Page:Folk Tales of Beasts and Men.djvu/172

"Oh, that is my oracle," answered the drummer coolly.

"Your oracle ! Does he, then, speak to you?

"Certainly," answered the drummer. " He speaks to me three times a day."

" Faith," said the peasant, " I should very much like to hear him."

So the drummer picked up his drumsticks and beat a lively tattoo upon the drum, and, aroused by the noise and vibration, the swarm of bees within began to buzz about in great commotion.

"Wonderful ! Wonderful ! cried the peasant de lightedly, as he listened to the humming. " And do you really understand that language ? What does the oracle say ? "

" He says," answered the peasant, " that there is no need for us to drink sour milk, because there is a bottle of wine standing by the wall, just behind the big chest."

"Ha, ha, ha ! that is a good joke ! " roared the peasant. " Wine in my house, indeed ! I only wish it were true ! "

" Tell your wife to look behind the chest, and I ll warrant you she will find it."

Very unwillingly the dame went to the place indicated, and came back with the bottle of wine. She tried to look as surprised as her husband, but only succeeded in pulling a very wry mouth.

"Bring glasses, wife ! " cried the peasant in great good humour. " We must drink the health of this famous oracle. Do you think you can make him speak again, friend?

" Certainly," said the drummer, beating another tattoo upon the drum. Once again the bees began to hum loudly, and he leant down, pretending to listen to what they had to say.

" Well ? Well ? " cried the peasant impatiently.

" He says that if your wife will look in the cupboard, she will find a roast fowl and a gammon of bacon, which we can eat instead of this dry bread."

" Upon my word, that is a wonderful oracle ! " cried the peasant. " Make haste, wife, and look in the cupboard."