Evening journal., 1899-10-03
A Thrilling Spectacle.
BY Geo. H. coomer.

~ NNo bOl > AAhtlahS muCh llon
each other in charFter Walter Brew
er, the captains sSl, was an active fell
low, but very needless aud 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 a stay, as his companion
would sometimes do, but would take
to the shrouds in the regular manner.
Walter often challenged him to dc
some perilous thing, and would
thoughtlessly accuse him Of cowardice
when he refused, as he invariably did,
where there was no necessary end 10
be accomplished by accepting the pro-
posed risk.
Yet, whenever the widows son did a
piece of work, either on deck or aloft,
IL was done thoroughly, which was
more than could be said of Walters
tasks.
Arthur did not like the imputation Of
cowardice, but he told me one day that
he could not see the need Of doing
foolish things just to show that he was
brave.
/ felt sure that he had more true
courage than his reckless young ship.
mate, though 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 is here very mountainous
so that we found rocks hundreds Of
feet high, with gorges branching off in
all directions.
In some places we climbed 10 such O
height that, although our ship was O
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
jastic sweeps, uttering loud cries, like
those OF the common fish hawk.
Some one suggested that they prob
ably had n nest close at hand, and the
two boys were instantly inspired will
r--a,t Tocfra 20 fnI 81
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 tol" said Walter
YOU'D be afraid Of the old birds. Jus
let me get sight Of i'll I'll show yol
how TO go up to an eagles nestl"
Arthur made some careless reply
laughing good-naturedly as he did sc
and they both commenced hunting 70
/ the eyrie.
For some time we could hear thei
shouting to each other as they pursue
the search. They seemed at length {
have separated widely among the cliff
and for a while we heard nothing froI
them.
We now discovered that, instead @
only one couple, there were two pair
Of the eagles, and this seemed to be th
reason that the boys did not keep tC
cether. There might be two nests.
Supposing that the youngsters woul
soon return, we did not pay much a
tention to their absence, until startle
by what seemed a cry of distress.
The eagles themselves were scream
ing, but their shrill notes could ne
quite drown the human voice that al
peared to be calling out in pain or te
ror.
at is that Walt" said one of OF
men. Hes got into some trouble
broken some Of his limbs, likely enoug
, and the captain will blame us for
There, hear that?"
"Helpl helpl" cried the voice. az
hurt. Come quick, or I shall be lille
Oh, dear, what shall I do?"
1t was plain that the sufferer coul
not be far off; yet, to bring him with
sight, we had to make our way throug
some very difficult places.
When we did get view Of him, Il
peril of his position really terrified u
He was at a height of some 300 fe
above the ground, upon the jagged fa'
of a cliff. In a fssure of this his fe
and legs appeared to be wedged viii
with his hands he clung desperately
] a small projecting point.
y "Oh. oh, OIL" ne cried, as he caugl
b sight Of US. sect me out of this plac
= Get me down from here. can't NOV
and the eagles viii kill mel"
He lad good reason 10 thlnis 80, 4
the huge birds were sweeping close
his head, swapping their fierce beal'
d and making noise with their wing
}, like that Of a ships topsails when 81
2 is "going in stays"
!. you little scampl" exclaimed Il
second mate, who was with us; "ho
! did you ever get there? What wi
your father say 10 us, you young v
4 lain?"
"Oh, oh. OH" walled the poor fello'
81 was going up TO the eagles mes
and / slipped and got wedged in IN
= crevice. 1 can't get out. Come I