Book 1: Chapter 9, The Fighting Begins Summary

The author does not sleep well Friday night. The milkman arrives Saturday morning, as always. He brings news that the soldiers have surrounded the pit but are not to kill the Martians if it is possible. The appearance of the milkman and the sound of the train are reassuring to the author. He walks down to the common where he runs into a group of soldiers. He tells them he has seen the Martians. They pepper him with questions on what they look like. The author walks away from the soldiers as they begin arguing over the best way to deal with the Martians. The day is full of waiting and suspense. The Martian's do not exit the pit. There is hammering noises and a constant stream of smoke coming from the pit. Presumably, the...