FORTY YEARS AMONG THE BEES. 217 



at them, you "better watch out." Even if there should be 

 a dearth for some time, robbers are not Hkely to attack a 

 pile; for they have probably got into the habit of think- 

 ing that such a pile is not to be meddled with, but just 

 you do something to call particular attention to the pile, 

 such as letting a comb of honey stand by it exposed, and 

 there are so many exposed places to defend that the rob- 

 bers are likely to have things their own way. 



Fig. 74, — Wheeling Load of Sitpers. 

 A BAD CASE OF ROBBING. 



One time George W. York was here when bees were 

 not busily at work in the fields, and I opened up a pile of 

 four stories, for what purpose I do not now remember; 

 very likely I was trying to show off in some way. At 

 any rate I showed him a fine case of robbing, for the rob- 

 bers pounced down upon every exposed point, and before 

 I had noticed what was going on they were having a gay 



