by H G Wells

The observatory at Avu, in Borneo, stands spur mountain north rises the old crater, black at night against the unfathomable blue sky little circular building, with its mushroom dome, the slopes plunge steeply downward black mysteries tropical forest beneath The little house observer assistant live is about fifty yards observatory, and beyond this are the huts native attendants

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

Even days of celestial photography, work done in purely temporary erection, and with only the most primitive appliances telescope, still involves very large amount of cramped and motionless watching He sighed as he thought physical fatigues before him, stretched himself, and entered the observatory

The reader is probably familiar structure of an ordinary astronomical observatory The building is usually cylindrical in shape, with very light hemispherical roof capable of being turned round interior The telescope is supported upon stone pillar centre, and clockwork arrangement compensates earth's rotation, and allows star once found continuously observed Besides this, compact tracery of wheels and screws about its point of support, the astronomer adjusts it , , slit movable roof which follows the eye telescope in its survey heavens The observer sits or lies on sloping wooden arrangement, which wheel to any part observatory position telescope may require Within advisable things as dark as possible, to enhance the brilliance stars observed

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

no sound now observatory, lantern waned steadily Outside the occasional cry of some animal in alarm or pain, or calling to its mate, intermittent sounds Malay and Dyak servants Presently men began queer chanting song, others joined at intervals it would seem turned in night, for no further sound came from their direction, whispering stillness became more and more profound

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

Woodhouse shifted his position presently, slow movement telescope had carried it beyond the limits comfort

watching little group of stars Milky Way, in one his chief had seen or fancied remarkable colour variability not part regular work the establishment existed, and reason perhaps Woodhouse was deeply interested forgotten things terrestrial All his attention was concentrated great blue circle telescope field--a circle powdered, so it seemed, with an innumerable multitude of stars, and all luminous against the blackness setting As he watched to himself incorporeal, he too were floating ether of space Infinitely remote faint red spot observing

Suddenly the stars were blotted out flash of blackness passed, were visible again

"Queer," said Woodhouse "Must bird "

The thing happened again, and immediately great tube shivered it struck Then the dome observatory resounded with series of thundering blows The stars seemed to sweep aside telescope--which unclamped--swung round and away slit roof

"Great Scott ! " cried Woodhouse "What's this ? "

Some huge vague black shape, with flapping something like wing, seemed struggling aperture roof In another moment the slit was clear again, luminous haze Milky Way shone warm and bright

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

Woodhouse had scrambled seat feet trembling violently and in perspiration suddenness occurrence thing, whatever , inside or out ? big, whatever else it Something shot across the skylight, telescope swayed He started violently and put his arm up observatory, then, clinging roof apparently What the devil ? Could it see him ?

He stood for perhaps minute in state of stupefaction The beast, whatever , clawed interior dome, and then something flapped almost into his face, and the momentary gleam of starlight on skin like oiled leather His water-bottle was knocked off his little table with smash

The sense of some strange bird-creature hovering few yards face darkness was indescribably unpleasant to Woodhouse As his thought returned he concluded some night-bird or large bat At any risk see what , and pulling match pocket, he tried to strike it telescope seat smoking streak of phosphorescent light, the match flared for moment, and vast wing sweeping towards him, gleam of grey-brown fur, and then struck face match knocked out hand The blow was aimed at his temple, and claw tore sideways down cheek He reeled and fell, and he heard the extinguished lantern smash Another blow followed as he fell partly stunned, his own warm blood stream out upon his face Instinctively his eyes struck at, and, turning over face to save them, tried to crawl under the protection telescope