There was a king's ransom on that table, in sober truth, for
there could be no doubt but that this was part of the gold which
had been carried from Huanuco when it had been demanded by
Pizarro as payment for the life of Atahualpa.
But better even than the service was that which it contained. It
may not have been such as would enhance the reputation of a
French chef, but to us then it seemed that the culinary art could
go no farther.
There was a large platter; Harry lifted its cover in an ecstasy
of hope; but the next instant his face fell ludicrously.
"Our old friend, Mr. Dried Fish," he announced sadly, and gave it
up.
Then I tried my luck, and with better success.
First I uncovered a dish of stew, steaming hot! To be sure, it
was fish, but it was hot. Then a curious, brittle kind of bread;
I call it that, though on trial it appeared to be made from the
roe of some kind of fish. Also there was some excellent
fish-soup, also hot, and quite delicious.
Four hundred years of development had taught the royal chefs to
prepare fish in so many different ways that we almost failed to
recognize them as of the same family.
"Couldn't be better," said Harry, helping himself liberally to
the stew.
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