He kept very still, listening to their angry buzz till it had somewhat quieted down.

Then, instead of going about it with a noisy dash, as he had done before, he worked his way up stealthily and slowly till he could crawl into the crotch of the first branch.

You see, that bear could learn a lesson.
"Presently he stuck his nose around to see how near he was to the bees' hole.

He had just time to locate it--about seven or eight feet above him--when again _biff_! And he was stung on the lip.

He drew in his head again quick, I can tell you--quick enough to catch that bee and smash it.