I gripped the ant-covered wheel. But hardly had I seized it when a horde of ants flowed over my hands and arms.

8 seconds sound clip from the Leiningen Versus the Ants (1948) classic radio play.

You can hear this line at 00:24:12 in the radio play.

Quote context

[...]

- I ran. I ran in long, equal strides, and with one thought, one sensation, in my being... I must get through.

- I dodged the trees and shrubs. Except for the split seconds my soles touched the ground, the ants would have no opportunity to alight on me.

- 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.

- And the dam drew towards me slowly. The distance grew less... less... Finally, only a hundred yards away. Fifty! Then I was there.

- I gripped the ant-covered wheel. But hardly had I seized it when a horde of ants flowed over my hands and arms.

- 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!

- And then it was spilling over. The flooding of the plantation had begun.

[...]