CHAPTER X.WITHOUT THE WALLS.
Only one trifling incident befell the boys before they found themselves without the city gate.

They were proceeding down Coleman Street towards Moor Gate, where they knew they should have to show their pass, and perhaps have some slight trouble in getting through, and were rehearsing such things as they had decided to tell the guard at the gate, when the sound of a dismal howling smote upon their ears, and they paused to look about them, for the street was very still, and almost every house seemed deserted and empty.
The sound came again, and Joseph remarked: "'Tis some poor dog who perchance has lost master and home.

There be only too many such in the city they say.

They throw them by scores into the river to be rid of them; but I have heard father say that it is an ill thing to do, and likely to spread the contagion instead of checking it.

Alive, the poor beasts do no ill; but their carcasses poison both the water and the air.