o down and
put the snares in position. It was decided that we would not disturb
the eaglets to-day, but would leave them alone for the present, for fear
the old eagles would become alarmed and suspicious, and we would fail in
capturing them. The rope, such as it was, held me all right, and landed
near the nest. The young birds were so gorged with the flesh of the
mountain lamb that they were very stupid, and hardly stirred. I set to
work as speedily as possible to arrange the snares, so that the eagles
would step into them. As they were all constructed on the running noose
principle we knew that they would quickly tighten around the feet if
once they were stepped into. My principal difficulty was in finding
places where I could tie the other ends of the snares. Eagles are very
powerful, and can drag by the foot great weights. So I knew that all
our work would be lost if I did not succeed in tying them so that their
most desperate struggles to get loose would be in vain. However, I
succeeded at length, and then I was hoisted up and we all returned back
a mile or so and there camped for the night.

"The next morning, before we reached the spot, we heard enough to
convince us of the success of our scheme. Eagles can make a big noise
if they try, and two captured eagles, and some frightened young ones,
were noisy enough as we drew near and investigated. Both eagles were
firmly caught in these snares of rolled and twisted sinews, which,
although not much thicker than common wire, were sufficiently strong to
hold them. The Indians wished to shoot them at once, but I had long had
an ambition to own a live, full-grown eagle, and therefore I would not
let them fire. The rope of yesterday was soon brought into use again,
and was lowered down once more to the rocky ledge, armed only with a
stout club about four feet long. The noise was simply deafening that
was made by these angry birds. The instant I landed they flew at me
most viciously. Well was it that the strong sinews held them firmly.
As it was I had a rough time of it. I would watch my opportunity and
try to strike one of them a heavy blow on the head with my club. To my
surprise I received in return a heavy whack from a powerful wing. Their
wings were free, and the length of the string enabled them to attack me
from all quarters. Seeing my difficulties, I called to my Indians to
shoot the female bird, and thus leave me but one to tackle. This they
did