114 
THE EAT. 
them in the shape of running away. But let us bear in mind, 
that these rats were, we might say, one family, and acting in 
unison ; and not only that, — they were in their native 
grounds, and full of health and vigour. But how different 
is it with those rats that are put into the pits for matches ! 
They, for the most part, are brought from various districts, 
and mixed together under most uncomfortable circumstances; 
consequently they have nothing like union among them. 
It is recorded that, a few years ago, four condemned 
criminals made their escape from ISTewgate prison, by descend- 
ing from a water-closet into the sewer, having formed the 
daring project of proceeding along it to the Biver Thames ; 
but when they got as far as Fleet Market, they were beset 
on every side by such legions of rats, that the unhappy men 
screamed with agony. The people, hearing their cries, tore 
up the iron-gratings, and hoisted them out ; when they were 
only too glad to be conducted safely back to prison. 
The men who enter the sewers for the purpose of cleans- 
ing or repairing them, always carry lights, and go in too 
great force to be attacked. 
A short time back appeared an account of a most ferocious 
attack made by rats on the wife of a labourer. She was in 
bed with her husband, and child, two years of age ; when, 
about midnight, she was suddenly awoke by a most excru- 
ciating pain, and the agonizing shrieks of her helpless child. 
She threv/ up her hand, and grasped a great rat that had just 
plunged its teeth into her temple. The brute let go its hold, 
and after cutting her finger in two places, made its escape. 
Out of bed she jumped, and struck a light; then, upon raising 
her infant child, she found the blood streaming from several 
wounds in its head, as also from one of its fingers, which was 
fearfully lacerated. The whole was the work but of a few 
seconds. It was quite clear that a number of these ferocious 
creatures had made a simultaneous attack upon them ; and 
had she not shown the resolution she did, the consequences 
might have been most disastrous. 
