CHAPTER XIV.
THE OVERHEAD PATH "We were stopped by ants," said Mr.Hume, in explanation.
"By ants!" "No less.

I missed you not long after we had started, and passed the word on to the others to turn back.

And in the mean time an army of marching ants had cut the line of communications.
"Couldn't you sweep them aside, or jump over ?" "I did not venture to try, my boy.

I did try climbing across from tree to tree, but their skirmishers were everywhere.

As for jumping across, I took the chiefs word for it, that the feat was impossible.
Once that kind of ant gets a grip, he does not let go, except with the morsel he has fastened on to.