THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 205 



manfully ; and his screams, shrill as a railway whistle, 

 were literally deafening. During tw^o hours and a half 

 he did not cease to utter them for a moment. Though 

 his feet were bound, his efforts to escape were so violent 

 that it was impossible to hold him in one hand longer 

 than two or three minutes at a time, such was the 

 muscular power in so young a creature. 



It seldom falls to the lot of one person to accomplish 

 successfully two such difficult and perilous undertakings 

 as are here related : to shoot ten eagles and take two 

 alive. But then there are few, even among the most 

 practised mountaineers, w^ho would have the nerve to 

 adventure where Count Arco went. Success in either 

 case did not depend on patience merely, or perseverance, 

 necessary as both were ; but on well-authorised self- 

 reliance, on a steady eye and firm foot ; great muscular 

 strength and activity of body, as well as a resolute, 

 unwavering heart : in a word, on hardihood equally 

 daring to conceive and to carry out the plan. 



In closing this chapter, I beg to acknowledge the 

 very kind assistance afforded me while writing it by 

 Count Max Arco. I am indebted to him for many 

 hints which his experience and knowledge of the habits 

 of the eagle enabled him to give me. 



