I struck at them mechanically, scarcely conscious of their bites.
6 seconds sound clip from the Leiningen Versus the Ants (1948) classic radio play.
You can hear this line at 00:23:55 in the radio play.
Quote context
[...]
- I took a deep breath and then bounded across the ditch in among the ants.
- I ran on. I was halfway to the dam before I felt ants under my clothes, and a few on my face.
- I struck at them mechanically, scarcely conscious of their bites.
- I strained and slowly, the wheel turned... turned more...
- The floodgates were swinging slowly shut. And then it was shut.
- And the water was rising... rising behind the breakwater... closer to the top. Closer!
[...]