The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-04-12
A Tough Rat story,

We print the following eenguinary
rat story from the Milwaukee Senti-
mel of March Ia. The story is copied
into many of our Western exchanges,
and we give it for what it is worth
The narrative indicates, Mt least, that
Wisconsin rats are very brave and in.
telligent:
We have to record somewhat sin
gular and almost incredible occurrence
which happened here last week. 1t
was terrible combat between n swarm
Of rats and their natural enemy a
black-andtan terrier.
Near one of our grain warehouses,
situated on the river bnnk, large
swarms OF rats have been in the habit
of feasting on the wheat which has
been scattered around. A few days
since black -and-tan terrier, getting
wind of the rendezvous, made an at
tack upon couple of rats that had
ventured too far into the open air.
Selling one in his teeth he shook it
vigorously. The rat squealeL piteous-
ly, attracting to the spot dozen or
more companions. These, on seeing
the situation of affairs, joined in raj
sing the alarm. In less time than it
takes to tell the incident, the ice was
black with swarm of rats number
ing several hundreds. The terrier,
after despatching the first victim,
charged into the swarm with the evil
dent determination of serving the re-
mainder in like manner.
But for once terrier was doomed
to meet with fight from the poor ami
mails he had SO long devoured at
pleasure. and in trice he was sur
rounded on all sides by swarm of
ferocious brutes anxious to be aven-
ged for the death of their companion.
Then ensued the most frightful scene
imaginable. The rats swarmcd around
their adversary, and fastened their
claws and teeth in bis flesh. The dog,
enraged by the pain, fought bravcly'
killing scores of his enemies in his con-
test for life; but the odds against him
were too great and after short con-
fict, which lasted for about five min
utes, he was forced to succumb. His
body was literally devoured by the
rats, they seeming TO take savage
delight in tearing their vanquished
enemy piecemeal. Scarcely vestige
of the animal remained behind The
terrier died game, however, for there
were about half hundred rats left
upon the field, bleeding and mangled,
and rs many more more or less injur-
ed.
A singular instance of the kindness
OF dumb animals to their fellows, was
noticed at the conclusion of the COM
bat A number of the combatants
had been somewhat lacerated by the
teeth OF the dog. Their companions
gathered in groups around them, lick
ed 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 n
hole IN the ice uear by, where they
were piled up. When all the bodies
had been gathered together, the sur
vivors grouped around them, and one
OF the number, mounting upon the
piles of bodies, seemed to deliver a
brief funeral Grafton over the remains
OF their companions. The utmost
stiffness reigned among the company
during the address of their chief
The whole company then proceeded
to tumble their dead companions into
the water, where they soon sank from
sight. In half an hour scarcely YES
tige of the conflict remained. Thu
funeral service was The most extraordi
nary instance of the kind we have We
observed, and is well deserving of tn
study of naturalists. The fight. as
whole, would have delighted sporting
men and dog fanciers. 1t was highl
interesting to the few who observes
it.