“Eat,” Charley said, offering them to the boys.
Sandy took one gingerly. “Looks good. But what is it?”
“Muk-tuk,” the Indian grunted.
“A Northern delicacy,” the judge said with a straight face.
Jerry stuffed one of the cubes into his mouth with gusto. “Say, that’s good. Tastes like coconut.”
Sandy nibbled at his with more reserve. “It does a little. Maybe a little oilier. What’s it made of?”
“Whale skin and blubber,” the judge informed him. “The white part is blubber, and the dark is hide.”
Jerry gagged momentarily, swallowed his last mouthful, then smiled manfully. “I wish you hadn’t said that, sir,” he declared. “But it still tastes good.”
“You ready now?” Charley asked the boys. “Time for race soon.”
They shook hands with the official and followed Charley over to the starting line, where the teams were lining up.