WHIPPED BY EAGLES 



43 



too. And they were growing bolder with every dash. 

 One of them, driving fearfully from behind, flattened 

 me out on the nest. Had the blow been delivered from 

 the front, I should have been knocked headlong to 

 ,the ground. 



I was afraid to delay longer. A good-sized breach 

 was opened in the rim of the nest by this time. 

 And now, if the sticks would not pull out, I might 

 let myself over and reach the fork. Once my feet 

 touched that, I could manage the rest, I knew. 



Digging my hands deep into the nest for a firm 

 hold, I began cautiously to back over the rough, 

 stubby rim, reaching with my feet toward the fork. 



The eagles seemed to appreciate the opportunity 

 my awkward position offered them. I could not have 

 arranged myself more conveniently to their minds, I 

 am sure. And they made the most of it. I can laugh 

 now; but the memory of it can still make me shiver, 

 too. 



I had wriggled over just so that I could bend my 

 body at the waist and bring my legs against the nest 

 when a sharp stub caught in my clothes and held 

 me. I could get neither up nor down. My handhold 

 was of the most precarious kind, and I dared not let 

 go for a moment to get off the snag. 



I tried to back out and push off from it, but it 

 seemed to come out with me. It must be broken ; 

 and pulling myself up, I dropped Avith all the force 

 I could put into my body. That loosened, but did 



