Captain Louttit sinks down through the cold waters of Leeawuleena.
down down through the sleeping dreamtime waters
he opens his mouth to cry out
his mouth fills with freshwater
he closes his mouth just in time
a mountain shrimp ( nameless) drifts past
he swims underneath captain louttit
he swims round and around captain louttit
and says: wugherapunganah?
are you talking to me? asks captain louttit
his mouth fills with freshwater
he closes his mouth just in time
yes says the mountain shrimp ( nameless)
are you wugherapunganah?
captain louttit has no idea
all he knows is the name of the lake
leeawuleena sleeping waters
are you? says the mountain shrimp
are you the great ocean crab?
NO cries captain louttit recovering his senses
never a crab, how insulting
a lobster sea captain from the mainland
the proof is my hat
he indicates with his dominant claw
but there is no hat
it floats on the surface of lake leeawuleena
.........
On board the Ida Clair, some success has been had with the counting.
Eighty five beetles! says Greg.
Right! says Eddy. Bring me those missing fifteen beetles and I'll let you all off.
.......
I don't want eighty five beetles, mutters Greg.
Why not? says Arthur.
It's not a round number, says Greg.
How about sixty beetles? says Arthur.
Fifty is better, says Greg.
Just give me fifteen of those beetles, says Arthur.
Greg loosens one side of the cling film. Lets out fifteen beetles one by one. As each beetle emerges Arthur squashes it with his finger.
Fifteen, says Arthur, showing fifteen squashed beetles to Eddy.
Eddy has been gazing over the railing at Captain Louttit's hat.
He feels somewhat guilty at causing an accident.
He hopes no one else sees the hat.
Fifteen? says Eddy. I believe you. Okay you can go now. Enjoy the rest of your day.
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