In the Avu Observatory by H.G. Wells

Avu

H G Wells

the observatory Avu, Borneo, stands on_the spur of_the mountain to_the north rises the old crater , black night against the unfathomable blue of_the sky from_the little circular building , with its mushroom dome , the slopes plunge steeply downward into_the black mysteries of_the tropical forest beneath the little house in_which_the observer and_his assistant live about fifty yards observatory , and beyond this are the huts of_their native attendants

Thaddy, the chief observer , was down with slight fever his assistant , Woodhouse, paused for moment silent contemplation of_the tropical night before commencing his solitary vigil the night was very still now_and_then voices and laughter came from_the native huts, the cry some strange animal was heard midst of_the mystery of_the forest nocturnal insects appeared ghostly fashion out_of_the darkness , and fluttered round his light thought , perhaps , all the possibilities discovery that still lay in_the black tangle beneath him ; for to_the naturalist the virgin forests Borneo are still wonderland full strange questions and half - suspected discoveries Woodhouse carried small lantern in_his hand , and its yellow glow contrasted vividly with_the infinite series tints between lavender - blue and black in_which_the landscape was painted his hands and face were smeared with ointment against the attacks of_the mosquitoes

even in_these days celestial photography , work done purely temporary erection , and with only the most primitive appliances in_addition_to_the telescope , still involves very large amount cramped and motionless watching sighed thought of_the physical fatigues before him , stretched himself , and entered the observatory

the reader probably familiar with_the structure ordinary astronomical observatory the building usually cylindrical shape , with very light hemispherical roof capable being turned round from_the interior the telescope supported upon stone pillar in_the centre, and clockwork arrangement compensates for_the earth 's rotation , and allows once found to_be continuously observed besides this , there_is compact tracery wheels and screws about its point support , by_which the astronomer adjusts , of_course , slit in_the movable roof which follows the eye of_the telescope its survey of_the heavens the observer sits lies sloping wooden arrangement , which he_can wheel any part of_the observatory as_the position of_the may require within it_is advisable to_have things dark possible , in_order enhance the brilliance of_the stars observed

the lantern flared Woodhouse entered his circular den , and_the general darkness fled into black shadows behind the big machine , from_which presently seemed creep back over the whole place again as_the light waned the slit was profound transparent blue , in_which six stars shone with tropical brilliance , and their light lay, pallid gleam , along the black tube of_the instrument Woodhouse shifted the roof , and then proceeding to_the telescope , turned first one wheel and then another , the great cylinder slowly swinging into new position then glanced through_the finder , the little companion , moved the roof little more , made some further adjustments, and set the clockwork motion he_took off his jacket , for_the night was very hot , and pushed into the uncomfortable seat to_which he_was condemned for_the next four hours then with sigh resigned himself to_his watch upon_the mysteries space

there_was sound now in_the observatory , and_the lantern waned steadily outside the occasional cry some animal alarm pain , calling its mate , and_the intermittent sounds of_the Malay and Dyak servants presently one_of_the men began queer chanting song , in_which_the others joined intervals after_this would seem that_they turned for_the night , for further sound came from their direction , and_the whispering stillness became more and more profound

the clockwork ticked steadily the shrill hum mosquito explored the place and grew shriller indignation Woodhouse's ointment then the lantern went out and all the observatory was black

Woodhouse shifted his position presently , when_the slow movement of_the telescope had carried beyond the limits of_his comfort

he_was watching little group stars in_the milky way , one of_which his chief had seen fancied remarkable colour variability it_was not part of_the regular work for_which the establishment existed , and for_that reason perhaps Woodhouse was deeply interested he_must_have forgotten things terrestrial all his attention was concentrated upon_the great blue circle of_the telescope field --a circle powdered , seemed , with innumerable multitude stars, and all luminous against the blackness of_its setting watched he_seemed himself to_become incorporeal, as_if too were floating in_the ether space Infinitely remote was_the faint red spot he_was observing

suddenly the stars were blotted out flash blackness passed , and_they were visible again

" queer ," said Woodhouse " must_have been bird "

the thing happened again , and immediately after_the great tube shivered as_though had_been struck then the dome of_the observatory resounded with series thundering blows the stars seemed sweep aside as_the telescope -- which unclamped-- swung round and away from_the slit in_the roof

" great Scott ! " cried Woodhouse " what 's this ? "

some huge vague black shape , with flapping something like wing , seemed to_be struggling in_the aperture of_the roof another moment the slit was clear again , and_the luminous haze of_the milky way shone warm and bright

the interior of_the roof was perfectly black , and only scraping sound marked the whereabouts of_the unknown creature

Woodhouse had scrambled from_the seat to_his feet he_was trembling violently and perspiration with_the suddenness of_the occurrence was_the thing , whatever it_was , inside out ? it_was big , else might_be something shot across the skylight , and_the telescope swayed started and put his arm it_was in_the observatory , then , with_him it_was clinging to_the roof apparently what the devil was_it ? could see him ?

stood for perhaps minute state stupefaction the beast , whatever it_was , clawed at_the interior of_the dome , and then something flapped almost into his face , and he_saw the momentary gleam starlight skin like oiled leather his water - bottle was knocked off his little table with smash

the sense some strange bird - creature hovering few yards from_his face in_the darkness was indescribably unpleasant Woodhouse his thought returned concluded that_it must_be some night - bird large bat any risk he_would see what it_was , and pulling match pocket , tried strike on_the telescope seat there_was smoking streak phosphorescent light , the match flared for moment , and he_saw vast wing sweeping towards him , gleam grey- brown fur , and then he_was struck in_the face and_the match knocked out of_his hand the blow was aimed his temple , and claw tore sideways down to_his cheek reeled and fell, and heard the extinguished lantern smash another blow followed fell he_was partly stunned , he_felt his own warm blood stream out upon his face instinctively he_felt his eyes had_been struck , and , turning over on_his face save them , tried crawl under the protection of_the telescope

he_was struck again upon_the back , and heard his jacket rip , and then the thing hit the roof of_the observatory edged far he_could between_the wooden seat and_the eyepiece of_the instrument , and turned his body round that_it_was chiefly his feet that were exposed with_these at_least kick he_was still mystified state the strange beast banged about in_the darkness , and presently clung to_the telescope , making sway and_the gear rattle once flapped near him , and kicked out madly and felt soft body with_his feet he_was horribly scared now must_be big thing swing the like that he_saw for moment the outline head black against the starlight , with sharply - pointed upstanding ears and crest between_them seemed him to_be big mastiff 's then began bawl out loudly he_could for help

that_the thing came down upon him again did his hand touched something beside him on_the floor kicked out , and_the next moment his ankle was gripped and held row keen teeth yelled again , and tried free his leg kicking with_the other then realised had the broken water - bottle his hand , and , snatching , struggled into sitting posture , and feeling in_the darkness towards his foot , gripped velvety ear , like the ear big cat had seized the water - bottle its neck and brought down with shivering crash upon_the head of_the strange beast repeated the blow , and then stabbed and jabbed with_the jagged end , in_the darkness , where judged the face might_be

the small teeth relaxed their hold , and once Woodhouse pulled his leg free and kicked hard he_felt the sickening feel fur and bone giving under his boot there_was tearing bite his arm , and struck over at_the face , judged , and hit damp fur

there_was pause ; then heard the sound claws; and_the dragging heavy body away from_him over the observatory floor then silence , broken only his own sobbing breathing, and sound like licking everything was black except the parallelogram of_the blue skylight with_the luminous dust stars, against which the end of_the telescope now appeared silhouette waited , seemed , interminable time

was_the thing coming again ? he_felt in_his trouser- pocket for some matches, and found one remaining tried strike this , but the floor was wet , and spat and went out cursed could_not_see where the door was situated in_his struggle had quite lost his bearings the strange beast , disturbed by_the splutter of_the match , began move again " time ! " called Woodhouse, with sudden gleam mirth , but the thing was not coming him again he_must_have hurt , thought , with_the broken bottle he_felt dull pain in_his ankle probably he_was bleeding there wondered if_it would support him tried stand the night outside was very still there_was sound any_one moving the sleepy fools had_not heard those wings battering upon_the dome , nor his shouts it_was good wasting strength shouting the monster flapped its wings and startled him into defensive attitude hit his elbow against the seat , and fell over with crash cursed this , and then cursed the darkness

suddenly the oblong patch starlight seemed sway and fro was going faint ? would never faint clenched his fists and set his teeth hold himself together where had the door got ? occurred him he_could get his bearings by_the stars visible through_the skylight the patch stars he_saw was Sagittarius and south - eastward ; the door was north -- was_it north west ? tried to_think get the door open might retreat might_be the thing was wounded the suspense was beastly " look here ! " he_said , " if_you don't come , I_shall come you "

then the thing began clambering the side of_the observatory , and he_saw its black outline gradually blot out the skylight was_it retreat ? forgot about_the door , and watched as_the dome shifted and creaked somehow he_did_not feel very frightened excited now he_felt curious sinking sensation inside him the sharply - defined patch light , with_the black form moving across , seemed to_be growing smaller and smaller that was curious began to_feel very thirsty , and yet he_did_not feel inclined to_get anything drink he_seemed to_be sliding down long funnel

he_felt burning sensation in_his throat , and then perceived it_was broad daylight , and_that one_of_the Dyak servants was looking him with curious expression then there_was the top Thaddy's face upside down funny fellow , Thaddy, to_go about like that ! then grasped the situation better , and perceived that his head was Thaddy's knee, and Thaddy was giving him brandy and then he_saw the eyepiece of_the telescope with lot red smears on_it began remember

" you 've made this observatory pretty mess ," said Thaddy

the Dyak boy was beating egg brandy Woodhouse took this and sat he_felt sharp twinge pain his ankle was tied , were his arm and_the side of_his face the smashed glass , red - stained , lay about_the floor , the telescope seat was overturned , and by_the opposite wall was dark pool the door was open , and he_saw the grey summit of_the mountain against brilliant background blue sky

"Pah ! " said Woodhouse " who 's been killing calves here ? take out "

then remembered the thing , and_the fight had had with

" what_was ? " he_said Thaddy--" the thing I fought with ? "

"_You know that best ," said Thaddy " but , anyhow, don't worry yourself now about_it have some more drink "

Thaddy, however , was curious enough , and it_was hard struggle between duty and inclination to_keep Woodhouse quiet until he_was decently put away bed , and had slept upon_the copious dose meat extract Thaddy considered advisable they then talked over together

" it_was ," said Woodhouse, " more like big bat than anything else in_the_world had sharp , short ears, and soft fur , and its wings were leathery its teeth were little but devilish sharp , and its jaw could_not have_been very strong else would_have bitten through ankle "

" has pretty nearly ," said Thaddy

" seemed to_me hit out with its claws pretty freely that_is about as_much I_know about_the beast our conversation was intimate , to_speak , and yet not confidential "

" the Dyak chaps talk about big Colugo, Klang-utang-- whatever that_may_be does_not often attack man , but I suppose you_made nervous they say there_is big Colugo and little Colugo, and something else that sounds like gobble they all fly about night for_my own part , I_know there_are flying foxes and flying lemurs about here , but they_are none_of_them very big beasts "

" there_are more things heaven and earth ," said Woodhouse-- and Thaddy groaned at_the quotation --" and more particularly in_the forests Borneo, than are dreamt in_our philosophies on_the whole , if_the Borneo fauna going disgorge any more of_its novelties upon , i_should prefer that_it did when i_was not occupied in_the observatory night and alone "