The Legend Of Luke - 4 by Brian Jacques

Author:Brian Jacques [Jacques, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Lantern light and steam came from the open galley window. Out on the darkened deck, Luke shook with suppressed laughter as he watched the antics of his crew. They bustled and bumped into one another, each trying to advise or outdo the other with tips on cooking expertise.

"Not too much o' that dried barley, Vurg, go easy."

"Oh, rubbish, my ole mum always put plenty o' barley in every thin' she cooked!"

"Aye, I thought yore mum's fruitcake tasted a bit funny."

"Well it didn't stop you scoffin' it, y'great lard bucket!"

"Lard bucket yoreself, mate. Hoi, Dulam, where are you goin' with the salt? Ship's stew needs lots of salt!"

"How d'you know? 'Tis the first time you've been on a ship. Put any more salt in that stew an' we'll drink the water barrels dry afore mornin'."

"Aye aye there, chop those carrots smaller, mate!"

"Gerrout, I like big cobs o' carrot!"

"So that means we've all got to 'ave great lumps o' carrot?"

"Huh, won't 'urt you. Hey, 'tis my turn to stir. Gimme that ladle."

"I'll give ye it on yore nose, see 'ow y'like that!"

A large cauldron of stew was carried into the big cabin, where Luke had set out beakers of ale and an oatcake by each place. Doing his utmost to keep a straight face, he tried sniffing appreciatively. "Mmm, that smells good. What is it, Cardo?"

A heated debate broke out over the cauldron's contents.

"I call it Cardo's Carrot Seastew!"

"Ho, do you now, well I calls it Vurg's Veggible Delight!"

"I did all the work, so 'tis goin' t'be called Coil's Combination Concoction!"

"No it ain't, it's Dulam's Delicious Shipstew!"

Luke banged the mess table with the serving ladle. "Enough! I won't have mutiny aboard my ship over a pot o' grub. I'll name the stew. Put it down here!"

They watched as Luke ladled a portion into his bowl. Blowing on a spoonful he sampled it gingerly, with his crew looking on anxiously. Bravely, Luke chewed at the stew, his face expressionless. He put down the spoon and took a deep draught of ale.

They all spoke the word at once. "Well?"

Luke picked something from between his teeth and looked at it quizzically before returning his verdict.

"I think it should be called crunchy barley, half-cooked carrot lump, far too salty 'otwater stew. So if you'll excuse me, I'll just stick to oatcake an' ale for tonight's meal, mates. Eat up, an' see how you lot like it!"

Luke wandered out on deck with his frugal meal. "I'll take the tiller for a while, mate. You go an' get somethin' to eat."

Denno immediately stopped gazing at the peaceful moonflaked waves and relinquished his watch. "Certainly smelled great when they carried it to the cabin, Luke. Thankee, mate. I'll enjoy some o' that stew."

Luke smiled wryly. "Oh aye, I'm sure you will!"

Soft pastel-hued skies heralded the dawn. A mouse named Cordle dozed at the tiller, a canteen of water held loosely in his paw. Coll came to relieve him, sipping from a beaker.

"Huh, fine one you are, sleepin' on watch.

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