Eventhecrewsofthetorpedo-boatsanddestroyersthathadbroughttheirquick-firersuptheThamesrefusedtostop,mutinied,andwentdownagain。
Theonlyoffensiveoperationmenventureduponafterthatnightwasthepreparationofminesandpitfalls,andeveninthattheirenergieswerefranticandspasmodic。
Onehastoimagine,aswellasonemay,thefateofthosebatteriestowardsEsher,waitingsotenselyinthetwilight。Survivorstherewerenone。Onemaypicturetheorderlyexpectation,theofficersalertandwatchful,thegunnersready,theammunitionpiledtohand,thelimbergunnerswiththeirhorsesandwaggons,thegroupsofcivilianspectatorsstandingasnearastheywerepermitted,theeveningstillness,theambulancesandhospitaltentswiththeburnedandwoundedfromWeybridge;thenthedullresonanceoftheshotstheMartiansfired,andtheclumsyprojectilewhirlingoverthetreesandhousesandsmashingamidtheneighbouringfields。
Onemaypicture,too,thesuddenshiftingoftheattention,theswiftlyspreadingcoilsandbellyingsofthatblacknessadvancingheadlong,toweringheavenward,turningthetwi-lighttoapalpabledarkness,astrangeandhorribleantagonistofvapourstridinguponitsvictims,menandhorsesnearitseendimly,running,shrieking,fallingheadlong,shoutsofdismay,thegunssuddenlyabandoned,menchokingandwrithingontheground,andtheswiftbroadening-outoftheopaqueconeofsmoke。Andthennightandextinction——nothingbutasilentmassofimpenetrablevapourhidingitsdead。
BeforedawntheblackvapourwaspouringthroughthestreetsofRichmond,andthedisintegratingorganismofgovernmentwas,withalastexpiringeffort,rousingthepopulationofLondontothenecessityofflight。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter16Chapter16-TheExodusFromLondonSoyouunderstandtheroaringwaveoffearthatsweptthroughthegreatestcityintheworldjustasMondaywasdawning——thestreamofflightrisingswiftlytoatorrent,lash-inginafoamingtumultroundtherailwaystations,bankedupintoahorriblestruggleabouttheshippingintheThames,andhurryingbyeveryavailablechannelnorthwardandeast-ward。Byteno\'clockthepoliceorganisation,andbymiddayeventherailwayorganisations,werelosingcoherency,losingshapeandefficiency,guttering,softening,runningatlastinthatswiftliquefactionofthesocialbody。
AlltherailwaylinesnorthoftheThamesandtheSouth-EasternpeopleatCannonStreethadbeenwarnedbymid-nightonSunday,andtrainswerebeingfilled。Peoplewerefightingsavagelyforstanding-roominthecarriagesevenattwoo\'clock。Bythree,peoplewerebeingtrampledandcrushedeveninBishopsgateStreet,acoupleofhundredyardsormorefromLiverpoolStreetstation;revolverswerefired,peoplestabbed,andthepolicemenwhohadbeensenttodirectthetraffic,exhaustedandinfuriated,werebreakingtheheadsofthepeopletheywerecalledouttoprotect。
AndasthedayadvancedandtheenginedriversandstokersrefusedtoreturntoLondon,thepressureoftheflightdrovethepeopleinanever-thickeningmultitudeawayfromthestationsandalongthenorthward-runningroads。
Bymid-dayaMartianhadbeenseenatBarnes,andacloudofslowlysinkingblackvapourdrovealongtheThamesandacrosstheflatsofLambeth,cuttingoffallescapeoverthebridgesinitssluggishadvance。AnotherbankdroveoverEaling,andsur-roundedalittleislandofsurvivorsonCastleHill,alive,butunabletoescape。
AfterafruitlessstruggletogetaboardaNorth-WesterntrainatChalkFarm——theenginesofthetrainsthathadloadedinthegoodsyardtherePLOUGHEDthroughshriekingpeople,andadozenstalwartmenfoughttokeepthecrowdfromcrushingthedriveragainsthisfurnace——mybrotheremergedupontheChalkFarmroad,dodgedacrossthroughahurryingswarmofvehicles,andhadthelucktobeforemostinthesackofacycleshop。Thefronttireofthemachinehegotwaspuncturedindraggingitthroughthewindow,buthegotupandoff,notwithstanding,withnofurtherinjurythanacutwrist。ThesteepfootofHaverstockHillwasimpassableowingtoseveraloverturnedhorses,andmybrotherstruckintoBelsizeRoad。
Sohegotoutofthefuryofthepanic,and,skirtingtheEdgwareRoad,reachedEdgwareaboutseven,fastingandwearied,butwellaheadofthecrowd。Alongtheroadpeoplewerestandingintheroadway,curious,wondering。
Hewaspassedbyanumberofcyclists,somehorsemen,andtwomotorcars。
AmilefromEdgwaretherimofthewheelbroke,andthemachinebecameunridable。Heleftitbytheroadsideandtrudgedthroughthevillage。
Therewereshopshalfopenedinthemainstreetoftheplace,andpeoplecrowdedonthepavementandinthedoorwaysandwindows,staringastonishedatthisextraordinaryprocessionoffugitivesthatwasbeginning。Hesucceededingettingsomefoodataninn。
ForatimeheremainedinEdgwarenotknowingwhatnexttodo。Theflyingpeopleincreasedinnumber。Manyofthem,likemybrother,seemedinclinedtoloiterintheplace。TherewasnofreshnewsoftheinvadersfromMars。
Atthattimetheroadwascrowded,butasyetfarfromcongested。Mostofthefugitivesatthathourweremountedoncycles,butthereweresoonmotorcars,hansomcabs,andcarriageshurryingalong,andthedusthunginheavycloudsalongtheroadtoSt。Albans。
ItwasperhapsavagueideaofmakinghiswaytoChelms-ford,wheresomefriendsofhislived,thatatlastinducedmybrothertostrikeintoaquietlanerunningeastward。Presentlyhecameuponastile,and,crossingit,followedafootpathnortheastward。Hepassednearseveralfarmhousesandsomelittleplaceswhosenameshedidnotlearn。Hesawfewfugitivesuntil,inagrasslanetowardsHighBarnet,hehap-penedupontwoladieswhobecamehisfellowtravellers。Hecameuponthemjustintimetosavethem。
Heheardtheirscreams,and,hurryingroundthecorner,sawacoupleofmenstrugglingtodragthemoutofthelittlepony-chaiseinwhichtheyhadbeendriving,whileathirdwithdifficultyheldthefrightenedpony\'shead。Oneoftheladies,ashortwomandressedinwhite,wassimplyscreaming;
theother,adark,slenderfigure,slashedatthemanwhogrippedherarmwithawhipsheheldinherdisengagedhand。
Mybrotherimmediatelygraspedthesituation,shouted,andhurriedtowardsthestruggle。Oneofthemendesistedandturnedtowardshim,andmybrother,realisingfromhisan-tagonist\'sfacethatafightwasunavoidable,andbeinganexpertboxer,wentintohimforthwithandsenthimdownagainstthewheelofthechaise。
Itwasnotimeforpugilisticchivalryandmybrotherlaidhimquietwithakick,andgrippedthecollarofthemanwhopulledattheslenderlady\'sarm。Heheardtheclatterofhoofs,thewhipstungacrosshisface,athirdantagoniststruckhimbetweentheeyes,andthemanheheldwrenchedhimselffreeandmadeoffdownthelaneinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome。
Partlystunned,hefoundhimselffacingthemanwhohadheldthehorse\'shead,andbecameawareofthechaiserecedingfromhimdownthelane,swayingfromsidetoside,andwiththewomeninitlookingback。Themanbeforehim,aburlyrough,triedtoclose,andhestoppedhimwithablowintheface。Then,realisingthathewasdeserted,hedodgedroundandmadeoffdownthelaneafterthechaise,withthesturdymanclosebehindhim,andthefugitive,whohadturnednow,followingremotely。
Suddenlyhestumbledandfell;hisimmediatepursuerwentheadlong,andherosetohisfeettofindhimselfwithacoupleofantagonistsagain。
Hewouldhavehadlittlechanceagainstthemhadnottheslenderladyverypluckilypulledupandreturnedtohishelp。Itseemsshehadhadarevolverallthistime,butithadbeenundertheseatwhensheandhercompanionwereattacked。Shefiredatsixyards\'distance,narrowlymissingmybrother。
Thelesscourageousoftherobbersmadeoff,andhiscompanionfollowedhim,cursinghiscowardice。Theybothstoppedinsightdownthelane,wherethethirdmanlayinsensible。
\"Takethis!\"saidtheslenderlady,andshegavemybrotherherrevolver。
\"Gobacktothechaise,\"saidmybrother,wipingthebloodfromhissplitlip。
Sheturnedwithoutaword——theywerebothpanting——andtheywentbacktowheretheladyinwhitestruggledtoholdbackthefrightenedpony。
Therobbershadevidentlyhadenoughofit。Whenmybrotherlookedagaintheywereretreating。
\"I\'llsithere,\"saidmybrother,\"ifImay\";andhegotupontheemptyfrontseat。Theladylookedoverhershoulder。
\"Givemethereins,\"shesaid,andlaidthewhipalongthepony\'sside。
Inanothermomentabendintheroadhidthethreemenfrommybrother\'seyes。
So,quiteunexpectedly,mybrotherfoundhimself,panting,withacutmouth,abruisedjaw,andbloodstainedknuckles,drivingalonganunknownlanewiththesetwowomen。
HelearnedtheywerethewifeandtheyoungersisterofasurgeonlivingatStanmore,whohadcomeinthesmallhoursfromadangerouscaseatPinner,andheardatsomerailwaystationonhiswayoftheMartianadvance。Hehadhurriedhome,rousedthewomen——theirservanthadleftthemtwodaysbefore——packedsomeprovisions,puthisrevolverundertheseat——luckilyformybrother——andtoldthemtodriveontoEdgware,withtheideaofgettingatrainthere。Hestoppedbehindtotelltheneighbours。Hewouldovertakethem,hesaid,atabouthalfpastfourinthemorning,andnowitwasnearlynineandtheyhadseennothingofhim。TheycouldnotstopinEdgwarebecauseofthegrowingtrafficthroughtheplace,andsotheyhadcomeintothissidelane。
Thatwasthestorytheytoldmybrotherinfragmentswhenpresentlytheystoppedagain,nearertoNewBarnet。Hepromisedtostaywiththem,atleastuntiltheycoulddeter-minewhattodo,oruntilthemissingmanarrived,andpro-fessedtobeanexpertshotwiththerevolver——aweaponstrangetohim——inordertogivethemconfidence。
Theymadeasortofencampmentbythewayside,andtheponybecamehappyinthehedge。HetoldthemofhisownescapeoutofLondon,andallthatheknewoftheseMartiansandtheirways。Thesuncrepthigherinthesky,andafteratimetheirtalkdiedoutandgaveplacetoanuneasystateofanticipation。Severalwayfarerscamealongthelane,andofthesemybrothergatheredsuchnewsashecould。Everybrokenanswerhehaddeepenedhisimpressionofthegreatdisasterthathadcomeonhumanity,deepenedhispersuasionoftheimmediatenecessityforprosecutingthisflight。
Heurgedthematteruponthem。
\"Wehavemoney,\"saidtheslenderwoman,andhesitated。
Hereyesmetmybrother\'s,andherhesitationended。
\"SohaveI,\"saidmybrother。
Sheexplainedthattheyhadasmuchasthirtypoundsingold,besidesafive-poundnote,andsuggestedthatwiththattheymightgetuponatrainatSt。AlbansorNewBarnet。Mybrotherthoughtthatwashopeless,seeingthefuryoftheLondonerstocrowduponthetrains,andbroachedhisownideaofstrikingacrossEssextowardsHarwichandthenceescapingfromthecountryaltogether。
Mrs。Elphinstone——thatwasthenameofthewomaninwhite——wouldlistentonoreasoning,andkeptcallingupon\"George\";buthersister-in-lawwasastonishinglyquietanddeliberate,andatlastagreedtomybrother\'ssuggestion。So,designingtocrosstheGreatNorthRoad,theywentontowardsBarnet,mybrotherleadingtheponytosaveitasmuchaspossible。Asthesuncreptuptheskythedaybecameexcessivelyhot,andunderfootathick,whitishsandgrewburningandblinding,sothattheytravelledonlyveryslowly。Thehedgesweregreywithdust。AndastheyadvancedtowardsBarnetatumultuousmurmuringgrewstronger。
Theybegantomeetmorepeople。Forthemostpartthesewerestaringbeforethem,murmuringindistinctquestions,jaded,haggard,unclean。Onemanineveningdresspassedthemonfoot,hiseyesontheground。Theyheardhisvoice,and,lookingbackathim,sawonehandclutchedinhishairandtheotherbeatinginvisiblethings。Hisparoxysmofrageover,hewentonhiswaywithoutoncelookingback。
Asmybrother\'spartywentontowardsthecrossroadstothesouthofBarnettheysawawomanapproachingtheroadacrosssomefieldsontheirleft,carryingachildandwithtwootherchildren;andthenpassedamanindirtyblack,withathickstickinonehandandasmallportmanteauintheother。Thenroundthecornerofthelane,frombetweenthevillasthatguardeditatitsconfluencewiththehighroad,camealittlecartdrawnbyasweatingblackponyanddrivenbyasallowyouthinabowlerhat,greywithdust。Therewerethreegirls,EastEndfactorygirls,andacoupleoflittlechil-drencrowdedinthecart。
\"This\'lltikeusrahndEdgware?\"askedthedriver,wild-eyed,white-faced;
andwhenmybrothertoldhimitwouldifheturnedtotheleft,hewhippedupatoncewithouttheformalityofthanks。
Mybrothernoticedapalegreysmokeorhazerisingamongthehousesinfrontofthem,andveilingthewhitefacadeofaterracebeyondtheroadthatappearedbetweenthebacksofthevillas。Mrs。Elphinstonesuddenlycriedoutatanumberoftonguesofsmokyredflameleapingupabovethehousesinfrontofthemagainstthehot,bluesky。Thetumultuousnoiseresolveditselfnowintothedisorderlyminglingofmanyvoices,thegrideofmanywheels,thecreakingofwaggons,andthestaccatoofhoofs。Thelanecameroundsharplynotfiftyyardsfromthecrossroads。
\"Goodheavens!\"criedMrs。Elphinstone。\"Whatisthisyouaredrivingusinto?\"
Mybrotherstopped。
Forthemainroadwasaboilingstreamofpeople,ator-rentofhumanbeingsrushingnorthward,onepressingonanother。Agreatbankofdust,whiteandluminousintheblazeofthesun,madeeverythingwithintwentyfeetofthegroundgreyandindistinctandwasperpetuallyrenewedbythehurryingfeetofadensecrowdofhorsesandofmenandwomenonfoot,andbythewheelsofvehiclesofeveryde-scription。
\"Way!\"mybrotherheardvoicescrying。\"Makeway!\"
Itwaslikeridingintothesmokeofafiretoapproachthemeetingpointofthelaneandroad;thecrowdroaredlikeafire,andthedustwashotandpungent。And,indeed,alittlewayuptheroadavillawasburningandsendingrollingmassesofblacksmokeacrosstheroadtoaddtothecon-fusion。
Twomencamepastthem。Thenadirtywoman,carryingaheavybundleandweeping。Alostretrieverdog,withhangingtongue,circleddubiouslyroundthem,scaredandwretched,andfledatmybrother\'sthreat。
SomuchastheycouldseeoftheroadLondonwardbetweenthehousestotherightwasatumultuousstreamofdirty,hurryingpeople,pentinbetweenthevillasoneitherside;theblackheads,thecrowdedforms,grewintodistinct-nessastheyrushedtowardsthecorner,hurriedpast,andmergedtheirindividualityagaininarecedingmultitudethatwasswallowedupatlastinacloudofdust。
\"Goon!Goon!\"criedthevoices。\"Way!Way!\"
Oneman\'shandspressedonthebackofanother。Mybrotherstoodatthepony\'shead。Irresistiblyattracted,headvancedslowly,pacebypace,downthelane。
Edgwarehadbeenasceneofconfusion,ChalkFarmariotoustumult,butthiswasawholepopulationinmovement。Itishardtoimaginethathost。Ithadnocharacterofitsown。Thefigurespouredoutpastthecorner,andrecededwiththeirbackstothegroupinthelane。Alongthemargincamethosewhowereonfootthreatenedbythewheels,stumblingintheditches,blunderingintooneanother。
Thecartsandcarriagescrowdedcloseupononeanother,makinglittlewayforthoseswifterandmoreimpatientvehi-clesthatdartedforwardeverynowandthenwhenanopportunityshoweditselfofdoingso,sendingthepeoplescatteringagainstthefencesandgatesofthevillas。
\"Pushon!\"wasthecry。\"Pushon!Theyarecoming!\"
InonecartstoodablindmanintheuniformoftheSalva-tionArmy,gesticulatingwithhiscrookedfingersandbawling,\"Eternity!Eternity!\"
Hisvoicewashoarseandveryloudsothatmybrothercouldhearhimlongafterhewaslosttosightinthedust。Someofthepeoplewhocrowdedinthecartswhippedstupidlyattheirhorsesandquarrelledwithotherdrivers;somesatmotionless,staringatnothingwithmiserableeyes;somegnawedtheirhandswiththirst,orlayprostrateinthebottomsoftheirconveyances。Thehorses\"bitswerecoveredwithfoam,theireyesbloodshot。
Therewerecabs,carriages,shopcars,waggons,beyondcounting;amailcart,aroad-cleaner\'scartmarked\"VestryofSt。Pancras,\"ahugetimberwaggoncrowdedwithroughs。Abrewer\'sdrayrumbledbywithitstwonearwheelssplashedwithfreshblood。
\"Cleartheway!\"criedthevoices。\"Cleartheway!\"
\"Eter-nity!Eter-nity!\"cameechoingdowntheroad。
Thereweresad,haggardwomentrampingby,welldressed,withchildrenthatcriedandstumbled,theirdaintyclothessmotheredindust,theirwearyfacessmearedwithtears。Withmanyofthesecamemen,sometimeshelpful,sometimeslow-eringandsavage。Fightingsidebysidewiththempushedsomewearystreetoutcastinfadedblackrags,wide-eyed,loud-voiced,andfoul-mouthed。Thereweresturdyworkmenthrustingtheirwayalong,wretched,unkemptmen,clothedlikeclerksorshopmen,strugglingspasmodically;
awoundedsoldiermybrothernoticed,mendressedintheclothesofrailwayporters,onewretchedcreatureinanightshirtwithacoatthrownoverit。
Butvariedasitscompositionwas,certainthingsallthathosthadincommon。Therewerefearandpainontheirfaces,andfearbehindthem。
Atumultuptheroad,aquarrelforaplaceinawaggon,sentthewholehostofthemquickeningtheirpace;evenamansoscaredandbrokenthathiskneesbentunderhimwasgalvanisedforamomentintorenewedactivity。
Theheatanddusthadalreadybeenatworkuponthismultitude。Theirskinsweredry,theirlipsblackandcracked。Theywereallthirsty,weary,andfootsore。Andamidthevariouscriesonehearddisputes,reproaches,groansofwearinessandfatigue;thevoicesofmostofthemwerehoarseandweak。
Throughitallranarefrain:
\"Way!Way!TheMartiansarecoming!\"
Fewstoppedandcameasidefromthatflood。Thelaneopenedslantinglyintothemainroadwithanarrowopening,andhadadelusiveappearanceofcomingfromthedirectionofLondon。Yetakindofeddyofpeopledroveintoitsmouth;weaklingselbowedoutofthestream,whoforthemostpartrestedbutamomentbeforeplungingintoitagain。Alittlewaydownthelane,withtwofriendsbendingoverhim,layamanwithabareleg,wrappedaboutwithbloodyrags。Hewasaluckymantohavefriends。
Alittleoldman,withagreymilitarymoustacheandafilthyblackfrockcoat,limpedoutandsatdownbesidethetrap,removedhisboot——hissockwasblood-stained——shookoutapebble,andhobbledonagain;andthenalittlegirlofeightornine,allalone,threwherselfunderthehedgeclosebymybrother,weeping。
\"Ican\'tgoon!Ican\'tgoon!\"
Mybrotherwokefromhistorporofastonishmentandliftedherup,speakinggentlytoher,andcarriedhertoMissElphin-stone。Sosoonasmybrothertouchedhershebecamequitestill,asiffrightened。
\"Ellen!\"shriekedawomaninthecrowd,withtearsinhervoice——\"Ellen!\"
Andthechildsuddenlydartedawayfrommybrother,crying\"Mother!\"
\"Theyarecoming,\"saidamanonhorseback,ridingpastalongthelane。
\"Outoftheway,there!\"bawledacoachman,toweringhigh;andmybrothersawaclosedcarriageturningintothelane。
Thepeoplecrushedbackononeanothertoavoidthehorse。Mybrotherpushedtheponyandchaisebackintothehedge,andthemandrovebyandstoppedattheturnoftheway。Itwasacarriage,withapoleforapairofhorses,butonlyonewasinthetraces。Mybrothersawdimlythroughthedustthattwomenliftedoutsomethingonawhitestretcherandputitgentlyonthegrassbeneaththeprivethedge。
Oneofthemencamerunningtomybrother。
\"Whereisthereanywater?\"hesaid。\"Heisdyingfast,andverythirsty。
ItisLordGarrick。\"
\"LordGarrick!\"saidmybrother;\"theChiefJustice?\"
\"Thewater?\"hesaid。
\"Theremaybeatap,\"saidmybrother,\"insomeofthehouses。Wehavenowater。Idarenotleavemypeople。\"
Themanpushedagainstthecrowdtowardsthegateofthecornerhouse。
\"Goon!\"saidthepeople,thrustingathim。\"Theyarecoming!Goon!\"
Thenmybrother\'sattentionwasdistractedbyabearded,eagle-facedmanluggingasmallhandbag,whichsplitevenasmybrother\'seyesrestedonitanddisgorgedamassofsovereignsthatseemedtobreakupintoseparatecoinsasitstrucktheground。Theyrolledhitherandthitheramongthestrugglingfeetofmenandhorses。Themanstoppedandlookedstupidlyattheheap,andtheshaftofacabstruckhisshoulderandsenthimreeling。
Hegaveashriekanddodgedback,andacartwheelshavedhimnarrowly。
\"Way!\"criedthemenallabouthim。\"Makeway!\"
Sosoonasthecabhadpassed,heflunghimself,withbothhandsopen,upontheheapofcoins,andbeganthrustinghandfulsinhispocket。Ahorserosecloseuponhim,andinanothermoment,halfrising,hehadbeenbornedownunderthehorse\'shoofs。
\"Stop!\"screamedmybrother,andpushingawomanoutofhisway,triedtoclutchthebitofthehorse。
Beforehecouldgettoit,heheardascreamunderthewheels,andsawthroughthedusttherimpassingoverthepoorwretch\'sback。Thedriverofthecartslashedhiswhipatmybrother,whoranroundbehindthecart。
Themulti-tudinousshoutingconfusedhisears。Themanwaswrithinginthedustamonghisscatteredmoney,unabletorise,forthewheelhadbrokenhisback,andhislowerlimbslaylimpanddead。Mybrotherstoodupandyelledatthenextdriver,andamanonablackhorsecametohisassistance。
\"Gethimoutoftheroad,\"saidhe;and,clutchingtheman\'scollarwithhisfreehand,mybrotherluggedhimsideways。Buthestillclutchedafterhismoney,andregardedmybrotherfiercely,hammeringathisarmwithahandfulofgold。\"Goon!Goon!\"shoutedangryvoicesbehind。
\"Way!Way!\"
Therewasasmashasthepoleofacarriagecrashedintothecartthatthemanonhorsebackstopped。Mybrotherlookedup,andthemanwiththegoldtwistedhisheadroundandbitthewristthatheldhiscollar。Therewasaconcussion,andtheblackhorsecamestaggeringsideways,andthecarthorsepushedbesideit。Ahoofmissedmybrother\'sfootbyahair\'sbreadth。Hereleasedhisgriponthefallenmanandjumpedback。Hesawangerchangetoterroronthefaceofthepoorwretchontheground,andinamomenthewashiddenandmybrotherwasbornebackwardandcarriedpasttheentranceofthelane,andhadtofighthardinthetorrenttorecoverit。
HesawMissElphinstonecoveringhereyes,andalittlechild,withallachild\'swantofsympatheticimagination,staringwithdilatedeyesatadustysomethingthatlayblackandstill,groundandcrushedundertherollingwheels。\"Letusgoback!\"heshouted,andbeganturningtheponyround。\"Wecannotcrossthis——hell,\"hesaidandtheywentbackahundredyardsthewaytheyhadcome,untilthefightingcrowdwashidden。
Astheypassedthebendinthelanemybrothersawthefaceofthedyingmanintheditchundertheprivet,deadlywhiteanddrawn,andshiningwithperspi-ration。Thetwowomensatsilent,crouchingintheirseatandshivering。
Thenbeyondthebendmybrotherstoppedagain。MissElphinstonewaswhiteandpale,andhersister-in-lawsatweeping,toowretchedeventocallupon\"George。\"Mybrotherwashorrifiedandperplexed。Sosoonastheyhadretreatedherealisedhowurgentandunavoidableitwastoattemptthiscrossing。HeturnedtoMissElphinstone,sud-denlyresolute。
\"Wemustgothatway,\"hesaid,andledtheponyroundagain。
Forthesecondtimethatdaythisgirlprovedherquality。Toforcetheirwayintothetorrentofpeople,mybrotherplungedintothetrafficandheldbackacabhorse,whileshedrovetheponyacrossitshead。A
waggonlockedwheelsforamomentandrippedalongsplinterfromthechaise。
Inanothermomenttheywerecaughtandsweptforwardbythestream。Mybrother,withthecabman\'swhipmarksredacrosshisfaceandhands,scrambledintothechaiseandtookthereinsfromher。
\"Pointtherevolveratthemanbehind,\"hesaid,givingittoher,\"ifhepressesustoohard。No!——pointitathishorse。\"
Thenhebegantolookoutforachanceofedgingtotherightacrosstheroad。Butonceinthestreamheseemedtolosevolition,tobecomeapartofthatdustyrout。TheysweptthroughChippingBarnetwiththetorrent;theywerenearlyamilebeyondthecentreofthetownbeforetheyhadfoughtacrosstotheoppositesideoftheway。Itwasdinandcon-
fusionindescribable;butinandbeyondthetowntheroadforksrepeatedly,andthistosomeextentrelievedthestress。
TheystruckeastwardthroughHadley,andthereoneithersideoftheroad,andatanotherplacefartherontheycameuponagreatmultitudeofpeopledrinkingatthestream,somefightingtocomeatthewater。Andfartheron,fromalullnearEastBarnet,theysawtwotrainsrunningslowlyoneaftertheotherwithoutsignalororder——trainsswarmingwithpeople,withmenevenamongthecoalsbehindtheengines——goingnorthwardalongtheGreatNorthernRailway。MybrothersupposestheymusthavefilledoutsideLondon,foratthattimethefuriousterrorofthepeoplehadrenderedthecentralterminiimpossible。
Nearthisplacetheyhaltedfortherestoftheafternoon,fortheviolenceofthedayhadalreadyutterlyexhaustedallthreeofthem。Theybegantosufferthebeginningsofhunger;thenightwascold,andnoneofthemdaredtosleep。Andintheeveningmanypeoplecamehurryingalongtheroadnear-bytheirstoppingplace,fleeingfromunknowndangersbeforethem,andgoinginthedirectionfromwhichmybrotherhadcome。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book1-Chapter17Chapter17-The\"ThunderChild\"HadtheMartiansaimedonlyatdestruction,theymightonMondayhaveannihilatedtheentirepopulationofLondon,asitspreaditselfslowlythroughthehomecounties。NotonlyalongtheroadthroughBarnet,butalsothroughEdgwareandWalthamAbbey,andalongtheroadseastwardtoSouth-endandShoeburyness,andsouthoftheThamestoDealandBroadstairs,pouredthesamefranticrout。IfonecouldhavehungthatJunemorninginaballoonintheblazingblueaboveLondoneverynorthwardandeastwardroadrunningoutofthetangledmazeofstreetswouldhaveseemedstippledblackwiththestreamingfugitives,eachdotahumanagonyofterrorandphysicaldistress。Ihavesetforthatlengthinthelastchaptermybrother\'saccountoftheroadthroughChippingBarnet,inorderthatmyreadersmayrealisehowthatswarmingofblackdotsappearedtooneofthosecon-cerned。Neverbeforeinthehistoryoftheworldhadsuchamassofhumanbeingsmovedandsufferedtogether。ThelegendaryhostsofGothsandHuns,thehugestarmiesAsiahaseverseen,wouldhavebeenbutadropinthatcurrent。
Andthiswasnodisciplinedmarch;itwasastampede——astampedegiganticandterrible——withoutorderandwithoutagoal,sixmillionpeopleunarmedandunprovisioned,drivingheadlong。Itwasthebeginningoftheroutofcivilisation,ofthemassacreofmankind。
Directlybelowhimtheballoonistwouldhaveseenthenetworkofstreetsfarandwide,houses,churches,squares,crescents,gardens——alreadyderelict——spreadoutlikeahugemap,andinthesouthwardBLOTTED。OverEaling,Richmond,Wimbledon,itwouldhaveseemedasifsomemonstrouspenhadflunginkuponthechart。Steadily,incessantly,eachblacksplashgrewandspread,shootingoutramificationsthiswayandthat,nowbankingitselfagainstrisingground,nowpouringswiftlyoveracrestintoanew-foundvalley,exactlyasagoutofinkwouldspreaditselfuponblottingpaper。
Andbeyond,overthebluehillsthatrisesouthwardoftheriver,theglitteringMartianswenttoandfro,calmlyandmethodicallyspreadingtheirpoisoncloudoverthispatchofcountryandthenoverthat,layingitagainwiththeirsteamjetswhenithadserveditspurpose,andtakingpossessionoftheconqueredcountry。Theydonotseemtohaveaimedatexterminationsomuchasatcompletedemoral-isationandthedestructionofanyopposition。Theyexplodedanystoresofpowdertheycameupon,cuteverytelegraph,andwreckedtherailwayshereandthere。Theywereham-
stringingmankind。Theyseemedinnohurrytoextendthefieldoftheiroperations,anddidnotcomebeyondthecentralpartofLondonallthatday。Itispossiblethataverycon-siderablenumberofpeopleinLondonstucktotheirhousesthroughMondaymorning。CertainitisthatmanydiedathomesuffocatedbytheBlackSmoke。
UntilaboutmiddaythePoolofLondonwasanastonishingscene。Steamboatsandshippingofallsortslaythere,temptedbytheenormoussumsofmoneyofferedbyfugitives,anditissaidthatmanywhoswamouttothesevesselswerethrustoffwithboathooksanddrowned。Aboutoneo\'clockintheafternoonthethinningremnantofacloudoftheblackvapourappearedbetweenthearchesofBlackfriarsBridge。AtthatthePoolbecameasceneofmadconfusion,fighting,andcollision,andforsometimeamultitudeofboatsandbargesjammedinthenorthernarchoftheTowerBridge,andthesailorsandlightermenhadtofightsavagelyagainstthepeoplewhoswarmeduponthemfromtheriverfront。Peoplewereactuallyclamberingdownthepiersofthebridgefromabove。
When,anhourlater,aMartianappearedbeyondtheClockTowerandwadeddowntheriver,nothingbutwreck-agefloatedaboveLimehouse。
OfthefallingofthefifthcylinderIhavepresentlytotell。ThesixthstarfellatWimbledon。Mybrother,keepingwatchbesidethewomeninthechaiseinameadow,sawthegreenflashofitfarbeyondthehills。OnTuesdaythelittleparty,stillsetupongettingacrossthesea,madeitswaythroughtheswarmingcountrytowardsColchester。ThenewsthattheMartianswerenowinpossessionofthewholeofLondonwasconfirmed。TheyhadbeenseenatHighgate,andeven,itwassaid,atNeasden。Buttheydidnotcomeintomybrother\'sviewuntilthemorrow。
Thatdaythescatteredmultitudesbegantorealisetheurgentneedofprovisions。Astheygrewhungrytherightsofpropertyceasedtoberegarded。
Farmerswereouttodefendtheircattle-sheds,granaries,andripeningrootcropswitharmsintheirhands。Anumberofpeoplenow,likemybrother,hadtheirfaceseastward,andthereweresomedes-peratesoulsevengoingbacktowardsLondontogetfood。Thesewerechieflypeoplefromthenorthernsuburbs,whoseknowledgeoftheBlackSmokecamebyhearsay。HeheardthatabouthalfthemembersofthegovernmenthadgatheredatBirmingham,andthatenormousquantitiesofhighexplo-siveswerebeingpreparedtobeusedinautomaticminesacrosstheMidlandcounties。
HewasalsotoldthattheMidlandRailwayCompanyhadreplacedthedesertionsofthefirstday\'spanic,hadresumedtraffic,andwasrunningnorthwardtrainsfromSt。Albanstorelievethecongestionofthehomecounties。
TherewasalsoaplacardinChippingOngarannouncingthatlargestoresofflourwereavailableinthenortherntownsandthatwithintwenty-fourhoursbreadwouldbedistributedamongthestarvingpeopleintheneighbourhood。
Butthisintelli-gencedidnotdeterhimfromtheplanofescapehehadformed,andthethreepressedeastwardallday,andheardnomoreofthebreaddistributionthanthispromise。Nor,asamatteroffact,didanyoneelsehearmoreofit。Thatnightfelltheseventhstar,fallinguponPrimroseHill。ItfellwhileMissElphinstonewaswatching,forshetookthatdutyalter-natelywithmybrother。Shesawit。
OnWednesdaythethreefugitives——theyhadpassedthenightinafieldofunripewheat——reachedChelmsford,andthereabodyoftheinhabitants,callingitselftheCommitteeofPublicSupply,seizedtheponyasprovisions,andwouldgivenothinginexchangeforitbutthepromiseofashareinitthenextday。HeretherewererumoursofMartiansatEpping,andnewsofthedestructionofWalthamAbbeyPowderMillsinavainattempttoblowuponeoftheinvaders。
PeoplewerewatchingforMartiansherefromthechurchtowers。Mybrother,veryluckilyforhimasitchanced,pre-ferredtopushonatoncetothecoastratherthanwaitforfood,althoughallthreeofthemwereveryhungry。
Bymid-daytheypassedthroughTillingham,which,strangelyenough,seemedtobequitesilentanddeserted,saveforafewfurtiveplunderershuntingforfood。NearTillinghamtheysuddenlycameinsightofthesea,andthemostamazingcrowdofshippingofallsortsthatitispossibletoimagine。
ForafterthesailorscouldnolongercomeuptheThames,theycameontotheEssexcoast,toHarwichandWaltonandClacton,andafterwardstoFoulnessandShoebury,tobringoffthepeople。Theylayinahugesickle-shapedcurvethatvanishedintomistatlasttowardstheNaze。Closeinshorewasamultitudeoffishingsmacks——English,Scotch,French,Dutch,andSwedish;
steamlaunchesfromtheThames,yachts,electricboats;andbeyondwereshipsoflargeburden,amultitudeoffilthycolliers,trimmerchantmen,cattleships,passengerboats,petroleumtanks,oceantramps,anoldwhitetransporteven,neatwhiteandgreylinersfromSouthamptonandHamburg;
andalongthebluecoastacrosstheBlackwatermybrothercouldmakeoutdimlyadenseswarmofboatschafferingwiththepeopleonthebeach,aswarmwhichalsoextendeduptheBlackwateralmosttoMaldon。
Aboutacoupleofmilesoutlayanironclad,verylowinthewater,almost,tomybrother\'sperception,likeawater-loggedship。ThiswastheramTHUNDERCHILD。Itwastheonlywarshipinsight,butfarawaytotherightoverthesmoothsurfaceofthesea——forthatdaytherewasadeadcalm——layaserpentofblacksmoketomarkthenextiron-cladsoftheChannelFleet,whichhoveredinanextendedline,steamupandreadyforaction,acrosstheThamesestuaryduringthecourseoftheMartianconquest,vigilantandyetpowerlesstopreventit。
Atthesightofthesea,Mrs。Elphinstone,inspiteoftheassurancesofhersister-in-law,gavewaytopanic。ShehadneverbeenoutofEnglandbefore,shewouldratherdiethantrustherselffriendlessinaforeigncountry,andsoforth。Sheseemed,poorwoman,toimaginethattheFrenchandtheMartiansmightproveverysimilar。Shehadbeengrowingincreasinglyhysterical,fearful,anddepressedduringthetwodays\'journeyings。HergreatideawastoreturntoStanmore。ThingshadbeenalwayswellandsafeatStanmore。TheywouldfindGeorgeatStanmore。
Itwaswiththegreatestdifficultytheycouldgetherdowntothebeach,wherepresentlymybrothersucceededinattractingtheattentionofsomemenonapaddlesteamerfromtheThames。Theysentaboatanddroveabargainforthirty-sixpoundsforthethree。Thesteamerwasgoing,thesemensaid,toOstend。
Itwasabouttwoo\'clockwhenmybrother,havingpaidtheirfaresatthegangway,foundhimselfsafelyaboardthesteamboatwithhischarges。
Therewasfoodaboard,albeitatexorbitantprices,andthethreeofthemcontrivedtoeatamealononeoftheseatsforward。
Therewerealreadyacoupleofscoreofpassengersaboard,someofwhomhadexpendedtheirlastmoneyinsecuringapassage,butthecaptainlayofftheBlackwateruntilfiveintheafternoon,pickinguppassengersuntiltheseateddeckswereevendangerouslycrowded。Hewouldprobablyhaveremainedlongerhaditnotbeenforthesoundofgunsthatbeganaboutthathourinthesouth。Asifinanswer,theironcladseawardfiredasmallgunandhoistedastringofflags。Ajetofsmokesprangoutofherfunnels。
SomeofthepassengerswereofopinionthatthisfiringcamefromShoeburyness,untilitwasnoticedthatitwasgrowinglouder。Atthesametime,farawayinthesoutheastthemastsandupperworksofthreeironcladsroseoneaftertheotheroutofthesea,beneathcloudsofblacksmoke。Butmybrother\'sattentionspeedilyrevertedtothedistantfiringinthesouth。
Hefanciedhesawacolumnofsmokerisingoutofthedistantgreyhaze。
Thelittlesteamerwasalreadyflappingherwayeastwardofthebigcrescentofshipping,andthelowEssexcoastwasgrowingblueandhazy,whenaMartianappeared,smallandfaintintheremotedistance,advancingalongthemuddycoastfromthedirectionofFoulness。Atthatthecaptainonthebridgesworeatthetopofhisvoicewithfearandangerathisowndelay,andthepaddlesseemedinfectedwithhisterror。Everysoulaboardstoodatthebulwarksorontheseatsofthesteamerandstaredatthatdistantshape,higherthanthetreesorchurchtowersinland,andadvancingwithaleisurelyparodyofahumanstride。
ItwasthefirstMartianmybrotherhadseen,andhestood,moreamazedthanterrified,watchingthisTitanadvancingdeliberatelytowardstheshipping,wadingfartherandfartherintothewaterasthecoastfellaway。
Then,farawaybeyondtheCrouch,cameanother,stridingoversomestuntedtrees,andthenyetanother,stillfartheroff,wadingdeeplythroughashinymudflatthatseemedtohanghalfwayupbetweenseaandsky。Theywereallstalkingseaward,asiftointercepttheescapeofthemultitudinousvesselsthatwerecrowdedbetweenFoulnessandtheNaze。Inspiteofthethrobbingexertionsoftheenginesofthelittlepaddle-boat,andthepouringfoamthatherwheelsflungbehindher,sherecededwithterrifyingslownessfromthisominousadvance。
Glancingnorthwestward,mybrothersawthelargecrescentofshippingalreadywrithingwiththeapproachingterror;oneshippassingbehindanother,anothercomingroundfrombroadsidetoendon,steamshipswhistlingandgivingoffvolumesofsteam,sailsbeingletout,launchesrushinghitherandthither。Hewassofascinatedbythisandbythecreepingdangerawaytotheleftthathehadnoeyesforanythingseaward。Andthenaswiftmovementofthesteamboat(shehadsuddenlycomeroundtoavoidbeingrundown)flunghimheadlongfromtheseatuponwhichhewasstanding。Therewasashoutingallabouthim,atramplingoffeet,andacheerthatseemedtobeansweredfaintly。Thesteamboatlurchedandrolledhimoveruponhishands。
Hesprangtohisfeetandsawtostarboard,andnotahundredyardsfromtheirheeling,pitchingboat,avastironbulklikethebladeofaploughtearingthroughthewater,tossingitoneithersideinhugewavesoffoamthatleapedtowardsthesteamer,flingingherpaddleshelplesslyintheair,andthensuckingherdeckdownalmosttothewaterline。
Adoucheofsprayblindedmybrotherforamoment。Whenhiseyeswereclearagainhesawthemonsterhadpassedandwasrushinglandward。Bigironupperworksroseoutofthisheadlongstructure,andfromthattwinfunnelsprojectedandspatasmokingblastshotwithfire。Itwasthetorpedoram,THUNDERCHILD,steamingheadlong,comingtotherescueofthethreatenedshipping。
Keepinghisfootingontheheavingdeckbyclutchingthebulwarks,mybrotherlookedpastthischargingleviathanattheMartiansagain,andhesawthethreeofthemnowclosetogether,andstandingsofarouttoseathattheirtripodsupportswerealmostentirelysubmerged。Thussunken,andseeninremoteperspective,theyappearedfarlessformidablethanthehugeironbulkinwhosewakethesteamerwaspitchingsohelplessly。
Itwouldseemtheywereregardingthisnewantagonistwithastonishment。
Totheirintelligence,itmaybe,thegiantwasevensuchanotherasthemselves。
TheTHUNDERCHILDfirednogun,butsimplydrovefullspeedtowardsthem。