The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-03-28
A BRAVE LITTLE ANT.
WILLING TO LOSE HIS OWN LIFE TO
SAVE HIS FELLOWS.

NaturaIist's Interesting story of
the Heroisni Displayed by One of
These Tiny Creatures In "a Moment
OF Extreme Peril.
The sun was just setting, writes a
naturalist, when / returned slightly
fatigued, from several miles ride on
my wheel. AS is my CUSTOM on re-
turning home, took the gvrden hose
and turned water into a srcat trench
which had been dug around n maple
tree for the purpose Of holding water
a sufficient time to permit the dirt ad.
Jacent to the roots to become thorough
ly soaked
Sitting down near the tree to rest
my attention was soon attracted to Il
group Of small ants rushing hither and
thithcr in an endeavor to escape. The
bottom Of the circular ditch being COW
cred, about 20 of the ants sought safe
ty on a large clod OF earth at first
they were scattered about over the
highest part of the little mound and to
oil appearances were Indifferent MS to
their surroundings.
After little one Of the number pro.
NSSuSu ASiSUiCiS the illltc lS-
land, and after finishing the circuit 1t
hurried back to It's companions. 1t ap-
pcarcd that they then for the first time
realized that they were surrounded by
water. The survey was repeated sew
cral times In quick succession. The
group Of ants gathered more closely to.
gcther aud seemed to be in Il state Of
restless anxiety.
AS the water rose the circuit grew
less. the vigil more earnest and the OK
element more intense with each re-
turn Of the sentinel. They rushed
about over each other IN e terrible
state of agitation. for the water was
rapidly approaching. There was now
hardly room for them to stand on-just
a little white, and that would be soon
under water. They ceased struggling.
settled down into motionlcss inactivity
and seemed entirely resigned to their
fate.
picked up a little stick and laid it
across the water to the point where
the ants were. They seemed dazcd
and did not instantly take advantage
OF the means of escape afforded them.
One then crawlcd hurriedly up ON the
stick and went It's length out and over
the blades Of grass OH to the dry land.
Without seconds hesitation he turn
ed and rctraced Ills steps back to bic
companions. 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
rest seemed passive, entirely subservi-
ent to the will Of these two. Each
with n companion. hastened out to n
place Of safety.
The small one was much the more
active, she rescuing about three to the
larger's 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 melt
Ing away. One by one they were TAX
en- out, the guide accompanying the
rescued one each time to place Of Sc
curity. Why they did not oil follow
the lrst one cut WHEN ie returned puz-
zled me, but they did not. The smaller
ant now hurried forth with the last
one. Still lie was not content and rush.
ed back In search Of others.
The little hillock was now melted
away, and he turned to seek safety for
himself. He did not seem as much con-
cerned rs before. He did not hasten
on as when conscious Of rescuing 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 real
lied 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 es-
cape long ago? He willingly risked his
own life that he might save others.
Could more genuine example Of hero
ism be found In human annals? Could
q more striking example of brotherly
love and nnseiash devotion be shown?
Could more earnest solicitude for the
life Of others be instanced? / 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 the water and
laid 1t on the ground. He crawled hur-l
riedly away to his companions, whom
he had SO recently torn from the grasp
Of death. Whatever l may have done
for them, can but feel that in this cx-
ample the little hero ant did much
more for me.-St. Louis Globe Demo-
crat.
Where We Get Cavinre.