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For
the first few days after the eaglet’s arrival, as was to be expected, there was
a constant stream of visitors seeking excuses to talk with Manana, and take the
opportunity to look at the bird. Although Manana didn’t really mind that much,
understanding that everyone would be curious, she was insistent that no one
could touch or disturb her patient, whom she had decided to name Aguila, which
meant simply eagle in the Gypsies tongue.
After the
initial curiosity, the camp soon went back into its daily routine. Early each
morning, the majority of the camp would make their way to work. Those left
behind kept busy with routine chores, such as fetching water, collecting
firewood, or just general maintenance.
Habby meanwhile had
left to find work outside the valley, as Herreria had used his influence among
the farmers to ensure Habby could not work locally. It was not really
necessary for Habby to leave, as there was certainly enough work around the camp
to keep him busy, but he knew his presence in the valley would antagonise the
farmers, and with his daughter healing one of the eagles they so despised, he
wanted to avoid any unnecessary confrontations.
A few kilometres out
of the valley, Habby was able to find work in a small village called Jodar.
Because of the bumper olive crop and a lack of workers for the fields, Habby was
well received by the villagers, and soon found work on the fields. As it was a short distance to the valley, he
decided he'd remain there until the harvest was complete..
Meanwhile, back
at the camp, Manana was well
pleased with the progress Agulia was now making. It had been the first few days
that had
turned out to be the hardest, and for a time, the eaglet had come very
close to dying. Shortly after the eaglet had
been moved into the wagon, the bird had seemed to weaken rapidly, Manana suspected it was a form of
shock, and only because she had constantly comforted it, combined with herbs
that formed a sleeping
draught, she was able to keep it mostly unconscious and maintain the eaglets strength.
But following this
initial crisis, things soon became a lot easier.
Now after a couple of
weeks, It was obvious that Aguila was recovering his full health. The bones had
begun to mend properly, and the eaglet was becoming more active daily. Manana
realised she could not keep feeding it herbal drugs to placate it, as this
might cause the eaglet other medical problems. Luckily, one of the Gypsies had
previously trained birds of prey and he told her that if she covered its head with a
hood, this would help it sleep and keep it quiet. She tried this, and was
pleased with the result.
The eaglet's
appetite had also grown with his returning strength. It was a full time job for
some of the young boys (only too happy to do something for Manana), to trap
enough rabbits to keep the bird fed.
As the eaglet
improved, so the bond of trust and affection between it and Manana become
stronger. Now the eaglet would only allow Manana to feed or come near it,
as some
of the younger Gypsies had found out the hard way.
On one occasion,
young Jose had come looking for Manana, with a fresh rabbit he had just caught.
Entering the wagon he found only Aguila, regally surveying him with black steely
eyes. He had already been here a few times with Manana, and this was his first
time alone with the eaglet. Thinking there would not be a problem, he
approached Aguila, offering him the food.
It had only been
lightening quick reflexes that had saved him from serious injury. Aguila let
out a piercing screech, and simultaneously lunged at the terrified boy. Jose
hurled himself backwards towards the still open door, tumbling down the steps,
to land in a heap outside the wagon. Inside he could see the eaglet with his
good wing spread wide, and hackles up, guarding the entrance, should anyone else
decide to enter. After this incident, it became necessary to tie a rope on his
good leg and attach it to the table on which he normally perched.
When the time came
to remove the splints that bound his broken bones, Manana was full of
apprehension. She had constantly monitored the mending, but until the eaglet
was free to move the bones, she could not be sure how successful her healing had
been. She need not have worried. The bones had set perfectly, and the eaglet
was happy to have the use of his appendages back again.
It had now been five
weeks since Manana had found Aguila. It was becoming clear, that the eaglet
would soon be strong enough for release. The Elders decided, that Manana must
now concentrate her efforts, on helping the eaglet return to the wild.
This was going to
prove difficult. First it must learn to use its leg and wing once more, and
confined to the wagon, there was very little chance of it getting the exercise
needed. It was suggested, that Manana could take it to a secluded part of the
valley for training, but after serious consideration, this idea was abandoned.
The Gypsies, simply could not risk the chance of it being seen with any member
of the clan, and there was always the possibility that some shepherd or goat
herder may notice them. Finally, they decided, that since the harvest was due
to Finnish very shortly, Manana would have to wait until they left the valley,
before she could exercise it freely.
It was not that
long, before the harvest drew to its end, and the Gypsies began their
preparations for departure. Supplies and provisions were checked and double
checked: Wagon axles were greased; harnesses waxed; and canvass repaired.
Although the hard work in the fields had ended, the work load for the travellers
was no lighter.
Manana was on edge,
she more than anyone was looking forward to leaving the valley, so as allow
Aguila more freedom.
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