"What can they be doing that for?" asked Andy. "Maybe they're
going to roll us into it," said Mark.
"No," spoke Mr. Roumann, after watching the crowd at work, "I'm
inclined to think they're laying a mine, and are going to blow us
up."
"Blow us up?"
"Yes. They evidently have some explosive over there, to judge by
the manner in which they guard it."
"Can we stand being blown up?" asked Jack.
"I hardly think so. The projectile itself might not be harmed,
as it is very strong, but the machinery and motors would probably
be damaged."
"Then what can we do?"
"The only thing left for us to do is to escape."
"Escape? You mean leave the projectile?" asked Mr. Henderson.
"No, I mean escape in the Annihilator. There is no reason why we
should stay here any longer. We have what we came to seek, and
though I should like to make some further scientific observations,
we will have to forego them. We will start the atmospheric motor,
and leave Mars."
"That's the stuff!" cried Jack. "Back to earth for ours! It's
nice up here, when you don't do something they don't like, but
the earth is good enough for me!"
"That's what I say," added Mark.
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