charging rats

Last night Jamie, Esther and I were lounging on a blanket on the grass by the pond in the public garden near the big Chinese lantern. It was late dusk- the edge of night and a perfectly balmy evening. Jamie and Esther were facing away from the pond, but my view held the smooth water with the willow tree dipping its branches into it just off to my right, a duck or two paddling around.
Then a rat ran by on the edge of the pond, out from behind the chinese lantern and over into the willow tree. It was about the size of Laura's foot- at least 2/3 the size of my foot. This was no field mouse! I decided not to say anything so as not to mar the pleasant evening the others were having. I saw something fly from somewhere on our side of the pond over to a tree on the far side. The way it was so quiet and the jerky motion made me declare it was a bat with a wingspan about the length of my arm. Since that one went to the other side, I did tell my roommates about it. Soon, another rat ran by (as big as the first)- Jamie saw that one, so I told them there had already been another one.
We continued to enjoy the lovely evening- after all, the rats ran to the willow tree without even a glance at us. Then suddenly, both rats came charging out from the willow tree like two furry torpedoes making a beeline for us! I was placidly eating my dried cranberries still, believing they would change their course. However, when they got about 2 feet from succeeding in their death charge toward us is about when I yelled and jumped up, declaring that we were done being in the park, which motivated the rats to head a different direction.
Esther was lying down and didn't believe that the rats were going to run right on top of us. Jamie was on the phone so although she vouched for me it was a little diluted because she was busy talking.
Note to self: don't suggest sitting under the willow tree in the Public Garden on a romantic evening date