By this time the eagles began to stagger against the
shrubs. I endeavoured to keep my seat, but was
soon thrown to some distance among the bushes.
In attempting to rise I put my hand upon a large hedgehog,
which happened to lie among the grass upon its back:
it instantly closed round my hand, so that I found
it impossible to shake it off. I struck it several
times against the ground without effect; but while
I was thus employed I heard a rustling among the shrubbery,
and looking up, I saw a huge animal within three yards
of me; I could make no defence, but held out both
my hands, when it rushed upon me, and seized that
on which the hedgehog was fixed. My hand being
soon relieved, I ran to some distance, where I saw
the creature suddenly drop down and expire with the
hedgehog in its throat. When the danger was past
I went to view the eagles, and found them lying on
the grass fast asleep, being intoxicated with the
liquor they had drank. Indeed, I found myself
considerably elevated by it, and seeing everything
quiet, I began to search for some more, which I soon
found; and having cut down two large bladders, about
a gallon each, I tied them together, and hung them
over the neck of the other eagle, and the two smaller
ones I tied with a cord round my own waist. Having
secured a good stock of provisions, and perceiving
the eagles begin to recover, I again took my seat.
In half an hour they arose majestically from the place,
without taking the least notice of their incumbrance.
Each reassumed its former station; and directing their
course to the northward, they crossed the Gulf of
Mexico, entered North America, and steered directly
for the Polar regions, which gave me the finest opportunity
of viewing this vast continent that can possibly be
imagined.
Before we entered the frigid zone the cold began to
affect me; but piercing one of my bladders, I took
a draught, and found that it could make no impression
on me afterwards. Passing over Hudson’s
Bay, I saw several of the Company’s ships lying
at anchor, and many tribes of Indians marching with
their furs to market.
By this time I was so reconciled to my seat, and become
such an expert rider, that I could sit up and look
around me; but in general I lay along the eagle’s
neck, grasping it in my arms, with my hands immersed
in its feathers, in order to keep them warm.
In those cold climates I observed that the eagles
flew with greater rapidity, in order, I suppose, to
keep their blood in circulation. In passing Baffin’s
Bay I saw several large Greenlandmen to the eastward,
and many surprising mountains of ice in those seas.
While I was surveying these wonders of nature it occurred
to me that this was a good opportunity to discover
the north-west passage, if any such thing existed,
and not only obtain the reward offered by government,
but the honour of a discovery pregnant with so many
advantages to every European nation. But while
my thoughts were absorbed in this pleasing reverie
I was alarmed by the first eagle striking its head
against a solid transparent substance, and in a moment
that which I rode experienced the same fate, and both
fell down seemingly dead.