206 
MANAGEMENT IN SWARMING. 
being in the garden, offered her assistance to hold 
the hive while I dislodged the bees. Having never 
been acquainted with bees, she put a linen cloth over 
her head and shoulders to secure her from their 
stings. A few of the bees fell into the hive, and 
some upon the ground, but the main body upon the 
cloth which covered her garments. I took the hive 
out of her hands, when she cried out that the bees 
were got under the covering, and were crowding up 
towards her breast and face, which put her into a 
trembling posture. When I perceived the veil was 
of no farther service, she gave me leave to remove 
it; this done, a most affecting spectacle presented 
itself to the view of all the company, filling me with 
the deepest distress and concern, as I thought myself 
the unhappy instrument of drawing her into so im- 
minent hazard of her life. Had she enraged them, 
all resistance would have been vain, and nothing less 
than her life would have atoned for the offence. I 
spared not to use all the arguments I could think of, 
and used the most affectionate entreaties, begging 
her with all the earnestness in mv power to stand 
her ground, and keep her present posture ; in order 
to which I gave her encouragement to hope for a full 
discharge from her disagreeable companions. I be- 
gan to search among them for the Queen, they hav- 
ing now got in a great body upon her breast, about 
her neck, and up to her chin. I immediately seized 
her, taking her from the crowd, with some of the 
commons in company with her, and put them toge- 
ther into the hive. Here I watched her for some 
