midday
Below was cloudland and storm , a great drift of tumbled weather going hard away to the north-east , and the air about him was clear and cold and serene save for the faintest chill breeze and a rare , drifting snow-flake . Throb , throb , throb , throb , went the engines in the stillness . That huge herd of airships rising one after another had an effect of strange , portentous monsters breaking into an altogether unfamiliar world . Either there was no news of the naval battle that morning , or the Prince kept to himself whatever came until past midday . Then the bulletins came with a rush , bulletins that made the lieutenant wild with excitement . `` Barbarossa disabled and sinking , '' he cried . `` Gott im Himmel !