The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-19
Tho Desperate FIGHT Fisherman Says Es
Had Once With Fish Hawk.

unless George Decker. Pocono region
hunter and fisherman. is likewise an able ard
plausible liar" said New Yorker who spent
n week in that locality looking for trout. "he
had an adventure with fish hawk once that
lays Il little over ANYTHING in that line ever
heard OF. According to his story. no was still
fishing for pickcrel In Goose Pond. his boat
drifting about rs tho wind took it. He hooked
a pokerel. and while Keeling it in n big fish
hawk. which had been sailing around all
day at n great height above tho pond
without favorably locating any prey. swoop-
ed down and seized Deckcr's pickerel in
his talons. The pickerel was at the end
Of about fifty feet OF limo when the hawk
struck it AS the big bird arose from the
water with the fish il quickly reelcd out ali the
line. about 100 feet. Decker says he braced
himself and hung Oh to his pole. which was
long bamboo. When tho hawk had run all tho
limo out. tho hook being still firm in tho
pckerels jaw. tho bird was brought to a
standstll. The line was strong enough to
hold. and after few lops OF its great wings
"a it was hold poised in the air. tho hawk
started tho boat. and was soon towing it across
the pond. as Decker held on to his pole. hop
ing to save at least that.
Tho hawks auducous act 40 dumfounded
the fisherman. no says. although it seems
little strange to me that anything could have
dumfounded him. that no was lowed by the
hawk quito a distance before he awoko to tho
necessity OF making IN effort to save some
thing besides his pole. He had six-shooter
with him. He drew it and began pepperiny
away at tho hawk Only one of tho shots took
effect. and that was the last ono. 1t struck
tho hawk In one of its legs The hawk dropped
tho pickerel. and the fish tumbled back into
But tho hawk was not through with Decker
yet, Upon dropping tho pickerel the, ugly
bird da1ted sG,yagSiy down upon tho fisher
:" Now. Ihadn t thought that anything short
OF c it a,, or bear would turn to an
Sker f hadns s@n nsse hS sns
it.!Sld from tho pulpit Tore ia a Tsli"yI it
In the bottom Of the boat. which was n Narrow
hawk fastened, its claws in D"cE@r'@ shirt ut
the non wn hs n2s nssAY Win b"
ddr9pPsd his polo. but hSld ~, t" his pistol,
could M th Sa rst9l q Vas emny AMI tn" 0Gy No he
fend himself; He pounded the hawk over the
h his fos wn the butt Of ,ho ns' pr%SSetn
he ggt to his iest: When oh@iIhq4S6t HAT, the
A., But says Decker. i found cut that, al:
though plight bavo atol'ab!lc good inklin,, Of
s cf hqtur an, disposition o bears rs an VIZ,
when 1t come to hawks
Tho hawk wasn't awed one bit by Decker's
rising to his feet; but pitched into him, with
removed vigor. The narr'w boat rocked and
tipped Mt every movement Decker made. and
gave TO Ms footing an in"tahiIiy thnt thren!-
ened To pitch him ovcrhplr. at any moment |
Alter quite n spell OF splrrnE ana dodging
Decker AT last made a savage graf and scizcd
the laws with both hanIE an"Ht the meek.
death. although il co'in,inuod to slash him |
with its tal3ns. but IN making the grab
and plunged headpn; int lhe pond. |
carrying inc hawk wits him. 70 save himself
from drowning he was compelled to release |
his hold on the hawk, neck. Tho hawk rose
from the water. and Decker struck out for the
ducking had cooled it of Sufficiently to knock |
the fight out Of 1t.
in9 .s %SIS &. fsa
my &tucttio1 a. q hA yks had been slsofSG
~. The Ssssa 20 e. tsST q 6sins ssolSa oHSs