The flooding of the artificial damn and the strategic burning of the petrol begins to lose effect because so many dead or dying ants begin to pile up in large clumps that their living counterparts are able to use them as bridges over the water. At that point, Leiningen realizes that the only way to save his plantation and the lives of his workers is to flood the entire plantation while they take refuge in the highest part of the property. To do so, Leiningen must get to a control valve mechanism that is hundreds of yards away from the remaining safe area of the plantation and already completely covered by the ants.

With the help of native workers, Leiningen puts together a makeshift safety suit that covers his entire body and they cover it with ointments believed to repel the ants and petrol. Leiningen...

By the time he reaches the valve, some of the ants have managed to penetrate his suit and began biting and stinging him underneath his protective clothing. When he finally reaches the valve and grasps it, swarms of ants spread up his hand and arm and attack Leiningen furiously. On his return run back through the ants, Leiningen, already covered in biting ants, apparently stumbles and nearly gives up under their attack at which point he sees the carcass of the stag that he had seen being devoured earlier. He resolves not to share its fate and musters the strength to run the rest of the way to safety despite very serious wounds inflicted by the ants.