“The intrepidity of his character,” continued Uncle Thomas, “may be farther illustrated by an incident which occurred a few years ago near New Jersey. A woman, who happened to be weeding in a garden, had set her child down near, to amuse itself, while she was at work, when a sudden scream from the child alarmed her, and, starting up, she beheld the infant thrown down, and dragged along for a short distance, and a large Bald Eagle bearing off a fragment of its frock; which, being the only part seized, and giving way, fortunately saved the life of the infant.” “That was indeed providential!” remarked Jane. “There is another trait in the character of the White-Headed Eagle,” said Uncle Thomas; “namely, its affection for its young, of which I must not omit to tell you, in order to counterbalance the impression which his robbing the Osprey has made upon you. It also is related by Wilson. ‘As a proof of the attachment of the Bald Eagle to its young,’ says he, ‘a person near Norfolk informed me that in clearing a piece of wood on his place, they met with a large dead pine tree, on which was a Bald Eagle’s nest and young. The tree being on fire more than half way up, and the flames rapidly ascending, the parent Eagle darted around and among the flames, until her plumage was so much injured, that it was with difficulty she could make her escape, and even then, she several times attempted to return to relieve her offspring.’” “I should not have expected to find so much affection united with so many evil qualities,” said Mary. “It is only among rational creatures,” said Uncle Thomas; “and not even always among them—perhaps it is only certainly to be found in the character of GOD himself—that we find justice and power going hand in hand; but affection for their offspring is an instinct which the Creator has implanted in the breasts of all his creatures. I have however already detained you too late this evening, so must bid you good night.” “But the story about Audubon, Uncle Thomas?” said Harry.