Война миров
At the Window
Asthelimbergunnerswenttotherear,hishorsetrodinarabbitholeandcamedown,throwinghimintoadepressionoftheground. Atthesamemomentthegunexplodedbehindhim,theammunitionblewup,therewasfireallabouthim,andhefoundhimselflyingunderaheapofcharreddeadmenanddeadhorses.
"Ilaystill,"hesaid,"scaredoutofmywits,withtheforequarterofahorseatopofme. We’dbeenwipedout. Andthesmell—goodGod! Likeburntmeat! Iwashurtacrossthebackbythefallofthehorse,andthereIhadtolieuntilIfeltbetter. Justlikeparadeithadbeenaminutebefore—thenstumble,bang,swish!"
"Wipedout!"hesaid.
Hehadhidunderthedeadhorseforalongtime,peepingoutfurtivelyacrossthecommon. TheCardiganmenhadtriedarush,inskirmishingorder,atthepit,simplytobesweptoutofexistence. Thenthemonsterhadrisentoitsfeetandhadbeguntowalkleisurelytoandfroacrossthecommonamongthefewfugitives,withitsheadlikehoodturningaboutexactlyliketheheadofacowledhumanbeing. Akindofarmcarriedacomplicatedmetalliccase,aboutwhichgreenflashesscintillated,andoutofthefunnelofthistheresmokedtheHeat-Ray.
Inafewminutestherewas,sofarasthesoldiercouldsee,notalivingthingleftuponthecommon,andeverybushandtreeuponitthatwasnotalreadyablackenedskeletonwasburning. Thehussarshadbeenontheroadbeyondthecurvatureoftheground,andhesawnothingofthem. HeheardtheMartiansrattleforatimeandthenbecomestill.
