ocean of space. There was the distant rolling noise of the machinery, and the faint shouts made by the sailors as they performed their various duties, and the occasional ringing of bells. There was sometimes a dull thud on the outside of the vessel, as some wandering meteorite came into contact with it.
Alec sat for a long time moving the levers backwards and forwards, and keeping a steady look out ahead. Far in front was their goal, the planet Neptune, shining faintly among numberless stars. Meanwhile, the sun's disc was gradually getting closer to the earth, and in a few more minutes it was quite hidden behind it. An intensely black darkness immediately succeeded to the brilliant light of the sun, a darkness so thick that it could almost be felt. The blackness of space was in front, around, everywhere. Alec pulled a handle in front of him, and then pressed a button. The whole of the interior of the Lightning was immediately lighted up, and the
