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The Exodus From London
AfterafruitlessstruggletogetaboardaNorth-WesterntrainatChalkFarm—theenginesofthetrainsthathadloadedinthegoodsyardthereploughedthroughshriekingpeople,andadozenstalwartmenfoughttokeepthecrowdfromcrushingthedriveragainsthisfurnace —mybrotheremergedupontheChalkFarmroad,dodgedacrossthroughahurryingswarmofvehicles,andhadthelucktobeforemostinthesackofacycleshop. Thefronttireofthemachinehegotwaspuncturedindraggingitthroughthewindow,buthegotupandoff,notwithstanding,withnofurtherinjurythanacutwrist. ThesteepfootofHaverstockHillwasimpassableowingtoseveraloverturnedhorses,andmybrotherstruckintoBelsizeRoad.
Sohegotoutofthefuryofthepanic,and,skirtingtheEdgwareRoad,reachedEdgwareaboutseven,fastingandwearied,butwellaheadofthecrowd. Alongtheroadpeoplewerestandingintheroadway,curious,wondering. Hewaspassedbyanumberofcyclists,somehorsemen,andtwomotorcars. AmilefromEdgwaretherimofthewheelbroke,andthemachinebecameunridable. Heleftitbytheroadsideandtrudgedthroughthevillage. Therewereshopshalfopenedinthemainstreetoftheplace,andpeoplecrowdedonthepavementandinthedoorwaysandwindows,staringastonishedatthisextraordinaryprocessionoffugitivesthatwasbeginning. Hesucceededingettingsomefoodataninn.
ForatimeheremainedinEdgwarenotknowingwhatnexttodo. Theflyingpeopleincreasedinnumber. Manyofthem,likemybrother,seemedinclinedtoloiterintheplace. TherewasnofreshnewsoftheinvadersfromMars.
Atthattimetheroadwascrowded,butasyetfarfromcongested. Mostofthefugitivesatthathourweremountedoncycles,butthereweresoonmotorcars,hansomcabs,andcarriageshurryingalong,andthedusthunginheavycloudsalongtheroadtoSt.Albans.
