“If your lordship will leave it to me, you shall have no reason to complain. I have been head cook to the King of Mesopotamia for ten years, and His Majesty told me, only eight days since, that he has no pleasure in eating now I have left him. I would suggest, for soups, pomegranate, water-gruel, and ortolan; for entrees, calves’ feet and saffron, and fillet of venison with sweetbreads. For the next course, chicken _farci a la Madame Râpée_, heron garnished with woodcocks, roast sucking-pig with cameline sauce.” “I should like well enough a quarter of whale served up on a layer of eggs,” said Allegrignac, carelessly. “You might have had it this morning. Unfortunately, they had the last of it for King Marsillus to-day.” “You will give us, instead, a peacock. You will stuff it with chestnuts and saffron, and serve it up with fennel and powdered sugar.” “I can also offer your lordships dory with orange-juice, and lampreys with lily sauce.” “Is that all?” “Yes, sir. The bill of fare is simple, but select!” “Now, by Lenten fasts! you want to starve us to death,” said Mont-Rognon. “You must improve this poor fare, Master Head Cook of the King of Mesopotamia. Let us have ragout of venison, salt quarter of hare, preserved cabbage, purée of foreign figs _à la Sardanapale_, pigs’ chitterlings with sweet wine sauce, and ribs of beef in honey. Now, be off to your kitchen, and if we want anything else, we’ll let you know.” Ali made a low bow, and was about to leave the room. “One word more,” said Allegrignac. “Don’t forget to send up the roasts on the spit, and, above all, be particular about the wine Don’t be afraid of sending up plenty of bottles.” “And, stay, landlord!” said Porc-en-Truie, “as you go you can show me my room. Farewell, Allegrignac! Your hand, Mont-Rognon! Good luck to you, Maragougnia! I shall be asleep, no doubt, when you start. I trust you will succeed, and take back to the Emperor what he wishes.” “We shall be sufficiently fortunate if we take back a whole skin!” sighed the Count of Riom, preparing to depart. In the next chapter you will see how the four knights set about the accomplishment of Charlemagne’s wishes. [Illustration: 180] [Illustration: 181] CHAPTER III. HOW ALLEGRIGNAC, MARAGOUGNIA, PORC-EN-TRUIE, AND MONT-ROGNON OPENED THE CAMPAIGN. PORC-EN-TRUIE followed Ali, who conducted him to the first floor, where they entered a chamber that was shabby enough in appearance in all conscience. “Are you silly enough to think of putting me to sleep here?” “It is the best room in the inn. King Marsillus slept here the day----” “Come! I hope you are not going to talk more absurdity of that kind to me. Learn to understand better those with whom you have to deal. Where’s the bed?” “Yonder, sir.” “That a bed! By the beard of Solomon! what you have the impudence to call a bed would have horrified Job himself, and he passes for a person not easily dissatisfied. What is all that hanging about the curtains?”