Certainly I could--why did I not think of it before?
"I was not long in taking off my jacket.

I laid aside my useless gun, dropping it upon one of the lower terraces.

I caught the jacket by the collar; and, using it as a duster, I cleared the sides of the cone in a few moments, having sent thousands of the termites tumbling headlong below.
"Pshaw! how simply the thing was done! why had I not done it before?
It cost scarcely an effort to brush the myriads away, and a slight effort would keep them off as long as I pleased.
"The only annoyance I felt now was from the few that had got under my trousers, and that still continued to bite me; but these I would get rid of in time.
"Well--I remained on the apex, now bending down to beat back the soldiers that still swarmed upward, and then occupying myself in trying to get rid of the few that crawled upon me.

I felt no longer any uneasiness on the score of the insects--though I was not a bit better off as regarded the bull, who still kept guard below.

I fancied, however, that he now showed symptoms of weariness, and would soon raise the siege; and this prospect made me feel more cheerful.
"A sudden change came over me.