The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-10-26
A Thrilling Spectacle.
By Geo. II. Coomer.
IN board the ship Luminary we had

IN board the ship Luminary we had
i two boys, differing much from
each other in character. Walter Brew
er, the captains son, was an active fell
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 a 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 he refused, as he invaria bly, 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
cowardice, but he told me one day that
be 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 I 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
island, when the captain allowed us al
all-day's run on shore.
The coast is here very mountainous
80 that we found rocks hundreds oil
feet high, with gorges branching off ir
all directions.
In some places we climbed to such {
height that, although our ship was {
long distance off, she had the appear
ance Of being close under our feet.
Presently our attention was attracted
oy the sight of two huge, gray eagles
that came wheeling about us with ma
lestlc sweeps. uttering loud cries, lik
those OF the common fish hawk.
Some one. suggested that they prob
ably had a nest close at hand, and tn
TWO boys were instantly inspired wit
great desire to find it.
An eagles nest would certainly be
curiosity, whether containing eggs o
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. Jus
iet me get sight of it! I'll show yo
how to go up to an eagles nest!"
Arthur made some careless repl,
laughing good-natFedly as he did 81
and they both commenced hunting fo
the eyrie.
For some time we could hear thel
shouting to each other as they pursue
.ne search. They seemed at length
nave separated widely among the cliff
and for while we heard nothing frol
them.
we now discovered that. instead ,
only one couple, there were two pail
the eagles, and this seemed to be Il
reason that the boys did not keep t
setner. There might be two nests.
Supposing that the youngsters wou
.oon return, we did not pay much a
Rntion to their absence, until startl,
what seemed cry of distress.
The eagles themselves were screal
Me. but their shrill notes could n
qease drown the human voice that a
ared to be calling out in pain CT te
NJ.
Il is that Walt" said one of o
Hes got into some trouble