Page:St. Nicholas, vol. 40.1 (1912-1913).djvu/193

1913.] stone, he dropped the bat, and glided with much haste far down into holes among the stones at the bottom of the cave.

“Thank you, kind boy,” said the bat, “for saving me from that dreadful snake; but I am bitten so deep that I fear now I shall die unless I can anoint my wound with some of the honey-dew bee-balm that is made at the hive of the fairy bees.”

“Be of good cheer,” said the boy, “I will bring this balm. Wait for me here, and I will soon be back.” And away he ran as fast as he could to the hive of the fairy bees. There he saw a big working bee, pausing a moment on the door-step with a load of wax.

He was about to speak, when the busy bee said: “I know what you are after. I go everywhere for miles, and I see everything. You want balm for the injured bat up in the cave. Wait here for me a moment, and I will bring it out for you. But please keep very quiet, for within they are putting some of the baby bees to sleep.”

“I will keep very quiet,’ said the boy, and soon he saw the busy bee coming out.

“Well!” said the bee, “I ’m glad to see you again. Here is an acorn-cup full of honey-dew bee-balm for your friend up in the cave.”

The boy took the balm, thanked the bee, and ran as fast as he could to the cave, where he found the bat still alive, though

feeling quite weak. No sooner had they rubbed the balm on his wound, however, than he revived, and the wound healed immediately.

“Thank you, kind boy,’ said the bat, “for bringing me this balm, without which I should surely have died. You have been