Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/54

42 extremely hostile to one another. But more moderate men managed to keep their passions in check for a time. At last, however, by some awkwardness of fate both nations hit upon the same site for founding a city. It was a spot that was eminently fitted, both by climate and surroundings, for such a purpose. Both parties were equally determined not to yield, so amidst much quarrelling they both began to make preparations for building on the same spot. An open rupture could not now be much longer delayed.

One day some engineers and workmen belonging to Kairet attacked a party of Anglo-Saxons who were engaged in quarrying some very valuable stone, and drove them from their works. But the latter collected what weapons were at hand, and dislodged their assailants. An obstinate fight then took place, numbers joining their own compatriots from the adjacent works until the place was like