ve honey
instead of milk," replied his uncle, with an odd smile. "And I have
certainly seen folks who were not as wise as the ants."

"But never mind the cows, Uncle Ben," persisted Harry. "I want to hear
about the foraging ants. Where do they belong, and what queer things do
they do?"

"They are a South American ant," was the reply. "They may be seen at
certain seasons marching along the ground in a long column, much like an
army. They have officers, too. These are large-headed ants that march
outside the column, and keep it in order. It is an immense army they
command, I can assure you--greater than that with which Xerxes in old
times invaded Greece; for there may be millions of ants in the line.
There is another species which does not march in column, but in a close
mass, often covering from six to ten square yards of ground."

"But what are they after?" asked Harry.

"That's jes what I wants to know," observed Willie, whose curiosity had
returned.

"They are after food," replied their uncle. "It is amusing to see the
insects scampering off from their line of march. They seem to know the
danger that threatens them, for scarcely a living thing escapes the
sharp jaws of these fierce foragers. They send out side columns to
search the ground and the bushes and low trees. When any insect is
found, it is instantly surrounded and covered by these marauders, and
torn to pieces, and carried off in fragments. But it is not in the trees
and on the ground that they find their chief prey."

"Where, then?" asked Harry, his great blue eyes fixed with speaking
interest on his uncle's countenance.

"In the houses. The foraging ants are a perfect blessing to the people
of the villages, not a pest, as ants are in our houses. These warm
regions, you know, have multitudes of insects that we never see. The
houses are infested not only with rats and mice, roaches and fleas, but
with snakes and scorpions, with huge spiders and with many other
unpleasant things; so the village folks are glad enough to see the
approach of the foraging ants. They throw open every door in their
houses, unlock their drawers and trunks, and pull the clothes out on the
floor. They then vacate the houses, and leave them to the ants, who soon
stream in. Those who have seen them say that it is a wonderful
spectacle. Nothing living escapes them. They search every hole, nook,
and cranny. Here, dozens may be seen surrounding a great spider or
scorpion; there, t