These came by in great numbers.

Sometimes they flew in flocks like wild geese, sometimes singly, sometimes in line and sometimes in ordered squadrons, with outpost and officer ships and an exact distance kept between craft and craft.

None of them seemed to be very large or to carry more than four or five men, but they were extraordinarily swift and as agile as swallows.

Moreover they flew as birds do by beating their wings, but again we could not guess whence came their motive power.
The review vanished, and next appeared a scene of festivity in a huge, illuminated hall.

The Great King sat upon a dais and behind him was that statue of Fate, or one very similar to it, beneath which we stood.