Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-14


natural pr~ys and bsszdss What ne tailed
% destroy with our bladgeons very few
escaped slaughter. Weeouh ncs count
the numbsr Of the slain, bat Capt webb
calculated the death roll ~ Be more
than Loo.
Rats cannot be doussticated, bat they
can be tanned 10 = certain degree, and,
although by their nature always shy,
they can be made familiar with those
rs 30 are constantly near them Claus
Peterson, night Waterman of over
thirty years service in the storehouses
at Atlantic Basin. Brooklyn. n. r.. be-
came so familiar with the rats there
about as 70 not only make them friend
ly and docile. but 10 . certain extent
gave them rudimentary education
The writer was with hun one night, re-
Gently. when the place and surround
inzs were silent and deserted. and wit
messed some strange ''doings-" We en-
tered one OF the huge warehouses and
seated ourselves on empty boxes Gloom
and silence prevailed everywhere. The
Waterman set his buli's-eyc lantern on
the foor 50 that it, rays went athwsrt
the main passage and Illuminated the
front of an immense grain box. Then
he began To tap lightly on the door with
few minutes we could see just beyond
the scope of the lanterns rays the fg-
ure Of . rat Of unusual size. almost as
large a. an ordinary eat 1t approached
slowly and cautiously toward US, and
soon we could discover its color and
size. Its fur was yellow and drab, with
. white breast and belly, long stiff
bristles and sharp- pointed nose. Eyes
that glittered like electric sparks were
fxed upon US. and as It's mouth opened.
now and then, cleaning. long, sharp
pointed teeth were disclosed. There
was q great deal of elaboration In the
movements Of his approach. His eyes
snapped and flashed a. he hoped and
half ran in circles toward Us. but never
for an instant was his gaze directed
from rs. His eyes spoke volumes
He surveyed the situation with an In
telligence worthy of military hero. He
knew the Waterman well. but he was
evidently suspicious of my appearance.
He sat on his launches. about twenty
feet away from US. and stared and
glared curiously. Far away In his rear.
in the shadowy background. could be
dimly seen the forms of others of his
tribe, who. with the exception of mad
vertent squcals, seemed to be awaiting
Developments
The Waterman took from his poke,
an ordinary comb. which he wrapped
with thin paper, and, placing il next 20
his teeth, began vibratory sounds, with
rising and falling infections. Instant
ly the old rat priched up his ears as
though listening, and then slowly but
steadily advanced until he entered the
circle of light Thcreupon and imme-
diately out of the distant gloom, came
into view hordes of rats, of all sizes,
shapes, colors and conditions The first
large old rat was evidently the king of
all. for all the others surrounded him
ut respectful distance, and seemed to
await his orders There were thousands
of them. young and old. Most of them
remained quiet, but others, presumably
Young ones cavorted and squealed
far away in the background
The old king rat suddenly arose
on his hind legs and whirled his
head to and fro like marshal review
ing his forces, and thereupon for q mo-
nent all the others remained motion
less and quiet. Suddenly the watch
man gave quick, sharp, loud blast on
the comb, whereat the king rodent ut
tered shrill. piercing scream, which
was taken up and reiterated from the
| threats Of his thousands of subjects.
| The din that followed was indescriba-
bly, horrid-like q chorus OF walls from
the bottomless pit-or, in other words,
like hell let loose" 1t was babel of
shrill. ear-splitting squeals and screams
enough to drive one mad. Even the
old Waterman clapped his hands 70 his
ears. Then he stamped his foot upon
the floor. whcreupon the noise ceased
almost as suddenly a. IL began.
After short pause he commenced
whistling a soft low minor key tune.
| To my immense arnazement some of the
'.varmints'' joined with modulated
squeals and means, ss if in mimicry.
Then he began to tap the hoor with
his club. at which signal the throng of
rodents commenced to encircle The old