CHAPTER XXVIII
THE ATTACK
"They've discovered us!" exclaimed Jack, as he stood up and watched the Martian.
"What?" cried Mr. Roumann. "Oh, it's only one of them," he added, "and he hasn't any of those electrical sticks. Go ahead and take some more of the Cardite."
But the Martian advanced on the travelers, and, by his voice and gestures, seemed to be warning them to stop taking the red material.
"Maybe he's a guard," suggested Mark.
"Very likely," assented Professor Henderson.
"I'll see if I can't scare him with my gun," remarked Andy. "I've put in more powder, and a heavier bullet."
He fired in the air, over the Martian's head, but to the surprise of the adventurers the weapon only gave a faint sound, like that of a pop gun, while the bullet rolled from the barrel and dropped at Andy's feet.
"Why, that's worse than ever!" he exclaimed. "I guess the red stuff must have taken all the power out of your gun, Andy," said Mark.