shining objects began to dance
and scintillate in the darkness beyond. At first I took them for
"lightning-bugs," but although these were plenty enough without, it was
not usual to find them inside an enclosed apartment. Moreover, those I
saw were low down upon the floor of the saloon, and not suspended in the
air, as they should have been.

Gradually the number of these shining objects increased. There were now
some dozens of them, and, what was singular, they seemed to move in
pairs. They were _not_ fire-flies!

I began to experience a sensation of alarm. I began to feel that there
was danger in these fiery spots, that sparkled in such numbers along the
floor. What on earth could they be?

I had scarce asked myself the question, when I was enabled to answer it
to the satisfaction of my senses, but not to the tranquillising of my
fears. The horrid truth now flashed upon me--each pair of sparkling
points was a _pair of eyes_!

It was no relief to me to know they were the eyes of rats. You may
smile at my fears; but I tell you in all seriousness that I would not
have been more frightened had I awaked and found a panther crouching to
spring upon me. I had heard such tales of these Norway rats--had, in
fact, been witness to their bold and ferocious feats in New Orleans,
where at that time they swarmed in countless numbers--that the sight of
them filled me with disgust and horror. But what was most horrible of
all--I saw that they were approaching me--that they were each moment
coming nearer and nearer, and that _I was unable to get out of their
way_!

Yes. I could not move. My arms and limbs felt like solid blocks of
stone, and my muscular power was quite gone! I _now_ thought that I was
_dreaming_!

"Yes!" reflected I, for I still possessed the power of reflection.
"Yes--I am only dreaming! A horrid dream though--horrid--would I could
wake myself--'tis nightmare! I know it--if I could but move something--
my toes--my fingers--oh!"

These reflections actually passed through my mind. They have done so at
other times when I have been under the influence of nightmare; and I now
no longer dread this incubus, since I have learnt how to throw it off.
_Then_ I could not. I lay like one dead, whose eyelids have been left
unclosed; and I thought I was dreaming.

Dreaming or awake, my soul had not yet reached its climax of horror. As
I continued to gaze, I perceived that the number of the hideous animals