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A WONDERFUL EXCELLENT COOK
157

The cook departed in haste, but with a fleeting glance at Harry Malcolm whom he feared less only than the master. He was aware that for some reason he did not understand, his broken tale had served his purpose.

When he had gone the Old One turned about. ‘‘You heard him. What think you?” said he.

From the great bed in the corner, Harry Malcolm raised his head and laughed silently. “Our able cook was hard pressed for an excuse to get out of his ankle rings. Did you hear him slopping at the butt the first time passing? As for his tale, we know what we knew, and no more.”

“Slow wits"! I wonder.”

“At Baracao we shall see,” said Harry Malcolm.

"Neither one nor a dozen can harm us before we raise land.”

“And after raising land, which by God’s mercy will be soon now, we shall see whose wits will nick first when the edges crack together.”

The Old One stretched and yawned and Harry Malcolm softly laughed.

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