The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-29
A SINGULAR STORY.

Fight Between Rat Terrier and
Swarm of Rats-The Dog Vanqutshed
and DevOured-FuneraI OF the Victims
of the Contest. ...N ....-"
The Milwaukee Sentinel vouches for the fol-
lowing remarkable incldents:-
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 ago black
and-tan terrier, getting wind of the rendezvous,
made an attack upon couple Of rats that had
ventured too far into the open air. Selling one
in his teeth, 1t 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 to tell the incident, the ice around
was black with swarms OF rats, numbering
several hundreds. The terrier, after despatch
ing the first victim, charged into the swarm
with the evident determination of serving the
remainder in like manner, But for once ter
rier was doomed to meet with fight from the
poor animals he had so long deveured at plea
sure, and in trice 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 trightful scene imagi.
nable. The rats swarmed around their adVer-
sary, and fastened their claws and teeth in his
flesh. The dog enraged by the pain, fought
brayely, killing scores OF his enemies in his
contest for lite. But the odds against him
were too great aud alter sharp conhct,
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 vanqushed
enemy p.eoemeal. Scarcely a vestige of the
animal remained behind. The terrier died
game, however. There were about halt hun
dred rats left upon the field, bleeding and
mangled, and as many more more or less in
uTed. .... ......
A singular instance of the kindness of dumb
animals TO their fellows was noticed at the con-
| clusion Of the combat. A number of the COM
batants 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 to a 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 their number,
| mounting upon the pile OF bodies, seemed TO
deliver brief funeral oratiOn over the rem aims
| Of their companions. The utmost stiffness
| reigned among the company during the address
| of their chief. The whole company then pro
| ceeded TO tumble their dead Companions into
| the water, where they soon sank from sight In
| half an hour scarcely vestige of the conflict
| remained. The funeral service was the most
| extraordinary instance Of the kind we have vel
| observed, and is well deserving of the study OF
naturalsts. The fight as whole, would have
delighted sporting men and dog fanciers. II
was highly interesting to the few who observedit