them, and they were marching in single file over a rocky place, making the

most remarkable piping and whining sounds. They all seemed to become aware

of us at once, all instantly became silent and motionless, like animals,

with their faces turned towards us.

For a moment I was sobered.

Insects," murmured Cavor, "insects! And they think I'm going to crawl

about on my stomach--on my vertebrated stomach!

Stomach," he repeated slowly, as though he chewed the indignity.

Then suddenly, with a sort of fury, he made three vast strides and leapt

towards them. He leapt badly; he made a series of somersaults in the air,

whirled right over them, and vanished with an enormous splash amidst the

cactus bladders. What the Selenites made of this amazing, and to my mind

undignified irruption from another planet, I have no means of guessing. I

seem to remember the sight of their backs as they ran in all directions,

but I am not sure. All these last incidents before oblivion came are vague

and faint in my mind. I know I made a step to follow Cavor, and tripped

and fell headlong among the rocks. I was, I am certain, suddenly and

vehemently ill. I seem to remember, a violent struggle and being gripped

by metallic clasps....

My next clear recollection is that we were prisoners at we knew not what

depths beneath the moon's surface; we were in darkness amidst strange

118

The First Men In The Moon