ThenewsofthemassacreprobablyreachedChobham，Woking，andOttershawaboutthesametime。InWokingtheshopshadclosedwhenthetragedyhappened，andanumberofpeople，shoppeopleandsoforth，attractedbythestoriestheyhadheard，werewalkingovertheHorsellBridgeandalongtheroadbetweenthehedgesthatrunsoutatlastuponthecommon。Youmayimaginetheyoungpeoplebrushedupafterthelaboursoftheday，andmakingthisnovelty，astheywouldmakeanynovelty，theexcuseforwalkingtogetherandenjoyingatrivialflirtation。Youmayfiguretoyourselfthehumofvoicesalongtheroadinthegloaming……
Asyet，ofcourse，fewpeopleinWokingevenknewthatthecylinderhadopened，thoughpoorHendersonhadsentamessengeronabicycletothepostofficewithaspecialwiretoaneveningpaper。
Asthesefolkscameoutbytwosandthreesupontheopen，theyfoundlittleknotsofpeopletalkingexcitedlyandpeeringatthespinningmirroroverthesandpits，andthenew-comerswere，nodoubt，sooninfectedbytheexcitementoftheoc-casion。
Byhalfpasteight，whentheDeputationwasdestroyed，theremayhavebeenacrowdofthreehundredpeopleormoreatthisplace，besidesthosewhohadlefttheroadtoapproachtheMartiansnearer。Therewerethreepolicementoo，oneofwhomwasmounted，doingtheirbest，underinstructionsfromStent，tokeepthepeoplebackanddeterthemfromapproachingthecylinder。Therewassomebooingfromthosemorethoughtlessandexcitablesoulstowhomacrowdisalwaysanoccasionfornoiseandhorse-play。
StentandOgilvy，anticipatingsomepossibilitiesofacollision，hadtelegraphedfromHorselltothebarracksassoonastheMartiansemerged，forthehelpofacompanyofsoldierstoprotectthesestrangecreaturesfromviolence。Afterthattheyreturnedtoleadthatill-fatedadvance。
Thedescriptionoftheirdeath，asitwasseenbythecrowd，talliesverycloselywithmyownimpressions：thethreepuffsofgreensmoke，thedeephummingnote，andtheflashesofflame。
Butthatcrowdofpeoplehadafarnarrowerescapethanmine。Onlythefactthatahummockofheatherysandinter-ceptedthelowerpartoftheHeat-Raysavedthem。Hadtheelevationoftheparabolicmirrorbeenafewyardshigher，nonecouldhavelivedtotellthetale。Theysawtheflashesandthemenfallingandaninvisiblehand，asitwere，litthebushesasithurriedtowardsthemthroughthetwilight。Then，withawhistlingnotethatroseabovethedroningofthepit，thebeamswungcloseovertheirheads，lightingthetopsofthebeechtreesthatlinetheroad，andsplittingthebricks，smashingthewindows，firingthewindowframes，andbring-
ingdownincrumblingruinaportionofthegableofthehousenearestthecorner。
Inthesuddenthud，hiss，andglareoftheignitingtrees，thepanic-strickencrowdseemstohaveswayedhesitatinglyforsomemoments。Sparksandburningtwigsbegantofallintotheroad，andsingleleaveslikepuffsofflame。
Hatsanddressescaughtfire。Thencameacryingfromthecommon。Therewereshrieksandshouts，andsuddenlyamountedpolicemancamegallopingthroughtheconfusionwithhishandsclaspedoverhishead，screaming。
\"They\'recoming！\"awomanshrieked，andincontinentlyeveryonewasturningandpushingatthosebehind，inordertocleartheirwaytoWokingagain。
Theymusthaveboltedasblindlyasaflockofsheep。Wheretheroadgrowsnarrowandblackbetweenthehighbanksthecrowdjammed，andadesperatestruggleoccurred。Allthatcrowddidnotescape；threepersonsatleast，twowomenandalittleboy，werecrushedandtrampledthere，andlefttodieamidtheterrorandthedarkness。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter7Chapter7-HowIReachedHomeFormyownpart，Iremembernothingofmyflightexceptthestressofblunderingagainsttreesandstumblingthroughtheheather。AllaboutmegatheredtheinvisibleterrorsoftheMartians；thatpitilessswordofheatseemedwhirlingtoandfro，flourishingoverheadbeforeitdescendedandsmotemeoutoflife。IcameintotheroadbetweenthecrossroadsandHorsell，andranalongthistothecrossroads。
AtlastIcouldgonofurther；Iwasexhaustedwiththeviolenceofmyemotionandofmyflight，andIstaggeredandfellbythewayside。Thatwasnearthebridgethatcrossesthecanalbythegasworks。Ifellandlaystill。
Imusthaveremainedtheresometime。
Isatup，strangelyperplexed。Foramoment，perhaps，IcouldnotclearlyunderstandhowIcamethere。Myterrorhadfallenfrommelikeagarment。
Myhathadgone，andmycollarhadburstawayfromitsfastener。Afewminutesbefore，therehadonlybeenthreerealthingsbeforeme——theimmensityofthenightandspaceandnature，myownfeeble-nessandanguish，andthenearapproachofdeath。Nowitwasasifsomethingturnedover，andthepointofviewalteredabruptly。Therewasnosensibletransitionfromonestateofmindtotheother。Iwasimmediatelytheselfofeverydayagain——adecent，ordinarycitizen。Thesilentcommon，theimpulseofmyflight，thestartingflames，wereasiftheyhadbeeninadream。Iaskedmyselfhadtheselatterthingsindeedhappened？Icouldnotcreditit。
Iroseandwalkedunsteadilyupthesteepinclineofthebridge。Mymindwasblankwonder。Mymusclesandnervesseemeddrainedoftheirstrength。
IdaresayIstaggereddrunkenly。Aheadroseoverthearch，andthefigureofaworkmancarryingabasketappeared。Besidehimranalittleboy。Hepassedme，wishingmegoodnight。Iwasmindedtospeaktohim，butdidnot。Iansweredhisgreetingwithameaninglessmumbleandwentonoverthebridge。
OvertheMayburyarchatrain，abillowingtumultofwhite，firelitsmoke，andalongcaterpillaroflightedwindows，wentflyingsouth——clatter，clatter，clap，rap，andithadgone。AdimgroupofpeopletalkedinthegateofoneofthehousesintheprettylittlerowofgablesthatwascalledOrientalTerrace。Itwasallsorealandsofamiliar。Andthatbehindme！
Itwasfrantic，fantastic！Suchthings，Itoldmyself，couldnotbe。
PerhapsIamamanofexceptionalmoods。Idonotknowhowfarmyexperienceiscommon。AttimesIsufferfromthestrangestsenseofdetachmentfrommyselfandtheworldaboutme；Iseemtowatchitallfromtheoutside，fromsome-whereinconceivablyremote，outoftime，outofspace，outofthestressandtragedyofitall。Thisfeelingwasverystronguponmethatnight。Herewasanothersidetomydream。
Butthetroublewastheblankincongruityofthisserenityandtheswiftdeathflyingyonder，nottwomilesaway。Therewasanoiseofbusinessfromthegasworks，andtheelectriclampswereallalight。Istoppedatthegroupofpeople。
\"Whatnewsfromthecommon？\"saidI。
Thereweretwomenandawomanatthegate。
\"Eh？\"saidoneofthemen，turning。
\"Whatnewsfromthecommon？\"Isaid。
\"\'Ain\'tyerjustBEENthere？\"askedthemen。
\"Peopleseemfairsillyaboutthecommon，\"saidthewomanoverthegate。
\"What\'sitallabart？\"
\"Haven\'tyouheardofthemenfromMars？\"saidI；\"thecreaturesfromMars？\"
\"Quiteenough，\"saidthewomanoverthegate。\"Thenks\"；andallthreeofthemlaughed。
Ifeltfoolishandangry。ItriedandfoundIcouldnottellthemwhatIhadseen。Theylaughedagainatmybrokensentences。
\"You\'llhearmoreyet，\"Isaid，andwentontomyhome。
Istartledmywifeatthedoorway，sohaggardwasI。Iwentintothediningroom，satdown，dranksomewine，andsosoonasIcouldcollectmyselfsufficientlyItoldherthethingsIhadseen。Thedinner，whichwasacoldone，hadalreadybeenserved，andremainedneglectedonthetablewhileItoldmystory。
\"Thereisonething，\"Isaid，toallaythefearsIhadaroused；\"theyarethemostsluggishthingsIeversawcrawl。Theymaykeepthepitandkillpeoplewhocomenearthem，buttheycannotgetoutofit……Butthehorrorofthem！\"
\"Don\'t，dear！\"saidmywife，knittingherbrowsandputtingherhandonmine。
\"PoorOgilvy！\"Isaid。\"Tothinkhemaybelyingdeadthere！\"
Mywifeatleastdidnotfindmyexperienceincredible。WhenIsawhowdeadlywhiteherfacewas，Iceasedabruptly。
\"Theymaycomehere，\"shesaidagainandagain。
Ipressedhertotakewine，andtriedtoreassureher。
\"Theycanscarcelymove，\"Isaid。
IbegantocomfortherandmyselfbyrepeatingallthatOgilvyhadtoldmeoftheimpossibilityoftheMartiansestab-lishingthemselvesontheearth。InparticularIlaidstressonthegravitationaldifficulty。OnthesurfaceoftheearththeforceofgravityisthreetimeswhatitisonthesurfaceofMars。AMartian，therefore，wouldweighthreetimesmorethanonMars，albeithismuscularstrengthwouldbethesame。Hisownbodywouldbeacopeofleadtohim。That，indeed，wasthegeneralopinion。
BothTHETIMESandtheDAILYTELEGRAPH，forinstance，insistedonitthenextmorning，andbothoverlooked，justasIdid，twoobviousmodifyinginflu-ences。
Theatmosphereoftheearth，wenowknow，containsfarmoreoxygenorfarlessargon（whicheverwayonelikestoputit）thandoesMars。TheinvigoratinginfluencesofthisexcessofoxygenupontheMartiansindisputablydidmuchtocounterbalancetheincreasedweightoftheirbodies。And，inthesecondplace，wealloverlookedthefactthatsuchmechanicalintelligenceastheMartianpossessedwasquiteabletodispensewithmuscularexertionatapinch。
ButIdidnotconsiderthesepointsatthetime，andsomyreasoningwasdeadagainstthechancesoftheinvaders。Withwineandfood，theconfidenceofmyowntable，andthenecessityofreassuringmywife，Igrewbyinsensibledegreescourageousandsecure。
\"Theyhavedoneafoolishthing，\"saidI，fingeringmywineglass。\"Theyaredangerousbecause，nodoubt，theyaremadwithterror。Perhapstheyexpectedtofindnolivingthings——certainlynointelligentlivingthings。
\"Ashellinthepit\"saidI，\"iftheworstcomestotheworstwillkillthemall。\"
Theintenseexcitementoftheeventshadnodoubtleftmyperceptivepowersinastateoferethism。Irememberthatdinnertablewithextraordinaryvividnessevennow。Mydearwife\'ssweetanxiousfacepeeringatmefromunderthepinklampshade，thewhiteclothwithitssilverandglasstablefurniture——forinthosedaysevenphilosophicalwritershadmanylittleluxuries——thecrimson-purplewineinmyglass，arephotographicallydistinct。
AttheendofitIsat，temper-ingnutswithacigarette，regrettingOgilvy\'srashness，anddenouncingtheshortsightedtimidityoftheMartians。
SosomerespectabledodointheMauritiusmighthavelordeditinhisnest，anddiscussedthearrivalofthatshipfulofpitilesssailorsinwantofanimalfood。\"Wewillpeckthemtodeathtomorrow，mydear。\"
Ididnotknowit，butthatwasthelastciviliseddinnerIwastoeatforverymanystrangeandterribledays。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter8Chapter8-FridayNightThemostextraordinarythingtomymind，ofallthestrangeandwonderfulthingsthathappeneduponthatFriday，wasthedovetailingofthecommonplacehabitsofoursocialorderwiththefirstbeginningsoftheseriesofeventsthatwastotopplethatsocialorderheadlong。IfonFridaynightyouhadtakenapairofcompassesanddrawnacirclewitharadiusoffivemilesroundtheWokingsandpits，Idoubtifyouwouldhavehadonehumanbeingoutsideit，unlessitweresomerelationofStentorofthethreeorfourcyclistsorLondonpeoplelyingdeadonthecommon，whoseemotionsorhabitswereatallaffectedbythenew-comers。Manypeoplehadheardofthecylinder，ofcourse，andtalkedaboutitintheirleisure，butitcertainlydidnotmakethesensationthatanultimatumtoGermanywouldhavedone。
InLondonthatnightpoorHenderson\'stelegramdescribingthegradualunscrewingoftheshotwasjudgedtobeacanard，andhiseveningpaper，afterwiringforauthenticationfromhimandreceivingnoreply——themanwaskilled——decidednottoprintaspecialedition。
Evenwithinthefive-milecirclethegreatmajorityofpeoplewereinert。
IhavealreadydescribedthebehaviourofthemenandwomentowhomIspoke。
Alloverthedistrictpeoplewerediningandsupping；workingmenweregardeningafterthelaboursoftheday，childrenwerebeingputtobed，youngpeoplewerewanderingthroughthelaneslove-making，stu-dentssatovertheirbooks。
Maybetherewasamurmurinthevillagestreets，anovelanddominanttopicinthepublic-houses，andhereandthereamessenger，orevenaneye-witnessofthelateroccurrences，causedawhirlofexcitement，ashouting，andarunningtoandfro；butforthemostpartthedailyroutineofworking，eating，drinking，sleeping，wentonasithaddoneforcount-lessyears——asthoughnoplanetMarsexistedinthesky。EvenatWokingstationandHorsellandChobhamthatwasthecase。
InWokingjunction，untilalatehour，trainswerestoppingandgoingon，otherswereshuntingonthesidings，passengerswerealightingandwaiting，andeverythingwasproceedinginthemostordinaryway。Aboyfromthetown，trenchingonSmith\'smonopoly，wassellingpaperswiththeafternoon\'snews。Theringingimpactoftrucks，thesharpwhistleoftheenginesfromthejunction，mingledwiththeirshoutsof\"MenfromMars！\"
Excitedmencameintothestationaboutnineo\'clockwithincredibletidings，andcausednomoredisturbancethandrunkardsmighthavedone。PeoplerattlingLondonwardspeeredintothedarknessoutsidethecarriagewindows，andsawonlyarare，flickering，vanishingsparkdanceupfromthedirectionofHorsell，aredglowandathinveilofsmokedrivingacrossthestars，andthoughtthatnothingmoreseriousthanaheathfirewashappening。
Itwasonlyroundtheedgeofthecommonthatanydisturbancewasperceptible。
TherewerehalfadozenvillasburningontheWokingborder。Therewerelightsinallthehousesonthecommonsideofthethreevillages，andthepeopletherekeptawaketilldawn。
Acuriouscrowdlingeredrestlessly，peoplecomingandgoingbutthecrowdremaining，bothontheChobhamandHorsellbridges。Oneortwoadventuroussouls，itwasafter-wardsfound，wentintothedarknessandcrawledquiteneartheMartians；buttheyneverreturned，fornowandagainalight-ray，likethebeamofawarship\'ssearchlightsweptthecommon，andtheHeat-Raywasreadytofollow。Saveforsuch，thatbigareaofcommonwassilentanddesolate，andthecharredbodieslayaboutonitallnightunderthestars，andallthenextday。Anoiseofhammeringfromthepitwasheardbymanypeople。
SoyouhavethestateofthingsonFridaynight。Inthecentre，stickingintotheskinofouroldplanetEarthlikeapoisoneddart，wasthiscylinder。
Butthepoisonwasscarcelyworkingyet。Arounditwasapatchofsilentcommon，smoulderinginplaces，andwithafewdark，dimlyseenobjectslyingincontortedattitudeshereandthere。Hereandtherewasaburningbushortree。Beyondwasafringeofexcitement，andfartherthanthatfringetheinflammationhadnotcreptasyet。Intherestoftheworldthestreamoflifestillflowedasithadflowedforimmemorialyears。
Thefeverofwarthatwouldpresentlyclogveinandartery，deadennerveanddestroybrain，hadstilltodevelop。
AllnightlongtheMartianswerehammeringandstirring，sleepless，indefatigable，atworkuponthemachinestheyweremakingready，andeverandagainapuffofgreenish-whitesmokewhirleduptothestarlitsky。
AboutelevenacompanyofsoldierscamethroughHorsell，anddeployedalongtheedgeofthecommontoformacordon。LaterasecondcompanymarchedthroughChobhamtodeployonthenorthsideofthecommon。SeveralofficersfromtheInkermanbarrackshadbeenonthecommonearlierintheday，andone，MajorEden，wasreportedtobemissing。ThecoloneloftheregimentcametotheChobhambridgeandwasbusyquestioningthecrowdatmidnight。
Themilitaryauthoritieswerecertainlyalivetotheseriousnessofthebusi-ness。Abouteleven，thenextmorning\'spaperswereabletosay，asquadronofhussars，twoMaxims，andaboutfourhundredmenoftheCardiganregimentstartedfromAldershot。
AfewsecondsaftermidnightthecrowdintheChertseyroad，Woking，sawastarfallfromheavenintothepinewoodstothenorthwest。Ithadagreenishcolour，andcausedasilentbrightnesslikesummerlightning。
Thiswasthesecondcylinder。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter9Chapter9-TheFightingBeginsSaturdaylivesinmymemoryasadayofsuspense。Itwasadayoflassitudetoo，hotandclose，with，Iamtold，arapidlyfluctuatingbarometer。I
hadsleptbutlittle，thoughmywifehadsucceededinsleeping，andIroseearly。Iwentintomygardenbeforebreakfastandstoodlistening，buttowardsthecommontherewasnothingstirringbutalark。
Themilkmancameasusual。IheardtherattleofhischariotandIwentroundtothesidegatetoaskthelatestnews。HetoldmethatduringthenighttheMartianshadbeensurroundedbytroops，andthatgunswereexpected。
Then——afamiliar，reassuringnote——IheardatrainrunningtowardsWoking。
\"Theyaren\'ttobekilled，\"saidthemilkman，\"ifthatcanpossiblybeavoided。\"
Isawmyneighbourgardening，chattedwithhimforatime，andthenstrolledintobreakfast。Itwasamostun-exceptionalmorning。MyneighbourwasofopinionthatthetroopswouldbeabletocaptureortodestroytheMartiansduringtheday。
\"It\'sapitytheymakethemselvessounapproachable，\"hesaid。\"Itwouldbecurioustoknowhowtheyliveonanotherplanet；wemightlearnathingortwo。\"
Hecameuptothefenceandextendedahandfulofstraw-berries，forhisgardeningwasasgenerousasitwasenthusi-astic。AtthesametimehetoldmeoftheburningofthepinewoodsabouttheByfleetGolfLinks。
\"Theysay，\"saidhe，\"thatthere\'sanotherofthoseblessedthingsfallenthere——numbertwo。Butone\'senough，surely。Thislot\'llcosttheinsurancepeopleaprettypennybeforeeverything\'ssettled。\"Helaughedwithanairofthegreatestgoodhumourashesaidthis。Thewoods，hesaid，werestillburning，andpointedoutahazeofsmoketome。\"Theywillbehotunderfootfordays，onaccountofthethicksoilofpineneedlesandturf，\"
hesaid，andthengrewseriousover\"poorOgilvy。\"
Afterbreakfast，insteadofworking，Idecidedtowalkdowntowardsthecommon。UndertherailwaybridgeIfoundagroupofsoldiers——sappers，Ithink，meninsmallroundcaps，dirtyredjacketsunbuttoned，andshowingtheirblueshirts，darktrousers，andbootscomingtothecalf。Theytoldmenoonewasallowedoverthecanal，and，lookingalongtheroadtowardsthebridge，IsawoneoftheCardiganmenstandingsentinelthere。Italkedwiththesesoldiersforatime；ItoldthemofmysightoftheMartiansonthepreviousevening。NoneofthemhadseentheMartians，andtheyhadbutthevaguestideasofthem，sothattheypliedmewithquestions。Theysaidthattheydidnotknowwhohadauthorisedthemovementsofthetroops；
theirideawasthatadisputehadarisenattheHorseGuards。Theordinarysapperisagreatdealbettereducatedthanthecommonsoldier，andtheydiscussedthepeculiarconditionsofthepossiblefightwithsomeacuteness。
IdescribedtheHeat-Raytothem，andtheybegantoargueamongthemselves。
\"Crawlupundercoverandrush\'em，sayI，\"saidone。
\"Getaht！，\"saidanother。\"What\'scoveragainstthis\'ere\'eat？Stickstocookyer！Whatwegottodoistogoasnearastheground\'llletus，andthendriveatrench。\"
\"Blowyertrenches！Youalwayswanttrenches；yououghttoha\"beenbornarabbitSnippy。\"
\"\'Ain\'ttheygotanynecks，then？\"saidathird，abruptly——alittle，contemplative，darkman，smokingapipe。
Irepeatedmydescription。
\"Octopuses，\"saidhe，\"that\'swhatIcalls\'em。Talkaboutfishersofmen——fightersoffishitisthistime！\"
\"Itain\'tnomurderkillingbeastslikethat，\"saidthefirstspeaker。
\"Whynotshellthedarnedthingsstriteoffandfinish\'em？\"saidthelittledarkman。\"Youcarntellwhattheymightdo。\"
\"Where\'syourshells？\"saidthefirstspeaker。\"Thereain\'tnotime。
Doitinarush，that\'smytip，anddoitatonce。\"
Sotheydiscussedit。AfterawhileIleftthem，andwentontotherailwaystationtogetasmanymorningpapersasIcould。
ButIwillnotwearythereaderwithadescriptionofthatlongmorningandofthelongerafternoon。Ididnotsucceedingettingaglimpseofthecommon，forevenHorsellandChobhamchurchtowerswereinthehandsofthemilitaryauthorities。ThesoldiersIaddresseddidn\'tknowanything；
theofficersweremysteriousaswellasbusy。Ifoundpeopleinthetownquitesecureagaininthepresenceofthemilitary，andIheardforthefirsttimefromMarshall，thetobacconist，thathissonwasamongthedeadonthecommon。ThesoldiershadmadethepeopleontheoutskirtsofHorselllockupandleavetheirhouses。
Igotbacktolunchabouttwo，verytiredfor，asIhavesaid，thedaywasextremelyhotanddull；andinordertorefreshmyselfItookacoldbathintheafternoon。AbouthalfpastfourIwentuptotherailwaystationtogetaneveningpaper，forthemorningpapershadcontainedonlyaveryinaccuratedescriptionofthekillingofStent，Henderson，Ogilvy，andtheothers。ButtherewaslittleIdidn\'tknow。TheMartiansdidnotshowaninchofthemselves。Theyseemedbusyintheirpit，andtherewasasoundofhammeringandanalmostcontinuousstreamerofsmoke。Apparentlytheywerebusygettingreadyforastruggle。\"Freshattemptshavebeenmadetosignal，butwithoutsuccess，\"wasthestereo-typedformulaofthepapers。
Asappertoldmeitwasdonebyamaninaditchwithaflagonalongpole。TheMartianstookasmuchnoticeofsuchadvancesasweshouldofthelowingofacow。
Imustconfessthesightofallthisarmament，allthispreparation，greatlyexcitedme。Myimaginationbecamebel-ligerent，anddefeatedtheinvadersinadozenstrikingways；somethingofmyschoolboydreamsofbattleandheroismcameback。Ithardlyseemedafairfighttomeatthattime。Theyseemedveryhelplessinthatpitoftheirs。
Aboutthreeo\'clocktherebeganthethudofagunatmeasuredintervalsfromChertseyorAddlestone。Ilearnedthatthesmoulderingpinewoodintowhichthesecondcylin-derhadfallenwasbeingshelled，inthehopeofdestroyingthatobjectbeforeitopened。Itwasonlyaboutfive，however，thatafieldgunreachedChobhamforuseagainstthefirstbodyofMartians。
Aboutsixintheevening，asIsatatteawithmywifeinthesummerhousetalkingvigorouslyaboutthebattlethatwasloweringuponus，Iheardamuffleddetonationfromthecommon，andimmediatelyafteragustoffiring。
Closeontheheelsofthatcameaviolentrattlingcrash，quiteclosetous，thatshooktheground；and，startingoutuponthelawn，IsawthetopsofthetreesabouttheOrientalCollegeburstintosmokyredflame，andthetowerofthelittlechurchbesideitslidedownintoruin。Thepinnacleofthemosquehadvanished，andtherooflineofthecollegeitselflookedasifahundred-tongunhadbeenatworkuponit。Oneofourchimneyscrackedasifashothadhitit，flew，andapieceofitcameclatteringdownthetilesandmadeaheapofbrokenredfragmentsupontheflowerbedbymystudywindow。
Iandmywifestoodamazed。ThenIrealisedthatthecrestofMayburyHillmustbewithinrangeoftheMartians\"Heat-Raynowthatthecollegewasclearedoutoftheway。
AtthatIgrippedmywife\'sarm，andwithoutceremonyranheroutintotheroad。ThenIfetchedouttheservant，tellingherIwouldgoupstairsmyselffortheboxshewasclamouringfor。
\"Wecan\'tpossiblystayhere，\"Isaid；andasIspokethefiringreopenedforamomentuponthecommon。
\"Butwherearewetogo？\"saidmywifeinterror。
Ithoughtperplexed。ThenIrememberedhercousinsatLeatherhead。
\"Leatherhead！\"Ishoutedabovethesuddennoise。
Shelookedawayfrommedownhill。Thepeoplewerecomingoutoftheirhouses，astonished。
\"HowarewetogettoLeatherhead？\"shesaid。
DownthehillIsawabevyofhussarsrideundertherailwaybridge；
threegallopedthroughtheopengatesoftheOrientalCollege；twoothersdismounted，andbeganrunningfromhousetohouse。Thesun，shiningthroughthesmokethatdroveupfromthetopsofthetrees，seemedbloodred，andthrewanunfamiliarluridlightuponeverything。
\"Stophere，\"saidI；\"youaresafehere\"；andIstartedoffatoncefortheSpottedDog，forIknewthelandlordhadahorseanddogcart。
Iran，forIperceivedthatinamomenteveryoneuponthissideofthehillwouldbemoving。Ifoundhiminhisbar，quiteunawareofwhatwasgoingonbehindhishouse。Amanstoodwithhisbacktome，talkingtohim。
\"Imusthaveapound，\"saidthelandlord，\"andI\'venoonetodriveit。\"
\"I\'llgiveyoutwo，\"saidI，overthestranger\'sshoulder。
\"Whatfor？\"
\"AndI\'llbringitbackbymidnight，\"Isaid。
\"Lord！\"saidthelandlord；\"what\'sthehurry？I\'msellingmybitofapig。Twopounds，andyoubringitback？What\'sgoingonnow？\"
IexplainedhastilythatIhadtoleavemyhome，andsosecuredthedogcart。Atthetimeitdidnotseemtomenearlysourgentthatthelandlordshouldleavehis。Itookcaretohavethecartthereandthen，droveitoffdowntheroad，and，leavingitinchargeofmywifeandservant，rushedintomyhouseandpackedafewvaluables，suchplateaswehad，andsoforth。ThebeechtreesbelowthehousewereburningwhileIdidthis，andthepalingsuptheroadglowedred。WhileIwasoccupiedinthisway，oneofthedismountedhussarscamerunningup。Hewasgoingfromhousetohouse，warningpeo-pletoleave。HewasgoingonasIcameoutofmyfrontdoor，luggingmytreasures，doneupinatablecloth。Ishoutedafterhim：
\"Whatnews？\"
Heturned，stared，bawledsomethingabout\"crawlingoutinathinglikeadishcover，\"andranontothegateofthehouseatthecrest。Asuddenwhirlofblacksmokedrivingacrosstheroadhidhimforamoment。Irantomyneighbour\'sdoorandrappedtosatisfymyselfofwhatIalreadyknew，thathiswifehadgonetoLondonwithhimandhadlockeduptheirhouse。
Iwentinagain，accordingtomypromise，togetmyservant\'sbox，luggeditout，clappeditbesideheronthetailofthedogcart，andthencaughtthereinsandjumpedupintothedriver\'sseatbesidemywife。Inanothermomentwewereclearofthesmokeandnoise，andspankingdowntheoppositeslopeofMayburyHilltowardsOldWoking。
Infrontwasaquietsunnylandscape，awheatfieldaheadoneithersideoftheroad，andtheMayburyInnwithitsswingingsign。Isawthedoctor\'scartaheadofme。AtthebottomofthehillIturnedmyheadtolookatthehillsideIwasleaving。Thickstreamersofblacksmokeshotwiththreadsofredfireweredrivingupintothestillair，andthrowingdarkshadowsuponthegreentreetopseastward。Thesmokealreadyextendedfarawaytotheeastandwest——totheBy-fleetpinewoodseastward，andtoWokingonthewest。Theroadwasdottedwithpeoplerunningtowardsus。Andveryfaintnow，butverydistinctthroughthehot，quietair，oneheardthewhirrofamachine-gunthatwaspresentlystilled，andanintermittentcrackingofrifles。ApparentlytheMar-tiansweresettingfiretoeverythingwithinrangeoftheirHeat-Ray。
Iamnotanexpertdriver，andIhadimmediatelytoturnmyattentiontothehorse。WhenIlookedbackagainthesecondhillhadhiddentheblacksmoke。Islashedthehorsewiththewhip，andgavehimaloosereinuntilWokingandSendlaybetweenusandthatquiveringtumult。IovertookandpassedthedoctorbetweenWokingandSend。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter10Chapter10-IntheStormLeatherheadisabouttwelvemilesfromMayburyHill。ThescentofhaywasintheairthroughthelushmeadowsbeyondPyrford，andthehedgesoneithersideweresweetandgaywithmultitudesofdog-roses。TheheavyfiringthathadbrokenoutwhileweweredrivingdownMayburyHillceasedasabruptlyasitbegan，leavingtheeveningverypeace-fulandstill。WegottoLeatherheadwithoutmisadventureaboutnineo\'clock，andthehorsehadanhour\'srestwhileItooksupperwithmycousinsandcommendedmywifetotheircare。
Mywifewascuriouslysilentthroughoutthedrive，andseemedoppressedwithforebodingsofevil。Italkedtoherreassuringly，pointingoutthattheMartiansweretiedtothePitbysheerheaviness，andattheutmostcouldbutcrawlalittleoutofit；butsheansweredonlyinmonosyllables。
Haditnotbeenformypromisetotheinnkeeper，shewould，Ithink，haveurgedmetostayinLeatherheadthatnight。WouldthatIhad！Herface，Iremember，wasverywhiteasweparted。
Formyownpart，Ihadbeenfeverishlyexcitedallday。Somethingverylikethewarfeverthatoccasionallyrunsthroughacivilisedcommunityhadgotintomyblood，andinmyheartIwasnotsoverysorrythatIhadtoreturntoMayburythatnight。IwasevenafraidthatthatlastfusilladeIhadheardmightmeantheexterminationofourinvadersfromMars。IcanbestexpressmystateofmindbysayingthatIwantedtobeinatthedeath。
ItwasnearlyelevenwhenIstartedtoreturn。Thenightwasunexpectedlydark；tome，walkingoutofthelightedpassageofmycousins\'house，itseemedindeedblack，anditwasashotandcloseastheday。Overheadthecloudsweredrivingfast，albeitnotabreathstirredtheshrubsaboutus。Mycousins\'manlitbothlamps。Happily，Iknewtheroadintimately。
Mywifestoodinthelightofthedoorway，andwatchedmeuntilIjumpedupintothedogcart。Thenabruptlysheturnedandwentin，leavingmycousinssidebysidewishingmegoodhap。
Iwasalittledepressedatfirstwiththecontagionofmywife\'sfears，butverysoonmythoughtsrevertedtotheMartians。AtthattimeIwasabsolutelyinthedarkastothecourseoftheevening\'sfighting。Ididnotknoweventhecircumstancesthathadprecipitatedtheconflict。AsIcamethroughOckham（forthatwasthewayIreturned，andnotthroughSendandOldWoking）Isawalongthewesternhorizonablood-redglow，whichasIdrewnearer，creptslowlyupthesky。Thedrivingcloudsofthegatheringthunder-stormmingledtherewithmassesofblackandredsmoke。
RipleyStreetwasdeserted，andexceptforalightedwindoworsothevillageshowednotasignoflife；butInarrowlyescapedanaccidentatthecorneroftheroadtoPyrford，whereaknotofpeoplestoodwiththeirbackstome。TheysaidnothingtomeasIpassed。Idonotknowwhattheyknewofthethingshappeningbeyondthehill，nordoIknowifthesilenthousesIpassedonmywayweresleepingsecurely，ordesertedandempty，orharassedandwatchingagainsttheterrorofthenight。
FromRipleyuntilIcamethroughPyrfordIwasinthevalleyoftheWey，andtheredglarewashiddenfromme。AsIascendedthelittlehillbeyondPyrfordChurchtheglarecameintoviewagain，andthetreesaboutmeshiveredwiththefirstintimationofthestormthatwasuponme。ThenIheardmidnightpealingoutfromPyrfordChurchbehindme，andthencamethesilhouetteofMayburyHill，withitstree-topsandroofsblackandsharpagainstthered。
EvenasIbeheldthisaluridgreenglarelittheroadaboutmeandshowedthedistantwoodstowardsAddlestone。Ifeltatugatthereins。
Isawthatthedrivingcloudshadbeenpiercedasitwerebyathreadofgreenfire，suddenlylightingtheirconfusionandfallingintothefieldtomyleft。Itwasthethirdfallingstar！
Closeonitsapparition，andblindinglyvioletbycontrast，dancedoutthefirstlightningofthegatheringstorm，andthethunderburstlikearocketoverhead。Thehorsetookthebitbetweenhisteethandbolted。
AmoderateinclinerunstowardsthefootofMayburyHill，anddownthisweclattered。Oncethelightninghadbegun，itwentoninasrapidasuccessionofflashesasIhaveeverseen。Thethunderclaps，treadingoneontheheelsofanotherandwithastrangecracklingaccompaniment，soundedmoreliketheworkingofagiganticelectricmachinethantheusualdetonatingreverberations。
Theflickeringlightwasblindingandconfusing，andathinhailsmotegustilyatmyfaceasIdrovedowntheslope。
AtfirstIregardedlittlebuttheroadbeforeme，andthenabruptlymyattentionwasarrestedbysomethingthatwasmovingrapidlydowntheoppositeslopeofMayburyHill。AtfirstItookitforthewetroofofahouse，butoneflashfollowinganothershowedittobeinswiftrollingmovement。Itwasanelusivevision——amomentofbewilderingdarkness，andthen，inaflashlikedaylight，theredmassesoftheOrphanagenearthecrestofthehill，thegreentopsofthepinetrees，andthisproblematicalobjectcameoutclearandsharpandbright。
AndthisThingIsaw！HowcanIdescribeit？Amonstroustripod，higherthanmanyhouses，stridingovertheyoungpinetrees，andsmashingthemasideinitscareer；awalkingengineofglitteringmetal，stridingnowacrosstheheather；articulateropesofsteeldanglingfromit，andtheclatteringtumultofitspassageminglingwiththeriotofthethunder。
Aflash，anditcameoutvividly，heelingoveronewaywithtwofeetintheair，tovanishandreappearalmostinstantlyasitseemed，withthenextflash，ahundredyardsnearer。Canyouimagineamilkingstooltiltedandbowledviolentlyalongtheground？Thatwastheimpressionthoseinstantflashesgave。Butinsteadofamilkingstoolimagineitagreatbodyofmachineryonatripodstand。
Thensuddenlythetreesinthepinewoodaheadofmewereparted，asbrittlereedsarepartedbyamanthrustingthroughthem；theyweresnappedoffanddrivenheadlong，andasecondhugetripodappeared，rushing，asitseemed，headlongtowardsme。AndIwasgallopinghardtomeetit！Atthesightofthesecondmonstermynervewentaltogether。Notstoppingtolookagain，Iwrenchedthehorse\'sheadhardroundtotherightandinanothermomentthedogcarthadheeledoveruponthehorse；theshaftssmashednoisily，andIwasflungsidewaysandfellheavilyintoashallowpoolofwater。
Icrawledoutalmostimmediately，andcrouched，myfeetstillinthewater，underaclumpoffurze。Thehorselaymotionless（hisneckwasbroken，poorbrute！）andbythelightningflashesIsawtheblackbulkoftheoverturneddogcartandthesilhouetteofthewheelstillspinningslowly。Inanothermomentthecolossalmechanismwentstridingbyme，andpasseduphilltowardsPyrford。
Seennearer，theThingwasincrediblystrange，foritwasnomereinsensatemachinedrivingonitsway。Machineitwas，witharingingmetallicpace，andlong，flexible，glitteringtentacles（oneofwhichgrippedayoungpinetree）swingingandrattlingaboutitsstrangebody。Itpickeditsroadasitwentstridingalong，andthebrazenhoodthatsurmounteditmovedtoandfrowiththeinevitablesuggestionofaheadlookingabout。
Behindthemainbodywasahugemassofwhitemetallikeagiganticfisherman\'sbasket，andpuffsofgreensmokesquirtedoutfromthejointsofthelimbsasthemonstersweptbyme。Andinaninstantitwasgone。
SomuchIsawthen，allvaguelyfortheflickeringofthelightning，inblindinghighlightsanddenseblackshadows。
Asitpasseditsetupanexultantdeafeninghowlthatdrownedthethunder——\"Aloo！
Aloo！\"——andinanotherminuteitwaswithitscompanion，halfamileaway，stoopingoversomethinginthefield。IhavenodoubtthisThinginthefieldwasthethirdofthetencylinderstheyhadfiredatusfromMars。
ForsomeminutesIlaythereintherainanddarknesswatching，bytheintermittentlight，thesemonstrousbeingsofmetalmovingaboutinthedistanceoverthehedgetops。Athinhailwasnowbeginning，andasitcameandwenttheirfiguresgrewmistyandthenflashedintoclearnessagain。Nowandthencameagapinthelightning，andthenightswallowedthemup。
Iwassoakedwithhailaboveandpuddlewaterbelow。Itwassometimebeforemyblankastonishmentwouldletmestruggleupthebanktoadrierposition，orthinkatallofmyimminentperil。
Notfarfrommewasalittleone-roomedsquatter\'shutofwood，surroundedbyapatchofpotatogarden。Istruggledtomyfeetatlast，and，crouchingandmakinguseofeverychanceofcover，Imadearunforthis。Ihammeredatthedoor，butIcouldnotmakethepeoplehear（iftherewereanypeopleinside），andafteratimeIdesisted，and，availingmyselfofaditchforthegreaterpartoftheway，succeededincrawling，unobservedbythesemonstrousmachines，intothepinewoodstowardsMaybury。
UndercoverofthisIpushedon，wetandshiveringnow，towardsmyownhouse。Iwalkedamongthetreestryingtofindthefootpath。Itwasverydarkindeedinthewood，forthelightningwasnowbecominginfrequent，andthehail，whichwaspouringdowninatorrent，fellincolumnsthroughthegapsintheheavyfoliage。
IfIhadfullyrealisedthemeaningofallthethingsIhadseenIshouldhaveimmediatelyworkedmywayroundthroughByfleettoStreetCobham，andsogonebacktorejoinmywifeatLeatherhead。Butthatnightthestrangenessofthingsaboutme，andmyphysicalwretchedness，preventedme，forIwasbruised，weary，wettotheskin，deafenedandblindedbythestorm。
Ihadavagueideaofgoingontomyownhouse，andthatwasasmuchmotiveasIhad。Istaggeredthroughthetrees，fellintoaditchandbruisedmykneesagainstaplank，andfinallysplashedoutintothelanethatrandownfromtheCollegeArms。Isaysplashed，forthestormwaterwassweepingthesanddownthehillinamuddytorrent。Thereinthedarknessamanblunderedintomeandsentmereelingback。
Hegaveacryofterror，sprangsideways，andrushedonbeforeIcouldgathermywitssufficientlytospeaktohim。SoheavywasthestressofthestormjustatthisplacethatIhadthehardesttasktowinmywayupthehill。Iwentcloseuptothefenceontheleftandworkedmywayalongitspalings。
NearthetopIstumbleduponsomethingsoft，and，byaflashoflightning，sawbetweenmyfeetaheapofblackbroad-clothandapairofboots。BeforeIcoulddistinguishclearlyhowthemanlay，theflickeroflighthadpassed。
Istoodoverhimwaitingforthenextflash。Whenitcame，Isawthathewasasturdyman，cheaplybutnotshabbilydressed；hisheadwasbentunderhisbody，andhelaycrumpledupclosetothefence，asthoughhehadbeenflungviolentlyagainstit。