The Red Ants 



of the column. Nevertheless, an attempt Is 

 made to cross the torrent by means of a few 

 bits of gravel projecting above the water; 

 then, failing to find bottom, the more reck- 

 less of the Ants are swept off their feet and, 

 without loosing hold of their prizes, drift 

 away, land on some shoal, regain the bank 

 and renew their search for a ford. A few 

 straws borne on the waters stop and become 

 so many shaky bridges, on which the Ants 

 climb. Dry olive-leaves are converted into 

 rafts, each with its load of passengers. The 

 more venturesome, partly by their own ef- 

 forts, partly by good luck, reach the opposite 

 bank without adventitious aid. I see some 

 who, dragged by the current to one or the 

 other bank, two or three yards off, seem very 

 much concerned as to what they shall do next. 

 Amid this disorder, amid the dangers of 

 drowning, not one lets go her booty. She 

 would not dream of doing so : death sooner 

 than that! In a word, the torrent is crossed 

 somehow or other along the regular track. 



The scent of the road cannot be the cause 

 of this, it seems to me, for the torrent not 

 only washed the ground some time before- 

 hand, but also pours fresh water on it all the 

 143 



