1 0
WHTTB-TAILED EAGLE.
up. For several moments I was unable to realize the situation or collect my atiUniml seuses; at last 1
comprehended the slate of affairs, ami crawling to the eutranco of my burrow the lirst object tbat met my eyes
was the ever watchful Sandy, in the same position that 1 had last seen him during the height of the storm.
The sun was now shining brightly, the air was cool and pleasant, and all signs of the tempest had passed away.
As soon as 1 made my appearance the forester crept stealthily forward, and slated that tho male Eagle, carrying
a lamb in his claws, bad unci? been in towards t h e rock, but whether he had proceeded as far as t h e nest he had
been unable to discern, us an angle of the cliffs shut out the view in that direction. The female hud not shown
herself, and we al once deeideil that not a moment should be lost for fear she took her departure in search of
food. Hastily snatching op the gun we made our way, as rapidly as the roughness of t h e track would allow us,
lo the lower part of the pass ; and having selected a posit ion with linn slanding-grouod from which 1 could
shoot, Sandy proceeded a yard or two further and gave a low whistle and, after waiting a second or two, a
loud shout, neither of which bad ihc effect of starting the bird. A small stone was next pitched on to tho
ledge, but still no sigus ; and 1 was beginning lo think she must have slipped away uupereeived, when, with a
mighty spread of wing, out she swept, presenting a magnificent chance. So sooner bad I pressed tho lirst
trigger t h a n it Hashed across my mind thai I had omitted to replace the cartridges extracted during the storm
of the previous night. Two dull clicks were the sole response; and the Eagle sailed away without appearing to
have taken the slightest notice of our presence."