Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-08-25
The Eagles Eyrie.

Il il perhaps twenty. i've years ago.that
lived wonder in the Tyrol with my rela.
tiona I was then vigorous, powerful
man. for whom there was no greater pleas
ure than to climb up the mountains with
INV rife on nv back No chamois path too
teen then-no eagles nest too high. My
two cousins, likewise strong, nimble lads,
shared with me the passion for the chase.
When channels had been tracked, or an
eagles nest discovered, We three cousins
were sure to be not far OF.
All the valley knew this, too, and
brought US word when anything ep'
peared. -.
One day shepherd boy informed US
that on the ledge of precipice there was
LODGED an eagles nest, in which, as iar as
he could determine, two young eagles
The precipice led into the depths of a
frightful abyss, and the ledge was only to
be reached from above, by descending on
q rope. The danger Of the pursuit, when
such noble booty was at stake, could not
deter us from attempting the hazardous
enterprise, and even .promised to take
the nest myself. -
The next morning we proceeded, well
loaded with strong ropes, up the noun
tains. I had provided myself with an
Alpine staff, whose iron point had an I'M
usual length, and might serve me as
powerful weapon of defence in case OF
necessity. Besides this, l wore my great
chamois knife in my belt.
Arrived at the summit of the rock, lay
down, with half my body extended over
the precipice, and gazed down into the
depths to discover the lodges 1t was
terrible sight. However sharp my eyes
were otherwise, they did not reach the
bottom of the abyss that stared at me only
like . black chaos. The ledge witch the
eagles nest was easily found, and lay
about seventy or eighty feet below the
summit on which we stood. There were
nesting, as the lad had seen quite rightly,
two young eagles in their knotty, hard
bed of tWigs, the older possessors OF
which, the male and female, in all proba-
bi,ity, had fown away in search OF food.
Since it was still early in the morning, we
might expect that they would not return
soon. and determined to set to Work at
once. -,
NV two cousins now put one end OF the
rope around the thick stump OF tree,
that stood upon the summit of the preci-
pice, while at the other end was fastened
q firm, wooden cross piece by the middle.
and in such way that l could use 1t as
a seat in the dangerous descent Besides
this, wound about my BODY short rope,
which, however, was fastened TO the
longer one, SO that should not be embar-
raised in descending and ascending. This
was a measure Of precaution, IN case l
should slide from the cross-piece
When everything was in Readiness, l
lay cautiously down upon the rocks, with
my feet toward the prccipice, and, extend
ed upon my belly, pushed myself slowly
with both hands toward the verge, and
hung over the abyss, whose whole terri
BILE depth now overlooked. 1t was the
first time that ever attempted such an
exploit. And 1t is peculiar feeling to
hover thus In the air, high aloft, on q
slender rope, that may break or clip OF
any moment, and under you black, ugly
chasm, whose Unreasonable depth yawns
avfully upward. Had not the pleasure of
the chase thrilled all my members, and
the fear of my cousins rldicule restrained
me, I should have almost begged to be
drawn up again. / did not, however, but
only asked tor my hat and statf, and slow
" sank into the abyss.
You will spare me the description OF
this descent--it is not associated witkthc
most agreeable "reminiscences of my hunt.
ing life. Suffice it to say that, after
Journey through the air of about five
minutes, arrived in the neighborhood OF
the ledge, beside which, to my great JOY,
I deserted smaller ledge, upon whose
surface could find foOthold. When the
young, still almost unfedged. brood per-
ceiyed me, they opened their bills wide,
and lifted their festherless wings as II
they would fly away. Without paying
further attention TO them, ! clenched .
cleft of the rock, planted my loot upon
the ledge, and stood now, freely breathing
and successful, on my feet again, knowing
that terra frma was under me.
Silently, and with the least possible
noise, made my preparations The side
pockets Of my coat were 30 large, that .
Young eagle had ample room in each OF
them. Not to be hindered in taking them
from the nest, made signal - my cous-
ms above to slacken the rope, and was
lust upon the point of stretching out my
arm, and Selling one Of the young eagles,
when peculiar cry sounded shrilly In my
ears. In the midst of rustling, that
sounded like the tapping OF wings, rang
fourth { shrill, half.pipiug, hAlf-plAintive
sound, that every moment approached
nearer, and finally changed TO cry Of an.
guish. Turning my head In the:direction
81 the noise, perceived an eagle larger
than any had ever seen. With all the
impetus OF his headlong flight, and with
eyes flashing rage. he was rushing down
uoon me, the roDber Of his children. !
knew that was lost If did not fucceed
in enfeebling the onset or tanning his
wings.
In trice had seized the rope again
with my left hand; with my right !
grasped with nervous force the lower part
Of my staff drove the ice-spurs o. my LETT
foot - deeply = possible into the weather
beaten rock Of the ledge, TO gain support
shTieking and tapping his wings plunged