The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-02
Pleasing Miscellany.
a Tough Raj story.

We print the following sanguinary rat
story from the Milwaukee Senti..el 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, at least,
that Wisconsin rats are very brave and in
tellisent:
We have to record somewhat singular
and almost incredible occurrence wnlch hap
pened here last week. Ii was terrible COM
bat between swarm of rats and their natur-
al enemy, back-and tan-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 Jew
days since a black-and-tan terrier, getting
wind OF the rendezvous, made an attack upon
q couble of rats that had ventured too far into
the open air. Selling one in his teeth he
shook it vigorously. The rat squealed piteouS-
ly, attractingto the spot dozen or more
companions. These, on seeing the situa-
ton of affairs, joined in raising the alarm. In
less time than it takes to tell the incident, the
ice around was black with a swarm OF rats,
numbering several hundreds. The terrier, af-
ter despatching the first victim, charged into
the swarm with the evident determination of
serving the remainder in like manner.
But for once terrier was doomed to meet
with fight from the poor animals he had so
long deyoured at pleasure, and in a thrice he
was surrounded on all sides by a swarm of
ferocious brutes, anxious to be avenged for the
death of their companion. Then ensued the
most ffighttul 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 contest for life;
but the odds against him were too great, and
after short conflict, which lasted for about
five minutes, he was forced to succumb. His
body was literally devoured by the rats, they
seeming to take savage pleasure in tearing
their vanquished enemy piecemeaL Scarcely
avestige OF the animal remained behind. The
terrier died game, however, tor there were
about half a hundred rats left upon the field,
bieediug and mangled, and as many more
more or less injured.
A singular instance of the kindness OF
dumb animals TO their fellows, was noticed at
the conclusion of the combat A number of
the combatants 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 hole in the ice near by, where they
were piled up. When all the bodies had been
gathered together, the survivors grouped
around them, and one Of the number, mount
ing upon the piles of bodies, seemed to de-
liver brief funeral Grafton over the remains
of their companions The utmost stiffness
reigned among the company during the ad-
dress of their chief
The whole company then proceeded to tum-
BILE their dead companions into the water,
where they soon sank from sight. In half an
hour scarcely avestige OF the conflict remain
ed This funeral service was the most ex-
traordinary instance of the kind we have yet
observed, and it is well deserving OF the study
of naturalists. The fight, as whole, would
have naturally delighted sporting men and
dog tanciers. twas highly interesting to the
few who observed 1t. 95lA