A little early, perhaps, for the first swarm." "Be so good as to take down that ladder at once, and let my company pass." "A step higher, Tristram," said the little man, turning a deaf ear to this order.

"Better use the right hand.

Wait a moment, while I get the hive underneath." "Take down that ladder!" shouted the red-coated officer.
"You must wait a moment, I'm afraid." "You refuse ?" "Oh dear, yes! Keep back, sir, for the bees are easily frightened." "Sergeant!" foamed the young man, "come and remove this ladder!" He spurred his horse up to the arch as the sergeant stepped forward.
The beast, being restive, rubbed against the ladder with his flank and shook it violently just as Tristram dislodged the swarm overhead.
Captain Barker reached out, however, and caught them deftly in the upturned hive.

Into it they tumbled plump.

But the little man, exasperated by the shock, had now completely lost his temper.
With sudden and infernal malice he inverted the beehive and clapped it, bees and all, on the officer's head.
With that he skipped down to the ground, and Tristram, foreseeing mischief, slid down after him quick as thought.
The officer roared like Hercules caught in the shirt of Nessus.
Nor for a few seconds could he get rid of his diabolical helmet: for a couple of bees had stung the charger, which began to plunge and caper like a mad thing, scattering the crowd right and left with his hoofs.