H.G. Wells The Sea Raiders part 1

H. G. Wells

The Sea Raiders

part 1

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The cliffs along the south Devon coast are famous for being red because of the sandstone they are made of. The sand on many beaches is also red.

Fison set out from the guesthouse and walked along the high, red cliffs of Sidmouth. It was a pleasant afternoon in May, and he planned to stroll* to Ladram Bay further down the coast. As he walked near a sort of staircase down to the beach, he heard the excited calls and screeches* of a number of birds. They were circling something far below and out by the water’s edge. The sun was shining onto the sea, and this made it difficult for him to see. Perhaps they have found a dead fish, he thought. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw that what had caused the birds’ excitement was a large pinkish* object, partly hidden from view by rocks and seaweed.

Fison was curious and, abandoning his planned walk, decided to find out what all the fuss* was about. He descended the staircase. Although closer now, he still could not understand what he saw. There seemed to be seven round bodies, either separate or connected to each other. The birds, of different kinds and size,

Fison sees birds circling something in the water.

stroll (v.) take a relaxed gentle walk screech (v. and n.) a loud high sound made in fear or anger, of person, bird or animal pinkish (adj.) sort of pink fuss (n.) great excitement, activity

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remained overhead*, afraid to get too near. Fison decided to investigate further. He took off his walking boots, rolled up his trouser legs and carefully climbed over the rocks, which the low tide had revealed. He went towards the shore and the strange object.

Standing on top of a large boulder near where the birds were circling, he was able to observe the scene. He was filled with horror. The pinkish object he had seen from the cliff top was the body of a person. It had been partly eaten and Fison was unable to tell if it had once been a man or a woman. The creatures surrounding the body were like huge octopuses* with long tentacles*, leathery* skin and large, intelligent

overhead (adj.) above octopuses (n. pl) tentacle (n.) leathery (adj.) like leather

Fison discovers the object is a dead body and comes face to face with the octopuses.

Fison asks two workmen for help.

eyes. Interrupted by the arrival of Fison, they looked at him with evil interest but did not move. Meanwhile, two more of them climbed out of the sea. ‘Get away from here!’ Fison shouted angrily, picking up a stone and throwing it at the nearest one, but the stone had no effect. They all began to move towards him, slowly at first, communicating with each other with a soft sound like a whisper as they advanced.

Fison sensed he was in danger. He shouted again and threw his boots in their direction. Then, he quickly climbed back over the boulder and set off up the beach. He thought the creatures were slow, but when he looked round, they were closer than he had expected. With a cry of fear, he started to run. He climbed over rocks, splashed through pools of water, and hurried as quickly as he could towards the staircase. The creatures were chasing him. He could hear them behind him and, in his terror, slipped and almost fell.

High above on the cliff he could see two workmen, unaware of what was happening below. ‘Help!’ Fison cried to them and waved his arms to attract their attention. ‘Help!’

The workmen looked down in surprise. They saw the fear in Fison’s face and, although they did not know what was wrong, they understood he was in

Fison is chased by the creatures.