THE ROBBERS OF THE FALLS 



iron spur. There were sharp rocks beneath and I 

 had to be exceedingly careful. Indeed one could not 

 be enough so, having to use both hands at times to 

 adjust the camera. It was awkward, nerve-trying 

 work, and took a long time, but it was finally done, the 

 thread cable laid, and I crawled into the tent. The 

 hawk was suspicious, and it was only after hours of 

 waiting with eyes at the peek hole and neck almost 

 paralyzed, that I secured two shots at her on the nest, 

 and then, with the precious plates, I followed the path 

 back to the "rig." 



I had driven the horse up a rocky wood road until the 

 ascent became too steep and rough for further progress, 

 and hitched to a tree in a little opening. It was two 

 o'clock when I drove down, and, as I had not brought 

 much lunch, I was hungry. Just then I remembered 

 an apple in my pocket which a boy whom I met had 

 given me. It proved quite hard, so I opened my 

 knife to cut it and let the horse climb unguided down 

 the declivity. I only looked off for a moment, but it 

 was a moment too long. The horse swerved slightly 

 and made the wheel on the right strike a steep rock 

 projecting close to the trail. As quick as a flash the 

 buggy was overturned and I was pitched out into the 

 bushes, knife in hand. Fortunately I was not cut, but 

 I lost the reins and the frightened horse ran away, 

 galloping down the rocky trail, the buggy bottom-side- 

 up, camera, plates, tripod, everything, being scattered 

 to the winds. Then with a flying leap down a steep 



44 



