Железный человек
The Space-Being and the Iron Man
Ittookseveraldaystocoverthedistance.
Then,foroneawfulnight,itswingsseemedtobefillingmostofthesky. Themoonpeeredfearfullyfromlowontheskyline andallthepeopleofearthstayedup,gazinginfearatthehugeblackmovementofwingsthatfilledthenight.
Nextmorningitlanded–onAustralia.
Barrrump!
Theshockofitslandingrolledroundtheearthlikeanearthquake,spillingteacupsinLondon, joltingpicturesoffwallsinCalifornia, crackingstatuesofftheirpedestalsinRussia.
Thethinghadactuallylanded–anditwasaterrificdragon.
Terriblyblack,terriblyscaly,terriblyknobbly,terriblyhorned,terriblyhairy,terriblyclawed, terriblyfanged,withvastindescribablyterribleeyes,eachoneasbigasSwitzerland. Thereitsat,coveringthewholeofAustralia, itstailtrailingawayoverTasmaniaintothesea, itsforeclawsontheheadlandsoftheGulfofCarpentaria. Luckily,themountainsandhillsproppeditsbellyupclearofthevalleys,andtheAustralianscouldstillmoveaboutinthepitchdarkness,underthisnewsky,thislowqueercovering,ofscales. Theycrowdedtowardsthelightthatcameinalongitssides. Ofcourse,whoeverhadbeenonamountain-topwhenthedragonlandedhadbeensquashedflat. Nothingcouldbedoneaboutthem. Andtherethehorrorsat,glaringoutoverthecountriesoftheworld.
Whathaditcomefor? Whatwasgoingtohappentotheworldnowthismonstrosityhadarrived?
Everybodywaited.Thenewspapersspokeaboutnothingelse.
