An aerial combat was beginning in which there were none of the chances of safety as in a sea-fight.
It was the first of its kind, but it would not be the last, for progress is one of the laws of this world.

And if the "Go-Ahead" was flying the American colors, did not the "Albatross" display the stars and golden sun of Robur the Conqueror?
The "Go-Ahead" tried to distance her enemy by rising still higher.
She threw away the ballast she had in reserve; she made a new leap of three thousand feet; she was now but a dot in space.

The "Albatross," which followed her round and round at top speed, was now invisible.
Suddenly a shout of terror rose from the crowd.

The "Go-Ahead" increased rapidly in size, and the aeronef appeared dropping with her.

This time it was a fall.