housands of the termites tumbling headlong
below.

Pshaw! how simply the thing was done! why had I not done it before? It
cost scarcely an effort to brush the myriads away, and a slight effort
would keep them off as long as I pleased.

The only annoyance I felt now was from the few that had got under my
trousers, and that still continued to bite me; but these I would get rid
of in time.

Well--I remained on the apex, now bending down to beat back the soldiers
that still swarmed upward, and then occupying myself in trying to get
rid of the few that crawled upon me. I felt no longer any uneasiness on
the score of the insects--though I was not a bit better off as regarded
the bull, who still kept guard below. I fancied, however, that he now
showed symptoms of weariness, and would soon raise the siege; and this
prospect made me feel more cheerful.

A sudden change came over me. A new thrill of terror awaited me.

While jumping about upon the top of the cone, my footing suddenly gave
way--the baked clay broke with a dead crash, and I sank through the
roof. My feet shot down into the hollow dome--till I thought I must have
crushed the great queen in her chamber--and I stood buried to the neck.

I was surprised, and a little terrified, not by the shock I had
experienced in the sudden descent. That was natural enough, and a few
moments would have restored my equanimity; but it was something else
that frightened me. It was something that moved under my feet as they
'touched bottom,'--something that moved and heaved under them, and then
passed quickly away, letting me still farther down!

What could it be? Was it the great swarm of living ants that I pressed
upon? I did not think it was. It did not feel like them. It seemed to
be something bulky and strong, for it held up my whole weight for a
moment or two, before it slipped from under me.

Whatever it was, it frightened me very considerably; and I did not leave
my feet in its company for five seconds time. No: the hottest furnace
would scarce have scorched them during the time they remained inside the
dark dome. In five seconds they were on the walls again--on the broken
edges, where I had mounted up, and where I now stood quite speechless
with surprise!

What next? I could keep the ants off no longer. I gazed down the dark
cavity; they were swarming up that way in thick crowds. I could brush
them down no more.

My eyes at this moment chanced to wander to the bull.