The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-19
STORY OF THE
QUEENS FALCON
An Episode ia the Early Life of a
Famous Man.

they knew that Il was better not 10 laugh
until the queen had smiled. Well to the
front she rode, the most distinguished
princess OF her day. though certainly not
the most beautiful one, To her lovely
cousin, Mary OF Scotland. was rightly
awarded that honor; but Elizabeth pos
sessed, as a chronicler Of the day quantity
expresses 1t, "a kingly carriage" and she
rode her palfrey like sovereign born.
On her gloved wrist she carried a hooded
salcon. held by gold and crimson cord.
for 1t was hawking. not hunting party
that she led and many knights and la
dies carried hawks: but the Queea's own.
in training and lineage, excelled them ALL
Separated by slight distance from the
queen and her immediate party, caIce
the youthful attendants upon the sport,
kinsmen or wards of the noble lords who
waited upon their royal mistress. But so
rigid was the Difference exacted in that
age from the young towards parents and
superiors, that they were present merely
as spectators and unless specially per-
mitted, or invited, were not even allowed
to listen to the conversation that took
place between the queen and her cour-
tiers, much less to participate in it.
one Of these, though no more richly
dressed than his companions. was easily
conspicuous among jhtm. as much by the
noble expression Of his countenance and
by his courtly bearing, as by his hand
some features and his graceful person.
Gentle Master Phillip" SAID the
squarely-buil, youth nearest" whom fol-
low YOU in the sport today
My inclination follows where my duty
leads: I lose not sight Of the queens PAL
fry" was the grave resooas-.
His friend made WY face.
1t is not always a point Of vantage to
he under her majesty's observation he
said in very low tones" for her repri- .
mand can be as sharp as her commenda-
tion IS pleasant"
And now the marshy meadows We're
reached. where POOLS Of water stood, and .
willows friuged the low-lying banks OF
the Thames. Active yeomen In the
queens livery had preceded the cavalcade .
and now held in leash the dogs that were
10 rouse the quarry.
When heir royal mistress had Erac-
iously signided her readiness for the
sport to begin. the foremost ones were
loosed and they rushed elgerly INTO the
bushes.
Courtesy gave TO the queen the privil-
eye Of the first cast. and when Wild
duck rose. Elizabeth removed the hood
from the head OF Aneelin, her favorl-e
falcon. For an instant the ,eautiful
bird, pure white. save for a band Of black
spots that CT. ssed the back and wings. re-
n,ained immorable upon the queens up
lifted wrist. hs rel and piercing eye
seem.ng To dcvour his quarry
Then. opening his broad wings and de-
pressing his toad, he made a single -woop.
and r.rrms he neck Of the brilliant
pIumased bird wstl his sharp claws. he
bore it 10 the ground. Then he returned
to his mistress's wrist. 70 receive The
plaudits Of the courtiers and the care5ses
Of the queen, given with more genueness
than she often vouchsafed to any human
favorite.
Many waterfowl had risen, and every
hawk was loosened their owners follow
ing them. The cavalcade broke up into
several smaller groups and the wide mea-
dow became brilliant with rich mantles
and waving plumes. gem-set buckles and
golden chains glittering in the warm Oc-
tober sunshine.
The queen, surrounded by her chosen
courtiers. rode rapidly along the river
side. She kept her hawk hooded. not
choosing 20 fly him at any Of ,he smaller
birds that rose screaming from the ssdges.
When the greater number Of the party
had been left behind. large heron rose
suddenly from his fe Ding ground.
'Ah! there is game worthy Of Arcedn,
cried he mobiles. az the queen took OF
the hood and slipped the leash from the
falcrn
Again there was momeutlry pause.
then, as if driven by q hurricane, the
hawk sailed towards the heron, rising
by a series Of gyrations higher aud higher.
When fairly above the quaary. he made
his svoop with outstretched 5cak and
talons
The heron, with superb self-possession,
awaiting the attack, and receiving the
hawks breast upon his bill. innictiug a
wound. The two birds turned over and
over in the air, apparently caught in each
others clutches.
The hawk dlsengaged himself and Ian
guidly mounted a second time. The heron
assumed hi former position, presenting
his bill as at first
A murmur Of CONSERVATION rose round
the queen.
"AnceIn will be slain" exclaimed the
courtiers. He will impale himself"
The quen blew shrill call on the silver
whistle that hungh from her neck by a
chain of gold, but the falcon either did
not hear or would not arrest his vengeful
swoop. He darted downwards, and his
royal mistress uttered cry Of genuine
distress
The breast of the hawk seemed within
a foot Of the murderous beak, when an
arrow, flashing high above the willows
c,,i,ered in-fhe heron's wing.
The two birds futtered to the ground,
and the royal lady galloped to the spot
to receive her wounded falcon and smooth !
his rufTied plumage.
where Is the archer?" she demanded !