the pale-faces, and most of them had heard of this particular individual of their number, not an Indian present had ever seen one of these men practise his craft.  This may seem strange, as respects those who so much roamed the woods; but we have already remarked that it exceeded the knowledge of the red man to make the calculations that are necessary to take the bee by the process described.  Usually, when he obtains honey, it is the result of some chance meeting in the forest, and not the fruits of that far-sighted and persevering industry, which enables the white man to lay in a store large enough to supply a neighborhood, in the course of a few weeks’ hunting.

Never was a juggler watched with closer attention, than was le Bourdon, while setting up his stand, and spreading his implements.  Every grave, dark countenance was turned toward him, and each keen, glistening eye was riveted on his movements.  As the vessel with the comb was set down, the chiefs nearest recognizing the substance murmured their admiration; for to them it seemed as if the operator were about to make honey with honey.  Then the glass was a subject of surprise:  for half of those present had never seen such an utensil before.  Though many of the chiefs present had visited the “garrisons” of the northwest, both American and English, many had not; and, of those who had, not one in ten got any clear idea of the commonest appliances of civilized life.  Thus it was, then, that almost every article used by the bee-hunter, though so simple and homely, was the subject of a secret, but well-suppressed admiration.

It was not long ere le Bourdon was ready to look for his bee.  The insects were numerous on the flowers, particularly on the white clover, which is indigenous in America, springing up spontaneously wherever grasses are permitted to grow.  The great abundance of the bees, however, had its usual effect, and our hero was a little difficult to please.  At length, a fine and already half-loaded little animal was covered by the glass and captured.  This was done so near the group of Indians, that each and all noted the process.  It was curious, and it was inexplicable!  Could the pale-faces compel bees to reveal the secret of their hives, and was that encroaching race about to drive all the insects from the woods and seize their honey, as they drove the Indians before them and seized their lands?  Such was the character of the thoughts that passed through the minds of more than one chief, that morning, though all looked on in profound stillness.

When the imprisoned bee was put over the comb, and le Bourdon’s cap was placed above all, these simple-minded children of the woods and the prairies gazed, as if expecting a hive to appear beneath the covering, whenever the latter should be removed.  It was not long before the bee “settled,” and not only the cap, but the tumbler was taken away.  For the first time since the exhibition commenced, le Bourdon spoke, addressing himself to Peter.