Take care--don't run a hole through _King William_--leave that to his new friends.

So-- now pull on the gloves and step up, while I come after with the hive!" Tristram, having fixed the ladder firmly a little to the right of the swarm, began to ascend.

Captain Barker, giving orders to Narcissus to stand by with the flat board, took the empty hive, and holding it balanced upside-down in the hollow of his palm, was preparing to follow on Tristram's heels, when an interruption occurred.
Round the corner of the road from Harwich town came a red-coated captain, riding on a grey charger, and behind him a company of foot marching eight abreast, with a sergeant beside them.
"Hullo!" cried the Captain, halting his company and riding forward.
He was a thin and foppish young gentleman in a flaxen wig, and spoke with a high sense of authority, having but recently sacrificed the pleasures of his coffee-house and a fine view of St.James's Park to seek even in the cannon's mouth a bubble reputation that promised to be fashionable.
"Hullo! what's the meaning of this ?" "Bees," answered Captain Barker shortly.

"Narcissus, is the board ready ?" "Do you know, sir, that his Majesty is shortly expected along here ?" "To be sure I do." "Then, sir, you are obstructing the road.

This is most irregular." "Not at all--most regular thing in the world.