eagle was perceived, perched, or rather crouching, on a low ledge of
the cliff,--upon which it had dropped down after its unsuccessful
attempt at flight. It looked crestfallen, and as if it would suffer
itself to be caught by the hand. But as Ossaroo approached it with this
intention, the bird seemed to fancy itself free, and once more rose,
with a bold swoop, into the air.

It was only to feel the check-string tighten afresh upon his leg. It
came fluttering down again, first drawn back by the weight of the log,
and afterwards by the strong arm of the shikaree.

The log was now removed; and the whole rope they had on hand--a length
of rather more than fifty yards--was knotted in its place.

The bearcoot was again set free--Ossaroo taking care to keep the leash
well in hand; and now the beautiful bird of Jove rose into the air, as
if not the summit of the cliff, but the proud peak of Chumulari, was to
be the limit of its flight.

At the height of fifty yards its soaring ambition was suddenly curbed,
by the check-string of Ossaroo, reminding it that it was still a
captive.

The experiment had proved successful. Caspar's plan promised well; and
they at once proceeded to take the necessary steps for carrying it into
practical effect.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

THE EAGLE'S ESCAPE.

The first thing to be done, was to look to the quality of the rope, and
test its strength. The ladders were already in place, just as they had
been left. The rope once _proved_, there would be nothing further to
do, but make it secure to the shank of the bearcoot; ascend the cliff to
the highest ledge, reached by the ladders; and then fly the bird.

Should they succeed in getting the creature to go over the cliff--and by
some means entangle the cord at the top--they might consider themselves
free. The very thought of such a result--now apparently certain--once
more raised their spirits to the highest pitch.

They did not count on being able to "swarm" up a piece of slender cord
of nearly fifty yards in length--a feat that would have baffled the most
agile tar that ever "slung the monkey" from a topgallant stay. They had
no thoughts of climbing the rope in that way; but in another, long
before conceived and discussed. They intended--once they should be
assured that the cord was secure above--to make steps upon it, by
inserting little pieces of wood between the "strands;" and these, which
they could fix at long distances, one a