"There is sure to be a supply of water here," said Whiskerandos. "Let us explore the place." "I fancy that I hear a dripping!" I cried eagerly, as we approached the door of the back-yard. The door was indeed closed, and sharp bits of broken bottles, on the top both of it and the brick wall, rendered it impossible to climb over them; but I-- my wit quickened by my painful thirst-- discovered in a moment that, at the bottom of the door, part of the wood had been broken away, either by time or perhaps the teeth of our brethren, leaving an opening just large enough for a rat easily to creep through. I was not one to venture on an unexplored region, so I looked anxiously through into the yard. At the opposite side of it there was-- oh, joyful sight!-- a pump, from which drop by drop fell, with a most inviting sound, into a trough below. And yet, faint with thirst as I was, the place had an aspect which alarmed me, and made me fear to venture across the yard. Not far from the pump, and between it and us, was an open green door, which led into a garden or pleasure-ground, and though I could see nothing to alarm me, my quick ear distinguished suspicious sounds in that direction. "In with you!" exclaimed Whiskerandos, impatiently. "Don't keep me here, dying with thirst at the hole." I drew back with a gesture of caution. "Whiskerandos," said I, "I don't like the green door open yonder. If any one came through it into the yard and cut off our retreat!" "Nothing dare, nothing win!" he exclaimed; "I am thirsty and I must have water:" and, hurrying through the little opening which I have mentioned, he was soon eagerly drinking at the trough. Hesitating, doubting, I was about to follow him, and already my nose was through the hole, when a sight, at the remembrance of which I shudder still, made me withdraw it instanter. Through the fatal green door near the pump, a young man, with his hands in his pockets and his cap cocked on one side, followed by several dogs, leisurely sauntered into the yard. I saw in an instant that for Whiskerandos escape was impossible. He had the whole length of the yard to cross; his foes were far nearer to him than me. His only chance was that of not being perceived; but this in broad daylight, with the noses of three or four dogs not two yards from him, was a miserable chance indeed. The dogs instantly found him out, and were at him in a moment. My unhappy companion darted behind the trough, quick as a flash of lightning. I felt assured that he would there bravely defend himself to the last; but what could one poor rat do, albeit the boldest of his race, against such terrible odds! "Ha! a rat!" exclaimed the young man, looking quite amused and pleased-- barbarian that he was!-- at the prospect of seeing a poor defenceless creature torn to pieces before him. "Ha! Carlo, give it him!-- shake him by the ear!" The young man actually laughed aloud with delight!