Война миров
What I Saw of the Destruction of Weybridge and Shepperton
Wehailedthem,andtheyhaltedwhilewehurriedtowardsthem. Itwasalieutenantandacoupleofprivatesofthe8thHussars,withastandlikeatheodolite,whichtheartillerymantoldmewasaheliograph.
"YouarethefirstmenI’veseencomingthiswaythismorning,"saidthelieutenant."What’sbrewing?"
Hisvoiceandfacewereeager.Themenbehindhimstaredcuriously. Theartillerymanjumpeddownthebankintotheroadandsaluted.
"Gundestroyedlastnight,sir.Havebeenhiding.Tryingtorejoinbattery,sir. You’llcomeinsightoftheMartians,Iexpect,abouthalfamilealongthisroad."
"Whatthedickensaretheylike?"askedthelieutenant.
"Giantsinarmour,sir.Hundredfeethigh.Threelegsandabodylike’luminium,withamightygreatheadinahood,sir."
"Getout!"saidthelieutenant."Whatconfoundednonsense!"
"You’llsee,sir.Theycarryakindofbox,sir,thatshootsfireandstrikesyoudead."
"Whatd’yemean—agun?"
"No,sir,"andtheartillerymanbeganavividaccountoftheHeat-Ray. Halfwaythrough,thelieutenantinterruptedhimandlookedupatme.Iwasstillstandingonthebankbythesideoftheroad.
"It’sperfectlytrue,"Isaid.
