The St. Mary banner., 1906-01-20

Tommy's Adventure.

1omnys Adventure.
1t was a hot day in August, the sun
shcne steadily down on the little vii
lage, the bees hummed loudly and
Tommy discontentedly threw himself
down on the lawn and began to chew
the spears Of grass. Passers-by would
wonder why such a generally happy
boy was so cross. After riding in
turns on his pony and bicycle and tir-
ing himself and every one else, he had
wandered out on the grass, thinking
thus to smooth his rUtiled feelings He
yawned a little. for he was drowsv,
and looked about for something to
amuse him.
Right under him he saw a colony Of
ants that were busily preparing some
breaches in their home, and the busy
workers were trotting to and fro car
rying bits of sand. Tommy's bright
eyes soon spied the little homie. and
although he was not naturally a cruel
boy, he was glad to have found this to
amuse him. Taking up small peb
bic, he placed it at the entrance, and
anXiOusly awaited for the result.
Some of the little workers soon ap-
Deared, and great was their dismay at
seeing the obstruction in their path.
They ran this way and that, and final
~ they all disappeared, as if going for
reinforcements.
Tommy was sOon ~earied Of this
l. ;,< fa,
when with a scream ke opened them.
In front of him stood an awful looking
creature larger than himself. and hold
ing pair Of handouts. He wsS glar-
ing at Tommy, and the hair on F.a lit
tie boys head stood up with fright,
back.
What do you want. sir?" faltered
the boy.
"You!" growled the creature, shaking
the chains. Come along with me.
young fellow, the king wishes to see
you"
me? What for?" exclaimed the as
tonished Tommy. What have been
doing?"
Our king is the king of the ants,
and | am the jailer. katchem, sent at
his majesty's command to imprison
you in the royal prison for placing a
large rock at the gate of the city when
the workers were out. thus shutting
out the light and making the palace
very damp, so that Princess Antamie
has pneumonia For this you are to
appear before his royal highness and
be judged according to his will. So
come along" and the jailer clanked
his chains and helped the terrified
Tommy upon his trembling legs and
fastened the chains securely on him.
They shortly arrived at the city
gates, where Tommy saw very ex-
cited group Of ants. surrounding an
object which proved to be large
brown rock that they were trying to
remove. Some of the more blood
thirsty of the crowd attempted to do
violence to Tommy, but Ketchem pro-
tected him and hurried him to the
council hall. on the wa ymeeting par
ties Of ants coming from the sick
room of the princess. The hall was
large and crowded with ants. but
Tommy was dragged to the throne,
on which sat a big black king. who
savagely asked him what he had to
say. Tommy was too frightened to
reply, so ketchem stated the facts of
the case, calling up several witnesses
to prove Tommy's deed. After a time
the king wearied of this. and ordered
Tommy sent to his cell to await the
rest Of the consultation of the court
physicians
Ketchem then took the prisoner
through long hall At first he could
not see. as his eyes were not used to
the dim light, but presently he made
out a tiny window high up in the wall.
His first thought was of escape, but
how was he to do it? The door was
bolted and the passages were guarded
by sentinels After a time he noticed
that the walls of the cell were earth
en-, and the plan which came to our
hero's mind was to dig his way out. A
sharp stone was found in distant
,.el Il: L.. 4.