All of which occurred in the darkness, and out of sight of Rolla and
Cunora. They could only guess what was going on. Hours passed, and
dawn approached. Not till then did they learn just what had been
done.
The villagers, now all awake, were driven by the bees to the place
on the bank of the stream. There, the eight men who had imprisoned
the two discoverers told what had been done with the "magic stones."
Each villager stared at the offenders, and at something which lay on
the ground before them, and in sober silence went straight to his or
her work in the fields.
Presently the huts were deserted. All the people were on duty
elsewhere. Such bees as were not guarding the fields had returned to
the hives. Rolla and Cunora cautiously ventured forth, taking great
care to avoid being seen. They hurried fearfully to the stream.
Before they reached the spot Rolla gave an exclamation and stared
curiously to one side, where the tree had been dragged. Suddenly she
gave a terrible cry and rushed forward, only to drop on her knees
and cover her face with hands that shook as with the palsy.
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