Первые люди на Луне
Chapter 21 — Mr. Bedford at Littlestone
InspiteoftheinordinatefatigueIwasbeginningtofeel,Iwasexcitednow,andforatimehopeful,inafeverish,impatientway,thatsomytravellingmightend.
ButatlastIceasedtomoveabout,andsat,wristsonknees,staringatadistantredlight.Itswayedupanddown,rocking,rocking.Myexcitementpassed.IrealisedIhadyettospendanothernightatleastinthesphere.Iperceivedmyselfinfinitelyheavyandfatigued.AndsoIfellasleep.
Achangeinmyrhythmicmotionawakenedme.Ipeeredthroughtherefractingglass,andsawthatIhadcomeagrounduponahugeshallowofsand.FarawayIseemedtoseehousesandtrees,andseawardacurved,vaguedistortionofashiphungbetweenseaandsky.
Istoodupandstaggered.Myonedesirewastoemerge.Themanholewasupward,andIwrestledwiththescrew.SlowlyIopenedthemanhole.Atlasttheairwassinginginagainasonceithadsungout.ButthistimeIdidnotwaituntilthepressurewasadjusted.InanothermomentIhadtheweightofthewindowonmyhands,andIwasopen,wideopen,totheoldfamiliarskyofearth.
TheairhitmeonthechestsothatIgasped.Idroppedtheglassscrew.Icriedout,putmyhandstomychest,andsatdown.ForatimeIwasinpain.ThenItookdeepbreaths.AtlastIcouldriseandmoveaboutagain.
Itriedtothrustmyheadthroughthemanhole,andthesphererolledover.Itwasasthoughsomethinghadluggedmyheaddowndirectlyitemerged.Iduckedbacksharply,orIshouldhavebeenpinnedfaceunderwater.
