The age-herald., 1897-09-19
AN ANT HERO.
A Pretty Story of Marvellous Courage and Dego-
 ton in an Ant Colony.

From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
 The sun was just setting when I re- turned, slightly fatigued, from several miles ride on my wheel. As is my cus- tom on returning home, I took the gar den hose and turned water into a small trench which had been dug around a. maple tree for the purpose of holding water sufficient time to permit the dirt adjacent to the roots to become thor oughly soaked.
 Sitting down nearby to rest, my atten- tion was soon attracted to a group of small ants rushing hither and thither in an endeavor to escape. The bottom of the circular ditch being covered, about twenty of the ants sought safety on large clod of earth. At first they were scattered about over the highest part of the little mound, and to all appearances were indifferent as to their surround ings. After little one of the number proceeded leisurely around the little island, and after finishing the circuit, hurried back to his companions. It ap- peared that they then, for the first time, realized that they were surrounded by water. The survey was repeated several times in quick succession. The group of ants gathered more closely together and seemed to be in a state of restless anxiety.
 As the water rose the circuit grew less, the vigil more earnest, and the ex- citement more intense with each return of the sentinel. They rushed about over each other in a terrible stae of agita- tion, for the water was rapidly ap- preaching. Ther was now hardly room for them to stand on; just a little while, and that would be under water. They ceased struggling, settled down into motionless inactivity, and seemed en- trely resigned to their fate. I picked up little stick and laid it across the water to the point where the ants were
 They seemed dazed, and did not in- stantly take advantage of the means of escape afforded them One of them crawled hurriedly upon the stick, went its full length out, and over the blades of grass on to the dry land. Without a seconds hesitation he turned and re- traced his steps back to his compan- ions. Now, the smallest one of the group returned with him to dry land. They both retraced their steps, and the work of rescue began. The others seem ed passive, entirely subservient to the will of the other two. Each, with a com- panion, hastened out to place of safe ty The small one was much the more active, he rescuing about three to the larger ones two. Time was precious, as the water was rapidly rising; 1t would soon be running around the outer end of the stick, and the island was melting away.
 One by one they were taken out, the guide accompanying the rescued one each time to a place of security, Why they did not all follow the first one out when he returned puzzled me, but they did not. The smaller ant now hurried forth with the last one. Still he was not content, and rushed back in search of others. The attle hillock was now melt ed away, and he turned to seek safety for himself. He did not seem as much concerned as before. He did not ha asten on as when conscious of rescuing others.
 The water was running around the stick. The last avenue of escape seemed closed to him forever. He went to the highest point, and settled down perfectly still. His previous conduct convinced me that he now fully real dzed that the case was hopeless as far as he was concerned. Must the bravest of them all thus die when he could have easily made his escape long ago? He willingly risked his own life that he might save others. Could a more genu- inc example of heroism be found in hu- man annals? Could more striking ex- ample of true brotherly love and unsel- fish devotion be shown? Could a more earnest solicitude for the life of others be instanced? I think not. Within his own power this little insect had no pos sible means of escape. I lifted the stick from the water and laid it out on the ground. He crawled hurnedly away to alis companions whom he had so re- gently torn from the grasp of death. Whatever may have done for them can but feel that, in his example, the little hero ant did much more for me.