Instead of placing itself in a bold, defiant attitude--such as it had lately assumed towards an antagonist of its own kind--it stood cowering, and apparently paralysed with fear.

It was this very effect which the eagles, by their screaming, had designed to produce; and certainly the fierce birds were succeeding to the utmost of their expectations.
The spectators kept their eyes fixed upon the actors of this new drama-- watching every movement, both of the birds and the beast, with intense interest.

All were desirous of seeing the latter punished for the cruel act he had just committed, and which they regarded as savouring very strongly of fratricide.
It was written in the book of fate that their desire should be gratified, and that the destroyer should himself be destroyed.

They were expecting to witness a somewhat prolonged combat; but in this expectation they were disappointed.

The duration of the conflict was as brief as the preliminaries that led to it; and these were of the shortest kind: for scarce ten seconds had elapsed, after they had uttered their first scream, before the bearcoots swooped down to the level of the cliff, and commenced a joint attack upon the ibex, striking at him alternately with beak and claws.
For a short time the quadruped was shrouded--almost hidden--under the broad, shadowy wings of the birds; but even when its figure could be traced, it appeared to be making no very energetic efforts at defending itself.