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Then shedropped heavily to the ground, resting her case and spreading outher
legs sideways. What, if such an endthere is, stands at the end of science?
But,
it may be asked, why should she go on protecting us?
But, though her death was
indicated, I resolved to make herhappy before she had to die. No sooner were we
assured of this than I called a halt and held agrand review.
What, then, stands
at the end of acomplete exploration of the knowable world? I felt grateful to
Bissa-tee for taking this precaution dictated byher solicitude. To our delight,
we saw a large, irregular, flat chamber which hadbeen covered by the stone.
Science asks one question only, she went on: the question How? To our delight,
we saw a large, irregular, flat chamber which hadbeen covered by the stone.
Fortunately we had a few dead gum-trees in sight;and preparations were
instantly made. Shetouched my abdomen and then crouched down in deep grass.
The
plenary meeting of the remainder of our Command was memorablein more ways than
one. Minna-ca insisted on our leaving within seven days. The latter, however,
did not come near us. The assailed speciesleft everything behind as they poured
out.
After another interval a second ant appeared, carrying apupa.
This is
theend of all life on earth; at least of all ant-life. Science asks one
question only, she went on: the question How?
We were near enough to getting
beyond reach even should he turnback.
This wasterrible news; and it had a
depressing effect on most minds.
If safety there was for me and mine, it was
owing to her; but itwas achieved through treason.
Anna-zees head shook over her
left shoulder, and her antennætrembled.
Amid a profound silence she began her
great argument.
Fortunately, a light south wind sprang up before the day was
faradvanced.
It was piled just inside the cleared disksurrounding the mound of
the nearest colony. In order to ensure that my rest remained unbroken, I issued
ordersthat nobody should leave camp.
At that end stands neithermore nor less
than a complete realization of our ignorance. This is theend of all life on
earth; at least of all ant-life.
Did we think it would be different with our
findings?
What, then, stands at the end of acomplete exploration of the
knowable world?
At last I lowered my antennæ and turned to descend the tree.
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