Using the
same method Kinney had chosen, Billie succeeded in giving the
soldier bee a very vivid idea of fire. And judging by the very human
way in which the half-asleep insect tossed about, thrashing her
wings and legs and making incoherent sounds, Billie succeeded
admirably. The other bees in the hive came crowding around, and
Supreme had some difficulty in maintaining her dignity and
authority. In the end she confided in the subordinate next in
command:
"I have had a terrible dream. One of our slaves, or a woman much
like one, assaulted me with a new and fearful weapon." She described
it more or less as Rolla had told Cunora. "It was a deadly thing;
but how I know this, I cannot say, except that it was exceedingly
hot. So long as the woman held it in her hand, I dared not go near
her.
"See to it that the others know; and if such a thing actually comes
into existence, let me know immediately."
"Very well, Supreme." And the soldier straightway took the tale to
another bee.
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