apparently forgotten that the eagle lived along 

 this road, or else in her struggle to get the prize 

 home she was risking the old dragon's being 

 away. He was not away. I have no doubt that 

 he had been watching her all the time from 

 some high perch, and just as she reached the 

 open of the railroad- track, where the booty 

 would not fall among the trees, he appeared. 

 His first call, mocking, threatening, commanding, 

 shot the poor hawk through with terror. She 

 screamed ; she tried to rise and escape ; but 

 without a second's parley the great king drove 

 down upon her. She dropped the fish, dived, and 

 dodged the blow, and the robber, with a rushing 

 swoop that was glorious in its sweep, in its speed 

 and ease, caught the eel within a wing's reach of 

 me and the track. 



I did not know what to do with my spoil. 

 Somewhat relieved, upon looking around, to find 

 that even the marsh-hen had not been an eye- 

 witness to my knightly deed, I started with the 

 fish and my conscience toward the distant nest, 

 determined to climb into it and leave the catch 

 with the helpless, dinnerless things for whom it 

 was intended. 



[64] 



