the
waterlilies lie spread out on the water in the sunlight. Near
them, in the rushes, is where Loveydear lives. You'll find her
there every day at noon when the sun is high in the heavens."

The warrior had pressed both hands to his pale brow. He seemed
to be having a desperate struggle with himself.

"You're telling the truth," he said softly and groaned, whether
from joy or pain it was impossible to tell. "She told me she
wanted to go where there were floating white flowers. Those must
be the flowers you speak of. Fly away, then. I thank you."

And actually he stepped aside from the entrance.

Day was breaking.

"A brigand keeps his word," he said.

Not knowing that Maya had overheard the deliberations in the
council chamber, he told himself that one small bee more or less
made little difference. Weren't there hundreds of others?

"Good-by," cried Maya, breathless with haste, and flew off
without a word of thanks.

As a matter of fact, there was no time to spare.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XV

THE WARNING

Little Maya summoned every bit of strength and will power she
had left. Like a bullet shot from the muzzle of a gun (bees can
fly faster than most insects), she darted through the purpling
dawn in a lightning beeline for the woods, where she knew she
would be safe for the moment and could hide herself away should
the hornet regret having let her go and follow in pursuit.

Gossamer veils hung everywhere over the level country, big drops
fell from the trees on the dry leaves carpeting the ground, and
the cold in the woods threatened to paralyze little Maya's
wings. No ray of the dawn had as yet found its way between the
trees. The air was as hushed as if the sun had forgotten the
earth, and all creatures had laid themselves to eternal rest.

Maya, therefore, flew high up in the air. Only one thing
mattered--to get back as quickly as strength and wits permitted
to her hive, her people, her endangered home. She must warn her
people. They must prepare against the attack which the terrible
brigands had planned for that very morning. Oh, if only the
nation of bees had the chance to arm and make ready its
defenses, it was well able to cope with its stronger opponents.
But a surprise assault at rising time! What if the queen and the
soldiers were still asleep? The success of the hornets would
then be assured. They would take prisoners and give no quarter.
The butchery wo