"No," said Billy, "I cannot do that; I have undertaken to carry it, and my honor demands that I do so while I live." "You are right," said the General; "then the best way out of the difficulty is to kill you." "No," said the Princess, "that shall not be done." "Thank you, Princess," whispered Billy, "you shall not regret it. Let me do my duty--let me carry the message. Then, when it is delivered, I shall be free to fight for you; indeed, when I am once in Bogie Man's Castle I shall be in the very best position to help you." "Good," said the Princess. "Good," said the General. "Good," said all the soldiers. "But why are Nickel Plate, Bumbus and Bogie Man your enemies?" asked Billy. "Because they want to carry me far away from the Bee Palace and make me work in the factory," answered the Princess, sadly, "putting the wicked Glucose, who looks almost exactly like me, in my place in the castle." "But why?" said Billy. "I am Crown Princess, and if they can do away with me and substitute Glucose for me they will be in control of the Castle and the Bee Government and can make a corner in honey." "Villains!" cried Billy, "but between us we will foil them." "You _will_ help me?" said the Princess, looking earnestly at him. "I will, I promise you. But now I must be on my way." "Good-bye, Billy Bounce; don't forget me," said the Princess. "I will see you soon. Good-bye, Honey Girl," and, with a farewell wave to the Princess, the General, and all the soldier bees, Billy jumped up and away in further search of Bogie Man. CHAPTER III. BILLY IS CAPTURED BY TOMATO. Billy had floated a long, long time through the sweet, soft air: indeed he was gently settling down to earth again, when he discovered that the jolly old red faced sun was rolling off to his bed in the far west. "Well," said he to himself, "if Father Sun is going to turn in for the night, and I see him putting on his white cloud night cap, I expect it's about time for me to do the same." "Bow-wow," came a faint bark from under his coat. "Why, it's Barker," said Billy, reaching in and patting a warm little head. "I'd almost forgotten you, old doggie, and I thank you for reminding me of the Singing Tree." In a twinkling Billy was on the ground and digging a hole in the soft earth. "I hate to pinch your tail, old fellow," said Billy, "but it's really necessary you know," and holding Barker's nose over the hole he gave his tail a gentle tweak. "Bow-wow-wow." Quickly Billy shovelled in the earth, and lo and behold, quicker than I can tell you about it, there stood the Singing Tree, bowing and smiling. Just as Billy was going to wish the tree a polite good evening, he saw Barker scampering after a little beam of sunlight that had crept in through the branches of the tree. "Barker, come here," called Billy, but he was too late. "Snap--gulp," and Barker had swallowed the sunlight. "I hope it won't make you sick, doggie," said Billy, looking at him anxiously.