What I Saw of Weybridge and Shepperton's Destruction

As the dawn grew brighter we withdrew from the window from which we had watched the Martians, and went very quietly downstairs.

As dawn grew brighter, we stepped away from the window where we had watched the Martians. We went downstairs very quietly.

The artilleryman agreed with me that the house was no place to stay in. He proposed, he said, to make his way Londonward, and thence rejoin his battery—No. 12, of the Horse Artillery. My plan was to return at once to Leatherhead; and so greatly had the strength of the Martians impressed me that I had determined to take my wife to Newhaven, and go with her out of the country forthwith. For I already perceived clearly that the country about London must inevitably be the scene of a disastrous struggle before such creatures as these could be destroyed.

The artilleryman agreed with me that the house was no place to stay. He planned to head toward London and rejoin his battery, No. 12 of the Horse Artillery. I planned to return to Leatherhead at once. The Martians’ strength had impressed me so deeply that I had decided to take my wife to Newhaven. From there, we would leave the country immediately. I could already see clearly that a disastrous struggle would inevitably take place around London before such creatures could be destroyed.

Between us and Leatherhead, however, lay the third cylinder, with its guarding giants. Had I been alone, I think I should have taken my chance and struck across country. But the artilleryman dissuaded me: “It’s no kindness to the right sort of wife,” he said, “to make her a widow;” and in the end I agreed to go with him, under cover of the woods, northward as far as Street Cobham before I parted with him. Thence I would make a big detour by Epsom to reach Leatherhead.

Between us and Leatherhead, however, lay the third cylinder, guarded by giants. If I had been alone, I think I would have taken my chances and crossed the open country. But the artilleryman talked me out of it. “It’s no kindness to the right sort of wife,” he said, “to make her a widow.” In the end, I agreed to go with him, under cover of the woods, north to Street Cobham. There we would part, and I would make a long detour through Epsom to reach Leatherhead.

I should have started at once, but my companion had been in active service and he knew better than that. He made me ransack the house for a flask, which he filled with whisky; and we lined every available pocket with packets of biscuits and slices of meat. Then we crept out of the house, and ran as quickly as we could down the ill-made road by which I had come overnight. The houses seemed deserted. In the road lay a group of three charred bodies close together, struck dead by the Heat-Ray; and here and there were things that people had dropped—a clock, a slipper, a silver spoon, and the like poor valuables. At the corner turning up towards the post office a little cart, filled with boxes and furniture, and horseless, heeled over on a broken wheel. A cash box had been hastily smashed open and thrown under the debris.

I would have set out at once, but my companion had seen active service and knew better. He made me search the house for a flask, which he filled with whisky. We packed every available pocket with packets of biscuits and slices of meat. Then we crept out of the house and ran as fast as we could down the poorly made road I had taken the night before. The houses seemed deserted. Three charred bodies lay close together in the road, killed by the Heat-Ray. Here and there lay things people had dropped: a clock, a slipper, a silver spoon, and other such modest valuables. At the corner where the road turned up toward the post office, a small cart leaned on a broken wheel. It was filled with boxes and furniture, and its horse was gone. A cash box had been hastily smashed open and thrown under the debris.

Except the lodge at the Orphanage, which was still on fire, none of the houses had suffered very greatly here. The Heat-Ray had shaved the chimney tops and passed. Yet, save ourselves, there did not seem to be a living soul on Maybury Hill. The majority of the inhabitants had escaped, I suppose, by way of the Old Woking road—the road I had taken when I drove to Leatherhead—or they had hidden.

Except for the lodge at the Orphanage, which was still on fire, none of the houses here had suffered much damage. The Heat-Ray had clipped the tops of the chimneys as it passed. Yet apart from us, there seemed to be no one alive on Maybury Hill. I suppose most of the residents had escaped by the Old Woking road or had hidden. That was the road I had taken when I drove to Leatherhead.

We went down the lane, by the body of the man in black, sodden now from the overnight hail, and broke into the woods at the foot of the hill. We pushed through these towards the railway without meeting a soul. The woods across the line were but the scarred and blackened ruins of woods; for the most part the trees had fallen, but a certain proportion still stood, dismal grey stems, with dark brown foliage instead of green.

We went down the lane, past the body of the man in black, now soaked by the overnight hail. We entered the woods at the foot of the hill and pushed through them toward the railway without meeting anyone. Across the railway, the woods were nothing but scarred, blackened ruins. Most of the trees had fallen, but some still stood. They were dreary gray trunks with dark brown foliage instead of green.

On our side the fire had done no more than scorch the nearer trees; it had failed to secure its footing. In one place the woodmen had been at work on Saturday; trees, felled and freshly trimmed, lay in a clearing, with heaps of sawdust by the sawing-machine and its engine. Hard by was a temporary hut, deserted. There was not a breath of wind this morning, and everything was strangely still. Even the birds were hushed, and as we hurried along I and the artilleryman talked in whispers and looked now and again over our shoulders. Once or twice we stopped to listen.

On our side, the fire had only scorched the nearest trees. It had failed to take hold. In one spot, woodcutters had been working on Saturday. Felled trees, freshly trimmed, lay in a clearing, with heaps of sawdust beside the saw and its engine. A deserted temporary hut stood nearby. There was no wind at all that morning, and everything was strangely still. Even the birds were silent. As we hurried along, the artilleryman and I spoke in whispers and occasionally looked over our shoulders. Once or twice, we stopped to listen.

After a time we drew near the road, and as we did so we heard the clatter of hoofs and saw through the tree stems three cavalry soldiers riding slowly towards Woking. We hailed them, and they halted while we hurried towards them. It was a lieutenant and a couple of privates of the 8th Hussars, with a stand like a theodolite, which the artilleryman told me was a heliograph.

After a while, we came near the road. As we did, we heard hooves clattering and saw three cavalry soldiers through the trees. They were riding slowly toward Woking. We called out to them, and they stopped while we hurried over. They were a lieutenant and two privates of the 8th Hussars. They had a stand that looked like a theodolite. The artilleryman told me it was a heliograph.

“You are the first men I’ve seen coming this way this morning,” said the lieutenant. “What’s brewing?”

“You’re the first men I’ve seen coming this way this morning,” said the lieutenant. “What’s going on?”

His voice and face were eager. The men behind him stared curiously. The artilleryman jumped down the bank into the road and saluted.

His voice and expression were eager. The men behind him stared curiously. The artilleryman jumped down the bank into the road and saluted.

“Gun destroyed last night, sir. Have been hiding. Trying to rejoin battery, sir. You’ll come in sight of the Martians, I expect, about half a mile along this road.”

“Our gun was destroyed last night, sir. I’ve been hiding. I’m trying to rejoin my battery, sir. I expect you’ll see the Martians about half a mile down this road.”

“What the dickens are they like?” asked the lieutenant.

“What on earth are they like?” asked the lieutenant.

“Giants in armour, sir. Hundred feet high. Three legs and a body like ’luminium, with a mighty great head in a hood, sir.”

“Giants in armor, sir. A hundred feet tall. Three legs and a body like aluminum, with a huge head in a hood, sir.”

“Get out!” said the lieutenant. “What confounded nonsense!”

“Come on!” said the lieutenant. “What ridiculous nonsense!”

“You’ll see, sir. They carry a kind of box, sir, that shoots fire and strikes you dead.”

“You’ll see, sir. They carry a kind of box, sir, that shoots fire and kills you.”

“What d’ye mean—a gun?”

“What do you mean, a gun?”

“No, sir,” and the artilleryman began a vivid account of the Heat-Ray. Halfway through, the lieutenant interrupted him and looked up at me. I was still standing on the bank by the side of the road.

“No, sir,” the artilleryman said, and began to describe the Heat-Ray vividly. Halfway through, the lieutenant interrupted him and looked up at me. I was still standing on the bank beside the road.

“It’s perfectly true,” I said.

“It’s completely true,” I said.

“Well,” said the lieutenant, “I suppose it’s my business to see it too. Look here”—to the artilleryman—“we’re detailed here clearing people out of their houses. You’d better go along and report yourself to Brigadier-General Marvin, and tell him all you know. He’s at Weybridge. Know the way?”

“Well,” said the lieutenant, “I suppose it’s my job to see it too.” He turned to the artilleryman. “Look, we’ve been assigned to clear people out of their houses. You’d better go and report to Brigadier-General Marvin, and tell him all you know. He’s at Weybridge. Do you know the way?”

“I do,” I said; and he turned his horse southward again.

“I do,” I said, and he turned his horse south again.

“Half a mile, you say?” said he.

“Half a mile, you say?” he said.

“At most,” I answered, and pointed over the treetops southward. He thanked me and rode on, and we saw them no more.

“At most,” I replied, pointing south over the treetops. He thanked me and rode on, and we never saw them again.

Farther along we came upon a group of three women and two children in the road, busy clearing out a labourer’s cottage. They had got hold of a little hand truck, and were piling it up with unclean-looking bundles and shabby furniture. They were all too assiduously engaged to talk to us as we passed.

Farther along the road, we came upon three women and two children clearing out a laborer’s cottage. They had found a small handcart and were piling it with dirty-looking bundles and shabby furniture. They were all too busy to talk to us as we passed.

By Byfleet station we emerged from the pine trees, and found the country calm and peaceful under the morning sunlight. We were far beyond the range of the Heat-Ray there, and had it not been for the silent desertion of some of the houses, the stirring movement of packing in others, and the knot of soldiers standing on the bridge over the railway and staring down the line towards Woking, the day would have seemed very like any other Sunday.

Near Byfleet station, we came out of the pine trees and found the countryside calm and peaceful in the morning sunlight. We were far beyond the range of the Heat-Ray there. The day would have seemed like any other Sunday if some houses had not stood silently abandoned. In others, people were busy packing. A group of soldiers also stood on the bridge over the railway, staring down the line toward Woking.

Several farm waggons and carts were moving creakily along the road to Addlestone, and suddenly through the gate of a field we saw, across a stretch of flat meadow, six twelve-pounders standing neatly at equal distances pointing towards Woking. The gunners stood by the guns waiting, and the ammunition waggons were at a business-like distance. The men stood almost as if under inspection.

Several farm wagons and carts creaked along the road to Addlestone. Suddenly, through a field gate, we saw six twelve-pounder guns across a stretch of flat meadow. They stood neatly at equal distances from one another, pointing toward Woking. The gunners stood waiting beside the guns, and the ammunition wagons were at a practical distance. The men stood almost as if they were being inspected.

“That’s good!” said I. “They will get one fair shot, at any rate.”

“That’s good!” I said. “They’ll get one fair shot, at least.”

The artilleryman hesitated at the gate.

The artilleryman hesitated at the gate.

“I shall go on,” he said.

“I’ll go on,” he said.

Farther on towards Weybridge, just over the bridge, there were a number of men in white fatigue jackets throwing up a long rampart, and more guns behind.

Farther on, toward Weybridge, several men in white work jackets were building a long defensive wall just beyond the bridge. More guns stood behind the wall.

“It’s bows and arrows against the lightning, anyhow,” said the artilleryman. “They ’aven’t seen that fire-beam yet.”

“It’s bows and arrows against lightning, anyway,” said the artilleryman. “They haven’t seen that fire-beam yet.”

The officers who were not actively engaged stood and stared over the treetops southwestward, and the men digging would stop every now and again to stare in the same direction.

The officers who were not busy stood and stared southwest over the treetops. The men digging stopped now and then to stare in the same direction.

Byfleet was in a tumult; people packing, and a score of hussars, some of them dismounted, some on horseback, were hunting them about. Three or four black government waggons, with crosses in white circles, and an old omnibus, among other vehicles, were being loaded in the village street. There were scores of people, most of them sufficiently sabbatical to have assumed their best clothes. The soldiers were having the greatest difficulty in making them realise the gravity of their position. We saw one shrivelled old fellow with a huge box and a score or more of flower pots containing orchids, angrily expostulating with the corporal who would leave them behind. I stopped and gripped his arm.

Byfleet was in an uproar. People were packing, and twenty hussars were rounding them up. Some of the soldiers were on foot, others on horseback. Three or four black government wagons marked with crosses inside white circles were being loaded in the village street. An old omnibus and other vehicles were being loaded too. There were dozens of people, most dressed in their Sunday best. The soldiers were having great difficulty making them understand how serious their situation was. We saw a shriveled old man with a huge box and twenty or more pots of orchids. He was arguing angrily with the corporal who wanted to leave the orchids behind. I stopped and gripped the old man's arm.

“Do you know what’s over there?” I said, pointing at the pine tops that hid the Martians.

“Do you know what’s over there?” I asked, pointing at the pine tops hiding the Martians.

“Eh?” said he, turning. “I was explainin’ these is vallyble.”

“Huh?” he said, turning around. “I was explaining that these are valuable.”

“Death!” I shouted. “Death is coming! Death!” and leaving him to digest that if he could, I hurried on after the artillery-man. At the corner I looked back. The soldier had left him, and he was still standing by his box, with the pots of orchids on the lid of it, and staring vaguely over the trees.

“Death!” I shouted. “Death is coming! Death!” I left him to make sense of that if he could and hurried after the artilleryman. At the corner, I looked back. The soldier had left him. He was still standing by his box, with the pots of orchids on its lid, staring blankly over the trees.

No one in Weybridge could tell us where the headquarters were established; the whole place was in such confusion as I had never seen in any town before. Carts, carriages everywhere, the most astonishing miscellany of conveyances and horseflesh. The respectable inhabitants of the place, men in golf and boating costumes, wives prettily dressed, were packing, river-side loafers energetically helping, children excited, and, for the most part, highly delighted at this astonishing variation of their Sunday experiences. In the midst of it all the worthy vicar was very pluckily holding an early celebration, and his bell was jangling out above the excitement.

No one in Weybridge could tell us where the headquarters had been set up. The whole place was in greater confusion than I had ever seen in a town before. Carts and carriages were everywhere, along with an astonishing variety of other vehicles and horses. The respectable local residents were packing, the men in golf and boating clothes and their wives prettily dressed. People who usually lounged by the river were eagerly helping them. The children were excited and, for the most part, delighted by this astonishing change from their usual Sundays. In the middle of it all, the worthy vicar was bravely holding an early church service. His bell rang out above the commotion.

I and the artilleryman, seated on the step of the drinking fountain, made a very passable meal upon what we had brought with us. Patrols of soldiers—here no longer hussars, but grenadiers in white—were warning people to move now or to take refuge in their cellars as soon as the firing began. We saw as we crossed the railway bridge that a growing crowd of people had assembled in and about the railway station, and the swarming platform was piled with boxes and packages. The ordinary traffic had been stopped, I believe, in order to allow of the passage of troops and guns to Chertsey, and I have heard since that a savage struggle occurred for places in the special trains that were put on at a later hour.

The artilleryman and I sat on the step of the drinking fountain and made an adequate meal from what we had brought. Patrols of soldiers were warning people to leave now or take refuge in their cellars as soon as the firing began. Here the soldiers were no longer hussars, but grenadiers in white uniforms. As we crossed the railway bridge, we saw a growing crowd gathered in and around the station. The crowded platform was piled with boxes and packages. I believe regular train service had been stopped to let troops and guns pass through to Chertsey. I have since heard that a savage struggle broke out for seats on the special trains put on later.

We remained at Weybridge until midday, and at that hour we found ourselves at the place near Shepperton Lock where the Wey and Thames join. Part of the time we spent helping two old women to pack a little cart. The Wey has a treble mouth, and at this point boats are to be hired, and there was a ferry across the river. On the Shepperton side was an inn with a lawn, and beyond that the tower of Shepperton Church—it has been replaced by a spire—rose above the trees.

We stayed at Weybridge until midday. By then, we had reached the place near Shepperton Lock where the Wey and Thames meet. We spent some of that time helping two old women pack a small cart. The Wey has three mouths. Boats were available to hire there, and a ferry crossed the river. On the Shepperton side was an inn with a lawn. Beyond the inn, the tower of Shepperton Church rose above the trees. The tower has since been replaced by a spire.

Here we found an excited and noisy crowd of fugitives. As yet the flight had not grown to a panic, but there were already far more people than all the boats going to and fro could enable to cross. People came panting along under heavy burdens; one husband and wife were even carrying a small outhouse door between them, with some of their household goods piled thereon. One man told us he meant to try to get away from Shepperton station.

Here we found a noisy, excited crowd of people fleeing. The flight had not yet become a panic. But there were already far more people than all the boats traveling back and forth could carry across. People came panting under heavy loads. One husband and wife were even carrying a small outhouse door between them, with some household goods piled on it. One man told us he meant to try to get away from Shepperton station.

There was a lot of shouting, and one man was even jesting. The idea people seemed to have here was that the Martians were simply formidable human beings, who might attack and sack the town, to be certainly destroyed in the end. Every now and then people would glance nervously across the Wey, at the meadows towards Chertsey, but everything over there was still.

There was a lot of shouting, and one man was even joking. People here seemed to think the Martians were simply powerful human beings. They thought the Martians might attack and loot the town, but would certainly be destroyed in the end. Now and then, people glanced nervously across the Wey, at the meadows towards Chertsey. But everything over there was still.

Across the Thames, except just where the boats landed, everything was quiet, in vivid contrast with the Surrey side. The people who landed there from the boats went tramping off down the lane. The big ferryboat had just made a journey. Three or four soldiers stood on the lawn of the inn, staring and jesting at the fugitives, without offering to help. The inn was closed, as it was now within prohibited hours.

Across the Thames, everything was quiet except at the boats’ landing place. This was a striking contrast to the Surrey side. The people who landed from the boats walked off down the lane. The big ferryboat had just made a crossing. Three or four soldiers stood on the inn’s lawn, staring at the fugitives and joking about them. They offered no help. The inn was closed because it was past the hours when it was allowed to open.

“What’s that?” cried a boatman, and “Shut up, you fool!” said a man near me to a yelping dog. Then the sound came again, this time from the direction of Chertsey, a muffled thud—the sound of a gun.

“What’s that?” shouted a boatman. “Shut up, you fool!” a man near me said to a yelping dog. Then the sound came again, from the direction of Chertsey. It was a muffled thud, the sound of a gun.

The fighting was beginning. Almost immediately unseen batteries across the river to our right, unseen because of the trees, took up the chorus, firing heavily one after the other. A woman screamed. Everyone stood arrested by the sudden stir of battle, near us and yet invisible to us. Nothing was to be seen save flat meadows, cows feeding unconcernedly for the most part, and silvery pollard willows motionless in the warm sunlight.

The fighting was beginning. Almost immediately, batteries across the river to our right joined in, firing heavily one after another. Trees hid the batteries from view. A woman screamed. Everyone stood still, startled by the sudden outbreak of battle, so close to us and yet out of sight. All we could see were flat meadows, cows grazing mostly without concern, and silvery pollarded willows standing motionless in the warm sunlight.

“The sojers’ll stop ’em,” said a woman beside me, doubtfully. A haziness rose over the treetops.

“The soldiers will stop them,” said a woman beside me, doubtfully. A haze rose above the treetops.

Then suddenly we saw a rush of smoke far away up the river, a puff of smoke that jerked up into the air and hung; and forthwith the ground heaved under foot and a heavy explosion shook the air, smashing two or three windows in the houses near, and leaving us astonished.

Then suddenly we saw a puff of smoke far up the river. It shot into the air and hung there. At once, the ground heaved beneath our feet, and a heavy explosion shook the air. It smashed two or three windows in the nearby houses and left us astonished.

“Here they are!” shouted a man in a blue jersey. “Yonder! D’yer see them? Yonder!”

“Here they are!” shouted a man in a blue shirt. “Over there! Do you see them? Over there!”

Quickly, one after the other, one, two, three, four of the armoured Martians appeared, far away over the little trees, across the flat meadows that stretched towards Chertsey, and striding hurriedly towards the river. Little cowled figures they seemed at first, going with a rolling motion and as fast as flying birds.

Quickly, one after another, one, two, three, four armoured Martians appeared in the distance above the little trees. They were across the flat meadows that stretched towards Chertsey, striding hurriedly towards the river. At first, they looked like little hooded figures, moving with a rolling motion, as fast as flying birds.

Then, advancing obliquely towards us, came a fifth. Their armoured bodies glittered in the sun as they swept swiftly forward upon the guns, growing rapidly larger as they drew nearer. One on the extreme left, the remotest that is, flourished a huge case high in the air, and the ghostly, terrible Heat-Ray I had already seen on Friday night smote towards Chertsey, and struck the town.

Then a fifth came toward us at an angle. Their armored bodies glittered in the sun as they swept swiftly toward the guns. They grew rapidly larger as they drew nearer. The one farthest away, on the extreme left, waved a huge case high in the air. The ghostly, terrifying Heat-Ray I had seen on Friday night shot toward Chertsey and struck the town.

At sight of these strange, swift, and terrible creatures the crowd near the water’s edge seemed to me to be for a moment horror-struck. There was no screaming or shouting, but a silence. Then a hoarse murmur and a movement of feet—a splashing from the water. A man, too frightened to drop the portmanteau he carried on his shoulder, swung round and sent me staggering with a blow from the corner of his burden. A woman thrust at me with her hand and rushed past me. I turned with the rush of the people, but I was not too terrified for thought. The terrible Heat-Ray was in my mind. To get under water! That was it!

At the sight of these strange, swift, and terrifying creatures, the crowd near the water’s edge seemed frozen with horror. No one screamed or shouted. There was only silence. Then came a hoarse murmur, the movement of feet, and splashing in the water. A man was too frightened to drop the suitcase he carried on his shoulder. He turned and struck me with a corner of it, sending me staggering. A woman pushed me with her hand and rushed past. I turned with the crowd, but I was not too terrified to think. The terrible Heat-Ray was on my mind. I had to get underwater! That was it!

“Get under water!” I shouted, unheeded.

“Get under water!” I shouted, but no one listened.

I faced about again, and rushed towards the approaching Martian, rushed right down the gravelly beach and headlong into the water. Others did the same. A boatload of people putting back came leaping out as I rushed past. The stones under my feet were muddy and slippery, and the river was so low that I ran perhaps twenty feet scarcely waist-deep. Then, as the Martian towered overhead scarcely a couple of hundred yards away, I flung myself forward under the surface. The splashes of the people in the boats leaping into the river sounded like thunderclaps in my ears. People were landing hastily on both sides of the river. But the Martian machine took no more notice for the moment of the people running this way and that than a man would of the confusion of ants in a nest against which his foot has kicked. When, half suffocated, I raised my head above water, the Martian’s hood pointed at the batteries that were still firing across the river, and as it advanced it swung loose what must have been the generator of the Heat-Ray.

I turned around again and rushed toward the approaching Martian. I ran straight down the gravel beach and plunged into the water. Others did the same. As I rushed past a boat returning to shore, the people aboard jumped out. The stones under my feet were muddy and slippery. The river was so low that I ran perhaps twenty feet in water barely waist-deep. Then I threw myself under the surface. The Martian towered above me, barely a couple of hundred yards away. People were jumping from the boats into the river, and their splashes sounded like thunderclaps in my ears. People were scrambling ashore on both sides of the river. But for the moment, the Martian machine took no more notice of them running in every direction than a man would of the confused ants in a nest he had kicked. When I raised my head above water, half suffocated, the Martian’s hood was pointed at the batteries still firing across the river. As the Martian advanced, it swung loose what must have been the generator of the Heat-Ray.

In another moment it was on the bank, and in a stride wading halfway across. The knees of its foremost legs bent at the farther bank, and in another moment it had raised itself to its full height again, close to the village of Shepperton. Forthwith the six guns which, unknown to anyone on the right bank, had been hidden behind the outskirts of that village, fired simultaneously. The sudden near concussion, the last close upon the first, made my heart jump. The monster was already raising the case generating the Heat-Ray as the first shell burst six yards above the hood.

A moment later, the monster reached the bank and waded halfway across in a single stride. Its front legs bent at the knees as they reached the far bank. A moment later, it rose to its full height again, close to the village of Shepperton. Six guns hidden behind the outskirts of the village immediately fired at once. No one on the right bank had known they were there. The sudden, nearby blasts, each following close on the last, made my heart jump. The monster was already raising the case that generated the Heat-Ray as the first shell burst six yards above its hood.

I gave a cry of astonishment. I saw and thought nothing of the other four Martian monsters; my attention was riveted upon the nearer incident. Simultaneously two other shells burst in the air near the body as the hood twisted round in time to receive, but not in time to dodge, the fourth shell.

I cried out in astonishment. I saw the other four Martian monsters but gave them no thought. My attention was fixed on what was happening closer to me. At the same time, two other shells exploded in the air near the body. The hood turned in time to take the fourth shell, but not in time to dodge it.

The shell burst clean in the face of the Thing. The hood bulged, flashed, was whirled off in a dozen tattered fragments of red flesh and glittering metal.

The shell exploded right in the Thing’s face. The hood bulged and flashed, then flew apart into a dozen ragged pieces of red flesh and glittering metal.

“Hit!” shouted I, with something between a scream and a cheer.

“Hit!” I shouted, with something between a scream and a cheer.

I heard answering shouts from the people in the water about me. I could have leaped out of the water with that momentary exultation.

I heard people in the water around me shout back. For a moment, I felt so joyful I could have leaped out of the water.

The decapitated colossus reeled like a drunken giant; but it did not fall over. It recovered its balance by a miracle, and, no longer heeding its steps and with the camera that fired the Heat-Ray now rigidly upheld, it reeled swiftly upon Shepperton. The living intelligence, the Martian within the hood, was slain and splashed to the four winds of heaven, and the Thing was now but a mere intricate device of metal whirling to destruction. It drove along in a straight line, incapable of guidance. It struck the tower of Shepperton Church, smashing it down as the impact of a battering ram might have done, swerved aside, blundered on and collapsed with tremendous force into the river out of my sight.

The headless colossus staggered like a drunken giant, but it did not fall. Miraculously, it regained its balance. No longer watching its steps, it staggered swiftly toward Shepperton, with the camera that fired the Heat-Ray held rigidly aloft. The living intelligence, the Martian inside the hood, had been killed and scattered to the four winds. The Thing was now merely an intricate metal device spinning toward destruction. It drove straight ahead, with no one to guide it. It struck the tower of Shepperton Church, smashing it down as a battering ram might have done. Then it swerved aside, stumbled on, and crashed into the river with tremendous force, out of my sight.

A violent explosion shook the air, and a spout of water, steam, mud, and shattered metal shot far up into the sky. As the camera of the Heat-Ray hit the water, the latter had immediately flashed into steam. In another moment a huge wave, like a muddy tidal bore but almost scaldingly hot, came sweeping round the bend upstream. I saw people struggling shorewards, and heard their screaming and shouting faintly above the seething and roar of the Martian’s collapse.

A violent explosion shook the air. Water, steam, mud, and shattered metal shot high into the sky. As the camera of the Heat-Ray hit the water, the water instantly turned to steam. A moment later, a huge wave swept around the bend upstream. It was like a muddy tidal bore, but almost hot enough to scald. I saw people struggling toward the shore. I could faintly hear their screams and shouts above the seething and roar of the Martian’s collapse.

For a moment I heeded nothing of the heat, forgot the patent need of self-preservation. I splashed through the tumultuous water, pushing aside a man in black to do so, until I could see round the bend. Half a dozen deserted boats pitched aimlessly upon the confusion of the waves. The fallen Martian came into sight downstream, lying across the river, and for the most part submerged.

For a moment, I paid no attention to the heat and forgot the obvious need to save myself. I splashed through the churning water, pushing aside a man in black, until I could see around the bend. Half a dozen abandoned boats tossed aimlessly on the turbulent waves. Downstream, the fallen Martian came into view, lying across the river and mostly submerged.

Thick clouds of steam were pouring off the wreckage, and through the tumultuously whirling wisps I could see, intermittently and vaguely, the gigantic limbs churning the water and flinging a splash and spray of mud and froth into the air. The tentacles swayed and struck like living arms, and, save for the helpless purposelessness of these movements, it was as if some wounded thing were struggling for its life amid the waves. Enormous quantities of a ruddy-brown fluid were spurting up in noisy jets out of the machine.

Thick clouds of steam poured off the wreckage. Through the wildly swirling wisps, I could occasionally make out the huge limbs. They churned the water, flinging mud and froth into the air. The tentacles swayed and struck like living arms. But their movements were helpless and aimless. Otherwise, it was as if a wounded creature were struggling for its life amid the waves. Huge amounts of reddish-brown fluid spurted from the machine in noisy jets.

My attention was diverted from this death flurry by a furious yelling, like that of the thing called a siren in our manufacturing towns. A man, knee-deep near the towing path, shouted inaudibly to me and pointed. Looking back, I saw the other Martians advancing with gigantic strides down the riverbank from the direction of Chertsey. The Shepperton guns spoke this time unavailingly.

A furious wailing drew my attention away from the death struggle. It sounded like a siren in one of our industrial towns. A man standing knee-deep in the water near the towpath shouted something I could not hear and pointed. I looked back and saw the other Martians striding down the riverbank from the direction of Chertsey. The Shepperton guns fired this time without effect.

At that I ducked at once under water, and, holding my breath until movement was an agony, blundered painfully ahead under the surface as long as I could. The water was in a tumult about me, and rapidly growing hotter.

At that, I immediately ducked underwater and held my breath until moving was agonizing. I struggled painfully forward beneath the surface for as long as I could. The water churned around me and was rapidly getting hotter.

When for a moment I raised my head to take breath and throw the hair and water from my eyes, the steam was rising in a whirling white fog that at first hid the Martians altogether. The noise was deafening. Then I saw them dimly, colossal figures of grey, magnified by the mist. They had passed by me, and two were stooping over the frothing, tumultuous ruins of their comrade.

For a moment, I raised my head to breathe and clear the hair and water from my eyes. Steam rose in a swirling white fog that at first hid the Martians completely. The noise was deafening. Then I saw them dimly, huge grey figures made to look even larger by the mist. They had passed me, and two were bending over the churning, frothing remains of their comrade.

The third and fourth stood beside him in the water, one perhaps two hundred yards from me, the other towards Laleham. The generators of the Heat-Rays waved high, and the hissing beams smote down this way and that.

The third and fourth stood beside him in the water. One was perhaps two hundred yards from me, the other towards Laleham. The Heat-Ray generators waved high in the air, and the hissing beams struck here and there.

The air was full of sound, a deafening and confusing conflict of noises—the clangorous din of the Martians, the crash of falling houses, the thud of trees, fences, sheds flashing into flame, and the crackling and roaring of fire. Dense black smoke was leaping up to mingle with the steam from the river, and as the Heat-Ray went to and fro over Weybridge its impact was marked by flashes of incandescent white, that gave place at once to a smoky dance of lurid flames. The nearer houses still stood intact, awaiting their fate, shadowy, faint and pallid in the steam, with the fire behind them going to and fro.

The air was full of sound, a deafening, confusing clash of noises. The Martians made a clanging din. Houses crashed down, trees fell with a thud, and fences and sheds burst into flame. Fire crackled and roared. Thick black smoke rose to mingle with steam from the river. As the Heat-Ray swept back and forth across Weybridge, flashes of glowing white marked where it struck. Each flash gave way at once to a smoky dance of fierce flames. The nearer houses still stood untouched, waiting for their fate. They looked shadowy, faint, and pale in the steam, with the fire moving back and forth behind them.

For a moment perhaps I stood there, breast-high in the almost boiling water, dumbfounded at my position, hopeless of escape. Through the reek I could see the people who had been with me in the river scrambling out of the water through the reeds, like little frogs hurrying through grass from the advance of a man, or running to and fro in utter dismay on the towing path.

Perhaps I stood there for a moment, chest-deep in the nearly boiling water. I was stunned by my situation and saw no hope of escape. Through the thick steam, I could see the people who had been in the river with me. They were scrambling out through the reeds, like little frogs hurrying through grass to escape an approaching man. Others were running back and forth along the towpath in complete panic.

Then suddenly the white flashes of the Heat-Ray came leaping towards me. The houses caved in as they dissolved at its touch, and darted out flames; the trees changed to fire with a roar. The Ray flickered up and down the towing path, licking off the people who ran this way and that, and came down to the water’s edge not fifty yards from where I stood. It swept across the river to Shepperton, and the water in its track rose in a boiling weal crested with steam. I turned shoreward.

Then suddenly, white flashes of the Heat-Ray leaped toward me. Houses collapsed as the ray dissolved them, bursting into flames. Trees turned to fire with a roar. The ray flickered up and down the towpath, wiping out people running in every direction. It reached the water’s edge less than fifty yards from where I stood. It swept across the river to Shepperton, leaving a boiling ridge of water topped with steam. I turned toward the shore.

In another moment the huge wave, well-nigh at the boiling-point had rushed upon me. I screamed aloud, and scalded, half blinded, agonised, I staggered through the leaping, hissing water towards the shore. Had my foot stumbled, it would have been the end. I fell helplessly, in full sight of the Martians, upon the broad, bare gravelly spit that runs down to mark the angle of the Wey and Thames. I expected nothing but death.

A moment later, the huge wave, nearly boiling, rushed over me. I screamed aloud. Scalded, half blinded, and in agony, I staggered through the leaping, hissing water toward the shore. If I had stumbled, it would have been the end. I fell helplessly onto the broad, bare gravel spit at the angle where the Wey and Thames meet. I was in full view of the Martians. I expected nothing but death.

I have a dim memory of the foot of a Martian coming down within a score of yards of my head, driving straight into the loose gravel, whirling it this way and that and lifting again; of a long suspense, and then of the four carrying the debris of their comrade between them, now clear and then presently faint through a veil of smoke, receding interminably, as it seemed to me, across a vast space of river and meadow. And then, very slowly, I realised that by a miracle I had escaped.

I have a faint memory of a Martian’s foot coming down within twenty yards of my head. It plunged straight into the loose gravel, scattering it in every direction, then lifted again. I remember a long wait, and then the four Martians carrying their comrade’s remains between them. They were sometimes clear, then faint behind a veil of smoke. They seemed to take forever to move away across a vast stretch of river and meadow. Then, very slowly, I realized that I had escaped by a miracle.