第5章
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。