Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-04-20
WARP RATS.
a Visit to the Feeding Grounds or
Myriamds OF the Rodents.
"Did YOU ever zoe an army of ratsl''

Myriamds OF the Rodents.
ibid you ever see an army Of ratsl''
This was the question that "F'rench
Louis" fred at New York Evening Sun
reporter several weeks ago. For the benefit
Of those that have never heard Of French
Louis. II might be said right here that he is
the night Waterman at the Hoboken ferry,
on the Jersey side Of the river. He is man
OF adventure and romonce When he speaks
II is generally with authority and a know
ledge Of the world. Hence IL was that the
reporters curiosity was naturally excited.
IF you viii come with me-" continued
French Louis, 'I'll show you something
that you won't forget right away"
The reporter hesitated, for IL was then
near midnight and heavy fog hung over the
river, sending chills to the very marrow.
1t was one OF those sepulchural kind Of
nights when grayeyards yawn and every
thing appears weird and ghoulish.
Come" the Waterman reiterated. He
took the reporter by the arm and led him TO
the basin adjoining the ferry slip, where a
small fiat scow was moored. He took from
his pocket small dark lantern and flashed
1t across the basin. He then jumped into
the boat and babe the reporter 70 follow
him. The moorings were loosened and the
next moment the numbering old tub was
pushing out into the stream Tho reporter
noticed that the oars were mufied, but he
was much more surprised, however. 20 OBJ
serve the Waterman draw from his hip
| pocket five barreled revolver, which he
4 placed on the seat beside him Converse
ton was suddenly suspended.
The reporter made several attempts 70
ascertain the objective point OF the eAcur-
sion, but was each time squelched by the
admonition: NUNS the word" A ripple
at the bow, the splash Of the oars, the dis.
NAL blast OF the ferry boats whistle, and
the changing Of the fog bells were the only
| sounds that disturbed the nights serenity
The boat swung round into one OF the ferry
slips and was quickly rowed 70 the bridge
As we approached the bridge Louis agar
drew his lantern out Of his pocket and
flashed II once or twice under the Terry
house.
He appeared satisfied and again resume6
rowing He proceeded under the bridge
The atmosphere was chilly close, anle
sitting. II was as dark as Egypt Cob
webs hung from the rafters and the soft
silken fibers were caught in the face ana
hair as the boat pushed on. Barnacle
growing on the piers and piles glistened II
the darkness.
After proceeding several hundred fee
underneath the ferry house Louis agaii
drew out his lantern. He turned tue ligh
full on and flashed II up on the shore. Rat
-monstrOus rats OF the size Of cats-wen
swarming by the hundreds on the soft
marshy ground. Their little pink eyes az
peared like stars in the darkness AM
danced and scintillated as they frolicke'
about.
Their antics were amusing and Kittens
IN the extreme. The rats feeding on tn
refuse from the larder OF the Bremen steam
ships. They would run down TO the water
edge and siezing some article OF food woui
carry IL back TO the higher ground.
Wen have some shooting" remarke
, | Leuis, as he picked up his revolver an
| blazed away at the innocent creatures. hi
marksmanship had no effect and the raj
7 continued 20 reyel in their midnight luncl
con. Some Of them, more bold than other
, | plunged into the water and swan out Il
some particular piece Of refuse.
Others would sit up on their hauncns
. | and look as sedate as judges as the
| strolred their mouth with both paws. SIEVE
4 al were apparently engaged in game OF q
1 and raced up and down the shore in hiG
I glec
e These fellows" said Louis. as he pick'
: IN his oars and rowed back, ''are always
K 81 found at low water. They come out
a their nests 10 feed and hold high carniyf
You have seen a sight that few persons a
\ privileged 10 do The reporter thought
100.