If he had known what was in store for him he might not have left just then.
XVII
DADDY IS ATTACKED
When Daddy Longlegs went to call on Rusty Wren he did not know that a whole army had planned to capture him. But it was true, nevertheless, that a plot had been hatched against him. Now, right beneath the big old cherry tree where Rusty had his home there lived a colony of ants. And it was Rusty's habit—and his wife's, as well—to enjoy an occasional meal (or a light luncheon) by capturing and eating such ants as were not spry enough to keep out of harm's way.
Such actions only served to make the Wren family heartily disliked by every[p. 82] member of the ant colony. But there was nothing the ants could do except to try to be careful. And they were so angry that since they were powerless to harm the Wrens, they were quite ready and eager to vent their spite on Rusty's smaller friends.
That was the reason why they had determined to attack Daddy Longlegs at the very first opportunity.
Yes! The members of the ant colony had made up their minds to capture Daddy the next time he should visit Rusty Wren. And the ant army of fierce fighters was all prepared for a terrible battle. Each day sentinels took their posts and stayed on watch, ready to give the alarm the moment Daddy Longlegs came hobbling through the grass near the foot of the cherry tree.
And when, at last, Daddy fell into the[p. 83] trap, on the day that he visited Rusty to boast about his wagon ride, the news of his arrival spread like wildfire.