crack reached from the top nearly to the
bottom of it.

"I don't believe there's as much as a wasp's nest in there," said I.

"We'll see, anyway," replied Bob. "I'll fire a stone at that hole up by
the top, and you stand back and watch if anything comes out."

Bob could throw a stone straighter than any other boy in school. He hit
the trunk of the tree close by the hole, and in an instant something
darted out with a loud whir, and vanished over the tree-tops.

"Bob," cried I, "that was a hawk."

"Hawks don't build in holes," replied Bob. "Perhaps it was an eagle."

"Eagles don't build in holes either," said I; "but I read yesterday that
the pigeon-hawk does build in old dead trees."

"Then that's a pigeon-hawk sure enough," exclaimed Bob. "And there she
is, sailing round in a circle, and watching us. What won't the boys say
when they see us bringing home a lot of hawks' eggs?"

"That's all very well; but who's going to climb the tree?"

"You are," said Bob. "You know you're the best climber. The hole isn't
more than thirty feet from the ground."

I was ready enough to climb, and pulled off my jacket at once; but I
could not get my arms around the tree, and the lowest branch was a dozen
feet from the ground.

"I tell you what we'll do," exclaimed Bob. "Let's get a fence rail, and
lean it against the tree. I'll boost you, and when you get on the end of
the rail, you can reach that branch."

We selected the longest and knottiest rail we could find, and leaned it
up against the tree. Then Bob boosted me, while he kept his foot at the
end of the rail to prevent it from slipping. By this means I managed to
reach the lower branch, and seat myself on it.

"All right so far," said I; "but, Bob, the next branch is beyond my
reach, and I don't see how in the world I'm going to get any higher."

"Jack," replied Bob, in a solemn tone, "you've got to do it. There's a
hawk's nest up there, and we're bound to have it."

After making a good many trials, I found that by putting one hand in the
big crack of the tree I could get a hold that would support me, and
by-and-by I found myself standing on the upper branch, with one arm
around the trunk, and the hole within my reach.

"Now," cried Bob, "don't waste any time, but go for those eggs, or we
won't get home before dark."

He looked very cool and comfortable on the ground, while I was standing
in a very ticklish place, and was afraid that the dead limb might give
way