the lord of_the Dynamos

by H .G .Wells

the chief attendant of_the three dynamos that buzzed and rattled at Camberwell, and kept the electric railway going, came out of Yorkshire, and_his name was James Holroyd . he_was a practical electrician, but fond of whisky, a heavy, red-haired brute with irregular teeth . he doubted the existence of_the deity, but accepted Carnot's cycle, and he had read Shakespeare and found him weak in chemistry . his helper came out_of_the mysterious east, and_his name was Azuma-zi . but Holroyd called him Pooh-bah .Holroyd liked anigger help because he_would stand kicking--a habit with Holroyd-- and did_not pry into_the machinery and try to learn the ways of it . certain odd possibilities of_the Negro mind brought into abrupt contact with_the crown of_our civilisation Holroyd never fully realised, though just at_the end he got some inkling of_them .

to define Azuma-zi was beyond ethnology . he_was, perhaps, more negroid than anything else, though his hair was curly rather than frizzy, and_his nose had a bridge . moreover, his skin was brown rather than black, and_the whites of_his eyes were yellow . his broad cheekbones and narrow chin gave his face something of_the viperine V . his head, too, was broad behind, and low and narrow at_the forehead, as_if his brain had_been twisted round in_the reverse way to a European's . he_was short of stature and still shorter of English . in conversation he_made numerous odd noises of no known marketable value, and_his infrequent words were carved and wrought into heraldic grotesqueness .Holroyd tried to elucidate his religious beliefs, and-- especially after whisky-- lectured to him against superstition and missionaries .Azuma-zi, however, shirked the discussion of_his gods, even though he_was kicked for_it .

Azuma-zi had come, clad in white but insufficient raiment, out_of_the stoke- hole of_the lord Clive_, from_the Straits Settlements and beyond, into London . he had heard even in_his youth of_the greatness and riches of London, where all the women are white and fair, and even the beggars in_the streets are white, and he had arrived, with newly- earned gold coins in_his pocket, to worship at_the shrine of civilisation . the day of_his landing was a dismal one; the sky was dun, and a wind- worried drizzle filtered down to_the greasy streets, but he plunged boldly into_the delights of Shadwell, and was presently cast up, shattered in health, civilised in costume, penniless, and, except in matters of_the direst necessity, practically a dumb animal, to toil for James Holroyd, and to_be bullied by him in_the dynamo shed at Camberwell . and to James Holroyd bullying was alabour of love .

there were three dynamos with their engines at Camberwell . the two that_have been there since_the beginning are small machines; the larger one was new . the smaller machines made a reasonable noise; their straps hummed over the drums, every now_and_then the brushes buzzed and fizzled, and_the air churned steadily, whoo ! whoo ! whoo ! between their poles . one was loose in its foundations and kept the shed vibrating . but the big dynamo drowned these little noises altogether with_the sustained drone of_its iron core, which somehow set part of_the ironwork humming . the place made the visitor's head reel with_the throb, throb, throb of_the engines, the rotation of_the big wheels, the spinning ball-valves, the occasional spittings of_the steam, and over all the deep, unceasing, surging note of_the big dynamo . this last noise was from an engineering point of view adefect, but Azuma-zi accounted it unto the monster for mightiness and pride .

if_it were possible we_would_have the noises of_that shed always about_the reader as he reads, we_would tell all our story to such an accompaniment . it_was a steady stream of din, from_which the ear picked out first one thread and then another; there_was the intermittent snorting, panting, and seething of_the steam engines, the suck and thud of_their pistons, the dull beat on_the air as_the spokes of_the great driving wheels came round, a note the leather straps made as_they ran tighter and looser, and a fretful tumult from_the dynamos; and, over all, sometimes inaudible, as_the ear tired of it, and then creeping back upon_the senses again, was_this trombone note of_the big machine . the floor never felt steady and quiet beneath one's feet, but quivered and jarred . it_was aconfusing, unsteady place, and enough to send anyone's thoughts jerking into odd zigzags . and for three months, while the big strike of_the engineers was in progress, Holroyd, who was a blackleg, and Azuma-zi, who was amere black, were never out_of_the stir and eddy of it, but slept and fed in_the little wooden shanty between_the shed and_the gates .

Holroyd delivered a theological lecture on_the text of_his big machine soon after Azuma-zi came . he had to shout to_be heard in_the din ." look at_that," said Holroyd; " where's your 'eathen idol to match ' im ? " and Azuma-zi looked . for a moment Holroyd was inaudible, and then Azuma-zi heard: " kill a hundred men .Twelve per cent, on_the ordinary shares," said Holroyd, " and_that's something like aGord ."

Holroyd was proud of_his big dynamo, and expatiated upon its size and power to Azuma-zi until heaven knows what odd currents of thought that and_the incessant whirling and shindy set up within_the curly black cranium . he_would explain in_the most graphic manner the dozen or so ways in_which a man might_be killed by_it, and once he_gave Azuma-zi a shock as a sample of_its quality . after_that, in_the breathing-times of_his labour-- it_was heavy labour, being not_only his own, but most of Holroyd's--Azuma-zi would sit and watch the big machine . now_and_then the brushes would sparkle and spit blue flashes, at which Holroyd would swear, but all the rest was as smooth and rhythmic as breathing . the band ran shouting over the shaft, and ever behind one as one watched was_the complacent thud of_the piston . so it lived all day in_this big airy shed, with_him and Holroyd to wait upon it; not prisoned up and slaving to drive a ship as_the other engines he_knew--mere captive devils of_the British Solomon-- had_been, but a machine enthroned . those two smaller dynamos Azuma-zi by force of contrast despised; the large one he privately christened the lord of_the Dynamos . they were fretful and irregular, but the big dynamo was steady . how great it_was ! how serene and easy in its working ! greater and calmer even than_the Buddhas he had seen at Rangoon, and yet not motionless, but living ! the great black coils spun, spun, spun, the rings ran round under the brushes, and_the deep note of_its coil steadied the whole . it affected Azuma-zi queerly .

Azuma-zi was not fond of labour . he_would sit about and watch the lord of_the Dynamos while Holroyd went away to_persuade the yard porter to_get whisky, although his proper place was not in_the dynamo shed but behind the engines, and, moreover, if Holroyd caught him skulking he got hit for_it with a rod of stout copper wire . he_would go and stand close to_the colossus, and look up at_the great leather band running overhead . there_was a black patch on_the band that came round, and it pleased him somehow among all the clatter to watch this return again and again . odd thoughts spun with_the whirl of it . scientific people tell us that savages give souls to rocks and trees,-- and a machine is a thousand times more alive than a rock or a tree . and Azuma-zi was practically a savage still; the veneer of civilisation lay no deeper than his slop suit, his bruises, and_the coal grime on_his face and hands . his father before him had worshipped a meteoric stone, kindred blood, it may_be, had splashed the broad wheels of Juggernaut .

he_took every opportunity Holroyd gave him of touching and handling the great dynamo that was fascinating him . he polished and cleaned it until the metal parts were blinding in_the sun . he_felt a mysterious sense of service in doing this . he_would go up to_it and touch its spinning coils gently . the gods he had worshipped were all far away . the people in London hid their gods .

at last his dim feelings grew more distinct, and took shape in thoughts, and at last in acts . when he_came into_the roaring shed one morning he salaamed to_the lord of_the Dynamos, and then, when Holroyd was away, he went and whispered to_the thundering machine that he_was its servant, and prayed it to_have pity on him and save him from Holroyd . as he_did so a rare gleam of light came in through_the open archway of_the throbbing machine- shed, and_the lord of_the Dynamos, as he whirled and roared, was radiant with pale gold . then Azuma-zi knew that his service was acceptable to_his lord . after_that he_did_not feel so lonely as he had done, and he had indeed been very_much alone in London . and even when his work- time was over, which_was rare, he loitered about_the shed .

then, the next_time Holroyd maltreated him, Azuma-zi went presently to_the lord of_the Dynamos and whispered, " thou seest, O my lord ! " and_the angry whirr of_the machinery seemed to answer him . thereafter it appeared to him that whenever Holroyd came into_the shed a different note came into_the sounds of_the dynamo ." my lord bides his time," said Azuma-zi to himself ." the iniquity of_the fool is_not_yet ripe ." and he waited and watched for_the day of reckoning . one day there_was evidence of short circuiting, and Holroyd, making an unwary examination-- it_was in_the afternoon-- got a rather severe shock .Azuma-zi from behind the engine saw him jump off and curse at_the peccant coil .

" he_is warned," said Azuma-zi to himself ." surely my lord is very patient ."

Holroyd had at first initiated his "nigger" into such elementary conceptions of_the dynamo's working as would enable him to_take temporary charge of_the shed in_his absence . but when he noticed the manner in_which Azuma-zi hung about_the monster he became suspicious . he dimly perceived his assistant was " up_to something," and connecting him with_the anointing of_the coils with oil that had rotted the varnish in one place, he issued an edict, shouted above the confusion of_the machinery, "Don't 'ee go nigh that big dynamo any more, Pooh-bah, or a'll take thy skin off ! " besides, if_it pleased Azuma-zi to_be near the big machine, it_was plain sense and decency to_keep him away from_it .

Azuma-zi obeyed at_the_time, but later he_was caught bowing before_the lord of_the Dynamos . at which Holroyd twisted his arm and kicked him as he turned to_go away . as Azuma-zi presently stood behind the engine and glared at_the back of_the hated Holroyd, the noises of_the machinery took a new rhythm, and sounded like four words in_his native tongue .

it_is hard to_say exactly what madness is .I fancy Azuma-zi was mad . the incessant din and whirl of_the dynamo shed may_have churned up his little store of knowledge and big store of superstitious fancy, at last, into something akin to frenzy . at any rate, when_the idea of making Holroyd a sacrifice to_the dynamo Fetich was thus suggested to him, it filled him with a strange tumult of exultant emotion .

that night the two men and their black shadows were alone in_the shed together . the shed was lit with one big ARC light that winked and flickered purple . the shadows lay black behind the dynamos, the ball governors of_the engines whirled from light to darkness, and their pistons beat loud and steady . the world outside seen through_the open end of_the shed seemed incredibly dim and remote . it seemed absolutely silent, too, since_the riot of_the machinery drowned every external sound . far away was_the black fence of_the yard with grey shadowy houses behind, and above was_the deep blue sky and_the pale little stars .Azuma-zi suddenly walked across the centre of_the shed above which the leather bands were running, and went into_the shadow by_the big dynamo .Holroyd heard a click, and_the spin of_the armature changed .

" what_are you dewin' with_that switch ? " he bawled in surprise ."Han't i_told you----"

then he_saw the set expression of Azuma-zi's eyes as_the Asiatic came out_of_the shadow towards him .

in another moment the two men were grappling fiercely in front of_the great dynamo .

" you coffee- headed fool ! " gasped Holroyd, with a brown hand at his throat ." keep off those contact rings ." in another moment he_was tripped and reeling back upon_the lord of_the Dynamos . he instinctively loosened his grip upon his antagonist to save himself from_the machine .

the messenger, sent in furious haste from_the station to_find out what had happened in_the dynamo shed, met Azuma-zi at_the porter's lodge by_the gate .Azuma-zi tried to explain something, but the messenger could make nothing of_the black's incoherent English, and hurried on to_the shed . the machines were all noisily at work, and nothing seemed to_be disarranged . there_was, however, a queer smell of singed hair . then he_saw an odd- looking crumpled mass clinging to_the front of_the big dynamo, and, approaching, recognised the distorted remains of Holroyd .

the man stared and hesitated a moment . then he_saw the face, and shut his eyes convulsively . he turned on_his heel before he opened them, so_that he_should_not see Holroyd again, and went out_of_the shed to_get advice and help .

when Azuma-zi saw Holroyd die in_the grip of_the great dynamo he had_been a little scared about_the consequences of_his act . yet he_felt strangely elated, and knew that_the favour of_the lord dynamo was upon him . his plan was already settled when he met the man coming from_the station, and_the scientific manager who speedily arrived on_the scene jumped at_the obvious conclusion of suicide . this expert scarcely noticed Azuma-zi, except to ask a few questions . did he see Holroyd kill himself ? Azuma-zi explained he had_been out of sight at_the engine furnace until he heard a difference in_the noise from_the dynamo . it_was not a difficult examination, being untinctured by suspicion .

the distorted remains of Holroyd, which the electrician removed from_the machine, were hastily covered by_the porter with a coffee- stained table- cloth . somebody, by a happy inspiration, fetched a medical man . the expert was chiefly anxious to_get the machine at work again, for seven or eight trains had stopped midway in_the stuffy tunnels of_the electric railway .Azuma-zi, answering or misunderstanding the questions of_the people who had by authority or impudence come into_the shed, was presently sent back to_the stoke- hole by_the scientific manager . of_course a crowd collected outside the gates of_the yard--a crowd, for no known reason, always hovers for a day_or_two near the scene of a sudden death in London-- two_or_three reporters percolated somehow into_the engine- shed, and one even got to Azuma-zi; but the scientific expert cleared them out again, being himself an amateur journalist .

presently the body was carried away, and public interest departed with it .Azuma-zi remained very quietly at his furnace, seeing over and over again in_the coals a figure that wriggled violently and became still . an hour after_the murder, to any_one coming into_the shed it would_have looked exactly as_if nothing remarkable had ever happened there .Peeping presently from_his engine- room the black saw the lord dynamo spin and whirl beside his little brothers, and_the driving wheels were beating round, and_the steam in_the pistons went thud, thud, exactly as it had_been earlier in_the evening . after all, from_the mechanical point of view, it had_been a most insignificant incident-- the mere temporary deflection of a current . but now the slender form and slender shadow of_the scientific manager replaced the sturdy outline of Holroyd travelling up and down the lane of light upon_the vibrating floor under the straps between_the engines and_the dynamos .

" have I not served my lord ? " said Azuma-zi inaudibly, from_his shadow, and_the note of_the great dynamo rang out full and clear . as he looked at_the big whirling mechanism the strange fascination of it that had_been a little in abeyance since Holroyd's death resumed its sway .

never had Azuma-zi seen a man killed so swiftly and pitilessly . the big humming machine had slain its victim without wavering for a second from its steady beating . it_was indeed a mighty god .

the unconscious scientific manager stood with_his back to him, scribbling on a piece of paper . his shadow lay at_the foot of_the monster .

was_the lord dynamo still hungry ? his servant was ready .

Azuma-zi made astealthy step forward; then stopped . the scientific manager suddenly ceased his writing, walked down the shed to_the endmost of_the dynamos, and began to examine the brushes .

Azuma-zi hesitated, and then slipped across noiselessly into_the shadow by_the switch . there he waited . presently the manager's footsteps could_be heard returning . he stopped in_his old position, unconscious of_the stoker crouching ten feet away from_him . then the big dynamo suddenly fizzled, and in another moment Azuma-zi had sprung out_of_the darkness upon him .

first, the scientific manager was gripped round the body and swung towards the big dynamo, then, kicking with_his knee and forcing his antagonist's head down with_his hands, he loosened the grip on_his waist and swung round away from_the machine . then the black grasped him again, putting a curly head against his chest, and_they swayed and panted as it seemed for an age or so . then the scientific manager was impelled to catch a black ear in_his teeth and bite furiously . the black yelled hideously .

they rolled over on_the floor, and_the black, who had apparently slipped from_the vice of_the teeth or parted with some ear-- the scientific manager wondered which at_the_time-- tried to throttle him . the scientific manager was making some ineffectual efforts to claw something with_his hands and to kick, when_the welcome sound of quick footsteps sounded on_the floor . the next moment Azuma-zi had left him and darted towards the big dynamo . there_was a splutter amid the roar .

the officer of_the company who had entered stood staring as Azuma-zi caught the naked terminals in_his hands, gave one horrible convulsion, and then hung motionless from_the machine, his face violently distorted .

"I'm jolly glad you came in when_you did," said the scientific manager, still sitting on_the floor .

he looked at_the still quivering figure ." it_is_not a nice death to die, apparently-- but it_is quick ."

the official was still staring at_the body . he_was a man of slow apprehension .

there_was a pause .

the scientific manager got up on_his feet rather awkwardly . he ran his fingers along his collar thoughtfully, and moved his head to and fro several_times .

" poor Holroyd ! I_see now ." then almost mechanically he went towards the switch in_the shadow and turned the current into_the railway circuit again . as he_did so the singed body loosened its grip upon_the machine and fell forward on its face . the core of_the dynamo roared out loud and clear, and_the armature beat the air .

so ended prematurely the worship of_the dynamo deity, perhaps the most short- lived of all religions . yet withal it could at_least boast a martyrdom and a human sacrifice .