Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-02-15
A Thrilling Spectacle.
By Geo. H. Coomer.


er, the captains son, was an active Eel.
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 has 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 he 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
cowardice, but be told me one day that
he could not see the need Of doing
foolish things just TO show that be was
I brave.
] felt sure that he had more true
courage than his reckless young ship
mate, though l little anticipated the
surprising manner in which the fact
was 10 be demonstrated.
We were lying in one Of the many
harbors on the west side OF Vancouyer'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 of 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
anee Of being close under our feet.
Presently our attention was attracted
by the sight Of two huge, gray eagles,
that came wheeling about ms with ma
iestie sweeps, uttering loud cries, like
those Of the common fish hawk.
Some one suggested that they prob |
ably had a nest close at hand, and the |
two boys were instantly inspired with |
a great desire 70 find it,
A. L. .F4T, L..
curiosity, whether containing eggs or |
young.
"Oh. you wouldn't go up 10 Il. Art; |
YOU wouldn't dare to-" said Walter. |
you'd be afraid Of the old birds. just I
let me get a sight Of it! I'll show you
how to go up to an eagles nesti"
Arthur made some careless reply, 4
laughing good-naturedly as he did so,
and they both commenced hunting for
the eyrie.
For some time we could hear them
shouting to each other as they pursued
the search. They seemed at length 10
have separated widely among the cliffs,
and for a 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-
eether. There might be two nests.
Surprising that the youngsters would
soon return. we did not pay much at
tention to their absence. until startled
by what seemed a cry Of distress.
The eagles themselves were scream
ing. but their shrill notes could not
quite drown the human voice that APP
peared 70 be calling out in pain or ter
ror.
at is that Walt" said one of our
men. Hes got into some trouble
broken some Of his limbs, likely enough
and the captain will blame us for il.
There, hear that?"
"Helpi helpl" cried the voice. "l'm
hurt. Come quick. OF | shall be killed.
Oh. dear. what shall ! do|
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 view OF him, the
peril OF his position really terrified us. ,
He was at a height of some 300 feet
lbove the ground. upon the jagged face
Il a cliff In a fssure Of this his feet
md legs appeared TO be wedged, while r
With his hands he chung desperately 10 /,
small. projecting point. i
"0h, oh, OH" he cried, as he caught /,
light OF US. Get me out Of this place. !,
let me down from here. can't move. !,
md the eagles will kill met" \
He had good reason 10 think so, for Il
he huge birds were sweeping close 10 A
is head. swapping their fierce beaks,
nd making a noise with their wings. ''
Ike that of a ships topsails when she I
going in stays" 4
"You little scamp" exclaimed the a.
scond mate, who was with US; show Il
id you ever get there? What viii
our father say to us, you young vii p
lin ?" III
"Ob oh oh" walled the poor fellow. / II