Война миров
In the Storm
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.
