arming all over the hill, already clustering upon my shoes, and
crawling still higher, were the crowds of angry ants. Every hole that
the bull had made was yielding out its throng of spiteful insects; and
all appeared moving towards _me_!

"Small as the creatures were, I fancied I saw design in their movements.
They seemed all actuated with the same feeling--the same impulse--that
of attacking me. I could not be mistaken in their intent. They moved
all together, as if guided and led by intelligent beings; and they
advanced towards the spot on which I stood.

"I saw, too, that they were the _soldiers_. I knew these from the
workers, by their larger heads and long horny mandibles. I knew they
could bite fiercely and painfully.

"The thought filled me with horror. I confess it, I never was so
horrified before. My late encounter with the lion was nothing to
compare with it.

"My first impression was that I would be destroyed by the termites. I
had heard of such things--I remembered that I had. It was that, no
doubt, that frightened me so badly. I had heard of men in their sleep
being attacked by the white ants, and bitten to death. Such memories
came crowding upon me at the moment, until I felt certain, that if I did
not soon escape from that spot, the ants would _sting me to death and
eat me up_!"

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

A HELPLESS BEAST.

"What was to be done? How was I to avoid both enemies? If I leaped
down, the wildebeest would kill me to a certainty. He was still there,
with his fierce eye bent upon me continually. If I remained where I
was, I would soon be covered with the swarming hideous insects, and
eaten up like an old rag.

"Already I felt their terrible teeth. Those that had first crawled to
my feet I had endeavoured to brush off; but some had got upon my ankles,
and were biting me through my thick woollen socks! My clothes would be
no protection.

"I had mounted to the highest part of the cone, and was standing upon
its apex. It was so sharp I could scarcely balance myself, but the
painful stings of the insects caused me to dance upon it like a
mountebank.

"But what signified those, that had already stung my ankles, to the
numbers that were likely soon to pierce me with their venomous darts?
Already these were swarming up the last terrace. They would soon cover
the apex of the cone upon which I was standing. They would crawl up my
limbs in myriads--they would--

"I could