Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-04-04
A SINGULAR STORY.
FIGHT BETWEEN A RAT TARRIER AND
A SWARM OF RATs-THE Doc VAN
oUIsHED AND DEvoURED-FUNERAL
OF THE VICTIMS OF THE CONTEST.

The Milwaukee Sentinel vouches
for the following remarkable Incl
dents:
Near on 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 black and-tan tarTier,
getting wind of the rendezvous,
made an attack upon couple of rats
that had ventured too far into the
open air. Selling one in its teeth, it
shook it vigorously. The rat squeal-
ed piteously, attracting to the spot a
dozen or more companions.
These en 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 a swarm Of rats, number
ing several hundreds. The tarrier,
after dispatching the first victim,
charged into the swarm with the
evident determination of serving the
remainder in like manner. But for
once tarrier was doomed to meet
with fight from the poor animals he
had so long devoured at pleasure,
and in trice he was surrounded en-
all sides by a swarm of ferocious
brutes anxious to be avenged for the
death of their companion. Then
ensued the m ost trightful scene inn
agihable. 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
a sharp conflict, which lasted for
about five minutes, he was forced to
succumb. His body was Utterly de-
veured by the rats, they seeming to
take a savage pleasure in tearing
their vanquished enemy piecemeal.
Scarcely vestage of the animal.re-
mained behind. The tarrier died
game, however. There were about
half hundred rats left upon the
field, bleeding and mangled. and as
many more, more or less injured.
A singular incidence of the kiudli-
ness of dumb animals to their fellows
was noticed at the conclusion of the
combat. A number of the combat
ants had been somewhat lacerated !
by the teeth of the dog. Their Gem
panions 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 survi
vers grouped around them, and one
of the number, mounting upon the
pile of bodies, seemed to deliYer 8
brief funeral ORATOR over the re
mains 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 COM
panions inte the water, where they |
soon sunk from sight. In half an
hour scarcely yestage Of the con
hict remained. The funeral service
was the most extraordinary instance
of the kind we have yet observed,
and is well deserving of the study of
The fight as q whole
would have delighted sporting men
and dog fanciers. 1t was highly in
teresting to the few who observed it.