A STRANGE encounter between a "monster of the rodent tribe" and two ferrets, which took place at Croft Farm in West Malvern, entranced Gazette columnist Ariel 100 years ago.

"Ferrets, as a rule, are a terror to rats and are employed to evict them from hayricks and old barns. In this case the table was turned. The rat was master of the situation and the ferrets knew it too, before he left them.

"He fastened upon one and pounded it so severely that the owner for a day or two after the struggle despaired of its life. On its neck was a large gash which bled so profusely that the animal was scarcely distinguishable.

"The companion fared rather better, but had the rat not been stopped in time, it is almost certain that he would have administered to it a like punishment."

The noise attracted the farmer's son and a cowman, who seized a shovel and a stick and "prepared to send the rat into kingdom come".

"The vicious quadruped was not, however, to be subdued. He became more aggressive, grinned and showed his teeth at his assailants.

"Slowly, the door of the box was opened and the cowman, as the rat emerged, aimed a blow with all the force he could command.

"In his eagerness to end its existence he missed his aim and struck the box instead, The rat quietly waked off uninjured.

"He has since been seen in the neighbourhood of the ferrets' home, probably enquiring after the state of their health."