FIBER XIBETTIICUS. 289 



Mr. Martin McRae, a clerk of T. L. Seigle & Co , was set upon by 

 seven of the ' varmints ' and was put to flight, not having- any weap- 

 ons with which to defend himself. Shortly afterwards, Larkin 

 Saddler, the Observer s janitor, passed by and about twenty of the 

 rats began biting- at his legs. Larkin kicked about for clear life and 

 finally got one rat under his foot and crushed it to death. Their 

 sharp teeth began perforating his hide, and jumping over the fence 

 he fled across the mint yard and got away from them. John 

 Smith, colored, an employee of the Air Line road, came along 

 next, and seeing the curious pack that beset his ankles, uttered a 

 terrific yell and fled at the top of his speed. Wm. Norman, a col- 

 ored employee of Duls & Co., was the next victim. He had a stick 

 and giving the Muskrats battle killed one of their number and put 

 the others to flight. 



" This is the second annual appearance of these savage pests 

 upon our streets. Where do they come from and who can account 

 for their appearance in our city in such numbers ? One theory is 

 that they come from Irwin's creek, making their way up the ceme- 

 tery branch to the flats below the First Presbyterian church and 

 thence to the streets of the city. It is very nearly opposite the 

 mint that Charlie Fox was attacked by the rats last year." 



Mr. Ernest E. T. Seton, of Manitoba, writes me that, September 

 1 3th, 1883, near Carberry, he found a Muskrat in a field of stand- 

 ing wheat a mile and a half from water. The animal showed fight 

 and was captured alive. Mr. Seton writes further : " While 

 travelling on the Rapid City trail in Manitoba, October 2d, 1883, 

 the oxen suddenly shied and turned off the road. Then I saw just 

 ahead what proved to be a Muskrat ! It was in a threatening 

 attitude and sprang toward the nose of one of the cattle. On run- 

 ning to it, it seized my trousers in its teeth and held on. When 

 kicked off it did not attempt to escape, but fought until killed. It 

 was a male.' 



