第2章

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。