Oak Openings | Page 9

case, but he
was well skilled in all the signs that betokened the abodes of bees.
An uninstructed person might have passed that point of wood a
thousand times, without the least consciousness of the presence of a
single insect of the sort now searched for. In general, the bees flew too
high to be easily perceptible from the ground, though a practised eye
can discern them at distances that would almost seem to be marvellous.
But Ben had other assistants than his eyes. He knew that the tree he
sought must be hollow, and such trees usually give outward signs of the
defect that exists within. Then, some species of wood are more
frequented by the bees than others, while the instinct of the industrious
little creatures generally enables them to select such homes as will not
be very likely to destroy all the fruits of their industry by an untimely
fall. In all these particulars, both bees and bee-hunter were well versed,
and Ben made his search accordingly.
Among the other implements of his calling, le Bourdon had a small
spy-glass; one scarcely larger than those that are used in theatres, but
which was powerful and every way suited to its purposes. Ben was not
long in selecting a tree, a half-decayed elm, as the one likely to contain
the hive; and by the aid of his glass he soon saw bees flying among its
dying branches, at a height of not less than seventy feet from the
ground. A little further search directed his attention to a knot-hole, in

and out of which the glass enabled him to see bees passing in streams.
This decided the point; and putting aside all his implements but the axe,
Buzzing Ben now set about the task of felling the tree.
"STRANger," said Gershom, when le Bourdon had taken out the first
chip, "perhaps you'd better let ME do that part of the job. I shall expect
to come in for a share of the honey, and I'm willing to 'arn all I take. I
was brought up on axes, and jack-knives, and sich sort of food, and can
cut OR whittle with the best chopper, or the neatest whittler, in or out
of New England."
"You can try your hand, if you wish it," said Ben, relinquishing the axe.
"I can fell a tree as well as yourself, but have no such love for the
business as to wish to keep it all to myself."
"Waal, I can say, I LIKE it," answered Gershom, first passing his
thumb along the edge of the axe, in order to ascertain its state; then
swinging the tool, with a view to try its "hang."
"I can't say much for your axe, STRANGER, for this helve has no tarve
to't, to my mind; but, sich as it is, down must come this elm, though ten
millions of bees should set upon me for my pains."
This was no idle boast of Waring's. Worthless as he was in so many
respects, he was remarkably skilful with the axe, as he now proved by
the rapid manner in which he severed the trunk of the large elm on
which he was at work. He inquired of Ben where he should "lay the
tree," and when it came clattering down, it fell on the precise spot
indicated. Great was the confusion among the bees at this sudden
downfall of their long-cherished home. The fact was not known to their
enemy, but they had inhabited that tree for a long time; and the prize
now obtained was the richest he had ever made in his calling. As for the
insects, they filled the air in clouds, and all the invaders deemed it
prudent to withdraw to some little distance for a time, lest the irritated
and wronged bees should set upon them and take an ample revenge.
Had they known their power, this might easily have been done, no
ingenuity of man being able to protect him against the assaults of this
insignificant-looking animal, when unable to cover himself, and the

angry little heroes are in earnest. On the present occasion, however, no
harm befell the marauders. So suddenly had the hive tumbled that its
late occupants appeared to be astounded, and they submitted to their
fate as men yield to the power of tempests and earthquakes. In half an
hour most of them were collected on an adjacent tree, where doubtless
a consultation on the mode of future proceedings was held, after their
fashion.
The Indians were more delighted with le Bourdon's ingenious mode of
discovering the hive than with the richness of the prize; while Ben
himself, and Gershom, manifested most satisfaction at the amount of
the earnings. When the tree was cut in pieces, and split, it