208 FIFTEEN DAYS ON THE DANUBE. 



The eagles kept wheeling about overhead incessantly, and I 

 saw their great shadows gliding over the ground, while they 

 never ceased uttering their ominous cries of alarm. 



The sun was burning very fiercely, and thin wreaths of 

 vapour were rising from the ground, which was saturated with 

 yesterday's rain. I had chosen a very comfortable seat, and 

 the buzzing of the insects and the charming carols of the 

 countless song-birds had such a drowsy influence that I 

 suddenly fell fast asleep, and must have been in that condition 

 for a good hour, when I awoke and looking quickly up at the 

 nest saw a large brown bird moving about inside it. I could 

 only see the outline of its back from time to time, and made 

 sure that it was the old eagle supplying its young with food ; 

 so I took up my rifle and fired at this grey-brown form, as soon 

 as I again got a distinct glimpse of it. As nothing moved at 

 the shot, and a few small feathers were lifted by the wind and 

 carried over the edge of the nest, I felt sure that I had hit the 

 bird, so hastened back to my guide, feeling proud of my 

 successful shot ; and as it was now time to get ready for 

 the wolf-hunt, sent the climber to the nest to bring down the 

 dead eagle. 



On reaching the broad driving-road I found my brother- 

 in-law, who had returned empty-handed from an unsuccessful 

 attempt to shoot the Imperial Eagle. 



The rendezvous for the sportsmen was just at the spot where 

 the path leading from the Sea-Eagle's nest joined the broad 

 road which bisects the forest. The beaters were already 

 stationed by the fields at the edge of the woods, and the guns 

 came driving up in carts. Most of these sportsmen were 

 notables of the village, and their whole appearance and arma- 

 ment were so singular and primitive that we most fervently 

 prayed that Providence would prevent these fine fellows from 

 getting shots, otherwise our lives would be somewhat insecure. 

 With one of these sporting gentlemen I was particularly 



