The third of the monsters flung itself upon the mother, wrapping snake-like tentacles about her, dragging her struggling body down shuddering and writhing in agony while the blood of life was sucked from it.
Bill watched, silent and trembling with horror.
"The things chased them—for fun!" he muttered fiercely. "Just a sample of what it will be on the earth—if we don't stop 'em."
Presently the green monsters left their victims—which were now mere shriveled husks. They dragged themselves back into the blue globe, which rose swiftly into the air. The round panel had closed.
From his station on the cliff, Bill watched the thing through the telescope sight of the rocket, keeping the cross hairs upon it. It came up to his own level—above it. Suddenly it paused. He was sure that the things in it had seen the Red Rover.
Quickly, he pressed a little nickeled lever. A soft whir came from the rocket tube. He pressed the red button. The torpedo leapt forward, with the white rays driving back. The empty shell was flung back in Bill's hand.
A great burst of vivid orange flame enveloped the cobalt globe. It disintegrated into a rain of white metal fragments.
"Take that, damn you!" he muttered in fierce satisfaction.
"Globe brought down successfully," he flashed. "Evidently it had sighted us. Green Martians from it had killed gray bipeds. May I inspect remains?"
"You may," permission was flashed back from the Prince. "But be absent not over half an hour."