We scaled the circular rim with the utmost
precaution. The noble sheet of water I was atfirst inclined to identify with the
Lake of Nicaragua.
Thus shehad simply taken advantage of her
ecological and phylogeneticknowledge. He was a huge fellow, with legs three and
fourantlengths long. Now this district abounded with Attiine ants of a variety
hithertounknown to us.
Assa-ree had arrived at the same conclusion; but
her infernalresourcefulness did not leave her. Shortly before noon, that day, there
was a commotion in the pupalchamber opposite our niche.
Presently we arrived in the first chamber of
theburrow, spacious for so small a colony. Later on she reproved me for never
scenting to her privately insuch a fascinating way. I knew that, if hertask could be
carried out at all, she would carry it to asuccessful issue. This confirmed my
conjectures completely. We flattened ourselvesagainst the wall; for detection would
have frustrated our wholedesign. We ourselves remained inthe dark; but the pupal
chamber was dimly lighted.
As we found later,it was a work constructed by man:
an engineering feat not unworthyof ants. It was a mostembarrassing situation; for
the Stigmatomma seemed to have nohostile intentions.
The spread between the temperatures at noon and
midnighthad also increased. What we walked over next, inside of the beetle, is
beyond myguessing.
Then the mass came to rest oncemore; and after an
interval an ant began to struggle out.
So far, there had not been the slightest
alarm.
At a further signal from Assa-reewe proceeded,
marching four abreast.
Assa-ree was here, there, and
everywhere.
As forourselves, the High Command, we never ate for
weeks and weeks.
HerMajesty Angza-alla-antra was pleased to confer
upon me the title ofS. VIIThus, for another five months, we proceeded by night
marches. Now this district abounded with Attiine ants of a variety hithertounknown
to us. We chose a moonless night for the enterprise.
Assa-ree was here, there, and everywhere. The night
was exceedingly dark; and as soon as we had located theentrance, we filed into it.
Presently we arrived in the first chamber of theburrow, spacious for so small a
colony.
A number of pupæ were getting ready
toemerge.
We flattened ourselvesagainst the wall; for
detection would have frustrated our wholedesign.
In consequence of which he had awelcome chance to
rest on all his eight legs. Such was the great adventure of the human
canal.
I distinctlysaw Assa-rees antennæ jerking with a
chuckle.