Thecontrastbetweentheswiftandcomplexmovementsofthesecontrivancesandtheinertpantingclumsinessoftheirmasterswasacute，andfordaysIhadtotellmyselfrepeatedlythattheselatterwereindeedthelivingofthetwothings。
Thecuratehadpossessionoftheslitwhenthefirstmenwerebroughttothepit。Iwassittingbelow，huddledup，listeningwithallmyears。
Hemadeasuddenmovementbackward，andI，fearfulthatwewereobserved，crouchedinaspasmofterror。Hecameslidingdowntherubbishandcreptbesidemeinthedarkness，inarticulate，gesticulating，andforamomentIsharedhispanic。Hisgesturesuggestedaresignationoftheslit，andafteralittlewhilemycuriositygavemecourage，andIroseup，steppedacrosshim，andclambereduptoit。AtfirstIcouldseenoreasonforhisfranticbehaviour。Thetwilighthadnowcome，thestarswerelittleandfaint，butthepitwasilluminatedbytheflickeringgreenfirethatcamefromthealuminium-making。Thewholepicturewasaflickeringschemeofgreengleamsandshiftingrustyblackshadows，strangelytryingtotheeyes。Overandthroughitallwentthebats，heedingitnotatall。ThesprawlingMartianswerenolongertobeseen，themoundofblue-greenpowderhadrisentocoverthemfromsight，andafighting-machine，withitslegscontracted，crumpled，andabbreviated，stoodacrossthecornerofthepit。
Andthen，amidtheclangourofthemachinery，cameadriftingsuspicionofhumanvoices，thatIentertainedatfirstonlytodismiss。
Icrouched，watchingthisfighting-machineclosely，satisfy-ingmyselfnowforthefirsttimethatthehooddidindeedcontainaMartian。AsthegreenflamesliftedIcouldseetheoilygleamofhisintegumentandthebrightnessofhiseyes。AndsuddenlyIheardayell，andsawalongtentaclereach-ingovertheshoulderofthemachinetothelittlecagethathuncheduponitsback。Thensomething——somethingstrug-glingviolently——wasliftedhighagainstthesky，ablack，vagueenigmaagainstthestarlight；andasthisblackobjectcamedownagain，Isawbythegreenbrightnessthatitwasaman。Foraninstanthewasclearlyvisible。Hewasastout，ruddy，middle-agedman，welldressed；threedaysbefore，hemusthavebeenwalkingtheworld，amanofconsiderableconsequence。Icouldseehisstaringeyesandgleamsoflightonhisstudsandwatchchain。Hevanishedbehindthemound，andforamomenttherewassilence。AndthenbeganashriekingandasustainedandcheerfulhootingfromtheMartians。
Isliddowntherubbish，struggledtomyfeet，clappedmyhandsovermyears，andboltedintothescullery。Thecurate，whohadbeencrouchingsilentlywithhisarmsoverhishead，lookedupasIpassed，criedoutquiteloudlyatmydesertionofhim，andcamerunningafterme。
Thatnight，aswelurkedinthescullery，balancedbetweenourhorrorandtheterriblefascinationthispeepinghad，al-thoughIfeltanurgentneedofactionItriedinvaintoconceivesomeplanofescape；butafterwards，duringthesecondday，Iwasabletoconsiderourpositionwithgreatclearness。
Thecurate，Ifound，wasquiteincapableofdis-cussion；thisnewandculminatingatrocityhadrobbedhimofallvestigesofreasonorforethought。
Practicallyhehadalreadysunktothelevelofananimal。Butasthesayinggoes，Igrippedmyselfwithbothhands。Itgrewuponmymind，onceIcouldfacethefacts，thatterribleasourposi-tionwas，therewasasyetnojustificationforabsolutedespair。OurchiefchancelayinthepossibilityoftheMartiansmakingthepitnothingmorethanatemporaryencampment。
Oreveniftheykeptitpermanently，theymightnotconsideritnecessarytoguardit，andachanceofescapemightbeaffordedus。Ialsoweighedverycarefullythepossibilityofourdiggingawayoutinadirectionawayfromthepit，butthechancesofouremergingwithinsightofsomesentinelfighting-machineseemedatfirsttoogreat。AndIshouldhavehadtodoallthediggingmyself。Thecuratewouldcertainlyhavefailedme。
Itwasonthethirdday，ifmymemoryservesmeright，thatIsawtheladkilled。ItwastheonlyoccasiononwhichIactuallysawtheMartiansfeed。AfterthatexperienceIavoidedtheholeinthewallforthebetterpartofaday。Iwentintothescullery，removedthedoor，andspentsomehoursdiggingwithmyhatchetassilentlyaspossible；butwhenIhadmadeaholeaboutacoupleoffeetdeepthelooseearthcollapsednoisily，andIdidnotdarecontinue。Ilostheart，andlaydownonthesculleryfloorforalongtime，havingnospiriteventomove。AndafterthatIabandonedaltogethertheideaofescapingbyexcavation。
ItsaysmuchfortheimpressiontheMartianshadmadeuponmethatatfirstIentertainedlittleornohopeofourescapebeingbroughtaboutbytheiroverthrowthroughanyhumaneffort。ButonthefourthorfifthnightIheardasoundlikeheavyguns。
Itwasverylateinthenight，andthemoonwasshiningbrightly。TheMartianshadtakenawaytheexcavating-machine，and，saveforafighting-machinethatstoodintheremoterbankofthepitandahandling-machinethatwasburiedoutofmysightinacornerofthepitimmedi-atelybeneathmypeephole，theplacewasdesertedbythem。Exceptforthepaleglowfromthehandling-machineandthebarsandpatchesofwhitemoonlightthepitwasindark-ness，and，exceptfortheclinkingofthehandling-machine，quitestill。Thatnightwasabeautifulserenity；saveforoneplanet，themoonseemedtohavetheskytoherself。Iheardadoghowling，andthatfamiliarsounditwasthatmademelisten。ThenIheardquitedistinctlyaboomingex-actlylikethesoundofgreatguns。SixdistinctreportsIcounted，andafteralongintervalsixagain。Andthatwasall。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book2-Chapter4Chapter4-TheDeathoftheCurateItwasonthesixthdayofourimprisonmentthatIpeepedforthelasttime，andpresentlyfoundmyselfalone。Insteadofkeepingclosetomeandtryingtooustmefromtheslit，thecuratehadgonebackintothescullery。Iwasstruckbyasuddenthought。Iwentbackquicklyandquietlyintothescullery。InthedarknessIheardthecuratedrink-ing。Isnatchedinthedarkness，andmyfingerscaughtabottleofburgundy。
Forafewminutestherewasatussle。Thebottlestruckthefloorandbroke，andIdesistedandrose。Westoodpantingandthreateningeachother。
IntheendIplantedmyselfbetweenhimandthefood，andtoldhimofmydeterminationtobeginadiscipline。Idividedthefoodinthepantry，intorationstolastustendays。Iwouldnotlethimeatanymorethatday。Intheafternoonhemadeafeebleefforttogetatthefood。Ihadbeendozing，butinaninstantIwasawake。Alldayandallnightwesatfacetoface，Iwearybutresolute，andheweepingandcom-plainingofhisimmediatehunger。Itwas，Iknow，anightandaday，buttomeitseemed——itseemsnow——aninter-minablelengthoftime。
Andsoourwidenedincompatibilityendedatlastinopenconflict。Fortwovastdayswestruggledinundertonesandwrestlingcontests。ThereweretimeswhenIbeatandkickedhimmadly，timeswhenIcajoledandpersuadedhim，andonceItriedtobribehimwiththelastbottleofburgundy，fortherewasarain-waterpumpfromwhichIcouldgetwater。Butneitherforcenorkindnessavailed；hewasindeedbeyondreason。Hewouldneitherdesistfromhisattacksonthefoodnorfromhisnoisybabblingtohimself。Therudi-mentaryprecautionstokeepourimprisonmentendurablehewouldnotobserve。SlowlyIbegantorealisethecompleteoverthrowofhisintelligence，toperceivethatmysolecom-panioninthiscloseandsicklydarknesswasamaninsane。
FromcertainvaguememoriesIaminclinedtothinkmyownmindwanderedattimes。IhadstrangeandhideousdreamswheneverIslept。Itsoundsparadoxical，butIaminclinedtothinkthattheweaknessandinsanityofthecuratewarnedme，bracedme，andkeptmeasaneman。
Ontheeighthdayhebegantotalkaloudinsteadofwhis-pering，andnothingIcoulddowouldmoderatehisspeech。
\"Itisjust，OGod！\"hewouldsay，overandoveragain。\"Itisjust。
Onmeandminebethepunishmentlaid。Wehavesinned，wehavefallenshort。
Therewaspoverty，sorrow；thepoorweretroddeninthedust，andIheldmypeace。Ipreachedacceptablefolly——myGod，whatfolly！——whenIshouldhavestoodup，thoughIdiedforit，andcalleduponthemtorepent-repent！……Oppressorsofthepoorandneedy……！ThewinepressofGod！\"
ThenhewouldsuddenlyreverttothematterofthefoodIwithheldfromhim，praying，begging，weeping，atlastthreatening。Hebegantoraisehisvoice——Iprayedhimnotto。Heperceivedaholdonme——hethreatenedhewouldshoutandbringtheMartiansuponus。Foratimethatscaredme；
butanyconcessionwouldhaveshortenedourchanceofescapebeyondestimating。
Idefiedhim，althoughIfeltnoassurancethathemightnotdothisthing。
Butthatday，atanyrate，hedidnot。Hetalkedwithhisvoicerisingslowly，throughthegreaterpartoftheeighthandninthdays——threats，entreaties，mingledwithatorrentofhalf-saneandalwaysfrothyrepentanceforhisvacantshamofGod\'sservice，suchasmademepityhim。Thenhesleptawhile，andbeganagainwithrenewedstrength，soloudlythatImustneedsmakehimdesist。
\"Bestill！\"Iimplored。
Herosetohisknees，forhehadbeensittinginthedark-nessnearthecopper。
\"Ihavebeenstilltoolong，\"hesaid，inatonethatmusthavereachedthepit，\"andnowImustbearmywitness。Woeuntothisunfaithfulcity！
Woe！Woe！Woe！Woe！Woe！Totheinhabitantsoftheearthbyreasonoftheothervoicesofthetrumpet————\"
\"Shutup！\"Isaid，risingtomyfeet，andinaterrorlesttheMartiansshouldhearus。\"ForGod\'ssake————\"
\"Nay，\"shoutedthecurate，atthetopofhisvoice，stand-inglikewiseandextendinghisarms。\"Speak！ThewordoftheLordisuponme！\"
Inthreestrideshewasatthedoorleadingintothekitchen。
\"Imustbearmywitness！Igo！Ithasalreadybeentoolongdelayed。\"
Iputoutmyhandandfeltthemeatchopperhangingtothewall。InaflashIwasafterhim。Iwasfiercewithfear。BeforehewashalfwayacrossthekitchenIhadovertakenhim。WithonelasttouchofhumanityIturnedthebladebackandstruckhimwiththebutt。Hewentheadlongfor-wardandlaystretchedontheground。Istumbledoverhimandstoodpanting。Helaystill。
SuddenlyIheardanoisewithout，therunandsmashofslippingplaster，andthetriangularapertureinthewallwasdarkened。Ilookedupandsawthelowersurfaceofahandling-machinecomingslowlyacrossthehole。
Oneofitsgrippinglimbscurledamidthedebris；anotherlimbap-peared，feelingitswayoverthefallenbeams。Istoodpetrified，staring。ThenIsawthroughasortofglassplateneartheedgeofthebodytheface，aswemaycallit，andthelargedarkeyesofaMartian，peering，andthenalongmetallicsnakeoftentaclecamefeelingslowlythroughthehole。
Iturnedbyaneffort，stumbledoverthecurate，andstoppedatthescullerydoor。Thetentaclewasnowsomeway，twoyardsormore，intheroom，andtwistingandturn-ing，withqueersuddenmovements，thiswayandthat。ForawhileIstoodfascinatedbythatslow，fitfuladvance。
Then，withafaint，hoarsecry，Iforcedmyselfacrossthescullery。I
trembledviolently；Icouldscarcelystandupright。Iopenedthedoorofthecoalcellar，andstoodthereinthedarknessstaringatthefaintlylitdoorwayintothekitchen，andlisten-ing。HadtheMartianseenme？
Whatwasitdoingnow？
Somethingwasmovingtoandfrothere，veryquietly；everynowandthenittappedagainstthewall，orstartedonitsmovementswithafaintmetallicringing，likethemovementsofkeysonasplit-ring。Thenaheavybody——I
knewtoowellwhat——wasdraggedacrossthefloorofthekitchentowardstheopening。Irresistiblyattracted，Icrepttothedoorandpeepedintothekitchen。InthetriangleofbrightoutersunlightIsawtheMartian，initsBriareusofahandling-machine，scrutinizingthecurate\'shead。
IthoughtatoncethatitwouldinfermypresencefromthemarkoftheblowIhadgivenhim。
Icreptbacktothecoalcellar，shutthedoor，andbegantocovermyselfupasmuchasIcould，andasnoiselesslyaspossibleinthedarkness，amongthefirewoodandcoaltherein。EverynowandthenIpaused，rigid，toheariftheMartianhadthrustitstentaclesthroughtheopeningagain。
Thenthefaintmetallicjinglereturned。Itraceditslowlyfeelingoverthekitchen。PresentlyIhearditnearer——inthescullery，asIjudged。
Ithoughtthatitslengthmightbein-sufficienttoreachme。Iprayedcopiously。Itpassed，scrap-ingfaintlyacrossthecellardoor。Anageofalmostintolerablesuspenseintervened；thenIhearditfumblingatthelatch！Ithadfoundthedoor！TheMartiansunderstooddoors！
Itworriedatthecatchforaminute，perhaps，andthenthedooropened。
InthedarknessIcouldjustseethething——likeanele-phant\'strunkmorethananythingelse——wavingtowardsmeandtouchingandexaminingthewall，coals，woodandceil-ing。Itwaslikeablackwormswayingitsblindheadtoandfro。
Once，even，ittouchedtheheelofmyboot。Iwasonthevergeofscreaming；
Ibitmyhand。Foratimethetentaclewassilent。Icouldhavefanciedithadbeenwithdrawn。Presently，withanabruptclick，itgrippedsomething——I
thoughtithadme！——andseemedtogooutofthecellaragain。ForaminuteIwasnotsure。Apparentlyithadtakenalumpofcoaltoexamine。
Iseizedtheopportunityofslightlyshiftingmyposition，whichhadbecomecramped，andthenlistened。Iwhisperedpassionateprayersforsafety。
ThenIheardtheslow，deliberatesoundcreepingtowardsmeagain。Slowly，slowlyitdrewnear，scratchingagainstthewallsandtappingthefurniture。
WhileIwasstilldoubtful，itrappedsmartlyagainstthecellardoorandclosedit。Ihearditgointothepantry，andthebiscuit-tinsrattledandabottlesmashed，andthencameaheavybumpagainstthecellardoor。
Thensilencethatpassedintoaninfinityofsuspense。
Haditgone？
AtlastIdecidedthatithad。
Itcameintothescullerynomore；butIlayallthetenthdayintheclosedarkness，buriedamongcoalsandfirewood，notdaringeventocrawloutforthedrinkforwhichIcraved。ItwastheeleventhdaybeforeI
venturedsofarfrommysecurity。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book2-Chapter5Chapter5-TheStillnessMyfirstactbeforeIwentintothepantrywastofastenthedoorbetweenthekitchenandthescullery。Butthepantrywasempty；everyscrapoffoodhadgone。Appar-ently，theMartianhadtakenitallonthepreviousday。AtthatdiscoveryIdespairedforthefirsttime。Itooknofood，ornodrinkeither，ontheeleventhorthetwelfthday。
Atfirstmymouthandthroatwereparched，andmystrengthebbedsensibly。
Isataboutinthedarknessofthescullery，inastateofdespondentwretchedness。
Mymindranoneating。IthoughtIhadbecomedeaf，forthenoisesofmovementIhadbeenaccustomedtohearfromthepithadceasedabsolutely。Ididnotfeelstrongenoughtocrawlnoiselesslytothepeephole，orIwouldhavegonethere。
Onthetwelfthdaymythroatwassopainfulthat，takingthechanceofalarmingtheMartians，Iattackedthecreakingrain-waterpumpthatstoodbythesink，andgotacoupleofglassfulsofblackenedandtaintedrainwater。Iwasgreatlyrefreshedbythis，andemboldenedbythefactthatnoenquiringtentaclefollowedthenoiseofmypumping。
Duringthesedays，inarambling，inconclusiveway，Ithoughtmuchofthecurateandofthemannerofhisdeath。
OnthethirteenthdayIdranksomemorewater，anddozedandthoughtdisjointedlyofeatingandofvagueim-possibleplansofescape。WheneverIdozedIdreamtofhorriblephantasms，ofthedeathofthecurate，orofsump-tuousdinners；but，asleeporawake，Ifeltakeenpainthaturgedmetodrinkagainandagain。Thelightthatcameintothescullerywasnolongergrey，butred。Tomydisorderedimaginationitseemedthecolourofblood。
OnthefourteenthdayIwentintothekitchen，andIwassurprisedtofindthatthefrondsoftheredweedhadgrownrightacrosstheholeinthewall，turningthehalf-lightoftheplaceintoacrimson-colouredobscurity。
ItwasearlyonthefifteenthdaythatIheardacurious，familiarsequenceofsoundsinthekitchen，and，listening，identifieditasthesnuffingandscratchingofadog。Goingintothekitchen，Isawadog\'snosepeeringinthroughabreakamongtheruddyfronds。Thisgreatlysurprisedme。Atthescentofmehebarkedshortly。
IthoughtifIcouldinducehimtocomeintotheplacequietlyIshouldbeable，perhaps，tokillandeathim；andinanycase，itwouldbeadvisabletokillhim，lesthisactionsattractedtheattentionoftheMartians。
Icreptforward，saying\"Gooddog！\"verysoftly；buthesuddenlywithdrewhisheadanddisappeared。
Ilistened——Iwasnotdeaf——butcertainlythepitwasstill。Iheardasoundliketheflutterofabird\'swings，andahoarsecroaking，butthatwasall。
ForalongwhileIlayclosetothepeephole，butnotdaringtomoveasidetheredplantsthatobscuredit。OnceortwiceIheardafaintpitter-patterlikethefeetofthedoggoinghitherandthitheronthesandfarbelowme，andthereweremorebirdlikesounds，butthatwasall。Atlength，encouragedbythesilence，Ilookedout。
Exceptinthecorner，whereamultitudeofcrowshoppedandfoughtovertheskeletonsofthedeadtheMartianshadconsumed，therewasnotalivingthinginthepit。
Istaredaboutme，scarcelybelievingmyeyes。Allthemachineryhadgone。Saveforthebigmoundofgreyish-bluepowderinonecorner，certainbarsofaluminiuminanother，theblackbirds，andtheskeletonsofthekilled，theplacewasmerelyanemptycircularpitinthesand。
SlowlyIthrustmyselfoutthroughtheredweed，andstooduponthemoundofrubble。Icouldseeinanydirectionsavebehindme，tothenorth，andneitherMartiansnorsignofMartiansweretobeseen。Thepitdroppedsheerlyfrommyfeet，butalittlewayalongtherubbishaffordedaprac-
ticableslopetothesummitoftheruins。Mychanceofescapehadcome。
Ibegantotremble。
Ihesitatedforsometime，andthen，inagustofdesperateresolution，andwithaheartthatthrobbedviolently，IscrambledtothetopofthemoundinwhichIhadbeenburiedsolong。
Ilookedaboutagain。Tothenorthward，too，noMartianwasvisible。
WhenIhadlastseenthispartofSheeninthedaylightithadbeenastragglingstreetofcomfortablewhiteandredhouses，interspersedwithabundantshadytrees。NowIstoodonamoundofsmashedbrickwork，clay，andgravel，overwhichspreadamultitudeofredcactus-shapedplants，knee-high，withoutasolitaryterrestrialgrowthtodisputetheirfooting。
Thetreesnearmeweredeadandbrown，butfurtheranetworkofredthreadscaledthestilllivingstems。
Theneighbouringhouseshadallbeenwrecked，butnonehadbeenburned；
theirwallsstood，sometimestothesecondstory，withsmashedwindowsandshattereddoors。Theredweedgrewtumultuouslyintheirrooflessrooms。
Belowmewasthegreatpit，withthecrowsstrugglingforitsrefuse。A
numberofotherbirdshoppedaboutamongtheruins。FarawayIsawagauntcatslinkcrouchinglyalongawall，buttracesofmentherewerenone。
Thedayseemed，bycontrastwithmyrecentconfinement，dazzlinglybright，theskyaglowingblue。Agentlebreezekepttheredweedthatcoveredeveryscrapofunoccupiedgroundgentlyswaying。Andoh！thesweetnessoftheair！
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book2-Chapter6Chapter6-TheWorkofFifteenDaysForsometimeIstoodtotteringonthemoundregardlessofmysafety。WithinthatnoisomedenfromwhichIhademergedIhadthoughtwithanarrowintensityonlyofourimmediatesecurity。Ihadnotrealisedwhathadbeenhap-peningtotheworld，hadnotanticipatedthisstartlingvisionofunfamiliarthings。
IhadexpectedtoseeSheeninruins——Ifoundaboutmethelandscape，weirdandlurid，ofanotherplanet。
ForthatmomentItouchedanemotionbeyondthecommonrangeofmen，yetonethatthepoorbruteswedominateknowonlytoowell。Ifeltasarabbitmightfeelreturningtohisburrowandsuddenlyconfrontedbytheworkofadozenbusynavviesdiggingthefoundationsofahouse。I
feltthefirstinklingofathingthatpresentlygrewquiteclearinmymind，thatoppressedmeformanydays，asenseofdethronement，apersuasionthatIwasnolongeramaster，butananimalamongtheanimals，undertheMartianheel。Withusitwouldbeaswiththem，tolurkandwatch，torunandhide；thefearandempireofmanhadpassedaway。
Butsosoonasthisstrangenesshadbeenrealiseditpassed，andmydominantmotivebecamethehungerofmylonganddismalfast。InthedirectionawayfromthepitIsaw，beyondared-coveredwall，apatchofgardengroundun-buried。Thisgavemeahint，andIwentknee-deep，andsometimesneck-deep，intheredweed。Thedensityoftheweedgavemeareassuringsenseofhiding。Thewallwassomesixfeethigh，andwhenIattemptedtoclamberitIfoundIcouldnotliftmyfeettothecrest。SoIwentalongbythesideofit，andcametoacornerandarockworkthatenabledmetogettothetop，andtumbleintothegardenIcoveted。HereIfoundsomeyoungonions，acoupleofgladiolusbulbs，andaquantityofimmaturecarrots，allofwhichIsecured，and，scramblingoveraruinedwall，wentonmywaythroughscarletandcrimsontreestowardsKew——itwaslikewalkingthroughanavenueofgiganticblooddrops——possessedwithtwoideas：togetmorefood，andtolimp，assoonandasfarasmystrengthpermitted，outofthisaccursedunearthlyregionofthepit。
Somewayfarther，inagrassyplace，wasagroupofmush-roomswhichalsoIdevoured，andthenIcameuponabrownsheetofflowingshallowwater，wheremeadowsusedtobe。Thesefragmentsofnourishmentservedonlytowhetmyhunger。AtfirstIwassurprisedatthisfloodinahot，drysummer，butafterwardsIdiscoveredthatitwascausedbythetropicalexuberanceoftheredweed。Directlythisextraor-dinarygrowthencounteredwateritstraightwaybecamegiganticandofunparalleledfecundity。ItsseedsweresimplypoureddownintothewateroftheWeyandThames，anditsswiftlygrowingandTitanicwaterfrondsspeedilychokedboththoserivers。
AtPutney，asIafterwardssaw，thebridgewasalmostlostinatangleofthisweed，andatRichmond，too，theThameswaterpouredinabroadandshallowstreamacrossthemeadowsofHamptonandTwickenham。Asthewaterspreadtheweedfollowedthem，untiltheruinedvillasoftheThamesvalleywereforatimelostinthisredswamp，whosemarginIexplored，andmuchofthedesolationtheMartianshadcausedwasconcealed。
Intheendtheredweedsuccumbedalmostasquicklyasithadspread。
Acankeringdisease，due，itisbelieved，totheactionofcertainbacteria，presentlyseizeduponit。Nowbytheactionofnaturalselection，allterrestrialplantshaveacquiredaresistingpoweragainstbacterialdiseases——theyneversuccumbwithoutaseverestruggle，buttheredweedrottedlikeathingalreadydead。Thefrondsbecamebleached，andthenshrivelledandbrittle。Theybrokeoffattheleasttouch，andthewatersthathadstimulatedtheirearlygrowthcarriedtheirlastvestigesouttosea。
Myfirstactoncomingtothiswaterwas，ofcourse，toslakemythirst。
Idrankagreatdealofitand，movedbyanimpulse，gnawedsomefrondsofredweed；buttheywerewatery，andhadasickly，metallictaste。I
foundthewaterwassufficientlyshallowformetowadesecurely，althoughtheredweedimpededmyfeetalittle；butthefloodevidentlygotdeepertowardstheriver，andIturnedbacktoMortlake。Imanagedtomakeouttheroadbymeansofoccasionalruinsofitsvillasandfencesandlamps，andsopresentlyIgotoutofthisspateandmademywaytothehillgoinguptowardsRoehamptonandcameoutonPutneyCommon。
Herethescenerychangedfromthestrangeandunfamiliartothewreckageofthefamiliar：patchesofgroundexhibitedthedevastationofacyclone，andinafewscoreyardsIwouldcomeuponperfectlyundisturbedspaces，houseswiththeirblindstrimlydrawnanddoorsclosed，asiftheyhadbeenleftforadaybytheowners，orasiftheirinhabitantssleptwithin。
Theredweedwaslessabundant；thetalltreesalongthelanewerefreefromtheredcreeper。Ihuntedforfoodamongthetrees，findingnothing，andIalsoraidedacoupleofsilenthouses，buttheyhadalreadybeenbrokenintoandransacked。Irestedfortheremainderoftheday-lightinashrubbery，being，inmyenfeebledcondition，toofatiguedtopushon。
AllthistimeIsawnohumanbeings，andnosignsoftheMartians。I
encounteredacoupleofhungry-lookingdogs，butbothhurriedcircuitouslyawayfromtheadvancesImadethem。NearRoehamptonIhadseentwohumanskeletons——notbodies，butskeletons，pickedclean——andinthewoodbymeIfoundthecrushedandscatteredbonesofseveralcatsandrabbitsandtheskullofasheep。ButthoughIgnawedpartsoftheseinmymouth，therewasnothingtobegotfromthem。
AftersunsetIstruggledonalongtheroadtowardsPutney，whereIthinktheHeat-Raymusthavebeenusedforsomereason。AndinthegardenbeyondRoehamptonIgotaquan-tityofimmaturepotatoes，sufficienttostaymyhunger。FromthisgardenonelookeddownuponPutneyandtheriver。
Theaspectoftheplaceintheduskwassingularlydesolate：blackenedtrees，blackened，desolateruins，anddownthehillthesheetsofthefloodedriver，red-tingedwiththeweed。Andoverall——silence。Itfilledmewithindescribableterrortothinkhowswiftlythatdesolatingchangehadcome。
ForatimeIbelievedthatmankindhadbeensweptoutofexistence，andthatIstoodtherealone，thelastmanleftalive。HardbythetopofPutneyHillIcameuponanotherskeleton，withthearmsdislocatedandremovedseveralyardsfromtherestofthebody。AsIproceededIbecamemoreandmoreconvincedthattheexterminationofmankindwas，saveforsuchstragglersasmyself，alreadyaccomplishedinthispartoftheworld。
TheMartians，Ithought，hadgoneonandleftthecountrydesolated，seekingfoodelsewhere。PerhapsevennowtheyweredestroyingBerlinorParis，oritmightbetheyhadgonenorthward。
TheWaroftheWorlds-Book2-Chapter7Chapter7-TheManonPutneyHillIspentthatnightintheinnthatstandsatthetopofPutneyHill，sleepinginamadebedforthefirsttimesincemyflighttoLeatherhead。IwillnottelltheneedlesstroubleIhadbreakingintothathouse——afterwardsIfoundthefrontdoorwasonthelatch——norhowIransackedeveryroomforfood，untiljustonthevergeofdespair，inwhatseemedtometobeaservant\'sbedroom，Ifoundarat-gnawedcrustandtwotinsofpineapple。
Theplacehadbeenalreadysearchedandemptied。InthebarIafterwardsfoundsomebiscuitsandsandwichesthathadbeenover-looked。ThelatterIcouldnoteat，theyweretoorotten，buttheformernotonlystayedmyhunger，butfilledmypockets。Ilitnolamps，fearingsomeMartianmightcomebeatingthatpartofLondonforfoodinthenight。BeforeIwenttobedIhadanintervalofrestlessness，andprowledfromwindowtowindow，peeringoutforsomesignofthesemonsters。Isleptlittle。AsIlayinbedIfoundmyselfthink-ingconsecutively——athingIdonotremembertohavedonesincemylastargumentwiththecurate。Duringalltheinter-
veningtimemymentalconditionhadbeenahurryingsuc-cessionofvagueemotionalstatesorasortofstupidrecep-tivity。Butinthenightmybrain，reinforced，Isuppose，bythefoodIhadeaten，grewclearagain，andIthought。
Threethingsstruggledforpossessionofmymind：thekillingofthecurate，thewhereaboutsoftheMartians，andthepossiblefateofmywife。
Theformergavemenosensa-tionofhorrororremorsetorecall；Isawitsimplyasathingdone，amemoryinfinitelydisagreeablebutquitewithoutthequalityofremorse。IsawmyselfthenasIseemyselfnow，drivenstepbysteptowardsthathastyblow，thecreatureofasequenceofaccidentsleadinginevitablytothat。Ifeltnocondemnation；yetthememory，static，unprogressive，hauntedme。Inthesilenceofthenight，withthatsenseofthenear-nessofGodthatsometimescomesintothestillnessandthedarkness，Istoodmytrial，myonlytrial，forthatmomentofwrathandfear。IretracedeverystepofourconversationfromthemomentwhenI
hadfoundhimcrouchingbesideme，heedlessofmythirst，andpointingtothefireandsmokethatstreamedupfromtheruinsofWeybridge。Wehadbeenincapableofco-operation——grimchancehadtakennoheedofthat。
HadIforeseen，IshouldhavelefthimatHalliford。ButIdidnotforesee；
andcrimeistoforeseeanddo。AndIsetthisdownasIhavesetallthisstorydown，asitwas。Therewerenowitnesses——allthesethingsImighthavecon-cealed。ButIsetitdown，andthereadermustformhisjudgmentashewill。
Andwhen，byaneffort，Ihadsetasidethatpictureofaprostratebody，IfacedtheproblemoftheMartiansandthefateofmywife。FortheformerIhadnodata；Icouldimagineahundredthings，andso，unhappily，Icouldforthelatter。Andsuddenlythatnightbecameterrible。Ifoundmyselfsittingupinbed，staringatthedark。Ifoundmy-selfprayingthattheHeat-Raymighthavesuddenlyandpainlesslystruckheroutofbeing。SincethenightofmyreturnfromLeatherheadIhadnotprayed。
Ihadutteredprayers，fetishprayers，hadprayedasheathensmuttercharmswhenIwasinextremity；butnowIprayedindeed，plead-ingsteadfastlyandsanely，facetofacewiththedarknessofGod。Strangenight！Strangestinthis，thatsosoonasdawnhadcome，I，whohadtalkedwithGod，creptoutofthehouselikearatleavingitshidingplace——acreaturescarcelylarger，aninferioranimal，athingthatforanypassingwhimofourmastersmightbehuntedandkilled。PerhapstheyalsoprayedconfidentlytoGod。
Surely，ifwehavelearnednoth-ingelse，thiswarhastaughtuspity——pityforthosewitlesssoulsthatsufferourdominion。
Themorningwasbrightandfine，andtheeasternskyglowedpink，andwasfrettedwithlittlegoldenclouds。IntheroadthatrunsfromthetopofPutneyHilltoWimbledonwasanumberofpoorvestigesofthepanictorrentthatmusthavepouredLondonwardontheSundaynightafterthefightingbegan。Therewasalittletwo-wheeledcartinscribedwiththenameofThomasLobb，Greengrocer，NewMalden，withasmashedwheelandanabandonedtintrunk；therewasastrawhattrampledintothenowhardenedmud，andatthetopofWestHillalotofblood-stainedglassabouttheoverturnedwatertrough。Mymovementswerelanguid，myplansofthevaguest。
IhadanideaofgoingtoLeatherhead，thoughIknewthatthereIhadthepoorestchanceoffindingmywife。Certainly，unlessdeathhadovertakenthemsud-denly，mycousinsandshewouldhavefledthence；butitseemedtomeImightfindorlearntherewhithertheSurreypeoplehadfled。I
knewIwantedtofindmywife，thatmyheartachedforherandtheworldofmen，butIhadnoclearideahowthefindingmightbedone。Iwasalsosharplyawarenowofmyintenseloneliness。FromthecornerIwent，undercoverofathicketoftreesandbushes，totheedgeofWimbledonCommon，stretchingwideandfar。
Thatdarkexpansewaslitinpatchesbyyellowgorseandbroom；therewasnoredweedtobeseen，andasIprowled，hesitating，onthevergeoftheopen，thesunrose，floodingitallwithlightandvitality。Icameuponabusyswarmoflittlefrogsinaswampyplaceamongthetrees。I
stoppedtolookatthem，drawingalessonfromtheirstoutresolvetolive。
Andpresently，turningsuddenly，withanoddfeelingofbeingwatched，Ibeheldsomethingcrouchingamidaclumpofbushes。Istoodregardingthis。Imadeasteptowardsit，anditroseupandbecameamanarmedwithacutlass。Iapproachedhimslowly。Hestoodsilentandmotionless，regardingme。
AsIdrewnearerIperceivedhewasdressedinclothesasdustyandfilthyasmyown；helooked，indeed，asthoughhehadbeendraggedthroughaculvert。Nearer，Idistin-guishedthegreenslimeofditchesmixingwiththepaledrabofdriedclayandshiny，coalypatches。Hisblackhairfelloverhiseyes，andhisfacewasdarkanddirtyandsunken，sothatatfirstIdidnotrecognisehim。Therewasaredcutacrossthelowerpartofhisface。
\"Stop！\"hecried，whenIwaswithintenyardsofhim，andIstopped。
Hisvoicewashoarse。\"Wheredoyoucomefrom？\"hesaid。
Ithought，surveyinghim。
\"IcomefromMortlake，\"Isaid。\"IwasburiednearthepittheMartiansmadeabouttheircylinder。Ihaveworkedmywayoutandescaped。\"
\"Thereisnofoodabouthere，\"hesaid。\"Thisismycoun-try。Allthishilldowntotheriver，andbacktoClapham，anduptotheedgeofthecommon。Thereisonlyfoodforone。Whichwayareyougoing？\"
Iansweredslowly。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"Isaid。\"Ihavebeenburiedintheruinsofahousethirteenorfourteendays。Idon\'tknowwhathashappened。\"
Helookedatmedoubtfully，thenstarted，andlookedwithachangedexpression。
\"I\'venowishtostopabouthere，\"saidI。\"IthinkIshallgotoLeatherhead，formywifewasthere。\"
Heshotoutapointingfinger。
\"Itisyou，\"saidhe；\"themanfromWoking。Andyouweren\'tkilledatWeybridge？\"
Irecognisedhimatthesamemoment。
\"Youaretheartillerymanwhocameintomygarden。\"
\"Goodluck！\"hesaid。\"Weareluckyones！FancyYOU！\"Heputoutahand，andItookit。\"Icrawledupadrain，\"hesaid。\"Buttheydidn\'tkilleveryone。
AndaftertheywentawayIgotofftowardsWaltonacrossthefields。But————
It\'snotsixteendaysaltogether——andyourhairisgrey。\"Helookedoverhisshouldersuddenly。\"Onlyarook，\"hesaid。\"Onegetstoknowthatbirdshaveshadowsthesedays。Thisisabitopen。Letuscrawlunderthosebushesandtalk。\"
\"HaveyouseenanyMartians？\"Isaid。\"SinceIcrawledout————\"
\"They\'vegoneawayacrossLondon，\"hesaid。\"Iguessthey\'vegotabiggercampthere。Ofanight，alloverthere，Hampsteadway，theskyisalivewiththeirlights。It\'slikeagreatcity，andintheglareyoucanjustseethemmoving。Bydaylightyoucan\'t。Butnearer——Ihaven\'tseenthem——\"
（hecountedonhisfingers）\"fivedays。ThenIsawacoupleacrossHammersmithwaycarryingsomethingbig。Andthenightbeforelast\"——hestoppedandspokeimpressively——\"itwasjustamatteroflights，butitwassomethingupintheair。Ibelievethey\'vebuiltaflying-machine，andarelearn-
ingtofly。\"
Istopped，onhandsandknees，forwehadcometothebushes。
\"Fly！\"
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"fly。\"
Iwentonintoalittlebower，andsatdown。
\"Itisalloverwithhumanity，\"Isaid。\"Iftheycandothattheywillsimplygoroundtheworld。\"
Henodded。
\"Theywill。But————Itwillrelievethingsoverhereabit。Andbesides————\"
Helookedatme。\"Aren\'tyousatisfieditISupwithhumanity？Iam。We\'redown；we\'rebeat。\"
Istared。Strangeasitmayseem，Ihadnotarrivedatthisfact——afactperfectlyobvioussosoonashespoke。Ihadstillheldavaguehope；
rather，Ihadkeptalifelonghabitofmind。Herepeatedhiswords，\"We\'rebeat。\"Theycarriedabsoluteconviction。
\"It\'sallover，\"hesaid。\"They\'velostONE——justONE。Andthey\'vemadetheirfootinggoodandcrippledthegreatestpowerintheworld。They\'vewalkedoverus。ThedeathofthatoneatWeybridgewasanaccident。Andtheseareonlypioneers。Theykeptoncoming。Thesegreenstars——I\'veseennonethesefiveorsixdays，butI\'venodoubtthey\'refallingsomewhereeverynight。Nothing\'stobedone。We\'reunder！We\'rebeat！\"
Imadehimnoanswer。Isatstaringbeforeme，tryinginvaintodevisesomecountervailingthought。
\"Thisisn\'tawar，\"saidtheartilleryman。\"Itneverwasawar，anymorethanthere\'swarbetweenmanandants。\"
SuddenlyIrecalledthenightintheobservatory。
\"Afterthetenthshottheyfirednomore——atleast，untilthefirstcylindercame。\"
\"Howdoyouknow？\"saidtheartilleryman。Iexplained。Hethought。\"Somethingwrongwiththegun，\"hesaid。\"Butwhatifthereis？They\'llgetitrightagain。Andevenifthere\'sadelay，howcanitaltertheend？It\'sjustmenandants。There\'stheantsbuildstheircities，livetheirlives，havewars，revolutions，untilthemenwantthemoutoftheway，andthentheygooutoftheway。That\'swhatwearenow——justants。Only————\"
\"Yes，\"Isaid。
\"We\'reeatableants。\"
Wesatlookingateachother。
\"Andwhatwilltheydowithus？\"Isaid。
\"That\'swhatI\'vebeenthinking，\"hesaid；\"that\'swhatI\'vebeenthinking。
AfterWeybridgeIwentsouth——thinking。Isawwhatwasup。Mostofthepeoplewerehardatitsquealingandexcitingthemselves。ButI\'mnotsofondofsquealing。I\'vebeeninsightofdeathonceortwice；I\'mnotanornamentalsoldier，andatthebestandworst，death——it\'sjustdeath。
Andit\'sthemanthatkeepsonthinkingcomesthrough。Isaweveryonetrackingawaysouth。SaysI，\"Foodwon\'tlastthisway，\"andIturnedrightback。
IwentfortheMartianslikeasparrowgoesforman。Allround\"——hewavedahandtothehorizon——\"they\'restarvinginheaps，bolting，treadingoneachother……\"
Hesawmyface，andhaltedawkwardly。
