The first impact reached him through the ground before his hearing caught up. It traveled up through Beorn's boots as a deep mechanical knock, the rhythm from the earlier test, but the environment changed its character. Rock vibrated differently than a warehouse floor. The second stroke followed at its expected interval.
Within two minutes, the drainage channel showed visible flow. Water emerged from the outlet pipe at a steady rate. It spread into the cut earth channel and began moving toward the lowest point as intended. One worker crouched near the outlet, watching carefully. He tracked the flow for a full minute, then shifted his attention to the foundry-trained operator who had come specifically to run the engine.
"Come on now girl. Keep at it," the foundry man said to the engine. He moved on to inspect the pump fittings for irregularities.
