Then he began to run in the direction of the battle.

He saw that it was an ironical thing for him to be running thus toward that which he had been at such pains to avoid.

But he said, in substance, to himself that if the earth and the moon were about to clash, many persons would doubtless plan to get upon the roofs to witness the collision.
As he ran, he became aware that the forest had stopped its music, as if at last becoming capable of hearing the foreign sounds.

The trees hushed and stood motionless.

Everything seemed to be listening to the crackle and clatter and earthshaking thunder.