The Red Ants 



troops north of their barracks; I seldom see 

 them in the south. This part of the garden 

 is, if not wholly unknown, at least much less 

 familiar to them than the other. Having said 

 that, let us observe the conduct of the strayed 

 Ant. 



I take up my position near the Ant-hill; 

 and, when the column returns from the slave- 

 raid, I force an Ant to step on a leaf which I 

 hold out to her. Without touching her, I 

 carry her two or three paces away from her 

 regiment: no more than that, but in a south- 

 erly direction. It is enough to put her astray^ 

 to make her lose her bearings entirely. I see 

 the Amazon, now replaced on the ground, 

 wander about at random, still, I need hardly 

 say, with her booty in her mandibles; I see 

 her hurry away from her comrades, thinking 

 that she is rejoining them; I see her retrace 

 her steps, turn aside again, try to the right, 

 try to the left and grope in a host of direc- 

 tions, without succeeding in finding her where- 

 abouts. The pugnacious, strong-jawed slave- 

 hunter is utterly lost two steps away from her 

 party. I have in mind certain strays who, 

 after half an hour's searching, had not suc- 

 ceeded in recovering the route and were go-^ 

 149 



