English
SoyouunderstandtheroaringwaveoffearthatsweptthroughthegreatestcityintheworldjustasMondaywasdawning—thestreamofflightrisingswiftlytoatorrent,lashinginafoamingtumultroundtherailwaystations,bankedupintoahorriblestruggleabouttheshippingintheThames,andhurryingbyeveryavailablechannelnorthwardandeastward.
Byteno'clockthepoliceorganisation,andbymiddayeventherailwayorganisations,werelosingcoherency,losingshapeandefficiency,guttering,softening,runningatlastinthatswiftliquefactionofthesocialbody.
AlltherailwaylinesnorthoftheThamesandtheSouth–EasternpeopleatCannonStreethadbeenwarnedbymidnightonSunday,andtrainswerebeingfilled.
Peoplewerefightingsavagelyforstanding–roominthecarriagesevenattwoo'clock.
Bythree,peoplewerebeingtrampledandcrushedeveninBishopsgateStreet,acoupleofhundredyardsormorefromLiverpoolStreetstation;revolverswerefired,peoplestabbed,andthepolicemenwhohadbeensenttodirectthetraffic,exhaustedandinfuriated,werebreakingtheheadsofthepeopletheywerecalledouttoprotect.
AndasthedayadvancedandtheenginedriversandstokersrefusedtoreturntoLondon,thepressureoftheflightdrovethepeopleinanever–thickeningmultitudeawayfromthestationsandalongthenorthward–runningroads.
BymiddayaMartianhadbeenseenatBarnes,andacloudofslowlysinkingblackvapourdrovealongtheThamesandacrosstheflatsofLambeth,cuttingoffallescapeoverthebridgesinitssluggishadvance.
AnotherbankdroveoverEaling,andsurroundedalittleislandofsurvivorsonCastleHill,alive,butunabletoescape.
AfterafruitlessstruggletogetaboardaNorth–WesterntrainatChalkFarm—theenginesofthetrainsthathadloadedinthegoodsyardthereploughedthroughshriekingpeople,andadozenstalwartmenfoughttokeepthecrowdfromcrushingthedriveragainsthisfurnace—mybrotheremergedupontheChalkFarmroad,dodgedacrossthroughahurryingswarmofvehicles,andhadthelucktobeforemostinthesackofacycleshop.
Thefronttireofthemachinehegotwaspuncturedindraggingitthroughthewindow,buthegotupandoff,notwithstanding,withnofurtherinjurythanacutwrist.
ThesteepfootofHaverstockHillwasimpassableowingtoseveraloverturnedhorses,andmybrotherstruckintoBelsizeRoad.
Sohegotoutofthefuryofthepanic,and,skirtingtheEdgwareRoad,reachedEdgwareaboutseven,fastingandwearied,butwellaheadofthecrowd.
Alongtheroadpeoplewerestandingintheroadway,curious,wondering.
Hewaspassedbyanumberofcyclists,somehorsemen,andtwomotorcars.
AmilefromEdgwaretherimofthewheelbroke,andthemachinebecameunridable.
Heleftitbytheroadsideandtrudgedthroughthevillage.
Therewereshopshalfopenedinthemainstreetoftheplace,andpeoplecrowdedonthepavementandinthedoorwaysandwindows,staringastonishedatthisextraordinaryprocessionoffugitivesthatwasbeginning.
Hesucceededingettingsomefoodataninn.
ForatimeheremainedinEdgwarenotknowingwhatnexttodo.Theflyingpeopleincreasedinnumber.
Manyofthem,likemybrother,seemedinclinedtoloiterintheplace.
TherewasnofreshnewsoftheinvadersfromMars.
Atthattimetheroadwascrowded,butasyetfarfromcongested.
Mostofthefugitivesatthathourweremountedoncycles,butthereweresoonmotorcars,hansomcabs,andcarriageshurryingalong,andthedusthunginheavycloudsalongtheroadtoSt.Albans.
ItwasperhapsavagueideaofmakinghiswaytoChelmsford,wheresomefriendsofhislived,thatatlastinducedmybrothertostrikeintoaquietlanerunningeastward.
Presentlyhecameuponastile,and,crossingit,followedafootpathnortheastward.
Hepassednearseveralfarmhousesandsomelittleplaceswhosenameshedidnotlearn.
Hesawfewfugitivesuntil,inagrasslanetowardsHighBarnet,hehappenedupontwoladieswhobecamehisfellowtravellers.
Hecameuponthemjustintimetosavethem.
Heheardtheirscreams,and,hurryingroundthecorner,sawacoupleofmenstrugglingtodragthemoutofthelittlepony–chaiseinwhichtheyhadbeendriving,whileathirdwithdifficultyheldthefrightenedpony'shead.
Oneoftheladies,ashortwomandressedinwhite,wassimplyscreaming;theother,adark,slenderfigure,slashedatthemanwhogrippedherarmwithawhipsheheldinherdisengagedhand.
Mybrotherimmediatelygraspedthesituation,shouted,andhurriedtowardsthestruggle.
Oneofthemendesistedandturnedtowardshim,andmybrother,realisingfromhisantagonist'sfacethatafightwasunavoidable,andbeinganexpertboxer,wentintohimforthwithandsenthimdownagainstthewheelofthechaise.
Itwasnotimeforpugilisticchivalryandmybrotherlaidhimquietwithakick,andgrippedthecollarofthemanwhopulledattheslenderlady'sarm.
Heheardtheclatterofhoofs,thewhipstungacrosshisface,athirdantagoniststruckhimbetweentheeyes,andthemanheheldwrenchedhimselffreeandmadeoffdownthelaneinthedirectionfromwhichhehadcome.
Partlystunned,hefoundhimselffacingthemanwhohadheldthehorse'shead,andbecameawareofthechaiserecedingfromhimdownthelane,swayingfromsidetoside,andwiththewomeninitlookingback.
Themanbeforehim,aburlyrough,triedtoclose,andhestoppedhimwithablowintheface.
Then,realisingthathewasdeserted,hedodgedroundandmadeoffdownthelaneafterthechaise,withthesturdymanclosebehindhim,andthefugitive,whohadturnednow,followingremotely.
Suddenlyhestumbledandfell;hisimmediatepursuerwentheadlong,andherosetohisfeettofindhimselfwithacoupleofantagonistsagain.
Hewouldhavehadlittlechanceagainstthemhadnottheslenderladyverypluckilypulledupandreturnedtohishelp.
Itseemsshehadhadarevolverallthistime,butithadbeenundertheseatwhensheandhercompanionwereattacked.
Shefiredatsixyards'distance,narrowlymissingmybrother.
Thelesscourageousoftherobbersmadeoff,andhiscompanionfollowedhim,cursinghiscowardice.
Theybothstoppedinsightdownthelane,wherethethirdmanlayinsensible.
"Takethis!"saidtheslenderlady,andshegavemybrotherherrevolver.
"Gobacktothechaise,"saidmybrother,wipingthebloodfromhissplitlip.
Sheturnedwithoutaword—theywerebothpanting—andtheywentbacktowheretheladyinwhitestruggledtoholdbackthefrightenedpony.
Therobbershadevidentlyhadenoughofit.Whenmybrotherlookedagaintheywereretreating.
"I'llsithere,"saidmybrother,"ifImay";andhegotupontheemptyfrontseat.Theladylookedoverhershoulder.
"Givemethereins,"shesaid,andlaidthewhipalongthepony'sside.Inanothermomentabendintheroadhidthethreemenfrommybrother'seyes.
So,quiteunexpectedly,mybrotherfoundhimself,panting,withacutmouth,abruisedjaw,andbloodstainedknuckles,drivingalonganunknownlanewiththesetwowomen.
HelearnedtheywerethewifeandtheyoungersisterofasurgeonlivingatStanmore,whohadcomeinthesmallhoursfromadangerouscaseatPinner,andheardatsomerailwaystationonhiswayoftheMartianadvance.
Hehadhurriedhome,rousedthewomen—theirservanthadleftthemtwodaysbefore—packedsomeprovisions,puthisrevolverundertheseat—luckilyformybrother—andtoldthemtodriveontoEdgware,withtheideaofgettingatrainthere.
Hestoppedbehindtotelltheneighbours.
Hewouldovertakethem,hesaid,atabouthalfpastfourinthemorning,andnowitwasnearlynineandtheyhadseennothingofhim.
TheycouldnotstopinEdgwarebecauseofthegrowingtrafficthroughtheplace,andsotheyhadcomeintothissidelane.
Thatwasthestorytheytoldmybrotherinfragmentswhenpresentlytheystoppedagain,nearertoNewBarnet.
Hepromisedtostaywiththem,atleastuntiltheycoulddeterminewhattodo,oruntilthemissingmanarrived,andprofessedtobeanexpertshotwiththerevolver—aweaponstrangetohim—inordertogivethemconfidence.
Theymadeasortofencampmentbythewayside,andtheponybecamehappyinthehedge.
HetoldthemofhisownescapeoutofLondon,andallthatheknewoftheseMartiansandtheirways.
Thesuncrepthigherinthesky,andafteratimetheirtalkdiedoutandgaveplacetoanuneasystateofanticipation.
Severalwayfarerscamealongthelane,andofthesemybrothergatheredsuchnewsashecould.
Everybrokenanswerhehaddeepenedhisimpressionofthegreatdisasterthathadcomeonhumanity,deepenedhispersuasionoftheimmediatenecessityforprosecutingthisflight.Heurgedthematteruponthem.
"Wehavemoney,"saidtheslenderwoman,andhesitated.
Hereyesmetmybrother's,andherhesitationended.
"SohaveI,"saidmybrother.
Sheexplainedthattheyhadasmuchasthirtypoundsingold,besidesafive–poundnote,andsuggestedthatwiththattheymightgetuponatrainatSt.AlbansorNewBarnet.
Mybrotherthoughtthatwashopeless,seeingthefuryoftheLondonerstocrowduponthetrains,andbroachedhisownideaofstrikingacrossEssextowardsHarwichandthenceescapingfromthecountryaltogether.
Mrs.Elphinstone—thatwasthenameofthewomaninwhite—wouldlistentonoreasoning,andkeptcallingupon"George";buthersister–in–lawwasastonishinglyquietanddeliberate,andatlastagreedtomybrother'ssuggestion.
So,designingtocrosstheGreatNorthRoad,theywentontowardsBarnet,mybrotherleadingtheponytosaveitasmuchaspossible.
Asthesuncreptuptheskythedaybecameexcessivelyhot,andunderfootathick,whitishsandgrewburningandblinding,sothattheytravelledonlyveryslowly.Thehedgesweregreywithdust.
AndastheyadvancedtowardsBarnetatumultuousmurmuringgrewstronger.
Theybegantomeetmorepeople.Forthemostpartthesewerestaringbeforethem,murmuringindistinctquestions,jaded,haggard,unclean.
Onemanineveningdresspassedthemonfoot,hiseyesontheground.
Theyheardhisvoice,and,lookingbackathim,sawonehandclutchedinhishairandtheotherbeatinginvisiblethings.
Hisparoxysmofrageover,hewentonhiswaywithoutoncelookingback.
Asmybrother'spartywentontowardsthecrossroadstothesouthofBarnettheysawawomanapproachingtheroadacrosssomefieldsontheirleft,carryingachildandwithtwootherchildren;andthenpassedamanindirtyblack,withathickstickinonehandandasmallportmanteauintheother.
Thenroundthecornerofthelane,frombetweenthevillasthatguardeditatitsconfluencewiththehighroad,camealittlecartdrawnbyasweatingblackponyanddrivenbyasallowyouthinabowlerhat,greywithdust.
Therewerethreegirls,EastEndfactorygirls,andacoupleoflittlechildrencrowdedinthecart.
"This'lltikeusrahndEdgware?"askedthedriver,wild–eyed,white–faced;andwhenmybrothertoldhimitwouldifheturnedtotheleft,hewhippedupatoncewithouttheformalityofthanks.
Mybrothernoticedapalegreysmokeorhazerisingamongthehousesinfrontofthem,andveilingthewhitefacadeofaterracebeyondtheroadthatappearedbetweenthebacksofthevillas.
Mrs.Elphinstonesuddenlycriedoutatanumberoftonguesofsmokyredflameleapingupabovethehousesinfrontofthemagainstthehot,bluesky.
Thetumultuousnoiseresolveditselfnowintothedisorderlyminglingofmanyvoices,thegrideofmanywheels,thecreakingofwaggons,andthestaccatoofhoofs.
Thelanecameroundsharplynotfiftyyardsfromthecrossroads.
"Goodheavens!"criedMrs.Elphinstone."Whatisthisyouaredrivingusinto?"
Mybrotherstopped.
Forthemainroadwasaboilingstreamofpeople,atorrentofhumanbeingsrushingnorthward,onepressingonanother.
Agreatbankofdust,whiteandluminousintheblazeofthesun,madeeverythingwithintwentyfeetofthegroundgreyandindistinctandwasperpetuallyrenewedbythehurryingfeetofadensecrowdofhorsesandofmenandwomenonfoot,andbythewheelsofvehiclesofeverydescription.
"Way!"mybrotherheardvoicescrying."Makeway!"
Itwaslikeridingintothesmokeofafiretoapproachthemeetingpointofthelaneandroad;thecrowdroaredlikeafire,andthedustwashotandpungent.
And,indeed,alittlewayuptheroadavillawasburningandsendingrollingmassesofblacksmokeacrosstheroadtoaddtotheconfusion.
Twomencamepastthem.Thenadirtywoman,carryingaheavybundleandweeping.
Alostretrieverdog,withhangingtongue,circleddubiouslyroundthem,scaredandwretched,andfledatmybrother'sthreat.
SomuchastheycouldseeoftheroadLondonwardbetweenthehousestotherightwasatumultuousstreamofdirty,hurryingpeople,pentinbetweenthevillasoneitherside;theblackheads,thecrowdedforms,grewintodistinctnessastheyrushedtowardsthecorner,hurriedpast,andmergedtheirindividualityagaininarecedingmultitudethatwasswallowedupatlastinacloudofdust.
"Goon!Goon!"criedthevoices."Way!Way!"
Oneman'shandspressedonthebackofanother.Mybrotherstoodatthepony'shead.Irresistiblyattracted,headvancedslowly,pacebypace,downthelane.
Edgwarehadbeenasceneofconfusion,ChalkFarmariotoustumult,butthiswasawholepopulationinmovement.Itishardtoimaginethathost.Ithadnocharacterofitsown.
Thefigurespouredoutpastthecorner,andrecededwiththeirbackstothegroupinthelane.
Alongthemargincamethosewhowereonfootthreatenedbythewheels,stumblingintheditches,blunderingintooneanother.
Thecartsandcarriagescrowdedcloseupononeanother,makinglittlewayforthoseswifterandmoreimpatientvehiclesthatdartedforwardeverynowandthenwhenanopportunityshoweditselfofdoingso,sendingthepeoplescatteringagainstthefencesandgatesofthevillas.
"Pushon!"wasthecry."Pushon!Theyarecoming!"
InonecartstoodablindmanintheuniformoftheSalvationArmy,gesticulatingwithhiscrookedfingersandbawling,"Eternity!Eternity!"
Hisvoicewashoarseandveryloudsothatmybrothercouldhearhimlongafterhewaslosttosightinthedust.
Someofthepeoplewhocrowdedinthecartswhippedstupidlyattheirhorsesandquarrelledwithotherdrivers;somesatmotionless,staringatnothingwithmiserableeyes;somegnawedtheirhandswiththirst,orlayprostrateinthebottomsoftheirconveyances.
Thehorses'bitswerecoveredwithfoam,theireyesbloodshot.
Therewerecabs,carriages,shopcars,waggons,beyondcounting;amailcart,aroad–cleaner'scartmarked"VestryofSt.Pancras,"ahugetimberwaggoncrowdedwithroughs.
Abrewer'sdrayrumbledbywithitstwonearwheelssplashedwithfreshblood.
"Cleartheway!"criedthevoices."Cleartheway!"
"Eter–nity!Eter–nity!"cameechoingdowntheroad.
Thereweresad,haggardwomentrampingby,welldressed,withchildrenthatcriedandstumbled,theirdaintyclothessmotheredindust,theirwearyfacessmearedwithtears.
Withmanyofthesecamemen,sometimeshelpful,sometimesloweringandsavage.
Fightingsidebysidewiththempushedsomewearystreetoutcastinfadedblackrags,wide–eyed,loud–voiced,andfoul–mouthed.
Thereweresturdyworkmenthrustingtheirwayalong,wretched,unkemptmen,clothedlikeclerksorshopmen,strugglingspasmodically;awoundedsoldiermybrothernoticed,mendressedintheclothesofrailwayporters,onewretchedcreatureinanightshirtwithacoatthrownoverit.
Butvariedasitscompositionwas,certainthingsallthathosthadincommon.
Therewerefearandpainontheirfaces,andfearbehindthem.
Atumultuptheroad,aquarrelforaplaceinawaggon,sentthewholehostofthemquickeningtheirpace;evenamansoscaredandbrokenthathiskneesbentunderhimwasgalvanisedforamomentintorenewedactivity.
Theheatanddusthadalreadybeenatworkuponthismultitude.
Theirskinsweredry,theirlipsblackandcracked.
Theywereallthirsty,weary,andfootsore.
Andamidthevariouscriesonehearddisputes,reproaches,groansofwearinessandfatigue;thevoicesofmostofthemwerehoarseandweak.Throughitallranarefrain:
"Way!Way!TheMartiansarecoming!"
Fewstoppedandcameasidefromthatflood.
Thelaneopenedslantinglyintothemainroadwithanarrowopening,andhadadelusiveappearanceofcomingfromthedirectionofLondon.
Yetakindofeddyofpeopledroveintoitsmouth;weaklingselbowedoutofthestream,whoforthemostpartrestedbutamomentbeforeplungingintoitagain.
Alittlewaydownthelane,withtwofriendsbendingoverhim,layamanwithabareleg,wrappedaboutwithbloodyrags.Hewasaluckymantohavefriends.
Alittleoldman,withagreymilitarymoustacheandafilthyblackfrockcoat,limpedoutandsatdownbesidethetrap,removedhisboot—hissockwasblood–stained—shookoutapebble,andhobbledonagain;andthenalittlegirlofeightornine,allalone,threwherselfunderthehedgeclosebymybrother,weeping.
"Ican'tgoon!Ican'tgoon!"
Mybrotherwokefromhistorporofastonishmentandliftedherup,speakinggentlytoher,andcarriedhertoMissElphinstone.
Sosoonasmybrothertouchedhershebecamequitestill,asiffrightened.
"Ellen!"shriekedawomaninthecrowd,withtearsinhervoice—"Ellen!"Andthechildsuddenlydartedawayfrommybrother,crying"Mother!"
"Theyarecoming,"saidamanonhorseback,ridingpastalongthelane.
"Outoftheway,there!"bawledacoachman,toweringhigh;andmybrothersawaclosedcarriageturningintothelane.
Thepeoplecrushedbackononeanothertoavoidthehorse.
Mybrotherpushedtheponyandchaisebackintothehedge,andthemandrovebyandstoppedattheturnoftheway.
Itwasacarriage,withapoleforapairofhorses,butonlyonewasinthetraces.
Mybrothersawdimlythroughthedustthattwomenliftedoutsomethingonawhitestretcherandputitgentlyonthegrassbeneaththeprivethedge.
Oneofthemencamerunningtomybrother.
"Whereisthereanywater?"hesaid."Heisdyingfast,andverythirsty.ItisLordGarrick."
"LordGarrick!"saidmybrother;"theChiefJustice?"
"Thewater?"hesaid.
"Theremaybeatap,"saidmybrother,"insomeofthehouses.Wehavenowater.Idarenotleavemypeople."
Themanpushedagainstthecrowdtowardsthegateofthecornerhouse.
"Goon!"saidthepeople,thrustingathim."Theyarecoming!Goon!"
Thenmybrother'sattentionwasdistractedbyabearded,eagle–facedmanluggingasmallhandbag,whichsplitevenasmybrother'seyesrestedonitanddisgorgedamassofsovereignsthatseemedtobreakupintoseparatecoinsasitstrucktheground.
Theyrolledhitherandthitheramongthestrugglingfeetofmenandhorses.
Themanstoppedandlookedstupidlyattheheap,andtheshaftofacabstruckhisshoulderandsenthimreeling.
Hegaveashriekanddodgedback,andacartwheelshavedhimnarrowly.
"Way!"criedthemenallabouthim."Makeway!"
Sosoonasthecabhadpassed,heflunghimself,withbothhandsopen,upontheheapofcoins,andbeganthrustinghandfulsinhispocket.
Ahorserosecloseuponhim,andinanothermoment,halfrising,hehadbeenbornedownunderthehorse'shoofs.
"Stop!"screamedmybrother,andpushingawomanoutofhisway,triedtoclutchthebitofthehorse.
Beforehecouldgettoit,heheardascreamunderthewheels,andsawthroughthedusttherimpassingoverthepoorwretch'sback.
Thedriverofthecartslashedhiswhipatmybrother,whoranroundbehindthecart.
Themultitudinousshoutingconfusedhisears.
Themanwaswrithinginthedustamonghisscatteredmoney,unabletorise,forthewheelhadbrokenhisback,andhislowerlimbslaylimpanddead.
Mybrotherstoodupandyelledatthenextdriver,andamanonablackhorsecametohisassistance.
"Gethimoutoftheroad,"saidhe;and,clutchingtheman'scollarwithhisfreehand,mybrotherluggedhimsideways.
Buthestillclutchedafterhismoney,andregardedmybrotherfiercely,hammeringathisarmwithahandfulofgold."Goon!Goon!"shoutedangryvoicesbehind.
"Way!Way!"
Therewasasmashasthepoleofacarriagecrashedintothecartthatthemanonhorsebackstopped.
Mybrotherlookedup,andthemanwiththegoldtwistedhisheadroundandbitthewristthatheldhiscollar.
Therewasaconcussion,andtheblackhorsecamestaggeringsideways,andthecarthorsepushedbesideit.
Ahoofmissedmybrother'sfootbyahair'sbreadth.
Hereleasedhisgriponthefallenmanandjumpedback.
Hesawangerchangetoterroronthefaceofthepoorwretchontheground,andinamomenthewashiddenandmybrotherwasbornebackwardandcarriedpasttheentranceofthelane,andhadtofighthardinthetorrenttorecoverit.
HesawMissElphinstonecoveringhereyes,andalittlechild,withallachild'swantofsympatheticimagination,staringwithdilatedeyesatadustysomethingthatlayblackandstill,groundandcrushedundertherollingwheels."Letusgoback!"
heshouted,andbeganturningtheponyround.
"Wecannotcrossthis—hell,"hesaidandtheywentbackahundredyardsthewaytheyhadcome,untilthefightingcrowdwashidden.
Astheypassedthebendinthelanemybrothersawthefaceofthedyingmanintheditchundertheprivet,deadlywhiteanddrawn,andshiningwithperspiration.
Thetwowomensatsilent,crouchingintheirseatandshivering.
Thenbeyondthebendmybrotherstoppedagain.
MissElphinstonewaswhiteandpale,andhersister–in–lawsatweeping,toowretchedeventocallupon"George."Mybrotherwashorrifiedandperplexed.
Sosoonastheyhadretreatedherealisedhowurgentandunavoidableitwastoattemptthiscrossing.
HeturnedtoMissElphinstone,suddenlyresolute.
"Wemustgothatway,"hesaid,andledtheponyroundagain.
Forthesecondtimethatdaythisgirlprovedherquality.
Toforcetheirwayintothetorrentofpeople,mybrotherplungedintothetrafficandheldbackacabhorse,whileshedrovetheponyacrossitshead.
Awaggonlockedwheelsforamomentandrippedalongsplinterfromthechaise.
Inanothermomenttheywerecaughtandsweptforwardbythestream.
Mybrother,withthecabman'swhipmarksredacrosshisfaceandhands,scrambledintothechaiseandtookthereinsfromher.
"Pointtherevolveratthemanbehind,"hesaid,givingittoher,"ifhepressesustoohard.No!—pointitathishorse."
Thenhebegantolookoutforachanceofedgingtotherightacrosstheroad.
Butonceinthestreamheseemedtolosevolition,tobecomeapartofthatdustyrout.
TheysweptthroughChippingBarnetwiththetorrent;theywerenearlyamilebeyondthecentreofthetownbeforetheyhadfoughtacrosstotheoppositesideoftheway.
Itwasdinandconfusionindescribable;butinandbeyondthetowntheroadforksrepeatedly,andthistosomeextentrelievedthestress.
TheystruckeastwardthroughHadley,andthereoneithersideoftheroad,andatanotherplacefartherontheycameuponagreatmultitudeofpeopledrinkingatthestream,somefightingtocomeatthewater.
Andfartheron,fromalullnearEastBarnet,theysawtwotrainsrunningslowlyoneaftertheotherwithoutsignalororder—trainsswarmingwithpeople,withmenevenamongthecoalsbehindtheengines—goingnorthwardalongtheGreatNorthernRailway.
MybrothersupposestheymusthavefilledoutsideLondon,foratthattimethefuriousterrorofthepeoplehadrenderedthecentralterminiimpossible.
Nearthisplacetheyhaltedfortherestoftheafternoon,fortheviolenceofthedayhadalreadyutterlyexhaustedallthreeofthem.
Theybegantosufferthebeginningsofhunger;thenightwascold,andnoneofthemdaredtosleep.
Andintheeveningmanypeoplecamehurryingalongtheroadnearbytheirstoppingplace,fleeingfromunknowndangersbeforethem,andgoinginthedirectionfromwhichmybrotherhadcome.
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