The Elbert County tribune., 1906-03-08

near the rock dim above.
II within a very few days some one
should pass within hailing distance,
there would be a chance of rescue;
otherwise not
Again the lad crawled within the
tent-like shelter of the pine, where for
time he watched the uneasy eaglets
flop about and peck at the annoying
strings which hampered them. Toward
night the old eagles returned. and one
of them bore cock sage-grouse in its
talons.
Lone Boy was near to laughter when
the dead bird was deposited upon the
nest, for the tied eaglets struggled
spitefully. jerking the quarry back and
forth, Tapping their wings, and pulling
against each other for possession. In
the meantime the old eagle sat with
solemn look of inquiry upon its face.
and finally flew away, croaking in ap-
parent disgust.
The boy crawled from hiding. Some
of that grouse he must have, and he
secured the leg and a portion of the
breast for his supper. This, of course.
he was forced to eat raw.
That night he slept fitfully, and be-
fore morning his throat was parched
with thirst. When an eagle brought
rabbit to the aerie. and he had secured
portion. he was unable to eat more
than a mouthful or two. So he lay
within the pines shelter, watching the
eagles, and listening for any stir of life
which should betoken hunter within
sound of his voice.
The eaglets had grown sullen pulling
at the strings, and each lay or sat
upon its own side of the nest, sourly
doing. except when a parent bird ap-
peared Then there were strange con-
tortlons of the body. with wings raised
aloft and gaping red maws. Lone Boy
now noted. too. that the old birds fed
their young separately, apparently ac-
cepting the situation without further
inquiry. After bringing some small
bird or animal. either eagle would sit
for time perched and preening. upon
some nearby crag. wholly obivious of
its rapacious gorging offspring.
Watching these birds. Lone Boy re
tanned his interest in life for another
sun; then the fever of thirst consumed
him. For several days he lay under
the pine in a semi-consci3us state.
Half the people of his village might
have passed through the canon looking
for him. and he could not have needed.
much less have answered. their calls.
Then, on a cool morning, when a
heavy dew was glittering upon the
pine needles, he came suddenly into
possession of ihis faculties. Feeling
strangely light of head and body. but
with every sense alert. he came out
from hiding.
He felt as If walking upon air, and
stood upon the rock rim, looking down
into the canon, feeling that he was
quite capable of jumping down there
upon the sands without taking hurt If
only he might jump far enough He
looked down at his hands and bare
arms, which appeared TO be nothing
but skin and bone. and a startling
thought came into his mind.
Why not take the young eagles and
jump. They would help to bear up
his lightened weight.
No sooner thought than put in ex-
ecution. He turned to the eaglets. un-
tied the Kissing pecking birds, now al
most full-grown and full feathered. and
cut the thongs which bound them.
They tapped their wings strongly, and
nearly wrenched their legs out of his
weak hands.
Then, In a sudden. desperate rush.
he bore them over the verge of the
rock shelf and dropped into the spaces
of the canon. Down, down, they
dropped, the boys arms widespread
and the eaglets tapping their untried
wings.
The descent was appallingly swift
hut the vigorous efforts of the birds
carried the trio forward in slant
which plunged them into the sand at
the canons bottom. Lone Boy stag
gered to his feet. alive and whole.
Still dizzy and feeling very queer
the lad saw the earth spin round him
fer a moment. Then again tying the
eaglets' legs, he staggered to the river
bank, half bow shots distance.
There lie Quenched !iis thirst after the
cautious manner of his kind.
A half-hour later he was able to visit
n patch of ripe raspberries, and despite
his swollen tongue, to eat heartily of
the luscious fruit.
A half-eaten rabbit, which he had
kicked off the eagles perch. still,
further renewed his vigor, and after a
half-day's rest he was able to go
slowly homeward. dragging his cap
tives after him.
AT the Brule Sioux village, in honor
of this exploit. he was named Wambli
Yuza. Catches Eagles. by which name
he is known to this day.-Youth's Com.
panion.
" Phenomenon Indeed.