132 IN THE LAND OF THE BORA. 



and attempted to seize the precious ball, where- 

 upon its owner seized her. A truly Homeric 

 battle ensued. Erect on their hind legs they 

 grappled with each other, and the sound of their 

 mandibles' useless attempts on each other's armour 

 was plainly audible. At last the pirate fairly 

 cross-buttocked the other, and rushed to seize the 

 causa teterrima belli. The owner was too quick 

 for her, however, and both grappled the ball at 

 once, and let it go to resume the contest. The 

 struggle, though no doubt terribly earnest to them, 

 was inexpressibly comical to me, and exactly 

 resembled the " business " of two " knockabouts " 

 on the variety stage. At last the rightful owner 

 left the other sprawling, and, seizing the ball, 

 resumed her retreat as before, only to be again 

 followed and overtaken, when the conflict began 

 again. This happened a score of times, but in 

 the end the gods fought for the right. After what 

 was no doubt a very severe round, the pirate did 

 not at once resume the chase, but remained 

 feeling her antennae and fore legs carefully for 

 some time. Then she set off again. Meanwhile 

 a third beetle, attracted no doubt by the war-cries 

 of the combatants — which I need hardly say were 

 inaudible to me — joined in the chase. The original 

 beetle had now got a good start, and it was highly 

 ludicrous to see the other two in pursuit, stopping 

 now and then, evidently to listen for the object 



