Війна світів
In the Storm
EvenasIbeheldthisaluridgreenglarelittheroadaboutmeandshowedthedistantwoodstowardsAddlestone. Ifeltatugatthereins. Isawthatthedrivingcloudshadbeenpiercedasitwerebyathreadofgreenfire,suddenlylightingtheirconfusionandfallingintothefieldtomyleft. Itwasthethirdfallingstar!
Closeonitsapparition,andblindinglyvioletbycontrast,dancedoutthefirstlightningofthegatheringstorm,andthethunderburstlikearocketoverhead. Thehorsetookthebitbetweenhisteethandbolted.
AmoderateinclinerunstowardsthefootofMayburyHill,anddownthisweclattered. Oncethelightninghadbegun,itwentoninasrapidasuccessionofflashesasIhaveeverseen. Thethunderclaps,treadingoneontheheelsofanotherandwithastrangecracklingaccompaniment,soundedmoreliketheworkingofagiganticelectricmachinethantheusualdetonatingreverberations. Theflickeringlightwasblindingandconfusing,andathinhailsmotegustilyatmyfaceasIdrovedowntheslope.
AtfirstIregardedlittlebuttheroadbeforeme,andthenabruptlymyattentionwasarrestedbysomethingthatwasmovingrapidlydowntheoppositeslopeofMayburyHill. AtfirstItookitforthewetroofofahouse,butoneflashfollowinganothershowedittobeinswiftrollingmovement. Itwasanelusivevision—amomentofbewilderingdarkness,andthen,inaflashlikedaylight, theredmassesoftheOrphanagenearthecrestofthehill,thegreentopsofthepinetrees,andthisproblematicalobjectcameoutclearandsharpandbright.
AndthisThingIsaw! HowcanIdescribeit? Amonstroustripod,higherthanmanyhouses,stridingovertheyoungpinetrees,andsmashingthemasideinitscareer;
