112 HILLS AND LAKES. 



nage. He was like some great human heroes, using 

 his strength for pillage, and his power only to destroy. 

 I had, at least, removed one cause of terror, from the 

 anxious hearts of the mothers of those harmless 

 broods, that I had seen sporting near the opposite 

 shore, the destruction of which, my victim was no 

 doubt watching an opportunity to achieve. 



" Squire," said Tucker, as we shot into a little bay, 

 so shaded and delightfully cool that we could not re- 

 sist the temptation of making it a resting place, " I've 

 hearn people call the eagle a noble and magnanimous 

 bird ; but it ain't so. He's a cussed thief and robber, 

 as well as a murderer of things weaker than himself; 

 he's a mean, selfish critter, that takes no pleasure in 

 being sociable and friendly like ; he's always hunting 

 for something to devour, and when he gets hold of a 

 poor duck or rabbit, he flies to some solitary spot, all 

 alone by himself, and eats it. He never invites any- 

 body to dinner, and is sure to pick a quarrel with 

 every bird he meets. I've hear'n tell of the eagle and 

 his mate ; but I've been about these lakes twenty odd 

 years, and have seen a many of eagles, but I never 

 saw two together more'n two or three times, and they 

 were always quarrellin' and nghtin', till one or the 



