Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/181

Rh or friend who would return no more. Those who had lost no one were groaning at the fate that probably awaited themselves, for no quarter was asked for or given by these terrible metal-clad fighting machines and their scientist officers. Thousands watched the sky night and day, expecting every minute to see the victorious Sirian fleets come dashing down through the air, and dreading to be burnt up by the rays of the terrible force Ednogen. However, as days passed by and no fleets appeared, the Government gradually gained their ascendancy, and the people put away their blind, unreasoning fear; but, nevertheless, the shame of defeat had entered deep into their souls.

Meanwhile, strenuous exertions were being made in all the dockyards to build and equip new fleets. All through the day and night the machinery continued to clatter and clang without intermission, and nearly every day a new war-ship took the air to make its trial-trip. Dockyards were