The Litchfield County Post

We witnessed on Tuesday last a circumstance which we believe is rather a singular one in the history of the animal world. A rat was thrown into a box containing one hundred live rattlesnakes, for the purpose of showing the manner of attack by these reptiles. When first thrown into the box he evidently excited considerable displeasure amongst the serpents at the sight of such an intruder. They however made no immediate attack upon him, but put their heads rather boldly around him, apparently for the purpose of examining his make and quality. The rat taking this impertinence in high dudgeon, soon began to play his part among his new comrades by adopting their own mode of warfare, and biting every one that presumed to come within his reach. His usual aim would be at the head and neck of the snakes, where he would fasten his teeth so firmly that they would frequently drag him the whole length of the box, before he would let go his hold. In this way he soon became master of the field and by merely turning his head towards them, the snakes would retreat to the back ground for safety. However to close the scene, after the rat had been in the box four or five hours, one young snake, of more courage than his companions, placed himself in a posture of attack, and by one effectual blow, put a period to the conquests of the warrior rat.—Watertown Jefferson Co. Register.