Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/58

46 thither, bringing munitions of war and provisions. The drill-grounds were crowded day and night with new battleships, making trial trips or testing their cannon. At night the air was lighted up by the blaze of signal-lights as the fleets manœuvred in various formations. Hundreds of huge ships were chartered from the great transport companies to act as transports and cruisers. The greatest exertions were made everywhere to have the preparations as complete as possible; for the War Bureau was well aware that the power of Kairet was not to be despised.

At last, when the month came to an end, a vast fleet was assembled at a short distance from London, ready to dash into space and annihilate the foes of the Anglo-Saxon race. There were in all nearly 300 huge first-class battleships, 800 of the second class, 1,600 third, and 500 swift ships to act as cruisers, besides