For the last time they were dug out and helped to their feet. They could not stand by themselves, much less run; but it is not likely they would have fled. Somehow they knew that the strange head-coverings had human faces behind them. And scarcely had they been freed before Sorplee, glancing about, gave an exclamation of delight as he saw a group of natives running toward them. "Just what we want!" he exclaimed. "They've seen the scrap, and realize that we've won!" Looking around, the nine could see the other groups likewise hurrying their way. All told, there were a couple of hundred of the villagers, and all were armed with tools they knew how to use very well. "Who shall do the honors?" asked Sorplee. "Wish Somat was here, to explain for us." "Don't need him," reminded Deltos. "All we've got to do is to show these two fellows we dug up." And it was not until the first of the villagers was within twenty yards that the nine suspected anything. Then they heard the buzzing. Looking closer, they saw that it was--an attack! "Stop!" cried Deltos, in swift panic. "We are friends, not enemies!" It was like talking to the wind. The villagers had their choice of two fears: either fight the strangers with the magic flower, or--be stung to death. And no one can blame them for what they chose. The nine had time enough to snatch knives or hatchets from their belts, or clubs from the ground. Then, with wild cries of fear, the natives closed in. They fought as only desperate people can fight, caught between two fires. And they were two hundred to nine! In half a minute the first of the invaders was down, his head crushed by a mattock in the hands of a bee-tormented native. In a single minute all were gone but two; and a moment later, Deltos alone, because he had chanced to secure a long club, was alive of all that crew. For a minute he kept them off by sheer strength. He swung the stick with such vigor that he fairly cleared a circle for himself. The natives paused, howling and shrieking, before the final rush. An inspiration came to Deltos. He tore his cap from his head and his net from his face. "Look!" he screamed, above the uproar. "I am a man, like yourselves! Do not kill!" Next second he froze in his tracks. The next he was writhing in the death agony, and the bees were supreme once more. Supreme herself had stung Deltos. XV OVERLOOKED Of the four on the earth, Smith was the first to make any comment. He had considerable difficulty in throwing his thought to the others; somehow he felt slightly dazed. "This is--unbelievable!" he said, and repeated it twice. "To think that those insects are still the masters!" "I wish"--Billie's voice shook somewhat--"I wish almost that I had let you warn Rolla. It might have helped--" She broke off suddenly, intent upon something Supreme was hearing. "Just listen!" "Quick!" a lieutenant was humming excitedly to the commandant. "Back to the hives; give the order, Supreme!"