Presently a signal came from the king to be in readiness, and all talk ceased. For a while there was tense expectation, and those on board Alondra’s yacht kept their eyes upon the _Nelda_. Suddenly the king’s yacht lurched forward with poised wings, and then dived headlong, the wings closing as it descended. The spirals, working at high pressure, the flat bottom, which in itself formed an aeroplane, aided by the fanlike stern or tail, were sufficient, at the tremendous speed, to hold her up long enough to effect the intended purpose, which was to force her way through the outstretched wings of a line of the enemy’s ships. In the line or row selected there were six vessels, one behind the other, and the _Nelda_ passed along close to them like a whirlwind, crashing through the wings, snapping them off like twigs, and effectually disabling the whole line. Alondra followed suit, selecting for his attack other six craft in line, and managing the operation not less adroitly. Both evolutions were effected with lightning-like rapidity. It seemed but an instant before they had passed, their wings had opened, and they had shot upwards upon the other side so quickly that they appeared only as specks in the upper air. Then they turned in long, graceful curves, and came down in another deadly plunge, selecting this time other vessels, which they served as they had the first. They left behind them a trail of wrecked craft, some of which fell at once headlong to the ground, while others spun helplessly round and round, their remaining wings assisting to break their fall, though unable to prevent it. Vainly those on board made desperate efforts to replace the broken wings by the spare ones held in readiness. One they could have quickly replaced; but where all on the same side had gone the task was difficult, almost hopeless. But they were not allowed the time even to attempt it, for Fumenta’s flying airships had turned, and were now rushing back, heading straight for their crippled enemies. They crashed in amongst them, effectually finishing what the swifter-flying yachts had begun. With Fumenta’s larger craft came smaller ones, which dashed about amongst the strings of ’boarders,’ breaking them up, and hurling whole batches to the ground. And still the yachts continued their deadly raids, flying to and fro like thunderbolts, leaving everywhere in their track scenes of indescribable confusion and panic. It is but fair to Agrando to say that throughout he kept his head, and struggled hard to avert the complete defeat which threatened him. As far as he could he huddled his vessels together for mutual support, thus reducing the yachts’ power for mischief, since they could only work on the outside lines.