outside frayed off into separate bees, drawn inward by a common
attraction.

"It was not a yard under me now. I dared not move, for I knew what
concentrated misery the swarm held for the man who angered it. As I
watched it floating nearer, my skin crept and my; brain was
fascinated by that monotonous buzzing. Perhaps, if I sat perfectly
quiet, it would pass and leave me unharmed.

"For a moment, apparently undecided, the ball hovered under me.
Then with a quickened motion, up it came, straight for my feet.

"I grew hot and cold. My flesh quivered with the imaginary stings
of thousands of poisoned needles, as the fearful mass melted apart
and settled in thick clusters on my shoes and legs!

"As I watched the crawling thousands come to rest, I simply choked
with terror. What could I do? If I made the slightest motion to get
up, they would swarm over me like lightning, and sting me to death.

"Twenty feet behind me one of my mates began to hammer, shaking the
beam with his blows. I was afraid the jar might anger the bees into
an attack.

"'Stop that pounding, Jim!' I begged huskily, as he ceased for a
moment. The hammering stopped.

"Then exclamations of alarm and sympathy fell upon my ears, and
presently all work on the steel was suspended. I could hear feet
shuffling quietly back to the bank. Soon I was left alone on the