Publisher's Synopsis
The fourth Christian century was far past its meridian, when, high above the summit of the supreme peak of Caucasus, a magnificent eagle came sailing on broad fans into the blue, and his shadow skimmed the glittering snow as it had done day by day for thousands of years. A human figure-or it might be superhuman, for his mien seemed more than mortal-lifted from the crag, to which he hung suspended by massy gyves and rivets, eyes mournful with the presentiment of pain.
