The battle was yet on; nor could he say who was victor.

Within the radius of his vision now and then ships passed, shooting shadows athwart lights.

Out of the dun clouds farther on he caught the crash of other ships colliding.

The danger, however, was closer at hand.

When the Astroea went down, her deck, it will be recollected, held her own crew, and the crews of the two galleys which had attacked her at the same time, all of whom were ingulfed.