held in a grip like
iron.

He was sure that the Robber Fly had him at last. And he was too
frightened for anything.

X

BUSTER MAKES A SPEECH

At first, when he found himself in the grip of what he was sure must be
the Robber Fly, Buster Bumblebee was so alarmed that he could not even
scream. But in a moment or two he found his voice. And he shrieked "Help!
Help!" in a most frantic tone, hoping that some one would come and save
him.

But nobody came. And Buster expected every instant to feel the cruel beak
of the Robber Fly, when there was a sudden commotion behind his back.
Somebody else cried out now. And Buster knew the voice, too. Yes! Buster
was sure that Peevish Peggy had come to help him. But there was one thing
that puzzled him. Peevish Peggy seemed to be fully as frightened as
Buster himself. At least, her cries sounded as if she were in great
terror.

Probably she's afraid the Robber Fly has hurt me, Buster thought. And he
reflected that in spite of her sharp tongue Peevish Peggy was more
kind-hearted than he had ever dreamed.

The next instant Buster felt himself suddenly released. At the same time
something swept him off the clover-top; and he barely managed to save
himself from a bad fall.

Somewhere he could hear a loud buzz, as of several angry voices. But he
did not care to show himself enough to find out what was happening. For
the time being he was content to stay snugly hidden among the thick
clover leaves.

[Illustration: Buster Shouted For Everybody to Keep Quiet. (_Page 48_)]

After a while the uproar ceased. But even then Buster Bumblebee was in no
hurry to leave his shelter.

When he did at last reach home he found the whole family much upset.
Everybody was talking at once. And in a household of more than two
hundred that meant that the noise was almost deafening.

Naturally, Buster Bumblebee wanted to know what was the matter. It was a
long time, however, before anyone would--or could--listen to him. But at
last he succeeded in getting the ear of the trumpeter.

"Haven't you heard the news?" she asked. "The Robber Fly came to the
clover patch to-day. And Peevish Peggy had a very narrow escape. If it
hadn't been for several other workers who happened to be gathering clover
nectar nearby, there's no telling where she would be now."

"Where is she?" Buster inquired.

"Resting in bed," the trumpeter explained. (Even Buster wondered how she
could rest with all that racke