[Footnote 8: "The _Kuugla_ of the Martian outlanders is vaguely similar to the _bola_ of Earth's Polynesian tribesmen, being a length of fine hemp weighted at one extremity with three barbed hooks. When thrown by an expert, the _kuugla_ wraps itself about the body of its victim, the barbs sinking into his flesh while the rope coils itself about his body, stifling any movement.... The _traal_ of the Eros guards is somewhat like the _boomerang_ used by early Australian bushmen, except that it is shaped more like a swastika, each blade being honed to a razor edge. An accomplished "_traalul_" (or "traal-thrower") can decapitate an enemy at two hundred yards with this weapon ... and make the _traal_ return to his feet for another casting."--Excerpt from: _A Survey of Tribal Weapons_, Stellar Institute Press, 2208 A.D.--_Ed._] * * * * * In vain, Lane cried swift warning, "No, lads! Don't fight! Let them take us if they must! Go peaceably!" His words came too late. Already a Jovian had fallen beneath the thrust of a slashing blade. Another was gasping out his life in choking coils of the Martian _kuugla_, while bubbling screams of horror bespoke the whirling path of the cross-shaped Erosian weapon. Then sheer weight of numbers overwhelmed the feeble defense. The Jovians smashed through the battling few, and their stronger weapons took harsh toll of those who had dared oppose them. Gary saw two Earth mariners go down, Robinson and Mulasky, parched to cinders by the lethal flame of the universally employed needle-gun. He saw Bill Smikes, who had wielded the _traal_, literally torn to pieces by the vengeful hands of blue-skinned foemen. And another fell also; one innocent of any attack. Chief Engineer Sebold, whose only crime had been attempting to hurry his men to safety. A ray gun caught him, burning his legs out from under him as if they had been tinder. He toppled and fell forward, his grizzled old space-beaten face a mass of shock and incredulity. With a cry Gary leaped to his side. But there was nothing to be done. The engineer was as good as dead ... and knew it. He twisted his writhing form to look up. His lips muttered thickly, "The foreign doctor! The filthy, murdering beast! He sold us out!" Then a whiteness drained his lips ... and he was gone. * * * * *