altogether different thing from any running on earth. On earth one leaps

and almost instantly hits the ground again, but on the moon, because of

its weaker pull, one shot through the air for several seconds before one

came to earth. In spite of our violent hurry this gave an effect of long

pauses, pauses in which one might have counted seven or eight. "Step,"

and one soared off! All sorts of questions ran through my mind: "Where are

the Selenites? What will they do? Shall we ever get to that tunnel? Is

Cavor far behind? Are they likely to cut him off?" Then whack, stride, and

off again for another step.

I saw a Selenite running in front of me, his legs going exactly as a man's

would go on earth, saw him glance over his shoulder, and heard him shriek

as he ran aside out of my way into the darkness. He was, I think, our

guide, but I am not sure. Then in another vast stride the walls of rock

had come into view on either hand, and in two more strides I was in the

tunnel, and tempering my pace to its low roof. I went on to a bend, then

stopped and turned back, and plug, plug, plug, Cavor came into view,

splashing into the stream of blue light at every stride, and grew larger

and blundered into me. We stood clutching each other. For a moment, at

least, we had shaken off our captors and were alone.

We were both very much out of breath. We spoke in panting, broken

sentences.

"You've spoilt it all!" panted Cavor. "Nonsense," I cried. "It was that

or death!"

159

The First Men In The Moon