Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-03-05

ming blows with her terrible wings, tne
bird beat the air in front of Williams's
face, holding her position and tearing
savagely at the head and face Of the
would be despoiler Of her home. Hel
screams were incessant.
Meanwhile on top of the cliff there
was utter CONSERVATION. The atten-
ton Of one man was necessarily taken
up with the rope, and a slip on his
part meant instant death to Williams
in the way Of a fall to the rocks at the
foot of the precipice. With a rifle In
his hand the other man watched that
nightmare flight in midair far below
him. He could not shoot without en-
dangering williams even more than the
eagle.
Just then things were going very
badly with the nest robber. Blood was
flowing from a dozen cuts on his head
and face, his hand was lacerated, the
clothing about his shoulders was cut
in ribbons. Moreover he was half
stunned, and but for the loop in the
end Of the rope would have fallen to
his death. He had no time to give di-
rections to his comrades and simply
had to fight the battle out alone.
Presently the old bird darted away,
preparing for another swoop at the
defenceless man. When she was ten
feet distant a rife shot rang out from
the top of the cliff, and Williams knew
his friends were doing what they could.
But the old bird did not falter for a
second, although couple Of feathers
from her terrible right wing fioated
away in the wind. In his haste to send
a second bullet downward the man
with the rifle managed to jam it, and
with a despairing cry threw the now
useless weapon to the ground.
The eagle returned to the attack
with even greater fury, and for few
minutes Williams thought his last
moments had arrived. But still he
fought on. pulling greater handfuls of
feathers from the bird and beating at
her desperately with his bare fist, re-
ceiving in return many cuts and slashes
as well as stunning blows from the
madly Tapping wings. He was almost
ready to loose his hold on the rope and
go crashing down to the bottom of the
canon, when the eagle suddenly wheel
ed away for another attack.
AS she came back again, screaming
and beating the air, something the size
of Williams's head struck her on the
back, and down she went like stone,
whirling over and over. Williams's
friends above had hurled a small rock
at the bird, and luckily for Williams,
the boulder had struck her fairly on the
back between the immense wings.
Hold on tight and we'll let you down
to the bottom!" sang out the man at
the top Of the cliff. leaning far over.
Then Williams showed the sterling
stuff Of which he was made. Though
bleeding from dozen wounds, breath
less and exhausted, he was still deter
mined to fulfill his errand.
Hold me here until I get these little
BIRDS" he shouted feebly. Il came af-
ter them, and I'm going to have them" "
With that the plucky fellow crawled
back into the niche, put the two little
eaglets in his bag, thrust his leg
through the loop. grasped the rope with
both hands, and was safely lowered to
the floor Of the canon.
Within a few feet Of where he land
ed lay the old mother eagle. Williams
staggered over to her and gave her a
kick. To his amazement she moved,
stood up on her feet and flew away.
One Of Williams's companions came
sliding down the rope and reached him
just as the injured man tainted from
loss of blood and excitement. The pun
ishment he had received was terrible,
but fortunately his eyes had escaped
injury.
After casting Off the rope the third
man made his way down the mountain
to where Williams and his friend were.
They managed to stop the flow Of blood,
and between them got the wounded
man his horse and brought him to Riv-
erton. Williams spent several days in
bed and was covered with bandages
for two weeks, but received no lasting
injuries.
AS souvenirs Of his terrible fight he
has two little eagles and a dozen or
more big scars to show his friends
Wide World Magazine.