New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-08-12
combat between n Rat md n Ferret.

A striking proof Of the sagacitv courage. and
,ay say rtGsonUg powers Of these animals. has
keen recently given me by medical friend living
4, Kington. Being greatly surprised that the fer
ret an animal Of such SLOW locomotive powers,
should be destructive 70 the rat tribe he deter
mined % bring both these animals fairly into the
arena IN order 10 Judge n their respective pow
ers and having selected fine large and full.
grown male rat and also an equally strong buck
ferret which had been accustomed 10 the hsunts OF
rats my friend, accompanied by bis son. turned
these two sninals loose ia n room without furni-
ture. in which there WAS but one window and the
Two philosophers determined TO watch patiently
the whole process Of the encounter. Immediately
upOn being liberated the rat ran round the room, as
Il searching for an exit Not finding any means OF
escape. he uttered piercing shrek and with the
most prompt decision took up his station directly
under the light, thus gaining over his adversary 10
use the language of other CuelstSJ the advantage
Of the sun The ferret erected bis head smiled
about and seemed iesrlessy 70 push his way
toward the spot where the scent Of his game was
strongest facing the light in full front aud prepar
ing himself ith avidity to seize upon his prey. No
sooner. however, had be approached within two
feet OF his watChinl foe than the rat again utterng
a loud cry, rushed at bin with violence aud inficE.
ed p severe wound on the head or neck, which was
soon shown by the blood which flowed from II the
erret seemed astOnished at the attack and retreat
cd with evident discontinue while the rat, in
stead of following up the advantage he had gained,
Instantly Withdrew % bis former station under the
window The ferret soon recovered the shock he
had sustained, and erecting his head once more
took the field. This second rencOntre was in all It's
progress and results al exact repetition OF the Tor
mer, with this exception that on the rush of the
TO the conflict, the ferret appeared more collect
ed. and evidently showed inclination 10 get
firm hold Of his enemy the strength OF the rat
however. was very great, aud he again succeeded
Dot only in avoiding the deadly embrace Of the fer
huf n snt i'm inf ri wound
bis neck and head The rat. a second time. returned
10 bis retreat under the window, and the ferret
seemed less anxious % renew the conflict. These
attacks were resumed at intervals for nearly two
hours, all ending in the failure Of the ferret. who
vas evidently fighting to disadvantage from the
light falling full on his eye whenever he approached
the rat, who wisely kept his ground, and never for
moment lost sight Of the advantage he had OBJ
iained la order TO prove whether tho choice OF
this position depended upon accident my friend
managed to dislodge the rat, and took his own sta
ton under the window but the moment the ferret
attempted to make his approach, the rat, evidently
sware of the advantage he had lost, endeavored 10
creep between my friends legs, thus losing his
natural fear OF man under the danger which await
ed him from q more deadly Zoe. The ferret by this
tine had learned profitable lesson aud prepared
% approach the rat III more willy manner by
creeping insdiOusy along the skutDg, and thus
avoiding the gare of light that hitherto had baihed
bis attempt. The rat still pursued with undated
energy his original mode OF attack namely. lnhict'
ing n wound and avoiding at the same time close
combat while 1t was equally certain that his foe
was intent upon laying hold OF, and gripping his IN.
hnded victim in his murderous embrace. The
character OF the fight which bad lasted more than
three hours evidently changed, and the
rat appeared conscious that he bad lost the advRn
iage he originally possessed and. like the Swedish
hero had taught his frequently beaten foe 10 con
qaer in his tn.B At last in heightened strug
gs the ferret succeeded L. accomplishing his origi
nyntended grsPpe the rat. as if conscious of
hi certain ruin made little farther effort of resist
snce but, sending forth pla ntive Shrek surren'
dered his life TO his persevering foe.
IJesse Natural History