Hastily they returned with their treasure, when they learned that the others of their party had found a bee-tree, that is, a tree where a swarm of bees had taken lodgment, and were laying in their winter stores.

They cut down the tree with their hatchets, and obtained an ample supply of wild honey.

They all felt that they had indeed fallen upon a vein of good luck.
It was but a short distance from the creek to the gigantic forest, rising sublimely in its luxuriance, with scarcely an encumbering shrub of undergrowth.

They entered the edge of the forest, built a hot fire, roasted their game, and, while their horses were enjoying the richest of pasturage, they, with their keen appetites, enjoyed a more delicious feast than far-famed Delmonico ever provided for his epicurean guests.
The happy party, rejoicing in the present, and taking no thought for the morrow, spent the night in this camp of feasting.

The next morning they were reluctant to leave such an inviting hunting-ground.