Война миров
In the Storm
NearthetopIstumbleduponsomethingsoft,and,byaflashoflightning,sawbetweenmyfeetaheapofblackbroadclothandapairofboots. BeforeIcoulddistinguishclearlyhowthemanlay,theflickeroflighthadpassed. Istoodoverhimwaitingforthenextflash. Whenitcame,Isawthathewasasturdyman,cheaplybutnotshabbilydressed; hisheadwasbentunderhisbody,andhelaycrumpledupclosetothefence,asthoughhehadbeenflungviolentlyagainstit.
Overcomingtherepugnancenaturaltoonewhohadneverbeforetouchedadeadbody,Istoopedandturnedhimovertofeelforhisheart. Hewasquitedead. Apparentlyhisneckhadbeenbroken. Thelightningflashedforathirdtime,andhisfaceleapeduponme. Isprangtomyfeet. ItwasthelandlordoftheSpottedDog,whoseconveyanceIhadtaken.
Isteppedoverhimgingerlyandpushedonupthehill. ImademywaybythepolicestationandtheCollegeArmstowardsmyownhouse. Nothingwasburningonthehillside,thoughfromthecommontherestillcamearedglareandarollingtumultofruddysmokebeatingupagainstthedrenchinghail. SofarasIcouldseebytheflashes,thehousesaboutmeweremostlyuninjured. BytheCollegeArmsadarkheaplayintheroad.
DowntheroadtowardsMayburyBridgetherewerevoicesandthesoundoffeet,butIhadnotthecouragetoshoutortogotothem. Iletmyselfinwithmylatchkey,closed,lockedandboltedthedoor,staggeredtothefootofthestaircase,andsatdown. Myimaginationwasfullofthosestridingmetallicmonsters,andofthedeadbodysmashedagainstthefence.
Icrouchedatthefootofthestaircasewithmybacktothewall,shiveringviolently.
