One morning they decided to creep upon the wall over the watchman’s house. They stole softly up the steps and were soon on top of the wall. All of a sudden they heard a noise like men walking.
“Do you hear that?” said Fritz.
“Why, it must be the watchman,” answered Hans.
The noise was heard again. This time it was louder and nearer. The boys crept to the edge of the wall and looked down. There stood the army of Linto placing ladders against the wall. Hans and Fritz were frightened and at first started to run, but they saw that it was too late. In an instant Fritz thought of the hives. He knew the little bees were not asleep if the people were. Each boy took a hive, carried it to the edge of the wall and let it fall on the heads of the enemy. Out flew the bees, mad as they could be, and began to sting right and left.
The bees won the battle. They buzzed and stung the enemy so badly that their loud cries of pain awoke the sleeping city. Hans and Fritz were delighted to see the bees so busy and called loudly for help. The watchman woke up and began to ring the bell. The men rushed to the city gates. It was too late for the soldiers had already fled. The bees had stung them so painfully they could scarcely see where to run. And so the bees and the boys saved Andernach.
A DOG’S GRATITUDE
Kindness to helpless animals, especially those in distress, is the mark of a generous nature.
A Newfoundland dog was once hurt by a wagon that crushed his foot. The driver of the wagon did not stop to help the poor dog, but went on leaving him in the road.