River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-09-09
From the Youths Companion.
A Night over "a Precipiee.
AN ADIRONDACK TALE.

"ovho III ING hulrOhuaCk region, passed.
Q night, the terror of which can never
forget, even should my lite be one of the
longest.
My companions had discovered an
eagles nest, in an old pine, half way up
Mt. Emm0hs, near whose foot was our
camp. To take the young eaglets from
this eyrie, even in the absence Of their
mother, was "a task not without danger
but we had determined to do it, being
anxious to present the birds to scientific
friend in Albany, and the duty was by LOT
assigned to me.
Early in the afternoon Of the day APP
pointed, equipped with one Of the bags
which had brought our provisions into the
woods, and u hunting knife, and accom-
panied by Will, who carried gun to be
used should the old birds attack us,
started for the hest.
A climbing walk of nearly mile placed
Us on the ledge, just below which the
pine tree grew, fastening its long, tenacious
roots in the many crevices fthe rock from
which it sprang. IL leaned out over the
chasm below, at an angle Of nearly forty
five degrees, which would make the climb
ing comparatively easy task, although,
being no sailor, 1 did not anticipate much
pleasure in the feat, especially when /
looked down on the swaviDg Tree tops, fer
beneath. The mountain side, at this point,
was almost perpendicular for more than a
hundred feet.
The nest was situated at the very top OF
the tree, which had been broken by the
wind, and afforded it a resting. place Il
looked like great mass of drift.wood
that some food had left there: but VIC
knew that the young birds were in il, for
it was in sight from camp, and that very
morning, by Che aid Of a glass, we had
seen the eagles carrying food to their
nestlings.
After resting for little time, i threw
of my coat, frightened my belt, tied The
bag about my waist and slipping carefully
down to the little ledge upon which the
tree rested, began the ascent
a short but vigorous effort, and the
lower branches OF the tree were reached,
and soon after had the satisfaction of be-
ing near enough to seize my prize. I'm
loosing the bag. | slowly raised myself
above the level of the nest
Three birds lay before me, each about
the size of a full.grown hen, armed with
heak and talons, but as yet almost destitute
Of feathers, As leaned forward to grasp
them, they suddenly opened their
monstrous mouths, and stretched their
necks out toward me.
drew back, but Immediately remem-
bering that notwithstanding their terrible
looks they we're but chicks,n | carefully
removed them from the nest and deposited
them in my bag. One, two, three NV
work seemed now accomplished Ii only
remained for me TO back down the tree
again to terra TRINA.
TO climb with empty hands, and TO
necend with full ones are different things :
but L mad succeeded in reaching the long.
rough trunk below the branches, and was
con0r'ttnlat'n% nnvsaif nnnn nv GOOD for
.--s-~,---.--.a --J--.- -r---
tune, when felt the tree move
For Oil instant hIrtor held me motion
less. The roots were giving away.
Will saw the danger, and even as
uhudderingly sazed at the depths below, he
shouted
Jump, Fera, jump The tree is falling.
Jump for the rock I"
Filled with a horrible fear, | turned,
gathered my strength for despairing
effort, and sprlng out into the air, toward
the face of the rock
Already the tree had fallen below the
level of the roots, aud went down ten or
fifteen feet, when little ledge, covered
with bushes, caught me- There / clung.
trembling and faint, while the old pine.
with sharp, cracking noise, broke from
It's hold, and went whizzing mast me into
the depth, crashing wildly in the tree tops,
tearing through the branches. and sending
up heavy thud at last as il struck the
ground below | shrank back on NV
narrow rim OF rock when | thought of
what had almost been my fate
/" Fera Fera Are you alive ?' Willis
voice sounded afar off, aud as carefully
turned and looked up, slckened with
fear, for il was thirty feet to the top Of the
cliff above me-
"Yes," i answered." am alive but
how am | TO get up there ? | fear NV
ankle is broken, for il pains me dreadful
lyP
DhNNbh ~ Ahdb thlliiOt ne = cflhu
Will. 8" IL probably is sprained. Let me
get you something to drink. Can you catch
this bottle, il drop il |"
hardly dare to let 20 Of these
bushes" | replied, but I'll try.v
With great care | Embossed NV hol 4
upon the shrubs found that by PLACING
my back against the rock | was safe
although my feet hung over the little
ledge. called to Will, and down the
bottle came, right into my hands.
swallowed the refreshing draught, which
gave me energy, and better than that hone
j would be saved after all
Z" | am going 10 signal CharIle,v cried
Will. "lle has the glass, and can see us
plainly from camp, ! will shoot to attract
his attention. And two quick reports ranc
out along the mountain side.
"There be isl moment later / heard
Will say. lie sees me file is coming y
In less than half an hour heard a sir
above me, aud Charities cherry voice
sounded down.
"Hollo, there Keep your spirits up,
Fera! Wen have you out Of that before