> *.howstuffworks where * is not auto
> are BY DEFINITION external to auto.howstuffworks

Yes, of course.

> and you said to GET ALL externals (to depth one)

But only to depth one, that is: if there is a link from an internal page to
it, right.
But this is copying everything, to any depth if I let it run.

> Doing exactly what you asked it to do.

I don't think I asked for anything external beyond depth one.  Or I
misunderstand completely what "depth 1" means.