THE CUTTING-ANT OF TEXAS. 247 



spines. This is done, at least, in some cases. The 

 cutting and carrying were not done, so far as I saw, by 

 the smallest castes. The soldiers also rarely engaged in 

 this work but were seen to precede the excursion columns 

 as they moved out and up the tree, and afterward to 

 return as though engaged as scouts or pioneers. They 

 are grotesque-looking creatures as they move along 

 with a rolling gait, shaking their big heads and waving 

 their antenme. 



Here Dan joined in the conversation. 



"Mars Maylier, I doan see how you could abar to 

 mix up wid deni ants in dat away. I wouldn't do it 

 for no mone}'. Dey's entirely too wise for scch brute 

 critters. Tain't naterl wisdom nohow. How yo' s'pose 

 dey do all dem tings jes by 'msels ? Doan tell me ! 

 My ole mammy done tell me often : ' Nebber 'stroy de 

 ants, houey. Dey'z all fairies ; eb'ry one of 'em fairies; 

 'n ef yo' interfar wid' em dey '11 'witch our cows so dat 

 dey'Ugive no milk.' Dis's a great dairy county, Mars 

 Maytiel', 'n I tell yo' dar's powerful need of bein' cau- 

 tious 'bout meddlin' too much wid tings wat's got 

 secli onnaterl ways. 'Sense nic, sah, but dat's my 

 'pinion." 



"All right, Dan," I responded; "this is 'Liberty 

 Hair on our Conversation nights, and we want every 

 one to feel free to speak upon the subject before us. 

 Besides, I have now said all that 1 intend to-night, and 

 will gladly hear others." 



"Daniel," said Aunt Hannah, "doesn't thee know 

 tlint tliat is superstition '? No such power as thee 



