he busy hum of conversation, or the ringing laugh--
the absence of the sights, too--the brilliant chandeliers--the long
tables sparkling with crystal--the absence of these, and yet the
presence of the scene associated with such sights and sounds--gave to
the place an air of indescribable desolation. I felt as one within the
ruins of some old convent, or amidst the tombs of an antique cemetery.

No furniture of any kind relieved the monotony of the place. The only
visible objects were the coarse gunny-bags strewed over the floor, and
upon which uncle Sam had made me welcome to repose myself.

After surveying my odd chamber, and giving way to some singular
reflections, I began to think of disposing of myself for sleep. I was
wearied. My health was not yet restored. The clean bast of the
coffee-bags looked inviting. I dragged half-a-dozen of them together,
placed them side by side, and then, throwing myself upon my back, drew
my cloak over me. The coffee-berries yielded to the weight of my body,
giving me a comfortable position, and in less than five minutes I fell
asleep.

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

THE NORWAY RAT.

I must have slept an hour or more. I did not think of consulting my
watch before going to sleep, and I had little thought about such a thing
after I awoke. But that I had slept at least an hour, I could tell by
the length of my candle.

A fearful hour that was, as any I can remember to have spent--an hour of
horrid dreaming. But I am wrong to call it so. It was no dream, though
at the time I thought it one.

Listen!

As I have said, I lay down upon my back, covering myself with my ample
cloak from the chin to the ankles. My face and feet were alone free. I
had placed one of the bags for a pillow, and thus raised my head in such
a position, that I had a full view of the rest of my person. The light,
set just a little way beyond my heels, was right before my eyes; and I
could see the floor in that direction to the distance of several yards.
I have said that in five minutes I was asleep. I thought that I was
asleep, and to this hour I think so, and yet my eyes were open, and I
plainly saw the candle before them and that portion of the floor
illumined by its rays. I thought that I endeavoured to close my eyes,
but could not; nor could I change my position, but lay regarding the
light and the surface of the floor around it. Presently a strange sight
was presented to me. A number of small