UNREASONABLE FEAR OF RATS. 
17 
wants to effect its escape. It is true that in some instances, 
if you press a rat into a corner, and will not let it escape, 
it will fly at you ; yet it will not do so, if you open the door 
and let it out, or let it gain its hole. But if you pursue it 
to desperation, then, like almost every other animal, it will 
fight for its life ; and you, like every other sportsman, must 
put up with the consequences of the chase. Here we may 
apply the old adage, which says that if we tread upon a 
worm, it will turn again. 
A few years back I attended a rat-match in London, at 
which the dog which could kill the greatest number in the 
shortest time would win the prize. The first man that entered 
the pit brought in with him a dog, which was as handsome as 
the man himself was ugly. Time being called, he seized his dog 
by each side of the face, and, arching his long carcase, was soon 
in readiness. They now made a curious picture. From the 
fierce anxiety of their countenances, it became a strong matter 
of doubt as to which would mouth the first rat — the dog or its 
master. However, upon the signal being given, away went the 
dog, first killing one rat, then another; down went the man 
on his hands and knees, then pounded the floor most furi- 
ously, and roared and bellowed with all his might, to urge 
on the dog. The rats were falling in every direction, when, 
all in an instant, the man stood bolt upright, with his eyes 
staring like a madman, and his mouth wide open. But the 
cause, to the great amusement of all present, soon became 
apparent. It is the custom for those who enter the pit to 
tie a piece of string or garter round each ankle, to prevent 
the rats from crawling up their legs beneath their trousers. 
He had neglected to do this, and a rat was plainly seen 
working its way up his body between his skin and his shirt. 
With maniacal desperation he pulled off' his cravat, and, 
tearing open his shirt, exposed his thin scraggy neck. Pre- 
sently out came a pretty little glossy creature on his shoulder, 
and made a spring to the edge of the pit, which it succeeded 
in accomplishing. Heels-over-head went a dozen or twenty 
of the lookers-on, forms and all ; and from the general 
scrambling, kicking, bustling, and alarm, one miglit have 
thought that, had it not been for their hats and boots, the 
poor little frightened rat would have swallov/ed at least a 
dozen of tliem ; but, as it was, the little creature made its 
