Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1877-04-28
Shot in Mid-Air.

Some year. ago (says Canadian writer)
the famous whirlpool-about half wny bo.
tween Niagara Falls and Lewiston-was.
amongst other things, remarkable for the
number OF eagles that were frequently 10
be seen lowering over it. or seated in soma
OF the lofty pines on its verge. These ma.
jestic birds were doubtless attracted to this
locality by the dead bodies Of animals that
had come over the Falls, and that were ar.
rested here snmatin,os fo, A~y. 4essti...
while the summit Of the towering trees
afforded fine view Of whatever wild fowl
CHANGED to pass through the gorge of the
river between the two lakes, Erie and
Ontario.
But II this was noted rendezvous for
these monarohs Of the air, it was no less 20
for their enemies, the hunters of the vicin.
ity. who thought it no mean sport or feat
to tumble them from their lofty perch with
single bullet; or. more difficult and ex.
citing still. to suddenly recall them from
mid-air with the leaden messenger, while
making the first Of those sublime spiral
sweeps upward that carry them ultimately
almost beyond the range Of human vision.
was an eyewitness Of feat Of this
latter description; but confess tho rem.
iniscence is not pleasant one. I had
climbed the bank of the whirlpool, ono
morning, on the Canadian side. after an
hour OF the most miserable fishing. when I
suddenly came upon an acquaintance who
was one Of the best hunters in the district.
saw that something was up. for he mo.
toned me to halt and to be silent He was too
late, however, for made some remark On
catching q glimpse of him. The next
instant heard q sound as of the Tapping
OF mighty pinions. and two eagles, that had
just quilted their perch. were sailing In
mid.air above us.
Their first sweep was out over the whirl.
pool; and. what had never observed be.
fore in such fights, they were almost side
BY side. In the course of few seconds
they hung above us once more, when the
hunter. stepping out into an open space
directly beneath them, took deliberate aim
and fired. There was wild and convulsivs
movement on the part Of one Of them,
while the other seemed to stand perfectly
still in the air. The former I supposed to
have been wounded; but the marksman a..
sured me that was mistaken, % il was
the other that was hurt mortally, and was
coming down gradually. And now com.
menced drama in the air, 30 touching that
l shall mover forget it. The bird that had
not been touched few about her wounded
mate in such seeming agony, and with such
show Of affection, that could have went
for her. Although she could not but per.
ceive US. she seemed to disregard our prox.
unity; and the hunter was now too much
moved himself to take advantage Of the
tact. Soon some heavy drops Of blood fell
at my feet, and. in few seconds afterwards
the vanquished monarch Of the air reached
the earth softly. within single yard Of me.
When he observed us, he sought to gather
up his dropping piumage and regain his feet.
but was too weak to accomplish either,
although in his last throes he eyed US with
50 fierce and defiant glare. that felt re-
heved when he fell convulsively forward
and expired with feeble scream.
In the meantime the hunter had reloaded
his rifle, and was now scarcely sorry to find
that he was bringing it to bear upon the
solitary mate OF his sad trophy that sat
hstlessly close by. There was sharp ring
ing noise, and she fell dead to the earth
with heavy thud. There was no pleasure
or gleam Of triumph in the eye Of the
hunter; for, as he gazed upon both the noble
creatures, recently SO full Of life and vigor,
he exclaimed mournfully 81 have shot my
last eagler'