Машина часу
Chapter 9
IputWeena,stillmotionless,downuponaturfybole,andveryhastily,asmyfirstlumpofcamphorwaned,Ibegancollectingsticksandleaves. HereandthereoutofthedarknessroundmetheMorlocks’eyesshonelikecarbuncles.
‘Thecamphorflickeredandwentout. Ilitamatch,andasIdidso,twowhiteformsthathadbeenapproachingWeenadashedhastilyaway. Onewassoblindedbythelightthathecamestraightforme,andIfelthisbonesgrindundertheblowofmyfist. Hegaveawhoopofdismay,staggeredalittleway,andfelldown. Ilitanotherpieceofcamphor,andwentongatheringmybonfire. PresentlyInoticedhowdrywassomeofthefoliageaboveme,forsincemyarrivalontheTimeMachine,amatterofaweek,norainhadfallen. So,insteadofcastingaboutamongthetreesforfallentwigs,Ibeganleapingupanddraggingdownbranches. VerysoonIhadachokingsmokyfireofgreenwoodanddrysticks,andcouldeconomizemycamphor. ThenIturnedtowhereWeenalaybesidemyironmace. ItriedwhatIcouldtoreviveher,butshelaylikeonedead. Icouldnotevensatisfymyselfwhetherornotshebreathed.
‘Now,thesmokeofthefirebeatovertowardsme,anditmusthavemademeheavyofasudden.Moreover,thevapourofcamphorwasintheair. Myfirewouldnotneedreplenishingforanhourorso. Ifeltverywearyaftermyexertion,andsatdown. Thewood,too,wasfullofaslumbrousmurmurthatIdidnotunderstand. Iseemedjusttonodandopenmyeyes. Butallwasdark,andtheMorlockshadtheirhandsuponme. FlingingofftheirclingingfingersIhastilyfeltinmypocketforthematch-box,and—ithadgone!
