The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-10
An ANTS
Having Rescued Many. the Insect Did Not
Fear Death when IL seemed Inevitable.

Fear Death when IL seemed Inevitable.
From the St. Louis Globe. Democrat.
The sun was just setting when l returned.
slightly ~fatigued, from several miles ride on my
wheel. As is my custom on returning home. 1
took the garden hose and turned water into a
small trench which had been dug around a ma
pie tree for the purpose of holding water a suf-
ficient time to permit the dirt adjacent to the
roots to become thoroughly soaked.
Sitting down near the rest, my attention was
soon attracted to a group Of small ants rushing
hither and thither in an endcavor to escape.
The bottom OF the circular ditch being covered.
about twenty OF the ants 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 appearance were indifferent as to their
surroundings. After n little one OF the number
proceeded leisurely around the little island, and
after finishing the circuit hurried back 10 his
companions. ltappcared that they then. for tho
first time. realized that they were surrounded by
water. The survey was repeated several times
in quick succession. The group of ants gath
| cred more closely together and seemed to be in q
state of restless anxiety. As the water rose the
circuit grew less, the vigil more earnest. and tho
excitement more intense with each return of the
sentinel. They rushed about over each other in
a terrible state Of agitation, for the water was
rapidly approaching, There was NV hardly
o'' 49, S'' SN,' ''''' "s'''s ''''"
that would De under water. They ceased strug-
| Cling, settled down into motionless inactivity,
and seemed entirely resigned 10 their fate.
picked mp "A little stick and laid IL across the
water to thc point where the ants were. They
seemed daZed, AID lid not instantly take adj
vantage at tie means OF escape afforded them.
One then crrNlct hurriGily NJ on the stick.
grass on 10 the dry land, Without a seconds
hesitation ne turned and retraccd his steps
b. 6sc i6s to 1 his So% rrrn40"S w inv b the smallest IN arS lo %nc
They both rctraged their steps, and he work Of
rescue HeE1n; The he rS wh Yee eg pasS,ye; entirely
with n companion, FASTENED out 10 n place of
sufety.
Tho small one was much the more active. he
rescuing about three 10 the lhrger's two. Time
was precious. as the water was, rapidly rising;
il would soon be running around The outer end
onc by on" hey were taken ont. the guide, nc'
oGm secnrIty. VI Wh gsi thSy S Sid not nSn t ali to il Pile the
first one out when he returned puzzled nue., bnt
thsy did not; The 'I Z, r. ant now hurried forth
rushed back in search OF others; The little
hiluck was now melted away, and he turned 10
much concerned as before. he did not hasten
ON as when conscious Of r%cscuing others. The
rvenue of escape seemed closed to him forever.
lie went to the highest point and settled 10 =;
perfectly still. HIS previous conduct convinced
me that he now fully realized that the case was
hopeless as far rs he was concerned.
MgoE The eraHesb OF men bi Az tnnI die when ne
willingly risked h = " life that he might save
others. Could a more genuine example Of hero
ism be found In human annals Could u more
striking example OF brOtherly love ana unscilsh
devotion he siowni Could a more earnest solic'
itude for the lie of others be instanccd think
not. Within his own power this little insect
had no possible means of escape. He did not
fear death; neither did he die, but he Was last
to escape. ! lifted the stick from ,hs water aud
away TO his companions. whom he had 50 recent.
ly torn from tho grasp Of death. Whatever !
may have done for them. | can but feel that, in
his example. tho little hero ant dio much more
for ma.