This stream, it will be
remembered, flowed not far from the torture-place. Deltos's plan was to
rescue these two men before doing anything else; this, because it would
strengthen the villagers' regard for the conquerors.
The bees seemed to sense this. They met the invaders about three miles
above the village, in an open spot easily seen by the people with the
telescope. And the encounter took place during twilight, just early
enough to be visible from a distance, yet late enough to make the fire
very impressive.
"Remember, it's the smoke as much as the flame," Deltos shouted to the
others. "Just keep your torches on the move, and make as much fuss as
you can!"
Next moment the swarm was upon them. It was like a vast cloud of soot;
only, the buzzing of those millions of wings fairly drowned out every
other sound. The nine had to signal to one another; shouting was
useless.
Within a single minute the ground was covered with bees, either dead or
insensible from the smoke. Yet the others never faltered. At times the
insects battered against the wire netting with such force, and in such
numbers, that the men had to fight them away in order to get enough air.
Supreme watched from above, and kept sending her lieutenants with fresh
divisions to first one man and then another, as he became separated from
the rest.
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