have ships enough to starve you into submission."

"We care nothing for your ships," I replied, "we will destroy them one
by one."

"You may sink our ships," said the rear admiral, "but you will never
conquer our fletyemings. We will begin a hand-to-hand conflict that
will not cease until you and your entire crew are killed or are our
prisoners."

"The truce is at an end," I replied. "Return to your ships
immediately."

The rear-admiral and his staff rose on their wings, and in a short
time regained the cloud of naval warriors that hung in the air half a
mile away.

During the truce the ships of the enemy had drawn nearer and at once
opened fire upon us.

A well-aimed shot struck us under the water-line, penetrating our
armor, and going clean through the side of the vessel. The central
compartment rapidly filled with water. It was a fatal blow, for
although the fore and aft compartments would keep the ship from
sinking, yet it soon put out our boiler fires and left us a helpless
hulk upon the water. The main deck, containing our terrorite guns, was
on a level with the water, and a quantity of terrorite and gunpowder
rendered useless. We were in a terrible position, for our small stock
of available ammunition would be soon exhausted. The enemy soon
discovered the effect of their blow, and closed around us like
vultures hastening to their prey. We suffered a terrible bombardment,
that killed more of our men, and finally the fletyemings closed around
us in swarms to annihilate us.

Resolved to sell our lives dearly, we received them with a discharge
of our magazine guns. They quickly rallied and renewed their attack,
but as long as our ammunition lasted were afraid to come to close
quarters. At last we drew our revolvers and the hand-to-hand conflict
began. Some of the sailors used their cutlasses with good effect. We
had proof that the magnetic spears in close quarters were terrible
weapons. As I saw my men falling around me I felt that the game was
up. I thought of Lyone, and the thought would not let me surrender. I
was already wounded in the shoulder and body, and stunned, while the
enemy was swarming in greater numbers than ever. Must we surrender?

Suddenly, at that moment, a shell came screaming through the air and
exploded above the ship, right among the wayleals, killing twenty or
more.

Merciful heavens! Can the enemy, after all, fire shells at us? But why
use them when the fight is practically over