256 DANGEROUS WHEN WOUNDED. 



perienced sportsman may get into a very awkward scrape if 

 he should have wounded an eagle, and approached him 

 without being well armed ; for such a bird is not to be trifled 

 with. He has indomitable courage, and extraordinary 

 strength ; and it is therefore safest to go up to him with a 

 strong and tolerably long stake, so that when at a respectful 

 distance, one may give him the coup de grdc'e. 



" One morning I was sitting in a hut of the kind 

 described, which had been erected by my companion an old 

 sportsman who, though worn out with age and infirmities, 

 could not forego his favourite pursuit. We had not waited 

 long before we discovered a large and magnificent eagle 

 perched on the top of a lofty tree in the neighbouring forest. 

 Here for a time he remained motionless, and as if undeter- 

 mined what course to take. But presently he left his perch, 

 and with distended wings, and gradually lowering himself, 

 he soared through the air towards us the ravens, and other 

 birds, that had collected about the spot retreating, with 

 screams, at his approach and at length alighted very near 

 to the Luderplats. He now paused for a few seconds, casting 

 his flashing eyes around on every side to ascertain that all 

 was safe, and then pounced fiercely on to the carrion. I was 

 now about to fire, but the old gentleman, my companion, 

 who was deaf as a post, cried out : ' No, no ! let us look at 

 him for a time/ I was in despair at hearing this exclama- 

 tion, fancying that the eagle would take wing, and that we 

 should never see him more ; but to my great astonishment 

 he remained perfectly passive, and continued his repast. 

 Subsequently I put many questions in a loud voice to my 

 ancient friend, and long contemplated, and admired, the 

 winged hero, which, however, at length fell to my gun. 



