ward that part of the field where the hornet's nest
was, calling Stuyvesant to follow him. Stuyvesant did so. When he got
near to the stump, he put the hay down upon the ground. He then
advanced cautiously to the stump with a part of the hay in his arms
This hay he put down at the foot of the stump, directly under the
hornet's nest, extending a portion of it outward so as to form a sort
of train. He then went back and took up the remaining portion of the
hay and held it in his hands.

"Now, Stuyvesant," said Beechnut, "light a match and set fire to the
train."

Beechnut had previously given Stuyvesant a small paper containing a
number of matches.

"How shall I light it?" asked Stuyvesant.

"Rub it upon a stone," said Beechnut. "Find one that has been lying in
the sun," continued Beechnut, "and then the match will catch quicker,
because the stone will be warm and dry."

So Stuyvesant lighted a match by rubbing it upon a smooth stone which
was lying upon the ground near by. He then cautiously approached the
end of the train and set it on fire.

[Illustration: THE HORNET'S NEST.]

Beechnut then came up immediately with the hay that he had in his
hands, and placed it over and around the hornet's nest, so as to
envelop it entirely. He and Stuyvesant then retreated together to a
safe distance, and there stood to watch the result.

A very dense white smoke immediately began to come up through the
hay. Presently the flame burst out, and in a few minutes the whole
mass of the hay was in a bright blaze. Stuyvesant looked very
earnestly to see if he could see any hornets, but he could not. At
last, however, when the fire was burnt nearly down, he saw two. They
were flying about the stump, apparently in great perplexity and
distress. Stuyvesant pitied them, but as he did not see what he could
do to help them, he told them that he thought they had better go and
find some more hornets and build another nest somewhere. Then he and
Beechnut went back to the plow.

Stuyvesant had quite a desire to try and hold the plow, after he had
been driving the team about an hour, but he thought it was best not to
ask. In fact he knew himself that it was best for him to learn one
thing at a time. So he went on with his driving.

When it was about a quarter before twelve, Beechnut said that it was
time to go in. So he unhooked the chain from the yoke, and leaving the
plow, the drag, the axe and the chain in the field, he let the oxen
g