Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1905-09-18

his way along the narrow. shelf-like
trail, finally reached the wind-swept
rocky summit on which the village had
been built. The Indians professed to be
glad to see him, and readily agreed that
he should arbitrate the differences be-
tween them and their agent. This hav-
ing been accomplished, at length, the
officer fastened to return to his bivouae.
AS he began TO wind his way down the
.tortuous path he observed an Indian
woman with her child at her back and a
water jar on her head, Just leaving the
trail at the obttom on her way to
spring some distance, beyond. After
reaching the plain the woman took the
child from her back and left 1t sprawl
ing on the ground while she fastened to
the spring to fill her water jar. She had
gotten but few yards away when an
immense eagle suddenly swept down
from a high peak adjoining the butte,
and Selling the child attempted to fly
away with it. Finding this impossible,
the bird loosened its hold upon the child
and attempted to escape Its talonss.
however, had become entangled in gar
ment worn by the infant, and despite ita
frantic efforts it was held fast.
The swish of the eagles wings as it de-
scended from the heights, and the cries
Of the infant as the bird struck 1t,
reached the Mortified mother almost at
the same moment and turning instantly
about she ran towards her child, scream
ing as she went. AS she came near the
eagle, it spread out its broad pinions
and partially raising the child from the
ground dragged it rapidly along, beating
/ the earth with its wings as 1t attempted
to escape The mother followed with
all possible speed, and from time to time
came quite near, and was almost on the
I point Of seizing her babe when the bird
few away again, dragging the child over
| the rough ground.
A soldier on watch at the bivouac.
hearing the cries of the woman, fastened
at once to her assistance, and joined
with her in pursuit Of the bird. The
eagle. however. eluded them both as they
| closed upon il from time to time IN its
| spasmodic efforts to escape At this
I juncture an Indian appeared approach
/ ing the butte on a donkey and. attracted
by the scene. fastened to Join in the
/ pursuit. Belaboring his donkey into 4
gallop, he approached the bird. but the
beast alarmed by the moving pinions Of
: hn oil y-aFTTerI sr r. he
meanwhile the soldier had abandoned
further effort to oVertake the bird on
foot, and. returning to the bivOuac. now
came OF again mounted on a mule from
the pack train. AS he drew near. riding
furiously along. the donkey turned sud
! denly towards him attracted by the
noise. and with the inbOrn stupidity Of
its kind. managed to place Itself directly
in the way. A terrific collision followed,
and for an instant thereafter q confused
mingling Of soldier and Indian and muls
and donkey presented Itself to the Of
GERS view. As the mass began to
st-aighten itself out the donkey let loose
with its hind feet aud for a moment OF
two seemed a prime factor in an easy
{ equation. A broadside in the mules d.
rection. however. speedily brought that
animal into action. a moment there
after he caught the donkey with both
feet il the flank and raised the poor
creature bodily from its feet.
As the weary eagle approached the
base Of the elf it was met By an Indian
boy. who boldly attacked il Ssizsrg tie
infant. the boy held OF coursgeOgsly
I while the ezgle pounded him with its
/ pinions and STUCK him repeatedly in the
I face with its sharp beak- The fasteu-
ings Of the garment on the child hraTly
EsveEay. and theeagle instantly raising
IL the air, trailing the torn garment Ee-
hind It. asoe1ded TO its erie On the tip
Of the peak and was quickly lost TO
view.
r r BREEERHOFF.
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