We all sat up, and began shouting and striking right and left; but the rats did not mind us a bit.  At last the doctor lighted a lucifer match, and away scampered at least a hundred rats into the holes from whence they had come out.  We thought that we were to have rest, but as soon as darkness and silence were restored, out they all came again, and made as much hubbub as before.  Jerry and I kept knocking about us to little purpose, till we both fell back asleep; and all night long I dreamed that I was fighting with a host of black men on the coast of Africa. When the morning broke, they scampered away like so many evil spirits, leaving their marks, however, behind them.  They had committed no little mischief also.  They had gnawed through our friend's shoes and the doctor's leather cigar-case; they had carried off Jerry's leather braces--the remains of which were found near one of the holes--and the front strap of my cap.  We all had suffered, but, as Jerry remarked, as they had left us our noses and toes it did not much signify.  They infest the country in all directions, we were told.