The Heat-Ray

           AftertheglimpseIhadhadoftheMartiansemergingfromthecylinderinwhichtheyhadcometotheearthfromtheirplanet,akindoffascinationparalysedmyactions. Iremainedstandingknee-deepintheheather,staringatthemoundthathidthem. Iwasabattlegroundoffearandcuriosity. 

           Ididnotdaretogobacktowardsthepit,butIfeltapassionatelongingtopeerintoit. Ibeganwalking,therefore,inabigcurve,seekingsomepointofvantageandcontinuallylookingatthesandheapsthathidthesenew-comerstoourearth. Oncealeashofthinblackwhips,likethearmsofanoctopus,flashedacrossthesunsetandwasimmediatelywith-drawn, andafterwardsathinrodroseup,jointbyjoint,bearingatitsapexacirculardiskthatspunwithawobblingmotion. Whatcouldbegoingonthere? 

           Mostofthespectatorshadgatheredinoneortwogroups—onealittlecrowdtowardsWoking,theotheraknotofpeopleinthedirectionofChobham. Evidentlytheysharedmymentalconflict. Therewerefewnearme. OnemanIapproached—hewas,Iperceived,aneighbourofmine,thoughIdidnotknowhisname—andaccosted. Butitwasscarcelyatimeforarticulateconversation. 

           ‘Whatuglybrutes!’hesaid. ‘GoodGod!Whatuglybrutes!’ Herepeatedthisoverandoveragain. 

           ‘Didyouseeamaninthepit?’Isaid;buthemadenoanswertothat. Webecamesilent,andstoodwatchingforatimesidebyside,deriving,Ifancy,acertaincomfortinoneanother’scompany. ThenIshiftedmypositiontoalittleknollthatgavemetheadvantageofayardormoreofelevationandwhenIlookedforhimpresentlyhewaswalkingtowardsWoking.