strenuous as that of Mercury, there was never enough consideration for
others to lead to such socially beneficial things as these, no more than
railroads or printing presses. Civilization appears to be in exact
proportion to the ease of getting a living, other conditions being
equal.] returned.

"They have stopped us just outside the walls of the city," was the
report. It pleased me that they should have pushed so far at first; I
climbed at once into my chariot.

"Now is the time for Strokor to strike!" I gave orders for the staff to
remain where it was. "I will send ye word when the city is mine."

But before I started my engine I glanced up at the sky, to see if the
dawn were yet come; and as I gazed I thought I saw something come
between me and a star. I brushed the hair away from my eyes, and looked
again. To my boundless surprise I made out, not one, but three strange
objects moving about swiftly in the air!

"Look!" I cried, and my whole staff craned their necks. In a moment all
had seen, and great was their wonder. I blamed them not for their fears.

'Twas Maka who spoke first. "They are much too large to be creatures of
Jon," he muttered. "They must be some trick of the enemy.

"Dost recall Edam's vision of the creatures in the air of Jeos?" he went
on, knowing that I would not hinder him. "Now, as I remember it, he said
they flew with great speed. Were it not possible, Strokor, for suitable
engines to propel very light structures at such high speed as to remain
suspended in the air, after the manner of leaves in a storm? I note