active. I raised my rifle, and as the
beast in his writhings exposed his belly I took aim at the soft flesh
just inside his left fore-leg, and fired both barrels.

At that instant my bird gave a wild, shrill scream and a vast bound
into the air, and then away it went like the wind--away, I know not
where. That first bound had nearly jerked me off; but I managed to
avoid this and now instinctively clung with all my might to the bird's
neck, still holding my rifle. The speed of the bird was twice as great
as it had been before--as the speed of a runaway horse surpasses
that of the same horse when trotting at his ordinary rate and under
control. I could scarcely make out where I was going. Rocks, hills,
swamps, fields, trees, sand, and sea all seemed to flash past in one
confused assemblage, and the only thought in my mind was that I was
being carried to some remote wilderness, to be flung there bruised and
maimed among the rocks, to perish helplessly. Every moment I expected
to be thrown, for the progress of the bird was not only inconceivably
swift, but it also gave immense leaps into the air; and it was only
its easy mode of lighting on the ground after each leap that saved me
from being hurled off. As it was, however, I clung instinctively to
the bird's neck, until at last it came to a stop so suddenly that my
hands slipped, and I fell to the ground.

I was senseless for I know not how long. When at last I revived I
found myself propped up against a bank, and Almah bathing my head with
cold water. Fortunately, I had received no hurt. In falling I had
struck on my head, but it was against the soft turf, and though I
was stunned, yet on regaining my senses no further inconvenience was
experienced. The presence of Almah was soon explained. The report of
the rifle had startled her bird also, which had bounded away in terror
like mine; but Almah understood how to guide him, and managed to keep
him after me, so as to be of assistance in case of need. She had been
close behind all the time, and had stopped when I fell, and come to
my assistance.

The place was a slope looking out upon an arm of the sea, and
apparently remote from human abode. The scenery was exquisitely
beautiful. A little distance off we saw the edge of the forest; the
open country was dotted with clumps of trees; on the other side of the
arm of the sea was an easy declivity covered with trees of luxuriant
foliage and vast dimensions; farther away on one