"Well, we'll have to shoot at them again," observed Jack, as he and the others noted that the attack was to be resumed. "Let 'em have it!" cried Mr. Roumann. Once more the electric cannons were fired, and thousands fell at each discharge of the powerful current. But, in their turn, the Martians brought into use new weapons. First they hurled great rocks and chunks of lead at the projectile, but, as the missiles weighed only a third as much as they would have done on the earth, they only dented the heavy steel sides. Finding that this would not answer, the little people created clouds of noxious gases, that swirled around the projectile like a fog. But this was harmless, as the adventurers could shut themselves in tightly, and breathe air of their own making. The gases had no more effect on them than did the ether through which they had traveled through space. Meanwhile, the electric cannons were constantly being fired, and the ranks of the attackers were constantly being thinned. But, ever as the Martians fell, new ones arrived to take their places. They seemed determined to drive the newcomers off the planet or destroy them. There was a lull in the fighting. The Martians seemed to be waiting for something. At last a large crowd was observed coming from the direction of the city. They carried great bundles of wood and torches. "They're going to try to burn us out!" cried Jack. "Good land a' massy!" yelled Washington. "Let me go! I ain't ready t' burn yet! No, indeedy!" With shouts the Martians piled fuel all about the projectile. Then they set fire to it, and tongues of flame leaped up. "Don't be alarmed," said Mr. Roumann. "We have passed safely through greater heat than they can produce. The gas in the projectile will absorb all the heat." And this was exactly what happened. The flames had no effect on the Annihilator, whereas the electric cannons continued to mow down the Martians. The day was now well advanced, and the defenders were getting tired and hungry, as well as apprehensive, for there seemed to be no limit to the fury of the little people, and their scientific knowledge was such that it was probably only a matter of time before they would find a way to destroy the projectile. During a lull in the fighting, when the fire that had been kindled died away, Washington White came around with some food he had prepared. They felt better after the meal, but immediately there came a new apprehension, for they saw that the Martians were digging a great hole to one side of the projectile. "What can they be doing that for?" asked Andy. "Maybe they're going to roll us into it," said Mark. "No," spoke Mr. Roumann, after watching the crowd at work, "I'm inclined to think they're laying a mine, and are going to blow us up." "Blow us up?" "Yes. They evidently have some explosive over there, to judge by the manner in which they guard it." "Can we stand being blown up?" asked Jack.