Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

We stopped one very sultry day about noon to rest our horses, and enjoy the cooling shade afforded by a clump of sycamore trees, with a refreshing drink from an adjoining spring. Several large hawks were flying about the spot, two of which we brought down. From their great size, immense claws, and large hooked beak, they could have easily carried off a common sized duck or goose. Close to our resting place was a small hill, round the top of which I observed two hawks assemble; and judging that a nest was there, without communicating my intention to any one of the party. I determined to find it out. I therefore cautiously ascended the eminence, on the summit of which I perceived a nest larger than a common sized market basket, formed of branches of trees, one laid regularly over the other, and the least of which was an inch in circumference. Around it were scattered bodies, skeletons, and half-mangled bodies of pigeons, sparrows, humming-birds, & etc.
Next to a rattlesnake and a shark, my greatest aversion is a hawk; and on this occasion it was not diminished by observing the remains of the feathered tribe, which had, from time to time, fallen a prey to their voracious appetite.
I therefore determined to destroy the nest, and disperse its inhabitants; but I had scarcely commenced the work of demolition with my dagger, when old and young flew out and attacked me in every direction, but particularly about my face and eyes; the latter of which as a punishment for my temerity, they seemed determined to separate from their sockets. In the mean time I roared out lustily for assistance, and laid about me with my dagger. Three men promptly ran up the hill, and called out to me to shut my eyes, and throw myself on the ground, otherwise I should be shortly blinded, promising in the mean time to assist me.
I obeyed their directions, and just as I began to kiss the earth, a bullet from one of their rifles, brought down a large hawk, apparently the father of the gang. He fell close to my neck, and in his expiring agonies made a desperate bite at my left ear, which I escaped, and in return gave him the coup de grace, by thrusting about four inches of my dagger down his throat. The death of their chieftain was followed by that of two others, which completely dispersed them, and we retired after breaking up their den.