Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1898-02-10
AN ANTS HERolSM.
The Insect Did Not Fear Death When 1t
Seemed Inevitable.

The Insect Did Not Fear Death When 1t
Seemed Inevitable.
The sun was just setting when
returned, slightly fatigued, from
several miles ride on my wheel. AS
is my custom on returning home, l
took the garden hose and turned wa +.
ter into a small trench which had
been dug around a maple tree for
the purpose of holding water suf-
fcient time to permit the dirt ada
cent to the roots to become thor
oughly soaked.
Sitting down near the rest, my at
tention was soon attracted to a
group of small ants rushing hither
and thither in an endeavor to es-
cape. The bottom of the circular
ditch being covered, about 20 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 surround
ings. After a little one of the num-
Der proceeded leisurely around the
little island and after finishing the
circuit hurried back to his compan-
ions. 1t appeared that they then,
for the first time, realized that they
were surrounded by water. The
survey was repeaIeu several times
in quick succession. The group of
ants gathered more closely together
and seemed to be in state of rest
less anxiety. AS the water rose the
circuit grew less, the vigil more
earnest and the excitement more in
tense with each return of the senti-
mel. They rushed about over each
other in terrible state of agitation,
for the water was rapidly approach
ing. There was now hardly room
for them to stand on; just little
while and that would be under wa.
ter. They ceased struggling, settled
down into motionless inactivity and
seemed entirely resigned to thei1
fate.
picked up little stick and laid
it across the water to the point
where the ants were. They seemed
dazed and did not instantly take adj
vantage of the means of escape af
forded them. One then crawled hur
riedly up on the stick and went its
full length out and over the blades OF
grass on to the dry land. Without &
seconds hesitation he turned and re-
traced his steps back to his co1npan.
ions. Now the smallest one of the
group returned with him to dry
land. They both retraced theii
steps, and the work of rescue began.
The rest seemed passive, entirely
subservient to the will of these two.
Each, with companion, hastened
out to place of safety.
The small one was much the more
active, he rescuing about three tc
the larger's two. Time was precious
as the water was rapidly rising. Il
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 accom-
panying the rescued one each time tc
a place Of security. Why they die
not all follow the first one out whe1
he returned puzzled me, but they die
not. The smaller ant now hurried
forth with the last one. Still he was
not content and rushed back il
search of others. The little hillocl
was now melted away, and he turn
ed to seek safety Tor himself. He
did not seem as much concerned as
before. He did not hasten 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 realized that the case was
hopeless as 1ar as he was concerned
Must the bravest of them all thus
die when he could have easily made
his escape long agoS He willingly
risked his own life that he might
save others. Could more genuine
example of heroism be found in hui
man annals2 Could more striking
example of brotherly love and un.
selfish devotion be shownf Could q
more earnest solicitude for the life
of others be instancedf think not.
Within his own power this little in
sect had no possib means of escape.
He did not fear death, neither did he
die, but he was last to escape. I lift.
ed the stick from the water and laid
in on the ground. He crawled. hur.
riedly away to his companions,
whom he had so recently torn from
the grasp of death. Whatever may
have-done for them, can but fee