Hemadeclawingmotionswithhishands。\"Isay！\"heexclaimed，\"Mr。Laurier。Look’ere——Iwant——aboutthatButteridgemachine——。\"
Mr。Laurier，sittingonanadjacenttable，withamagnificentgesture，arrestedthediscourseoftheflat—voicedman。\"What’sHEsaying？\"saidhe。
ThenthewholecompanyrealisedthatsomethingwashappeningtoBert;eitherhewassuffocatingorgoingmad。Hewasspluttering。
\"Look’ere！Isay！’Oldonabit！\"andtremblingandeagerlyunbuttoninghimself。
Hetoreopenhiscollarandopenedvestandshirt。Heplungedintohisinteriorandforaninstantitseemedhewaspluckingforthhisliver。Thenashestruggledwithbuttonsonhisshouldertheyperceivedthisflattenedhorrorwasinfactaterriblydirtyflannelchest—protector。InanothermomentBert，inastateofirregulardecolletage，wasstandingoverthetabledisplayingasheafofpapers。
\"These！\"hegasped。\"Thesearetheplans！……Youknow！Mr。
Butteridge——hismachine！Whatdied！Iwasthechapthatwentoffinthatballoon！\"
Forsomesecondseveryonewassilent。TheystaredfromthesepaperstoBert’swhitefaceandblazingeyes，andbacktothepapersonthetable。Nobodymoved。Thenthemanwiththeflatvoicespoke。
\"Irony！\"hesaid，withanoteofsatisfaction。\"RealrightdownIrony！Whenit’stoolatetothinkofmaking’emanymore！\"
4
TheywouldallnodoubthavebeeneagertohearBert’sstoryoveragain，butitwasitthispointthatLauriershowedhisquality。
\"No，SIR，\"hesaid，andslidfromoffhistable。
HeimpoundedthedispersingButteridgeplanswithonecomprehensivesweepofhisarm，rescuingthemevenfromtheexpositoryfinger—marksofthemanwiththeflatvoice，andhandedthemtoBert。\"Putthoseback，\"hesaid，\"whereyouhad’em。Wehaveajourneybeforeus。\"
Berttookthem。
\"Whar？\"saidthemaninthestrawhat。
\"Why，sir，wearegoingtofindthePresidentoftheseStatesandgivetheseplansovertohim。Ideclinetobelieve，sir，wearetoolate。\"
\"WhereisthePresident？\"askedBertweaklyinthatpausethatfollowed。
\"Logan，\"saidLaurier，disregardingthatfeebleinqniry，\"youmusthelpusinthis。\"
ItseemedonlyamatterofafewminutesbeforeBertandLaurierandthestorekeeperwereexamininganumberofbicyclesthatwerestowedinthehinderroomofthestore。Bertdidn’tlikeanyofthemverymuch。TheyhadwoodrimsandanexperienceofwoodrimsintheEnglishclimatehadtaughthimtohatethem。That，however，andoneortwootherobjectionstoanimmediatestartwereoverruledbyLaurier。\"ButwhereISthePresident？\"BertrepeatedastheystoodbehindLoganwhilehepumpedupadeflatedtyre。
Laurierlookeddownonhim。\"HeisreportedintheneighbourhoodofAlbany——outtowardstheBerkshireHills。Heismovingfromplacetoplaceand，asfarashecan，organisingthedefencebytelegraphandtelephonesTheAsiaticair—fleetistryingtolocatehim。Whentheythinktheyhavelocatedtheseatofgovernment，theythrowbombs。Thisinconvenienceshim，butsofartheyhavenotcomewithintenmilesofhim。TheAsiaticair—fleetisatpresentscatteredallovertheEasternStates，seekingoutanddestroyinggas—worksandwhateverseemsconducivetothebuildingofairshipsorthetransportoftroops。Ourretaliatorymeasuresareslightintheextreme。Butwiththesemachines——Sir，thisrideofourswillcountamongthehistoricalridesoftheworld！\"
Hecameneartostrikinganattitude。\"Weshan’tgettohimto—night？\"askedBert。
\"No，sir！\"saidLaurier。\"Weshallhavetoridesomedays，sure！\"
\"Andsupposewecan。’tgetaliftonatrain——oranything？\"
\"No，sir！There’sbeennotransitbyTanoodaforthreedays。
Itisnogoodwaiting。Weshallhavetogetonaswellaswecan。\"
\"Startin’now？
\"Startingnow！\"
\"But’owabout——Weshan’tbeabletodomuchto—night。\"
\"Mayaswellridetillwe’refaggedandsleepthen。Somuchcleargain。Ourroadiseastward。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"beganBert，withmemoriesofthedawnuponGoatIsland，andlefthissentenceunfinished。
Hegavehisattentiontothemorescientificpackingofthechest—protector，forseveraloftheplansflappedbeyondhisvest。
5
ForaweekBertledalifeofmixedsensations。Amidstthesefatigueinthelegspredominated。Mostlyherode，rodewithLaurier’sbackinexorablyahead，throughalandlikealargerEngland，withbiggerhillsandwidervalleys，largerfields，widerroads，fewerhedges，andwoodenhouseswithcommodiouspiazzas。Herode。Lauriermadeinquiries，Laurierchosetheturnings，Laurierdoubted，Laurierdecided。NowitseemedtheywereintelephonictouchwiththePresident;nowsomethinghadhappenedandhewaslostagain。Butalwaystheyhadtogoon，andalwaysBertrode。Atyrewasdeflated。Stillherode。Hegrewsaddlesore。Laurierdeclaredthatunimportant。Asiaticflyingshipspassedoverhead，thetwocyclistsmadeadashforcoveruntiltheskywasclear。OncearedAsiaticflying—machinecameflutteringafterthem，solowtheycoulddistinguishtheaeronaut’shead。Hefollowedthemforamile。Nowtheycametoregionsofpanic，nowtoregionsofdestruction;herepeoplewerefightingforfood，heretheyseemedhardlystirredfromthecountrysideroutine。TheyspentadayinadesertedanddamagedAlbany。TheAsiaticshaddescendedandcuteverywireandmadeacinder—heapoftheJunction，andourtravellerspushedoneastward。Theypassedahundredhalf—heededincidents，andalwaysBertwastoilingafterLaurier’sindefatigableback……
ThingsstruckuponBert’sattentionandperplexedhim，andthenhepassedonwithunansweredquestioningsfadingfromhismind。
Hesawalargehouseonfireonahillsidetotheright，andnomanheedingit……
Theycametoanarrowrailroadbridgeandpresentlytoamono—railtrainstandinginthetrackonitssafetyfeet。Itwasaremarkablysumptuoustrain，theLastWordTrans—ContinentalExpress，andthepassengerswereallplayingcardsorsleepingorpreparingapicnicmealonagrassyslopenearathand。Theyhadbeentheresixdays……
Atonepointtendark—complexionedmenwerehanginginastringfromthetreesalongtheroadside。Bertwonderedwhy……
Atonepeaceful—lookingvillagewheretheystoppedofftogetBert’styremendedandfoundbeerandbiscuits，theywereapproachedbyanextremelydirtylittleboywithoutboots，whospokeasfollows:——
\"DeysebeenhangingaChinkindosewoods！\"
\"HangingaChinaman？\"saidLaurier。
\"Sure。Dersleuthsgothimrubberin’derrail—roadsheds！\"
\"Oh！\"
\"Doseguysdonewasecartridges。Deysehunghimanddeypulledhislegs。Deysedoin’allderChinksdeycanfinedatweh！Deyain’ttakin’norisks。AllderChinksdeycanfine。\"
NeitherBertnorLauriermadeanyreply，andpresently，afteralittleskilfulexpectoration，theyounggentlemanwasattractedbytheappearanceoftwoofhisfriendsdowntheroadandshuffledoff，whoopingweirdly……
Thatafternoontheyalmostranoveramanshotthroughthebodyandpartlydecomposed，lyingnearthemiddleoftheroad，justoutsideAlbany。Hemusthavebeenlyingthereforsomedays……
BeyondAlbanytheycameuponamotorcarwithatyreburstandayoungwomansittingabsolutelypassivebesidethedriver’sseat。
Anoldmanwasunderthecartryingtoeffectsomeimpossiblerepairs。Beyond，sittingwitharifleacrosshisknees，withhisbacktothecar，andstaringintothewoods，wasayoungman。
Theoldmancrawledoutattheirapproachandstillonall—foursaccostedBertandLaurier。Thecarhadbrokendownovernight。
Theoldman，saidhecouldnotunderstandwhatwaswrong，buthewastryingtopuzzleitout。Neitherhenorhisson—in—lawhadanymechanicalaptitude。Theyhadbeenassuredthiswasafool—proofcar。Itwasdangeroustohavetostopinthisplace。
Thepartyhadbeenattackedbytrampsandhadhadtofight。Itwasknowntheyhadprovisions。Hementionedagreatnameintheworldoffinance。WouldLaurierandBertstopandhelphim？Heproposeditfirsthopefully，thenurgently，atlastintearsandterror。
\"No！\"saidLaurierinexorable。\"Wemustgoon！Wehavesomethingmorethanawomantosave。WehavetosaveAmerica！\"
Thegirlneverstirred。
Andoncetheypassedamadmansinging。
AndatlasttheyfoundthePresidenthidinginasmallsaloonupontheoutskirtsofaplacecalledPinkervilleontheHudson，andgavetheplansoftheButteridgemachineintohishands。
CHAPTERXI
THEGREATCOLLAPSE
1
Andnowthewholefabricofcivilisationwasbendingandgiving，anddroppingtopiecesandmeltinginthefurnaceofthewar。
Thestagesoftheswiftanduniversalcollapseofthefinancialandscientificcivilisationwithwhichthetwentiethcenturyopenedfollowedeachotherveryswiftly，soswiftlythatupontheforeshortenedpageofhistory——theyseemaltogethertooverlap。
Tobeginwith，oneseestheworldnearlyatamaximumwealthandprosperity。Toitsinhabitantsindeeditseemedalsoatamaximumofsecurity。Whennowinretrospectthethoughtfulobserversurveystheintellectualhistoryofthistime，whenonereadsitssurvivingfragmentsofliterature，itsscrapsofpoliticaloratory，thefewsmallvoicesthatchancehasselectedoutofathousandmillionutterancestospeaktolaterdays，themoststrikingthingofallthiswebofwisdomanderrorissurelythathallucinationofsecurity。Tomenlivinginourpresentworldstate，orderly，scientificandsecured，nothingseemssoprecarious，sogiddilydangerous，asthefabricofthesocialorderwithwhichthemenoftheopeningofthetwentiethcenturywerecontent。Tousitseemsthateveryinstitutionandrelationshipwasthefruitofhaphazardandtraditionandthemanifestsportofchance，theirlawseachmadeforsomeseparateoccasionandhavingnorelationtoanyfutureneeds，theircustomsillogical，theireducationaimlessandwasteful。Theirmethodofeconomicexploitationindeedimpressesatrainedandinformedmindasthemostfranticanddestructivescrambleitispossibletoconceive;theircreditandmonetarysystemrestingonanunsubstantialtraditionoftheworthinessofgold，seemsathingalmostfantasticallyunstable。Andtheylivedinplanlesscities，forthemostpartdangerouslycongested;theirrailsandroadsandpopulationweredistributedovertheearthinthewantonconfusiontenthousandirrevelantconsiderationshadmade。
Yettheythoughtconfidentlythatthiswasasecureandpermanentprogressivesystem，andonthestrengthofsomethreehundredyearsofchangeandirregularimprovementansweredthedoubterwith，\"Thingsalwayshavegonewell。We’llworrythrough！\"
Butwhenwecontrastthestateofmanintheopeningofthetwentiethcenturywiththeconditionofanypreviousperiodinhishistory，thenperhapswemaybegintounderstandsomethingofthatblindconfidence。Itwasnotsomuchareasonedconfidenceastheinevitableconsequenceofsustainedgoodfortune。Bysuchstandardsastheypossessed，thingsHADgoneamazinglywellforthem。Itisscarcelyanexaggerationtosaythatforthefirsttimeinhistorywholepopulationsfoundthemselvesregularlysuppliedwithmorethanenoughtoeat，andthevitalstatisticsofthetimewitnesstoanameliorationofhygienicconditionsrapidbeyondallprecedent，andtoavastdevelopmentofintelligenceandabilityinalltheartsthatmakelifewholesome。Thelevelandqualityoftheaverageeducationhadrisentremendously;andatthedawnofthetwentiethcenturycomparativelyfewpeopleinWesternEuropeorAmericawereunabletoreadorwrite。Neverbeforehadtherebeensuchreadingmasses。Therewaswidesocialsecurity。Acommonmanmighttravelsafelyoverthree—quartersofthehabitableglobe，couldgoroundtheearthatacostoflessthantheannualearningsofaskilledartisan。Comparedwiththeliberalityandcomfortoftheordinarylifeofthetime，theorderoftheRomanEmpireundertheAntonineswaslocalandlimited。Andeveryyear，everymonth，camesomenewincrementtohumanachievement，anewcountryopenedup，newmines，newscientificdiscoveries，anewmachine！
Forthosethreehundredyears，indeed，themovementoftheworldseemedwhollybeneficialtomankind。Mensaid，indeed，thatmoralorganisationwasnotkeepingpacewithphysicalprogress，butfewattachedanymeaningtothesephrases，theunderstandingofwhichliesatthebasisofourpresentsafety。Sustainingandconstructiveforcesdidindeedforatimemorethanbalancethemaligndriftofchanceandthenaturalignorance，prejudice，blindpassion，and，wastefulself—seekingofmankind。
TheaccidentalbalanceonthesideofProgresswasfarslighterandinfinitelymorecomplexanddelicateinitsadjustmentsthanthepeopleofthattimesuspected;butthatdidnotalterthefactthatitwasaneffectivebalance。Theydidnotrealisethatthisageofrelativegoodfortunewasanageofimmensebuttemporaryopportunityfortheirkind。Theycomplacentlyassumedanecessaryprogresstowardswhichtheyhadnomoralresponsibility。Theydidnotrealisethatthissecurityofprogresswasathingstilltobewon——orlost，andthatthetimetowinitwasatimethatpassed。Theywentabouttheiraffairsenergeticallyenoughandyetwithacuriousidlenesstowardsthosethreateningthings。Noonetroubledovertherealdangersofmankind。They，sawtheirarmiesandnaviesgrowlargerandmoreportentous;someoftheirironcladsatthelastcostasmuchasthewholeannualexpenditureuponadvancededucation;theyaccumulatedexplosivesandthemachineryofdestruction;theyallowedtheirnationaltraditionsandjealousiestoaccumulate;
theycontemplatedasteadyenhancementofracehostilityastheracesdrewcloserwithout。concernorunderstanding，andtheypermittedthegrowthintheirmidstofanevil—spiritedpress，mercenary，andunscrupulous，incapableofgood，andpowerfulforevil。TheStatehadpracticallynocontroloverthepressatall。Quiteheedlesslytheyallowedthistouch—papertolieatthedooroftheirwarmagazineforanysparktofire。Theprecedentsofhistorywereallonetaleofthecollapseofcivilisations，thedangersofthetimeweremanifest。Oneisincredulousnowtobelievetheycouldnotsee。
CouldmankindhavepreventedthisdisasteroftheWarintheAir？
Anidlequestionthat，asidleastoaskcouldmankindhavepreventedthedecaythatturnedAssyriaandBabylontoemptydesertsortheslowdeclineandfall，thegradualsocialdisorganisation，phasebyphase，thatclosedthechapteroftheEmpireoftheWest！Theycouldnot，becausetheydidnot，theyhadnotthewilltoarrestit。Whatmankindcouldachievewithadifferentwillisaspeculationasidleasitismagnificent。
AndthiswasnoslowdecadencethatcametotheEuropeanisedworld;thoseothercivilisationsrottedandcrumbleddown，theEuropeanisedcivilisationwas，asitwere，blownup。Withinthespaceoffiveyearsitwasaltogetherdisintegratedanddestroyed。UptotheveryeveoftheWarintheAironeseesaspaciousspectacleofincessantadvance，aworld—widesecurity，enormousareaswithhighlyorganisedindustryandsettledpopulations，giganticcitiesspreadinggigantically，theseasandoceansdottedwithshipping，thelandnettedwithrails，andopenways。ThensuddenlytheGermanair—fleetssweepacrossthescene，andweareinthebeginningoftheend。
2
ThisstoryhasalreadytoldoftheswiftrushuponNewYorkofthefirstGermanair—fleetandofthewild，inevitableorgyofinconclusivedestructionthatensued。Behinditasecondair—fleetwasalreadyswellingatitsgasometerswhenEnglandandFranceandSpainandItalyshowedtheirhands。NoneofthesecountrieshadpreparedforaeronauticwarfareonthemagnificentscaleoftheGermans，buteachguardedsecrets，eachinameasurewasmakingready，andacommondreadofGermanvigourandthataggressivespiritPrinceKarlAlbertembodied，hadlongbeendrawingthesepowerstogetherinsecretanticipationofsomesuchattack。Thisrenderedtheirpromptco—operationpossible，andtheycertainlyco—operatedpromptly。ThesecondaerialpowerinEuropeatthistimewasFrance;theBritish，nervousfortheirAsiaticempire，andsensibleoftheimmensemoraleffectoftheairshipuponhalf—educatedpopulations，hadplacedtheiraeronauticparksinNorthIndia，andwereabletoplaybutasubordinatepartintheEuropeanconflict。Still，eveninEnglandtheyhadnineortenbignavigables，twentyorthirtysmallerones，andavarietyofexperimentalaeroplanes。BeforethefleetofPrinceKarlAlberthadcrossedEngland，whileBertwasstillsurveyingManchesterinbird’s—eyeview，thediplomaticexchangesweregoingonthatledtoanattackuponGermany。A
heterogeneouscollectionofnavigableballoonsofallsizesandtypesgatheredovertheBerneseOberland，crushedandburntthetwenty—fiveSwissair—ships’thatunexpectedlyresistedthisconcentrationinthebattleoftheAlps，andthen，leavingtheAlpineglaciersandvalleysstrewnwithstrangewreckage，dividedintotwofleetsandsetitselftoterroriseBerlinanddestroytheFranconianPark，seekingtodothisbeforethesecondair—fleetcouldbeinflated。
BothoverBerlinandFranconiatheassailantswiththeirmodernexplosiveseffectedgreatdamagebeforetheyweredrivenoff。InFranconiatwelvefullydistendedandfivepartiallyfilledandmannedgiantswereabletomakeheadagainstandatlast，withthehelpofasquadronofdrachenfliegerfromHamburg，defeatandpursuetheattackandtorelieveBerlin，andtheGermanswerestrainingeverynervetogetanoverwhelmingfleetintheair，andwerealreadyraidingLondonandPariswhentheadvancefleetsfromtheAsiaticair—parks，thefirstintimationofanewfactorintheconflict，werereportedfromBurmahandArmenia。
Alreadythewholefinancialfabricoftheworldwasstaggeringwhenthatoccurred。WiththedestructionoftheAmericanfleetintheNorthAtlantic，andthesmashingconflictthatendedthenavalexistenceofGermanyintheNorthSea，withtheburningandwreckingofbillionsofpounds’worthofpropertyinthefourcardinalcitiesoftheworld，thefactofthehopelesscostlinessofwarcamehomeforthefirsttime，came，likeablowintheface，totheconsciousnessofmankind。Creditwentdowninawildwhirlofselling。Everywhereappearedaphenomenonthathadalreadyinamilddegreemanifesteditselfinprecedingperiodsofpanic;adesiretoSECUREANDHOARDGOLDbeforepricesreachedbottom。Butnowitspreadlikewild—fire，itbecameuniversal。
Abovewasvisibleconflictanddestruction;belowsomethingwashappeningfarmoredeadlyandincurabletotheflimsyfabricoffinanceandcommercialisminwhichmenhadsoblindlyputtheirtrust。Astheairshipsfoughtabove，thevisiblegoldsupplyoftheworldvanishedbelow。Anepidemicofprivatecorneringanduniversaldistrustswepttheworld。Inafewweeks，money，exceptfordepreciatedpaper，vanishedintovaults，intoholes，intothewallsofhouses，intotenmillionhiding—places。Moneyvanished，andatitsdisappearancetradeandindustrycametoanend。Theeconomicworldstaggeredandfelldead。Itwaslikethestrokeofsomediseaseitwaslikethewatervanishingoutofthebloodofalivingcreature;itwasasudden，universalcoagulationofintercourse……
Andasthecreditsystem，thathadbeenthelivingfortressofthescientificcivilisation，reeledandfelluponthemillionsithadheldtogetherineconomicrelationship，asthesepeople，perplexedandhelpless，facedthismarvelofcreditutterlydestroyed，theairshipsofAsia，countlessandrelentless，pouredacrosstheheavens，swoopedeastwardtoAmericaandwestwardtoEurope。Thepageofhistorybecomesalongcrescendoofbattle。
ThemainbodyoftheBritish—Indianair—fleetperisheduponapyreofblazingantagonistsinBurmah;theGermanswerescatteredinthegreatbattleoftheCarpathians;thevastpeninsulaofIndiaburstintoinsurrectionandcivilwarfromendtoend，andfromGobitoMoroccorosethestandardsofthe\"Jehad。\"ForsomeweeksofwarfareanddestructionitseemedasthoughtheConfederationofEasternAsiamustneedsconquertheworld，andthenthejerry—built\"modern\"civilisationofChinatoogavewayunderthestrain。TheteemingandpeacefulpopulationofChinahadbeen\"westernised\"duringtheopeningyearsofthetwentiethcenturywiththedeepestresentmentandreluctance;theyhadbeendragoonedanddisciplinedunderJapaneseandEuropean——influenceintoanacquiescencewithsanitarymethods，policecontrols，militaryservice，andwholesaleprocessofexploitationagainstwhichtheirwholetraditionrebelled。Underthestressesofthewartheirendurancereachedthebreakingpoint，thewholeofChinaroseinincoherentrevolt，andthepracticaldestructionofthecentralgovernmentatPekinbyahandfulofBritishandGermanairshipsthathadescapedfromthemainbattlesrenderedthatrevoltinvincible。InYokohamaappearedbarricades，theblackflagandthesocialrevolution。
Withthatthewholeworldbecameawelterofconflict。
Sothatauniversalsocialcollapsefollowed，asitwerealogicalconsequence，uponworld—widewar。Whereverthereweregreatpopulations，greatmassesofpeoplefoundthemselveswithoutwork，withoutmoney，andunabletogetfood。Faminewasineveryworking—classquarterintheworldwithinthreeweeksofthebeginningofthewar。Withinamonththerewasnotacityanywhereinwhichtheordinarylawandsocialprocedurehadnotbeenreplacedbysomeformofemergencycontrol，inwhichfirearmsandmilitaryexecutionswerenotbeingusedtokeeporderandpreventviolence。Andstillinthepoorerquarters，andinthepopulousdistricts，andevenhereandtherealreadyamongthosewhohadbeenwealthy，faminespread。
3
SowhathistorianshavecometocallthePhaseoftheEmergencyCommitteessprangfromtheopeningphaseandfromthephaseofsocialcollapse。Thenfollowedaperiodofvehementandpassionateconflictagainstdisintegration;everywherethestruggletokeeporderandtokeepfightingwenton。Andatthesametimethecharacterofthewaralteredthroughthereplacementofthehugegas—filledairshipsbyflying—machinesastheinstrumentsofwar。Sosoonasthebigfleetengagementswereover，theAsiaticsendeavouredtoestablishincloseproximitytothemorevulnerablepointsofthecountriesagainstwhichtheywereacting，fortifiedcentresfromwhichflying—machineraidscouldbemade。Foratimetheyhadeverythingtheirownwayinthis，andthen，asthisstoryhastold，thelostsecretoftheButteridgemachinecametolight，andtheconflictbecameequalizedandlessconclusivethanever。
Forthesesmallflying—machines，ineffectualforanylargeexpeditionorconclusiveattack，werehorriblyconvenientforguerillawarfare，rapidlyandcheaplymade，easilyused，easilyhidden。ThedesignofthemwashastilycopiedandprintedinPinkervilleandscatteredbroadcastovertheUnitedStatesandcopiesweresenttoEurope，andtherereproduced。Everyman，everytown，everyparishthatcould，wasexhortedtomakeandusethem。Inalittlewhiletheywerebeingconstructednotonlybygovernmentsandlocalauthorities，butbyrobberbands，byinsurgentcommittees，byeverytypeofprivateperson。ThepeculiarsocialdestructivenessoftheButteridgemachinelayinitscompletesimplicity。Itwasnearlyassimpleasamotor—bicycle。Thebroadoutlinesoftheearlierstagesofthewardisappearedunderitsinfluence，thespaciousantagonismofnationsandempiresandracesvanishedinaseethingmassofdetailedconflict。TheworldpassedatastridefromaunityandsimplicitybroaderthanthatoftheRomanEmpireatitsbest，toassocialfragmentationascompleteastherobber—baronperiodoftheMiddleAges。Butthistime，foralongdescentdowngradualslopesofdisintegration，comesafalllikeafalloveracliff。
Everywhereweremenandwomenperceivingthisandstrugglingdesperatelytokeepasitwereaholdupontheedgeofthecliff。
Afourthphasefollows。ThroughthestruggleagainstChaos，inthewakeoftheFamine，camenowanotheroldenemyofhumanity——
thePestilence，thePurpleDeath。Butthewardoesnotpause。
Theflagsstillfly。Freshair—fleetsrise，newformsofairship，andbeneaththeirswoopingstrugglestheworlddarkens——scarcelyheededbyhistory。
Itisnotwithinthedesignofthisbooktotellwhatfurtherstory，totellhowtheWarintheAirkeptonthroughthesheerinabilityofanyauthoritiestomeetandagreeandendit，untileveryorganisedgovernmentintheworldwasasshatteredandbrokenasaheapofchinabeatenwithastick。Witheveryweekofthoseterribleyearshistorybecomesmoredetailedandconfused，morecrowdedanduncertain。Notwithoutgreatandheroicresistancewascivilisationbornedown。Outofthebittersocialconflictbelowrosepatrioticassociations，brotherhoodsoforder，citymayors，princes，provisionalcommittees，tryingtoestablishanorderbelowandtokeeptheskyabove。Thedoubleeffortdestroyedthem。Andastheexhaustionofthemechanicalresourcesofcivilisationclearstheheavensofairshipsatlastaltogether，Anarchy，FamineandPestilencearediscoveredtriumphantbelow。Thegreatnationsandempireshavebecomebutnamesinthemouthsofmen。Everywherethereareruinsandunburieddead，andshrunken，yellow—facedsurvivorsinamortalapathy。Heretherearerobbers，herevigilancecommittees，andhereguerillabandsrulingpatchesofexhaustedterritory，strangefederationsandbrotherhoodsformanddissolve，andreligiousfanaticismsbegottenofdespairgleaminfamine—brighteyes。Itisauniversaldissolution。Thefineorderandwelfareoftheearthhavecrumpledlikeanexplodedbladder。InfiveshortyearstheworldandthescopeofhumanlifehaveundergonearetrogressivechangeasgreatasthatbetweentheageoftheAntoninesandtheEuropeoftheninthcentury……
4
Acrossthissombrespectacleofdisastergoesaminuteandinsignificantpersonforwhomperhapsthereadersofthisstoryhavenowsomeslightsolicitude。Ofhimthereremainstobetoldjustonesingleandmiraculousthing。Throughaworlddarkenedandlost，throughacivilisationinitsdeathagony，ourlittleCockneyerrantwentandfoundhisEdna！HefoundhisEdna！
HegotbackacrosstheAtlanticpartlybymeansofanorderfromthePresidentandpartlythroughhisowngoodluck。HecontrivedtogethimselfaboardaBritishbriginthetimbertradethatputoutfromBostonwithoutcargo，chiefly，itwouldseem，becauseitscaptainhadavagueideaof\"gettinghome\"toSouthShields。
Bertwasabletoshiphimselfuponhermainlybecauseoftheseamanlikeappearanceofhisrubberboots。Theyhadalong，eventfulvoyage;theywerechased，orimaginedthemselvestobechased，forsomehoursbyanAsiaticironclad，whichwaspresentlyengagedbyaBritishcruiser。Thetwoshipsfoughtforthreehours，circlinganddrivingsouthwardastheyfought，untilthetwilightandthecloud—driftofarisinggaleswallowedthemup。AfewdayslaterBert’sshiplostherrudderandmainmastinagale。Thecrewranoutoffoodandsubsistedonfish。Theysawstrangeair—shipsgoingeastwardneartheAzoresandlandedtogetprovisionsandrepairtherudderatTeneriffe。Theretheyfoundthetowndestroyedandtwobigliners，withdeadstillaboard，sunkenintheharbour。Fromtheretheygotcannedfoodandmaterialforrepairs，buttheiroperationsweregreatlyimpededbythehostilityofabandofmenamidsttheruinsofthetown，whosnipedthemandtriedtodrivethemaway。
AtMogador，theystayedandsentaboatashoreforwater，andwerenearlycapturedbyanArabruse。HeretootheygotthePurpleDeathaboard，andsailedwithitincubatingintheirblood。Thecooksickenedfirst，andthenthemate，andpresentlyeveryonewasdownandthreeintheforecastleweredead。Itchancedtobecalmweather，andtheydriftedhelplesslyandindeedcarelessoftheirfatebackwardstowardstheEquator。Thecaptaindoctoredthemallwithrum。Ninediedalltogether，andofthefoursurvivorsnoneunderstoodnavigation;whenatlasttheytookheartagainandcouldhandleasail，theymadeacoursebythestarsroughlynorthwardandwerealreadyshortoffoodoncemorewhentheyfellinwithapetrol—drivenshipfromRiotoCardiff，shorthandedbyreasonofthePurpleDeathandgladtotakethemaboard。Soat，last，afterayearofwanderingBertreachedEngland。HelandedinbrightJuneweather，andfoundthePurpleDeathwastherejustbeginningitsravages。
ThepeoplewereinastateofpanicinCardiffandmanyhadfledtothehills，anddirectlythesteamercametotheharbourshewasboardedandherresidueoffoodimpoundedbysomeunauthenticatedProvisionalCommittee。Berttrampedthroughacountrydisorganisedbypestilence，foodless，andshakentotheverybaseofitsimmemorialorder。Hecameneardeathandstarvationmanytimes，andoncehewasdrawnintoscenesofviolencethatmighthaveendedhiscareer。ButtheBertSmallwayswhotrampedfromCardifftoLondonvaguely\"goinghome，\"vaguelyseekingsomethingofhisownthathadnotangibleformbutEdna，wasaverydifferentpersonfromtheDesertDervishwhowassweptoutofEnglandinMr。Butteridge’sballoonayearbefore。Hewasbrownandleanandenduring，steady—eyedandpestilence—salted，andhismouth，whichhadoncehungopen，shutnowlikeasteeltrap。Acrosshisbrowranawhitescarthathehadgotinafightonthebrig。InCardiffhehadfelttheneedofnewclothesandaweapon，andhad，bymeansthatwouldhaveshockedhimayearago，securedaflannelshirt，acorduroysuit，andarevolverandfiftycartridgesfromanabandonedpawnbroker’s。Healsogotsomesoapandhadhisfirstrealwashforthirteenmonthsinastreamoutsidethetown。TheVigilancebandsthathadatfirstshotplunderersveryfreelywerenoweitherentirelydispersedbytheplague，orbusybetweentownandcemeteryinavainattempttokeeppacewithit。Heprowledontheoutskirtsofthetownforthreeorfourdays，starving，andthenwentbacktojointheHospitalCorpsforaweek，andsofortifiedhimselfwithafewsquaremealsbeforehestartedeastward。
TheWelshandEnglishcountrysideatthattimepresentedthestrangestminglingoftheassuranceandwealthoftheopeningtwentiethcenturywithasortofDureresquemedievalism。Allthegear，thehousesandmono—rails，thefarmhedgesandpowercables，theroadsandpavements，thesign—postsandadvertisementsoftheformerorderwerestillforthemostpartintact。Bankruptcy，socialcollapse，famine，andpestilencehaddonenothingtodamagethese，anditwasonlytothegreatcapitalsandganglioniccentres，asitwere，ofthisState，thatpositivedestructionhadcome。Anyonedroppedsuddenlyintothecountrywouldhavenoticedverylittledifference。Hewouldhaveremarkedfirst，perhaps，thatallthehedgesneededclipping，thattheroadsidegrassgrewrank，thattheroad—trackswereunusuallyrainworn，andthatthecottagesbythewaysideseemedinmanycasesshutup，thatatelephonewirehaddroppedhere，andthatacartstoodabandonedbythewayside。ButhewouldstillfindhishungerwhettedbythebrightassurancethatWilder’sCannedPeacheswereexcellent，orthattherewasnothingsogoodforthebreakfasttableasGobble’sSausages。AndthensuddenlywouldcometheDureresqueelement;theskeletonofahorse，orsomecrumpledmassofragsintheditch，withgauntextendedfeetandayellow，purple—blotchedskinandface，orwhathadbeenaface，gauntandglaringanddevastated。Thenherewouldbeafieldthathadbeenploughedandnotsown，andhereafieldofcorncarelesslytrampledbybeasts，andhereahoardingtorndownacrosstheroadtomakeafire。
Thenpresentlyhewouldmeetamanorawoman，yellow—facedandprobablynegligentlydressedandarmed——prowlingforfood。Thesepeoplewouldhavethecomplexionsandeyesandexpressionsoftrampsorcriminals，andoftentheclothingofprosperousmiddle—classorupper—classpeople。Manyofthesewouldbeeagerfornews，andwillingtogivehelpandevenscrapsofqueermeat，orcrustsofgreyanddoughybread，inreturnforit。TheywouldlistentoBert’sstorywithavidity，andattempttokeephimwiththemforadayorso。Thevirtualcessationofpostaldistributionandthecollapseofallnewspaperenterprisehadleftanimmenseandachinggapinthementallifeofthistime。
Menhadsuddenlylostsightoftheendsoftheearthandhadstilltorecovertherumour—spreadinghabitsoftheMiddleAges。
Intheireyes，intheirbearing，intheirtalk，wasthequalityoflostanddeorientedsouls。
AsBerttravelledfromparishtoparish，andfromdistricttodistrict，avoidingasfaraspossiblethosefesteringcentresofviolenceanddespair，thelargertowns，hefoundtheconditionofaffairsvaryingwidely。Inoneparishhewouldfindthelargehouseburnt，thevicaragewrecked，evidentlyinviolentconflictforsomesuspectedandperhapsimaginarystoreoffoodunburieddeadeverywhere，andthewholemechanismofthecommunityatastandstill。Inanotherhewouldfindorganisingforcesstoutlyatwork，newly—paintednoticeboardswarningoffvagrants，theroadsandstillcultivatedfieldspolicedbyarmedmen，thepestilenceundercontrol，evennursinggoingon，astoreoffoodhusbanded，thecattleandsheepwellguarded，andagroupoftwoorthreejustices，thevillagedoctororafarmer，dominatingthewholeplace;areversion，infact，totheautonomouscommunityofthefifteenthcentury。ButatanytimesuchavillagewouldbeliabletoaraidofAsiaticsorAfricansorsuch—likeair—pirates，demandingpetrolandalcoholorprovisions。Thepriceofitsorderwasanalmostintolerablewatchfulnessandtension。
Thentheapproachtotheconfusedproblemsofsomelargercentreofpopulationandthepresenceofamoreintricateconflictwouldbemarkedbyroughlysmearednoticesof\"Quarantine\"or\"StrangersShot，\"orbyastringofdecayingplunderersdanglingfromthetelephonepolesattheroadside。AboutOxfordbigboardswereputontheroofswarningallairwanderersoffwiththesingleword，\"Guns。\"
Takingtheirrisksamidstthesethings，cyclistsstillkeptabroad，andonceortwiceduringBert’slongtramppowerfulmotorcarscontainingmaskedandgoggledfigureswenttearingpasthim。
Therewerefewpoliceinevidence，buteverandagainsquadsofgauntandtatteredsoldier—cyclistswouldcomedriftingalong，andsuchencountersbecamemorefrequentashegotoutofWalesintoEngland。Amidstallthiswreckagetheywerestillcampaigning。Hehadhadsomeideaofresortingtotheworkhousesforthenightifhungerpressedhimtooclosely，butsomeofthesewereclosedandothersconvertedintotemporaryhospitals，andonehecameuptoattwilightnearavillageinGloucestershirestoodwithallitsdoorsandwindowsopen，silentasthegrave，and，ashefoundtohishorrorbystumblingalongevil—smellingcorridors，fullofunburieddead。
FromGloucestershireBertwentnorthwardtotheBritishaeronauticparkoutsideBirmingham，inthehopethathemightbetakenonandgivenfood，fortheretheGovernment，oratanyratetheWarOffice，stillexistedasanenergeticfact，concentratedamidstcollapseandsocialdisasterupontheefforttokeeptheBritishflagstillflyingintheair，andtryingtobriskupmayorandmayorandmagistrateandmagistrateinaneweffortoforganisation。Theyhadbroughttogetherallthebestofthesurvivingartisansfromthatregion，theyhadprovisionedtheparkforasiege，andtheywereurgentlybuildingalargertypeofButteridgemachine。Bertcouldgetnofootingatthiswork:
hewasnotsufficientlyskilled，andhehaddriftedtoOxfordwhenthegreatfightoccurredinwhichtheseworkswerefinallywrecked。Hesawsomething，butnotverymuch，ofthebattlefromaplacecalledBoarHill。HesawtheAsiaticsquadroncomingupacrossthehillstothesouth—west，andhesawoneoftheirairshipscirclingsouthwardagainchasedbytwoaeroplanes，theonethatwasultimatelyovertaken，wreckedandburntatEdgeHill。Butheneverlearnttheissueofthecombatasawhole。
HecrossedtheThamesfromEtontoWindsorandmadehiswayroundthesouthofLondontoBunHill，andtherehefoundhisbrotherTom，lookinglikesomedark，defensiveanimalintheoldshop，justrecoveringfromthePurpleDeath，andJessicaupstairsdelirious，and，asitseemedtohim，dyinggrimly。Sheravedofsendingoutorderstocustomers，andscoldedTomperpetuallylestheshouldbelatewithMrs。Thompson’spotatoesandMrs。Hopkins’
cauliflower，thoughallbusinesshadlongsinceceasedandTomhaddevelopedaquiteuncannyskillinthesnaringofratsandsparrowsandtheconcealmentofcertainstoresofcerealsandbiscuitsfromplunderedgrocers’shops。Tomreceivedhisbrotherwithasortofguardedwarmth。
\"Lor！\"hesaid，\"it’sBert。Ithoughtyou’dbecomingbacksomeday，andI’mgladtoseeyou。ButIcarn’tarstyoutoeatanything，becauseI’aven’tgotanythingtoeat……Whereyoubeen，Bert，allthistime？\"
Bertreassuredhisbrotherbyaglimpseofapartlyeatenswede，andwasstilltellinghisstoryinfragmentsandparentheses，whenhediscoveredbehindthecounterayellowandforgottennoteaddressedtohimself。\"What’sthis？\"hesaid，andfounditwasayear—oldnotefromEdna。\"Shecame’ere，\"saidTom，likeonewhorecallsatrivialthing，\"arstin’foryouandarstin’ustotake’erin。Thatwasafterthebattleandsettin’ClaphamRiseafire。Iwasfortakin’’erin，butJessicawouldn’t’aveit——andsosheborrowedfiveshillingsofmequietlikeandwenton。Idessayshe’stoleyou——\"
Shehad，Bertfound。Shehadgoneon，shesaidinhernote，toanauntandunclewhohadabrickfieldnearHorsham。Andthereatlast，afteranotherfortnightofadventurousjourneying，Bertfoundher。
5
WhenBertandEdnaseteyesononeanother，theystaredandlaughedfoolishly，sochangedtheywere，andsoraggedandsurprised。Andthentheybothfellweeping。
\"Oh！Bertie，boy！\"shecried。\"You’vecome——you’vecome！\"andputoutherarmsandstaggered。\"Itold’im。Hesaidhe’dkillmeifIdidn’tmarryhim。\"
ButEdnawasnotmarried，andwhenpresentlyBertcouldgettalkfromher，sheexplainedthetaskbeforehim。ThatlittlepatchoflonelyagriculturalcountryhadfallenunderthepowerofabandofbulliesledbyachiefcalledBillGorewhohadbegunlifeasabutcherboyanddevelopedintoaprize—fighterandaprofessionalsport。Theyhadbeenorganisedbyalocalnoblemanofformereminenceupontheturf，butafteratimehehaddisappeared，noonequiteknewhowandBillhadsucceededtotheleadershipofthecountryside，andhaddevelopedhisteacher’smethodswithconsiderablevigour。Therehadbeenastrainofadvancedphilosophyaboutthelocalnobleman，andhismindranto\"improvingtherace\"andproducingtheOver—Man，whichinpracticetooktheformofhimselfespeciallyandhislittlebandinmoderationmarryingwithsomefrequency。Billfolloweduptheideawithanenthusiasmthateventrencheduponhispopularitywithhisfollowers。OnedayhehadhappeneduponEdnatendingherpigs，andhadatoncefallena—wooingwithgreaturgencyamongthetroughsofslush。Ednahadmadeagallantresistance，buthewasstillvigorouslyaboutandextraordinarilyimpatient。
Hemight，shesaid，comeatanytime，andshelookedBertintheeyes。Theywerebackalreadyinthebarbaricstagewhenamanmustfightforhislove。
Andhereonedeplorestheconflictsoftruthwiththechivalroustradition。OnewouldliketotellofBertsallyingforthtochallengehisrival，ofaringformedandaspiritedencounter，andBertbysomemiracleofpluckandloveandgoodfortunewinning。Butindeednothingofthesortoccurred。Instead，hereloadedhisrevolververycarefully，andthensatinthebestroomofthecottagebythederelictbrickfield，lookinganxiousandperplexed，andlisteningtotalkaboutBillandhisways，andthinking，thinking。ThensuddenlyEdna’saunt，withathrillinhervoice，announcedtheappearanceofthatindividual。Hewascomingwithtwoothersofhisgangthroughthegardengate。Bertgotup，putthewomanaside，andlookedout。Theypresentedremarkablefigures。Theyworeasortofuniformofredgolfingjacketsandwhitesweaters，footballsinglet，andstockingsandbootsandeachhadlethisfancyplayabouthishead—dress。Billhadawoman’shatfullofcock’sfeathers，andallhadwild，slouchingcowboybrims。
Bertsighedandstoodup，deeplythoughtful，andEdnawatchedhim，marvelling。Thewomenstoodquitestill。Heleftthewindow，andwentoutintothepassageratherslowly，andwiththecarewornexpressionofamanwhogiveshismindtoacomplexanduncertainbusiness。\"Edna！\"hecalled，andwhenshecameheopenedthefrontdoor。
Heaskedverysimply，andpointingtotheforemostofthethree，\"That’im？……Sure？\"……andbeingtoldthatitwas，shothisrivalinstantlyandveryaccuratelythroughthechest。HethenshotBill’sbestmanmuchlesstidilyinthehead，andthenshotatandwingedthethirdmanashefled。Thethirdgentlemanyelped，andcontinuedrunningwithacomicalend—ontwist。
ThenBertstoodstillmeditating，withthepistolinhishand，andquiteregardlessofthewomenbehindhim。
Sofarthingshadgonewell。
Itbecameevidenttohimthatifhedidnotgointopoliticsatonce，hewouldbehangedasanassassinandaccordingly，andwithoutawordtothewomen，hewentdowntothevillagepublic—househehadpassedanhourbeforeonhiswaytoEdna，entereditfromtherear，andconfrontedthelittlebandofambiguousroughs，whoweredrinkinginthetap—roomanddiscussingmatrimonyandBill’saffectioninafacetiousbutenviousmanner，withacasuallyheldbutcarefullyreloadedrevolver，andaninvitationtojoinwhathecalled，Iregrettosay，a\"VigilanceCommittee\"underhisdirection。\"It’swantedabout’ere，andsomeofusaregettin’itup。\"Hepresentedhimselfasonehavingfriendsoutside，thoughindeed，hehadnofriendsatallintheworldbutEdnaandherauntandtwofemalecousins。
Therewasaquickbutentirelyrespectfuldiscussionofthesituation。Theythoughthimalunaticwhohadtrampedinto，thisneighbourhoodignorantofBill。Theydesiredtotemporiseuntiltheirleadercame。Billwouldsettlehim。SomeonespokeofBill。
\"Bill’sdead，Ijestshot’im，\"saidBert。\"Wedon’tneedreckonwith’IM。’E’sshot，andared—’airedchapwithasquint，’E’S
shot。We’vesettledupallthat。Thereain’tgoingtobenomoreBill，ever。’E’dgotwrongideasaboutmarriageandthings。It’s’issortofchapwe’reafter。\"
Thatcarriedthemeeting。
Billwasperfunctorilyburied，andBert’sVigilanceCommittee（forsoitcontinuedtobecalled）reignedinhisstead。
ThatistheendofthisstorysofarasBertSmallwaysisconcerned。WeleavehimwithhisEdnatobecomesquattersamongtheclayandoakthicketsoftheWeald，farawayfromthestreamofevents。Fromthattimeforthlifebecameasuccessionofpeasantencounters，anaffairofpigsandhensandsmallneedsandlittleeconomiesandchildren，untilClaphamandBunHillandallthelifeoftheScientificAgebecametoBertnomorethanthefadingmemoryofadream。HeneverknewhowtheWarintheAirwenton，norwhetheritstillwenton。Therewererumoursofairshipsgoingandcoming，andofhappeningsLondonward。Onceortwicetheirshadowsfellonhimasheworked，butwhencetheycameorwhithertheywenthecouldnottell。Evenhisdesiretotelldiedoutforwantoffood。Attimescamerobbersandthieves，attimescamediseasesamongthebeastsandshortnessoffood，oncethecountrywasworriedbyapackofboar—houndshehelpedtokill;hewentthroughmanyinconsecutive，irrelevantadventures。Hesurvivedthemall。
Accidentanddeathcamenearthembotheverandagainandpassedthemby，andtheylovedandsufferedandwerehappy，andsheborehimmanychildren——elevenchildren——oneaftertheother，ofwhomonlyfoursuccumbedtothenecessaryhardshipsoftheirsimplelife。Theylivedanddidwell，aswellwasunderstoodinthosedays。Theywentthewayofallflesh，yearbyyear。