Перші люди на Місяці
Chapter 19 — Mr. Bedford Alone
Itcametome,ifonlythisteemingworldwithinknewofthefullimportofthemoment,howfuriousitstumultwouldbecome!
Butasyetitcouldscarcelybedreamingofthesignificanceofourcoming.Forifitdid,thecraterwouldsurelybeanuproarofpursuit,insteadofasstillasdeath!IlookedaboutforsomeplacefromwhichImightsignalCavor,andsawthatsamepatchofrocktowhichhehadleaptfrommypresentstandpoint,stillbareandbarreninthesun.ForamomentIhesitatedatgoingsofarfromthesphere.Thenwithapangofshameatthathesitation,Ileapt....
FromthisvantagepointIsurveyedthecrateragain.FarawayatthetopoftheenormousshadowIcastwasthelittlewhitehandkerchiefflutteringonthebushes.Itwasverylittleandveryfar,andCavorwasnotinsight.Itseemedtomethatbythistimeheoughttobelookingforme.Thatwastheagreement.Buthewasnowheretobeseen.
Istoodwaitingandwatching,handsshadingmyeyes,expectingeverymomenttodistinguishhim.VeryprobablyIstoodthereforquitealongtime.Itriedtoshout,andwasremindedofthethinnessoftheair.Imadeanundecidedstepbacktowardsthesphere.ButalurkingdreadoftheSelenitesmademehesitatetosignalmywhereaboutsbyhoistingoneofoursleeping-blanketsontotheadjacentscrub.Isearchedthecrateragain.
Ithadaneffectofemptinessthatchilledme.Anditwasstill.AnysoundfromtheSelenitesintheworldbeneathhaddiedaway.Itwasasstillasdeath.
