THE FISHING-EAGLE. 51 



wards we reached the bottom of a perpendicular 

 rock, which rose sheer out of the lake and we could 

 distinctly make out the eyrie of the birds about five 

 and twenty yards up the face. It was built in a 

 fissure and rested partly on a shrub, whose roots ad- 

 hered to the rock. It was probable that at that 

 hour of the day the nest would be deserted and that 

 the old birds were seeking their own food or that of 

 their eaglets. 



The Yankee took ofi" his coat, climbed up the 

 rock, and in a few moments found himself on a 

 level with the Osprey's eyrie. 



" Hurrah ! " cried he, "there^s three young 'uns, 

 and all fit to take. We're jest in time, for in three 

 days they'd all have gone. Must make haste get 

 'em down though, for the old 'uns won't be far ofi". 

 Look out below, while I pack 'em up." 



By the aid of a long cord and a handkerchief tied 

 together at the four corners the three eaglets were 

 got down in safety, when Sandy drew our attention 

 to a couple of black spots which appeared in the 

 distance. 



" Here am de fader and moder ; so de Yankee 

 must look out if he don't come down quick." 



" Down with you," cried Mayne Reid, " there 

 come the eagles ! " 



Our Yankee friend did not wait for a repetition of 

 the warning, but down he came much quicker than 

 he went up, and at the very moment when his feet 



