was announced, it caused a tremendous sensation all over the Earth; for no one knew how the interstellar ships would fight, as they had not yet been tried in actual war. Every quarter of the globe resounded with the din of preparations, since it was determined that the fleets must be ready to start for space in a month's time. New ships were commenced at all the dockyards, which worked night and day fitting out transports and making cannon and ammunition. Telegraphic messages were flashed to Mars, Venus, and Mercury, instructing them to have their fleets assembled in the neighbourhood of London within a period of one month, and to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune to have theirs assembled at the latter planet within a further period of one month. The air around London and above the great arsenals and dockyards was crowded with interstellar vessels of every description. Tenders were flying along hither and
