“‘You will break your neck, I hope,’ said the miller, ‘and we shall be
relieved from your company.’
“I call that kicking him out of the house,” said the parlor-cat. “And now
Rudy is gone, and Babette sits and weeps, while the miller sings German
songs that he learnt on his journey; but I do not trouble myself on the
matter,-it would be of no use.”
“Yet, for all that, it is a very strange affair,” said the kitchen-cat.
VII. The Eagle’s Nest
From the mountain-path came a joyous sound of some person whistling,
and it betokened good humor and undaunted courage. It was Rudy, going to
meet his friend Vesinaud. “You must come and help,” said he. “I want to
carry off the young eaglet from the top of the rock. We will take young
Ragli with us.”
“Had you not better first try to take down the moon? That would be quite
as easy a task,” said Vesinaud. “You seem to be in good spirits.”
“Yes, indeed I am. I am thinking of my wedding. But to be serious, I will
tell you all about it, and how I am situated.”
Then he explained to Vesinaud and Ragli what he wished to do, and why.
“You are a daring fellow,” said they; “but it is no use; you will break your
neck.”
“No one falls, unless he is afraid,” said Rudy.
So at midnight they set out, carrying with them poles, ladders, and ropes.
The road lay amidst brushwood and underwood, over rolling stones, always
upwards higher and higher in the dark night. Waters roared beneath them, or
fell in cascades from above. Humid clouds were driving through the air as
the hunters reached the precipitous ledge of the rock. It was even darker
here, for the sides of the rocks almost met, and the light penetrated only
through a small opening at the top. At a little distance from the edge could
be heard the sound of the roaring, foaming waters in the yawning abyss
beneath them. The three seated themselves on a stone, to await in stillness
