At sunset, the Time Traveller and Weena begin their trek back to her home. As they cross the dark forest, the Morlocks attack, but he lights some camphor, throws it down, and drives them back. Weena faints, and he is unable to revive her. He realizes that he is turned around and doesn’t know which way is forward.

Quickly he gathers branches and leaves and prepares a bonfire. Again, the Morlocks approach, and he lights camphor, blinding them. One accidentally staggers toward him: He punches it, and it scurries away. He completes his bonfire and, overwhelmed by exhaustion, he shuts his eyes.

The Traveller awakens to hands grabbing at him in the dark. His fire has gone out; he reaches into a pocket but can’t find his box of matches. Swinging his metal truncheon wildly, he cracks a few Morlock skulls and escapes. The Morlocks suddenly run from a glow behind him. He turns and sees a forest fire, ignited by his first clump of lit camphor and burning rapidly toward him. He looks for Weena but she has disappeared.

He runs from the fire alongside the Morlocks and arrives at a barren hill that is quickly surrounded by flames.