Then seizing the hatchet and cooliman he rapidly ascended the tree, and began to cut out great pieces of dripping honeycomb, while the boys laughed upon seeing that the hobbled horses, objecting to be left alone in the great wild, had trotted close up and looked as if they had come on purpose to see the honey taken.
It was not a particularly clean process, but the result was plentiful, and after piling his bark bowl high, Shanter came down laughing.
“Plenty mine tickee, tickee,” he said; but it did not seem to occur to him that it would be advantageous to have a wash. He was quite content to follow back to the camp-fire and then sit down to eat honey and comb till Tim stared.
“I say, Shanter,” he cried, “we didn’t bring any physic.”
“Physic? What physic? Budgery?”
“Oh, very budgery indeed,” said Rifle, laughing. “You shall have some when we get back.”
Shanter nodded, finished his honey, and went to sleep till he was roused up, and the party started off once more.