GOLDEN EAGLE. 127 



thought that Mr. Ward would like to see it. We 

 were up at once, and followed the keeper to a 

 shoulder of the hill near the stone seat, and peeped 

 cautiously over the brae. He was still there, perched 

 on a rock about 400 yards oif, and with Archie's 

 glass we could see him distinctly. A magnificent 

 golden eagle, and sitting as still as a stone figure, 

 except by an occasional turn of his head to look 

 around. 



"Is it not fine?" whispered Ward. "I would 

 not have lost this sight for anything; let us get 

 as near as we can, and start him." But the great 

 bird was watchful, and the instant we showed above 

 the brae, he launched into the air, rising higher 

 and higher in wide circles, and we gazed till he was 

 lost to view by passing over the nearest hills. 



" Oh ! what a pity it is Sunday," exclaimed Fred ; 

 " Archie might have shot the eagle." 



" Shoot him ! you young miscreant," said Ward ; 

 " shoot you rather. Why one who would kill that 

 noble bird would not scruple to drain the loch, and 

 turn the Lodge into a soap-work." 



"You would not find the sheep-farmers so enthu- 

 siastic," I said. " Half a lamb daily, and perhaps a 

 brace of grouse after, is expensive keep." 



