Машина часу
Chapter 9
Thepatteringgrewmoredistinct,andthenIcaughtthesamequeersoundandvoicesIhadheardintheUnder-world. TherewereevidentlyseveraloftheMorlocks,andtheywereclosinginuponme. Indeed,inanotherminuteIfeltatugatmycoat,thensomethingatmyarm. AndWeenashiveredviolently,andbecamequitestill.
‘Itwastimeforamatch. ButtogetoneImustputherdown. Ididso,and,asIfumbledwithmypocket,astrugglebeganinthedarknessaboutmyknees,perfectlysilentonherpartandwiththesamepeculiarcooingsoundsfromtheMorlocks. Softlittlehands,too,werecreepingovermycoatandback,touchingevenmyneck. Thenthematchscratchedandfizzed. Ihelditflaring,andsawthewhitebacksoftheMorlocksinflightamidthetrees. Ihastilytookalumpofcamphorfrommypocket,andpreparedtolightisassoonasthematchshouldwane. ThenIlookedatWeena. Shewaslyingclutchingmyfeetandquitemotionless,withherfacetotheground. WithasuddenfrightIstoopedtoher. Sheseemedscarcelytobreathe. Ilittheblockofcamphorandflungittotheground,andasitsplitandflaredupanddrovebacktheMorlocksandtheshadows,Ikneltdownandliftedher. Thewoodbehindseemedfullofthestirandmurmurofagreatcompany!
‘Sheseemedtohavefainted. Iputhercarefullyuponmyshoulderandrosetopushon,andthentherecameahorriblerealization. InmanoeuvringwithmymatchesandWeena,Ihadturnedmyselfaboutseveraltimes,andnowIhadnotthefaintestideainwhatdirectionlaymypath. ForallIknew,ImightbefacingbacktowardsthePalaceofGreenPorcelain. Ifoundmyselfinacoldsweat. Ihadtothinkrapidlywhattodo. Ideterminedtobuildafireandencampwherewewere.
