consisting of different kinds of 'fliers.' Many of these were parties
of boarders, whose duty it would be to watch their opportunities and
then swarm round any of the opposing vessels which met with a mishap or
got into difficulties.
Upon both sides the men had been already provided with 'parachute
costumes,' which would enable them to float in the air for a while in
case of disaster to their vessel, and aid them in making a safe descent
to the ground. Then a certain number were fitted out with motor-wings,
while others again had wings without motors, and all these different
classes were organised into separate groupings, just as we divide
fighting-men into various classes--such as infantry, cavalry, &c., on
land, and sailors, marines, and so on, upon the sea.
Agrando sent up first one, then others of his craft, soaring high into
the air, with the object of getting above the enemy and dropping down
missiles upon them. But even as they mounted above their companion
vessels, similar craft were seen rising from the other side to oppose
them, and it was between these 'soarers' that the actual conflict
commenced.
All the larger vessels on each side were provided with movable
turtle-decks or shields as a protection against missiles hurled from
above. The real danger from these, however, lay in the injury which
might be done to the upright spirals or the extended wings, thereby
crippling the manoeuvring power of the craft, or causing her to fall
headlong to the ground.
On this account war-vessels did not depend upon one pair of wings alone,
but all were fitted with at least two pairs, and some--the biggest--with
even three or four pairs. Spare wings were also held in readiness to be
run out at any moment to take the place of those which might suffer. The
soarers, as stated, began the actual fighting with the efforts of those
on one side to get above the vessels opposed to them, and of the other
to prevent them from doing so.
While these craft were darting to and fro, chasing each other round, now
shooting upwards, now diving to avoid a threatened collision, suddenly a
shock was heard, as two of them met in mid-air, with consequences
mutually disastrous.
A moment or two later both vessels were falling towards the ground,
though the course followed was in each case most erratic. Just
previously they had met and remained for a brief space as though glued
together; then they flew apart, and began whirling and whizzing round in
seemingly mad fashion, like gigantic bluebottles which have singed their
wings.
As they pursued their eccentric, irresponsible flight, darting this way
and that, now spinning round like humming-tops, now rushing through the
air like stray rockets, dangerous alike to friends and foes, each left
behind it a sort of 'trail,' which wound round and about, marking its
exact course.
This 'trail' consisted of the members of the crews who had jumped or
been thrown off, and were now floating downwards in their parachute
dresses.
Occasionally there were conflicts in mid-air, as individual castaways
from the two airships happened to be thrown one against another in their
descent.
But such incidents as these were but trifles in an aerial battle; and,
since they exercised practically no effect in deciding its ultimate
issue, attracted little general notice. The main struggle would have to
be fought out between the larger craft when they came to close
quarters--a state of things which Agrando was manoeuvring to bring
about.
Fumenta, however, by previous arrangement with Ivanta, was equally
anxious to avoid close fighting just then. Accordingly, he was
exercising every stratagem his lengthened experience could devise which
might tempt his enemies to alter their close formation and draw them on
to attack him in loose order.
Agrando, moving slowly forward, sent out yet more boarders, armed with
tridents and shields, in readiness for the attack, and these formed
another curious feature in this strange battle-scene.
They were towed through the air in long strings, holding on to ropes
made fast to their respective vessels, their parachute dress serving for
the most part to maintain their position, with the aid of the ropes, and
small motor-machines here and there.
As the great array advanced, Fumenta retired--at first as though with
reluctance, then more hurriedly, till at last the retreat began to look
like the beginning of a panic-stricken flight.
Then Agrando sent his swiftest vessels ahead, towing with them their
strings of boarders. In the excitement of pursuit some went faster than
the rest, whilst others swerved off to right or to left to outflank the
fugitives and head them back, thus creating gaps and spaces in their own
ranks.
Meantime, where were Ivanta and his two yachts? That was the question
that was being asked by Fumenta and his trusted lieutenants, and they
asked it more anxiously as the minutes went by.
The outlaw chief had--sorely, it must be confessed, against his own
feelings--consented to carry out a plan which involved the appearance of
ignominious flight. The old fighter did not like the role he was thus
playing; but he had promised, and he was carrying out his part. The
question was, would Ivanta arrive soon enough to carry out his part? If
he was to do so it was time he put in an appearance.
Fumenta looked upwards and scanned the sky anxiously. Nothing was to be
seen but some rather heavy-looking clouds, which were floating with the
wind, and would shortly be overhead.
Suddenly, in the midst of one of these clouds, two dark shadows showed.
A moment later they had taken form and burst out into the open, and then
the two yachts came swooping wildly down, with closed wings, like huge
birds stooping to strike their prey.
*CHAPTER XXXIX.*
*THE END OF THE STRUGGLE.*
When Ivanta, with the two yachts, had gone off, leaving Fumenta with his
fleet to face Agrando's powerful force, he had not, in reality, gone
very far.
At first he had travelled swiftly to windward, till he met with a bank
of cloud drifting with the breeze. Then he had been content to
penetrate into it just far enough to conceal his two vessels and remain
there, floating slowly back with the cloud in the direction from which
he had come.
Well versed in the movements of the varying currents of air and the
clouds they bore with them, he calculated that by remaining thus
inactive he would be carried back to the scene of the coming conflict
without any one suspecting his whereabouts, and that he would arrive
just about the time when he would be able to act with the best effect.
Gerald and Jack, on board Alondra's yacht, watched from afar the
beginning of the battle. The yachts took up a station near the edge of
the cloud, just far enough from its fringe for concealment, yet not so
deep in the mist as to prevent them from watching, through powerful
glasses, all that was taking place.
Both yachts were supplied with turtle deck-shields, and these had been
duly fitted in their places. The framework of the vessels was
constructed of ivantium, the light but marvellously hard metal which
formed the outer shell of the great aerostat, the _Ivenia_. Moreover,
the ornamental prows were solid pieces of the same metal, and thus
formed formidable rams of enormous strength. These constituted
advantages which Ivanta's fertile brain had planned to turn to good
account.
'The practice you have had when preparing for our racing competitions,'
he pointed out to his son and the two chums, when unfolding his scheme,
'will now come in useful. What we have to do is to take the enemy by
surprise as soon as they are sufficiently scattered. You must be ready
to execute some of those daring aerial dives with which you have many
times excited the wonder and admiration of the crowds of spectators
assembled at our aerial regattas. Then they were executed merely as
feats of manoeuvring and aerial craftsmanship; now they may decide the
fate of the battle. I am going to show you youngsters my reliance upon
your nerve and steadiness by trusting you to follow my lead. It will be
a risky card to play, but if we keep our heads, and carry it through
successfully, it may mean the defeat of the whole hostile fleet and the
capture of Agrando himself--if he is there, as I believe he is!'
'We 're ready, father!' cried Alondra. 'And you can trust Gerald and
Jack. They know how to manage the _Lokris_ now as well as I do.'
'We'll do our best, sir!' said Gerald modestly. 'And thank you for
giving us the chance! If we can do anything towards defeating Agrando
we shall feel we are aiding in the deliverance of Mr Armeath--especially
if, as you suggest may be the case, we can capture the tyrant himself.'
Preliminaries having been thus settled, the yachts drew apart and took
up positions in readiness for the work before them.
Meantime, they were as yet far from the contending forces, and there was
nothing to be done, while they were drifting slowly towards them, but
observe what went on through their glasses with such patience as they
could muster.
The two sailors were watching, too, not less eagerly than their leaders,
and their remarks and comments upon what they saw were both quaint and
original.
'What a queer way o' fightin'!' sniffed Tom Clinch scornfully. 'No
smell o' powder, no noise o' big guns! An' look at their formation--one
lot above another, an' another above them agen an' agen! A reg'lar
four-decker business!'
'Ay, it do seem stoopid like,' Bob Reid agreed.
'S'pose some o' the top uns dropped, they 'd go bang on top o' them
below! Did ye ever 'ear o' sich a way o' settin' out in battle array?'
'By Jingo, Bob, look at them there strings o' chaps bein' towed inter
battle hangin' on ter hawsers, an' swingin' an' swayin' about in the
air! Did ye ever 'ear o' the likes o' that, now?'
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.
Finally, Agrando retreated in the direction of the fortress, which he
imagined was still held by his own people. There, close to the towering
precipice, his remaining warships would be safer from the yachts' mad
rushes; and he and his chief officers, he reckoned, could in the last
resort, take refuge within and await the arrival of his second fleet.
Great was his dismay when, on his approach to the place, he met with a
hostile reception, and realised that it had been already captured by his
foes!
On all sides there was for him, now, nothing but disaster and defeat.
Fumenta's vessels were cruising up and down almost unopposed, capturing
here, destroying there, triumphant everywhere, save as regards the few
remaining ships with which Agrando had surrounded himself. He had
formed these into a circle, each one facing outwards, and in this way
managed for a while to keep their assailants at bay.
Then a great shout went up from them--a loud chorus of exultation and
defiance. In the distance they had sighted the expected second fleet.
But their rejoicings were short-lived! Far away, behind the oncoming
ships, there was visible a great mass, which it required but a second
glance to tell them was the _Ivenia_. It was evident that she was in
chase of the longed-for reinforcements, which, in fact, were in headlong
flight. They were making for the fortress, where they hoped they might
find a refuge.
Agrando next saw the two yachts signalling to the _Ivenia_, and watched
them sail off to meet her. Then, somewhat to his surprise, the whole of
Fumenta's forces followed. But this only meant that Ivanta had called
them off in the midst of their half-finished work, contemptuously giving
his enemy an opportunity to rally his demoralised followers, if he
thought it worth while to do so.
But Agrando knew it was not worth while. He knew that nothing could
withstand the _Ivenia_. He realised too well that he was hopelessly
beaten; that the great coup which he and the Diamond King had played for
had failed, and come to an ignominious end.
It was now evident that, somehow or other, a few of Ivanta's devoted
followers must have regained possession of the _Ivenia_, after Agrando's
myrmidons had treacherously seized her, and had hastened to the aid of
their liege lord. For the defeated tyrant and his aiders and abetters
there was therefore nothing now left but to throw themselves upon the
mercy of the conqueror.
This fact was, however, recognised by Agrando's followers as quickly as
by himself. With the great _Ivenia_ looming overhead, they too realised
that further fighting, or escape, would be alike impossible. They were
wise in their generation, and perceived that their best hope lay in
forcing their leader to make surrender; and this they promptly did.
They surrounded him in a body, and under their coercion Agrando sullenly
sent out another messenger bearing the white flag. The result was that,
less than an hour later, he and his principal officers were prisoners on
board the _Ivenia_.
Then an unpleasant discovery was made. Kazzaro was not among the
captives, and inquiry elicited the fact that, when he had perceived the
day was lost, he had slipped off in one of the fastest of Agrando's
airships. Further, it appeared that he had declared his intention of
returning to Agrando's palace.
Thereupon, Ivanta decided to leave the completion of the arrangements on
the spot to Fumenta and his lieutenants, in whose charge he also left
the yachts. Taking Alondra and his companions on board the _Ivenia_, he
started at once in pursuit of the runaway--the cunning, cruel, crafty
old 'Ogre.'
Fortunately, the airship in which Kazzaro had gone off broke down before
she reached her destination, and thus the chase did not prove a very
long one. Doubtless, the 'Ogre,' in his fear of pursuit, and his
impatience to wreak a last vengeance upon the hapless prisoners Agrando
had left behind, had overstrained the machinery.
But the chase, if short, was certainly an exciting one, and afforded the
visitors from Earth an experience they had not had before--that of
seeing the _Ivenia_ put to her utmost speed through the air. Ivanta, in
his righteous anger and his determination to rescue the prisoners, sent
her rushing along almost like a comet. Had it been night, indeed, she
would certainly have seemed to leave a fiery, comet-like tail behind
her, for the tremendous, almost appalling, rate at which she tore
through the dense air caused an amount of friction which sent forth
showers of electric sparks. To a structure built of any other metal
than the marvellous ivantium it would have meant utter destruction.
Before night the prisoners--including Mr Armeath, Aveena, and others of
Alondra's friends--had been rescued; and the 'Ogre' was safely locked up
in one of his own dungeons.
*CHAPTER XL.*
*CONCLUSION.*
With the defeat and capture of Agrando and his chief confederates, the
rebellion which they had fomented ignominiously collapsed. None of
their allies in other parts of King Ivanta's empire made any serious
attempt to continue the struggle. The mere appearance of the great
_Ivenia_ was sufficient to enforce submission, as she visited in turn
each disaffected country or district.
With characteristic energy, the victor set to work to restore complete
order, and to efface the after-effects of the general disturbance.
Thanks to the wonderful tact and discernment he brought to bear upon
this delicate task, affairs settled down far more quickly than had at
first seemed possible. It was but a few weeks ere King Ivanta returned
in triumph to his 'palace in the clouds,' again the undisputed ruler of
his vast realm, his supremacy once more unchallenged throughout his
dominions.
Then commenced the further task of judging and punishing his vanquished
foes. This was a longer and more tedious business, involving much
journeying to and fro, and the holding of numerous local inquiries and
state trials.
Here again King Ivanta surprised even his own friends, and heaped coals
of fire upon the heads of his enemies, by the nature of the treatment he
meted out. Firm and determined in arriving at exact facts,
discriminating in apportioning blame, he showed himself generous and
magnanimous almost to a fault in regard to punishment. Only those who,
like Agrando and Kazzaro, had been guilty of acts of deliberate cruelty
or injustice were severely dealt with; all others were let off far more
lightly than they had any right to expect.
'I feel, my friend,' said Ivanta to Armeath, at the very beginning of
the inquiries, 'that I myself have been much to blame in ever
introducing among my people the costly toys you call diamonds and other
precious stones. In the future they shall be unknown here, even as they
were before I first visited your planet. They have been the means of
fostering greed and avarice, increasing vanity and envy, exciting evil
passions, and creating discord where peace and goodwill reigned before.
Every one--every stone, large or small--shall be collected. I will
compel my subjects to give up those they have, and I will return them,
including all that Zuanstroom brought--with Zuanstroom himself--to the
world whence they came. Henceforth I will have none of them; my
subjects--our globe--shall know them no more!'
This reference to the Diamond King is sufficient to indicate the extreme
leniency exhibited towards even the most blameworthy of those who had
rebelled against the Martian monarch. Zuanstroom was, indeed,
imprisoned for the remainder of his visit; but no suggestion of any
severer punishment seemed to have entered King Ivanta's thoughts. And
even the imprisonment was more nominal than real; the captive's son and
nephew were allowed free access to him, and they were allowed to make
occasional excursions together, under the escort of his jailers.
'He's being treated a jolly sight better than he deserves, and so are
many others,' observed practical-minded Jack. 'They intended to kill
him, and us too, if they had succeeded in their plans. I doubt if such
leniency will turn out to be altogether the wisest course for King
Ivanta's own security in the future.'
'I don't agree with you, Jack. You are taking a wrong view of it. To
my mind, the king is only acting just as I should have expected him to
do,' cried Gerald enthusiastically. 'What did I always say of him, from
the very first time I set eyes upon him? I knew--yes, _knew_--something
seemed to tell me--how high-minded, how truly noble he was! I always
declared it! But at that time it was only a feeling in my mind, a sort
of instinct. Now we have before us proofs such as every one can see for
himself.-- What do you think, sir?' he added, addressing his guardian.
'Truly, my son, your instinct in this case led you aright,' returned
Armeath, nodding his head and smiling. 'It is a goodly lesson for all
of us; a grand example, one worthy to be remembered and pondered for the
rest of our lives!'
It was a great time for the two chums and their guardian, that which
followed. As the honoured guests of the king, and the special friends
and companions of the amiable prince his son, they travelled about
continually. Sometimes in the _Ivenia_, at others in the prince's
splendid air-yacht, they made numerous journeys; and everywhere they met
with cordial receptions from the rulers and nobles of the various
nations, visited everything that was worth seeing, and enjoyed to the
full all the varied entertainments provided for their amusement.
One day there was a great assembly of nobles and dignitaries at the
'palace in the clouds,' the special occasion being--so it had been given
out--to do honour to some of those whom King Ivanta wished to reward.
Foremost amongst these he placed the outlaw-chief Fumenta, and the young
stranger Malto, who had now quite recovered from his wound.
Then it was that King Ivanta made an announcement which came as a
surprise indeed. He began by calling upon Malto to declare the nature of
the request he wished to prefer. 'My dear son Prince Alondra,' the king
said, 'has never ceased to remind me again and again of the promise he
made to you, Malto. Not, indeed, that I required any such reminders; I
am far too sensible of the great service you rendered him and his two
companions, our guests, when you enabled them to escape from Agrando's
power. No, I had not forgotten! So far from forgetting, I may tell you
that I have been busily making inquiries of my own in anticipation of
what your request was likely to be. At last my vague guesses have been
completely confirmed by certain confessions made to me by those two
traitors Agrando and his creature Kazzaro. So, Malto, my friend, speak
out, and ask without fear.'
'It concerns my father, sir--my father who died many years ago in exile,
an outcast, driven from his country at your orders, owing to the
machinations of his enemies, of whom that same Kazzaro was the chief.'
King Ivanta nodded, and his fine features lighted up with one of his
kindliest smiles as he looked across at Fumenta. 'And you, the Fox, as
you called yourself, who befriended the fugitive Eagle, and hid him from
his enemies in your burrow; what is your request?'
'Mine, oh king, is less unselfish than that of this persecuted young
gentleman, since it concerns myself alone. Once upon a time'----
'Once upon a time,' interrupted the king, 'you were known as Lufendis,
King of Iraynia.'
Here Malto started and turned pale. He seemed to be trembling, and
stared first at the king and then at Fumenta--or Lufendis--with eyes
that were almost starting out of his head. Ivanta paused and held his
hand out towards him.