“This is Monday, is it not?” Harvey asked.
“Yes, and a decidedly blue Monday,” was the reply.
Toward evening they voted it the most miserable day of the journey, and their only comfort came from the Peruvian, who assured them that the heavy rains in that season seldom lasted for more than one day.
The rule held in this instance, and soon after dark the clouds were driven away, the moon silvered the dripping trees and bushes, and the travellers were able to emerge from under the canvas. By digging beneath some leaves, they found dried, decayed wood, that served admirably for fuel, and soon had a roaring blaze started, over which they cooked some fish that Harvey had caught during the afternoon.
After leaving the dense forest behind, they followed the Marañon through a much more open country. There were many trees, but they were not so close together, nor were they so tangled with vines, and the undergrowth also became thinner. This was due to a change in the soil, they having passed from the region of black earth to a land that contained more sand. It became quite rocky close to the river, and they were compelled to make frequent detours from the bank because of the boulders through which the stream passed.
One morning all became very much interested in witnessing a body of foraging ants, to which their attention was called by Señor Cisneros.
“These little creatures can be seen only in South and Central America,” he said, “and they have the reputation of being the wisest of all antdom. Look how they are marching in regular phalanxes, with officers in command!”
The diminutive black and gray army covered a space about three yards square, and was moving from the river across the path.
“I will interrupt their progress,” said the Peruvian, “and we shall have plenty of opportunity to observe them. Fetch me that pot full of water, Harvey.”
While the lad was hastening to the river, he dug with one of the picks until he had made a narrow channel about ten feet long, into which he poured the water as soon as it was brought him, and just as the vanguard of the ant army approached. The little soldiers halted on the edge of this ditch, and from the sides and rear hurried ants that evidently were officers.