ceed in the course of
the night in effecting our purpose," exclaimed the previous speaker.

"Brother Snout, with all due deference to your opinion, you are talking
nonsense," said the grey-headed orator. "To my certain knowledge there
are two dogs on board--one a Newfoundland, the other a terrier; I don't
much care for the big fellow, but the terrier would be at us, let the
night be ever so dark, and a good many of our race would lose the number
of their mess. Let me observe, in the politest way possible, that your
plan is not worth the snuff of a candle."

The orator on the top of the cask was thus effectually shut up.

"Has no one else an opinion to give?" asked the president.

"I have," exclaimed a ferocious-looking rat with long whiskers, which he
twirled vigorously as he sat upright. "I propose that we marshal our
forces, one division to march aft to the captain and officers, and the
other to the part where the crew are berthed. That at a given signal we
set upon them and let the blood out of their jugulars. We shall thus
gain the mastery of the ship, and be able to enjoy unlimited freedom."

"General Whiskerandos, your remarks savour very much of war, but pardon
me remarking, very little of wisdom," remarked the aged orator. "You
have omitted to mention several important matters. In the first place,
let me observe that the crew of a ship never sleep all at one time.
Supposing a complete victory were gained over those below, the rest
would discover the cause of their death, and would wage ruthless war
against us. And what about the terrier? He sleeps at the door of the
captain's cabin. He would not be idle, depend on that. He would be
delighted to encounter our leading column. It would be rare fun to him,
but a disastrous circumstance for us. Let me advise you, Brother
Whiskerandos, that your idea is a foolish one. Suppose just for one
moment that we should succeed, and that we should put to death every
human being on board, what would become of the ship? She would float
about unless dashed on the rocks by a hurricane till, her timbers and
planks rotting, the water would rush in and she would go to the bottom."

"That suggestion seems to be disposed of. Is it not?" asked the
president.

"I have a proposal to make," exclaimed an aldermanic old rat, sitting up
on the top of a chest. "I suggest a course of proceeding which cannot
fail of success, and will, at the same time, be pleasant and agree