The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-01-25
A Bslusercns bird.

Major. II. c. Hsrkins, late riY lit. Of
way.man for the Tide Water Pipe Line
Company, recently ON adventure In
Lawrence county, Pennsylvania which
he viii not forget until some days go
around. at least. What betell Major
Harkins while in that vicinity is as here
in related. The Majors business called
him to Coaltown,--a village, as most Of
thereaders Of the Guardian are aware, -
which is situated III Neshannock town
ship, about four miles north of this city.
The Major started on foot to transact
this business, and while proceeding
along the road about two miles from
New Castle, he was somewhat startled
by hearing singular buzzir,g sound to
his rear. He turned, and, to his great
aatonishment, saw largo golden eagle
approaching him rapidly in the roadway.
The bird by,its actions, clearly showed
TINT its intentions wero anything but Of
friendly nature. Tho Major was un-
armed, and rs the eagle bore down on
him, still emitting the buzzing sound,
he began to think that his situation was
for from pleasant one. When tho bird
got near him, and its formidable look
ing beak and talons showed that it was
able to reduce the average man to mince
mont, the Major, III sheer desperation
proceeded to kick with NIL tho strength
OF his lower limbs, This action, instead
of frightening his featherol assailant,
only seemed to increase its ire, for the
eagle proceeded to insert its beak in one
OF his legs, following up this warlike
demonstration by using it's talons with
great energy and bloody execution in
the same neighborhood. After brief,
though desperate struggle, the Major
succeeded in txtricating him solf from the
clutches OF the huge bird. His blood
was up, and while his angor was ut
white heat at the thought Of the scratch
es and contusions ho had received in the
atfray, lie resolved to be tho aggressive
pnrty in the fight. Ho rctreated fow
psccs, and seized q dead branch OF u
tree, which was conveniently lying near
by. Armed in this manner he swooped
down on the eaglo. The bird was over
flowing with pluck, and resolutely stood
its ground. A sharp fight ensued in
which the man used his club, and tho
bird Of freedom its talons and beak.
For twenty minutes did they battle in
this way. the Major having somewhat
tho worst Of tho fight. He might have
abandoned tho contest had not he been
reinforced by strange dog. Tho ca
nine pitched INTO tho fight with great
grsto, but tho eagles beak and claws
seemed to be everywhere, and tho hair,
hide and flesh fairly flow from tho dogs
back, and that animal, with his tuil be-
tween his legs, was about to seek IN
ignominious flight for some place where
he cauld lick his wounds in peace, when
a boy and another dog camo upon tho
cory field. The attacking party, now
numbering four. advanced in Il body
upon tho eagle, and another desperate
fight took place. Tho recent reinforce
ments however,, were too much tor the
plucky eagle, ana it was finally cxhaus-
ted III its contest against odds, and was
downed, fighting to tho last. The Ma
jor and tho boy tied the eagle's feet to-
gether and fastened its bcal1 SO that 1t
could 10 longer use it. The Major,
bleeding from many wounds received Ill
the fray, then started with his captive
for the Fountain House, this city, ut
which place ho was stopping. While
en- route he met woman in wagon
who informed him that tho eagle was
tho property Of a young man who re-
sided about four miles from Now CAS-
tie, and that it had been sent him rs a
present from IN unclo who lived in the
West. She expressed Willingness to
return tho eagle TO It's owner, aud sho
WAS allowed to do 80.
Islll Arp ana SW oct pOtutOes,