CHAPTER TEN.
LITTLE TOM IN CAPTIVITY AND FREEDOM.
THE DEFEAT OF THE REDHEADS.
MIRMEX TRIES TO FIND LITTLE TOM.
LITTLE TOM IN PRISON.
THE BANQUET OF THE REDHEADS.
LITTLE TOM BECOMES AN ARCHITECT.
HIS WALKS TO THE BROOK.
SEVEN SPOT DISCOVERS THE WHEREABOUTS OF
LITTLE TOM.
LITTLE TOM SAVED BY THE WOOD-BUG.
LITTLE TOM AND CHRYSOMELA.
THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE WINTER-SLEEP.
LITTLE TOM AND CHRYSOMELA SET OUT ON THEIR
WAY TO THE ABODES OF MEN.
The Red fighters returned to their nest in disorder and were very angry. They had lost the battle. The Blacks, after chasing them away, stopped the pursuit and returned to their homes. Mirmex hurried along among the first to learn how things were going in the town. When he approached, the guards hurried out to meet him with great joy and told him how Tom had defeated the treacherous attack of the Reds and how the town was untouched.
Mirmex at once looked for Tom to thank him and was surprised that he did not come to greet him. When he learned that Tom had gone in pursuit of the fleeing enemy, he was greatly troubled. He knew Tom's brave heart and also the cool, treacherous Redheads and he feared for the worst.
The town quickly resumed its normal life. Workers cleared the square and removed the dead bodies, while the nurses carried the chrysalises back to the upper stories; everything moved along in the regular channels, only Mirmex ran impatiently out to the paths looking and waiting for Tom's return.
But he did not return. Towards evening, the tired warriors who had accompanied him, returned and told of his brave fight and his capture. They related how he was overpowered and pulled away before they could run to his rescue.
The entire town was very sad over the fate of its brave defender. Mirmex went himself to announce the sad news to Chrysomela and the Ladybird kingdom. There was no thought of rescue. In their defenses the Red fighters were invincible. This the Black Ants knew very well. Therefore they gave up the idea of trying to free Tom. They again took up the work that had been interrupted by the fight and could no longer be delayed, as they were preparing for the winter.