"I did not venture to try, my boy. I did try climbing across from tree to tree, but their skirmishers were everywhere. As for jumping across, I took the chiefs word for it, that the feat was impossible. Once that kind of ant gets a grip, he does not let go, except with the morsel he has fastened on to. And there were millions!"
"I can hardly imagine you were stopped by ants," said Compton.
"The ground before us was alive as far as we could see, and red. It was like standing on the bank of a river, and the myriads went on through the day until dusk. I have seen swarms of locusts on the march in the voetganger stage, and a large swarm will cover a length of three miles, but never would I have believed so many living things could gather together."
Compton laughed again. "Held up by an army of ants! I can't get the idea."
Mr. Hume rolled back his sleeves, and there were red marks from wrist to shoulder.
"And that was done only by the scouts on the tree I attempted to climb. Muata says they have put whole villages to flight."
"Eweh," said the chief, "and even the elephant will turn from their path, else would they get into his ears, his trunk, and to the soft parts between his legs, biting each a little piece of skin. They fear nothing. Death to them is nothing. I have seen them stop a fire by the numbers of dead they heaped upon it in their march."
"So we had to wait, and it was not a pleasant time for me. But, thank goodness, you are safe—aye, and safe, thanks to your own pluck."
"Dick did it all," said Venning. "I seemed to get dizzy all at once."
"I am not surprised," said Mr. Hume, looking grave; "and I think we ought to go back. The air is too heavy."