Wewerebewildered，stunned，semi—conscious。Wehadallbracedourcouragefordeath，butthisfearfulandsuddennewfact——thatwemustcontinuetoliveafterwehadsurvivedtheracetowhichwebelonged——struckuswiththeshockofaphysicalblowandleftusprostrate。Thengraduallythesuspendedmechanismbegantomoveoncemore；theshuttlesofmemoryworked；ideasweavedthemselvestogetherinourminds。Wesaw，withvivid，mercilessclearness，therelationsbetweenthepast，thepresent，andthefuture——thelivesthatwehadledandtheliveswhichwewouldhavetolive。Oureyesturnedinsilenthorroruponthoseofourcompanionsandfoundthesameansweringlookintheirs。Insteadofthejoywhichmenmighthavebeenexpectedtofeelwhohadsonarrowlyescapedanimminentdeath，aterriblewaveofdarkestdepressionsubmergedus。Everythingonearththatwelovedhadbeenwashedawayintothegreat，infinite，unknownocean，andherewerewemarooneduponthisdesertislandofaworld，withoutcompanions，hopes，oraspirations。Afewyears’skulkinglikejackalsamongthegravesofthehumanraceandthenourbelatedandlonelyendwouldcome。
"It’sdreadful，George，dreadful!"theladycriedinanagonyofsobs。"Ifwehadonlypassedwiththeothers!Oh，whydidyousaveus？Ifeelasifitiswethataredeadandeveryoneelsealive。"
Challenger’sgreateyebrowsweredrawndowninconcentratedthought，whilehishuge，hairypawclosedupontheoutstretchedhandofhiswife。Ihadobservedthatshealwaysheldoutherarmstohimintroubleasachildwouldtoitsmother。
"Withoutbeingafatalisttothepointofnonresistance，"saidhe，"Ihavealwaysfoundthatthehighestwisdomliesinanacquiescencewiththeactual。"Hespokeslowly，andtherewasavibrationoffeelinginhissonorousvoice。
"IdoNOTacquiesce，"saidSummerleefirmly。
"Idon’tseethatitmattersarowofpinswhetheryouacquiesceorwhetheryoudon’t，"remarkedLordJohn。"You’vegottotakeit，whetheryoutakeitfightin’ortakeitlyin’down，sowhat’stheoddswhetheryouacquiesceornot？
Ican’trememberthatanyoneaskedourpermissionbeforethethingbegan，andnobody’slikelytoaskitnow。Sowhatdifferencecanitmakewhatwemaythinkofit？"
"Itisjustallthedifferencebetweenhappinessandmisery，"
saidChallengerwithanabstractedface，stillpattinghiswife’shand。"Youcanswimwiththetideandhavepeaceinmindandsoul，oryoucanthrustagainstitandbebruisedandweary。
Thisbusinessisbeyondus，soletusacceptitasitstandsandsaynomore。"
"Butwhatintheworldarewetodowithourlives？"Iasked，appealingindesperationtotheblue，emptyheaven。
"WhatamItodo，forexample？Therearenonewspapers，sothere’sanendofmyvocation。"
"Andthere’snothin’lefttoshoot，andnomoresoldierin’，sothere’sanendofmine，"saidLordJohn。
"Andtherearenostudents，sothere’sanendofmine，"criedSummerlee。
"ButIhavemyhusbandandmyhouse，soIcanthankheaventhatthereisnoendofmine，"saidthelady。
"Noristhereanendofmine，"remarkedChallenger，"forscienceisnotdead，andthiscatastropheinitselfwillofferusmanymostabsorbingproblemsforinvestigation。"
Hehadnowflungopenthewindowsandweweregazingoutuponthesilentandmotionlesslandscape。
"Letmeconsider，"hecontinued。"Itwasaboutthree，oralittleafter，yesterdayafternoonthattheworldfinallyenteredthepoisonbelttotheextentofbeingcompletelysubmerged。Itisnownineo’clock。Thequestionis，atwhathourdidwepassoutfromit？"
"Theairwasverybadatdaybreak，"saidI。
"Laterthanthat，"saidMrs。Challenger。"Aslateaseighto’clockIdistinctlyfeltthesamechokingatmythroatwhichcameattheoutset。"
"Thenweshallsaythatitpassedjustaftereighto’clock。Forseventeenhourstheworldhasbeensoakedinthepoisonousether。ForthatlengthoftimetheGreatGardenerhassterilizedthehumanmoldwhichhadgrownoverthesurfaceofHisfruit。Isitpossiblethattheworkisincompletelydone——thatothersmayhavesurvivedbesidesourselves？"
"That’swhatIwaswonderin’"saidLordJohn。"Whyshouldwebetheonlypebblesonthebeach？"
"Itisabsurdtosupposethatanyonebesidesourselvescanpossiblyhavesurvived，"saidSummerleewithconviction。
"Considerthatthepoisonwassovirulentthatevenamanwhoisasstrongasanoxandhasnotanerveinhisbody，likeMalonehere，couldhardlygetupthestairsbeforehefellunconscious。
Isitlikelythatanyonecouldstandseventeenminutesofit，farlesshours？"
"Unlesssomeonesawitcomingandmadepreparation，sameasoldfriendChallengerdid。"
"That，Ithink，ishardlyprobable，"saidChallenger，projectinghisbeardandsinkinghiseyelids。"Thecombinationofobservation，inference，andanticipatoryimaginationwhichenabledmetoforeseethedangeriswhatonecanhardlyexpecttwiceinthesamegeneration。"
"Thenyourconclusionisthateveryoneiscertainlydead？"
"Therecanbelittledoubtofthat。Wehavetoremember，however，thatthepoisonworkedfrombelowupwardsandwouldpossiblybelessvirulentinthehigherstrataoftheatmosphere。Itisstrange，indeed，thatitshouldbeso；butitpresentsoneofthosefeatureswhichwillaffordusinthefutureafascinatingfieldforstudy。Onecouldimagine，therefore，thatifonehadtosearchforsurvivorsonewouldturnone’seyeswithbesthopesofsuccesstosomeTibetanvillageorsomeAlpinefarm，manythousandsoffeetabovethesealevel。"
"Well，considerin’thattherearenorailroadsandnosteamersyoumightaswelltalkaboutsurvivorsinthemoon，"saidLordJohn。"ButwhatI’maskin’myselfiswhetherit’sreallyoverorwhetherit’sonlyhalf—time。"
Summerleecranedhisnecktolookroundthehorizon。"Itseemsclearandfine，"saidheinaverydubiousvoice；"butsoitdidyesterday。Iambynomeansassuredthatitisallover。"
Challengershruggedhisshoulders。
"Wemustcomebackoncemoretoourfatalism，"saidhe。"Iftheworldhasundergonethisexperiencebefore，whichisnotoutsidetherangeofpossibility；itwascertainlyaverylongtimeago。
Therefore，wemayreasonablyhopethatitwillbeverylongbeforeitoccursagain。"
"That’sallverywell，"saidLordJohn，"butifyougetanearthquakeshockyouaremightylikelytohaveasecondonerightonthetopofit。Ithinkwe’dbewisetostretchourlegsandhaveabreathofairwhilewehavethechance。Sinceouroxygenisexhaustedwemayjustaswellbecaughtoutsideasin。"
Itwasstrangetheabsolutelethargywhichhadcomeuponusasareactionafterourtremendousemotionsofthelasttwenty—fourhours。Itwasbothmentalandphysical，adeep—lyingfeelingthatnothingmatteredandthateverythingwasawearinessandaprofitlessexertion。EvenChallengerhadsuccumbedtoit，andsatinhischair，withhisgreatheadleaninguponhishandsandhisthoughtsfaraway，untilLordJohnandI，catchinghimbyeacharm，fairlyliftedhimontohisfeet，receivingonlytheglareandgrowlofanangrymastiffforourtrouble。However，oncewehadgotoutofournarrowhavenofrefugeintothewideratmosphereofeverydaylife，ournormalenergycamegraduallybacktousoncemore。
Butwhatwerewetobegintodointhatgraveyardofaworld？
Couldevermenhavebeenfacedwithsuchaquestionsincethedawnoftime？Itistruethatourownphysicalneeds，andevenourluxuries，wereassuredforthefuture。Allthestoresoffood，allthevintagesofwine，allthetreasuresofartwereoursforthetaking。ButwhatwerewetoDO？Somefewtasksappealedtousatonce，sincetheylayreadytoourhands。Wedescendedintothekitchenandlaidthetwodomesticsupontheirrespectivebeds。Theyseemedtohavediedwithoutsuffering，oneinthechairbythefire，theotheruponthesculleryfloor。
ThenwecarriedinpoorAustinfromtheyard。Hismusclesweresetashardasaboardinthemostexaggeratedrigormortis，whilethecontractionofthefibreshaddrawnhismouthintoahardsardonicgrin。Thissymptomwasprevalentamongallwhohaddiedfromthepoison。Whereverwewentwewereconfrontedbythosegrinningfaces，whichseemedtomockatourdreadfulposition，smilingsilentlyandgrimlyattheill—fatedsurvivorsoftheirrace。
"Lookhere，"saidLordJohn，whohadpacedrestlesslyaboutthedining—roomwhilstwepartookofsomefood，"Idon’tknowhowyoufellowsfeelaboutit，butformypart，IsimplyCAN’Tsithereanddonothin’。"
"Perhaps，"Challengeranswered，"youwouldhavethekindnesstosuggestwhatyouthinkweoughttodo。"
"Getamoveonusandseeallthathashappened。"
"ThatiswhatIshouldmyselfpropose。"
"Butnotinthislittlecountryvillage。Wecanseefromthewindowallthatthisplacecanteachus。"
"Whereshouldwego，then？"
"ToLondon!"
"That’sallverywell，"grumbledSummerlee。"Youmaybeequaltoaforty—milewalk，butI’mnotsosureaboutChallenger，withhisstumpylegs，andIamperfectlysureaboutmyself。"
Challengerwasverymuchannoyed。
"Ifyoucouldseeyourway，sir，toconfiningyourremarkstoyourownphysicalpeculiarities，youwouldfindthatyouhadanamplefieldforcomment，"hecried。
"Ihadnointentiontooffendyou，mydearChallenger，"criedourtactlessfriend，"Youcan’tbeheldresponsibleforyourownphysique。Ifnaturehasgivenyouashort，heavybodyyoucannotpossiblyhelphavingstumpylegs。"
Challengerwastoofurioustoanswer。Hecouldonlygrowlandblinkandbristle。LordJohnhastenedtointervenebeforethedisputebecamemoreviolent。
"Youtalkofwalking。Whyshouldwewalk？"saidhe。
"Doyousuggesttakingatrain？"askedChallenger，stillsimmering。
"What’sthematterwiththemotor—car？Whyshouldwenotgointhat？"
"Iamnotanexpert，"saidChallenger，pullingathisbeardreflectively。"Atthesametime，youarerightinsupposingthatthehumanintellectinitshighermanifestationsshouldbesufficientlyflexibletoturnitselftoanything。Yourideaisanexcellentone，LordJohn。ImyselfwilldriveyoualltoLondon。"
"Youwilldonothingofthekind，"saidSummerleewithdecision。
"No，indeed，George!"criedhiswife。"Youonlytriedonce，andyourememberhowyoucrashedthroughthegateofthegarage。"
"Itwasamomentarywantofconcentration，"saidChallengercomplacently。"Youcanconsiderthemattersettled。IwillcertainlydriveyoualltoLondon。"
ThesituationwasrelievedbyLordJohn。
"What’sthecar？"heasked。
"Atwenty—horsepowerHumber。"
"Why，I’vedrivenoneforyears，"saidhe。"ByGeorge!"headded。"IneverthoughtI’dlivetotakethewholehumanraceinoneload。There’sjustroomforfive，asIrememberit。Getyourthingson，andI’llbereadyatthedoorbyteno’clock。"
Sureenough，atthehournamed，thecarcamepurringandcracklingfromtheyardwithLordJohnatthewheel。Itookmyseatbesidehim，whilethelady，ausefullittlebufferstate，wassqueezedinbetweenthetwomenofwrathattheback。ThenLordJohnreleasedhisbrakes，slidhisleverrapidlyfromfirsttothird，andwespedoffuponthestrangestdrivethateverhumanbeingshavetakensincemanfirstcameupontheearth。
YouaretopicturethelovelinessofnatureuponthatAugustday，thefreshnessofthemorningair，thegoldenglareofthesummersunshine，thecloudlesssky，theluxuriantgreenoftheSussexwoods，andthedeeppurpleofheather—claddowns。Asyoulookedrounduponthemany—colouredbeautyofthesceneallthoughtofavastcatastrophewouldhavepassedfromyourmindhaditnotbeenforonesinistersign——thesolemn，all—embracingsilence。Thereisagentlehumoflifewhichpervadesaclosely—settledcountry，sodeepandconstantthatoneceasestoobserveit，asthedwellerbythesealosesallsenseoftheconstantmurmurofthewaves。Thetwitterofbirds，thebuzzofinsects，thefar—offechoofvoices，thelowingofcattle，thedistantbarkingofdogs，roaroftrains，andrattleofcarts——alltheseformonelow，unremittingnote，strikingunheededupontheear。
Wemisseditnow。Thisdeadlysilencewasappalling。Sosolemnwasit，soimpressive，thatthebuzzandrattleofourmotor—carseemedanunwarrantableintrusion，anindecentdisregardofthisreverentstillnesswhichlaylikeapalloverandroundtheruinsofhumanity。Itwasthisgrimhush，andthetallcloudsofsmokewhichrosehereandthereoverthecountry—sidefromsmolderingbuildings，whichcastachillintoourheartsaswegazedroundatthegloriouspanoramaoftheWeald。
Andthentherewerethedead!Atfirstthoseendlessgroupsofdrawnandgrinningfacesfilleduswithashudderinghorror。SovividandmordantwastheimpressionthatIcanliveoveragainthatslowdescentofthestationhill，thepassingbythenurse—girlwiththetwobabes，thesightoftheoldhorseonhiskneesbetweentheshafts，thecabmantwistedacrosshisseat，andtheyoungmaninsidewithhishandupontheopendoorintheveryactofspringingout。Lowerdownweresixreapersallinalitter，theirlimbscrossing，theirdead，unwinkingeyesgazingupwardsattheglareofheaven。ThesethingsIseeasinaphotograph。Butsoon，bythemercifulprovisionofnature，theover—excitednerveceasedtorespond。Theveryvastnessofthehorrortookawayfromitspersonalappeal。Individualsmergedintogroups，groupsintocrowds，crowdsintoauniversalphenomenonwhichonesoonacceptedastheinevitabledetailofeveryscene。Onlyhereandthere，wheresomeparticularlybrutalorgrotesqueincidentcaughttheattention，didthemindcomebackwithasuddenshocktothepersonalandhumanmeaningofitall。
Aboveall，therewasthefateofthechildren。That，Iremember，filleduswiththestrongestsenseofintolerableinjustice。Wecouldhavewept——Mrs。Challengerdidweep——whenwepassedagreatcouncilschoolandsawthelongtrailoftinyfiguresscattereddowntheroadwhichledfromit。Theyhadbeendismissedbytheirterrifiedteachersandwerespeedingfortheirhomeswhenthepoisoncaughttheminitsnet。Greatnumbersofpeoplewereattheopenwindowsofthehouses。InTunbridgeWellstherewashardlyonewhichhadnotitsstaring，smilingface。Atthelastinstanttheneedofair，thatverycravingforoxygenwhichwealonehadbeenabletosatisfy，hadsentthemflyingtothewindow。Thesidewalkstoowerelitteredwithmenandwomen，hatlessandbonnetless，whohadrushedoutofthehouses。Manyofthemhadfallenintheroadway。ItwasaluckythingthatinLordJohnwehadfoundanexpertdriver，foritwasnoeasymattertopickone’sway。Passingthroughthevillagesortownswecouldonlygoatawalkingpace，andonce，Iremember，oppositetheschoolatTonbridge，wehadtohaltsometimewhilewecarriedasidethebodieswhichblockedourpath。
Afewsmall，definitepicturesstandoutinmymemoryfromamidthatlongpanoramaofdeathupontheSussexandKentishhighroads。Onewasthatofagreat，glitteringmotor—carstandingoutsidetheinnatthevillageofSouthborough。Itbore，asI
shouldguess，somepleasurepartyupontheirreturnfromBrightonorfromEastbourne。Therewerethreegailydressedwomen，allyoungandbeautiful，oneofthemwithaPekingspanieluponherlap。Withthemwerearakish—lookingelderlymanandayoungaristocrat，hiseyeglassstillinhiseye，hiscigaretteburneddowntothestubbetweenthefingersofhisbeglovedhand。Deathmusthavecomeontheminaninstantandfixedthemastheysat。Savethattheelderlymanhadatthelastmomenttornouthiscollarinanefforttobreathe，theymightallhavebeenasleep。Ononesideofthecarawaiterwithsomebrokenglassesbesideatraywashuddlednearthestep。Ontheother，twoveryraggedtramps，amanandawoman，laywheretheyhadfallen，themanwithhislong，thinarmstilloutstretched，evenashehadaskedforalmsinhislifetime。Oneinstantoftimehadputaristocrat，waiter，tramp，anddogupononecommonfootingofinertanddissolvingprotoplasm。
Irememberanothersingularpicture，somemilesontheLondonsideofSevenoaks。Thereisalargeconventupontheleft，withalong，greenslopeinfrontofit。Uponthisslopewereassembledagreatnumberofschoolchildren，allkneelingatprayer。Infrontofthemwasafringeofnuns，andhigheruptheslope，facingtowardsthem，asinglefigurewhomwetooktobetheMotherSuperior。Unlikethepleasure—seekersinthemotor—car，thesepeopleseemedtohavehadwarningoftheirdangerandtohavediedbeautifullytogether，theteachersandthetaught，assembledfortheirlastcommonlesson。
Mymindisstillstunnedbythatterrificexperience，andI
gropevainlyformeansofexpressionbywhichIcanreproducetheemotionswhichwefelt。Perhapsitisbestandwisestnottotry，butmerelytoindicatethefacts。EvenSummerleeandChallengerwerecrushed，andweheardnothingofourcompanionsbehindussaveanoccasionalwhimperfromthelady。AstoLordJohn，hewastoointentuponhiswheelandthedifficulttaskofthreadinghiswayalongsuchroadstohavetimeorinclinationforconversation。Onephraseheusedwithsuchwearisomeiterationthatitstuckinmymemoryandatlastalmostmademelaughasacommentuponthedayofdoom。
"Prettydoin’s!What!"
Thatwashisejaculationaseachfreshtremendouscombinationofdeathanddisasterdisplayeditselfbeforeus。"Prettydoin’s!
What!"hecried，aswedescendedthestationhillatRotherfield，anditwasstill"Prettydoin’s!What!"aswepickedourwaythroughawildernessofdeathintheHighStreetofLewishamandtheOldKentRoad。
Itwasherethatwereceivedasuddenandamazingshock。Outofthewindowofahumblecornerhousethereappearedaflutteringhandkerchiefwavingattheendofalong，thinhumanarm。Neverhadthesightofunexpecteddeathcausedourheartstostopandthenthrobsowildlyasdidthisamazingindicationoflife。
LordJohnranthemotortothecurb，andinaninstantwehadrushedthroughtheopendoorofthehouseandupthestaircasetothesecond—floorfrontroomfromwhichthesignalproceeded。
Averyoldladysatinachairbytheopenwindow，andclosetoher，laidacrossasecondchair，wasacylinderofoxygen，smallerbutofthesameshapeasthosewhichhadsavedourownlives。Sheturnedherthin，drawn，bespectacledfacetowardusaswecrowdedinatthedoorway。
"IfearedthatIwasabandonedhereforever，"saidshe，"forI
amaninvalidandcannotstir。"
"Well，madam，"Challengeranswered，"itisaluckychancethatwehappenedtopass。"
"Ihaveoneall—importantquestiontoaskyou，"saidshe。
"Gentlemen，Ibegthatyouwillbefrankwithme。WhateffectwilltheseeventshaveuponLondonandNorth—WesternRailwayshares？"
Weshouldhavelaughedhaditnotbeenforthetragiceagernesswithwhichshelistenedforouranswer。Mrs。Burston，forthatwashername，wasanagedwidow，whosewholeincomedependeduponasmallholdingofthisstock。Herlifehadbeenregulatedbytheriseandfallofthedividend，andshecouldformnoconceptionofexistencesaveasitwasaffectedbythequotationofhershares。Invainwepointedouttoherthatallthemoneyintheworldwashersforthetakingandwasuselesswhentaken。
Heroldmindwouldnotadaptitselftothenewidea，andsheweptloudlyoverhervanishedstock。"ItwasallIhad，"shewailed。"IfthatisgoneImayaswellgotoo。"
Amidherlamentationswefoundouthowthisfrailoldplanthadlivedwherethewholegreatforesthadfallen。Shewasaconfirmedinvalidandanasthmatic。Oxygenhadbeenprescribedforhermalady，andatubewasinherroomatthemomentofthecrisis。Shehadnaturallyinhaledsomeashadbeenherhabitwhentherewasadifficultywithherbreathing。Ithadgivenherrelief，andbydolingouthersupplyshehadmanagedtosurvivethenight。Finallyshehadfallenasleepandbeenawakenedbythebuzzofourmotor—car。Asitwasimpossibletotakeheronwithus，wesawthatshehadallnecessariesoflifeandpromisedtocommunicatewithherinacoupleofdaysatthelatest。Sowelefther，stillweepingbitterlyoverhervanishedstock。
AsweapproachedtheThamestheblockinthestreetsbecamethickerandtheobstaclesmorebewildering。ItwaswithdifficultythatwemadeourwayacrossLondonBridge。TheapproachestoitupontheMiddlesexsidewerechokedfromendtoendwithfrozentrafficwhichmadeallfurtheradvanceinthatdirectionimpossible。Ashipwasblazingbrightlyalongsideoneofthewharvesnearthebridge，andtheairwasfullofdriftingsmutsandofaheavyacridsmellofburning。TherewasacloudofdensesmokesomewhereneartheHousesofParliament，butitwasimpossiblefromwhereweweretoseewhatwasonfire。
"Idon’tknowhowitstrikesyou，"LordJohnremarkedashebroughthisenginetoastandstill，"butitseemstomethecountryismorecheerfulthanthetown。DeadLondonisgettin’
onmynerves。I’mforacastroundandthengettin’backtoRotherfield。"
"IconfessthatIdonotseewhatwecanhopeforhere，"saidProfessorSummerlee。
"Atthesametime，"saidChallenger，hisgreatvoiceboomingstrangelyamidthesilence，"itisdifficultforustoconceivethatoutofsevenmillionsofpeoplethereisonlythisoneoldwomanwhobysomepeculiarityofconstitutionorsomeaccidentofoccupationhasmanagedtosurvivethiscatastrophe。"
"Ifthereshouldbeothers，howcanwehopetofindthem，George？"askedthelady。"AndyetIagreewithyouthatwecannotgobackuntilwehavetried。"
Gettingoutofthecarandleavingitbythecurb，wewalkedwithsomedifficultyalongthecrowdedpavementofKingWilliamStreetandenteredtheopendoorofalargeinsuranceoffice。Itwasacornerhouse，andwechoseitascommandingaviewineverydirection。Ascendingthestair，wepassedthroughwhatI
supposetohavebeentheboard—room，foreightelderlymenwereseatedroundalongtableinthecentreofit。Thehighwindowwasopenandweallsteppedoutuponthebalcony。Fromitwecouldseethecrowdedcitystreetsradiatingineverydirection，whilebelowustheroadwasblackfromsidetosidewiththetopsofthemotionlesstaxis。All，ornearlyall，hadtheirheadspointedoutwards，showinghowtheterrifiedmenofthecityhadatthelastmomentmadeavainendeavortorejointheirfamiliesinthesuburbsorthecountry。Hereandthereamidthehumblercabstoweredthegreatbrass—spangledmotor—carofsomewealthymagnate，wedgedhopelesslyamongthedammedstreamofarrestedtraffic。Justbeneathustherewassuchaoneofgreatsizeandluxuriousappearance，withitsowner，afatoldman，leaningout，halfhisgrossbodythroughthewindow，andhispodgyhand，gleamingwithdiamonds，outstretchedasheurgedhischauffeurtomakealastefforttobreakthroughthepress。
Adozenmotor—busestowereduplikeislandsinthisflood，thepassengerswhocrowdedtheroofslyingallhuddledtogetherandacrosseashothers’lapslikeachild’stoysinanursery。Onabroadlamppedestalinthecentreoftheroadway，aburlypolicemanwasstanding，leaninghisbackagainstthepostinsonaturalanattitudethatitwashardtorealizethathewasnotalive，whileathisfeettherelayaraggednewsboywithhisbundleofpapersonthegroundbesidehim。Apaper—carthadgotblockedinthecrowd，andwecouldreadinlargeletters，blackuponyellow，"SceneatLord’s。CountyMatchInterrupted。"Thismusthavebeentheearliestedition，fortherewereotherplacardsbearingthelegend，"IsIttheEnd？GreatScientist’sWarning。"Andanother，"IsChallengerJustified？OminousRumours。"
Challengerpointedthelatterplacardouttohiswife，asitthrustitselflikeabannerabovethethrong。Icouldseehimthrowouthischestandstrokehisbeardashelookedatit。ItpleasedandflatteredthatcomplexmindtothinkthatLondonhaddiedwithhisnameandhiswordsstillpresentintheirthoughts。Hisfeelingsweresoevidentthattheyarousedthesardoniccommentofhiscolleague。
"Inthelimelighttothelast，Challenger，"heremarked。
"Soitwouldappear，"heansweredcomplacently。"Well，"headdedashelookeddownthelongvistaoftheradiatingstreets，allsilentandallchokedupwithdeath，"IreallyseenopurposetobeservedbyourstayinganylongerinLondon。IsuggestthatwereturnatoncetoRotherfieldandthentakecounselastohowweshallmostprofitablyemploytheyearswhichliebeforeus。"
OnlyoneotherpictureshallIgiveofthesceneswhichwecarriedbackinourmemoriesfromthedeadcity。ItisaglimpsewhichwehadoftheinterioroftheoldchurchofSt。Mary’s，whichisattheverypointwhereourcarwasawaitingus。
Pickingourwayamongtheprostratefiguresuponthesteps，wepushedopentheswingdoorandentered。Itwasawonderfulsight。Thechurchwascrammedfromendtoendwithkneelingfiguresineverypostureofsupplicationandabasement。Atthelastdreadfulmoment，broughtsuddenlyfacetofacewiththerealitiesoflife，thoseterrificrealitieswhichhangoverusevenwhilewefollowtheshadows，theterrifiedpeoplehadrushedintothoseoldcitychurcheswhichforgenerationshadhardlyeverheldacongregation。Theretheyhuddledascloseastheycouldkneel，manyofthemintheiragitationstillwearingtheirhats，whileabovetheminthepulpitayoungmaninlaydresshadapparentlybeenaddressingthemwhenheandtheyhadbeenoverwhelmedbythesamefate。Helaynow，likePunchinhisbooth，withhisheadandtwolimparmshangingovertheledgeofthepulpit。Itwasanightmare，thegrey，dustychurch，therowsofagonizedfigures，thedimnessandsilenceofitall。Wemovedaboutwithhushedwhispers，walkinguponourtip—toes。
AndthensuddenlyIhadanidea。Atonecornerofthechurch，nearthedoor，stoodtheancientfont，andbehinditadeeprecessinwhichtherehungtheropesforthebell—ringers。WhyshouldwenotsendamessageoutoverLondonwhichwouldattracttousanyonewhomightstillbealive？Iranacross，andpullingatthelist—coveredrope，Iwassurprisedtofindhowdifficultitwastoswingthebell。LordJohnhadfollowedme。
"ByGeorge，youngfellah!"saidhe，pullingoffhiscoat。
"You’vehitonadoocedgoodnotion。Givemeagripandwe’llsoonhaveamoveonit。"
But，eventhen，soheavywasthebellthatitwasnotuntilChallengerandSummerleehadaddedtheirweighttooursthatweheardtheroaringandclangingaboveourheadswhichtoldusthatthegreatclapperwasringingoutitsmusic。FaroverdeadLondonresoundedourmessageofcomradeshipandhopetoanyfellow—mansurviving。Itcheeredourownhearts，thatstrong，metalliccall，andweturnedthemoreearnestlytoourwork，draggedtwofeetofftheearthwitheachupwardjerkoftherope，butallstrainingtogetheronthedownwardheave，Challengerthelowestofall，bendingallhisgreatstrengthtothetaskandfloppingupanddownlikeamonstrousbull—frog，croakingwitheverypull。Itwasatthatmomentthatanartistmighthavetakenapictureofthefouradventurers，thecomradesofmanystrangeperilsinthepast，whomfatehadnowchosenforsosupremeanexperience。Forhalfanhourweworked，thesweatdroppingfromourfaces，ourarmsandbacksachingwiththeexertion。Thenwewentoutintotheporticoofthechurchandlookedeagerlyupanddownthesilent，crowdedstreets。Notasound，notamotion，inanswertooursummons。
"It’snouse。Nooneisleft，"Icried。
"Wecandonothingmore，"saidMrs。Challenger。"ForGod’ssake，George，letusgetbacktoRotherfield。Anotherhourofthisdreadful，silentcitywoulddrivememad。"
Wegotintothecarwithoutanotherword。LordJohnbackedherroundandturnedhertothesouth。Tousthechapterseemedclosed。Littledidweforeseethestrangenewchapterwhichwastoopen。
ChapterVI
THEGREATAWAKENING
AndnowIcometotheendofthisextraordinaryincident，soovershadowinginitsimportance，notonlyinourownsmall，individuallives，butinthegeneralhistoryofthehumanrace。
AsIsaidwhenIbeganmynarrative，whenthathistorycomestobewritten，thisoccurrencewillsurelystandoutamongallothereventslikeamountaintoweringamongitsfoothills。Ourgenerationhasbeenreservedforaveryspecialfatesinceithasbeenchosentoexperiencesowonderfulathing。Howlongitseffectmaylast——howlongmankindmaypreservethehumilityandreverencewhichthisgreatshockhastaughtit——canonlybeshownbythefuture。Ithinkitissafetosaythatthingscanneverbequitethesameagain。Nevercanonerealizehowpowerlessandignorantoneis，andhowoneisupheldbyanunseenhand，untilforaninstantthathandhasseemedtocloseandtocrush。Deathhasbeenimminentuponus。Weknowthatatanymomentitmaybeagain。Thatgrimpresenceshadowsourlives，butwhocandenythatinthatshadowthesenseofduty，thefeelingofsobrietyandresponsibility，theappreciationofthegravityandoftheobjectsoflife，theearnestdesiretodevelopandimprove，havegrownandbecomerealwithustoadegreethathasleavenedourwholesocietyfromendtoend？Itissomethingbeyondsectsandbeyonddogmas。Itisratheranalterationofperspective，ashiftingofoursenseofproportion，avividrealizationthatweareinsignificantandevanescentcreatures，existingonsufferanceandatthemercyofthefirstchillwindfromtheunknown。Butiftheworldhasgrowngraverwiththisknowledgeitisnot，I
think，asadderplaceinconsequence。Surelyweareagreedthatthemoresoberandrestrainedpleasuresofthepresentaredeeperaswellaswiserthanthenoisy，foolishhustlewhichpassedsooftenforenjoymentinthedaysofold——dayssorecentandyetalreadysoinconceivable。Thoseemptyliveswhichwerewastedinaimlessvisitingandbeingvisited，intheworryofgreatandunnecessaryhouseholds，inthearrangingandeatingofelaborateandtediousmeals，havenowfoundrestandhealthinthereading，themusic，thegentlefamilycommunionwhichcomesfromasimplerandsanerdivisionoftheirtime。Withgreaterhealthandgreaterpleasuretheyarericherthanbefore，evenaftertheyhavepaidthoseincreasedcontributionstothecommonfundwhichhavesoraisedthestandardoflifeintheseislands。
Thereissomeclashofopinionastotheexacthourofthegreatawakening。Itisgenerallyagreedthat，apartfromthedifferenceofclocks，theremayhavebeenlocalcauseswhichinfluencedtheactionofthepoison。Certainly，ineachseparatedistricttheresurrectionwaspracticallysimultaneous。TherearenumerouswitnessesthatBigBenpointedtotenminutespastsixatthemoment。TheAstronomerRoyalhasfixedtheGreenwichtimeattwelvepastsix。Ontheotherhand，LairdJohnson，averycapableEastAngliaobserver，hasrecordedsix—twentyasthehour。IntheHebridesitwasaslateasseven。Inourowncasetherecanbenodoubtwhatever，forIwasseatedinChallenger’sstudywithhiscarefullytestedchronometerinfrontofmeatthemoment。Thehourwasaquarter—pastsix。
Anenormousdepressionwasweighinguponmyspirits。Thecumulativeeffectofallthedreadfulsightswhichwehadseenuponourjourneywasheavyuponmysoul。Withmyaboundinganimalhealthandgreatphysicalenergyanykindofmentalcloudingwasarareevent。IhadtheIrishfacultyofseeingsomegleamofhumorineverydarkness。Butnowtheobscuritywasappallingandunrelieved。Theothersweredownstairsmakingtheirplansforthefuture。Isatbytheopenwindow，mychinrestinguponmyhandandmymindabsorbedinthemiseryofoursituation。Couldwecontinuetolive？ThatwasthequestionwhichIhadbeguntoaskmyself。Wasitpossibletoexistuponadeadworld？Justasinphysicsthegreaterbodydrawstoitselfthelesser，wouldwenotfeelanoverpoweringattractionfromthatvastbodyofhumanitywhichhadpassedintotheunknown？Howwouldtheendcome？
Woulditbefromareturnofthepoison？Orwouldtheearthbeuninhabitablefromthemephiticproductsofuniversaldecay？Or，finally，mightourawfulsituationpreyuponandunbalanceourminds？Agroupofinsanefolkuponadeadworld!Mymindwasbroodinguponthislastdreadfulideawhensomeslightnoisecausedmetolookdownupontheroadbeneathme。Theoldcabhorsewascomingupthehill!
Iwasconsciousatthesameinstantofthetwitteringofbirds，ofsomeonecoughingintheyardbelow，andofabackgroundofmovementinthelandscape。AndyetIrememberthatitwasthatabsurd，emaciated，superannuatedcab—horsewhichheldmygaze。
Slowlyandwheezilyitwasclimbingtheslope。Thenmyeyetraveledtothedriversittinghunchedupupontheboxandfinallytotheyoungmanwhowasleaningoutofthewindowinsomeexcitementandshoutingadirection。Theywereallindubitably，aggressivelyalive!
Everybodywasaliveoncemore!Haditallbeenadelusion？Wasitconceivablethatthiswholepoisonbeltincidenthadbeenanelaboratedream？Foraninstantmystartledbrainwasreallyreadytobelieveit。ThenIlookeddown，andtherewastherisingblisteronmyhandwhereitwasfrayedbytheropeofthecitybell。Ithadreallybeenso，then。Andyetherewastheworldresuscitated——herewaslifecomebackinaninstantfulltidetotheplanet。Now，asmyeyeswanderedalloverthegreatlandscape，Isawitineverydirection——andmoving，tomyamazement，intheverysamegrooveinwhichithadhalted。Therewerethegolfers。Wasitpossiblethattheyweregoingonwiththeirgame？Yes，therewasafellowdrivingofffromatee，andthatothergroupuponthegreenweresurelyputtingforthehole。
Thereaperswereslowlytroopingbacktotheirwork。Thenurse—girlslappedoneofherchargesandthenbegantopushtheperambulatorupthehill。Everyonehadunconcernedlytakenupthethreadattheverypointwheretheyhaddroppedit。
Irusheddownstairs，butthehalldoorwasopen，andIheardthevoicesofmycompanions，loudinastonishmentandcongratulation，intheyard。Howweallshookhandsandlaughedaswecametogether，andhowMrs。Challengerkissedusallinheremotion，beforeshefinallythrewherselfintothebear—hugofherhusband。
"Buttheycouldnothavebeenasleep!"criedLordJohn。"Dashitall，Challenger，youdon’tmeantobelievethatthosefolkwereasleepwiththeirstaringeyesandstifflimbsandthatawfuldeathgrinontheirfaces!"
"Itcanonlyhavebeentheconditionthatiscalledcatalepsy，"
saidChallenger。"Ithasbeenararephenomenoninthepastandhasconstantlybeenmistakenfordeath。Whileitendures，thetemperaturefalls，therespirationdisappears，theheartbeatisindistinguishable——infact，itISdeath，savethatitisevanescent。Eventhemostcomprehensivemind"——hereheclosedhiseyesandsimpered——"couldhardlyconceiveauniversaloutbreakofitinthisfashion。"
"Youmaylabelitcatalepsy，"remarkedSummerlee，"but，afterall，thatisonlyaname，andweknowaslittleoftheresultaswedoofthepoisonwhichhascausedit。Themostwecansayisthatthevitiatedetherhasproducedatemporarydeath。"
Austinwasseatedallinaheaponthestepofthecar。ItwashiscoughingwhichIhadheardfromabove。Hehadbeenholdinghisheadinsilence，butnowhewasmutteringtohimselfandrunninghiseyesoverthecar。
"Youngfat—head!"hegrumbled。"Can’tleavethingsalone!"
"What’sthematter，Austin？"
"Lubricatorsleftrunning，sir。Someonehasbeenfoolingwiththecar。Iexpectit’sthatyounggardenboy，sir。"
LordJohnlookedguilty。
"Idon’tknowwhat’samisswithme，"continuedAustin，staggeringtohisfeet。"IexpectIcameoverqueerwhenIwashosingherdown。Iseemtorememberfloppingoverbythestep。ButI’llswearIneverleftthoselubricatortapson。"
InacondensednarrativetheastonishedAustinwastoldwhathadhappenedtohimselfandtheworld。Themysteryofthedrippinglubricatorswasalsoexplainedtohim。Helistenedwithanairofdeepdistrustwhentoldhowanamateurhaddrivenhiscarandwithabsorbedinteresttothefewsentencesinwhichourexperiencesofthesleepingcitywererecorded。Icanrememberhiscommentwhenthestorywasconcluded。
"WasyououtsidetheBankofEngland，sir？"
"Yes，Austin。"
"Withallthemmillionsinsideandeverybodyasleep？"
"Thatwasso。"
"AndInotthere!"hegroaned，andturneddismallyoncemoretothehosingofhiscar。
Therewasasuddengrindingofwheelsupongravel。TheoldcabhadactuallypulledupatChallenger’sdoor。Isawtheyoungoccupantstepoutfromit。Aninstantlaterthemaid，wholookedastousledandbewilderedasifshehadthatinstantbeenarousedfromthedeepestsleep，appearedwithacarduponatray。
Challengersnortedferociouslyashelookedatit，andhisthickblackhairseemedtobristleupinhiswrath。
"Apressman!"hegrowled。Thenwithadeprecatingsmile："Afterall，itisnaturalthatthewholeworldshouldhastentoknowwhatIthinkofsuchanepisode。"
"Thatcanhardlybehiserrand，"saidSummerlee，"forhewasontheroadinhiscabbeforeeverthecrisiscame。"
Ilookedatthecard："JamesBaxter，LondonCorrespondent，NewYorkMonitor。"
"You’llseehim？"saidI。
"NotI。"
"Oh，George!Youshouldbekinderandmoreconsideratetoothers。Surelyyouhavelearnedsomethingfromwhatwehaveundergone。"
Hetut—tuttedandshookhisbig，obstinatehead。
"Apoisonousbreed!Eh，Malone？Theworstweedinmoderncivilization，thereadytoolofthequackandthehindranceoftheself—respectingman!Whendidtheyeversayagoodwordforme？"
"Whendidyoueversayagoodwordtothem？"Ianswered。"Come，sir，thisisastrangerwhohasmadeajourneytoseeyou。Iamsurethatyouwon’tberudetohim。"
"Well，well，"hegrumbled，"youcomewithmeanddothetalking。
Iprotestinadvanceagainstanysuchoutrageousinvasionofmyprivatelife。"Mutteringandmumbling，hecamerollingaftermelikeanangryandratherill—conditionedmastiff。
ThedapperyoungAmericanpulledouthisnotebookandplungedinstantlyintohissubject。
"Icamedown，sir，"saidhe，"becauseourpeopleinAmericawouldverymuchliketohearmoreaboutthisdangerwhichis，inyouropinion，pressingupontheworld。"
"Iknowofnodangerwhichisnowpressingupontheworld，"
Challengeransweredgruffly。
Thepressmanlookedathiminmildsurprise。
"Imeant，sir，thechancesthattheworldmightrunintoabeltofpoisonousether。"
"Idonotnowapprehendanysuchdanger，"saidChallenger。
Thepressmanlookedevenmoreperplexed。
"YouareProfessorChallenger，areyounot？"heasked。
"Yes，sir；thatismyname。"
"Icannotunderstand，then，howyoucansaythatthereisnosuchdanger。Iamalludingtoyourownletter，publishedaboveyournameintheLondonTimesofthismorning。"
ItwasChallenger’sturntolooksurprised。
"Thismorning？"saidhe。"NoLondonTimeswaspublishedthismorning。"
"Surely，sir，"saidtheAmericaninmildremonstrance，"youmustadmitthattheLondonTimesisadailypaper。"Hedrewoutacopyfromhisinsidepocket。"HereisthelettertowhichI
refer。"
Challengerchuckledandrubbedhishands。
"Ibegintounderstand，"saidhe。"Soyoureadthisletterthismorning？"
"Yes，sir。"
"Andcameatoncetointerviewme？"
"Yes，sir。"
"Didyouobserveanythingunusualuponthejourneydown？"
"Well，totellthetruth，yourpeopleseemedmorelivelyandgenerallyhumanthanIhaveeverseenthem。Thebaggagemansetouttotellmeafunnystory，andthat’sanewexperienceformeinthiscountry。"
"Nothingelse？"
"Why，no，sir，notthatIcanrecall。"
"Well，now，whathourdidyouleaveVictoria？"
TheAmericansmiled。
"Icameheretointerviewyou，Professor，butitseemstobeacaseof`Isthisniggerfishing，oristhisfishniggering？’
You’redoingmostofthework。"
"Ithappenstointerestme。Doyourecallthehour？"
"Sure。Itwashalf—pasttwelve。"
"Andyouarrived？"
"Ataquarter—pasttwo。"
"Andyouhiredacab？"
"Thatwasso。"
"Howfardoyousupposeitistothestation？"
"Well，Ishouldreckonthebestpartoftwomiles。"
"Sohowlongdoyouthinkittookyou？"
"Well，halfanhour，maybe，withthatasthmaticinfront。"
"Soitshouldbethreeo’clock？"
"Yes，oratrifleafterit。"
"Lookatyourwatch。"
TheAmericandidsoandthenstaredatusinastonishment。
"Say!"hecried。"It’srundown。Thathorsehasbrokeneveryrecord，sure。Thesunisprettylow，nowthatIcometolookatit。Well，there’ssomethinghereIdon’tunderstand。"
"Haveyounoremembranceofanythingremarkableasyoucameupthehill？"
"Well，IseemtorecollectthatIwasmightysleepyonce。
ItcomesbacktomethatIwantedtosaysomethingtothedriverandthatIcouldn’tmakehimheedme。Iguessitwastheheat，butIfeltswimmyforamoment。That’sall。"
"Soitiswiththewholehumanrace，"saidChallengertome。
"Theyhaveallfeltswimmyforamoment。Noneofthemhaveasyetanycomprehensionofwhathasoccurred。EachwillgoonwithhisinterruptedjobasAustinhassnatcheduphishose—pipeorthegolfercontinuedhisgame。Youreditor，Malone，willcontinuetheissueofhispapers，andverymuchamazedhewillbeatfindingthatanissueismissing。Yes，myyoungfriend，"
headdedtotheAmericanreporter，withasuddenmoodofamusedgeniality，"itmayinterestyoutoknowthattheworldhasswumthroughthepoisonouscurrentwhichswirlsliketheGulfStreamthroughtheoceanofether。Youwillalsokindlynoteforyourownfutureconveniencethatto—dayisnotFriday，Augustthetwenty—seventh，butSaturday，Augustthetwenty—eighth，andthatyousatsenselessinyourcabfortwenty—eighthoursupontheRotherfieldhill。"
And"righthere，"asmyAmericancolleaguewouldsay，Imaybringthisnarrativetoanend。Itis，asyouareprobablyaware，onlyafullerandmoredetailedversionoftheaccountwhichappearedintheMondayeditionoftheDailyGazette——anaccountwhichhasbeenuniversallyadmittedtobethegreatestjournalisticscoopofalltime，whichsoldnofewerthanthree—and—a—halfmillioncopiesofthepaper。FrameduponthewallofmysanctumIretainthosemagnificentheadlines：——
TWENTY—EIGHTHOURS’WORLDCOMA
UNPRECEDENTEDEXPERIENCE
CHALLENGERJUSTIFIED
OURCORRESPONDENTESCAPES
ENTHRALLINGNARRATIVE
THEOXYGENROOM
WEIRDMOTORDRIVE
DEADLONDON
REPLACINGTHEMISSINGPAGE
GREATFIRESANDLOSSOFLIFE
WILLITRECUR？
Underneaththisgloriousscrollcamenineandahalfcolumnsofnarrative，inwhichappearedthefirst，last，andonlyaccountofthehistoryoftheplanet，sofarasoneobservercoulddrawit，duringonelongdayofitsexistence。ChallengerandSummerleehavetreatedthematterinajointscientificpaper，buttomealonewasleftthepopularaccount。SurelyIcansing"Nuncdimittis。"Whatisleftbutanti—climaxinthelifeofajournalistafterthat!
Butletmenotendonsensationalheadlinesandamerelypersonaltriumph。Ratherletmequotethesonorouspassagesinwhichthegreatestofdailypapersendeditsadmirableleaderuponthesubject——aleaderwhichmightwellbefiledforreferencebyeverythoughtfulman。
"Ithasbeenawell—worntruism，"saidtheTimes，"thatourhumanraceareafeeblefolkbeforetheinfinitelatentforceswhichsurroundus。Fromtheprophetsofoldandfromthephilosophersofourowntimethesamemessageandwarninghavereachedus。But，likealloft—repeatedtruths，ithasintimelostsomethingofitsactualityandcogency。Alesson，anactualexperience，wasneededtobringithome。Itisfromthatsalutorybutterribleordealthatwehavejustemerged，withmindswhicharestillstunnedbythesuddennessoftheblowandwithspiritswhicharechastenedbytherealizationofourownlimitationsandimpotence。Theworldhaspaidafearfulpriceforitsschooling。Hardlyyethavewelearnedthefulltaleofdisaster，butthedestructionbyfireofNewYork，ofOrleans，andofBrightonconstitutesinitselfoneofthegreatesttragediesinthehistoryofourrace。Whentheaccountoftherailwayandshippingaccidentshasbeencompleted，itwillfurnishgrimreading，althoughthereisevidencetoshowthatinthevastmajorityofcasesthedriversoftrainsandengineersofsteamerssucceededinshuttingofftheirmotivepowerbeforesuccumbingtothepoison。Butthematerialdamage，enormousasitisbothinlifeandinproperty，isnottheconsiderationwhichwillbeuppermostinourmindsto—day。Allthismayintimebeforgotten。Butwhatwillnotbeforgotten，andwhatwillandshouldcontinuetoobsessourimaginations，isthisrevelationofthepossibilitiesoftheuniverse，thisdestructionofourignorantself—complacency，andthisdemonstrationofhownarrowisthepathofourmaterialexistenceandwhatabyssesmaylieuponeithersideofit。Solemnityandhumilityareatthebaseofallouremotionsto—day。Maytheybethefoundationsuponwhichamoreearnestandreverentracemaybuildamoreworthytemple。"
返回顶部