Thunder Child

The Journalist: The steamer began to move slowly away,

but on the landward horizon appeared the silhouette of

a fighting machine. Another came. And another. Striding

over hills and trees, plunging far out to sea and

blocking the exit of the steamer. Between them, lay the

silent, grey ironclad, Thunderchild. Slowly it moved

towards shore then, with a deafening roar and whoosh of

spray, it swung about and drove at full speed towards

the waiting Martians.

People: There were ships of shapes and sizes,

Scattered out along the bay,

and I thought I heard her calling,

As the steamer pulled away,

The invaders must have seen them,

As across the coast they filed,

Standin' firm between them,

There lay Thunder Child!

Moving swiftly through the waters,

Cannons blazing as she came,

Brought a mighty metal warlord,

CRASHING down in sheets of flame,

Sensing victory was nearing,

Thinkin' fortune must have smiled,

People started cheering,

"Come on Thunderchild!"

"Come on thunderchi hi i-i-ild"

The Journalist: The Martians released their black

smoke, but the ship sped on, cutting down one of the

tripod figures. Instantly, the others raised their heat

rays, and melted the Thunderchild's valiant heart.

People: Lashing ropes and smashing timbers,

Flashing heat rays pierce the deck,

Dashing hopes for our deliverence,

As we watched the sinking wreck!,

With the smoke of battle clearing,

Over graves in waves defiled,

Slowly disappearing,

Farewell Thunderchild,

Slowly disappearing,

Farewell Thunderchild!

Farewell Thunderchi-hi-i-i-ild,

Farewell Thunder-----Child, chi, chi, child!

The Journalist: When the smoke cleared, the little

steamer had reached the misty horizon and Carrie was

safe. But the Thunderchild had vanished forever, taking

with her Man's last hope for victory. The leaden sky

was lit by green flashes, cylinder following cylinder,

and noone and nothing was left now to fight them. The

Earth belonged to the Martians.