twisted my ankle, and after that I stumbled at almost every leap. I was

in a state of hysterical agitation, trembling violently, and quite

breathless long before I got to it. Three times at least I had to stop

with my hands resting on my side and in spite of the thin dryness of the

air, the perspiration was wet upon my face.

I thought of nothing but the sphere until I reached it, I forgot even my

trouble of Cavor's whereabouts. My last leap flung me with my hands hard

against its glass; then I lay against it panting, and trying vainly to

shout, "Cavor! here is the sphere!" When I had recovered a little I peered

through the thick glass, and the things inside seemed tumbled. I stooped

to peer closer. Then I attempted to get in. I had to hoist it over a

little to get my head through the manhole. The screw stopper was inside,

and I could see now that nothing had been touched, nothing had suffered.

It lay there as we had left it when we had dropped out amidst the snow.

For a time I was wholly occupied in making and remaking this inventory. I

found I was trembling violently. It was good to see that familiar dark

interior again! I cannot tell you how good. Presently I crept inside and

sat down among the things. I looked through the glass at the moon world

and shivered. I placed my gold clubs upon the table, and sought out and

took a little food; not so much because I wanted it, but because it was

there. Then it occurred to me that it was time to go out and signal for

Cavor. But I did not go out and signal for Cavor forthwith. Something

held me to the sphere.

After all, everything was coming right. There would be still time for us

207

The First Men In The Moon