Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/64

52 places by other holes, which were filled up with the transparent metal Lumium, so that the sailors could see what was taking place outside.

The propelling machinery was placed in the centre, and protected by another metal sheathing, while in the centre of all was the captain's room. In the interior of this there was a sphere made of metal a couple of feet in thickness, and varying from to  feet in diameter. It was here that were collected together all the handles and wheels for navigating the vessel and sending and receiving messages from other ships, and a number of telephones that communicated with every compartment. There were no windows, but a picture of the exterior was thrown on to a screen which extended right round the wall by the telephotoscope, so that the captain knew exactly what was going on outside.

When an engagement was taking place in space, the captain, accompanied by one