208 Flight of the Falcon. [CHAP. XI. 
fortynately, a slight movement on my part was detected by 
the quick eye of the falcon, and my nearness was discovered. 
Having gazed at me for a few, and only for a few, seconds 
with an angry and piercing scowl, mingled with surprise, 
he then rose, uttering a scream so wild and so loud as to 
awaken the echoes of the surrounding rocks; while he him- 
self, with the remains of his feast, which he bore along with 
him, rounded a point of the cliff and disappeared ; and there 
is no doubt that he ended his repast in unmolested security. 
“I was glad—nay, proud— of this unlooked-for occur- 
rence, as I had never before, on any occasion, had the pleas- 
ure of witnessing any of those noble birds in a state of nat- 
ure, or while engaged in devouring their prey, and that, too, 
among the rugged fastnesses of their natural retreat. In con- 
sequence of having paid particular attention to the move- 
ments of the falcon, I was enabled to bring to maturity an 
opinion, the seeds of which were sown many years ago— 
viz., that if painters, engravers, and preservers of animals 
would endeavor to get lessons from nature, and work ac- 
cordingly, the public would not be so often duped as they 
are, by having to pay for false representations and carica- 
tured figures, instead of the genuine forms of these noble 
birds. 
“The falcon had no sooner fled than the reality of my 
own situation again burst upon my mind. I had as little 
prospect of relief from passers-by as ever; and, becoming 
a prey to evil forebodings, I felt cold and sick at heart. It 
was now afternoon, and daylight would soon be on the 
wane. I had no time to lose, for it was necessary that 
something should be done to extricate myself, if possible, 
before dark. The only way of doing so was by sliding 
down the declivity, be the consequences what they might. 
Accordingly, I unloosed the gun from its place on my back, 
and having taken my garters, which were very long, from 
my legs, I tied them together, then attached one end of 
them to the gun, and holding the other end in my hand, I 
