"Somaydeathbe。Theworn—outbodilymachinecan’trecorditsimpression，butweknowthementalpleasurewhichliesinadreamoratrance。Naturemaybuildabeautifuldoorandhangitwithmanyagauzyandshimmeringcurtaintomakeanentrancetothenewlifeforourwonderingsouls。Inallmyprobingsoftheactual，Ihavealwaysfoundwisdomandkindnessatthecore；andifeverthefrightenedmortalneedstenderness，itissurelyashemakesthepassageperilousfromlifetolife。No，Summerlee，Iwillhavenoneofyourmaterialism，forI，atleast，amtoogreatathingtoendinmerephysicalconstituents，apacketofsaltsandthreebucketfulsofwater。Here——here"——andhebeathisgreatheadwithhishuge，hairyfist——"thereissomethingwhichusesmatter，butisnotofit——somethingwhichmightdestroydeath，butwhichdeathcanneverdestroy。"
"Talkin’ofdeath，"saidLordJohn。"I’maChristianofsorts，butitseemstometherewassomethin’mightynaturalinthoseancestorsofourswhowereburiedwiththeiraxesandbowsandarrowsandthelike，sameasiftheywerelivin’onjustthesameastheyusedto。Idon’tknow，"headded，lookingroundthetableinashamefacedway，"thatIwouldn’tfeelmorehomelymyselfifIwasputawaywithmyold。450Expressandthefowlin’—piece，theshorteronewiththerubberedstock，andacliportwoofcartridges——justafool’sfancy，ofcourse，butthereitis。Howdoesitstrikeyou，HerrProfessor？"
"Well，"saidSummerlee，"sinceyouaskmyopinion，itstrikesmeasanindefensiblethrowbacktotheStoneAgeorbeforeit。I’mofthetwentiethcenturymyself，andwouldwishtodielikeareasonablecivilizedman。Idon’tknowthatIammoreafraidofdeaththantherestofyou，forIamanoldishman，and，comewhatmay，Ican’thaveverymuchlongertolive；butitisallagainstmynaturetositwaitingwithoutastrugglelikeasheepforthebutcher。Isitquitecertain，Challenger，thatthereisnothingwecando？"
"Tosaveus——nothing，"saidChallenger。"Toprolongourlivesafewhoursandthustoseetheevolutionofthismightytragedybeforeweareactuallyinvolvedinit——thatmayprovetobewithinmypowers。Ihavetakencertainsteps————"
"Theoxygen？"
"Exactly。Theoxygen。"
"Butwhatcanoxygeneffectinthefaceofapoisoningoftheether？Thereisnotagreaterdifferenceinqualitybetweenabrick—batandagasthanthereisbetweenoxygenandether。Theyaredifferentplanesofmatter。Theycannotimpingeupononeanother。Come，Challenger，youcouldnotdefendsuchaproposition。"
"MygoodSummerlee，thisethericpoisonismostcertainlyinfluencedbymaterialagents。Weseeitinthemethodsanddistributionoftheoutbreak。WeshouldnotAPRIORIhaveexpectedit，butitisundoubtedlyafact。HenceIamstronglyofopinionthatagaslikeoxygen，whichincreasesthevitalityandtheresistingpowerofthebody，wouldbeextremelylikelytodelaytheactionofwhatyouhavesohappilynamedthedaturon。ItmaybethatIammistaken，butIhaveeveryconfidenceinthecorrectnessofmyreasoning。"
"Well，"saidLordJohn，"ifwe’vegottositsuckin’atthosetubeslikesomanybabieswiththeirbottles，I’mnottakin’
any。"
"Therewillbenoneedforthat，"Challengeranswered。"Wehavemadearrangements——itistomywifethatyouchieflyoweit——thatherboudoirshallbemadeasairtightasispracticable。Withmattingandvarnishedpaper。"
"Goodheavens，Challenger，youdon’tsupposeyoucankeepoutetherwithvarnishedpaper？"
"Really，myworthyfriend，youareatrifleperverseinmissingthepoint。Itisnottokeepouttheetherthatwehavegonetosuchtrouble。Itistokeepintheoxygen。Itrustthatifwecanensureanatmospherehyper—oxygenatedtoacertainpoint，wemaybeabletoretainoursenses。Ihadtwotubesofthegasandyouhavebroughtmethreemore。Itisnotmuch，butitissomething。"
"Howlongwilltheylast？"
"Ihavenotanidea。Wewillnotturnthemonuntiloursymptomsbecomeunbearable。Thenweshalldolethegasoutasitisurgentlyneeded。Itmaygiveussomehours，possiblyevensomedays，onwhichwemaylookoutuponablastedworld。Ourownfateisdelayedtothatextent，andwewillhavetheverysingularexperience，wefive，ofbeing，inallprobability，theabsoluterearguardofthehumanraceuponitsmarchintotheunknown。Perhapsyouwillbekindenoughnowtogivemeahandwiththecylinders。Itseemstomethattheatmospherealreadygrowssomewhatmoreoppressive。"
ChapterIII
SUBMERGED
Thechamberwhichwasdestinedtobethesceneofourunforgettableexperiencewasacharminglyfemininesitting—room，somefourteenorsixteenfeetsquare。Attheendofit，dividedbyacurtainofredvelvet，wasasmallapartmentwhichformedtheProfessor’sdressing—room。Thisinturnopenedintoalargebedroom。Thecurtainwasstillhanging，buttheboudoiranddressing—roomcouldbetakenasonechamberforthepurposesofourexperiment。Onedoorandthewindowframehadbeenplasteredroundwithvarnishedpapersoastobepracticallysealed。Abovetheotherdoor，whichopenedontothelanding，therehungafanlightwhichcouldbedrawnbyacordwhensomeventilationbecameabsolutelynecessary。Alargeshrubinatubstoodineachcorner。
"Howtogetridofourexcessivecarbondioxidewithoutundulywastingouroxygenisadelicateandvitalquestion，"saidChallenger，lookingroundhimafterthefiveirontubeshadbeenlaidsidebysideagainstthewall。"WithlongertimeforpreparationIcouldhavebroughtthewholeconcentratedforceofmyintelligencetobearmorefullyupontheproblem，butasitiswemustdowhatwecan。Theshrubswillbeofsomesmallservice。Twooftheoxygentubesarereadytobeturnedonataninstant’snotice，sothatwecannotbetakenunawares。Atthesametime，itwouldbewellnottogofarfromtheroom，asthecrisismaybeasuddenandurgentone。"
Therewasabroad，lowwindowopeningoutuponabalcony。Theviewbeyondwasthesameasthatwhichwehadalreadyadmiredfromthestudy。Lookingout，Icouldseenosignofdisorderanywhere。Therewasaroadcurvingdownthesideofthehill，undermyveryeyes。Acabfromthestation，oneofthoseprehistoricsurvivalswhichareonlytobefoundinourcountryvillages，wastoilingslowlyupthehill。Lowerdownwasanursegirlwheelingaperambulatorandleadingasecondchildbythehand。Thebluereeksofsmokefromthecottagesgavethewholewidespreadlandscapeanairofsettledorderandhomelycomfort。
Nowhereintheblueheavenoronthesunlitearthwasthereanyforeshadowingofacatastrophe。Theharvesterswerebackinthefieldsoncemoreandthegolfers，inpairsandfours，werestillstreamingroundthelinks。Therewassostrangeaturmoilwithinmyownhead，andsuchajanglingofmyoverstrungnerves，thattheindifferenceofthosepeoplewasamazing。
"Thosefellowsdon’tseemtofeelanyilleffects，"saidI，pointingdownatthelinks。
"Haveyouplayedgolf？"askedLordJohn。
"No，Ihavenot。"
"Well，youngfellah，whenyoudoyou’lllearnthatoncefairlyoutonaround，itwouldtakethecrackofdoomtostopatruegolfer。Halloa!There’sthattelephone—bellagain。"
Fromtimetotimeduringandafterlunchthehigh，insistentringhadsummonedtheProfessor。Hegaveusthenewsasitcamethroughtohiminafewcurtsentences。Suchterrificitemshadneverbeenregisteredintheworld’shistorybefore。Thegreatshadowwascreepingupfromthesouthlikearisingtideofdeath。Egypthadgonethroughitsdeliriumandwasnowcomatose。
SpainandPortugal，afterawildfrenzyinwhichtheClericalsandtheAnarchistshadfoughtmostdesperately，werenowfallensilent。NocablemessageswerereceivedanylongerfromSouthAmerica。InNorthAmericathesouthernstates，aftersometerribleracialrioting，hadsuccumbedtothepoison。NorthofMarylandtheeffectwasnotyetmarked，andinCanadaitwashardlyperceptible。Belgium，Holland，andDenmarkhadeachinturnbeenaffected。Despairingmessageswereflashingfromeveryquartertothegreatcentresoflearning，tothechemistsandthedoctorsofworld—widerepute，imploringtheiradvice。Theastronomerstooweredelugedwithinquiries。Nothingcouldbedone。Thethingwasuniversalandbeyondourhumanknowledgeorcontrol。Itwasdeath——painlessbutinevitable——deathforyoungandold，forweakandstrong，forrichandpoor，withouthopeorpossibilityofescape。Suchwasthenewswhich，inscattered，distractedmessages，thetelephonehadbroughtus。Thegreatcitiesalreadyknewtheirfateandsofaraswecouldgatherwerepreparingtomeetitwithdignityandresignation。Yetherewereourgolfersandlaborerslikethelambswhogambolundertheshadowoftheknife。Itseemedamazing。Andyethowcouldtheyknow？Ithadallcomeuponusinonegiantstride。Whatwasthereinthemorningpapertoalarmthem？Andnowitwasbutthreeintheafternoon。Evenaswelookedsomerumourseemedtohavespread，forwesawthereapershurryingfromthefields。
Someofthegolferswerereturningtotheclub—house。Theywererunningasiftakingrefugefromashower。Theirlittlecaddiestrailedbehindthem。Otherswerecontinuingtheirgame。Thenursehadturnedandwaspushingherperambulatorhurriedlyupthehillagain。Inoticedthatshehadherhandtoherbrow。
Thecabhadstoppedandthetiredhorse，withhisheadsunktohisknees，wasresting。Abovetherewasaperfectsummersky——onehugevaultofunbrokenblue，saveforafewfleecywhitecloudsoverthedistantdowns。Ifthehumanracemustdieto—day，itwasatleastuponagloriousdeath—bed。Andyetallthatgentlelovelinessofnaturemadethisterrificandwholesaledestructionthemorepitiableandawful。Surelyitwastoogoodlyaresidencethatweshouldbesoswiftly，soruthlessly，evictedfromit!
ButIhavesaidthatthetelephone—bellhadrungoncemore。
SuddenlyIheardChallenger’stremendousvoicefromthehall。
"Malone!"hecried。"Youarewanted。"
Irusheddowntotheinstrument。ItwasMcArdlespeakingfromLondon。
"Thatyou，Mr。Malone？"criedhisfamiliarvoice。"Mr。Malone，thereareterriblegoings—oninLondon。ForGod’ssake，seeifProfessorChallengercansuggestanythingthatcanbedone。"
"Hecansuggestnothing，sir，"Ianswered。"Heregardsthecrisisasuniversalandinevitable。Wehavesomeoxygenhere，butitcanonlydeferourfateforafewhours。"
"Oxygen!"criedtheagonizedvoice。"Thereisnotimetogetany。Theofficehasbeenaperfectpandemoniumeversinceyouleftinthemorning。Nowhalfofthestaffareinsensible。Iamweigheddownwithheavinessmyself。FrommywindowIcanseethepeoplelyingthickinFleetStreet。Thetrafficisallheldup。
Judgingbythelasttelegrams，thewholeworld————"
Hisvoicehadbeensinking，andsuddenlystopped。AninstantlaterIheardthroughthetelephoneamuffledthud，asifhisheadhadfallenforwardonthedesk。
"Mr。McArdle!"Icried。"Mr。McArdle!"
Therewasnoanswer。IknewasIreplacedthereceiverthatI
shouldneverhearhisvoiceagain。
Atthatinstant，justasItookastepbackwardsfromthetelephone，thethingwasonus。Itwasasifwewerebathers，uptoourshouldersinwater，whosuddenlyaresubmergedbyarollingwave。Aninvisiblehandseemedtohavequietlyclosedroundmythroatandtobegentlypressingthelifefromme。I
wasconsciousofimmenseoppressionuponmychest，greattightnesswithinmyhead，aloudsinginginmyears，andbrightflashesbeforemyeyes。Istaggeredtothebalustradesofthestair。Atthesamemoment，rushingandsnortinglikeawoundedbuffalo，Challengerdashedpastme，aterriblevision，withred—purpleface，engorgedeyes，andbristlinghair。Hislittlewife，insensibletoallappearance，wasslungoverhisgreatshoulder，andheblunderedandthunderedupthestair，scramblingandtripping，butcarryinghimselfandherthroughsheerwill—forcethroughthatmephiticatmospheretothehavenoftemporarysafety。AtthesightofhiseffortItoorushedupthesteps，clambering，falling，clutchingattherail，untilI
tumbledhalfsenselessuponbyfaceontheupperlanding。LordJohn’sfingersofsteelwereinthecollarofmycoat，andamomentlaterIwasstretcheduponmyback，unabletospeakormove，ontheboudoircarpet。Thewomanlaybesideme，andSummerleewasbunchedinachairbythewindow，hisheadnearlytouchinghisknees。AsinadreamIsawChallenger，likeamonstrousbeetle，crawlingslowlyacrossthefloor，andamomentlaterIheardthegentlehissingoftheescapingoxygen。
Challengerbreathedtwoorthreetimeswithenormousgulps，hislungsroaringashedrewinthevitalgas。
"Itworks!"hecriedexultantly。"Myreasoninghasbeenjustified!"Hewasuponhisfeetagain，alertandstrong。Withatubeinhishandherushedovertohiswifeandheldittoherface。Inafewsecondsshemoaned，stirred，andsatup。Heturnedtome，andIfeltthetideoflifestealingwarmlythroughmyarteries。Myreasontoldmethatitwasbutalittlerespite，andyet，carelesslyaswetalkofitsvalue，everyhourofexistencenowseemedaninestimablething。NeverhaveIknownsuchathrillofsensuousjoyascamewiththatfreshetoflife。
Theweightfellawayfrommylungs，thebandloosenedfrommybrow，asweetfeelingofpeaceandgentle，languidcomfortstoleoverme。IlaywatchingSummerleereviveunderthesameremedy，andfinallyLordJohntookhisturn。Hesprangtohisfeetandgavemeahandtorise，whileChallengerpickeduphiswifeandlaidheronthesettee。
"Oh，George，Iamsosorryyoubroughtmeback，"shesaid，holdinghimbythehand。"Thedoorofdeathisindeed，asyousaid，hungwithbeautiful，shimmeringcurtains；for，oncethechokingfeelinghadpassed，itwasallunspeakablysoothingandbeautiful。Whyhaveyoudraggedmeback？"
"BecauseIwishthatwemakethepassagetogether。Wehavebeentogethersomanyyears。Itwouldbesadtofallapartatthesuprememoment。"
ForamomentinhistendervoiceIcaughtaglimpseofanewChallenger，somethingveryfarfromthebullying，ranting，arrogantmanwhohadalternatelyamazedandoffendedhisgeneration。HereintheshadowofdeathwastheinnermostChallenger，themanwhohadwonandheldawoman’slove。
Suddenlyhismoodchangedandhewasourstrongcaptainonceagain。
"AloneofallmankindIsawandforetoldthiscatastrophe，"saidhewitharingofexultationandscientifictriumphinhisvoice。"Astoyou，mygoodSummerlee，ItrustyourlastdoubtshavebeenresolvedastothemeaningoftheblurringofthelinesinthespectrumandthatyouwillnolongercontendthatmyletterintheTimeswasbaseduponadelusion。"
Foronceourpugnaciouscolleaguewasdeaftoachallenge。Hecouldbutsitgaspingandstretchinghislong，thinlimbs，asiftoassurehimselfthathewasstillreallyuponthisplanet。
Challengerwalkedacrosstotheoxygentube，andthesoundoftheloudhissingfellawaytillitwasthemostgentlesibilation。
"Wemusthusbandoursupplyofthegas，"saidhe。"Theatmosphereoftheroomisnowstronglyhyperoxygenated，andI
takeitthatnoneofusfeelanydistressingsymptoms。Wecanonlydeterminebyactualexperimentswhatamountaddedtotheairwillservetoneutralizethepoison。Letusseehowthatwilldo。"
Wesatinsilentnervoustensionforfiveminutesormore，observingourownsensations。IhadjustbeguntofancythatI
felttheconstrictionroundmytemplesagainwhenMrs。
Challengercalledoutfromthesofathatshewasfainting。Herhusbandturnedonmoregas。
"Inpre—scientificdays，"saidhe，"theyusedtokeepawhitemouseineverysubmarine，asitsmoredelicateorganizationgavesignsofaviciousatmospherebeforeitwasperceivedbythesailors。You，mydear，willbeourwhitemouse。Ihavenowincreasedthesupplyandyouarebetter。"
"Yes，Iambetter。"
"Possiblywehavehituponthecorrectmixture。Whenwehaveascertainedexactlyhowlittlewillserveweshallbeabletocomputehowlongweshallbeabletoexist。Unfortunately，inresuscitatingourselveswehavealreadyconsumedaconsiderableproportionofthisfirsttube。"
"Doesitmatter？"askedLordJohn，whowasstandingwithhishandsinhispocketsclosetothewindow。"Ifwehavetogo，whatistheuseofholdin’on？Youdon’tsupposethere’sanychanceforus？"
Challengersmiledandshookhishead。
"Well，then，don’tyouthinkthereismoredignityintakin’thejumpandnotwaitin’tohepushedin？Ifitmustbeso，I’mforsayin’ourprayers，turnin’offthegas，andopenin’thewindow。"
"Whynot？"saidtheladybravely。"Surely，George，LordJohnisrightanditisbetterso。"
"Imoststronglyobject，"criedSummerleeinaquerulousvoice。
"Whenwemustdieletusbyallmeansdie，buttodeliberatelyanticipatedeathseemstometobeafoolishandunjustifiableaction。"
"Whatdoesouryoungfriendsaytoit？"askedChallenger。
"Ithinkweshouldseeittotheend。"
"AndIamstronglyofthesameopinion，"saidhe。
"Then，George，ifyousayso，Ithinksotoo，"criedthelady。
"Well，well，I’monlyputtin’itasanargument，"saidLordJohn。"IfyouallwanttoseeitthroughIamwithyou。It’sdoocedinterestin’，andnomistakeaboutthat。I’vehadmyshareofadventuresinmylife，andasmanythrillsasmostfolk，butI’mendin’onmytopnote。"
"Grantingthecontinuityoflife，"saidChallenger。
"Alargeassumption!"criedSummerlee。Challengerstaredathiminsilentreproof。
"Grantingthecontinuityoflife，"saidhe，inhismostdidacticmanner，"noneofuscanpredicatewhatopportunitiesofobservationonemayhavefromwhatwemaycallthespiritplanetotheplaneofmatter。Itsurelymustbeevidenttothemostobtuseperson"（hereheglaredaSummerlee）"thatitiswhileweareourselvesmaterialthatwearemostfittedtowatchandformajudgmentuponmaterialphenomena。Thereforeitisonlybykeepingaliveforthesefewextrahoursthatwecanhopetocarryonwithustosomefutureexistenceaclearconceptionofthemoststupendouseventthattheworld，ortheuniversesofarasweknowit，haseverencountered。Tomeitwouldseemadeplorablethingthatweshouldinanywaycurtailbysomuchasaminutesowonderfulanexperience。"
"Iamstronglyofthesameopinion，"criedSummerlee。
"Carriedwithoutadivision，"saidLordJohn。"ByGeorge，thatpoordevilofachauffeurofyoursdownintheyardhasmadehislastjourney。Nousemakin’asallyandbringin’himin？"
"Itwouldbeabsolutemadness，"criedSummerlee。
"Well，Isupposeitwould，"saidLordJohn。"Itcouldn’thelphimandwouldscatterourgasalloverthehouse，evenifweevergotbackalive。Myword，lookatthelittlebirdsunderthetrees!"
Wedrewfourchairsuptothelong，lowwindow，theladystillrestingwithclosedeyesuponthesettee。Irememberthatthemonstrousandgrotesqueideacrossedmymind——theillusionmayhavebeenheightenedbytheheavystuffinessoftheairwhichwewerebreathing——thatwewereinfourfrontseatsofthestallsatthelastactofthedramaoftheworld。
Intheimmediateforeground，beneathourveryeyes，wasthesmallyardwiththehalf—cleanedmotor—carstandinginit。
Austin，thechauffeur，hadreceivedhisfinalnoticeatlast，forhewassprawlingbesidethewheel，withagreatblackbruiseuponhisforeheadwhereithadstruckthestepormud—guardinfalling。Hestillheldinhishandthenozzleofthehosewithwhichhehadbeenwashingdownhismachine。Acoupleofsmallplanetreesstoodinthecorneroftheyard，andunderneaththemlayseveralpatheticlittleballsoffluffyfeathers，withtinyfeetuplifted。Thesweepofdeath’sscythehadincludedeverything，greatandsmall，withinitsswath。
Overthewalloftheyardwelookeddownuponthewindingroad，whichledtothestation。Agroupofthereaperswhomwehadseenrunningfromthefieldswerelyingallpell—mell，theirbodiescrossingeachother，atthebottomofit。Fartherup，thenurse—girllaywithherheadandshouldersproppedagainsttheslopeofthegrassybank。Shehadtakenthebabyfromtheperambulator，anditwasamotionlessbundleofwrapsinherarms。Closebehindheratinypatchupontheroadsideshowedwherethelittleboywasstretched。Stillnearertouswasthedeadcab—horse，kneelingbetweentheshafts。Theolddriverwashangingoverthesplash—boardlikesomegrotesquescarecrow，hisarmsdanglingabsurdlyinfrontofhim。Throughthewindowwecoulddimlydiscernthatayoungmanwasseatedinside。Thedoorwasswingingopenandhishandwasgraspingthehandle，asifhehadattemptedtoleapforthatthelastinstant。Inthemiddledistancelaythegolflinks，dottedastheyhadbeeninthemorningwiththedarkfiguresofthegolfers，lyingmotionlessuponthegrassofthecourseoramongtheheatherwhichskirtedit。Ononeparticulargreentherewereeightbodiesstretchedwhereafoursomewithitscaddieshadheldtotheirgametothelast。Nobirdflewinthebluevaultofheaven，nomanorbeastmoveduponthevastcountrysidewhichlaybeforeus。Theeveningsunshoneitspeacefulradianceacrossit，buttherebroodedoveritallthestillnessandthesilenceofuniversaldeath——adeathinwhichweweresosoontojoin。Atthepresentinstantthatonefrailsheetofglass，byholdingintheextraoxygenwhichcounteractedthepoisonedether，shutusofffromthefateofallourkind。Forafewshorthourstheknowledgeandforesightofonemancouldpreserveourlittleoasisoflifeinthevastdesertofdeathandsaveusfromparticipationinthecommoncatastrophe。Thenthegaswouldrunlow，wetooshouldliegaspinguponthatcherry—colouredboudoircarpet，andthefateofthehumanraceandofallearthlylifewouldbecomplete。Foralongtime，inamoodwhichwastoosolemnforspeech，welookedoutatthetragicworld。
"Thereisahouseonfire，"saidChallengeratlast，pointingtoacolumnofsmokewhichroseabovethetrees。"Therewill，I
expect，bemanysuch——possiblywholecitiesinflames——whenweconsiderhowmanyfolkmayhavedroppedwithlightsintheirhands。Thefactofcombustionisinitselfenoughtoshowthattheproportionofoxygenintheatmosphereisnormalandthatitistheetherwhichisatfault。Ah，thereyouseeanotherblazeonthetopofCrowboroughHill。Itisthegolfclubhouse，orI
ammistaken。Thereisthechurchclockchimingthehour。Itwouldinterestourphilosopherstoknowthatman—mademechanismshassurvivedtheracewhomadeit。"
"ByGeorge!"criedLordJohn，risingexcitedlyfromhischair。
"What’sthatpuffofsmoke？It’satrain。"
Weheardtheroarofit，andpresentlyitcameflyingintosight，goingatwhatseemedtometobeaprodigiousspeed。
Whenceithadcome，orhowfar，wehadnomeansofknowing。Onlybysomemiracleofluckcouldithavegoneanydistance。Butnowweweretoseetheterrificendofitscareer。Atrainofcoaltrucksstoodmotionlessupontheline。Weheldourbreathastheexpressroaredalongthesametrack。Thecrashwashorrible。
Engineandcarriagespiledthemselvesintoahillofsplinteredwoodandtwistediron。Redspurtsofflameflickeredupfromthewreckageuntilitwasallablaze。Forhalfanhourwesatwithhardlyaword，stunnedbythestupendoussight。
"Poor，poorpeople!"criedMrs。Challengeratlast，clingingwithawhimpertoherhusband’sarm。
"Mydear，thepassengersonthattrainwerenomoreanimatethanthecoalsintowhichtheycrashedorthecarbonwhichtheyhavenowbecome，"saidChallenger，strokingherhandsoothingly。"ItwasatrainofthelivingwhenitleftVictoria，butitwasdrivenandfreightedbythedeadlongbeforeitreacheditsfate。"
"Allovertheworldthesamethingmustbegoingon，"saidIasavisionofstrangehappeningsrosebeforeme。"Thinkoftheshipsatsea——howtheywillsteamonandon，untilthefurnacesdiedownoruntiltheyrunfulltiltuponsomebeach。Thesailingshipstoo——howtheywillbackandfillwiththeircargoesofdeadsailors，whiletheirtimbersrotandtheirjointsleak，tillonebyonetheysinkbelowthesurface。PerhapsacenturyhencetheAtlanticmaystillbedottedwiththeolddriftingderelicts。"
"Andthefolkinthecoal—mines，"saidSummerleewithadismalchuckle。"Ifevergeologistsshouldbyanychanceliveuponearthagaintheywillhavesomestrangetheoriesoftheexistenceofmanincarboniferousstrata。"
"Idon’tprofesstoknowaboutsuchthings，"remarkedLordJohn，"butitseemstometheearthwillbe`Tolet，empty，’afterthis。Whenonceourhumancrowdiswipedoffit，howwillitevergetonagain？"
"Theworldwasemptybefore，"Challengeransweredgravely。
"Underlawswhichintheirinceptionarebeyondandaboveus，itbecamepeopled。Whymaythesameprocessnothappenagain？"
"MydearChallenger，youcan’tmeanthat？"
"Iamnotinthehabit，ProfessorSummerlee，ofsayingthingswhichIdonotmean。Theobservationistrivial。"Outwentthebeardanddowncametheeyelids。
"Well，youlivedanobstinatedogmatist，andyoumeantodieone，"saidSummerleesourly。
"Andyou，sir，havelivedanunimaginativeobstructionistandnevercanhopenowtoemergefromit。"
"Yourworstcriticswillneveraccuseyouoflackingimagination，"Summerleeretorted。
"Uponmyword!"saidLordJohn。"Itwouldbelikeyouifyouusedupourlastgaspofoxygeninabusingeachother。Whatcanitmatterwhetherfolkcomebackornot？Itsurelywon’tbeinourtime。""Inthatremark，sir，youbetrayyourownverypronouncedlimitations，"saidChallengerseverely。"Thetruescientificmindisnottobetieddownbyitsownconditionsoftimeandspace。Itbuildsitselfanobservatoryerectedupontheborderlineofpresent，whichseparatestheinfinitepastfromtheinfinitefuture。Fromthissurepostitmakesitssallieseventothebeginningandtotheendofallthings。Astodeath，thescientificminddiesatitspostworkinginnormalandmethodicfashiontotheend。Itdisregardssopettyathingasitsownphysicaldissolutionascompletelyasitdoesallotherlimitationsupontheplaneofmatter。AmIright，ProfessorSummerlee？"
Summerleegrumbledanungraciousassent。
"Withcertainreservations，Iagree，"saidhe。
"Theidealscientificmind，"continuedChallenger——"Iputitinthethirdpersonratherthanappeartobetooself—complacent——theidealscientificmindshouldbecapableofthinkingoutapointofabstractknowledgeintheintervalbetweenitsownerfallingfromaballoonandreachingtheearth。
Menofthisstrongfibreareneededtoformtheconquerorsofnatureandthebodyguardoftruth。"
"Itstrikesmenature’sontopthistime，"saidLordJohn，lookingoutofthewindow。"I’vereadsomeleadin’articlesaboutyougentlemencontrollin’her，butshe’sgettin’abitofherownback。"
"Itisbutatemporarysetback，"saidChallengerwithconviction。"Afewmillionyears，whataretheyinthegreatcycleoftime？Thevegetableworldhas，asyoucansee，survived。Lookattheleavesofthatplanetree。Thebirdsaredead，buttheplantflourishes。Fromthisvegetablelifeinpondandinmarshwillcome，intime，thetinycrawlingmicroscopicslugswhicharethepioneersofthatgreatarmyoflifeinwhichfortheinstantwefivehavetheextraordinarydutyofservingasrearguard。Oncethelowestformoflifehasestablisheditself，thefinaladventofmanisascertainasthegrowthoftheoakfromtheacorn。Theoldcirclewillswingroundoncemore。"
"Butthepoison？"Iasked。"Willthatnotniplifeinthebud？"
"Thepoisonmaybeamerestratumorlayerintheether——amephiticGulfStreamacrossthatmightyoceaninwhichwefloat。
Ortolerancemaybeestablishedandlifeaccommodateitselftoanewcondition。Themerefactthatwithacomparativelysmallhyperoxygenationofourbloodwecanholdoutagainstitissurelyaproofinitselfthatnoverygreatchangewouldbeneededtoenableanimallifetoendureit。"
Thesmokinghousebeyondthetreeshadburstintoflames。Wecouldseethehightonguesoffireshootingupintotheair。
"It’sprettyawful，"mutteredLordJohn，moreimpressedthanI
hadeverseenhim。
"Well，afterall，whatdoesitmatter？"Iremarked。"Theworldisdead。Cremationissurelythebestburial。"
"Itwouldshortenusupifthishousewentablaze。"
"Iforesawthedanger，"saidChallenger，"andaskedmywifetoguardagainstit。"
"Everythingisquitesafe，dear。Butmyheadbeginstothrobagain。Whatadreadfulatmosphere!"
"Wemustchangeit，"saidChallenger。Hebentoverhiscylinderofoxygen。
"It’snearlyempty，"saidhe。"Ithaslastedussomethreeandahalfhours。Itisnowcloseoneighto’cloek。Weshallgetthroughthenightcomfortably。Ishouldexpecttheendaboutnineo’clockto—morrowmorning。Weshallseeonesunrise，whichshallbeallourown。"
Heturnedonhissecondtubeandopenedforhalfaminutethefanlightoverthedoor。Thenastheairbecameperceptiblybetter，butourownsymptomsmoreacute，hecloseditonceagain。
"Bytheway，"saidhe，"mandoesnotliveuponoxygenalone。
It’sdinnertimeandover。Iassureyou，gentlemen，thatwhenI
invitedyoutomyhomeandtowhatIhadhopedwouldbeaninterestingreunion，Ihadintendedthatmykitchenshouldjustifyitself。However，wemustdowhatwecan。Iamsurethatyouwillagreewithmethatitwouldbefollytoconsumeourairtoorapidlybylightinganoil—stove。Ihavesomesmallprovisionofcoldmeats，bread，andpickleswhich，withacoupleofbottlesofclaret，mayserveourturn。Thankyou，mydear——nowaseveryouarethequeenofmanagers。"
Itwasindeedwonderfulhow，withtheself—respectandsenseofproprietyoftheBritishhousekeeper，theladyhadwithinafewminutesadornedthecentraltablewithasnow—whitecloth，laidthenapkinsuponit，andsetforththesimplemealwithalltheeleganceofcivilization，includinganelectrictorchlampinthecentre。Wonderfulalsowasittofindthatourappetiteswereravenous。
"Itisthemeasureofouremotion，"saidChallengerwiththatairofcondescensionwithwhichhebroughthisscientificmindtotheexplanationofhumblefacts。"Wehavegonethroughagreatcrisis。Thatmeansmoleculardisturbance。Thatinturnmeanstheneedforrepair。Greatsorroworgreatjoyshouldbringintensehunger——notabstinencefromfood，asournovelistswillhaveit。"
"That’swhythecountryfolkhavegreatfeastsatfunerals，"I
hazarded。
"Exactly。Ouryoungfriendhashituponanexcellentillustration。Letmegiveyouanothersliceoftongue。"
"Thesamewithsavages，"saidLordJohn，cuttingawayatthebeef。"I’veseenthemburyin’achiefuptheAruwimiRiver，andtheyateahippothatmusthaveweighedasmuchasatribe。
TherearesomeofthemdownNewGuineawaythateatthelate—lamentedhimself，justbywayofalasttidyup。Well，ofallthefuneralfeastsonthisearth，Isupposetheonewearetakin’isthequeerest。"
"Thestrangethingis，"saidMrs。Challenger，"thatIfinditimpossibletofeelgriefforthosewhoaregone。TherearemyfatherandmotheratBedford。Iknowthattheyaredead，andyetinthistremendousuniversaltragedyIcanfeelnosharpsorrowforanyindividuals，evenforthem。"
"AndmyoldmotherinhercottageinIreland，"saidI。"Icanseeherinmymind’seye，withhershawlandherlacecap，lyingbackwithclosedeyesintheoldhigh—backedchairnearthewindow，herglassesandherbookbesideher。WhyshouldImourn。
her？ShehaspassedandIampassing，andImaybenearerherinsomeotherlifethanEnglandistoIreland。YetIgrievetothinkthatthatdearbodyisnomore。"
"Astothebody，"remarkedChallenger，"wedonotmournovertheparingsofournailsnorthecutlocksofourhair，thoughtheywereoncepartofourselves。Neitherdoesaone—leggedmanyearnsentimentallyoverhismissingmember。Thephysicalbodyhasratherbeenasourceofpainandfatiguetous。Itistheconstantindexofourlimitations。Whythenshouldweworryaboutitsdetachmentfromourpsychicalselves？"
"Iftheycanindeedbedetached，"Summerleegrumbled。"But，anyhow，universaldeathisdreadful。"
"AsIhavealreadyexplained，"saidChallenger，"auniversaldeathmustinitsnaturebefarlessterriblethanaisolatedone。"
"Sameinabattle，"remarkedLordJohn。"Ifyousawasinglemanlyingonthatfloorwithhischestknockedinandaholeinhisfaceitwouldturnyousick。ButI’veseententhousandontheirbacksintheSoudan，anditgavemenosuchfeelin’，forwhenyouaremakin’historythelifeofanymanistoosmallathingtoworryover。Whenathousandmillionpassovertogether，sameashappenedto—day，youcan’tpickyourownpartic’laroutofthecrowd。"
"Iwishitwerewelloverwithus，"saidtheladywistfully。
"Oh，George，Iamsofrightened。"
"You’llbethebravestofusall，littlelady，whenthetimecomes。I’vebeenablusterousoldhusbandtoyou，dear，butyou’lljustbearinmindthatG。E。C。isashewasmadeandcouldn’thelphimself。Afterall，youwouldn’thavehadanyoneelse？"
"Nooneinthewholewideworld，dear，"saidshe，andputherarmsroundhisbullneck。Wethreewalkedtothewindowandstoodamazedatthesightwhichmetoureyes。
Darknesshadfallenandthedeadworldwasshroudedingloom。
Butrightacrossthesouthernhorizonwasonelongvividscarletstreak，waxingandwaninginvividpulsesoflife，leapingsuddenlytoacrimsonzenithandthendyingdowntoaglowinglineoffire。
"Lewesisablaze!"
"No，itisBrightonwhichisburning，"saidChallenger，steppingacrosstojoinus。"Youcanseethecurvedbackofthedownsagainsttheglow。Thatfireismilesonthefarthersideofit。
Thewholetownmustbealight。"
Therewereseveralredglaresatdifferentpoints，andthepileofDEBRISupontherailwaylinewasstillsmolderingdarkly，buttheyallseemedmerepin—pointsoflightcomparedtothatmonstrousconflagrationthrobbingbeyondthehills。WhatcopyitwouldhavemadefortheGazette!Hadeverajournalistsuchanopeningandsolittlechanceofusingit——thescoopofscoops，andnoonetoappreciateit？Andthen，suddenly，theoldinstinctofrecordingcameoverme。Ifthesemenofsciencecouldbesotruetotheirlife’sworktotheveryend，whyshouldnotI，inmyhumbleway，beasconstant？NohumaneyemighteverrestuponwhatIhaddone。Butthelongnighthadtobepassedsomehow，andformeatleast，sleepseemedtobeoutofthequestion。Mynoteswouldhelptopassthewearyhoursandtooccupymythoughts。ThusitisthatnowIhavebeforemethenotebookwithitsscribbledpages，writtenconfusedlyuponmykneeinthedim，waninglightofouroneelectrictorch。HadI
theliterarytouch，theymighthavebeenworthyoftheoccasion，Asitis，theymaystillservetobringtoothermindsthelong—drawnemotionsandtremorsofthatawfulnight。
ChapterIV
ADIARYOFTHEDYING
Howstrangethewordslookscribbledatthetopoftheemptypageofmybook!HowstrangerstillthatitisI，EdwardMalone，whohavewrittenthem——IwhostartedonlysometwelvehoursagofrommyroomsinStreathamwithoutonethoughtofthemarvelswhichthedaywastobringforth!Ilookbackatthechainofincidents，myinterviewwithMcArdle，Challenger’sfirstnoteofalarmintheTimes，theabsurdjourneyinthetrain，thepleasantluncheon，thecatastrophe，andnowithascometothis——thatwelingeraloneuponanemptyplanet，andsosureisourfatethatIcanregardtheselines，writtenfrommechanicalprofessionalhabitandnevertobeseenbyhumaneyes，asthewordsofonewhoisalreadydead，socloselydoeshestandtotheshadowedborderlandoverwhichalloutsidethisonelittlecircleoffriendshavealreadygone。IfeelhowwiseandtruewerethewordsofChallengerwhenhesaidthattherealtragedywouldbeifwewereleftbehindwhenallthatisnobleandgoodandbeautifulhadpassed。Butofthattherecansurelybenodanger。Alreadyoursecondtubeofoxygenisdrawingtoanend。
Wecancountthepoordregsofourlivesalmosttoaminute。
Wehavejustbeentreatedtoalecture，agoodquarterofanhourlong，fromChallenger，whowassoexcitedthatheroaredandbellowedasifhewereaddressinghisoldrowsofscientificscepticsintheQueen’sHall。Hehadcertainlyastrangeaudiencetoharangue：hiswifeperfectlyacquiescentandabsolutelyignorantofhismeaning，Summerleeseatedintheshadow，querulousandcriticalbutinterested，LordJohnlounginginacornersomewhatboredbythewholeproceeding，andmyselfbesidethewindowwatchingthescenewithakindofdetachedattention，asifitwerealladreamorsomethinginwhichIhadnopersonalinterestwhatever。Challengersatatthecentretablewiththeelectriclightilluminatingtheslideunderthemicroscopewhichhehadbroughtfromhisdressingroom。Thesmallvividcircleofwhitelightfromthemirrorlefthalfofhisrugged，beardedfaceinbrilliantradianceandhalfindeepestshadow。Hehad，itseems，beenworkingoflateuponthelowestformsoflife，andwhatexcitedhimatthepresentmomentwasthatinthemicroscopicslidemadeupthedaybeforehefoundtheamoebatohestillalive。
"Youcanseeitforyourselves，"hekeptrepeatingingreatexcitement。"Summerlee，willyoustepacrossandsatisfyyourselfuponthepoint？Malone，willyoukindlyverifywhatI
say？Thelittlespindle—shapedthingsinthecentrearediatomsandmaybedisregardedsincetheyareprobablyvegetableratherthananimal。Buttheright—handsideyouwillseeanundoubtedamoeba，movingsluggishlyacrossthefield。Theupperscrewisthefineadjustment。Lookatitforyourselves。"
Summerleedidsoandacquiesced。SodidIandperceivedalittlecreaturewhichlookedasifitweremadeofgroundglassflowinginastickywayacrossthelightedcircle。LordJohnwaspreparedtotakehimontrust。
"I’mnottroublin’myheadwhetherhe’saliveordead，"saidhe。
"Wedon’tsomuchasknoweachotherbysight，sowhyshouldI
takeittoheart？Idon’tsupposehe’sworryin’himselfoverthestateofOURhealth。"
Ilaughedatthis，andChallengerlookedinmydirectionwithhiscoldestandmostsuperciliousstare。Itwasamostpetrifyingexperience。
"Theflippancyofthehalf—educatedismoreobstructivetosciencethantheobtusenessoftheignorant，"saidhe。"IfLordJohnRoxtonwouldcondescend————"
"MydearGeorge，don’tbesopeppery，"saidhiswife，withherhandontheblackmanethatdroopedoverthemicroscope。"Whatcanitmatterwhethertheamoebaisaliveornot？"
"Itmattersagreatdeal，"saidChallengergruffly。
"Well，let’shearaboutit，"saidLordJohnwithagood—humouredsmile。"Wemayaswelltalkaboutthatasanythingelse。IfyouthinkI’vebeentoooff—handwiththething，orhurtitsfeelin’sinanyway，I’llapologize。"
"Formypart，"remarkedSummerleeinhiscreaky，argumentativevoice，"Ican’tseewhyyoushouldattachsuchimportancetothecreaturebeingalive。Itisinthesameatmosphereasourselves，sonaturallythepoisondoesnotactuponit。Ifitwereoutsideofthisroomitwouldbedead，likeallotheranimallife。"
"Yourremarks，mygoodSummerlee，"saidChallengerwithenormouscondescension（oh，ifIcouldpaintthatover—bearing，arrogantfaceinthevividcircleofreflectionfromthemicroscopemirror!）——"yourremarksshowthatyouimperfectlyappreciatethesituation。Thisspecimenwasmountedyesterdayandishermeticallysealed。Noneofouroxygencanreachit。Buttheether，ofcourse，haspenetratedtoit，astoeveryotherpointupontheuniverse。Therefore，ithassurvivedthepoison。
Hence，wemayarguethateveryamoebaoutsidethisroom，insteadofbeingdead，asyouhaveerroneouslystated，hasreallysurvivedthecatastrophe。"
"Well，evennowIdon’tfeelinclinedtohip—hurrahaboutit，"
saidLordJohn。"Whatdoesitmatter？"
"Itjustmattersthis，thattheworldisalivinginsteadofadeadone。Ifyouhadthescientificimagination，youwouldcastyourmindforwardfromthisonefact，andyouwouldseesomefewmillionsofyearshence——amerepassingmomentintheenormousfluxoftheages——thewholeworldteemingoncemorewiththeanimalandhumanlifewhichwillspringfromthistinyroot。Youhaveseenaprairiefirewheretheflameshaveswepteverytraceofgrassorplantfromthesurfaceoftheearthandleftonlyablackenedwaste。Youwouldthinkthatitmustbeforeverdesert。
Yettherootsofgrowthhavebeenleftbehind，andwhenyoupasstheplaceafewyearshenceyoucannolongertellwheretheblackscarsusedtobe。Hereinthistinycreaturearetherootsofgrowthoftheanimalworld，andbyitsinherentdevelopment，andevolution，itwillsurelyintimeremoveeverytraceofthisincomparablecrisisinwhichwearenowinvolved。"
"Doocedinterestin’!"saidLordJohn，loungingacrossandlookingthroughthemicroscope。"Funnylittlechaptohangnumberoneamongthefamilyportraits。Gotafinebigshirt—studonhim!"
"Thedarkobjectishisnucleus，"saidChallengerwiththeairofanurseteachingletterstoababy。
"Well，weneedn’tfeellonely，"saidLordJohnlaughing。
"There’ssomebodylivin’besidesusontheearth。"
"Youseemtotakeitforgranted，Challenger，"saidSummerlee，"thattheobjectforwhichthisworldwascreatedwasthatitshouldproduceandsustainhumanlife。"
"Well，sir，andwhatobjectdoyousuggest？"askedChallenger，bristlingattheleasthintofcontradiction。
"SometimesIthinkthatitisonlythemonstrousconceitofmankindwhichmakeshimthinkthatallthisstagewaserectedforhimtostrutupon。"
"Wecannotbedogmaticaboutit，butatleastwithoutwhatyouhaveventuredtocallmonstrousconceitwecansurelysaythatwearethehighestthinginnature。"
"Thehighestofwhichwehavecognizance。"
"That，sir，goeswithoutsaying。"
"Thinkofallthemillionsandpossiblybillionsofyearsthattheearthswungemptythroughspace——or，ifnotempty，atleastwithoutasignorthoughtofthehumanrace。Thinkofit，washedbytherainandscorchedbythesunandsweptbythewindforthoseunnumberedages。Manonlycameintobeingyesterdaysofarasgeologicaltimesgoes。Why，then，shoulditbetakenforgrantedthatallthisstupendouspreparationwasforhisbenefit？"
"Forwhosethen——orforwhat？"
Summerleeshruggedhisshoulders。
"Howcanwetell？Forsomereasonaltogetherbeyondourconception——andmanmayhavebeenamereaccident，aby—productevolvedintheprocess。Itisasifthescumuponthesurfaceoftheoceanimaginedthattheoceanwascreatedinordertoproduceandsustainitoramouseinacathedralthoughtthatthebuildingwasitsownproperordainedresidence。"
Ihavejotteddowntheverywordsoftheirargument，butnowitdegeneratesintoamerenoisywranglewithmuchpolysyllabicscientificjargonuponeachside。Itisnodoubtaprivilegetoheartwosuchbrainsdiscussthehighestquestions；butastheyareinperpetualdisagreement，plainfolklikeLordJohnandI
getlittlethatispositivefromtheexhibition。Theyneutralizeeachotherandweareleftastheyfoundus。Nowthehubbubhasceased，andSummerleeiscoiledupinhischair，whileChallenger，stillfingeringthescrewsofhismicroscope，iskeepingupacontinuallow，deep，inarticulategrowlliketheseaafterastorm。LordJohncomesovertome，andwelookouttogetherintothenight。
Thereisapalenewmoon——thelastmoonthathumaneyeswilleverrestupon——andthestarsaremostbrilliant。EvenintheclearplateauairofSouthAmericaIhaveneverseenthembrighter。Possiblythisethericchangehassomeeffectuponlight。ThefuneralpyreofBrightonisstillblazing，andthereisaverydistantpatchofscarletinthewesternsky，whichmaymeantroubleatArundelorChichester，possiblyevenatPortsmouth。Isitandmuseandmakeanoccasionalnote。Thereisasweetmelancholyintheair。Youthandbeautyandchivalryandlove——isthistobetheendofitall？Thestarlitearthlooksadreamlandofgentlepeace。WhowouldimagineitastheterribleGolgothastrewnwiththebodiesofthehumanrace？
Suddenly，Ifindmyselflaughing。
"Halloa，youngfellah!"saysLordJohn，staringatmeinsurprise。"Wecoulddowithajokeinthesehardtimes。Whatwasit，then？"
"Iwasthinkingofallthegreatunsolvedquestions，"Ianswer，"thequestionsthatwespentsomuchlaborandthoughtover。
ThinkofAnglo—Germancompetition，forexample——orthePersianGulfthatmyoldchiefwassokeenabout。Whoeverwouldhaveguessed，whenwefumedandfrettedso，howtheyweretobeeventuallysolved？"
Wefallintosilenceagain。Ifancythateachofusisthinkingoffriendsthathavegonebefore。Mrs。Challengerissobbingquietly，andherhusbandiswhisperingtoher。Mymindturnstoallthemostunlikelypeople，andIseeeachofthemlyingwhiteandrigidaspoorAustindoesintheyard。ThereisMcArdle，forexample，Iknowexactlywhereheis，withhisfaceuponhiswritingdeskandhishandonhisowntelephone，justasIheardhimfall。Beaumont，theeditor，too——Isupposeheislyingupontheblue—and—redTurkeycarpetwhichadornedhissanctum。Andthefellowsinthereporters’room——MacdonaandMurrayandBond。
Theyhadcertainlydiedhardatworkontheirjob，withnote—booksfullofvividimpressionsandstrangehappeningsintheirhands。Icouldjustimaginehowthisonewouldhavebeenpackedofftothedoctors，andthatothertoWestminster，andyetathirdtoSt。Paul’s。Whatgloriousrowsofhead—linestheymusthaveseenasalastvisionbeautiful，neverdestinedtomaterializeinprinter’sink!IcouldseeMacdonaamongthedoctors——"HopeinHarleyStreet"——Machadalwaysaweaknessforalliteration。"InterviewwithMr。SoleyWilson。""FamousSpecialistsays`Neverdespair!’""OurSpecialCorrespondentfoundtheeminentscientistseatedupontheroof，whitherhehadretreatedtoavoidthecrowdofterrifiedpatientswhohadstormedhisdwelling。Withamannerwhichplainlyshowedhisappreciationoftheimmensegravityoftheoccasion，thecelebratedphysicianrefusedtoadmitthateveryavenueofhopehadbeenclosed。"That’showMacwouldstart。ThentherewasBond；hewouldprobablydoSt。Paul’s。Hefanciedhisownliterarytouch。Myword，whatathemeforhim!"Standinginthelittlegalleryunderthedomeandlookingdownuponthatpackedmassofdespairinghumanity，grovelingatthislastinstantbeforeaPowerwhichtheyhadsopersistentlyignored，thererosetomyearsfromtheswayingcrowdsuchalowmoanofentreatyandterror，suchashudderingcryforhelptotheUnknown，that————"andsoforth。
Yes，itwouldbeagreatendforareporter，though，likemyself，hewoulddiewiththetreasuresstillunused。WhatwouldBondnotgive，poorchap，tosee"J。H。B。"atthefootofacolumnlikethat？
ButwhatdrivelIamwriting!Itisjustanattempttopassthewearytime。Mrs。Challengerhasgonetotheinnerdressing—room，andtheProfessorsaysthatsheisasleep。Heismakingnotesandconsultingbooksatthecentraltable，ascalmlyasifyearsofplacidworklaybeforehim。Hewriteswithaverynoisyquillpenwhichseemstobescreechingscornatallwhodisagreewithhim。
Summerleehasdroppedoffinhischairandgivesfromtimetotimeapeculiarlyexasperatingsnore。LordJohnliesbackwithhishandsinhispocketsandhiseyesclosed。HowpeoplecansleepundersuchconditionsismorethanIcanimagine。
Three—thirtya。m。Ihavejustwakenedwithastart。ItwasfiveminutespastelevenwhenImademylastentry。Irememberwindingupmywatchandnotingthetime。SoIhavewastedsomefivehoursofthelittlespanstilllefttous。Whowouldhavebelieveditpossible？ButIfeelverymuchfresher，andreadyformyfate——ortrytopersuademyselfthatIam。Andyet，thefitteramanis，andthehigherhistideoflife，themoremustheshrinkfromdeath。Howwiseandhowmercifulisthatprovisionofnaturebywhichhisearthlyanchorisusuallyloosenedbymanylittleimperceptibletugs，untilhisconsciousnesshasdriftedoutofitsuntenableearthlyharborintothegreatseabeyond!
Mrs。Challengerisstillinthedressingroom。Challengerhasfallenasleepinhischair。Whatapicture!Hisenormousframeleansback，hishuge，hairyhandsareclaspedacrosshiswaistcoat，andhisheadissotiltedthatIcanseenothingabovehiscollarsaveatangledbristleofluxuriantbeard。Heshakeswiththevibrationofhisownsnoring。SummerleeaddshisoccasionalhightenortoChallenger’ssonorousbass。LordJohnissleepingalso，hislongbodydoubledupsidewaysinabasket—chair。Thefirstcoldlightofdawnisjuststealingintotheroom，andeverythingisgreyandmournful。
Ilookoutatthesunrise——thatfatefulsunrisewhichwillshineuponanunpeopledworld。Thehumanraceisgone，extinguishedinaday，buttheplanetsswingroundandthetidesriseorfall，andthewindwhispers，andallnaturegoesherway，down，asitwouldseem，totheveryamoeba，withneverasignthathewhostyledhimselfthelordofcreationhadeverblessedorcursedtheuniversewithhispresence。DownintheyardliesAustinwithsprawlinglimbs，hisfaceglimmeringwhiteinthedawn，andthehosenozzlestillprojectingfromhisdeadhand。Thewholeofhumankindistypifiedinthatonehalf—ludicrousandhalf—patheticfigure，lyingsohelplessbesidethemachinewhichitusedtocontrol。
HereendthenoteswhichImadeatthetime。Henceforwardeventsweretooswiftandtoopoignanttoallowmetowrite，buttheyaretooclearlyoutlinedinmymemorythatanydetailcouldescapeme。
Somechokinessinmythroatmademelookattheoxygencylinders，andIwasstartledatwhatIsaw。Thesandsofourliveswererunningverylow。AtsomeperiodinthenightChallengerhadswitchedthetubefromthethirdtothefourthcylinder。Nowitwasclearthatthisalsowasnearlyexhausted。
Thathorriblefeelingofconstrictionwasclosinginuponme。I
ranacrossand，unscrewingthenozzle，Ichangedittoourlastsupply。EvenasIdidsomyconscienceprickedme，forIfeltthatperhapsifIhadheldmyhandallofthemmighthavepassedintheirsleep。Thethoughtwasbanished，however，bythevoiceoftheladyfromtheinnerroomcrying：——
"George，George，Iamstifling!"
"Itisallright，Mrs。Challenger，"Iansweredastheothersstartedtotheirfeet。"Ihavejustturnedonafreshsupply。"
EvenatsuchamomentIcouldnothelpsmilingatChallenger，whowithagreathairyfistineacheyewaslikeahuge，beardedbaby，newwakenedoutofsleep。Summerleewasshiveringlikeamanwiththeague，humanfears，asherealizedhisposition，risingforaninstantabovethestoicismofthemanofscience。
LordJohn，however，wasascoolandalertasifhehadjustbeenrousedonahuntingmorning。
"Fifthlyandlastly，"saidhe，glancingatthetube。"Say，youngfellah，don’ttellmeyou’vebeenwritin’upyourimpressionsinthatpaperonyourknee。"
"Justafewnotestopassthetime。"
"Well，Idon’tbelieveanyonebutanIrishmanwouldhavedonethat。Iexpectyou’llhavetowaittilllittlebrotheramoebagetsgrownupbeforeyou’llfindareader。Hedon’tseemtotakemuchstockofthingsjustatpresent。Well，HerrProfessor，whataretheprospects？"
Challengerwaslookingoutatthegreatdriftsofmorningmistwhichlayoverthelandscape。Hereandtherethewoodedhillsroselikeconicalislandsoutofthiswoollysea。
"Itmightbeawindingsheet，"saidMrs。Challenger，whohadenteredinherdressing—gown。"There’sthatsongofyours，George，`Ringouttheold，ringinthenew。’Itwasprophetic。
Butyouareshivering，mypoordearfriends。Ihavebeenwarmunderacoverletallnight，andyoucoldinyourchairs。ButI’llsoonsetyouright。"
Thebravelittlecreaturehurriedaway，andpresentlyweheardthesizzlingofakettle。Shewasbacksoonwithfivesteamingcupsofcocoauponatray。
"Drinkthese，"saidshe。"Youwillfeelsomuchbetter。"
Andwedid。Summerleeaskedifhemightlighthispipe，andweallhadcigarettes。Itsteadiedournerves，Ithink，butitwasamistake，foritmadeadreadfulatmosphereinthatstuffyroom。Challengerhadtoopentheventilator。
"Howlong，Challenger？"askedLordJohn。
"Possiblythreehours，"heansweredwithashrug。
"Iusedtobefrightened，"saidhiswife。"ButthenearerIgettoit，theeasieritseems。Don’tyouthinkweoughttopray，George？"
"Youwillpray，dear，ifyouwish，"thebigmananswered，verygently。"Weallhaveourownwaysofpraying。Mineisacompleteacquiescenceinwhateverfatemaysendme——acheerfulacquiescence。Thehighestreligionandthehighestscienceseemtouniteonthat。"
"Icannottruthfullydescribemymentalattitudeasacquiescenceandfarlesscheerfulacquiescence，"grumbledSummerleeoverhispipe。"IsubmitbecauseIhaveto。IconfessthatIshouldhavelikedanotheryearoflifetofinishmyclassificationofthechalkfossils。"
"Yourunfinishedworkisasmallthing，"saidChallengerpompously，"whenweighedagainstthefactthatmyownMAGNUM
OPUS，`TheLadderofLife，’isstillinthefirststages。Mybrain，myreading，myexperience——infact，mywholeuniqueequipment——weretobecondensedintothatepoch—makingvolume。
Andyet，asIsay，Iacquiesce。"
"Iexpectwe’veallleftsomelooseendsstickin’out，"saidLordJohn。"Whatareyours，youngfellah？"
"Iwasworkingatabookofverses，"Ianswered。
"Well，theworldhasescapedthat，anyhow，"saidLordJohn。
"There’salwayscompensationsomewhereifyougropearound。"
"Whataboutyou？"Iasked。
"Well，itjustsohappensthatIwastidiedupandready。I’dpromisedMerivaletogotoTibetforasnowleopardinthespring。Butit’shardonyou，Mrs。Challenger，whenyouhavejustbuiltupthisprettyhome。"
"WhereGeorgeis，thereismyhome。But，oh，whatwouldInotgiveforonelastwalktogetherinthefreshmorningairuponthosebeautifuldowns!"
Ourheartsre—echoedherwords。Thesunhadburstthroughthegauzymistswhichveiledit，andthewholebroadWealdwaswashedingoldenlight。Sittinginourdarkandpoisonousatmospherethatglorious，clean，wind—sweptcountrysideseemedaverydreamofbeauty。Mrs。Challengerheldherhandstretchedouttoitinherlonging。Wedrewupchairsandsatinasemicircleinthewindow。Theatmospherewasalreadyveryclose。
Itseemedtomethattheshadowsofdeathweredrawinginuponus——thelastofourrace。Itwaslikeaninvisiblecurtainclosingdownuponeveryside。
"Thatcylinderisnotlastin’toowell，"saidLordJohnwithalonggaspforbreath。
"Theamountcontainedisvariable，"saidChallenger，"dependinguponthepressureandcarewithwhichithasbeenbottled。Iaminclinedtoagreewithyou，Roxton，thatthisoneisdefective。"
"Sowearetobecheatedoutofthelasthourofourlives，"
Summerleeremarkedbitterly。"Anexcellentfinalillustrationofthesordidageinwhichwehavelived。Well，Challenger，nowisyourtimeifyouwishtostudythesubjectivephenomenaofphysicaldissolution。"
"Sitonthestoolatmykneeandgivemeyourhand，"saidChallengertohiswife。"Ithink，myfriends，thatafurtherdelayinthisinsufferableatmosphereishardlyadvisable。Youwouldnotdesireit，dear，wouldyou？"
Hiswifegavealittlegroanandsankherfaceagainsthisleg。
"I’veseenthefolkbathin’intheSerpentineinwinter，"saidLordJohn。"Whentherestarein，youseeoneortwoshiverin’
onthebank，envyin’theothersthathavetakentheplunge。It’sthelastthathavetheworstofit。I’mallforaheaderandhavedonewithit。"
"Youwouldopenthewindowandfacetheether？"
"Betterbepoisonedthanstifled。"
SummerleenoddedhisreluctantacquiescenceandheldouthisthinhandtoChallenger。
"We’vehadourquarrelsinourtime，butthat’sallover，"saidhe。"Weweregoodfriendsandhadarespectforeachotherunderthesurface。Good—by!"
"Good—by，youngfellah!"saidLordJohn。"Thewindow’splasteredup。Youcan’topenit。"
Challengerstoopedandraisedhiswife，pressinghertohisbreast，whileshethrewherarmsroundhisneck。
"Givemethatfield—glass，Malone，"saidhegravely。
Ihandedittohim。
"IntothehandsofthePowerthatmadeuswerenderourselvesagain!"heshoutedinhisvoiceofthunder，andatthewordshehurledthefield—glassthroughthewindow。
Fullinourflushedfaces，beforethelasttinkleoffallingfragmentshaddiedaway，therecamethewholesomebreathofthewind，blowingstrongandsweet。
Idon’tknowhowlongwesatinamazedsilence。Thenasinadream，IheardChallenger’svoiceoncemore。
"Wearebackinnormalconditions，"hecried。"Theworldhasclearedthepoisonbelt，butwealoneofallmankindaresaved。"
ChapterV
THEDEADWORLD
Irememberthatweallsatgaspinginourchairs，withthatsweet，wetsouth—westernbreeze，freshfromthesea，flappingthemuslincurtainsandcoolingourflushedfaces。Iwonderhowlongwesat!Noneofusafterwardscouldagreeatallonthatpoint。
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