Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/25

Rh structed and fitted with enormous motive power, and the reckless scientists, accompanied by numerous adventurers, plunged once more into the unknown abysses of space. But they soon met with a power which was equal to, if not greater than, their own. They came to the fixed star Sirius, and found that his planetary system was inhabited by a race of men who had attained to the same degree of civilization as themselves—a people who were hardy and bold, and whom they had to treat as equals.

These people, who were all subject to the Sirian planet Kairet, were extremely numerous and powerful, and were bound together by a close union, so the Anglo-Saxons had to abandon all hopes of acquiring any territory in their system. As a result of these two great Powers becoming simultaneously aware of one another's existence, there was much mutual jealousy and dislike. The eager Anglo-Saxons turned their attention to