Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-27
Fight between Rat Terrier and Swarm
Of Rats.


From the Milwaukee Sentinel.l
We have to record somewhat singu
lar and almost incredible occurrence
which happened here last week. 1t was
terrific combat between a swarm OF
rats and their natural enemy, black
andtan terrier.
Near one of our grain warehouses
situated on the river bank, large swarms
of rats have been in the habit of feasting
on the wheat which has been scattered
around. A few days since a black'and'
tan terrier, getting wind OF the rendez'
vous, made an attack upon a couple OF
rats that had ventured too far into the
open air. Seizing one in its teeth, it
shook it vigorously. The rat squealed
piteously, attracting to the spot dozen
or more companions. These, on seeing
the situation of affairs, joined in raising
the alarm. In less time than it takes us
to tell the incident, the ice around was
black with swarm of rats, numbering
several hundred. The terrier, after
dispatching the first victim, charged
into the swarm with the evl-
dent determination of serving the re-
mainder in like manner. But fer once
terrier was doomed to meet with fight
from the poor animals he had so long
devoured at pleasure, and in trice he
was surrounded on all sides by swarm
of ferocious brutes, anxious to be
avenged for the death of their compan.
ions. Then ensued the most f-ightful
scene imaginable. The rats swarmed
around their adversary, and fastened
their claws and teeth in his flesh. The
dog, enraged by the pain, fought bravely,
killing scores of his enemies in his con-
test for life. But the odds against him
we're too great, and after sharp conflict,
which lasted for about five minutes, he
was forced to succumb. His body was
literally deyoured by the rats, they seem
ing to take savage delight in tearing
their vanquished enemy by piecemeal.
Scarcely vestige of the animal remained
behiad. The terrier died game, how
ever, for there we're about half hundred
rats left upon the field, bleeding and
mangled, and as many more, more or
less injured,
A angular instance Of the kindliness
of dumb animals to their fellows was no
ticed at the conclusion Of the combat
A number of the combatsnts had been
somewhat lacerated by the teeth Of the
dog. Their companions gathered IN
groups around them, licked the blood
from their wounds, and then tenderly
carried them in their teeth to their nests.
The bodies Of the slain were as tenderly
cared for. One by one they were carried
away to q hole in the Zoe near BY, where
they we're piled up When all the bodies
had been gathered together. the survivors
grouped around them, and one OF the
number, mouating upon the piles OF
bodies, seemed to deliver a brief funeral
grafton over the remains Of their com
panions The utmost stiffness reigned
among the company during the address
Of their chief The whole company then
proceeded to tumble their dead compan-
ions into the water, where they soon
sank from sight In half an hour scarce
Iva vesiige Of the conflict remained.
! This funeral service was the most extra
ordinary instance Of the kind we have
YET observed, and is well deserving Of the
study Of naiuralistE. TIE Sight as q
whole would have delighted sporting
men and dog fanciers Il was highly IN
teresting 10 the few who observed IL