The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-09
An Ante ueroIsm

w. A<caAs ohopS
The u was just setting when I re-
turned, slightly fatigued, from several
miles rid on my wheel. As is my Gus
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 a sufficient time to permit the
dirt adjacent to the roots to become
thoroughly soaked.
Sitting down near by. my attention
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 aunts sought safety on
a large clod OF earth. At first they
were scattered about over the highest
part OF the little mound, and to all APP
pearance were Indifferent as to their
surroundings.
After a little while one of the num-
Der proceeded leisurely around the lit
tie island. and after finishing the cir
cult hurried pack to his companions. 1t
appeared that they then, for the first
time, realized that they were surround
ed by water. The survey was repeated
several times in quick succession. The
group of ants gathered more closely to-
gether and seemed to be in a state OF
restless anxiety. AS the water rose the
circuit grew less, the vigil more earn
est and the excitement more. intense
with each return of the sentinel. They
rushed about over each other in a ter
rible state OF agitation. for the water
was rapidly approaching. There was
now hardly room for them to stand
on; just a little while and that would
be under water. They ceased strug-
CLING, settled down into motionless in
activity and seemed entirely resigned
to their fate.
I picked up a little stick and laid it
across the water to the point where
the ants were. They seemed daZed.
and did not instantly take advantagc
of the means Of escape thus afforded
them. One then crawled hurrledly
upon the stick, went it's full length out
and over the blades of grass on to the
dry land. Without a seconds hesita-
ton he turned and retraced his steps
back to his companions. Now the
smallest one Of the group returned with
him to dry land. They both retraced
their steps and the work OF rescue be-
gan. They seemed passive, entirely
subservient to the will of these two.
Each, with n companion, fastened out
to a place of safety.
The small one was much the more
active, rescuring three to the larger
ones two. Time was precious. as the
water was rapidly rising; it would soon
NC IuiIiIIlS dIouHu tnt outer emu OF
the stick and the island was melting
away. One by one they were taken
out, the guide accompanying the res
cued one each time TO a place of secur-
ity. 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 little hillock was now melted
away, and he turned to seek safety for
himself. He did not seem so much con-
cerned as before. He did not hasten
on, as when conscious Of rescufng 9TH
ers. 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 realiz-
ed that the case was hopeless, as far
as he was concerned.
Must the bravest OF them all thus
die when he could easily have made
his escape long ago? He willingly risk
ed his own life hat he night serve
others. Gould a more genuine example
or herofsm be found in human annals?
Could a more striking example OF
~brotherIy love and unsefish devotion
be shown? Could a more earnest sclic-
itude for the life OF others be i~nstanc-
ed? / think not.
Within his own power this little n
sect had no possible means OF escape.
He did not fear death; nor did he die:
but he was last to escape. I lifted the.
STICK from the water and laid IL on
the ground. He crawied hurriedly away
TO his companions, whom he had so
recently torn from the grasp of death.
Whatever j may have done for them,
] can but feel that, in his example. the.
little hero ant did much more for me.
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