Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-04-09

Fight Between n Rat Terrier and n
Swarm of Rats-The Dog Vanquished
md Devoured.
We have to record a somewhat singu-
lar and almost incredible occurrence
which happened here last week. 1t was
a terrific combat between a swarm Of
rats and their natural enemy, a black
snd-tan terrier.
Near one Of our grain warehouses,
situated on the river bank, large swarms
of rats have been in the habit Of feast
ing on the wheat which has been scat
tered around. A few days since a black
snd-tan terrier, getting wind Of the
rendezvous, made an attack upon a
couple of rats that had yentured too far
into the open air. Selling one in its
teeth be shook it vigorously. The rat
squesled piteously, attracting to the
spot q 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 q swarm
of rats, numbering several hundred.
The terrier, after dispatching the first
victim, charged into the swarm with the
evident determination Of serving the re-
mainder in like manner. But for once
q terrier was doomed to meet with q
fight from the poor animals he had so
long devoured at pleasure, and in a trice
he was surrounded on all sides by a
swarm Of ferocious brutes, anxious to
be avenged for the death Of their COM
panion. Then ensued the most fright.
full scene imaginable.
The rats swarmed around their adyer-
sary 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 literally de-
voured by the rats, they seeming to'take
o savage pleasure in tearing their van
pushed enemy piecemeal. Scarcely q
yestige of the animal remained behind.
The terrier died game, however, for
there were about half a hundred rats
left upon the field, bleeding and man
gled, and as many more moro or less
injured.
A singular instance Of the kindness
of dumb animals to their fellows, was
noticed at the conclusion Of tho 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 a T
ried away 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 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 COM
pany then proceeded to tumble their
dead companions into the water, where
they soon sank from sight. In half IN
hour scarcely a yestige Of the conflict
remained. This funeral service was the
most extraordinary instance Of the kind
We have observed, and is we'll deserving
Of the study Of naturalists. The fight,
as q whole, would have delighted sport
ing men and dog fanciers. II was highly
interesting to the few who observed it.
-Mlraukee, VS., Sentinel.