He moves through the woods like a steel machine.

And when he scents the bird--ah, it is beautiful! Shouldn't you like to see him then ?" Some of the ants had perhaps made war-like motions, and Stanley was pretending that this was a reason for excitement.

He reared aback, and made grumbling noises in his throat.
After another pause Hawker went on: "And now see the precious old fool! He is deeply interested in the movements of the little ants, and as childish and ridiculous over them as if they were highly important .-- There, you old blockhead, let them alone!" Stanley could not be induced to end his investigations, and he told his master that the ants were the most thrilling and dramatic animals of his experience.
"Oh, by the way," said Hawker at last, as his glance caught upon the crags across the river, "did you ever hear the legend of those rocks yonder?
Over there where I am pointing?
Where I'm pointing?
Did you ever hear it?
What?
Yes?
No?
Well, I shall tell it to you." He settled comfortably in the long grass..