98 



THE EAGLE. 



Contest "between a Boy and an Eagle 



we have met with, is the brave "behaviour of a little boy in 

 America : it occurred in the parish of St. Ambrose, near 

 New York. Two boys, the one seven and the other five 

 years old, were amusing themselves by trying to reap, while 

 their parents were at dinner. A large Eagle soon came 

 sailing over them, and with a sudden sw*oop attempted to 

 seize the eldest, but luckily missed him. The bird, not 

 at all dismayed, alighted at a short distance, and in a few 

 moments repeated his attempt. This bold little fellow, how- 

 ever, gallantly defended himself with his sickle, which he 

 fortunately held in his hand, and when the bird rushed upon 

 him, resolutely struck at it. The sickle entered under the 

 left wing, and the blow having been given strongly, went 

 through the ribs, and piercing the liver, proved fatal. On 

 opening the bird's stomach, it was found entirely empty, 



