroppingfromourfaces，ourarmsandbacksachingwiththeexertion。Thenwewentoutintotheporticoofthechurchandlookedeagerlyupanddownthesilent，crowdedstreets。Notasound，notamotion，inanswertooursummons。
\"It’snouse。Nooneisleft，\"Icried。
\"Wecandonothingmore，\"saidMrs。Challenger。\"ForGod’ssake，George，letusgetbacktoRotherfield。Anotherhourofthisdreadful，silentcitywoulddrivememad。\"
Wegotintothecarwithoutanotherword。LordJohnbackedherroundandturnedhertothesouth。Tousthechapterseemedclosed。Littledidweforeseethestrangenewchapterwhichwastoopen。
ChapterVI
THEGREATAWAKENING
AndnowIcometotheendofthisextraordinaryincident，soovershadowinginitsimportance，notonlyinourownsmall，individuallives，butinthegeneralhistoryofthehumanrace。
AsIsaidwhenIbeganmynarrative，whenthathistorycomestobewritten，thisoccurrencewillsurelystandoutamongallothereventslikeamountaintoweringamongitsfoothills。Ourgenerationhasbeenreservedforaveryspecialfatesinceithasbeenchosentoexperiencesowonderfulathing。Howlongitseffectmaylast——howlongmankindmaypreservethehumilityandreverencewhichthisgreatshockhastaughtit——canonlybeshownbythefuture。Ithinkitissafetosaythatthingscanneverbequitethesameagain。Nevercanonerealizehowpowerlessandignorantoneis，andhowoneisupheldbyanunseenhand，untilforaninstantthathandhasseemedtocloseandtocrush。Deathhasbeenimminentuponus。Weknowthatatanymomentitmaybeagain。Thatgrimpresenceshadowsourlives，butwhocandenythatinthatshadowthesenseofduty，thefeelingofsobrietyandresponsibility，theappreciationofthegravityandoftheobjectsoflife，theearnestdesiretodevelopandimprove，havegrownandbecomerealwithustoadegreethathasleavenedourwholesocietyfromendtoend？Itissomethingbeyondsectsandbeyonddogmas。Itisratheranalterationofperspective，ashiftingofoursenseofproportion，avividrealizationthatweareinsignificantandevanescentcreatures，existingonsufferanceandatthemercyofthefirstchillwindfromtheunknown。Butiftheworldhasgrowngraverwiththisknowledgeitisnot，I
think，asadderplaceinconsequence。Surelyweareagreedthatthemoresoberandrestrainedpleasuresofthepresentaredeeperaswellaswiserthanthenoisy，foolishhustlewhichpassedsooftenforenjoymentinthedaysofold——dayssorecentandyetalreadysoinconceivable。Thoseemptyliveswhichwerewastedinaimlessvisitingandbeingvisited，intheworryofgreatandunnecessaryhouseholds，inthearrangingandeatingofelaborateandtediousmeals，havenowfoundrestandhealthinthereading，themusic，thegentlefamilycommunionwhichcomesfromasimplerandsanerdivisionoftheirtime。Withgreaterhealthandgreaterpleasuretheyarericherthanbefore，evenaftertheyhavepaidthoseincreasedcontributionstothecommonfundwhichhavesoraisedthestandardoflifeintheseislands。
Thereissomeclashofopinionastotheexacthourofthegreatawakening。Itisgenerallyagreedthat，apartfromthedifferenceofclocks，theremayhavebeenlocalcauseswhichinfluencedtheactionofthepoison。Certainly，ineachseparatedistricttheresurrectionwaspracticallysimultaneous。TherearenumerouswitnessesthatBigBenpointedtotenminutespastsixatthemoment。TheAstronomerRoyalhasfixedtheGreenwichtimeattwelvepastsix。Ontheotherhand，LairdJohnson，averycapableEastAngliaobserver，hasrecordedsix—twentyasthehour。IntheHebridesitwasaslateasseven。Inourowncasetherecanbenodoubtwhatever，forIwasseatedinChallenger’sstudywithhiscarefullytestedchronometerinfrontofmeatthemoment。Thehourwasaquarter—pastsix。
Anenormousdepressionwasweighinguponmyspirits。Thecumulativeeffectofallthedreadfulsightswhichwehadseenuponourjourneywasheavyuponmysoul。Withmyaboundinganimalhealthandgreatphysicalenergyanykindofmentalcloudingwasarareevent。IhadtheIrishfacultyofseeingsomegleamofhumorineverydarkness。Butnowtheobscuritywasappallingandunrelieved。Theothersweredownstairsmakingtheirplansforthefuture。Isatbytheopenwindow，mychinrestinguponmyhandandmymindabsorbedinthemiseryofoursituation。Couldwecontinuetolive？ThatwasthequestionwhichIhadbeguntoaskmyself。Wasitpossibletoexistuponadeadworld？Justasinphysicsthegreaterbodydrawstoitselfthelesser，wouldwenotfeelanoverpoweringattractionfromthatvastbodyofhumanitywhichhadpassedintotheunknown？Howwouldtheendcome？
Woulditbefromareturnofthepoison？Orwouldtheearthbeuninhabitablefromthemephiticproductsofuniversaldecay？Or，finally，mightourawfulsituationpreyuponandunbalanceourminds？Agroupofinsanefolkuponadeadworld!Mymindwasbroodinguponthislastdreadfulideawhensomeslightnoisecausedmetolookdownupontheroadbeneathme。Theoldcabhorsewascomingupthehill!
Iwasconsciousatthesameinstantofthetwitteringofbirds，ofsomeonecoughingintheyardbelow，andofabackgroundofmovementinthelandscape。AndyetIrememberthatitwasthatabsurd，emaciated，superannuatedcab—horsewhichheldmygaze。
Slowlyandwheezilyitwasclimbingtheslope。Thenmyeyetraveledtothedriversittinghunchedupupontheboxandfinallytotheyoungmanwhowasleaningoutofthewindowinsomeexcitementandshoutingadirection。Theywereallindubitably，aggressivelyalive!
Everybodywasaliveoncemore!Haditallbeenadelusion？Wasitconceivablethatthiswholepoisonbeltincidenthadbeenanelaboratedream？Foraninstantmystartledbrainwasreallyreadytobelieveit。ThenIlookeddown，andtherewastherisingblisteronmyhandwhereitwasfrayedbytheropeofthecitybell。Ithadreallybeenso，then。Andyetherewastheworldresuscitated——herewaslifecomebackinaninstantfulltidetotheplanet。Now，asmyeyeswanderedalloverthegreatlandscape，Isawitineverydirection——andmoving，tomyamazement，intheverysamegrooveinwhichithadhalted。Therewerethegolfers。Wasitpossiblethattheyweregoingonwiththeirgame？Yes，therewasafellowdrivingofffromatee，andthatothergroupuponthegreenweresurelyputtingforthehole。
Thereaperswereslowlytroopingbacktotheirwork。Thenurse—girlslappedoneofherchargesandthenbegantopushtheperambulatorupthehill。Everyonehadunconcernedlytakenupthethreadattheverypointwheretheyhaddroppedit。
Irusheddownstairs，butthehalldoorwasopen，andIheardthevoicesofmycompanions，loudinastonishmentandcongratulation，intheyard。Howweallshookhandsandlaughedaswecametogether，andhowMrs。Challengerkissedusallinheremotion，beforeshefinallythrewherselfintothebear—hugofherhusband。
\"Buttheycouldnothavebeenasleep!\"criedLordJohn。\"Dashitall，Challenger，youdon’tmeantobelievethatthosefolkwereasleepwiththeirstaringeyesandstifflimbsandthatawfuldeathgrinontheirfaces!\"
\"Itcanonlyhavebeentheconditionthatiscalledcatalepsy，\"
saidChallenger。\"Ithasbeenararephenomenoninthepastandhasconstantlybeenmistakenfordeath。Whileitendures，thetemperaturefalls，therespirationdisappears，theheartbeatisindistinguishable——infact，itISdeath，savethatitisevanescent。Eventhemostcomprehensivemind\"——hereheclosedhiseyesandsimpered——\"couldhardlyconceiveauniversaloutbreakofitinthisfashion。\"
\"Youmaylabelitcatalepsy，\"remarkedSummerlee，\"but，afterall，thatisonlyaname，andweknowaslittleoftheresultaswedoofthepoisonwhichhascausedit。Themostwecansayisthatthevitiatedetherhasproducedatemporarydeath。\"
Austinwasseatedallinaheaponthestepofthecar。ItwashiscoughingwhichIhadheardfromabove。Hehadbeenholdinghisheadinsilence，butnowhewasmutteringtohimselfandrunninghiseyesoverthecar。
\"Youngfat—head!\"hegrumbled。\"Can’tleavethingsalone!\"
\"What’sthematter，Austin？\"
\"Lubricatorsleftrunning，sir。Someonehasbeenfoolingwiththecar。Iexpectit’sthatyounggardenboy，sir。\"
LordJohnlookedguilty。
\"Idon’tknowwhat’samisswithme，\"continuedAustin，staggeringtohisfeet。\"IexpectIcameoverqueerwhenIwashosingherdown。Iseemtorememberfloppingoverbythestep。ButI’llswearIneverleftthoselubricatortapson。\"
InacondensednarrativetheastonishedAustinwastoldwhathadhappenedtohimselfandtheworld。Themysteryofthedrippinglubricatorswasalsoexplainedtohim。Helistenedwithanairofdeepdistrustwhentoldhowanamateurhaddrivenhiscarandwithabsorbedinteresttothefewsentencesinwhichourexperiencesofthesleepingcitywererecorded。Icanrememberhiscommentwhenthestorywasconcluded。
\"WasyououtsidetheBankofEngland，sir？\"
\"Yes，Austin。\"
\"Withallthemmillionsinsideandeverybodyasleep？\"
\"Thatwasso。\"
\"AndInotthere!\"hegroaned，andturneddismallyoncemoretothehosingofhiscar。
Therewasasuddengrindingofwheelsupongravel。TheoldcabhadactuallypulledupatChallenger’sdoor。Isawtheyoungoccupantstepoutfromit。Aninstantlaterthemaid，wholookedastousledandbewilderedasifshehadthatinstantbeenarousedfromthedeepestsleep，appearedwithacarduponatray。
Challengersnortedferociouslyashelookedatit，andhisthickblackhairseemedtobristleupinhiswrath。
\"Apressman!\"hegrowled。Thenwithadeprecatingsmile：\"Afterall，itisnaturalthatthewholeworldshouldhastentoknowwhatIthinkofsuchanepisode。\"
\"Thatcanhardlybehiserrand，\"saidSummerlee，\"forhewasontheroadinhiscabbeforeeverthecrisiscame。\"
Ilookedatthecard：\"JamesBaxter，LondonCorrespondent，NewYorkMonitor。\"
\"You’llseehim？\"saidI。
\"NotI。\"
\"Oh，George!Youshouldbekinderandmoreconsideratetoothers。Surelyyouhavelearnedsomethingfromwhatwehaveundergone。\"
Hetut—tuttedandshookhisbig，obstinatehead。
\"Apoisonousbreed!Eh，Malone？Theworstweedinmoderncivilization，thereadytoolofthequackandthehindranceoftheself—respectingman!Whendidtheyeversayagoodwordforme？\"
\"Whendidyoueversayagoodwordtothem？\"Ianswered。\"Come，sir，thisisastrangerwhohasmadeajourneytoseeyou。Iamsurethatyouwon’tberudetohim。\"
\"Well，well，\"hegrumbled，\"youcomewithmeanddothetalking。
Iprotestinadvanceagainstanysuchoutrageousinvasionofmyprivatelife。\"Mutteringandmumbling，hecamerollingaftermelikeanangryandratherill—conditionedmastiff。
ThedapperyoungAmericanpulledouthisnotebookandplungedinstantlyintohissubject。
\"Icamedown，sir，\"saidhe，\"becauseourpeopleinAmericawouldverymuchliketohearmoreaboutthisdangerwhichis，inyouropinion，pressingupontheworld。\"
\"Iknowofnodangerwhichisnowpressingupontheworld，\"
Challengeransweredgruffly。
Thepressmanlookedathiminmildsurprise。
\"Imeant，sir，thechancesthattheworldmightrunintoabeltofpoisonousether。\"
\"Idonotnowapprehendanysuchdanger，\"saidChallenger。
Thepressmanlookedevenmoreperplexed。
\"YouareProfessorChallenger，areyounot？\"heasked。
\"Yes，sir；thatismyname。\"
\"Icannotunderstand，then，howyoucansaythatthereisnosuchdanger。Iamalludingtoyourownletter，publishedaboveyournameintheLondonTimesofthismorning。\"
ItwasChallenger’sturntolooksurprised。
\"Thismorning？\"saidhe。\"NoLondonTimeswaspublishedthismorning。\"
\"Surely，sir，\"saidtheAmericaninmildremonstrance，\"youmustadmitthattheLondonTimesisadailypaper。\"Hedrewoutacopyfromhisinsidepocket。\"HereisthelettertowhichI
refer。\"
Challengerchuckledandrubbedhishands。
\"Ibegintounderstand，\"saidhe。\"Soyoureadthisletterthismorning？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Andcameatoncetointerviewme？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Didyouobserveanythingunusualuponthejourneydown？\"
\"Well，totellthetruth，yourpeopleseemedmorelivelyandgenerallyhumanthanIhaveeverseenthem。Thebaggagemansetouttotellmeafunnystory，andthat’sanewexperienceformeinthiscountry。\"
\"Nothingelse？\"
\"Why，no，sir，notthatIcanrecall。\"
\"Well，now，whathourdidyouleaveVictoria？\"
TheAmericansmiled。
\"Icameheretointerviewyou，Professor，butitseemstobeacaseof`Isthisniggerfishing，oristhisfishniggering？’
You’redoingmostofthework。\"
\"Ithappenstointerestme。Doyourecallthehour？\"
\"Sure。Itwashalf—pasttwelve。\"
\"Andyouarrived？\"
\"Ataquarter—pasttwo。\"
\"Andyouhiredacab？\"
\"Thatwasso。\"
\"Howfardoyousupposeitistothestation？\"
\"Well，Ishouldreckonthebestpartoftwomiles。\"
\"Sohowlongdoyouthinkittookyou？\"
\"Well，halfanhour，maybe，withthatasthmaticinfront。\"
\"Soitshouldbethreeo’clock？\"
\"Yes，oratrifleafterit。\"
\"Lookatyourwatch。\"
TheAmericandidsoandthenstaredatusinastonishment。
\"Say!\"hecried。\"It’srundown。Thathorsehasbrokeneveryrecord，sure。Thesunisprettylow，nowthatIcometolookatit。Well，there’ssomethinghereIdon’tunderstand。\"
\"Haveyounoremembranceofanythingremarkableasyoucameupthehill？\"
\"Well，IseemtorecollectthatIwasmightysleepyonce。
ItcomesbacktomethatIwantedtosaysomethingtothedriverandthatIcouldn’tmakehimheedme。Iguessitwastheheat，butIfeltswimmyforamoment。That’sall。\"
\"Soitiswiththewholehumanrace，\"saidChallengertome。
\"Theyhaveallfeltswimmyforamoment。Noneofthemhaveasyetanycomprehensionofwhathasoccurred。EachwillgoonwithhisinterruptedjobasAustinhassnatcheduphishose—pipeorthegolfercontinuedhisgame。Youreditor，Malone，willcontinuetheissueofhispapers，andverymuchamazedhewillbeatfindingthatanissueismissing。Yes，myyoungfriend，\"
headdedtotheAmericanreporter，withasuddenmoodofamusedgeniality，\"itmayinterestyoutoknowthattheworldhasswumthroughthepoisonouscurrentwhichswirlsliketheGulfStreamthroughtheoceanofether。Youwillalsokindlynoteforyourownfutureconveniencethatto—dayisnotFriday，Augustthetwenty—seventh，butSaturday，Augustthetwenty—eighth，andthatyousatsenselessinyourcabfortwenty—eighthoursupontheRotherfieldhill。\"
And\"righthere，\"asmyAmericancolleaguewouldsay，Imaybringthisnarrativetoanend。Itis，asyouareprobablyaware，onlyafullerandmoredetailedversionoftheaccountwhichappearedintheMondayeditionoftheDailyGazette——anaccountwhichhasbeenuniversallyadmittedtobethegreatestjournalisticscoopofalltime，whichsoldnofewerthanthree—and—a—halfmillioncopiesofthepaper。FrameduponthewallofmysanctumIretainthosemagnificentheadlines：——
TWENTY—EIGHTHOURS’WORLDCOMA
UNPRECEDENTEDEXPERIENCE
CHALLENGERJUSTIFIED
OURCORRESPONDENTESCAPES
ENTHRALLINGNARRATIVE
THEOXYGENROOM
WEIRDMOTORDRIVE
DEADLONDON
REPLACINGTHEMISSINGPAGE
GREATFIRESANDLOSSOFLIFE
WILLITRECUR？
Underneaththisgloriousscrollcamenineandahalfcolumnsofnarrative，inwhichappearedthefirst，last，andonlyaccountofthehistoryoftheplanet，sofarasoneobservercoulddrawit，duringonelongdayofitsexistence。ChallengerandSummerleehavetreatedthematterinajointscientificpaper，buttomealonewasleftthepopularaccount。SurelyIcansing\"Nuncdimittis。\"Whatisleftbutanti—climaxinthelifeofajournalistafterthat!
Butletmenotendonsensationalheadlinesandamerelypersonaltriumph。Ratherletmequotethesonorouspassagesinwhichthegreatestofdailypapersendeditsadmirableleaderuponthesubject——aleaderwhichmightwellbefiledforreferencebyeverythoughtfulman。
\"Ithasbeenawell—worntruism，\"saidtheTimes，\"thatourhumanraceareafeeblefolkbeforetheinfinitelatentforceswhichsurroundus。Fromtheprophetsofoldandfromthephilosophersofourowntimethesamemessageandwarninghavereachedus。But，likealloft—repeatedtruths，ithasintimelostsomethingofitsactualityandcogency。Alesson，anactualexperience，wasneededtobringithome。Itisfromthatsalutorybutterribleordealthatwehavejustemerged，withmindswhicharestillstunnedbythesuddennessoftheblowandwithspiritswhicharechastenedbytherealizationofourownlimitationsandimpotence。Theworldhaspaidafearfulpriceforitsschooling。Hardlyyethavewelearnedthefulltaleofdisaster，butthedestructionbyfireofNewYork，ofOrleans，andofBrightonconstitutesinitselfoneofthegreatesttragediesinthehistoryofourrace。Whentheaccountoftherailwayandshippingaccidentshasbeencompleted，itwillfurnishgrimreading，althoughthereisevidencetoshowthatinthevastmajorityofcasesthedriversoftrainsandengineersofsteamerssucceededinshuttingofftheirmotivepowerbeforesuccumbingtothepoison。Butthematerialdamage，enormousasitisbothinlifeandinproperty，isnottheconsiderationwhichwillbeuppermostinourmindsto—day。Allthismayintimebeforgotten。Butwhatwillnotbeforgotten，andwhatwillandshouldcontinuetoobsessourimaginations，isthisrevelationofthepossibilitiesoftheuniverse，thisdestructionofourignorantself—complacency，andthisdemonstrationofhownarrowisthepathofourmaterialexistenceandwhatabyssesmaylieuponeithersideofit。Solemnityandhumilityareatthebaseofallouremotionsto—day。Maytheybethefoundationsuponwhichamoreearnestandreverentracemaybuildamoreworthytemple。\"