13. The "flush - boxes" were opened, and the. rat, with an end of the string attached to his body, was put into the pipe. He scampered away at a racing pace, dragging the twine after him, until he reached the middle of the length of pipe, and there stopped. The ferret was then put in, and off went the rat again, until he sprang clear out of the next flush-box. One half of the work was done, and the same operation was commenced with the next length of pipe, but the rat stopped short a few yards in the pipe, and boldly awaited the approach of the ferret. A sharp combat began, and it was feared that one or both the animals would die in the pipe. But, after sundry jerks of the string, the combatants separated; the ferret returned to his master, and the rat made for the extremity, carrying the string through in safety.

14. Rats are often tained, and make pretty household pets. They are clean, playful, and, when well fed, harmless. In Belgium, not long since, a troop of rats were -trained to perform a play. They were dressed in the garb of men and women, walked on their hind-legs, and went through with great exactness the ordinary stage actions. On one point, however, they were like the cat who had been changed to a young lady, but forgot her own character the moment a mouse appeared. When, in the course of the play, food was introduced, they forgot their parts, the audience, and the manager, and, dropping on all-fours, they fell to with all the native voracity of their race. The performance concluded by their hanging in triumph their enemy the cat, and dancing around her body.

15. Many are the expedients to get rid of rats. Holes are smeared with tar, which rats can not abide. Singed rats are set at liberty and sent to drive away the others by their scent. A tiny bell is placed on the neck of a rat, and he thereafter in vain tries to associate with his race;

they all fly at his approach. A farmer rid himself of rats by the following simple device: He had a granary ratproof, 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 run 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 houses 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.

From street to street he piped advancing,
And step by step they followed dancing,
Until they came to the river Weser,
Wherein all plunged and perished.

17. "Save one, who, stout as Julius Cæsar, Swam across, and lived to carry

(As he the manuscript he cherished)
To Rat-land home his commentary,

Which was, 'At the first shrill notes of the pipe,
I heard a sound as of scraping tripe,

And putting apples wondrous ripe
Into a cider-press's gripe;

And a moving away of pickle-tub boards,
And a leaving ajar of conserve-cupboards,
And a drawing the corks of train-oil flasks,
And a breaking the hoops of butter-casks;
And it seemed as if a voice

(Sweeter far than by harp or by psaltery
Is breathed) called out: 'O rats, rejoice!

The world has grown to one vast dry-saltery!
So munch on, crunch on, take your nuncheon,
Breakfast, supper, dinner, luncheon!"
And just as a bulky sugar-puncheon,
Already staved, like a great sun, shone
Glorious; scarce an inch before me,

Just as methought it said, 'Come, bore me!'
-I found the Weser rolling o'er me!""

CHAPTER XII.

THE LEGEND OF BISHOP HATTO.

Near Bingen on the Rhine is an old tower, known as the "Rat-Tower" of Bishop Hatto. The tower is shown in the engraving. It is said to be more than a thousand years old. The old German legend concerning it is well told in the following poem:

1. THE summer and autumn had been so wet,
That in winter the corn was growing yet;
'Twas a piteous sight to see, all around,
The grain lie rotting on the ground.

2. Every day the starving poor

Crowded around Bishop Hatto's door,
For he had a plentiful last-year's store;
And all the neighborhood could tell
His granaries were furnished well.

3. At last Bishop Hatto appointed a day
To quiet the poor without delay;

He bade them to his great barn repair,

And they should have food for the winter there.

4. Rejoiced such tidings good to hear,

The poor folk flocked from far and near;
The great barn was full as it could hold
Of women and children, and young and old.

5. Then when he saw it could hold no more,
Bishop Hatto he made fast the door;
And while for mercy on Christ they call,
He set fire to the barn and burnt them all.

6. "I' faith, 'tis an excellent bonfire!" quoth he,
"And the country is greatly obliged to me,

7. So then to his palace returnèd he,
And he sat down to supper merrily;
And he slept that night like an innocent man,
But Bishop Hatto never slept again.

8. In the morning, as he entered the hall

Where his picture hung against the wall,