The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-11-12

1 fore morning mis- throat was parcnen
with thirst. When an eagle brought q
rabbit TO the nrie, and he had secured
portion. he was unable 10 eat more
than a mouthful or two. SO he lay
within the pines shelter. watching the
eagles, and listening for any stir o. life
which should betoken hunter within
sound d his voice.
The eagleis had grown suIIen pullins
at their strings. aud each lay or sat
upon its own side OF the nest, souriy
doing. except when a parent bird aD-
peared. Then there were strange con
tortions OF the body with wings raised
aloft and gaping. red maws. Lone Boy
now noted, too. that the old birds fed
the young separately apparently ac-
ceptlng the situafion without further
inquiry. After bringing some small bird
or animal, either eagle would 81 for a
time. perclled and preening, upon upon
some nearby crag. wholly oblivious Of
its rapaclous. gorging offspring
Watching these birds. Lone Boy re-
tanned his interest IN life FOR another
sun; then the fever OF thirst CON
summed him. Tor several days he lay
under the pine in semi-copscions
state. Half the people Of his Village
might have passed through the canyon
looking for him, and be could not have
needed. much less have answered their
calls
Then. on a cool morning. when
heavy dew was gliffering upon the pine
needles. be came suddenly into posses
sion OF his faculties Feeling strangely
light Of head and body, but with every
sense alert, be came out from hiding.
He felt as II walking upon air. and
stood upon the rock rim. looking down
Into the canyon. feeling that be was
quite capable OF jumping down there
upon the sands without taking hurt
II only be might jump far enough. He
looked down AZ his hands and bare
arms. which appeared 10 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 70 bear up his
lighfened weight.
No sooner thought than put In exc
cution. He turned 10 the eaglets. I'M
tied the kissing. pecizing birds. now
almost fnll-grown and fnlI-feathered.
and cut the thongs which bound them
They tapped their wings strongly and
nearly wrenched their legs out Of his
weak hands.
Then. Ia a sudden desperate rush. b.
bore them over the verge Of the rock
shelf and dropped Into the spaces OF the
canyon Down. down they dropped. the
boys arms widespread and the eaglets
fiapplng their untried wings
The descent was appalIingly swift
but the vigorous efforts Of the birds
carried the trio forward In a slant
which plunged them into the sand At
the canyons bottom Lone Boy stag
gered 10 his feet. alive and whole.
stIil dizzy and feeling very queer. the
lad saw the earth spin round him for
moment. Then again tying the
eagiets' legs. be staggered TO the river
hsnk. a half bow shots distance. There
lie qucnched his thirst after the eau
iious manner OF his Kind
A haifhour later he was able 10 visit
patch q ripe rnspberries. and despite
HIS swollen tongue. 70 eat heartily Of /
the luscious fruit
A haif-catcn rabbit which be bad 1
kicked on the eagles perch. stiii fur
ther renewed his yiror. and after a
half-day's rest he was able TO 20 slowly
lomewani, dragging his captiyes after
him.
Al the Bruie Sioux village. In honor
OF this exploit. he was named wambli
ynxa. Catches EagicS by which name
he Is known to this day.-Youfh's Com.
penion.