they swarmed about it like bees, seizing it by legs, nose, horns and
tail, till with desperate efforts they dragged it to the ground and beat
the life out of it with their sticks. This done, they formed up before
the king and saluted him.

"How many are killed?" he asked.

"Eight in all," was the answer, "and fifteen gored."

"A good bull," he said with a smile; "that of last year killed but five.
Well, the lads fought him bravely. Let the dead be buried, the hurt
tended, or, if their harms are hopeless, slain, and to the rest give a
double ration of beer. Ho, now, fall back, men, and make a space for the
Bees and the Wasps to fight in."

Some orders were given and a great ring was formed, leaving an arena
clear that may have measured a hundred and fifty yards in diameter. Then
suddenly, from opposite sides, the two regiments, known as the Bees
and the Wasps respectively, rushed upon each other, uttering their
war-cries.

"I put ten head of cattle on the Bees; who wagers on the Wasps?" cried
the king.

"I, Lord," answered the Prince Hafela, stepping forward.

"You, Prince!" said the king with a quick frown. "Well, you are right to
back them, they are your own regiment. Ah! they are at it."

By this time the scene was that of a hell broken loose upon the earth.