The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-10-23
A DEEP-WATER GHOST.
BY PAUL PASTNOR.

We were four bronzed, jolly sports
men, who happened to meet during the
partridge shooting season at a little
hostelry in the southern part of Nir-
ginia. There was real Old-faShioned
fireplace in the waiting room of the
hotel, and here we used to gather every
evening to smoke our cigars, compare
notes on the sport of the day, and swap
yarns"
l remember in particular the story
that Lloyd told us, the night before we
parted. Itwas unique and weird. Lloyd
was n tremendously big, athletic fel-
low, and he had a way of saying things
IN that deep bass voice of his that made
them doubly impressive.
lie had been sitting for some time
with his chin on his hand, looking stead
lily into the open fire. Benson had been
telling n rather commonplace ghost
story. and the rest of us had dutifully
oh-d and ah-d and pretended to shiver
ii the proper laces, but Lloyd said never
Il word. When silence settled upon the
little group once more. however, Lloyd
sat up in his chair, IIncrossed his feet,
and Temarked:
Now, boys, | am going to tell you
ghost story the like of which you never
heard before, and the best of 1T is it's
all true, for it happened to me exactly
as l shall tell it.
when | was in Sweden, some / ; years
ago, | had an opportunity to do con-
siderable cunning, as my friend and
host was landed proprietor and con-
rollcd the hunting and fishing rights
II large and valuable territory. In this
oract WIS one large lake, called Lake
Fryksdal, which abounded in fine fish,
particularly pike of remarkable size.
lowering over this lake almost con
stantly were few pairs of whtish-
gray birds which the Swedes call sea-
eagles - great, magnificent, broad
winged creatures, whose food consisted
Of the large fish that were so plentiful
n the waters of their habitat.
Il had a strong desire TO shoot one of
these birds, although | knew them to
be held in almost sacred esteem by the
inhabitants. who believed that if anyone
should Kill one of them. he would be
haunted by the sprite of the bird as
long as ne lived. But not being the
least bit superstitions, my passion for
obtaining u specimen of each new bird
or animal | came across in my travels
easily ovcrcame all scrupIes, and forth
with laid my plans to secure one of the
Sea-eaeles.
Il shall never forget the circum-
stances connected with the shooting Of
shis bird. 1t was a bright, still after
noon. [ had been lying for hours be
hind n large rock on the shore of the
lake waiting for one of the birds 10
come within range of my fowling-piece.
\ pair of them were sailing hither and
thither above the surface of the lake
waiting for ar opportunity to pounce
upon some pike or other fish that might
be summing itself at the top of the water.
Vt length | saw one OF the eagles drop
like a snot from a height of more than
100 feet, and strike the water in a cloud
of foam and spray The next moment
ne rose, bearing a good-sized fish in his
talons, and flew heavily toward the
shore. My heart began to thump
against my ribs. as / saw that, if the
eagle held to his course, he would pass
almost directly over the place where |
lay concealed. Crouching down, L
waited for the shadow which / knew
must pIecede the bird, as he was flying
between me and the SUM-
AT length it came-a big, slowly
travelling blot of darkness the mo-
mcnt il passed me on the shingle of the
beach. | leaped up, with both barrels
of my gun cooked and ready. There,
scarcely 40 yards away, and little to
the left, the eagle loomed in the clear,
sun-lit air. The gun sprang to my
shoulder, and quick, loud report rang
out on the silence. With an almost
human scream, the bird dropped the
fish from his talons, and came sailing
down with outspread, quivering wings,
graceful even unto death. Slowly he
settled upon the beach, wings extended.
dashed towards him. The great wings
were vibrating silently on the stones.
The head and neck had fallen prone in
the weakness and stupor of death. But
IS | stood over my victim, the eyes of
The great bird met mine with glance
which / shall never forget-reproachf
pleading, accusing, condemning. I fair
ly shivered and turned away my eyes.
Ii was n look to haunt n man his life
long. Put when / turned again the eyes
had glazed, and the magnificent white
eagle was stretched out in the motion
less beauty of death.
'.Whon L took my prize home, my
host said, sadly, and more than half
seriously: Il am sorry you killed the