Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-14

tHenry David Thoreau, 1el7-1062, was IN
W sidena or LIE IN TIE Woods. and Other
books dealing with the life Of wild things.)
One day when I went to my wood
pile I observed two large ants, the one
red, the other much larger, nearly
half an inch long, and black, fiercely
contending with one another. Having
once got hold they never let 60 but
struggled and wrestled and rolled on
the chips necessarily.
Looking further, was surprised to
find that the chips were covered with
such combatants, that 1t was not a
duel but q war between two races OF
ants, the red always pitted against
the black, and frequently two red ones
to one black. The legions of these
myrmidons covered all the hills and
wales in my woodward, and the ground
was already Strewn with the dead and
dying, both red and black.
It was the only battle which have
ever witnessed, the only battlefield
ever trod while the battle was raging;
on the one hand and the black i'm
perialistS on the other.
On every side they were engaged In
deadly combat, yet without any noises
that could hear, and human soldiers
never fought so resolutely. watched
q couple that were fast locked in each
others embraces, in . little sunny val
ley amid the chips, now at MONDAY
prepared to fight till the sun went
down, or life went out. The smaller
red champion had fastened himself
like o wise to his adversarys front. and
through all the tumblings on that field
never for an instant ceased to gnaw
at one Of his feelers near the root,
having already caused the other to 60
by the board: while the stronger black
one dashed him from side to side, and,
as I saw on looking nearer, had al
ready Invested him of several of his
members. They fought with more per-
tinacity than bulldogs. Neither mani
tested the least disposition to retreat.
It was evident that their battle cry
was: Conquer or die"
In the meanwhile there came along
o single red ant on the hillside OF this
valley, evidently full Of. excitement,
who either had dispatched his foe or
had not yet taken part IN the battle.
Probably the latter, for he had lost
none of his limbs whose mother had
charged him to return with his shield
or upon It. Or perchance he was some
Achilles, who had nourished his wrath
apart and had now come to avenge or
rescue his Patroclus.
The newcomer saw this unequal
combat from afar-for the blacks were
nearly twice the size of the reds-he
drew near with rapid pace till he stood
on his guard within half an inch OF
the combatants. Then, watching his
opportunity, he Sprang upon the black
warrior and commenced his operations
near the root of his right foreleg,
leaving the foe to select among his
own members, and so there were three
united for life, as II o new kind OF
attraction had. been invented which
put all other locks and cements to
shame.
I should not have wondered by this
time to ind that they had their re-
spective musical bands stationed on
some eminent chip and playing their
national airs the while to excite the
slow and cheer the dying combatantS.
I was myself excited somewhat even
as If they had been men. The more
you think Of 1t, the less the differ
ence.
Certainly there is not the fight re-
corded in Concord (MaSs.) history, at
least, IL in the history Of America, that
will bear o moments. comparison with
this. whether for the numbers engaged
in It or for the patriotism and heroisn
displayed. For numbers and for car
mage it was the AusterlitS or Dresden.
Concord Fight! Two killed on the pa
triots' side, and Luther Blanchard
wounded Why, hare every ant was q
Buttee1ck- "p4rel For Gods sake,
arel.-AnA Naensande ahaZed The iste