The Doctor, whose observation of the bee-hunter had hitherto been
exceedingly cursory, stared at the new speaker with a look which
denoted something like recognition.
"The principal characteristics of your countenance, friend," he said,
"are familiar; either you, or some other specimen of your class, is
known to me."
"I am the man you met in the woods east of the big river, and whom you
tried to persuade to line a yellow hornet to his nest: as if my eye
was not too true to mistake any other animal for a honey-bee, in a
clear day! We tarried together a week, as you may remember; you at
your toads and lizards, and I at my high-holes and hollow trees: and a
good job we made of it between us! I filled my tubs with the sweetest
honey I ever sent to the settlements, besides housing a dozen hives;
and your bag was near bursting with a crawling museum. I never was
bold enough to put the question to your face, stranger, but I reckon
you are a keeper of curiosities?"[*]
[*] The pursuit of a bee-hunter is not uncommon, on the skirts of
American society, though it is a little embellished here.
Pages:
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222