The air-ship with all its cargo of explosives blew up like one huge shell, and the frightful concussion of the atmosphere induced by the explosion hurled the two vessels that were close on either side of her like feathers into space, turning them completely over and flinging them to the earth six thousand feet below. A few moments later they struck the ground simultaneously, two great spouts of flame shot up from the spots where they struck, and when the darkness closed over them again four of the pursuing squadron had been annihilated. “Better still, Levin Ostroff!” cried Olga, as she saw the awful effects of this last shot. “For that you too shall be a Prince of the Empire and command an air-ship on our next expedition. Now, Boris, let us see if you can beat that!” “Yes, Majesty,” said Boris again, knitting his brows and clenching his teeth in anger at his rival’s superior success. He glanced along the line of the pursuers and saw four of the Aerian squadron flying close together. He brought the gun to bear upon the two inner ones, took careful aim, and despatched the projectile on its errand of destruction. The moment he had released it he said to the two men who were working under him-- “Load again, quickly!” The command was instantly obeyed, and scarcely had the explosion of the first blazed out than a second shell was sent after it. The very firmament seemed split in twain by the frightful results of the two well-aimed shots, each of which had found its mark on the two inner vessels with fatal accuracy. Great sheets of flame leapt out in all directions from the focus of the explosion, and in the midst of their dazzling radiance those on board the _Revenge_ saw the two outside air-ships of the four roll over and dive head foremost into the dark abyss below them. They struck the earth as the others had done, and vanished into annihilation in the midst of the momentary mist of fire. This last catastrophe made it plain to the commanders of the _Ithuriel_ and the _Ariel_ that to continue the chase under such conditions meant the destruction in detail of all the smaller ships of the squadron. Those on board the _Revenge_ saw signals rapidly flash from one end of the line, and instantaneously answered from the other end. “Ah!” said Olga. “My Lords of the Air seem to have had enough of it for the present. Look, the small fry are falling to the rear; our reception has been a little too hot for them. I wonder what they are going to do now. Cease firing, and let us watch them. You two gunners have done gloriously and earned quite enough laurels for your first battle.” It soon became evident that the Aerians had decided to send their smaller craft back. From the speed of the _Revenge_, and the terrible accuracy and destructiveness of her guns, the commanders of the squadron were now convinced that she was either the lost _Ithuriel_, or some vessel even superior to her, built upon the same plan.