The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-05-06
THE FIERCE CONDOR.
AN EXCITING ADVENTURE AT THE
TOP OF A PERUVIAN PEAK.

sailed by Fierce Birds in the Andes-One
Swooped Down and Carried or q Boy in
His Talons.
The three of us had been prospect
ing for gold along the Purus river, $50
miles southwest of Lima, Peru, for
three or four weeks before I
| had the good fortune to get
near sight of condor, re-
lates a South American traveller.
I had seen them at such a distance
that they might have been mistaken
| for crows, but though we had all kept
our eyes open and rifles ready no spec
linen of the big birds had come with
in cannon shot. When we complained
of our bad luck to Jose, the cook, who
had been born and reared among the
foothills of the Andes, he said:
There is no other bird living so
strong and fierce as the condor, and
yet the sight of man frightens him. He
seems to know just how far rife will
carry and he always keeps beyond
it,
How strcng is full-grown con-
dor?" 1 asked.
No man can tell you that" he re-
piled, ''but I will tell you what have
seen with my own eyes. One day, a
few miles from my home, while a man
who had been hunting sat upon rock
in the open to rest, he was attacked by
a condor, which suddenly dropped
from tho clyinc hc ~ !
fastened one claw in his back and the
other in his shoulder and struck him
a fearful blow with it's beak 1t could
not lift the man, for he weighed $50
| pounds; but it dragged him along the
ground for many rods before it let CO.
The blow from the condor's beak had
stunned the fellow and the wounds in
flicted by its talons were so terrible
that the man died of his injuries"
This simply whetted my desire to
see one of these mighty birds. For a
time it seemed as though would be
disappointed. One day, however, we
anne upon an old native and his son,
he latter about IL years of age. He
! vas talking of condors and pointed out
place high up on mountain spur.
ut has been there" said he, Since
my grandfather was a boy. 1 was
lose to it once, but it was empty. My
son here was near it, too, only a few
days ago. For little money he will
show you path"
That was exactly what we wanted,
and | soon struck a bargain. The lad
| had not approached the nest from be-
low, but from above. and had not
| found the route very difficult. He had
gone near enough to see a fledgling in
the nest, but being afraid of the old
birds return, had retreated after a
brief view. He was fairly intelligent
lad and proud to go with us, and he led
the way in manner to give us conf
dence. 1t was tough climb, but final
ly we reached the peak.
Just beyond the curve is the nest"
whispered the boy as we came to a
halt. IF the old bird is there what
will you do?"
Shoot her," 1 replied.
But if both are thefe?"
Then we will shoot both"
He looked serious and doubtful.
did not expect him to go further, but
he started off, having his bow and ar
row in hand, and we followed AS we
| turned the curve we came full uponthe
nest; the mother bird was there feed
ing fledgling.
With shrill scream of rage and sur
prise the old bird lifted herself about
Ten feet into the air, and as l fired at
her she fell. The lad had rushed for
ward to the nest; Jose and l were adj
vanging upon the fluttering and scream
ing bird-which was only badly
wounded-when there was a whirr of
wings and a shrill scream, and the
male bird dropped from the clouds fair
upon the boys back What happened
passed so quickly that we stood in
dumb surprise. The condor simply
swooped down, fastened his talons in
the boy, and was in full fight with him
all in the space of ten seconds. The
lad must have weighed at least fifty
pounds, but the bird lifted him easily
and flew in the direction of our camp,
sinking a little in his flight down the
slope, yet keeping above the trees.
AS we stood paralyzed with surprise
the wounded bird fluttered over the
edge of the cliff and was lost to us.
1t was night when we got down the
mountain, and noon the next day be-
fore We found the father of the boy.
| had expected an outburst of sorrow
and indignation, with a claim for
heavy damages, but when he had heard
the story he simply said:
1T was no ones fault, and it is no
use to look for the dead. He was a
good boy, but it was to be so. Perhaps
you will give me few pieces of sill
:er to comfort his mother?"
diseases of the Blood and Nerves.
No one need suffer with neuralgia. This
disease is quickly and permanently cured
hy Browns Iron Bitters. Every disease of
he blood nerves and stomach, chronic
o" otherwise, succumbs to Browns Iron
Bitters. Known and used for nearly q
quarter of century, it stands to-day fore
most among our most valued remedies
Browns Iron Bitters is sold by all dealers
PrOscd.
What right hay P you to say that
women are illogica %
Just this: You must admit that il
lakes logical process to arrive at a
,onclusion?"