“I’m sure Mrs Snake is not far away. I can almost smell her.”

“Stuff and nonsense!” Blinky exclaimed as he excitedly climbed the tree. “I’ve good news for you,” he said as he plumped himself down beside her.

“What is it? Do tell me,” she cried excitedly as she clapped her paws together.

“Well,” said Blinky, with a brave air, “Percy Bull Ant is bringing along two thousand soldiers. They’ll be here any minute now and then Mrs Snake and Granny Goanna will be feeling pretty sick I think. They’re coming armed to the teeth, with a fresh supply of poison and extra sharp nippers.”

“You’re wonderful!” said Miss Possum, blushing, and Blinky just managed in time to avoid being hugged.

“Gosh!” he exclaimed. “Don’t you ever dare to do that again. I’ll tell Percy if you do, and he’ll set all his boys on to you.”

“Oh, don’t, don’t, please!” cried Miss Possum. “I was so excited for the moment, that I quite forgot you were a bear, and grown up, too.”

“It was bold of you!” said Blinky sternly, “And, anyhow, I hate girls.”

“Oh, how dreadful,” sighed Miss Possum. “I am sorry.”

“Here they come! Here come the soldiers!” shouted Blinky, as he danced up and down and nearly knocked Miss Possum out of the tree.

Blinky was right. Percy Bull Ant marched at the head of a vast army, bent on business.

“Left, right, left, right,” Percy called. There seemed to be hundreds of thousands of bull ants as they advanced along the pathway. Everything scurried out of their way. Lizards rushed helter-skelter and many dropped their tails with fright. Some of the soldiers stopped to taste the tails; but, Percy, catching sight of them, ordered in a stern voice:

“No eating at present. Drop the loot and attend to business.” The ants cast wistful eyes at the tails they had to leave behind.

“Such waste!” they murmured to one another.

When they came to the foot of the tree where Blinky and Miss Possum were sitting, Percy gave his order in a ringing voice and he looked every inch a soldier, as he stood as stiff as a poker.

“Halt!” he called. Immediately the long line came to a standstill.

“Form fours!” he ordered, and the soldiers obeyed in a twinkling.

“Numbers 674 and 675 stop kicking, and stand to attention. Now, boys,” Percy called, “listen to me, and carefully follow my instructions. There’s to be no fighting among yourselves. Keep your nippers sharp, and don’t waste your poison, as you’ll need it later on. When I give the order, advance four at a time and climb half-way up this tree. Each four must take its place until the trunk of the tree is a living mass of soldiers. When Mrs Snake and Granny Go anna come along wait for my order to advance. Keep perfectly still; don’t blink an eye; then, when I call out ‘Charge!’ fight and poison with all your might.”

“Good, captain!” came the chorus.

“For the present, stand at ease,” Percy called.

Every ant lounged in the most amusing way. Some twisted hind legs round one another; others leaned on his neighbour’s shoulder, and many were tempted to use their nippers.

“Attention,” called Percy. Instantly heels clicked, and there stood the bristling army ready for attack. “Advance,” he ordered in an anty voice. “Left, right, left, right — keep in step — left, right.” Up the tree they swarmed; nearer to Blinky and Miss Possum they came.

“Let’s climb higher,” Blinky whispered. “They look so dreadful.” So Miss Possum immediately took his advice and a higher branch was sought.

Percy waited at the foot of the tree, watching and ordering the army into position, until the last ant was off the ground. The tree was a living mass of bull ants, right up to the first branch.

“Silence!” roared Percy as he gazed at the soldiers; then creeping very quietly away into the bushes, he lay in wait for the robbers.

He had not to wait long. Presently a hissing and slithering announced the coming of Mrs Snake and her companion.