“Did we bring any insect repellant?”
Slaton’s look softened. “Yes, we did.” He produced a tiny jar from his backpack. Unscrewing the cap, he handed it to her and said, “Just dip your finger in this and dab it onto your exposed skin at one inch spacings. You don’t want it too concentrated, because they could interpret the smell as a threat and come at us. All we want to do is discourage inquisitive parties.”
Trish took the jar and followed Slaton’s directions. When both had prepared themselves, Slaton moved stealthily toward the nest, dropped down on his knees and then his face and proceeded to crawl along the ground. Trish aped his every movement. The hum grew louder until she sensed it directly overhead, by this time the volume of a Formula One engine.
Suddenly, a bee lighted on her fa
