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Page 142
They seem to understand and act upon the tactics of Napoleon, and
concentrate with great speed their heaviest forces upon the point of
attack. In an incredibly short space of time the mouse, or dog, or
leopard, or deer, is overwhelmed, killed, eaten, and the bare skeleton
only remains.
They seem to travel night and day. Many a time have I been awakened out
of a sleep, and obliged to rush from the hut and into the water to save
my life, and after all suffered intolerable agony from the bites of the
advance-guard, that had got into my clothes.
When they enter a house they clear it of all living things. Cockroaches
are devoured in an instant. Rats and mice spring round the room in vain.
An overwhelming force of ants kill a strong rat in less than a minute,
in spite of the most frantic struggles, and in less than another minute
its bones are stripped. Every living thing in the house is devoured.
They will not touch vegetable matter. Thus they are in reality very
useful, as well as dangerous, to the natives, who have their huts
cleaned of all the abounding vermin, such as immense cockroaches and
centipedes, at least several times a year.
When on their march the insect world flies before them, and I have often
had the approach of an ant-army heralded to me by this means. Wherever
they go they make a clean sweep, even ascending to the tops of the
highest trees in pursuit of their prey.
Their manner of attack is an impetuous leap. Instantly the strong
pincers are fastened, and they let go only when the piece gives way.
At such times this little animal seems animated by a kind of fury which
causes it to disregard entirely its own safety, and to seek only the
conquest of its prey. The bite of these ants is very painful.
The natives relate that in former times it was the custom to expose
criminals in the path of these ants, as the most cruel way that was
known of putting them to death.
* * * * *
Directions for Reading.--Name the _emphatic words_ in the last
paragraph of the lesson, and mark the _inflections_.
In determining upon the _emphasis_ to be given to the words of a
sentence, the only guide we have to follow is the _meaning_. We must
ask ourselves, "Which, words are of special importance to the meaning?"
* * * * *
Language Lesson.--Change each of the sentences given below to
_statements_, expressing as nearly as possible the same meaning.
"What troubles you to-day?"
"Tell me at once what the matter is!"
"Let us shout for Meccatina, and its mountains bare and brown!"
Model.--"What is your name?" changed to the form of a _statement_,
becomes--"I wish you to tell me your name."
Let pupils write four _questions_, and then change them to
_statements_, expressing as nearly as possible the same meaning.
* * * * *
LESSON LXXV.
plun'dered, _stripped of their goods by force_.
surge, _a rolling swell of water; billows_.
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