The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1899-09-22
A Thrilling Spectacle.
By Geo. II. Coomer.
On board the ship Luminary we had |

low, but very needless and rash. We
used to think that he must resemble
that "little Jack" of the ballad, who
climbed to the main-truck of 'Old Iron
sides" There was nothing he loved
better than to perform some dangerous
and unnecessary feat.
On the other hand, Arthur Clifford,
son of good Widow Clifford, in the little
seaport where the ship belonged, al
though no less active than Walter, was
always careful of his own safety, and
took no risks where duty did not call
him. He would not pass from one mast
to another on stay, as his companion
would sometimes do, but would take
to the shrouds in the regular manner.
Walter often challenged him to do
some perilous thing, and would
thoughtlessly accuse him of cowardice
when ne refused, as he invariably did,
where there was no necessary end to
be accomplished by accepting the pro-
posed risk.
Yet, whenever the widows son did a
piece of work, either on deck or aloft,
it was done thoroughly, which was
more than could be said of Walters
tasks.
Arthur did not like the imputation of
he could not see the need of doing
foolish things just to show that he was
brave.
1 felt sure that he had more true
courage than his reckless young ship
mate, though 1 little anticipated the
surprising manner in which the fact
was to be demonstrated.
We were lying in one of the many
harbors on the west side of Vancouver's
island, when the captain allowed us an
all-day'S run on shore.
The coast Us here very mountainous,
so that we found rocks hundreds of
feet high, with gorges branching off in
all directions.
In some places we climbed to such a
height that, although our ship was a
long distance off, she had the appear
ance of being close under our feet.
Presently our attention was attracted
by the sight of two huge, gray eagles,
that came wheeling about us with ma
jestic sweeps, uttering loud cries, like
those of the common fish hawk.
Some one suggested that they prob
ably had nest close at hand, and the
two boys were instantly inspired with
a great desire to find it.
An eagles nest would certainly be
curiosity, whether containing eggs or
young.
"Oh, you wouldn't go up to it, Art;
you wouldn't dare to!" said Walter.
you'd be afraid of the old birds. Just
let me get sight of it! I'll show you
how to go up to an eagles nest!"
Arthur made some careless reply,
laughing good-naturedly as he, did so,
and they both commenced hunting for
the eyre.
For some time we could hear them
shouting to each other as they pursued
the search. They seemed at length to
have separated widely among the cliffs,
and for while we heard nothing from
them.
We now discovered that, instead of
only one couple, there were two pairs
of the eagles, and this seemed to be the
reason that the boys did not keep to-
gether. There might be two nests.
Supposing that the youngsters would
soon return, we did not pay much at
tention to their absence, until startled
by what seemed cry of distress.
The eagles themselves were scream
ing, but their shrill notes could not
quite drown the human voice that ap-
peared to be calling out in pain or ter
ror.
at is that Walt" said one of our
men. ''He's got into some trouble
broken some of his limbs, likely enough
and the captain will blame US for it.
There, hear that?"
"Help! help!" cried the voice. 'I'm
hurt. Come quick, or I shall be killed.
Oh, dear, what shall doc"
1t was plain that the sufferer could
not be far off; yet, to bring him within
sight, we had to make our way through
some very difficult places.
When we did get a view of him, the
peril of his position really terrified US.
He was at height of some 300 feet
above the ground, upon the jagged face
of cliff. In a fissure of this his feet
and legs appeared to be wedged, while
with his hands he chung desperately to
small projecting point.
''Oh, oh, OH" ne cried, as he caught
sight of us. sect me out of this place.
Get me down from here. I can't move,
and the eagles will kill me!''
He had good reason to think so, for
the huge birds were sweeping close to
his head, swapping their fierce beaks,
and making a noise with their wings,
like that of a ships topsails when she
is ''going in stays"
''You little scamp!" exclaimed the
second mate, who was with us; show
did you ever get there? What will
your father say to US, you young vii
LAMP
"Oh, oh, OH" walled the poor fellow.
Il was going up to the eagles nest,
and L slipped and got wedged in this
crevice. 1 can't get out. Come up
quick-quick!"
Some 80 or 40 feet above him was the
eagles nest, sure enough. 1t seemed
astonishing that any human being
should ever have had the recklessness