He announced in a solemn voice:
"We, the Chief Contractor and the Wigs, declare the fleet of our country to consist of forty ships, here drawn up in line, and the Triton is declared by us to be Admiral, Painter, Rope-maker, and Sugar-repairer. So be it."
"So be it, and long live the marzipan fleet," cried all the citizens, who had never seen the sea.
"Is there really no water anywhere?" asked Smaly a little indiscreetly.
The Chief Contractor leant towards Smaly, who was still sitting in his cauldron, and whispered low in his ear:
"Tell the truth, do you really think that that fleet needs any water?"
An Extremely Curious Fish
"I am certain of it," replied Smaly imperturbably, leaning over the edge of the cauldron towards the Chief Contractor, whereupon the Stork gently pushed him back again.