Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/138

126 came up to him and fed him with some liquid food from a spoon, after which he felt much refreshed. Then he turned over on his side and fell fast asleep. When he awoke again, the girl was sitting by his side doing some fancy work.

'You look better now,' she said, as soon as she noticed that his eyes were open. 'You can talk a little if you like, but only a very little, mind.'

'Where am I? How did I get here?' he asked feebly.

'You are on Herbert Eastland's private yacht, the Mermaid,' she answered. 'That was Herbert you saw just now, and I am his sister Celia. We were cruising about in space, when we came upon a lot of wrecks lying about. I suppose there has been a great battle somewhere. Oh, this terrible war!'

'There has been a great battle,' murmured Alec. 'We were outnumbered and defeated. It was a terrible battle that lasted for more than six days.'