Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-08-15
YOYOUk'S RAVENS,
By GEORGE HARLOW CLARK.

end of the twine to the rope and made
fast the other to an arrow. Then,
putting the feathered notch to the bow
string, he measured the distance with
his eye and sent the shaft, with the
white cord trailing behind it. hurtling
aloft.
Although accounted the most skill
full young archer of his village, his first
shot merely disturbed the domestic
tranquility of the tenants of the aerie.
The old birds at once took wing. and
wheeling above their home, expressed
their indignation by discordant croak-
ing, to which their offspring responded
with shrill squawks of alarm.
A second trial was successful. De-
scribing graceful curve past the top
of the rock, the missile whistled earth
ward. but as it fell the cord lodged
fairly on the spur from which a
double line remained suspended.
When he had recovered the arrow,
1t was a simple matter, by pulling in
the cord to replace it with the rope
Then Koyouk grasped the slender,
swaying strands. tugged at them with
all his strength until they were as
taut as metal rods under the strain.
then threw his entire weight upon
| them and swung his body to and fro
a human pendulum. This test con-
vinced him that the rope would hold.
He slowed the flour-sack il the hood
of his parkie, or jumper, and then
nd nj ho ;D;&
| face of the column. The spur was
gained without mishap, and securing
| foothold on it. he scrambled up on the
sloping platform yard or so above.
Close at hand, in the center of
space of irregular outline, but nowhere
more than six feet across. the excited
chicks. five little creatures, almost
fully f1edged, huddled in a huge nest,
bulky with the accumulated debris of
many seasons. The prize was nearly
won.
But the old birds greeting of Ko-
youk on their very hearth almost
brought about disastrous termina-
tion of the enterprise. Hitherto they
had restricted themselves to vocifer-
Gus protestation, but when they saw
the intruder crouch within arms
length of their defenseless brood,
resentment toward the one. mingled
with solicitude for the others, impelled
them to close with him. Screaming
with rage, they swooped down in a
furious charge, striking with beak and
talons, AMI beating him about the
head with their stout wings.
So swift and unexpected was the
assault that Koyouk had barely time
to crouch beside the nest to avoid
a frightful fall. Fortunately. he re-
tanned presence of mind and managed
to ward off most Of their blows, but in
the defense his unprotected han Is
were soon severely scratched and cut.
Prudnce counseled immediate re-
treat, but Koyouk disdained to go
empty-handed. 1t had been his origi-
nal intention to pick out the choicest
one Of the brood, but he had counted
on leisure with which to examine and
select, and this violent reception dis
concerted him. So, taking advantage
of an opportune lull in the conflict he
plucked the sack from his hood, seized
the first bird that came to hand, and in
spite of its puny resistance popped it
into the bag and tied up the mouth
with rawhide thong.
This act was the signal for a cessa-
tion of the truce. Again the infuriat-
ed pair swept down to battle, this
time to rescue or avenge the captive.
One, the smaller, iarted fearlessly at
Koyouk's face, but well-aimed thrust
with his clenched fist repelled it. The
next instant, as he glanced about to
locate its mate before beginning the
descent he beheld sight that caused
him to utter a cry of CONSERVATION.
Koyouk turned just in time to see
the other bird fly from the spur be-
meath his feet with the light rope
clutched in its powerful talons.
Another moment and it was lying on
the ground, so feet below. Escape
was now impossible.
Koyouk was not easily frightened,
but the birds uncanny instinct, to-
gether with the peril of his situation,
filled him with dismay. Bitterly he
regretted that fear of parental disap-
proval had induced him to keep his
project secret, for otherwise he might
have contemplated early relief in
stead of the prospect of days elapsing
before a searching party could rescue
him. He shudderei when he reflect
4 &I,aA -. ~
not discovered his fate would be for
ever a mystery.
He dreaded also lest his astute cap
tors should find q way of infiicting
further punishment upon him. For
some time the one that had cast off
the rope continued to circle over him,
but it did not renew the attack, and at
length Joined its consort. preening its
rumpled plumage in spruce-top