PYGMY WORKERS AND BUILDERS. 103 



against the black, and frequently two red ones to one black. 

 On every side they were engaged in deadly combat, yet 

 without any noise that I could hear, and human soldiers 

 never fought so resolutely. I watched a couple that were 

 fast locked in each other's embraces, in a little sunny valley 

 amid the chips, now at noonday prepared to light till the 

 sun went down, or life went out. 



5. " The smaller red champion had fastened himself 

 like a vise to his adversary's front, and through all the 

 tumblings on that field never for an instant ceased to gnaw 

 at one of his feelers near the root, having already caused 

 the other to go by the board ; while the stronger black one 

 dashed him from side to side, and, as I saw on looking 

 nearer, had already divested him of several of his members. 

 They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither 

 manifested the least disposition to retreat. It was evident 

 that their battle-cry was 'Conquer or die.' In the mean 

 time there came along a single red ant on the hillside of 

 this valley, evidently full of excitement, who either had 

 dispatched his foe or had not yet taken part in the battle. 

 He saw this unequal combat from afar — for the blacks were 

 nearly twice the size of the reds — he drew near with rapid 

 pace till he stood on his guard within half an inch of the 

 combatants ; then, watching his opportunity, he sprang 

 upon the black warrior, and commenced his operations 

 near the root of his right foredeg, leaving the foe to select 

 among his own members ; and so there were three united 

 for life, as if a new kind of attraction had been invented 

 which put all other locks and cement to shame. 



6. " I should not have wondered by this time to find 

 that they had their respective musical bands stationed on 

 some eminent chip, and playing their national airs the 

 while to excite the slow and cheer the dying combatants. 

 I was myself excited somewhat as if they had been men. 

 The more you think of it, the less the difference. I never 



