Война миров
The Exodus From London
Ahorserosecloseuponhim,andinanothermoment,halfrising,hehadbeenbornedownunderthehorse’shoofs.
"Stop!"screamedmybrother,andpushingawomanoutofhisway,triedtoclutchthebitofthehorse.
Beforehecouldgettoit,heheardascreamunderthewheels,andsawthroughthedusttherimpassingoverthepoorwretch’sback. Thedriverofthecartslashedhiswhipatmybrother,whoranroundbehindthecart. Themultitudinousshoutingconfusedhisears. 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.
