was white and pale, and her sister-in-law sat weeping, too wretched

even to call upon "George." My brother was horrified and perplexed.

So soon as they had retreated he realised how urgent and unavoidable

it was to attempt this crossing. He turned to Miss Elphinstone,

suddenly resolute.

We must go that way," he said, and led the pony round again.

For the second time that day this girl proved her quality. To force

their way into the torrent of people, my brother plunged into the

traffic and held back a cab horse, while she drove the pony across its

head. A waggon locked wheels for a moment and ripped a long splinter

from the chaise. In another moment they were caught and swept forward

by the stream. My brother, with the cabman's whip marks red across

his face and hands, scrambled into the chaise and took the reins from

her.

Point the revolver at the man behind," he said, giving it to her,

if he presses us too hard. No!--point it at his horse."

Then he began to look out for a chance of edging to the right

across the road. But once in the stream he seemed to lose volition,

to become a part of that dusty rout. They swept through Chipping

Barnet with the torrent; they were nearly a mile beyond the centre of

the town before they had fought across to the opposite side of the

way. It was din and confusion indescribable; but in and beyond the

149

The War of the Worlds