Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/61

 CHAPTER IV

in the morning of the th of May, in the year, the vast space of ground where the interstellar fleet lay drawn up was a scene of great bustle and excitement. The last preparations were being made, for in a few hours they were to dash off into space. The vessels were drawn up in long lines, being arranged in divisions, with the flag-ship of each division in the middle, and the other ships lying on either side of it according to their size and qualities. The flag-ship of the Admiral-in-Chief was floating about a hundred yards in the air, the Union Jack flying from one of its masts, while its upper-deck was crowded with officers and men. 4