Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-02-15

While looking for such a spot ",
heard Arthur Clifford calling to hi,
young shipmate, and presently saw hin
going up the side of the rock. 1t sur.
prised us to see how fast he climbed.
We ran long distance, until it be.
gan to seem as If we were never TO find
q place to cross, and when we finally
did so, Arthur had almost accomplished
the ascent.
Hold on, Waltz" he cried: don't be
airaid-Im coming. just keep where
you are"
Oh the eagles!" answered Walt.
One Of them has just knocked nv can
on! Hurry up, Art-oh, come quick!''
Some of the rest of US attempted 10
Chamber up, but made wretched work OF
It, for the risk appeared frightful. Ii
was enough 10 shake a very stout heart
to cling to bare rock in the air. where
| the hold was So slight and doubtful.
and when we looked and saw the stair
so fearfully high, there was very little
encouragement in the prospect.
I've got him clear!" Arthur shouted
down 10 Us at length, as we were strung
along the face Of the cliff, some high
and some low; but / wish the eagles
would keep away. Only sect there are
four Of them nowi"
1t seemed as if a second pair had
come to assist the first, and, embold-
ened by their numbers, the whole be-
came startlingly ferocious.
Seeming TO know that the two BOYS
were attempting to retreat, they
pressed the attack with frantic rage.
Arthur's cap shared the fate of his
companions, and both lads got a num-
Der Of blows.
As Walter, after ALL had DO broken
bones, he was stil quite active, though
dreadfully cowed and frightened. lie
crouched into as small a space as pos
sible, while Arthur, knowing him to be
severely bruised, took the more exposed
position.
Suddenly there was a more than usual
thunder Of the sail-like wings All four
Of the birds seemed to swoop down at
once; their tails were broadened, and
their beaks and talons looked like hooks
Of steel.
We saw Arthur strike out with his
arms, and heard a terrified yell from
Walter.
In another moment our hearts stood
still with horror. Arthur Clifford had
gone completely off the rock, in midair,
over 500 feet from the ground!
What a spectacle it vast Such a
shock as We then experienced could
never be forgotten by any Of US.
But the next instant, what was our
surprise TO see that, instead Of falling
like a stone, he was merely sinking
slowly. There was a prodigious flap
ping Of wings about him, and we real
lied what bad happened. Two of the
enormous eagles had fastened their
talons in his stout flannel shirt, and his
weight, dragging them down, prevented
them from getting clear. Probably
they had both struck him at the same
time with what Tennyson would call |
their hooked hands, and this had |
caused him TO lose his balance and fall. |
Would their hold continue? Would |
it not give way and permit him to be
dashed 10 a shapeless mass?
"Oh, If they should unlock them
selves!" cried the second mate. But 1
there-seel see! He has got them 10y |
the legs besides! Hold on, Arthur! hold
on hard," he added, shouting with all
bis might.
The beating Of the broad wings was
like the Tapping of windmill arms, and
the screams Of the royal birds could
have been heard for miles. Faster ana
faster, however, they settled with their
oad. while the two that were still free
,ircled around the Others, shriekjng as
oud as they.
The descent may have occupied a min
lte: for those huge wings, IL or a
'eet from tip to tip, had immense re-
,isting power
Then Arthur struck the earth, and
he magnificent birds, making last
desperate effort, tore away from him.
aking long strips of his blue SHIFT in
heir terrible talons as they SCARED
screaming aloft.
The brave boy knew better than to
make any e fort at OBTAINING them; and,
indeed. he was already badly wounded
" their claws and out Of breath from
lis exertions. although wonderfully
DOL in mind.
where's Waltz" he asked. They
aven't thrown him off, have they
And the noble little fellow glanced
nxiously up at the high rock.
He had saved his companion at the
isk of his own life; for Walter, seeing
he way clear, at once RECOMMENDED his
escent, and soon got down to where
wo OF US were able TO assist him. His
,wer limbs were much injured where
hey had been wedged in the creviee,
ut he could still use them. Once more
pom the ground, he staggered up 10
rthur and seized his hand.
at was sou that saved me" he said.
You are the brayest fellow ever saw.
he eagles would have killed me where
was il YOU hadn't come. just look
my head and shouldersl See where
-. ~. -. 4 ,,.,l.d r,,aTn