Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-04-12
A Singular Story.

FIGHT BETWEEN RAT TERRIER AND SWARM
| : OF RATs-THE DOG vANQUIsHED AND DE-
| yoURED-FUNERAL OF THE VICTIMS OF THE
| CONTEST.
The Milwaukee Sentinel vouches for the
following remarkable incident:
Near one of our grain warehouses, sltua-
ted on the river bank, large swarms of rats
have been in the habit OF feasting on the
wheat which had been seated around. "A
few days ago black -and-tan- terrier, getting
| wind Of the rendezvous, made an attack on a
couple Of rats that had ventured too far into
the open air. Selling one in its teeth, it
shook it 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 Mas black with i swarm Of rats, num-
bering several hundred. The terrier, after
dispatcbing 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
devoured at pleasure and in a trice he was sur
rouaded on all sides by a swarm of ferocious
brutes anxious to be avenged for the death
of their companion. Then ensued the most
frightful scene imaginable. The rats swarmed
around their adversary and fastened their
claws and teeth III his flesh. The dog, en-
ragged 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 sharp conflict, which lasted for about
five minutes, he was forced to succumb. His
body was literally devoured by the rats, they
seeming to take a savage pleasure in tearing
their vanquished enemy pieceneal. Scarce
ly a ves,ige of the animal remained behind.
The terrier died game, however; there were
about half hundred rats left upon the field,
bleeding and man led, 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 ]acerated
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 the teeth to their nests. The
bodies of slain were as tenderly cared for
One by one they were carried away to hole
in the ice near by, where they we're piled up.
When all the bodies had been gathered to-
gether, the survivors grouped around them,
and one Of the number, mounting upon the
pile Of bodies, seemed to deliver brief fu-
neral Grafton over the remains Of their COM
panions. The utmost stiffness reigned among
the company during the address Of their
chief The whole company then proceeded
Ito tumble their dead companions into the wa
ter, where they soon sank from sight. In
half an hour scarcely a vestige Of the conflict
remained, The funeral service was the most
extraordinary instance Of the kind we have
vet observed, and as we'll deserving of the
study Of naturahsts. The fight as whole
would have delighted sporting men and dog
fanciers. It was highly interesting to the few
who observed it.
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