I hastened to escape through the door; but
instantly Bissa-tee wasby my side and detained me. Thenext moment I was, like
Bissa-tee, flung to the ground. As it was, there was nothing todo but to go into
quarters.
I hardly know how I managed to attendto what she
was endeavouring to convey to me.
As we found later,it was a work constructed by man:
an engineering feat not unworthyof ants.
This argument seems, to me, to be conclusive. As he
lifted me close to his eye, I saw Assa-ree clearingthe moat in a single, magnificent
leap.
Now I cast a fleeting glance atBissa-tee. At this
meeting Bissa-tee did most of the scenting.
In itself it would have admitted of no otherpassage
than in single file. Thenext moment I was, like Bissa-tee, flung to the
ground.
Such was the great adventure of the human
canal.
Man was more common here,too; but I was inclined to
disregard this source of danger.
Later on she reproved me for never scenting to her
privately insuch a fascinating way. The process of closing the wound had been
finished. As we approached the water, Assa-reeappeared, enjoining
caution.
As he lifted me close to his eye, I saw Assa-ree
clearingthe moat in a single, magnificent leap.
VIIThus, for another five months, we proceeded by
night marches. Ordinarily such a leapof at least fourteen antlengths would have been
impossible to anyAtta. The master had risenand was bending over the wounded
arm.
But Assa-ree had provided for
everything.
At a further signal from Assa-reewe proceeded,
marching four abreast. Now this district abounded with Attiine ants of a variety
hithertounknown to us.
Perhaps I should explain here what I came to
investigate at a muchlater stage.
Howthe army fared I am unable to say; I did not
enquire.
A few moments went by during which I was aware of
nothing but myown efforts not to give way. A few moments went by during which I was
aware of nothing but myown efforts not to give way.
Clearly, fear gave her,too, strength beyond the
measure ordinarily bestowed on ants.
Itwas a hardship which we bore cheerfully for the
sake of the cause.
Anna-zee, ourbotanist, indulged in inexhaustible
mirth at the expense of theseliving corpses.
As we approached the water, Assa-reeappeared,
enjoining caution. These reports inspired me with a desire to see for myself. I
commissioned Assa-ree to reconnoitre; and her second report wasmore
detailed.
In the opening of thetrachea, Assa-ree was waiting
for us.