MOUSE AS ENGINEER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 191, 14 July 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

MOUSE AS ENGINEER.

A fHd mouse which had fallen into a hrVo dug to receive a telegraph pole displayed great ingenuity and perseverance in effecting Its escape, says a writer in the "Chief Steward." The first hour or so he ran round the bottom of the hole trying to find some means of escape, but cuold not climb out. Then ho settled down to business. He began steadily and systematically to dig a. spiral groove, round and round tho inner surface of the hojpe, with f a uniformly 'ascending grade. He worked night and day. and as lie got further from the bottom he dug litt'e pockets where ho could either lie or eit and rest. The telegraph workers who had noticed his plight, and wore curio tie to know how he would I'-ifci-pe, Hipp'lied' the little 'engineer with food At the end of two weeks thj mouse struck a rock. This puzzled him. For nearly a day he tried to get under, around, or over the obstruction, but without success. With unflinching pntiem-o he reversed the spiral, and went on tunnelling his way in the opposite, direction. At the end of four weeks he reached the top, and probably sped away to enjoy his well-earned freedom. His escape was not observed.