Having explained to the first mate the cause of my nocturnal disturbance, he told me that they were sure to come in at the bull’s-eye, if left open, that being the easiest way for them when in harbour. “And,” said he, “they travel that way from one ship to another in bands of ten or twenty at a time.” He then showed me how to close and fasten the bull’s-eye, after which he retired to his berth. All at once, one of the brutes, which had remained concealed, in attempting to escape upset the lamp upon the floor and extinguished it, and thus compelled me for the second time to seek to repose upon the hard and unsophisticated cabin bench, when the Captain made his appearance rather in a state of _négligé_, holding, a rushlight in one hand and a sword in the other, with a nightcap tied round with a red riband upon his head. In great anxiety, he inquired what the row was about. “The row, Captain,” said I, “is nothing. It’s only the bull’s-eye in my cabin, which being half open, the rats have got in again.” “What do you say, Monsieur Soyer?” “Nothing,” again I shouted. “Call that nothing? I never had such a row in my ship before. Bless my soul,” said he, “what a nuisance those rats are! They make quite as free in my cabin; but, being used to it, I do not care so much about them. The worst of it is that we can never keep a bit of cheese or a candle; they eat them up as fast as I buy them.” “It is certainly very provoking, Captain; but why not try and catch them?” “Oh, bless you, we have tried everything--poison, traps, broken glass. We caught a few, but I would give the world to have them all caught.” “I can give you a receipt which will enable you to have them almost all caught in a few days.” “The deuce you could!” said he, coming and sitting opposite to me. “Tell me how it is done--I shall be so much obliged to you; but I must go and put something on first, I am so cold.” As he said this, I perceived that the skylight over his head was open. “Oh, never mind that; it won’t take two minutes to tell you--listen to me.” “So I will,” he said. “The place where you keep your cheese would be the very spot to make the trial. The thing is quite easy. Have your cheese and candles removed.” “So I will; but I wish you would let me put a coat on--I am getting so very cold.” “Never mind about that; I shall not keep you a minute--listen to me.” “So I will.” “When the cabin is perfectly empty, have it cleaned and well scrubbed.” “That will be done.” “When it is dry, take half a pound of good Cheshire cheese, scrape it fine, and mix it with about two pounds of rough bread-crumbs.” “Yes, I will.” “Perhaps you think it is a pity to give them half a pound of good cheese.” “Not at all, because the vermin eat pounds of it daily.” “Mix both well together.” “Yes, I understand--and make them into balls.” “No, not at all--only spread the lot upon the floor, leave the door and window open, and go to bed. Of course they will come and eat.”