diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 7 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 958-0.txt (renamed from 958.txt) | 399 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 958-h.zip | bin | 111054 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 958-h/958-h.htm | 736 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 958-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 254265 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 958.zip | bin | 108417 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10.txt | 7172 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10.zip | bin | 107126 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10h.htm | 7255 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10h.zip | bin | 110917 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10l.lit | bin | 108107 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10l.zip | bin | 99386 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10p.prc | bin | 161496 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/10woz10p.zip | bin | 144750 -> 0 bytes |
16 files changed, 182 insertions, 15393 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes index 6833f05..d7b82bc 100644 --- a/.gitattributes +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -1,3 +1,4 @@ -* text=auto -*.txt text -*.md text +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf @@ -1,32 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rinkitink in Oz, by L. Frank Baum - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Rinkitink in Oz - -Author: L. Frank Baum - -Posting Date: March 23, 2009 [EBook #958] -Release Date: June, 1997 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RINKITINK IN OZ *** - - - - -Produced by Anthony Matonac - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 958 *** @@ -5744,371 +5716,4 @@ by L. Frank Baum 14 Glinda of Oz - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Rinkitink in Oz, by L. Frank Baum - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RINKITINK IN OZ *** - -***** This file should be named 958.txt or 958.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/9/5/958/ - -Produced by Anthony Matonac - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -https://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at https://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit https://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including including checks, online payments and credit card -donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - https://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 958 *** diff --git a/958-h.zip b/958-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 558510c..0000000 --- a/958-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/958-h/958-h.htm b/958-h/958-h.htm index 7d7d8cb..5d69e1f 100644 --- a/958-h/958-h.htm +++ b/958-h/958-h.htm @@ -1,19 +1,13 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<HTML> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> <HEAD> +<meta charset="utf-8"> +<TITLE>Rinkitink in Oz | Project Gutenberg</TITLE> +<link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> -<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> - -<TITLE> -The Project Gutenberg E-text of Rinkitink in Oz, by L. Frank Baum -</TITLE> - -<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> -BODY { color: Black; - background: White; - margin-right: 10%; +<style> +BODY { margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%; - font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify } P {text-indent: 4% } @@ -33,77 +27,72 @@ P.finis { text-align: center ; margin-left: 0% ; margin-right: 0% } +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; } +.h2, .h3, .h4, .h5 { + text-align: center; + display: block; + margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0; + font-weight: bold; +} +.h2 { + font-size: 1.5em; + margin-top: 0.83em; + margin-bottom: 0.83em; +} +.h3 { + font-size: 1.17em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; +} +.h4 { + font-size: 1em; + margin-top: 1.33em; + margin-bottom: 1.33em; +} +.h5 { + font-size: .83em; + margin-top: 1.67em; + margin-bottom: 1.67em; +} +.tdr { text-align: right; vertical-align: top;} +.tdl { text-align: left; vertical-align: top;} </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 958 ***</div> - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rinkitink in Oz, by L. Frank Baum - -<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<table style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; padding: 4px; border: 3px solid;"> <tr> <td> THIS EBOOK WAS ONE OF PROJECT GUTENBERG'S EARLY FILES, THERE IS -AN IMPROVED ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/25581/25581-h/25581-h.htm"> -[ #25581 ]</a></b></big> +AN IMPROVED ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <span style="font-size: larger"><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/files/25581/25581-h/25581-h.htm"> +[ #25581 ]</a></b></span> </td> </tr> </table> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Rinkitink in Oz - -Author: L. Frank Baum - -Posting Date: March 23, 2009 [EBook #958] -Release Date: June, 1997 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RINKITINK IN OZ *** - - - - -Produced by Anthony Matonac - - - - - -</pre> - - <BR><BR> -<H1 ALIGN="center"> +<H1> RINKITINK IN OZ </H1> <BR> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h3"> by -</H3> +</div> -<H2 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h2"> L. Frank Baum -</H2> +</div> <BR><BR> -<H4 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h4"> Wherein is recorded the Perilous Quest of<BR> Prince Inga of Pingaree and King<BR> Rinkitink in the Magical<BR> @@ -113,13 +102,13 @@ L. Frank Baum <BR> By L. Frank Baum<BR> "Royal Historian of Oz"<BR> -</H4> +</div> <BR><BR> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<div class="h3"> Introducing this Story -</H3> +</div> <P> Here is a story with a boy hero, and a boy of whom you have never @@ -158,153 +147,153 @@ L. FRANK BAUM<BR> <BR><BR><BR> -<H2 ALIGN="center"> +<H2> LIST OF CHAPTERS </H2> -<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> +<TABLE> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">1 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">1 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap01">The Prince of Pingaree</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">2 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">2 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap02">The Coming of King Rinkitink</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">3 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">3 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap03">The Warriors from the North</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">4 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">4 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap04">The Deserted Island</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">5 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">5 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap05">The Three Pearls</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">6 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">6 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap06">The Magic Boat</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">7 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">7 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap07">The Twin Islands</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">8 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">8 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap08">Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">9 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">9 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap09">A Present for Zella</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">10 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">10 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap10">The Cunning of Queen Cor</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">11 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">11 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap11">Zella Goes to Coregos</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">12 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">12 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap12">The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">13 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">13 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap13">Zella Saves the Prince</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">14 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">14 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap14">The Escape</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">15 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">15 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap15">The Flight of the Rulers</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">16 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">16 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap16">Nikobob Refuses a Crown</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">17 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">17 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap17">The Nome King</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">18 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">18 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap18">Inga Parts With His Pink Pearl</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">19 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">19 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap19">Rinkitink Chuckles</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">20 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">20 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap20">Dorothy to the Rescue</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">21 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">21 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap21">The Wizard Finds an Enchantment</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">22 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">22 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap22">Ozma's Banquet</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">23 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">23 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap23">The Pearl Kingdom</A></TD> </TR> <TR> -<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">24 </TD> -<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<TD class="tdr">24 </TD> +<TD class="tdl"> <A HREF="#chap24">The Captive King</A></TD> </TR> @@ -312,12 +301,12 @@ LIST OF CHAPTERS <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap01"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap01"></A> +<H3> Chapter One </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Prince of Pingaree </H3> @@ -606,12 +595,12 @@ that day confided to his care. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap02"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap02"></A> +<H3> Chapter Two </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Coming of King Rinkitink </H3> @@ -1020,12 +1009,12 @@ remembering his dinner, seized his knife and fork and began eating. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap03"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap03"></A> +<H3> Chapter Three </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Warriors from the North </H3> @@ -1289,12 +1278,12 @@ and conquest. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap04"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap04"></A> +<H3> Chapter Four </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Deserted Island </H3> @@ -1733,12 +1722,12 @@ greeted the dawn of a new day. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap05"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap05"></A> +<H3> Chapter Five </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Three Pearls </H3> @@ -2426,12 +2415,12 @@ save a few fallen trees. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap06"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap06"></A> +<H3> Chapter Six </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Magic Boat </H3> @@ -3000,12 +2989,12 @@ my father and mother and my people." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap07"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap07"></A> +<H3> Chapter Seven </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Twin Islands </H3> @@ -3402,12 +3391,12 @@ see what the conquerors of Regos were like. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap08"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap08"></A> +<H3> Chapter Eight </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake </H3> @@ -3859,12 +3848,12 @@ overcome the Prince of Pingaree and the fat King of Gilgad. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap09"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap09"></A> +<H3> Chapter Nine </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> A Present for Zella </H3> @@ -4120,12 +4109,12 @@ Coregos, she may as well start to-morrow morning." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap10"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap10"></A> +<H3> Chapter Ten </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Cunning of Queen Cor </H3> @@ -4504,12 +4493,12 @@ of these people who had once displayed such extraordinary powers. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap11"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap11"></A> +<H3> Chapter Eleven </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Zella Goes to Coregos </H3> @@ -4631,12 +4620,12 @@ seeking admittance at the back door of Queen Cor's palace. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap12"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap12"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twelve </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat </H3> @@ -4729,12 +4718,12 @@ through them without slackening his speed. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap13"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap13"></A> +<H3> Chapter Thirteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Zella Saves the Prince </H3> @@ -5106,12 +5095,12 @@ room to consider what should be done next. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap14"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap14"></A> +<H3> Chapter Fourteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Escape </H3> @@ -5577,12 +5566,12 @@ they took with them the King and Queen of Pingaree!" <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap15"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap15"></A> +<H3> Chapter Fifteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Flight of the Rulers </H3> @@ -5704,12 +5693,12 @@ back to Pingaree." <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap16"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap16"></A> +<H3> Chapter Sixteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Nikobob Refuses a Crown </H3> @@ -5918,12 +5907,12 @@ Cor's forty picked oarsmen. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap17"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap17"></A> +<H3> Chapter Seventeen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Nome King </H3> @@ -6211,12 +6200,12 @@ to return to the shore of the ocean where they had left their boat. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap18"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap18"></A> +<H3> Chapter Eighteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Inga Parts with his Pink Pearl </H3> @@ -6878,12 +6867,12 @@ goat, both of whom seemed pleased that Inga had rejoined them. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap19"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap19"></A> +<H3> Chapter Nineteen </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Rinkitink Chuckles </H3> @@ -7145,12 +7134,12 @@ alive!" <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap20"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap20"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Dorothy to the Rescue </H3> @@ -7278,12 +7267,12 @@ soldiers at her back. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap21"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap21"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty-One </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Wizard Finds an Enchantment </H3> @@ -7558,12 +7547,12 @@ safely to the Emerald City. <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap22"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap22"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty Two </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> Ozma's Banquet </H3> @@ -7751,12 +7740,12 @@ Dorothy wrote down the words on a piece of paper, and here they are: <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap23"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap23"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty Three </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Pearl Kingdom </H3> @@ -7897,12 +7886,12 @@ So Rinkitink sang his grandfather's song: <BR><BR><BR> -<A NAME="chap24"></A> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<a id="chap24"></A> +<H3> Chapter Twenty-Four </H3> -<H3 ALIGN="center"> +<H3> The Captive King </H3> @@ -8182,385 +8171,6 @@ by L. Frank Baum <BR><BR><BR><BR> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Rinkitink in Oz, by L. Frank Baum - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RINKITINK IN OZ *** - -***** This file should be named 958-h.htm or 958-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/9/5/958/ - -Produced by Anthony Matonac - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project -Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you -charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you -do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the -rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose -such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and -research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do -practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is -subject to the trademark license, especially commercial -redistribution. - - - -*** START: FULL LICENSE *** - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project -Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at -https://gutenberg.org/license). - - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy -all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. -If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the -terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or -entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement -and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" -or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the -collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an -individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are -located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from -copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative -works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg -are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project -Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by -freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of -this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with -the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by -keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project -Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in -a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check -the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement -before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or -creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project -Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning -the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United -States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate -access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently -whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, -copied or distributed: - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived -from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is -posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied -and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees -or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work -with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the -work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 -through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the -Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or -1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional -terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked -to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the -permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any -word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or -distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than -"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version -posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), -you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a -copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon -request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other -form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided -that - -- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is - owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he - has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the - Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments - must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you - prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax - returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and - sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the - address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to - the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." - -- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or - destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium - and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of - Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any - money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days - of receipt of the work. - -- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set -forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from -both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael -Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the -Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm -collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain -"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual -property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a -computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by -your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with -your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with -the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a -refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity -providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to -receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy -is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further -opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO -WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. -If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the -law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be -interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by -the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any -provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance -with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, -promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, -harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, -that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do -or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm -work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any -Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers -including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists -because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from -people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. -To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 -and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive -Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at -https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent -permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. -Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered -throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at -809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email -business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact -information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official -page at https://pglaf.org - -For additional contact information: - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To -SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any -particular state visit https://pglaf.org - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including including checks, online payments and credit card -donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate - - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic -works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm -concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared -with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project -Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. - - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. -unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - https://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> - +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 958 ***</div> </BODY> - </HTML> - diff --git a/958-h/images/cover.jpg b/958-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..39e2933 --- /dev/null +++ b/958-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/958.zip b/958.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index db34b0f..0000000 --- a/958.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt index 6312041..b5dba15 100644 --- a/LICENSE.txt +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +This book, including all associated images, markup, improvements, metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. @@ -7,5 +7,5 @@ the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize -this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +this book outside of the United States should confirm copyright status under the laws that apply to them. @@ -1,2 +1,2 @@ Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for -eBook #958 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/958) +book #958 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/958) diff --git a/old/10woz10.txt b/old/10woz10.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fa8f79c..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7172 +0,0 @@ -*Project Gutenberg's Etext of Rinkitink In Oz by L. Frank Baum* - -#10 in the L. Frank Baum's Wonderful World Of Oz Series -We are now naming the files as they are numbered in the books-- -i.e. This is #10 in the series so the file name is 10wozxxx.xxx -where the x's are place holders for editon # and file type such -as 10woz10.txt and 10woz10.zip, when we do a .htm, 10woz10h.htm - - -Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check -the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! - -Please take a look at the important information in this header. -We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an -electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. - - -**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** - -**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** - -*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* - -Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and -further information is included below. We need your donations. - - -Rinkitink In Oz - -by L. Frank Baum - -June, 1997 [Etext #958] - -*Project Gutenberg's Etext of Rinkitink In Oz by L. Frank Baum* -*****This file should be named 10woz10.txt or 10woz10.zip****** - -Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, 10woz11.txt. -VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 10woz10a.txt. - - -This Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Anthony Matonac. - - -We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance -of the official release dates, for time for better editing. - -Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till -midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. -The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at -Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A -preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment -and editing by those who wish to do so. To be sure you have an -up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes -in the first week of the next month. Since our ftp program has -a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a -look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a -new copy has at least one byte more or less. - - -Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) - -We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The -fifty hours is one conservative estimate for how long it we take -to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright -searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This -projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value -per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 -million dollars per hour this year as we release thirty-two text -files per month: or 400 more Etexts in 1996 for a total of 800. -If these reach just 10% of the computerized population, then the -total should reach 80 billion Etexts. - -The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext -Files by the December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000=Trillion] -This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, -which is only 10% of the present number of computer users. 2001 -should have at least twice as many computer users as that, so it -will require us reaching less than 5% of the users in 2001. - - -We need your donations more than ever! - - -All donations should be made to "Project Gutenberg/CMU": and are -tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. (CMU = Carnegie- -Mellon University). - -For these and other matters, please mail to: - -Project Gutenberg -P. O. Box 2782 -Champaign, IL 61825 - -When all other email fails try our Executive Director: -Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> - -We would prefer to send you this information by email -(Internet, Bitnet, Compuserve, ATTMAIL or MCImail). - -****** -If you have an FTP program (or emulator), please -FTP directly to the Project Gutenberg archives: -[Mac users, do NOT point and click. . .type] - -ftp uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu -login: anonymous -password: your@login -cd etext/etext90 through /etext96 -or cd etext/articles [get suggest gut for more information] -dir [to see files] -get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files] -GET INDEX?00.GUT -for a list of books -and -GET NEW GUT for general information -and -MGET GUT* for newsletters. - -**Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor** -(Three Pages) - - -***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** -Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. -They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with -your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from -someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our -fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement -disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how -you can distribute copies of this etext if you want to. - -*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT -By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept -this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive -a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by -sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person -you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical -medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. - -ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS -This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG- -tm etexts, is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor -Michael S. Hart through the Project Gutenberg Association at -Carnegie-Mellon University (the "Project"). Among other -things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright -on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and -distribute it in the United States without permission and -without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth -below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext -under the Project's "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. - -To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable -efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain -works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any -medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other -things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged -disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer -codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. - -LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES -But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, -[1] the Project (and any other party you may receive this -etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including -legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR -UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, -INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE -OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE -POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. - -If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of -receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) -you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that -time to the person you received it from. If you received it -on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and -such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement -copy. If you received it electronically, such person may -choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to -receive it electronically. - -THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS -TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A -PARTICULAR PURPOSE. - -Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or -the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the -above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you -may have other legal rights. - -INDEMNITY -You will indemnify and hold the Project, its directors, -officers, members and agents harmless from all liability, cost -and expense, including legal fees, that arise directly or -indirectly from any of the following that you do or cause: -[1] distribution of this etext, [2] alteration, modification, -or addition to the etext, or [3] any Defect. - -DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" -You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by -disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this -"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, -or: - -[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this - requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the - etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, - if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable - binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, - including any form resulting from conversion by word pro- - cessing or hypertext software, but only so long as - *EITHER*: - - [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and - does *not* contain characters other than those - intended by the author of the work, although tilde - (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may - be used to convey punctuation intended by the - author, and additional characters may be used to - indicate hypertext links; OR - - [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at - no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent - form by the program that displays the etext (as is - the case, for instance, with most word processors); - OR - - [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at - no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the - etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC - or other equivalent proprietary form). - -[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this - "Small Print!" statement. - -[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Project of 20% of the - net profits you derive calculated using the method you - already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you - don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are - payable to "Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon - University" within the 60 days following each - date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) - your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. - -WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? -The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, -scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty -free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution -you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg -Association / Carnegie-Mellon University". - -*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - - - - RINKITINK IN OZ - -Wherein is recorded the Perilous Quest of - Prince Inga of Pingaree and King - Rinkitink in the Magical - Isles that lie beyond - the Borderland - of Oz - - By L. Frank Baum - "Royal Historian of Oz" - - -Introducing this Story - - -Here is a story with a boy hero, and a boy of whom -you have never before heard. There are girls in the -story, too, including our old friend Dorothy, and some -of the characters wander a good way from the Land of Oz -before they all assemble in the Emerald City to take -part in Ozma's banquet. Indeed, I think you will find -this story quite different from the other histories -of Oz, but I hope you will not like it the less on that -account. - -If I am permitted to write another Oz book it will -tell of some thrilling adventures encountered by -Dorothy, Betsy Bobbin, Trot and the Patchwork Girl -right in the Land of Oz, and how they discovered some -amazing creatures that never could have existed outside -a fairy-land. I have an idea that about the time you -are reading this story of Rinkitink I shall be writing -that story of Adventures in Oz. - -Don't fail to write me often and give me your advice -and suggestions, which I always appreciate. I get a -good many letters from my readers, but every one is a -joy to me and I answer them as soon as I can find time -to do so. - -"OZCOT" -at HOLLYWOOD -in CALIFORNIA, 1916. - -L. FRANK BAUM -Royal Historian of Oz - - - - -LIST OF CHAPTERS - 1 The Prince of Pingaree - 2 The Coming of King Rinkitink - 3 The Warriors from the North - 4 The Deserted Island - 5 The Three Pearls - 6 The Magic Boat - 7 The Twin Islands - 8 Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake - 9 A Present for Zella -10 The Cunning of Queen Cor -11 Zella Goes to Coregos -12 The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat -13 Zella Saves the Prince -14 The Escape -15 The Flight of the Rulers -16 Nikobob Refuses a Crown -17 The Nome King -18 Inga Parts With His Pink Pearl -19 Rinkitink Chuckles -20 Dorothy to the Rescue -21 The Wizard Finds an Enchantment -22 Ozma's Banquet -23 The Pearl Kingdom -24 The Captive King - - - - - -Chapter One - -The Prince of Pingaree - - -If you have a map of the Land of Oz handy, you will -find that the great Nonestic Ocean washes the shores of -the Kingdom of Rinkitink, between which and the Land of -Oz lies a strip of the country of the Nome King and a -Sandy Desert. The Kingdom of Rinkitink isn't very big -and lies close to the ocean, all the houses and the -King's palace being built near the shore. The people -live much upon the water, boating and fishing, and the -wealth of Rinkitink is gained from trading along the -coast and with the islands nearest it. - -Four days' journey by boat to the north of Rinkitink -is the Island of Pingaree, and as our story begins here -I must tell you something about this island. At the -north end of Pingaree, where it is widest, the land is -a mile from shore to shore, but at the south end it is -scarcely half a mile broad; thus, although Pingaree is -four miles long, from north to south, it cannot be -called a very big island. It is exceedingly pretty, -however, and to the gulls who approach it from the sea -it must resemble a huge green wedge lying upon the -waters, for its grass and trees give it the color of -an emerald. - -The grass came to the edge of the sloping shores; the -beautiful trees occupied all the central portion of -Pingaree, forming a continuous grove where the branches -met high overhead and there was just space beneath -them for the cosy houses of the inhabitants. These -houses were scattered everywhere throughout the -island, so that there was no town or city, unless the -whole island might be called a city. The canopy of -leaves, high overhead, formed a shelter from sun and -rain, and the dwellers in the grove could all look past -the straight tree-trunks and across the grassy slopes -to the purple waters of the Nonestic Ocean. - -At the big end of the island, at the north, stood the -royal palace of King Kitticut, the lord and ruler of -Pingaree. It was a beautiful palace, built entirely of -snow-white marble and capped by domes of burnished -gold, for the King was exceedingly wealthy. All along -the coast of Pingaree were found the largest and finest -pearls in the whole world. - -These pearls grew within the shells of big oysters, -and the people raked the oysters from their watery -beds, sought out the milky pearls and carried them -dutifully to their King. Therefore, once every year His -Majesty was able to send six of his boats, with sixty -rowers and many sacks of the valuable pearls, to the -Kingdom of Rinkitink, where there was a city called -Gilgad, in which King Rinkitink's palace stood on a -rocky headland and served, with its high towers, as a -lighthouse to guide sailors to the harbor. In Gilgad -the pearls from Pingaree were purchased by the King's -treasurer, and the boats went back to the island laden -with stores of rich merchandise and such supplies of -food as the people and the royal family of Pingaree -needed. - -The Pingaree people never visited any other land but -that of Rinkitink, and so there were few other lands -that knew there was such an island. To the southwest -was an island called the Isle of Phreex, where the -inhabitants had no use for pearls. And far north of -Pingaree -- six days' journey by boat, it was said -- -were twin islands named Regos and Coregos, inhabited by -a fierce and warlike people. - -Many years before this story really begins, ten big -boatloads of those fierce warriors of Regos and Coregos -visited Pingaree, landing suddenly upon the north end -of the island. There they began to plunder and conquer, -as was their custom, but the people of Pingaree, -although neither so big nor so strong as their foes, -were able to defeat them and drive them all back to the -sea, where a great storm overtook the raiders from -Regos and Coregos and destroyed them and their boats, -not a single warrior returning to his own country. - -This defeat of the enemy seemed the more wonderful -because the pearl-fishers of Pingaree were mild and -peaceful in disposition and seldom quarreled even among -themselves. Their only weapons were their oyster rakes; -yet the fact remains that they drove their fierce -enemies from Regos and Coregos from their shores. - -King Kitticut was only a boy when this remarkable -battle was fought, and now his hair was gray; but he -remembered the day well and, during the years that -followed, his one constant fear was of another invasion -of his enemies. He feared they might send a more -numerous army to his island, both for conquest and -revenge, in which case there could be little hope of -successfully opposing them. - -This anxiety on the part of King Kitticut led him to -keep a sharp lookout for strange boats, one of his men -patrolling the beach constantly, but he was too wise to -allow any fear to make him or his subjects unhappy. He -was a good King and lived very contentedly in his fine -palace, with his fair Queen Garee and their one child, -Prince Inga. - -The wealth of Pingaree increased year by year; and -the happiness of the people increased, too. Perhaps -there was no place, outside the Land of Oz, where -contentment and peace were more manifest than on this -pretty island, hidden in the besom of the Nonestic -Ocean. Had these conditions remained undisturbed, there -would have been no need to speak of Pingaree in this -story. - -Prince Inga, the heir to all the riches and the -kingship of Pingaree, grew up surrounded by every -luxury; but he was a manly little fellow, although -somewhat too grave and thoughtful, and he could never -bear to be idle a single minute. He knew where the -finest oysters lay hidden along the coast and was as -successful in finding pearls as any of the men of the -island, although he was so slight and small. He had a -little boat of his own and a rake for dragging up the -oysters and he was very proud indeed when he could -carry a big white pearl to his father. - -There was no school upon the island, as the people of -Pingaree were far removed from the state of -civilization that gives our modern children such -advantages as schools and learned professors, but the -King owned several manuscript books, the pages being -made of sheepskin. Being a man of intelligence, he was -able to teach his son something of reading, writing and -arithmetic. - -When studying his lessons Prince Inga used to go into -the grove near his father's palace and climb into the -branches of a tall tree, where he had built a platform -with a comfortable seat to rest upon, all hidden by the -canopy of leaves. There, with no one to disturb him, he -would pore over the sheepskin on which were written the -queer characters of the Pingarese language. - -King Kitticut was very proud of his little son, as -well he might be, and he soon felt a high respect for -Inga's judgment and thought that he was worthy to be -taken into the confidence of his father in many matters -of state. He taught the boy the needs of the people and -how to rule them justly, for some day he knew that Inga -would be King in his place. One day he called his son -to his side and said to him: - -"Our island now seems peaceful enough, Inga, and we -are happy and prosperous, but I cannot forget those -terrible people of Regos and Coregos. My constant fear -is that they will send a fleet of boats to search for -those of their race whom we defeated many years ago, -and whom the sea afterwards destroyed. If the warriors -come in great numbers we may be unable to oppose them, -for my people are little trained to fighting at best; -they surely would cause us much injury and suffering." - -"Are we, then, less powerful than in my grandfather's -day?" asked Prince Inga. - -The King shook his head thoughtfully. - -"It is not that," said he. "That you may fully -understand that marvelous battle, I must confide to, -you a great secret. I have in my possession three Magic -Talismans, which I have ever guarded with utmost care, -keeping the knowledge of their existence from anyone -else. But, lest I should die, and the secret be lost, I -have decided to tell you what these talismans are and -where they are hidden. Come with me, my son. - -He led the way through the rooms of the palace until -they came to the great banquet hall. There, stopping in -the center of the room, he stooped down and touched a -hidden spring in the tiled floor. At once one of the -tiles sank downward and the King reached within the -cavity and drew out a silken bag. - -This bag he proceeded to open, showing Inga that it -contained three great pearls, each one as big around as -a marble. One had a blue tint and one was of a delicate -rose color, but the third was pure white. - -"These three pearls," said the King, speaking in a -solemn, impressive voice, "are the most wonderful the -world has ever known. They were gifts to one of my -ancestors from the Mermaid Queen, a powerful fairy whom -he once had the good fortune to rescue from her -enemies. In gratitude for this favor she presented him -with these pearls. Each of the three possesses an -astonishing power, and whoever is their owner may count -himself a fortunate man. This one having the blue tint -will give to the person who carries it a strength so -great that no power can resist him. The one with the -pink glow will protect its owner from all dangers that -may threaten him, no matter from what source they may -come. The third pearl -- this one of pure white -- can -speak, and its words are always wise and helpful." - -"What is this, my father!" exclaimed the Prince, -amazed; "do you tell me that a pearl can speak? It -sounds impossible." - -"Your doubt is due to your ignorance of fairy -powers," returned the King, gravely. "Listen, my son, -and you will know that I speak the truth." - -He held the white pearl to Inga's ear and the Prince -heard a small voice say distinctly: "Your father is -right. Never question the truth of what you fail to -understand, for the world is filled with wonders." - -"I crave your pardon, dear father," said the Prince, -"for clearly I heard the pearl speak, and its words -were full of wisdom." - -"The powers of the other pearls are even greater," -resumed the King. "Were I poor in all else, these gems -would make me richer than any other monarch the world -holds." - -"I believe that," replied Inga, looking at the -beautiful pearls with much awe. "But tell me, my -father, why do you fear the warriors of Regos and -Coregos when these marvelous powers are yours?" - -"The powers are mine only while I have the pearls -upon my person," answered King Kitticut, "and I dare -not carry them constantly for fear they might be lost. -Therefore, I keep them safely hidden in this recess. My -only danger lies in the chance that my watchmen might -fail to discover the approach of our enemies and allow -the warrior invaders to seize me before I could secure -the pearls. I should, in that case, be quite powerless -to resist. My father owned the magic pearls at the time -of the Great Fight, of which you have so often heard, -and the pink pearl protected him from harm, while the -blue pearl enabled him and his people to drive away the -enemy. Often have I suspected that the destroying storm -was caused by the fairy mermaids, but that is a matter -of which I have no proof." - -"I have often wondered how we managed to win that -battle," remarked Inga thoughtfully. "But the pearls -will assist us in case the warriors come again, will -they not?" - -"They are as powerful as ever," declared the King. -"Really, my son, I have little to fear from any foe. -But lest I die and the secret be lost to the next King, -I have now given it into your keeping. Remember that -these pearls are the rightful heritage of all Kings of -Pingaree. If at any time I should be taken from you, -Inga, guard this treasure well and do not forget where -it is hidden." - -"I shall not forget," said Inga. - -Then the King returned the pearls to their hiding -place and the boy went to his own room to ponder upon -the wonderful secret his father had that day confided -to his care. - - - - - -Chapter Two - -The Coming of King Rinkitink - - -A few days after this, on a bright and sunny morning -when the breeze blew soft and sweet from the ocean and -the trees waved their leaf-laden branches, the Royal -Watchman, whose duty it was to patrol the shore, came -running to the King with news that a strange boat was -approaching the island. - -At first the King was sore afraid and made a step -toward the hidden pearls, but the next moment he -reflected that one boat, even if filled with enemies, -would be powerless to injure him, so he curbed his fear -and went down to the beach to discover who the -strangers might be. Many of the men of Pingaree -assembled there also, and Prince Inga followed his -father. Arriving at the water's edge, they all stood -gazing eagerly at the oncoming boat. - -It was quite a big boat, they observed, and covered -with a canopy of purple silk, embroidered with gold. It -was rowed by twenty men, ten on each side. As it came -nearer, Inga could see that in the stern, seated upon a -high, cushioned chair of state, was a little man who -was so very fat that he was nearly as broad as he was -high This man was dressed in a loose silken robe of -purple that fell in folds to his feet, while upon his -head was a cap of white velvet curiously worked with -golden threads and having a circle of diamonds sewn -around the band. At the opposite end of the boat stood -an oddly shaped cage, and several large boxes of -sandalwood were piled near the center of the craft. - -As the boat approached the shore the fat little man -got upon his feet and bowed several times in the -direction of those who had assembled to greet him, and -as he bowed he flourished his white cap in an energetic -manner. His face was round as an apple and nearly as -rosy. When he stopped bowing he smiled in such a sweet -and happy way that Inga thought he must be a very jolly -fellow. - -The prow of the boat grounded on the beach, stopping -its speed so suddenly that the little man was caught -unawares and nearly toppled headlong into the sea. But -he managed to catch hold of the chair with one hand and -the hair of one of his rowers with the other, and so -steadied himself. Then, again waving his jeweled cap -around his head, he cried in a merry voice: - -"Well, here I am at last!" - -"So I perceive," responded King Kitticut, bowing with -much dignity. - -The fat man glanced at all the sober faces before him -and burst into a rollicking laugh. Perhaps I should say -it was half laughter and half a chuckle of merriment, -for the sounds he emitted were quaint and droll and -tempted every hearer to laugh with him. - -"Heh, heh -- ho, ho, ho!" he roared. "Didn't expect -me, I see. Keek-eek-eek-eek! This is funny -- it's -really funny. Didn't know I was coming, did you? Hoo, -hoo, hoo, hoo! This is certainly amusing. But I'm here, -just the same." - -"Hush up!" said a deep, growling voice. "You're -making yourself ridiculous." - -Everyone looked to see where this voice came from; -but none could guess who had uttered the words of -rebuke. The rowers of the boat were all solemn and -silent and certainly no one on the shore had spoken. -But the little man did not seem astonished in the -least, or even annoyed. - -King Kitticut now addressed the stranger, saying -courteously: - -"You are welcome to the Kingdom of Pingaree. Perhaps -you will deign to come ashore and at your convenience -inform us whom we have the honor of receiving as a -guest." - -"Thanks; I will," returned the little fat man, -waddling from his place in the boat and stepping, with -some difficulty, upon the sandy beach. "I am King -Rinkitink, of the City of Gilgad in the Kingdom of -Rinkitink, and I have come to Pingaree to see for -myself the monarch who sends to my city so many -beautiful pearls. I have long wished to visit this -island; and so, as I said before, here I am!" - -"I am pleased to welcome you," said King Kitticut. -"But why has Your Majesty so few attendants? Is it not -dangerous for the King of a great country to make -distant journeys in one frail boat, and with but twenty -men?" - -"Oh, I suppose so," answered King Rinkitink, with a -laugh. "But what else could I do? My subjects would not -allow me to go anywhere at all, if they knew it. So I -just ran away." - -"Ran away!" exclaimed King Kitticut in surprise. - -"Funny, isn't it? Heh, heh, heh -- woo, hoo!" laughed -Rinkitink, and this is as near as I can spell with -letters the jolly sounds of his laughter. "Fancy a King -running away from his own ple -- hoo, hoo -- keek, eek, -eek, eek! But I had to, don't you see!" - -"Why?" asked the other King. - -"They're afraid I'll get into mischief. They don't -trust me. Keek-eek-eek -- Oh, dear me! Don't trust -their own King. Funny, isn't it?" - -"No harm can come to you on this island," said -Kitticut, pretending not to notice the odd ways of his -guest. "And, whenever it pleases you to return to your -own country, I will send with you a fitting escort of -my own people. In the meantime, pray accompany me to my -palace, where everything shall be done to make you -comfortable and happy." - -"Much obliged," answered Rinkitink, tipping his white -cap over his left ear and heartily shaking the hand of -his brother monarch. "I'm sure you can make me -comfortable if you've plenty to eat. And as for being -happy -- ha, ha, ha, ha! -- why, that's my trouble. I'm -too happy. But stop! I've brought you some presents in -those boxes. Please order your men to carry them up to -the palace." - -"Certainly," answered King Kitticut, well pleased, -and at once he gave his men the proper orders. - -"And, by the way," continued the fat little King, -"let them also take my goat from his cage." - -"A goat!" exclaimed the King of Pingaree. - -"Exactly; my goat Bilbil. I always ride him wherever -I go, for I'm not at all fond of walking, being a -trifle stout -- eh, Kitticut? -- a trifle stout! Hoo, -hoo, hoo-keek, eek!" - -The Pingaree people started to lift the big cage out -of the boat, but just then a gruff voice cried: "Be -careful, you villains!" and as the words seemed to come -from the goat's mouth the men were so astonished that -they dropped the cage upon the sand with a sudden jar. - -"There! I told you so!" cried the voice angrily. -"You've rubbed the skin off my left knee. Why on earth -didn't you handle me gently?" - -"There, there, Bilbil," said King Rinkitink -soothingly; "don't scold, my boy. Remember that these -are strangers, and we their guests." Then he turned to -Kitticut and remarked: "You have no talking goats on -your island, I suppose." - -"We have no goats at all," replied the King; "nor -have we any animals, of any sort, who are able to -talk." - -"I wish my animal couldn't talk, either," said -Rinkitink, winking comically at Inga and then looking -toward the cage. "He is very cross at times, and -indulges in language that is not respectful. I thought, -at first, it would be fine to have a talking goat, with -whom I could converse as I rode about my city on his -back; but -- keek-eek-eek-eek! -- the rascal treats me -as if I were a chimney sweep instead of a King. Heh, -heh, heh, keek, eek! A chimney sweep-hoo, hoo, hoo! -- -and me a King! Funny, isn't it?" This last was -addressed to Prince Inga, whom he chucked familiarly -under the chin, to the boy's great embarrassment. - -"Why do you not ride a horse?" asked King Kitticut. - -"I can't climb upon his back, being rather stout; -that's why. Kee, kee, keek, eek! -- rather stout -- -hoo, hoo, hoo!" He paused to wipe the tears of -merriment from his eyes and then added: "But I can get -on and off Bilbil's back with ease." - -He now opened the cage and the goat deliberately -walked out and looked about him in a sulky manner. One -of the rowers brought from the boat a saddle made of -red velvet and beautifully embroidered with silver -thistles, which he fastened upon the goat's back. The -fat King put his leg over the saddle and seated himself -comfortably, saying: - -"Lead on, my noble host, and we will follow." - -"What! Up that steep hill?" cried the goat. "Get off -my back at once, Rinkitink, or I won't budge a step. - -"But-consider, Bilbil," remonstrated the King. "How -am I to get up that hill unless I ride?" - -"Walk!" growled Bilbil. - -"But I'm too fat. Really, Bilbil, I'm surprised at -you. Haven't I brought you all this distance so you may -see something of the world and enjoy life? And now you -are so ungrateful as to refuse to carry me! Turn about -is fair play, my boy. The boat carried you to this -shore, because you can't swim, and now you must carry -me up the hill, because I can't climb. Eh, Bilbil, -isn't that reasonable?" - -"Well, well, well," said the goat, surlily, "keep -quiet and I'll carry you. But you make me very tired, -Rinkitink, with your ceaseless chatter." - -After making this protest Bilbil began walking -up the hill, carrying the fat King upon his back -with no difficulty whatever. - -Prince Inga and his father and all the men of -Pingaree were much astonished to overhear this dispute -between King Rinkitink and his goat; but they were too -polite to make critical remarks in the presence of -their guests. King Kitticut walked beside the goat and -the Prince followed after, the men coming last with the -boxes of sandalwood. - -When they neared the palace, the Queen and her -maidens came out to meet them and the royal guest was -escorted in state to the splendid throne room of the -palace. Here the boxes were opened and King Rinkitink -displayed all the beautiful silks and laces and jewelry -with which they were filled. Every one of the courtiers -and ladies received a handsome present, and the King -and Queen had many rich gifts and Inga not a few. Thus -the time passed pleasantly until the Chamberlain -announced that dinner was served. - -Bilbil the goat declared that he preferred eating of -the sweet, rich grass that grew abundantly in the -palace grounds, and Rinkitink said that the beast could -never bear being shut up in a stable; so they removed -the saddle from his back and allowed him to wander -wherever he pleased. - -During the dinner Inga divided his attention between -admiring the pretty gifts he had received and listening -to the jolly sayings of the fat King, who laughed when -he was not eating and ate when he was not laughing and -seemed to enjoy himself immensely. - -"For four days I have lived in that narrow boat," -said he, "with no other amusement than to watch the -rowers and quarrel with Bilbil; so I am very glad to be -on land again with such friendly and agreeable people." - -"You do us great honor," said King Kitticut, with a -polite bow. - -"Not at all -- not at all, my brother. This Pingaree -must be a wonderful island, for its pearls are the -admiration of all the world; nor will I deny the fact -that my kingdom would be a poor one without the riches -and glory it derives from the trade in your pearls. So -I have wished for many years to come here to see you, -but my people said: 'No! Stay at home and behave -yourself, or we'll know the reason why.'" - -"Will they not miss Your Majesty from your -palace at Gilgad?" inquired Kitticut. - -"I think not," answered Rinkitink. "You see, one of -my clever subjects has written a parchment entitled -'How to be Good,' and I believed it would benefit me to -study it, as I consider the accomplishment of being -good one of the fine arts. I had just scolded severely -my Lord High Chancellor for coming to breakfast without -combing his eyebrows, and was so sad and regretful at -having hurt the poor man's feelings that I decided to -shut myself up in my own room and study the scroll -until I knew how to be good -- hee, heek, keek, eek, -eek! --to be good! Clever idea, that, wasn't it? Mighty -clever! And I issued a decree that no one should enter -my room, under pain of my royal displeasure, until I -was ready to come out. They're awfully afraid of my -royal displeasure, although not a bit afraid of me. -Then I put the parchment in my pocket and escaped -through the back door to my boat -- and here I am. Oo, -hoo-hoo, keek-eek! Imagine the fuss there would be in -Gilgad if my subjects knew where I am this very -minute!" - -"I would like to see that parchment," said the -solemn-eyed Prince Inga, "for if it indeed teaches one -to be good it must be worth its weight in pearls." - -"Oh, it's a fine essay," said Rinkitink, "and -beautifully written with a goosequill. Listen to this: -You'll enjoy it -- tee, hee, hee! -- enjoy it." - -He took from his pocket a scroll of parchment tied -with a black ribbon, and having carefully unrolled it, -he proceeded to read as follows: - -"'A Good Man is One who is Never Bad.' How's that, -eh? Fine thought, what? 'Therefore, in order to be -Good, you must avoid those Things which are Evil.' Oh, -hoo-hoo-hoo! -- how clever! When I get back I shall -make the man who wrote that a royal hippolorum, for, -beyond question, he is the wisest man in my kingdom -as -he has often told me himself." With this, Rinkitink lay -back in his chair and chuckled his queer chuckle until -he coughed, and coughed until he choked and choked -until he sneezed. And he wrinkled his face in such a -jolly, droll way that few could keep from laughing with -him, and even the good Queen was forced to titter -behind her fan. - -When Rinkitink had recovered from his fit of laughter -and had wiped his eyes upon a fine lace handkerchief, -Prince Inga said to him: - -"The parchment speaks truly." - -"Yes, it is true beyond doubt," answered Rinkitink, -"and if I could persuade Bilbil to read it he would be -a much better goat than he is now. Here is another -selection: 'To avoid saying Unpleasant Things, always -Speak Agreeably.' That would hit Bilbil, to a dot. And -here is one that applies to you, my Prince: 'Good -Children are seldom punished, for the reason that they -deserve no punishment.' Now, I think that is neatly -put, and shows the author to be a deep thinker. But the -advice that has impressed me the most is in the -following paragraph: 'You may not find it as Pleasant -to be Good as it is to be Bad, but Other People will -find it more Pleasant.' Haw-hoo-ho! keek-eek! 'Other -people will find it more pleasant!' -- hee, hee, heek, -keek! -- 'more pleasant.' Dear me -- dear me! Therein -lies a noble incentive to be good, and whenever I get -time I'm surely going to try it." - -Then he wiped his eyes again with the lace -handkerchief and, suddenly remembering his dinner, -seized his knife and fork and began eating. - - - - - -Chapter Three - -The Warriors from the North - - -King Rinkitink was so much pleased with the Island of -Pingaree that he continued his stay day after day and -week after week, eating good dinners, talking with King -Kitticut and sleeping. Once in a while he would read -from his scroll. "For," said he, "whenever I return -home, my subjects will be anxious to know if I have -learned 'How to be Good,' and I must not disappoint -them." - -The twenty rowers lived on the small end of the -island, with the pearl fishers, and seemed not to care -whether they ever returned to the Kingdom of Rinkitink -or not. Bilbil the goat wandered over the grassy -slopes, or among the trees, and passed his days exactly -as he pleased. His master seldom cared to ride him. -Bilbil was a rare curiosity to the islanders, but since -there was little pleasure in talking with the goat they -kept away from him. This pleased the creature, who -seemed well satisfied to be left to his own devices. - -Once Prince Inga, wishing to be courteous, walked up -to the goat and said: "Good morning, Bilbil." - -"It isn't a good morning," answered Bilbil grumpily. -"It is cloudy and damp, and looks like rain." - -"I hope you are contented in our kingdom," continued -the boy, politely ignoring the other's harsh words. - -"I'm not," said Bilbil. "I'm never contented; so it -doesn't matter to me whether I'm in your kingdom or in -some other kingdom. Go away -- will you?" - -"Certainly," answered the Prince, and after this -rebuff he did not again try to make friends with -Bilbil. - -Now that the King, his father, was so much occupied -with his royal guest, Inga was often left to amuse -himself, for a boy could not be allowed to take part in -the conversation of two great monarchs. He devoted -himself to his studies, therefore, and day after day he -climbed into the branches of his favorite tree and sat -for hours in his "tree-top rest," reading his father's -precious manuscripts and thinking upon what he read. - -You must not think that Inga was a molly-coddle or a -prig, because he was so solemn and studious. Being a -King's son and heir to a throne, he could not play with -the other boys of Pingaree, and he lived so much in the -society of the King and Queen, and was so surrounded by -the pomp and dignity of a court, that he missed all the -jolly times that boys usually have. I have no doubt -that had he been able to live as other boys do, he -would have been much like other boys; as it was, he was -subdued by his surroundings, and more grave and -thoughtful than one of his years should be. - -Inga was in his tree one morning when, without -warning, a great fog enveloped the Island of Pingaree. -The boy could scarcely see the tree next to that in -which he sat, but the leaves above him prevented the -dampness from wetting him, so he curled himself up in -his seat and fell fast asleep. - -All that forenoon the fog continued. King Kitticut, -who sat in his palace talking with his merry visitor, -ordered the candles lighted, that they might be able to -see one another. The good Queen, Inga's mother, found -it was too dark to work at her embroidery, so she -called her maidens together and told them wonderful -stories of bygone days, in order to pass away the -dreary hours. - -But soon after noon the weather changed. The dense -fog rolled away like a heavy cloud and suddenly the sun -shot his bright rays over the island. - -"Very good!" exclaimed King Kitticut. "We shall have -a pleasant afternoon, I am sure," and he blew out the -candles. - -Then he stood a moment motionless, as if turned to -stone, for a terrible cry from without the palace -reached his ears -- a cry so full of fear and horror -that the King's heart almost stopped beating. -Immediately there was a scurrying of feet as every one -in the palace, filled with dismay, rushed outside to -see what had happened. even fat little Rinkitink sprang -from his chair and followed his host and the others -through the arched vestibule. - -After many years the worst fears of King Kitticut -were realized. - -Landing upon the beach, which was but a few steps -from the palace itself, were hundreds of boats, every -one filled with a throng of fierce warriors. They -sprang upon the land with wild shouts of defiance and -rushed to the King's palace, waving aloft their swords -and spears and battleaxes. - -King Kitticut, so completely surprised that he was -bewildered, gazed at the approaching host with terror -and grief. - -"They are the men of Regos and Coregos!" he groaned. -"We are, indeed, lost!" - -Then he bethought himself, for the first time, of his -wonderful pearls. Turning quickly, he ran back into the -palace and hastened to the hall where the treasures -were hidden. But the leader of the warriors had seen -the King enter the palace and bounded after him, -thinking he meant to escape. Just as the King had -stooped to press the secret spring in the tiles, the -warrior seized him from the rear and threw him backward -upon the floor, at the same time shouting to his men to -fetch ropes and bind the prisoner. This they did very -quickly and King Kitticut soon found himself helplessly -bound and in the power of his enemies. In this sad -condition he was lifted by the warriors and carried -outside, when the good King looked upon a sorry sight. - -The Queen and her maidens, the officers and servants -of the royal household and all who had inhabited this -end of the Island of Pingaree had been seized by the -invaders and bound with ropes. At once they began -carrying their victims to the boats, tossing them in as -unceremoniously as if they had been bales of -merchandise. - -The King looked around for his son Inga, but failed -to find the boy among the prisoners. Nor was the fat -King, Rinkitink, to be seen anywhere about. - -The warriors were swarming over the palace like bees -in a hive, seeking anyone who might be in hiding, and -after the search had been prolonged for some time the -leader asked impatiently: "Do you find anyone else?" - -"No," his men told him. "We have captured them all." - -"Then," commanded the leader, "remove everything of -value from the palace and tear down its walls and -towers, so that not one stone remains upon another!" - -While the warriors were busy with this task we will -return to the boy Prince, who, when the fog lifted and -the sun came out, wakened from his sleep and began to -climb down from his perch in the tree. But the -terrifying cries of the people, mingled with the shouts -of the rude warriors, caused him to pause and listen -eagerly. - -Then he climbed rapidly up the tree, far above his -platform, to the topmost swaying branches. This tree, -which Inga called his own, was somewhat taller than the -other trees that surrounded it, and when he had reached -the top he pressed aside the leaves and saw a great -fleet of boats upon the shore -- strange boats, with -banners that he had never seen before. Turning to look -upon his father's palace, he found it surrounded by a -horde of enemies. Then Inga knew the truth: that tile -island had been invaded by the barbaric warriors from -the north. He grew so faint from the terror of it all -that he might have fallen had he not wound his arms -around a limb and clung fast until the dizzy feeling -passed away. Then with his sash he bound himself to the -limb and again ventured to look out through the leaves. - -The warriors were now engaged in carrying King -Kitticut and Queen Garee and all their other captives -down to the boats, where they were thrown in and -chained one to another. It was a dreadful sight for the -Prince to witness, but he sat very still, concealed -from the sight of anyone below by the bower of leafy -branches around him. Inga knew very well that he could -do nothing to help his beloved parents, and that if he -came down he would only be forced to share their cruel -fate. - -Now a procession of the Northmen passed between the -boats and the palace, bearing the rich furniture, -splendid draperies and rare ornaments of which the -royal palace had been robbed, together with such food -and other plunder as they could lay their hands upon. -After this, the men of Regos and Coregos threw ropes -around the marble domes and towers and hundreds of -warriors tugged at these ropes until the domes and -towers toppled and fell in ruins upon the ground. Then -the walls themselves were torn down, till little -remained of the beautiful palace but a vast heap of -white marble blocks tumbled and scattered upon the -ground. - -Prince Inga wept bitter tears of grief as he watched -the ruin of his home; yet he was powerless to avert the -destruction. When the palace had been demolished, some -of the warriors entered their boats and rowed along the -coast of the island, while the others marched in a -great body down the length of the island itself. They -were so numerous that they formed a line stretching -from shore to shore and they destroyed every house they -came to and took every inhabitant prisoner. - -The pearl fishers who lived at the lower end of the -island tried to escape in their boats, but they were -soon overtaken and made prisoners, like the others. Nor -was there any attempt to resist the foe, for the sharp -spears and pikes and swords of the invaders terrified -the hearts of the defenseless people of Pingaree, whose -sole weapons were their oyster rakes. - -When night fell the whole of the Island of Pingaree -had been conquered by the men of the North, and all its -people were slaves of the conquerors. Next morning the -men of Regos and Coregos, being capable of no further -mischief, departed from the scene of their triumph, -carrying their prisoners with them and taking also -every boat to be found upon the island. Many of the -boats they had filled with rich plunder, with pearls -and silks and velvets, with silver and gold ornaments -and all the treasure that had made Pingaree famed as -one of the richest kingdoms in the world. And the -hundreds of slaves they had captured would be set to -work in the mines of Regos and the grain fields of -Coregos. - -So complete was the victory of the Northmen that it -is no wonder the warriors sang songs of triumph as they -hastened back to their homes. Great rewards were -awaiting them when they showed the haughty King of -Regos and the terrible Queen of Coregos the results of -their ocean raid and conquest. - - - - -Chapter Four - -The Deserted Island - - -All through that terrible night Prince Inga remained -hidden in his tree. In the morning he watched the great -fleet of boats depart for their own country, carrying -his parents and his countrymen with them, as well as -everything of value the Island of Pingaree had -contained. - -Sad, indeed, were the boy's thoughts when the last of -the boats had become a mere speck in the distance, but -Inga did not dare leave his perch of safety until all -of the craft of the invaders had disappeared beyond the -horizon. Then he came down, very slowly and carefully, -for he was weak from hunger and the long and weary -watch, as he had been in the tree for twenty-four hours -without food. - -The sun shone upon the beautiful green isle as -brilliantly as if no ruthless invader had passed and -laid it in ruins. The birds still chirped among the -trees and the butterflies darted from flower to flower -as happily as when the land was filled with a -prosperous and contented people. - -Inga feared that only he was left of all his nation. -Perhaps he might be obliged to pass his life there -alone. He would not starve, for the sea would give him -oysters and fish, and the trees fruit; yet the life -that confronted him was far from enticing. - -The boy's first act was to walk over to where the -palace had stood and search the ruins until he found -some scraps of food that had been overlooked by the -enemy. He sat upon a block of marble and ate of this, -and tears filled his eyes as he gazed upon the -desolation around him. But Inga tried to bear up -bravely, and having satisfied his hunger he walked over -to the well, intending to draw a bucket of drinking -water. - -Fortunately, this well had been overlooked by the -invaders and the bucket was still fastened to the chain -that wound around a stout wooden windlass. Inga took -hold of the crank and began letting the bucket down -into the well, when suddenly he was startled by a -muffled voice crying out: - -"Be careful, up there!" - -The sound and the words seemed to indicate that the -voice came from the bottom of the well, so Inga looked -down. Nothing could be seen, on account of the -darkness. - -"Who are you?" he shouted. - -"It's I -- Rinkitink," came the answer, and the -depths of the well echoed: "Tink-i-tink-i-tink!" in a -ghostly manner. - -"Are you in the well?" asked the boy, greatly -surprised. - -"Yes, and nearly drowned. I fell in while running -from those terrible warriors, and I've been standing in -this damp hole ever since, with my head just above the -water. It's lucky the well was no deeper, for had my -head been under water, instead of above it -- hoo, hoo, -hoo, keek, eek! -- under instead of over, you know -- -why, then I wouldn't be talking to you now! Ha, hoo, -hee!" And the well dismally echoed: "Ha, hoo, hee!" -which you must imagine was a laugh half merry and half -sad. - -"I'm awfully sorry," cried the boy, in answer. "I -wonder you have the heart to laugh at all. But how am I -to get you out?" - -"I've been considering that all night," said -Rinkitink, "and I believe the best plan will be for you -to let down the bucket to me, and I'll hold fast to it -while you wind up the chain and so draw me to the top." - -"I will try to do that," replied Inga, and he let the -bucket down very carefully until he heard the King call -out: - -"I've got it! Now pull me up -- slowly, my boy, -slowly -- so I won't rub against the rough sides." - -Inga began winding up the chain, but King Rinkitink -was so fat that he was very heavy and by the time the -boy had managed to pull him halfway up the well his -strength was gone. He clung to the crank as long as -possible, but suddenly it slipped from his grasp and -the next minute he heard Rinkitink fall "plump!" into -the water again. - -"That's too bad!" called Inga, in real distress; "but -you were so heavy I couldn't help it." - -"Dear me!" gasped the King, from the darkness below, -as he spluttered and coughed to get the water out of -his mouth. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to -let go?" - -"I hadn't time," said Inga, sorrowfully. - -"Well, I'm not suffering from thirst," declared the -King, "for there's enough water inside me to float all -the boats of Regos and Coregos or at least it feels -that way. But never mind! So long as I'm not actually -drowned, what does it matter?" - -"What shall we do next?" asked the boy anxiously. - -"Call someone to help you," was the reply. - -"There is no one on the island but myself," said the -boy; "-- excepting you," he added, as an afterthought. - -"I'm not on it -- more's the pity! -- but in it," -responded Rinkitink. "Are the warriors all gone?" - -"Yes," said Inga, "and they have taken my father and -mother, and all our people, to be their slaves," he -added, trying in vain to repress a sob. - -"So -- so!" said Rinkitink softly; and then he paused -a moment, as if in thought. Finally he said: "There are -worse things than slavery, but I never imagined a well -could be one of them. Tell me, Inga, could you let down -some food to me? I'm nearly starved, and if you could -manage to send me down some food I'd be well fed -- -hoo, hoo, heek, keek, eek! -- well fed. Do you see the -joke, Inga?" - -"Do not ask me to enjoy a joke just now, Your -Majesty," begged Inga in a sad voice; "but if you will -be patient I will try to find something for you to -eat." - -He ran back to the ruins of the palace and began -searching for bits of food with which to satisfy the -hunger of the King, when to his surprise he observed -the goat, Bilbil, wandering among the marble blocks. - -"What!" cried Inga. "Didn't the warriors get you, -either?" - -"If they had," calmly replied Bilbil, "I shouldn't be -here." - -"But how did you escape?" asked the boy. - -"Easily enough. I kept my mouth shut and stayed away -from the rascals," said the goat. "I knew that the -soldiers would not care for a skinny old beast like me, -for to the eye of a stranger I seem good for nothing. -Had they known I could talk, and that my head contained -more wisdom than a hundred of their own noddles, I -might not have escaped so easily." - -"Perhaps you are right," said the boy. - -"I suppose they got the old man?" carelessly remarked -Bilbil. - -"What old man?" - -"Rinkitink." - -"Oh, no! His Majesty is at the bottom of the well," -said Inga, "and I don't know how to get him out again." - -"Then let him stay there," suggested the goat. - -"That would be cruel. I am sure, Bilbil, that you are -fond of the good King, your master, and do not mean -what you say. Together, let us find some way to save -poor King Rinkitink. He is a very jolly companion, and -has a heart exceedingly kind and gentle." - -"Oh, well; the old boy isn't so bad, taken -altogether," admitted Bilbil, speaking in a more -friendly tone. "But his bad jokes and fat laughter tire -me dreadfully, at times." - -Prince Inga now ran back to the well, the goat -following more leisurely. - -"Here's Bilbil!" shouted the boy to the King. "The -enemy didn't get him, it seems." - -"That's lucky for the enemy," said Rinkitink. "But -it's lucky for me, too, for perhaps the beast can -assist me out of this hole. If you can let a rope down -the well, I am sure that you and Bilbil, pulling -together, will be able to drag me to the earth's -surface." - -"Be patient and we will make the attempt," replied -Inga encouragingly, and he ran to search. the ruins for -a rope. Presently he found one that had been used by -the warriors in toppling over the towers, which in -their haste they had neglected to remove, and with some -difficulty he untied the knots and carried the rope to -the mouth of the well. - -Bilbil had lain down to sleep and the refrain of a -merry song came in muffled tones from the well, proving -that Rinkitink was making a patient endeavor to amuse -himself. - -"I've found a rope!" Inga called down to him; and -then the boy proceeded to make a loop in one end of the -rope, for the King to put his arms through, and the -other end he placed over the drum of the windlass. He -now aroused Bilbil and fastened the rope firmly around -the goat's shoulders. - -"Are you ready?" asked the boy, leaning over the -well. - -"I am," replied the King. - -"And I am not," growled the goat, "for I have not yet -had my nap out. Old Rinki will be safe enough in the -well until I've slept an hour or two longer." - -"But it is damp in the well," protested the boy, "and -King Rinkitink may catch the rheumatism, so that he -will have to ride upon your back wherever he goes." - -Hearing this, Bilbil jumped up at once. - -"Let's get him out," he said earnestly. - -"Hold fast!" shouted Inga to the King. Then he seized -the rope and helped Bilbil to pull. They soon found the -task more difficult than they had supposed. Once or -twice the King's weight threatened to drag both the boy -and the goat into the well, to keep Rinkitink company. -But they pulled sturdily, being aware of this danger, -and at last the King popped out of the hole and fell -sprawling full length upon the ground. - -For a time he lay panting and breathing hard to get -his breath back, while Inga and Bilbil were likewise -worn out from their long strain at the rope; so the -three rested quietly upon the grass and looked at one -another in silence. - -Finally Bilbil said to the King: "I'm surprised at -you. Why were you so foolish as to fall down that well? -Don't you know it's a dangerous thing to do? You might -have broken your neck in the fall, or been drowned in -the water." - -"Bilbil," replied the King solemnly, "you're a goat. -Do you imagine I fell down the well on purpose?" - -"I imagine nothing," retorted Bilbil. "I only know -you were there." - -"There? Heh-heh-heek-keek-eek! To be sure I was -there," laughed Rinkitink. "There in a dark hole, where -there was no light; there in a watery well, where the -wetness soaked me through and through -- keek-eek-eek- -eek! -- through and through!" - -"How did it happen?" inquired Inga. - -"I was running away from the enemy," explained the -King, "and I was carelessly looking over my shoulder at -the same time, to see if they were chasing me. So I did -not see the well, but stepped into it and found myself -tumbling down to the bottom. I struck the water very -neatly and began struggling to keep myself from -drowning, but presently I found that when I stood upon -my feet on the bottom of the well, that my chin was -just above the water. So I stood still and yelled for -help; but no one heard me." - -"If the warriors had heard you," said Bilbil, "they -would have pulled you out and carried you away to be a -slave. Then you would have been obliged to work for a -living, and that would be a new experience." - -"Work!" exclaimed Rinkitink. "Me work? Hoo, hoo, -heek-keek-eek! How absurd! I'm so stout -- not to say -chubby -- not to say fat -- that I can hardly walk, and -I couldn't earn my salt at hard work. So I'm glad the -enemy did not find me, Bilbil. How many others -escaped?" - -"That I do not know," replied the boy, "for I -have not yet had time to visit the other parts of -the island. When you have rested and satisfied -your royal hunger, it might be well for us to -look around and see what the thieving warriors -of Regos and Coregos have left us." - -"An excellent idea," declared Rinkitink. "I am -somewhat feeble from my long confinement in the well, -but I can ride upon Bilbil's back and we may as well -start at once." - -Hearing this, Bilbil cast a surly glance at his -master but said nothing, since it was really the goat's -business to carry King Rinkitink wherever he desired to -go. - -They first searched the ruins of the palace, and -where the kitchen had once been they found a small -quantity of food that had been half hidden by a block -of marble. This they carefully placed in a sack to -preserve it for future use, the little fat King having -first eaten as much as he cared for. This consumed some -time, for Rinkitink had been exceedingly hungry and -liked to eat in a leisurely manner. When he had -finished the meal he straddled Bilbil's back and set -out to explore the island, Prince Inga walking by his -side. - -They found on every hand ruin and desolation. The -houses of the people had been pilfered of all valuables -and then torn down or burned. Not a boat had been left -upon the shore, nor was there a single person, man or -woman or child, remaining upon the island, save -themselves. The only inhabitants of Pingaree now -consisted of a fat little King, a boy and a goat. - -Even Rinkitink, merry hearted as he was, found it -hard to laugh in the face of this mighty disaster. Even -the goat, contrary to its usual habit, refrained from -saying anything disagreeable. As for the poor boy whose -home was now a wilderness, the tears came often to his -eyes as he marked the ruin of his dearly loved island. - -When, at nightfall, they reached the lower end of -Pingaree and found it swept as bare as the rest, Inga's -grief was almost more than he could bear. Everything -had been swept from him -- parents, home and country -- -in so brief a time that his bewilderment was equal to -his sorrow. - -Since no house remained standing, in which they might -sleep, the three wanderers crept beneath the -overhanging branches of a cassa tree and curled -themselves up as comfortably as possible. So tired and -exhausted were they by the day's anxieties and griefs -that their troubles soon faded into the mists of -dreamland. Beast and King and boy slumbered peacefully -together until wakened by the singing of the birds -which greeted the dawn of a new day. - - - - -Chapter Five - -The Three Pearls - - -When King Rinkitink and Prince Inga had bathed -themselves in the sea and eaten a simple breakfast, -they began wondering what they could do to improve -their condition. - -"The poor people of Gilgad," said Rinkitink -cheerfully, "are little likely ever again to behold -their King in the flesh, for my boat and my rowers are -gone with everything else. Let us face the fact that we -are imprisoned for life upon this island, and that our -lives will be short unless we can secure more to eat -than is in this small sack." - -"I'll not starve, for I can eat grass," remarked the -goat in a pleasant tone -- or a tone as pleasant as -Bilbil could assume. - -"True, quite true," said the King. Then he seemed -thoughtful for a moment and turning to Inga he asked: -"Do you think, Prince, that if the worst comes, we -could eat Bilbil?" - -The goat gave a groan and cast a reproachful look at -his master as he said: - -"Monster! Would you, indeed, eat your old friend and -servant?" - -"Not if I can help it, Bilbil," answered the King -pleasantly. "You would make a remarkably tough morsel, -and my teeth are not as good as they once were. - -While this talk was in progress Inga suddenly -remembered the three pearls which his father had hidden -under the tiled floor of the banquet hall. Without -doubt King Kitticut had been so suddenly surprised by -the invaders that he had found no opportunity to get -the pearls, for otherwise the fierce warriors would -have been defeated and driven out of Pingaree. So they -must still be in their hiding place, and Inga believed -they would prove of great assistance to him and his -comrades in this hour of need. But the palace was a -mass of ruins; perhaps he would be unable now to find -the place where the pearls were hidden. - -He said nothing of this to Rinkitink, remembering -that his father had charged him to preserve the secret -of the pearls and of their magic powers. Nevertheless, -the thought of securing the wonderful treasures of his -ancestors gave the boy new hope. - -He stood up and said to the King: - -"Let us return to the other end of Pingaree. It is -more pleasant than here in spite of the desolation of -my father's palace. And there, if anywhere, we shall -discover a way out of our difficulties." - -This suggestion met with Rinkitink's approval and the -little party at once started upon the return journey. -As there was no occasion to delay upon the way, they -reached the big end of the island about the middle of -the day and at once began searching the ruins of the -palace. - -They found, to their satisfaction, that one room at -the bottom of a tower was still habitable, although the -roof was broken in and the place was somewhat littered -with stones. The King was, as he said, too fat to do -any hard work, so he sat down on a block of marble and -watched Inga clear the room of its rubbish. This done, -the boy hunted through the ruins until he discovered a -stool and an armchair that had not been broken beyond -use. Some bedding and a mattress were also found, so -that by nightfall the little room had been made quite -comfortable - -The following morning, while Rinkitink was still -sound asleep and Bilbil was busily cropping the dewy -grass that edged the shore, Prince Inga began to search -the tumbled heaps of marble for the place where the -royal banquet hall had been. After climbing over the -ruins for a time he reached a flat place which he -recognized, by means of the tiled flooring and the -broken furniture scattered about, to be the great hall -he was seeking. But in the center of the floor, -directly over the spot where the pearls were hidden, -lay several large and heavy blocks of marble, which had -been torn from the dismantled walls. - -This unfortunate discovery for a time discouraged the -boy, who realized how helpless he was to remove such -vast obstacles; but it was so important to secure the -pearls that he dared not give way to despair until -every human effort had been made, so he sat him down to -think over the matter with great care. - -Meantime Rinkitink had risen from his bed and walked -out upon the lawn, where he found Bilbil reclining at -ease upon the greensward. - -"Where is Inga?" asked Rinkitink, rubbing his eyes -with his knuckles because their vision was blurred with -too much sleep. - -"Don't ask me," said the goat, chewing with much -satisfaction a cud of sweet grasses. - -"Bilbil," said the King, squatting down beside the -goat and resting his fat chin upon his hands and his -elbows on his knees, "allow me to confide to you the -fact that I am bored, and need amusement. My good -friend Kitticut has been kidnapped by the barbarians -and taken from me, so there is no one to converse with -me intelligently. I am the King and you are the goat. -Suppose you tell me a story. - -"Suppose I don't," said Bilbil, with a scowl, for a -goat's face is very expressive. - -"If you refuse, I shall be more unhappy than ever, -and I know your disposition is too sweet to permit -that. Tell me a story, Bilbil." - -The goat looked at him with an expression of scorn. -Said he: - -"One would think you are but four years old, -Rinkitink! But there -- I will do as you command. -Listen carefully, and the story may do you some good -- -although I doubt if you understand the moral." - -"I am sure the story will do me good," declared the -King, whose eyes were twinkling. - -"Once on a time," began the goat. - -"When was that, Bilbil?" asked the King gently. - -"Don't interrupt; it is impolite. Once on a time -there was a King with a hollow inside his head, where -most people have their brains, and --" - -"Is this a true story, Bilbil?" - -"And the King with a hollow head could chatter words, -which had no sense, and laugh in a brainless manner at -senseless things. That part of the story is true -enough, Rinkitink." - -"Then proceed with the tale, sweet Bilbil. Yet it is -hard to believe that any King could be brainless -- -unless, indeed, he proved it by owning a talking goat." - -Bilbil glared at him a full minute in silence. -Then he resumed his story: - -"This empty-headed man was a King by accident, having -been born to that high station. Also the King was -empty-headed by the same chance, being born without -brains." - -"Poor fellow!" quoth the King. "Did he own a talking -goat?" - -"He did," answered Bilbil. - -"Then he was wrong to have been born at all. Cheek- -eek-eek-eek, oo, hoo!" chuckled Rinkitink, his fat body -shaking with merriment. "But it's hard to prevent -oneself from being born; there's no chance for protest, -eh, Bilbil?" - -"Who is telling this story, I'd like to know," -demanded the goat, with anger. - -"Ask someone with brains, my boy; I'm sure I can't -tell," replied the King, bursting into one of his merry -fits of laughter. - -Bilbil rose to his hoofs and walked away in a -dignified manner, leaving Rinkitink chuckling anew at -the sour expression of the animal's face. - -"Oh, Bilbil, you'll be the death of me, some day -- -I'm sure you will!" gasped the King, taking out his -lace handkerchief to wipe his eyes; for, as he often -did, he had laughed till the tears came. - -Bilbil was deeply vexed and would not even turn his -head to look at his master. To escape from Rinkitink he -wandered among the ruins of the palace, where he came -upon Prince Inga. - -"Good morning, Bilbil," said the boy. "I was just -going to find you, that I might consult you upon an -important matter. If you will kindly turn back with me -I am sure your good judgment will be of great -assistance." - -The angry goat was quite mollified by the respectful -tone in which he was addressed, but he immediately -asked: - -"Are you also going to consult that empty-headed King -over yonder?" - -"I am sorry to hear you speak of your kind master in -such a way," said the boy gravely. "All men are -deserving of respect, being the highest of living -creatures, and Kings deserve respect more than others, -for they are set to rule over many people." - -"Nevertheless," said Bilbil with conviction, -"Rinkitink's head is certainly empty of brains." - -"That I am unwilling to believe," insisted Inga. "But -anyway his heart is kind and gentle and that is better -than being wise. He is merry in spite of misfortunes -that would cause others to weep and he never speaks -harsh words that wound the feelings of his friends." - -"Still," growled Bilbil, "he is --" - -"Let us forget everything but his good nature, which -puts new heart into us when we are sad," advised the -boy." - -"But he is --" - -"Come with me, please," interrupted Inga, "for the -matter of which I wish to speak is very important." - -Bilbil followed him, although the boy still heard the -goat muttering that the King had no brains. Rinkitink, -seeing them turn into the ruins, also followed, and -upon joining them asked for his breakfast. - -Inga opened the sack of food and while he and the -King ate of it the boy said: - -"If I could find a way to remove some of the blocks -of marble which have fallen in the banquet hall, I -think I could find means for us to escape from this -barren island." - -"Then," mumbled Rinkitink, with his mouth full, "let -us move the blocks of marble." - -"But how?" inquired Prince Inga. "They are very -heavy." - -"Ah, how, indeed?" returned the King, smacking his -lips contentedly. "That is a serious question. But -- I -have it! Let us see what my famous parchment says about -it." He wiped his fingers upon a napkin and then, -taking the scroll from a pocket inside his embroidered -blouse, he unrolled it and read the following words: -'Never step on another man's toes.' - -The goat gave a snort of contempt; Inga was silent; -the King looked from one to the other inquiringly. - -"That's the idea, exactly!" declared Rinkitink. - -"To be sure," said Bilbil scornfully, "it tells us -exactly how to move the blocks of marble." - -"Oh, does it?" responded the King, and then for a -moment he rubbed the top of his bald head in a -perplexed manner. The next moment he burst into a peal -of joyous laughter. The goat looked at Inga and sighed. - -"What did I tell you?" asked the creature. "Was I -right, or was I wrong?" - -"This scroll," said Rinkitink, "is indeed a -masterpiece. Its advice is of tremendous value. 'Never -step on another man's toes.' Let us think this over. -The inference is that we should step upon our own toes, -which were given us for that purpose. Therefore, if I -stepped upon another man's toes, I would be the other -man. Hoo, hoo, hoo! -- the other man -- hee, hee, heek- -keek-eek! Funny, isn't it?" - -"Didn't I say --" began Bilbil. - -"No matter what you said, my boy," roared the King. -"No fool could have figured that out as nicely as I -did." - -"We have still to decide how to remove the blocks of -marble," suggested Inga anxiously. - - "Fasten a rope to them, and pull," said Bilbil. -"Don't pay any more attention to Rinkitink, for he is -no wiser than the man who wrote that brainless scroll. -Just get the rope, and we'll fasten Rinkitink to one -end of it for a weight and I'll help you pull." - -"Thank you, Bilbil," replied the boy. "I'll get the -rope at once. - -Bilbil found it difficult to climb over the ruins to -the floor of the banquet hall, but there are few places -a goat cannot get to when it makes the attempt, so -Bilbil succeeded at last, and even fat little Rinkitink -finally joined them, though much out of breath. - -Inga fastened one end of the rope around a block of -marble and then made a loop at the other end to go over -Bilbil's head. When all was ready the boy seized the -rope and helped the goat to pull; yet, strain as they -might, the huge block would not stir from its place. -Seeing this, King Rinkitink came forward and lent his -assistance, the weight of his body forcing the heavy -marble to slide several feet from where it had lain. - -But it was hard work and all were obliged to take a -long rest before undertaking the removal of the next -block. - -"Admit, Bilbil," said the King, "that I am of some -use in the world." - -"Your weight was of considerable help," acknowledged -the goat, "but if your head were as well filled as -your stomach the task would be still easier." - -When Inga went to fasten the rope a second time he -was rejoiced to discover that by moving one more block -of marble he could uncover the tile with the secret -spring. So the three pulled with renewed energy and to -their joy the block moved and rolled upon its side, -leaving Inga free to remove the treasure when he -pleased. - -But the boy had no intention of allowing Bilbil and -the King to share the secret of the royal treasures of -Pingaree; so, although both the goat and its master -demanded to know why the marble blocks had been moved, -and how it would benefit them, Inga begged them to wait -until the next morning, when he hoped to be able to -satisfy them that their hard work had not been in vain. - -Having little confidence in this promise of a mere -boy, the goat grumbled and the King laughed; but Inga -paid no heed to their ridicule and set himself to work -rigging up a fishing rod, with line and hook. During -the afternoon he waded out to some rocks near the shore -and fished patiently until he had captured enough -yellow perch for their supper and breakfast. - -"Ah," said Rinkitink, looking at the fine catch when -Inga returned to the shore; "these will taste delicious -when they are cooked; but do you know how to cook -them?" - -"No," was the reply. I have often caught fish, but -never cooked them. Perhaps Your Majesty understands -cooking." - -"Cooking and majesty are two different things," -laughed the little King. "I could not cook a fish to -save me from starvation." - -"For my part," said Bilbil, "I never eat fish, but I -can tell you how to cook them, for I have often watched -the palace cooks at their work." And so, with the -goat's assistance, the boy and the King managed to -prepare the fish and cook them, after which they were -eaten with good appetite. - -That night, after Rinkitink and Bilbil were both fast -asleep, Inga stole quietly through the moonlight to the -desolate banquet hall. There, kneeling down, he touched -the secret spring as his father had instructed him to -do and to his joy the tile sank downward and disclosed -the opening. You may imagine how the boy's heart -throbbed with excitement as he slowly thrust his hand -into the cavity and felt around to see if the precious -pearls were still there. In a moment his fingers -touched the silken bag and, without pausing to close -the recess, he pressed the treasure against his breast -and ran out into the moonlight to examine it. When he -reached a bright place he started to open the bag, but -he observed Bilbil lying asleep upon the grass near by. -So, trembling with the fear of discovery, he ran to -another place, and when he paused he heard Rinkitink -snoring lustily. Again he fled and made his way to the -seashore, where he squatted under a bank and began to -untie the cords that fastened the mouth of the bag. But -now another fear assailed him. - -"If the pearls should slip from my hand," he thought, -"and roll into the water, they might be lost to me -forever. I must find some safer place." - -Here and there he wandered, still clasping the silken -bag in both hands, and finally he went to the grove and -climbed into the tall tree where he had made his -platform and seat. But here it was pitch dark, so he -found he must wait patiently until morning before he -dared touch the pearls. During those hours of waiting -he had time for reflection and reproached himself for -being so frightened by the possession of his father's -treasures. - -"These pearls have belonged to our family for -generations," he mused, "yet no one has ever lost them. -If I use ordinary care I am sure I need have no fears -for their safety." - -When the dawn came and he could see plainly, Inga -opened the bag and took out the Blue Pearl. There was -no possibility of his being observed by others, so he -took time to examine it wonderingly, saying to himself: -"This will give me strength." - -Taking off his right shoe he placed the Blue Pearl -within it, far up in the pointed toe. Then he tore a -piece from his handkerchief and stuffed it into the -shoe to hold the pearl in place. Inga's shoes were long -and pointed, as were all the shoes worn in Pingaree, -and the points curled upward, so that there was quite a -vacant space beyond the place where the boy's toes -reached when the shoe was upon his foot. - -After he had put on the Shoe and laced it up he -opened the bag and took out the Pink Pearl. "This will -protect me from danger," said Inga, and removing the -shoe from his left foot he carefully placed the pearl -in the hollow toe. This, also, he secured in place by -means of a strip torn from his handkerchief. - -Having put on the second shoe and laced it up, the -boy drew from the silken bag the third pearl -- that -which was pure white -- and holding it to his ear he -asked. - -"Will you advise me what to do, in this my hour of -misfortune?" - -Clearly the small voice of the pearl made answer: - -"I advise you to go to the Islands of Regos and -Coregos, where you may liberate your parents from -slavery." - -"How could I do that?" exclaimed Prince Inga, amazed -at receiving such advice. - -"To-night," spoke the voice of the pearl, "there will -be a storm, and in the morning a boat will strand upon -the shore. Take this boat and row to Regos and -Coregos." - -"How can I, a weak boy, pull the boat so far?" he -inquired, doubting the possibility. - -"The Blue Pearl will give you strength," was the -reply. - -"But I may be shipwrecked and drowned, before ever I -reach Regos and Coregos," protested the boy. - -"The Pink Pearl will protect you from harm," murmured -the voice, soft and low but very distinct. - -"Then I shall act as you advise me," declared Inga, -speaking firmly because this promise gave him courage, -and as he removed the pearl from his ear it whispered: - -"The wise and fearless are sure to win success." - -Restoring the White Pearl to the depths of the silken -bag, Inga fastened it securely around his neck and -buttoned his waist above it to hide the treasure from -all prying eyes. Then he slowly climbed down from the -tree and returned to the room where King Rinkitink -still slept. - -The goat was browsing upon the grass but looked cross -and surly. When the boy said good morning as he passed, -Bilbil made no response whatever. As Inga entered the -room the King awoke and asked: - -"What is that mysterious secret of yours? I've been -dreaming about it, and I haven't got my breath yet from -tugging at those heavy blocks. Tell me the secret." - -"A secret told is no longer a secret," replied Inga, -with a laugh. "Besides, this is a family secret, which -it is proper I should keep to myself. But I may tell -you one thing, at least: We are going to leave this -island to-morrow morning." - -The King seemed puzzled' by this statement. - -"I'm not much of a swimmer," said he, "and, though -I'm fat enough to float upon the surface of the water, -I'd only bob around and get nowhere at all." - -"We shall not swim, but ride comfortably in a boat," -promised Inga. - -"There isn't a boat on this island!" declared -Rinkitink, looking upon the boy with wonder. - -"True," said Inga. "But one will come to us in the -morning." He spoke positively, for he had perfect faith -in the promise of the White Pearl; but Rinkitink, -knowing nothing of the three marvelous jewels, began to -fear that the little Prince had lost his mind through -grief and misfortune. - -For this reason the King did not question the boy -further but tried to cheer him by telling him witty -stories. He laughed at all the stories himself, in his -merry, rollicking way, and Inga joined freely in the -laughter because his heart had been lightened by the -prospect of rescuing his dear parents. Not since the -fierce warriors had descended upon Pingaree had the boy -been so hopeful and happy. - -With Rinkitink riding upon Bilbil's back, the three -made a tour of the island and found in the central part -some bushes and trees bearing ripe fruit. They gathered -this freely, for -- aside from the fish which Inga -caught -- it was the only food they now had, and the -less they had, the bigger Rinkitink's appetite seemed -to grow. - -"I am never more happy," said he with a sigh, "than -when I am eating." - -Toward evening the sky became overcast and soon a -great storm began to rage. Prince Inga and King -Rinkitink took refuge within the shelter of the room -they had fitted up and there Bilbil joined them. The -goat and the King were somewhat disturbed by the -violence of the storm, but Inga did not mind it, being -pleased at this evidence that the White Pearl might be -relied upon. - -All night the wind shrieked around the island; -thunder rolled, lightning flashed and rain came down in -torrents. But with morning the storm abated and when -the sun arose no sign of the tempest remained save a -few fallen trees. - - - - -Chapter Six - -The Magic Boat - - -Prince Inga was up with the sun and, accompanied by -Bilbil, began walking along the shore in search of the -boat which the White Pearl had promised him. Never for -an instant did he doubt that he would find it and -before he had walked any great distance a dark object -at the water's edge caught his eye. - -"It is the boat, Bilbil!" he cried joyfully, and -running down to it he found it was, indeed, a large and -roomy boat. Although stranded upon the beach, it was in -perfect order and had suffered in no way from the -storm. - -Inga stood for some moments gazing upon the handsome -craft and wondering where it could have come from. -Certainly it was unlike any boat he had ever seen. On -the outside it was painted a lustrous black, without -any other color to relieve it; but all the inside of -the boat was lined with pure silver, polished so highly -that the surface resembled a mirror and glinted -brilliantly in the rays of the sun. The seats had white -velvet cushions upon them and the cushions were -splendidly embroidered with threads of gold. At one -end, beneath the broad seat, was a small barrel with -silver hoops, which the boy found was filled with -fresh, sweet water. A great chest of sandalwood, bound -and ornamented with silver, stood in the other end of -the boat. Inga raised the lid and discovered the chest -filled with sea-biscuits, cakes, tinned meats and ripe, -juicy melons; enough good and wholesome food to last -the party a long time. - -Lying upon the bottom of the boat were two shining -oars, and overhead, but rolled back now, was a canopy -of silver cloth to ward off the heat of the sun. - -It is no wonder the boy was delighted with the -appearance of this beautiful boat; but on reflection he -feared it was too large for him to row any great -distance. Unless, indeed, the Blue Pearl gave him -unusual strength. - -While he was considering this matter, King Rinkitink -came waddling up to him and said: - -"Well, well, well, my Prince, your words have come -true! Here is the boat, for a certainty, yet how it -came here -- and how you knew it would come to us -- -are puzzles that mystify me. I do not question our good -fortune, however, and my heart is bubbling with joy, -for in this boat I will return at once to my City of -Gilgad, from which I have remained absent altogether -too long a time." - -"I do not wish to go to Gilgad," said Inga. - -"That is too bad, my friend, for you would be very -welcome. But you may remain upon this island, if you -wish," continued Rinkitink, "and when I get home I will -send some of my people to rescue you." - -"It is my boat, Your Majesty," said Inga quietly. - -"May be, may be," was the careless answer, "but I am -King of a great country, while you are a boy Prince -without any kingdom to speak of. Therefore, being of -greater importance than you, it is just and right that -I take, your boat and return to my own country in it." - -"I am sorry to differ from Your Majesty's views," -said Inga, "but instead of going to Gilgad I consider -it of greater importance that we go to the islands of -Regos and Coregos." - -"Hey? What!" cried the astounded King. "To Regos and -Coregos! To become slaves of the barbarians, like the -King, your father? No, no, my boy! Your Uncle Rinki may -have an empty noddle, as Bilbil claims, but he is far -too wise to put his head in the lion's mouth. It's no -fun to be a slave." - -"The people of Regos and Coregos will not enslave -us," declared Inga. "On the contrary, it is my -intention to set free my dear parents, as well as all -my people, and to bring them back again to Pingaree." - -"Cheek-eek-eek-eek-eek! How funny!" chuckled -Rinkitink, winking at the goat, which scowled in -return. "Your audacity takes my breath away, Inga, but -the adventure has its charm, I must, confess. Were I -not so fat, I'd agree to your plan at once, and could -probably conquer that horde of fierce warriors without -any assistance at all -- any at all -- eh, Bilbil? But -I grieve to say that I am fat, and not in good fighting -trim. As for your determination to do what I admit I -can't do, Inga, I fear you forget that you are only a -boy, and rather small at that." - -"No, I do not forget that," was Inga's reply. - -"Then please consider that you and I and Bilbil are -not strong enough, as an army, to conquer a powerful -nation of skilled warriors. We could attempt it, of -course, but you are too young to die, while I am too -old. Come with me to my City of Gilgad, where you will -be greatly honored. I'll have my professors teach you -how to be good. Eh? What do you say?" - -Inga was a little embarrassed how to reply to these -arguments, which he knew King Rinkitink considered were -wise; so, after a period of thought, he said: - -"I will make a bargain with Your Majesty, for I do -not wish to fail in respect to so worthy a man and so -great a King as yourself. This boat is mine, as I have -said, and in my father's absence you have become my -guest; therefore I claim that I am entitled to some -consideration, as well as you." - -"No doubt of it," agreed Rinkitink. "What is the -bargain you propose, Inga?" - -"Let us both get into the boat, and you shall first -try to row us to Gilgad. If you succeed, I will -accompany you right willingly; but should you fail, I -will then row the boat to Regos, and you must come with -me without further protest." - -"A fair and just bargain!" cried the King, highly -pleased. "Yet, although I am a man of mighty deeds, I -do not relish the prospect of rowing so big a boat all -the way to Gilgad. But I will do my best and abide by -the result." - -The matter being thus peaceably settled, they -prepared to embark. A further supply of fruits was -placed in the boat and Inga also raked up a quantity of -the delicious oysters that abounded on the coast of -Pingaree but which he had before been unable to reach -for lack of a boat. This was done at the suggestion of -the ever-hungry Rinkitink, and when the oysters had -been stowed in their shells behind the water barrel and -a plentiful supply of grass brought aboard for Bilbil, -they decided they were ready to start on their voyage. - -It proved no easy task to get Bilbil into the boat, -for he was a remarkably clumsy goat and once, when -Rinkitink gave him a push, he tumbled into the water -and nearly drowned before they could get him out again. -But there was no thought of leaving the quaint animal -behind. His power of speech made him seem almost human -in the eyes of the boy, and the fat King was so -accustomed to his surly companion that nothing could -have induced him to part with him. Finally Bilbil fell -sprawling into the bottom of the boat, and Inga helped -him to get to the front end, where there was enough -space for him to lie down. - -Rinkitink now took his seat in the silver-lined craft -and the boy came last, pushing off the boat as he -sprang aboard, so that it floated freely upon the -water. - -"Well, here we go for Gilgad!" exclaimed the King, -picking up the oars and placing them in the row-locks. -Then he began to row as hard as he could, singing at -the same time an odd sort of a song that ran like this - -"The way to Gilgad isn't bad -For a stout old King and a brave young lad, -For a cross old goat with a dripping coat, -And a silver boat in which to float. -So our hearts are merry, light and glad -As we speed away to fair Gilgad!" - -"Don't, Rinkitink; please don't! It makes me -seasick," growled Bilbil. - -Rinkitink stopped rowing, for by this time he was all -out of breath and his round face was covered with big -drops of perspiration. And when he looked over his -shoulder he found to his dismay that the boat had -scarcely moved a foot from its former position. - -Inga said nothing and appeared not to notice the -King's failure. So now Rinkitink, with a serious look -on his fat, red face, took off his purple robe and -rolled up the sleeves of his tunic and tried again. - -However, he succeeded no better than before and when -he heard Bilbil give a gruff laugh and saw a smile upon -the boy Prince's face, Rinkitink suddenly dropped the -oars and began shouting with laughter at his own -defeat. As he wiped his brow with a yellow silk -handkerchief he sang in a merry voice: - -"A sailor bold am I, I hold, -But boldness will not row a boat. -So I confess I'm in distress -And just as useless as the goat." - - -"Please leave me out of your verses," said Bilbil -with a snort of anger. - -"When I make a fool of myself, Bilbil, I'm a goat," -replied Rinkitink. - -"Not so," insisted Bilbil. "Nothing could make you a -member of my superior race." - -"Superior? Why, Bilbil, a goat is but a beast, while -I am a King!" - -"I claim that superiority lies in intelligence," said -the goat. - -Rinkitink paid no attention to this remark, but -turning to Inga he said: - -"We may as well get back to the shore, for the boat -is too heavy to row to Gilgad or anywhere else. Indeed, -it will be hard for us to reach land again." - -"Let me take the oars," suggested Inga. "You must not -forget our bargain." - -"No, indeed," answered Rinkitink. "If you can row us -to Regos, or to any other place, I will go with you -without protest." - -So the King took Inga's place at the stern of the -boat and the boy grasped the oars and commenced to row. -And now, to the great wonder of Rinkitink -- and even -to Inga's surprise -- the oars became light as feathers -as soon as the Prince took hold of them. In an instant -the boat began to glide rapidly through the water and, -seeing this, the boy turned its prow toward the north. -He did not know exactly where Regos and Coregos were -located, but he did know that the islands lay to the -north of Pingaree, so he decided to trust to luck and -the guidance of the pearls to carry him to them. - -Gradually the Island of Pingaree became smaller to -their view as the boat sped onward, until at the end of -an hour they had lost sight of it altogether and were -wholly surrounded by the purple waters of the Nonestic -Ocean. - -Prince Inga did not tire from the labor of rowing; -indeed, it seemed to him no labor at all. Once he -stopped long enough to place the poles of the canopy in -the holes that had been made for them, in the edges of -the boat, and to spread the canopy of silver over the -poles, for Rinkitink had complained of the sun's heat. -But the canopy shut out the hot rays and rendered the -interior of the boat cool and pleasant. - -"This is a glorious ride!" cried Rinkitink, as he lay -back in the shade. "I find it a decided relief to be -away from that dismal island of Pingaree. - -"It may be a relief for a short time," said Bilbil, -"but you are going to the land of your enemies, who -will probably stick your fat body full of spears and -arrows." - -"Oh, I hope not!" exclaimed Inga, distressed at the -thought. - -"Never mind," said the King calmly, "a man can die -but once, you know, and when the enemy kills me I shall -beg him to kill Bilbil, also, that we may remain -together in death as in life." - -"They may be cannibals, in which case they will roast -and eat us," suggested Bilbil, who wished to terrify -his master. - -"Who knows?" answered Rinkitink, with a shudder. "But -cheer up, Bilbil; they may not kill us after all, or -even capture us; so let us not borrow trouble. Do not -look so cross, my sprightly quadruped, and I will sing -to amuse you." - -"Your song would make me more cross than ever," -grumbled the goat. - -"Quite impossible, dear Bilbil. You couldn't be more -surly if you tried. So here is a famous song for you." - -While the boy rowed steadily on and the boat rushed -fast over the water, the jolly King, who never could be -sad or serious for many minutes at a time, lay back on -his embroidered cushions and sang as follows: - -"A merry maiden went to sea -- - -Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do! -She sat upon the Captain's knee -And looked around the sea to see -What she could see, but she couldn't see me -- - -Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do! - - -"How do you like that, Bilbil?" - -"I don't like it," complained the goat. "It reminds -me of the alligator that tried to whistle." - -"Did he succeed, Bilbil?" asked the King. - -"He whistled as well as you sing." - -"Ha, ha, ha, ha, heek, keek, eek!" chuckled the King. -"He must have whistled most exquisitely, eh, my -friend?" - -"I am not your friend," returned the goat, wagging -his ears in a surly manner. - -"I am yours, however," was the King's cheery reply; -"and to prove it I'll sing you another verse." - -"Don't, I beg of you!" - -But the King sang as follows: - - -"The wind blew off the maiden's shoe -- - Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do! -And the shoe flew high to the sky so blue -And the maiden knew 'twas a new shoe, too; -But she couldn't pursue the shoe, 'tis true- - Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do! - - -"Isn't that sweet, my pretty goat?" - -"Sweet, do you ask?" retorted Bilbil. "I consider it -as sweet as candy made from mustard and vinegar." - -"But not as sweet as your disposition, I admit. Ah, -Bilbil, your temper would put honey itself to shame." - -"Do not quarrel, I beg of you," pleaded Inga. "Are we -not sad enough already?" - -"But this is a jolly quarrel," said the King, "and it -is the way Bilbil and I often amuse ourselves. Listen, -now, to the last verse of all: - -"The maid who shied her shoe now cried -- - -Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do! -Her tears were fried for the Captain's bride -Who ate with pride her sobs, beside, -And gently sighed 'I'm satisfied' -- - -Sing to-ral-oo-ral-i-do!" - - -"Worse and worse!" grumbled Bilbil, with much scorn. -"I am glad that is the last verse, for another of the -same kind might cause me to faint." - -"I fear you have no ear for music," said the King. - -"I have heard no music, as yet," declared the goat. -"You must have a strong imagination, King Rinkitink, if -you consider your songs music. Do you remember the -story of the bear that hired out for a nursemaid?" - -"I do not recall it just now," said Rinkitink, with a -wink at Inga. - -"Well, the bear tried to sing a lullaby to put the -baby to sleep." - -"And then?" said the King. - -"The bear was highly pleased with its own voice, but -the baby was nearly frightened to death." - -"Heh, heb, heh, heh, whoo, hoo, hoo! You are a merry -rogue, Bilbil," laughed the King; "a merry rogue in -spite of your gloomy features. However, if I have not -amused you, I have at least pleased myself, for I am -exceedingly fond of a good song. So let us say no more -about it." - -All this time the boy Prince was rowing. the boat. He -was not in the least tired, for the oars he held seemed -to move of their own accord. He paid little heed to the -conversation of Rinkitink and the goat, but busied his -thoughts with plans of what he should do when he -reached the islands of Regos and Coregos and confronted -his enemies. When the others finally became silent, -Inga inquired. - -"Can you fight, King Rinkitink?" - -"I have never tried," was the answer. "In time of -danger I have found it much easier to run away than to -face the foe." - -"But could you fight?" asked the boy. - -"I might try, if there was no chance to escape by -running. Have you a proper weapon for me to fight -with?" - -"I have no weapon at all," confessed Inga. - -"Then let us use argument and persuasion instead of -fighting. For instance, if we could persuade the -warriors of Regos to lie down, and let me step on them, -they would be crushed with ease. - -Prince Inga had expected little support from the -King, so he was not discouraged by this answer. After -all, he reflected, a conquest by battle would be out of -the question, yet the White Pearl would not have -advised him to go to Regos and Coregos had the mission -been a hopeless one. It seemed to him, on further -reflection, that he must rely upon circumstances to -determine his actions when he reached the islands of -the barbarians. - -By this time Inga felt perfect confidence in the -Magic Pearls. It was the White Pearl that had given him -the boat, and the Blue Pearl that had given him -strength to row it. He believed that the Pink Pearl -would protect him from any danger that might arise; so -his anxiety was not for himself, but for his -companions. King Rinkitink and the goat had no magic to -protect them, so Inga resolved to do all in his power -to keep them from harm. - -For three days and three nights the boat with the -silver lining sped swiftly over the ocean. On the -morning of the fourth day, so quickly had they -traveled, Inga saw before him the shores of the two -great islands of Regos and Coregos. - -"The pearls have guided me aright!" he whispered to -himself. "Now, if I am wise, and cautious, and brave, I -believe I shall be able to rescue my father and mother -and my people." - - - - -Chapter Seven - -The Twin Islands - - -The Island of Regos was ten miles wide and forty miles -long and it was ruled by a big and powerful King named -Gos. Near to the shores were green and fertile fields, -but farther back from the sea were rugged hills and -mountains, so rocky that nothing would grow there. But -in these mountains were mines of gold and silver, which -the slaves of the King were forced to work, being -confined in dark underground passages for that purpose. -In the course of time huge caverns had been hollowed -out by the slaves, in which they lived and slept, never -seeing the light of day. Cruel overseers with whips -stood over these poor people, who had been captured in -many countries by the raiding parties of King Cos, and -the overseers were quite willing to lash the slaves -with their whips if they faltered a moment in their -work. - -Between the green shores and the mountains were -forests of thick, tangled trees, between which narrow -paths had been cut to lead up to the caves of the -mines. It was on the level green meadows, not far from -the ocean, that the great City of Regos had been built, -wherein was located the palace of the King. This city -was inhabited by thousands of the fierce warriors of -Gos, who frequently took to their boats and spread over -the sea to the neighboring islands to conquer and -pillage, as they had done at Pingaree. When they were -not absent on one of these expeditions, the City of -Regos swarmed with them and so became a dangerous place -for any peaceful person to live in, for the warriors -were as lawless as their King. - -The Island of Coregos lay close beside the Island of -Regos; so close, indeed, that one might have thrown a -stone from one shore to another. But Coregos was only -half the size of Regos and instead of being mountainous -it was a rich and pleasant country, covered with fields -of grain. The fields of Coregos furnished food for the -warriors and citizens of both countries, while the -mines of Regos made them all rich. - -Coregos was ruled by Queen Cor, who was wedded to -King Gos; but so stern and cruel was the nature of this -Queen that the people could not decide which of their -sovereigns they dreaded most. - -Queen Cor lived in her own City of Coregos, which lay -on that side of her island facing Regos, and her -slaves, who were mostly women, were made to plow the -land and to plant and harvest the grain. - -From Regos to Coregos stretched a bridge of boats, -set close together, with planks laid across their edges -for people to walk upon. In this way it was easy to -pass from one island to the other and in times of -danger the bridge could be quickly removed. - -The native inhabitants of Regos and Coregos consisted -of the warriors, who did nothing but fight and ravage, -and the trembling servants who waited on them. King Gos -and Queen Cor were at war with all the rest of the -world. Other islanders hated and feared them, for their -slaves were badly treated and absolutely no mercy was -shown to the weak or ill. - -When the boats that had gone to Pingaree returned -loaded with rich plunder and a host of captives, there -was much rejoicing in Regos and Coregos and the King -and Queen gave a fine feast to the warriors who had -accomplished so great a conquest. This feast was set -for the warriors in the grounds of King Gos's palace, -while with them in the great throne room all the -captains and leaders of the fighting men were assembled -with King Gos and Queen Cor, who had come from her -island to attend the ceremony. Then all the goods that -had been stolen from the King of Pingaree were divided -according to rank, the King and Queen taking half, the -captains a quarter, and the rest being divided amongst -the warriors. - -The day following the feast King Gos sent King -Kitticut and all the men of Pingaree to work in his -mines under the mountains, having first chained them -together so they could not escape. The gentle Queen of -Pingaree and all her women, together with the captured -children, were given to Queen Cor, who set them to work -in her grain fields. - -Then the rulers and warriors of these dreadful -islands thought they had done forever with Pingaree. -Despoiled of all its wealth, its houses torn down, its -boats captured and all its people enslaved, what -likelihood was there that they might ever again hear of -the desolated island? So the people of Regos and -Coregos were surprised and puzzled when one morning -they observed approaching their shores from the -direction of the south a black boat containing a boy, a -fat man and a goat. The warriors asked one another who -these could be, and where they had come from? No one -ever came to those islands of their own accord, that -was certain. - -Prince Inga guided his boat to the south end of the -Island of Regos, which was the landing place nearest to -the city, and when the warriors saw this action they -went down to the shore to meet him, being led by a big -captain named Buzzub. - -"Those people surely mean us no good," said Rinkitink -uneasily to the boy. "Without doubt they intend to -capture us and make us their slaves." - -"Do not fear, sir," answered Inga, in a calm voice. -"Stay quietly in the boat with Bilbil until I have -spoken with these men." - -He stopped the boat a dozen feet from the shore, and -standing up in his place made a grave bow to the -multitude confronting him. Said the big Captain Buzzub -in a gruff voice: - -"Well, little one, who may you be? And how dare you -come, uninvited and all alone, to the Island of Regos?" - -"I am Inga, Prince of Pingaree," returned the boy, -"and I have come here to free my parents and my people, -whom you have wrongfully enslaved." - -When they heard this bold speech a mighty laugh arose -from the band of warriors, and when it had subsided the -captain said: - -"You love to jest, my baby Prince, and the joke is -fairly good. But why did you willingly thrust your head -into the lion's mouth? When you were free, why did you -not stay free? We did not know we had left a single -person in Pingaree! But since you managed to escape us -then, it is really kind of you to come here of your own -free will, to be our slave. Who is the funny fat person -with you?" - -"It is His Majesty, King Rinkitink, of the great City -of Gilgad. He has accompanied me to see that you render -full restitution for all you have stolen from -Pingaree." - -"Better yet!" laughed Buzzub. "He will make a fine -slave for Queen Cor, who loves to tickle fat men, and -see them jump." - -King Rinkitink was filled with horror when he heard -this, but the Prince answered as boldly as before, -saying: - -"We are not to be frightened by bluster, believe me; -nor are we so weak as you imagine. We have magic powers -so great and terrible that no host of warriors can -possibly withstand us, and therefore I call upon you to -surrender your city and your island to us, before we -crush you with our mighty powers." - -The boy spoke very gravely and earnestly, but his -words only aroused another shout of laughter. So while -the men of Regos were laughing Inga drove the boat -we'll up onto the sandy beach and leaped out. He also -helped Rinkitink out, and when the goat had unaided -sprung to the sands, the King got upon Bilbil's back, -trembling a little internally, but striving to look as -brave as possible. - -There was a bunch of coarse hair between the goat's -ears, and this Inga clutched firmly in his left hand. -The boy knew the Pink Pearl would protect not only -himself, but all whom he touched, from any harm, and as -Rinkitink was astride the goat and Inga had his hand -upon the animal, the three could not be injured by -anything the warriors could do. But Captain Buzzub did -not know this, and the little group of three seemed so -weak and ridiculous that he believed their capture -would be easy. So he turned to his men and with a wave -of his hand said: - -"Seize the intruders!" - -Instantly two or three of the warriors stepped -forward to obey, but to their amazement they could not -reach any of the three; their hands were arrested as if -by an invisible wall of iron. Without paying any -attention to these attempts at capture, Inga advanced -slowly and the goat kept pace with him. And when -Rinkitink saw that he was safe from harm he gave one of -his big, merry laughs, and it startled the warriors and -made them nervous. Captain Buzzub's eyes grew big with -surprise as the three steadily advanced and forced his -men backward; nor was he free from terror himself at -the magic that protected these strange visitors. As for -the warriors, they presently became terror-stricken and -fled in a panic up the slope toward the city, and -Buzzub was obliged to chase after them and shout -threats of punishment before he could halt them and -form them into a line of battle. - -All the men of Regos bore spears and bows-and-arrows, -and some of the officers had swords and battle-axes; so -Buzzub ordered them to stand their ground and shoot and -slay the strangers as they approached. This they tried -to do. Inga being in advance, the warriors sent a -flight of sharp arrows straight at the boy's breast, -while others cast their long spears at him. - -It seemed to Rinkitink that the little Prince must -surely perish as he stood facing this hail of murderous -missiles; but the power of the Pink Pearl did not -desert him, and when the arrows and spears had reached -to within an inch of his body they bounded back again -and fell harmlessly at his feet. Nor were Rinkitink or -Bilbil injured in the least, although they stood close -beside Inga. - -Buzzub stood for a moment looking upon the boy in -silent wonder. Then, recovering himself, he shouted in -a loud voice: - -"Once again! All together, my men. No one shall ever -defy our might and live!" - -Again a flight of arrows and spears sped toward the -three, and since many more of the warriors of Regos had -by this time joined their fellows, the air was for a -moment darkened by the deadly shafts. But again all -fell harmless before the power of the Pink Pearl, and -Bilbil, who had been growing very angry at the attempts -to injure him and his party, suddenly made a bolt -forward, casting off Inga's hold, and butted into the -line of warriors, who were standing amazed at their -failure to conquer. - -Taken by surprise at the goat's attack, a dozen big -warriors tumbled in a heap, yelling with fear, and -their comrades, not knowing what had happened but -imagining that their foes were attacking them, turned -about and ran to the city as hard as they could go. -Bilbil, still angry, had just time to catch the big -captain as he turned to follow his men, and Buzzub -first sprawled headlong upon the ground, then rolled -over two or three times, and finally jumped up and ran -yelling after his defeated warriors. This butting on -the part of the goat was very hard upon King Rinkitink, -who nearly fell off Bilbil's back at the shock of -encounter; but the little fat King wound his arms -around the goat's neck and shut his eyes and clung on -with all his might. It was not until he heard Inga say -triumphantly, "We have won the fight without striking a -blow!" that Rinkitink dared open his eyes again. Then -he saw the warriors rushing into the City of Regos and -barring the heavy gates, and he was very much relieved -at the sight. - -"Without striking a blow!" said Bilbil indignantly. -"That is not quite true, Prince Inga. You did not -fight, I admit, but I struck a couple of times to good -purpose, and I claim to have conquered the cowardly -warriors unaided." - -"You and I together, Bilbil," said Rinkitink mildly. -"But the next time you make a charge, please warn me in -time, so that I may dismount and give you all the -credit for the attack." - -There being no one now to oppose their advance, the -three walked to the gates of the city, which had been -closed against them. The gates were of iron and heavily -barred, and upon the top of the high walls of the city -a host of the warriors now appeared armed with arrows -and spears and other weapons. For Buzzub had gone -straight to the palace of King Cos and reported his -defeat, relating the powerful magic of the boy, the fat -King and the goat, and had asked what to do next. - -The big captain still trembled with fear, but King -Gos did not helieve in magic, and called Buzzub a -coward and a weakling. At once the King took command of -his men personally, and he ordered the walls manned -with warriors and instructed them to shoot to kill if -any of the three strangers approached the gates. - -Of course, neither Rinkitink nor Bilbil knew how they -had been protected from harm and so at first they were -inclined to resent the boy's command that the three -must always keep together and touch one another at all -times. But when Inga explained that his magic would not -otherwise save them from injury, they agreed to obey, -for they had now seen enough to convince them that the -Prince was really protected by some invisible power. - -As they came before the gates another shower of -arrows and spears descended upon them, and as before -not a single missile touched their bodies. King Gos, -who was upon the wall, was greatly amazed and somewhat -worried, but he depended upon the strength of his gates -and commanded his men to continue shooting until all -their weapons were gone. - -Inga let them shoot as much as they wished, while he -stood before the great gates and examined them -carefully. - -"Perhaps Bilbil can batter down the gates, suggested -Rinkitink. - -"No," replied the goat; "my head is hard, but not -harder than iron." - -"Then," returned the King, "let us stay outside; -especially as we can't get in." - -But Inga was not at all sure they could not get in. -The gates opened inward, and three heavy bars were held -in place by means of stout staples riveted to the -sheets of steel. The boy had been told that the power -of the Blue Pearl would enable him to accomplish any -feat of strength, and he believed that this was true. - -The warriors, under the direction of King Gos, -continued to hurl arrows and darts and spears and axes -and huge stones upon the invaders, all without avail. -The ground below was thickly covered with weapons, yet -not one of the three before the gates had been injured -in the slightest manner. When everything had been cast -that was available and not a single weapon of any sort -remained at hand, the amazed warriors saw the boy put -his shoulder against the gates and burst asunder the -huge staples that held the bars in place. A thousand of -their men could not have accomplished this feat, yet -the small, slight boy did it with seeming ease. The -gates burst open, and Inga advanced into the city -street and called upon King Gos to surrender. - -But Gos was now as badly frightened as were his -warriors. He and his men were accustomed to war and -pillage and they had carried terror into many -countries, but here was a small boy, a fat man and a -goat who could not be injured by all his skill in -warfare, his numerous army and thousands of death- -dealing weapons. Moreover, they not only defied King -Gos's entire army but they had broken in the huge gates -of the city -- as easily as if they had been made of -paper -- and such an exhibition of enormous strength -made the wicked King fear for his life. Like all -bullies and marauders, Gos was a coward at heart, and -now a panic seized him and he turned and fled before -the calm advance of Prince Inga of Pingaree. The -warriors were like their master, and having thrown all -their weapons over the wall and being helpless to -oppose the strangers, they all swarmed after Gos, who -abandoned his city and crossed the bridge of boats to -the Island of Coregos. There was a desperate struggle -among these cowardly warriors to get over the bridge, -and many were pushed into the water and obliged to -swim; but finally every fighting man of Regos had -gained the shore of Coregos and then they tore away the -bridge of boats and drew them up on their own side, -hoping the stretch of open water would prevent the -magic invaders from following them. - -The humble citizens and serving people of Regos, who -had been terrified and abused by the rough warriors all -their lives, were not only greatly astonished by this -sudden conquest of their masters but greatly delighted. -As the King and his army fled to Coregos, the people -embraced one another and danced for very joy, and then -they turned to see what the conquerors of Regos were -like. - - - - -Chapter Eight - -Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake - - -The fat King rode his goat through the streets of the -conquered city and the boy Prince walked proudly beside -him, while all the people bent their heads humbly to -their new masters, whom they were prepared to serve in -the same manner they had King Gos. - -Not a warrior remained in all Regos to oppose the -triumphant three; the bridge of boats had been -destroyed; Inga and his companions were free from -danger -- for a time, at least. - -The jolly little King appreciated this fact and -rejoiced that he had escaped all injury during the -battle. How it had all happened he could not tell, nor -even guess, but he was content in being safe and free -to take possession of the enemy's city. So, as they -passed through the lines of respectful civilians on -their way to the palace, the King tipped his crown back -on his bald head and folded his arms and sang in his -best voice the following lines: - -"Oh, here comes the army of King Rinkitink! -It isn't a big one, perhaps you may think, -But it scattered the warriors quicker than wink -- - -Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink! -Our Bilbil's a hero and so is his King; -Our foemen have vanished like birds on the wing; -I guess that as fighters we're quite the real thing -- - -Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink!" - - -"Why don't you give a little credit to Inga?" -inquired the goat. "If I remember aright, he did a -little of the conquering himself." - -"So he did," responded the King, "and that's the -reason I'm sounding our own praise, Bilbil. Those who -do the least, often shout the loudest and so get the -most glory. Inga did so much that there is danger of -his becoming more important than we are, and so we'd -best say nothing about him." - -When they reached the palace, which was an immense -building, furnished throughout in regal splendor, Inga -took formal possession and ordered the majordomo to -show them the finest rooms the building contained. -There were many pleasant apartments, but Rinkitink -proposed to Inga that they share one of the largest -bedrooms together. - -"For," said he, "we are not sure that old Gos will -not return and try to recapture his city, and you must -remember that I have no magic to protect me. In any -danger, were I alone, I might be easily killed or -captured, while if you are by my side you can save me -from injury." - -The boy realized the wisdom of this plan, and -selected a fine big bedroom on the second floor of the -palace, in which he ordered two golden beds placed and -prepared for King Rinkitink and himself. Bilbil was -given a suite of rooms on the other side of the palace, -where servants brought the goat fresh-cut grass to eat -and made him a soft bed to lie upon. - -That evening the boy Prince and the fat King dined in -great state in the lofty-domed dining hall of the -palace, where forty servants waited upon them. The -royal chef, anxious to win the favor of the conquerors -of Regos, prepared his finest and most savory dishes -for them, which Rinkitink ate with much appetite and -found so delicious that he ordered the royal chef -brought into the banquet hall and presented him with a -gilt button which the King cut from his own jacket. - -"You are welcome to it," said he to the chef, -"because I have eaten so much that I cannot use that -lower button at all." - -Rinkitink was mightily pleased to live in a -comfortable palace again and to dine at a well spread -table. His joy grew every moment, so that he came in -time to be as merry and cheery as before Pingaree was -despoiled. And, although he had been much frightened -during Inga's defiance of the army of King Gos, he now -began to turn the matter into a joke. - -"Why, my boy," said he, "you whipped the big black- -bearded King exactly as if he were a schoolboy, even -though you used no warlike weapon at all upon him. He -was cowed through fear of your magic, and that reminds -me to demand from you an explanation. How did you do -it, Inga? And where did the wonderful magic come from?" - -Perhaps it would have been wise for the Prince to -have explained about the magic pearls, but at that -moment he was not inclined to do so. Instead, he -replied: - -"Be patient, Your Majesty. The secret is not my own, -so please do not ask me to divulge it. Is it not -enough, for the present, that the magic saved you from -death to-day?" - -"Do not think me ungrateful," answered the King -earnestly. "A million spears fell on me from the wall, -and several stones as big as mountains, yet none of -them hurt me!" - -"The stones were not as big as mountains, sire," said -the Prince with a smile. "They were, indeed, no larger -than your head." - -"Are you sure about that?" asked Rinkitink. - -"Quite sure, Your Majesty." - -"How deceptive those things are!" sighed the King. -"This argument reminds me of the story of Tom Tick, -which my father used to tell." - -"I have never heard that story," Inga answered. - -"Well, as he told it, it ran like this: - - -"When Tom walked out, the sky to spy, -A naughty gnat flew in his eye; -But Tom knew not it was a gnat -- -He thought, at first, it was a cat. - -"And then, it felt so very big, -He thought it surely was a pig -Till, standing still to hear it grunt, -He cried: 'Why, it's an elephunt!' - -"But -- when the gnat flew out again -And Tom was free from all his pain, -He said: 'There flew into my eye -A leetle, teenty-tiny fly.'" - - -"Indeed," said Inga, laughing, "the gnat was much -like your stones that seemed as big as mountains." - -After their dinner they inspected the palace, which -was filled with valuable goods stolen by King Gos from -many nations. But the day's events had tired them and -they retired early to their big sleeping apartment. - -"In the morning," said the boy to Rinkitink, as he -was undressing for bed, "I shall begin the search for -my father and mother and the people of Pingaree. And, -when they are found and rescued, we will all go home -again, and be as happy as we were before." - -They carefully bolted the door of their room, that no -one might enter, and then got into their beds, where -Rinkitink fell asleep in an instant. The boy lay awake -for a while thinking over the day's adventures, but -presently he fell sound asleep also, and so weary was -he that nothing disturbed his slumber until he awakened -next morning with a ray of sunshine in his eyes, which -had crept into the room through the open window by King -Rinkitink's bed. - -Resolving to begin the search for his parents without -any unnecessary delay, Inga at once got out of bed and -began to dress himself, while Rinkitink, in the other -bed, was still sleeping peacefully. But when the boy -had put on both his stockings and began looking for his -shoes, he could find but one of them. The left shoe, -that containing the Pink Pearl, was missing. - -Filled with anxiety at this discovery, Inga searched -through the entire room, looking underneath the beds -and divans and chairs and behind the draperies and in -the corners and every other possible place a shoe might -be. He tried the door, and found it still bolted; so, -with growing uneasiness, the boy was forced to admit -that the precious shoe was not in the room. - -With a throbbing heart he aroused his companion. - -"King Rinkitink," said he, "do you know what has -become of my left shoe?" - -"Your shoe!" exclaimed the King, giving a wide yawn -and rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them. -"Have you lost a shoe?" - -"Yes," said Inga. "I have searched everywhere in the -room, and cannot find it." - -"But why bother me about such a small thing?" -inquired Rinkitink. "A shoe is only a shoe, and you can -easily get another one. But, stay! Perhaps it was your -shoe which I threw at the cat last night." - -"The cat!" cried Inga. "What do you mean?" - -"Why, in the night," explained Rinkitink, sitting up -and beginning to dress himself, "I was wakened by the -mewing of a cat that sat upon a wall of the palace, -just outside my window. As the noise disturbed me, I -reached out in the dark and caught up something and -threw it at the cat, to frighten the creature away. I -did not know what it was that I threw, and I was too -sleepy to care; but probably it was your shoe, since it -is now missing." - -"Then," said the boy, in a despairing tone of voice, -"your carelessness has ruined me, as well as yourself, -King Rinkitink, for in that shoe was concealed the -magic power which protected us from danger." - -The King's face became very serious when he heard -this and he uttered a low whistle of surprise and -regret. - -"Why on earth did you not warn me of this?" he -demanded. "And why did you keep such a precious power -in an old shoe? And why didn't you put the shoe under a -pillow? You were very wrong, my lad, in not confiding -to me, your faithful friend, the secret, for in that -case the shoe would not now be lost." - -To all this Inga had no answer. He sat on the side of -his bed, with hanging head, utterly disconsolate, and -seeing this, Rinkitink had pity for his sorrow. - -"Come!" cried the King; "let us go out at once and -look for the shoe which I threw at the cat. It must -even now be lying in the yard of the palace." - -This suggestion roused the boy to action. He at once -threw open the door and in his stocking feet rushed -down the staircase, closely followed by Rinkitink. But -although they looked on both sides of the palace wall -and in every possible crack and corner where a shoe -might lodge, they failed to find it. - -After a half hour's careful search the boy said -sorrowfully: - -"Someone must have passed by, as we slept, and taken -the precious shoe, not knowing its value. To us, King -Rinkitink, this will be a dreadful misfortune, for we -are surrounded by dangers from which we have now no -protection. Luckily I have the other shoe left, within -which is the magic power that gives me strength; so all -is not lost." - -Then he told Rinkitink, in a few words, the secret of -the wonderful pearls, and how he had recovered them -from the ruins and hidden them in his shoes, and how -they had enabled him to drive King Gos and his men from -Regos and to capture the city. The King was much -astonished, and when the story was concluded he said to -Inga: - -"What did you do with the other shoe?" - -"Why, I left it in our bedroom," replied the boy. - -"Then I advise you to get it at once," continued -Rinkitink, "for we can ill afford to lose the second -shoe, as well as the one I threw at the cat." - -"You are right!" cried Inga, and they hastened back -to their bedchamber. - -On entering the room they found an old woman sweeping -and raising a great deal of dust. - -"Where is my shoe?" asked the Prince, anxiously. - -The old woman stopped sweeping and looked at him in a -stupid way, for she was not very intelligent. - -"Do you mean the one odd shoe that was lying on the -floor when I came in?" she finally asked. - -"Yes -- yes!" answered the boy. "Where is it? Tell me -where it is!" - -"Why, I threw it on the dust-heap, outside the back -gate," said she, "for, it being but a single shoe, with -no mate, it can be of no use to anyone." - -"Show us the way to the dust-heap -- at once!" -commanded the boy, sternly, for he was greatly -frightened by this new misfortune which threatened him. - -The old woman hobbled away and they followed her, -constantly urging her to hasten; but when they reached -the dust-heap no shoe was to be seen. - -"This is terrible!" wailed the young Prince, ready to -weep at his loss. "We are now absolutely ruined, and at -the mercy of our enemies. Nor shall I be able to -liberate my dear father and mother." - -"Well," replied Rinkitink, leaning against an old -barrel and looking quite solemn, "the thing is -certainly unlucky, any way we look at it. I suppose -someone has passed along here and, seeing the shoe upon -the dust-heap, has carried it away. But no one could -know the magic power the shoe contains and so will not -use it against us. I believe, Inga, we must now depend -upon our wits to get us out of the scrape we are in. - -With saddened hearts they returned to the palace, and -entering a small room where no one could observe them -or overhear them, the boy took the White Pearl from its -silken bag and held it to his ear, asking: - -"What shall I do now?" - -"Tell no one of your loss," answered the Voice of the -Pearl. "If your enemies do not know that you are -powerless, they will fear you as much as ever. Keep -your secret, be patient, and fear not!" - -Inga heeded this advice and also warned Rinkitink to -say nothing to anyone of the loss of the shoes and the -powers they contained. He sent for the shoemaker of -King Gos, who soon brought him a new pair of red -leather shoes that fitted him quite well. When these -had been put upon his feet, the Prince, accompanied by -the King, started to walk through the city. - -Wherever they went the people bowed low to the -conqueror, although a few, remembering Inga's terrible -strength, ran away in fear and trembling. They had been -used to severe masters and did not yet know how they -would be treated by King Gos's successor. There being -no occasion for the boy to exercise the powers he had -displayed the previous day, his present helplessness -was not suspected by any of the citizens of Regos, who -still considered him a wonderful magician. - -Inga did not dare to fight his way to the mines, at -present, nor could he try to conquer the Island of -Coregos, where his mother was enslaved; so he set about -the regulation of the City of Regos, and having -established himself with great state in the royal -palace he began to govern the people by kindness, -having consideration for the most humble. - -The King of Regos and his followers sent spies across -to the island they had abandoned in their flight, and -these spies returned with the news that the terrible -boy conqueror was still occupying the city. Therefore -none of them ventured to go back to Regos but continued -to live upon the neighboring island of Coregos, where -they passed the days in fear and trembling and sought -to plot and plan ways how they might overcome the -Prince of Pingaree and the fat King of Gilgad. - - - - -Chapter Nine - -A Present for Zella - - -Now it so happened that on the morning of that same day -when the Prince of Pingaree suffered the loss of his -priceless shoes, there chanced to pass along the road -that wound beside the royal palace a poor charcoal- -burner named Nikobob, who was about to return to his -home in the forest. - -Nikobob carried an ax and a bundle of torches over -his shoulder and he walked with his eyes to the ground, -being deep in thought as to the strange manner in which -the powerful King Gos and his city had been conquered -by a boy Prince who had come from Pingaree. - -Suddenly the charcoal-burner espied a shoe lying upon -the ground, just beyond the high wall of the palace and -directly in his path. He picked it up and, seeing it -was a pretty shoe, although much too small for his own -foot, he put it in his pocket. - -Soon after, on turning a corner of the wall, Nikobob -came to a dust-heap where, lying amidst a mass of -rubbish, was another shoe -- the mate to the one he had -before found. This also he placed in his pocket, saying -to himself: - -"I have now a fine pair of shoes for my daughter -Zella, who will be much pleased to find I have brought -her a present from the city." - -And while the charcoal-burner turned into the forest -and trudged along the path toward his home, Inga and -Rinkitink were still searching for the missing shoes. -Of course, they could not know that Nikobob had found -them, nor did the honest man think he had taken -anything more than a pair of cast-off shoes which -nobody wanted. - -Nikobob had several miles to travel through the -forest before he could reach the little log cabin where -his wife, as well as his little daughter Zella, awaited -his return, but he was used to long walks and tramped -along the path whistling cheerfully to beguile the -time. - -Few people, as I said before, ever passed through the -dark and tangled forests of Regos, except to go to the -mines in the mountain beyond, for many dangerous -creatures lurked in the wild jungles, and King Gos -never knew, when he sent a messenger to the mines, -whether he would reach there safely or not. - -The charcoal-burner, however, knew the wild forest -well, and especially this part of it lying between the -city and his home. It was the favorite haunt of the -ferocious beast Choggenmugger, dreaded by every dweller -in the Island of Regos. Choggenmugger was so old that -everyone thought it must have been there since the -world was made, and each year of its life the huge -scales that covered its body grew thicker and harder -and its jaws grew wider and its teeth grew sharper and -its appetite grew more keen than ever. - -In former ages there had been many dragons in Regos, -but Choggenmugger was so fond of dragons that he had -eaten all of them long ago. There had also been great -serpents and crocodiles in the forest marshes, but all -had gone to feed the hunger of Choggenmugger. The -people of Regos knew well there was no use opposing the -Great Beast, so when one unfortunately met with it he -gave himself up for lost. - -All this Nikobob knew well, but fortune had always -favored him in his journey through the forest, and -although he had at times met many savage beasts and -fought them with his sharp ax, he had never to this day -encountered the terrible Choggenmugger. Indeed, he was -not thinking of the Great Beast at all as he walked -along, but suddenly he heard a crashing of broken trees -and felt a trembling of the earth and saw the immense -jaws of Choggenmugger opening before him. Then Nikobob -gave himself up for lost and his heart almost ceased to -beat. - -He believed there was no way of escape. No one ever -dared oppose Choggenmugger. But Nikobob hated to die -without showing the monster, in some way, that he was -eaten only under protest. So he raised his ax and -brought it down upon the red, protruding tongue of the -monster -- and cut it clean off! - -For a moment the charcoal-burner scarcely believed -what his eyes saw, for he knew nothing of the pearls he -carried in his pocket or the magic power they lent his -arm. His success, however, encouraged him to strike -again, and this time the huge scaly jaw of -Choggenmugger was severed in twain and the beast howled -in terrified rage. - -Nikobob took off his coat, to give himself more -freedom of action, and then he earnestly renewed the -attack. But now the ax seemed blunted by the hard -scales and made no impression upon them whatever. The -creature advanced with glaring, wicked eyes, and -Nikobob seized his coat under his arm and turned to -flee. - -That was foolish, for Choggenmugger could run like -the wind. In a moment it overtook the charcoal-burner -and snapped its four rows of sharp teeth together. But -they did not touch Nikobob, because he still held the -coat in his grasp, close to his body, and in the coat -pocket were Inga's shoes, and in the points of the -shoes were the magic pearls. Finding himself uninjured, -Nikobob put on his coat, again seized his ax, and in a -short time had chopped Choggenmugger into many small -pieces -- a task that proved not only easy but very -agreeable. - -"I must be the strongest man in all the world!" -thought the charcoal-burner, as he proudly resumed his -way, "for Choggenmugger has been the terror of Regos -since the world began, and I alone have been able to -destroy the beast. Yet it is singular' that never -before did I discover how powerful a man I am." - -He met no further adventure and at midday reached a -little clearing in the forest where stood his humble -cabin. - -"Great news! I have great news for you," he shouted, -as his wife and little daughter came to greet him. -"King Gos has been conquered by a boy Prince from the -far island of Pingaree, and I have this day -- unaided --- destroyed Choggenmugger by the might of my strong -arm. - -This was, indeed, great news. They brought Nikobob -into the house and set him in an easy chair and made -him tell everything he knew about the Prince of -Pingaree and the fat King of Gilgad, as well as the -details of his wonderful fight with mighty -Choggenmugger. - -"And now, my daughter," said the charcoalburner, when -all his news had been related for at least the third -time, "here is a pretty present I have brought you -from the city." - -With this he drew the shoes from the pocket of his -coat and handed them to Zella, who gave him a dozen -kisses in payment and was much pleased with her gift. -The little girl had never worn shoes before, for her -parents were too poor to buy her such luxuries, so now -the possession of these, which were not much worn, -filled the child's heart with joy. She admired the red -leather and the graceful curl of the pointed toes. When -she tried them on her feet, they fitted as well as if -made for her. - -All the afternoon, as she helped her mother with the -housework, Zella thought of her pretty shoes. They -seemed more important to her than the coming to Regos -of the conquering Prince of Pingaree, or even the death -of Choggenmugger. - -When Zella and her mother were not working in the -cabin, cooking or sewing, they often searched the -neighboring forest for honey which the wild bees -cleverly hid in hollow trees. The day after Nikobob's -return, as they were starting out after honey, Zella -decided to put on her new shoes, as they would keep the -twigs that covered the ground from hurting her feet. -She was used to the twigs, of course, but what is the -use of having nice, comfortable shoes, if you do not -wear them? - -So she danced along, very happily, followed by her -mother, and presently they came to a tree in which was -a deep hollow. Zella thrust her hand and arm into the -space and found that the tree was full of honey, so she -began to dig it out with a wooden paddle. Her mother, -who held the pail, suddenly cried in warning: - -"Look out, Zella; the bees are coming!" and then the -good woman ran fast toward the house to escape. - -Zella, however, had no more than time to turn her -head when a thick swarm of bees surrounded her, angry -because they had caught her stealing their honey and -intent on stinging the girl as a punishment. She knew -her danger and expected to be badly injured by the -multitude of stinging bees, but to her surprise the -little creatures were unable to fly close enough to her -to stick their dart-like stingers into her flesh. They -swarmed about her in a dark cloud, and their angry -buzzing was terrible to hear, yet the little girl -remained unharmed. - -When she realized this, Zella was no longer afraid -but continued to ladle out the honey until she had -secured all that was in the tree. Then she returned to -the cabin, where her mother was weeping and bemoaning -the fate of her darling child, and the good woman was -greatly astonished to find Zella had escaped injury. - -Again they went to the woods to search for honey, and -although the mother always ran away whenever the bees -came near them, Zella paid no attention to the -creatures but kept at her work, so that before supper -time came the pails were again filled to overflowing -with delicious honey. - -"With such good fortune as we have had this day," -said her mother, "we shall soon gather enough honey for -you to carry to Queen Cor." For it seems the wicked -Queen was very fond of honey and it had been Zella's -custom to go, once every year, to the City of Coregos, -to carry the Queen a supply of sweet honey for her -table. Usually she had but one pail. - -"But now," said Zella, "I shall be able to carry two -pailsful to the Queen, who will, I am sure, give me a -good price for it." - -"True," answered her mother, "and, as the boy Prince -may take it into his head to conquer Coregos, as well -as Regos, I think it best for you to start on your -journey to Queen Cor tomorrow morning. Do you not agree -with me, Nikobob?" she added, turning to her husband, -the charcoal-burner, who was eating his supper. - -"I agree with you," he replied. "If Zella must go to -the City of Coregos, she may as well start to-morrow -morning." - - - - -Chapter Ten - -The Cunning of Queen Cor - - -You may be sure the Queen of Coregos was not well -pleased to have King Gos and all his warriors living in -her city after they had fled from their own. They were -savage natured and quarrelsome men at all times, and -their tempers had not improved since their conquest by -the Prince of Pingaree. Moreover, they were eating up -Queen Cor's provisions and crowding the houses of her -own people, who grumbled and complained until their -Queen was heartily tired. - -"Shame on you!" she said to her husband, King Gos, -"to be driven out of your city by a boy, a roly-poly -King and a billy goat! Why do you not go back and fight -them?" - -"No human can fight against the powers of magic," -returned the King in a surly voice. "That boy is either -a fairy or under the protection of fairies. We escaped -with our lives only because we were quick to run away; -but, should we return to Regos, the same terrible power -that burst open the city gates would crush us all to -atoms." - -"Bah! you are a coward," cried the Queen, tauntingly. - -"I am not a coward," said the big King. "I have -killed in battle scores of my enemies; by the might of -my sword and my good right arm I have conquered many -nations; all my life people have feared me. But no one -would dare face the tremendous power of the Prince of -Pingaree, boy though he is. It would not be courage, it -would be folly, to attempt it." - -"Then meet his power with cunning," suggested the -Queen. "Take my advice, and steal over to Regos at -night, when it is dark, and capture or destroy the boy -while he sleeps." - -"No weapon can touch his body," was the answer. "He -bears a charmed life and cannot be injured." - -"Does the fat King possess magic powers, or the -goat?" inquired Cor. - -"I think not," said Gos. "We could not injure them, -indeed, any more than we could the boy, but they did -not seem to have any unusual strength, although the -goat's head is harder than a battering-ram." - -"Well," mused the Queen, "there is surely some way to -conquer that slight boy. If you are afraid to undertake -the job, I shall go myself. By some stratagem I shall -manage to make him my prisoner. He will not dare to -defy a Queen, and no magic can stand against a woman's -cunning." - -"Go ahead, if you like," replied the King, with an -evil grin, "and if you are hung up by the thumbs or -cast into a dungeon, it will serve you right for -thinking you can succeed where a skilled warrior dares -not make the attempt." - -"I'm not afraid," answered the Queen. "It is only -soldiers and bullies who are cowards." - -In spite of this assertion, Queen Cor was not so -brave as she was cunning. For several days she thought -over this plan and that, and tried to decide which was -most likely to succeed. She had never seen the boy -Prince but had heard so many tales of him from the -defeated warriors, and especially from Captain Buzzub, -that she had learned to respect his power. - -Spurred on by the knowledge that she would never get -rid of her unwelcome guests until Prince Inga was -overcome and Regos regained for King Gos, the Queen of -Coregos finally decided to trust to luck and her native -wit to defeat a simple-minded boy, however powerful he -might be. Inga could not suspect what she was going to -do, because she did not know herself. She intended to -act boldly and trust to chance to win. - -It is evident that had the cunning Queen known that -Inga had lost all his magic, she would not have devoted -so much time to the simple matter of capturing him, but -like all others she was impressed by the marvelous -exhibition of power he had shown in capturing Regos, -and had no reason to believe the boy was less powerful -now. - -One morning Queen Cor boldly entered a boat, and, -taking four men with her as an escort and bodyguard, -was rowed across the narrow channel to Regos. Prince -Inga was sitting in the palace playing checkers with -King Rinkitink when a servant came to him, saying that -Queen Cor had arrived and desired an audience with him. - -With many misgivings lest the wicked Queen discover -that he had now lost his magic powers, the boy ordered -her to be admitted, and she soon entered the room and -bowed low before him, in mock respect. - -Cor was a big woman, almost as tall as King Gos. She -had flashing black eyes and the dark complexion you see -on gypsies. Her temper, when irritated, was something -dreadful, and her face wore an evil expression which -she tried to cover by smiling sweetly -- often when she -meant the most mischief. - -"I have come," said she in a low voice, "to render -homage to the noble Prince of Pingaree. I am told that -Your Highness is the strongest person in the world, and -invincible in battle, and therefore I wish you to -become my friend, rather than my enemy." - -Now Inga did not know how to reply to this speech. He -disliked the appearance of the woman and was afraid of -her and he was unused to deception and did not know how -to mask his real feelings. So he took time to think -over his answer, which he finally made in these words: - -"I have no quarrel with Your Majesty, and my only -reason for coming here is to liberate my father and -mother, and my people, whom you and your husband have -made your slaves, and to recover the goods King Gos has -plundered from the Island of Pingaree. This I hope soon -to accomplish, and if you really wish to be my friend, -you can assist me greatly." - -While he was speaking Queen Cor had been studying the -boy's face stealthily, from the corners of her eyes, -and she said to herself: "He is so small and innocent -that I believe I can capture him alone, and with ease. -He does not seem very terrible and I suspect that King -Gos and his warriors were frightened at nothing." - -Then, aloud, she said to Inga: - -"I wish to invite you, mighty Prince, and your -friend, the great King of Gilgad, to visit my poor -palace at Coregos, where all my people shall do you -honor. Will you come?" - -"At present," replied Inga, uneasily, "I must refuse -your kind invitation." - -"There will be feasting, and dancing girls, and games -and fireworks," said the Queen, speaking as if eager to -entice him and at each word coming a step nearer to -where he stood. - -"I could not enjoy them while my poor parents are -slaves," said the boy, sadly. - -"Are you sure of that?" asked Queen Cor, and by that -time she was close beside Inga. Suddenly she leaned -forward and threw both of her long arms around Inga's -body, holding him in a grasp that was like a vise. - -Now Rinkitink sprang forward to rescue his friend, -but Cor kicked out viciously with her foot and struck -the King squarely on his stomach -- a very tender place -to be kicked, especially if one is fat. Then, still -hugging Inga tightly, the Queen called aloud: - -"I've got him! Bring in the ropes." - -Instantly the four men she had brought with her -sprang into the room and bound the boy hand and foot. -Next they seized Rinkitink, who was still rubbing his -stomach, and bound him likewise. - -With a laugh of wicked triumph, Queen Cor now led her -captives down to the boat and returned with them to -Coregos. - -Great was the astonishment of King Gos and his -warriors when they saw that the mighty Prince of -Pingaree, who had put them all to flight, had been -captured by a woman. Cowards as they were, they now -crowded around the boy and jeered at him, and some of -them would have struck him had not the Queen cried out: - -"Hands off! He is my prisoner, remember not yours." - -"Well, Cor, what are you going to do with him?" -inquired King Gos. - -"I shall make him my slave, that he may amuse my idle -hours. For he is a pretty boy, and gentle, although he -did frighten all of you big warriors so terribly." - -The King scowled at this speech, not liking to be -ridiculed, but he said nothing more. He and his men -returned that same day to Regos, after restoring the -bridge of boats. And they held a wild carnival of -rejoicing, both in the King's palace and in the city, -although the poor people of Regos who were not warriors -were all sorry that the kind young Prince had been -captured by his enemies and could rule them no longer. - -When her unwelcome guests had all gone back to Regos -and the Queen was alone in her palace, she ordered Inga -and Rinkitink brought before her and their bonds -removed. They came sadly enough, knowing they were in -serious straits and at the mercy of a cruel mistress. -Inga had taken counsel of the White Pearl, which had -advised him to bear up bravely under his misfortune, -promising a change for the better very soon. With this -promise to comfort him, Inga faced the Queen with a -dignified bearing that indicated both pride and -courage. - -"Well, youngster," said she, in a cheerful tone -because she was pleased with her success, "you played a -clever trick on my poor husband and frightened him -badly, but for that prank I am inclined to forgive you. -Hereafter I intend you to be my page, which means that -you must fetch and carry for me at my will. And let me -advise you to obey my every whim without question or -delay, for when I am angry I become ugly, and when I am -ugly someone is sure to feel the lash. Do you -understand me?" - -Inga bowed, but made no answer. Then she turned to -Rinkitink and said: - -"As for you, I cannot decide how to make you useful -to me, as you are altogether too fat and awkward to -work in the fields. It may be, however, that I can use -you as a pincushion. - -"What!" cried Rinkitink in horror, "would you stick -pins into the King of Gilgad?" - -"Why not?" returned Queen Cor. "You are as fat as a -pincushion, as you must yourself admit, and whenever I -needed a pin I could call you to me." Then she laughed -at his frightened look and asked: "By the way, are you -ticklish?" - -This was the question Rinkitink had been dreading. He -gave a moan of despair and shook his head. - -"I should love to tickle the bottom of your feet with -a feather," continued the cruel woman. "Please take off -your shoes." - -"Oh, your Majesty!" pleaded poor Rinkitink, "I beg -you to allow me to amuse you in some other way. I can -dance, or I can sing you a song." - -"Well," she answered, shaking with laughter, "you may -sing a song -- if it be a merry one. But you do not -seem in a merry mood." - -"I feel merry -- indeed, Your Majesty, I do!" -protested Rinkitink, anxious to escape the tickling. -But even as he professed to "feel merry" his round, red -face wore an expression of horror and anxiety that was -realty comical. - -"Sing, then!" commanded Queen Cor, who was greatly -amused. - -Rinkitink gave a sigh of relief and after clearing -his throat and trying to repress his sobs he began to -sing this song-gently, at first, but finally roaring it -out at the top of his voice: - -"Oh! -There was a Baby Tiger lived in a men-ag-er-ie -- - -Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy -- they wouldn't set him free; -And ev'rybody thought that he was gentle as could be -- - -Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy -- Ba-by Ti-ger! - -"Oh! -They patted him upon his head and shook him by the paw -- - -Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy -- he had a bone to gnaw; -But soon he grew the biggest Tiger that you ever saw -- - -Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy -- what a Ti-ger! - -"Oh! -One day they came to pet the brute and he began to fight -- - -Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy-how he did scratch and bite! -He broke the cage and in a rage he darted out of sight -- - -Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy was a Ti-ger!" - -"And is there a moral to the song?" asked Queen Cor, -when King Rinkitink had finished his song with great -spirit. - -"If there is," replied Rinkitink, "it is a warning -not to fool with tigers." - -The little Prince could not help smiling at this -shrewd answer, but Queen Cor frowned and gave the King -a sharp look. - -"Oh," said she; "I think I know the difference -between a tiger and a lapdog. But I'll bear the warning -in mind, just the same." - -For, after all her success in capturing them, she was -a little afraid of these people who had once displayed -such extraordinary powers. - - - - -Chapter Eleven - -Zella Goes to Coregos - - -The forest in which Nikobob lived with his wife and -daughter stood between the mountains and the City of -Regos, and a well-beaten path wound among the trees, -leading from the city to the mines. This path was used -by the King's messengers, and captured prisoners were -also sent by this way from Regos to work in the -underground caverns. - -Nikobob had built his cabin more than a mile away -from this path, that he might not be molested by the -wild and lawless soldiers of King Gos, but the family -of the charcoal-burner was surrounded by many creatures -scarcely less dangerous to encounter, and often in the -night they could hear savage animals growling and -prowling about the cabin. Because Nikobob minded his -own business and never hunted the wild creatures to -injure them, the beasts had come to regard him as one -of the natural dwellers in the forest and did not -molest him or his family. Still Zella and her mother -seldom wandered far from home, except on such errands -as carrying honey to Coregos, and at these times -Nikobob cautioned them to be very careful. - -So when Zella set out on her journey to Queen Cor, -with the two pails of honey in her hands, she was -undertaking a dangerous adventure and there was no -certainty that she would return safely to her loving -parents. But they were poor, and Queen Cor's money, -which they expected to receive for the honey, would -enable them to purchase many things that were needed; -so it was deemed best that Zella should go. She was a -brave little girl and poor people are often obliged to -take chances that rich ones are spared. - -A passing woodchopper had brought news to Nikobob's -cabin that Queen Cor had made a prisoner of the -conquering Prince of Pingaree and that Gos and his -warriors were again back in their city of Regos; but -these struggles and conquests were matters which, -however interesting, did not concern the poor charcoal- -burner or his family. They were more anxious over the -report that the warriors had become more reckless than -ever before, and delighted in annoying all the common -people; so Zella was told to keep away from the beaten -path as much as possible, that she might not encounter -any of the King's soldiers. - -"When it is necessary to choose between the warriors -and the wild beasts," said Nikobob, "the beasts will be -found the more merciful." - -The little girl had put on her best attire for the -journey and her mother threw a blue silk shawl over her -head and shoulders. Upon her feet were the pretty red -shoes her father had brought her from Regos. Thus -prepared, she kissed her parents good-bye and started -out with a light heart, carrying the pails of honey in -either hand. - -It was necessary for Zella to cross the path -that led from the mines to the city, but once on -the other side she was not likely to meet with -anyone, for she had resolved to cut through the -forest and so reach the bridge of boats without -entering the City of Regos, where she might be -interrupted. For an hour or two she found the -walking easy enough, but then the forest, which -in this part was unknown to her, became badly -tangled. The trees were thicker and creeping -vines intertwined between them. She had to -turn this way and that to get through at all, and -finally she came to a place where a network of -vines and branches effectually barred her farther -progress. - -Zella was dismayed, at first, when she encountered -this obstacle, but setting down her pails she made an -endeavor to push the branches aside. At her touch they -parted as if by magic, breaking asunder like dried -twigs, and she found she could pass freely. At another -place a great log had fallen across her way, but the -little girl lifted it easily and cast it aside, -although six ordinary men could scarcely have moved it. - -The child was somewhat worried at this evidence of a -strength she had heretofore been ignorant that she -possessed. In order to satisfy herself that it was no -delusion, she tested her new-found power in many ways, -finding that nothing was too big nor too heavy for her -to lift. And, naturally enough, the girl gained courage -from these experiments and became confident that she -could protect herself in any emergency. When, -presently, a wild boar ran toward her, grunting -horribly and threatening her with its great tusks, she -did not climb a tree to escape, as she had always done -before on meeting such creatures, but stood still and -faced the boar. When it had come quite close and Zella -saw that it could not injure her -- a fact that -astonished both the beast and the girl -- she suddenly -reached down and seizing it by one ear threw the great -beast far off amongst the trees, where it fell headlong -to the earth, grunting louder than ever with surprise -and fear. - -The girl laughed merrily at this incident and, -picking up her pails, resumed her journey through the -forest. It is not recorded whether the wild boar told -his adventure to the other beasts or they had happened -to witness his defeat, but certain it is that Zella was -not again molested. A brown bear watched her pass -without making any movement in her direction and a -great puma -- a beast much dreaded by all men -- crept -out of her path as she approached, and disappeared -among the trees. - -Thus everything favored the girl's journey and she -made such good speed that by noon she emerged from the -forest's edge and found she was quite near to the -bridge of boats that led to Coregos. This she crossed -safely and without meeting any of the rude warriors she -so greatly feared, and five minutes later the daughter -of the charcoal-burner was seeking admittance at the -back door of Queen Cor's palace. - - - - -Chapter Twelve - -The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat - - -Our story must now return to one of our characters -whom we have been forced to neglect. The temper of -Bilbil the goat was not sweet under any circumstances, -and whenever he had a grievance he was inclined to be -quite grumpy. So, when his master settled down in the -palace of King Gos for a quiet life with the boy -Prince, and passed his time in playing checkers and -eating and otherwise enjoying himself, he had no use -whatever for Bilbil, and shut the goat in an upstairs -room to prevent his wandering through the city and -quarreling with the citizens. But this Bilbil did not -like at all. He became very cross and disagreeable at -being left alone and he did not speak nicely to the -servants who came to bring him food; therefore those -people decided not to wait upon him any more, resenting -his conversation and not liking to be scolded by a -lean, scraggly goat, even though it belonged to a -conqueror. The servants kept away from the room and -Bilbil grew more hungry and more angry every hour. He -tried to eat the rugs and ornaments, but found them not -at all nourishing. There was no grass to be had unless -he escaped from the palace. - -When Queen Cor came to capture Inga and Rinkitink, -both the prisoners were so filled with despair at their -own misfortune that they gave no thought whatever to -the goat, who was left in his room. Nor did Bilbil know -anything of the changed fortunes of his comrades until -he heard shouts and boisterous laughter in the -courtyard below. Looking out of a window, with the -intention of rebuking those who dared thus to disturb -him, Bilbil saw the courtyard quite filled with -warriors and knew from this that the palace had in some -way again fallen into the hands of the enemy. - -Now, although Bilbil was often exceedingly -disagreeable to King Rinkitink, as well as to the -Prince, and sometimes used harsh words in addressing -them, he was intelligent enough to know them to be his -friends, and to know that King Gos and his people were -his foes. In sudden anger, provoked by the sight of the -warriors and the knowledge that he was in the power of -the dangerous men of Regos, Bilbil butted his head -against the door of his room and burst it open. Then he -ran to the head of the staircase and saw King Gos -coming up the stairs followed by a long line of his -chief captains and warriors. - -The goat lowered his head, trembling with rage and -excitement, and just as the King reached the top stair -the animal dashed forward and butted His Majesty so -fiercely that the big and powerful King, who did not -expect an attack, doubled up and tumbled backward. His -great weight knocked over the man just behind him and -he in turn struck the next warrior and upset him, so -that in an instant the whole line of Bilbil's foes was -tumbling heels over head to the bottom of the stairs, -where they piled up in a heap, struggling and shouting -and in the mixup hitting one another with their fists, -until every man of them was bruised and sore. - -Finally King Gos scrambled out of the heap and rushed -up the stairs again, very angry indeed. Bilbil was -ready for him and a second time butted the King down -the stairs; but now the goat also lost his balance and -followed the King, landing full upon the confused heap -of soldiers. Then he kicked out so viciously with his -heels that he soon freed himself and dashed out of the -doorway of the palace. - -"Stop him!" cried King Gos, running after. - -But the goat was now so wild and excited that it was -not safe for anyone to stand in his way. None of the -men were armed and when one or two tried to head off -the goat, Bilbil sent them sprawling upon the ground. -Most of the warriors, however, were wise enough not to -attempt to interfere with his flight. - -Coursing down the street, Bilbil found himself -approaching the bridge of boats and without pausing to -think where it might lead him he crossed over and -proceeded on his way. A few moments later a great stone -building blocked his path. It was the palace of Queen -Cor, and seeing the gates of the courtyard standing -wide open, Bilbil rushed through them without -slackening his speed. - - - - -Chapter Thirteen - -Zella Saves the Prince - - -The wicked Queen of Coregos was in a very bad humor -this morning, for one of her slave drivers had come -from the fields to say that a number of slaves had -rebelled and would not work. - -"Bring them here to me!" she cried savagely. "A good -whipping may make them change their minds." - -So the slave driver went to fetch the rebellious ones -and Queen Cor sat down to eat her breakfast, an ugly -look on her face. - -Prince Inga had been ordered to stand behind his new -mistress with a big fan of peacock's feathers, but he -was so unused to such service that he awkwardly brushed -her ear with the fan. At once she flew into a terrible -rage and slapped the Prince twice with her hand-blows -that tingled, too, for her hand was big and hard and -she was not inclined to be gentle. Inga took the blows -without shrinking or uttering a cry, although they -stung his pride far more than his body. But King -Rinkitink, who was acting as the queen's butler and had -just brought in her coffee, was so startled at seeing -the young Prince punished that he tipped over the urn -and the hot coffee streamed across the lap of the -Queen's best morning gown. - -Cor sprang from her seat with a scream of anger and -poor Rinkitink would doubtless have been given a -terrible beating had not the slave driver returned at -this moment and attracted the woman's attention. The -overseer had brought with him all of the women slaves -from Pingaree, who had been loaded down with chains and -were so weak and ill they could scarcely walk, much -less work in the fields. - -Prince Inga's eyes were dimmed with sorrowful tears -when he discovered how his poor people had been abused, -but his own plight was so helpless that he was unable -to aid them. Fortunately the boy's mother, Queen Garee, -was not among these slaves, for Queen Cor had placed -her in the royal dairy to make butter. - -"Why do you refuse to work?" demanded Cor in a harsh -voice, as the slaves from Pingaree stood before her, -trembling and with downcast eyes. - -"Because we lack strength to perform the tasks your -overseers demand," answered one of the women. - -"Then you shall be whipped until your strength -returns!" exclaimed the Queen, and turning to Inga, she -commanded: "Get me the whip with the seven lashes." - -As the boy left the room, wondering how he might -manage to save the unhappy women from their undeserved -punishment, he met a girl entering by the back way, who -asked: - -"Can you tell me where to find Her Majesty, Queen -Cor?" - -"She is in the chamber with the red dome, where green -dragons are painted upon the walls," replied Inga; "but -she is in an angry and ungracious mood to-day. Why do -you wish to see her?" - -"I have honey to sell," answered the girl, who was -Zella, just come from the forest. "The Queen is very -fond of my honey." - -"You may go to her, if you so desire," said the boy, -"but take care not to anger the cruel Queen, or she may -do you a mischief." - -"Why should she harm me, who brings her the honey she -so dearly loves?" inquired the child innocently. "But I -thank you for your warning; and I will try not to anger -the Queen." - -As Zella started to go, Inga's eyes suddenly fell -upon her shoes and instantly he recognized them as his -own. For only in Pingaree were shoes shaped in this -manner: high at the heel and pointed at the toes. - -"Stop!" he cried in an excited voice, and the girl -obeyed, wonderingly. "Tell me," he continued, more -gently, "where did you get those shoes?" - -"My father brought them to me from Regos," she -answered. - -"From Regos!" - -"Yes. Are they not pretty?" asked Zella, looking down -at her feet to admire them. "One of them my father -found by the palace wall, and the other on an ash-heap. -So he brought them to me and they fit me perfectly." - -By this time Inga was trembling with eager joy, which -of course the girl could not understand. - -"What is your name, little maid?" he asked. - -"I am called Zella, and my father is Nikobob, the -charcoal-burner." - -"Zella is a pretty name. I am Inga, Prince of -Pingaree," said he, "and the shoes you are now wearing, -Zella, belong to me. They were not cast away, as your -father supposed, but were lost. Will you let me have -them again?" - -Zella's eyes filled with tears. - -"Must I give up my pretty shoes, then?" she asked. -"They are the only ones I have ever owned." - -Inga was sorry for the poor child, but he knew how -important it was that he regain possession of the Magic -Pearls. So he said, pleadingly: - -"Please let me have them, Zella. See! I will exchange -for them the shoes I now have on, which are newer and -prettier than the others." - -The girl hesitated. She wanted to please the boy -Prince, yet she hated to exchange the shoes which her -father had brought her as a present. - -"If you will give me the shoes," continued the boy, -anxiously, "I will promise to make you and your father -and mother rich and prosperous. Indeed, I will promise -to grant any favors you may ask of me," and he sat down -upon the floor and drew off the shoes he was wearing -and held them toward the girl. - -"I'll see if they will fit me," said Zella, taking -off her left shoe -- the one that contained the Pink -Pearl -- and beginning to put on one of Inga's. - -Just then Queen Cor, angry at being made to -wait for her whip with the seven lashes, rushed -into the room to find Inga. Seeing the boy sitting -upon the floor beside Zella, the woman sprang -toward him to beat him with her clenched fists; -but Inga had now slipped on the shoe and the -Queen's blows could not reach his body. - -Then Cor espied the whip lying beside Inga and -snatching it up she tried to lash him with it -- all to -no avail. - -While Zella sat horrified by this scene, the Prince, -who realized he had no time to waste, reached out and -pulled the right shoe from the girl's foot, quickly -placing it upon his own. Then he stood up and, facing -the furious but astonished Queen, said to her in a -quiet voice: - -"Madam, please give me that whip." - -"I won't!" answered Cor. "I'm going to lash those -Pingaree women with it." - -The boy seized hold of the whip and with irresistible -strength drew it from the Queen's hand. But she drew -from her bosom a sharp dagger and with the swiftness of -lightning aimed a blow at Inga's heart. He merely stood -still and smiled, for the blade rebounded and fell -clattering to the floor. - -Then, at last, Queen Cor understood the magic power -that had terrified her husband but which she had -ridiculed in her ignorance, not believing in it. She -did not know that Inga's power had been lost, and found -again, but she realized the boy was no common foe and -that unless she could still manage to outwit him her -reign in the Island of Coregos was ended. To gain time, -she went back to the red-domed chamber and seated -herself in her throne, before which were grouped the -weeping slaves from Pingaree. - -Inga had taken Zella's hand and assisted her to put -on the shoes he had given her in exchange for his own. -She found them quite comfortable and did not know she -had lost anything by the transfer. - -"Come with me," then said the boy Prince, and led her -into the presence of Queen Cor, who was giving -Rinkitink a scolding. To the overseer Inga said. - -"Give me the keys which unlock these chains, that I -may set these poor women at liberty." - -"Don't you do it!" screamed Queen Cor. - -"If you interfere, madam," said the boy, "I will put -you into a dungeon." - -By this Rinkitink knew that Inga had recovered his -Magic Pearls and the little fat King was so overjoyed -that he danced and capered all around the room. But the -Queen was alarmed at the threat and the slave driver, -fearing the conqueror of Regos, tremblingly gave up the -keys. - -Inga quickly removed all the shackles from the women -of his country and comforted them, telling them they -should work no more but would soon be restored to their -homes in Pingaree. Then he commanded the slave driver -to go and get all the children who had been made -slaves, and to bring them to their mothers. The man -obeyed and left at once to perform his errand, while -Queen Cor, growing more and more uneasy, suddenly -sprang from her throne and before Inga could stop her -had rushed through the room and out into the courtyard -of the palace, meaning to make her escape. Rinkitink -followed her, running as fast as he could go. - -It was at this moment that Bilbil, in his mad dash -from Regos, turned in at the gates of the courtyard, -and as he was coming one way and Queen Cor was going -the other they bumped into each other with great force. -The woman sailed through the air, over Bilbil's head, -and landed on the ground outside the gates, where her -crown rolled into a ditch and she picked herself up, -half dazed, and continued her flight. Bilbil was also -somewhat dazed by the unexpected encounter, but he -continued his rush rather blindly and so struck poor -Rinkitink, who was chasing after Queen Cor. They rolled -over one another a few times and then Rinkitink sat up -and Bilbil sat up and they looked at each other in -amazement. - -"Bilbil," said the King, "I'm astonished at you!" - -"Your Majesty," said Bilbil, "I expected kinder -treatment at your hands." - -"You interrupted me," said Rinkitink. - -"There was plenty of room without your taking my -path," declared the goat. - -And then Inga came running out and said. "Where is -the Queen?" - -"Gone," replied Rinkitink, "but she cannot go far, as -this is an island. However, I have found Bilbil, and -our party is again reunited. You have recovered your -magic powers, and again we are masters of the -situation. So let us be thankful." - -Saying this, the good little King got upon his feet -and limped back into the throne room to help comfort -the women. - -Presently the children of Pingaree, who had been -gathered together by the overseer, were brought in and -restored to their mothers, and there was great -rejoicing among them, you may be sure. - -"But where is Queen Garee, my dear mother?" -questioned Inga; but the women did not know and it was -some time before the overseer remembered that one of -the slaves from Pingaree had been placed in the royal -dairy. Perhaps this was the woman the boy was seeking. - -Inga at once commanded him to lead the way to the -butter house, but when they arrived there Queen Garee -was nowhere in the place, although the boy found a silk -scarf which he recognized as one that his mother used -to wear. Then they began a search throughout the island -of Coregos, but could not find Inga's mother anywhere. - -When they returned to the palace of Queen Cor, -Rinkitink discovered that the bridge of boats had again -been removed, separating them from Regos, and from this -they suspected that Queen Cor had fled to her husband's -island and had taken Queen Garee with her. Inga was -much perplexed what to do and returned with his friends -to the palace to talk the matter over. - -Zella was now crying because she had not sold her -honey and was unable to return to her parents on the -island of Regos, but the boy prince comforted her and -promised she should be protected until she could be -restored to her home. Rinkitink found Queen Cor's -purse, which she had had no time to take with her, and -gave Zella several gold pieces for the honey. Then Inga -ordered the palace servants to prepare a feast for all -the women and children of Pingaree and to prepare for -them beds in the great palace, which was large enough -to accommodate them all. - -Then the boy and the goat and Rinkitink and Zella -went into a private room to consider what should be -done next. - - - - -Chapter Fourteen - -The Escape - - -"Our fault," said Rinkitink, "is that we conquer only -one of these twin islands at a time. When we -conquered Regos, our foes all came to Coregos, and now -that we have conquered Coregos, the Queen has fled to -Regos. And each time they removed the bridge of boats, -so that we could not follow them." - -"What has become of our own boat, in which we came -from Pingaree?" asked Bilbil. - -"We left it on the shore of Regos," replied the -Prince, "but I wonder if we could not get it again." - -"Why don't you ask the White Pearl?" suggested -Rinkitink. - -"That is a good idea," returned the boy, and at once -he drew the White Pearl from its silken bag and held it -to his ear. Then he asked: "How may I regain our boat?" - -The Voice of the Pearl replied: "Go to the south end -of the Island of Coregos, and clap your hands three -times and the boat will come to you. - -"Very good!" cried Inga, and then he turned to his -companions and said: "We shall be able to get our boat -whenever we please; but what then shall we do?" - -"Take me home in it!" pleaded Zella. - -"Come with me to my City of Gilgad," said the King, -"where you will be very welcome to remain forever." - -"No," answered Inga, "I must rescue my father and -mother, as well as my people. Already I have the women -and children of Pingaree, but the men are with my -father in the mines of Regos, and my dear mother has -been taken away by Queen Cor. Not until all are rescued -will I consent to leave these islands." - -"Quite right!" exclaimed Bilbil. - -"On second thought," said Rinkitink, "I agree with -you. If you are careful to sleep in your shoes, and -never take them off again, I believe you will be able -to perform the task you have undertaken." - -They counseled together for a long time as to their -mode of action and it was finally considered best to -make the attempt to liberate King Kitticut first of -all, and with him the men from Pingaree. This would -give them an army to assist them and afterward they -could march to Regos and compel Queen Cor to give up -the Queen of Pingaree. Zella told them that they could -go in their boat along the shore of Regos to a point -opposite the mines, thus avoiding any conflict with the -warriors of King Gos. - -This being considered the best course to pursue, they -resolved to start on the following morning, as night -was even now approaching. The servants being all busy -in caring for the women and children, Zella undertook -to get a dinner for Inga and Rinkitink and herself and -soon prepared a fine meal in the palace kitchen, for -she was a good little cook and had often helped her -mother. The dinner was served in a small room -overlooking the gardens and Rinkitink thought the best -part of it was the sweet honey, which he spread upon -the biscuits that Zella had made. As for Bilbil, he -wandered through the palace grounds and found some -grass that made him a good dinner. - -During the evening Inga talked with the women and -cheered them, promising soon to reunite them with their -husbands who were working in the mines and to send them -back to their own island of Pingaree. - -Next morning the boy rose bright and early and found -that Zella had already prepared a nice breakfast. And -after the meal they went to the most southern point of -the island, which was not very far away, Rinkitink -riding upon Bilbil's back and Inga and Zella following -behind them, hand in hand. - -When they reached the water's edge the boy advanced -and clapped his hands together three times, as the -White Pearl had told him to do. And in a few moments -they saw in the distance the black boat with the silver -lining, coming swiftly toward them from the sea. -Presently it grounded on the beach and they all got -into it. - -Zella was delighted with the boat, which was the most -beautiful she had ever seen, and the marvel of its -coming to them through the water without anyone to row -it, made her a little afraid of the fairy craft. But -Inga picked up the oars and began to row and at once -the boat shot swiftly in the direction of Regos. They -rounded the point of that island where the city was -built and noticed that the shore was lined with -warriors who had discovered their boat but seemed -undecided whether to pursue it or not. This was -probably because they had received no commands what to -do, or perhaps they had learned to fear the magic -powers of these adventurers from Pingaree and were -unwilling to attack them unless their King ordered them -to. - -The coast on the western side of the Island of Regos -was very uneven and Zella, who knew fairly well the -location of the mines from the inland forest path, was -puzzled to decide which mountain they now viewed from -the sea was the one where the entrance to the -underground caverns was located. First she thought it -was this peak, and then she guessed it was that; so -considerable time was lost through her uncertainty. - -They finally decided to land and explore the country, -to see where they were, so Inga ran the boat into a -little rocky cove where they all disembarked. For an -hour they searched for the path without finding any -trace of it and now Zella believed they had gone too -far to the north and must return to another mountain -that was nearer to the city. - -Once again they entered the boat and followed the -winding coast south until they thought they had reached -the right place. By this time, however, it was growing -dark, for the entire day had been spent in the search -for the entrance to the mines, and Zella warned them -that it would be safer to spend the night in the boat -than on the land, where wild beasts were sure to -disturb them. None of them realized at this time how -fatal this day of search had been to their plans and -perhaps if Inga had realized what was going on he would -have landed and fought all the wild beasts in the -forest rather than quietly remain in the boat until -morning. - -However, knowing nothing of the cunning plans of -Queen Cor and King Gos, they anchored their boat in a -little bay and cheerfully ate their dinner, finding -plenty of food and drink in the boat's lockers. In the -evening the stars came out in the sky and tipped the -waves around their boat with silver. All around them -was delightfully still save for the occasional snarl of -a beast on the neighboring shore. - -They talked together quietly of their adventures and -their future plans and Zella told them her simple -history and how hard her poor father was obliged to -work, burning charcoal to sell for enough money to -support his wife and child. Nikobob might be the -humblest man in all Regos, but Zella declared he was a -good man, and honest, and it was not his fault that his -country was ruled by so wicked a King. - -Then Rinkitink, to amuse them, offered to sing a -song, and although Bilbil protested in his gruff way, -claiming that his master's voice was cracked and -disagreeable, the little King was encouraged by the -others to sing his song, which he did. - -"A red-headed man named Ned was dead; - -Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do! -In battle he had lost his head; - -Sing fiddle-cum-faddl-cum-fi-do! -'Alas, poor Ned,' to him I said, -'How did you lose your head so red?' - -Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do! - -"Said Ned: 'I for my country bled,' - -Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do! -'Instead of dying safe in bed', - -Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do! -'If I had only fled, instead, -I then had been a head ahead.' - -Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do! - -"I said to Ned --" - - -"Do stop, Your Majesty!" pleaded Bilbil. "You're -making my head ache." - -"But the song isn't finished," replied Rinkitink, -"and as for your head aching, think of poor Ned, who -hadn't any head at all!" - -"I can think of nothing but your dismal singing," -retorted Bilbil. "Why didn't you choose a cheerful -subject, instead of telling how a man who was dead lost -his red head? Really, Rinkitink, I'm surprised at you. - -"I know a splendid song about a live man, said the -King. - -"Then don't sing it," begged Bilbil. - -Zella was both astonished and grieved by the -disrespectful words of the goat, for she had quite -enjoyed Rinkitink's singing and had been taught a -proper respect for Kings and those high in authority. -But as it was now getting late they decided to go to -sleep, that they might rise early the following -morning, so they all reclined upon the bottom of the -big boat and covered themselves with blankets which -they found stored underneath the seats for just such -occasions. They were not long in falling asleep and did -not waken until daybreak. - -After a hurried breakfast, for Inga was eager to -liberate his father, the boy rowed the boat ashore and -they all landed and began searching for the path. Zella -found it within the next half hour and declared they -must be very close to the entrance to the mines; so -they followed the path toward the north, Inga going -first, and then Zella following him, while Rinkitink -brought up the rear riding upon Bilbil's back. - -Before long they saw a great wall of rock towering -before them, in which was a low arched entrance, and on -either side of this entrance stood a guard, armed with -a sword and a spear. The guards of the mines were not -so fierce as the warriors of King Gos, their duty being -to make the slaves work at their tasks and guard them -from escaping; but they were as cruel as their cruel -master wished them to be, and as cowardly as they were -cruel. - -Inga walked up to the two men at the entrance and -said: - -"Does this opening lead to the mines of King Gos?" - -"It does," replied one of the guards, "but no one is -allowed to pass out who once goes in." - -"Nevertheless," said the boy, we intend to go in and -we shall come out whenever it pleases us to do so. I am -the Prince of Pingaree, and I have come to liberate my -people, whom King Gos has enslaved." - -Now when the two guards heard this speech they looked -at one another and laughed, and one of them said: "The -King was right, for he said the boy was likely to come -here and that he would try to set his people free. Also -the King commanded that we must keep the little Prince -in the mines, and set him to work, together with his -companions." - -"Then let us obey the King," replied the other man. - -Inga was surprised at hearing this, and asked: - -"When did King Gos give you this order?" - -"His Majesty was here in person last night," replied -the man, "and went away again but an hour ago. He -suspected you were coming here and told us to capture -you if we could." - -This report made the boy very anxious, not for -himself but for his father, for he feared the King was -up to some mischief. So he hastened to enter the mines -and the guards did nothing to oppose him or his -companions, their orders being to allow him to go in -but not to come out. - -The little group of adventurers passed through a long -rocky corridor and reached a low, wide cavern where -they found a dozen guards and a hundred slaves, the -latter being hard at work with picks and shovels -digging for gold, while the guards stood over them with -long whips. - -Inga found many of the men from Pingaree among these -slaves, but King Kitticut was not in this cavern; so -they passed through it and entered another corridor -that led to a second cavern. Here also hundreds of men -were working, but the boy did not find his father -amongst them, and so went on to a third cavern. - -The corridors all slanted downward, so that the -farther they went the lower into the earth they -descended, and now they found the air hot and close and -difficult to breathe. Flaming torches were stuck into -the walls to give light to the workers, and these added -to the oppressive heat. - -The third and lowest cavern was the last in the -mines, and here were many scores of slaves and many -guards to keep them at work. So far, none of the guards -had paid any attention to Inga's party, but allowed -them to proceed as they would, and while the slaves -cast curious glances at the boy and girl and man and -goat, they dared say nothing. But now the boy walked up -to some of the men of Pingaree and asked news of his -father, telling them not to fear the guards as he would -protect them from the whips. - -Then he Teamed that King Kitticut had indeed been -working in this very cavern until the evening before, -when King Gos had come and taken him away -- still -loaded with chains. - -"Seems to me," said King Rinkitink, when he heard -this report, "that Gos has carried your father away to -Regos, to prevent us from rescuing him. He may hide -poor Kitticut in a dungeon, where we cannot find him." - -"Perhaps you are right," answered the boy, "but I am -determined to find him, wherever he may be." - -Inga spoke firmly and with courage, but he was -greatly disappointed to find that King Gos had been -before him at the mines and had taken his father away. -However, he tried not to feel disheartened, believing -he would succeed in the end, in spite of all -opposition. Turning to the guards, he said: - -"Remove the chains from these slaves and set them -free." - -The guards laughed at this order, and one of them -brought forward a handful of chains, saying: "His -Majesty has commanded us to make you, also, a slave, -for you are never to leave these caverns again." - -Then he attempted to place the chains on Inga, but -the boy indignantly seized them and broke them apart as -easily as if they had been cotton cords. When a dozen -or more of the guards made a dash to capture him, the -Prince swung the end of the chain like a whip and drove -them into a corner, where they cowered and begged for -mercy. - -Stories of the marvelous strength of the boy Prince -had already spread to the mines of Regos, and although -King Gos had told them that Inga had been deprived of -all his magic power, the guards now saw this was not -true, so they deemed it wise not to attempt to oppose -him. - -The chains of the slaves had all been riveted fast to -their ankles and wrists, but Inga broke the bonds of -steel with his hands and set the poor men free -- not -only those from Pingaree but all who had been captured -in the many wars and raids of King Gos. They were very -grateful, as you may suppose, and agreed to support -Prince Inga in whatever action he commanded. - -He led them to the middle cavern, where all the -guards and overseers fled in terror at his approach, -and soon he had broken apart the chains of the slaves -who had been working in that part of the mines. Then -they approached the first cavern and liberated all -there. - -The slaves had been treated so cruelly by the -servants of King Gos that they were eager to pursue and -slay them, in revenge; but Inga held them back and -formed them into companies, each company having its own -leader. Then he called the leaders together and -instructed them to march in good order along the path -to the City of Regos, where he would meet them and -tell them what to do next. - -They readily agreed to obey him, and, arming -themselves with iron bars and pick-axes which they -brought from the mines, the slaves began their march to -the city. - -Zella at first wished to be left behind, that she -might make her way to her home, but neither Rinkitink -nor Inga thought it was safe for her to wander alone -through the forest, so they induced her to return with -them to the city. - -The boy beached his boat this time at the same place -as when he first landed at Regos, and while many of the -warriors stood on the shore and before the walls of the -city, not one of them attempted to interfere with the -boy in any way. Indeed, they seemed uneasy and anxious, -and when Inga met Captain Buzzub the boy asked if -anything had happened in his absence. - -"A great deal has happened," replied Buzzub. "Our -King and Queen have run away and left us, and we don't -know what to do." - -"Run away!" exclaimed Inga. "Where did they go to?" - -"Who knows?" said the man, shaking his head -despondently. "They departed together a few hours ago, -in a boat with forty rowers, and they took with them -the King and Queen of Pingaree!" - - - - -Chapter Fifteen - -The Flight of the Rulers - - -Now it seems that when Queen Cor fled from her island -to Regos, she had wit enough, although greatly frightened, -to make a stop at the royal dairy, which was near -to the bridge, and to drag poor Queen Garee from the -butter-house and across to Regos with her. The warriors -of King Gos had never before seen the terrible Queen -Cor frightened, and therefore when she came running -across the bridge of boats, dragging the Queen of -Pingaree after her by one arm, the woman's great fright -had the effect of terrifying the waiting warriors. - -"Quick!" cried Cor. "Destroy the bridge, or we are -lost." - -While the men were tearing away the bridge of boats -the Queen ran up to the palace of Gos, where she met -her husband. - -"That boy is a wizard!" she gasped. "There is no -standing against him." - -"Oh, have you discovered his magic at last?" replied -Gos, laughing in her face. "Who, now, is the coward?" - -"Don't laugh!" cried Queen Cor. "It is no laughing -matter. Both our islands are as good as conquered, this -very minute. What shall we do, Gos?" - -"Come in," he said, growing serious, "and let us talk -it over." - -So they went into a room of the palace and talked -long and earnestly. - -"The boy intends to liberate his father and mother, -and all the people of Pingaree, and to take them back -to their island," said Cor. "He may also destroy our -palaces and make us his slaves. I can see but one way, -Gos, to prevent him from doing all this, and whatever -else he pleases to do." - -"What way is that?" asked King Gos. - -"We must take the boy's parents away from here as -quickly as possible. I have with me the Queen of -Pingaree, and you can run up to the mines and get the -King. Then we will carry them away in a boat and hide -them where the boy cannot find them, with all his -magic. We will use the King and Queen of Pingaree as -hostages, and send word to the boy wizard that if he -does not go away from our islands and allow us to rule -them undisturbed, in our own way, we will put his -father and mother to death. Also we will say that as -long as we are let alone his parents will be safe, -although still safely hidden. I believe, Gos, that in -this way we can compel Prince Ingato obey us, for he -seems very fond of his parents." - -"It isn't a bad idea," said Gos, reflectively; "but -where can we hide the King and Queen, so that the boy -cannot find them?" - -"In the country of the Nome King, on the mainland -away at the south," she replied. "The nomes are our -friends, and they possess magic powers that will enable -them to protect the prisoners from discovery. If we can -manage to get the King and Queen of Pingaree to the -Nome Kingdom before the boy knows what we are doing, I -am sure our plot will succeed." - -Gos gave the plan considerable thought in the next -five minutes, and the more he thought about it the more -clever and reasonable it seemed. So he agreed to do as -Queen Cor suggested and at once hurried away to the -mines, where he arrived before Prince Inga did. The -next morning he carried King Kitticut back to Regos. - -While Gos was gone, Queen Cor busied herself in -preparing a large and swift boat for the journey. She -placed in it several bags of gold and jewels with which -to bribe the nomes, and selected forty of the strongest -oarsmen in Regos to row the boat. The instant King Gos -returned with his royal prisoner all was ready for -departure. They quickly entered the boat with their two -important captives and without a word of explanation to -any of their people they commanded the oarsmen to -start, and were soon out of sight upon the broad -expanse of the Nonestic Ocean. - -Inga arrived at the city some hours later and was -much distressed when he learned that his father and -mother had been spirited away from the islands. - -"I shall follow them, of course," said the boy to -Rinkitink, "and if I cannot overtake them on the ocean -I will search the world over until I find them. But -before I leave here I must arrange to send our people -back to Pingaree." - - - - -Chapter Sixteen - -Nikobob Refuses a Crown - - -Almost the first persons that Zella saw when she landed -from the silver-lined boat at Regos were her father and -mother. Nikobob and his wife had been greatly worried -when their little daughter failed to return from -Coregos, so they had set out to discover what had -become of her. When they reached the City of Regos, -that very morning, they were astonished to hear news of -all the strange events that had taken place; still, -they found comfort when told that Zella had been seen -in the boat of Prince Inga, which had gone to the -north. Then, while they wondered what this could mean, -the silver-lined boat appeared again, with their -daughter in it, and they ran down to the shore to give -her a welcome and many joyful kisses. - -Inga invited the good people to the palace of King -Gos, where he conferred with them, as well as with -Rinkitink and Bilbil. - -"Now that the King and Queen of Regos and Coregos -have run away," he said, "there is no one to rule these -islands. So it is my duty to appoint a new ruler, and -as Nikobob, Zella's father, is an honest and worthy -man, I shall make him the King of the Twin Islands." - -"Me?" cried Nikobob, astounded by this speech. "I beg -Your Highness, on my bended knees, not to do so cruel a -thing as to make me King!" - -"Why not?" inquired Rinkitink. "I'm a King, and I -know how it feels. I assure you, good Nikobob, that I -quite enjoy my high rank, although a jeweled crown is -rather heavy to wear in hot weather." - -"With you, noble sir, it is different," said Nikobob, -"for you are far from your kingdom and its trials and -worries and may do as you please. But to remain in -Regos, as King over these fierce and unruly warriors, -would be to live in constant anxiety and peril, and the -chances are that they would murder me within a month. -As I have done no harm to anyone and have tried to be a -good and upright man, I do not think that I should be -condemned to such a dreadful fate." - -"Very well," replied Inga, "we will say no more about -your being King. I merely wanted to make you rich and -prosperous, as I had promised Zella." - -"Please forget that promise," pleaded the charcoal- -burner, earnestly; "I have been safe from molestation -for many years, because I was poor and possessed -nothing that anyone else could envy. But if you make me -rich and prosperous I shall at once become the prey of -thieves and marauders and probably will lose my life in -the attempt to protect my fortune." - -Inga looked at the man in surprise. - -"What, then, can I do to please you?" he inquired. - -"Nothing more than to allow me to go home to my poor -cabin," said Nikobob. - -"Perhaps," remarked King Rinkitink, "the charcoal- -burner has more wisdom concealed in that hard head of -his than we gave him credit for. But let us use that -wisdom, for the present, to counsel us what to do in -this emergency." - -"What you call my wisdom," said Nikobob, "is merely -common sense. I have noticed that some men become rich, -and are scorned by some and robbed by others. Other men -become famous, and are mocked at and derided by their -fellows. But the poor and humble man who lives -unnoticed and unknown escapes all these troubles and is -the only one who can appreciate the joy of living." - -"If I had a hand, instead of a cloven hoof, I'd like -to shake hands with you, Nikobob," said Bilbil the -goat. "But the poor man must not have a cruel master, -or he is undone." - -During the council they found, indeed, that the -advice of the charcoal-burner was both shrewd and -sensible, and they profited much by his words. - -Inga gave Captain Buzzub the command of the warriors -and made him promise to keep his men quiet and orderly --- if he could. Then the boy allowed all of King Gos's -former slaves, except those who came from Pingaree, to -choose what boats they required and to stock them with -provisions and row away to their own countries. When -these had departed, with grateful thanks and many -blessings showered upon the boy Prince who had set them -free, Inga made preparations to send his own people -home, where they were told to rebuild their houses and -then erect a new royal palace. They were then to await -patiently the coming of King Kitticut or Prince Inga. - -"My greatest worry," said the boy to his friends, "is -to know whom to appoint to take charge of this work of -restoring Pingaree to its former condition. My men are -all pearl fishers, and although willing and honest, -have no talent for directing others how to work." - -While the preparations for departure were being made, -Nikobob offered to direct the men of Pingaree, and did -so in a very capable manner. As the island had been -despoiled of all its valuable furniture and draperies -and rich cloths and paintings and statuary and the -like, as well as gold and silver and ornaments, Inga -thought it no more than just that they be replaced by -the spoilers. So he directed his people to search -through the storehouses of King Gos and to regain all -their goods and chattels that could be found. Also he -instructed them to take as much else as they required -to make their new homes comfortable, so that many boats -were loaded full of goods that would enable the people -to restore Pingaree to its former state of comfort. - -For his father's new palace the boy plundered the -palaces of both Queen Cor and King Gos, sending enough -wares away with his people to make King Kitticut's new -residence as handsomely fitted and furnished as had -been the one which the ruthless invaders from Regos had -destroyed. - -It was a great fleet of boats that set out one -bright, sunny morning on the voyage to Pingaree, -carrying all the men, women and children and all the -goods for refitting their homes. As he saw the fleet -depart, Prince Inga felt that he had already -successfully accomplished a part of his mission, but he -vowed he would never return to Pingaree in person until -he could take his father and mother there with him; -unless, indeed, King Gos wickedly destroyed his beloved -parents, in which case Inga would become the King of -Pingaree and it would be his duty to go to his people -and rule over them. - -It was while the last of the boats were preparing to -sail for Pingaree that Nikobob, who had been of great -service in getting them ready, came to Inga in a -thoughtful mood and said: - -"Your Highness, my wife and my daughter Zella have -been urging me to leave Regos and settle down in your -island, in a new home. From what your people have told -me, Pingaree is a better place to live than Regos, and -there are no cruel warriors or savage beasts there to -keep one in constant fear for the safety of those he -loves. Therefore, I have come to ask to go with my -family in one of the boats." - -Inga was much pleased with this proposal and not only -granted Nikobob permission to go to Pingaree to live, -but instructed him to take with him sufficient goods to -furnish his new home in a comfortable manner. In -addition to this, he appointed Nikobob general manager -of the buildings and of the pearl fisheries, until his -father or he himself arrived, and the people approved -this order because they liked Nikobob and knew him to -be just and honest. - -Soon as the last boat of the great flotilla had -disappeared from the view of those left at Regos, Inga -and Rinkitink prepared to leave the island themselves. -The boy was anxious to overtake the boat of King Gos, -if possible, and Rinkitink had no desire to remain in -Regos. - -Buzzub and the warriors stood silently on the shore -and watched the black boat with its silver lining -depart, and I am sure they were as glad to be rid of -their unwelcome visitors as Inga and Rinkitink and -Bilbil were to leave. - -The boy asked the White Pearl what direction the boat -of King Gos had taken and then he followed after it, -rowing hard and steadily for eight days without -becoming at all weary. But, although the black boat -moved very swiftly, it failed to overtake the barge -which was rowed by Queen Cor's forty picked oarsmen. - - - - -Chapter Seventeen - -The Nome King - - -The Kingdom of the Nomes does not border on the -Nonestic Ocean, from which it is separated by the -Kingdom of Rinkitink and the Country of the Wheelers, -which is a part of the Land of Ev. Rinkitink's country -is separated from the country of the Nomes by a row of -high and steep mountains, from which it extends to the -sea. The Country of the Wheelers is a sandy waste that -is open on one side to the Nonestic Ocean and on the -other side has no barrier to separate it from the Nome -Country, therefore it was on the coast of the Wheelers -that King Cos landed -- in a spot quite deserted by any -of the curious inhabitants of that country. - -The Nome Country is very large in extent, and is only -separated from the Land of Oz, on its eastern borders, -by a Deadly Desert that can not be crossed by mortals, -unless they are aided by the fairies or by magic. - -The nomes are a numerous and mischievous people, -living in underground caverns of wide extent, connected -one with another by arches and passages. The word -"nome" means "one who knows," and these people are so -called because they know where all the gold and silver -and precious stones are hidden in the earth -- a -knowledge that no other living creatures share with -them. The nomes are busy people, constantly digging up -gold in one place and taking it to another place, where -they secretly bury it, and perhaps this is the reason -they alone know where to find it. The nomes were ruled, -at the time of which I write, by a King named Kaliko. - -King Gos had expected to be pursued by Inga in his -magic boat, so he made all the haste possible, urging -his forty rowers to their best efforts night and day. -To his joy he was not overtaken but landed on the sandy -beach of the Wheelers on the morning of the eighth day. - -The forty rowers were left with the boat, while Queen -Cor and King Cos, with their royal prisoners, who were -still chained, began the journey to the Nome King. - -It was not long before they passed the sands and -reached the rocky country belonging to the nomes, but -they were still a long way from the entrance to the -underground caverns in which lived the Nome King. There -was a dim path, winding between stones and boulders, -over which the walking was quite difficult, especially -as the path led up hills that were small mountains, and -then down steep and abrupt slopes where any misstep -might mean a broken leg. Therefore it was the second -day of their journey before they climbed halfway up a -rugged mountain and found themselves at the entrance of -the Nome King's caverns. - -On their arrival, the entrance seemed free and -unguarded, but Gos and Cor had been there before, and -they were too wise to attempt to enter without -announcing themselves, for the passage to the caves was -full of traps and pitfalls. So King Gos stood still and -shouted, and in an instant they were surrounded by a -group of crooked nomes, who seemed to have sprung from -the ground. - -One of these had very long ears and was called The -Long-Eared Hearer. He said: "I heard you coming early -this morning." - -Another had eyes that looked in different directions -at the same time and were curiously bright and -penetrating. He could look over a hill or around a -corner and was called The Lookout. Said he: "I saw you -coming yesterday." - -"Then," said King Gos, "perhaps King Kaliko is -expecting us." - -"It is true," replied another nome, who wore a gold -collar around his neck and carried a bunch of golden -keys. "The mighty Nome King expects you, and bids you -follow me to his presence." - -With this he led the way into the caverns and Gos and -Cor followed, dragging their weary prisoners with them, -for poor King Kitticut and his gentle Queen had been -obliged to carry, all through the tedious journey, the -bags of gold and jewels which were to bribe the Nome -King to accept them as slaves. - -Through several long passages the guide led them and -at last they entered a small cavern which was -beautifully decorated and set with rare jewels that -flashed from every part of the wall, floor and ceiling. -This was a waiting-room for visitors, and there their -guide left them while he went to inform King Kaliko of -their arrival. - -Before long they were ushered into a great domed -chamber, cut from the solid rock and so magnificent -that all of them -- the King and Queen of Pingaree and -the King and Queen of Regos and Coregos -- drew long -breaths of astonishment and opened their eyes as wide -as they could. - -In an ivory throne sat a little round man who had a -pointed beard and hair that rose to a tall curl on top -of his head. He was dressed in silken robes, richly -embroidered, which had large buttons of cut rubies. On -his head was a diamond crown and in his hand he held a -golden sceptre with a big jeweled ball at one end of -it. This was Kaliko, the King and ruler of all the -nomes. He nodded pleasantly enough to his visitors and -said in a cheery voice: - -"Well, Your Majesties, what can I do for you?" - -"It is my desire," answered King Gos, respectfully, -"to place in your care two prisoners, whom you now see -before you. They must be carefully guarded, to prevent -them from escaping, for they have the cunning of foxes -and are not to be trusted. In return for the favor I am -asking you to grant, I have brought Your Majesty -valuable presents of gold and precious gems. - -He then commanded Kitticut and Garee to lay before -the Nome King the bags of gold and jewels, and they -obeyed, being helpless. - -"Very good," said King Kaliko, nodding approval, for -like all the nomes he loved treasures of gold and -jewels. "But who are the prisoners you have brought -here, and why do you place them in my charge instead of -guarding them, yourself? They seem gentle enough, I'm -sure." - -"The prisoners," returned King Gos, "are the King and -Queen of Pingaree, a small island north of here. They -are very evil people and came to our islands of Regos -and Coregos to conquer them and slay our poor people. -Also they intended to plunder us of all our riches, but -by good fortune we were able to defeat and capture -them. However, they have a son who is a terrible wizard -and who by magic art is trying to find this awful King -and Queen of Pingaree, and to set them free, that they -may continue their wicked deeds. Therefore, as we have -no magic to defend ourselves with, we have brought the -prisoners to you for safe keeping." - -"Your Majesty," spoke up King Kitticut, addressing -the Nome King with great indignation, "do not believe -this tale, I implore you. It is all a lie!" - -"I know it," said Kaliko. "I consider it a clever -lie, though, because it is woven without a thread of -truth. However, that is none of my business. The fact -remains that my good friend King Gos wishes to put you -in my underground caverns, so that you will be unable -to escape. And why should I not please him in this -little matter? Gos is a mighty King and a great -warrior, while your island of Pingaree is desolated and -your people scattered. In my heart, King Kitticut, I -sympathize with you, but as a matter of business policy -we powerful Kings must stand together and trample the -weaker ones under our feet." - -King Kitticut was surprised to find the King of the -nomes so candid and so well informed, and he tried to -argue that he and his gentle wife did not deserve their -cruel fate and that it would be wiser for Kaliko to -side with them than with the evil King of Regos. But -Kaliko only shook his head and smiled, saying: - -"The fact that you are a prisoner, my poor Kitticut, -is evidence that you are weaker than King Cos, and I -prefer to deal with the strong. By the way," he added, -turning to the King of Regos, "have these prisoners any -connection with the Land of Oz?" - -"Why do you ask?" said Gos. - -"Because I dare not offend the Oz people," was the -reply. "I am very powerful, as you know, but Ozma of Oz -is far more powerful than I; therefore, if this King -and Queen of Pingaree happened to be under Ozma's -protection, I would have nothing to do with them." - -"I assure Your Majesty that the prisoners have -nothing to do with the Oz people," Gos hastened to say. -And Kitticut, being questioned, admitted that this was -true. - -"But how about that wizard you mentioned?" asked the -Nome King. - -"Oh, he is merely a boy; but he is very ferocious and -obstinate and he is assisted by a little fat sorcerer -called Rinkitink and a talking goat." - -"Oho! A talking goat, do you say? That certainly -sounds like magic; and it also sounds like the Land of -Oz, where all the animals talk," said Kaliko, with a -doubtful expression. - -But King Gos assured him the talking goat had never -been to Oz. - -"As for Rinkitink, whom you call a sorcerer," -continued the Nome King, "he is a neighbor of mine, you -must know, but as we are cut off from each other by -high mountains beneath which a powerful river runs, I -have never yet met King Rinkitink. But I have heard of -him, and from all reports he is a jolly rogue, and -perfectly harmless. However, in spite of your false -statements and misrepresentations, I will earn the -treasure you have brought me, by keeping your prisoners -safe in my caverns. - -"Make them work," advised Queen Cor. "They are rather -delicate, and to make them work will make them suffer -delightfully." - -"I'll do as I please about that," said the Nome King -sternly. "Be content that I agree to keep them safe." - -The bargain being thus made and concluded, Kaliko -first examined the gold and jewels and then sent it -away to his royal storehouse, which was well filled -with like treasure. Next the captives were sent away in -charge of the nome with the golden collar and keys, -whose name was Klik, and he escorted them to a small -cavern and gave them a good supper. - -"I shall lock your door," said Klik, "so there is no -need of your wearing those heavy chains any longer." He -therefore removed the chains and left King Kitticut and -his Queen alone. This was the first time since the -Northmen had carried them away from Pingaree that the -good King and Queen had been alone together and free of -all bonds, and as they embraced lovingly and mingled -their tears over their sad fate they were also grateful -that they had passed from the control of the heartless -King Gos into the more considerate care of King Kaliko. -They were still captives but they believed they would -be happier in the underground caverns of the nomes than -in Regos and Coregos. - -Meantime, in the King's royal cavern a great feast -had been spread. King Gos and Queen Cor, having -triumphed in their plot, were so well pleased that they -held high revelry with the jolly Nome King until a late -hour that night. And the next morning, having cautioned -Kaliko not to release the prisoners under any -consideration without their orders, the King and Queen -of Regos and Coregos left the caverns of the nomes to -return to the shore of the ocean where they had left -their boat. - - - - -Chapter Eighteen - -Inga Parts with his Pink Pearl - - -The White Pearl guided Inga truly in his pursuit of the -boat of King Gos, but the boy had been so delayed in -sending his people home to Pingaree that it was a full -day after Gos and Cor landed on the shore of the -Wheeler Country that Inga's boat arrived at the same -place. - -There he found the forty rowers guarding the barge of -Queen Cor, and although they would not or could not -tell the boy where the King and Queen had taken his -father and mother, the White Pearl advised him to -follow the path to the country and the caverns of the -nomes. - -Rinkitink didn't like to undertake the rocky and -mountainous journey, even with Bilbil to carry him, but -he would not desert Inga, even though his own kingdom -lay just beyond a range of mountains which could be -seen towering southwest of them. So the King bravely -mounted the goat, who always grumbled but always obeyed -his master, and the three set off at once for the -caverns of the nomes. - -They traveled just as slowly as Queen Cor and King -Gos had done, so when they were about halfway they -discovered the King and Queen coming back to their -boat. The fact that Gos and Cor were now alone proved -that they had left Inga's father and mother behind -them; so, at the suggestion of Rinkitink, the three hid -behind a high rock until the King of Regos and the -Queen of Coregos, who had not observed them, had passed -them by. Then they continued their journey, glad that -they had not again been forced to fight or quarrel with -their wicked enemies. - -"We might have asked them, however, what they had -done with your poor parents," said Rinkitink. - -"Never mind," answered Inga. "I am sure the White -Pearl will guide us aright." - -For a time they proceeded in silence and then -Rinkitink began to chuckle with laughter in the -pleasant way he was wont to do before his misfortunes -came upon him. - -"What amuses Your Majesty?" inquired the boy. - -"The thought of how surprised my dear subjects would -be if they realized how near to them I am, and yet how -far away. I have always wanted to visit the Nome -Country, which is full of mystery and magic and all -sorts of adventures, but my devoted subjects forbade me -to think of such a thing, fearing I would get hurt or -enchanted." - -"Are you afraid, now that you are here?" asked Inga. - -"A little, but not much, for they say the new Nome -King is not as wicked as the old King used to be. -Still, we are undertaking a dangerous journey and I -think you ought to protect me by lending me one of your -pearls." - -Inga thought this over and it seemed a reasonable -request. - -"Which pearl would you like to have?" asked the boy. - -"Well, let us see," returned Rinkitink; "you may need -strength to liberate your captive parents, so you must -keep the Blue Pearl. And you will need the advice of -the White Pearl, so you had best keep that also. But in -case we should be separated I would have nothing to -protect me from harm, so you ought to lend me the Pink -Pearl." - -"Very well," agreed Inga, and sitting down upon a -rock he removed his right shoe and after withdrawing -the cloth from the pointed toe took out the Pink Pearl --- the one which protected from any harm the person who -carried it. - -"Where can you put it, to keep it safely?" he asked. - -"In my vest pocket," replied the King. "The pocket -has a flap to it and I can pin it down in such a way -that the pearl cannot get out and become lost. As for -robbery, no one with evil intent can touch my person -while I have the pearl." - -So Inga gave Rinkitink the Pink Pearl and the little -King placed it in the pocket of his red-and-green -brocaded velvet vest, pinning the flap of the pocket -down tightly. - -They now resumed their journey and finally reached -the entrance to the Nome King's caverns. Placing the -White Pearl to his ear, Inga asked: "What shall I do -now?" and the Voice of the Pearl replied: "Clap your -hands together four times and call aloud the word -'Klik.' Then allow yourselves to be conducted to the -Nome King, who is now holding your father and mother -captive." - -Inga followed these instructions and when Klik -appeared in answer to his summons the boy requested an -audience of the Nome King. So Klik led them into the -presence of King Kaliko, who was suffering from a -severe headache, due to his revelry the night before, -and therefore was unusually cross and grumpy. - -"I know what you've come for," said he, before Inga -could speak. "You want to get the captives from Regos -away from me; but you can't do it, so you'd best go away -again." - -"The captives are my father and mother, and I intend -to liberate them," said the boy firmly. - -The King stared hard at Inga, wondering at his -audacity. Then he turned to look at King Rinkitink and -said: - -"I suppose you are the King of Gilgad, which is in -the Kingdom of Rinkitink." - -"You've guessed it the first time," replied -Rinkitink. - -"How round and fat you are!" exclaimed Kaliko. - -"I was just thinking how fat and round you are," said -Rinkitink. "Really, King Kaliko, we ought to be -friends, we're so much alike in everything but -disposition and intelligence." - -Then he began to chuckle, while Kaliko stared hard at -him, not knowing whether to accept his speech as a -compliment or not. And now the nome's eyes wandered to -Bilbil, and he asked: - -"Is that your talking goat?" - -Bilbil met the Nome King's glowering look with a gaze -equally surly and defiant, while Rinkitink answered: -"It is, Your Majesty." - -"Can he really talk?" asked Kaliko, curiously. - -"He can. But the best thing he does is to scold. Talk -to His Majesty, Bilbil." - -But Bilbil remained silent and would not speak. - -"Do you always ride upon his back?" continued Kaliko, -questioning Rinkitink. - -"Yes," was the answer, "because it is difficult for a -fat man to walk far, as perhaps you know from -experience. - -"That is true," said Kaliko. "Get off the goat's back -and let me ride him a while, to see how I like it. -Perhaps I'll take him away from you, to ride through my -caverns." - -Rinkitink chuckled softly as he heard this, but at -once got off Bilbil's back and let Kaliko get on. The -Nome King was a little awkward, but when he was firmly -astride the saddle he called in a loud voice: "Giddap!" - -When Bilbil paid no attention to the command and -refused to stir, Kaliko kicked his heels viciously -against the goat's body, and then Bilbil made a sudden -start. He ran swiftly across the great cavern, until he -had almost reached the opposite wall, when he stopped -so abruptly that King Kaliko sailed over his head and -bumped against the jeweled wall. He bumped so hard that -the points of his crown were all mashed out of shape -and his head was driven far into the diamond-studded -band of the crown, so that it covered one eye and a -part of his nose. Perhaps this saved Kaliko's head from -being cracked against the rock wall, but it was hard on -the crown. - -Bilbil was highly pleased at the success of his feat -and Rinkitink laughed merrily at the Nome King's -comical appearance; but Kaliko was muttering and -growling as he picked himself up and struggled to pull -the battered crown from his head, and it was evident -that he was not in the least amused. Indeed, Inga could -see that the King was very angry, and the boy knew that -the incident was likely to turn Kaliko against the -entire party. - -The Nome King sent Klik for another crown and ordered -his workmen to repair the one that was damaged. While -he waited for the new crown he sat regarding his -visitors with a scowling face, and this made Inga more -uneasy than ever. Finally, when the new crown was -placed upon his head, King Kaliko said: "Follow me, -strangers!" and led the way to a small door at one end -of the cavern. - -Inga and Rinkitink followed him through the doorway -and found themselves standing on a balcony that -overlooked an enormous domed cave -- so extensive that -it seemed miles to the other side of it. All around -this circular cave, which was brilliantly lighted from -an unknown source, were arches connected with other -caverns. - -Kaliko took a gold whistle from his pocket and blew a -shrill note that echoed through every part of the cave. -Instantly nomes began to pour in through the side -arches in great numbers, until the immense space was -packed with them as far as the eye could reach. All -were armed with glittering weapons of polished silver -and gold, and Inga was amazed that any King could -command so great an army. - -They began marching and countermarching in very -orderly array until another blast of the gold whistle -sent them scurrying away as quickly as they had -appeared. And as soon as the great cave was again empty -Kaliko returned with his visitors to his own royal -chamber, where he once more seated himself upon his -ivory throne. - -"I have shown you," said he to Inga, "a part of my -bodyguard. The royal armies, of which this is only a -part, are as numerous as the sands of the ocean, and -live in many thousands of my underground caverns. You -have come here thinking to force me to give up the -captives of King Gos and Queen Cor, and I wanted to -convince you that my power is too mighty for anyone to -oppose. I am told that you are a wizard, and depend -upon magic to aid you; but you must know that the nomes -are not mortals, and understand magic pretty well -themselves, so if we are obliged to fight magic with -magic the chances are that we are a hundred times more -powerful than you can be. Think this over carefully, my -boy, and try to realize that you are in my power. I do -not believe you can force me to liberate King Kitticut -and Queen Garee, and I know that you cannot coax me to -do so, for I have given my promise to King Gos. -Therefore, as I do not wish to hurt you, I ask you to -go away peaceably and let me alone." - -"Forgive me if I do not agree with you, King Kaliko," -answered the boy. "However difficult and dangerous my -task may be, I cannot leave your dominions until every -effort to release my parents has failed and left me -completely discouraged." - -"Very well," said the King, evidently displeased. "I -have warned you, and now if evil overtakes you it is -your own fault. I've a headache to-day, so I cannot -entertain you properly, according to your rank; but -Klik will attend you to my guest chambers and to-morrow -I will talk with you again." - -This seemed a fair and courteous way to treat one's -declared enemies, so they politely expressed the wish -that Kaliko's headache would be better, and followed -their guide, Klik, down a well-lighted passage and -through several archways until they finally reached -three nicely furnished bedchambers which were cut from -solid gray rock and well lighted and aired by some -mysterious method known to the nomes. - -The first of these rooms was given King Rinkitink, -the second was Inga's and the third was assigned to -Bilbil the goat. There was a swinging rock door -between the third and second rooms and another between -the second and first, which also had a door that opened -upon the passage. Rinkitink's room was the largest, so -it was here that an excellent dinner was spread by some -of the nome servants, who, in spite of their crooked -shapes, proved to be well trained and competent. - -"You are not prisoners, you know," said Klik; neither -are you welcome guests, having declared your purpose to -oppose our mighty King and all his hosts. But we bear -you no ill will, and you are to be well fed and cared -for as long as you remain in our caverns. Eat hearty, -sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you." - -Saying this, he left them alone and at once Rinkitink -and Inga began to counsel together as to the best means -to liberate King Kitticut and Queen Garee. The White -Pearl's advice was rather unsatisfactory to the boy, -just now, for all that the Voice said in answer to his -questions was: "Be patient, brave and determined." - -Rinkitink suggested that they try to discover in what -part of the series of underground caverns Inga's -parents had been confined, as that knowledge was -necessary before they could take any action; so -together they started out, leaving Bilbil asleep in his -room, and made their way unopposed through many -corridors and caverns. In some places were great -furnaces, where gold dust was being melted into bricks. -In other rooms workmen were fashioning the gold into -various articles and ornaments. In one cavern immense -wheels revolved which polished precious gems, and they -found many caverns used as storerooms, where treasure -of every sort was piled high. Also they came to the -barracks of the army and the great kitchens. - -There were nomes everywhere -- countless thousands of -them -- but none paid the slightest heed to the -visitors from the earth's surface. Yet, although Inga -and Rinkitink walked until they were weary, they were -unable to locate the place where the boy's father and -mother had been confined, and when they tried to return -to their own rooms they found that they had hopelessly -lost themselves amid the labyrinth of passages. -However, Klik presently came to them, laughing at their -discomfiture, and led them back to their bedchambers. - -Before they went to sleep they carefully barred the -door from Rinkitink's room to the corridor, but the -doors that connected the three rooms one with another -were left wide open. - -In the night Inga was awakened by a soft grating -sound that filled him with anxiety because he could not -account for it. It was dark in his room, the light -having disappeared as soon as he got into bed, but he -managed to feel his way to the door that led to -Rinkitink's room and found it tightly closed and -immovable. Then he made his way to the opposite door, -leading to Bilbil's room, to discover that also had -been closed and fastened. - -The boy had a curious sensation that all of his room --- the walls, floor and ceiling -- was slowly whirling -as if on a pivot, and it was such an uncomfortable -feeling that he got into bed again, not knowing what -else to do. And as the grating noise had ceased and the -room now seemed stationary, he soon fell asleep again. - -When the boy wakened, after many hours, he found the -room again light. So he dressed himself and discovered -that a small table, containing a breakfast that was -smoking hot, had suddenly appeared in the center of -his room. He tried the two doors, but finding that he -could not open them he ate some breakfast, thoughtfully -wondering who had locked him in and why he had been -made a prisoner. Then he again went to the door which -he thought led to Rinkitink's chamber and to his -surprise the latch lifted easily and the door swung -open. - -Before him was a rude corridor hewn in the rock and -dimly lighted. It did not look inviting, so Inga closed -the door, puzzled to know what had become of -Rinkitink's room and the King, and went to the opposite -door. Opening this, he found a solid wall of rock -confronting him, which effectually prevented his escape -in that direction. - -The boy now realized that King Kaliko had tricked -him, and while professing to receive him as a guest had -plotted to separate him from his comrades. One way had -been left, however, by which he might escape and he -decided to see where it led to. - -So, going to the first door, he opened it and -ventured slowly into the dimly lighted corridor. When -he had advanced a few steps he heard the door of his -room slam shut behind him. He ran back at once, but the -door of rock fitted so closely into the wall that he -found it impossible to open it again. That did not -matter so much, however, for the room was a prison and -the only way of escape seemed ahead of him. - -Along the corridor he crept until, turning a -corner, he found himself in a large domed cavern that -was empty and deserted. Here also was a dim light that -permitted him to see another corridor at the opposite -side; so he crossed the rocky floor of the cavern and -entered a second corridor. This one twisted and turned -in every direction but was not very long, so soon the -boy reached a second cavern, not so large as the first. -This he found vacant also, but it had another corridor -leading out of it, so Inga entered that. It was -straight and short and beyond was a third cavern, which -differed little from the others except that it had a -strong iron grating at one side of it. - -All three of these caverns had been roughly hewn from -the rock and it seemed they had never been put to use, -as had all the other caverns of the nomes he had -visited. Standing in the third cavern, Inga saw what he -thought was still another corridor at its farther side, -so he walked toward it. This opening was dark, and that -fact, and the solemn silence all around him, made him -hesitate for a while to enter it. Upon reflection, -however, he realized that unless he explored the place -to the very end he could not hope to escape from it, so -he boldly entered the dark corridor and felt his way -cautiously as he moved forward. - -Scarcely had he taken two paces when a crash -resounded back of him and a heavy sheet of steel closed -the opening into the cavern from which he had just -come. He paused a moment, but it still seemed best to -proceed, and as Inga advanced in the dark, holding his -hands outstretched before him to feel his way, -handcuffs fell upon his wrists and locked themselves -with a sharp click, and an instant later he found he -was chained to a stout iron post set firmly in the rock -floor. - -The chains were long enough to permit him to move a -yard or so in any direction and by feeling the walls he -found he was in a small circular room that had no -outlet except the passage by which he had entered, and -that was now closed by the door of steel. This was the -end of the series of caverns and corridors. - -It was now that the horror of his situation occurred -to the boy with full force. But he resolved not to -submit to his fate without a struggle, and realizing -that he possessed the Blue Pearl, which gave him -marvelous strength, he quickly broke the chains and set -himself free of the handcuffs. Next he twisted the -steel door from its hinges, and creeping along the -short passage, found himself in the third cave. - -But now the dim light, which had before guided him, -had vanished; yet on peering into the gloom of the cave -he saw what appeared to be two round disks of flame, -which cast a subdued glow over the floor and walls. By -this dull glow he made out the form of an enormous man, -seated in the center of the cave, and he saw that the -iron grating had been removed, permitting the man to -enter. - -The giant was unclothed and its limbs were thickly -covered with coarse red hair. The round disks of flame -were its two eyes and when it opened its mouth to yawn -Inga saw that its jaws were wide enough to crush a -dozen men between the great rows of teeth. - -Presently the giant looked up and perceived the boy -crouching at the other side of the cavern, so he called -out in a hoarse, rude voice: - -"Come hither, my pretty one. We will wrestle -together, you and I, and if you succeed in throwing me -I will let you pass through my cave." - -The boy made no reply to the challenge. He realized -he was in dire peril and regretted that he had lent the -Pink Pearl to King Rinkitink. But it was now too late -for vain regrets, although he feared that even his -great strength would avail him little against this -hairy monster. For his arms were not long enough to -span a fourth of the giant's huge body, while the -monster's powerful limbs would be likely to crush out -Inga's life before he could gain the mastery. - -Therefore the Prince resolved to employ other means -to combat this foe, who had doubtless been placed there -to bar his return. Retreating through the passage he -reached the room where he had been chained and wrenched -the iron post from its socket. It was a foot thick and -four feet long, and being of solid iron was so heavy -that three ordinary men would have found it hard to -lift. - -Returning to the cavern, the boy swung the great bar -above his head and dashed it with mighty force full at -the giant. The end of the bar struck the monster upon -its forehead, and with a single groan it fell full -length upon the floor and lay still. - -When the giant fell, the glow from its eyes faded -away, and all was dark. Cautiously, for Inga was not -sure the giant was dead, the boy felt his way toward -the opening that led to the middle cavern. The entrance -was narrow and the darkness was intense, but, feeling -braver now, the boy stepped boldly forward. Instantly -the floor began to sink beneath him and in great alarm -he turned and made a leap that enabled him to grasp the -rocky sides of the wall and regain a footing in the -passage through which he had just come. - -Scarcely had he obtained this place of refuge when a -mighty crash resounded throughout the cavern and the -sound of a rushing torrent came from far below. Inga -felt in his pocket and found several matches, one of -which he lighted and held before him. While it -flickered he saw that the entire floor of the cavern -had fallen away, and knew that had he not instantly -regained his footing in the passage he would have -plunged into the abyss that lay beneath him. - -By the light of another match he saw the opening at -the other side of the cave and the thought came to him -that possibly he might leap across the gulf. Of course, -this could never be accomplished without the marvelous -strength lent him by the Blue Pearl, but Inga had the -feeling that one powerful spring might carry him over -the chasm into safety. He could not stay where he was, -that was certain, so he resolved to make the attempt. - -He took a long run through the first cave and the -short corridor; then, exerting all his strength, he -launched himself over the black gulf of the second -cave. Swiftly he flew and, although his heart stood -still with fear, only a few seconds elapsed before his -feet touched the ledge of the opposite passageway and -he knew he had safely accomplished the wonderful feat. - -Only pausing to draw one long breath of relief, Inga -quickly traversed the crooked corridor that led to the -last cavern of the three. But when he came in sight of -it he paused abruptly, his eyes nearly blinded by a -glare of strong light which burst upon them. Covering -his face with his hands, Inga retreated behind a -projecting corner of rock and by gradually getting his -eyes used to the light he was finally able to gaze -without blinking upon the strange glare that had so -quickly changed the condition of the cavern. When he -had passed through this vault it had been entirely -empty. Now the flat floor of rock was covered -everywhere with a bed of glowing coals, which shot up -little tongues of red and white flames. Indeed, the -entire cave was one monster furnace and the heat that -came from it was fearful. - -Inga's heart sank within him as he realized the -terrible obstacle placed by the cunning Nome King -between him and the safety of the other caverns. There -was no turning back, for it would be impossible for him -again to leap over the gulf of the second cave, the -corridor at this side being so crooked that he could -get no run before he jumped. Neither could he leap over -the glowing coals of the cavern that faced him, for it -was much larger than the middle cavern. In this dilemma -he feared his great strength would avail him nothing -and he bitterly reproached himself for parting with the -Pink Pearl, which would have preserved him from injury. - -However, it was not in the nature of Prince Inga to -despair for long, his past adventures having taught him -confidence and courage, sharpened his wits and given -him the genius of invention. He sat down and thought -earnestly on the means of escape from his danger and at -last a clever idea came to his mind. This is the way to -get ideas: never to let adverse circumstances -discourage you, but to believe there is a way out of -every difficulty, which may be found by earnest -thought. - -There were many points and projections of rock in the -walls of the crooked corridor in which Inga stood and -some of these rocks had become cracked and loosened, -although still clinging to their places. The boy picked -out one large piece, and, exerting all his strength, -tore it away from the wall. He then carried it to the -cavern and tossed it upon the burning coals, about ten -feet away from the end of the passage. Then he returned -for another fragment of rock, and wrenching it free -from its place, he threw it ten feet beyond the first -one, toward the opposite side of the cave. The boy -continued this work until he had made a series of -stepping-stones reaching straight across the cavern to -the dark passageway beyond, which he hoped would lead -him back to safety if not to liberty. - -When his work had been completed, Inga did not long -hesitate to take advantage of his stepping-stones, for -he knew his best chance of escape lay in his crossing -the bed of coals before the rocks became so heated that -they would burn his feet. So he leaped to the first -rock and from there began jumping from one to the other -in quick succession. A withering wave of heat at once -enveloped him, and for a time he feared he would -suffocate before he could cross the cavern; but he held -his breath, to keep the hot air from his lungs, and -maintained his leaps with desperate resolve. - -Then, before he realized it, his feet were pressing -the cooler rocks of the passage beyond and he rolled -helpless upon the floor, gasping for breath. His skin -was so red that it resembled the shell of a boiled -lobster, but his swift motion had prevented his being -burned, and his shoes had thick soles, which saved his -feet. - -After resting a few minutes, the boy felt strong -enough to go on. He went to the end of the passage and -found that the rock door by which he had left his room -was still closed, so he returned to about the middle of -the corridor and was thinking what he should do next, -when suddenly the solid rock before him began to move -and an opening appeared through which shone a brilliant -light. Shielding his eyes, which were somewhat dazzled, -Inga sprang through the opening and found himself in -one of the Nome King's inhabited caverns, where before -him stood King Kaliko, with a broad grin upon his -features, and Klik, the King's chamberlain, who looked -surprised, and King Rinkitink seated astride Bilbil the -goat, both of whom seemed pleased that Inga had -rejoined them. - - - - -Chapter Nineteen - -Rinkitink Chuckles - - -We will now relate what happened to Rinkitink and -Bilbil that morning, while Inga was undergoing his -trying experience in escaping the fearful dangers of -the three caverns. - -The King of Gilgad wakened to find the door of Inga's -room fast shut and locked, but he had no trouble in -opening his own door into the corridor, for it seems -that the boy's room, which was the middle one, whirled -around on a pivot, while the adjoining rooms occupied -by Bilbil and Rinkitink remained stationary. The little -King also found a breakfast magically served in his -room, and while he was eating it, Klik came to him and -stated that His Majesty, King Kaliko, desired his -presence in the royal cavern. - -So Rinkitink, having first made sure that the Pink -Pearl was still in his vest pocket, willingly followed -Klik, who ran on some distance ahead. But no sooner had -Rinkitink set foot in the passage than a great rock, -weighing at least a ton, became dislodged and dropped -from the roof directly over his head. Of course, it -could not harm him, protected as he was by the Pink -Pearl, and it bounded aside and crashed upon the floor, -where it was shattered by its own weight. - -"How careless!" exclaimed the little King, and -waddled after Klik, who seemed amazed at his escape. - -Presently another rock above Rinkitink plunged -downward, and then another, but none touched his body. -Klik seemed much perplexed at these continued escapes -and certainly Kaliko was surprised when Rinkitink, safe -and sound, entered the royal cavern. - -"Good morning," said the King of Gilgad. "Your rocks -are getting loose, Kaliko, and you'd better have them -glued in place before they hurt someone." Then he began -to chuckle: "Hoo, hoo, hoo-hee, hee-heek, keek, eek!" -and Kaliko sat and frowned because he realized that the -little fat King was poking fun at him. - -"I asked Your Majesty to come here," said the Nome -King, "to show you a curious skein of golden thread -which my workmen have made. If it pleases you, I will -make you a present of it." - -With this he held out a small skein of glittering -gold twine, which was really pretty and curious. -Rinkitink took it in his hand and at once the golden -thread began to unwind -- so swiftly that the eye could -not follow its motion. And, as it unwound, it coiled -itself around Rinkitink's body, at the same time -weaving itself into a net, until it had enveloped the -little King from head to foot and placed him in a -prison of gold. - -"Aha!" cried Kaliko; "this magic worked all right, it -seems. - -"Oh, did it?" replied Rinkitink, and stepping forward -he walked right through the golden net, which fell to -the floor in a tangled mass - -Kaliko rubbed his chin thoughtfully and stared hard -at Rinkitink. - -"I understand a good bit of magic," said ,he, "but -Your Majesty has a sort of magic that greatly puzzles -me, because it is unlike anything of the sort that I -ever met with before." - -"Now, see here, Kaliko," said Rinkitink; "if you are -trying to harm me or my companions, give it up, for you -will never succeed. We're harm-proof, so to speak, and -you are merely wasting your time trying to injure us. - -"You may be right, and I hope I am not so impolite as -to argue with a guest," returned the Nome King. "But -you will pardon me if I am not yet satisfied that you -are stronger than my famous magic. However, I beg you -to believe that I bear you no ill will, King Rinkitink; -but it is my duty to destroy you, if possible, because -you and that insignificant boy Prince have openly -threatened to take away my captives and have positively -refused to go back to the earth's surface and let me -alone. I'm very tender-hearted, as a matter of fact, -and I like you immensely, and would enjoy having you as -a friend, but --" Here he pressed a button on the arm -of his throne chair and the section of the floor where -Rinkitink stood suddenly opened and disclosed a black -pit beneath, which was a part of 'the terrible -Bottomless Gulf. - -But Rinkitink did not fall into the pit; his body -remained suspended in the air until he put out his foot -and stepped to the solid floor, when the opening -suddenly closed again. - -"I appreciate Your Majesty's friendship," remarked -Rinkitink, as calmly as if nothing had happened, "but I -am getting tired with standing. Will you kindly send -for my goat, Bilbil, that I may sit upon his back to -rest?" - -"Indeed I will!" promised Kaliko. "I have not yet -completed my test of your magic, and as I owe that goat -a slight grudge for bumping my head and smashing my -second-best crown, I will be glad to discover if the -beast can also escape my delightful little sorceries." - -So Klik was sent to fetch Bilbil and presently -returned with the goat, which was very cross this -morning because it had not slept well in the -underground caverns. - -Rinkitink lost no time in getting upon the red velvet -saddle which the goat constantly wore, for he feared -the Nome King would try to destroy Bilbil and knew that -as long as his body touched that of the goat the Pink -Pearl would protect them both; whereas, if Bilbil stood -alone, there was no magic to save him. - -Bilbil glared wickedly at King Kaliko, who moved -uneasily in his ivory throne. Then the Nome King -whispered a moment in the ear of Klik, who nodded and -left the room. - -"Please make yourselves at home here for a few -minutes, while I attend to an errand," said the Nome -King, getting up from the throne. "I shall return -pretty soon, when I hope to find you pieceful -- ha, -ha, ha! -- that's a joke you can't appreciate now but -will later. Be pieceful -- that's the idea. Ho, ho, ho! -How funny." Then he waddled from the cavern, closing -the door behind him. - -"Well, why didn't you laugh when Kaliko laughed?" -demanded the goat, when they were left alone in the -cavern. - -"Because he means mischief of some sort," replied -Rinkitink, "and we'll laugh after the danger is over, -Bilbil. There's an old adage that says: 'He laughs best -who laughs last,' and the only way to laugh last is to -give the other fellow a chance. Where did that knife -come from, I wonder." - -For a long, sharp knife suddenly appeared in the air -near them, twisting and turning from side to side and -darting here and there in a dangerous manner, without -any support whatever. Then another knife became visible --- and another and another -- until all the space in -the royal cavern seemed filled with them. Their sharp -points and edges darted toward Rinkitink and Bilbil -perpetually and nothing could have saved them from -being cut to pieces except the protecting power of the -Pink Pearl. As it was, not a knife touched them and -even Bilbil gave a gruff laugh at the failure of -Kaliko's clever magic. - -The goat wandered here and there in the cavern, -carrying Rinkitink upon his back, and neither of them -paid the slightest heed to the knives, although the -glitter of the hundreds of polished blades was rather -trying. to their eyes. Perhaps for ten minutes the -knives darted about them in bewildering fury; then they -disappeared as suddenly as they had appeared. - -Kaliko cautiously stuck his head through the doorway -and found the goat chewing the embroidery of his royal -cloak, which he had left lying over the throne, while -Rinkitink was reading his manuscript on "How to be -Good" and chuckling over its advice. The Nome King -seemed greatly disappointed as he came in and resumed -his seat on the throne. Said Rinkitink with a chuckle: - -"We've really had a peaceful time, Kaliko, although -not the pieceful time you expected. Forgive me if I -indulge in a laugh -- hoo, hoo, hoo-hee, heek-keek-eek! -And now, tell me; aren't you getting tired of trying to -injure us?" - -"Eh -- heh," said the Nome King. "I see now that your -magic can protect you from all my arts. But is the boy -Inga as, well protected as Your Majesty and the goat?' - -"Why do you ask?" inquired Rinkitink, uneasy at the -question because he remembered he had not seen the -little Prince of Pingaree that morning. - -"Because," said Kaliko, "the boy has been undergoing -trials far greater and more dangerous than any you have -encountered, and it has been hundreds of years since -anyone has been able to escape alive from the perils of -my Three Trick Caverns." - -King Rinkitink was much alarmed at hearing this, for -although he knew that Inga possessed the Blue Pearl, -that would only give to him marvelous strength, and -perhaps strength alone would not enable him to escape -from danger. But he would not let Kaliko see the fear -he felt for Inga's safety, so he said in a careless -way: - -"You're a mighty poor magician, Kaliko, and I'll give -you my crown if Inga hasn't escaped any danger you have -threatened him with." - -"Your whole crown is not worth one of the valuable -diamonds in my crown," answered the Nome King, "but -I'll take it. Let us go at once, therefore, and see -what has become of the boy Prince, for if he is not -destroyed by this time I will admit he cannot be -injured by any of the magic arts which I have at my -command." - -He left the room, accompanied by Klik, who had now -rejoined his master, and by Rinkitink riding upon -Bilbil. After traversing several of the huge caverns -they entered one that was somewhat more bright and -cheerful than the others, where the Nome King paused -before a wall of rock. Then Klik pressed a secret -spring and a section of the wall opened and disclosed -the corridor where Prince Inga stood facing them. - -"Tarts and tadpoles!" cried Kaliko in surprise. "The -boy is still alive!" - - - - -Chapter Twenty - -Dorothy to the Rescue - - -One day when Princess Dorothy of Oz was visiting Glinda -the Good, who is Ozma's Royal Sorceress, she was -looking through Glinda's Great Book of Records -- -wherein is inscribed all important events that happen -in every part of the world -- when she came upon the -record of the destruction of Pingaree, the capture of -King Kitticut and Queen Garee and all their people, and -the curious escape of Inga, the boy Prince, and of King -Rinkitink and the talking goat. Turning over some of -the following pages, Dorothy read how Inga had found -the Magic Pearls and was rowing the silver-lined boat -to Regos to try to rescue his parents. - -The little girl was much interested to know how well -Inga succeeded, but she returned to the palace of Ozma -at the Emerald City of Oz the next day and other events -made her forget the boy Prince of Pingaree for a time. -However, she was one day idly looking at Ozma's Magic -Picture, which shows any scene you may wish to see, -when the girl thought of Inga and commanded the Magic -Picture to show what the boy was doing at that moment. - -It was the time when Inga and Rinkitink had followed -the King of Regos and Queen of Coregos to the Nome -King's country and she saw them hiding behind the rock -as Cor and Gos passed them by after having placed the -King and Queen of Pingaree in the keeping of the Nome -King. From that time Dorothy followed, by means of the -Magic Picture, the adventures of Inga and his friend in -the Nome King's caverns, and the danger and -helplessness of the poor boy aroused the little girl's -pity and indignation. - -So she went to Ozma and told the lovely girl Ruler of -Oz all about Inga and Rinkitink. - -"I think Kaliko is treating them dreadfully mean," -declared Dorothy, "and I wish you'd let me go to the -Nome Country and help them out of their troubles." - -"Go, my dear, if you wish to," replied Ozma, "but I -think it would be best for you to take the Wizard with -you." - -"Oh, I'm not afraid of the nomes," said Dorothy, "but -I'll be glad to take the Wizard, for company. And may -we use your Magic Carpet, Ozma?" - -"Of course. Put the Magic Carpet in the Red Wagon and -have the Sawhorse take you and the Wizard to the edge -of the desert. While you are gone, Dorothy, I'll watch -you in the Magic Picture, and if any danger threatens -you I'll see you are not harmed." - -Dorothy thanked the Ruler of Oz and kissed her good- -bye, for she was determined to start at once. She found -the Wizard of Oz, who was planting shoetrees in the -garden, and when she told him Inga's story he willingly -agreed to accompany the little girl to the Nome King's -caverns. They had both been there before and had -conquered the nomes with ease, so they were not at all -afraid. - -The Wizard, who was a cheery little man with a bald -head and a winning smile, harnessed the Wooden Sawhorse -to the Red Wagon and loaded on Ozma's Magic Carpet. -Then he and Dorothy climbed to the seat and the -Sawhorse started off and carried them swiftly through -the beautiful Land of Oz to the edge of the Deadly -Desert that separated their fairyland from the Nome -Country. - -Even Dorothy and the clever Wizard would not have -dared to cross this desert without the aid of the Magic -Carpet, for it would have quickly destroyed them; but -when the roll of carpet had been placed upon the edge -of the sands, leaving just enough lying flat for them -to stand upon, the carpet straightway began to unroll -before them and as they walked on it continued to -unroll, until they had safely passed over the stretch -of Deadly Desert and were on the border of the Nome -King's dominions. - -This journey had been accomplished in a few minutes, -although such a distance would have required several -days travel had they not been walking on the Magic -Carpet. On arriving they at once walked toward the -entrance to the caverns of the nomes. - -The Wizard carried a little black bag containing his -tools of wizardry, while Dorothy carried over her arm a -covered basket in which she had placed a dozen eggs, -with which to conquer the nomes if she had any trouble -with them. - -Eggs may seem to you to be a queer weapon with which -to fight, but the little girl well knew their value. -The nomes are immortal; that is, they do not perish, as -mortals do, unless they happen to come in contact with -an egg. If an egg touches them -- either the outer -shell or the inside of the egg -- the nomes lose their -charm of perpetual life and thereafter are liable to -die through accident or old age, just as all humans -are. - -For this reason the sight of an egg fills a nome with -terror and he will do anything to prevent an egg from -touching him, even for an instant. So, when Dorothy -took her basket of eggs with her, she knew that she was -more powerfully armed than if she had a regiment of -soldiers at her back. - - - - -Chapter Twenty-One - -The Wizard Finds an Enchantment - - -After Kaliko had failed in his attempts to destroy his -guests, as has been related, the Nome King did nothing -more to injure them but treated them in a friendly -manner. He refused, however, to permit Inga to see or -to speak with his father and mother, or even to know in -what part of the underground caverns they were -confined. - -"You are able to protect your lives and persons, I -freely admit," said Kaliko; "but I firmly believe you -have no power, either of magic or otherwise, to take -from me the captives I have agreed to keep for King -Gos." - -Inga would not agree to this. He determined not to -leave the caverns until he had liberated his father and -mother, although he did not then know how that could be -accomplished. As for Rinkitink, the jolly King was well -fed and had a good bed to sleep upon, so he was not -worrying about anything and seemed in no hurry to go -away. - -Kaliko and Rinkitink were engaged in pitching a game -with solid gold quoits, on the floor of the royal -chamber, and Inga and Bilbil were watching them, when -Klik came running in, his hair standing on end with -excitement, and cried out that the Wizard of Oz and -Dorothy were approaching. - -Kaliko turned pale on hearing this unwelcome news -and, abandoning his game, went to sit in his ivory -throne and try to think what had brought these fearful -visitors to his domain. - -"Who is Dorothy?" asked Inga. - -"She is a little girl who once lived in Kansas," -replied Klik, with a shudder, "but she now lives in -Ozma's palace at the Emerald City and is a Princess of -Oz -- which means that she is a terrible foe to deal -with." - -"Doesn't she like the nomes?" inquired the boy. - -"It isn't that," said King Kaliko, with a groan, "but -she insists on the nomes being goody-goody, which is -contrary to their natures. Dorothy gets angry if I do -the least thing that is wicked, and tries to make me -stop it, and that naturally makes me downhearted. I -can't imagine why she has come here just now, for I've -been behaving very well lately. As for that Wizard of -Oz, he's chock-full of magic that I can't overcome, for -he learned it from Glinda, who is the most powerful -sorceress in the world. Woe is me! Why didn't Dorothy -and the Wizard stay in Oz, where they belong?" - -Inga and Rinkitink listened to this with much joy, -for at once the idea came to them both to plead with -Dorothy to help them. Even Bilbil pricked up his ears -when he heard the Wizard of Oz mentioned, and the goat -seemed much less surly, and more thoughtful than usual. - -A few minutes later a nome came to say that Dorothy -and the Wizard had arrived and demanded admittance, so -Klik was sent to usher them into the royal presence of -the Nome King. - -As soon as she came in the little girl ran up to the -boy Prince and seized both his hands. - -"Oh, Inga!" she exclaimed, "I'm so glad to find you -alive and well." - -Inga was astonished at so warm a greeting. Making a -low bow he said: - -"I don't think we have met before, Princess." - -"No, indeed," replied Dorothy, "but I know all about -you and I've come to help you and King Rinkitink out of -your troubles." Then she turned to the Nome King and -continued: "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, King -Kaliko, to treat an honest Prince and an honest King so -badly." - -"I haven't done anything to them," whined Kaliko, -trembling as her eyes flashed upon him. - -"No; but you tried to, an' that's just as bad, if not -worse," said Dorothy, who was very indignant. "And now -I want you to send for the King and Queen of Pingaree -and have them brought here immejitly!" - -"I won't," said Kaliko. - -"Yes, you will!" cried Dorothy, stamping her foot at -him. "I won't have those poor people made unhappy any -longer, or separated from their little boy. Why, it's -dreadful, Kaliko, an' I'm su'prised at you. You must be -more wicked than I thought you were." - -"I can't do it, Dorothy," said the Nome King, almost -weeping with despair. "I promised King Gos I'd keep -them captives. You wouldn't ask me to break my promise, -would you?" - -"King Gos was a robber and an outlaw," she said, "and -p'r'aps you don't know that a storm at sea wrecked his -boat, while he was going back to Regos, and that he and -Queen Cor were both drowned." - -"Dear me!" exclaimed Kaliko. "Is that so?" - -"I saw it in Glinda's Record Book," said Dorothy. "So -now you trot out the King and Queen of Pingaree as -quick as you can." - -"No," persisted the contrary Nome King, shaking his -head. "I won't do it. Ask me anything else and I'll try -to please you, but I can't allow these friendly enemies -to triumph over me. - -"In that case," said Dorothy, beginning to remove the -cover from her basket, "I'll show you some eggs." - -"Eggs!" screamed the Nome King in horror. "Have you -eggs in that basket?" - -"A dozen of 'em," replied Dorothy. - -"Then keep them there -- I beg -- I implore you! -- -and I'll do anything you say," pleaded Kaliko, his -teeth chattering so that he could hardly speak. - -"Send for the King and Queen of Pingaree," said -Dorothy. - -"Go, Klik," commanded the Nome King, and Klik ran -away in great haste, for he was almost as much -frightened as his master. - -It was an affecting scene when the unfortunate King -and Queen of Pingaree entered the chamber and with sobs -and tears of joy embraced their brave and adventurous -son. All the others stood silent until greetings and -kisses had been exchanged and Inga had told his parents -in a few words of his vain struggles to rescue them and -how Princess Dorothy had finally come to his -assistance. - -Then King Kitticut shook the hands of his friend King -Rinkitink and thanked him for so loyally supporting his -son Inga, and Queen Garee kissed little Dorothy's -forehead and blessed her for restoring her husband and -herself to freedom. - -The Wizard had been standing near Bilbil the goat and -now he was surprised to hear the animal say: - -"Joyful reunion, isn't it? But it makes me tired to -see grown people cry like children." - -"Oho!" exclaimed the Wizard. "How does it happen, Mr. -Goat, that you, who have never been to the Land of Oz, -are able to talk?" - -"That's my business," returned Bilbil in a surly -tone. - -The Wizard stooped down and gazed fixedly into the -animal's eyes. Then he said, with a pitying sigh: "I -see; you are under an enchantment. Indeed, I believe -you to be Prince Bobo of Boboland." - -Bilbil made no reply but dropped his head as if -ashamed. - -"This is a great discovery," said the Wizard, -addressing Dorothy and the others of the party. "A good -many years ago a cruel magician transformed the gallant -Prince of Boboland into a talking goat, and this goat, -being ashamed of his condition, ran away and was never -after seen in Boboland, which is a country far to the -south of here but bordering on the Deadly Desert, -opposite the Land of Oz. I heard of this story long ago -and know that a diligent search has been made for the -enchanted Prince, without result. But I am well assured -that, in the animal you call Bilbil, I have discovered -the unhappy Prince of Boboland." - -"Dear me, Bilbil," said Rinkitink, "why have you -never told me this?" - -"What would be the use?" asked Bilbil in a low voice -and still refusing to look up. - -"The use?" repeated Rinkitink, puzzled. - -"Yes, that's the trouble," said the Wizard. "It is -one of the most powerful enchantments ever -accomplished, and the magician is now dead and the -secret of the anti-charm lost. Even I, with all my -skill, cannot restore Prince Bobo to his proper form. -But I think Glinda might be able to do so and if you -will all return with Dorothy and me to the Land of Oz, -where Ozma will make you welcome, I will ask Glinda to -try to break this enchantment." - -This was willingly agreed to, for they all welcomed -the chance to visit the famous Land of Oz. So they bade -good-bye to King Kaliko, whom Dorothy warned not to be -wicked any more if he could help it, and the entire -party returned over the Magic Carpet to the Land of Oz. -They filled the Red Wagon, which was still waiting for -them, pretty full; but the Sawhorse didn't mind that -and with wonderful speed carried them safely to the -Emerald City. - - - - -Chapter Twenty Two - -Ozma's Banquet - - -Ozma had seen in her Magic Picture the liberation of -Inga's parents and the departure of the entire party -for the Emerald City, so with her usual hospitality -she ordered a splendid banquet prepared and invited -all her quaint friends who were then in the Emerald -City to be present that evening to meet the strangers -who were to become her guests. - -Glinda, also, in her wonderful Record Book had -learned of the events that had taken place in the -caverns of the Nome King and she became especially -interested in the enchantment of the Prince of -Boboland. So she hastily prepared several of her most -powerful charms and then summoned her flock of sixteen -white storks, which swiftly bore her to Ozma's palace. -She arrived there before the Red Wagon did and was -warmly greeted by the girl Ruler. - -Realizing that the costume of Queen Garee of Pingaree -must have become sadly worn and frayed, owing to her -hardships and adventures, Ozma ordered a royal outfit -prepared for the good Queen and had it laid in her -chamber ready for her to put on as soon as she arrived, -so she would not be shamed at the banquet. New costumes -were also provided for King Kitticut and King Rinkitink -and Prince Inga, all cut and made and embellished in -the elaborate and becoming style then prevalent in the -Land of Oz, and as soon as the party arrived at the -palace Ozma's guests were escorted by her servants to -their rooms, that they might bathe and dress -themselves. - -Glinda the Sorceress and the Wizard of Oz took charge -of Bilbil the goat and went to a private room where -they were not likely to be interrupted. Glinda first -questioned Bilbil long and earnestly about the manner -of his enchantment and the ceremony that had been used -by the magician who enchanted him. At first Bilbil -protested that he did not want to be restored to his -natural shape, saying that he had been forever -disgraced in the eyes of his people and of the entire -world by being obliged to exist as a scrawny, scraggly -goat. But Glinda pointed out that any person who -incurred the enmity of a wicked magician was liable to -suffer a similar fate, and assured him that his -misfortune would make him better beloved by his -subjects when he returned to them freed from his dire -enchantment. - -Bilbil was finally convinced of the truth of this -assertion and agreed to submit to the experiments of -Glinda and the Wizard, who knew they had a hard task -before them and were not at all sure they could -succeed. We know that Glinda is the most complete -mistress of magic who has ever existed, and she was -wise enough to guess that the clever but evil magician -who had enchanted Prince Bobo had used a spell that -would puzzle any ordinary wizard or sorcerer to break; -therefore she had given the matter much shrewd thought -and hoped she had conceived a plan that would succeed. -But because she was not positive of success she would -have no one present at the incantation except her -assistant, the Wizard of Oz. - -First she transformed Bilbil the goat into a lamb, -and this was done quite easily. Next she transformed -the lamb into an ostrich, giving it two legs and feet -instead of four. Then she tried to transform the -ostrich into the original Prince Bobo, but this -incantation was an utter failure. Glinda was not -discouraged, however, but by a powerful spell -transformed the ostrich into a tottenhot -- which is a -lower form of a man. Then the tottenhot was transformed -into a mifket, which was a great step in advance and, -finally, Glinda transformed the mifket into a handsome -young man, tall and shapely, who fell on his knees -before the great Sorceress and gratefully kissed her -hand, admitting that he had now recovered his proper -shape and was indeed Prince Bobo of Boboland. - -This process of magic, successful though it was in -the end, had required so much time that the banquet was -now awaiting their presence. Bobo was already dressed -in princely raiment and although he seemed very much -humbled by his recent lowly condition, they finally -persuaded him to join the festivities. - -When Rinkitink saw that his goat had now become a -Prince, he did not know whether to be sorry or glad, -for he felt that he would miss the companionship of the -quarrelsome animal he had so long been accustomed to -ride upon, while at the same time he rejoiced that poor -Bilbil had come to his own again. - -Prince Bobo humbly begged Rinkitink's forgiveness for -having been so disagreeable to him, at times, saying -that the nature of a goat had influenced him and the -surly disposition he had shown was a part of his -enchantment. But the jolly King assured the Prince that -he had really enjoyed Bilbil's grumpy speeches and -forgave him readily. Indeed, they all discovered the -young Prince Bobo to be an exceedingly courteous and -pleasant person, although he was somewhat reserved and -dignified. - -Ah, but it was a great feast that Ozma served in her -gorgeous banquet hall that night and everyone was as -happy as could be. The Shaggy Man was there, and so was -Jack Pumpkinhead and the Tin Woodman and Cap'n Bill. -Beside Princess Dorothy sat Tiny Trot and Betsy Bobbin, -and the three little girls were almost as sweet to look -upon as was Ozma, who sat at the head of her table and -outshone all her guests in loveliness. - -King Rinkitink was delighted with the quaint people -of Oz and laughed and joked with the tin man and the -pumpkin-headed man and found Cap'n Bill a very -agreeable companion. But what amused the jolly King -most were the animal guests, which Ozma always invited -to her banquets and seated at a table by themselves, -where they talked and chatted together as people do but -were served the sort of food their natures required. -The Hungry Tiger and Cowardly Lion and the Glass Cat -were much admired by Rinkitink, but when he met a mule -named Hank, which Betsy Bobbin had brought to Oz, the -King found the creature so comical that he laughed and -chuckled until his friends thought he would choke. Then -while the banquet was still in progress, Rinkitink -composed and sang a song to the mule and they all -joined in the chorus, which was something like this: - - -"It's very queer how big an ear - Is worn by Mr. Donkey; -And yet I fear he could not hear - If it were on a monkey. - -'Tis thick and strong and broad and long - And also very hairy; -It's quite becoming to our Hank - But might disgrace a fairy!" - - -This song was received with so much enthusiasm that -Rinkitink was prevailed upon to sing another. They gave -him a little time to compose the rhyme, which he -declared would be better if he could devote a month or -two to its composition, hut the sentiment he expressed -was so admirable that no one criticized the song or the -manner in which the jolly little King sang it. - -Dorothy wrote down the words on a piece of paper, and -here they are: - - -"We're merry comrades all, to-night, -Because we've won a gallant fight - And conquered all our foes. -We're not afraid of anything, -So let us gayly laugh and sing - Until we seek repose. - -"We've all our grateful hearts can wish; -King Gos has gone to feed the fish, - Queen Cor has gone, as well; -King Kitticut has found his own, -Prince Bobo soon will have a throne - Relieved of magic spell. - -"So let's forget the horrid strife -That fell upon our peaceful life - And caused distress and pain; -For very soon across the sea -We'll all be sailing merrily -To Pingaree again." - - - - -Chapter Twenty Three - -The Pearl Kingdom - - -It was unfortunate that the famous Scarecrow - the most -popular person in all Oz, next to Ozma -- was absent at -the time of the banquet, for he happened just then to -be making one of his trips through the country; but the -Scarecrow had a chance later to meet Rinkitink and Inga -and the King and Queen of Pingaree and Prince Bobo, for -the party remained several weeks at the Emerald City, -where they were royally entertained, and where both the -gentle Queen Garee and the noble King Kitticut -recovered much of their good spirits and composure and -tried to forget their dreadful experiences. - -At last, however, the King and Queen desired to -return to their own Pingaree, as they longed to be with -their people again and see how well they had rebuilt -their homes. Inga also was anxious to return, although -he had been very happy in Oz, and King Rinkitink, who -was happy anywhere except at Gilgad, decided to go with -his former friends to Pingaree. As for prince Bobo, he -had become so greatly attached to King Rinkitink that -he was loth to leave him. - -On a certain day they all bade good-bye to Ozma and -Dorothy and Glinda and the Wizard and all their good -friends in Oz, and were driven in the Red Wagon to the -edge of the Deadly Desert, which they crossed safely on -the Magic Carpet. They then made their way across the -Nome Kingdom and the Wheeler Country, where no one -molested them, to the shores of the Nonestic Ocean. -There they found the boat with the silver lining still -lying undisturbed on the beach. - -There were no important adventures during the trip -and on their arrival at the pearl kingdom they were -amazed at the beautiful appearance of the island they -had left in ruins. All the houses of the people had -been rebuilt and were prettier than before, with green -lawns before them and flower gardens in the back yards. -The marble towers of King Kitticut's new palace were -very striking and impressive, while the palace itself -proved far more magnificent than it had been before the -warriors from Regos destroyed it. - -Nikobob had been very active and skillful in -directing all this work, and he had also built a pretty -cottage for himself, not far from the King's palace, -and there Inga found Zella, who was living very happy -and contented in her new home. Not only had Nikobob -accomplished all this in a comparatively brief space of -time, but he had started the pearl fisheries again and -when King Kitticut returned to Pingaree he found a -quantity of fine pearls already in the royal treasury. - -So pleased was Kitticut with the good judgment, -industry and honesty of the former charcoal-burner of -Regos, that he made Nikobob his Lord High Chamberlain -and put him in charge of the pearl fisheries and all -the business matters of the island kingdom. - -They all settled down very comfortably in the new -palace and the Queen gathered her maids about her once -more and set them to work embroidering new draperies -for the royal throne. Inga placed the three Magic -Pearls in their silken bag and again deposited them in -the secret cavity under the tiled flooring of the -banquet hall, where they could be quickly secured if -danger ever threatened the now prosperous island. - -King Rinkitink occupied a royal guest chamber built -especially for his use and seemed in no hurry to leave -his friends in Pingaree. The fat little King had to -walk wherever he went and so missed Bilbil more and -more; but he seldom walked far and he was so fond of -Prince BoBo that he never regretted Bilbil's -disenchantment. - -Indeed, the jolly monarch was welcome to remain -forever in Pingaree, if he wished to, for his merry -disposition set smiles on the faces of all his friends -and made everyone near him as jolly as he was himself. -When King Kitticut was not too busy with affairs of -state he loved to join his guest and listen to his -brother monarch's songs and stories. For he found -Rinkitink to be, with all his careless disposition, a -shrewd philosopher, and in talking over their -adventures one day the King of Gilgad said: - -"The beauty of life is its sudden changes. No one -knows what is going to happen next, and so we are -constantly being surprised and entertained. The many -ups and downs should not discourage us, for if we are -down, we know that a change is coming and we will go up -again; while those who are up are almost certain to go -down. My grandfather had a song which well expresses -this and if you will listen I will sing it." - -"Of course I will listen to your song," returned -Kitticut, "for it would be impolite not to." - -So Rinkitink sang his grandfather's song: - - -"A mighty King once ruled the land -- - But now he's baking pies. -A pauper, on the other hand, - Is ruling, strong and wise. - -A tiger once in jungles raged -- - But now he's in a zoo; -A lion, captive-born and caged, - Now roams the forest through. - -A man once slapped a poor boy's pate - And made him weep and wail. -The boy became a magistrate - And put the man in jail. - -A sunny day succeeds the night; - It's summer -- then it snows! -Right oft goes wrong and wrong comes right, - As ev'ry wise man knows." - - - - -Chapter Twenty-Four - -The Captive King - - -One morning, just as the royal party was finishing -breakfast, a servant came running to say that a great -fleet of boats was approaching the island from the -south. King Kitticut sprang up at once, in great alarm, -for he had much cause to fear strange boats. The others -quickly followed him to the shore to see what invasion -might be coming upon them. - -Inga was there with the first, and Nikobob and Zella -soon joined the watchers. And presently, while all were -gazing eagerly at the approaching fleet, King Rinkitink -suddenly cried out: - -"Get your pearls, Prince Inga -- get them quick!" - -"Are these our enemies, then?" asked the boy, looking -with surprise upon the fat little King, who had begun -to tremble violently. - -"They are my people of Gilgad!" answered Rinkitink, -wiping a tear from his eye. "I recognize my royal -standards flying from the boats. So, please, dear Inga, -get out your pearls to protect me!" - -"What can you fear at the hands of your own -subjects?" asked Kitticut, astonished. - -But before his frightened guest could answer the -question Prince Bobo, who was standing beside his -friend, gave an amused laugh and said: - -"You are caught at last, dear Rinkitink. Your people -will take you home again and oblige you to reign as -King." - -Rinkitink groaned aloud and clasped his hands -together with a gesture of despair, an attitude so -comical that the others could scarcely forbear -laughing. - -But now the boats were landing upon the beach. They -were fifty in number, beautifully decorated and -upholstered and rowed by men clad in the gay uniforms -of the King of Gilgad. One splended boat had a throne -of gold in the center, over which was draped the King's -royal robe of purple velvet, embroidered with gold -buttercups. - -Rinkitink shuddered when he saw this throne; but now -a tall man, handsomely dressed, approached and knelt -upon the grass before his King, while all the other -occupants of the boats shouted joyfully and waved their -plumed hats in the air. - -"Thanks to our good fortune," said the man who -kneeled, "we have found Your Majesty at last!" - -"Pinkerbloo," answered Rinkitink sternly, "I must -have you hanged, for thus finding me against my will." - -"You think so now, Your Majesty, but you will never -do it," returned Pinkerbloo, rising and kissing the -King's hand. - -"Why won't I?" asked Rinkitink. - -"Because you are much too tender-hearted, Your -Majesty." - -"It may be -- it may be," agreed Rinkitink, sadly. -"It is one of my greatest failings. But what chance -brought you here, my Lord Pinkerbloo?" - -"We have searched for you everywhere, sire, and all -the people of Gilgad have been in despair since you so -mysteriously disappeared. We could not appoint a new -King, because we did not know but that you still lived; -so we set out to find you, dead or alive. After -visiting many islands of the Nonestic Ocean we at last -thought of Pingaree, from where come the precious -pearls; and now our faithful quest has been rewarded." - -"And what now?" asked Rinkitink. - -"Now, Your Majesty, you must come home with us, like -a good and dutiful King, and rule over your people," -declared the man in a firm voice. - -"I will not." - -"But you must -- begging Your Majesty's pardon for -the contradiction." - -"Kitticut," cried poor Rinkitink, "you must save me -from being captured by these, my subjects. What! must I -return to Gilgad and be forced to reign in splendid -state when I much prefer to eat and sleep and sing in -my own quiet way? They will make me sit in a throne -three hours a day and listen to dry and tedious affairs -of state; and I must stand up for hours at the court -receptions, till I get corns on my heels; and forever -must I listen to tiresome speeches and endless -petitions and complaints!" - -"But someone must do this, Your Majesty," said -Pinkerbloo respectfully, "and since you were born to be -our King you cannot escape your duty." - -"'Tis a horrid fate!" moaned Rinkitink. "I would die -willingly, rather than be a King -- if it did not hurt -so terribly to die." - -"You will find it much more comfortable to reign than -to die, although I fully appreciate Your Majesty's -difficult position and am truly sorry for you," said -Pinkerbloo. - -King Kitticut had listened to this conversation -thoughtfully, so now he said to his friend: - -"The man is right, dear Rinkitink. It is your duty to -reign, since fate has made you a King, and I see no -honorable escape for you. I shall grieve to lose your -companionship, but I feel the separation cannot be -avoided." - -Rinkitink sighed. - -"Then," said he, turning to Lord Pinkerbloo, "in -three days I will depart with you for Gilgad; but -during those three days I propose to feast and make -merry with my good friend King Kitticut." - -Then all the people of Gilgad shouted with delight -and eagerly scrambled ashore to take their part in the -festival. - -Those three days were long remembered in Pingaree, -for never -- before nor since -- has such feasting and -jollity been known upon that island. Rinkitink made the -most of his time and everyone laughed and sang with him -by day and by night. - -Then, at last, the hour of parting arrived and the -King of Gilgad and Ruler of the Dominion of Rinkitink -was escorted by a grand procession to his boat and -seated upon his golden throne. The rowers of the fifty -boats paused, with their glittering oars pointed into -the air like gigantic uplifted sabres, while the people -of Pingaree -- men, women and children -- stood upon -the shore shouting a royal farewell to the jolly King. - -Then came a sudden hush, while Rinkitink stood up -and, with a bow to those assembled to witness his -departure, sang the following song, which he had just -composed for the occasion. - -"Farewell, dear Isle of Pingaree -- -The fairest land in all the sea! -No living mortals, kings or churls, -Would scorn to wear thy precious pearls. - -"King Kitticut, 'tis with regret -I'm forced to say farewell; and yet -Abroad no longer can I roam -When fifty boats would drag me home. - -"Good-bye, my Prince of Pingaree; -A noble King some time you'll be -And long and wisely may you reign -And never face a foe again!" - - -They cheered him from the shore; they cheered him -from the boats; and then all the oars of the fifty -boats swept downward with a single motion and dipped -their blades into the purple-hued waters of the -Nonestic Ocean. - -As the boats shot swiftly over the ripples of the sea -Rinkitink turned to Prince Bobo, who had decided not to -desert his former master and his present friend, and -asked anxiously: - -"How did you like that song, Bilbil -- I mean Bobo? -Is it a masterpiece, do you think?" - -And Bobo replied with a smile: - -"Like all your songs, dear Rinkitink, the sentiment -far excels the poetry." - - - - - -The Wonderful Oz Books -by L. Frank Baum - - 1 The Wizard of Oz - 2 The Land of Oz - 3 Ozma of Oz - 4 Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz - 5 The Road to Oz - 6 The Emerald City of Oz - 7 The Patchwork Girl of Oz - 8 Tik-Tok of Oz - 9 The Scarecrow of Oz -10 Rinkitink in Oz -11 The Lost Princess of Oz -12 The Tin Woodman of Oz -13 The Magic of Oz -14 Glinda of Oz - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Etext of Rinkitink In Oz by L. Frank Baum - diff --git a/old/10woz10.zip b/old/10woz10.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b47dbb2..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/10woz10h.htm b/old/10woz10h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 17ffb3c..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7255 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= - "text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Rinkitink In Oz, by L. Frank Baum. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> -/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ -<!-- - P { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - } - HR { width: 33%; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - } - BODY{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ - .note {margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} /* footnote */ - .blkquot {margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em;} /* block indent */ - .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ - .sidenote {width: 20%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding-left: 1em; font-size: smaller; float: right; clear: right;} - - .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} - .poem br {display: none;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem span {display: block; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} - .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} - .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} - // --> - /* XML end ]]>*/ - </style> - </head> -<body> -<pre> - -*Project Gutenberg's Etext of Rinkitink In Oz by L. Frank Baum* - -#10 in the L. Frank Baum's Wonderful World Of Oz Series -We are now naming the files as they are numbered in the books-- -i.e. This is #10 in the series so the file name is 10wozxxx.xxx -where the x's are place holders for editon # and file type such -as 10woz10.txt and 10woz10.zip, when we do a .htm, 10woz10h.htm - - -Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check -the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!! - -Please take a look at the important information in this header. -We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an -electronic path open for the next readers. Do not remove this. - - -**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** - -**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** - -*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations* - -Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and -further information is included below. We need your donations. - - -Rinkitink In Oz - -by L. Frank Baum - -June, 1997 [Etext #958] -[Date last updated: March 9, 2005] - - -*Project Gutenberg's Etext of Rinkitink In Oz by L. Frank Baum* -*****This file should be named 10woz10.txt or 10woz10.zip****** - -Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, 10woz11.txt. -VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 10woz10a.txt. - - -This Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Anthony Matonac. - - -We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance -of the official release dates, for time for better editing. - -Please note: neither this list nor its contents are final till -midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. -The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at -Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A -preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment -and editing by those who wish to do so. To be sure you have an -up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes -in the first week of the next month. Since our ftp program has -a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a -look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a -new copy has at least one byte more or less. - - -Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) - -We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The -fifty hours is one conservative estimate for how long it we take -to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright -searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. This -projected audience is one hundred million readers. If our value -per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 -million dollars per hour this year as we release thirty-two text -files per month: or 400 more Etexts in 1996 for a total of 800. -If these reach just 10% of the computerized population, then the -total should reach 80 billion Etexts. - -The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext -Files by the December 31, 2001. [10,000 x 100,000,000=Trillion] -This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, -which is only 10% of the present number of computer users. 2001 -should have at least twice as many computer users as that, so it -will require us reaching less than 5% of the users in 2001. - - -We need your donations more than ever! - - -All donations should be made to "Project Gutenberg/CMU": and are -tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. (CMU = Carnegie- -Mellon University). - -For these and other matters, please mail to: - -Project Gutenberg -P. O. Box 2782 -Champaign, IL 61825 - -When all other email fails try our Executive Director: -Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> - -We would prefer to send you this information by email -(Internet, Bitnet, Compuserve, ATTMAIL or MCImail). - -****** -If you have an FTP program (or emulator), please -FTP directly to the Project Gutenberg archives: -[Mac users, do NOT point and click. . .type] - -ftp uiarchive.cso.uiuc.edu -login: anonymous -password: your@login -cd etext/etext90 through /etext96 -or cd etext/articles [get suggest gut for more information] -dir [to see files] -get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files] -GET INDEX?00.GUT -for a list of books -and -GET NEW GUT for general information -and -MGET GUT* for newsletters. - -**Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor** -(Three Pages) - - -***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START*** -Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. -They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with -your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from -someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our -fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement -disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how -you can distribute copies of this etext if you want to. - -*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT -By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept -this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive -a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by -sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person -you got it from. If you received this etext on a physical -medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. - -ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS -This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG- -tm etexts, is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor -Michael S. Hart through the Project Gutenberg Association at -Carnegie-Mellon University (the "Project"). Among other -things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright -on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and -distribute it in the United States without permission and -without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth -below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext -under the Project's "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. - -To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable -efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain -works. Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any -medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other -things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or -corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged -disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer -codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. - -LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES -But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, -[1] the Project (and any other party you may receive this -etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including -legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR -UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, -INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE -OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE -POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. - -If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of -receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) -you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that -time to the person you received it from. If you received it -on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and -such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement -copy. If you received it electronically, such person may -choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to -receive it electronically. - -THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER -WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS -TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A -PARTICULAR PURPOSE. - -Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or -the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the -above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you -may have other legal rights. - -INDEMNITY -You will indemnify and hold the Project, its directors, -officers, members and agents harmless from all liability, cost -and expense, including legal fees, that arise directly or -indirectly from any of the following that you do or cause: -[1] distribution of this etext, [2] alteration, modification, -or addition to the etext, or [3] any Defect. - -DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" -You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by -disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this -"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, -or: - -[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this - requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the - etext or this "small print!" statement. You may however, - if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable - binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, - including any form resulting from conversion by word pro- - cessing or hypertext software, but only so long as - *EITHER*: - - [*] The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and - does *not* contain characters other than those - intended by the author of the work, although tilde - (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may - be used to convey punctuation intended by the - author, and additional characters may be used to - indicate hypertext links; OR - - [*] The etext may be readily converted by the reader at - no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent - form by the program that displays the etext (as is - the case, for instance, with most word processors); - OR - - [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at - no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the - etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC - or other equivalent proprietary form). - -[2] Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this - "Small Print!" statement. - -[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Project of 20% of the - net profits you derive calculated using the method you - already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you - don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are - payable to "Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon - University" within the 60 days following each - date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare) - your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return. - -WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? -The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time, -scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty -free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution -you can think of. Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg -Association / Carnegie-Mellon University". - -*END*THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - - -</pre> - -<a href='#LIST_OF_CHAPTERS'><b>LIST OF CHAPTERS</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_One'><b>Chapter One</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Two'><b>Chapter Two</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Three'><b>Chapter Three</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Four'><b>Chapter Four</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Five'><b>Chapter Five</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Six'><b>Chapter Six</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Seven'><b>Chapter Seven</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Eight'><b>Chapter Eight</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Nine'><b>Chapter Nine</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Ten'><b>Chapter Ten</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Eleven'><b>Chapter Eleven</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Twelve'><b>Chapter Twelve</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Thirteen'><b>Chapter Thirteen</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Fourteen'><b>Chapter Fourteen</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Fifteen'><b>Chapter Fifteen</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Sixteen'><b>Chapter Sixteen</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Seventeen'><b>Chapter Seventeen</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Eighteen'><b>Chapter Eighteen</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Nineteen'><b>Chapter Nineteen</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Twenty'><b>Chapter Twenty</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Twenty_One'><b>Chapter Twenty-One</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Twenty_Two'><b>Chapter Twenty Two</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Twenty_Three'><b>Chapter Twenty Three</b></a><br /> - <a href='#Chapter_Twenty_Four'><b>Chapter Twenty-Four</b></a><br /> - - - - -<h1> RINKITINK IN OZ</h1> - -<h5> -Wherein is recorded the Perilous Quest of<br /> -Prince Inga of Pingaree and King<br /> -Rinkitink in the Magical<br /> -Isles that lie beyond<br /> -the Borderland<br /> -of Oz<br /> - -By L. Frank Baum<br /> -"Royal Historian of Oz"<br /> -</h5> -<br /> - -<h3>Introducing this Story</h3> -<br /> - -<p>Here is a story with a boy hero, and a boy of whom -you have never before heard. There are girls in the -story, too, including our old friend Dorothy, and some -of the characters wander a good way from the Land of Oz -before they all assemble in the Emerald City to take -part in Ozma's banquet. Indeed, I think you will find -this story quite different from the other histories -of Oz, but I hope you will not like it the less on that -account.</p> - -<p>If I am permitted to write another Oz book it will -tell of some thrilling adventures encountered by -Dorothy, Betsy Bobbin, Trot and the Patchwork Girl -right in the Land of Oz, and how they discovered some -amazing creatures that never could have existed outside -a fairy-land. I have an idea that about the time you -are reading this story of Rinkitink I shall be writing -that story of Adventures in Oz.</p> - -<p>Don't fail to write me often and give me your advice -and suggestions, which I always appreciate. I get a -good many letters from my readers, but every one is a -joy to me and I answer them as soon as I can find time -to do so.</p> - -<p>"OZCOT" -at HOLLYWOOD -in CALIFORNIA, 1916.</p> - -<p>L. FRANK BAUM -Royal Historian of Oz</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<p> -<b>LIST OF CHAPTERS</b><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>1 The Prince of Pingaree</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>2 The Coming of King Rinkitink</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>3 The Warriors from the North</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>4 The Deserted Island</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>5 The Three Pearls</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>6 The Magic Boat</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>7 The Twin Islands</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>8 Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>9 A Present for Zella</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>10 The Cunning of Queen Cor</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>11 Zella Goes to Coregos</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>12 The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>13 Zella Saves the Prince</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>14 The Escape</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>15 The Flight of the Rulers</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>16 Nikobob Refuses a Crown</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>17 The Nome King</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>18 Inga Parts With His Pink Pearl</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>19 Rinkitink Chuckles</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>20 Dorothy to the Rescue</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>21 The Wizard Finds an Enchantment</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>22 Ozma's Banquet</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>23 The Pearl Kingdom</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 1.5em;'>24 The Captive King</span><br /> -</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_One'></a><h2>Chapter One</h2> - -<h3>The Prince of Pingaree</h3> -<br /> - -<p>If you have a map of the Land of Oz handy, you will -find that the great Nonestic Ocean washes the shores of -the Kingdom of Rinkitink, between which and the Land of -Oz lies a strip of the country of the Nome King and a -Sandy Desert. The Kingdom of Rinkitink isn't very big -and lies close to the ocean, all the houses and the -King's palace being built near the shore. The people -live much upon the water, boating and fishing, and the -wealth of Rinkitink is gained from trading along the -coast and with the islands nearest it.</p> - -<p>Four days' journey by boat to the north of Rinkitink -is the Island of Pingaree, and as our story begins here -I must tell you something about this island. At the -north end of Pingaree, where it is widest, the land is -a mile from shore to shore, but at the south end it is -scarcely half a mile broad; thus, although Pingaree is -four miles long, from north to south, it cannot be -called a very big island. It is exceedingly pretty, -however, and to the gulls who approach it from the sea -it must resemble a huge green wedge lying upon the -waters, for its grass and trees give it the color of -an emerald.</p> - -<p>The grass came to the edge of the sloping shores; the -beautiful trees occupied all the central portion of -Pingaree, forming a continuous grove where the branches -met high overhead and there was just space beneath -them for the cosy houses of the inhabitants. These -houses were scattered everywhere throughout the -island, so that there was no town or city, unless the -whole island might be called a city. The canopy of -leaves, high overhead, formed a shelter from sun and -rain, and the dwellers in the grove could all look past -the straight tree-trunks and across the grassy slopes -to the purple waters of the Nonestic Ocean.</p> - -<p>At the big end of the island, at the north, stood the -royal palace of King Kitticut, the lord and ruler of -Pingaree. It was a beautiful palace, built entirely of -snow-white marble and capped by domes of burnished -gold, for the King was exceedingly wealthy. All along -the coast of Pingaree were found the largest and finest -pearls in the whole world.</p> - -<p>These pearls grew within the shells of big oysters, -and the people raked the oysters from their watery -beds, sought out the milky pearls and carried them -dutifully to their King. Therefore, once every year His -Majesty was able to send six of his boats, with sixty -rowers and many sacks of the valuable pearls, to the -Kingdom of Rinkitink, where there was a city called -Gilgad, in which King Rinkitink's palace stood on a -rocky headland and served, with its high towers, as a -lighthouse to guide sailors to the harbor. In Gilgad -the pearls from Pingaree were purchased by the King's -treasurer, and the boats went back to the island laden -with stores of rich merchandise and such supplies of -food as the people and the royal family of Pingaree -needed.</p> - -<p>The Pingaree people never visited any other land but -that of Rinkitink, and so there were few other lands -that knew there was such an island. To the southwest -was an island called the Isle of Phreex, where the -inhabitants had no use for pearls. And far north of -Pingaree — six days' journey by boat, it was said — -were twin islands named Regos and Coregos, inhabited by -a fierce and warlike people.</p> - -<p>Many years before this story really begins, ten big -boatloads of those fierce warriors of Regos and Coregos -visited Pingaree, landing suddenly upon the north end -of the island. There they began to plunder and conquer, -as was their custom, but the people of Pingaree, -although neither so big nor so strong as their foes, -were able to defeat them and drive them all back to the -sea, where a great storm overtook the raiders from -Regos and Coregos and destroyed them and their boats, -not a single warrior returning to his own country.</p> - -<p>This defeat of the enemy seemed the more wonderful -because the pearl-fishers of Pingaree were mild and -peaceful in disposition and seldom quarreled even among -themselves. Their only weapons were their oyster rakes; -yet the fact remains that they drove their fierce -enemies from Regos and Coregos from their shores.</p> - -<p>King Kitticut was only a boy when this remarkable -battle was fought, and now his hair was gray; but he -remembered the day well and, during the years that -followed, his one constant fear was of another invasion -of his enemies. He feared they might send a more -numerous army to his island, both for conquest and -revenge, in which case there could be little hope of -successfully opposing them.</p> - -<p>This anxiety on the part of King Kitticut led him to -keep a sharp lookout for strange boats, one of his men -patrolling the beach constantly, but he was too wise to -allow any fear to make him or his subjects unhappy. He -was a good King and lived very contentedly in his fine -palace, with his fair Queen Garee and their one child, -Prince Inga.</p> - -<p>The wealth of Pingaree increased year by year; and -the happiness of the people increased, too. Perhaps -there was no place, outside the Land of Oz, where -contentment and peace were more manifest than on this -pretty island, hidden in the besom of the Nonestic -Ocean. Had these conditions remained undisturbed, there -would have been no need to speak of Pingaree in this -story.</p> - -<p>Prince Inga, the heir to all the riches and the -kingship of Pingaree, grew up surrounded by every -luxury; but he was a manly little fellow, although -somewhat too grave and thoughtful, and he could never -bear to be idle a single minute. He knew where the -finest oysters lay hidden along the coast and was as -successful in finding pearls as any of the men of the -island, although he was so slight and small. He had a -little boat of his own and a rake for dragging up the -oysters and he was very proud indeed when he could -carry a big white pearl to his father.</p> - -<p>There was no school upon the island, as the people of -Pingaree were far removed from the state of -civilization that gives our modern children such -advantages as schools and learned professors, but the -King owned several manuscript books, the pages being -made of sheepskin. Being a man of intelligence, he was -able to teach his son something of reading, writing and -arithmetic.</p> - -<p>When studying his lessons Prince Inga used to go into -the grove near his father's palace and climb into the -branches of a tall tree, where he had built a platform -with a comfortable seat to rest upon, all hidden by the -canopy of leaves. There, with no one to disturb him, he -would pore over the sheepskin on which were written the -queer characters of the Pingarese language.</p> - -<p>King Kitticut was very proud of his little son, as -well he might be, and he soon felt a high respect for -Inga's judgment and thought that he was worthy to be -taken into the confidence of his father in many matters -of state. He taught the boy the needs of the people and -how to rule them justly, for some day he knew that Inga -would be King in his place. One day he called his son -to his side and said to him:</p> - -<p>"Our island now seems peaceful enough, Inga, and we -are happy and prosperous, but I cannot forget those -terrible people of Regos and Coregos. My constant fear -is that they will send a fleet of boats to search for -those of their race whom we defeated many years ago, -and whom the sea afterwards destroyed. If the warriors -come in great numbers we may be unable to oppose them, -for my people are little trained to fighting at best; -they surely would cause us much injury and suffering."</p> - -<p>"Are we, then, less powerful than in my grandfather's -day?" asked Prince Inga.</p> - -<p>The King shook his head thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"It is not that," said he. "That you may fully -understand that marvelous battle, I must confide to, -you a great secret. I have in my possession three Magic -Talismans, which I have ever guarded with utmost care, -keeping the knowledge of their existence from anyone -else. But, lest I should die, and the secret be lost, I -have decided to tell you what these talismans are and -where they are hidden. Come with me, my son."</p> - -<p>He led the way through the rooms of the palace until -they came to the great banquet hall. There, stopping in -the center of the room, he stooped down and touched a -hidden spring in the tiled floor. At once one of the -tiles sank downward and the King reached within the -cavity and drew out a silken bag.</p> - -<p>This bag he proceeded to open, showing Inga that it -contained three great pearls, each one as big around as -a marble. One had a blue tint and one was of a delicate -rose color, but the third was pure white.</p> - -<p>"These three pearls," said the King, speaking in a -solemn, impressive voice, "are the most wonderful the -world has ever known. They were gifts to one of my -ancestors from the Mermaid Queen, a powerful fairy whom -he once had the good fortune to rescue from her -enemies. In gratitude for this favor she presented him -with these pearls. Each of the three possesses an -astonishing power, and whoever is their owner may count -himself a fortunate man. This one having the blue tint -will give to the person who carries it a strength so -great that no power can resist him. The one with the -pink glow will protect its owner from all dangers that -may threaten him, no matter from what source they may -come. The third pearl — this one of pure white — can -speak, and its words are always wise and helpful."</p> - -<p>"What is this, my father!" exclaimed the Prince, -amazed; "do you tell me that a pearl can speak? It -sounds impossible."</p> - -<p>"Your doubt is due to your ignorance of fairy -powers," returned the King, gravely. "Listen, my son, -and you will know that I speak the truth."</p> - -<p>He held the white pearl to Inga's ear and the Prince -heard a small voice say distinctly: "Your father is -right. Never question the truth of what you fail to -understand, for the world is filled with wonders."</p> - -<p>"I crave your pardon, dear father," said the Prince, -"for clearly I heard the pearl speak, and its words -were full of wisdom."</p> - -<p>"The powers of the other pearls are even greater," -resumed the King. "Were I poor in all else, these gems -would make me richer than any other monarch the world -holds."</p> - -<p>"I believe that," replied Inga, looking at the -beautiful pearls with much awe. "But tell me, my -father, why do you fear the warriors of Regos and -Coregos when these marvelous powers are yours?"</p> - -<p>"The powers are mine only while I have the pearls -upon my person," answered King Kitticut, "and I dare -not carry them constantly for fear they might be lost. -Therefore, I keep them safely hidden in this recess. My -only danger lies in the chance that my watchmen might -fail to discover the approach of our enemies and allow -the warrior invaders to seize me before I could secure -the pearls. I should, in that case, be quite powerless -to resist. My father owned the magic pearls at the time -of the Great Fight, of which you have so often heard, -and the pink pearl protected him from harm, while the -blue pearl enabled him and his people to drive away the -enemy. Often have I suspected that the destroying storm -was caused by the fairy mermaids, but that is a matter -of which I have no proof."</p> - -<p>"I have often wondered how we managed to win that -battle," remarked Inga thoughtfully. "But the pearls -will assist us in case the warriors come again, will -they not?"</p> - -<p>"They are as powerful as ever," declared the King. -"Really, my son, I have little to fear from any foe. -But lest I die and the secret be lost to the next King, -I have now given it into your keeping. Remember that -these pearls are the rightful heritage of all Kings of -Pingaree. If at any time I should be taken from you, -Inga, guard this treasure well and do not forget where -it is hidden."</p> - -<p>"I shall not forget," said Inga.</p> - -<p>Then the King returned the pearls to their hiding -place and the boy went to his own room to ponder upon -the wonderful secret his father had that day confided -to his care.</p> - - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Two'></a><h2>Chapter Two</h2> - -<h3>The Coming of King Rinkitink</h3> -<br /> - -<p>A few days after this, on a bright and sunny morning -when the breeze blew soft and sweet from the ocean and -the trees waved their leaf-laden branches, the Royal -Watchman, whose duty it was to patrol the shore, came -running to the King with news that a strange boat was -approaching the island.</p> - -<p>At first the King was sore afraid and made a step -toward the hidden pearls, but the next moment he -reflected that one boat, even if filled with enemies, -would be powerless to injure him, so he curbed his fear -and went down to the beach to discover who the -strangers might be. Many of the men of Pingaree -assembled there also, and Prince Inga followed his -father. Arriving at the water's edge, they all stood -gazing eagerly at the oncoming boat.</p> - -<p>It was quite a big boat, they observed, and covered -with a canopy of purple silk, embroidered with gold. It -was rowed by twenty men, ten on each side. As it came -nearer, Inga could see that in the stern, seated upon a -high, cushioned chair of state, was a little man who -was so very fat that he was nearly as broad as he was -high This man was dressed in a loose silken robe of -purple that fell in folds to his feet, while upon his -head was a cap of white velvet curiously worked with -golden threads and having a circle of diamonds sewn -around the band. At the opposite end of the boat stood -an oddly shaped cage, and several large boxes of -sandalwood were piled near the center of the craft.</p> - -<p>As the boat approached the shore the fat little man -got upon his feet and bowed several times in the -direction of those who had assembled to greet him, and -as he bowed he flourished his white cap in an energetic -manner. His face was round as an apple and nearly as -rosy. When he stopped bowing he smiled in such a sweet -and happy way that Inga thought he must be a very jolly -fellow.</p> - -<p>The prow of the boat grounded on the beach, stopping -its speed so suddenly that the little man was caught -unawares and nearly toppled headlong into the sea. But -he managed to catch hold of the chair with one hand and -the hair of one of his rowers with the other, and so -steadied himself. Then, again waving his jeweled cap -around his head, he cried in a merry voice:</p> - -<p>"Well, here I am at last!"</p> - -<p>"So I perceive," responded King Kitticut, bowing with -much dignity.</p> - -<p>The fat man glanced at all the sober faces before him -and burst into a rollicking laugh. Perhaps I should say -it was half laughter and half a chuckle of merriment, -for the sounds he emitted were quaint and droll and -tempted every hearer to laugh with him.</p> - -<p>"Heh, heh — ho, ho, ho!" he roared. "Didn't expect -me, I see. Keek-eek-eek-eek! This is funny — it's -really funny. Didn't know I was coming, did you? Hoo, -hoo, hoo, hoo! This is certainly amusing. But I'm here, -just the same."</p> - -<p>"Hush up!" said a deep, growling voice. "You're -making yourself ridiculous."</p> - -<p>Everyone looked to see where this voice came from; -but none could guess who had uttered the words of -rebuke. The rowers of the boat were all solemn and -silent and certainly no one on the shore had spoken. -But the little man did not seem astonished in the -least, or even annoyed.</p> - -<p>King Kitticut now addressed the stranger, saying -courteously:</p> - -<p>"You are welcome to the Kingdom of Pingaree. Perhaps -you will deign to come ashore and at your convenience -inform us whom we have the honor of receiving as a -guest."</p> - -<p>"Thanks; I will," returned the little fat man, -waddling from his place in the boat and stepping, with -some difficulty, upon the sandy beach. "I am King -Rinkitink, of the City of Gilgad in the Kingdom of -Rinkitink, and I have come to Pingaree to see for -myself the monarch who sends to my city so many -beautiful pearls. I have long wished to visit this -island; and so, as I said before, here I am!"</p> - -<p>"I am pleased to welcome you," said King Kitticut. -"But why has Your Majesty so few attendants? Is it not -dangerous for the King of a great country to make -distant journeys in one frail boat, and with but twenty -men?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I suppose so," answered King Rinkitink, with a -laugh. "But what else could I do? My subjects would not -allow me to go anywhere at all, if they knew it. So I -just ran away."</p> - -<p>"Ran away!" exclaimed King Kitticut in surprise.</p> - -<p>"Funny, isn't it? Heh, heh, heh — woo, hoo!" laughed -Rinkitink, and this is as near as I can spell with -letters the jolly sounds of his laughter. "Fancy a King -running away from his own ple — hoo, hoo — keek, eek, -eek, eek! But I had to, don't you see!"</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked the other King.</p> - -<p>"They're afraid I'll get into mischief. They don't -trust me. Keek-eek-eek — Oh, dear me! Don't trust -their own King. Funny, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"No harm can come to you on this island," said -Kitticut, pretending not to notice the odd ways of his -guest. "And, whenever it pleases you to return to your -own country, I will send with you a fitting escort of -my own people. In the meantime, pray accompany me to my -palace, where everything shall be done to make you -comfortable and happy."</p> - -<p>"Much obliged," answered Rinkitink, tipping his white -cap over his left ear and heartily shaking the hand of -his brother monarch. "I'm sure you can make me -comfortable if you've plenty to eat. And as for being -happy — ha, ha, ha, ha! — why, that's my trouble. I'm -too happy. But stop! I've brought you some presents in -those boxes. Please order your men to carry them up to -the palace."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," answered King Kitticut, well pleased, -and at once he gave his men the proper orders.</p> - -<p>"And, by the way," continued the fat little King, -"let them also take my goat from his cage."</p> - -<p>"A goat!" exclaimed the King of Pingaree.</p> - -<p>"Exactly; my goat Bilbil. I always ride him wherever -I go, for I'm not at all fond of walking, being a -trifle stout — eh, Kitticut? — a trifle stout! Hoo, -hoo, hoo-keek, eek!"</p> - -<p>The Pingaree people started to lift the big cage out -of the boat, but just then a gruff voice cried: "Be -careful, you villains!" and as the words seemed to come -from the goat's mouth the men were so astonished that -they dropped the cage upon the sand with a sudden jar.</p> - -<p>"There! I told you so!" cried the voice angrily. -"You've rubbed the skin off my left knee. Why on earth -didn't you handle me gently?"</p> - -<p>"There, there, Bilbil," said King Rinkitink -soothingly; "don't scold, my boy. Remember that these -are strangers, and we their guests." Then he turned to -Kitticut and remarked: "You have no talking goats on -your island, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"We have no goats at all," replied the King; "nor -have we any animals, of any sort, who are able to -talk."</p> - -<p>"I wish my animal couldn't talk, either," said -Rinkitink, winking comically at Inga and then looking -toward the cage. "He is very cross at times, and -indulges in language that is not respectful. I thought, -at first, it would be fine to have a talking goat, with -whom I could converse as I rode about my city on his -back; but — keek-eek-eek-eek! — the rascal treats me -as if I were a chimney sweep instead of a King. Heh, -heh, heh, keek, eek! A chimney sweep-hoo, hoo, hoo! — -and me a King! Funny, isn't it?" This last was -addressed to Prince Inga, whom he chucked familiarly -under the chin, to the boy's great embarrassment.</p> - -<p>"Why do you not ride a horse?" asked King Kitticut.</p> - -<p>"I can't climb upon his back, being rather stout; -that's why. Kee, kee, keek, eek! — rather stout — -hoo, hoo, hoo!" He paused to wipe the tears of -merriment from his eyes and then added: "But I can get -on and off Bilbil's back with ease."</p> - -<p>He now opened the cage and the goat deliberately -walked out and looked about him in a sulky manner. One -of the rowers brought from the boat a saddle made of -red velvet and beautifully embroidered with silver -thistles, which he fastened upon the goat's back. The -fat King put his leg over the saddle and seated himself -comfortably, saying:</p> - -<p>"Lead on, my noble host, and we will follow."</p> - -<p>"What! Up that steep hill?" cried the goat. "Get off -my back at once, Rinkitink, or I won't budge a step."</p> - -<p>"But—consider, Bilbil," remonstrated the King. "How -am I to get up that hill unless I ride?"</p> - -<p>"Walk!" growled Bilbil.</p> - -<p>"But I'm too fat. Really, Bilbil, I'm surprised at -you. Haven't I brought you all this distance so you may -see something of the world and enjoy life? And now you -are so ungrateful as to refuse to carry me! Turn about -is fair play, my boy. The boat carried you to this -shore, because you can't swim, and now you must carry -me up the hill, because I can't climb. Eh, Bilbil, -isn't that reasonable?"</p> - -<p>"Well, well, well," said the goat, surlily, "keep -quiet and I'll carry you. But you make me very tired, -Rinkitink, with your ceaseless chatter."</p> - -<p>After making this protest Bilbil began walking -up the hill, carrying the fat King upon his back -with no difficulty whatever.</p> - -<p>Prince Inga and his father and all the men of -Pingaree were much astonished to overhear this dispute -between King Rinkitink and his goat; but they were too -polite to make critical remarks in the presence of -their guests. King Kitticut walked beside the goat and -the Prince followed after, the men coming last with the -boxes of sandalwood.</p> - -<p>When they neared the palace, the Queen and her -maidens came out to meet them and the royal guest was -escorted in state to the splendid throne room of the -palace. Here the boxes were opened and King Rinkitink -displayed all the beautiful silks and laces and jewelry -with which they were filled. Every one of the courtiers -and ladies received a handsome present, and the King -and Queen had many rich gifts and Inga not a few. Thus -the time passed pleasantly until the Chamberlain -announced that dinner was served.</p> - -<p>Bilbil the goat declared that he preferred eating of -the sweet, rich grass that grew abundantly in the -palace grounds, and Rinkitink said that the beast could -never bear being shut up in a stable; so they removed -the saddle from his back and allowed him to wander -wherever he pleased.</p> - -<p>During the dinner Inga divided his attention between -admiring the pretty gifts he had received and listening -to the jolly sayings of the fat King, who laughed when -he was not eating and ate when he was not laughing and -seemed to enjoy himself immensely.</p> - -<p>"For four days I have lived in that narrow boat," -said he, "with no other amusement than to watch the -rowers and quarrel with Bilbil; so I am very glad to be -on land again with such friendly and agreeable people."</p> - -<p>"You do us great honor," said King Kitticut, with a -polite bow.</p> - -<p>"Not at all — not at all, my brother. This Pingaree -must be a wonderful island, for its pearls are the -admiration of all the world; nor will I deny the fact -that my kingdom would be a poor one without the riches -and glory it derives from the trade in your pearls. So -I have wished for many years to come here to see you, -but my people said: 'No! Stay at home and behave -yourself, or we'll know the reason why.'"</p> - -<p>"Will they not miss Your Majesty from your -palace at Gilgad?" inquired Kitticut.</p> - -<p>"I think not," answered Rinkitink. "You see, one of -my clever subjects has written a parchment entitled -'How to be Good,' and I believed it would benefit me to -study it, as I consider the accomplishment of being -good one of the fine arts. I had just scolded severely -my Lord High Chancellor for coming to breakfast without -combing his eyebrows, and was so sad and regretful at -having hurt the poor man's feelings that I decided to -shut myself up in my own room and study the scroll -until I knew how to be good — hee, heek, keek, eek, -eek! —to be good! Clever idea, that, wasn't it? Mighty -clever! And I issued a decree that no one should enter -my room, under pain of my royal displeasure, until I -was ready to come out. They're awfully afraid of my -royal displeasure, although not a bit afraid of me. -Then I put the parchment in my pocket and escaped -through the back door to my boat — and here I am. Oo, -hoo-hoo, keek-eek! Imagine the fuss there would be in -Gilgad if my subjects knew where I am this very -minute!"</p> - -<p>"I would like to see that parchment," said the -solemn-eyed Prince Inga, "for if it indeed teaches one -to be good it must be worth its weight in pearls."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it's a fine essay," said Rinkitink, "and -beautifully written with a goosequill. Listen to this: -You'll enjoy it — tee, hee, hee! — enjoy it."</p> - -<p>He took from his pocket a scroll of parchment tied -with a black ribbon, and having carefully unrolled it, -he proceeded to read as follows:</p> - -<p>"'A Good Man is One who is Never Bad.' How's that, -eh? Fine thought, what? 'Therefore, in order to be -Good, you must avoid those Things which are Evil.' Oh, -hoo-hoo-hoo! — how clever! When I get back I shall -make the man who wrote that a royal hippolorum, for, -beyond question, he is the wisest man in my kingdom -as -he has often told me himself." With this, Rinkitink lay -back in his chair and chuckled his queer chuckle until -he coughed, and coughed until he choked and choked -until he sneezed. And he wrinkled his face in such a -jolly, droll way that few could keep from laughing with -him, and even the good Queen was forced to titter -behind her fan.</p> - -<p>When Rinkitink had recovered from his fit of laughter -and had wiped his eyes upon a fine lace handkerchief, -Prince Inga said to him:</p> - -<p>"The parchment speaks truly."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is true beyond doubt," answered Rinkitink, -"and if I could persuade Bilbil to read it he would be -a much better goat than he is now. Here is another -selection: 'To avoid saying Unpleasant Things, always -Speak Agreeably.' That would hit Bilbil, to a dot. And -here is one that applies to you, my Prince: 'Good -Children are seldom punished, for the reason that they -deserve no punishment.' Now, I think that is neatly -put, and shows the author to be a deep thinker. But the -advice that has impressed me the most is in the -following paragraph: 'You may not find it as Pleasant -to be Good as it is to be Bad, but Other People will -find it more Pleasant.' Haw-hoo-ho! keek-eek! 'Other -people will find it more pleasant!' — hee, hee, heek, -keek! — 'more pleasant.' Dear me — dear me! Therein -lies a noble incentive to be good, and whenever I get -time I'm surely going to try it."</p> - -<p>Then he wiped his eyes again with the lace -handkerchief and, suddenly remembering his dinner, -seized his knife and fork and began eating.</p> - - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Three'></a><h2>Chapter Three</h2> - -<h3>The Warriors from the North</h3> -<br /> - -<p>King Rinkitink was so much pleased with the Island of -Pingaree that he continued his stay day after day and -week after week, eating good dinners, talking with King -Kitticut and sleeping. Once in a while he would read -from his scroll. "For," said he, "whenever I return -home, my subjects will be anxious to know if I have -learned 'How to be Good,' and I must not disappoint -them."</p> - -<p>The twenty rowers lived on the small end of the -island, with the pearl fishers, and seemed not to care -whether they ever returned to the Kingdom of Rinkitink -or not. Bilbil the goat wandered over the grassy -slopes, or among the trees, and passed his days exactly -as he pleased. His master seldom cared to ride him. -Bilbil was a rare curiosity to the islanders, but since -there was little pleasure in talking with the goat they -kept away from him. This pleased the creature, who -seemed well satisfied to be left to his own devices.</p> - -<p>Once Prince Inga, wishing to be courteous, walked up -to the goat and said: "Good morning, Bilbil."</p> - -<p>"It isn't a good morning," answered Bilbil grumpily. -"It is cloudy and damp, and looks like rain."</p> - -<p>"I hope you are contented in our kingdom," continued -the boy, politely ignoring the other's harsh words.</p> - -<p>"I'm not," said Bilbil. "I'm never contented; so it -doesn't matter to me whether I'm in your kingdom or in -some other kingdom. Go away — will you?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly," answered the Prince, and after this -rebuff he did not again try to make friends with -Bilbil.</p> - -<p>Now that the King, his father, was so much occupied -with his royal guest, Inga was often left to amuse -himself, for a boy could not be allowed to take part in -the conversation of two great monarchs. He devoted -himself to his studies, therefore, and day after day he -climbed into the branches of his favorite tree and sat -for hours in his "tree-top rest," reading his father's -precious manuscripts and thinking upon what he read.</p> - -<p>You must not think that Inga was a molly-coddle or a -prig, because he was so solemn and studious. Being a -King's son and heir to a throne, he could not play with -the other boys of Pingaree, and he lived so much in the -society of the King and Queen, and was so surrounded by -the pomp and dignity of a court, that he missed all the -jolly times that boys usually have. I have no doubt -that had he been able to live as other boys do, he -would have been much like other boys; as it was, he was -subdued by his surroundings, and more grave and -thoughtful than one of his years should be.</p> - -<p>Inga was in his tree one morning when, without -warning, a great fog enveloped the Island of Pingaree. -The boy could scarcely see the tree next to that in -which he sat, but the leaves above him prevented the -dampness from wetting him, so he curled himself up in -his seat and fell fast asleep.</p> - -<p>All that forenoon the fog continued. King Kitticut, -who sat in his palace talking with his merry visitor, -ordered the candles lighted, that they might be able to -see one another. The good Queen, Inga's mother, found -it was too dark to work at her embroidery, so she -called her maidens together and told them wonderful -stories of bygone days, in order to pass away the -dreary hours.</p> - -<p>But soon after noon the weather changed. The dense -fog rolled away like a heavy cloud and suddenly the sun -shot his bright rays over the island.</p> - -<p>"Very good!" exclaimed King Kitticut. "We shall have -a pleasant afternoon, I am sure," and he blew out the -candles.</p> - -<p>Then he stood a moment motionless, as if turned to -stone, for a terrible cry from without the palace -reached his ears — a cry so full of fear and horror -that the King's heart almost stopped beating. -Immediately there was a scurrying of feet as every one -in the palace, filled with dismay, rushed outside to -see what had happened. Even fat little Rinkitink sprang -from his chair and followed his host and the others -through the arched vestibule.</p> - -<p>After many years the worst fears of King Kitticut -were realized.</p> - -<p>Landing upon the beach, which was but a few steps -from the palace itself, were hundreds of boats, every -one filled with a throng of fierce warriors. They -sprang upon the land with wild shouts of defiance and -rushed to the King's palace, waving aloft their swords -and spears and battleaxes.</p> - -<p>King Kitticut, so completely surprised that he was -bewildered, gazed at the approaching host with terror -and grief.</p> - -<p>"They are the men of Regos and Coregos!" he groaned. -"We are, indeed, lost!"</p> - -<p>Then he bethought himself, for the first time, of his -wonderful pearls. Turning quickly, he ran back into the -palace and hastened to the hall where the treasures -were hidden. But the leader of the warriors had seen -the King enter the palace and bounded after him, -thinking he meant to escape. Just as the King had -stooped to press the secret spring in the tiles, the -warrior seized him from the rear and threw him backward -upon the floor, at the same time shouting to his men to -fetch ropes and bind the prisoner. This they did very -quickly and King Kitticut soon found himself helplessly -bound and in the power of his enemies. In this sad -condition he was lifted by the warriors and carried -outside, when the good King looked upon a sorry sight.</p> - -<p>The Queen and her maidens, the officers and servants -of the royal household and all who had inhabited this -end of the Island of Pingaree had been seized by the -invaders and bound with ropes. At once they began -carrying their victims to the boats, tossing them in as -unceremoniously as if they had been bales of -merchandise.</p> - -<p>The King looked around for his son Inga, but failed -to find the boy among the prisoners. Nor was the fat -King, Rinkitink, to be seen anywhere about.</p> - -<p>The warriors were swarming over the palace like bees -in a hive, seeking anyone who might be in hiding, and -after the search had been prolonged for some time the -leader asked impatiently: "Do you find anyone else?"</p> - -<p>"No," his men told him. "We have captured them all."</p> - -<p>"Then," commanded the leader, "remove everything of -value from the palace and tear down its walls and -towers, so that not one stone remains upon another!"</p> - -<p>While the warriors were busy with this task we will -return to the boy Prince, who, when the fog lifted and -the sun came out, wakened from his sleep and began to -climb down from his perch in the tree. But the -terrifying cries of the people, mingled with the shouts -of the rude warriors, caused him to pause and listen -eagerly.</p> - -<p>Then he climbed rapidly up the tree, far above his -platform, to the topmost swaying branches. This tree, -which Inga called his own, was somewhat taller than the -other trees that surrounded it, and when he had reached -the top he pressed aside the leaves and saw a great -fleet of boats upon the shore — strange boats, with -banners that he had never seen before. Turning to look -upon his father's palace, he found it surrounded by a -horde of enemies. Then Inga knew the truth: that the -island had been invaded by the barbaric warriors from -the north. He grew so faint from the terror of it all -that he might have fallen had he not wound his arms -around a limb and clung fast until the dizzy feeling -passed away. Then with his sash he bound himself to the -limb and again ventured to look out through the leaves.</p> - -<p>The warriors were now engaged in carrying King -Kitticut and Queen Garee and all their other captives -down to the boats, where they were thrown in and -chained one to another. It was a dreadful sight for the -Prince to witness, but he sat very still, concealed -from the sight of anyone below by the bower of leafy -branches around him. Inga knew very well that he could -do nothing to help his beloved parents, and that if he -came down he would only be forced to share their cruel -fate.</p> - -<p>Now a procession of the Northmen passed between the -boats and the palace, bearing the rich furniture, -splendid draperies and rare ornaments of which the -royal palace had been robbed, together with such food -and other plunder as they could lay their hands upon. -After this, the men of Regos and Coregos threw ropes -around the marble domes and towers and hundreds of -warriors tugged at these ropes until the domes and -towers toppled and fell in ruins upon the ground. Then -the walls themselves were torn down, till little -remained of the beautiful palace but a vast heap of -white marble blocks tumbled and scattered upon the -ground.</p> - -<p>Prince Inga wept bitter tears of grief as he watched -the ruin of his home; yet he was powerless to avert the -destruction. When the palace had been demolished, some -of the warriors entered their boats and rowed along the -coast of the island, while the others marched in a -great body down the length of the island itself. They -were so numerous that they formed a line stretching -from shore to shore and they destroyed every house they -came to and took every inhabitant prisoner.</p> - -<p>The pearl fishers who lived at the lower end of the -island tried to escape in their boats, but they were -soon overtaken and made prisoners, like the others. Nor -was there any attempt to resist the foe, for the sharp -spears and pikes and swords of the invaders terrified -the hearts of the defenseless people of Pingaree, whose -sole weapons were their oyster rakes.</p> - -<p>When night fell the whole of the Island of Pingaree -had been conquered by the men of the North, and all its -people were slaves of the conquerors. Next morning the -men of Regos and Coregos, being capable of no further -mischief, departed from the scene of their triumph, -carrying their prisoners with them and taking also -every boat to be found upon the island. Many of the -boats they had filled with rich plunder, with pearls -and silks and velvets, with silver and gold ornaments -and all the treasure that had made Pingaree famed as -one of the richest kingdoms in the world. And the -hundreds of slaves they had captured would be set to -work in the mines of Regos and the grain fields of -Coregos.</p> - -<p>So complete was the victory of the Northmen that it -is no wonder the warriors sang songs of triumph as they -hastened back to their homes. Great rewards were -awaiting them when they showed the haughty King of -Regos and the terrible Queen of Coregos the results of -their ocean raid and conquest.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Four'></a><h2>Chapter Four</h2> - -<h3>The Deserted Island</h3> -<br /> - -<p>All through that terrible night Prince Inga remained -hidden in his tree. In the morning he watched the great -fleet of boats depart for their own country, carrying -his parents and his countrymen with them, as well as -everything of value the Island of Pingaree had -contained.</p> - -<p>Sad, indeed, were the boy's thoughts when the last of -the boats had become a mere speck in the distance, but -Inga did not dare leave his perch of safety until all -of the craft of the invaders had disappeared beyond the -horizon. Then he came down, very slowly and carefully, -for he was weak from hunger and the long and weary -watch, as he had been in the tree for twenty-four hours -without food.</p> - -<p>The sun shone upon the beautiful green isle as -brilliantly as if no ruthless invader had passed and -laid it in ruins. The birds still chirped among the -trees and the butterflies darted from flower to flower -as happily as when the land was filled with a -prosperous and contented people.</p> - -<p>Inga feared that only he was left of all his nation. -Perhaps he might be obliged to pass his life there -alone. He would not starve, for the sea would give him -oysters and fish, and the trees fruit; yet the life -that confronted him was far from enticing.</p> - -<p>The boy's first act was to walk over to where the -palace had stood and search the ruins until he found -some scraps of food that had been overlooked by the -enemy. He sat upon a block of marble and ate of this, -and tears filled his eyes as he gazed upon the -desolation around him. But Inga tried to bear up -bravely, and having satisfied his hunger he walked over -to the well, intending to draw a bucket of drinking -water.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, this well had been overlooked by the -invaders and the bucket was still fastened to the chain -that wound around a stout wooden windlass. Inga took -hold of the crank and began letting the bucket down -into the well, when suddenly he was startled by a -muffled voice crying out:</p> - -<p>"Be careful, up there!"</p> - -<p>The sound and the words seemed to indicate that the -voice came from the bottom of the well, so Inga looked -down. Nothing could be seen, on account of the -darkness.</p> - -<p>"Who are you?" he shouted.</p> - -<p>"It's I — Rinkitink," came the answer, and the -depths of the well echoed: "Tink-i-tink-i-tink!" in a -ghostly manner.</p> - -<p>"Are you in the well?" asked the boy, greatly -surprised.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and nearly drowned. I fell in while running -from those terrible warriors, and I've been standing in -this damp hole ever since, with my head just above the -water. It's lucky the well was no deeper, for had my -head been under water, instead of above it — hoo, hoo, -hoo, keek, eek! — under instead of over, you know — -why, then I wouldn't be talking to you now! Ha, hoo, -hee!" And the well dismally echoed: "Ha, hoo, hee!" -which you must imagine was a laugh half merry and half -sad.</p> - -<p>"I'm awfully sorry," cried the boy, in answer. "I -wonder you have the heart to laugh at all. But how am I -to get you out?"</p> - -<p>"I've been considering that all night," said -Rinkitink, "and I believe the best plan will be for you -to let down the bucket to me, and I'll hold fast to it -while you wind up the chain and so draw me to the top."</p> - -<p>"I will try to do that," replied Inga, and he let the -bucket down very carefully until he heard the King call -out:</p> - -<p>"I've got it! Now pull me up — slowly, my boy, -slowly — so I won't rub against the rough sides."</p> - -<p>Inga began winding up the chain, but King Rinkitink -was so fat that he was very heavy and by the time the -boy had managed to pull him halfway up the well his -strength was gone. He clung to the crank as long as -possible, but suddenly it slipped from his grasp and -the next minute he heard Rinkitink fall "plump!" into -the water again.</p> - -<p>"That's too bad!" called Inga, in real distress; "but -you were so heavy I couldn't help it."</p> - -<p>"Dear me!" gasped the King, from the darkness below, -as he spluttered and coughed to get the water out of -his mouth. "Why didn't you tell me you were going to -let go?"</p> - -<p>"I hadn't time," said Inga, sorrowfully.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm not suffering from thirst," declared the -King, "for there's enough water inside me to float all -the boats of Regos and Coregos or at least it feels -that way. But never mind! So long as I'm not actually -drowned, what does it matter?"</p> - -<p>"What shall we do next?" asked the boy anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Call someone to help you," was the reply.</p> - -<p>"There is no one on the island but myself," said the -boy; "— excepting you," he added, as an afterthought.</p> - -<p>"I'm not on it — more's the pity! — but in it," -responded Rinkitink. "Are the warriors all gone?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Inga, "and they have taken my father and -mother, and all our people, to be their slaves," he -added, trying in vain to repress a sob.</p> - -<p>"So — so!" said Rinkitink softly; and then he paused -a moment, as if in thought. Finally he said: "There are -worse things than slavery, but I never imagined a well -could be one of them. Tell me, Inga, could you let down -some food to me? I'm nearly starved, and if you could -manage to send me down some food I'd be well fed — -hoo, hoo, heek, keek, eek! — well fed. Do you see the -joke, Inga?"</p> - -<p>"Do not ask me to enjoy a joke just now, Your -Majesty," begged Inga in a sad voice; "but if you will -be patient I will try to find something for you to -eat."</p> - -<p>He ran back to the ruins of the palace and began -searching for bits of food with which to satisfy the -hunger of the King, when to his surprise he observed -the goat, Bilbil, wandering among the marble blocks.</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Inga. "Didn't the warriors get you, -either?"</p> - -<p>"If they had," calmly replied Bilbil, "I shouldn't be -here."</p> - -<p>"But how did you escape?" asked the boy.</p> - -<p>"Easily enough. I kept my mouth shut and stayed away -from the rascals," said the goat. "I knew that the -soldiers would not care for a skinny old beast like me, -for to the eye of a stranger I seem good for nothing. -Had they known I could talk, and that my head contained -more wisdom than a hundred of their own noddles, I -might not have escaped so easily."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you are right," said the boy.</p> - -<p>"I suppose they got the old man?" carelessly remarked -Bilbil.</p> - -<p>"What old man?"</p> - -<p>"Rinkitink."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no! His Majesty is at the bottom of the well," -said Inga, "and I don't know how to get him out again."</p> - -<p>"Then let him stay there," suggested the goat.</p> - -<p>"That would be cruel. I am sure, Bilbil, that you are -fond of the good King, your master, and do not mean -what you say. Together, let us find some way to save -poor King Rinkitink. He is a very jolly companion, and -has a heart exceedingly kind and gentle."</p> - -<p>"Oh, well; the old boy isn't so bad, taken -altogether," admitted Bilbil, speaking in a more -friendly tone. "But his bad jokes and fat laughter tire -me dreadfully, at times."</p> - -<p>Prince Inga now ran back to the well, the goat -following more leisurely.</p> - -<p>"Here's Bilbil!" shouted the boy to the King. "The -enemy didn't get him, it seems."</p> - -<p>"That's lucky for the enemy," said Rinkitink. "But -it's lucky for me, too, for perhaps the beast can -assist me out of this hole. If you can let a rope down -the well, I am sure that you and Bilbil, pulling -together, will be able to drag me to the earth's -surface."</p> - -<p>"Be patient and we will make the attempt," replied -Inga encouragingly, and he ran to search the ruins for -a rope. Presently he found one that had been used by -the warriors in toppling over the towers, which in -their haste they had neglected to remove, and with some -difficulty he untied the knots and carried the rope to -the mouth of the well.</p> - -<p>Bilbil had lain down to sleep and the refrain of a -merry song came in muffled tones from the well, proving -that Rinkitink was making a patient endeavor to amuse -himself.</p> - -<p>"I've found a rope!" Inga called down to him; and -then the boy proceeded to make a loop in one end of the -rope, for the King to put his arms through, and the -other end he placed over the drum of the windlass. He -now aroused Bilbil and fastened the rope firmly around -the goat's shoulders.</p> - -<p>"Are you ready?" asked the boy, leaning over the -well.</p> - -<p>"I am," replied the King.</p> - -<p>"And I am not," growled the goat, "for I have not yet -had my nap out. Old Rinki will be safe enough in the -well until I've slept an hour or two longer."</p> - -<p>"But it is damp in the well," protested the boy, "and -King Rinkitink may catch the rheumatism, so that he -will have to ride upon your back wherever he goes."</p> - -<p>Hearing this, Bilbil jumped up at once.</p> - -<p>"Let's get him out," he said earnestly.</p> - -<p>"Hold fast!" shouted Inga to the King. Then he seized -the rope and helped Bilbil to pull. They soon found the -task more difficult than they had supposed. Once or -twice the King's weight threatened to drag both the boy -and the goat into the well, to keep Rinkitink company. -But they pulled sturdily, being aware of this danger, -and at last the King popped out of the hole and fell -sprawling full length upon the ground.</p> - -<p>For a time he lay panting and breathing hard to get -his breath back, while Inga and Bilbil were likewise -worn out from their long strain at the rope; so the -three rested quietly upon the grass and looked at one -another in silence.</p> - -<p>Finally Bilbil said to the King: "I'm surprised at -you. Why were you so foolish as to fall down that well? -Don't you know it's a dangerous thing to do? You might -have broken your neck in the fall, or been drowned in -the water."</p> - -<p>"Bilbil," replied the King solemnly, "you're a goat. -Do you imagine I fell down the well on purpose?"</p> - -<p>"I imagine nothing," retorted Bilbil. "I only know -you were there."</p> - -<p>"There? Heh-heh-heek-keek-eek! To be sure I was -there," laughed Rinkitink. "There in a dark hole, where -there was no light; there in a watery well, where the -wetness soaked me through and through — keek-eek-eek- -eek! — through and through!"</p> - -<p>"How did it happen?" inquired Inga.</p> - -<p>"I was running away from the enemy," explained the -King, "and I was carelessly looking over my shoulder at -the same time, to see if they were chasing me. So I did -not see the well, but stepped into it and found myself -tumbling down to the bottom. I struck the water very -neatly and began struggling to keep myself from -drowning, but presently I found that when I stood upon -my feet on the bottom of the well, that my chin was -just above the water. So I stood still and yelled for -help; but no one heard me."</p> - -<p>"If the warriors had heard you," said Bilbil, "they -would have pulled you out and carried you away to be a -slave. Then you would have been obliged to work for a -living, and that would be a new experience."</p> - -<p>"Work!" exclaimed Rinkitink. "Me work? Hoo, hoo, -heek-keek-eek! How absurd! I'm so stout — not to say -chubby — not to say fat — that I can hardly walk, and -I couldn't earn my salt at hard work. So I'm glad the -enemy did not find me, Bilbil. How many others -escaped?"</p> - -<p>"That I do not know," replied the boy, "for I -have not yet had time to visit the other parts of -the island. When you have rested and satisfied -your royal hunger, it might be well for us to -look around and see what the thieving warriors -of Regos and Coregos have left us."</p> - -<p>"An excellent idea," declared Rinkitink. "I am -somewhat feeble from my long confinement in the well, -but I can ride upon Bilbil's back and we may as well -start at once."</p> - -<p>Hearing this, Bilbil cast a surly glance at his -master but said nothing, since it was really the goat's -business to carry King Rinkitink wherever he desired to -go.</p> - -<p>They first searched the ruins of the palace, and -where the kitchen had once been they found a small -quantity of food that had been half hidden by a block -of marble. This they carefully placed in a sack to -preserve it for future use, the little fat King having -first eaten as much as he cared for. This consumed some -time, for Rinkitink had been exceedingly hungry and -liked to eat in a leisurely manner. When he had -finished the meal he straddled Bilbil's back and set -out to explore the island, Prince Inga walking by his -side.</p> - -<p>They found on every hand ruin and desolation. The -houses of the people had been pilfered of all valuables -and then torn down or burned. Not a boat had been left -upon the shore, nor was there a single person, man or -woman or child, remaining upon the island, save -themselves. The only inhabitants of Pingaree now -consisted of a fat little King, a boy and a goat.</p> - -<p>Even Rinkitink, merry hearted as he was, found it -hard to laugh in the face of this mighty disaster. Even -the goat, contrary to its usual habit, refrained from -saying anything disagreeable. As for the poor boy whose -home was now a wilderness, the tears came often to his -eyes as he marked the ruin of his dearly loved island.</p> - -<p>When, at nightfall, they reached the lower end of -Pingaree and found it swept as bare as the rest, Inga's -grief was almost more than he could bear. Everything -had been swept from him — parents, home and country — -in so brief a time that his bewilderment was equal to -his sorrow.</p> - -<p>Since no house remained standing, in which they might -sleep, the three wanderers crept beneath the -overhanging branches of a cassa tree and curled -themselves up as comfortably as possible. So tired and -exhausted were they by the day's anxieties and griefs -that their troubles soon faded into the mists of -dreamland. Beast and King and boy slumbered peacefully -together until wakened by the singing of the birds -which greeted the dawn of a new day.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Five'></a><h2>Chapter Five</h2> - -<h3>The Three Pearls</h3> -<br /> - -<p>When King Rinkitink and Prince Inga had bathed -themselves in the sea and eaten a simple breakfast, -they began wondering what they could do to improve -their condition.</p> - -<p>"The poor people of Gilgad," said Rinkitink -cheerfully, "are little likely ever again to behold -their King in the flesh, for my boat and my rowers are -gone with everything else. Let us face the fact that we -are imprisoned for life upon this island, and that our -lives will be short unless we can secure more to eat -than is in this small sack."</p> - -<p>"I'll not starve, for I can eat grass," remarked the -goat in a pleasant tone — or a tone as pleasant as -Bilbil could assume.</p> - -<p>"True, quite true," said the King. Then he seemed -thoughtful for a moment and turning to Inga he asked: -"Do you think, Prince, that if the worst comes, we -could eat Bilbil?"</p> - -<p>The goat gave a groan and cast a reproachful look at -his master as he said:</p> - -<p>"Monster! Would you, indeed, eat your old friend and -servant?"</p> - -<p>"Not if I can help it, Bilbil," answered the King -pleasantly. "You would make a remarkably tough morsel, -and my teeth are not as good as they once were."</p> - -<p>While this talk was in progress Inga suddenly -remembered the three pearls which his father had hidden -under the tiled floor of the banquet hall. Without -doubt King Kitticut had been so suddenly surprised by -the invaders that he had found no opportunity to get -the pearls, for otherwise the fierce warriors would -have been defeated and driven out of Pingaree. So they -must still be in their hiding place, and Inga believed -they would prove of great assistance to him and his -comrades in this hour of need. But the palace was a -mass of ruins; perhaps he would be unable now to find -the place where the pearls were hidden.</p> - -<p>He said nothing of this to Rinkitink, remembering -that his father had charged him to preserve the secret -of the pearls and of their magic powers. Nevertheless, -the thought of securing the wonderful treasures of his -ancestors gave the boy new hope.</p> - -<p>He stood up and said to the King:</p> - -<p>"Let us return to the other end of Pingaree. It is -more pleasant than here in spite of the desolation of -my father's palace. And there, if anywhere, we shall -discover a way out of our difficulties."</p> - -<p>This suggestion met with Rinkitink's approval and the -little party at once started upon the return journey. -As there was no occasion to delay upon the way, they -reached the big end of the island about the middle of -the day and at once began searching the ruins of the -palace.</p> - -<p>They found, to their satisfaction, that one room at -the bottom of a tower was still habitable, although the -roof was broken in and the place was somewhat littered -with stones. The King was, as he said, too fat to do -any hard work, so he sat down on a block of marble and -watched Inga clear the room of its rubbish. This done, -the boy hunted through the ruins until he discovered a -stool and an armchair that had not been broken beyond -use. Some bedding and a mattress were also found, so -that by nightfall the little room had been made quite -comfortable</p> - -<p>The following morning, while Rinkitink was still -sound asleep and Bilbil was busily cropping the dewy -grass that edged the shore, Prince Inga began to search -the tumbled heaps of marble for the place where the -royal banquet hall had been. After climbing over the -ruins for a time he reached a flat place which he -recognized, by means of the tiled flooring and the -broken furniture scattered about, to be the great hall -he was seeking. But in the center of the floor, -directly over the spot where the pearls were hidden, -lay several large and heavy blocks of marble, which had -been torn from the dismantled walls.</p> - -<p>This unfortunate discovery for a time discouraged the -boy, who realized how helpless he was to remove such -vast obstacles; but it was so important to secure the -pearls that he dared not give way to despair until -every human effort had been made, so he sat him down to -think over the matter with great care.</p> - -<p>Meantime Rinkitink had risen from his bed and walked -out upon the lawn, where he found Bilbil reclining at -ease upon the greensward.</p> - -<p>"Where is Inga?" asked Rinkitink, rubbing his eyes -with his knuckles because their vision was blurred with -too much sleep.</p> - -<p>"Don't ask me," said the goat, chewing with much -satisfaction a cud of sweet grasses.</p> - -<p>"Bilbil," said the King, squatting down beside the -goat and resting his fat chin upon his hands and his -elbows on his knees, "allow me to confide to you the -fact that I am bored, and need amusement. My good -friend Kitticut has been kidnapped by the barbarians -and taken from me, so there is no one to converse with -me intelligently. I am the King and you are the goat. -Suppose you tell me a story.</p> - -<p>"Suppose I don't," said Bilbil, with a scowl, for a -goat's face is very expressive.</p> - -<p>"If you refuse, I shall be more unhappy than ever, -and I know your disposition is too sweet to permit -that. Tell me a story, Bilbil."</p> - -<p>The goat looked at him with an expression of scorn. -Said he:</p> - -<p>"One would think you are but four years old, -Rinkitink! But there — I will do as you command. -Listen carefully, and the story may do you some good — -although I doubt if you understand the moral."</p> - -<p>"I am sure the story will do me good," declared the -King, whose eyes were twinkling.</p> - -<p>"Once on a time," began the goat.</p> - -<p>"When was that, Bilbil?" asked the King gently.</p> - -<p>"Don't interrupt; it is impolite. Once on a time -there was a King with a hollow inside his head, where -most people have their brains, and —"</p> - -<p>"Is this a true story, Bilbil?"</p> - -<p>"And the King with a hollow head could chatter words, -which had no sense, and laugh in a brainless manner at -senseless things. That part of the story is true -enough, Rinkitink."</p> - -<p>"Then proceed with the tale, sweet Bilbil. Yet it is -hard to believe that any King could be brainless — -unless, indeed, he proved it by owning a talking goat."</p> - -<p>Bilbil glared at him a full minute in silence. -Then he resumed his story:</p> - -<p>"This empty-headed man was a King by accident, having -been born to that high station. Also the King was -empty-headed by the same chance, being born without -brains."</p> - -<p>"Poor fellow!" quoth the King. "Did he own a talking -goat?"</p> - -<p>"He did," answered Bilbil.</p> - -<p>"Then he was wrong to have been born at all. Cheek- -eek-eek-eek, oo, hoo!" chuckled Rinkitink, his fat body -shaking with merriment. "But it's hard to prevent -oneself from being born; there's no chance for protest, -eh, Bilbil?"</p> - -<p>"Who is telling this story, I'd like to know," -demanded the goat, with anger.</p> - -<p>"Ask someone with brains, my boy; I'm sure I can't -tell," replied the King, bursting into one of his merry -fits of laughter.</p> - -<p>Bilbil rose to his hoofs and walked away in a -dignified manner, leaving Rinkitink chuckling anew at -the sour expression of the animal's face.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Bilbil, you'll be the death of me, some day — -I'm sure you will!" gasped the King, taking out his -lace handkerchief to wipe his eyes; for, as he often -did, he had laughed till the tears came.</p> - -<p>Bilbil was deeply vexed and would not even turn his -head to look at his master. To escape from Rinkitink he -wandered among the ruins of the palace, where he came -upon Prince Inga.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Bilbil," said the boy. "I was just -going to find you, that I might consult you upon an -important matter. If you will kindly turn back with me -I am sure your good judgment will be of great -assistance."</p> - -<p>The angry goat was quite mollified by the respectful -tone in which he was addressed, but he immediately -asked:</p> - -<p>"Are you also going to consult that empty-headed King -over yonder?"</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to hear you speak of your kind master in -such a way," said the boy gravely. "All men are -deserving of respect, being the highest of living -creatures, and Kings deserve respect more than others, -for they are set to rule over many people."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless," said Bilbil with conviction, -"Rinkitink's head is certainly empty of brains."</p> - -<p>"That I am unwilling to believe," insisted Inga. "But -anyway his heart is kind and gentle and that is better -than being wise. He is merry in spite of misfortunes -that would cause others to weep and he never speaks -harsh words that wound the feelings of his friends."</p> - -<p>"Still," growled Bilbil, "he is —"</p> - -<p>"Let us forget everything but his good nature, which -puts new heart into us when we are sad," advised the -boy.</p> - -<p>"But he is —"</p> - -<p>"Come with me, please," interrupted Inga, "for the -matter of which I wish to speak is very important."</p> - -<p>Bilbil followed him, although the boy still heard the -goat muttering that the King had no brains. Rinkitink, -seeing them turn into the ruins, also followed, and -upon joining them asked for his breakfast.</p> - -<p>Inga opened the sack of food and while he and the -King ate of it the boy said:</p> - -<p>"If I could find a way to remove some of the blocks -of marble which have fallen in the banquet hall, I -think I could find means for us to escape from this -barren island."</p> - -<p>"Then," mumbled Rinkitink, with his mouth full, "let -us move the blocks of marble."</p> - -<p>"But how?" inquired Prince Inga. "They are very -heavy."</p> - -<p>"Ah, how, indeed?" returned the King, smacking his -lips contentedly. "That is a serious question. But — I -have it! Let us see what my famous parchment says about -it." He wiped his fingers upon a napkin and then, -taking the scroll from a pocket inside his embroidered -blouse, he unrolled it and read the following words: -'Never step on another man's toes.'</p> - -<p>The goat gave a snort of contempt; Inga was silent; -the King looked from one to the other inquiringly.</p> - -<p>"That's the idea, exactly!" declared Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"To be sure," said Bilbil scornfully, "it tells us -exactly how to move the blocks of marble."</p> - -<p>"Oh, does it?" responded the King, and then for a -moment he rubbed the top of his bald head in a -perplexed manner. The next moment he burst into a peal -of joyous laughter. The goat looked at Inga and sighed.</p> - -<p>"What did I tell you?" asked the creature. "Was I -right, or was I wrong?"</p> - -<p>"This scroll," said Rinkitink, "is indeed a -masterpiece. Its advice is of tremendous value. 'Never -step on another man's toes.' Let us think this over. -The inference is that we should step upon our own toes, -which were given us for that purpose. Therefore, if I -stepped upon another man's toes, I would be the other -man. Hoo, hoo, hoo! — the other man — hee, hee, heek- -keek-eek! Funny, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't I say —" began Bilbil.</p> - -<p>"No matter what you said, my boy," roared the King. -"No fool could have figured that out as nicely as I -did."</p> - -<p>"We have still to decide how to remove the blocks of -marble," suggested Inga anxiously.</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 0.5em;'>"Fasten a rope to them, and pull," said Bilbil.</span><br /> -"Don't pay any more attention to Rinkitink, for he is -no wiser than the man who wrote that brainless scroll. -Just get the rope, and we'll fasten Rinkitink to one -end of it for a weight and I'll help you pull."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, Bilbil," replied the boy. "I'll get the -rope at once."</p> - -<p>Bilbil found it difficult to climb over the ruins to -the floor of the banquet hall, but there are few places -a goat cannot get to when it makes the attempt, so -Bilbil succeeded at last, and even fat little Rinkitink -finally joined them, though much out of breath.</p> - -<p>Inga fastened one end of the rope around a block of -marble and then made a loop at the other end to go over -Bilbil's head. When all was ready the boy seized the -rope and helped the goat to pull; yet, strain as they -might, the huge block would not stir from its place. -Seeing this, King Rinkitink came forward and lent his -assistance, the weight of his body forcing the heavy -marble to slide several feet from where it had lain.</p> - -<p>But it was hard work and all were obliged to take a -long rest before undertaking the removal of the next -block.</p> - -<p>"Admit, Bilbil," said the King, "that I am of some -use in the world."</p> - -<p>"Your weight was of considerable help," acknowledged -the goat, "but if your head were as well filled as -your stomach the task would be still easier."</p> - -<p>When Inga went to fasten the rope a second time he -was rejoiced to discover that by moving one more block -of marble he could uncover the tile with the secret -spring. So the three pulled with renewed energy and to -their joy the block moved and rolled upon its side, -leaving Inga free to remove the treasure when he -pleased.</p> - -<p>But the boy had no intention of allowing Bilbil and -the King to share the secret of the royal treasures of -Pingaree; so, although both the goat and its master -demanded to know why the marble blocks had been moved, -and how it would benefit them, Inga begged them to wait -until the next morning, when he hoped to be able to -satisfy them that their hard work had not been in vain.</p> - -<p>Having little confidence in this promise of a mere -boy, the goat grumbled and the King laughed; but Inga -paid no heed to their ridicule and set himself to work -rigging up a fishing rod, with line and hook. During -the afternoon he waded out to some rocks near the shore -and fished patiently until he had captured enough -yellow perch for their supper and breakfast.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Rinkitink, looking at the fine catch when -Inga returned to the shore; "these will taste delicious -when they are cooked; but do you know how to cook -them?"</p> - -<p>"No," was the reply. "I have often caught fish, but -never cooked them. Perhaps Your Majesty understands -cooking."</p> - -<p>"Cooking and majesty are two different things," -laughed the little King. "I could not cook a fish to -save me from starvation."</p> - -<p>"For my part," said Bilbil, "I never eat fish, but I -can tell you how to cook them, for I have often watched -the palace cooks at their work." And so, with the -goat's assistance, the boy and the King managed to -prepare the fish and cook them, after which they were -eaten with good appetite.</p> - -<p>That night, after Rinkitink and Bilbil were both fast -asleep, Inga stole quietly through the moonlight to the -desolate banquet hall. There, kneeling down, he touched -the secret spring as his father had instructed him to -do and to his joy the tile sank downward and disclosed -the opening. You may imagine how the boy's heart -throbbed with excitement as he slowly thrust his hand -into the cavity and felt around to see if the precious -pearls were still there. In a moment his fingers -touched the silken bag and, without pausing to close -the recess, he pressed the treasure against his breast -and ran out into the moonlight to examine it. When he -reached a bright place he started to open the bag, but -he observed Bilbil lying asleep upon the grass near by. -So, trembling with the fear of discovery, he ran to -another place, and when he paused he heard Rinkitink -snoring lustily. Again he fled and made his way to the -seashore, where he squatted under a bank and began to -untie the cords that fastened the mouth of the bag. But -now another fear assailed him.</p> - -<p>"If the pearls should slip from my hand," he thought, -"and roll into the water, they might be lost to me -forever. I must find some safer place."</p> - -<p>Here and there he wandered, still clasping the silken -bag in both hands, and finally he went to the grove and -climbed into the tall tree where he had made his -platform and seat. But here it was pitch dark, so he -found he must wait patiently until morning before he -dared touch the pearls. During those hours of waiting -he had time for reflection and reproached himself for -being so frightened by the possession of his father's -treasures.</p> - -<p>"These pearls have belonged to our family for -generations," he mused, "yet no one has ever lost them. -If I use ordinary care I am sure I need have no fears -for their safety."</p> - -<p>When the dawn came and he could see plainly, Inga -opened the bag and took out the Blue Pearl. There was -no possibility of his being observed by others, so he -took time to examine it wonderingly, saying to himself: -"This will give me strength."</p> - -<p>Taking off his right shoe he placed the Blue Pearl -within it, far up in the pointed toe. Then he tore a -piece from his handkerchief and stuffed it into the -shoe to hold the pearl in place. Inga's shoes were long -and pointed, as were all the shoes worn in Pingaree, -and the points curled upward, so that there was quite a -vacant space beyond the place where the boy's toes -reached when the shoe was upon his foot.</p> - -<p>After he had put on the Shoe and laced it up he -opened the bag and took out the Pink Pearl. "This will -protect me from danger," said Inga, and removing the -shoe from his left foot he carefully placed the pearl -in the hollow toe. This, also, he secured in place by -means of a strip torn from his handkerchief.</p> - -<p>Having put on the second shoe and laced it up, the -boy drew from the silken bag the third pearl — that -which was pure white — and holding it to his ear he -asked.</p> - -<p>"Will you advise me what to do, in this my hour of -misfortune?"</p> - -<p>Clearly the small voice of the pearl made answer:</p> - -<p>"I advise you to go to the Islands of Regos and -Coregos, where you may liberate your parents from -slavery."</p> - -<p>"How could I do that?" exclaimed Prince Inga, amazed -at receiving such advice.</p> - -<p>"To-night," spoke the voice of the pearl, "there will -be a storm, and in the morning a boat will strand upon -the shore. Take this boat and row to Regos and -Coregos."</p> - -<p>"How can I, a weak boy, pull the boat so far?" he -inquired, doubting the possibility.</p> - -<p>"The Blue Pearl will give you strength," was the -reply.</p> - -<p>"But I may be shipwrecked and drowned, before ever I -reach Regos and Coregos," protested the boy.</p> - -<p>"The Pink Pearl will protect you from harm," murmured -the voice, soft and low but very distinct.</p> - -<p>"Then I shall act as you advise me," declared Inga, -speaking firmly because this promise gave him courage, -and as he removed the pearl from his ear it whispered:</p> - -<p>"The wise and fearless are sure to win success."</p> - -<p>Restoring the White Pearl to the depths of the silken -bag, Inga fastened it securely around his neck and -buttoned his waist above it to hide the treasure from -all prying eyes. Then he slowly climbed down from the -tree and returned to the room where King Rinkitink -still slept.</p> - -<p>The goat was browsing upon the grass but looked cross -and surly. When the boy said good morning as he passed, -Bilbil made no response whatever. As Inga entered the -room the King awoke and asked:</p> - -<p>"What is that mysterious secret of yours? I've been -dreaming about it, and I haven't got my breath yet from -tugging at those heavy blocks. Tell me the secret."</p> - -<p>"A secret told is no longer a secret," replied Inga, -with a laugh. "Besides, this is a family secret, which -it is proper I should keep to myself. But I may tell -you one thing, at least: We are going to leave this -island to-morrow morning."</p> - -<p>The King seemed puzzled' by this statement.</p> - -<p>"I'm not much of a swimmer," said he, "and, though -I'm fat enough to float upon the surface of the water, -I'd only bob around and get nowhere at all."</p> - -<p>"We shall not swim, but ride comfortably in a boat," -promised Inga.</p> - -<p>"There isn't a boat on this island!" declared -Rinkitink, looking upon the boy with wonder.</p> - -<p>"True," said Inga. "But one will come to us in the -morning." He spoke positively, for he had perfect faith -in the promise of the White Pearl; but Rinkitink, -knowing nothing of the three marvelous jewels, began to -fear that the little Prince had lost his mind through -grief and misfortune.</p> - -<p>For this reason the King did not question the boy -further but tried to cheer him by telling him witty -stories. He laughed at all the stories himself, in his -merry, rollicking way, and Inga joined freely in the -laughter because his heart had been lightened by the -prospect of rescuing his dear parents. Not since the -fierce warriors had descended upon Pingaree had the boy -been so hopeful and happy.</p> - -<p>With Rinkitink riding upon Bilbil's back, the three -made a tour of the island and found in the central part -some bushes and trees bearing ripe fruit. They gathered -this freely, for — aside from the fish which Inga -caught — it was the only food they now had, and the -less they had, the bigger Rinkitink's appetite seemed -to grow.</p> - -<p>"I am never more happy," said he with a sigh, "than -when I am eating."</p> - -<p>Toward evening the sky became overcast and soon a -great storm began to rage. Prince Inga and King -Rinkitink took refuge within the shelter of the room -they had fitted up and there Bilbil joined them. The -goat and the King were somewhat disturbed by the -violence of the storm, but Inga did not mind it, being -pleased at this evidence that the White Pearl might be -relied upon.</p> - -<p>All night the wind shrieked around the island; -thunder rolled, lightning flashed and rain came down in -torrents. But with morning the storm abated and when -the sun arose no sign of the tempest remained save a -few fallen trees.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Six'></a><h2>Chapter Six</h2> - -<h3>The Magic Boat</h3> -<br /> - -<p>Prince Inga was up with the sun and, accompanied by -Bilbil, began walking along the shore in search of the -boat which the White Pearl had promised him. Never for -an instant did he doubt that he would find it and -before he had walked any great distance a dark object -at the water's edge caught his eye.</p> - -<p>"It is the boat, Bilbil!" he cried joyfully, and -running down to it he found it was, indeed, a large and -roomy boat. Although stranded upon the beach, it was in -perfect order and had suffered in no way from the -storm.</p> - -<p>Inga stood for some moments gazing upon the handsome -craft and wondering where it could have come from. -Certainly it was unlike any boat he had ever seen. On -the outside it was painted a lustrous black, without -any other color to relieve it; but all the inside of -the boat was lined with pure silver, polished so highly -that the surface resembled a mirror and glinted -brilliantly in the rays of the sun. The seats had white -velvet cushions upon them and the cushions were -splendidly embroidered with threads of gold. At one -end, beneath the broad seat, was a small barrel with -silver hoops, which the boy found was filled with -fresh, sweet water. A great chest of sandalwood, bound -and ornamented with silver, stood in the other end of -the boat. Inga raised the lid and discovered the chest -filled with sea-biscuits, cakes, tinned meats and ripe, -juicy melons; enough good and wholesome food to last -the party a long time.</p> - -<p>Lying upon the bottom of the boat were two shining -oars, and overhead, but rolled back now, was a canopy -of silver cloth to ward off the heat of the sun.</p> - -<p>It is no wonder the boy was delighted with the -appearance of this beautiful boat; but on reflection he -feared it was too large for him to row any great -distance. Unless, indeed, the Blue Pearl gave him -unusual strength.</p> - -<p>While he was considering this matter, King Rinkitink -came waddling up to him and said:</p> - -<p>"Well, well, well, my Prince, your words have come -true! Here is the boat, for a certainty, yet how it -came here — and how you knew it would come to us — -are puzzles that mystify me. I do not question our good -fortune, however, and my heart is bubbling with joy, -for in this boat I will return at once to my City of -Gilgad, from which I have remained absent altogether -too long a time."</p> - -<p>"I do not wish to go to Gilgad," said Inga.</p> - -<p>"That is too bad, my friend, for you would be very -welcome. But you may remain upon this island, if you -wish," continued Rinkitink, "and when I get home I will -send some of my people to rescue you."</p> - -<p>"It is my boat, Your Majesty," said Inga quietly.</p> - -<p>"May be, may be," was the careless answer, "but I am -King of a great country, while you are a boy Prince -without any kingdom to speak of. Therefore, being of -greater importance than you, it is just and right that -I take, your boat and return to my own country in it."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry to differ from Your Majesty's views," -said Inga, "but instead of going to Gilgad I consider -it of greater importance that we go to the islands of -Regos and Coregos."</p> - -<p>"Hey? What!" cried the astounded King. "To Regos and -Coregos! To become slaves of the barbarians, like the -King, your father? No, no, my boy! Your Uncle Rinki may -have an empty noddle, as Bilbil claims, but he is far -too wise to put his head in the lion's mouth. It's no -fun to be a slave."</p> - -<p>"The people of Regos and Coregos will not enslave -us," declared Inga. "On the contrary, it is my -intention to set free my dear parents, as well as all -my people, and to bring them back again to Pingaree."</p> - -<p>"Cheek-eek-eek-eek-eek! How funny!" chuckled -Rinkitink, winking at the goat, which scowled in -return. "Your audacity takes my breath away, Inga, but -the adventure has its charm, I must, confess. Were I -not so fat, I'd agree to your plan at once, and could -probably conquer that horde of fierce warriors without -any assistance at all — any at all — eh, Bilbil? But -I grieve to say that I am fat, and not in good fighting -trim. As for your determination to do what I admit I -can't do, Inga, I fear you forget that you are only a -boy, and rather small at that."</p> - -<p>"No, I do not forget that," was Inga's reply.</p> - -<p>"Then please consider that you and I and Bilbil are -not strong enough, as an army, to conquer a powerful -nation of skilled warriors. We could attempt it, of -course, but you are too young to die, while I am too -old. Come with me to my City of Gilgad, where you will -be greatly honored. I'll have my professors teach you -how to be good. Eh? What do you say?"</p> - -<p>Inga was a little embarrassed how to reply to these -arguments, which he knew King Rinkitink considered were -wise; so, after a period of thought, he said:</p> - -<p>"I will make a bargain with Your Majesty, for I do -not wish to fail in respect to so worthy a man and so -great a King as yourself. This boat is mine, as I have -said, and in my father's absence you have become my -guest; therefore I claim that I am entitled to some -consideration, as well as you."</p> - -<p>"No doubt of it," agreed Rinkitink. "What is the -bargain you propose, Inga?"</p> - -<p>"Let us both get into the boat, and you shall first -try to row us to Gilgad. If you succeed, I will -accompany you right willingly; but should you fail, I -will then row the boat to Regos, and you must come with -me without further protest."</p> - -<p>"A fair and just bargain!" cried the King, highly -pleased. "Yet, although I am a man of mighty deeds, I -do not relish the prospect of rowing so big a boat all -the way to Gilgad. But I will do my best and abide by -the result."</p> - -<p>The matter being thus peaceably settled, they -prepared to embark. A further supply of fruits was -placed in the boat and Inga also raked up a quantity of -the delicious oysters that abounded on the coast of -Pingaree but which he had before been unable to reach -for lack of a boat. This was done at the suggestion of -the ever-hungry Rinkitink, and when the oysters had -been stowed in their shells behind the water barrel and -a plentiful supply of grass brought aboard for Bilbil, -they decided they were ready to start on their voyage.</p> - -<p>It proved no easy task to get Bilbil into the boat, -for he was a remarkably clumsy goat and once, when -Rinkitink gave him a push, he tumbled into the water -and nearly drowned before they could get him out again. -But there was no thought of leaving the quaint animal -behind. His power of speech made him seem almost human -in the eyes of the boy, and the fat King was so -accustomed to his surly companion that nothing could -have induced him to part with him. Finally Bilbil fell -sprawling into the bottom of the boat, and Inga helped -him to get to the front end, where there was enough -space for him to lie down.</p> - -<p>Rinkitink now took his seat in the silver-lined craft -and the boy came last, pushing off the boat as he -sprang aboard, so that it floated freely upon the -water.</p> - -<p>"Well, here we go for Gilgad!" exclaimed the King, -picking up the oars and placing them in the row-locks. -Then he began to row as hard as he could, singing at -the same time an odd sort of a song that ran like this</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"The way to Gilgad isn't bad</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>For a stout old King and a brave young lad,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>For a cross old goat with a dripping coat,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And a silver boat in which to float.</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>So our hearts are merry, light and glad</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>As we speed away to fair Gilgad!"</span><br /> - -<p>"Don't, Rinkitink; please don't! It makes me -seasick," growled Bilbil.</p> - -<p>Rinkitink stopped rowing, for by this time he was all -out of breath and his round face was covered with big -drops of perspiration. And when he looked over his -shoulder he found to his dismay that the boat had -scarcely moved a foot from its former position.</p> - -<p>Inga said nothing and appeared not to notice the -King's failure. So now Rinkitink, with a serious look -on his fat, red face, took off his purple robe and -rolled up the sleeves of his tunic and tried again.</p> - -<p>However, he succeeded no better than before and when -he heard Bilbil give a gruff laugh and saw a smile upon -the boy Prince's face, Rinkitink suddenly dropped the -oars and began shouting with laughter at his own -defeat. As he wiped his brow with a yellow silk -handkerchief he sang in a merry voice:</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"A sailor bold am I, I hold,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>But boldness will not row a boat.</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>So I confess I'm in distress</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And just as useless as the goat."</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>"Please leave me out of your verses," said Bilbil -with a snort of anger.</p> - -<p>"When I make a fool of myself, Bilbil, I'm a goat," -replied Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"Not so," insisted Bilbil. "Nothing could make you a -member of my superior race."</p> - -<p>"Superior? Why, Bilbil, a goat is but a beast, while -I am a King!"</p> - -<p>"I claim that superiority lies in intelligence," said -the goat.</p> - -<p>Rinkitink paid no attention to this remark, but -turning to Inga he said:</p> - -<p>"We may as well get back to the shore, for the boat -is too heavy to row to Gilgad or anywhere else. Indeed, -it will be hard for us to reach land again."</p> - -<p>"Let me take the oars," suggested Inga. "You must not -forget our bargain."</p> - -<p>"No, indeed," answered Rinkitink. "If you can row us -to Regos, or to any other place, I will go with you -without protest."</p> - -<p>So the King took Inga's place at the stern of the -boat and the boy grasped the oars and commenced to row. -And now, to the great wonder of Rinkitink — and even -to Inga's surprise — the oars became light as feathers -as soon as the Prince took hold of them. In an instant -the boat began to glide rapidly through the water and, -seeing this, the boy turned its prow toward the north. -He did not know exactly where Regos and Coregos were -located, but he did know that the islands lay to the -north of Pingaree, so he decided to trust to luck and -the guidance of the pearls to carry him to them.</p> - -<p>Gradually the Island of Pingaree became smaller to -their view as the boat sped onward, until at the end of -an hour they had lost sight of it altogether and were -wholly surrounded by the purple waters of the Nonestic -Ocean.</p> - -<p>Prince Inga did not tire from the labor of rowing; -indeed, it seemed to him no labor at all. Once he -stopped long enough to place the poles of the canopy in -the holes that had been made for them, in the edges of -the boat, and to spread the canopy of silver over the -poles, for Rinkitink had complained of the sun's heat. -But the canopy shut out the hot rays and rendered the -interior of the boat cool and pleasant.</p> - -<p>"This is a glorious ride!" cried Rinkitink, as he lay -back in the shade. "I find it a decided relief to be -away from that dismal island of Pingaree."</p> - -<p>"It may be a relief for a short time," said Bilbil, -"but you are going to the land of your enemies, who -will probably stick your fat body full of spears and -arrows."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I hope not!" exclaimed Inga, distressed at the -thought.</p> - -<p>"Never mind," said the King calmly, "a man can die -but once, you know, and when the enemy kills me I shall -beg him to kill Bilbil, also, that we may remain -together in death as in life."</p> - -<p>"They may be cannibals, in which case they will roast -and eat us," suggested Bilbil, who wished to terrify -his master.</p> - -<p>"Who knows?" answered Rinkitink, with a shudder. "But -cheer up, Bilbil; they may not kill us after all, or -even capture us; so let us not borrow trouble. Do not -look so cross, my sprightly quadruped, and I will sing -to amuse you."</p> - -<p>"Your song would make me more cross than ever," -grumbled the goat.</p> - -<p>"Quite impossible, dear Bilbil. You couldn't be more -surly if you tried. So here is a famous song for you."</p> - -<p>While the boy rowed steadily on and the boat rushed -fast over the water, the jolly King, who never could be -sad or serious for many minutes at a time, lay back on -his embroidered cushions and sang as follows:</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"A merry maiden went to sea —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>She sat upon the Captain's knee</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And looked around the sea to see</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>What she could see, but she couldn't see me —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do!</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>"How do you like that, Bilbil?"</p> - -<p>"I don't like it," complained the goat. "It reminds -me of the alligator that tried to whistle."</p> - -<p>"Did he succeed, Bilbil?" asked the King.</p> - -<p>"He whistled as well as you sing."</p> - -<p>"Ha, ha, ha, ha, heek, keek, eek!" chuckled the King. -"He must have whistled most exquisitely, eh, my -friend?"</p> - -<p>"I am not your friend," returned the goat, wagging -his ears in a surly manner.</p> - -<p>"I am yours, however," was the King's cheery reply; -"and to prove it I'll sing you another verse."</p> - -<p>"Don't, I beg of you!"</p> - -<p>But the King sang as follows:</p> - - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"The wind blew off the maiden's shoe —</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And the shoe flew high to the sky so blue</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And the maiden knew 'twas a new shoe, too;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>But she couldn't pursue the shoe, 'tis true —</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do!</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>"Isn't that sweet, my pretty goat?"</p> - -<p>"Sweet, do you ask?" retorted Bilbil. "I consider it -as sweet as candy made from mustard and vinegar."</p> - -<p>"But not as sweet as your disposition, I admit. Ah, -Bilbil, your temper would put honey itself to shame."</p> - -<p>"Do not quarrel, I beg of you," pleaded Inga. "Are we -not sad enough already?"</p> - -<p>"But this is a jolly quarrel," said the King, "and it -is the way Bilbil and I often amuse ourselves. Listen, -now, to the last verse of all:</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"The maid who shied her shoe now cried —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Her tears were fried for the Captain's bride</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Who ate with pride her sobs, beside,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And gently sighed 'I'm satisfied' —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing to-ral-oo-ral-i-do!"</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>"Worse and worse!" grumbled Bilbil, with much scorn. -"I am glad that is the last verse, for another of the -same kind might cause me to faint."</p> - -<p>"I fear you have no ear for music," said the King.</p> - -<p>"I have heard no music, as yet," declared the goat. -"You must have a strong imagination, King Rinkitink, if -you consider your songs music. Do you remember the -story of the bear that hired out for a nursemaid?"</p> - -<p>"I do not recall it just now," said Rinkitink, with a -wink at Inga.</p> - -<p>"Well, the bear tried to sing a lullaby to put the -baby to sleep."</p> - -<p>"And then?" said the King.</p> - -<p>"The bear was highly pleased with its own voice, but -the baby was nearly frightened to death."</p> - -<p>"Heh, heb, heh, heh, whoo, hoo, hoo! You are a merry -rogue, Bilbil," laughed the King; "a merry rogue in -spite of your gloomy features. However, if I have not -amused you, I have at least pleased myself, for I am -exceedingly fond of a good song. So let us say no more -about it."</p> - -<p>All this time the boy Prince was rowing the boat. He -was not in the least tired, for the oars he held seemed -to move of their own accord. He paid little heed to the -conversation of Rinkitink and the goat, but busied his -thoughts with plans of what he should do when he -reached the islands of Regos and Coregos and confronted -his enemies. When the others finally became silent, -Inga inquired.</p> - -<p>"Can you fight, King Rinkitink?"</p> - -<p>"I have never tried," was the answer. "In time of -danger I have found it much easier to run away than to -face the foe."</p> - -<p>"But could you fight?" asked the boy.</p> - -<p>"I might try, if there was no chance to escape by -running. Have you a proper weapon for me to fight -with?"</p> - -<p>"I have no weapon at all," confessed Inga.</p> - -<p>"Then let us use argument and persuasion instead of -fighting. For instance, if we could persuade the -warriors of Regos to lie down, and let me step on them, -they would be crushed with ease."</p> - -<p>Prince Inga had expected little support from the -King, so he was not discouraged by this answer. After -all, he reflected, a conquest by battle would be out of -the question, yet the White Pearl would not have -advised him to go to Regos and Coregos had the mission -been a hopeless one. It seemed to him, on further -reflection, that he must rely upon circumstances to -determine his actions when he reached the islands of -the barbarians.</p> - -<p>By this time Inga felt perfect confidence in the -Magic Pearls. It was the White Pearl that had given him -the boat, and the Blue Pearl that had given him -strength to row it. He believed that the Pink Pearl -would protect him from any danger that might arise; so -his anxiety was not for himself, but for his -companions. King Rinkitink and the goat had no magic to -protect them, so Inga resolved to do all in his power -to keep them from harm.</p> - -<p>For three days and three nights the boat with the -silver lining sped swiftly over the ocean. On the -morning of the fourth day, so quickly had they -traveled, Inga saw before him the shores of the two -great islands of Regos and Coregos.</p> - -<p>"The pearls have guided me aright!" he whispered to -himself. "Now, if I am wise, and cautious, and brave, I -believe I shall be able to rescue my father and mother -and my people."</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Seven'></a><h2>Chapter Seven</h2> - -<h3>The Twin Islands</h3> -<br /> - -<p>The Island of Regos was ten miles wide and forty miles -long and it was ruled by a big and powerful King named -Gos. Near to the shores were green and fertile fields, -but farther back from the sea were rugged hills and -mountains, so rocky that nothing would grow there. But -in these mountains were mines of gold and silver, which -the slaves of the King were forced to work, being -confined in dark underground passages for that purpose. -In the course of time huge caverns had been hollowed -out by the slaves, in which they lived and slept, never -seeing the light of day. Cruel overseers with whips -stood over these poor people, who had been captured in -many countries by the raiding parties of King Cos, and -the overseers were quite willing to lash the slaves -with their whips if they faltered a moment in their -work.</p> - -<p>Between the green shores and the mountains were -forests of thick, tangled trees, between which narrow -paths had been cut to lead up to the caves of the -mines. It was on the level green meadows, not far from -the ocean, that the great City of Regos had been built, -wherein was located the palace of the King. This city -was inhabited by thousands of the fierce warriors of -Gos, who frequently took to their boats and spread over -the sea to the neighboring islands to conquer and -pillage, as they had done at Pingaree. When they were -not absent on one of these expeditions, the City of -Regos swarmed with them and so became a dangerous place -for any peaceful person to live in, for the warriors -were as lawless as their King.</p> - -<p>The Island of Coregos lay close beside the Island of -Regos; so close, indeed, that one might have thrown a -stone from one shore to another. But Coregos was only -half the size of Regos and instead of being mountainous -it was a rich and pleasant country, covered with fields -of grain. The fields of Coregos furnished food for the -warriors and citizens of both countries, while the -mines of Regos made them all rich.</p> - -<p>Coregos was ruled by Queen Cor, who was wedded to -King Gos; but so stern and cruel was the nature of this -Queen that the people could not decide which of their -sovereigns they dreaded most.</p> - -<p>Queen Cor lived in her own City of Coregos, which lay -on that side of her island facing Regos, and her -slaves, who were mostly women, were made to plow the -land and to plant and harvest the grain.</p> - -<p>From Regos to Coregos stretched a bridge of boats, -set close together, with planks laid across their edges -for people to walk upon. In this way it was easy to -pass from one island to the other and in times of -danger the bridge could be quickly removed.</p> - -<p>The native inhabitants of Regos and Coregos consisted -of the warriors, who did nothing but fight and ravage, -and the trembling servants who waited on them. King Gos -and Queen Cor were at war with all the rest of the -world. Other islanders hated and feared them, for their -slaves were badly treated and absolutely no mercy was -shown to the weak or ill.</p> - -<p>When the boats that had gone to Pingaree returned -loaded with rich plunder and a host of captives, there -was much rejoicing in Regos and Coregos and the King -and Queen gave a fine feast to the warriors who had -accomplished so great a conquest. This feast was set -for the warriors in the grounds of King Gos's palace, -while with them in the great throne room all the -captains and leaders of the fighting men were assembled -with King Gos and Queen Cor, who had come from her -island to attend the ceremony. Then all the goods that -had been stolen from the King of Pingaree were divided -according to rank, the King and Queen taking half, the -captains a quarter, and the rest being divided amongst -the warriors.</p> - -<p>The day following the feast King Gos sent King -Kitticut and all the men of Pingaree to work in his -mines under the mountains, having first chained them -together so they could not escape. The gentle Queen of -Pingaree and all her women, together with the captured -children, were given to Queen Cor, who set them to work -in her grain fields.</p> - -<p>Then the rulers and warriors of these dreadful -islands thought they had done forever with Pingaree. -Despoiled of all its wealth, its houses torn down, its -boats captured and all its people enslaved, what -likelihood was there that they might ever again hear of -the desolated island? So the people of Regos and -Coregos were surprised and puzzled when one morning -they observed approaching their shores from the -direction of the south a black boat containing a boy, a -fat man and a goat. The warriors asked one another who -these could be, and where they had come from? No one -ever came to those islands of their own accord, that -was certain.</p> - -<p>Prince Inga guided his boat to the south end of the -Island of Regos, which was the landing place nearest to -the city, and when the warriors saw this action they -went down to the shore to meet him, being led by a big -captain named Buzzub.</p> - -<p>"Those people surely mean us no good," said Rinkitink -uneasily to the boy. "Without doubt they intend to -capture us and make us their slaves."</p> - -<p>"Do not fear, sir," answered Inga, in a calm voice. -"Stay quietly in the boat with Bilbil until I have -spoken with these men."</p> - -<p>He stopped the boat a dozen feet from the shore, and -standing up in his place made a grave bow to the -multitude confronting him. Said the big Captain Buzzub -in a gruff voice:</p> - -<p>"Well, little one, who may you be? And how dare you -come, uninvited and all alone, to the Island of Regos?"</p> - -<p>"I am Inga, Prince of Pingaree," returned the boy, -"and I have come here to free my parents and my people, -whom you have wrongfully enslaved."</p> - -<p>When they heard this bold speech a mighty laugh arose -from the band of warriors, and when it had subsided the -captain said:</p> - -<p>"You love to jest, my baby Prince, and the joke is -fairly good. But why did you willingly thrust your head -into the lion's mouth? When you were free, why did you -not stay free? We did not know we had left a single -person in Pingaree! But since you managed to escape us -then, it is really kind of you to come here of your own -free will, to be our slave. Who is the funny fat person -with you?"</p> - -<p>"It is His Majesty, King Rinkitink, of the great City -of Gilgad. He has accompanied me to see that you render -full restitution for all you have stolen from -Pingaree."</p> - -<p>"Better yet!" laughed Buzzub. "He will make a fine -slave for Queen Cor, who loves to tickle fat men, and -see them jump."</p> - -<p>King Rinkitink was filled with horror when he heard -this, but the Prince answered as boldly as before, -saying:</p> - -<p>"We are not to be frightened by bluster, believe me; -nor are we so weak as you imagine. We have magic powers -so great and terrible that no host of warriors can -possibly withstand us, and therefore I call upon you to -surrender your city and your island to us, before we -crush you with our mighty powers."</p> - -<p>The boy spoke very gravely and earnestly, but his -words only aroused another shout of laughter. So while -the men of Regos were laughing Inga drove the boat -we'll up onto the sandy beach and leaped out. He also -helped Rinkitink out, and when the goat had unaided -sprung to the sands, the King got upon Bilbil's back, -trembling a little internally, but striving to look as -brave as possible.</p> - -<p>There was a bunch of coarse hair between the goat's -ears, and this Inga clutched firmly in his left hand. -The boy knew the Pink Pearl would protect not only -himself, but all whom he touched, from any harm, and as -Rinkitink was astride the goat and Inga had his hand -upon the animal, the three could not be injured by -anything the warriors could do. But Captain Buzzub did -not know this, and the little group of three seemed so -weak and ridiculous that he believed their capture -would be easy. So he turned to his men and with a wave -of his hand said:</p> - -<p>"Seize the intruders!"</p> - -<p>Instantly two or three of the warriors stepped -forward to obey, but to their amazement they could not -reach any of the three; their hands were arrested as if -by an invisible wall of iron. Without paying any -attention to these attempts at capture, Inga advanced -slowly and the goat kept pace with him. And when -Rinkitink saw that he was safe from harm he gave one of -his big, merry laughs, and it startled the warriors and -made them nervous. Captain Buzzub's eyes grew big with -surprise as the three steadily advanced and forced his -men backward; nor was he free from terror himself at -the magic that protected these strange visitors. As for -the warriors, they presently became terror-stricken and -fled in a panic up the slope toward the city, and -Buzzub was obliged to chase after them and shout -threats of punishment before he could halt them and -form them into a line of battle.</p> - -<p>All the men of Regos bore spears and bows-and-arrows, -and some of the officers had swords and battle-axes; so -Buzzub ordered them to stand their ground and shoot and -slay the strangers as they approached. This they tried -to do. Inga being in advance, the warriors sent a -flight of sharp arrows straight at the boy's breast, -while others cast their long spears at him.</p> - -<p>It seemed to Rinkitink that the little Prince must -surely perish as he stood facing this hail of murderous -missiles; but the power of the Pink Pearl did not -desert him, and when the arrows and spears had reached -to within an inch of his body they bounded back again -and fell harmlessly at his feet. Nor were Rinkitink or -Bilbil injured in the least, although they stood close -beside Inga.</p> - -<p>Buzzub stood for a moment looking upon the boy in -silent wonder. Then, recovering himself, he shouted in -a loud voice:</p> - -<p>"Once again! All together, my men. No one shall ever -defy our might and live!"</p> - -<p>Again a flight of arrows and spears sped toward the -three, and since many more of the warriors of Regos had -by this time joined their fellows, the air was for a -moment darkened by the deadly shafts. But again all -fell harmless before the power of the Pink Pearl, and -Bilbil, who had been growing very angry at the attempts -to injure him and his party, suddenly made a bolt -forward, casting off Inga's hold, and butted into the -line of warriors, who were standing amazed at their -failure to conquer.</p> - -<p>Taken by surprise at the goat's attack, a dozen big -warriors tumbled in a heap, yelling with fear, and -their comrades, not knowing what had happened but -imagining that their foes were attacking them, turned -about and ran to the city as hard as they could go. -Bilbil, still angry, had just time to catch the big -captain as he turned to follow his men, and Buzzub -first sprawled headlong upon the ground, then rolled -over two or three times, and finally jumped up and ran -yelling after his defeated warriors. This butting on -the part of the goat was very hard upon King Rinkitink, -who nearly fell off Bilbil's back at the shock of -encounter; but the little fat King wound his arms -around the goat's neck and shut his eyes and clung on -with all his might. It was not until he heard Inga say -triumphantly, "We have won the fight without striking a -blow!" that Rinkitink dared open his eyes again. Then -he saw the warriors rushing into the City of Regos and -barring the heavy gates, and he was very much relieved -at the sight.</p> - -<p>"Without striking a blow!" said Bilbil indignantly. -"That is not quite true, Prince Inga. You did not -fight, I admit, but I struck a couple of times to good -purpose, and I claim to have conquered the cowardly -warriors unaided."</p> - -<p>"You and I together, Bilbil," said Rinkitink mildly. -"But the next time you make a charge, please warn me in -time, so that I may dismount and give you all the -credit for the attack."</p> - -<p>There being no one now to oppose their advance, the -three walked to the gates of the city, which had been -closed against them. The gates were of iron and heavily -barred, and upon the top of the high walls of the city -a host of the warriors now appeared armed with arrows -and spears and other weapons. For Buzzub had gone -straight to the palace of King Cos and reported his -defeat, relating the powerful magic of the boy, the fat -King and the goat, and had asked what to do next.</p> - -<p>The big captain still trembled with fear, but King -Gos did not believe in magic, and called Buzzub a -coward and a weakling. At once the King took command of -his men personally, and he ordered the walls manned -with warriors and instructed them to shoot to kill if -any of the three strangers approached the gates.</p> - -<p>Of course, neither Rinkitink nor Bilbil knew how they -had been protected from harm and so at first they were -inclined to resent the boy's command that the three -must always keep together and touch one another at all -times. But when Inga explained that his magic would not -otherwise save them from injury, they agreed to obey, -for they had now seen enough to convince them that the -Prince was really protected by some invisible power.</p> - -<p>As they came before the gates another shower of -arrows and spears descended upon them, and as before -not a single missile touched their bodies. King Gos, -who was upon the wall, was greatly amazed and somewhat -worried, but he depended upon the strength of his gates -and commanded his men to continue shooting until all -their weapons were gone.</p> - -<p>Inga let them shoot as much as they wished, while he -stood before the great gates and examined them -carefully.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps Bilbil can batter down the gates," suggested -Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"No," replied the goat; "my head is hard, but not -harder than iron."</p> - -<p>"Then," returned the King, "let us stay outside; -especially as we can't get in."</p> - -<p>But Inga was not at all sure they could not get in. -The gates opened inward, and three heavy bars were held -in place by means of stout staples riveted to the -sheets of steel. The boy had been told that the power -of the Blue Pearl would enable him to accomplish any -feat of strength, and he believed that this was true.</p> - -<p>The warriors, under the direction of King Gos, -continued to hurl arrows and darts and spears and axes -and huge stones upon the invaders, all without avail. -The ground below was thickly covered with weapons, yet -not one of the three before the gates had been injured -in the slightest manner. When everything had been cast -that was available and not a single weapon of any sort -remained at hand, the amazed warriors saw the boy put -his shoulder against the gates and burst asunder the -huge staples that held the bars in place. A thousand of -their men could not have accomplished this feat, yet -the small, slight boy did it with seeming ease. The -gates burst open, and Inga advanced into the city -street and called upon King Gos to surrender.</p> - -<p>But Gos was now as badly frightened as were his -warriors. He and his men were accustomed to war and -pillage and they had carried terror into many -countries, but here was a small boy, a fat man and a -goat who could not be injured by all his skill in -warfare, his numerous army and thousands of death- -dealing weapons. Moreover, they not only defied King -Gos's entire army but they had broken in the huge gates -of the city — as easily as if they had been made of -paper — and such an exhibition of enormous strength -made the wicked King fear for his life. Like all -bullies and marauders, Gos was a coward at heart, and -now a panic seized him and he turned and fled before -the calm advance of Prince Inga of Pingaree. The -warriors were like their master, and having thrown all -their weapons over the wall and being helpless to -oppose the strangers, they all swarmed after Gos, who -abandoned his city and crossed the bridge of boats to -the Island of Coregos. There was a desperate struggle -among these cowardly warriors to get over the bridge, -and many were pushed into the water and obliged to -swim; but finally every fighting man of Regos had -gained the shore of Coregos and then they tore away the -bridge of boats and drew them up on their own side, -hoping the stretch of open water would prevent the -magic invaders from following them.</p> - -<p>The humble citizens and serving people of Regos, who -had been terrified and abused by the rough warriors all -their lives, were not only greatly astonished by this -sudden conquest of their masters but greatly delighted. -As the King and his army fled to Coregos, the people -embraced one another and danced for very joy, and then -they turned to see what the conquerors of Regos were -like.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Eight'></a><h2>Chapter Eight</h2> - -<h3>Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake</h3> -<br /> - -<p>The fat King rode his goat through the streets of the -conquered city and the boy Prince walked proudly beside -him, while all the people bent their heads humbly to -their new masters, whom they were prepared to serve in -the same manner they had King Gos.</p> - -<p>Not a warrior remained in all Regos to oppose the -triumphant three; the bridge of boats had been -destroyed; Inga and his companions were free from -danger — for a time, at least.</p> - -<p>The jolly little King appreciated this fact and -rejoiced that he had escaped all injury during the -battle. How it had all happened he could not tell, nor -even guess, but he was content in being safe and free -to take possession of the enemy's city. So, as they -passed through the lines of respectful civilians on -their way to the palace, the King tipped his crown back -on his bald head and folded his arms and sang in his -best voice the following lines:</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"Oh, here comes the army of King Rinkitink!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>It isn't a big one, perhaps you may think,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>But it scattered the warriors quicker than wink —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Our Bilbil's a hero and so is his King;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Our foemen have vanished like birds on the wing;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>I guess that as fighters we're quite the real thing —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink!"</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>"Why don't you give a little credit to Inga?" -inquired the goat. "If I remember aright, he did a -little of the conquering himself."</p> - -<p>"So he did," responded the King, "and that's the -reason I'm sounding our own praise, Bilbil. Those who -do the least, often shout the loudest and so get the -most glory. Inga did so much that there is danger of -his becoming more important than we are, and so we'd -best say nothing about him."</p> - -<p>When they reached the palace, which was an immense -building, furnished throughout in regal splendor, Inga -took formal possession and ordered the majordomo to -show them the finest rooms the building contained. -There were many pleasant apartments, but Rinkitink -proposed to Inga that they share one of the largest -bedrooms together.</p> - -<p>"For," said he, "we are not sure that old Gos will -not return and try to recapture his city, and you must -remember that I have no magic to protect me. In any -danger, were I alone, I might be easily killed or -captured, while if you are by my side you can save me -from injury."</p> - -<p>The boy realized the wisdom of this plan, and -selected a fine big bedroom on the second floor of the -palace, in which he ordered two golden beds placed and -prepared for King Rinkitink and himself. Bilbil was -given a suite of rooms on the other side of the palace, -where servants brought the goat fresh-cut grass to eat -and made him a soft bed to lie upon.</p> - -<p>That evening the boy Prince and the fat King dined in -great state in the lofty-domed dining hall of the -palace, where forty servants waited upon them. The -royal chef, anxious to win the favor of the conquerors -of Regos, prepared his finest and most savory dishes -for them, which Rinkitink ate with much appetite and -found so delicious that he ordered the royal chef -brought into the banquet hall and presented him with a -gilt button which the King cut from his own jacket.</p> - -<p>"You are welcome to it," said he to the chef, -"because I have eaten so much that I cannot use that -lower button at all."</p> - -<p>Rinkitink was mightily pleased to live in a -comfortable palace again and to dine at a well spread -table. His joy grew every moment, so that he came in -time to be as merry and cheery as before Pingaree was -despoiled. And, although he had been much frightened -during Inga's defiance of the army of King Gos, he now -began to turn the matter into a joke.</p> - -<p>"Why, my boy," said he, "you whipped the big black- -bearded King exactly as if he were a schoolboy, even -though you used no warlike weapon at all upon him. He -was cowed through fear of your magic, and that reminds -me to demand from you an explanation. How did you do -it, Inga? And where did the wonderful magic come from?"</p> - -<p>Perhaps it would have been wise for the Prince to -have explained about the magic pearls, but at that -moment he was not inclined to do so. Instead, he -replied:</p> - -<p>"Be patient, Your Majesty. The secret is not my own, -so please do not ask me to divulge it. Is it not -enough, for the present, that the magic saved you from -death to-day?"</p> - -<p>"Do not think me ungrateful," answered the King -earnestly. "A million spears fell on me from the wall, -and several stones as big as mountains, yet none of -them hurt me!"</p> - -<p>"The stones were not as big as mountains, sire," said -the Prince with a smile. "They were, indeed, no larger -than your head."</p> - -<p>"Are you sure about that?" asked Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"Quite sure, Your Majesty."</p> - -<p>"How deceptive those things are!" sighed the King. -"This argument reminds me of the story of Tom Tick, -which my father used to tell."</p> - -<p>"I have never heard that story," Inga answered.</p> - -<p>"Well, as he told it, it ran like this:</p> - - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"When Tom walked out, the sky to spy,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A naughty gnat flew in his eye;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>But Tom knew not it was a gnat —</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>He thought, at first, it was a cat.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"And then, it felt so very big,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>He thought it surely was a pig</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Till, standing still to hear it grunt,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>He cried: 'Why, it's an elephunt!'</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"But — when the gnat flew out again</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And Tom was free from all his pain,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>He said: 'There flew into my eye</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A leetle, teenty-tiny fly.'"</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>"Indeed," said Inga, laughing, "the gnat was much -like your stones that seemed as big as mountains."</p> - -<p>After their dinner they inspected the palace, which -was filled with valuable goods stolen by King Gos from -many nations. But the day's events had tired them and -they retired early to their big sleeping apartment.</p> - -<p>"In the morning," said the boy to Rinkitink, as he -was undressing for bed, "I shall begin the search for -my father and mother and the people of Pingaree. And, -when they are found and rescued, we will all go home -again, and be as happy as we were before."</p> - -<p>They carefully bolted the door of their room, that no -one might enter, and then got into their beds, where -Rinkitink fell asleep in an instant. The boy lay awake -for a while thinking over the day's adventures, but -presently he fell sound asleep also, and so weary was -he that nothing disturbed his slumber until he awakened -next morning with a ray of sunshine in his eyes, which -had crept into the room through the open window by King -Rinkitink's bed.</p> - -<p>Resolving to begin the search for his parents without -any unnecessary delay, Inga at once got out of bed and -began to dress himself, while Rinkitink, in the other -bed, was still sleeping peacefully. But when the boy -had put on both his stockings and began looking for his -shoes, he could find but one of them. The left shoe, -that containing the Pink Pearl, was missing.</p> - -<p>Filled with anxiety at this discovery, Inga searched -through the entire room, looking underneath the beds -and divans and chairs and behind the draperies and in -the corners and every other possible place a shoe might -be. He tried the door, and found it still bolted; so, -with growing uneasiness, the boy was forced to admit -that the precious shoe was not in the room.</p> - -<p>With a throbbing heart he aroused his companion.</p> - -<p>"King Rinkitink," said he, "do you know what has -become of my left shoe?"</p> - -<p>"Your shoe!" exclaimed the King, giving a wide yawn -and rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them. -"Have you lost a shoe?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Inga. "I have searched everywhere in the -room, and cannot find it."</p> - -<p>"But why bother me about such a small thing?" -inquired Rinkitink. "A shoe is only a shoe, and you can -easily get another one. But, stay! Perhaps it was your -shoe which I threw at the cat last night."</p> - -<p>"The cat!" cried Inga. "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Why, in the night," explained Rinkitink, sitting up -and beginning to dress himself, "I was wakened by the -mewing of a cat that sat upon a wall of the palace, -just outside my window. As the noise disturbed me, I -reached out in the dark and caught up something and -threw it at the cat, to frighten the creature away. I -did not know what it was that I threw, and I was too -sleepy to care; but probably it was your shoe, since it -is now missing."</p> - -<p>"Then," said the boy, in a despairing tone of voice, -"your carelessness has ruined me, as well as yourself, -King Rinkitink, for in that shoe was concealed the -magic power which protected us from danger."</p> - -<p>The King's face became very serious when he heard -this and he uttered a low whistle of surprise and -regret.</p> - -<p>"Why on earth did you not warn me of this?" he -demanded. "And why did you keep such a precious power -in an old shoe? And why didn't you put the shoe under a -pillow? You were very wrong, my lad, in not confiding -to me, your faithful friend, the secret, for in that -case the shoe would not now be lost."</p> - -<p>To all this Inga had no answer. He sat on the side of -his bed, with hanging head, utterly disconsolate, and -seeing this, Rinkitink had pity for his sorrow.</p> - -<p>"Come!" cried the King; "let us go out at once and -look for the shoe which I threw at the cat. It must -even now be lying in the yard of the palace."</p> - -<p>This suggestion roused the boy to action. He at once -threw open the door and in his stocking feet rushed -down the staircase, closely followed by Rinkitink. But -although they looked on both sides of the palace wall -and in every possible crack and corner where a shoe -might lodge, they failed to find it.</p> - -<p>After a half hour's careful search the boy said -sorrowfully:</p> - -<p>"Someone must have passed by, as we slept, and taken -the precious shoe, not knowing its value. To us, King -Rinkitink, this will be a dreadful misfortune, for we -are surrounded by dangers from which we have now no -protection. Luckily I have the other shoe left, within -which is the magic power that gives me strength; so all -is not lost."</p> - -<p>Then he told Rinkitink, in a few words, the secret of -the wonderful pearls, and how he had recovered them -from the ruins and hidden them in his shoes, and how -they had enabled him to drive King Gos and his men from -Regos and to capture the city. The King was much -astonished, and when the story was concluded he said to -Inga:</p> - -<p>"What did you do with the other shoe?"</p> - -<p>"Why, I left it in our bedroom," replied the boy.</p> - -<p>"Then I advise you to get it at once," continued -Rinkitink, "for we can ill afford to lose the second -shoe, as well as the one I threw at the cat."</p> - -<p>"You are right!" cried Inga, and they hastened back -to their bedchamber.</p> - -<p>On entering the room they found an old woman sweeping -and raising a great deal of dust.</p> - -<p>"Where is my shoe?" asked the Prince, anxiously.</p> - -<p>The old woman stopped sweeping and looked at him in a -stupid way, for she was not very intelligent.</p> - -<p>"Do you mean the one odd shoe that was lying on the -floor when I came in?" she finally asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes — yes!" answered the boy. "Where is it? Tell me -where it is!"</p> - -<p>"Why, I threw it on the dust-heap, outside the back -gate," said she, "for, it being but a single shoe, with -no mate, it can be of no use to anyone."</p> - -<p>"Show us the way to the dust-heap — at once!" -commanded the boy, sternly, for he was greatly -frightened by this new misfortune which threatened him.</p> - -<p>The old woman hobbled away and they followed her, -constantly urging her to hasten; but when they reached -the dust-heap no shoe was to be seen.</p> - -<p>"This is terrible!" wailed the young Prince, ready to -weep at his loss. "We are now absolutely ruined, and at -the mercy of our enemies. Nor shall I be able to -liberate my dear father and mother."</p> - -<p>"Well," replied Rinkitink, leaning against an old -barrel and looking quite solemn, "the thing is -certainly unlucky, any way we look at it. I suppose -someone has passed along here and, seeing the shoe upon -the dust-heap, has carried it away. But no one could -know the magic power the shoe contains and so will not -use it against us. I believe, Inga, we must now depend -upon our wits to get us out of the scrape we are in."</p> - -<p>With saddened hearts they returned to the palace, and -entering a small room where no one could observe them -or overhear them, the boy took the White Pearl from its -silken bag and held it to his ear, asking:</p> - -<p>"What shall I do now?"</p> - -<p>"Tell no one of your loss," answered the Voice of the -Pearl. "If your enemies do not know that you are -powerless, they will fear you as much as ever. Keep -your secret, be patient, and fear not!"</p> - -<p>Inga heeded this advice and also warned Rinkitink to -say nothing to anyone of the loss of the shoes and the -powers they contained. He sent for the shoemaker of -King Gos, who soon brought him a new pair of red -leather shoes that fitted him quite well. When these -had been put upon his feet, the Prince, accompanied by -the King, started to walk through the city.</p> - -<p>Wherever they went the people bowed low to the -conqueror, although a few, remembering Inga's terrible -strength, ran away in fear and trembling. They had been -used to severe masters and did not yet know how they -would be treated by King Gos's successor. There being -no occasion for the boy to exercise the powers he had -displayed the previous day, his present helplessness -was not suspected by any of the citizens of Regos, who -still considered him a wonderful magician.</p> - -<p>Inga did not dare to fight his way to the mines, at -present, nor could he try to conquer the Island of -Coregos, where his mother was enslaved; so he set about -the regulation of the City of Regos, and having -established himself with great state in the royal -palace he began to govern the people by kindness, -having consideration for the most humble.</p> - -<p>The King of Regos and his followers sent spies across -to the island they had abandoned in their flight, and -these spies returned with the news that the terrible -boy conqueror was still occupying the city. Therefore -none of them ventured to go back to Regos but continued -to live upon the neighboring island of Coregos, where -they passed the days in fear and trembling and sought -to plot and plan ways how they might overcome the -Prince of Pingaree and the fat King of Gilgad.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Nine'></a><h2>Chapter Nine</h2> - -<h3>A Present for Zella</h3> -<br /> - -<p>Now it so happened that on the morning of that same day -when the Prince of Pingaree suffered the loss of his -priceless shoes, there chanced to pass along the road -that wound beside the royal palace a poor charcoal- -burner named Nikobob, who was about to return to his -home in the forest.</p> - -<p>Nikobob carried an ax and a bundle of torches over -his shoulder and he walked with his eyes to the ground, -being deep in thought as to the strange manner in which -the powerful King Gos and his city had been conquered -by a boy Prince who had come from Pingaree.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the charcoal-burner espied a shoe lying upon -the ground, just beyond the high wall of the palace and -directly in his path. He picked it up and, seeing it -was a pretty shoe, although much too small for his own -foot, he put it in his pocket.</p> - -<p>Soon after, on turning a corner of the wall, Nikobob -came to a dust-heap where, lying amidst a mass of -rubbish, was another shoe — the mate to the one he had -before found. This also he placed in his pocket, saying -to himself:</p> - -<p>"I have now a fine pair of shoes for my daughter -Zella, who will be much pleased to find I have brought -her a present from the city."</p> - -<p>And while the charcoal-burner turned into the forest -and trudged along the path toward his home, Inga and -Rinkitink were still searching for the missing shoes. -Of course, they could not know that Nikobob had found -them, nor did the honest man think he had taken -anything more than a pair of cast-off shoes which -nobody wanted.</p> - -<p>Nikobob had several miles to travel through the -forest before he could reach the little log cabin where -his wife, as well as his little daughter Zella, awaited -his return, but he was used to long walks and tramped -along the path whistling cheerfully to beguile the -time.</p> - -<p>Few people, as I said before, ever passed through the -dark and tangled forests of Regos, except to go to the -mines in the mountain beyond, for many dangerous -creatures lurked in the wild jungles, and King Gos -never knew, when he sent a messenger to the mines, -whether he would reach there safely or not.</p> - -<p>The charcoal-burner, however, knew the wild forest -well, and especially this part of it lying between the -city and his home. It was the favorite haunt of the -ferocious beast Choggenmugger, dreaded by every dweller -in the Island of Regos. Choggenmugger was so old that -everyone thought it must have been there since the -world was made, and each year of its life the huge -scales that covered its body grew thicker and harder -and its jaws grew wider and its teeth grew sharper and -its appetite grew more keen than ever.</p> - -<p>In former ages there had been many dragons in Regos, -but Choggenmugger was so fond of dragons that he had -eaten all of them long ago. There had also been great -serpents and crocodiles in the forest marshes, but all -had gone to feed the hunger of Choggenmugger. The -people of Regos knew well there was no use opposing the -Great Beast, so when one unfortunately met with it he -gave himself up for lost.</p> - -<p>All this Nikobob knew well, but fortune had always -favored him in his journey through the forest, and -although he had at times met many savage beasts and -fought them with his sharp ax, he had never to this day -encountered the terrible Choggenmugger. Indeed, he was -not thinking of the Great Beast at all as he walked -along, but suddenly he heard a crashing of broken trees -and felt a trembling of the earth and saw the immense -jaws of Choggenmugger opening before him. Then Nikobob -gave himself up for lost and his heart almost ceased to -beat.</p> - -<p>He believed there was no way of escape. No one ever -dared oppose Choggenmugger. But Nikobob hated to die -without showing the monster, in some way, that he was -eaten only under protest. So he raised his ax and -brought it down upon the red, protruding tongue of the -monster — and cut it clean off!</p> - -<p>For a moment the charcoal-burner scarcely believed -what his eyes saw, for he knew nothing of the pearls he -carried in his pocket or the magic power they lent his -arm. His success, however, encouraged him to strike -again, and this time the huge scaly jaw of -Choggenmugger was severed in twain and the beast howled -in terrified rage.</p> - -<p>Nikobob took off his coat, to give himself more -freedom of action, and then he earnestly renewed the -attack. But now the ax seemed blunted by the hard -scales and made no impression upon them whatever. The -creature advanced with glaring, wicked eyes, and -Nikobob seized his coat under his arm and turned to -flee.</p> - -<p>That was foolish, for Choggenmugger could run like -the wind. In a moment it overtook the charcoal-burner -and snapped its four rows of sharp teeth together. But -they did not touch Nikobob, because he still held the -coat in his grasp, close to his body, and in the coat -pocket were Inga's shoes, and in the points of the -shoes were the magic pearls. Finding himself uninjured, -Nikobob put on his coat, again seized his ax, and in a -short time had chopped Choggenmugger into many small -pieces — a task that proved not only easy but very -agreeable.</p> - -<p>"I must be the strongest man in all the world!" -thought the charcoal-burner, as he proudly resumed his -way, "for Choggenmugger has been the terror of Regos -since the world began, and I alone have been able to -destroy the beast. Yet it is singular' that never -before did I discover how powerful a man I am."</p> - -<p>He met no further adventure and at midday reached a -little clearing in the forest where stood his humble -cabin.</p> - -<p>"Great news! I have great news for you," he shouted, -as his wife and little daughter came to greet him. -"King Gos has been conquered by a boy Prince from the -far island of Pingaree, and I have this day — unaided -— destroyed Choggenmugger by the might of my strong -arm."</p> - -<p>This was, indeed, great news. They brought Nikobob -into the house and set him in an easy chair and made -him tell everything he knew about the Prince of -Pingaree and the fat King of Gilgad, as well as the -details of his wonderful fight with mighty -Choggenmugger.</p> - -<p>"And now, my daughter," said the charcoalburner, when -all his news had been related for at least the third -time, "here is a pretty present I have brought you -from the city."</p> - -<p>With this he drew the shoes from the pocket of his -coat and handed them to Zella, who gave him a dozen -kisses in payment and was much pleased with her gift. -The little girl had never worn shoes before, for her -parents were too poor to buy her such luxuries, so now -the possession of these, which were not much worn, -filled the child's heart with joy. She admired the red -leather and the graceful curl of the pointed toes. When -she tried them on her feet, they fitted as well as if -made for her.</p> - -<p>All the afternoon, as she helped her mother with the -housework, Zella thought of her pretty shoes. They -seemed more important to her than the coming to Regos -of the conquering Prince of Pingaree, or even the death -of Choggenmugger.</p> - -<p>When Zella and her mother were not working in the -cabin, cooking or sewing, they often searched the -neighboring forest for honey which the wild bees -cleverly hid in hollow trees. The day after Nikobob's -return, as they were starting out after honey, Zella -decided to put on her new shoes, as they would keep the -twigs that covered the ground from hurting her feet. -She was used to the twigs, of course, but what is the -use of having nice, comfortable shoes, if you do not -wear them?</p> - -<p>So she danced along, very happily, followed by her -mother, and presently they came to a tree in which was -a deep hollow. Zella thrust her hand and arm into the -space and found that the tree was full of honey, so she -began to dig it out with a wooden paddle. Her mother, -who held the pail, suddenly cried in warning:</p> - -<p>"Look out, Zella; the bees are coming!" and then the -good woman ran fast toward the house to escape.</p> - -<p>Zella, however, had no more than time to turn her -head when a thick swarm of bees surrounded her, angry -because they had caught her stealing their honey and -intent on stinging the girl as a punishment. She knew -her danger and expected to be badly injured by the -multitude of stinging bees, but to her surprise the -little creatures were unable to fly close enough to her -to stick their dart-like stingers into her flesh. They -swarmed about her in a dark cloud, and their angry -buzzing was terrible to hear, yet the little girl -remained unharmed.</p> - -<p>When she realized this, Zella was no longer afraid -but continued to ladle out the honey until she had -secured all that was in the tree. Then she returned to -the cabin, where her mother was weeping and bemoaning -the fate of her darling child, and the good woman was -greatly astonished to find Zella had escaped injury.</p> - -<p>Again they went to the woods to search for honey, and -although the mother always ran away whenever the bees -came near them, Zella paid no attention to the -creatures but kept at her work, so that before supper -time came the pails were again filled to overflowing -with delicious honey.</p> - -<p>"With such good fortune as we have had this day," -said her mother, "we shall soon gather enough honey for -you to carry to Queen Cor." For it seems the wicked -Queen was very fond of honey and it had been Zella's -custom to go, once every year, to the City of Coregos, -to carry the Queen a supply of sweet honey for her -table. Usually she had but one pail.</p> - -<p>"But now," said Zella, "I shall be able to carry two -pailsful to the Queen, who will, I am sure, give me a -good price for it."</p> - -<p>"True," answered her mother, "and, as the boy Prince -may take it into his head to conquer Coregos, as well -as Regos, I think it best for you to start on your -journey to Queen Cor tomorrow morning. Do you not agree -with me, Nikobob?" she added, turning to her husband, -the charcoal-burner, who was eating his supper.</p> - -<p>"I agree with you," he replied. "If Zella must go to -the City of Coregos, she may as well start to-morrow -morning."</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Ten'></a><h2>Chapter Ten</h2> - -<h3>The Cunning of Queen Cor</h3> -<br /> - -<p>You may be sure the Queen of Coregos was not well -pleased to have King Gos and all his warriors living in -her city after they had fled from their own. They were -savage natured and quarrelsome men at all times, and -their tempers had not improved since their conquest by -the Prince of Pingaree. Moreover, they were eating up -Queen Cor's provisions and crowding the houses of her -own people, who grumbled and complained until their -Queen was heartily tired.</p> - -<p>"Shame on you!" she said to her husband, King Gos, -"to be driven out of your city by a boy, a roly-poly -King and a billy goat! Why do you not go back and fight -them?"</p> - -<p>"No human can fight against the powers of magic," -returned the King in a surly voice. "That boy is either -a fairy or under the protection of fairies. We escaped -with our lives only because we were quick to run away; -but, should we return to Regos, the same terrible power -that burst open the city gates would crush us all to -atoms."</p> - -<p>"Bah! you are a coward," cried the Queen, tauntingly.</p> - -<p>"I am not a coward," said the big King. "I have -killed in battle scores of my enemies; by the might of -my sword and my good right arm I have conquered many -nations; all my life people have feared me. But no one -would dare face the tremendous power of the Prince of -Pingaree, boy though he is. It would not be courage, it -would be folly, to attempt it."</p> - -<p>"Then meet his power with cunning," suggested the -Queen. "Take my advice, and steal over to Regos at -night, when it is dark, and capture or destroy the boy -while he sleeps."</p> - -<p>"No weapon can touch his body," was the answer. "He -bears a charmed life and cannot be injured."</p> - -<p>"Does the fat King possess magic powers, or the -goat?" inquired Cor.</p> - -<p>"I think not," said Gos. "We could not injure them, -indeed, any more than we could the boy, but they did -not seem to have any unusual strength, although the -goat's head is harder than a battering-ram."</p> - -<p>"Well," mused the Queen, "there is surely some way to -conquer that slight boy. If you are afraid to undertake -the job, I shall go myself. By some stratagem I shall -manage to make him my prisoner. He will not dare to -defy a Queen, and no magic can stand against a woman's -cunning."</p> - -<p>"Go ahead, if you like," replied the King, with an -evil grin, "and if you are hung up by the thumbs or -cast into a dungeon, it will serve you right for -thinking you can succeed where a skilled warrior dares -not make the attempt."</p> - -<p>"I'm not afraid," answered the Queen. "It is only -soldiers and bullies who are cowards."</p> - -<p>In spite of this assertion, Queen Cor was not so -brave as she was cunning. For several days she thought -over this plan and that, and tried to decide which was -most likely to succeed. She had never seen the boy -Prince but had heard so many tales of him from the -defeated warriors, and especially from Captain Buzzub, -that she had learned to respect his power.</p> - -<p>Spurred on by the knowledge that she would never get -rid of her unwelcome guests until Prince Inga was -overcome and Regos regained for King Gos, the Queen of -Coregos finally decided to trust to luck and her native -wit to defeat a simple-minded boy, however powerful he -might be. Inga could not suspect what she was going to -do, because she did not know herself. She intended to -act boldly and trust to chance to win.</p> - -<p>It is evident that had the cunning Queen known that -Inga had lost all his magic, she would not have devoted -so much time to the simple matter of capturing him, but -like all others she was impressed by the marvelous -exhibition of power he had shown in capturing Regos, -and had no reason to believe the boy was less powerful -now.</p> - -<p>One morning Queen Cor boldly entered a boat, and, -taking four men with her as an escort and bodyguard, -was rowed across the narrow channel to Regos. Prince -Inga was sitting in the palace playing checkers with -King Rinkitink when a servant came to him, saying that -Queen Cor had arrived and desired an audience with him.</p> - -<p>With many misgivings lest the wicked Queen discover -that he had now lost his magic powers, the boy ordered -her to be admitted, and she soon entered the room and -bowed low before him, in mock respect.</p> - -<p>Cor was a big woman, almost as tall as King Gos. She -had flashing black eyes and the dark complexion you see -on gypsies. Her temper, when irritated, was something -dreadful, and her face wore an evil expression which -she tried to cover by smiling sweetly — often when she -meant the most mischief.</p> - -<p>"I have come," said she in a low voice, "to render -homage to the noble Prince of Pingaree. I am told that -Your Highness is the strongest person in the world, and -invincible in battle, and therefore I wish you to -become my friend, rather than my enemy."</p> - -<p>Now Inga did not know how to reply to this speech. He -disliked the appearance of the woman and was afraid of -her and he was unused to deception and did not know how -to mask his real feelings. So he took time to think -over his answer, which he finally made in these words:</p> - -<p>"I have no quarrel with Your Majesty, and my only -reason for coming here is to liberate my father and -mother, and my people, whom you and your husband have -made your slaves, and to recover the goods King Gos has -plundered from the Island of Pingaree. This I hope soon -to accomplish, and if you really wish to be my friend, -you can assist me greatly."</p> - -<p>While he was speaking Queen Cor had been studying the -boy's face stealthily, from the corners of her eyes, -and she said to herself: "He is so small and innocent -that I believe I can capture him alone, and with ease. -He does not seem very terrible and I suspect that King -Gos and his warriors were frightened at nothing."</p> - -<p>Then, aloud, she said to Inga:</p> - -<p>"I wish to invite you, mighty Prince, and your -friend, the great King of Gilgad, to visit my poor -palace at Coregos, where all my people shall do you -honor. Will you come?"</p> - -<p>"At present," replied Inga, uneasily, "I must refuse -your kind invitation."</p> - -<p>"There will be feasting, and dancing girls, and games -and fireworks," said the Queen, speaking as if eager to -entice him and at each word coming a step nearer to -where he stood.</p> - -<p>"I could not enjoy them while my poor parents are -slaves," said the boy, sadly.</p> - -<p>"Are you sure of that?" asked Queen Cor, and by that -time she was close beside Inga. Suddenly she leaned -forward and threw both of her long arms around Inga's -body, holding him in a grasp that was like a vise.</p> - -<p>Now Rinkitink sprang forward to rescue his friend, -but Cor kicked out viciously with her foot and struck -the King squarely on his stomach — a very tender place -to be kicked, especially if one is fat. Then, still -hugging Inga tightly, the Queen called aloud:</p> - -<p>"I've got him! Bring in the ropes."</p> - -<p>Instantly the four men she had brought with her -sprang into the room and bound the boy hand and foot. -Next they seized Rinkitink, who was still rubbing his -stomach, and bound him likewise.</p> - -<p>With a laugh of wicked triumph, Queen Cor now led her -captives down to the boat and returned with them to -Coregos.</p> - -<p>Great was the astonishment of King Gos and his -warriors when they saw that the mighty Prince of -Pingaree, who had put them all to flight, had been -captured by a woman. Cowards as they were, they now -crowded around the boy and jeered at him, and some of -them would have struck him had not the Queen cried out:</p> - -<p>"Hands off! He is my prisoner, remember not yours."</p> - -<p>"Well, Cor, what are you going to do with him?" -inquired King Gos.</p> - -<p>"I shall make him my slave, that he may amuse my idle -hours. For he is a pretty boy, and gentle, although he -did frighten all of you big warriors so terribly."</p> - -<p>The King scowled at this speech, not liking to be -ridiculed, but he said nothing more. He and his men -returned that same day to Regos, after restoring the -bridge of boats. And they held a wild carnival of -rejoicing, both in the King's palace and in the city, -although the poor people of Regos who were not warriors -were all sorry that the kind young Prince had been -captured by his enemies and could rule them no longer.</p> - -<p>When her unwelcome guests had all gone back to Regos -and the Queen was alone in her palace, she ordered Inga -and Rinkitink brought before her and their bonds -removed. They came sadly enough, knowing they were in -serious straits and at the mercy of a cruel mistress. -Inga had taken counsel of the White Pearl, which had -advised him to bear up bravely under his misfortune, -promising a change for the better very soon. With this -promise to comfort him, Inga faced the Queen with a -dignified bearing that indicated both pride and -courage.</p> - -<p>"Well, youngster," said she, in a cheerful tone -because she was pleased with her success, "you played a -clever trick on my poor husband and frightened him -badly, but for that prank I am inclined to forgive you. -Hereafter I intend you to be my page, which means that -you must fetch and carry for me at my will. And let me -advise you to obey my every whim without question or -delay, for when I am angry I become ugly, and when I am -ugly someone is sure to feel the lash. Do you -understand me?"</p> - -<p>Inga bowed, but made no answer. Then she turned to -Rinkitink and said:</p> - -<p>"As for you, I cannot decide how to make you useful -to me, as you are altogether too fat and awkward to -work in the fields. It may be, however, that I can use -you as a pincushion."</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Rinkitink in horror, "would you stick -pins into the King of Gilgad?"</p> - -<p>"Why not?" returned Queen Cor. "You are as fat as a -pincushion, as you must yourself admit, and whenever I -needed a pin I could call you to me." Then she laughed -at his frightened look and asked: "By the way, are you -ticklish?"</p> - -<p>This was the question Rinkitink had been dreading. He -gave a moan of despair and shook his head.</p> - -<p>"I should love to tickle the bottom of your feet with -a feather," continued the cruel woman. "Please take off -your shoes."</p> - -<p>"Oh, your Majesty!" pleaded poor Rinkitink, "I beg -you to allow me to amuse you in some other way. I can -dance, or I can sing you a song."</p> - -<p>"Well," she answered, shaking with laughter, "you may -sing a song — if it be a merry one. But you do not -seem in a merry mood."</p> - -<p>"I feel merry — indeed, Your Majesty, I do!" -protested Rinkitink, anxious to escape the tickling. -But even as he professed to "feel merry" his round, red -face wore an expression of horror and anxiety that was -realty comical.</p> - -<p>"Sing, then!" commanded Queen Cor, who was greatly -amused.</p> - -<p>Rinkitink gave a sigh of relief and after clearing -his throat and trying to repress his sobs he began to -sing this song-gently, at first, but finally roaring it -out at the top of his voice:</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"Oh!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>There was a Baby Tiger lived in a men-ag-er-ie —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy — they wouldn't set him free;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And ev'rybody thought that he was gentle as could be —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy — Ba-by Ti-ger!</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"Oh!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>They patted him upon his head and shook him by the paw —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy — he had a bone to gnaw;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>But soon he grew the biggest Tiger that you ever saw —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy — what a Ti-ger!</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"Oh!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>One day they came to pet the brute and he began to fight —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy-how he did scratch and bite!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>He broke the cage and in a rage he darted out of sight —</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy was a Ti-ger!"</span><br /> - -<p>"And is there a moral to the song?" asked Queen Cor, -when King Rinkitink had finished his song with great -spirit.</p> - -<p>"If there is," replied Rinkitink, "it is a warning -not to fool with tigers."</p> - -<p>The little Prince could not help smiling at this -shrewd answer, but Queen Cor frowned and gave the King -a sharp look.</p> - -<p>"Oh," said she; "I think I know the difference -between a tiger and a lapdog. But I'll bear the warning -in mind, just the same."</p> - -<p>For, after all her success in capturing them, she was -a little afraid of these people who had once displayed -such extraordinary powers.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Eleven'></a><h2>Chapter Eleven</h2> - -<h3>Zella Goes to Coregos</h3> -<br /> - -<p>The forest in which Nikobob lived with his wife and -daughter stood between the mountains and the City of -Regos, and a well-beaten path wound among the trees, -leading from the city to the mines. This path was used -by the King's messengers, and captured prisoners were -also sent by this way from Regos to work in the -underground caverns.</p> - -<p>Nikobob had built his cabin more than a mile away -from this path, that he might not be molested by the -wild and lawless soldiers of King Gos, but the family -of the charcoal-burner was surrounded by many creatures -scarcely less dangerous to encounter, and often in the -night they could hear savage animals growling and -prowling about the cabin. Because Nikobob minded his -own business and never hunted the wild creatures to -injure them, the beasts had come to regard him as one -of the natural dwellers in the forest and did not -molest him or his family. Still Zella and her mother -seldom wandered far from home, except on such errands -as carrying honey to Coregos, and at these times -Nikobob cautioned them to be very careful.</p> - -<p>So when Zella set out on her journey to Queen Cor, -with the two pails of honey in her hands, she was -undertaking a dangerous adventure and there was no -certainty that she would return safely to her loving -parents. But they were poor, and Queen Cor's money, -which they expected to receive for the honey, would -enable them to purchase many things that were needed; -so it was deemed best that Zella should go. She was a -brave little girl and poor people are often obliged to -take chances that rich ones are spared.</p> - -<p>A passing woodchopper had brought news to Nikobob's -cabin that Queen Cor had made a prisoner of the -conquering Prince of Pingaree and that Gos and his -warriors were again back in their city of Regos; but -these struggles and conquests were matters which, -however interesting, did not concern the poor charcoal- -burner or his family. They were more anxious over the -report that the warriors had become more reckless than -ever before, and delighted in annoying all the common -people; so Zella was told to keep away from the beaten -path as much as possible, that she might not encounter -any of the King's soldiers.</p> - -<p>"When it is necessary to choose between the warriors -and the wild beasts," said Nikobob, "the beasts will be -found the more merciful."</p> - -<p>The little girl had put on her best attire for the -journey and her mother threw a blue silk shawl over her -head and shoulders. Upon her feet were the pretty red -shoes her father had brought her from Regos. Thus -prepared, she kissed her parents good-bye and started -out with a light heart, carrying the pails of honey in -either hand.</p> - -<p>It was necessary for Zella to cross the path -that led from the mines to the city, but once on -the other side she was not likely to meet with -anyone, for she had resolved to cut through the -forest and so reach the bridge of boats without -entering the City of Regos, where she might be -interrupted. For an hour or two she found the -walking easy enough, but then the forest, which -in this part was unknown to her, became badly -tangled. The trees were thicker and creeping -vines intertwined between them. She had to -turn this way and that to get through at all, and -finally she came to a place where a network of -vines and branches effectually barred her farther -progress.</p> - -<p>Zella was dismayed, at first, when she encountered -this obstacle, but setting down her pails she made an -endeavor to push the branches aside. At her touch they -parted as if by magic, breaking asunder like dried -twigs, and she found she could pass freely. At another -place a great log had fallen across her way, but the -little girl lifted it easily and cast it aside, -although six ordinary men could scarcely have moved it.</p> - -<p>The child was somewhat worried at this evidence of a -strength she had heretofore been ignorant that she -possessed. In order to satisfy herself that it was no -delusion, she tested her new-found power in many ways, -finding that nothing was too big nor too heavy for her -to lift. And, naturally enough, the girl gained courage -from these experiments and became confident that she -could protect herself in any emergency. When, -presently, a wild boar ran toward her, grunting -horribly and threatening her with its great tusks, she -did not climb a tree to escape, as she had always done -before on meeting such creatures, but stood still and -faced the boar. When it had come quite close and Zella -saw that it could not injure her — a fact that -astonished both the beast and the girl — she suddenly -reached down and seizing it by one ear threw the great -beast far off amongst the trees, where it fell headlong -to the earth, grunting louder than ever with surprise -and fear.</p> - -<p>The girl laughed merrily at this incident and, -picking up her pails, resumed her journey through the -forest. It is not recorded whether the wild boar told -his adventure to the other beasts or they had happened -to witness his defeat, but certain it is that Zella was -not again molested. A brown bear watched her pass -without making any movement in her direction and a -great puma — a beast much dreaded by all men — crept -out of her path as she approached, and disappeared -among the trees.</p> - -<p>Thus everything favored the girl's journey and she -made such good speed that by noon she emerged from the -forest's edge and found she was quite near to the -bridge of boats that led to Coregos. This she crossed -safely and without meeting any of the rude warriors she -so greatly feared, and five minutes later the daughter -of the charcoal-burner was seeking admittance at the -back door of Queen Cor's palace.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Twelve'></a><h2>Chapter Twelve</h2> - -<h3>The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat</h3> -<br /> - -<p>Our story must now return to one of our characters -whom we have been forced to neglect. The temper of -Bilbil the goat was not sweet under any circumstances, -and whenever he had a grievance he was inclined to be -quite grumpy. So, when his master settled down in the -palace of King Gos for a quiet life with the boy -Prince, and passed his time in playing checkers and -eating and otherwise enjoying himself, he had no use -whatever for Bilbil, and shut the goat in an upstairs -room to prevent his wandering through the city and -quarreling with the citizens. But this Bilbil did not -like at all. He became very cross and disagreeable at -being left alone and he did not speak nicely to the -servants who came to bring him food; therefore those -people decided not to wait upon him any more, resenting -his conversation and not liking to be scolded by a -lean, scraggly goat, even though it belonged to a -conqueror. The servants kept away from the room and -Bilbil grew more hungry and more angry every hour. He -tried to eat the rugs and ornaments, but found them not -at all nourishing. There was no grass to be had unless -he escaped from the palace.</p> - -<p>When Queen Cor came to capture Inga and Rinkitink, -both the prisoners were so filled with despair at their -own misfortune that they gave no thought whatever to -the goat, who was left in his room. Nor did Bilbil know -anything of the changed fortunes of his comrades until -he heard shouts and boisterous laughter in the -courtyard below. Looking out of a window, with the -intention of rebuking those who dared thus to disturb -him, Bilbil saw the courtyard quite filled with -warriors and knew from this that the palace had in some -way again fallen into the hands of the enemy.</p> - -<p>Now, although Bilbil was often exceedingly -disagreeable to King Rinkitink, as well as to the -Prince, and sometimes used harsh words in addressing -them, he was intelligent enough to know them to be his -friends, and to know that King Gos and his people were -his foes. In sudden anger, provoked by the sight of the -warriors and the knowledge that he was in the power of -the dangerous men of Regos, Bilbil butted his head -against the door of his room and burst it open. Then he -ran to the head of the staircase and saw King Gos -coming up the stairs followed by a long line of his -chief captains and warriors.</p> - -<p>The goat lowered his head, trembling with rage and -excitement, and just as the King reached the top stair -the animal dashed forward and butted His Majesty so -fiercely that the big and powerful King, who did not -expect an attack, doubled up and tumbled backward. His -great weight knocked over the man just behind him and -he in turn struck the next warrior and upset him, so -that in an instant the whole line of Bilbil's foes was -tumbling heels over head to the bottom of the stairs, -where they piled up in a heap, struggling and shouting -and in the mixup hitting one another with their fists, -until every man of them was bruised and sore.</p> - -<p>Finally King Gos scrambled out of the heap and rushed -up the stairs again, very angry indeed. Bilbil was -ready for him and a second time butted the King down -the stairs; but now the goat also lost his balance and -followed the King, landing full upon the confused heap -of soldiers. Then he kicked out so viciously with his -heels that he soon freed himself and dashed out of the -doorway of the palace.</p> - -<p>"Stop him!" cried King Gos, running after.</p> - -<p>But the goat was now so wild and excited that it was -not safe for anyone to stand in his way. None of the -men were armed and when one or two tried to head off -the goat, Bilbil sent them sprawling upon the ground. -Most of the warriors, however, were wise enough not to -attempt to interfere with his flight.</p> - -<p>Coursing down the street, Bilbil found himself -approaching the bridge of boats and without pausing to -think where it might lead him he crossed over and -proceeded on his way. A few moments later a great stone -building blocked his path. It was the palace of Queen -Cor, and seeing the gates of the courtyard standing -wide open, Bilbil rushed through them without -slackening his speed.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Thirteen'></a><h2>Chapter Thirteen</h2> - -<h3>Zella Saves the Prince</h3> -<br /> - -<p>The wicked Queen of Coregos was in a very bad humor -this morning, for one of her slave drivers had come -from the fields to say that a number of slaves had -rebelled and would not work.</p> - -<p>"Bring them here to me!" she cried savagely. "A good -whipping may make them change their minds."</p> - -<p>So the slave driver went to fetch the rebellious ones -and Queen Cor sat down to eat her breakfast, an ugly -look on her face.</p> - -<p>Prince Inga had been ordered to stand behind his new -mistress with a big fan of peacock's feathers, but he -was so unused to such service that he awkwardly brushed -her ear with the fan. At once she flew into a terrible -rage and slapped the Prince twice with her hand-blows -that tingled, too, for her hand was big and hard and -she was not inclined to be gentle. Inga took the blows -without shrinking or uttering a cry, although they -stung his pride far more than his body. But King -Rinkitink, who was acting as the queen's butler and had -just brought in her coffee, was so startled at seeing -the young Prince punished that he tipped over the urn -and the hot coffee streamed across the lap of the -Queen's best morning gown.</p> - -<p>Cor sprang from her seat with a scream of anger and -poor Rinkitink would doubtless have been given a -terrible beating had not the slave driver returned at -this moment and attracted the woman's attention. The -overseer had brought with him all of the women slaves -from Pingaree, who had been loaded down with chains and -were so weak and ill they could scarcely walk, much -less work in the fields.</p> - -<p>Prince Inga's eyes were dimmed with sorrowful tears -when he discovered how his poor people had been abused, -but his own plight was so helpless that he was unable -to aid them. Fortunately the boy's mother, Queen Garee, -was not among these slaves, for Queen Cor had placed -her in the royal dairy to make butter.</p> - -<p>"Why do you refuse to work?" demanded Cor in a harsh -voice, as the slaves from Pingaree stood before her, -trembling and with downcast eyes.</p> - -<p>"Because we lack strength to perform the tasks your -overseers demand," answered one of the women.</p> - -<p>"Then you shall be whipped until your strength -returns!" exclaimed the Queen, and turning to Inga, she -commanded: "Get me the whip with the seven lashes."</p> - -<p>As the boy left the room, wondering how he might -manage to save the unhappy women from their undeserved -punishment, he met a girl entering by the back way, who -asked:</p> - -<p>"Can you tell me where to find Her Majesty, Queen -Cor?"</p> - -<p>"She is in the chamber with the red dome, where green -dragons are painted upon the walls," replied Inga; "but -she is in an angry and ungracious mood to-day. Why do -you wish to see her?"</p> - -<p>"I have honey to sell," answered the girl, who was -Zella, just come from the forest. "The Queen is very -fond of my honey."</p> - -<p>"You may go to her, if you so desire," said the boy, -"but take care not to anger the cruel Queen, or she may -do you a mischief."</p> - -<p>"Why should she harm me, who brings her the honey she -so dearly loves?" inquired the child innocently. "But I -thank you for your warning; and I will try not to anger -the Queen."</p> - -<p>As Zella started to go, Inga's eyes suddenly fell -upon her shoes and instantly he recognized them as his -own. For only in Pingaree were shoes shaped in this -manner: high at the heel and pointed at the toes.</p> - -<p>"Stop!" he cried in an excited voice, and the girl -obeyed, wonderingly. "Tell me," he continued, more -gently, "where did you get those shoes?"</p> - -<p>"My father brought them to me from Regos," she -answered.</p> - -<p>"From Regos!"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Are they not pretty?" asked Zella, looking down -at her feet to admire them. "One of them my father -found by the palace wall, and the other on an ash-heap. -So he brought them to me and they fit me perfectly."</p> - -<p>By this time Inga was trembling with eager joy, which -of course the girl could not understand.</p> - -<p>"What is your name, little maid?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I am called Zella, and my father is Nikobob, the -charcoal-burner."</p> - -<p>"Zella is a pretty name. I am Inga, Prince of -Pingaree," said he, "and the shoes you are now wearing, -Zella, belong to me. They were not cast away, as your -father supposed, but were lost. Will you let me have -them again?"</p> - -<p>Zella's eyes filled with tears.</p> - -<p>"Must I give up my pretty shoes, then?" she asked. -"They are the only ones I have ever owned."</p> - -<p>Inga was sorry for the poor child, but he knew how -important it was that he regain possession of the Magic -Pearls. So he said, pleadingly:</p> - -<p>"Please let me have them, Zella. See! I will exchange -for them the shoes I now have on, which are newer and -prettier than the others."</p> - -<p>The girl hesitated. She wanted to please the boy -Prince, yet she hated to exchange the shoes which her -father had brought her as a present.</p> - -<p>"If you will give me the shoes," continued the boy, -anxiously, "I will promise to make you and your father -and mother rich and prosperous. Indeed, I will promise -to grant any favors you may ask of me," and he sat down -upon the floor and drew off the shoes he was wearing -and held them toward the girl.</p> - -<p>"I'll see if they will fit me," said Zella, taking -off her left shoe — the one that contained the Pink -Pearl — and beginning to put on one of Inga's.</p> - -<p>Just then Queen Cor, angry at being made to -wait for her whip with the seven lashes, rushed -into the room to find Inga. Seeing the boy sitting -upon the floor beside Zella, the woman sprang -toward him to beat him with her clenched fists; -but Inga had now slipped on the shoe and the -Queen's blows could not reach his body.</p> - -<p>Then Cor espied the whip lying beside Inga and -snatching it up she tried to lash him with it — all to -no avail.</p> - -<p>While Zella sat horrified by this scene, the Prince, -who realized he had no time to waste, reached out and -pulled the right shoe from the girl's foot, quickly -placing it upon his own. Then he stood up and, facing -the furious but astonished Queen, said to her in a -quiet voice:</p> - -<p>"Madam, please give me that whip."</p> - -<p>"I won't!" answered Cor. "I'm going to lash those -Pingaree women with it."</p> - -<p>The boy seized hold of the whip and with irresistible -strength drew it from the Queen's hand. But she drew -from her bosom a sharp dagger and with the swiftness of -lightning aimed a blow at Inga's heart. He merely stood -still and smiled, for the blade rebounded and fell -clattering to the floor.</p> - -<p>Then, at last, Queen Cor understood the magic power -that had terrified her husband but which she had -ridiculed in her ignorance, not believing in it. She -did not know that Inga's power had been lost, and found -again, but she realized the boy was no common foe and -that unless she could still manage to outwit him her -reign in the Island of Coregos was ended. To gain time, -she went back to the red-domed chamber and seated -herself in her throne, before which were grouped the -weeping slaves from Pingaree.</p> - -<p>Inga had taken Zella's hand and assisted her to put -on the shoes he had given her in exchange for his own. -She found them quite comfortable and did not know she -had lost anything by the transfer.</p> - -<p>"Come with me," then said the boy Prince, and led her -into the presence of Queen Cor, who was giving -Rinkitink a scolding. To the overseer Inga said.</p> - -<p>"Give me the keys which unlock these chains, that I -may set these poor women at liberty."</p> - -<p>"Don't you do it!" screamed Queen Cor.</p> - -<p>"If you interfere, madam," said the boy, "I will put -you into a dungeon."</p> - -<p>By this Rinkitink knew that Inga had recovered his -Magic Pearls and the little fat King was so overjoyed -that he danced and capered all around the room. But the -Queen was alarmed at the threat and the slave driver, -fearing the conqueror of Regos, tremblingly gave up the -keys.</p> - -<p>Inga quickly removed all the shackles from the women -of his country and comforted them, telling them they -should work no more but would soon be restored to their -homes in Pingaree. Then he commanded the slave driver -to go and get all the children who had been made -slaves, and to bring them to their mothers. The man -obeyed and left at once to perform his errand, while -Queen Cor, growing more and more uneasy, suddenly -sprang from her throne and before Inga could stop her -had rushed through the room and out into the courtyard -of the palace, meaning to make her escape. Rinkitink -followed her, running as fast as he could go.</p> - -<p>It was at this moment that Bilbil, in his mad dash -from Regos, turned in at the gates of the courtyard, -and as he was coming one way and Queen Cor was going -the other they bumped into each other with great force. -The woman sailed through the air, over Bilbil's head, -and landed on the ground outside the gates, where her -crown rolled into a ditch and she picked herself up, -half dazed, and continued her flight. Bilbil was also -somewhat dazed by the unexpected encounter, but he -continued his rush rather blindly and so struck poor -Rinkitink, who was chasing after Queen Cor. They rolled -over one another a few times and then Rinkitink sat up -and Bilbil sat up and they looked at each other in -amazement.</p> - -<p>"Bilbil," said the King, "I'm astonished at you!"</p> - -<p>"Your Majesty," said Bilbil, "I expected kinder -treatment at your hands."</p> - -<p>"You interrupted me," said Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"There was plenty of room without your taking my -path," declared the goat.</p> - -<p>And then Inga came running out and said. "Where is -the Queen?"</p> - -<p>"Gone," replied Rinkitink, "but she cannot go far, as -this is an island. However, I have found Bilbil, and -our party is again reunited. You have recovered your -magic powers, and again we are masters of the -situation. So let us be thankful."</p> - -<p>Saying this, the good little King got upon his feet -and limped back into the throne room to help comfort -the women.</p> - -<p>Presently the children of Pingaree, who had been -gathered together by the overseer, were brought in and -restored to their mothers, and there was great -rejoicing among them, you may be sure.</p> - -<p>"But where is Queen Garee, my dear mother?" -questioned Inga; but the women did not know and it was -some time before the overseer remembered that one of -the slaves from Pingaree had been placed in the royal -dairy. Perhaps this was the woman the boy was seeking.</p> - -<p>Inga at once commanded him to lead the way to the -butter house, but when they arrived there Queen Garee -was nowhere in the place, although the boy found a silk -scarf which he recognized as one that his mother used -to wear. Then they began a search throughout the island -of Coregos, but could not find Inga's mother anywhere.</p> - -<p>When they returned to the palace of Queen Cor, -Rinkitink discovered that the bridge of boats had again -been removed, separating them from Regos, and from this -they suspected that Queen Cor had fled to her husband's -island and had taken Queen Garee with her. Inga was -much perplexed what to do and returned with his friends -to the palace to talk the matter over.</p> - -<p>Zella was now crying because she had not sold her -honey and was unable to return to her parents on the -island of Regos, but the boy prince comforted her and -promised she should be protected until she could be -restored to her home. Rinkitink found Queen Cor's -purse, which she had had no time to take with her, and -gave Zella several gold pieces for the honey. Then Inga -ordered the palace servants to prepare a feast for all -the women and children of Pingaree and to prepare for -them beds in the great palace, which was large enough -to accommodate them all.</p> - -<p>Then the boy and the goat and Rinkitink and Zella -went into a private room to consider what should be -done next.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Fourteen'></a><h2>Chapter Fourteen</h2> - -<h3>The Escape</h3> -<br /> - -<p>"Our fault," said Rinkitink, "is that we conquer only -one of these twin islands at a time. When we -conquered Regos, our foes all came to Coregos, and now -that we have conquered Coregos, the Queen has fled to -Regos. And each time they removed the bridge of boats, -so that we could not follow them."</p> - -<p>"What has become of our own boat, in which we came -from Pingaree?" asked Bilbil.</p> - -<p>"We left it on the shore of Regos," replied the -Prince, "but I wonder if we could not get it again."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you ask the White Pearl?" suggested -Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"That is a good idea," returned the boy, and at once -he drew the White Pearl from its silken bag and held it -to his ear. Then he asked: "How may I regain our boat?"</p> - -<p>The Voice of the Pearl replied: "Go to the south end -of the Island of Coregos, and clap your hands three -times and the boat will come to you."</p> - -<p>"Very good!" cried Inga, and then he turned to his -companions and said: "We shall be able to get our boat -whenever we please; but what then shall we do?"</p> - -<p>"Take me home in it!" pleaded Zella.</p> - -<p>"Come with me to my City of Gilgad," said the King, -"where you will be very welcome to remain forever."</p> - -<p>"No," answered Inga, "I must rescue my father and -mother, as well as my people. Already I have the women -and children of Pingaree, but the men are with my -father in the mines of Regos, and my dear mother has -been taken away by Queen Cor. Not until all are rescued -will I consent to leave these islands."</p> - -<p>"Quite right!" exclaimed Bilbil.</p> - -<p>"On second thought," said Rinkitink, "I agree with -you. If you are careful to sleep in your shoes, and -never take them off again, I believe you will be able -to perform the task you have undertaken."</p> - -<p>They counseled together for a long time as to their -mode of action and it was finally considered best to -make the attempt to liberate King Kitticut first of -all, and with him the men from Pingaree. This would -give them an army to assist them and afterward they -could march to Regos and compel Queen Cor to give up -the Queen of Pingaree. Zella told them that they could -go in their boat along the shore of Regos to a point -opposite the mines, thus avoiding any conflict with the -warriors of King Gos.</p> - -<p>This being considered the best course to pursue, they -resolved to start on the following morning, as night -was even now approaching. The servants being all busy -in caring for the women and children, Zella undertook -to get a dinner for Inga and Rinkitink and herself and -soon prepared a fine meal in the palace kitchen, for -she was a good little cook and had often helped her -mother. The dinner was served in a small room -overlooking the gardens and Rinkitink thought the best -part of it was the sweet honey, which he spread upon -the biscuits that Zella had made. As for Bilbil, he -wandered through the palace grounds and found some -grass that made him a good dinner.</p> - -<p>During the evening Inga talked with the women and -cheered them, promising soon to reunite them with their -husbands who were working in the mines and to send them -back to their own island of Pingaree.</p> - -<p>Next morning the boy rose bright and early and found -that Zella had already prepared a nice breakfast. And -after the meal they went to the most southern point of -the island, which was not very far away, Rinkitink -riding upon Bilbil's back and Inga and Zella following -behind them, hand in hand.</p> - -<p>When they reached the water's edge the boy advanced -and clapped his hands together three times, as the -White Pearl had told him to do. And in a few moments -they saw in the distance the black boat with the silver -lining, coming swiftly toward them from the sea. -Presently it grounded on the beach and they all got -into it.</p> - -<p>Zella was delighted with the boat, which was the most -beautiful she had ever seen, and the marvel of its -coming to them through the water without anyone to row -it, made her a little afraid of the fairy craft. But -Inga picked up the oars and began to row and at once -the boat shot swiftly in the direction of Regos. They -rounded the point of that island where the city was -built and noticed that the shore was lined with -warriors who had discovered their boat but seemed -undecided whether to pursue it or not. This was -probably because they had received no commands what to -do, or perhaps they had learned to fear the magic -powers of these adventurers from Pingaree and were -unwilling to attack them unless their King ordered them -to.</p> - -<p>The coast on the western side of the Island of Regos -was very uneven and Zella, who knew fairly well the -location of the mines from the inland forest path, was -puzzled to decide which mountain they now viewed from -the sea was the one where the entrance to the -underground caverns was located. First she thought it -was this peak, and then she guessed it was that; so -considerable time was lost through her uncertainty.</p> - -<p>They finally decided to land and explore the country, -to see where they were, so Inga ran the boat into a -little rocky cove where they all disembarked. For an -hour they searched for the path without finding any -trace of it and now Zella believed they had gone too -far to the north and must return to another mountain -that was nearer to the city.</p> - -<p>Once again they entered the boat and followed the -winding coast south until they thought they had reached -the right place. By this time, however, it was growing -dark, for the entire day had been spent in the search -for the entrance to the mines, and Zella warned them -that it would be safer to spend the night in the boat -than on the land, where wild beasts were sure to -disturb them. None of them realized at this time how -fatal this day of search had been to their plans and -perhaps if Inga had realized what was going on he would -have landed and fought all the wild beasts in the -forest rather than quietly remain in the boat until -morning.</p> - -<p>However, knowing nothing of the cunning plans of -Queen Cor and King Gos, they anchored their boat in a -little bay and cheerfully ate their dinner, finding -plenty of food and drink in the boat's lockers. In the -evening the stars came out in the sky and tipped the -waves around their boat with silver. All around them -was delightfully still save for the occasional snarl of -a beast on the neighboring shore.</p> - -<p>They talked together quietly of their adventures and -their future plans and Zella told them her simple -history and how hard her poor father was obliged to -work, burning charcoal to sell for enough money to -support his wife and child. Nikobob might be the -humblest man in all Regos, but Zella declared he was a -good man, and honest, and it was not his fault that his -country was ruled by so wicked a King.</p> - -<p>Then Rinkitink, to amuse them, offered to sing a -song, and although Bilbil protested in his gruff way, -claiming that his master's voice was cracked and -disagreeable, the little King was encouraged by the -others to sing his song, which he did.</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"A red-headed man named Ned was dead;</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>In battle he had lost his head;</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing fiddle-cum-faddl-cum-fi-do!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>'Alas, poor Ned,' to him I said,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>'How did you lose your head so red?'</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do!</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"Said Ned: 'I for my country bled,'</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>'Instead of dying safe in bed',</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>'If I had only fled, instead,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>I then had been a head ahead.'</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do!</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"I said to Ned —"</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>"Do stop, Your Majesty!" pleaded Bilbil. "You're -making my head ache."</p> - -<p>"But the song isn't finished," replied Rinkitink, -"and as for your head aching, think of poor Ned, who -hadn't any head at all!"</p> - -<p>"I can think of nothing but your dismal singing," -retorted Bilbil. "Why didn't you choose a cheerful -subject, instead of telling how a man who was dead lost -his red head? Really, Rinkitink, I'm surprised at you."</p> - -<p>"I know a splendid song about a live man," said the -King.</p> - -<p>"Then don't sing it," begged Bilbil.</p> - -<p>Zella was both astonished and grieved by the -disrespectful words of the goat, for she had quite -enjoyed Rinkitink's singing and had been taught a -proper respect for Kings and those high in authority. -But as it was now getting late they decided to go to -sleep, that they might rise early the following -morning, so they all reclined upon the bottom of the -big boat and covered themselves with blankets which -they found stored underneath the seats for just such -occasions. They were not long in falling asleep and did -not waken until daybreak.</p> - -<p>After a hurried breakfast, for Inga was eager to -liberate his father, the boy rowed the boat ashore and -they all landed and began searching for the path. Zella -found it within the next half hour and declared they -must be very close to the entrance to the mines; so -they followed the path toward the north, Inga going -first, and then Zella following him, while Rinkitink -brought up the rear riding upon Bilbil's back.</p> - -<p>Before long they saw a great wall of rock towering -before them, in which was a low arched entrance, and on -either side of this entrance stood a guard, armed with -a sword and a spear. The guards of the mines were not -so fierce as the warriors of King Gos, their duty being -to make the slaves work at their tasks and guard them -from escaping; but they were as cruel as their cruel -master wished them to be, and as cowardly as they were -cruel.</p> - -<p>Inga walked up to the two men at the entrance and -said:</p> - -<p>"Does this opening lead to the mines of King Gos?"</p> - -<p>"It does," replied one of the guards, "but no one is -allowed to pass out who once goes in."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless," said the boy, "we intend to go in and -we shall come out whenever it pleases us to do so. I am -the Prince of Pingaree, and I have come to liberate my -people, whom King Gos has enslaved."</p> - -<p>Now when the two guards heard this speech they looked -at one another and laughed, and one of them said: "The -King was right, for he said the boy was likely to come -here and that he would try to set his people free. Also -the King commanded that we must keep the little Prince -in the mines, and set him to work, together with his -companions."</p> - -<p>"Then let us obey the King," replied the other man.</p> - -<p>Inga was surprised at hearing this, and asked:</p> - -<p>"When did King Gos give you this order?"</p> - -<p>"His Majesty was here in person last night," replied -the man, "and went away again but an hour ago. He -suspected you were coming here and told us to capture -you if we could."</p> - -<p>This report made the boy very anxious, not for -himself but for his father, for he feared the King was -up to some mischief. So he hastened to enter the mines -and the guards did nothing to oppose him or his -companions, their orders being to allow him to go in -but not to come out.</p> - -<p>The little group of adventurers passed through a long -rocky corridor and reached a low, wide cavern where -they found a dozen guards and a hundred slaves, the -latter being hard at work with picks and shovels -digging for gold, while the guards stood over them with -long whips.</p> - -<p>Inga found many of the men from Pingaree among these -slaves, but King Kitticut was not in this cavern; so -they passed through it and entered another corridor -that led to a second cavern. Here also hundreds of men -were working, but the boy did not find his father -amongst them, and so went on to a third cavern.</p> - -<p>The corridors all slanted downward, so that the -farther they went the lower into the earth they -descended, and now they found the air hot and close and -difficult to breathe. Flaming torches were stuck into -the walls to give light to the workers, and these added -to the oppressive heat.</p> - -<p>The third and lowest cavern was the last in the -mines, and here were many scores of slaves and many -guards to keep them at work. So far, none of the guards -had paid any attention to Inga's party, but allowed -them to proceed as they would, and while the slaves -cast curious glances at the boy and girl and man and -goat, they dared say nothing. But now the boy walked up -to some of the men of Pingaree and asked news of his -father, telling them not to fear the guards as he would -protect them from the whips.</p> - -<p>Then he Teamed that King Kitticut had indeed been -working in this very cavern until the evening before, -when King Gos had come and taken him away — still -loaded with chains.</p> - -<p>"Seems to me," said King Rinkitink, when he heard -this report, "that Gos has carried your father away to -Regos, to prevent us from rescuing him. He may hide -poor Kitticut in a dungeon, where we cannot find him."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you are right," answered the boy, "but I am -determined to find him, wherever he may be."</p> - -<p>Inga spoke firmly and with courage, but he was -greatly disappointed to find that King Gos had been -before him at the mines and had taken his father away. -However, he tried not to feel disheartened, believing -he would succeed in the end, in spite of all -opposition. Turning to the guards, he said:</p> - -<p>"Remove the chains from these slaves and set them -free."</p> - -<p>The guards laughed at this order, and one of them -brought forward a handful of chains, saying: "His -Majesty has commanded us to make you, also, a slave, -for you are never to leave these caverns again."</p> - -<p>Then he attempted to place the chains on Inga, but -the boy indignantly seized them and broke them apart as -easily as if they had been cotton cords. When a dozen -or more of the guards made a dash to capture him, the -Prince swung the end of the chain like a whip and drove -them into a corner, where they cowered and begged for -mercy.</p> - -<p>Stories of the marvelous strength of the boy Prince -had already spread to the mines of Regos, and although -King Gos had told them that Inga had been deprived of -all his magic power, the guards now saw this was not -true, so they deemed it wise not to attempt to oppose -him.</p> - -<p>The chains of the slaves had all been riveted fast to -their ankles and wrists, but Inga broke the bonds of -steel with his hands and set the poor men free — not -only those from Pingaree but all who had been captured -in the many wars and raids of King Gos. They were very -grateful, as you may suppose, and agreed to support -Prince Inga in whatever action he commanded.</p> - -<p>He led them to the middle cavern, where all the -guards and overseers fled in terror at his approach, -and soon he had broken apart the chains of the slaves -who had been working in that part of the mines. Then -they approached the first cavern and liberated all -there.</p> - -<p>The slaves had been treated so cruelly by the -servants of King Gos that they were eager to pursue and -slay them, in revenge; but Inga held them back and -formed them into companies, each company having its own -leader. Then he called the leaders together and -instructed them to march in good order along the path -to the City of Regos, where he would meet them and -tell them what to do next.</p> - -<p>They readily agreed to obey him, and, arming -themselves with iron bars and pick-axes which they -brought from the mines, the slaves began their march to -the city.</p> - -<p>Zella at first wished to be left behind, that she -might make her way to her home, but neither Rinkitink -nor Inga thought it was safe for her to wander alone -through the forest, so they induced her to return with -them to the city.</p> - -<p>The boy beached his boat this time at the same place -as when he first landed at Regos, and while many of the -warriors stood on the shore and before the walls of the -city, not one of them attempted to interfere with the -boy in any way. Indeed, they seemed uneasy and anxious, -and when Inga met Captain Buzzub the boy asked if -anything had happened in his absence.</p> - -<p>"A great deal has happened," replied Buzzub. "Our -King and Queen have run away and left us, and we don't -know what to do."</p> - -<p>"Run away!" exclaimed Inga. "Where did they go to?"</p> - -<p>"Who knows?" said the man, shaking his head -despondently. "They departed together a few hours ago, -in a boat with forty rowers, and they took with them -the King and Queen of Pingaree!"</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Fifteen'></a><h2>Chapter Fifteen</h2> - -<h3>The Flight of the Rulers</h3> -<br /> - -<p>Now it seems that when Queen Cor fled from her island -to Regos, she had wit enough, although greatly frightened, -to make a stop at the royal dairy, which was near -to the bridge, and to drag poor Queen Garee from the -butter-house and across to Regos with her. The warriors -of King Gos had never before seen the terrible Queen -Cor frightened, and therefore when she came running -across the bridge of boats, dragging the Queen of -Pingaree after her by one arm, the woman's great fright -had the effect of terrifying the waiting warriors.</p> - -<p>"Quick!" cried Cor. "Destroy the bridge, or we are -lost."</p> - -<p>While the men were tearing away the bridge of boats -the Queen ran up to the palace of Gos, where she met -her husband.</p> - -<p>"That boy is a wizard!" she gasped. "There is no -standing against him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, have you discovered his magic at last?" replied -Gos, laughing in her face. "Who, now, is the coward?"</p> - -<p>"Don't laugh!" cried Queen Cor. "It is no laughing -matter. Both our islands are as good as conquered, this -very minute. What shall we do, Gos?"</p> - -<p>"Come in," he said, growing serious, "and let us talk -it over."</p> - -<p>So they went into a room of the palace and talked -long and earnestly.</p> - -<p>"The boy intends to liberate his father and mother, -and all the people of Pingaree, and to take them back -to their island," said Cor. "He may also destroy our -palaces and make us his slaves. I can see but one way, -Gos, to prevent him from doing all this, and whatever -else he pleases to do."</p> - -<p>"What way is that?" asked King Gos.</p> - -<p>"We must take the boy's parents away from here as -quickly as possible. I have with me the Queen of -Pingaree, and you can run up to the mines and get the -King. Then we will carry them away in a boat and hide -them where the boy cannot find them, with all his -magic. We will use the King and Queen of Pingaree as -hostages, and send word to the boy wizard that if he -does not go away from our islands and allow us to rule -them undisturbed, in our own way, we will put his -father and mother to death. Also we will say that as -long as we are let alone his parents will be safe, -although still safely hidden. I believe, Gos, that in -this way we can compel Prince Ingato obey us, for he -seems very fond of his parents."</p> - -<p>"It isn't a bad idea," said Gos, reflectively; "but -where can we hide the King and Queen, so that the boy -cannot find them?"</p> - -<p>"In the country of the Nome King, on the mainland -away at the south," she replied. "The nomes are our -friends, and they possess magic powers that will enable -them to protect the prisoners from discovery. If we can -manage to get the King and Queen of Pingaree to the -Nome Kingdom before the boy knows what we are doing, I -am sure our plot will succeed."</p> - -<p>Gos gave the plan considerable thought in the next -five minutes, and the more he thought about it the more -clever and reasonable it seemed. So he agreed to do as -Queen Cor suggested and at once hurried away to the -mines, where he arrived before Prince Inga did. The -next morning he carried King Kitticut back to Regos.</p> - -<p>While Gos was gone, Queen Cor busied herself in -preparing a large and swift boat for the journey. She -placed in it several bags of gold and jewels with which -to bribe the nomes, and selected forty of the strongest -oarsmen in Regos to row the boat. The instant King Gos -returned with his royal prisoner all was ready for -departure. They quickly entered the boat with their two -important captives and without a word of explanation to -any of their people they commanded the oarsmen to -start, and were soon out of sight upon the broad -expanse of the Nonestic Ocean.</p> - -<p>Inga arrived at the city some hours later and was -much distressed when he learned that his father and -mother had been spirited away from the islands.</p> - -<p>"I shall follow them, of course," said the boy to -Rinkitink, "and if I cannot overtake them on the ocean -I will search the world over until I find them. But -before I leave here I must arrange to send our people -back to Pingaree."</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Sixteen'></a><h2>Chapter Sixteen</h2> - -<h3>Nikobob Refuses a Crown</h3> -<br /> - -<p>Almost the first persons that Zella saw when she landed -from the silver-lined boat at Regos were her father and -mother. Nikobob and his wife had been greatly worried -when their little daughter failed to return from -Coregos, so they had set out to discover what had -become of her. When they reached the City of Regos, -that very morning, they were astonished to hear news of -all the strange events that had taken place; still, -they found comfort when told that Zella had been seen -in the boat of Prince Inga, which had gone to the -north. Then, while they wondered what this could mean, -the silver-lined boat appeared again, with their -daughter in it, and they ran down to the shore to give -her a welcome and many joyful kisses.</p> - -<p>Inga invited the good people to the palace of King -Gos, where he conferred with them, as well as with -Rinkitink and Bilbil.</p> - -<p>"Now that the King and Queen of Regos and Coregos -have run away," he said, "there is no one to rule these -islands. So it is my duty to appoint a new ruler, and -as Nikobob, Zella's father, is an honest and worthy -man, I shall make him the King of the Twin Islands."</p> - -<p>"Me?" cried Nikobob, astounded by this speech. "I beg -Your Highness, on my bended knees, not to do so cruel a -thing as to make me King!"</p> - -<p>"Why not?" inquired Rinkitink. "I'm a King, and I -know how it feels. I assure you, good Nikobob, that I -quite enjoy my high rank, although a jeweled crown is -rather heavy to wear in hot weather."</p> - -<p>"With you, noble sir, it is different," said Nikobob, -"for you are far from your kingdom and its trials and -worries and may do as you please. But to remain in -Regos, as King over these fierce and unruly warriors, -would be to live in constant anxiety and peril, and the -chances are that they would murder me within a month. -As I have done no harm to anyone and have tried to be a -good and upright man, I do not think that I should be -condemned to such a dreadful fate."</p> - -<p>"Very well," replied Inga, "we will say no more about -your being King. I merely wanted to make you rich and -prosperous, as I had promised Zella."</p> - -<p>"Please forget that promise," pleaded the charcoal- -burner, earnestly; "I have been safe from molestation -for many years, because I was poor and possessed -nothing that anyone else could envy. But if you make me -rich and prosperous I shall at once become the prey of -thieves and marauders and probably will lose my life in -the attempt to protect my fortune."</p> - -<p>Inga looked at the man in surprise.</p> - -<p>"What, then, can I do to please you?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"Nothing more than to allow me to go home to my poor -cabin," said Nikobob.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," remarked King Rinkitink, "the charcoal- -burner has more wisdom concealed in that hard head of -his than we gave him credit for. But let us use that -wisdom, for the present, to counsel us what to do in -this emergency."</p> - -<p>"What you call my wisdom," said Nikobob, "is merely -common sense. I have noticed that some men become rich, -and are scorned by some and robbed by others. Other men -become famous, and are mocked at and derided by their -fellows. But the poor and humble man who lives -unnoticed and unknown escapes all these troubles and is -the only one who can appreciate the joy of living."</p> - -<p>"If I had a hand, instead of a cloven hoof, I'd like -to shake hands with you, Nikobob," said Bilbil the -goat. "But the poor man must not have a cruel master, -or he is undone."</p> - -<p>During the council they found, indeed, that the -advice of the charcoal-burner was both shrewd and -sensible, and they profited much by his words.</p> - -<p>Inga gave Captain Buzzub the command of the warriors -and made him promise to keep his men quiet and orderly -— if he could. Then the boy allowed all of King Gos's -former slaves, except those who came from Pingaree, to -choose what boats they required and to stock them with -provisions and row away to their own countries. When -these had departed, with grateful thanks and many -blessings showered upon the boy Prince who had set them -free, Inga made preparations to send his own people -home, where they were told to rebuild their houses and -then erect a new royal palace. They were then to await -patiently the coming of King Kitticut or Prince Inga.</p> - -<p>"My greatest worry," said the boy to his friends, "is -to know whom to appoint to take charge of this work of -restoring Pingaree to its former condition. My men are -all pearl fishers, and although willing and honest, -have no talent for directing others how to work."</p> - -<p>While the preparations for departure were being made, -Nikobob offered to direct the men of Pingaree, and did -so in a very capable manner. As the island had been -despoiled of all its valuable furniture and draperies -and rich cloths and paintings and statuary and the -like, as well as gold and silver and ornaments, Inga -thought it no more than just that they be replaced by -the spoilers. So he directed his people to search -through the storehouses of King Gos and to regain all -their goods and chattels that could be found. Also he -instructed them to take as much else as they required -to make their new homes comfortable, so that many boats -were loaded full of goods that would enable the people -to restore Pingaree to its former state of comfort.</p> - -<p>For his father's new palace the boy plundered the -palaces of both Queen Cor and King Gos, sending enough -wares away with his people to make King Kitticut's new -residence as handsomely fitted and furnished as had -been the one which the ruthless invaders from Regos had -destroyed.</p> - -<p>It was a great fleet of boats that set out one -bright, sunny morning on the voyage to Pingaree, -carrying all the men, women and children and all the -goods for refitting their homes. As he saw the fleet -depart, Prince Inga felt that he had already -successfully accomplished a part of his mission, but he -vowed he would never return to Pingaree in person until -he could take his father and mother there with him; -unless, indeed, King Gos wickedly destroyed his beloved -parents, in which case Inga would become the King of -Pingaree and it would be his duty to go to his people -and rule over them.</p> - -<p>It was while the last of the boats were preparing to -sail for Pingaree that Nikobob, who had been of great -service in getting them ready, came to Inga in a -thoughtful mood and said:</p> - -<p>"Your Highness, my wife and my daughter Zella have -been urging me to leave Regos and settle down in your -island, in a new home. From what your people have told -me, Pingaree is a better place to live than Regos, and -there are no cruel warriors or savage beasts there to -keep one in constant fear for the safety of those he -loves. Therefore, I have come to ask to go with my -family in one of the boats."</p> - -<p>Inga was much pleased with this proposal and not only -granted Nikobob permission to go to Pingaree to live, -but instructed him to take with him sufficient goods to -furnish his new home in a comfortable manner. In -addition to this, he appointed Nikobob general manager -of the buildings and of the pearl fisheries, until his -father or he himself arrived, and the people approved -this order because they liked Nikobob and knew him to -be just and honest.</p> - -<p>Soon as the last boat of the great flotilla had -disappeared from the view of those left at Regos, Inga -and Rinkitink prepared to leave the island themselves. -The boy was anxious to overtake the boat of King Gos, -if possible, and Rinkitink had no desire to remain in -Regos.</p> - -<p>Buzzub and the warriors stood silently on the shore -and watched the black boat with its silver lining -depart, and I am sure they were as glad to be rid of -their unwelcome visitors as Inga and Rinkitink and -Bilbil were to leave.</p> - -<p>The boy asked the White Pearl what direction the boat -of King Gos had taken and then he followed after it, -rowing hard and steadily for eight days without -becoming at all weary. But, although the black boat -moved very swiftly, it failed to overtake the barge -which was rowed by Queen Cor's forty picked oarsmen.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Seventeen'></a><h2>Chapter Seventeen</h2> - -<h3>The Nome King</h3> -<br /> - -<p>The Kingdom of the Nomes does not border on the -Nonestic Ocean, from which it is separated by the -Kingdom of Rinkitink and the Country of the Wheelers, -which is a part of the Land of Ev. Rinkitink's country -is separated from the country of the Nomes by a row of -high and steep mountains, from which it extends to the -sea. The Country of the Wheelers is a sandy waste that -is open on one side to the Nonestic Ocean and on the -other side has no barrier to separate it from the Nome -Country, therefore it was on the coast of the Wheelers -that King Cos landed — in a spot quite deserted by any -of the curious inhabitants of that country.</p> - -<p>The Nome Country is very large in extent, and is only -separated from the Land of Oz, on its eastern borders, -by a Deadly Desert that can not be crossed by mortals, -unless they are aided by the fairies or by magic.</p> - -<p>The nomes are a numerous and mischievous people, -living in underground caverns of wide extent, connected -one with another by arches and passages. The word -"nome" means "one who knows," and these people are so -called because they know where all the gold and silver -and precious stones are hidden in the earth — a -knowledge that no other living creatures share with -them. The nomes are busy people, constantly digging up -gold in one place and taking it to another place, where -they secretly bury it, and perhaps this is the reason -they alone know where to find it. The nomes were ruled, -at the time of which I write, by a King named Kaliko.</p> - -<p>King Gos had expected to be pursued by Inga in his -magic boat, so he made all the haste possible, urging -his forty rowers to their best efforts night and day. -To his joy he was not overtaken but landed on the sandy -beach of the Wheelers on the morning of the eighth day.</p> - -<p>The forty rowers were left with the boat, while Queen -Cor and King Cos, with their royal prisoners, who were -still chained, began the journey to the Nome King.</p> - -<p>It was not long before they passed the sands and -reached the rocky country belonging to the nomes, but -they were still a long way from the entrance to the -underground caverns in which lived the Nome King. There -was a dim path, winding between stones and boulders, -over which the walking was quite difficult, especially -as the path led up hills that were small mountains, and -then down steep and abrupt slopes where any misstep -might mean a broken leg. Therefore it was the second -day of their journey before they climbed halfway up a -rugged mountain and found themselves at the entrance of -the Nome King's caverns.</p> - -<p>On their arrival, the entrance seemed free and -unguarded, but Gos and Cor had been there before, and -they were too wise to attempt to enter without -announcing themselves, for the passage to the caves was -full of traps and pitfalls. So King Gos stood still and -shouted, and in an instant they were surrounded by a -group of crooked nomes, who seemed to have sprung from -the ground.</p> - -<p>One of these had very long ears and was called The -Long-Eared Hearer. He said: "I heard you coming early -this morning."</p> - -<p>Another had eyes that looked in different directions -at the same time and were curiously bright and -penetrating. He could look over a hill or around a -corner and was called The Lookout. Said he: "I saw you -coming yesterday."</p> - -<p>"Then," said King Gos, "perhaps King Kaliko is -expecting us."</p> - -<p>"It is true," replied another nome, who wore a gold -collar around his neck and carried a bunch of golden -keys. "The mighty Nome King expects you, and bids you -follow me to his presence."</p> - -<p>With this he led the way into the caverns and Gos and -Cor followed, dragging their weary prisoners with them, -for poor King Kitticut and his gentle Queen had been -obliged to carry, all through the tedious journey, the -bags of gold and jewels which were to bribe the Nome -King to accept them as slaves.</p> - -<p>Through several long passages the guide led them and -at last they entered a small cavern which was -beautifully decorated and set with rare jewels that -flashed from every part of the wall, floor and ceiling. -This was a waiting-room for visitors, and there their -guide left them while he went to inform King Kaliko of -their arrival.</p> - -<p>Before long they were ushered into a great domed -chamber, cut from the solid rock and so magnificent -that all of them — the King and Queen of Pingaree and -the King and Queen of Regos and Coregos — drew long -breaths of astonishment and opened their eyes as wide -as they could.</p> - -<p>In an ivory throne sat a little round man who had a -pointed beard and hair that rose to a tall curl on top -of his head. He was dressed in silken robes, richly -embroidered, which had large buttons of cut rubies. On -his head was a diamond crown and in his hand he held a -golden sceptre with a big jeweled ball at one end of -it. This was Kaliko, the King and ruler of all the -nomes. He nodded pleasantly enough to his visitors and -said in a cheery voice:</p> - -<p>"Well, Your Majesties, what can I do for you?"</p> - -<p>"It is my desire," answered King Gos, respectfully, -"to place in your care two prisoners, whom you now see -before you. They must be carefully guarded, to prevent -them from escaping, for they have the cunning of foxes -and are not to be trusted. In return for the favor I am -asking you to grant, I have brought Your Majesty -valuable presents of gold and precious gems."</p> - -<p>He then commanded Kitticut and Garee to lay before -the Nome King the bags of gold and jewels, and they -obeyed, being helpless.</p> - -<p>"Very good," said King Kaliko, nodding approval, for -like all the nomes he loved treasures of gold and -jewels. "But who are the prisoners you have brought -here, and why do you place them in my charge instead of -guarding them, yourself? They seem gentle enough, I'm -sure."</p> - -<p>"The prisoners," returned King Gos, "are the King and -Queen of Pingaree, a small island north of here. They -are very evil people and came to our islands of Regos -and Coregos to conquer them and slay our poor people. -Also they intended to plunder us of all our riches, but -by good fortune we were able to defeat and capture -them. However, they have a son who is a terrible wizard -and who by magic art is trying to find this awful King -and Queen of Pingaree, and to set them free, that they -may continue their wicked deeds. Therefore, as we have -no magic to defend ourselves with, we have brought the -prisoners to you for safe keeping."</p> - -<p>"Your Majesty," spoke up King Kitticut, addressing -the Nome King with great indignation, "do not believe -this tale, I implore you. It is all a lie!"</p> - -<p>"I know it," said Kaliko. "I consider it a clever -lie, though, because it is woven without a thread of -truth. However, that is none of my business. The fact -remains that my good friend King Gos wishes to put you -in my underground caverns, so that you will be unable -to escape. And why should I not please him in this -little matter? Gos is a mighty King and a great -warrior, while your island of Pingaree is desolated and -your people scattered. In my heart, King Kitticut, I -sympathize with you, but as a matter of business policy -we powerful Kings must stand together and trample the -weaker ones under our feet."</p> - -<p>King Kitticut was surprised to find the King of the -nomes so candid and so well informed, and he tried to -argue that he and his gentle wife did not deserve their -cruel fate and that it would be wiser for Kaliko to -side with them than with the evil King of Regos. But -Kaliko only shook his head and smiled, saying:</p> - -<p>"The fact that you are a prisoner, my poor Kitticut, -is evidence that you are weaker than King Cos, and I -prefer to deal with the strong. By the way," he added, -turning to the King of Regos, "have these prisoners any -connection with the Land of Oz?"</p> - -<p>"Why do you ask?" said Gos.</p> - -<p>"Because I dare not offend the Oz people," was the -reply. "I am very powerful, as you know, but Ozma of Oz -is far more powerful than I; therefore, if this King -and Queen of Pingaree happened to be under Ozma's -protection, I would have nothing to do with them."</p> - -<p>"I assure Your Majesty that the prisoners have -nothing to do with the Oz people," Gos hastened to say. -And Kitticut, being questioned, admitted that this was -true.</p> - -<p>"But how about that wizard you mentioned?" asked the -Nome King.</p> - -<p>"Oh, he is merely a boy; but he is very ferocious and -obstinate and he is assisted by a little fat sorcerer -called Rinkitink and a talking goat."</p> - -<p>"Oho! A talking goat, do you say? That certainly -sounds like magic; and it also sounds like the Land of -Oz, where all the animals talk," said Kaliko, with a -doubtful expression.</p> - -<p>But King Gos assured him the talking goat had never -been to Oz.</p> - -<p>"As for Rinkitink, whom you call a sorcerer," -continued the Nome King, "he is a neighbor of mine, you -must know, but as we are cut off from each other by -high mountains beneath which a powerful river runs, I -have never yet met King Rinkitink. But I have heard of -him, and from all reports he is a jolly rogue, and -perfectly harmless. However, in spite of your false -statements and misrepresentations, I will earn the -treasure you have brought me, by keeping your prisoners -safe in my caverns."</p> - -<p>"Make them work," advised Queen Cor. "They are rather -delicate, and to make them work will make them suffer -delightfully."</p> - -<p>"I'll do as I please about that," said the Nome King -sternly. "Be content that I agree to keep them safe."</p> - -<p>The bargain being thus made and concluded, Kaliko -first examined the gold and jewels and then sent it -away to his royal storehouse, which was well filled -with like treasure. Next the captives were sent away in -charge of the nome with the golden collar and keys, -whose name was Klik, and he escorted them to a small -cavern and gave them a good supper.</p> - -<p>"I shall lock your door," said Klik, "so there is no -need of your wearing those heavy chains any longer." He -therefore removed the chains and left King Kitticut and -his Queen alone. This was the first time since the -Northmen had carried them away from Pingaree that the -good King and Queen had been alone together and free of -all bonds, and as they embraced lovingly and mingled -their tears over their sad fate they were also grateful -that they had passed from the control of the heartless -King Gos into the more considerate care of King Kaliko. -They were still captives but they believed they would -be happier in the underground caverns of the nomes than -in Regos and Coregos.</p> - -<p>Meantime, in the King's royal cavern a great feast -had been spread. King Gos and Queen Cor, having -triumphed in their plot, were so well pleased that they -held high revelry with the jolly Nome King until a late -hour that night. And the next morning, having cautioned -Kaliko not to release the prisoners under any -consideration without their orders, the King and Queen -of Regos and Coregos left the caverns of the nomes to -return to the shore of the ocean where they had left -their boat.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Eighteen'></a><h2>Chapter Eighteen</h2> - -<h3>Inga Parts with his Pink Pearl</h3> -<br /> - -<p>The White Pearl guided Inga truly in his pursuit of the -boat of King Gos, but the boy had been so delayed in -sending his people home to Pingaree that it was a full -day after Gos and Cor landed on the shore of the -Wheeler Country that Inga's boat arrived at the same -place.</p> - -<p>There he found the forty rowers guarding the barge of -Queen Cor, and although they would not or could not -tell the boy where the King and Queen had taken his -father and mother, the White Pearl advised him to -follow the path to the country and the caverns of the -nomes.</p> - -<p>Rinkitink didn't like to undertake the rocky and -mountainous journey, even with Bilbil to carry him, but -he would not desert Inga, even though his own kingdom -lay just beyond a range of mountains which could be -seen towering southwest of them. So the King bravely -mounted the goat, who always grumbled but always obeyed -his master, and the three set off at once for the -caverns of the nomes.</p> - -<p>They traveled just as slowly as Queen Cor and King -Gos had done, so when they were about halfway they -discovered the King and Queen coming back to their -boat. The fact that Gos and Cor were now alone proved -that they had left Inga's father and mother behind -them; so, at the suggestion of Rinkitink, the three hid -behind a high rock until the King of Regos and the -Queen of Coregos, who had not observed them, had passed -them by. Then they continued their journey, glad that -they had not again been forced to fight or quarrel with -their wicked enemies.</p> - -<p>"We might have asked them, however, what they had -done with your poor parents," said Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"Never mind," answered Inga. "I am sure the White -Pearl will guide us aright."</p> - -<p>For a time they proceeded in silence and then -Rinkitink began to chuckle with laughter in the -pleasant way he was wont to do before his misfortunes -came upon him.</p> - -<p>"What amuses Your Majesty?" inquired the boy.</p> - -<p>"The thought of how surprised my dear subjects would -be if they realized how near to them I am, and yet how -far away. I have always wanted to visit the Nome -Country, which is full of mystery and magic and all -sorts of adventures, but my devoted subjects forbade me -to think of such a thing, fearing I would get hurt or -enchanted."</p> - -<p>"Are you afraid, now that you are here?" asked Inga.</p> - -<p>"A little, but not much, for they say the new Nome -King is not as wicked as the old King used to be. -Still, we are undertaking a dangerous journey and I -think you ought to protect me by lending me one of your -pearls."</p> - -<p>Inga thought this over and it seemed a reasonable -request.</p> - -<p>"Which pearl would you like to have?" asked the boy.</p> - -<p>"Well, let us see," returned Rinkitink; "you may need -strength to liberate your captive parents, so you must -keep the Blue Pearl. And you will need the advice of -the White Pearl, so you had best keep that also. But in -case we should be separated I would have nothing to -protect me from harm, so you ought to lend me the Pink -Pearl."</p> - -<p>"Very well," agreed Inga, and sitting down upon a -rock he removed his right shoe and after withdrawing -the cloth from the pointed toe took out the Pink Pearl -— the one which protected from any harm the person who -carried it.</p> - -<p>"Where can you put it, to keep it safely?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"In my vest pocket," replied the King. "The pocket -has a flap to it and I can pin it down in such a way -that the pearl cannot get out and become lost. As for -robbery, no one with evil intent can touch my person -while I have the pearl."</p> - -<p>So Inga gave Rinkitink the Pink Pearl and the little -King placed it in the pocket of his red-and-green -brocaded velvet vest, pinning the flap of the pocket -down tightly.</p> - -<p>They now resumed their journey and finally reached -the entrance to the Nome King's caverns. Placing the -White Pearl to his ear, Inga asked: "What shall I do -now?" and the Voice of the Pearl replied: "Clap your -hands together four times and call aloud the word -'Klik.' Then allow yourselves to be conducted to the -Nome King, who is now holding your father and mother -captive."</p> - -<p>Inga followed these instructions and when Klik -appeared in answer to his summons the boy requested an -audience of the Nome King. So Klik led them into the -presence of King Kaliko, who was suffering from a -severe headache, due to his revelry the night before, -and therefore was unusually cross and grumpy.</p> - -<p>"I know what you've come for," said he, before Inga -could speak. "You want to get the captives from Regos -away from me; but you can't do it, so you'd best go away -again."</p> - -<p>"The captives are my father and mother, and I intend -to liberate them," said the boy firmly.</p> - -<p>The King stared hard at Inga, wondering at his -audacity. Then he turned to look at King Rinkitink and -said:</p> - -<p>"I suppose you are the King of Gilgad, which is in -the Kingdom of Rinkitink."</p> - -<p>"You've guessed it the first time," replied -Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"How round and fat you are!" exclaimed Kaliko.</p> - -<p>"I was just thinking how fat and round you are," said -Rinkitink. "Really, King Kaliko, we ought to be -friends, we're so much alike in everything but -disposition and intelligence."</p> - -<p>Then he began to chuckle, while Kaliko stared hard at -him, not knowing whether to accept his speech as a -compliment or not. And now the nome's eyes wandered to -Bilbil, and he asked:</p> - -<p>"Is that your talking goat?"</p> - -<p>Bilbil met the Nome King's glowering look with a gaze -equally surly and defiant, while Rinkitink answered: -"It is, Your Majesty."</p> - -<p>"Can he really talk?" asked Kaliko, curiously.</p> - -<p>"He can. But the best thing he does is to scold. Talk -to His Majesty, Bilbil."</p> - -<p>But Bilbil remained silent and would not speak.</p> - -<p>"Do you always ride upon his back?" continued Kaliko, -questioning Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"Yes," was the answer, "because it is difficult for a -fat man to walk far, as perhaps you know from -experience."</p> - -<p>"That is true," said Kaliko. "Get off the goat's back -and let me ride him a while, to see how I like it. -Perhaps I'll take him away from you, to ride through my -caverns."</p> - -<p>Rinkitink chuckled softly as he heard this, but at -once got off Bilbil's back and let Kaliko get on. The -Nome King was a little awkward, but when he was firmly -astride the saddle he called in a loud voice: "Giddap!"</p> - -<p>When Bilbil paid no attention to the command and -refused to stir, Kaliko kicked his heels viciously -against the goat's body, and then Bilbil made a sudden -start. He ran swiftly across the great cavern, until he -had almost reached the opposite wall, when he stopped -so abruptly that King Kaliko sailed over his head and -bumped against the jeweled wall. He bumped so hard that -the points of his crown were all mashed out of shape -and his head was driven far into the diamond-studded -band of the crown, so that it covered one eye and a -part of his nose. Perhaps this saved Kaliko's head from -being cracked against the rock wall, but it was hard on -the crown.</p> - -<p>Bilbil was highly pleased at the success of his feat -and Rinkitink laughed merrily at the Nome King's -comical appearance; but Kaliko was muttering and -growling as he picked himself up and struggled to pull -the battered crown from his head, and it was evident -that he was not in the least amused. Indeed, Inga could -see that the King was very angry, and the boy knew that -the incident was likely to turn Kaliko against the -entire party.</p> - -<p>The Nome King sent Klik for another crown and ordered -his workmen to repair the one that was damaged. While -he waited for the new crown he sat regarding his -visitors with a scowling face, and this made Inga more -uneasy than ever. Finally, when the new crown was -placed upon his head, King Kaliko said: "Follow me, -strangers!" and led the way to a small door at one end -of the cavern.</p> - -<p>Inga and Rinkitink followed him through the doorway -and found themselves standing on a balcony that -overlooked an enormous domed cave — so extensive that -it seemed miles to the other side of it. All around -this circular cave, which was brilliantly lighted from -an unknown source, were arches connected with other -caverns.</p> - -<p>Kaliko took a gold whistle from his pocket and blew a -shrill note that echoed through every part of the cave. -Instantly nomes began to pour in through the side -arches in great numbers, until the immense space was -packed with them as far as the eye could reach. All -were armed with glittering weapons of polished silver -and gold, and Inga was amazed that any King could -command so great an army.</p> - -<p>They began marching and countermarching in very -orderly array until another blast of the gold whistle -sent them scurrying away as quickly as they had -appeared. And as soon as the great cave was again empty -Kaliko returned with his visitors to his own royal -chamber, where he once more seated himself upon his -ivory throne.</p> - -<p>"I have shown you," said he to Inga, "a part of my -bodyguard. The royal armies, of which this is only a -part, are as numerous as the sands of the ocean, and -live in many thousands of my underground caverns. You -have come here thinking to force me to give up the -captives of King Gos and Queen Cor, and I wanted to -convince you that my power is too mighty for anyone to -oppose. I am told that you are a wizard, and depend -upon magic to aid you; but you must know that the nomes -are not mortals, and understand magic pretty well -themselves, so if we are obliged to fight magic with -magic the chances are that we are a hundred times more -powerful than you can be. Think this over carefully, my -boy, and try to realize that you are in my power. I do -not believe you can force me to liberate King Kitticut -and Queen Garee, and I know that you cannot coax me to -do so, for I have given my promise to King Gos. -Therefore, as I do not wish to hurt you, I ask you to -go away peaceably and let me alone."</p> - -<p>"Forgive me if I do not agree with you, King Kaliko," -answered the boy. "However difficult and dangerous my -task may be, I cannot leave your dominions until every -effort to release my parents has failed and left me -completely discouraged."</p> - -<p>"Very well," said the King, evidently displeased. "I -have warned you, and now if evil overtakes you it is -your own fault. I've a headache to-day, so I cannot -entertain you properly, according to your rank; but -Klik will attend you to my guest chambers and to-morrow -I will talk with you again."</p> - -<p>This seemed a fair and courteous way to treat one's -declared enemies, so they politely expressed the wish -that Kaliko's headache would be better, and followed -their guide, Klik, down a well-lighted passage and -through several archways until they finally reached -three nicely furnished bedchambers which were cut from -solid gray rock and well lighted and aired by some -mysterious method known to the nomes.</p> - -<p>The first of these rooms was given King Rinkitink, -the second was Inga's and the third was assigned to -Bilbil the goat. There was a swinging rock door -between the third and second rooms and another between -the second and first, which also had a door that opened -upon the passage. Rinkitink's room was the largest, so -it was here that an excellent dinner was spread by some -of the nome servants, who, in spite of their crooked -shapes, proved to be well trained and competent.</p> - -<p>"You are not prisoners, you know," said Klik; "neither -are you welcome guests, having declared your purpose to -oppose our mighty King and all his hosts. But we bear -you no ill will, and you are to be well fed and cared -for as long as you remain in our caverns. Eat hearty, -sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you."</p> - -<p>Saying this, he left them alone and at once Rinkitink -and Inga began to counsel together as to the best means -to liberate King Kitticut and Queen Garee. The White -Pearl's advice was rather unsatisfactory to the boy, -just now, for all that the Voice said in answer to his -questions was: "Be patient, brave and determined."</p> - -<p>Rinkitink suggested that they try to discover in what -part of the series of underground caverns Inga's -parents had been confined, as that knowledge was -necessary before they could take any action; so -together they started out, leaving Bilbil asleep in his -room, and made their way unopposed through many -corridors and caverns. In some places were great -furnaces, where gold dust was being melted into bricks. -In other rooms workmen were fashioning the gold into -various articles and ornaments. In one cavern immense -wheels revolved which polished precious gems, and they -found many caverns used as storerooms, where treasure -of every sort was piled high. Also they came to the -barracks of the army and the great kitchens.</p> - -<p>There were nomes everywhere — countless thousands of -them — but none paid the slightest heed to the -visitors from the earth's surface. Yet, although Inga -and Rinkitink walked until they were weary, they were -unable to locate the place where the boy's father and -mother had been confined, and when they tried to return -to their own rooms they found that they had hopelessly -lost themselves amid the labyrinth of passages. -However, Klik presently came to them, laughing at their -discomfiture, and led them back to their bedchambers.</p> - -<p>Before they went to sleep they carefully barred the -door from Rinkitink's room to the corridor, but the -doors that connected the three rooms one with another -were left wide open.</p> - -<p>In the night Inga was awakened by a soft grating -sound that filled him with anxiety because he could not -account for it. It was dark in his room, the light -having disappeared as soon as he got into bed, but he -managed to feel his way to the door that led to -Rinkitink's room and found it tightly closed and -immovable. Then he made his way to the opposite door, -leading to Bilbil's room, to discover that also had -been closed and fastened.</p> - -<p>The boy had a curious sensation that all of his room -— the walls, floor and ceiling — was slowly whirling -as if on a pivot, and it was such an uncomfortable -feeling that he got into bed again, not knowing what -else to do. And as the grating noise had ceased and the -room now seemed stationary, he soon fell asleep again.</p> - -<p>When the boy wakened, after many hours, he found the -room again light. So he dressed himself and discovered -that a small table, containing a breakfast that was -smoking hot, had suddenly appeared in the center of -his room. He tried the two doors, but finding that he -could not open them he ate some breakfast, thoughtfully -wondering who had locked him in and why he had been -made a prisoner. Then he again went to the door which -he thought led to Rinkitink's chamber and to his -surprise the latch lifted easily and the door swung -open.</p> - -<p>Before him was a rude corridor hewn in the rock and -dimly lighted. It did not look inviting, so Inga closed -the door, puzzled to know what had become of -Rinkitink's room and the King, and went to the opposite -door. Opening this, he found a solid wall of rock -confronting him, which effectually prevented his escape -in that direction.</p> - -<p>The boy now realized that King Kaliko had tricked -him, and while professing to receive him as a guest had -plotted to separate him from his comrades. One way had -been left, however, by which he might escape and he -decided to see where it led to.</p> - -<p>So, going to the first door, he opened it and -ventured slowly into the dimly lighted corridor. When -he had advanced a few steps he heard the door of his -room slam shut behind him. He ran back at once, but the -door of rock fitted so closely into the wall that he -found it impossible to open it again. That did not -matter so much, however, for the room was a prison and -the only way of escape seemed ahead of him.</p> - -<p>Along the corridor he crept until, turning a -corner, he found himself in a large domed cavern that -was empty and deserted. Here also was a dim light that -permitted him to see another corridor at the opposite -side; so he crossed the rocky floor of the cavern and -entered a second corridor. This one twisted and turned -in every direction but was not very long, so soon the -boy reached a second cavern, not so large as the first. -This he found vacant also, but it had another corridor -leading out of it, so Inga entered that. It was -straight and short and beyond was a third cavern, which -differed little from the others except that it had a -strong iron grating at one side of it.</p> - -<p>All three of these caverns had been roughly hewn from -the rock and it seemed they had never been put to use, -as had all the other caverns of the nomes he had -visited. Standing in the third cavern, Inga saw what he -thought was still another corridor at its farther side, -so he walked toward it. This opening was dark, and that -fact, and the solemn silence all around him, made him -hesitate for a while to enter it. Upon reflection, -however, he realized that unless he explored the place -to the very end he could not hope to escape from it, so -he boldly entered the dark corridor and felt his way -cautiously as he moved forward.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had he taken two paces when a crash -resounded back of him and a heavy sheet of steel closed -the opening into the cavern from which he had just -come. He paused a moment, but it still seemed best to -proceed, and as Inga advanced in the dark, holding his -hands outstretched before him to feel his way, -handcuffs fell upon his wrists and locked themselves -with a sharp click, and an instant later he found he -was chained to a stout iron post set firmly in the rock -floor.</p> - -<p>The chains were long enough to permit him to move a -yard or so in any direction and by feeling the walls he -found he was in a small circular room that had no -outlet except the passage by which he had entered, and -that was now closed by the door of steel. This was the -end of the series of caverns and corridors.</p> - -<p>It was now that the horror of his situation occurred -to the boy with full force. But he resolved not to -submit to his fate without a struggle, and realizing -that he possessed the Blue Pearl, which gave him -marvelous strength, he quickly broke the chains and set -himself free of the handcuffs. Next he twisted the -steel door from its hinges, and creeping along the -short passage, found himself in the third cave.</p> - -<p>But now the dim light, which had before guided him, -had vanished; yet on peering into the gloom of the cave -he saw what appeared to be two round disks of flame, -which cast a subdued glow over the floor and walls. By -this dull glow he made out the form of an enormous man, -seated in the center of the cave, and he saw that the -iron grating had been removed, permitting the man to -enter.</p> - -<p>The giant was unclothed and its limbs were thickly -covered with coarse red hair. The round disks of flame -were its two eyes and when it opened its mouth to yawn -Inga saw that its jaws were wide enough to crush a -dozen men between the great rows of teeth.</p> - -<p>Presently the giant looked up and perceived the boy -crouching at the other side of the cavern, so he called -out in a hoarse, rude voice:</p> - -<p>"Come hither, my pretty one. We will wrestle -together, you and I, and if you succeed in throwing me -I will let you pass through my cave."</p> - -<p>The boy made no reply to the challenge. He realized -he was in dire peril and regretted that he had lent the -Pink Pearl to King Rinkitink. But it was now too late -for vain regrets, although he feared that even his -great strength would avail him little against this -hairy monster. For his arms were not long enough to -span a fourth of the giant's huge body, while the -monster's powerful limbs would be likely to crush out -Inga's life before he could gain the mastery.</p> - -<p>Therefore the Prince resolved to employ other means -to combat this foe, who had doubtless been placed there -to bar his return. Retreating through the passage he -reached the room where he had been chained and wrenched -the iron post from its socket. It was a foot thick and -four feet long, and being of solid iron was so heavy -that three ordinary men would have found it hard to -lift.</p> - -<p>Returning to the cavern, the boy swung the great bar -above his head and dashed it with mighty force full at -the giant. The end of the bar struck the monster upon -its forehead, and with a single groan it fell full -length upon the floor and lay still.</p> - -<p>When the giant fell, the glow from its eyes faded -away, and all was dark. Cautiously, for Inga was not -sure the giant was dead, the boy felt his way toward -the opening that led to the middle cavern. The entrance -was narrow and the darkness was intense, but, feeling -braver now, the boy stepped boldly forward. Instantly -the floor began to sink beneath him and in great alarm -he turned and made a leap that enabled him to grasp the -rocky sides of the wall and regain a footing in the -passage through which he had just come.</p> - -<p>Scarcely had he obtained this place of refuge when a -mighty crash resounded throughout the cavern and the -sound of a rushing torrent came from far below. Inga -felt in his pocket and found several matches, one of -which he lighted and held before him. While it -flickered he saw that the entire floor of the cavern -had fallen away, and knew that had he not instantly -regained his footing in the passage he would have -plunged into the abyss that lay beneath him.</p> - -<p>By the light of another match he saw the opening at -the other side of the cave and the thought came to him -that possibly he might leap across the gulf. Of course, -this could never be accomplished without the marvelous -strength lent him by the Blue Pearl, but Inga had the -feeling that one powerful spring might carry him over -the chasm into safety. He could not stay where he was, -that was certain, so he resolved to make the attempt.</p> - -<p>He took a long run through the first cave and the -short corridor; then, exerting all his strength, he -launched himself over the black gulf of the second -cave. Swiftly he flew and, although his heart stood -still with fear, only a few seconds elapsed before his -feet touched the ledge of the opposite passageway and -he knew he had safely accomplished the wonderful feat.</p> - -<p>Only pausing to draw one long breath of relief, Inga -quickly traversed the crooked corridor that led to the -last cavern of the three. But when he came in sight of -it he paused abruptly, his eyes nearly blinded by a -glare of strong light which burst upon them. Covering -his face with his hands, Inga retreated behind a -projecting corner of rock and by gradually getting his -eyes used to the light he was finally able to gaze -without blinking upon the strange glare that had so -quickly changed the condition of the cavern. When he -had passed through this vault it had been entirely -empty. Now the flat floor of rock was covered -everywhere with a bed of glowing coals, which shot up -little tongues of red and white flames. Indeed, the -entire cave was one monster furnace and the heat that -came from it was fearful.</p> - -<p>Inga's heart sank within him as he realized the -terrible obstacle placed by the cunning Nome King -between him and the safety of the other caverns. There -was no turning back, for it would be impossible for him -again to leap over the gulf of the second cave, the -corridor at this side being so crooked that he could -get no run before he jumped. Neither could he leap over -the glowing coals of the cavern that faced him, for it -was much larger than the middle cavern. In this dilemma -he feared his great strength would avail him nothing -and he bitterly reproached himself for parting with the -Pink Pearl, which would have preserved him from injury.</p> - -<p>However, it was not in the nature of Prince Inga to -despair for long, his past adventures having taught him -confidence and courage, sharpened his wits and given -him the genius of invention. He sat down and thought -earnestly on the means of escape from his danger and at -last a clever idea came to his mind. This is the way to -get ideas: never to let adverse circumstances -discourage you, but to believe there is a way out of -every difficulty, which may be found by earnest -thought.</p> - -<p>There were many points and projections of rock in the -walls of the crooked corridor in which Inga stood and -some of these rocks had become cracked and loosened, -although still clinging to their places. The boy picked -out one large piece, and, exerting all his strength, -tore it away from the wall. He then carried it to the -cavern and tossed it upon the burning coals, about ten -feet away from the end of the passage. Then he returned -for another fragment of rock, and wrenching it free -from its place, he threw it ten feet beyond the first -one, toward the opposite side of the cave. The boy -continued this work until he had made a series of -stepping-stones reaching straight across the cavern to -the dark passageway beyond, which he hoped would lead -him back to safety if not to liberty.</p> - -<p>When his work had been completed, Inga did not long -hesitate to take advantage of his stepping-stones, for -he knew his best chance of escape lay in his crossing -the bed of coals before the rocks became so heated that -they would burn his feet. So he leaped to the first -rock and from there began jumping from one to the other -in quick succession. A withering wave of heat at once -enveloped him, and for a time he feared he would -suffocate before he could cross the cavern; but he held -his breath, to keep the hot air from his lungs, and -maintained his leaps with desperate resolve.</p> - -<p>Then, before he realized it, his feet were pressing -the cooler rocks of the passage beyond and he rolled -helpless upon the floor, gasping for breath. His skin -was so red that it resembled the shell of a boiled -lobster, but his swift motion had prevented his being -burned, and his shoes had thick soles, which saved his -feet.</p> - -<p>After resting a few minutes, the boy felt strong -enough to go on. He went to the end of the passage and -found that the rock door by which he had left his room -was still closed, so he returned to about the middle of -the corridor and was thinking what he should do next, -when suddenly the solid rock before him began to move -and an opening appeared through which shone a brilliant -light. Shielding his eyes, which were somewhat dazzled, -Inga sprang through the opening and found himself in -one of the Nome King's inhabited caverns, where before -him stood King Kaliko, with a broad grin upon his -features, and Klik, the King's chamberlain, who looked -surprised, and King Rinkitink seated astride Bilbil the -goat, both of whom seemed pleased that Inga had -rejoined them.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Nineteen'></a><h2>Chapter Nineteen</h2> - -<h3>Rinkitink Chuckles</h3> -<br /> - -<p>We will now relate what happened to Rinkitink and -Bilbil that morning, while Inga was undergoing his -trying experience in escaping the fearful dangers of -the three caverns.</p> - -<p>The King of Gilgad wakened to find the door of Inga's -room fast shut and locked, but he had no trouble in -opening his own door into the corridor, for it seems -that the boy's room, which was the middle one, whirled -around on a pivot, while the adjoining rooms occupied -by Bilbil and Rinkitink remained stationary. The little -King also found a breakfast magically served in his -room, and while he was eating it, Klik came to him and -stated that His Majesty, King Kaliko, desired his -presence in the royal cavern.</p> - -<p>So Rinkitink, having first made sure that the Pink -Pearl was still in his vest pocket, willingly followed -Klik, who ran on some distance ahead. But no sooner had -Rinkitink set foot in the passage than a great rock, -weighing at least a ton, became dislodged and dropped -from the roof directly over his head. Of course, it -could not harm him, protected as he was by the Pink -Pearl, and it bounded aside and crashed upon the floor, -where it was shattered by its own weight.</p> - -<p>"How careless!" exclaimed the little King, and -waddled after Klik, who seemed amazed at his escape.</p> - -<p>Presently another rock above Rinkitink plunged -downward, and then another, but none touched his body. -Klik seemed much perplexed at these continued escapes -and certainly Kaliko was surprised when Rinkitink, safe -and sound, entered the royal cavern.</p> - -<p>"Good morning," said the King of Gilgad. "Your rocks -are getting loose, Kaliko, and you'd better have them -glued in place before they hurt someone." Then he began -to chuckle: "Hoo, hoo, hoo-hee, hee-heek, keek, eek!" -and Kaliko sat and frowned because he realized that the -little fat King was poking fun at him.</p> - -<p>"I asked Your Majesty to come here," said the Nome -King, "to show you a curious skein of golden thread -which my workmen have made. If it pleases you, I will -make you a present of it."</p> - -<p>With this he held out a small skein of glittering -gold twine, which was really pretty and curious. -Rinkitink took it in his hand and at once the golden -thread began to unwind — so swiftly that the eye could -not follow its motion. And, as it unwound, it coiled -itself around Rinkitink's body, at the same time -weaving itself into a net, until it had enveloped the -little King from head to foot and placed him in a -prison of gold.</p> - -<p>"Aha!" cried Kaliko; "this magic worked all right, it -seems."</p> - -<p>"Oh, did it?" replied Rinkitink, and stepping forward -he walked right through the golden net, which fell to -the floor in a tangled mass.</p> - -<p>Kaliko rubbed his chin thoughtfully and stared hard -at Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"I understand a good bit of magic," said he, "but -Your Majesty has a sort of magic that greatly puzzles -me, because it is unlike anything of the sort that I -ever met with before."</p> - -<p>"Now, see here, Kaliko," said Rinkitink; "if you are -trying to harm me or my companions, give it up, for you -will never succeed. We're harm-proof, so to speak, and -you are merely wasting your time trying to injure us."</p> - -<p>"You may be right, and I hope I am not so impolite as -to argue with a guest," returned the Nome King. "But -you will pardon me if I am not yet satisfied that you -are stronger than my famous magic. However, I beg you -to believe that I bear you no ill will, King Rinkitink; -but it is my duty to destroy you, if possible, because -you and that insignificant boy Prince have openly -threatened to take away my captives and have positively -refused to go back to the earth's surface and let me -alone. I'm very tender-hearted, as a matter of fact, -and I like you immensely, and would enjoy having you as -a friend, but —" Here he pressed a button on the arm -of his throne chair and the section of the floor where -Rinkitink stood suddenly opened and disclosed a black -pit beneath, which was a part of the terrible -Bottomless Gulf.</p> - -<p>But Rinkitink did not fall into the pit; his body -remained suspended in the air until he put out his foot -and stepped to the solid floor, when the opening -suddenly closed again.</p> - -<p>"I appreciate Your Majesty's friendship," remarked -Rinkitink, as calmly as if nothing had happened, "but I -am getting tired with standing. Will you kindly send -for my goat, Bilbil, that I may sit upon his back to -rest?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed I will!" promised Kaliko. "I have not yet -completed my test of your magic, and as I owe that goat -a slight grudge for bumping my head and smashing my -second-best crown, I will be glad to discover if the -beast can also escape my delightful little sorceries."</p> - -<p>So Klik was sent to fetch Bilbil and presently -returned with the goat, which was very cross this -morning because it had not slept well in the -underground caverns.</p> - -<p>Rinkitink lost no time in getting upon the red velvet -saddle which the goat constantly wore, for he feared -the Nome King would try to destroy Bilbil and knew that -as long as his body touched that of the goat the Pink -Pearl would protect them both; whereas, if Bilbil stood -alone, there was no magic to save him.</p> - -<p>Bilbil glared wickedly at King Kaliko, who moved -uneasily in his ivory throne. Then the Nome King -whispered a moment in the ear of Klik, who nodded and -left the room.</p> - -<p>"Please make yourselves at home here for a few -minutes, while I attend to an errand," said the Nome -King, getting up from the throne. "I shall return -pretty soon, when I hope to find you pieceful — ha, -ha, ha! — that's a joke you can't appreciate now but -will later. Be pieceful — that's the idea. Ho, ho, ho! -How funny." Then he waddled from the cavern, closing -the door behind him.</p> - -<p>"Well, why didn't you laugh when Kaliko laughed?" -demanded the goat, when they were left alone in the -cavern.</p> - -<p>"Because he means mischief of some sort," replied -Rinkitink, "and we'll laugh after the danger is over, -Bilbil. There's an old adage that says: 'He laughs best -who laughs last,' and the only way to laugh last is to -give the other fellow a chance. Where did that knife -come from, I wonder."</p> - -<p>For a long, sharp knife suddenly appeared in the air -near them, twisting and turning from side to side and -darting here and there in a dangerous manner, without -any support whatever. Then another knife became visible -— and another and another — until all the space in -the royal cavern seemed filled with them. Their sharp -points and edges darted toward Rinkitink and Bilbil -perpetually and nothing could have saved them from -being cut to pieces except the protecting power of the -Pink Pearl. As it was, not a knife touched them and -even Bilbil gave a gruff laugh at the failure of -Kaliko's clever magic.</p> - -<p>The goat wandered here and there in the cavern, -carrying Rinkitink upon his back, and neither of them -paid the slightest heed to the knives, although the -glitter of the hundreds of polished blades was rather -trying to their eyes. Perhaps for ten minutes the -knives darted about them in bewildering fury; then they -disappeared as suddenly as they had appeared.</p> - -<p>Kaliko cautiously stuck his head through the doorway -and found the goat chewing the embroidery of his royal -cloak, which he had left lying over the throne, while -Rinkitink was reading his manuscript on "How to be -Good" and chuckling over its advice. The Nome King -seemed greatly disappointed as he came in and resumed -his seat on the throne. Said Rinkitink with a chuckle:</p> - -<p>"We've really had a peaceful time, Kaliko, although -not the pieceful time you expected. Forgive me if I -indulge in a laugh — hoo, hoo, hoo-hee, heek-keek-eek! -And now, tell me; aren't you getting tired of trying to -injure us?"</p> - -<p>"Eh — heh," said the Nome King. "I see now that your -magic can protect you from all my arts. But is the boy -Inga as well protected as Your Majesty and the goat?"</p> - -<p>"Why do you ask?" inquired Rinkitink, uneasy at the -question because he remembered he had not seen the -little Prince of Pingaree that morning.</p> - -<p>"Because," said Kaliko, "the boy has been undergoing -trials far greater and more dangerous than any you have -encountered, and it has been hundreds of years since -anyone has been able to escape alive from the perils of -my Three Trick Caverns."</p> - -<p>King Rinkitink was much alarmed at hearing this, for -although he knew that Inga possessed the Blue Pearl, -that would only give to him marvelous strength, and -perhaps strength alone would not enable him to escape -from danger. But he would not let Kaliko see the fear -he felt for Inga's safety, so he said in a careless -way:</p> - -<p>"You're a mighty poor magician, Kaliko, and I'll give -you my crown if Inga hasn't escaped any danger you have -threatened him with."</p> - -<p>"Your whole crown is not worth one of the valuable -diamonds in my crown," answered the Nome King, "but -I'll take it. Let us go at once, therefore, and see -what has become of the boy Prince, for if he is not -destroyed by this time I will admit he cannot be -injured by any of the magic arts which I have at my -command."</p> - -<p>He left the room, accompanied by Klik, who had now -rejoined his master, and by Rinkitink riding upon -Bilbil. After traversing several of the huge caverns -they entered one that was somewhat more bright and -cheerful than the others, where the Nome King paused -before a wall of rock. Then Klik pressed a secret -spring and a section of the wall opened and disclosed -the corridor where Prince Inga stood facing them.</p> - -<p>"Tarts and tadpoles!" cried Kaliko in surprise. "The -boy is still alive!"</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Twenty'></a><h2>Chapter Twenty</h2> - -<h3>Dorothy to the Rescue</h3> -<br /> - -<p>One day when Princess Dorothy of Oz was visiting Glinda -the Good, who is Ozma's Royal Sorceress, she was -looking through Glinda's Great Book of Records — -wherein is inscribed all important events that happen -in every part of the world — when she came upon the -record of the destruction of Pingaree, the capture of -King Kitticut and Queen Garee and all their people, and -the curious escape of Inga, the boy Prince, and of King -Rinkitink and the talking goat. Turning over some of -the following pages, Dorothy read how Inga had found -the Magic Pearls and was rowing the silver-lined boat -to Regos to try to rescue his parents.</p> - -<p>The little girl was much interested to know how well -Inga succeeded, but she returned to the palace of Ozma -at the Emerald City of Oz the next day and other events -made her forget the boy Prince of Pingaree for a time. -However, she was one day idly looking at Ozma's Magic -Picture, which shows any scene you may wish to see, -when the girl thought of Inga and commanded the Magic -Picture to show what the boy was doing at that moment.</p> - -<p>It was the time when Inga and Rinkitink had followed -the King of Regos and Queen of Coregos to the Nome -King's country and she saw them hiding behind the rock -as Cor and Gos passed them by after having placed the -King and Queen of Pingaree in the keeping of the Nome -King. From that time Dorothy followed, by means of the -Magic Picture, the adventures of Inga and his friend in -the Nome King's caverns, and the danger and -helplessness of the poor boy aroused the little girl's -pity and indignation.</p> - -<p>So she went to Ozma and told the lovely girl Ruler of -Oz all about Inga and Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"I think Kaliko is treating them dreadfully mean," -declared Dorothy, "and I wish you'd let me go to the -Nome Country and help them out of their troubles."</p> - -<p>"Go, my dear, if you wish to," replied Ozma, "but I -think it would be best for you to take the Wizard with -you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm not afraid of the nomes," said Dorothy, "but -I'll be glad to take the Wizard, for company. And may -we use your Magic Carpet, Ozma?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. Put the Magic Carpet in the Red Wagon and -have the Sawhorse take you and the Wizard to the edge -of the desert. While you are gone, Dorothy, I'll watch -you in the Magic Picture, and if any danger threatens -you I'll see you are not harmed."</p> - -<p>Dorothy thanked the Ruler of Oz and kissed her good- -bye, for she was determined to start at once. She found -the Wizard of Oz, who was planting shoetrees in the -garden, and when she told him Inga's story he willingly -agreed to accompany the little girl to the Nome King's -caverns. They had both been there before and had -conquered the nomes with ease, so they were not at all -afraid.</p> - -<p>The Wizard, who was a cheery little man with a bald -head and a winning smile, harnessed the Wooden Sawhorse -to the Red Wagon and loaded on Ozma's Magic Carpet. -Then he and Dorothy climbed to the seat and the -Sawhorse started off and carried them swiftly through -the beautiful Land of Oz to the edge of the Deadly -Desert that separated their fairyland from the Nome -Country.</p> - -<p>Even Dorothy and the clever Wizard would not have -dared to cross this desert without the aid of the Magic -Carpet, for it would have quickly destroyed them; but -when the roll of carpet had been placed upon the edge -of the sands, leaving just enough lying flat for them -to stand upon, the carpet straightway began to unroll -before them and as they walked on it continued to -unroll, until they had safely passed over the stretch -of Deadly Desert and were on the border of the Nome -King's dominions.</p> - -<p>This journey had been accomplished in a few minutes, -although such a distance would have required several -days travel had they not been walking on the Magic -Carpet. On arriving they at once walked toward the -entrance to the caverns of the nomes.</p> - -<p>The Wizard carried a little black bag containing his -tools of wizardry, while Dorothy carried over her arm a -covered basket in which she had placed a dozen eggs, -with which to conquer the nomes if she had any trouble -with them.</p> - -<p>Eggs may seem to you to be a queer weapon with which -to fight, but the little girl well knew their value. -The nomes are immortal; that is, they do not perish, as -mortals do, unless they happen to come in contact with -an egg. If an egg touches them — either the outer -shell or the inside of the egg — the nomes lose their -charm of perpetual life and thereafter are liable to -die through accident or old age, just as all humans -are.</p> - -<p>For this reason the sight of an egg fills a nome with -terror and he will do anything to prevent an egg from -touching him, even for an instant. So, when Dorothy -took her basket of eggs with her, she knew that she was -more powerfully armed than if she had a regiment of -soldiers at her back.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Twenty_One'></a><h2>Chapter Twenty-One</h2> - -<h3>The Wizard Finds an Enchantment</h3> -<br /> - -<p>After Kaliko had failed in his attempts to destroy his -guests, as has been related, the Nome King did nothing -more to injure them but treated them in a friendly -manner. He refused, however, to permit Inga to see or -to speak with his father and mother, or even to know in -what part of the underground caverns they were -confined.</p> - -<p>"You are able to protect your lives and persons, I -freely admit," said Kaliko; "but I firmly believe you -have no power, either of magic or otherwise, to take -from me the captives I have agreed to keep for King -Gos."</p> - -<p>Inga would not agree to this. He determined not to -leave the caverns until he had liberated his father and -mother, although he did not then know how that could be -accomplished. As for Rinkitink, the jolly King was well -fed and had a good bed to sleep upon, so he was not -worrying about anything and seemed in no hurry to go -away.</p> - -<p>Kaliko and Rinkitink were engaged in pitching a game -with solid gold quoits, on the floor of the royal -chamber, and Inga and Bilbil were watching them, when -Klik came running in, his hair standing on end with -excitement, and cried out that the Wizard of Oz and -Dorothy were approaching.</p> - -<p>Kaliko turned pale on hearing this unwelcome news -and, abandoning his game, went to sit in his ivory -throne and try to think what had brought these fearful -visitors to his domain.</p> - -<p>"Who is Dorothy?" asked Inga.</p> - -<p>"She is a little girl who once lived in Kansas," -replied Klik, with a shudder, "but she now lives in -Ozma's palace at the Emerald City and is a Princess of -Oz — which means that she is a terrible foe to deal -with."</p> - -<p>"Doesn't she like the nomes?" inquired the boy.</p> - -<p>"It isn't that," said King Kaliko, with a groan, "but -she insists on the nomes being goody-goody, which is -contrary to their natures. Dorothy gets angry if I do -the least thing that is wicked, and tries to make me -stop it, and that naturally makes me downhearted. I -can't imagine why she has come here just now, for I've -been behaving very well lately. As for that Wizard of -Oz, he's chock-full of magic that I can't overcome, for -he learned it from Glinda, who is the most powerful -sorceress in the world. Woe is me! Why didn't Dorothy -and the Wizard stay in Oz, where they belong?"</p> - -<p>Inga and Rinkitink listened to this with much joy, -for at once the idea came to them both to plead with -Dorothy to help them. Even Bilbil pricked up his ears -when he heard the Wizard of Oz mentioned, and the goat -seemed much less surly, and more thoughtful than usual.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later a nome came to say that Dorothy -and the Wizard had arrived and demanded admittance, so -Klik was sent to usher them into the royal presence of -the Nome King.</p> - -<p>As soon as she came in the little girl ran up to the -boy Prince and seized both his hands.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Inga!" she exclaimed, "I'm so glad to find you -alive and well."</p> - -<p>Inga was astonished at so warm a greeting. Making a -low bow he said:</p> - -<p>"I don't think we have met before, Princess."</p> - -<p>"No, indeed," replied Dorothy, "but I know all about -you and I've come to help you and King Rinkitink out of -your troubles." Then she turned to the Nome King and -continued: "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, King -Kaliko, to treat an honest Prince and an honest King so -badly."</p> - -<p>"I haven't done anything to them," whined Kaliko, -trembling as her eyes flashed upon him.</p> - -<p>"No; but you tried to, an' that's just as bad, if not -worse," said Dorothy, who was very indignant. "And now -I want you to send for the King and Queen of Pingaree -and have them brought here immejitly!"</p> - -<p>"I won't," said Kaliko.</p> - -<p>"Yes, you will!" cried Dorothy, stamping her foot at -him. "I won't have those poor people made unhappy any -longer, or separated from their little boy. Why, it's -dreadful, Kaliko, an' I'm su'prised at you. You must be -more wicked than I thought you were."</p> - -<p>"I can't do it, Dorothy," said the Nome King, almost -weeping with despair. "I promised King Gos I'd keep -them captives. You wouldn't ask me to break my promise, -would you?"</p> - -<p>"King Gos was a robber and an outlaw," she said, "and -p'r'aps you don't know that a storm at sea wrecked his -boat, while he was going back to Regos, and that he and -Queen Cor were both drowned."</p> - -<p>"Dear me!" exclaimed Kaliko. "Is that so?"</p> - -<p>"I saw it in Glinda's Record Book," said Dorothy. "So -now you trot out the King and Queen of Pingaree as -quick as you can."</p> - -<p>"No," persisted the contrary Nome King, shaking his -head. "I won't do it. Ask me anything else and I'll try -to please you, but I can't allow these friendly enemies -to triumph over me."</p> - -<p>"In that case," said Dorothy, beginning to remove the -cover from her basket, "I'll show you some eggs."</p> - -<p>"Eggs!" screamed the Nome King in horror. "Have you -eggs in that basket?"</p> - -<p>"A dozen of 'em," replied Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Then keep them there — I beg — I implore you! — -and I'll do anything you say," pleaded Kaliko, his -teeth chattering so that he could hardly speak.</p> - -<p>"Send for the King and Queen of Pingaree," said -Dorothy.</p> - -<p>"Go, Klik," commanded the Nome King, and Klik ran -away in great haste, for he was almost as much -frightened as his master.</p> - -<p>It was an affecting scene when the unfortunate King -and Queen of Pingaree entered the chamber and with sobs -and tears of joy embraced their brave and adventurous -son. All the others stood silent until greetings and -kisses had been exchanged and Inga had told his parents -in a few words of his vain struggles to rescue them and -how Princess Dorothy had finally come to his -assistance.</p> - -<p>Then King Kitticut shook the hands of his friend King -Rinkitink and thanked him for so loyally supporting his -son Inga, and Queen Garee kissed little Dorothy's -forehead and blessed her for restoring her husband and -herself to freedom.</p> - -<p>The Wizard had been standing near Bilbil the goat and -now he was surprised to hear the animal say:</p> - -<p>"Joyful reunion, isn't it? But it makes me tired to -see grown people cry like children."</p> - -<p>"Oho!" exclaimed the Wizard. "How does it happen, Mr. -Goat, that you, who have never been to the Land of Oz, -are able to talk?"</p> - -<p>"That's my business," returned Bilbil in a surly -tone.</p> - -<p>The Wizard stooped down and gazed fixedly into the -animal's eyes. Then he said, with a pitying sigh: "I -see; you are under an enchantment. Indeed, I believe -you to be Prince Bobo of Boboland."</p> - -<p>Bilbil made no reply but dropped his head as if -ashamed.</p> - -<p>"This is a great discovery," said the Wizard, -addressing Dorothy and the others of the party. "A good -many years ago a cruel magician transformed the gallant -Prince of Boboland into a talking goat, and this goat, -being ashamed of his condition, ran away and was never -after seen in Boboland, which is a country far to the -south of here but bordering on the Deadly Desert, -opposite the Land of Oz. I heard of this story long ago -and know that a diligent search has been made for the -enchanted Prince, without result. But I am well assured -that, in the animal you call Bilbil, I have discovered -the unhappy Prince of Boboland."</p> - -<p>"Dear me, Bilbil," said Rinkitink, "why have you -never told me this?"</p> - -<p>"What would be the use?" asked Bilbil in a low voice -and still refusing to look up.</p> - -<p>"The use?" repeated Rinkitink, puzzled.</p> - -<p>"Yes, that's the trouble," said the Wizard. "It is -one of the most powerful enchantments ever -accomplished, and the magician is now dead and the -secret of the anti-charm lost. Even I, with all my -skill, cannot restore Prince Bobo to his proper form. -But I think Glinda might be able to do so and if you -will all return with Dorothy and me to the Land of Oz, -where Ozma will make you welcome, I will ask Glinda to -try to break this enchantment."</p> - -<p>This was willingly agreed to, for they all welcomed -the chance to visit the famous Land of Oz. So they bade -good-bye to King Kaliko, whom Dorothy warned not to be -wicked any more if he could help it, and the entire -party returned over the Magic Carpet to the Land of Oz. -They filled the Red Wagon, which was still waiting for -them, pretty full; but the Sawhorse didn't mind that -and with wonderful speed carried them safely to the -Emerald City.</p> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Twenty_Two'></a><h2>Chapter Twenty Two</h2> - -<h3>Ozma's Banquet</h3> -<br /> - -<p>Ozma had seen in her Magic Picture the liberation of -Inga's parents and the departure of the entire party -for the Emerald City, so with her usual hospitality -she ordered a splendid banquet prepared and invited -all her quaint friends who were then in the Emerald -City to be present that evening to meet the strangers -who were to become her guests.</p> - -<p>Glinda, also, in her wonderful Record Book had -learned of the events that had taken place in the -caverns of the Nome King and she became especially -interested in the enchantment of the Prince of -Boboland. So she hastily prepared several of her most -powerful charms and then summoned her flock of sixteen -white storks, which swiftly bore her to Ozma's palace. -She arrived there before the Red Wagon did and was -warmly greeted by the girl Ruler.</p> - -<p>Realizing that the costume of Queen Garee of Pingaree -must have become sadly worn and frayed, owing to her -hardships and adventures, Ozma ordered a royal outfit -prepared for the good Queen and had it laid in her -chamber ready for her to put on as soon as she arrived, -so she would not be shamed at the banquet. New costumes -were also provided for King Kitticut and King Rinkitink -and Prince Inga, all cut and made and embellished in -the elaborate and becoming style then prevalent in the -Land of Oz, and as soon as the party arrived at the -palace Ozma's guests were escorted by her servants to -their rooms, that they might bathe and dress -themselves.</p> - -<p>Glinda the Sorceress and the Wizard of Oz took charge -of Bilbil the goat and went to a private room where -they were not likely to be interrupted. Glinda first -questioned Bilbil long and earnestly about the manner -of his enchantment and the ceremony that had been used -by the magician who enchanted him. At first Bilbil -protested that he did not want to be restored to his -natural shape, saying that he had been forever -disgraced in the eyes of his people and of the entire -world by being obliged to exist as a scrawny, scraggly -goat. But Glinda pointed out that any person who -incurred the enmity of a wicked magician was liable to -suffer a similar fate, and assured him that his -misfortune would make him better beloved by his -subjects when he returned to them freed from his dire -enchantment.</p> - -<p>Bilbil was finally convinced of the truth of this -assertion and agreed to submit to the experiments of -Glinda and the Wizard, who knew they had a hard task -before them and were not at all sure they could -succeed. We know that Glinda is the most complete -mistress of magic who has ever existed, and she was -wise enough to guess that the clever but evil magician -who had enchanted Prince Bobo had used a spell that -would puzzle any ordinary wizard or sorcerer to break; -therefore she had given the matter much shrewd thought -and hoped she had conceived a plan that would succeed. -But because she was not positive of success she would -have no one present at the incantation except her -assistant, the Wizard of Oz.</p> - -<p>First she transformed Bilbil the goat into a lamb, -and this was done quite easily. Next she transformed -the lamb into an ostrich, giving it two legs and feet -instead of four. Then she tried to transform the -ostrich into the original Prince Bobo, but this -incantation was an utter failure. Glinda was not -discouraged, however, but by a powerful spell -transformed the ostrich into a tottenhot — which is a -lower form of a man. Then the tottenhot was transformed -into a mifket, which was a great step in advance and, -finally, Glinda transformed the mifket into a handsome -young man, tall and shapely, who fell on his knees -before the great Sorceress and gratefully kissed her -hand, admitting that he had now recovered his proper -shape and was indeed Prince Bobo of Boboland.</p> - -<p>This process of magic, successful though it was in -the end, had required so much time that the banquet was -now awaiting their presence. Bobo was already dressed -in princely raiment and although he seemed very much -humbled by his recent lowly condition, they finally -persuaded him to join the festivities.</p> - -<p>When Rinkitink saw that his goat had now become a -Prince, he did not know whether to be sorry or glad, -for he felt that he would miss the companionship of the -quarrelsome animal he had so long been accustomed to -ride upon, while at the same time he rejoiced that poor -Bilbil had come to his own again.</p> - -<p>Prince Bobo humbly begged Rinkitink's forgiveness for -having been so disagreeable to him, at times, saying -that the nature of a goat had influenced him and the -surly disposition he had shown was a part of his -enchantment. But the jolly King assured the Prince that -he had really enjoyed Bilbil's grumpy speeches and -forgave him readily. Indeed, they all discovered the -young Prince Bobo to be an exceedingly courteous and -pleasant person, although he was somewhat reserved and -dignified.</p> - -<p>Ah, but it was a great feast that Ozma served in her -gorgeous banquet hall that night and everyone was as -happy as could be. The Shaggy Man was there, and so was -Jack Pumpkinhead and the Tin Woodman and Cap'n Bill. -Beside Princess Dorothy sat Tiny Trot and Betsy Bobbin, -and the three little girls were almost as sweet to look -upon as was Ozma, who sat at the head of her table and -outshone all her guests in loveliness.</p> - -<p>King Rinkitink was delighted with the quaint people -of Oz and laughed and joked with the tin man and the -pumpkin-headed man and found Cap'n Bill a very -agreeable companion. But what amused the jolly King -most were the animal guests, which Ozma always invited -to her banquets and seated at a table by themselves, -where they talked and chatted together as people do but -were served the sort of food their natures required. -The Hungry Tiger and Cowardly Lion and the Glass Cat -were much admired by Rinkitink, but when he met a mule -named Hank, which Betsy Bobbin had brought to Oz, the -King found the creature so comical that he laughed and -chuckled until his friends thought he would choke. Then -while the banquet was still in progress, Rinkitink -composed and sang a song to the mule and they all -joined in the chorus, which was something like this:</p> - - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"It's very queer how big an ear</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Is worn by Mr. Donkey;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And yet I fear he could not hear</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>If it were on a monkey.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>'Tis thick and strong and broad and long</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>And also very hairy;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>It's quite becoming to our Hank</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>But might disgrace a fairy!"</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>This song was received with so much enthusiasm that -Rinkitink was prevailed upon to sing another. They gave -him a little time to compose the rhyme, which he -declared would be better if he could devote a month or -two to its composition, but the sentiment he expressed -was so admirable that no one criticized the song or the -manner in which the jolly little King sang it.</p> - -<p>Dorothy wrote down the words on a piece of paper, and -here they are:</p> - - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"We're merry comrades all, to-night,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Because we've won a gallant fight</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>And conquered all our foes.</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>We're not afraid of anything,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>So let us gayly laugh and sing</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Until we seek repose.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"We've all our grateful hearts can wish;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>King Gos has gone to feed the fish,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Queen Cor has gone, as well;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>King Kitticut has found his own,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Prince Bobo soon will have a throne</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Relieved of magic spell.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"So let's forget the horrid strife</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>That fell upon our peaceful life</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>And caused distress and pain;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>For very soon across the sea</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>We'll all be sailing merrily</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>To Pingaree again."</span><br /> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Twenty_Three'></a><h2>Chapter Twenty Three</h2> - -<h3>The Pearl Kingdom</h3> -<br /> - -<p>It was unfortunate that the famous Scarecrow - the most -popular person in all Oz, next to Ozma — was absent at -the time of the banquet, for he happened just then to -be making one of his trips through the country; but the -Scarecrow had a chance later to meet Rinkitink and Inga -and the King and Queen of Pingaree and Prince Bobo, for -the party remained several weeks at the Emerald City, -where they were royally entertained, and where both the -gentle Queen Garee and the noble King Kitticut -recovered much of their good spirits and composure and -tried to forget their dreadful experiences.</p> - -<p>At last, however, the King and Queen desired to -return to their own Pingaree, as they longed to be with -their people again and see how well they had rebuilt -their homes. Inga also was anxious to return, although -he had been very happy in Oz, and King Rinkitink, who -was happy anywhere except at Gilgad, decided to go with -his former friends to Pingaree. As for prince Bobo, he -had become so greatly attached to King Rinkitink that -he was loth to leave him.</p> - -<p>On a certain day they all bade good-bye to Ozma and -Dorothy and Glinda and the Wizard and all their good -friends in Oz, and were driven in the Red Wagon to the -edge of the Deadly Desert, which they crossed safely on -the Magic Carpet. They then made their way across the -Nome Kingdom and the Wheeler Country, where no one -molested them, to the shores of the Nonestic Ocean. -There they found the boat with the silver lining still -lying undisturbed on the beach.</p> - -<p>There were no important adventures during the trip -and on their arrival at the pearl kingdom they were -amazed at the beautiful appearance of the island they -had left in ruins. All the houses of the people had -been rebuilt and were prettier than before, with green -lawns before them and flower gardens in the back yards. -The marble towers of King Kitticut's new palace were -very striking and impressive, while the palace itself -proved far more magnificent than it had been before the -warriors from Regos destroyed it.</p> - -<p>Nikobob had been very active and skillful in -directing all this work, and he had also built a pretty -cottage for himself, not far from the King's palace, -and there Inga found Zella, who was living very happy -and contented in her new home. Not only had Nikobob -accomplished all this in a comparatively brief space of -time, but he had started the pearl fisheries again and -when King Kitticut returned to Pingaree he found a -quantity of fine pearls already in the royal treasury.</p> - -<p>So pleased was Kitticut with the good judgment, -industry and honesty of the former charcoal-burner of -Regos, that he made Nikobob his Lord High Chamberlain -and put him in charge of the pearl fisheries and all -the business matters of the island kingdom.</p> - -<p>They all settled down very comfortably in the new -palace and the Queen gathered her maids about her once -more and set them to work embroidering new draperies -for the royal throne. Inga placed the three Magic -Pearls in their silken bag and again deposited them in -the secret cavity under the tiled flooring of the -banquet hall, where they could be quickly secured if -danger ever threatened the now prosperous island.</p> - -<p>King Rinkitink occupied a royal guest chamber built -especially for his use and seemed in no hurry to leave -his friends in Pingaree. The fat little King had to -walk wherever he went and so missed Bilbil more and -more; but he seldom walked far and he was so fond of -Prince BoBo that he never regretted Bilbil's -disenchantment.</p> - -<p>Indeed, the jolly monarch was welcome to remain -forever in Pingaree, if he wished to, for his merry -disposition set smiles on the faces of all his friends -and made everyone near him as jolly as he was himself. -When King Kitticut was not too busy with affairs of -state he loved to join his guest and listen to his -brother monarch's songs and stories. For he found -Rinkitink to be, with all his careless disposition, a -shrewd philosopher, and in talking over their -adventures one day the King of Gilgad said:</p> - -<p>"The beauty of life is its sudden changes. No one -knows what is going to happen next, and so we are -constantly being surprised and entertained. The many -ups and downs should not discourage us, for if we are -down, we know that a change is coming and we will go up -again; while those who are up are almost certain to go -down. My grandfather had a song which well expresses -this and if you will listen I will sing it."</p> - -<p>"Of course I will listen to your song," returned -Kitticut, "for it would be impolite not to."</p> - -<p>So Rinkitink sang his grandfather's song:</p> - - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"A mighty King once ruled the land —</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>But now he's baking pies.</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A pauper, on the other hand,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Is ruling, strong and wise.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A tiger once in jungles raged —</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>But now he's in a zoo;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A lion, captive-born and caged,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>Now roams the forest through.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A man once slapped a poor boy's pate</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>And made him weep and wail.</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>The boy became a magistrate</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>And put the man in jail.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A sunny day succeeds the night;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>It's summer — then it snows!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Right oft goes wrong and wrong comes right,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 3em;'>As ev'ry wise man knows."</span><br /> - - - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> -<a name='Chapter_Twenty_Four'></a><h2>Chapter Twenty-Four</h2> - -<h3>The Captive King</h3> -<br /> - -<p>One morning, just as the royal party was finishing -breakfast, a servant came running to say that a great -fleet of boats was approaching the island from the -south. King Kitticut sprang up at once, in great alarm, -for he had much cause to fear strange boats. The others -quickly followed him to the shore to see what invasion -might be coming upon them.</p> - -<p>Inga was there with the first, and Nikobob and Zella -soon joined the watchers. And presently, while all were -gazing eagerly at the approaching fleet, King Rinkitink -suddenly cried out:</p> - -<p>"Get your pearls, Prince Inga — get them quick!"</p> - -<p>"Are these our enemies, then?" asked the boy, looking -with surprise upon the fat little King, who had begun -to tremble violently.</p> - -<p>"They are my people of Gilgad!" answered Rinkitink, -wiping a tear from his eye. "I recognize my royal -standards flying from the boats. So, please, dear Inga, -get out your pearls to protect me!"</p> - -<p>"What can you fear at the hands of your own -subjects?" asked Kitticut, astonished.</p> - -<p>But before his frightened guest could answer the -question Prince Bobo, who was standing beside his -friend, gave an amused laugh and said:</p> - -<p>"You are caught at last, dear Rinkitink. Your people -will take you home again and oblige you to reign as -King."</p> - -<p>Rinkitink groaned aloud and clasped his hands -together with a gesture of despair, an attitude so -comical that the others could scarcely forbear -laughing.</p> - -<p>But now the boats were landing upon the beach. They -were fifty in number, beautifully decorated and -upholstered and rowed by men clad in the gay uniforms -of the King of Gilgad. One splended boat had a throne -of gold in the center, over which was draped the King's -royal robe of purple velvet, embroidered with gold -buttercups.</p> - -<p>Rinkitink shuddered when he saw this throne; but now -a tall man, handsomely dressed, approached and knelt -upon the grass before his King, while all the other -occupants of the boats shouted joyfully and waved their -plumed hats in the air.</p> - -<p>"Thanks to our good fortune," said the man who -kneeled, "we have found Your Majesty at last!"</p> - -<p>"Pinkerbloo," answered Rinkitink sternly, "I must -have you hanged, for thus finding me against my will."</p> - -<p>"You think so now, Your Majesty, but you will never -do it," returned Pinkerbloo, rising and kissing the -King's hand.</p> - -<p>"Why won't I?" asked Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"Because you are much too tender-hearted, Your -Majesty."</p> - -<p>"It may be — it may be," agreed Rinkitink, sadly. -"It is one of my greatest failings. But what chance -brought you here, my Lord Pinkerbloo?"</p> - -<p>"We have searched for you everywhere, sire, and all -the people of Gilgad have been in despair since you so -mysteriously disappeared. We could not appoint a new -King, because we did not know but that you still lived; -so we set out to find you, dead or alive. After -visiting many islands of the Nonestic Ocean we at last -thought of Pingaree, from where come the precious -pearls; and now our faithful quest has been rewarded."</p> - -<p>"And what now?" asked Rinkitink.</p> - -<p>"Now, Your Majesty, you must come home with us, like -a good and dutiful King, and rule over your people," -declared the man in a firm voice.</p> - -<p>"I will not."</p> - -<p>"But you must — begging Your Majesty's pardon for -the contradiction."</p> - -<p>"Kitticut," cried poor Rinkitink, "you must save me -from being captured by these, my subjects. What! must I -return to Gilgad and be forced to reign in splendid -state when I much prefer to eat and sleep and sing in -my own quiet way? They will make me sit in a throne -three hours a day and listen to dry and tedious affairs -of state; and I must stand up for hours at the court -receptions, till I get corns on my heels; and forever -must I listen to tiresome speeches and endless -petitions and complaints!"</p> - -<p>"But someone must do this, Your Majesty," said -Pinkerbloo respectfully, "and since you were born to be -our King you cannot escape your duty."</p> - -<p>"'Tis a horrid fate!" moaned Rinkitink. "I would die -willingly, rather than be a King — if it did not hurt -so terribly to die."</p> - -<p>"You will find it much more comfortable to reign than -to die, although I fully appreciate Your Majesty's -difficult position and am truly sorry for you," said -Pinkerbloo.</p> - -<p>King Kitticut had listened to this conversation -thoughtfully, so now he said to his friend:</p> - -<p>"The man is right, dear Rinkitink. It is your duty to -reign, since fate has made you a King, and I see no -honorable escape for you. I shall grieve to lose your -companionship, but I feel the separation cannot be -avoided."</p> - -<p>Rinkitink sighed.</p> - -<p>"Then," said he, turning to Lord Pinkerbloo, "in -three days I will depart with you for Gilgad; but -during those three days I propose to feast and make -merry with my good friend King Kitticut."</p> - -<p>Then all the people of Gilgad shouted with delight -and eagerly scrambled ashore to take their part in the -festival.</p> - -<p>Those three days were long remembered in Pingaree, -for never — before nor since — has such feasting and -jollity been known upon that island. Rinkitink made the -most of his time and everyone laughed and sang with him -by day and by night.</p> - -<p>Then, at last, the hour of parting arrived and the -King of Gilgad and Ruler of the Dominion of Rinkitink -was escorted by a grand procession to his boat and -seated upon his golden throne. The rowers of the fifty -boats paused, with their glittering oars pointed into -the air like gigantic uplifted sabres, while the people -of Pingaree — men, women and children — stood upon -the shore shouting a royal farewell to the jolly King.</p> - -<p>Then came a sudden hush, while Rinkitink stood up -and, with a bow to those assembled to witness his -departure, sang the following song, which he had just -composed for the occasion.</p> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"Farewell, dear Isle of Pingaree —</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>The fairest land in all the sea!</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>No living mortals, kings or churls,</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Would scorn to wear thy precious pearls.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"King Kitticut, 'tis with regret</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>I'm forced to say farewell; and yet</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>Abroad no longer can I roam</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>When fifty boats would drag me home.</span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>"Good-bye, my Prince of Pingaree;</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>A noble King some time you'll be</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And long and wisely may you reign</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>And never face a foe again!"</span><br /> -<br /> - -<p>They cheered him from the shore; they cheered him -from the boats; and then all the oars of the fifty -boats swept downward with a single motion and dipped -their blades into the purple-hued waters of the -Nonestic Ocean.</p> - -<p>As the boats shot swiftly over the ripples of the sea -Rinkitink turned to Prince Bobo, who had decided not to -desert his former master and his present friend, and -asked anxiously:</p> - -<p>"How did you like that song, Bilbil — I mean Bobo? -Is it a masterpiece, do you think?"</p> - -<p>And Bobo replied with a smile:</p> - -<p>"Like all your songs, dear Rinkitink, the sentiment -far excels the poetry."</p> - -<p> </p> -<h4>THE END</h4> -<p> </p> - -<hr style='width: 65%;' /> - - - -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'><b>The Wonderful Oz Books</b></span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'><b>by L. Frank Baum</b></span><br /> - -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>1 The Wizard of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>2 The Land of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>3 Ozma of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>4 Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>5 The Road to Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>6 The Emerald City of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>7 The Patchwork Girl of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>8 Tik-Tok of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2.5em;'>9 The Scarecrow of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>10 Rinkitink in Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>11 The Lost Princess of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>12 The Tin Woodman of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>13 The Magic of Oz</span><br /> -<span style='margin-left: 2em;'>14 Glinda of Oz</span><br /> - - - - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/10woz10h.zip b/old/10woz10h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cd448bf..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/10woz10l.lit b/old/10woz10l.lit Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4705058..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10l.lit +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/10woz10l.zip b/old/10woz10l.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c7fa44f..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10l.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/10woz10p.prc b/old/10woz10p.prc Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f631543..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10p.prc +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/10woz10p.zip b/old/10woz10p.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index bc31d1b..0000000 --- a/old/10woz10p.zip +++ /dev/null |
