"The ratty lizard!" yelled Bull Mike, clenching a mammoth fist. "He sees that we're not armed for space-fighting!"
"What's he doing here, with Mars so far out of travel-shot, anyway?" demanded Neil.
Nobody answered, for another bomb exploded at that moment, seemingly just outside. It was soundless in the vacuum of space, but the force of the detonation shook the ship like a leaf in a gust of wind.
"No chance for escape," said Sukune. He tapped the combination for a halt and rose from his seat.
"Now he'll think he hit us," he told the others. "Let's play dead."
"Why?" asked Bull Mike.
"It's our only hope. Another bomb will do the business if we try to run. But he'll want to capture our ship. If he sees it idling, he'll figure that we're washed out. He'll come on board, and then——"
"And then!" repeated the giant, grinning. "Then we'll have a fair shake with him!"
Quickly the three threw themselves down in attitudes of unconsciousness. Neil flung himself on the sill of the port nearest the Martian, in such a position that he could keep a cautious lookout.
Closer and closer came the enemy. Slowing down, he almost scraped against their side. Peeping out, Neil could see a port directly opposite. A Martian face, swarthy and skeleton-lean, was looking into the interior.