Part 17 (2/2)
co up the stream, the existence of which et so you'll do alreed Blake
”This is easy cos we've done,” Joe remarked ”You'll become just as fascinated with it as we are, Mr
Alcando”
”I hope so,” he adle than this if I take the views our company wants Perhaps I can induce you to come to South America and make films for us in case I can't do it,” he concluded
”Well, we're in the business,” reet so you can take for yourself just as good pictures as we can”
”Do you really think so?” asked the Spaniard, eagerly
”I'm sure of it,” Blake said
The little suspicions both he and Joe had entertained of their companion seemed to have vanished Certainly he neither did nor said anything that could be construed as dangerous He was a polished gentlereat friends He often referred to the runaway accident
As for the odd, ticking box, it seemed to have been put carefully away, for neither Blake nor Joe saw it, nor had they heard the click of it when they went near Mr Alcando's possessions
The first night in the jungle was spent aboard the boat It was pleasant enough,away the pests that are said to cause s But, thanks to the activities of the Areatly lessened in the canal zone
”And now for sole life!” cried Blake the next day, as the little party set off into the forest, a group of laborers withahead to clear the way
For several ” was seen, and Blake and Joe were beginning to feel that perhaps they had had their trouble for nothing Now and then they cale, where a native had chopped down the brush and trees to make a place for his palm-thatched and mud-floored hut A few of thee Life was very sile of Panama
”Oh, Blake, look!” suddenly cried Joe, as they alking along a native path ”What queer insects They are like leaves”
The boys and Mr Alcando sahat seeh the jungle
”Those are real leaves the ants carry,” explained the guide, who spoke very good English ”They are called leaf-cutting ants, and each one of the a leaf he has cut from some tree”
On closer inspection the boys saw that this was so Each ant carried on its back a triangular leaf, and the odd part, or, rather, one of the odd features, was that the leaf was carried with the thin edge forward, so it would not blow in the wind
”What do they do with 'em?” asked Joe ”Eat 'euide ”The ants put the leaves away until they are covered with a fungus growth It is this fungus that the ants eat, and when it has all been taken froht out of the ant hoht in These ants are bringing in a fresh lot now, you see”
”How odd!” exclaiet a picture of this, Joe”
”We surepictures of such ss as ants?” asked Mr Alcando
”We'll put on an enlarging lens, and get the camera close to the several files