197 



An Iiislinian one rlav slvlv entered the yard, bul in 

 crossing Xero's province he was set upon by the bird. 

 In the fleshy part of the man's thigh he imbedded his 

 talons, and it was with considerable difflculty his hold 

 was loosened. Erin's son declared that never before 

 in his life had he met "sich a divil," and that nothing 

 short of the eagle's life could appease his injuries. 



Examinntion showed that although there were ugly 

 tlesh wounds, nothing of a serious nature would fol- 

 low. This information being imparted, and a two dol- 

 lar bill tendered to the Irishman, his sufferings were 

 much relieved. He stated that although he looked 

 upon the "critter" as a "bold, bad burd," still he 

 deemed him a fit subject to "kape frum" any intrusion 

 in the back yard, and that in the future, whenever h<' 

 had any business with Bridget, he would enter the 

 front gate and make known his wants at the front 

 door. 



HE DEVOURED THOMAS CATS. 



The strongest and largest torn cat he could manage 

 with ease. When anyone had a specially objectiona- 

 ble cat which they wanted disposed of, they would bag 

 it up and bring it to the eagle. As soon as he saw 

 the bag the bird, which an instant before sat moping, 

 ruffed-feathered and seemingly half dead, suddenly, as 

 if by magic, changed, as it were, into a new being; 

 body erect, feathers close to the body, tail expanded, 

 the sunken eyes, with ten-fold inirea.^ed lustre, fol- 

 lowed with argus gaze every motion of the bag and 

 occupant ; soon as grimalkin was liberated the eagle 

 swooped down and grasped it. If the cat was of or- 

 dinary size, Nero displayed little concern in dispafch 

 ing il ; but if it was a Thomas feline, of Imgh dimen- 

 sions, all the powers of the l»ird were brought into 



