Первые люди на Луне

           “Steadyon!It’sallverywellforyou—”

           Isprangrounduponmyheel.Iburstoutintocurses.ForoneofthearmedSeleniteshadstabbedmebehindwithhisgoad.

           Iwrenchedmywristsfreefromthelittletentaclesthatheldthem.Iturnedonthegoad-bearer.“Confoundyou!”Icried.“I’vewarnedyouofthat.WhatonearthdoyouthinkI’mmadeof,tostickthatintome?Ifyoutouchmeagain—”

           Bywayofanswerheprickedmeforthwith.

           IheardCavor’svoiceinalarmandentreaty.EventhenIthinkhewantedtocompromisewiththesecreatures.“Isay,Bedford,”hecried,“Iknowaway!”Butthestingofthatsecondstabseemedtosetfreesomepent-upreserveofenergyinmybeing.Instantlythelinkofthewrist-chainsnapped,andwithitsnappedallconsiderationsthathadheldusunresistinginthehandsofthesemooncreatures.Forthatsecond,atleast,Iwasmadwithfearandanger.Itooknothoughtofconsequences.Ihitstraightoutatthefaceofthethingwiththegoad.Thechainwastwistedroundmyfist.

           Therecameanotherofthesebeastlysurprisesofwhichthemoonworldisfull.

           Mymailedhandseemedtogocleanthroughhim.Hesmashedlike—likesomesoftishsortofsweetwithliquidinit!Hebrokerightin!Hesquelchedandsplashed.Itwaslikehittingadamptoadstool.Theflimsybodywentspinningadozenyards,andfellwithaflabbyimpact.Iwasastonished.Iwasincredulousthatanylivingthingcouldbesoflimsy.ForaninstantIcouldhavebelievedthewholethingadream.

           Thenithadbecomerealandimminentagain.