onnexion with the dry land and the whole race of
rats. It is very clear that we can't navigate this ship into harbour by
ourselves. If we sink her we ensure our own destruction. If we kill
the captain, officers, and crew by any of the means hinted at, we are
equally certain ultimately to suffer. Here we are, and here inexorable
fate dooms us to remain till we once more get alongside the shore and a
plank from the ship enables us during the dark hours of night to effect
our escape. Let us, therefore, like wise rats, in the meantime, be
content with our condition, and enjoy at our ease the provisions with
which the ship is stored."

"Granted, Mr President, that your remarks are correct," exclaimed
Whiskerandos, who had before spoken, "I have still an idea which has
long been hatching in my brain. I suggest that we wait until the ship
reaches port and is moored securely alongside, when we will attack her
planks both tooth and nail, and by boring holes in her bottom let in the
water and make our escape."

Loud cheers followed this suggestion. No one waited to hear what the
president said. It was sufficiently encouraging to suit the minds of
the most fiercely disposed, while the more timid were pleased with it as
it indefinitely put off the time of action.

I had been an interested listener to all that was said, and was very
thankful that the rats had arrived at this conclusion. At first I was
afraid that they might decide on attempting to sink the ship, and though
I might have tried to prevent them, yet should they have attacked me
with overwhelming numbers I might have found it impossible to contend
with them. I cared little for their projects of sinking the ship in
harbour. I hoped before then to have made my escape. They had hitherto
curiously enough not discovered me, and I hoped that I should be able to
remain concealed, as I dreaded a conflict with the savage creatures now
surrounding me in countless numbers. I remained perfectly quiet,
scarcely daring even to breathe. Suddenly I was seized with a fit of
sneezing.

At the first sternutation the rats jumped up and looked about them,
evidently considerably alarmed. Again I sneezed, when off they
scampered, disappearing like greased lightning, as our American cousins
say, through countless crevices and holes and other openings I had not
before perceived.

The light which had during the time pervaded the hold, faded away, and I
was left in total darkn