Война миров

           Hefanciedeventhenthatthecoolingofthebodymightaccountforthis,butwhatdisturbedthatideawasthefactthattheashwasfallingonlyfromtheendofthecylinder. 

           Andthenheperceivedthat,veryslowly,thecirculartopofthecylinderwasrotatingonitsbody. Itwassuchagradualmovementthathediscovereditonlythroughnoticingthatablackmarkthathadbeennearhimfiveminutesagowasnowattheothersideofthecircumference. Eventhenhescarcelyunderstoodwhatthisindicated,untilheheardamuffledgratingsoundandsawtheblackmarkjerkforwardaninchorso. Thenthethingcameuponhiminaflash. Thecylinderwasartificial—hollow—withanendthatscrewedout! Somethingwithinthecylinderwasunscrewingthetop! 

           ‘Goodheavens! ’saidOgilvy. ‘There’samaninit—meninit! Halfroastedtodeath! Tryingtoescape!’ 

           Atonce,withaquickmentalleap,helinkedtheThingwiththeflashuponMars. 

           Thethoughtoftheconfinedcreaturewassodreadfultohimthatheforgottheheatandwentforwardtothecylindertohelpturn. Butluckilythedullradiationarrestedhimbeforehecouldburnhishandsonthestillglowingmetal. Atthathestoodirresoluteforamoment,thenturned,scrambledoutofthepit,andsetoffrunningwildlyintoWoking. Thetimethenmusthavebeensomewhereaboutsixo’clock. Hemetawaggonerandtriedtomakehimunderstand,butthetalehetoldandhisappearanceweresowild—hishathadfallenoffinthepit—thatthemansimplydroveon. Hewasequallyunsuccessfulwiththepotmanwhowasjustunlockingthedoorsofthepublic-housebyHorsellBridge.