72 NEIGHBORS WITH CLA WS AND HOOFS. 



they all fly at his approach. A farmer rid himself of rats 

 by the following simple device : He had a granary rat- 

 proof, but he purposely left one hole where rats might go 

 in and out. After they became accustomed to the route, 

 great numbers would congregate, but ran out of the hole 

 the moment the door was open. Waiting one time until 

 the army of rats were well at work, he slipped a bag over 

 the hole on the outside, when he opened the door. The 

 rats scampered, as usual, and were all bagged at once. 

 In the " Pied Piper of Hamelin," we have another novel 

 way of rat-extermination, together with a rat-commentary 

 upon it : 



16. " Into the street the Piper stept, 



Smiling first a little smile, 

 As if he knew what magic slept 



In his quiet pipe the while ; 

 Then, like a musical adept, 

 To blow the pipe his lips he wrinkled, 

 And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled, 

 Like a candle-flame where salt is sprinkled ; 

 And ere three shrill notes he uttered, 

 You heard as if an army muttered ; 

 And the muttering grew to a grumbling ; 

 And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling ; 

 And out of the bouses the rats came tumbling 

 Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats, 

 Brown rats, black rats, gray rats, tawny rats, 

 Grave old plodders, gay young friskers, 



Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins, 

 Cocking tails and pricking whiskers, 



Families by tens and dozens ; 

 Brothers, sisters, husbands, wives 

 Followed the Piper for their lives. 



