Strange to say, of our own great family one nation
seemed to beomnipresent though never dominant.
In one fore-foot he held anew instrument, a pair of
scissors, of the same metal as theforceps. Butat this moment of extreme excitement I
simply could not helpmyself.
But thegeographical details given point to a more
northern location. Strange to say, of our own great family one nation seemed to
beomnipresent though never dominant.
The master had risenand was bending over the
wounded arm. At last they arrived at the foot of the tree on which we were. As it
was, there was nothing todo but to go into quarters. It was hard to say which; for
now theone, now the other of these two seemed the less civilized. It was not acase
of co-operation such as exists among ants. He was looking down and watching his
enemieswith the greatest coolness. In a very few minutes the nearer army swarmed all
around our tree.
I was just on the point of running blindly when I
also felt myselfgrasped.
I inferred thateven this limb on which we were
would not protect us. A few moments went by during which I was aware of nothing but
myown efforts not to give way.
Yet the imprisoned Ecitons were themselves too
bewildered topay the slightest attention to us.
But, as I said, red blood was trickling from it.
These were the Ponerines,scavengers by nature.
It was the nest of a trogon andcontained young
birds. Howsuch a gash can be produced I have of course no means of telling. Perhaps
I should explain here what I came to investigate at a muchlater stage.
Perhaps I should explain here what I came to
investigate at a muchlater stage.
As it turned out, this gesture of menace was
exactly what the humanwanted to produce. A largeharvest-man or false spider had been
overtaken by the ravenoushordes. The process of closing the wound had been
finished.
It was not acase of co-operation such as exists
among ants.
The firefly came to with a terrificcrash which
dislocated the masonry of both banks.
As he lifted me close to his eye, I saw Assa-ree
clearingthe moat in a single, magnificent leap.
At a further signal from Assa-reewe proceeded,
marching four abreast. In one fore-foot he held anew instrument, a pair of scissors,
of the same metal as theforceps. Every tree they passed at once swarmed withsmaller
columns branching off from the main body. Clearly, fear gave her,too, strength
beyond the measure ordinarily bestowed on ants.