There was abundant cause for this delay. For suddenly out of the edge of the Swamp, which Sosee now reached, came in full view the forces of the Ammi with Koree at their head. Sosee had dimly descried these a moment before, which was the cause of her change of course; for she started to meet them by the most direct route, knowing that if she could maintain her pace but a minute longer she would be safe. The great ape who was close at her heels stopped at the sight of the Ammi, which gave Sosee a moment more to live, and in that moment she rushed into the arms of Koree and her friends. CHAPTER XL. [Illustration] Sosee was, therefore, safe for the present. But the pursuit did not end with the escape of the fugitive. The momentum of the Apes was too great to let them stop, even when they wanted to. They accordingly rushed on before they had time to think, and fell upon the ranks of the Ammi, where their race was suddenly changed into a fight. Not knowing the numbers of the Ammi, and so not fearing them, the Lali commenced, before they had yet time to comprehend their situation, to make the best of it. Turning their eagerness into rage, they resolved to kill both Sosee and all her race; so that scarcely had she reached a place of safety when she found that she had carried danger into the ranks of her friends. The impact of the Apes on the Men was resistless. It astonished them as much by its shock as the Men had astonished the Apes by their appearance. The Ammi were thrown into a panic, and would have taken to flight had they known where to run, (for the Apes were enclosing them on all sides). All thoughts of Sosee were forgotten by both sides, and even by herself. Koree had no time to congratulate himself on her rescue, or the Lali to reproach themselves for her escape. It was a matter of life and death to all, and again the fate of the human race hung in the balance. None fight so well as those who can do nothing else. The Apes, having got into battle by chance, had to fight to get out; while the Ammi, drawn in reluctantly, had to eagerly fight back. Both parties, therefore, fought fiercely, who would gladly have quit altogether had they only known how. But, having entered a battle which neither could abandon, both felt that their only escape was through victory. Both therefore fought each other fiercely as the only way to a mutual peace. Dreadful, therefore, was the clash of fists and nails and teeth. The air was filled with cries and the ground with blood. Countless bodies lay in the snow, and many who escaped freezing, now met slaughter. Death seemed about to settle like a cloud on both forces, and to cover them all with one common shroud.