. Beasts and men . faithfully carried out all his instructions, and hadtruly enough learnt the meaning of the humming noisewithin the drum. So had his wife ; for when he went to her in the garden, he found herwith her face and shouldersblack with bees ! Abreast of the placewhere the drummer wasworking the peasant reinedin his horse, and cried out, Hallo, you there. Haveyou seen a soldier pass bythis way ? A man, master ? mumbled the drummer. I said a soldier, youstupid oaf! A man in ared coat with a most villain-ous face. Have you seenhim, I say ? Why, yes, the drum-mer answered. He wentpast h
. Beasts and men . faithfully carried out all his instructions, and hadtruly enough learnt the meaning of the humming noisewithin the drum. So had his wife ; for when he went to her in the garden, he found herwith her face and shouldersblack with bees ! Abreast of the placewhere the drummer wasworking the peasant reinedin his horse, and cried out, Hallo, you there. Haveyou seen a soldier pass bythis way ? A man, master ? mumbled the drummer. I said a soldier, youstupid oaf! A man in ared coat with a most villain-ous face. Have you seenhim, I say ? Why, yes, the drum-mer answered. He wentpast here about a quarter ofan hour ago, and made hisway into the wood never find him, mas-ter ! he added, with agrin. And why wont I ? Because hes gone by a secret way. I saw the road hetook, and I know how he means to go, but even if I were toshow you the way, you would never overtake him, for youwould lose yourself in the wood. Ill give you a crown if youll help me to find the rascal,cried the it was the labourer dressed in thedrummers clothes A DRUM FULL OF BEES A crown! Come now, thats high pay. You mustwant him very badly ! I do indeed, and Ill break every bone in his body whenI catch him. Here, lend me your horse, master, said the drummer. Ill catch him for you, and not for a crown neither, but fornothing. Id like to see him get a good thrashing, for hecalled me names as he passed by. But can you ride ? asked the peasant. Can a duck swim ? answered the drummer scornfully. Dismount quickly or the scoundrel will get away. Waithere for me, he added, as he rode off, IU be back in lessthan half an hour. Off he went at a gallop, smiling to him-self. First of all a hundred crowns, and now a fine steed,thought he. Come Donatus, your luck is standing youin good stead. Its odds but youll win through yet! Hereached the wood, entered it, and the peasant waiting by theroadside, heard the sound of his horses hoofs grow fainterand fainter until at last they died awa
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