The Time Machine - International World History Project

The Time Machinebegan leaping up and dragging down branches. Very soonI had a choking smoky fire of green wood and dry sticks,and could economize my camphor. Then I turned towhere Weena lay beside my iron mace. I tried what Icould to revive her, but she lay like one dead. I could noteven satisfy myself whether or not she breathed.‘Now, the smoke of the fire beat over towards me, andit must have made me heavy of a sudden. Moreover, thevapour of camphor was in the air. My fire would not needreplenishing for an hour or so. I felt very weary after myexertion, and sat down. The wood, too, was full of aslumbrous murmur that I did not understand. I seemedjust to nod and open my eyes. But all was dark, and theMorlocks had their hands upon me. Flinging off theirclinging fingers I hastily felt in my pocket for the matchbox,and—it had gone! Then they gripped and closedwith me again. In a moment I knew what had happened. Ihad slept, and my fire had gone out, and the bitterness ofdeath came over my soul. The forest seemed full of thesmell of burning wood. I was caught by the neck, by thehair, by the arms, and pulled down. It was indescribablyhorrible in the darkness to feel all these soft creaturesheaped upon me. I felt as if I was in a monstrous spider’sweb. I was overpowered, and went down. I felt little teeth119 of 148