THE PRIZE. 355 



' No fear. Didn't you see the dust I put on 'em ? 

 There will be a pretty muss, I allow, when the other 

 chaps smell the brimstone I made 'em a present of, I 

 guess.' 



When we reached the point determined as the situa- 

 tion of the ' gum,' a terrible buzzing met our ears, and 

 it was evident that T. S. had cleverly traced the brim- 

 stoned bee's home. Laying aside his impedhnenta, 

 and swinging his axe with practised strokes, my com- 

 panion began to cut down the tall forest tree, within 

 which were hidden the wild bee's stores. 



Half-an-hour's work sufficed to lay low the patriarch 

 of the forest, and ' let in an acre of sunlight.' 



Naturally, the bees were very much astonished and 

 confused as their stronghold fell, and by their united 

 voices proclaimed battle, miu-der, and sudden death to 

 all their foes ; but the experienced hunter speedily lit 

 a fire, and piling upon it plenty of green moss, soon 

 made such a smoke, that the bees were compelled to 

 flee. 



As soon as the bees were put to flight, no time was 

 lost in examining the contents. It was a rich one ; and 

 T. S., leaving me to keep up the smoke, started off to 

 his hut for a barrel to put it in. 



He was most liberal with his prize, and invited me 

 to take a bucketful for myself; but I cared more to 

 see the manner in which it was procured, than for the 

 honey when it was obtained. 



