In the Avu Observatory by H. G. Wells. Short summary

5 seconds

An astronomer working at the Avu Observatory on the island of Borneo was attacked by a monster the natives call a kolugo or clongutang. The scientist barely survived the fight.

1 minute

The head of the Avu Observatory on Borneo fell ill, so the astronomer Woodhouse went to work alone. The observatory, with its telescope, stood on a mountain, while the scientists’ cabin and the natives’ huts stood far away, on the slope.

Woodhouse was watching the night sky when suddenly a dark silhouette covered the stars. The scientist thought it was a huge bird. Just then the telescope began to swing around. The creature tore it off and crawled into the middle of the observatory.

Out of surprise, the scientist knocked over the lantern. He tried to light a match. The creature immediately rushed into the light and attacked Woodhouse. It took aim at his eyes, ripping the scientist’s face open. He cowered under a bench.

The creature attacked the man’s legs sticking out from under the bench. In the heat of the fight, the decanter shattered. Woodhouse fumbled for the shard and began to strike.

The creature let go of the leg and crawled back into the corner. Its breathing could be heard. But then the wounded beast retreated.

In the morning Woodhouse was brought to his senses. The whole observatory was drenched in blood. The natives said there was a huge colugo bat living in Borneo.