And the night was full of stars and Gimbo of fleas, and as they passed each other on the way of time the problems of life were unfolding to reason. CHAPTER XXXVI. [Illustration] The next day the Ammi were startled at the sight of a strange ape, which was at first taken for one of the Lali, and they thought that the rest would soon be upon them. He was soon seen, however, to be of a different species, and so was allowed to pass unmolested. Next a whole group of apes appeared; but, as they were small and apparently peaceable, they produced no consternation. It was deemed best, however, to make a reconnoisance; and so Pounder and Cocoanut-scooper each climbed a tree to examine the surrounding country. They reported the Swamp full of apes, which wandered about in groups apparently without purpose. There were generally a male and three or four females together. These were some of the immigrants which had recently come from the north, and were going south to escape the cold. They had remained a few days with the Lali, and were now scattering in all directions. The Lali themselves, they said, had all determined to migrate. The Ammi, being therefore relieved of their fears, now determined to return to the battle-field. For, as the reënforcements of the Lali had dispersed, they thought they could safely fight them again. They accordingly started back toward the Lali with renewed courage. The cold was still increasing, and the waters of the Swamp through which they had come were frozen over. For most of the way they walked on ice, which made their return easy. They found some animals and birds along the route, which had been frozen to death, of which they ate as they went, and from which they re-supplied their stores. “The cold has made a bridge for us across the waters,” said Koree, “and we can now walk where we before waded.” “True,” said Oko, “but it has taken away the water, and we shall have no fish, and not even anything to drink.” “It has turned the water into stone,” observed another, “and the land has all been changed into a white foam, so that we shall hereafter have neither land nor water.” The situation was critical indeed. The whole earth seemed about to be taken from them, or else turned into a new substance, cold, hard and forbidding. “What can we do,” asked Oko, “but migrate like the Lali?” “Splash!” “Splash!” “Splash!” Such were the sounds now heard in quick succession, and accompanying them were cries, growls and great confusion. The ice had broken and let some of them into the water. Pounder, Cocoanut-scooper, Abroo, Oko, and others were floundering in the waves, some swimming and others wading to their chins. The whole army was thrown into a panic. The earth seemed to have given way beneath them, or what they supposed to be new formed solid rock. [Illustration: THE AMMI BREAKING THROUGH THE ICE.] “It doesn’t look as if the water had given out,” growled Pounder, with a savage glance at Oko.