The Earth-monster had not yet seen us; and at this juncture I took
the opportunity to hastily scribble some notes which I very shortly
regretted. However, to illustrate the fact that anyone may make
mistakes and that even the most apparent truths may be misinterpreted,
I will here reproduce what I wrote:

"The intelligent inhabitants of Earth somewhat resemble us in the
possession of four limbs, two eyes, and two elongated protuberances
which are very likely ears. The sensory organs are mostly located
on, or about, the front of the head. The feet are sheathed in horny
coverings which may be either natural or artificial. The caudal
appendage is of considerable length and bears long dense hairs, thus
differing from the rest of the body, over which the hairy covering is
short and flat-lying. No real proboscis is present, but the head is
much elongated in front, with the snout directed downward...."

Enough of this. At least, tremendous as my error was, it was at the
time shared by all the others present.

The animal above described formed the lower portion of the compound
being which confronted us. Mounted astride of it was a gleaming metal
creature, constructed on the same lines, but with jointed arms and legs
of metal, without a tail, and seated erect instead of going slavishly
on all fours. In one hand it grasped a long pole with a sharp metal
point, and other accouterments which might be weapons were girded about
it.

"A robot!" ejaculated the Captain. He had jumped to the same natural
conclusion as the rest of us.

"What do you say to an intelligent race now, Zesmo?" hissed Ikleek.
"Obviously the Earthmen were _too_ intelligent. They built a high
civilization and were enslaved by their own machines!"

"Perhaps we Martians are destined to free this oppressed race from
ignoble servitude!" exclaimed Zesmo. "If we can just paralyze and
capture the machine--" He began adjusting his ray-gun to low power.The creature may have heard our voices, muffled as they were by the heavy air. At any rate, it suddenly turned toward us, displaying an expressionless metal face with a curious grille arrangement in front; and, 

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