"
The species of eagle that frequents the water, and lives on fish,
was also present, and one was hovering at a considerable height above
the hut, greedily watching for an opportunity to make a swoop; its
hungry young elevating their heads from a nest that was in sight,
in the naked summit of a dead pine. Chingachgook silently turned
a new piece against this bird, and after carefully watching his
time, fired. A wider circuit than common denoted that the messenger
had passed through the air at no great distance from the bird,
though it missed its object. Deerslayer, whose aim was not more
true than it was quick, fired as soon as it was certain his friend
had missed, and the deep swoop that followed left it momentarily
doubtful whether the eagle was hit or not. The marksman himself,
however, proclaimed his own want of success, calling on his friend
to seize another rifle, for he saw signs on the part of the bird
of an intention to quit the spot.
"I made him wink, Sarpent, I do think his feathers were ruffled,
but no blood has yet been drawn, nor is that old piece fit for so
nice and quick a sight. Quick, Delaware, you've now a better rifle,
and, Judith, bring out Killdeer, for this is the occasion to try
his merits, if he has 'em.
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