The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-03-17
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TERRIFIC COMBAT.
Fight Between Rat Terrier ana .
swarm OF Rass-The Deg vanquiahsd
ana De ured-singul ax Incsdent.s
From the Milwaukee sentinsl1


From the Milwaukee Sentinel
We have to record somewhat singular and
almost incredible occurrence which happened
here last week. 1t was terrific combat be-
tween swarm Of rats and their natural en-
envy, black and tan terrier.
Near one of cur 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 black aud tan terrier, getting
wind of the rendezvous, made an attack upon
couple of rats that had ventured too far in
TO the open air Selling one in its teeth, 1t
shook il vigorously. The rat squealed pite
ously, 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 hundreds. The ter
rier, after dispatching the first victim, charg-
cd INTO the swarm with the determination of
serving the remainder in like manner. But
for once terrier was doomed to meet with
fight from the poor animals he had 50 long
devoured at pleasure, and in a trice he was
surrounded on all sides by swarm Of Zero.
cious brutes, anxious TO be avenged for the
death Of their companion Then ensued the
most fnghtful scene Imaginable. The rats
swarmed around their adversary, and fasten-
ed their claws and teeth in his flesh The
dog, enraged by the pain, fought bravely for
life. But the odds against him were too
great, and after sharp conflict, which lasted
for about five minutes he was forced to sue
eumb. His body was literally devoured by
the rats, they seeming to take savage pleas
ure in tearing their vanquished enemy piece
meal. Scarcely vestlge Of the animal re
NAMED behind. The terrier died game, how
ever, for there were about half hundred rats
left on the field, bleeding and mangled and
as many more, more or less injured.
= singular instance Of the kindlness of
dumb animals to their fellows was noticed at
the conclusion Of the combat. number OF
the eombatants 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 was MS tenderly cared for.
One by one they were carried away to a hole
in the ice near by. where they were piled up.
When all the bodies had been gathered To-
gether, the survivors grouped about them,
aud Que of the number mounting upon the
pile of Lol.es, seemed TO deliver brief fl
neral oration over the remains OF their donl>
panions. The utmost stiffness reigned among
the company during the address of their
chef. Ihhe whole company then proceeded
to tumble their dead companions into the
water, where they soon sank from sight. In
half an hour scarcely vestige of the con
hict remained. This funeral service was the
most extraordinary instance Of the kind we
have yet observed, and Is well deserving of
the study Of naturslists. The fight as awhole
would have delighted sporting men and dog
fanciers. II was highly interesting to few
who observed il.