ground about it." Then the two Ants went away together, and the listener
ran for a spade.


By digging in the neighborhood of the pillar, he soon found a number of
large jars full of gold coin. The discovery of this treasure made him a
very rich man.


Afterwards he often tried to listen to the conversation of Ants. But he
was never again able to hear them speak. The ointment of the goddess had
opened his ears to their mysterious language for only a single day.

*



Now I, like that Chinese devotee, must confess myself a very ignorant
person, and naturally unable to hear the conversation of Ants. But the
Fairy of Science sometimes touches my ears and eyes with her wand; and
then, for a little time, I am able to hear things inaudible, and to
perceive things imperceptible.



II


For the same reason that it is considered wicked, in sundry circles, to
speak of a non-Christian people having produced a civilization ethically