Overcomingtherepugnancenaturaltoonewhohadneverbeforetouchedadeadbody，Istoopedandturnedhimovertofeelforhisheart。Hewasquitedead。Apparentlyhisneckhadbeenbroken。Thelightningflashedforathirdtime，andhisfaceleapeduponme。Isprangtomyfeet。ItwasthelandlordoftheSpottedDog，whoseconveyanceIhadtaken。
Isteppedoverhimgingerlyandpushedonupthehill。ImademywaybythepolicestationandtheCollegeArmstowardsmyownhouse。Nothingwasburningonthehillside，thoughfromthecommontherestillcamearedglareandarollingtumultofruddysmokebeatingupagainstthedrench-
inghail。SofarasIcouldseebytheflashes，thehousesaboutmeweremostlyuninjured。BytheCollegeArmsadarkheaplayintheroad。
DowntheroadtowardsMayburyBridgetherewerevoicesandthesoundoffeet，butIhadnotthecouragetoshoutortogotothem。Iletmyselfinwithmylatchkey，closed，lockedandboltedthedoor，staggeredtothefootofthestaircase，andsatdown。Myimaginationwasfullofthosestridingmetallicmonsters，andofthedeadbodysmashedagainstthefence。
Icrouchedatthefootofthestaircasewithmybacktothewall，shiveringviolently。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter11Chapter11-AttheWindowIhavealreadysaidthatmystormsofemotionhaveatrickofexhaustingthemselves。AfteratimeIdiscoveredthatIwascoldandwet，andwithlittlepoolsofwateraboutmeonthestaircarpet。Igotupalmostmechanically，wentintothediningroomanddranksomewhiskey，andthenIwasmovedtochangemyclothes。
AfterIhaddonethatIwentupstairstomystudy，butwhyIdidsoIdonotknow。ThewindowofmystudylooksoverthetreesandtherailwaytowardsHorsellCommon。Inthehurryofourdeparturethiswindowhadbeenleftopen。Thepassagewasdark，and，bycontrastwiththepicturethewindowframeenclosed，thesideoftheroomseemedim-penetrablydark。
Istoppedshortinthedoorway。
Thethunderstormhadpassed。ThetowersoftheOrientalCollegeandthepinetreesaboutithadgone，andveryfaraway，litbyavividredglare，thecommonaboutthesandpitswasvisible。Acrossthelighthugeblackshapes，gro-tesqueandstrange，movedbusilytoandfro。
Itseemedindeedasifthewholecountryinthatdirectionwasonfire——abroadhillsidesetwithminutetonguesofflame，swayingandwrithingwiththegustsofthedyingstorm，andthrowingaredreflectionuponthecloudscudabove。Everynowandthenahazeofsmokefromsomenearerconflagra-
tiondroveacrossthewindowandhidtheMartianshapes。Icouldnotseewhattheyweredoing，northeclearformofthem，norrecognisetheblackobjectstheywerebusiedupon。NeithercouldIseethenearerfire，thoughthereflectionsofitdancedonthewallandceilingofthestudy。Asharp，resinoustangofburningwasintheair。
Iclosedthedoornoiselesslyandcrepttowardsthewindow。AsIdidso，theviewopenedoutuntil，ontheonehand，itreachedtothehousesaboutWokingstation，andontheothertothecharredandblackenedpinewoodsofByfleet。Therewasalightdownbelowthehill，ontherailway，nearthearch，andseveralofthehousesalongtheMayburyroadandthestreetsnearthestationwereglowingruins。Thelightupontherailwaypuzzledmeatfirst；therewereablackheapandavividglare，andtotherightofthatarowofyellowoblongs。ThenIperceivedthiswasawreckedtrain，theforepartsmashedandonfire，thehindercarriagesstillupontherails。
Betweenthesethreemaincentresoflight——thehouses，thetrain，andtheburningcountytowardsChobham——stretchedirregularpatchesofdarkcountry，brokenhereandtherebyintervalsofdimlyglowingandsmokingground。Itwasthestrangestspectacle，thatblackexpansesetwithfire。
Itremindedme，morethananythingelse，ofthePotteriesatnight。AtfirstIcoulddistinguishnopeopleatall，thoughIpeeredintentlyforthem。LaterIsawagainstthelightofWokingstationanumberofblackfigureshurryingoneaftertheotheracrosstheline。
AndthiswasthelittleworldinwhichIhadbeenlivingsecurelyforyears，thisfierychaos！WhathadhappenedinthelastsevenhoursIstilldidnotknow；nordidIknow，thoughIwasbeginningtoguess，therelationbetweenthesemechanicalcolossiandthesluggishlumpsIhadseendis-
gorgedfromthecylinder。WithaqueerfeelingofimpersonalinterestI
turnedmydeskchairtothewindow，satdown，andstaredattheblackenedcountry，andparticularlyatthethreegiganticblackthingsthatweregoingtoandfrointheglareaboutthesandpits。
Theyseemedamazinglybusy。Ibegantoaskmyselfwhattheycouldbe。
Weretheyintelligentmechanisms？SuchathingIfeltwasimpossible。OrdidaMartiansitwithineach，ruling，directing，using，muchasaman\'sbrainsitsandrulesinhisbody？Ibegantocomparethethingstohumanma-chines，toaskmyselfforthefirsttimeinmylifehowanironcladorasteamenginewouldseemtoanintelligentloweranimal。
Thestormhadlefttheskyclear，andoverthesmokeoftheburninglandthelittlefadingpinpointofMarswasdroppingintothewest，whenasoldiercameintomygarden。Iheardaslightscrapingatthefence，androusingmyselffromthelethargythathadfallenuponme，Ilookeddownandsawhimdimly，clamberingoverthepalings。Atthesightofanotherhumanbeingmytorporpassed，andIleanedoutofthewindoweagerly。
\"Hist！\"saidI，inawhisper。
Hestoppedastrideofthefenceindoubt。Thenhecameoverandacrossthelawntothecornerofthehouse。Hebentdownandsteppedsoftly。
\"Who\'sthere？\"hesaid，alsowhispering，standingunderthewindowandpeeringup。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"Iasked。
\"Godknows。\"
\"Areyoutryingtohide？\"
\"That\'sit。\"
\"Comeintothehouse，\"Isaid。
Iwentdown，unfastenedthedoor，andlethimin，andlockedthedooragain。Icouldnotseehisface。Hewashatless，andhiscoatwasunbuttoned。
\"MyGod！\"hesaid，asIdrewhimin。
\"Whathashappened？\"Iasked。
\"Whathasn\'t？\"IntheobscurityIcouldseehemadeagestureofdespair。
\"Theywipedusout——simplywipedusout，\"herepeatedagainandagain。
Hefollowedme，almostmechanically，intothediningroom。
\"Takesomewhiskey，\"Isaid，pouringoutastiffdose。
Hedrankit。Thenabruptlyhesatdownbeforethetable，puthisheadonhisarms，andbegantosobandweeplikealittleboy，inaperfectpassionofemotion，whileI，withacuriousforgetfulnessofmyownrecentdespair，stoodbesidehim，wondering。
Itwasalongtimebeforehecouldsteadyhisnervestoanswermyquestions，andthenheansweredperplexinglyandbrokenly。Hewasadriverintheartillery，andhadonlycomeintoactionaboutseven。Atthattimefiringwasgoingonacrossthecommon，anditwassaidthefirstpartyofMartianswerecrawlingslowlytowardstheirsecondcylinderundercoverofametalshield。
Laterthisshieldstaggeredupontripodlegsandbecamethefirstofthefighting-machinesIhadseen。ThegunhedrovehadbeenunlimberednearHorsell，inordertocom-mandthesandpits，anditsarrivalitwasthathadprecipi-tatedtheaction。Asthelimbergunnerswenttotherear，hishorsetrodinarabbitholeandcamedown，throwinghimintoadepressionoftheground。Atthesamemomentthegunexplodedbehindhim，theammunitionblewup，therewasfireallabouthim，andhefoundhimselflyingunderaheapofcharreddeadmenanddeadhorses。
\"Ilaystill，\"hesaid，\"scaredoutofmywits，withtheforequarterofahorseatopofme。We\'dbeenwipedout。Andthesmell——goodGod！Likeburntmeat！Iwashurtacrossthebackbythefallofthehorse，andthereIhadtolieuntilIfeltbetter。Justlikeparadeithadbeenaminutebefore——thenstumble，bang，swish！\"
\"Wipedout！\"hesaid。
Hehadhidunderthedeadhorseforalongtime，peepingoutfurtivelyacrossthecommon。TheCardiganmenhadtriedarush，inskirmishingorder，atthepit，simplytobesweptoutofexistence。Thenthemonsterhadrisentoitsfeetandhadbeguntowalkleisurelytoandfroacrossthecommonamongthefewfugitives，withitsheadlikehoodturningaboutexactlyliketheheadofacowledhumanbeing。Akindofarmcarriedacomplicatedmetalliccase，aboutwhichgreenflashesscintillated，andoutofthefunnelofthistheresmokedtheHeat-Ray。
Inafewminutestherewas，sofarasthesoldiercouldsee，notalivingthingleftuponthecommon，andeverybushandtreeuponitthatwasnotalreadyablackenedskeletonwasburning。Thehussarshadbeenontheroadbeyondthecurvatureoftheground，andhesawnothingofthem。HeheardtheMartiansrattleforatimeandthenbecomestill。ThegiantsavedWokingstationanditsclusterofhousesuntilthelast；theninamomenttheHeat-Raywasbroughttobear，andthetownbecameaheapoffieryruins。
ThentheThingshutofftheHeat-Ray，andturningitsbackupontheartillery-
man，begantowaddleawaytowardsthesmoulderingpinewoodsthatshelteredthesecondcylinder。AsitdidsoasecondglitteringTitanbuiltitselfupoutofthepit。
Thesecondmonsterfollowedthefirst，andatthattheartillerymanbegantocrawlverycautiouslyacrossthehotheatherashtowardsHorsell。
Hemanagedtogetaliveintotheditchbythesideoftheroad，andsoescapedtoWoking。Therehisstorybecameejaculatory。Theplacewasimpassable。
Itseemstherewereafewpeoplealivethere，franticforthemostpartandmanyburnedandscalded。Hewasturnedasidebythefire，andhidamongsomealmostscorchingheapsofbrokenwallasoneoftheMartiangiantsreturned。Hesawthisonepursueaman，catchhimupinoneofitssteelytentacles，andknockhisheadagainstthetrunkofapinetree。Atlast，afternightfall，theartillerymanmadearushforitandgotovertherailwayembankment。
SincethenhehadbeenskulkingalongtowardsMaybury，inthehopeofgettingoutofdangerLondonward。Peoplewerehidingintrenchesandcellars，andmanyofthesurvivorshadmadeofftowardsWokingvillageandSend。
Hehadbeenconsumedwiththirstuntilhefoundoneofthewatermainsneartherailwayarchsmashed，andthewaterbubblingoutlikeaspringupontheroad。
ThatwasthestoryIgotfromhim，bitbybit。Hegrewcalmertellingmeandtryingtomakemeseethethingshehadseen。Hehadeatennofoodsincemidday，hetoldmeearlyinhisnarrative，andIfoundsomemuttonandbreadinthepantryandbroughtitintotheroom。WelitnolampforfearofattractingtheMartians，andeverandagainourhandswouldtouchuponbreadormeat。Ashetalked，thingsaboutuscamedarklyoutofthedarkness，andthetrampledbushesandbrokenrosetreesoutsidethewindowgrewdis-tinct。Itwouldseemthatanumberofmenoranimalshadrushedacrossthelawn。Ibegantoseehisface，blackenedandhaggard，asnodoubtminewasalso。
Whenwehadfinishedeatingwewentsoftlyupstairstomystudy，andIlookedagainoutoftheopenwindow。Inonenightthevalleyhadbecomeavalleyofashes。Thefireshaddwindlednow。Whereflameshadbeentherewerenowstreamersofsmoke；butthecountlessruinsofshatteredandguttedhousesandblastedandblackenedtreesthatthenighthadhiddenstoodoutnowgauntandterribleinthepitilesslightofdawn。Yethereandtheresomeobjecthadhadthelucktoescape——awhiterailwaysignalhere，theendofagreenhousethere，whiteandfreshamidthewreckage。Neverbeforeinthehistoryofwarfarehaddestructionbeensoindiscriminateandsouniversal。Andshiningwiththegrowinglightoftheeast，threeofthemetallicgiantsstoodaboutthepit，theircowlsrotatingasthoughtheyweresurveyingthedesolationtheyhadmade。
Itseemedtomethatthepithadbeenenlarged，andeverandagainpuffsofvividgreenvapourstreamedupandoutofittowardsthebrighteningdawn——streamedup，whirled，broke，andvanished。
BeyondwerethepillarsoffireaboutChobham。Theybecamepillarsofbloodshotsmokeatthefirsttouchofday。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter12Chapter12-WhatISawoftheDestructionofWeybridgeandSheppertonAsthedawngrewbrighterwewithdrewfromthewin-dowfromwhichwehadwatchedtheMartians，andwentveryquietlydownstairs。
Theartillerymanagreedwithmethatthehousewasnoplacetostayin。Heproposed，hesaid，tomakehiswayLondonward，andthencerejoinhisbattery——No。12，oftheHorseArtillery。MyplanwastoreturnatoncetoLeather-head；andsogreatlyhadthestrengthoftheMartiansim-pressedmethatIhaddeterminedtotakemywifetoNew-haven，andgowithheroutofthecountryforthwith。ForIalreadyperceivedclearlythatthecountryaboutLondonmustinevitablybethesceneofadisastrousstrugglebeforesuchcreaturesasthesecouldbedestroyed。
BetweenusandLeatherhead，however，laythethirdcylin-der，withitsguardinggiants。HadIbeenalone，IthinkIshouldhavetakenmychanceandstruckacrosscountry。Buttheartillerymandissuadedme：\"It\'snokindnesstotherightsortofwife，\"hesaid，\"tomakeherawidow\"；andintheendIagreedtogowithhim，undercoverofthewoods，northwardasfarasStreetCobhambeforeIpartedwithhim。ThenceIwouldmakeabigdetourbyEpsomtoreachLeatherhead。
Ishouldhavestartedatonce，butmycompanionhadbeeninactiveserviceandheknewbetterthanthat。Hemademeransackthehouseforaflask，whichhefilledwithwhiskey；andwelinedeveryavailablepocketwithpacketsofbiscuitsandslicesofmeat。Thenwecreptoutofthehouse，andranasquicklyaswecoulddowntheill-maderoadbywhichIhadcomeovernight。Thehousesseemeddeserted。Intheroadlayagroupofthreecharredbodiesclosetogether，struckdeadbytheHeat-Ray；andhereandtherewerethingsthatpeoplehaddropped——aclock，aslipper，asilverspoon，andthelikepoorvaluables。Atthecornerturninguptowardsthepostofficealittlecart，filledwithboxesandfurniture，andhorseless，heeledoveronabrokenwheel。Acashboxhadbeenhastilysmashedopenandthrownunderthedebris。
ExceptthelodgeattheOrphanage，whichwasstillonfire，noneofthehouseshadsufferedverygreatlyhere。TheHeat-Rayhadshavedthechimneytopsandpassed。Yet，saveour-selves，theredidnotseemtobealivingsoulonMayburyHill。Themajorityoftheinhabitantshadescaped，Isuppose，bywayoftheOldWokingroad——theroadIhadtakenwhenIdrovetoLeatherhead——ortheyhadhidden。
Wewentdownthelane，bythebodyofthemaninblack，soddennowfromtheovernighthail，andbrokeintothewoodsatthefootofthehill。Wepushedthroughthesetowardstherailwaywithoutmeetingasoul。Thewoodsacrossthelinewerebutthescarredandblackenedruinsofwoods；forthemostpartthetreeshadfallen，butacertainproportionstillstood，dismalgreystems，withdarkbrownfoliageinsteadofgreen。
Onoursidethefirehaddonenomorethanscorchthenearertrees；
ithadfailedtosecureitsfooting。InoneplacethewoodmenhadbeenatworkonSaturday；trees，felledandfreshlytrimmed，layinaclearing，withheapsofsawdustbythesawing-machineanditsengine。Hardbywasatem-poraryhut，deserted。Therewasnotabreathofwindthismorning，andeverythingwasstrangelystill。Eventhebirdswerehushed，andaswehurriedalongIandtheartillerymantalkedinwhispersandlookednowandagainoverourshoulders。Onceortwicewestoppedtolisten。
Afteratimewedrewneartheroad，andaswedidsoweheardtheclatterofhoofsandsawthroughthetreestemsthreecavalrysoldiersridingslowlytowardsWoking。Wehailedthem，andtheyhaltedwhilewehurriedtowardsthem。Itwasalieutenantandacoupleofprivatesofthe8thHus-sars，withastandlikeatheodolite，whichtheartillerymantoldmewasaheliograph。
\"YouarethefirstmenI\'veseencomingthiswaythismorn-ing，\"saidthelieutenant。\"What\'sbrewing？\"
Hisvoiceandfacewereeager。Themenbehindhimstaredcuriously。
Theartillerymanjumpeddownthebankintotheroadandsaluted。
\"Gundestroyedlastnight，sir。Havebeenhiding。Tryingtorejoinbattery，sir。You\'llcomeinsightoftheMartians，Iexpect，abouthalfamilealongthisroad。\"
\"Whatthedickensaretheylike？\"askedthelieutenant。
\"Giantsinarmour，sir。Hundredfeethigh。Threelegsandabodylike\'luminium，withamightygreatheadinahood，sir。\"
\"Getout！\"saidthelieutenant。\"Whatconfoundednon-sense！\"
\"You\'llsee，sir。Theycarryakindofbox，sir，thatshootsfireandstrikesyoudead。\"
\"Whatd\'yemean——agun？\"
\"No，sir，\"andtheartillerymanbeganavividaccountoftheHeat-Ray。
Halfwaythrough，thelieutenantinterruptedhimandlookedupatme。I
wasstillstandingonthebankbythesideoftheroad。
\"It\'sperfectlytrue，\"Isaid。
\"Well，\"saidthelieutenant，\"Isupposeit\'smybusinesstoseeittoo。
Lookhere\"——totheartilleryman——\"we\'redetailedhereclearingpeopleoutoftheirhouses。You\'dbettergoalongandreportyourselftoBrigadier-GeneralMarvin，andtellhimallyouknow。He\'satWeybridge。Knowtheway？\"
\"Ido，\"Isaid；andheturnedhishorsesouthwardagain。
\"Halfamile，yousay？\"saidhe。
\"Atmost，\"Ianswered，andpointedoverthetreetopssouth-ward。Hethankedmeandrodeon，andwesawthemnomore。
Fartheralongwecameuponagroupofthreewomenandtwochildrenintheroad，busyclearingoutalabourer\'scot-tage。Theyhadgotholdofalittlehandtruck，andwerepilingitupwithunclean-lookingbundlesandshabbyfurniture。Theywerealltooassiduouslyengagedtotalktousaswepassed。
ByByfleetstationweemergedfromthepinetrees，andfoundthecountrycalmandpeacefulunderthemorningsun-light。WewerefarbeyondtherangeoftheHeat-Raythere，andhaditnotbeenforthesilentdesertionofsomeofthehouses，thestirringmovementofpackinginothers，andtheknotofsoldiersstandingonthebridgeovertherailwayandstaringdownthelinetowardsWoking，thedaywouldhaveseemedverylikeanyotherSunday。
SeveralfarmwaggonsandcartsweremovingcreakilyalongtheroadtoAddlestone，andsuddenlythroughthegateofafieldwesaw，acrossastretchofflatmeadow，sixtwelve-poundersstandingneatlyatequaldistancespointingtowardsWoking。Thegunnersstoodbythegunswaiting，andtheammunitionwaggonswereatabusiness-likedistance。Themenstoodalmostasifunderinspection。
\"That\'sgood！\"saidI。\"Theywillgetonefairshot，atanyrate。\"
Theartillerymanhesitatedatthegate。
\"Ishallgoon，\"hesaid。
FartherontowardsWeybridge，justoverthebridge，therewereanumberofmeninwhitefatiguejacketsthrowingupalongrampart，andmoregunsbehind。
\"It\'sbowsandarrowsagainstthelightning，anyhow，\"saidtheartilleryman。
\"They\'aven\'tseenthatfire-beamyet。\"
Theofficerswhowerenotactivelyengagedstoodandstaredoverthetreetopssouthwestward，andthemendiggingwouldstopeverynowandagaintostareinthesamedirec-tion。
Byfleetwasinatumult；peoplepacking，andascoreofhussars，someofthemdismounted，someonhorseback，werehuntingthemabout。Threeorfourblackgovernmentwag-gons，withcrossesinwhitecircles，andanoldomnibus，amongothervehicles，werebeingloadedinthevillagestreet。
Therewerescoresofpeople，mostofthemsufficientlysabbaticaltohaveassumedtheirbestclothes。Thesoldierswerehavingthegreatestdifficultyinmakingthemrealisethegravityoftheirposition。Wesawoneshrivelledoldfellowwithahugeboxandascoreormoreofflowerpotscontainingorchids，angrilyexpostulatingwiththecorporalwhowouldleavethembehind。
Istoppedandgrippedhisarm。
\"Doyouknowwhat\'soverthere？\"Isaid，pointingatthepinetopsthathidtheMartians。
\"Eh？\"saidhe，turning。\"Iwasexplainin\"theseisvallyble。\"
\"Death！\"Ishouted。\"Deathiscoming！Death！\"andleavinghimtodigestthatifhecould，Ihurriedonaftertheartillery-man。AtthecornerIlookedback。Thesoldierhadlefthim，andhewasstillstandingbyhisbox，withthepotsoforchidsonthelidofit，andstaringvaguelyoverthetrees。
NooneinWeybridgecouldtelluswheretheheadquarterswereestablished；
thewholeplacewasinsuchconfusionasIhadneverseeninanytownbefore。
Carts，carriagesevery-where，themostastonishingmiscellanyofconveyancesandhorseflesh。Therespectableinhabitantsoftheplace，meningolfandboatingcostumes，wivesprettilydressed，werepack-ing，river-sideloafersenergeticallyhelping，childrenexcited，and，forthemostpart，highlydelightedatthisastonishingvariationoftheirSundayexperiences。Inthemidstofitalltheworthyvicarwasverypluckilyholdinganearlycelebra-tion，andhisbellwasjanglingoutabovetheexcitement。
Iandtheartilleryman，seatedonthestepofthedrinkingfountain，madeaverypassablemealuponwhatwehadbroughtwithus。Patrolsofsoldiers——herenolongerhussars，butgrenadiersinwhite——werewarningpeopletomovenowortotakerefugeintheircellarsassoonasthefiringbegan。Wesawaswecrossedtherailwaybridgethatagrowingcrowdofpeoplehadassembledinandabouttherailwaystation，andtheswarmingplatformwaspiledwithboxesandpackages。Theordinarytraffichadbeenstopped，Ibelieve，inordertoallowofthepassageoftroopsandgunstoChertsey，andIhaveheardsincethatasavagestruggleoccurredforplacesinthespecialtrainsthatwereputonatalaterhour。
WeremainedatWeybridgeuntilmidday，andatthathourwefoundourselvesattheplacenearSheppertonLockwheretheWeyandThamesjoin。Partofthetimewespenthelpingtwooldwomentopackalittlecart。TheWeyhasatreblemouth，andatthispointboatsaretobehired，andtherewasaferryacrosstheriver。OntheSheppertonsidewasaninnwithalawn，andbeyondthatthetowerofSheppertonChurch——ithasbeenreplacedbyaspire——roseabovethetrees。
Herewefoundanexcitedandnoisycrowdoffugitives。Asyettheflighthadnotgrowntoapanic，buttherewerealreadyfarmorepeoplethanalltheboatsgoingtoandfrocouldenabletocross。Peoplecamepantingalongunderheavybur-dens；onehusbandandwifewereevencarryingasmallout-housedoorbetweenthem，withsomeoftheirhouseholdgoodspiledthereon。OnemantoldushemeanttotrytogetawayfromSheppertonstation。
Therewasalotofshouting，andonemanwasevenjesting。TheideapeopleseemedtohaveherewasthattheMartiansweresimplyformidablehumanbeings，whomightattackandsackthetown，tobecertainlydestroyedintheend。EverynowandthenpeoplewouldglancenervouslyacrosstheWey，atthemeadowstowardsChertsey，buteverythingovertherewasstill。
AcrosstheThames，exceptjustwheretheboatslanded，everythingwasquiet，invividcontrastwiththeSurreyside。Thepeoplewholandedtherefromtheboatswenttrampingoffdownthelane。Thebigferryboathadjustmadeajourney。Threeorfoursoldiersstoodonthelawnoftheinn，staringandjestingatthefugitives，withoutofferingtohelp。Theinnwasclosed，asitwasnowwithinprohibitedhours。
\"What\'sthat？\"criedaboatman，and\"Shutup，youfool！\"saidamannearmetoayelpingdog。Thenthesoundcameagain，thistimefromthedirectionofChertsey，amuffledthud——thesoundofagun。
Thefightingwasbeginning。Almostimmediatelyunseenbatteriesacrosstherivertoourright，unseenbecauseofthetrees，tookupthechorus，firingheavilyoneaftertheother。Awomanscreamed。Everyonestoodarrestedbythesuddenstirofbattle，nearusandyetinvisibletous。Nothingwastobeseensaveflatmeadows，cowsfeedingunconcernedlyforthemostpart，andsilverypollardwillowsmotionlessinthewarmsunlight。
\"Thesojers\'llstop\'em，\"saidawomanbesideme，doubt-fully。Ahazinessroseoverthetreetops。
Thensuddenlywesawarushofsmokefarawayuptheriver，apuffofsmokethatjerkedupintotheairandhung；andforthwiththegroundheavedunderfootandaheavyexplosionshooktheair，smashingtwoorthreewindowsinthehousesnear，andleavingusastonished。
\"Heretheyare！\"shoutedamaninabluejersey。\"Yonder！D\'yerseethem？Yonder！\"
Quickly，oneaftertheother，one，two，three，fourofthearmouredMartiansappeared，farawayoverthelittletrees，acrosstheflatmeadowsthatstretchedtowardsChertsey，andstridinghurriedlytowardstheriver。
Littlecowledfigurestheyseemedatfirst，goingwitharollingmotionandasfastasflyingbirds。
Then，advancingobliquelytowardsus，cameafifth。Theirarmouredbodiesglitteredinthesunastheysweptswiftlyforwardupontheguns，growingrapidlylargerastheydrewnearer。Oneontheextremeleft，theremotestthatis，flour-ishedahugecasehighintheair，andtheghostly，terribleHeat-RayIhadalreadyseenonFridaynightsmotetowardsChertsey，andstruckthetown。
Atsightofthesestrange，swift，andterriblecreaturesthecrowdnearthewater\'sedgeseemedtometobeforamomenthorror-struck。Therewasnoscreamingorshouting，butasilence。Thenahoarsemurmurandamovementoffeet——asplashingfromthewater。Aman，toofrightenedtodroptheportmanteauhecarriedonhisshoulder，swungroundandsentmestaggeringwithablowfromthecornerofhisburden。Awomanthrustatmewithherhandandrushedpastme。Iturnedwiththerushofthepeople，butIwasnottooterrifiedforthought。TheterribleHeat-Raywasinmymind。Togetunderwater！Thatwasit！
\"Getunderwater！\"Ishouted，unheeded。
Ifacedaboutagain，andrushedtowardstheapproachingMartian，rushedrightdownthegravellybeachandheadlongintothewater。Othersdidthesame。AboatloadofpeopleputtingbackcameleapingoutasIrushedpast。
Thestonesundermyfeetweremuddyandslippery，andtheriverwassolowthatIranperhapstwentyfeetscarcelywaist-deep。Then，astheMartiantoweredoverheadscarcelyacoupleofhundredyardsaway，Iflungmyselfforwardunderthesur-face。Thesplashesofthepeopleintheboatsleapingintotheriversoundedlikethunderclapsinmyears。Peoplewerelandinghastilyonbothsidesoftheriver。ButtheMartianmachinetooknomorenoticeforthemomentofthepeoplerunningthiswayandthatthanamanwouldoftheconfusionofantsinanestagainstwhichhisfoothaskicked。
When，halfsuffocated，Iraisedmyheadabovewater，theMartian\'shoodpointedatthebatteriesthatwerestillfiringacrosstheriver，andasitadvanceditswungloosewhatmusthavebeenthegeneratoroftheHeat-Ray。
Inanothermomentitwasonthebank，andinastridewad-inghalfwayacross。Thekneesofitsforemostlegsbentatthefartherbank，andinanothermomentithadraiseditselftoitsfullheightagain，closetothevillageofShepperton。Forthwiththesixgunswhich，unknowntoanyoneontherightbank，hadbeenhiddenbehindtheoutskirtsofthatvillage，firedsimultaneously。Thesuddennearconcussion，thelastcloseuponthefirst，mademyheartjump。ThemonsterwasalreadyraisingthecasegeneratingtheHeat-Rayasthefirstshellburstsixyardsabovethehood。
Igaveacryofastonishment。IsawandthoughtnothingoftheotherfourMartianmonsters；myattentionwasriveteduponthenearerincident。
Simultaneouslytwoothershellsburstintheairnearthebodyasthehoodtwistedroundintimetoreceive，butnotintimetododge，thefourthshell。
TheshellburstcleaninthefaceoftheThing。Thehoodbulged，flashed，waswhirledoffinadozentatteredfrag-mentsofredfleshandglitteringmetal。
\"Hit！\"shoutedI，withsomethingbetweenascreamandacheer。
Iheardansweringshoutsfromthepeopleinthewateraboutme。Icouldhaveleapedoutofthewaterwiththatmomentaryexultation。
Thedecapitatedcolossusreeledlikeadrunkengiant；butitdidnotfallover。Itrecovereditsbalancebyamiracle，and，nolongerheedingitsstepsandwiththecamerathatfiredtheHeat-Raynowrigidlyupheld，itreeledswiftlyuponShep-perton。Thelivingintelligence，theMartianwithinthehood，wasslainandsplashedtothefourwindsofheaven，andtheThingwasnowbutamereintricatedeviceofmetalwhirlingtodestruction。
Itdrovealonginastraightline，incapableofguidance。ItstruckthetowerofSheppertonChurch，smash-ingitdownastheimpactofabatteringrammighthavedone，swervedaside，blunderedonandcollapsedwithtre-
mendousforceintotheriveroutofmysight。
Aviolentexplosionshooktheair，andaspoutofwater，steam，mud，andshatteredmetalshotfarupintothesky。AsthecameraoftheHeat-Rayhitthewater，thelatterhadimmediatelyflashedintosteam。Inanothermomentahugewave，likeamuddytidalborebutalmostscaldinglyhot，camesweepingroundthebendupstream。Isawpeoplestrugglingshorewards，andheardtheirscreamingandshoutingfaintlyabovetheseethingandroaroftheMartian\'scollapse。
ForamomentIheedednothingoftheheat，forgotthepatentneedofself-preservation。Isplashedthroughthetu-multuouswater，pushingasideamaninblacktodoso，untilIcouldseeroundthebend。Halfadozendesertedboatspitchedaimlesslyupontheconfusionofthewaves。ThefallenMartiancameintosightdownstream，lyingacrosstheriver，andforthemostpartsubmerged。
Thickcloudsofsteamwerepouringoffthewreckage，andthroughthetumultuouslywhirlingwispsIcouldsee，inter-mittentlyandvaguely，thegiganticlimbschurningthewaterandflingingasplashandsprayofmudandfrothintotheair。Thetentaclesswayedandstrucklikelivingarms，and，saveforthehelplesspurposelessnessofthesemovements，itwasasifsomewoundedthingwerestrugglingforitslifeamidthewaves。
Enormousquantitiesofaruddy-brownfluidwerespurtingupinnoisyjetsoutofthemachine。
Myattentionwasdivertedfromthisdeathflurrybyafuriousyelling，likethatofthethingcalledasireninourmanufacturingtowns。Aman，knee-deepnearthetowingpath，shoutedinaudiblytomeandpointed。Lookingback，IsawtheotherMartiansadvancingwithgiganticstridesdowntheriverbankfromthedirectionofChertsey。TheSheppertongunsspokethistimeunavailingly。
AtthatIduckedatonceunderwater，and，holdingmybreathuntilmovementwasanagony，blunderedpainfullyaheadunderthesurfaceaslongasI
could。Thewaterwasinatumultaboutme，andrapidlygrowinghotter。
WhenforamomentIraisedmyheadtotakebreathandthrowthehairandwaterfrommyeyes，thesteamwasrisinginawhirlingwhitefogthatatfirsthidtheMartiansalto-gether。Thenoisewasdeafening。ThenI
sawthemdimly，colossalfiguresofgrey，magnifiedbythemist。Theyhadpassedbyme，andtwowerestoopingoverthefrothing，tu-multuousruinsoftheircomrade。
Thethirdandfourthstoodbesidehiminthewater，oneperhapstwohundredyardsfromme，theothertowardsLale-ham。ThegeneratorsoftheHeat-Rayswavedhigh，andthehissingbeamssmotedownthiswayandthat。
Theairwasfullofsound，adeafeningandconfusingcon-flictofnoises——theclangorousdinoftheMartians，thecrashoffallinghouses，thethudoftrees，fences，shedsflashingintoflame，andthecracklingandroaringoffire。Denseblacksmokewasleapinguptominglewiththesteamfromtheriver，andastheHeat-RaywenttoandfrooverWeybridgeitsimpactwasmarkedbyflashesofincandescentwhite，thatgaveplaceatoncetoasmokydanceofluridflames。Thenearerhousesstillstoodintact，awaitingtheirfate，shadowy，faintandpallidinthesteam，withthefirebehindthemgoingtoandfro。
ForamomentperhapsIstoodthere，breast-highinthealmostboilingwater，dumbfoundedatmyposition，hopelessofescape。ThroughthereekIcouldseethepeoplewhohadbeenwithmeintheriverscramblingoutofthewaterthroughthereeds，likelittlefrogshurryingthroughgrassfromtheadvanceofaman，orrunningtoandfroinutterdismayonthetowingpath。
ThensuddenlythewhiteflashesoftheHeat-Raycameleapingtowardsme。Thehousescavedinastheydissolvedatitstouch，anddartedoutflames；thetreeschangedtofirewitharoar。TheRayflickeredupanddownthetowingpath，lickingoffthepeoplewhoranthiswayandthat，andcamedowntothewater\'sedgenotfiftyyardsfromwhereIstood。ItsweptacrosstherivertoShepperton，andthewaterinitstrackroseinaboilingwealcrestedwithsteam。Iturnedshoreward。
Inanothermomentthehugewave，well-nighattheboiling-pointhadrusheduponme。Iscreamedaloud，andscalded，halfblinded，agonised，Istaggeredthroughtheleaping，hiss-ingwatertowardstheshore。Hadmyfootstumbled，itwouldhavebeentheend。Ifellhelplessly，infullsightoftheMar-tians，uponthebroad，baregravellyspitthatrunsdowntomarktheangleoftheWeyandThames。Iexpectednothingbutdeath。
IhaveadimmemoryofthefootofaMartiancomingdownwithinascoreofyardsofmyhead，drivingstraightintotheloosegravel，whirlingitthiswayandthatandliftingagain；ofalongsuspense，andthenofthefourcarry-ingthedebrisoftheircomradebetweenthem，nowclearandthenpresentlyfaintthroughaveilofsmoke，recedinginterminably，asitseemedtome，acrossavastspaceofriverandmeadow。Andthen，veryslowly，IrealisedthatbyamiracleIhadescaped。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter13Chapter13-HowIFellinwiththeCurateAftergettingthissuddenlessoninthepowerofterres-trialweapons，theMartiansretreatedtotheiroriginalpositionuponHorsellCommon；
andintheirhaste，andencumberedwiththede\'brisoftheirsmashedcompanion，theynodoubtoverlookedmanysuchastrayandnegligiblevictimasmyself。
Hadtheylefttheircomradeandpushedonforthwith，therewasnothingatthattimebetweenthemandLondonbutbatteriesoftwelve-pounderguns，andtheywouldcertainlyhavereachedthecapitalinadvanceofthetidingsoftheirapproach；assudden，dreadful，anddestructivetheiradventwouldhavebeenastheearthquakethatdestroyedLisbonacenturyago。
Buttheywereinnohurry。Cylinderfollowedcylinderonitsinterplanetaryflight；everytwenty-fourhoursbroughtthemreinforcement。Andmeanwhilethemilitaryandnavalauthorities，nowfullyalivetothetremendouspoweroftheirantagonists，workedwithfuriousenergy。Everyminuteafreshguncameintopositionuntil，beforetwilight，everycopse，everyrowofsuburbanvillasonthehillyslopesaboutKingstonandRichmond，maskedanexpectantblackmuzzle。Andthroughthecharredanddesolatedarea——perhapstwentysquaremilesaltogether——thatencircledtheMartianencamp-mentonHorsellCommon，throughcharredandruinedvillagesamongthegreentrees，throughtheblackenedandsmokingarcadesthathadbeenbutadayagopinespinneys，crawledthedevotedscoutswiththeheliographsthatwerepresentlytowarnthegunnersoftheMartianapproach。ButtheMar-
tiansnowunderstoodourcommandofartilleryandthedangerofhumanproximity，andnotamanventuredwithinamileofeithercylinder，saveatthepriceofhislife。
Itwouldseemthatthesegiantsspenttheearlierpartoftheafternooningoingtoandfro，transferringeverythingfromthesecondandthirdcylinders——thesecondinAddle-stoneGolfLinksandthethirdatPyrford——totheiroriginalpitonHorsellCommon。Overthat，abovetheblackenedheatherandruinedbuildingsthatstretchedfarandwide，stoodoneassentinel，whiletherestabandonedtheirvastfighting-machinesanddescendedintothepit。Theywerehardatworktherefarintothenight，andthetoweringpillarofdensegreensmokethatrosetherefromcouldbeseenfromthehillsaboutMerrow，andeven，itissaid，fromBansteadandEpsomDowns。
AndwhiletheMartiansbehindmewerethuspreparingfortheirnextsally，andinfrontofmeHumanitygatheredforthebattle，ImademywaywithinfinitepainsandlabourfromthefireandsmokeofburningWeybridgetowardsLondon。
Isawanabandonedboat，verysmallandremote，driftingdown-stream；
andthrowingoffthemostofmysoddenclothes，Iwentafterit，gainedit，andsoescapedoutofthatdestruction。Therewerenooarsintheboat，butIcontrivedtopaddle，aswellasmyparboiledhandswouldallow，downtherivertowardsHallifordandWalton，goingverytediouslyandcontinuallylookingbehindme，asyoumaywellunder-stand。Ifollowedtheriver，becauseIconsideredthatthewatergavememybestchanceofescapeshouldthesegiantsreturn。
ThehotwaterfromtheMartian\'soverthrowdrifteddown-streamwithme，sothatforthebestpartofamileIcouldseelittleofeitherbank。
Once，however，ImadeoutastringofblackfigureshurryingacrossthemeadowsfromthedirectionofWeybridge。Halliford，itseemed，wasdeserted，andsev-eralofthehousesfacingtheriverwereonfire。Itwasstrangetoseetheplacequitetranquil，quitedesolateunderthehotbluesky，withthesmokeandlittlethreadsofflamegoingstraightupintotheheatoftheafternoon。NeverbeforehadIseenhousesburningwithouttheaccompanimentofanobstructivecrowd。Alittlefartheronthedryreedsupthebankweresmokingandglowing，andalineoffireinlandwasmarchingsteadilyacrossalatefieldofhay。
ForalongtimeIdrifted，sopainfulandwearywasIaftertheviolenceIhadbeenthrough，andsointensetheheatuponthewater。Thenmyfearsgotthebetterofmeagain，andIresumedmypaddling。Thesunscorchedmybareback。Atlast，asthebridgeatWaltonwascomingintosightroundthebend，myfeverandfaintnessovercamemyfears，andIlandedontheMiddlesexbankandlaydown，deadlysick，amidthelonggrass。Isupposethetimewasthenaboutfourorfiveo\'clock。Igotuppresently，walkedperhapshalfamilewith-outmeetingasoul，andthenlaydownagainintheshadowofahedge。Iseemtoremembertalking，wanderingly，tomyselfduringthatlastspurt。Iwasalsoverythirsty，andbitterlyregretfulIhaddrunknomorewater。ItisacuriousthingthatIfeltangrywithmywife；Icannotaccountforit，butmyimpotentdesiretoreachLeatherheadworriedmeexcessively。
Idonotclearlyrememberthearrivalofthecurate，sothatprobablyIdozed。Ibecameawareofhimasaseatedfigureinsoot-smudgedshirtsleeves，andwithhisupturned，clean-shavenfacestaringatafaintflickeringthatdancedoverthesky。Theskywaswhatiscalledamackerelsky——rowsandrowsoffaintdown-plumesofcloud，justtintedwiththemidsummersunset。
Isatup，andattherustleofmymotionhelookedatmequickly。
\"Haveyouanywater？\"Iaskedabruptly。
Heshookhishead。
\"Youhavebeenaskingforwaterforthelasthour，\"hesaid。
Foramomentweweresilent，takingstockofeachother。Idaresayhefoundmeastrangeenoughfigure，naked，saveformywater-soakedtrousersandsocks，scalded，andmyfaceandshouldersblackenedbythesmoke。Hisfacewasafairweakness，hischinretreated，andhishairlayincrisp，almostflaxencurlsonhislowforehead；hiseyeswereratherlarge，paleblue，andblanklystaring。Hespokeabruptly，lookingvacantlyawayfromme。