had, however, retained a small piece of biscuit in my pocket, which,
although I longed to eat it up, I had sufficient resolution to devote as
a bait to the rats.

Placing myself near the shattered butt, which seemed to be the spot most
numerously frequented by them, I put down the bag with my foot at one
end of it, holding the string in my hands, and leaving only a very small
opening, which I could close of a sudden.

I waited eagerly. Rats ran about near my feet, leapt over the bag, and
skipped and frolicked, uttering squeaks of delight. Still none came
actually into the bag. At last one more curious than his fellows poked
his nose into the opening. I felt him running along inside, having
discovered a biscuit within. With a sudden jerk I quickly closed the
mouth of the bag. I felt about with my fingers, and soon came upon
Master Rat inside. As I didn't wish to give him the opportunity of
biting me, I grasped him tightly by the neck, and squeezed out his life.

After drawing him out, I again put down the bag to tempt some more of
his kindred, while I held him up by the tail. In a few minutes I felt
others approaching, curious to explore the interior of the bag. I again
gave a sudden jerk, and found that I had caught no less than three, who,
as they felt themselves drawn up, began fighting and biting at each
other, and would, I believe, had I not speedily put them out of
existence, have been like the Kilkenny cats, and left only their tails
behind them.

I had now ample food, though not of the character most people would have
desired, and had also a bag to keep it in. I soon disposed of the first
rat, with which I ate some small pieces of pickle as a relish, and I
must confess that I enjoyed my meal amazingly. To me it appeared of a
peculiarly delicate character. I could have eaten another rat with
perfect satisfaction, but I considered it prudent to wait, so as not to
give myself a surfeit.

Before long, however, I was again hungry, and on this occasion I ate two
rats with some small pieces of pickle and drank a pint or more of water.

I now felt sufficiently strong to recommence my attempt at escape. I
was prepared for difficulties of all sorts, as I knew that the cargo had
been much displaced during the storm. I have so often described my
journeys to and fro, that I am afraid of becoming wearisome, but I must
mention what now took place.

As I made my way along I tumbled over several things which