"This is the year 1829 of the computation shirienne," replied one of the smugglers.
Samouard smiled sadly. So he had been in durance vile for fourteen years. Did his former bride Rosédès even realize that he was still alive?
The leader regarded Gamgès appraisingly. "Do you have any talents?" he asked at length. "Other than gourmandise, that is – at which it is well-known that all hobbites excel."
"I am one of the best mariners in the western half of the mer Endorienne," replied Gamgès without hesitation. "I will show you. I will execute a ciryanturade à triple lurtz upon your vessel, and if I fail, you can kill me."
"Excellent," smiled de Ferni. "I have not killed anyone in weeks."
Gamgès laughed immoderately, and performed, not a ciryanturade à triple lurtz, but a quadruple élendillage à niénorette fricassée.
