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RINKITINK IN OZ – Oz 10

L . F ra nk B au m

W he re in i s r ec or de d t he P er il ou s Q ue st o f

P ri nce I ng a o f P in garee and K in g

Rinkitink in the Magical

I sl es t hat l ie b ey on d

the Borderland

of Oz

B y L . F ra nk B au m

"Royal Historian of Oz"

Introducing this Story

Here is a story with a boy hero, and a boy of whom

yo u h av e n ev er b ef or e h ea rd . T he re a re g ir ls i n t he

s t or y, t oo , i nclu di ng o ur o ld f ri en d D or ot hy , and s om e

of t he c ha ra ct er s wa nd er a go od w ay f ro m t he L an d o f O z

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b ef or e t hey all ass em bl e i n t heEm er al dC it y t o t ak e

p ar t i n O zm a' s b an qu et . I nd ee d, I t hi nk y ou w il l f in d

this story quite different from the other histories

o f Oz, but I hope you will not like it the less on that

account.

I f I a m pe rm it te d to wr it e a not he r O z book i t w il l

tell of some thrilling adventures encountered by

Do ro th y, B et sy B ob bi n, T ro t and t he P at ch wo rk G ir l

r ig ht i n t he L an d o f O z, a nd h ow t he y d is co ve re d s om e

amazi ng creat ur es t hat n ev er cou ld h av e exi st ed o ut si de

a f ai ry- la nd. I ha ve a n i de a t ha t a bout t he t ime y ou

are r eadi ng t hi s s to ry o f R in ki ti nk I s hall b e w ri ti ng

t ha t s to ry o f A dv en tu re s i n O z.

D on 't f ai l t o w ri te m e of te n a nd g ive m e y ou r a dv ic e

a nd s ug ge st io ns , w hi ch I a lw ay s a pp re ci at e. I g et a

g ood ma ny l et te rs f rom m y r ea de rs , b ut e ve ry one i s a

joy to me and I answer them as soon as I can find time

t o do so.

"OZCOT"

atHOLLYWOOD

i nC A LI F OR N IA , 1 91 6 .

L . F RA NK B AU M





R o yal H is to ri an o f O z

L IS T O F C HA PT ER S

1 T he P ri nce o f P in garee

2 The Coming of King Rinkitink

3 T he W ar ri or s f ro m t he N or th

4 The DesertedIsland

5 T he T hr ee P earl s

6 T he M ag ic B oat

7 TheTwinIslands

8 R in ki ti nk M ak es a G reat M is take

9 A P re se nt f or Z el la

1 0 T he C un ni ng o f Q ueen C or

1 1 Z e ll a G oe s t o C or eg os

12 The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat

1 3 Z el la S av es t he P ri nce

1 4 T h e E s cape

1 5 T h e F li gh t o f t he R ul er s

16 N i ko bo b R efu ses a C r ow n

1 7 Th e N om e K in g

1 8 I n ga P ar ts W it h H is P in kP earl

19 Rinkitink Chuckles





2 0 D or ot hy t o t he R es cue

21 The Wizard Finds an Enchantment

22 Ozma's Banquet

23 ThePearlKingdom

24 The Captive King

C h ap t er O n e

T he P ri nce o f P in garee

If you have a map of the Land of Oz handy, you will

f in d t hat t he g reat No nes ti cO cean w as hes t he s ho res o f

theKingdomofRinkitink , between which and the Land of

O z l ies a strip of the c ountry of the Nome King and a

SandyDesert. TheKingdomofRinkitink isn't very big

and l ie s c lo se t o t he o ce an, a ll t he ho us es a nd t he

K in g' s p al ac e b ei ng b ui lt n ea r t he s ho re . T he p eo pl e

li ve m uch u po n t he w at er , b oati ng and f is hi ng , and t he

wealth of Rinkitink is gained from trading along the

c oa st a nd w it h t he i sl an ds n ea re st i t.





F ou r d ay s' j ou rn ey b y b oa t t o t he n or th o f R in ki ti nk

i s t heIs land of Pi ng ar ee , and as o ur s to ry b eg in s h er e

I m us t t el l y ou s om et hi ng abo ut t hi s i sl an d. A t t he

n or th e nd o f P in ga re e, w he re i t i s w id es t, t he l an d i s

a mile from shore to shore, but at the s outh e nd it is

s carcel y h al f a m il e b ro ad ; t hu s, alt ho ug h P in garee i s

f ou r m il es l ong , f ro m n or th t o s ou th, i t c an no t be

cal led a v er y b ig i sl an d. I t i s exceedi ng ly p rett y,

h owe ve r, a nd t o t he gu ll s who a pp roa ch i t f rom t he s ea

i t mu st r es em bl e a hu ge gr ee n w edg e l yi ng u po n t he

w at er s, f or i ts gr as s a nd t re es gi ve i t t he c ol or of

an emerald.

The gr as s c am e t o t he e dge o f t he s lopi ng s hor es ; t he

b eaut if ul t rees o ccup ied all t he cen tr al p or ti on o f

Pingaree, forming a continuous grove where the branches

m et h ig h o ve rh ea d a nd t he re w as j us t s pa ce b en ea th

t hem f or t he cos y h ou ses o f t he i nh ab it an ts . T hese

houses were scattered everywhere throughout the

i sl and, s o t ha t t he re wa s no t ow n o r c it y, unl es s t he

w hol e i sl an d m ig ht b e c al le d a c it y. T he c an op y o f

l eaves, h ig h o verh ead, f or med a s helt er f ro m s un and

r ai n, a nd t he d we ll er s i n t he g ro ve c ou ld a ll l oo k p as t

t he s t rai gh t t r ee- tr un ks and acro ss t he g ras sy s l op es

t o t he p ur pl e w at er s o f t he No ne st ic Oc ea n .





At t he b ig e nd o f t he i sl an d, a t t he nor th, s tood t he

r oy al palaceof Ki ng K it ti cu t , t he l or d and r ul er o f

P i ng ar ee. I t w as a b eaut if ul p al ace, b ui lt ent ir el y o f

s no w- wh it e m ar bl e and capp ed b y d om es o f b ur ni sh ed

g ol d, f or t he K in g w as exceedi ng ly w ealt hy . A ll alo ng

t he coast o fP in garee w er e f ou nd t he l ar gest and f in es t

p earl s i n t he w ho le w or ld .

T hese p earl s g rew w it hi n t he s hell s o f b ig o ys ters ,

an d t he p eo pl e r ak ed t he o ys te rs f ro m t he ir w at er y

b ed s, s ou gh t o ut t he m il ky p ea rl s a nd c ar ri ed t he m

d ut if ul ly t o t heir K in g. T herefo re, o nce every y ear H is

M aj es ty wa s a bl e t o s end s ix of h is boa ts , w it h s ix ty

r ow er s a nd m an y s ac ks o f t he v al ua bl e p ea rl s, t o t he

KingdomofRinkitink, where there was a city called

G il gad, i n w hi ch K in g R in ki ti nk 's p al ace s to od o n a

r oc ky h ea dl an d a nd s er ve d, w it h i ts h ig h t ow er s, a s a

l ig ht ho us e t o g ui de s ai lo rs t o t he h ar bo r. I n G il gad

t he p ea rl s f ro m P in ga re e w er e p ur ch as ed b y t he K in g' s

t re as ur er , a nd t he b oa ts w en t b ac k t o t he i sl an d l ade n

w it h s to res o f r ich m er ch an di se and s uch s up pl ies o f

f oo d a s t he p eo pl e a nd t he r oy al f am il y o f P in ga re e

needed.

T he P in garee p eo pl e n ev er v is it ed any o th er l an d b ut





t ha t o f R in ki ti nk , a nd s o t he re w er e f ew o th er l an ds

t ha t k ne w t he re w as s uc h a n i sl an d. T o t he s ou th we st

w as a n i sl an d c al le d t he I sl e o f P hr ee x, w he re t he

i nh ab it an ts h ad n o u se f or p ea rl s. A nd f ar n or th o f

P in ga re e - - s ix d ays ' j ou rn ey b y b oa t, i t w as s ai d - -

w er e t wi n i sl an ds n am ed R eg os and C or eg os , i nh ab it ed b y

a f ie rc e a nd w ar li ke p eo pl e.

M an y y ears b ef or e t hi s s to ry r eall y b eg in s, t en b ig

b oa tl oa ds o f t ho se f ie rc e w ar ri or s o f R eg os a nd C or eg os

visited Pingaree, landing suddenly upon the north end

o f t he i sl an d. T he re t he y b eg an t o p lu nd er a nd c on qu er ,

a s w as t he ir c us to m, b ut t he p eo pl e o f P in ga re e,

a lt ho ug h n ei th er s o b ig n or s o s tr on g a s t he ir f oe s,

we re a bl e t o de fe at t he m a nd d ri ve t he m a ll b ac k t o t he

s ea , w he re a g re at s to rm o ve rt oo k t he r ai de rs f ro m

Re go s a nd C or eg os a nd d es tr oy ed t he m a nd t he ir b oa ts ,

n ot a s in gl e w ar ri or r et ur ni ng t o h is o wn cou nt ry .

T hi s d ef eat o f t he enemy s eemed t he m or e w on derf ul

b ecau se t he p earl -f is hers o f P in garee w er e m il d and

peaceful in disposition and seldom quarreled even among

t hems el ves. T heir o nl y w eapo ns w er e t heir o ys ter r ak es ;

y et t he f ac t r em ai ns t ha t t he y d ro ve t he ir f ie rc e

enemi es f ro m R eg os and C or eg os f ro m t heir s ho res.





K in g K it ti cu t w as o nl y a b oy w hen t hi s r em ar kabl e

b at tl e w as f ou gh t, a nd n ow h is h ai r w as g ra y; b ut h e

r em em be re d t he d ay w el l a nd , d ur in g t he y ea rs t ha t

f o ll ow ed , h is o ne con st an t f ear w as o f ano th er i nv as io n

o f h is e ne mi es . H e f ea re d t he y m ig ht s en d a m or e

n um er ou s arm y t o h is i sl an d, b ot h f or con qu es t and

r ev en ge , i n w hi ch c as e t he re c ou ld b e l it tl e h op e o f

successfully opposing them.

Th is a nxi et y o n t he p ar t of Ki ng Ki tt ic ut l ed h im t o

k ee p a s ha rp l ook out f or s tr ang e b oa ts , on e o f h is me n

p at ro ll in g t he b ea ch c on st an tl y, b ut h e w as t oo w is e t o

a ll ow a ny f ea r t o m ak e h im o r h is s ub je ct s u nh ap py . H e

w as a g ood K in g a nd l iv ed v er y c ont en te dl y i n h is f ine

p al ac e, w it h h is f ai r Q ue en G ar ee a nd t he ir o ne c hi ld ,

Prince Inga.

T he w ea lt h o f P in ga re e i nc re as ed y ea r b y y ea r; a nd

t he h ap pi ne ss o f t he p eo pl e i nc re as ed , t oo . P er ha ps

t he re w as n o p la ce , ou ts id e t he La nd o f O z, w he re

con tent ment and p eace w er e m or e m an if es t t han o n t hi s

p re tt y i sl an d, h id de n i n t he b es om o f t he N on es ti c

Ocean. Had these conditions remained undisturbed, there

wou ld ha ve be en no ne ed t o s pe ak of Pi nga re e i n t hi s

story.





Pr inc e I nga , t he he ir t o a ll t he r ic he s a nd t he

k in gs hi p o f P in garee, g rew u p s ur ro un ded b y every

luxury; but he was a manly little fellow, although

s om ew hat t oo g rave and t ho ug ht fu l, and h e cou ld n ev er

b ea r t o be i dl e a s in gl e m inut e. He kne w whe re t he

f in es t o ys te rs l ay h id de n a lo ng t he c oa st a nd w as a s

s uc ce ss ful i n f in di ng p ea rl s a s a ny o f t he me n of t he

i sl and , a lt ho ug h h e w as s o s li gh t a nd s ma ll . H e h ad a

l it tle boa t of hi s own a nd a r ake f or dr aggi ng up t he

oy st er s a nd he wa s ve ry pr ou d i nd ee d wh en h e c oul d

c ar ry a b ig w hi te p ea rl t o h is f at he r.

Th er e w as no s ch ool u po n t he i sl an d, a s t he p eo pl e o f

P in ga re e w er e f ar r em ov ed f ro m t he s ta te o f

civilization that gives our modern children such

adv an tag es as s cho ol s and l ear ned p ro fes so rs , b ut t he

K i ng o wn ed s ev er al m an us cri pt b oo ks , t he p ag es b ei ng

m ad e o f s heep sk in . B ei ng a m an o f i nt el li gence, h e w as

abl e t o t each h is s on s om et hi ng o f r eadi ng , w ri ti ng and

arithmetic.

W hen s tu dy in g h is l es so ns P ri nce I ng a u sed t o g o i nt o

t he g ro ve n ea r h is f at he r' s p al ac e a nd c li mb i nt o t he

b ra nc he s o f a t al l t re e, w he re h e h ad b ui lt a p la tf or m





w it h a c om fo rt ab le s ea t t o r es t u po n, a ll h id de n b y t he

c an op y o f l ea ve s. T he re , w it h n o o ne t o d is tu rb h im , h e

w ou ld p or e o ve r t he s he ep sk in o n w hi ch w er e w ri tt en t he

q ueer characters o f t he P in gar es e l an gu ag e.

K in g K it ti cu t w as v er y p rou d o f h is l it tl e s on , a s

we ll he mi ght be , a nd he s oon f el t a hi gh re spe ct f or

I n ga 's j ud gm en t a nd t ho ug ht t ha t h e w as w or th y t o b e

t ak en i nt o t he con fi dence o f h is f at her i n m an y m at ters

of s ta te . H e t au gh t t he b oy t he n ee ds o f t he p eo pl e a nd

how t o r ul e t he m j us tl y, f or s ome da y he kne w th at Inga

w oul d be K ing i n hi s pl ac e. One da y he c al le d hi s s on

to hi s s ide a nd s aid t o him:

" Ou r i sl an d n ow s eems p eacefu l eno ug h, I ng a, and w e

a re h ap py a nd p ro sp er ou s, b ut I c an no t f or ge t t ho se

t er ri bl e p eo pl e o f R eg os a nd C or eg os . M y c on st an t f ea r

i s t ha t t he y w ill s end a f le et of bo at s t o s ea rc h f or

t ho se o f t he ir r ac e w ho m w e d ef ea te d m an y y ea rs a go ,

a nd w ho m t he s ea a ft er wa rd s d es tr oy ed . I f t he w ar ri or s

c om e i n g re at nu mb er s we m ay be una bl e t o op pos e t he m,

f or m y pe opl e a re l it tl e t ra in ed t o f igh ti ng a t b es t;

they surely would cause us much injury and suffering."

" Ar e w e, t hen, l es s p ow er fu l t han i n m y g rand fath er 's

day?" as ked P ri nce I ng a.





solemn, impressive voice, "are the most wonderful the

w or ld ha s e ve r known. The y we re gi ft s t o one of m y

ances to rs f ro m t he M er maid Q ueen , a p ow er fu l f ai ry w ho m

h e o nc e ha d t he g oo d f or tu ne t o r es cu e f ro m h er

en em ies. I n g rati tu de f or t hi s f av or s he p resent ed h im

w it h t he se p ea rl s. E ac h o f t he t hr ee p os se ss es a n

ast on is hi ng p ow er , and w ho ev er i s t heir o wn er m ay cou nt

h im self a f or tu nate m an . T hi s o ne h av in g t he b lu e t in t

wi ll gi ve t o t he pe rs on who c ar ri es i t a s tr engt h so

g re at t ha t n o pow er c an r es is t hi m. T he on e wi th t he

p in k g lo w w il l p ro tect i ts o wn er f ro m all d an gers t hat

m ay t hr eaten h im , n o m at ter f ro m w hat s ou rce t hey m ay

come . The t hi rd pe ar l - - t hi s one of pur e whi te -- ca n

s pe ak , a nd i ts w or ds a re a lw ay s w is e a nd h el pf ul ."

" Wh at i s t hi s, m y f at her! " exclaim ed t he P ri nce,

a ma ze d; " do you t el l m e t ha t a pe ar l c an s pe ak ? I t

sounds impossible."

" Yo ur d ou bt i s d ue t o yo ur i gno ra nc e o f f ai ry

powers," returned the King, gravely. "Listen, my son,

a nd y ou w il l k no w t ha t I s pe ak t he t ru th ."

He h el d t he wh it e p ea rl t o I ng a' s e ar a nd t he P ri nc e

h eard a s mall v oi ce s ay d is ti nctl y: " Yo ur f at her i s

r ig ht . N ev er q ue st ion t he t rut h o f w ha t y ou f ai l t o





u nd er st an d, f or t he w or ld i s f il led w it h w on ders ."

" I c ra ve y ou r p ar do n, d ea r f at he r, " s ai d t he P ri nc e,

" fo r c le ar ly I he ar d t he pe ar l s pe ak , a nd i ts wo rd s

were full of wisdom."

" Th e p ow er s o f t he o th er p ea rl s a re e ve n g re at er ,"

r es um ed t he K in g. " We re I p oo r i n a ll e ls e, t he se g em s

w ou ld m ak e m e r ic he r t ha n a ny o th er m on ar ch t he w or ld

holds."

" I b el ieve t hat, " r ep li ed I ng a, l oo ki ng at t he

b eaut if ul p earl s w it h m uch awe. " Bu t t el l m e, m y

f at he r, wh y do you f ea r t he wa rr ior s of R egos a nd

C or eg os w hen t hes e m ar vel ou s p ow er s are y ou rs ?"

" Th e p ow er s a re m ine o nl y w hi le I h av e t he p ea rl s

u po n m y p er so n, " ans wered K in g K it ti cu t, " an d I d ar e

n ot car ry t hem con st an tl y f or f ear t hey m ig ht b e l os t.

T he re fo re , I k ee p t he m s af el y h id de n i n t hi s r ec es s. M y

o n ly d an ger l ies i n t he chance t hat m y w at ch men m ig ht

f ai l t o d is co ve r t he a pp ro ac h o f o ur e ne mi es a nd a ll ow

t he w ar ri or i nv ad er s t o s ei ze m e b ef or e I c ou ld s ec ur e

t he p ea rl s. I s ho ul d, i n t ha t c as e, b e q ui te p ow er le ss

t o r es is t. M y f at he r o wn ed t he m ag ic p ea rl s a t t he t im e





o f t he G re at F ig ht , o f w hi ch y ou h av e s o o ft en h ea rd ,

a nd t he p in k p ea rl p ro te ct ed h im f ro m h ar m, w hi le t he

b lu e p ea rl e na bl ed h im a nd h is p eo pl e t o d ri ve a wa y t he

enemy . O ft en h av e I s us pect ed t hat t he d es tr oy in g s to rm

w as c au se d b y t he f ai ry m er ma id s, but t ha t i s a ma tt er

o f w hi ch I h av e n o p ro of ."

" I h av e o ft en w on de re d h ow w e m an ag ed t o w in t ha t

battle," remarked Inga thoughtfully. "But the pearls

w il l ass is t u s i n cas e t he w ar ri or s com e again , w il l

they not?"

" Th ey a re a s p ow er fu l a s e ve r, " d ec la re d t he K in g.

" Re al ly, m y s on, I h av e l it tl e t o f ea r f ro m a ny f oe .

B ut les t I die a nd t he s ecr et be l ost t o the next Ki ng,

I h av e n ow g iv en i t i nt o y ou r k eepi ng . R em em ber t hat

t hese p earl s are t he r ig ht fu l h er it ag e o f all K in gs o f

P in ga re e. I f a t a ny t im e I s ho ul d b e t ak en f ro m y ou ,

I n ga , g ua rd t hi s t re as ur e w el l a nd d o n ot f or ge t w he re

it is hidden."

" I s hall n ot f or get, " s ai d I ng a.

T hen t he K in g r et ur ned t he p earl s t o t heir h id in g

pl ac e a nd the boy went to hi s own room t o ponder upon

t he w on derf ul s ecret h is f at her h ad t hat d ay con fi ded





to hi s c ar e.

C h ap t er T wo

The Coming of King Rinkitink

A f ew da ys a ft er t hi s, on a b ri ght a nd s unn y m or ni ng

wh en t he b re ez e bl ew s of t a nd s we et f rom t he o ce an a nd

t he t rees w av ed t hei r l eaf -l ad en b ranches, t he R oy al

W at ch ma n, w ho se d ut y i t w as t o p at ro l t he s ho re , c am e

r un ni ng t o t he K in g w it h n ew s t ha t a s tr an ge b oa t w as

approaching the island.

At f irst t he King wa s sore af raid and ma de a s tep

t ow ar d t he h id de n p ea rl s, b ut t he n ex t m om en t h e

r efl ected t hat o ne b oat, even i f f il led w it h enemi es ,

w ou ld b e p ow er le ss t o i nj ur e h im , s o h e c ur be d h is f ea r

a nd w en t d ow n t o t he b ea ch t o d is cov er w ho t he

s tr an ge rs m igh t b e. M an y of t he m en o f P in ga re e

ass em bl ed t here als o, and P ri nce I ng a f ol lo wed h is





f at he r. A rr iv in g a t t he w at er 's e dg e, t he y a ll s to od

gazing eagerly at the oncoming boat.

I t w as q ui te a b ig bo at , t he y o bs er ve d, a nd c ov er ed

w it h a c an op y o f p ur pl e s il k, e mb ro id er ed w it h g ol d. I t

wa s rowe d by twent y men, te n on eac h si de . As it ca me

n e ar er , I ng a c oul d s ee t ha t i n t he s te rn , s ea te d u po n a

h ig h, c us hi on ed c ha ir o f s ta te , w as a l it tl e m an w ho

was so very fat that he was nearly as broad as he was

hi gh Thi s m an wa s dr es se d i n a l oos e s il ke n r obe of

pu rpl e t ha t f el l i n f ol ds t o h is f ee t, wh il e u pon h is

h ea d w as a c ap o f w hi te v el ve t c ur io us ly w or ke d w it h

g ol den t hr eads and h av in g a cir cl e o f d iamo nd s s ew n

a ro und t he b an d. A t t he o pp os it e e nd o f t he b oa t s to od

a n o dd ly s ha pe d c ag e, a nd s ev er al l ar ge b ox es o f

sa nd al wo od w er e p il ed n ea r t he c en te r o f t he c ra ft .

A s t he b oa t a pp ro ac he d t he s ho re t he f at l it tl e m an

g ot u po n h is f ee t a nd b ow ed s ev er al t im es i n t he

d i re ct io n o f t ho se w ho h ad a ss em bl ed t o g re et h im , a nd

as h e b ow ed h e f lo ur is he d h is w hi te c ap i n a n e ne rg et ic

m anne r. H is f ac e w as r oun d a s a n a ppl e a nd ne ar ly a s

r os y. W he n h e s to pp ed b ow in g h e s mi le d i n s uc h a s we et

a nd h ap py w ay t ha t I ng a t ho ug ht h e m us t b e a v er y j ol ly

fellow.





" H us h u p! " s ai d a d eep, g ro wl in g v oi ce. " Yo u' re

making yourself ridiculous."

E ve ry on e l oo ke d t o s ee w he re t hi s v oi ce c am e f ro m;

bu t no ne c oul d gu es s wh o ha d ut te re d t he wo rd s of

r eb uk e. Th e r ow er s o f t he bo at w er e a ll s ol em n a nd

si le nt a nd c er ta in ly n o o ne o n t he s ho re h ad s po ke n.

B ut t he l it tl e m an d id no t s ee m a st on is he d i n t he

l eas t , o r even ann oy ed .

K in g K it ti cu t n ow add ress ed t he s tr an ger, s ayi ng

courteously:

" Yo u a re w el co me t o t he K in gd om o f P in ga re e. P er ha ps

y ou w il l d ei gn t o c om e a sh or e a nd a t y ou r c on ve ni en ce

i nf or m u s w ho m we h av e t he ho nor o f r ec ei vi ng a s a

guest."

"Thanks; I will," returned the little fat man,

w ad dl in g f ro m h is p lace i n t he b oat and s tepp in g, w it h

so me d if fi cu lt y, u po n t he s an dy b each . " I am K in g

Ri nk it in k, o f t he C it y o f G il gad i n t he K in gd om o f

R in ki ti nk , a nd I h av e c om e t o P in ga re e t o s ee f or

m ys el f t he m ona rc h w ho s end s t o m y c it y s o m an y

b eau ti fu l p earl s. I h av e l on g w is hed t o v is it t hi s

i sl an d; a nd s o, a s I s ai d b ef or e, he re I a m! "





" I am p leas ed t o w el co me y ou ," s ai d K in g K it ti cu t.

" Bu t w hy h as Y ou r M aj es ty s o f ew a tt en da nt s? I s i t n ot

d an ge ro us f or t he K in g o f a g re at c ou nt ry t o m ak e

d is tant j ou rn ey s i n o ne f rail b oat, and w it h b ut t went y

men?"

" Oh , I s up po se s o, " ans wered K in g R in ki ti nk , w it h a

l au gh . " Bu t w ha t e ls e c ou ld I d o? M y s ub je ct s w ou ld n ot

allow me to go anywhere at all, if they knew it. So I

j us t r an away. "

"Ran away!" exclaimed King Kitticut in surprise.

" Fu nn y, i sn 't i t? H eh , h eh , h eh - - w oo , h oo !" l au gh ed

Ri nki tink, a nd thi s is a s ne ar as I c an s pe ll wi th

l et ters t he j ol ly s ou nd s o f h is l au gh ter. " Fancy a K in g

r un ni ng a wa y f ro m hi s ow n p le - - h oo, h oo - - ke ek, e ek,

ee k, e ek! But I ha d t o, don' t you s ee! "

" Wh y?" ask ed t he o th er K in g.

"They're afraid I'll get into mischief. They don't

t ru st m e. K ee k- ee k- ee k - - O h, d ea r m e! D on 't t ru st

their own King. Funny, isn't it?"





" No h ar m c an c om e t o y ou o n t hi s i sl an d, " s ai d

K it ti cu t, p re te nd in g n ot t o n ot ic e t he o dd w ay s o f h is

g ue st . " An d, w he ne ve r i t p le as es y ou t o r et ur n t o y ou r

ow n c ou nt ry , I wi ll s end w it h yo u a f it ti ng e sc or t o f

my o wn p eo pl e. I n t he m ea nt im e, p ra y a cc om pa ny m e t o m y

p al ac e, w he re e ve ry th in g s ha ll b e d on e t o m ak e y ou

comfortable and happy."

"Much obliged," answered Rinkitink, tipping his white

ca p o ve r h is l ef t e ar a nd h ea rt il y s ha ki ng t he h an d o f

h is b ro th er m on ar ch . " I' m s ur e y ou c an m ak e m e

c om fo rt ab le i f y ou 'v e p le nt y t o e at . A nd a s f or b ei ng

ha ppy - - ha , ha , ha , ha! - - why, t ha t' s my t rouble . I 'm

to o h ap py . B ut s to p! I 'v e b ro ug ht y ou s om e p re se nt s i n

th os e b ox es . P le as e o rde r y our m en t o c ar ry t he m u p t o

the palace."

"Certainly," answered King Kitticut, well pleased,

a nd a t o nc e he g av e hi s m en t he p rop er o rd er s.

" An d, b y t he w ay ," con ti nu ed t he f at l it tl e K in g,

" le t t he m a ls o t ak e m y g oa t f ro m h is c ag e. "

" A g oat! " exclaim ed t he K in g o f P in garee.





"Exactly; my goat Bilbil. I always ride him wherever

I go, f or I 'm not at a ll f ond of wa lki ng, be ing a

t ri fl e s to ut - - e h, K it ti cu t? - - a t ri fl e s to ut ! H oo ,

h o o, h o o- k eek , eek! "

T he P in ga re e p eo pl e s ta rt ed t o l if t t he b ig c ag e o ut

of t he boa t, but j ust t he n a gr uf f voic e c ri ed: "Be

c ar ef ul , y ou v il la in s! " a nd a s t he w or ds s ee me d t o c om e

f r om t he g oa t' s m ou th t he m en w er e s o a st on is he d t ha t

t he y d ro ppe d t he c ag e up on t he s an d w it h a s ud de n j ar .

" Th er e! I t ol d y ou s o! " cri ed t he v oi ce ang ri ly .

"Y ou 'v e r ub be d t he s ki n o ff m y l ef t k ne e. W hy o n e ar th

didn't you handle me gently?"

"There, there, Bilbil," said King Rinkitink

s oo th in gl y; " do n' t s co ld , m y b oy . R em em ber t hat t hese

a re s tr an ge rs , a nd w e t he ir g ue st s. " T he n h e t ur ne d t o

Ki tt icut and r em ar ked: " Yo u h av e n o t al ki ng g oats o n

y ou r i sl an d, I s up po se."

" We h av e n o g oa ts a t a ll ," r epl ie d t he K in g; " no r

ha ve we a ny a ni ma ls , of a ny s or t, wh o a re a bl e t o

talk."





" I w is h m y ani mal cou ld n' t t al k, eit her, " s ai d

Rinkitink, winking comically at Inga and then looking

to wa rd t he c ag e. " He i s ve ry c ro ss a t t ime s, a nd

indulges in language that is not respectful. I thought,

a t f ir st , i t w oul d b e f ine t o ha ve a t al ki ng g oa t, w it h

who m I c oul d c on ve rs e a s I r ode a bo ut my c it y on h is

b ac k; b ut - - k ee k- ee k- ee k- ee k! - - t he r as ca l t re at s m e

a s i f I w er e a c hi mne y s we ep i ns te ad of a Ki ng. He h,

h eh , h eh , k ee k, e ek ! A c hi mn ey s we ep -h oo , h oo , h oo ! - -

a nd m e a K in g! F unn y, i sn' t i t? " T hi s l as t w as

add ress ed t o P ri nce I ng a, w ho m h e chu ck ed f am il iarl y

u nd er t he chi n, t o t he b oy 's g reat emb ar r as s ment .

" Wh y d o y ou n ot r id e a h or se ?" a sk ed K in g K it ti cu t.

" I c an 't c li mb u po n h is b ac k, b ei ng r at he r s to ut ;

th at 's w hy . K ee , ke e, ke ek, e ek ! - - r at he r s to ut - -

hoo, hoo, hoo! " He pa us ed to wi pe the t ea rs of

m er ri me nt f ro m h is e ye s a nd t he n a dd ed : " But I c an g et

o n a nd of f B il bi l' s b ac k w it h e as e. "

H e n ow o pe ne d t he c ag e a nd t he g oa t d el ib er at el y

w al ke d o ut a nd l oo ke d a bo ut h im i n a s ul ky m an ne r. O ne

of t he r ow er s br ou gh t f ro m t he b oa t a s add le m ade o f

red velvet and beautifully embroidered with silver

t hi st les, w hi ch h e f as tened u po n t he g oat' s b ack. T he





f at K in g p ut h is l eg o ve r t he s ad dl e a nd s ea te d h im se lf

comfortably, saying:

" Lead o n, m y n ob le h os t, and w e w il l f ol lo w. "

" Wh at ! U p t ha t s te ep h il l? " c ri ed t he g oa t. " Ge t o ff

my b ac k a t o nc e, R in ki ti nk, o r I w on' t b ud ge a s te p.

"But-consider, Bilbil," remonstrated the King. "How

a m I to get up t ha t hi ll unl es s I ri de ?"

"Walk!" growled Bilbil.

" Bu t I 'm t oo f at . R eall y, B il bi l, I 'm s ur pr is ed at

y o u. H av en 't I b rou gh t y ou a ll t hi s d is ta nc e s o yo u m ay

s e e s om et hi ng o f t he w or ld a nd e nj oy l if e? A nd n ow yo u

a re s o ungr at ef ul a s t o r ef us e t o c ar ry me ! T ur n a bo ut

i s f air pl ay, my b oy. The boa t c ar rie d you t o t hi s

s ho re , b ec au se y ou c an 't s wi m, a nd n ow y ou m us t c ar ry

m e u p t he hi ll , b ec aus e I c an' t c li mb . Eh , B il bi l,

isn't that reasonable?"

"Well, well, well," said the goat, surlily, "keep

q ui et a nd I 'l l c ar ry y ou . B ut y ou m ak e m e v er y t ir ed ,

Rinkitink, with your ceaseless chatter."





p al ace g ro un ds , and R in ki ti nk s ai d t hat t he b eas t cou ld

n eve r be ar be ing s hu t up i n a s ta bl e; s o t he y r emov ed

t he s ad dl e f ro m h is b ac k a nd a ll ow ed h im t o w an de r

w h erever h e p leased.

During the dinner Inga divided his attention between

admiring the pretty gifts he had received and listening

t o t he j ol ly s ay in gs of t he f at K in g, w ho l aug he d w he n

he wa s not e at ing a nd a te whe n he wa s not l aughing and

seemed to enjoy himself immensely.

" Fo r f ou r d ay s I h av e l iv ed i n t ha t n ar ro w b oa t, "

s ai d h e, " wi th n o o th er a mu se me nt t ha n t o w at ch t he

r owe rs an d qua rr el wi th Bi lbi l; s o I a m ve ry gl ad to be

o n l an d again w it h s uch f ri en dl y and agr eeab le p eo pl e. "

" Yo u d o u s g re at h on or ," s ai d K in g K it ti cu t, w it h a

polite bow.

" Not a t a ll - - not a t a ll , my br ot he r. Thi s P inga re e

m us t b e a w on de rf ul i sl an d, f or i ts p ea rl s a re t he

a d mi ra ti on o f a ll t he w or ld ; n or w il l I de ny t he f ac t

t ha t m y k in gd om w ou ld b e a p oo r o ne w it ho ut t he r ic he s

a nd g lo ry i t d er iv es f ro m t he t ra de i n y ou r p ea rl s. S o

I ha ve w is he d f or ma ny y ea rs t o c om e he re t o s ee yo u,





b ut m y p eo pl e s ai d: ' No ! S ta y a t ho me a nd b eh av e

yo ur self , o r w e' ll k no w t he r easo n w hy .' "

" Wi ll t hey n ot m is s Y ou r M aj es ty f ro m y ou r

palace at Gilgad?" inquired Kitticut.

" I t hi nk n ot ," ans wered R in ki ti nk . " Yo u s ee, o ne o f

m y clever s ub ject s h as w ri tt en a p ar ch ment ent it led

' Ho w t o be Go od, ' a nd I be li ev ed i t w ou ld be ne fi t me t o

s tu dy i t, as I con si der t he accom pl is hm en t o f b ei ng

go od o ne o f t he f ine a rt s. I ha d j us t s co ld ed s eve re ly

m y L or d H ig h C hancel lo r f or com in g t o b reak fast w it ho ut

c om bi ng h is e ye br ow s, a nd w as s o s ad a nd r eg re tf ul a t

h av in g h ur t t he p oo r m an 's f ee li ng s t ha t I d ec id ed t o

s hut m ys el f u p i n m y o wn r oo m a nd s tud y t he s cr ol l

until I knew how to be good -- hee, heek, ke ek, eek,

e ek ! - -t o b e g oo d! C le ve r i de a, t ha t, w as n' t i t? M igh ty

c l eve r! A nd I i ss ue d a de cr ee t ha t n o o ne s ho ul d e nt er

m y r oo m, u nd er p ai n o f m y r oy al d is pl easu re, u nt il I

w a s r ea dy t o c om e o ut . T he y' re a wf ul ly a fr ai d o f m y

r oy al d is pl easu re, alt ho ug h n ot a b it afr ai d o f m e.

Th en I pu t t he p ar chm en t i n m y po cke t a nd e sc ape d

through the back door to my boat -- and here I am. Oo,

h oo -h oo , k ee k- ee k! I ma gi ne t he f us s t he re w ou ld b e i n

Gi lg ad i f m y s ubj ec ts k ne w w he re I a m t hi s v er y

minute!"





" I w ou ld l ik e t o s ee t ha t p ar ch me nt ," s ai d t he

s ol em n- ey ed P ri nce I ng a, " fo r i f i t i nd eed t each es o ne

t o b e good i t m us t be wor th i ts we ight in pe arl s. "

" Oh , i t' s a f in e ess ay ," s ai d R in ki ti nk , " an d

beautifully written with a goosequill. Listen to this:

Y ou 'l l e nj oy i t - - t ee , h ee , h ee ! - - e nj oy i t. "

He t ook f rom hi s po cke t a s cr ol l o f p ar ch me nt t ie d

with a black ribbon, and having carefully unrolled it,

h e p ro ce ed ed t o r ea d a s f ol lo ws :

" 'A Good M an is One who i s Neve r Ba d.' How's t ha t,

e h ? F in e t ho ug ht , w ha t? ' Th er ef or e, i n o rd er t o b e

G oo d, y ou m us t avo id t ho se T hi ng s w hi ch are E vi l. ' O h,

h oo -ho o- ho o! - - h ow c le ve r! W he n I ge t b ac k I s ha ll

m a ke t he m an w ho w ro te t ha t a r oy al h ip po lo ru m, f or ,

b e yo nd q ue st io n, h e i s t he w is es t m an i n m y k in gd om - as

he has often told me himself." With this, Rinkitink lay

b ack i n h is chair and chu ck led h is q ueer chu ck le u nt il

h e c ou gh ed , a nd c ou gh ed u nt il h e c ho ke d a nd c ho ke d

unt il h e s ne ez ed . A nd h e w ri nk le d hi s f ac e i n s uc h a

j ol ly , d ro ll w ay t hat f ew cou ld k eep f ro m l au gh in g w it h

hi m, a nd e ve n t he g oo d Q ue en wa s f or ce d t o t it te r





b ehi nd h er f an .

W hen R in ki ti nk h ad r ecov er ed f ro m h is f it o f l au gh ter

a nd h ad w ip ed h is e ye s u po n a f in e l ac e h an dk er ch ie f,

Pr in ce I ng a s ai d t o h im :

"The parchment speaks truly."

" Yes, i t i s t ru e b ey on d d ou bt ," ans wered R in ki ti nk ,

" and i f I c oul d per sua de B ilbi l t o re ad it he woul d be

a m uc h be tt er g oa t t ha n he i s now . H er e i s a no the r

selection: 'To avoid saying Unpleasant Things, always

S pe ak A gr ee ab ly .' T ha t w ou ld h it B il bi l, t o a d ot . A nd

he re i s one t ha t a ppl ie s t o yo u, m y P ri nc e: ' Goo d

C hi ld ren are s el do m p un is hed, f or t he r easo n t hat t hey

d es er ve n o p un is hm en t. ' N ow , I t hi nk t hat i s n eatl y

p ut , a nd s how s t he a ut hor t o b e a de ep t hi nk er . B ut t he

a dvi ce t ha t ha s i mpr es se d me t he m ost is in the

f ol lo wi ng p ar ag raph : ' Yo u m ay n ot f in d i t as P leas an t

to be Good as it is to be Bad, but Other People will

f i nd i t m o re P l eas an t. ' H aw- ho o- h o! k eek - eek ! ' O th er

p eo pl e w il l f in d i t m or e p le as an t! ' - - h ee , h ee , h ee k,

k ee k! - - ' mo re p le as an t. ' D ea r m e - - d ea r m e! T he re in

l ie s a no bl e i nc ent iv e t o be goo d, a nd wh ene ve r I ge t

t im e I 'm s ur el y g oi ng t o t ry i t. "





Th en h e w ip ed h is e ye s a ga in w it h t he l ac e

handkerchief and, suddenly remembering his dinner,

s ei zed h is k ni fe and f or k and b eg an eat in g.

Chapter Three

T he W ar ri or s f ro m t he N or th

K in g R in ki ti nk w as s o m uch p leas ed w it h t he I sl an d o f

P i ng ar ee t ha t h e c on ti nu ed h is s ta y d ay a ft er d ay a nd

w eek aft er w eek, eat in g g oo d d in ners , t al ki ng w it h K in g

K it ti cu t a nd s le ep in g. O nc e i n a w hi le h e w ou ld r ea d

f ro m h is s cr ol l. " Fo r, " s ai d h e, " wh en ev er I r et ur n

h om e, m y s ub je ct s w il l b e a nx io us t o k no w i f I h ave

l ea rn ed ' Ho w t o b e G ood ,' a nd I m us t no t di sa pp oi nt

them."

T he t we nt y r ow er s l iv ed o n t he s ma ll e nd o f t he

i sl an d, w it h t he p ea rl f is he rs , a nd s ee me d n ot t o c ar e

w heth er t hey ever r et ur ned t o t he K in gd om o f R in ki ti nk





o r n ot . B il bi l t he g oa t w an de re d o ve r t he g ra ss y

s lo pe s, o r a mo ng t he t re es , a nd p as se d h is d ay s e xa ct ly

a s h e pl ea se d. H is m as te r s el dom c ar ed t o r id e hi m.

B il bi l w as a r ar e c ur io si ty t o t he i sl an de rs , b ut s in ce

t here w as l it tl e p leas ur e i n t al ki ng w it h t he g oat t hey

k ep t a wa y f ro m h im . T hi s p le as ed t he c re at ur e, w ho

se em ed w el l s at is fi ed t o b e l ef t t o h is o wn d ev ic es .

O nc e P ri nc e I ng a, w is hi ng t o b e c ou rt eo us , w al ke d u p

t o t he g oat and s ai d: " Go od m or ni ng , B il bi l. "

"It isn't a good morning," answered Bilbil grumpily.

" I t i s c lo ud y a nd d am p, a nd l oo ks l ik e r ai n. "

" I h op e y ou are con tent ed i n o ur k in gd om ," con ti nu ed

t he b oy , p ol it el y i gn or in g t he o th er 's h ar sh w or ds .

" I' m n ot ," s ai d B il bi l. " I' m n ev er con tent ed ; s o i t

d oe sn 't m at te r t o m e w he th er I 'm i n y ou r k in gd om o r i n

s om e o th er k in gd om . G o a wa y - - w il l y ou ?"

"Certainly," answered the Prince, and after this

r eb uf f h e d id n ot a ga in t ry t o m ake f ri en ds w it h

Bilbil.

Now that the King, his father, was so much occupied





w it h hi s r oy al g ue st , I ng a w as o ft en l ef t t o a mu se

h ims el f, f or a b oy c oul d no t be a ll owe d t o t ake pa rt i n

t he con ver sat io n o f t wo g reat m on ar ch s. H e d ev ot ed

h im se lf t o h is s tu di es , t he re fo re , a nd d ay a ft er d ay h e

c li mb ed i nt o t he b ra nc he s o f h is f av or it e t re e a nd s at

f or h ou rs i n h is " tr ee-t op r es t, " r eadi ng h is f at her' s

p reci ou s m an us cr ip ts and t hi nk in g u po n w hat h e r ead.

Y ou m us t not t hi nk t ha t I nga wa s a mol ly- coddl e or a

pr ig , b ec au se h e w as s o s ol em n a nd s tu di ou s. B ei ng a

K ing' s s on a nd he ir t o a t hr one , he c oul d not p la y w it h

t he o the r boys of Pi nga re e, a nd he l ive d s o muc h i n t he

s oc ie ty of t he K in g a nd Q ue en , a nd w as s o s ur rou nd ed b y

t he pomp a nd di gni ty of a cour t, t ha t he mi sse d a ll t he

j ol ly t im es t ha t b oy s u su al ly h av e. I ha ve no d ou bt

tha t had he be en abl e t o l ive a s ot he r boys do, he

wou ld ha ve be en muc h l ike ot he r bo ys ; a s i t w as , h e w as

su bd ued b y h is s ur ro un di ng s, and m or e g rave and

th ou gh tf ul t han o ne o f h is y ears s ho ul d b e.

I ng a w as i n h is t ree o ne m or ni ng w hen, w it ho ut

w ar ni ng , a g reat f og env el op ed t he I sl an d o f P in garee.

The b oy c oul d s ca rc el y s ee t he t re e n ext t o t ha t i n

w hi ch h e s at , b ut t he l ea ve s a bo ve h im p re ve nt ed t he

d amp ness f ro m w et ti ng h im , s o h e cur led h im self u p i n





hi s s ea t a nd f el l f as t a sl ee p.

All that forenoon the fog continued. King Kitticut,

wh o s at i n h is p al ace t al ki ng w it h h is m er ry v is it or ,

o rd er ed t he c an dl es l ig ht ed , t ha t t he y m ig ht b e a bl e t o

s ee o ne a no th er . T he g oo d Q ue en , I ng a' s m ot he r, f ou nd

it wa s t oo da rk t o wor k a t he r e mbr oide ry, s o s he

cal led h er m ai dens t og et her and t ol d t hem w on derf ul

s to ri es o f by go ne d ay s, i n o rde r t o p as s a wa y t he

dreary hours.

B ut s oo n a ft er n oo n t he w ea th er c ha ng ed . T he d en se

f og r ol le d a wa y l ik e a he av y c lo ud a nd s ud de nl y t he s un

s ho t h is b ri gh t r ay s o ver t he i sl an d.

"Very good!" exclaimed King Kitticut. "We shall have

a p le as ant a ft er no on , I a m s ur e, " a nd he bl ew ou t t he

candles.

T he n h e s to od a m om en t m ot io nl es s, a s i f t ur ne d t o

s to ne , f or a t er ri bl e c ry f ro m w it ho ut t he p al ac e

r eac hed hi s e ar s - - a c ry s o f ul l of fe ar and horr or

th at t he K in g' s h eart alm os t s t op ped b eati ng .

I mm ed ia te ly t he re w as a s cu rr yi ng o f f ee t a s e ve ry o ne

i n t he p al ace, f il led w it h d is may, r us hed o ut si de t o

s ee w hat h ad h ap pened. even f at l it tl e R in ki ti nk s pr an g





f ro m hi s c ha ir a nd f ol lo we d h is h os t a nd t he o the rs

through the arched vestibule.

A ft er m any ye ar s t he w or st f ea rs o f K in g K it ti cu t

were realized.

L an di ng u po n t he b ea ch , w hi ch w as b ut a f ew s te ps

f ro m t he p al ac e i ts el f, w er e h un dr ed s o f b oa ts , e ve ry

o ne f il led w it h a t hr on g o f f ierce w ar ri or s. T hey

s pr an g u po n t he l an d w it h w il d s ho ut s o f d ef iance and

r us hed t o t he K in g' s p al ace, w av in g alo ft t heir s wo rd s

an d s p ear s an d b att l eax es .

K in g K it ti cu t, s o com pl et el y s ur pr is ed t hat h e w as

bewi ld er ed , g azed at t he app ro achi ng h os t w it h t err or

and grief.

" Th ey a re t he m en o f R eg os a nd C or eg os !" h e g ro an ed .

"W e ar e, i nd eed, l os t! "

T hen h e b et ho ug ht h im self , f or t he f ir st t im e, o f h is

w on derf ul p earl s. T ur ni ng q ui ck ly , h e r an b ack i nt o t he

p al ac e a nd h as te ne d t o t he h al l w he re t he t re as ur es

w er e h id de n. B ut t he l ea de r o f t he w ar ri or s h ad s ee n

t he K in g e nt er t he p al ac e a nd b ou nd ed a ft er h im ,





t hi nk in g h e m ea nt t o e sc ap e. J us t a s t he K in g h ad

s too pe d t o p re ss t he s ec re t s pr in g i n t he t il es , t he

w ar ri or s ei ze d h im f ro m t he r ea r a nd t hr ew h im b ac kw ar d

u pon t he f lo or , a t t he s am e t im e s hou ti ng t o hi s m en t o

f e tc h r op es a nd b in d t he p ri so ne r. T hi s t he y d id v er y

quickly and King Kitticut soon found himself helplessly

bo und a nd i n t he powe r of hi s e ne mi es . I n t hi s s ad

c on di ti on h e w as l if te d b y t he w ar ri or s a nd c ar ri ed

o ut si de , w he n t he g oo d K in g l oo ke d u po n a s or ry s ig ht .

T he Q ue en a nd h er m ai de ns , t he o ff ic er s a nd s er va nt s

o f t he r oy al h ou seho ld and all w ho h ad i nh ab it ed t hi s

e nd of t he I sl and of Pi nga re e h ad be en s ei ze d by t he

i nv ad er s a nd b ou nd w it h r op es . A t o nc e t he y b eg an

car ry in g t heir v icti ms t o t he b oats , t os si ng t hem i n as

u ncer em on io us ly as i f t hey h ad b een b al es o f

merchandise.

T he K in g l oo ke d a ro un d f or h is s on I ng a, b ut f ai le d

t o f ind t he bo y a mo ng t he pr is one rs . N or wa s t he f at

K i ng , R in ki ti nk , t o b e s een any wh er e abo ut .

T he w ar ri or s w er e s wa rm in g o ve r t he p al ac e l ik e b ee s

i n a h iv e, s eeki ng any on e w ho m ig ht b e i n h id in g, and

a ft er t he s ea rc h h ad b ee n p ro lo ng ed f or s om e t im e t he

leader asked impatiently: "Do you find anyone else?"





" No ," h is m en t ol d h im . " We h av e cap tu red t hem all ."

"Then," commanded the leader, "remove everything of

v al ue f ro m t he p al ac e a nd t ea r d ow n i ts w al ls a nd

t ow er s, s o t ha t n ot o ne s to ne r em ai ns u po n a no th er !"

W hi le t he w ar ri or s w er e b us y w it h t hi s t as k w e w il l

r et ur n t o t he b oy P ri nc e, w ho , w he n t he f og l if te d a nd

t he s un c am e o ut , w ak ene d f rom h is s le ep a nd be ga n t o

c li mb d ow n f ro m h is p er ch i n t he t re e. B ut t he

terrifying cries of the people, mingled with the shouts

o f t he r ud e w ar ri or s, c au se d h im t o p au se a nd l is te n

eagerly.

T he n h e c li mb ed r ap id ly u p t he t re e, f ar a bo ve h is

p latf or m, t o t he t op mo st s wayi ng b ranches. T hi s t ree,

w hi ch I ng a cal led h is o wn , w as s om ew hat t al ler t han t he

o th er t re es t ha t s ur ro un de d i t, a nd w he n h e h ad r ea ch ed

t he top he pr es se d a si de t he le aves a nd s aw a gre at

f le et o f bo at s up on t he s ho re - - s tr an ge bo at s, w it h

b an ne rs t ha t h e h ad n ev er s ee n b ef or e. T ur ni ng t o l oo k

u po n h is f at he r' s p al ac e, h e f ou nd i t s ur ro un de d b y a

h or de o f enemi es . T hen I ng a k new t he t ru th : t hat t il e

i s land h ad b een i nv ad ed b y t he b ar bar ic w ar ri or s f ro m





t he nor th. He gr ew s o f ai nt f rom t he t er ror of i t a ll

t ha t h e m ig ht h av e f al le n h ad h e n ot w ou nd hi s a rms

aro un d a l im b and clu ng f as t u nt il t he d izzy f eeli ng

p as se d a wa y. T he n w it h h is s as h h e b oun d h im se lf t o t he

l im b and again v en tu red t o l oo k o ut t hr ou gh t he l eaves.

T he w ar ri or s w er e n ow eng ag ed i n car ry in g K in g

K it ti cu t a nd Q ue en G ar ee a nd a ll t he ir o th er c ap ti ve s

d own t o t he b oa ts , w he re t he y w er e t hr ow n i n a nd

c ha in ed o ne t o a no th er . I t w as a d re ad fu l s ig ht f or t he

P ri nc e t o w it ne ss , b ut h e s at v er y s ti ll , c on ce al ed

f ro m t he s igh t o f a nyo ne b el ow by t he b ow er o f l ea fy

b ranches aro un d h im . I ng a k new v er y w el l t hat h e cou ld

d o n ot hi ng t o h el p h is b el ov ed p ar en ts , a nd t ha t i f h e

c ame do wn he wo ul d onl y be f or ce d t o s ha re t he ir c ru el

fate.

Now a procession of the Northmen passed between the

b oats and t he p al ace, b eari ng t he r ich f ur ni tu re,

s pl en di d d raperi es and r ar e o rn am en ts o f w hi ch t he

r oy al p al ac e h ad b ee n r ob be d, t og et he r w it h s uc h f oo d

a nd o th er p lu nd er a s t he y c ou ld l ay t he ir h an ds u po n.

A ft er t hi s, t he m en o f R eg os a nd C or eg os t hr ew r op es

a r ou nd t he m ar bl e d om es a nd t ow er s a nd h un dr ed s o f

w ar ri or s t ug ge d a t t he se r op es u nt il t he d om es a nd

t ow er s t op pl ed and f el l i n r ui ns u po n t he g ro un d. T hen





t he w al ls t hems el ves w er e t or n d ow n, t il l l it tl e

re ma in ed o f t he b ea ut if ul p al ac e b ut a v as t h ea p o f

w hi te m ar bl e b lo ck s t um bl ed and s cat tered u po n t he

ground.

P ri nc e I ng a w ep t b it te r t ea rs o f g ri ef a s h e w at ch ed

t he r ui n of hi s hom e; ye t he w as po we rl es s to a ve rt t he

d est r uct io n. W hen t he p al ace h ad b een d em ol i sh ed , s om e

o f t he w ar ri or s e nt er ed t he ir b oa ts a nd r ow ed a lo ng t he

c oa st o f t he i sl an d, w hi le t he o th er s m ar ch ed i n a

g reat b od y d ow n t he l en gt h o f t he i sl an d i ts el f. T hey

w er e s o n um er ou s t hat t hey f or med a l in e s tr et ch in g

f ro m s ho re t o s ho re a nd t he y d es tr oy ed e ve ry h ou se t he y

cam e t o and t oo k every i nh ab it an t p ri s on er .

The pea rl f is he rs who l ive d a t t he l owe r e nd of t he

i sl an d t ri ed t o e sc ap e i n t he ir b oa ts , b ut t he y w er e

s oo n o ve rt ak en a nd m ad e p ri so ne rs , l ik e t he o th er s. N or

w as t he re a ny a tt emp t t o r es is t t he f oe , f or t he s ha rp

s pe ar s a nd p ik es a nd s wo rd s o f t he i nv ad er s t er ri fi ed

t he h ea rt s o f t he d ef en se le ss p eo pl e o f P in ga re e, w ho se

s o le w ea po ns w er e t he ir o ys te r r ak es .

W hen n ig ht f el l t he w ho le o f t he I sl an d o f P in garee

ha d b ee n c on que re d b y t he m en o f t he N or th , a nd a ll i ts





p eo pl e w er e s laves o f t he con qu er or s . N ex t m or ni ng t he

me n o f R eg os a nd C or eg os , b ei ng c ap ab le o f n o f ur th er

m is ch ief, d ep ar ted f ro m t he s cene o f t heir t ri um ph ,

carrying their prisoners with them and taking also

e ve ry bo at t o be f oun d upon t he i sl and . Ma ny of t he

b o at s t hey h ad f il led w it h r ich p lu nd er , w it h p earl s

and s il ks and v el vets , w it h s il ver and g ol d o rn am en ts

a nd a ll t he t re as ur e t ha t h ad m ad e P in ga re e f am ed a s

on e o f t he r ic he st k in gd om s i n t he w or ld . A nd t he

h un dr ed s o f s la ve s t he y h ad c ap tu re d w ou ld b e s et t o

w or k i n t he m in es o f R ego s a nd t he gr ai n f ie lds o f

Coregos.

S o c om pl et e w as t he v ic to ry o f t he N or th me n t ha t i t

is n o w on de r t he w ar ri or s s an g s on gs o f t ri um ph a s t he y

ha st en ed b ac k t o t he ir h om es . G re at r ew ar ds w er e

await in g t hem w hen t hey s ho wed t he h au gh ty K in g o f

R eg os a nd t he t er ri bl e Q ue en o f C or eg os t he r es ul ts o f

t hei r o cean r aid and con qu es t .

C h ap t er F o ur

T he D es ert ed I sl and





All through that terrible night Prince Inga remained

h id de n i n h is t re e. I n t he m or ni ng h e w at ch ed t he g re at

f leet o f b oats d ep ar t f or t heir o wn cou nt ry , carr yi ng

h is pa re nt s a nd h is c ou nt rym en w it h t he m, a s w el l a s

every th in g o f v al ue t he I sl an d o f P in garee h ad

contained.

S ad , i nd ee d, w er e t he b oy 's t ho ug ht s w he n t he l as t o f

t he b oa ts h ad be co me a m er e s pe ck i n t he d is ta nc e, b ut

Ing a d id n ot d ar e l ea ve h is p er ch o f s af et y u nt il a ll

o f t he c ra ft o f t he i nv ad er s h ad d is ap pe ar ed b ey on d t he

h or izon . T hen h e cam e d ow n, v er y s lo wl y and car ef ul ly ,

f or he w as we ak f rom h unge r a nd t he l ong a nd we ar y

wa tc h, a s he ha d be en i n t he t re e f or t we nt y- fou r h our s

without food.

T he s un s ho ne u po n t he b eaut if ul g reen i sl e as

b ri ll iant ly as i f n o r ut hl es s i nv ad er h ad p as sed and

l ai d i t i n r ui ns . T he b ir ds s ti ll chi rp ed amo ng t he

t rees and t he b ut terf li es d ar ted f ro m f lo wer t o f lo wer

a s h ap pi ly a s w he n t he l an d w as f il le d wi th a

p r os p er o us an d co nt ent ed p eop le.





In ga f ea re d t ha t on ly h e w as l ef t o f a ll h is na ti on.

Pe rh ap s h e m ig ht b e o bl ig ed t o p as s h is l if e t he re

a lo ne . H e w ou ld n ot s ta rv e, f or t he s ea w ou ld g iv e h im

o ys te rs a nd f is h, a nd t he t re es f ru it ; ye t t he l if e

that confronted him was far from enticing.

The boy' s f ir st a ct was t o wa lk over to whe re t he

p al ac e h ad s to od a nd s ea rc h t he r ui ns u nt il h e f ou nd

s o me s cr ap s o f f oo d t ha t h ad b ee n o ve rl oo ke d by t he

e ne my . H e s at u pon a b loc k of m ar bl e a nd a te o f t hi s,

a nd t ea rs f il le d hi s e ye s a s he ga ze d up on t he

d es ol at io n a ro un d h im . B ut I ng a t ri ed t o b ea r u p

b ravely , and h av in g s at is fi ed h is h un ger h e w al ked o ver

t o t he w el l, i nt en di ng t o d ra w a b uc ke t o f d ri nk in g

water.

F or tu nately , t hi s w el l h ad b een o verl oo ked b y t he

i nv ad er s a nd t he b uc ke t w as s ti ll f as te ne d t o t he c ha in

t ha t w ou nd a ro un d a s to ut w oo de n w in dl as s. I ng a t oo k

ho ld o f t he c ra nk a nd b eg an l et ti ng t he b uc ke t d ow n

i nt o t he w el l, w he n s ud de nl y h e w as s ta rt le d b y a

muffled voice crying out:

"Be careful, up there!"

T he s ou nd a nd t he w or ds s ee me d t o i nd ic at e t ha t t he





v oi ce c am e f ro m t he b ot to m o f t he w el l, s o I ng a l oo ke d

d ow n. N ot hi ng c ou ld b e s ee n, o n a cc ou nt o f t he

darkness.

" Wh o a re y ou ?" h e s ho ut ed .

" It 's I - - R in ki ti nk ," c am e t he a ns we r, a nd t he

depths of the well echoed: "Tink-i-tink-i-tink!" in a

ghostly manner.

" Ar e y ou i n t he w el l? " a sk ed t he b oy , g re at ly

surprised.

" Yes, and n earl y d ro wn ed . I f el l i n w hi le r un ni ng

f ro m t ho se t er ri bl e w ar ri or s, and I 'v e b een s tand in g i n

t hi s d am p h ol e e ve r s in ce , w it h m y h ea d j us t a bo ve t he

wa te r. I t' s l uc ky t he we ll w as no de epe r, f or ha d m y

h ea d b ee n u nd er w at er , i ns te ad o f a bo ve i t - - h oo , h oo ,

hoo, ke ek , e ek! - - un de r i ns te ad of ove r, you k now - -

w hy, t he n I woul dn' t be t al ki ng t o you now ! H a, hoo,

h ee! " A nd t he w el l d is mall y ech oed: " Ha, h oo , h ee!"

w hi ch y ou m us t i magi ne w as a l au gh h al f m er ry and h al f

sad.

" I' m awf ul ly s or ry ," cri ed t he b oy , i n ans wer. " I





w onde r you ha ve t he he ar t t o l augh a t a ll. But how a m I

t o ge t you out ?"

"I've been considering that all night," said

R in ki ti nk , " an d I b el ie ve t he b es t p la n w il l b e f or y ou

t o let down t he bucke t t o me , and I'll hold fas t to it

w hi le you w ind up t he c ha in a nd s o dr aw me t o t he t op. "

" I wi ll t ry t o do t hat ," r epli ed I nga , a nd he l et the

bu ck et d ow n v er y car ef ul ly u nt il h e h eard t he K in g cal l

out:

" I' ve got i t! N ow pul l m e up - - s lowl y, m y boy ,

s lo wl y - - s o I w on 't r ub a ga in st t he r ou gh s id es ."

Inga began winding up the chain, but King Rinkitink

w as so fat that he was very heavy and by the time t he

boy h ad m ana ge d t o p ul l hi m ha lf wa y up t he we ll h is

s t re ngt h w as gone . H e c lung t o t he c ra nk a s l on g a s

p os si bl e, b ut s ud denl y i t s li pp ed f ro m h is g rasp and

the next minute he heard Rinkitink fall "plump!" into

t he w at er again .

" Th at 's t oo b ad !" cal led I ng a, i n r eal d is tr es s; " bu t

y ou w er e s o h ea vy I c ou ld n' t h el p i t. "





" De ar m e! " g as pe d t he K in g, f ro m t he d ar kn es s b el ow ,

a s he s pl ut te re d a nd c oug he d t o g et t he wa te r o ut o f

hi s mo ut h. " Why d idn 't y ou t el l m e y ou we re go in g t o

let go?"

"I hadn't time," said Inga, sorrowfully.

"Well, I'm not suffering from thirst," declared the

K in g, " fo r t here's eno ug h w at er i ns id e m e t o f lo at all

the boa ts of Regos a nd Core gos or at le as t it f eel s

th at w ay . B ut ne ve r m in d! S o l on g a s I 'm n ot a ct ua ll y

d ro wn ed , w hat d oes i t m at t er ?"

" Wh at s hall w e d o n ex t?" ask ed t he b oy anx io us ly .

" Ca ll s om eo ne t o h el p y ou ," w as t he r ep ly .

" Th er e i s n o o ne o n t he i sl an d b ut m ys el f, " s ai d t he

b oy ; " -- except i ng y ou ," h e add ed , as an af tert ho ug ht .

"I'm not on it - - more 's the pit y! -- but in it,"

responded Rinkitink. "Are the warriors all gone?"

" Ye s, " s ai d I ng a, " an d t he y h ave t ak en m y f at he r a nd

m ot he r, a nd a ll o ur p eo pl e, t o b e t he ir s la ve s, " h e





a dde d, t ryi ng i n v ai n t o r epr es s a s ob .

" So - - s o! " s ai d R in ki ti nk s of tl y; a nd t he n h e p au se d

a m om en t, as i f i n t ho ug ht . F in al ly h e s ai d: " Th er e are

w or se t hi ng s t han s lavery , b ut I n ev er i magi ned a w el l

c oul d be one of t he m. Te ll m e, I nga , c oul d you le t down

s ome f ood t o me ? I 'm ne ar ly s ta rve d, a nd i f you c oul d

ma na ge to s end me down some f ood I' d be we ll f ed - -

h oo, ho o, he ek, k ee k, e ek ! - - we ll f ed. D o yo u s ee t he

joke, Inga?"

"Do not a sk me to enjoy a j oke just now, Your

M aj es ty, " b eg ge d I ng a i n a s ad v oi ce ; " bu t i f y ou w il l

be p at ie nt I w il l t ry t o f ind s om et hi ng f or yo u t o

eat."

He ra n bac k t o the r ui ns of t he pa la ce a nd be ga n

s earchi ng f or b it s o f f oo d w it h w hi ch t o s at is fy t he

h un ge r o f t he K in g, w he n t o h is s ur pr is e h e o bs er ve d

the goat, Bilbil, wandering among the marble blocks.

" Wh at !" cri ed I ng a. " Di dn 't t he w ar ri or s g et y ou ,

either?"

"If they had," calmly replied Bilbil, "I shouldn't be

here."





" But h ow d id y ou e sc ape ?" a sk ed t he bo y.

" Easi ly eno ug h. I k ep t m y m ou th s hu t and s tayed away

f ro m t he r as ca ls ," s ai d t he g oa t. " I k ne w t ha t t he

s ol di er s w ou ld n ot c ar e f or a s ki nn y o ld b ea st l ik e m e,

f or t o t he e ye o f a s tr ange r I s ee m goo d f or not hi ng .

H ad t he y k no wn I c ou ld t al k, a nd t ha t m y h ea d c on ta in ed

mo re w is do m t ha n a h un dr ed o f t he ir o wn n od dl es , I

m ig ht n ot h av e escap ed s o eas il y. "

" Pe rh ap s y ou a re r ig ht ," s ai d t he b oy .

" I s up po se t hey g ot t he o ld m an ?" car el es s ly r em ar ked

Bilbil.

"What old man?"

"Rinkitink."

" Oh, no! Hi s M aj es ty i s a t t he bot tom o f t he we ll ,"

s ai d I nga , "a nd I don' t know how t o ge t hi m out a ga in."

" Th en l et h im s tay t here," s ug gest ed t he g oat.





" Th at w ou ld b e c ru el . I a m s ur e, B il bi l, t ha t y ou a re

f ond o f t he go od K ing , you r ma st er , a nd d o not m ea n

w ha t y ou s ay . Toge the r, l et us f in d s om e w ay t o s ave

p oo r K in g R in ki ti nk . H e i s a v er y j ol ly com pani on , and

h as a h eart exceedi ng ly k in d and g en tl e. "

" Oh, we ll ; t he o ld b oy i sn 't s o ba d, t ak en

altogether," admitted Bilbil, speaking in a more

f ri en dl y t on e. " Bu t h is b ad j ok es and f at l au gh ter t ir e

me dreadfully, at times."

Pr inc e I nga n ow r an ba ck t o t he w el l, t he g oa t

following more leisurely.

" Here's B il bi l! " s ho ut ed t he b oy t o t he K in g. " Th e

enemy d id n' t g et h im , i t s eems ."

"That's lucky for the enemy," said Rinkitink. "But

i t' s l uc ky f or m e, t oo , f or p er ha ps t he b ea st c an

a ssist me out of this hole. If you can let a rope down

t he w el l, I am s ur e t hat y ou and B il bi l, p ul li ng

t og et he r, wi ll be a bl e t o dr ag m e t o t he e ar th' s

surface."

" Be p at ient and w e w il l m ak e t he att em pt ," r ep li ed

I ng a encou ragi ng ly , and h e r an t o s earch. t he r ui ns f or





a r op e. P re se nt ly h e f ou nd on e t ha t h ad b ee n u se d b y

t he w ar ri or s i n t op pl in g o ver t he t ow er s, w hi ch i n

t he ir h as te t he y h ad n eg le ct ed t o r em ov e, a nd w it h s om e

d if fi cu lt y h e u nt ie d t he k no ts a nd c ar ri ed t he r op e t o

t he m ou th of t he w el l.

B il bi l h ad l ai n d ow n t o s le ep a nd t he r ef ra in of a

m er ry s on g cam e i n m uf fl ed t on es f ro m t he w el l, p ro vi ng

t hat R in ki ti nk w as m ak in g a p at ient end eavo r t o amu se

himself.

" I' ve f ou nd a r op e! " I ng a c al le d d ow n t o h im ; a nd

t he n the boy proc ee ded t o m ake a l oop i n one end of t he

r ope , f or t he Ki ng t o put hi s a rm s t hr ough , a nd t he

ot he r e nd h e p la ce d ove r t he dr um of t he wi ndl as s. H e

n o w aro us ed B il bi l and f as tened t he r op e f ir ml y aro un d

the goat's shoulders.

" Ar e y ou r ea dy ?" a sk ed t he b oy , l ea ni ng o ve r t he

well.

" I am, " r ep li ed t he K in g.

" And I a m not ," grow led t he goa t, " for I ha ve not ye t

ha d my nap out. Old Rinki wil l be sa fe enough i n t he





w el l u nt il I 'v e s le pt a n h ou r o r t wo l on ge r. "

" Bu t i t i s da mp i n t he w el l, " pr ot es te d t he b oy , " an d

K in g R in ki ti nk m ay cat ch t he r heum at is m, s o t hat h e

wi ll h av e t o r id e u po n y ou r b ac k w he re ve r h e g oe s. "

H eari ng t hi s, B il bi l j um ped u p at o nce.

" Let' s g et h im o ut ," h e s ai d ear nest ly .

" Ho ld f as t! " s ho ut ed I ng a t o t he K in g. T he n h e s ei ze d

t he r op e a nd h el pe d B il bi l t o p ul l. T he y s oo n f ou nd t he

t as k m or e d if fi cu lt t ha n t he y h ad s up po se d. O nc e o r

t w ic e t he K in g' s w ei gh t t hr ea te ne d t o d ra g b ot h t he b oy

a nd t he g oa t i nt o t he w el l, t o k ee p R in ki ti nk c om pa ny .

B ut t hey p ul led s tu rd il y, b ei ng aware o f t hi s d an ger,

a nd a t l as t t he K ing popp ed o ut o f t he ho le a nd f el l

sprawling full length upon the ground.

For a t im e he l ay pa nt ing a nd br eat hi ng ha rd t o ge t

h is b reat h b ack, w hi le I ng a and B il bi l w er e l ik ew is e

w or n out f rom t he ir l ong s tra in a t t he r ope ; s o t he

t hr ee r es te d q ui et ly u po n t he g ra ss a nd l oo ke d a t o ne

another in silence.

F in al ly B il bi l s ai d t o t he K in g: " I' m s ur pr is ed at





you. W hy we re you s o f ool is h a s t o f al l down t ha t wel l?

Do n' t y ou k no w i t' s a d an ge ro us t hi ng t o d o? Y ou m ig ht

h ave br oke n you r ne ck i n t he f al l, or be en dr ow ne d i n

the water."

"Bilbil," replied the King solemnly, "you're a goat.

D o y ou i ma gi ne I f el l do wn t he we ll on pu rp os e? "

"I imagine nothing," retorted Bilbil. "I only know

y ou w er e t here."

" Th er e? H eh -h eh -h ee k- ke ek -e e k! T o b e s ur e I w as

t here," l au gh ed R in ki ti nk . " Th er e i n a d ar k h ol e, w here

t he re w as n o l ig ht ; t he re i n a w at er y w el l, w he re t he

w e t ne ss s oa ke d m e t hr ou gh a nd t hr ou gh - - k ee k- ee k- ee k-

eek ! - - t hr ou gh and t hr ou gh !"

" Ho w d id i t h ap pen?" i nq ui red I ng a.

" I w as r un ni ng away f ro m t he enemy ," exp lain ed t he

K in g, " an d I w as car el es sl y l oo ki ng o ver m y s ho ul der at

the sa me time, to see if they were c hasing me . So I did

n ot s ee t he w el l, b ut s te pp ed i nt o i t a nd f ou nd m ys el f

t um bl in g d ow n t o t he b ot to m. I s tr uc k t he w at er v er y

neatly and began struggling to keep myself from





d ro wn in g, b ut p re se nt ly I f ou nd t ha t w he n I s to od u po n

m y f ee t on t he bott om of t he we ll, t ha t my c hin wa s

j us t a bov e t he w at er . So I s to od s ti ll a nd y el le d f or

h el p; but n o o ne h ea rd me ."

" If t he w ar ri or s h ad h eard y ou ," s ai d B il bi l, " th ey

wou ld ha ve pul le d yo u out a nd c ar ri ed yo u a wa y t o be a

s la ve . T he n you wo ul d ha ve be en ob li ge d t o wor k f or a

l iv in g, and t hat w ou ld b e a n ew exp er ience. "

"Work!" exclaimed Rinkitink. "Me work? Hoo, hoo,

he ek- ke ek- ee k! H ow a bs ur d! I 'm s o s to ut - - n ot t o s ay

c hubby - - not t o sa y f at - - tha t I c an har dly wa lk, a nd

I couldn' t ea rn my s alt a t ha rd wor k. So I 'm gla d the

en em y d id n ot f in d m e, B il bi l. H ow m an y o th er s

escaped?"

" Tha t I do no t kn ow, " r epl ie d t he b oy, " for I

ha ve not ye t ha d t ime t o vi si t t he ot he r pa rt s of

t he i sl an d. W hen y ou h av e r es ted and s at is fi ed

yo ur r oy al h ung er , i t m igh t be we ll f or u s t o

l oo k aro un d and s ee w hat t he t hi ev in g w ar ri or s

of R eg os a nd C or eg os h av e l ef t u s. "

"An excellent idea," declared Rinkitink. "I am

somewhat feeble from my long confinement in the well,





b ut I c an r ide u pon B il bi l' s ba ck a nd we ma y a s we ll

s ta rt a t o nc e. "

H eari ng t hi s, B il bi l cas t a s ur ly g lance at h is

m as te r b ut s ai d n ot hi ng , s in ce i t w as r ea ll y t he g oa t' s

bu si ness t o car ry K in g R in ki ti nk w herever h e d es ir ed t o

go.

T he y f ir st s ea rc he d t he r ui ns o f t he p al ac e, a nd

wh er e t he k it ch en h ad o nc e b ee n t he y f ou nd a s ma ll

q ua nt it y o f f oo d t ha t h ad b ee n h al f h id de n b y a b lo ck

of m ar bl e. T hi s t he y c ar ef ul ly p la ce d i n a s ac k t o

p reserv e i t f or f ut ur e u se, t he l it tl e f at K in g h av in g

f ir st e at en a s m uc h a s h e c ar ed f or . T hi s c on su me d s om e

time, for Rinkitink had been exceedingly hungry and

l ik ed t o e at i n a l ei su re ly m an ne r. W he n h e h ad

f in is hed t he m eal h e s tr ad dl ed B il bi l' s b ack and s et

o ut t o exp lo re t he i sl an d, P ri nce I ng a w al ki ng b y h is

side.

T hey f ou nd o n every h an d r ui n and d es ol at io n. T he

h ou se s o f t he p eo pl e h ad b ee n p il fe re d o f a ll v al ua bl es

a nd the n tor n down or bur ne d. Not a boat ha d be en le ft

up on t he s hor e, n or w as t he re a s in gl e pe rs on , m an or

w om an o r chi ld , r em ai ni ng u po n t he i sl an d, s av e





themselves. The only inhabitants of Pingaree now

c ons is te d o f a f at l it tl e K ing , a boy a nd a g oa t.

E ven R in ki ti nk , m er ry h eart ed as h e w as , f ou nd i t

ha rd t o l au gh i n t he f ac e of t hi s m ig ht y d is as te r. Ev en

t he g oat, con tr ar y t o i ts u su al h ab it , r ef rain ed f ro m

s ay in g any th in g d is ag reeabl e. A s f or t he p oo r b oy w ho se

hom e wa s no w a w il de rne ss , t he t ea rs c am e o ft en t o hi s

e ye s a s h e m ar ke d t he r ui n o f h is d ea rl y l ov ed i sl an d.

W hen, at n ig ht fall , t hey r each ed t he l ow er end o f

P in ga re e a nd f ou nd i t s we pt a s b ar e a s t he r es t, I nga 's

g ri ef w as alm os t m or e t han h e cou ld b ear. E very th in g

h a d be en s we pt f ro m h im - - p ar en ts , h om e a nd c ou nt ry - -

i n s o b ri ef a t im e t ha t h is b ew il de rm en t w as e qu al t o

his sorrow.

Since no house remained standing, in which they might

s le ep , t he t hr ee w an de re rs c re pt b en ea th t he

o ve rh an gi ng b ra nc he s o f a c as sa t re e a nd c ur le d

t he ms el ve s u p a s c om fo rt ab ly a s p os si bl e. S o t ir ed a nd

exh au st ed w er e t hey b y t he d ay 's anx ieti es and g ri ef s

t ha t t he ir t ro ub le s s oo n f ad ed i nt o t he m is ts o f

d ream land . B east and K in g and b oy s lu mb er ed p eacefu ll y

t og et her u nt il w ak en ed b y t he s in gi ng o f t he b ir ds

wh ic h gr ee te d t he d aw n of a ne w da y.





Chapter Five

T he T hr ee P ear ls

W hen K in g R in ki ti nk and P ri nce I ng a h ad b at hed

t he ms el ve s i n t he s ea a nd e at en a s im pl e b re ak fa st ,

t hey b eg an w on deri ng w hat t hey cou ld d o t o i mp ro ve

their condition.

"The poor people of Gilgad," said Rinkitink

cheerfully, "are little likely ever again to behold

t he ir Ki ng i n t he fl es h, f or my boa t and m y row er s a re

go ne w it h e ve ry th in g e ls e. L et u s f ac e t he f ac t t ha t w e

are i mp ri so ned f or l if e u po n t hi s i sl an d, and t hat o ur

l ive s wi ll be s hor t un le ss we c an s ec ur e mor e t o e at

t han i s i n t hi s s mall s ack. "

" I' ll n ot s ta rv e, f or I c an e at g ra ss ," r em ar ke d t he

goat in a pleasant tone -- or a tone as pleasant as

Bilbil could assume.





" Tr ue, q ui te t ru e, " s ai d t he K in g. T hen h e s eemed

th ou gh tf ul f or a m om en t and t ur ni ng t o I ng a h e ask ed :

" Do y ou t hi nk , P ri nc e, t ha t i f t he w or st c om es , w e

could eat Bilbil?"

Th e g oa t g av e a g ro an a nd c as t a r ep ro ac hf ul l oo k a t

h is m as te r a s h e s ai d:

" Mo ns ter ! W ou ld y ou , i nd eed, eat y ou r o ld f ri en d and

servant?"

" Not i f I c an h el p i t, B il bi l, " a ns we re d t he Ki ng

pleasantly. "You would make a remarkably tough morsel,

a nd m y t eet h a re not a s good a s the y onc e wer e.

W hi le t hi s t al k w as i n p ro gr es s I ng a s ud denl y

rememb er ed t he t hr ee p earl s w hi ch h is f at her h ad h id den

un der t he t il ed f lo or o f t he b an qu et h al l. W it ho ut

d ou bt K in g K it ti cu t h ad b een s o s ud denl y s ur pr is ed b y

t h e i nv ad er s t ha t h e h ad f ou nd n o o pp or tu ni ty t o g et

t he p ear ls , f or o th er wi se t he f ierce w ar ri or s w ou ld

ha ve b ee n d ef ea te d a nd d ri ve n o ut o f P in ga re e. S o t he y

m us t s ti ll b e i n t heir h id in g p lace, and I ng a b el ieved

t he y w ou ld p ro ve o f g re at a ss is ta nc e t o h im a nd h is

com ra de s i n t hi s hou r of ne ed. B ut t he pa la ce wa s a





m as s o f r ui ns ; p er ha ps h e w ou ld b e u na bl e n ow t o f in d

t he p la ce w he re t he p ea rl s w er e h id de n.

He said nothing of this to Rinkitink, remembering

th at h is f at he r h ad c ha rg ed h im t o p re se rv e t he s ec re t

o f t he p ea rl s a nd o f t he ir m ag ic p ow er s. N ev er th el es s,

t he t ho ug ht o f s ecur in g t he w on derf ul t reas ur es o f h is

a nc es to rs g av e t he b oy n ew h op e.

He st ood up and sa id to t he King:

" Le t u s r et ur n t o t he ot he r e nd of Pi ng ar ee . I t i s

m or e p le as an t t ha n h er e i n s pi te o f t he d es ol at io n o f

m y f at her' s p al ace. A nd t here, i f any wh er e, w e s hall

d is co ver a w ay o ut o f o ur d if fi cu lt ies. "

This suggestion met with Rinkitink's approval and the

l it tl e p ar ty a t o nc e s ta rt ed u po n t he r et ur n j ou rn ey .

As t he re w as n o o cc as ion t o de la y up on t he wa y, t he y

r ea ch ed t he b ig e nd o f t he i sl an d a bo ut t he m id dl e o f

t he da y a nd a t o nc e b ega n s ea rc hi ng t he r ui ns of t he

palace.

T hey f ou nd , t o t heir s at is fact io n, t hat o ne r oo m at

t he b ot to m o f a t ow er w as s ti ll h ab it ab le , a lt ho ug h t he





r oo f w as b ro ke n i n a nd t he p la ce w as s om ew ha t l it te re d

w it h s tone s. The King wa s, a s he s ai d, t oo fa t to do

a ny ha rd work, s o he s at down on a bl oc k of ma rbl e and

w at ch ed I ng a c le ar t he r oo m o f i ts r ub bi sh . T hi s d on e,

t he b oy h un ted t hr ou gh t he r ui ns u nt il h e d is co vered a

s to ol a nd a n a rm ch ai r t ha t h ad n ot b ee n b ro ke n b ey on d

us e. S om e b ed di ng a nd a m at tr es s w er e a ls o f ou nd, s o

t hat b y n ig ht fall t he l it tl e r oo m h ad b een m ad e q ui te

comfortable

The following morning, while Rinkitink was still

s ou nd asl eep and B il bi l w as b us il y cro pp in g t he d ew y

g ra ss t ha t e dg ed t he s ho re , P ri nc e I ng a b eg an t o s ea rc h

t he t um bl ed h ea ps o f m ar bl e f or t he p la ce w he re t he

r o yal b an qu et h al l h ad b een. A ft er cli mb in g o ver t he

r ui ns f or a t ime he re ac he d a f la t pl ac e whi ch he

reco gn ized , b y m eans o f t he t il ed f lo or in g and t he

b ro ke n f ur ni tu re s ca tt er ed a bo ut , t o b e t he g re at h al l

he wa s s ee ki ng. B ut i n th e c ent er of t he f loor ,

d ir ec tl y o ve r t he s po t w he re t he p ea rl s w er e h id de n,

l ay s ev er al l ar ge a nd h ea vy b lo ck s o f m ar bl e, w hi ch h ad

b een t or n f ro m t he d is mant led w al ls .

This unfortunate discovery for a time discouraged the

bo y, w ho r ea li ze d h ow h el pl es s h e w as t o r em ov e s uc h

v as t o bs ta cl es ; b ut i t w as s o i mp or ta nt t o s ec ur e t he





p ea rl s t ha t h e d ar ed n ot g iv e w ay t o d es pa ir u nt il

e v er y h uma n e ff or t ha d be en ma de , s o he s at h im down t o

t hi nk o ve r t he m at te r w it h g re at c ar e.

M eant im e R in ki ti nk h ad r is en f ro m h is b ed and w al ked

o ut u po n t he l aw n, w here h e f ou nd B il bi l r ecli ni ng at

ease u po n t he g reens w ar d.

"Where is Inga?" asked Rinkitink, rubbing his eyes

w it h h is k nu ck les b ecau se t heir v is io n w as b lu rr ed w it h

to o m uch s leep.

" Do n' t ask m e, " s ai d t he g oat, chewi ng w it h m uch

s at is fa ct io n a c ud o f s we et g ra ss es .

"Bilbil," said the King, squatting down beside the

g oa t a nd r es ti ng h is f at c hi n up on h is h an ds a nd h is

e lb ow s o n h is k ne es , " al lo w m e t o c on fi de t o y ou t he

f ac t t ha t I a m b or ed, a nd n ee d a mus em en t. M y g ood

f ri en d K it ti cu t h as b een k id napp ed b y t he b ar bar ians

a nd t ake n f rom me , s o t he re i s no o ne t o c onv er se w it h

m e i nt el li ge nt ly . I a m t he K in g a nd y ou a re t he go at .

Su pp os e y ou t el l m e a s tor y.

" Su pp os e I d on 't ," s ai d B il bi l, w it h a s co wl , f or a





go at 's f ace i s v er y exp res si ve.

" If y ou r ef us e, I s ha ll b e m or e u nh ap py t ha n e ve r,

a nd I k no w y ou r d is po si ti on i s t oo s we et t o p er mi t

t h at . T el l m e a s to ry , B il bi l. "

T he g oa t l oo ke d a t h im w it h a n e xp re ss io n o f s co rn .

S ai d h e:

" On e w ou ld t hi nk y ou a re b ut f ou r y ea rs o ld ,

Ri nk it in k! B ut t he re - - I w il l d o a s y ou c om ma nd .

L is te n c ar ef ul ly , a nd t he s to ry m ay d o y ou s om e g oo d - -

alt ho ug h I d ou bt i f y ou u nd er st an d t he m or al ."

" I a m s ur e t he s tor y w il l do me good, " de cl ar ed t he

King, whose eyes were twinkling.

" On ce o n a t im e, " b eg an t he g oa t.

" Wh en w as t hat, B il bi l?" ask ed t he K in g g en tl y.

" Do n' t i nt er ru pt ; i t i s i mp ol it e. O nce o n a t im e

t he re w as a K in g w it h a h ol lo w i ns id e h is h ea d, w he re

m os t p eo pl e h av e t he ir b ra in s, a nd - -"

" Is t hi s a t ru e s to ry , B il bi l?"





" An d t he K in g w it h a h ol lo w h ea d c ou ld c ha tt er w or ds ,

w hi ch h ad n o s en se , a nd l aug h i n a br ai nl es s m an ne r a t

s e ns el es s t hi ng s. T ha t p ar t o f t he s to ry i s t ru e

enough, Rinkitink."

" Th en p ro ce ed w it h t he t al e, s we et B il bi l. Y et i t i s

h ar d t o b el ie ve t ha t a ny K in g c ou ld b e b ra in le ss - -

u nl es s, i nd eed, h e p ro ved i t b y o wn in g a t al ki ng g oat. "

Bilbil glared at him a full minute in silence.

T hen h e r es um ed h is s to ry :

" Th is emp ty -h eaded m an w as a K in g b y accid en t, h av in g

b ee n b or n t o t ha t h ig h s ta ti on . A ls o t he K in g w as

emp ty -h eaded b y t he s am e chance, b ei ng b or n w it ho ut

brains."

" Po or f el lo w! " q uo th t he K in g. " Di d h e o wn a t al ki ng

goat?"

"He did," answered Bilbil.

" Th en he w as w ro ng t o h ave be en b or n a t a ll . Ch ee k-

eek- eek -eek , o o, h oo !" chu ckl ed R in ki ti nk , h is f at b od y





shaking with merriment. "But it's hard to prevent

o nes el f f ro m b ei ng b or n; t her e' s n o chance f or p ro tes t,

eh, Bilbil?"

" Wh o i s t el li ng t hi s s to ry , I 'd l ik e t o k no w, "

d em an ded t he g oat , w it h ang er .

" As k s om eo ne w it h b ra in s, m y b oy ; I 'm s ur e I c an 't

t ell ," r ep li ed t he K in g, b ur st in g i nt o o ne o f h is m er ry

fits of laughter.

Bi lbi l ros e t o hi s hoof s a nd wa lked aw ay in a

dignified manner, leaving Rinkitink chuckling anew at

t he s ou r exp ress io n o f t he ani mal' s f ace.

" Oh, Bi lbi l, you 'l l be t he d ea th o f me , s ome da y --

I 'm s ur e y ou w il l! " g as ped t he K in g, t ak in g o ut h is

l ac e h an dk er ch ie f t o w ip e h is e ye s; f or , a s h e o ft en

di d, h e h ad l au gh ed t il l t he t ea rs c am e.

B il bi l w as d eepl y v ex ed and w ou ld n ot even t ur n h is

h ea d t o l oo k a t h is m as te r. T o e sc ap e f ro m R in ki ti nk h e

wa nd er ed a mo ng t he r ui ns o f t he p al ac e, w he re h e c am e

u po n P ri nce I ng a.

" Go od m or ni ng , B il bi l, " s ai d t he b oy . " I w as j us t





go ing t o f in d yo u, t ha t I m igh t c on su lt yo u up on a n

i m po rt an t m at ter. I f y ou w il l k in dl y t ur n b ack w it h m e

I a m s ur e your good judgme nt wi ll be of gr ea t

assistance."

T he ang ry g oat w as q ui te m ol li fi ed b y t he r es pect fu l

t on e i n w hi ch h e w as add ress ed , b ut h e i mm ed iately

asked:

" Ar e y ou als o g oi ng t o con su lt t hat emp ty -h eaded K in g

over yonder?"

" I a m s or ry t o he ar you s pe ak of y our ki nd ma st er i n

suc h a wa y, " s ai d t he b oy g ra ve ly . " Al l m en a re

deserving of respect, being the highest of living

c re at ur es , a nd K in gs d es er ve r es pe ct m or e t ha n o th er s,

f or t he y a re s et t o r ul e ove r m any pe opl e. "

"Nevertheless," said Bilbil with conviction,

"Rinkitink's head is certainly empty of brains."

"That I am unwilling to believe," insisted Inga. "But

a ny wa y h is h ea rt i s k in d a nd g en tl e a nd t ha t i s b et te r

t han b ei ng w is e. H e i s m er ry i n s pi te o f m is fo rt un es

t ha t w ou ld c au se o th er s t o w ee p a nd h e n eve r s pe ak s





h ar sh w or ds t hat w ou nd t he f eeli ng s o f h is f ri en ds ."

"Still," growled Bilbil, "he is --"

" Let u s f or get every th in g b ut h is g oo d n at ur e, w hi ch

p ut s n ew h ea rt i nt o us w he n we a re s ad, " a dv is ed t he

boy."

"But he is --"

" Co me w it h m e, p leas e, " i nt er ru pt ed I ng a, " fo r t he

m at te r o f w hi ch I w is h t o s pe ak i s v er y i mp or ta nt ."

Bilbil followed him, although the boy still heard the

g oat m ut teri ng t hat t he K in g h ad n o b rain s. R in ki ti nk ,

s eei ng t hem t ur n i nt o t he r ui ns , als o f ol lo wed, and

u po n j oi ni ng t hem ask ed f or h is b reak fast .

I ng a op en ed t he s ac k of f ood a nd w hi le h e a nd t he

Ki ng a te of i t t he boy s ai d:

" If I c oul d fi nd a w ay t o r emove s om e of t he bl oc ks

o f m ar bl e w hi ch h av e f al len i n t he b an qu et h al l, I

t hi nk I c ou ld f in d m ea ns f or u s t o e sc ap e f ro m t hi s

barren island."





"Then," mumbled Rinkitink, with his mouth full, "let

u s m ov e t he b lo ck s o f m ar bl e. "

" Bu t h ow ?" i nq ui red P ri nce I ng a. " Th ey are v er y

heavy."

"Ah, how, indeed?" returned the King, smacking his

l ip s c on te nt ed ly . " Th at i s a s er io us q ue st io n. B ut - - I

h av e i t! L et u s s ee w ha t m y f am ou s p ar ch me nt s ay s a bo ut

i t. " H e w ip ed h is f in ge rs u po n a n ap ki n a nd t he n,

t ak in g t he s cr ol l f ro m a p ocket i ns id e h is emb ro id er ed

b lo us e, h e u nr ol led i t and r ead t he f ol lo wi ng w or ds :

' Ne ve r s te p o n a no th er m an 's t oe s. '

T he g oa t g av e a s no rt o f c on te mp t; I ng a w as s il en t;

t he K in g l oo ked f ro m o ne t o t he o th er i nq ui ri ng ly .

"That's the idea, exactly!" declared Rinkitink.

"To be sure," said Bilbil scornfully, "it tells us

e xa ct ly h ow t o m ov e t he b lo ck s o f m ar bl e. "

" Oh , d oe s i t? " r es po nde d t he K ing , a nd t he n f or a

moment he rubbed the top of his bald he ad in a

p er pl ex ed m an ne r. T he n ex t m om en t h e b ur st i nt o a p ea l





o f j oy ou s l au gh te r. T he g oa t l oo ke d a t I ng a a nd s ig he d.

" Wh at di d I t el l yo u? " a sk ed t he c re at ur e. " Wa s I

r ig ht , o r w as I w ro ng ?"

"This scroll," said Rinkitink, "is indeed a

mas terp iece. I ts adv ice i s o f t remend ou s v al ue. ' Never

s te p o n a no th er m an 's t oe s. ' L et u s t hi nk t hi s o ve r.

T he i nf er en ce i s t ha t w e s ho ul d s te p u po n o ur o wn t oe s,

w hi ch w er e g iv en u s f or t ha t p ur po se . T he re fo re , i f I

s te pp ed u pon a not he r m an 's t oe s, I w ou ld b e t he o th er

ma n. Ho o, ho o, ho o! - - t he o the r m an - - h ee , he e, he ek-

k eek- eek! F un ny , i sn 't i t ?"

" Di dn 't I s ay - -" b eg an B il bi l.

" No m at te r w ha t y ou s ai d, m y b oy ," r oa re d t he K in g.

" No f oo l c ou ld h av e f ig ur ed t ha t o ut a s n ic el y a s I

did."

" We ha ve s ti ll t o de ci de h ow t o r emo ve t he b loc ks of

marble," suggested Inga anxiously.

" Fa st en a r op e t o t he m, a nd pu ll ," s ai d B il bi l.

" Do n' t p ay any m or e att en ti on t o R in ki ti nk , f or h e i s

n o w is er t ha n t he m an w ho w ro te t ha t b ra in le ss s cr ol l.





J us t g et t he r op e, a nd w e' ll f as te n R in ki ti nk t o o ne

end of it f or a we ight a nd I'l l help you pul l."

" Th an k y ou , B il bi l, " r ep li ed t he b oy . " I' ll g et t he

r o pe a t o nc e.

B il bi l f ou nd i t d if fi cu lt t o cli mb o ver t he r ui ns t o

t he f lo or o f t he b an qu et h al l, b ut t he re a re f ew p la ce s

a go at c an no t g et t o w he n i t m ak es t he a tt em pt , s o

B il bi l s ucceed ed at l as t, and even f at l it tl e R in ki ti nk

finally joined them, though much out of breath.

I ng a f as te ne d on e e nd o f t he r op e a ro und a b lo ck o f

mar bl e a nd then made a loop a t the othe r end to go over

B il bi l' s h ea d. W he n a ll w as r ea dy t he b oy s ei ze d t he

r op e a nd he lpe d t he go at t o pu ll ; ye t, s tr ai n a s t he y

m igh t, t he hu ge bl oc k w oul d n ot s ti r f ro m i ts p la ce .

S eein g t hi s, K in g R in ki ti nk cam e f or ward and l en t h is

ass is tance, t he w ei gh t o f h is b od y f or ci ng t he h eavy

m ar bl e t o s li de s ev er al f ee t f ro m w he re i t h ad l ai n.

But i t was har d wor k and a ll we re obl iged t o ta ke a

lo ng r es t b ef or e u nd er taki ng t he r em ov al o f t he n ex t

block.





" Ad mi t, B il bi l, " s ai d t he K in g, " th at I am o f s om e

u se i n t he w or ld ."

"Your weight was of considerable help," acknowledged

t he goa t, "but i f your hea d we re a s we ll f ill ed a s

y ou r s to mach t he t as k w ou ld b e s ti ll eas ier. "

Wh en I nga w en t t o f as te n t he r ope a s ec ond t ime h e

wa s r ej oi ce d t o d is co ve r t ha t b y m ov in g o ne m or e b lo ck

o f m ar bl e he c ou ld u nc ov er t he t il e w it h t he s ec re t

s pr in g. S o t he t hr ee p ul le d w it h r en ew ed e ne rg y a nd t o

t he ir j oy t he b lo ck m ov ed a nd r ol le d u po n i ts s id e,

l ea vi ng I ng a f re e t o r em ov e t he t re as ur e w he n h e

pleased.

B ut t he b oy h ad n o i nt en ti on o f all ow in g B il bi l and

t he Ki ng t o s ha re t he s ec re t of t he r oya l t re as ur es o f

P in ga re e; s o, a lt ho ug h b ot h t he g oa t a nd i ts m as te r

d em an de d t o k no w w hy t he m ar bl e b lo ck s h ad b ee n m ov ed ,

a n d h ow i t w ou ld b en ef it t he m, I ng a b eg ge d t he m t o w ai t

u nt il t he n ex t m or ni ng , w he n h e h op ed t o b e a bl e t o

s at is fy t he m t ha t t he ir h ar d w or k h ad n ot b ee n i n v ai n.

H av in g l it tl e con fi dence i n t hi s p ro mi se o f a m er e

b oy , t he g oa t g rum bl ed a nd t he K in g l au gh ed ; b ut I ng a

p ai d n o h ee d t o t he ir r id ic ul e a nd s et h im se lf t o w or k





That night, after Rinkitink and Bilbil were both fast

asl eep, I ng a s to le q ui et ly t hr ou gh t he m oo nl ig ht t o t he

d es ol at e b an qu et h al l. T here, k neel in g d ow n, h e t ou ch ed

t he s ec re t s pr in g a s h is f at he r h ad i ns tr uc te d h im t o

do a nd t o h is j oy t he t il e s an k do wn wa rd a nd di sc los ed

t he o peni ng . Y ou m ay i magi ne h ow t he b oy 's h eart

t h ro bb ed w it h excit em en t as h e s lo wl y t hr us t h is h an d

i nt o t he c av it y a nd f el t a ro un d t o s ee i f t he p re ci ou s

p earl s w er e s ti ll t here. I n a m om en t h is f in gers

t ou ch ed t he s il ken b ag and , w it ho ut p au si ng t o clo se

th e r ec es s, h e p re ss ed t he t re as ur e a ga in st h is b re as t

a nd r an o ut i nt o t he m oon li gh t t o e xa mi ne i t. W he n h e

r ea ch ed a b ri ght p la ce he s ta rt ed t o o pe n t he b ag , b ut

h e o bs er ved B il bi l l yi ng asl eep u po n t he g rass n ear b y.

S o, t re mb li ng w it h t he f ea r o f d is co ve ry , h e r an t o

ano th er p lace, and w hen h e p au sed h e h eard R in ki ti nk

s no ri ng l us ti ly . A gain h e f led and m ad e h is w ay t o t he

s ea sh or e, w he re h e s qu at te d u nd er a b an k a nd b eg an t o

u nt ie t he c or ds t ha t f as te ne d t he m ou th o f t he b ag . B ut

n ow ano th er f ear ass ai led h im .

" If t he p earl s s ho ul d s li p f ro m m y h an d, " h e t ho ug ht ,

" an d r ol l i nt o t he w at er , t he y m ig ht b e l os t t o m e

f or ev er . I m us t f in d s om e s af er p lace."

H er e and t here h e w an dered, s ti ll clasp in g t he s il ken





a nd t he p oi nt s c ur le d up wa rd , s o t ha t t he re w as qu it e a

v ac an t s pa ce b ey on d t he p la ce w he re t he b oy 's t oe s

r ea ch ed w he n t he s ho e w as u po n h is f oo t.

Af ter he had put on the Shoe and lac ed i t up he

o pe ne d t he b ag a nd t oo k o ut t he P in k P ea rl . " Th is w il l

p ro tect m e f ro m d an ger, " s ai d I ng a, and r em ov in g t he

s hoe f ro m h is l ef t f oo t h e c ar ef ul ly pl ac ed t he p ea rl

i n t he h ol lo w t oe . T hi s, a ls o, h e s ec ur ed i n p la ce b y

m eans o f a s tr ip t or n f ro m h is h an dk er ch ief.

Ha vi ng pu t on t he s ec on d s hoe a nd l ac ed i t up, t he

b oy d re w f rom t he s il ke n ba g t he t hi rd p ea rl - - t ha t

w hi ch wa s pur e whi te -- a nd hol di ng i t t o hi s e ar he

asked.

"Will you advi se me wha t to do, in this my hour of

misfortune?"

C lear ly t he s mall v oi ce o f t he p earl m ad e ans wer:

"I a dvis e you to go to the Is lands of Regos and

C or eg os , w here y ou m ay l ib er at e y ou r p ar en ts f ro m

slavery."

" Ho w cou ld I d o t hat?" exclaim ed P ri nce I ng a, amazed





R e st or in g t he W hi te P ea rl t o t he d ep th s o f t he s il ke n

b ag , I ng a f as te ne d i t s ec ur el y a ro un d h is n ec k a nd

b ut to ne d h is w ai st a bo ve i t t o h id e t he t re as ur e f ro m

all p ry in g eyes. T hen h e s lo wl y cli mb ed d ow n f ro m t he

t re e a nd r et ur ne d t o t he r oo m w he re K in g R in ki ti nk

still slept.

T he g oa t w as b ro ws in g u po n t he g ra ss b ut l oo ke d c ro ss

a nd s ur ly . W he n t he b oy s ai d g oo d m or ni ng a s h e p as se d,

B il bi l m ad e n o r es po ns e w hatever . A s I ng a ent er ed t he

r oo m t he K in g a wo ke a nd a sk ed :

" Wh at i s t ha t m ys te ri ou s s ec re t o f y ou rs ? I 'v e b ee n

dr ea mi ng a bo ut i t, a nd I h av en 't g ot m y b re at h y et f ro m

t ug gi ng at t ho se h eavy b lo ck s. T el l m e t he s ecret. "

" A s ec re t t ol d i s n o l on ge r a s ec re t, " r ep li ed I ng a,

wi th a l au gh . " Besi des, t hi s i s a f am il y s ecret, w hi ch

it i s pr ope r I s houl d ke ep t o m ys elf . But I m ay t el l

y ou o ne t hi ng, a t l ea st : W e a re g oi ng t o l ea ve t hi s

island to-morrow morning."

T he K in g s eemed p uzzl ed ' b y t hi s s tatement .

" I' m n ot m uch o f a s wi mm er ," s ai d h e, " an d, t ho ug h

I 'm f at e no ug h t o f lo at u po n t he s ur fa ce o f t he w at er ,





I 'd o nl y b ob a ro un d a nd g et n ow he re a t a ll ."

" We s ha ll no t s wi m, b ut r id e c om fo rt ab ly i n a bo at ,"

promised Inga.

" Th er e i sn 't a b oat o n t hi s i sl an d! " d eclared

Rinkitink, looking upon the boy with wonder.

" Tr ue ," s ai d I ng a. " Bu t o ne w il l c om e t o us i n t he

m or ni ng ." H e s po ke p os it iv el y, f or h e h ad p er fect f ai th

i n t he p ro mi se o f t he W hi te P earl ; b ut R in ki ti nk ,

k no wi ng n ot hi ng o f t he t hr ee m ar velo us j ew el s, b eg an t o

f ear t hat t he l it tl e P ri nce h ad l os t h is m in d t hr ou gh

grief and misfortune.

F or t hi s r ea so n t he K in g d id n ot q ue st io n t he b oy

f ur th er b ut t ri ed t o cheer h im b y t el li ng h im w it ty

s to ri es . H e l au gh ed at all t he s to ri es h im self , i n h is

m er ry , r ol li ck in g w ay , and I ng a j oi ned f reel y i n t he

l au gh ter b ecau se h is h eart h ad b een l ig ht en ed b y t he

pr os pe ct o f r es cu in g h is d ea r p ar en ts . N ot s in ce t he

f ie rc e w ar ri or s h ad d es ce nd ed u po n P in ga re e h ad t he b oy

b e en s o h op ef ul a nd h ap py .

With Rinkitink riding upon Bilbil's back, the three





m ade a to ur of t he i sla nd a nd fo und i n th e c ent ra l pa rt

s om e b us hes and t rees b eari ng r ip e f ru it . T hey g at hered

t hi s f re el y, f or - - a si de f rom t he f is h wh ic h I ng a

caught - - it wa s the only f ood they now had, and the

l es s t hey h ad , t he b ig ger R in ki ti nk 's app et it e s eemed

t o g ro w.

" I a m n ev er m or e ha ppy ," s ai d h e w it h a s igh , " tha n

wh en I am eat in g. "

T ow ar d e ve ni ng t he s ky b ec am e o ve rc as t a nd s oo n a

g re at s to rm b eg an t o r ag e. P ri nc e I ng a a nd K in g

R in ki ti nk t oo k r ef ug e w it hi n t he s helt er o f t he r oo m

t hey h ad f it ted u p and t here B il bi l j oi ned t hem. T he

go at a nd t he K in g w er e s om ew ha t d is tu rb ed b y t he

v io le nc e o f t he s to rm , bu t I nga d id n ot m ind i t, b ei ng

p le as ed a t t hi s e vi de nc e t ha t t he W hi te P ea rl m ig ht b e

relied upon.

A ll n ig ht t he w in d s hr ieked aro un d t he i sl an d;

thunder rolled, lightning flashed and rain came down in

t or rent s. B ut w it h m or ni ng t he s to rm abated and w hen

t he s un a ros e no s ign of t he t empe st r em ai ne d s av e a

few fallen trees.





t he b oat w as l in ed w it h p ur e s il ver, p ol is hed s o h ig hl y

t hat t he s ur face r es em bl ed a m ir ro r and g li nt ed

br il li ant ly i n t he r ays of t he s un. T he s ea ts h ad w hi te

v el vet cus hi on s u po n t hem and t he cus hi on s w er e

s pl en di dl y emb ro id er ed w it h t hr eads o f g ol d. A t o ne

e nd, be ne at h t he b roa d s ea t, w as a s ma ll b ar re l w it h

s i lv er h oo ps , w hi ch t he b oy f ou nd w as f il led w it h

f r es h, s we et w at er . A g re at c he st o f s an da lw oo d, b ou nd

a nd o rn am en te d w it h s il ve r, s to od i n t he o th er e nd o f

t he b oa t. I ng a r ai se d t he l id a nd d is co ve re d t he c he st

f il led w it h s ea-b is cu it s, cak es , t in ned m eats and r ip e,

ju icy m el on s; eno ug h g oo d and w ho leso me f oo d t o l as t

th e p ar ty a l ong t im e.

L yi ng u po n t he b ot to m o f t he b oa t w er e t wo s hi ni ng

o a rs , a nd o ve rh ea d, b ut r ol le d b ac k n ow , w as a c an op y

of s il ve r c lot h t o wa rd of f t he he at of t he s un.

I t i s no wonde r t he bo y wa s de li ght ed wi th t he

ap pear an ce o f t hi s b eaut if ul b oat; b ut o n r ef lect io n h e

f ea re d i t wa s t oo l ar ge f or hi m t o r ow a ny gr ea t

d i st an ce. U nl es s, i nd eed, t he B lu e P earl g av e h im

unusual strength.

While he was considering this matter, King Rinkitink

c am e w add li ng u p t o h im a nd s ai d:





" Well , w el l, w el l, m y P ri nce, y ou r w or ds h av e com e

t ru e! He re i s t he bo at , f or a c er ta int y, y et ho w i t

came here -- and how you knew it would come to us --

ar e p uz zl es t ha t m ys ti fy m e. I d o n ot q ue st io n o ur g oo d

f o rt un e, h ow ev er , and m y h eart i s b ub bl in g w it h j oy ,

for in this boat I will return at once to my City of

Gilgad, from which I have remained absent altogether

t oo l ong a t im e. "

" I do not wi sh t o go t o G il ga d, " s ai d I nga .

" Tha t i s t oo ba d, my f ri end, f or you woul d be ve ry

w el co me. B ut y ou m ay r em ai n u po n t hi s i sl an d, i f y ou

w is h, " con ti nu ed R in ki ti nk , " an d w hen I g et h om e I w il l

s en d s om e of m y pe opl e t o r es cue yo u. "

" It i s m y b oat, Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d I ng a q ui et ly .

" Ma y be , ma y be ," wa s t he c ar el es s a ns we r, " but I a m

K ing of a gr ea t c ount ry, wh il e you a re a boy Pr inc e

w it ho ut any k in gd om t o s peak o f. T herefo re, b ei ng o f

g re at er i mpo rt anc e t ha n y ou , i t i s j us t a nd r ig ht t ha t

I t ake , your boa t a nd r et ur n t o my own c oun tr y i n i t."





" I am s or ry t o d if fer f ro m Y ou r M aj es ty 's v iews ,"

s ai d I ng a, " bu t i ns te ad o f g oi ng t o G il ga d I c on si de r

i t of gr ea te r i mp or ta nc e t ha t we go t o t he i sl ands of

R ego s and C or ego s ."

" Hey? W hat! " cri ed t he as to un ded K in g. " To R eg os and

C or eg os ! T o b ec om e s la ve s o f t he b ar ba ri an s, l ik e t he

K in g, y ou r f at he r? N o, n o, m y b oy ! Y ou r U nc le R in ki m ay

h av e a n e mp ty n odd le , a s B il bi l c la im s, b ut h e i s f ar

too wi se t o put hi s he ad i n t he l ion' s mout h. I t' s n o

f un t o be a s la ve ."

" Th e p eo pl e o f R eg os a nd C or eg os w il l n ot e ns la ve

u s, " d ec la re d I ng a. " On t he c on tr ar y, i t i s m y

i nt ent ion t o s et f re e m y de ar pa re nt s, a s we ll a s a ll

m y p eo pl e, a nd t o b ri ng t he m b ac k a ga in t o P in ga re e. "

"Cheek-eek-eek-eek-eek! How funny!" chuckled

Rinkitink, winking at the goat, which scowled in

r etu rn . " Yo ur aud acit y t ak es m y b reat h away, I ng a, b ut

t he a dv en tu re h as i ts c ha rm , I m us t, c on fe ss . W er e I

n ot s o fa t, I' d agr ee t o your pl an a t onc e, and c oul d

p ro babl y con qu er t hat h or de o f f ierce w ar ri or s w it ho ut

a ny a ss is ta nc e a t a ll - - a ny a t a ll - - e h, Bi lbi l? B ut

I gr ieve to s ay tha t I a m fa t, and not i n good fi ghti ng

t ri m. A s f or y ou r d et er mi na ti on t o d o w ha t I a dm it I





c an 't do , I nga , I f ea r yo u f or ge t t ha t y ou a re o nl y a

b o y, a nd r at he r s ma ll a t t ha t. "

" No, I do no t f or ge t t ha t, " w as I ng a' s r epl y.

" Th en p le as e c on si de r t ha t y ou a nd I a nd B il bi l a re

no t s tr on g e no ug h, a s a n a rm y, t o c on qu er a p ow er fu l

n at io n o f s ki ll ed w ar ri or s. W e cou ld att em pt i t, o f

course , but you ar e too young to die , whil e I a m too

ol d. C om e wi th m e t o m y C it y o f G il ga d, w he re y ou w il l

b e g reat ly h on or ed . I 'l l h av e m y p ro fess or s t each y ou

how t o be good. Eh? Wha t do you s ay? "

I ng a wa s a l it tl e e mba rr as se d ho w t o r epl y t o t he se

arguments, which he knew King Rinkitink considered were

w is e; s o, a ft er a p er io d o f t ho ug ht , h e s ai d:

" I wi ll ma ke a ba rga in wi th Your Ma je st y, f or I do

n ot wish to fail in r espect to so wort hy a man and so

g re at a Ki ng a s yo urs el f. Thi s boa t i s mi ne , a s I ha ve

s ai d, a nd i n m y f at he r' s a bs en ce y ou h av e b ec om e m y

gu es t; t he re fo re I c la im t ha t I a m e nt it le d t o s om e

con si derati on , as w el l as y ou ."

" No d ou bt o f i t, " agr eed R in ki ti nk . " Wh at i s t he





bargain you propose, Inga?"

" Le t u s b ot h g et i nt o t he b oa t, a nd y ou s ha ll f ir st

t ry t o r ow us t o Gi lga d. I f you s uc ce ed, I wi ll

accompany you right willingly; but should you fail, I

wi ll t he n r ow t he boa t t o Re gos , a nd you m us t c ome wi th

me without further protest."

" A f ai r and j us t b ar gain !" cri ed t he K in g, h ig hl y

p le as ed . " Ye t, a lt ho ug h I a m a m an o f m ig ht y d ee ds , I

do not r el is h t he p ros pe ct of r ow ing s o bi g a boa t a ll

the way to Gilgad. But I will do my best and abide by

the result."

T he m at ter b ei ng t hu s p eaceab ly s et tl ed , t hey

p re pa re d t o e mb ar k. A f ur th er s up pl y o f f ru it s w as

pl ac ed i n t he bo at a nd I ng a a ls o r ake d up a q ua nt it y of

t h e d el ic io us o ys te rs t ha t a bo un de d o n t he c oa st o f

Pi ng ar ee b ut w hi ch h e h ad b ef or e b ee n u na bl e t o r ea ch

f or l ac k of a b oa t. Th is wa s d one a t t he s ug ge st ion of

t he ever- hu ng ry R in ki ti nk , and w hen t he o ys ters h ad

b ee n s to we d i n t he ir s he ll s b eh in d t he w at er b ar re l a nd

a p lent if ul s up pl y o f g rass b ro ug ht abo ar d f or B il bi l,

t he y d ec id ed t he y w er e r ea dy t o s ta rt o n t he ir v oy ag e.

I t pr ove d no e as y t as k t o g et B il bi l i nt o t he b oa t,





A nd a s il ve r b oa t i n w hi ch t o f lo at .

S o o ur h ea rt s a re m er ry , l ig ht a nd g la d

A s w e s pe ed a wa y t o f ai r Gi lga d! "

" Do n' t, R in ki ti nk ; p leas e d on 't ! I t m ak es m e

seasick," growled Bilbil.

R in ki ti nk s to pp ed r ow in g, f or b y t hi s t im e h e w as all

out of br ea th a nd hi s r oun d f ac e wa s c ov er ed wi th b ig

d ro ps o f p er sp ir at io n. A nd w he n h e l oo ke d o ve r h is

s ho ul de r h e f ou nd t o h is d is ma y t ha t t he b oa t h ad

s carcel y m ov ed a f oo t f ro m i ts f or mer p os it io n.

I ng a s ai d n ot hi ng a nd a pp ea re d n ot t o n ot ic e t he

K in g' s f ai lu re. S o n ow R in ki ti nk , w it h a s er io us l oo k

on h is f at , r ed f ac e, t ook o ff h is p ur pl e r ob e a nd

r ol le d u p t he s le ev es o f h is t un ic a nd t ri ed a ga in .

H ow ev er , h e s uc ce ed ed n o b et te r t ha n b ef or e a nd w he n

he he ar d Bi lb il g ive a gr uf f l augh a nd s aw a s mi le up on

t he b oy P ri nce' s f ace, R in ki ti nk s ud denl y d ro pp ed t he

o ar s and b eg an s ho ut in g w it h l au gh ter at h is o wn

d ef ea t. A s h e w ip ed h is b ro w w it h a y el lo w s il k

h an dk er ch ief h e s an g i n a m er ry v oi ce:

"A sailor bold am I, I hold,





i t wi ll be ha rd f or us t o r ea ch l and a ga in."

" Le t m e t ak e t he o ar s, " s ug ge st ed I ng a. " Yo u m us t n ot

forget our bargain."

" No , i nd eed, " ans wered R in ki ti nk . " If y ou can r ow u s

t o R egos , o r t o a ny ot he r pl ac e, I wi ll go wi th yo u

without protest."

So t he Ki ng took I nga' s pla ce at the s te rn of t he

b oa t a nd t he b oy g ra sp ed t he o ar s a nd c om me nc ed t o r ow .

An d now , t o t he gr ea t w ond er of R ink it in k - - a nd e ve n

t o I ng a' s s ur pr is e - - t he o ar s b ec am e l ig ht a s f ea th er s

a s s oo n a s t he Pr inc e t ook ho ld of t he m. I n a n i ns ta nt

t he b oa t b eg an t o g li de r ap id ly t hr ou gh t he w at er a nd ,

s e ei ng t hi s, t he b oy t ur ne d i ts p ro w t ow ar d t he n or th .

H e d id n ot kn ow e xa ct ly w he re R ego s a nd C or eg os w er e

l oc at ed, bu t h e d id know t ha t t he i sl ands l ay t o t he

no rt h o f P ing ar ee , s o h e d ec id ed t o t ru st t o l uc k a nd

t he g ui da nc e o f t he p ea rl s t o c ar ry h im t o t he m.

G radu al ly t he I sl an d o f P in garee b ecam e s mall er t o

the ir v ie w a s t he boa t s pe d on wa rd, un ti l a t t he e nd of

a n h ou r t he y h ad l os t s ig ht o f i t a lt og et he r a nd w er e

w ho ll y s ur ro un ded b y t he p ur pl e w at er s o f t he N on es ti c

Ocean.





to geth er i n d eath as i n l if e. "

" Th ey m ay b e can ni bals , i n w hi ch cas e t hey w il l r oast

and eat u s, " s ug gest ed B il bi l, w ho w is hed t o t er ri fy

his master.

"Who knows?" answered Rinkitink, with a shudder. "But

c he er up , Bi lb il ; t he y m ay no t k il l us a ft er a ll , o r

ev en c ap tu re u s; s o l et u s n ot b or ro w t ro ubl e. D o no t

l oo k s o c ro ss , m y s pr ig ht ly q ua dr up ed , a nd I w il l s in g

t o amu se y ou ."

" Yo ur s on g w ou ld m ak e m e m or e c ro ss t ha n e ve r, "

grumbled the goat.

"Quite impossible, dear Bilbil. You couldn't be more

s url y if you tr ie d. So her e is a f am ous s ong f or you."

W hi le t he b oy r ow ed s te ad il y o n a nd t he b oa t r us he d

f as t o ve r t he w at er , t he j ol ly K in g, w ho n ev er c ou ld b e

sa d or s eri ous f or m any mi nut es a t a t im e, l ay ba ck on

his embroidered cushions and sang as follows:

" A m er ry m ai de n w en t t o s ea - -

Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do!





S he s at u po n t he C ap ta in 's k ne e

An d l ooke d a round t he s ea t o s ee

Wha t s he c oul d se e, but s he c oul dn' t s ee me --


" Ho w d o y ou l ik e t hat, B il bi l?"

" I d on 't l ik e i t, " com pl ai ned t he g oat. " It r em in ds

m e o f t he all ig at or t hat t ri ed t o w hi st le."

" Di d h e s ucceed , B il bi l?" ask ed t he K in g.

" He w hi st led as w el l as y ou s in g. "

" Ha , h a, h a, h a, h ee k, k ee k, e ek !" c hu ck le d t he K in g.

"He must have whistled most exquisitely, eh, my

friend?"

" I am n ot y ou r f ri en d, " r et ur ned t he g oat, w ag gi ng

h is e ar s i n a s ur ly m an ne r.

" I am y ou rs , h ow ev er ," w as t he K in g' s cheer y r ep ly ;

" an d t o p ro ve i t I 'l l s in g y ou a no th er v er se ."





i s t he w ay B il bi l and I o ft en amu se o ur selv es . L is ten,

n ow , t o t he la st ve rs e of a ll :

" The m ai d w ho s hi ed h er s ho e now c ri ed - -


H er t ea rs w er e f ri ed f or t he C ap ta in 's b ri de

W ho a te w it h p ri de h er s obs , b es id e,

A nd g en tl y s ig hed ' I' m s at is fi ed ' - -

Sing to-ral-oo-ral-i-do!"

"Worse and worse!" grumbled Bilbil, with much scorn.

" I a m gl ad t ha t i s t he l as t ve rs e, f or a not he r of t he

s am e k in d m ig ht cau se m e t o f ai nt ."

" I fe ar you ha ve no e ar for mus ic, " s aid the Ki ng.

" I h av e h ea rd n o m us ic , a s y et ," d ec la re d t he g oa t.

"You must have a strong imagination, King Rinkitink, if

y ou con si der y ou r s on gs m us ic. D o y ou r em em ber t he

s to ry o f t he b ea r t ha t h ir ed o ut f or a n ur se ma id ?"

" I do n ot r ec al l i t j us t no w, " s ai d R ink it in k, wi th a





w i nk a t I ng a.

" We ll , t he be ar t rie d t o s ing a lul laby t o put the

b a by t o s le ep ."

" An d t hen?" s ai d t he K in g.

" Th e b ea r w as h ig hl y p le as ed w it h i ts o wn v oi ce , bu t

th e b ab y w as n earl y f ri gh tened t o d eath ."

" He h, h eb, he h, h eh , w hoo , h oo, ho o! Yo u a re a m er ry

rogue, Bilbil," laughed the King; "a merry rogue in

s pi te o f y ou r g lo om y f ea tu re s. H ow ev er , i f I h av e n ot

a mus ed you , I ha ve a t l ea st pl ea se d m ys el f, f or I a m

e xc ee di ngl y f ond of a good s on g. So l et us s ay no mor e

about it."

A ll t hi s t im e t he b oy P ri nc e w as r ow in g. t he b oa t. H e

wa s n ot i n t he l ea st t ir ed, f or t he oa rs h e he ld s ee me d

t o m ove o f t he ir o wn a cc or d. He pa id l it tl e he ed t o t he

con vers at io n o f R in ki ti nk and t he g oat, b ut b us ied h is

t h ou ght s w it h p la ns o f w ha t h e s hou ld do w he n h e

r ea ch ed t he i sl an ds o f R eg os a nd C or eg os a nd c on fr on te d

his enemies. When the others finally became silent,

Inga inquired.





"Can you fight, King Rinkitink?"

" I h av e n ev er t ri ed ," w as t he a ns we r. " In t im e o f

da nge r I hav e f ound i t muc h e as ie r t o r un a wa y t ha n t o

f a ce t he f oe ."

" Bu t cou ld y ou f ig ht ?" ask ed t he b oy .

" I mi gh t t ry, i f t he re w as no c ha nc e t o e sc ap e by

r un ni ng . H av e y ou a p ro pe r w ea po n f or m e t o f ig ht

with?"

" I h av e n o w ea po n a t a ll ," c on fe ss ed I ng a.

" Th en l et u s u se arg um en t and p er su as io n i ns tead o f

f ig ht in g. F or i ns tance, i f w e cou ld p er su ad e t he

wa rr ior s of R ego s t o l ie dow n, a nd l et m e s te p o n t he m,

t he y w ou ld b e c ru sh ed w it h e as e.

P ri nce I ng a h ad exp ected l it tl e s up po rt f ro m t he

K in g, s o h e w as n ot d is co ur ag ed b y t hi s a ns we r. A ft er

a ll , he r ef le ct ed, a c on qu es t by ba tt le wo ul d b e ou t o f

t he q ue st io n, y et t he W hi te P ea rl w ou ld n ot h av e

a dv is ed h im t o g o t o R eg os a nd C or eg os h ad t he m is si on

be en a ho pe le ss o ne . I t s ee me d t o h im , on f ur th er





r ef lect io n, t hat h e m us t r el y u po n cir cu ms tances t o

d et er mi ne h is act io ns w hen h e r each ed t he i sl an ds o f

the barbarians.

B y t hi s t im e I ng a f el t p er fect con fi dence i n t he

M ag ic P ea rl s. I t w as t he W hi te P ea rl t ha t h ad g iv en h im

t he b oa t, a nd t he B lu e P ea rl t ha t h ad g iv en h im

s tr en gt h t o r ow i t. H e b el ie ve d t ha t t he P in k P ea rl

w ou ld p ro tect h im f ro m any d an ger t hat m ig ht ari se; s o

h is anx iety w as n ot f or h im self , b ut f or h is

com pani on s. K in g R in ki ti nk and t he g oat h ad n o m ag ic t o

pr ot ec t t he m, s o I nga r es ol ve d t o do a ll i n hi s po we r

to k ee p t he m f ro m h ar m.

For t hr ee da ys a nd t hr ee ni gh ts t he bo at wi th t he

si lv er l in in g s ped s wi ft ly o ver t he o cean . O n t he

m or ni ng o f t he f ou rt h d ay , s o q ui ck ly h ad t hey

t ra ve le d, I ng a s aw b ef or e h im t he s ho re s o f t he t wo

g re at i sl an ds o f R eg os a nd C or eg os .

" Th e p earl s h av e g ui ded m e ari gh t! " h e w hi sp er ed t o

h im se lf . " No w, i f I a m w is e, a nd c au ti ou s, a nd b ra ve , I

b el ie ve I s ha ll b e a bl e t o r es cu e m y f at he r a nd m ot he r

an d m y p eo pl e. "





Chapter Seven

The Twin Islands

T he I sl and o f Re go s w as t en m il es w id e a nd f or ty m il es

l ong and i t was r ul ed by a bi g and powe rful Ki ng na me d

G os . N ea r t o t he s ho re s w er e g re en a nd f er ti le f ie ld s,

b ut f ar th er b ac k f ro m t he s ea w er e r ug ge d h il ls a nd

m ou nt ai ns , s o r ocky t hat n ot hi ng w ou ld g ro w t here. B ut

i n t hese m ou nt ai ns w er e m in es o f g ol d and s il ver, w hi ch

t he s la ve s of t he K ing w er e f or ce d t o w or k, be ing

con fi ned i n d ar k u nd er gr ou nd p as s ag es f or t hat p ur po se.

I n t he c ou rs e o f t im e h ug e c av er ns h ad b ee n h ol lo we d

o ut b y t he s la ve s, i n w hi ch t he y l iv ed a nd s le pt , n eve r

seei ng t he l ig ht o f d ay . C ru el o vers eers w it h w hi ps

s to od o ve r t he se p oo r p eo pl e, w ho h ad b ee n c ap tu re d i n

m an y c ou nt ri es b y t he r ai di ng pa rt ie s o f K in g C os , a nd

t he o vers eers w er e q ui te w il li ng t o l as h t he s laves

wi th t heir w hi ps i f t hey f al tered a m om en t i n t heir

work.

B et ween t he g reen s ho res and t he m ou nt ai ns w er e





f or es ts o f t hi ck, t an gl ed t rees , b et ween w hi ch n ar ro w

pat hs ha d be en c ut t o le ad up to t he c ave s of the

m in es . I t w as o n t he l ev el g re en m ea do ws , n ot f ar f ro m

t he oc ea n, t ha t t he gr ea t C it y o f R ego s ha d b ee n bu il t,

w he re in w as l oc at ed t he p al ac e o f t he K in g. T hi s c it y

w as i nh ab it ed b y t ho us an ds o f t he f ierce w ar ri or s o f

G os , w ho f re qu en tl y t oo k t o t he ir b oa ts a nd s pr ea d o ve r

t he s ea t o t he n ei gh bo ri ng i sl an ds t o c on qu er a nd

pi ll ag e, a s t he y h ad d on e a t P in ga re e. W he n t he y w er e

n ot a bs en t o n o ne o f t he se e xp ed it io ns , t he C it y o f

Re go s s wa rm ed w it h t he m a nd s o b ec am e a d an ge ro us p la ce

f o r a ny p ea ce fu l p er so n t o l iv e i n, f or t he w ar ri or s

we re a s l aw le ss a s t he ir K in g.

T he I sl an d o f C or eg os l ay c lo se b es id e t he I sl an d o f

R eg os ; s o c lo se , i nd ee d, t ha t o ne m ig ht h av e t hr ow n a

s to ne f ro m o ne s ho re t o a no th er . B ut C or eg os w as o nl y

h al f t he s ize o f R eg os and i ns tead o f b ei ng m ou nt ai no us

i t w as a r ic h a nd p le as an t c ou nt ry , c ov er ed w it h f ie ld s

o f g rain . T he f ield s o f C or eg os f ur ni sh ed f oo d f or t he

w ar ri or s and cit izen s o f b ot h cou nt ri es , w hi le t he

m in es o f R eg os m ad e t hem all r ich.

C or egos wa s r ul ed by Q ue en Cor , wh o wa s we dde d to

Ki ng Go s; b ut s o s te rn a nd c rue l wa s t he na tur e of t hi s

Q ue en t ha t t he p eo pl e c ou ld n ot d ec id e w hi ch o f t he ir





sovereigns they dreaded most.

Q ue en C or l iv ed i n h er o wn C it y o f C or eg os , w hi ch l ay

o n t ha t s id e o f h er i sl an d f ac in g R eg os , a nd h er

s la ve s, w ho w er e m os tl y w om en , w er e m ad e t o p lo w t he

la nd a nd t o p la nt a nd h ar ve st t he g ra in .

F ro m R eg os t o C or eg os s tr et ch ed a b ri dg e o f b oa ts ,

s et c lo se t og et he r, w it h p la nk s l ai d a cr os s t he ir e dg es

for people t o wa lk upon. In thi s wa y it was ea sy to

p as s f rom one i sl and t o t he o the r and i n t ime s of

d an ger t he b ri dg e cou ld b e q ui ck ly r em ov ed .

T he n at iv e i nh ab it an ts o f R eg os and C or eg os con si st ed

o f t he w ar ri or s, w ho d id n ot hi ng b ut f ig ht and r av ag e,

and t he t remb li ng s er vant s w ho w ai ted o n t hem. K in g G os

and Que en Cor were at war wi th a ll t he r est of t he

w or l d. O th er i sl and er s h at ed and f eared t hem, f or t hei r

s la ve s w er e b ad ly t re at ed a nd a bs ol ut el y n o m er cy w as

show n t o t he w ea k or i ll .

W he n t he b oa ts t ha t h ad g on e t o P in ga re e r et ur ne d

l oa de d w it h r ic h p lu nd er a nd a h os t o f c ap ti ve s, t he re

w as m uc h r ej oi ci ng i n R eg os a nd C or eg os a nd t he K in g

and Q ue en ga ve a f ine f ea st t o t he w ar ri or s wh o ha d





a c co mp li sh ed s o g re at a c on qu es t. T hi s f ea st w as s et

fo r t he w ar ri or s i n t he g ro un ds o f K in g G os 's p al ac e,

wh il e w it h t he m i n t he g re at t hr one r oo m a ll t he

capt ai ns and l eaders o f t he f ig ht in g m en w er e ass em bl ed

wi th Ki ng Go s a nd Q ue en Cor , wh o ha d c om e f rom he r

i sl an d t o a tt en d t he c er em on y. T he n a ll t he g oo ds t ha t

h ad b ee n s to le n f ro m t he K in g o f P in ga re e w er e d iv id ed

a cc or di ng t o r an k, t he K in g a nd Q ue en t ak in g h al f, t he

cap tain s a q uart er , and t he r es t b ei ng d iv id ed amo ng st

the warriors.

T he d ay f ol lo wi ng t he f east K in g G os s en t K in g

K it ti cu t a nd a ll t he m en o f P ing ar ee t o w or k i n h is

mines under the mountains, having first chained them

to ge th er s o t he y c ou ld n ot e sc ap e. T he g en tl e Q ue en o f

P in garee and all h er w om en , t og et her w it h t he cap tu red

c hi ldr en , w er e g ive n t o Q ue en C or , w ho s et t he m t o w or k

in her grain fields.

T hen t he r ul er s and w ar ri or s o f t hese d read fu l

islands thought they had done forever with Pingaree.

D es po il ed o f a ll i ts w ea lt h, i ts h ou se s t or n d ow n, i ts

b oa ts c ap tu re d a nd a ll i ts p eo pl e e ns la ve d, w ha t

l ik el ih oo d w as t here t hat t hey m ig ht ever again h ear o f

t he d es ol at ed i sl an d? S o t he p eo pl e o f R eg os a nd

C or eg os w er e s ur pr is ed and p uzzl ed w hen o ne m or ni ng





" We ll , l it tl e o ne , w ho m ay y ou b e? A nd h ow d ar e y ou

com e, u ni nv it ed and all alo ne, t o t he I sl an d o f R eg os ?"

" I a m I ng a, P ri nc e o f P in ga re e, " r et ur ne d t he b oy ,

" and I h ave c om e he re t o f re e m y p ar en ts a nd my p eo pl e,

whom you have wrongfully enslaved."

W he n t he y h ea rd t hi s b ol d s pe ec h a m ig ht y l au gh a ro se

f ro m t he b an d o f w ar ri or s, a nd w he n i t h ad s ub si de d t he

captain said:

" Yo u l ov e t o j es t, m y b aby P ri nc e, a nd t he j oke i s

fairly good. But why did you willingly thrust your head

i n to t he l io n' s m ou th ? W he n y ou w er e f re e, w hy d id yo u

not stay free? We did not know we had left a single

p er so n i n P in ga re e! B ut s in ce y ou m an ag ed t o e sc ap e u s

t he n, i t is r ea ll y ki nd of you to com e he re of your own

f re e wi ll , to be our s la ve . Who i s t he f unny fa t pe rs on

with you?"

" It i s H is M aj es ty , K in g R in ki ti nk , o f t he g reat C it y

of Gi lga d. H e ha s a cc omp ani ed m e t o s ee t ha t yo u r en de r

full restitution for all you have stolen from

Pingaree."





" Bett er y et !" l au gh ed B uzzu b. " He w il l m ak e a f in e

s la ve f or Qu ee n C or , wh o l ove s t o t ic kl e f at m en, a nd

s ee t hem j um p. "

K in g R in ki ti nk w as f il led w it h h or ro r w hen h e h eard

th is , b ut t he P ri nc e a ns we re d a s b ol dl y a s b ef or e,

saying:

" We a re n ot t o b e f ri gh te ne d b y b lu st er , b el ie ve m e;

no r a re w e s o w ea k a s y ou i ma gi ne . W e h av e ma gi c p ow er s

s o g re at a nd t er ri bl e t ha t n o ho st o f wa rr ior s c an

p os si bl y w it hs ta nd u s, a nd t he re fo re I c al l u po n y ou t o

su rr en de r y ou r c it y a nd y ou r i sl an d t o u s, b ef or e w e

crush you with our mighty powers."

T he b oy s po ke v er y g ra ve ly a nd e ar ne st ly , b ut h is

w or ds o nl y aro us ed ano th er s ho ut o f l au gh ter. S o w hi le

t he m en o f R eg os w er e l au gh in g I ng a d ro ve t he b oa t

we 'l l u p o nt o t he s an dy be ac h a nd l ea pe d ou t. H e a ls o

h el ped R in ki ti nk o ut , and w hen t he g oat h ad u naid ed

s p ru ng t o t he s an ds , t he K in g g ot u po n B il bi l' s b ac k,

trembling a little internally, but striving to look as

br ave as p os s ib l e.

T he re wa s a bu nc h of c oa rs e ha ir be tw ee n t he g oa t' s





ears , and t hi s I ng a clu tched f ir ml y i n h is l ef t h an d.

T he b oy k ne w t he P in k P ea rl w ou ld p ro te ct n ot o nl y

h im se lf , b ut a ll w hom h e t ouc he d, f rom a ny h ar m, a nd a s

R in ki ti nk w as a st ri de t he g oa t a nd I ng a h ad h is h an d

up on t he a ni ma l, t he t hr ee c ou ld n ot b e i nj ur ed b y

any th in g t he w ar ri or s cou ld d o. B ut C ap tain B uzzu b d id

n ot k no w t hi s, a nd t he l it tl e g ro up o f t hr ee s ee me d s o

w eak and r id icul ou s t hat h e b el ieved t heir cap tu re

would be e asy. So he t urne d to his men and wit h a wave

of h is ha nd s ai d:

"Seize the intruders!"

I ns ta nt ly t wo o r t hr ee o f t he w ar ri or s s te pp ed

f or wa rd t o o be y, b ut t o t he ir a ma ze me nt t he y c ou ld n ot

r ea ch a ny of t he t hr ee ; t he ir ha nds w er e a rr es te d a s i f

b y an i nv is ib le w al l o f i ro n. W it ho ut p ay in g any

at tent i on t o t hes e at tem pt s at capt ur e, I ng a ad vanced

s lo wl y a nd t he g oa t k ep t p ac e w it h h im . A nd w he n

Ri nkit ink s aw t hat he wa s sa fe fr om ha rm he ga ve one of

h is b ig , m er ry l au gh s, a nd i t s ta rt le d t he w ar ri or s a nd

m ade t hem n er vo us . C ap tain B uzzu b' s eyes g rew b ig w it h

s ur pr is e a s t he t hr ee s te ad il y a dv an ce d a nd f or ce d h is

m en b ac kw ar d; n or w as h e f re e f ro m t er ro r h im se lf a t

t he m ag ic t hat p ro tect ed t hese s tr an ge v is it or s. A s f or

t he w ar ri or s , t hey p resent l y b ecame t err or -s t ri cken and





f le d i n a pa ni c up t he s lope t ow ar d t he c it y, a nd

B uz zu b w as o bl ig ed t o c ha se a ft er t he m a nd s ho ut

t hr eats o f p un is hm en t b ef or e h e cou ld h al t t hem and

f or m t he m i nt o a l in e o f ba tt le .

A ll t he m en o f R eg os b or e s pe ar s a nd b ow s- an d- ar ro ws ,

a nd s om e o f t he o ff ic er s h ad s wo rd s a nd b at tl e- ax es ; s o

B uz zu b o rd er ed t he m t o s ta nd t he ir g ro un d a nd s ho ot a nd

s la y t he s tr an ge rs a s t he y a pp ro ac he d. T hi s t he y t ri ed

t o do . I nga b ei ng i n a dva nc e, t he wa rr io rs s ent a

f li gh t o f s ha rp a rr ow s s tr ai gh t a t t he b oy 's b re as t,

w hi le o th er s c as t t he ir l on g s pe ar s a t h im .

I t s eemed t o R in ki ti nk t hat t he l it tl e P ri nce m us t

s ur el y p er is h as h e s to od f acin g t hi s h ai l o f m ur dero us

m is si le s; b ut t he p ow er o f t he P in k P ea rl d id n ot

d es er t hi m, a nd w he n t he a rr ow s a nd s pe ar s h ad r ea ch ed

to w it hi n a n i nc h o f h is b od y t he y b ou nd ed b ac k a ga in

and f el l h ar ml es sl y at h is f eet. N or w er e R in ki ti nk o r

B il bi l i nj ur ed i n t he l east , alt ho ug h t hey s to od clo se

beside Inga.

B uz zu b s to od f or a m om en t l ook in g u po n t he b oy i n

silent wonder. Then, recovering himself, he shouted in

a l ou d v oi ce:





" Onc e a ga in ! A ll t oge th er , m y m en . N o o ne s ha ll e ve r

defy our might and live!"

A ga in a f li gh t o f a rr ow s a nd s pe ar s s pe d t ow ar d t he

t hr ee , a nd s in ce m an y m or e o f t he w ar ri or s o f R eg os h ad

b y t hi s t im e j oi ne d t he ir f el lo ws , t he a ir w as f or a

m om en t d ar kened b y t he d eadl y s haft s. B ut again all

f el l h ar ml es s b ef or e t he p ow er o f t he P in k P ea rl , a nd

B il bi l, w ho h ad b een g ro wi ng v er y ang ry at t he att em pt s

t o i nj ur e h im a nd h is p ar ty , s ud de nl y m ad e a b ol t

f or ward , cas ti ng o ff I ng a' s h ol d, and b ut ted i nt o t he

l in e o f w ar ri or s, w ho w er e s tand in g amazed at t heir

failure to conquer.

T ak en b y s ur pr is e a t t he g oa t' s a tt ac k, a d oz en bi g

warr io rs t um bl ed i n a h eap, y el li ng w it h f ear, and

t heir com rades, n ot k no wi ng w hat h ad h ap pened b ut

imagining that their foes were attacking them, turned

a bout a nd ra n t o the c it y a s ha rd as they coul d go.

B il bi l, s ti ll ang ry , h ad j us t t im e t o cat ch t he b ig

c ap ta in a s he t ur ne d t o f ol low hi s m en, a nd B uz zu b

f ir st s pr aw led h eadl on g u po n t he g ro un d, t hen r ol led

o ve r t wo o r t hr ee t im es , a nd f in al ly j um pe d u p a nd r an

yelling after his defeated warriors. This butting on

th e p ar t o f t he g oa t w as v er y h ar d u po n K in g R in ki ti nk ,





w ho n ea rl y f el l of f B il bi l' s ba ck a t t he s ho ck o f

en co un ter; b ut t he l it tl e f at K in g w ou nd h is arm s

a round t he goa t' s ne ck a nd s hut hi s e ye s a nd c lung on

wi th a ll hi s m ig ht . I t w as n ot u nt il h e he ar d I ng a s ay

triumphantly, "We have won the fight without striking a

b l ow !" t hat R in ki ti nk d ar ed o pen h is eyes again . T hen

h e s aw t he w ar ri or s r us hi ng i nt o t he C it y o f R eg os a nd

b ar ri ng t he h ea vy g at es , a nd h e w as v er y m uc h r el ie ve d

a t t he s ig ht .

"Without striking a blow!" said Bilbil indignantly.

"T ha t i s n ot q ui te t ru e, P ri nc e I ng a. Y ou d id n ot

fi ght , I a dmi t, but I s tr uc k a c oup le of t ime s t o good

p ur po se , a nd I c la im t o h av e c on qu er ed t he c ow ar dl y

warriors unaided."

"You and I together, Bilbil," said Rinkitink mildly.

" But t he ne xt t ime you ma ke a c ha rge , pl ea se w ar n me i n

t im e, s o t ha t I m ay di sm oun t a nd gi ve y ou a ll t he

credi t f or t he att ack ."

Th er e b ei ng n o o ne no w t o o pp os e t he ir a dv an ce , t he

t hr ee w al ke d t o t he ga te s of t he c it y, w hi ch h ad be en

clo sed again st t hem. T he g at es w er e o f i ro n and h eavi ly

b ar re d, a nd upon th e t op of t he hi gh wa ll s of t he c it y





w or ri ed , b ut h e d ep en de d u po n t he s tr en gt h o f h is g at es

and commanded his men to continue shooting until all

th ei r w eapo ns w er e g on e.

I ng a l et t he m s ho ot a s m uc h a s t he y w is he d, w hi le he

s to od b ef or e t he g re at g at es a nd e xa mi ne d t he m

carefully.

" Perh ap s B il bi l can b at ter d ow n t he g at es , s ug ges ted

Rinkitink.

" No ," r ep li ed t he g oa t; " my h ea d i s h ar d, b ut n ot

harder than iron."

" Th en ," r et ur ned t he K in g, " let u s s tay o ut si de;

e sp ec ia ll y a s w e c an 't g et i n. "

But Inga wa s not a t a ll s ure the y co uld not ge t in.

T he g at es o pe ne d i nw ar d, a nd t hr ee h ea vy b ar s w er e h el d

i n p la ce by me ans of s tout s ta pl es r iv et ed t o t he

sh ee ts o f s te el . Th e b oy h ad b ee n t ol d t ha t t he p ow er

o f t he B lu e P earl w ou ld enabl e h im t o accom pl is h any

f ea t o f s tr en gt h, a nd h e b el ie ve d t ha t t hi s w as t ru e.

T he w ar ri or s, u nd er t he d ir ecti on o f K in g G os ,





c on ti nu ed t o h ur l a rr ow s a nd d ar ts a nd s pe ar s a nd a xe s

and h ug e s to nes u po n t he i nv ad er s, all w it ho ut avail .

T he g ro un d b el ow w as t hi ck ly cov er ed w it h w eapo ns , y et

no t on e of t he t hr ee be for e t he ga te s h ad b ee n i nj ur ed

i n t he s li gh test m an ner. W hen every th in g h ad b een cas t

t ha t w as a va il ab le a nd n ot a s in gl e w ea po n o f a ny s or t

r em ai ne d a t h an d, t he a ma ze d w ar ri or s s aw t he b oy p ut

h is s ho ul der again st t he g at es and b ur st asu nd er t he

h ug e s ta pl es t ha t h el d t he b ar s i n p la ce . A t ho us an d o f

th ei r m en cou ld n ot h av e accom pl is hed t hi s f eat, y et

t he s mall , s li gh t b oy d id i t w it h s eemi ng eas e. T he

g at es b ur st o pe n, a nd I ng a a dv an ce d i nt o t he c it y

s tr ee t a nd c al le d u po n K in g G os t o s ur re nd er .

B ut Gos wa s now a s ba dl y f ri ght ene d a s we re hi s

w ar ri or s. H e a nd hi s m en we re a cc us tom ed t o wa r a nd

p il lage and t hey h ad car ri ed t er ro r i nt o m an y

countries , but here wa s a small boy, a fa t man and a

go at w ho c ou ld n ot b e i nj ur ed b y a ll hi s s ki ll i n

w ar fare, h is n um er ou s arm y and t ho us an ds o f d eat h-

d eali ng w eapo ns . M or eo ver, t hey n ot o nl y d ef ied K in g

G os 's e nt ir e a rm y b ut t he y h ad b ro ke n i n t he h ug e g at es

of the city -- as eas ily as if they ha d been made of

p ap er - - and s uch an exh ib it io n o f eno rm ou s s tr en gt h

m ad e t he w ic ke d K in g f ea r f or h is l if e. Li ke a ll

b ul li es a nd m ar aud er s, G os w as a c ow ar d a t h ea rt , a nd





no w a pa ni c s ei ze d hi m a nd he t ur ne d a nd f le d be for e

t he c al m a dv an ce o f P ri nc e I ng a o f P in ga re e. T he

w ar ri or s w er e l ik e t heir m as ter, and h av in g t hr ow n all

t he ir w ea po ns o ve r t he w al l a nd b ei ng h el pl es s t o

o pp os e t he s tr an ge rs , t he y a ll s wa rm ed a ft er G os , w ho

a ba nd on ed hi s c it y a nd c ros se d t he br id ge o f b oa ts t o

t he I sl an d o f C or eg os . T he re w as a d es pe ra te s tr ug gl e

a mo ng t he se c ow ar dl y w ar ri or s t o g et o ve r t he b ri dg e,

a nd m an y w er e p us he d i nt o t he w at er a nd o bl ig ed t o

swim; but finally every fighting man of Regos had

ga ine d t he s ho re o f Co re gos a nd t he n t he y t or e a wa y t he

br idge o f bo at s a nd d re w t he m up on t he ir o wn s ide ,

h op in g t he s tr et ch o f o pe n w at er w ou ld p re ve nt t he

magic invaders from following them.

T he h um bl e cit izen s and s er vi ng p eo pl e o f R eg os , w ho

h ad b ee n t er ri fi ed a nd a bu se d b y t he r ou gh w ar ri or s a ll

t heir l iv es , w er e n ot o nl y g reat ly ast on is hed b y t hi s

s ud den con qu es t o f t heir m as ters b ut g reat ly d el ig ht ed .

As t he K ing a nd hi s a rmy f le d t o C or eg os , t he pe opl e

e mb ra ce d o ne a no th er a nd d an ce d f or v er y j oy , a nd t he n

t he y t ur ne d t o s ee w ha t t he c onq ue ror s o f R eg os w er e

like.





best voice the following lines:

" Oh , h er e com es t he arm y o f K in g R in ki ti nk !

I t i sn' t a bi g o ne , pe rha ps you m ay th ink,

Bu t i t s ca tt er ed t he w ar ri or s q ui ck er t ha n w in k - -

Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink!

Our Bi lbi l' s a her o a nd s o is hi s Ki ng;

O ur f oemen h av e v an is hed l ik e b ir ds o n t he w in g;

I gue ss t ha t a s f igh te rs w e' re q ui te t he r ea l t hi ng - -

Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink!"

" Wh y d on' t y ou g iv e a l it tl e c re di t t o I nga ?"

i nq ui re d t he g oa t. " If I r em em be r a ri gh t, h e d id a

little of the conquering himself."

" So h e d id ," r es po nd ed t he K in g, " an d t ha t' s t he

r easo n I 'm s ou nd in g o ur o wn p rais e, B il bi l. T ho se w ho

do t he l ea st , o ft en s hou t t he l oud es t a nd s o g et t he

m os t g lo ry . I ng a d id s o m uc h t ha t t he re i s d an ge r o f

h is b ec om in g m or e i mp or ta nt t ha n w e a re , a nd s o w e' d

best say nothing about him."





W he n t he y r ea ch ed t he p al ac e, w hi ch w as a n i mm en se

building, furnished throughout in regal splendor, Inga

t oo k f or ma l p os se ss io n a nd o rd er ed t he m aj or do mo t o

show them the finest rooms the building contained.

There were many pleasant apartments, but Rinkitink

pr op os ed t o I nga t ha t t he y s ha re o ne o f t he l ar ge st

bedrooms together.

" For ," s ai d h e, " we a re not s ur e t ha t ol d G os wi ll

n ot r et ur n a nd t ry t o r ec ap tu re h is c it y, a nd y ou m us t

r eme mbe r t ha t I ha ve no ma gi c t o p rot ec t me . I n a ny

d an ge r, w er e I a lo ne , I m ig ht b e e as il y k il le d o r

c apt ur ed, w hil e i f you a re by my s ide you c an s ave m e

from injury."

T he b oy r ea li ze d t he w is do m o f t hi s p la n, a nd

s el ec te d a f ine bi g b edr oom o n t he s ec ond f lo or of t he

p al ac e, i n w hi ch h e o rd er ed t wo g ol de n b ed s p la ce d a nd

prepared for King Rinkitink and himself. Bilbil was

gi ve n a s ui te of r ooms on t he ot he r s ide of t he pa la ce ,

w he re s er va nt s b ro ug ht t he g oa t f re sh -c ut g ra ss t o e at

and ma de him a soft bed to lie upon.

T ha t e ve ni ng t he bo y P ri nc e a nd t he f at K in g d in ed i n

gr eat s tate i n t he l of ty -d om ed d in in g h al l o f t he

p al ace, w here f or ty s erv an ts w ai ted u po n t hem. T he





Pe rh aps i t w oul d h ave b ee n wi se f or t he P ri nc e t o

h av e e xp la in ed a bo ut t he m ag ic p ea rl s, b ut a t t ha t

mo me nt he wa s n ot i nc li ne d t o d o s o. I ns te ad, h e

replied:

" Be p at ie nt , Y ou r M aj es ty . T he s ec re t i s n ot m y o wn ,

so pl eas e do not as k me t o divulge it. I s it not

e no ug h, f or t he p re se nt , t ha t t he m ag ic s av ed y ou f ro m

death to-day?"

"Do not think me ungrateful," answered the King

ear nest ly . " A m il li on s pear s f el l o n m e f ro m t he w al l,

a nd s ev er al s to ne s a s b ig a s m ou nt ai ns , y et n on e o f

them hurt me!"

" Th e s to ne s w er e n ot a s b ig a s m ou nt ai ns , s ir e, " s ai d

t he P ri nc e w it h a s mi le . " Th ey w er e, i nd ee d, n o l ar ge r

than your head."

" Ar e y ou s ur e abo ut t hat?" ask ed R in ki ti nk .

"Quite sure, Your Majesty."

" Ho w d ecep ti ve t ho se t hi ng s are!" s ig hed t he K in g.

" Th is arg um en t r em in ds m e o f t he s to ry o f T om T ick,





wh ich m y f at her u sed t o t el l. "

" I h av e n ev er h eard t hat s to ry ," I ng a ans wered.

" We ll , a s h e t ol d i t, i t r an l ik e t hi s:

" Wh en T om w al ke d ou t, t he s ky t o s py ,

A n au gh ty g nat f lew i n h is eye;

B ut Tom knew not it was a gnat --

He t houg ht , a t f ir st , i t wa s a c at .

" An d t he n, i t f el t s o v er y b ig ,

H e t ho ug ht i t s ur el y w as a p ig

Till, standing still to hear it grunt,

H e cri ed : ' Wh y, i t' s an eleph un t! '

" Bu t - - w he n t he g na t f le w o ut a ga in

A nd T om w as f re e f ro m a ll h is pa in ,

He s ai d: ' Th er e f le w i nt o m y e ye

A leetle, teenty-tiny fly.'"

"Indeed," said Inga, laughing, "the gnat was much

l ik e y ou r s to nes t hat s eemed as b ig as m ou nt ai ns ."





A ft er t heir d in ner t hey i ns pect ed t he p al ace, w hi ch

w as f il led w it h v al uabl e g oo ds s to len b y K in g G os f ro m

m an y n at io ns . B ut t he d ay 's e ve nt s h ad t ir ed t he m a nd

t hey r et ir ed ear ly t o t heir b ig s leep in g apart ment .

" In t he m or ni ng ," s ai d t he b oy t o R in ki ti nk , as h e

w as u nd re ss in g f or b ed , " I s ha ll b eg in t he s ea rc h f or

m y f at he r a nd m ot he r a nd t he p eo pl e o f P in ga re e. A nd ,

w he n t he y a re f ou nd a nd r es cu ed, w e w il l a ll g o h om e

a ga in , a nd b e a s h app y a s w e w er e b ef or e. "

T he y c ar ef ul ly b ol te d t he d oo r o f t he ir r oo m, t ha t n o

o n e m ig ht e nt er , a nd t he n g ot i nt o t he ir b ed s, w he re

Ri nk it in k f el l asl eep i n an i ns tant . T he b oy l ay awake

f or a w hi le t hi nk in g o ver t he d ay 's adv en tu res, b ut

p re se nt ly h e f el l s ou nd a sl ee p a ls o, a nd s o w ea ry w as

h e t hat n ot hi ng d is tu rb ed h is s lu mb er u nt il h e awakened

n ex t m or ni ng w it h a r ay o f s un sh in e i n h is eyes, w hi ch

ha d c re pt i nt o t he r oo m t hr ou gh t he o pe n w in do w b y K in g

Rinkitink's bed.

R es ol vi ng t o b eg in t he s earch f or h is p ar en ts w it ho ut

a ny un ne ce ss ar y de la y, I nga a t on ce g ot ou t of b ed a nd

b eg an t o d ress h im self , w hi le R in ki ti nk , i n t he o th er

b ed , w as s ti ll s leep in g p eacefu ll y. B ut w hen t he b oy





h ad p ut o n b ot h h is s to ck in gs a nd b eg an l oo ki ng f or h is

s ho es , h e c ou ld f in d b ut o ne o f t he m. T he l ef t s ho e,

that containing the Pink Pearl, was missing.

F il led w it h anx iety at t hi s d is co very , I ng a s earched

t hr ou gh t he ent ir e r oo m, l oo ki ng u nd er neat h t he b ed s

a nd d iv an s a nd c ha ir s a nd b eh in d t he d ra pe ri es a nd i n

t he c or ne rs a nd e ve ry o th er p os si bl e p la ce a s ho e m ig ht

b e . H e t ri ed t he d oo r, a nd f ou nd i t s ti ll bo lt ed; s o,

w it h g ro wi ng u neas in es s, t he b oy w as f or ced t o adm it

t ha t t he pr ec io us s hoe w as no t i n t he r oom .

W it h a t hr ob bi ng h eart h e aro us ed h is com pani on .

" Ki ng R in ki ti nk ," s ai d h e, " do y ou k no w w hat h as

b ec om e o f m y l ef t s ho e? "

" Yo ur s ho e! " exclaim ed t he K in g, g iv in g a w id e y aw n

a nd r ubbi ng hi s e ye s t o ge t t he s le ep o ut of t he m.

" Ha ve y ou l os t a s ho e? "

" Yes, " s ai d I ng a. " I h av e s earched every wh er e i n t he

r oo m, and can no t f in d i t. "

" Bu t w hy b ot her m e abo ut s uch a s mall t hi ng ?"





i nq ui re d R ink it ink . " A s ho e i s o nl y a s ho e, a nd y ou c an

e as il y g et a no th er o ne . B ut , s ta y! P er ha ps i t w as y ou r

s ho e w hi ch I t hr ew a t t he c at l as t n igh t. "

" The c at !" c ri ed I ng a. " Wh at d o y ou m ea n? "

"Why, in the night," explained Rinkitink, sitting up

a nd b egi nn ing t o d re ss h im se lf , " I w as w ak en ed b y t he

mewing of a cat that sat upon a wall of the pala ce,

j us t o ut si de m y w in do w. A s t he n oi se d is tu rb ed m e, I

re ac he d o ut i n t he d ar k a nd c au gh t u p s om et hi ng a nd

t hr ew i t a t t he c at , t o f ri gh te n t he c re at ur e a wa y. I

did not know what it was that I threw, and I was too

s le epy t o c ar e; b ut p rob ab ly i t w as y ou r s ho e, s in ce i t

is now missing."

" Th en ," s ai d t he b oy , i n a d es pa ir in g t on e o f v oi ce ,

" yo ur car el es sn es s h as r ui ned m e, as w el l as y ou rs el f,

K in g R in ki ti nk , f or i n t hat s ho e w as con ceal ed t he

m ag ic p ow er w hi ch p ro tect ed u s f ro m d an ger. "

T he K in g' s f ac e b ec am e v er y s er io us w he n h e h ea rd

t hi s a nd h e u tt er ed a l ow w hi st le o f s ur pr is e a nd

regret.

"W hy on e ar th di d you not wa rn me of t his ?" he





t he p re ci ou s s ho e, n ot k no wi ng i ts v al ue . T o u s, K in g

Rinkitink, this will be a dreadful misfortune, for we

ar e s ur ro un de d b y d an ge rs f ro m w hi ch w e h av e n ow n o

p ro tect io n. L ucki ly I h av e t he o th er s ho e l ef t, w it hi n

w hi ch i s t he m agi c p owe r t ha t g iv es m e s tr en gt h; s o a ll

is n ot l os t. "

T he n h e t ol d R in ki ti nk , i n a f ew w or ds , t he s ec re t o f

t he w on de rf ul p ea rl s, a nd h ow h e h ad r ec ov er ed t he m

f ro m t he r ui ns a nd h id de n t he m i n h is s hoe s, a nd ho w

t he y ha d e na bl ed hi m t o d ri ve K in g G os a nd h is m en f rom

R egos a nd t o c apt ur e t he c it y. T he K ing wa s muc h

as to ni sh ed , a nd w he n t he s to ry w as c on cl ud ed h e s ai d t o

Inga:

" Wh at d id y ou d o w it h t he o th er s ho e? "

" Wh y, I l ef t i t i n o ur b ed roo m, " r ep li ed t he b oy .

" Th en I a dv is e y ou t o g et i t a t o nc e, " c ont in ue d

R ink it in k, " for w e c an i ll a ff or d t o l os e t he s ec ond

shoe, as we ll as t he one I threw a t the c at ."

" Yo u a re r ig ht !" c ri ed I ng a, a nd t he y h as te ne d b ac k

t o t hei r b ed ch am ber .





O n ent er in g t he r oo m t hey f ou nd an o ld w om an s weep in g

a nd r ai si ng a gr ea t de al of dus t.

" Wh er e i s m y s ho e?" ask ed t he P ri nce, anx io us ly .

T he ol d wom an s top pe d s we epi ng a nd l ook ed a t h im i n a

s tu pi d w ay , f or s he w as n ot v er y i nt el li gent .

" Do you m ea n t he one odd s hoe tha t wa s l yi ng o n t he

f lo or w hen I cam e i n?" s he f in al ly ask ed .

" Ye s - - ye s! " a ns we re d t he boy. " Whe re i s i t? Te ll m e

w here i t i s! "

" Why , I t hr ew i t on t he du st -he ap, ou ts id e t he ba ck

g a te ," s ai d s he , " for , i t b ei ng b ut a s in gl e s ho e, w it h

no mate, it can be of no use to anyone."

"Show us the way t o the dus t-he ap - - at once !"

com mand ed t he b oy , s tern ly , f or h e w as g reat ly

frightened by this new misfortune which threatened him.

T he o ld w om an h ob bl ed a wa y a nd t he y f ol lo we d h er ,

co ns tant ly u rg in g h er t o h as ten; b ut w hen t hey r each ed

t he dus t- he ap no s hoe w as t o be s ee n.





" Th is i s t er ri bl e! " w ai led t he y ou ng P ri nce, r eady t o

we ep a t hi s l os s. " We a re no w a bs ol ut el y r ui ne d, a nd a t

t he m er cy o f o ur e ne mi es . N or s ha ll I be a bl e t o

l i berate m y d ear f at her and m ot her. "

"Well," replied Rinkitink, leaning against an old

b ar rel and l oo ki ng q ui te s ol em n, " th e t hi ng i s

c er ta in ly u nl uc ky , a ny w ay w e l oo k a t i t. I s up po se

so me on e h as p as se d a lo ng h er e a nd , s ee in g t he s ho e u po n

t he d us t- he ap, ha s c ar ri ed i t a wa y. B ut no on e c ou ld

k no w t he m ag ic p ow er t he s ho e c on ta in s a nd s o w il l n ot

u se i t a ga in st u s. I b el ie ve , I ng a, w e m us t n ow d ep en d

upon our wits to get us out of t he s cr ape we ar e in.

W it h s ad de ne d h ea rt s t he y r et ur ne d t o t he p al ac e, a nd

e nt er in g a s ma ll r oo m w he re n o o ne c ou ld o bs er ve t he m

or ove rhe ar t he m, t he b oy t oo k t he W hi te P ea rl f ro m i ts

s il ke n b ag a nd h el d i t t o hi s e ar , a sk in g:

" Wha t s ha ll I do n ow ?"

" Te ll n o o ne o f y ou r l os s, " a ns we re d t he V oi ce o f t he

P ea rl . " If your e ne mi es do not know t ha t yo u a re

p ow er le ss , t he y w il l f ea r y ou a s m uc h a s e ve r. K ee p

y ou r s ec re t, b e p at ie nt , a nd f ea r n ot !"





having consideration for the most humble.

T he K in g o f R eg os a nd h is f ol lo we rs s en t s pi es a cr os s

t o t he i sl an d t hey h ad aband on ed i n t heir f li gh t, and

t he se s pi es r et ur ne d w it h t he n ew s t ha t t he t er ri bl e

b oy con qu er or w as s ti ll o ccup yi ng t he cit y. T herefo re

n on e o f t he m v en tu re d t o g o b ac k t o R eg os b ut c on ti nu ed

t o l iv e u po n t he n ei gh bo ri ng i sl an d o f C or eg os , w here

t he y p as se d t he d ay s i n f ea r a nd t re mb li ng a nd s ou gh t

to p lo t a nd p la n w ay s h ow t he y m ig ht o ve rc om e t he

P ri nc e o f P in ga re e a nd t he f at K in g o f G il ga d.

Chapter Nine

A P re se nt f or Z el la

Now it so happened that on the morning of that same day

w he n t he P ri nc e o f P in ga re e s uf fe re d t he l os s of h is

p ri ce le ss s ho es , t he re c ha nc ed t o p as s a lo ng t he r oa d

t ha t w ou nd b es id e t he r oy al p al ac e a p oo r c ha rc oa l-

b ur ne r n am ed N ik ob ob , w ho w as a bo ut t o r et ur n t o h is

h om e i n t he f or es t.





Nikobob carried an ax and a bundle of torches over

hi s s ho ul de r a nd h e w al ke d w it h h is e ye s t o t he g ro un d,

b ei ng d ee p i n t ho ug ht a s t o t he s tr ang e m an ne r i n w hi ch

t h e p ow er fu l K in g G os a nd h is c it y h ad b ee n c on qu er ed

by a bo y Pr in ce wh o ha d c om e f rom P ing ar ee .

S ud denl y t he charcoal- bu rn er esp ied a s ho e l yi ng u po n

th e g ro un d, j us t b ey on d t he h ig h w al l o f t he p al ac e a nd

d ir ec tl y i n h is p at h. H e p ic ke d i t u p a nd , s ee in g i t

wa s a p re tt y s ho e, a lt ho ug h m uc h t oo s ma ll f or h is o wn

foot , h e p ut i t i n hi s po cke t.

S oo n a ft er , o n t ur ni ng a c or ne r o f t he w al l, N ik ob ob

c ame t o a d us t- he ap whe re , l yi ng a mi ds t a m as s of

r ubbis h, wa s a nothe r s hoe - - t he ma te t o the one he ha d

b ef or e f ou nd . T hi s a ls o h e p la ce d i n h is p oc ke t, s ay in g

to himself:

" I ha ve now a fi ne pa ir of s hoe s f or m y daught er

Z el la , w ho w il l b e m uc h pl ea se d t o f in d I h av e br oug ht

he r a p re se nt f ro m t he c it y. "

A nd w hi le t he charcoal- bu rn er t ur ned i nt o t he f or es t

a nd t ru dg ed a lo ng t he p at h t ow ar d h is h om e, I ng a a nd





w or ld wa s ma de , a nd e ac h ye ar of i ts l if e th e huge

sc al es t ha t c ov er ed i ts b od y g re w t hi ck er a nd h ar de r

a nd i ts j aw s gr ew w id er a nd i ts t ee th g re w s ha rp er a nd

i ts a pp et it e g re w m or e k ee n t ha n e ve r.

I n f or me r a ge s t he re h ad b ee n m an y d ra go ns i n R eg os ,

b u t C ho gg en mu gg er w as s o f on d o f d ra go ns t ha t h e h ad

e ate n a ll of t he m l ong a go. T he re ha d a ls o be en gr ea t

s erp en ts and cro co di les i n t he f or es t m ar sh es , b ut all

h ad g on e t o f eed t he h un ger o f C ho gg en mu gg er . T he

pe opl e o f R eg os kn ew w el l t he re w as no u se op po si ng t he

G re at B ea st , s o w he n o ne u nf or tun at el y m et w it h i t h e

g av e h im self u p f or l os t.

A ll t hi s N ik ob ob k new w el l, b ut f or tu ne h ad alw ay s

f avo red h im i n h is j ou rn ey t hr ou gh t he f or es t, and

a lt ho ug h h e h ad a t t im es m et m an y s av ag e b ea st s a nd

f oug ht t he m w it h h is s ha rp a x, h e h ad ne ve r t o t hi s d ay

encountered the terrible Choggenmugger. Indeed, he was

not t hi nki ng of t he Gr ea t Be as t a t a ll a s he w al ke d

a lo ng , b ut s ud de nl y h e h ea rd a c ra sh in g o f b ro ke n t re es

and f el t a t re mb li ng o f t he e ar th a nd s aw t he i mm ens e

jaws of Choggenmugger opening before him. Then Nikobob

g av e h im se lf u p f or l os t a nd h is h ea rt a lm os t c ea se d t o

beat.





He be lie ve d the re wa s no w ay of e sca pe . No one e ve r

d ar ed o pp os e C ho gg en mu gg er. B ut N i ko bo b h ated t o d ie

w it ho ut s ho wi ng t he m on st er , i n s om e w ay , t hat h e w as

e at en on ly u nd er p ro te st . So he r ai se d hi s a x a nd

b ro ug ht i t d ow n u po n t he r ed , p ro tr ud in g t on gu e o f t he

m on st er - - a nd c ut i t c le an o ff !

F or a m om en t t he charcoal- bu rn er s car cel y b el ieved

w ha t hi s e ye s s aw, f or he kne w not hi ng of t he pe ar ls h e

c ar ri ed i n h is p oc ke t o r t he m ag ic p ow er t he y l en t h is

arm . H is s uccess , h ow ev er , encou raged h im t o s tr ik e

a ga in , a nd t hi s t im e t he hu ge s ca ly j aw of

C ho gg en mu gg er w as s ev er ed i n t wain and t he b east h ow led

in terrified rage.

Nikobob took off his coat, to give himself more

f re ed om o f a ct io n, a nd t he n h e e ar ne st ly r en ew ed t he

a tt ac k. B ut no w t he a x s ee me d b lun te d by t he ha rd

s cales and m ad e n o i mp ress io n u po n t hem w hatever. T he

cr eatu re adv an ced w it h g lari ng , w icked eyes, and

N ik ob ob s ei ze d h is c oa t u nd er h is a rm a nd t ur ne d t o

flee.

That was foolish, for Choggenmugger could run like

t he w in d. I n a m om en t i t o vert oo k t he charcoal -b ur ner





a nd s na pp ed i ts f ou r r ow s o f s ha rp t ee th t og et he r. B ut

t he y d id n ot t ou ch N ik ob ob , b ec au se h e s ti ll h el d t he

c oa t i n h is g ra sp, c lo se t o h is b od y, a nd i n t he c oa t

po ck et w er e I nga 's s hoe s, a nd i n t he po in ts of t he

shoes were the magic pearls. Finding himself uninjured,

Ni kobob p ut on hi s c oa t, a ga in s ei ze d hi s a x, a nd i n a

short time had chopped Choggenmugger into many small

pi ec es -- a ta sk tha t pr oved not onl y e as y but ve ry

agreeable.

" I m us t be t he s tr on ge st m an i n a ll t he wo rl d! "

t ho ug ht t he charcoal- bu rn er , as h e p ro ud ly r es um ed h is

w ay , " fo r C ho gg en mu gg er h as b een t he t er ro r o f R eg os

si nc e t he w or ld b eg an , a nd I a lon e h ave be en a bl e t o

d e st ro y t he b ea st . Y et i t i s s in gu la r' t ha t n ev er

b ef or e di d I di sc ove r h ow powe rf ul a ma n I a m. "

H e m et n o f ur th er a dv en tu re a nd a t m id da y r ea ch ed a

l it tl e clear in g i n t he f or es t w here s to od h is h um bl e

cabin.

" Gr ea t n ew s! I h av e g re at n ew s f or y ou ," h e s ho ut ed ,

a s h is w if e a nd l it tl e d aug ht er c am e t o g re et h im .

" Ki ng Go s h as be en c on qu er ed b y a b oy P ri nc e f rom t he

f ar i sl and of Pi ng ar ee , a nd I ha ve t hi s d ay - - u na ide d





- - d es tr oy ed C ho gg en mu gg er b y t he m ig ht o f m y s tr on g

arm.

T hi s w as , i nd eed, g reat n ew s. T hey b ro ug ht N ik ob ob

int o t he hous e a nd s et him i n a n e as y c ha ir a nd ma de

h im t el l every th in g h e k new abo ut t he P ri nce o f

Pi nga ree a nd t he f at Ki ng of Gi lga d, as w el l a s t he

details of his wonderful fight with mighty

Choggenmugger.

"And now, my daughter," said the charcoalburner, when

a ll hi s ne ws h ad be en r el at ed f or a t l ea st t he th ir d

t im e, " he re i s a p re tt y p re se nt I h av e b ro ug ht y ou

from the city."

W it h t hi s he dr ew t he s hoe s f rom t he p oc ke t of hi s

c oa t a nd ha nde d t he m t o Z el la , who ga ve h im a doz en

k is se s i n p ay me nt a nd w as m uc h p le as ed w it h h er g if t.

T he l it tl e g ir l h ad n eve r w or n s ho es b ef or e, f or h er

pa re nt s w er e t oo p oo r t o bu y h er s uc h l ux ur ie s, s o n ow

t he p os se ss io n o f t he se , w hi ch w er e n ot m uc h w or n,

f il le d t he c hi ld 's h ea rt w it h j oy . S he a dm ir ed t he r ed

l ea th er a nd t he g ra ce fu l c ur l o f t he p oi nt ed t oe s. W he n

s he t ri ed t hem on he r f ee t, t he y f it te d a s we ll as i f

ma de f or h er .





A ll t he a ft er no on , a s s he h el pe d h er m ot he r w it h t he

h o us ew or k, Z el la t ho ug ht o f h er p rett y s ho es . T hey

s ee me d m or e i mp or ta nt t o h er t ha n t he c om in g t o R eg os

o f t he c on qu er in g P ri nc e o f P in ga re e, o r e ve n t he d ea th

of Choggenmugger.

W he n Z el la a nd h er m ot he r w er e n ot w or ki ng i n t he

cabi n, coo ki ng o r s ew in g, t hey o ft en s earched t he

neighboring forest for honey which the wild bees

cleverl y h id i n h ol lo w t rees . T he d ay aft er N ik ob ob 's

r et ur n, as t hey w er e s tart in g o ut aft er h on ey , Z el la

dec ide d to put on her new s hoe s, as t hey woul d kee p the

t wi gs t hat cov er ed t he g ro un d f ro m h ur ti ng h er f eet.

She was use d to t he t wi gs , of cour se, but wha t is t he

u se o f h av in g n ic e, c om fo rt abl e s ho es , i f y ou d o n ot

wear them?

S o s he d an ce d a lo ng , v er y h ap pi ly , f ol lo we d b y h er

m ot he r, a nd p re se nt ly t he y c am e t o a t re e i n w hi ch w as

a d ee p h ol lo w. Z el la t hr us t h er h an d a nd a rm i nt o t he

spa ce a nd f ound t ha t t he t re e wa s f ul l o f ho ne y, s o s he

be ga n t o di g i t o ut w it h a w oo de n p ad dl e. H er mo th er ,

w ho h el d t he p ai l, s ud denl y cri ed i n w ar ni ng :

" Lo ok o ut , Z el la ; t he b ee s a re c om in g! " a nd t he n t he





g ood w om an r an f as t t ow ar d t he h ou se t o e sc ap e.

Z el la , h ow ev er , h ad n o m or e t ha n t im e t o t ur n h er

he ad w he n a t hi ck s wa rm o f b ee s s ur ro un de d h er , a ng ry

b ecau se t hey h ad cau gh t h er s teal in g t heir h on ey and

i n tent o n s ti ng in g t he g ir l as a p un is hm en t. S he k new

he r d an ge r a nd e xpe ct ed t o be ba dl y i nj ur ed by t he

m ul ti tu de o f s ti ng in g b ees, b ut t o h er s ur pr is e t he

l it tl e c re at ur es w er e u na bl e t o f ly c lo se e no ug h t o h er

t o s ti ck t heir d ar t- li ke s ti ng er s i nt o h er f lesh . T hey

s wa rm ed a bo ut h er i n a d ar k c lo ud , a nd t he ir a ng ry

bu zzin g w as t er ri bl e t o h ear, y et t he l it tl e g ir l

remained unharmed.

W hen s he r eali zed t hi s, Z el la w as n o l on ger afr ai d

b ut c on ti nue d t o l ad le o ut t he ho ne y un ti l s he h ad

s ec ur ed a ll t ha t wa s i n t he t re e. The n s he r et ur ne d t o

t he cab in , w here h er m ot her w as w eepi ng and b em oani ng

t he f at e o f h er d ar li ng c hi ld , a nd t he g oo d w om an w as

g reat ly ast on is hed t o f in d Z el la h ad escap ed i nj ur y.

Ag ai n t he y w en t t o t he w oo ds t o s ea rc h f or h on ey, a nd

alt ho ug h t he m ot her alw ay s r an away w henever t he b ees

ca me n ea r t he m, Z el la p ai d n o a tt en ti on t o t he

cr ea tu re s b ut k ep t a t h er w or k, s o t ha t b ef or e s up pe r

t im e cam e t he p ai ls w er e again f il led t o o verf lo wi ng





with delicious honey.

" Wi th s uc h g oo d f or tu ne a s w e ha ve h ad t hi s d ay ,"

s ai d h er m ot her, " we s hall s oo n g at her eno ug h h on ey f or

y ou t o c ar ry t o Q ue en C or ." F or i t s ee ms t he w ic ke d

Q ue en wa s ve ry f on d o f hon ey a nd i t ha d be en Ze ll a' s

c us to m t o g o, on ce e ve ry y ea r, t o t he C it y o f C or eg os ,

t o c ar ry t he Q ue en a s upp ly of s we et ho ne y f or h er

t ab le . U su al ly s he h ad b ut o ne p ai l.

" Bu t n ow ," s ai d Z el la , " I s ha ll b e a bl e t o c ar ry t wo

pai lsf ul t o t he Que en, who wil l, I am s ure , give me a

g o od p ri ce f or i t. "

" Tr ue ," a ns we re d h er m ot he r, " an d, a s t he b oy P ri nc e

ma y t ake i t i nt o hi s h ea d t o c on que r C or egos , a s w el l

a s Regos, I thi nk i t bes t for you t o sta rt on your

j ou rn ey t o Q ue en C or t om or ro w m or ni ng . D o y ou n ot a gr ee

w it h m e, N ik ob ob ?" s he add ed , t ur ni ng t o h er h us band ,

t he charcoal- bu rn er , w ho w as eat i ng h is s up per.

" I a gr ee w it h y ou ," h e r ep li ed . " If Z el la m us t g o t o

t he C it y o f C or eg os , s he m ay a s w el l s ta rt t o- mo rr ow

morning."





" I t hi nk n ot ," s ai d G os . " We c ou ld n ot i nj ur e t he m,

i nde ed, a ny m or e t ha n w e c oul d t he b oy, b ut t he y di d

n ot s eem t o h av e any u nu su al s tr en gt h, alt ho ug h t he

g oat 's h ead i s h ar der t han a b at teri ng -r am. "

" We ll ," m us ed t he Q ue en , " th er e i s s ur el y s om e w ay t o

c on qu er t ha t s li gh t b oy . I f y ou a re a fr ai d t o u nd er ta ke

t he j ob , I s ha ll g o m ys el f. B y s om e s tr at ag em I s ha ll

m an ag e t o m ak e h im m y p ri son er . H e w il l no t d ar e t o

de fy a Qu ee n, a nd no ma gi c c an s ta nd a ga ins t a w om an' s

cunning."

" Go a he ad , i f y ou l ik e, " r epl ie d t he K ing , w it h a n

e vi l gr in, " and i f yo u a re hun g u p by t he t hum bs o r

c as t i nt o a du ng eon , i t wi ll s er ve y ou r ig ht f or

t hi nk in g y ou can s ucceed w here a s ki ll ed w ar ri or d ar es

no t m ak e t he att em pt ."

" I' m no t a fr ai d, " a ns we re d t he Q ue en . " It i s o nl y

s o ld iers and b ul li es w ho are cow ar ds ."

I n s pi te o f t hi s a ss er ti on , Qu ee n Co r w as no t s o

b r av e a s s he w as c un ni ng . F or s ev er al d ay s s he t ho ug ht

ove r t hi s pl an a nd t ha t, a nd t ri ed t o de ci de whi ch wa s

mo st l ike ly t o s uc ce ed . S he h ad n eve r s ee n t he bo y





Pr ince but ha d he ard s o m any t al es of hi m f rom t he

defeated warriors, and especially from Captain Buzzub,

t ha t s he h ad l ea rne d t o r es pe ct h is p ow er .

S pu rr ed o n b y t he k no wl ed ge t ha t s he w ou ld n ev er g et

r id o f h er u nw el co me g uest s u nt il P ri nce I ng a w as

ov er co me a nd R eg os r eg ai ne d f or K in g G os , t he Q ue en o f

C or eg os f in al ly d ec id ed t o t ru st t o l uc k a nd h er n at iv e

w it t o d ef eat a s im pl e- mi nd ed b oy , h ow ev er p ow er fu l h e

m ig ht b e. I ng a c ou ld n ot s us pe ct w ha t s he w as g oi ng t o

d o, b ec au se s he d id n ot k no w h er se lf . S he i nt en de d t o

a ct bo ldl y a nd t rus t t o c ha nc e t o w in.

I t i s e vi de nt t ha t ha d t he c un ni ng Q ue en kn ow n t ha t

I ng a h ad l os t a ll h is m ag ic , s he w ou ld n ot h ave d ev ot ed

s o mu ch t ime t o t he s im pl e m at te r o f c apt ur ing hi m, b ut

l ik e all o th er s s he w as i mp ress ed b y t he m ar velo us

ex hi bi ti on o f p ow er h e h ad s ho wn i n cap tu ri ng R eg os ,

a nd ha d n o r ea so n t o b el ie ve t he bo y w as l es s po we rf ul

now.

O ne m or ni ng Q ue en C or b ol dl y e nt er ed a b oa t, a nd ,

t ak in g f ou r m en w it h h er a s a n e sc or t a nd b od yg ua rd ,

wa s r ow ed a cr os s t he n ar ro w c ha nn el t o R eg os . P ri nc e

I n ga w as s it ti ng i n t he p al ace p layi ng check er s w it h





K i ng R in ki ti nk w hen a s er vant cam e t o h im , s ay in g t hat

Q ue en C or h ad a rr iv ed a nd d es ir ed a n a ud ie nc e w it h h im .

With many misgivings lest the wicked Queen discover

t ha t he ha d no w l os t h is m ag ic p ow er s, t he b oy or de re d

h er t o be a dm it te d, a nd s he s oo n e nt er ed t he r oom a nd

b ow ed l ow b ef or e h im , i n m oc k r es pe ct .

Cor wa s a big woma n, a lmost a s tal l as King Gos . She

h ad f la sh in g b la ck e ye s a nd t he d ar k c om pl ex io n y ou s ee

o n g yp si es . H er t em per, w hen i rr it at ed , w as s om et hi ng

d read fu l, and h er f ace w or e an evi l exp ress io n w hi ch

s he t ri ed t o c ov er b y s mi li ng s we et ly - - o ft en w he n s he

meant the most mischief.

" I ha ve c ome ," s ai d s he i n a l ow voi ce , " to r ende r

h om ag e t o t he n ob le P ri nc e o f P in ga re e. I a m t ol d t ha t

Y ou r H ig hn es s i s t he s tr on ge st p er so n i n t he w or ld , a nd

i nv in ci bl e i n b at tl e, and t herefo re I w is h y ou t o

b ecom e m y f ri en d, r at her t han m y enemy ."

Now Inga did not know how to reply to this speech. He

di sl ik ed t he a pp ea ra nc e o f t he w om an a nd w as a fr ai d o f

he r a nd he wa s u nu se d t o d ec ep ti on a nd d id no t k no w h ow

t o m as k his r ea l f ee li ngs . So he t ook t ime t o t hi nk

o ver h is ans wer, w hi ch h e f in al ly m ad e i n t hese w or ds :





" I h av e n o q ua rr el w it h Y ou r M aj es ty , a nd m y o nl y

r ea so n f or c om in g h er e i s t o l ib er at e m y f at he r a nd

m ot he r, a nd m y p eo pl e, w ho m y ou a nd y ou r h us ba nd h av e

m ad e y ou r s la ve s, a nd t o r ec ove r t he g ood s K in g Go s h as

p lu nd er ed f ro m t he I sl an d o f P in ga re e. T hi s I h op e s oo n

t o a cc om pl is h, a nd i f y ou r ea ll y w is h t o b e m y f ri end ,

y ou can ass is t m e g reat ly ."

W hi le h e w as s pe ak in g Q ue en C or h ad b ee n s tu dy in g t he

b oy 's f ac e s te al th il y, f ro m t he c or ne rs o f h er e ye s,

an d s he s ai d t o h er se lf : " He i s s o s ma ll a nd i nn oc en t

t ha t I be li ev e I c an c apt ur e hi m a lone , a nd w it h e as e.

He d oe s no t s ee m v er y t er ri bl e a nd I s us pe ct t ha t Ki ng

G os and h is w ar ri or s w er e f ri gh tened at n ot hi ng ."

T he n, a lo ud , s he s ai d t o I ng a:

" I w is h t o i nv it e y ou , m ig ht y P ri nce, and y ou r

f ri en d, t he g re at K ing o f G il ga d, t o v is it m y p oor

p al ac e a t C or eg os , w he re a ll m y p eo pl e s ha ll d o y ou

honor. Will you come?"

"At present," replied Inga, uneasily, "I must refuse

your kind invitation."





" Th er e w il l b e f east in g, and d an ci ng g ir ls , and g am es

a nd f ir ew or ks ," s ai d t he Q ue en , s pe ak in g a s i f e ag er t o

ent ic e hi m a nd a t e ac h w or d c om ing a s te p ne ar er t o

w he re h e s to od .

" I c ou ld n ot e nj oy t he m w hi le m y p oo r p ar en ts a re

sl av es ," s aid t he b oy , s adl y.

" Ar e yo u s ur e o f t ha t? " a sk ed Qu ee n Co r, a nd by t ha t

t im e s he w as c lo se b es id e I ng a. S ud de nl y s he l ea ne d

f or wa rd a nd t hr ew b ot h o f h er l on g a rm s a ro un d I ng a' s

b od y, ho ld in g h im i n a g ra sp t ha t w as l ik e a v is e.

Now Rinkitink sprang forward to rescue his friend,

b ut C or k ic ke d o ut v ic io us ly w it h h er f oo t a nd s tr uc k

t he K ing s qua re ly o n hi s s tom ac h - - a v er y t en de r p la ce

t o b e k ic ke d, e sp ec ia ll y i f o ne i s f at . T he n, s ti ll

hugging Inga tightly, the Queen called aloud:

" I' ve g ot h im ! B ri ng i n t he r op es ."

I ns tant ly t he f ou r m en s he h ad b ro ug ht w it h h er

s pr ang i nt o t he r oom a nd b ou nd t he bo y ha nd a nd f oot .

Next they seized Rinkitink, who was still rubbing his

stomach, and bound him likewise.





W it h a l au gh o f w ic ke d t ri um ph , Q ue en C or n ow l ed h er

c ap ti ve s d ow n t o t he b oa t a nd r et ur ne d w it h t he m t o

Coregos.

G re at w as t he a st on is hm en t o f K in g G os a nd h is

w ar ri or s w hen t hey s aw t hat t he m ig ht y P ri nce o f

P in ga re e, w ho ha d p ut t he m a ll t o f li gh t, h ad b ee n

c a pt ur ed b y a w om an . C ow ar ds a s t he y w er e, t he y n ow

cr ow de d a rou nd t he b oy a nd j ee re d a t hi m, a nd s om e of

t he m w ou ld h av e s tr uc k h im h ad n ot t he Q ue en c ri ed o ut :

" Hand s o ff ! H e i s m y p ri so ner, r em em ber n ot y ou rs ."

" We ll , C or , w ha t a re y ou g oi ng t o d o w it h h im ?"

inquired King Gos.

" I s ha ll ma ke h im my s la ve , t ha t h e m ay a mus e m y i dl e

h ou rs . F or h e i s a p re tt y b oy , a nd g en tl e, a lt ho ug h h e

d id f ri gh ten all o f y ou b ig w ar ri or s s o t er ri bl y. "

T he K in g s co wl ed a t t hi s s pe ec h, n ot l ik in g t o b e

r id ic ul ed , b ut h e s ai d n ot hi ng m or e. H e a nd hi s m en

r et ur ne d t ha t s am e d ay t o R eg os , a ft er r es to ri ng t he

br id ge o f b oa ts . A nd t he y h el d a w il d c ar ni va l o f





understand me?"

I nga bo we d, b ut m ad e n o a ns we r. T he n s he t ur ne d t o

Rinkitink and said:

" As f or yo u, I c annot de ci de ho w t o ma ke you us ef ul

t o m e, a s you a re a ltoge the r t oo fa t and a wkwa rd to

wor k i n t he f ie ld s. I t m ay be , h ow eve r, t ha t I c an us e

y ou as a p in cu sh io n.

"What!" cried Rinkitink in horror, "would you stick

p i ns i nt o t he K in g o f G il gad?"

" Why no t? " r et ur ne d Q ue en Co r. " Yo u a re a s f at a s a

p in cu sh io n, as y ou m us t y ou rs el f adm it , and w henever I

ne ede d a pi n I c oul d c al l you t o me ." The n s he l aughe d

a t h is f ri gh te ne d l oo k a nd a sk ed : " By t he w ay , a re y ou

ticklish?"

T hi s w as t he q uest io n R in ki ti nk h ad b een d read in g. H e

ga ve a m oa n o f de sp ai r a nd s ho ok hi s he ad .

" I s ho ul d l ove t o t ic kl e t he bo tt om o f y ou r f ee t w it h

a f eath er ," con ti nu ed t he cru el w om an . " Pl ease t ak e o ff

your shoes."





" Oh , y ou r M aj es ty !" p lead ed p oo r R in ki ti nk , " I b eg

you to allow me to amuse you in some other way. I can

dance, or I ca n 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

s ee m i n a m er ry m oo d. "

" I f ee l m er ry - - i nd ee d, Y ou r M aj es ty , I do !"

protested Rinkitink, anxious to escape the tickling.

B ut e ve n a s h e p ro fe ss ed t o " fe el m er ry " h is r ou nd , r ed

fa ce w or e a n e xp re ss io n o f h or ro r a nd a nx ie ty t ha t w as

realty comical.

" Si ng , t hen! " com mand ed Q ueen C or , w ho w as g reat ly

amused.

R in ki ti nk g av e a s ig h o f r el ief and aft er clear in g

hi s t hr oa t a nd t ry ing t o r epr es s hi s s ob s he be ga n t o

sing this song-gently, at first, but finally roaring it

ou t a t t he to p of hi s voi ce :

"Oh!

Th er e wa s a B aby Ti ge r l ive d i n a me n- ag- er -i e - -





Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy -- they wouldn't set him free;

An d e v' ryb od y t hou gh t t ha t h e wa s g ent le a s c oul d be - -

Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy -- Ba-by Ti-ger!

"Oh!

The y pa tt ed hi m u pon h is he ad a nd s hook h im by t he pa w - -

F iz zy -f ez zy -f uz zy - - h e h ad a b on e t o g na w;

But s oon h e g re w t he bi gge st T ige r t ha t you e ve r s aw - -

Fizzy-fezzy-fuzzy -- what a Ti-ger!

"Oh!

One da y they ca me t o pe t the br ut e a nd he bega n t o f ight --

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 i s t he re a m or al t o t he s ong ?" a sk ed Q ue en C or ,

when King Rinkitink had finished his song with great

spirit.





w hi ch t he y e xp ec te d t o r ec ei ve f or t he h on ey , w ou ld

enabl e t hem t o p ur ch as e m an y t hi ng s t hat w er e n eeded;

so it wa s de eme d bes t that Ze ll a should go. She wa s a

b r av e l it tl e g ir l a nd p oo r p eo pl e a re o ft en o bl ig ed t o

t ak e c ha nc es t ha t r ic h o ne s a re s pa re d.

A p as si ng w oo dc ho pp er h ad b ro ug ht n ew s t o N ik ob ob 's

c ab in t ha t Q ue en Co r h ad m ad e a p ri so ne r o f t he

con qu er in g P ri nce o f P in garee and t hat G os and h is

w ar ri or s w er e a ga in b ac k i n t he ir c it y o f R eg os ; b ut

t hese s tr ug gl es and con qu es t s w er e m at ters w hi ch ,

h o wever i nt eres ti ng , d id n ot con cern t he p oo r char co al -

b ur ner o r h is f am il y. T hey w er e m or e anx io us o ver t he

r e po rt t ha t t he w ar ri or s h ad b ec om e m or e r ec kl es s t ha n

ever b ef or e, and d el ig ht ed i n ann oy in g all t he com mo n

pe opl e; s o Z el la w as t ol d t o k ee p a wa y f ro m t he b ea te n

p at h a s m uc h a s p os si bl e, t ha t s he m ig ht n ot e nc ou nt er

any o f t he K in g' s s ol di er s.

" Wh en i t i s n ec es sa ry t o c ho os e b et we en t he w ar ri or s

a nd t he w il d b ea st s, " s ai d N ik ob ob , " th e b ea st s w il l b e

found the more merciful."

The l it tle gi rl ha d put on her be st at tir e f or t he

j ou rn ey a nd h er m ot he r t hr ew a b lu e s il k s ha wl o ve r h er

h ea d a nd s hou ld er s. U po n he r f ee t w er e t he pr et ty r ed





s ho es h er f at he r h ad b ro ug ht h er f ro m R eg os . T hu s

pr ep ar ed , s he k is s ed h er p ar en ts g oo d- by e a nd s ta r te d

ou t wi th a l ig ht h ea rt , c ar ryi ng t he pa il s o f hon ey i n

either hand.

I t wa s n ec es sa ry f or Z el la t o c ro ss t he p at h

tha t l ed f rom th e mi ne s t o t he c it y, but onc e on

t he ot he r s ide s he w as not l ike ly t o me et wi th

a ny on e, f or s he h ad r es ol ve d t o c ut t hr ou gh t he

f or es t a nd s o r ea ch t he b ri dg e o f b oa ts w it ho ut

e nt er in g t he C it y o f R eg os , w he re s he m ig ht b e

i nt er ru pt ed . F or a n h ou r o r t wo s he f ou nd t he

w al ki ng eas y eno ug h, b ut t hen t he f or es t, w hi ch

i n t hi s p ar t w as u nk no wn t o h er , b ec am e b ad ly

t an gl ed . T he t r ees w er e t hi cker and cr eepi ng

v in es i nt er tw in ed b et ween t hem. S he h ad t o

t ur n t his wa y a nd t hat t o ge t t hr ough a t a ll , a nd

f i na ll y s he c am e t o a pl ac e whe re a n et wor k of

vines and branches effectually barred her farther

progress.

Z el la w as d is mayed, at f ir st , w hen s he encou nt er ed

t hi s o bs ta cl e, b ut s et ti ng d ow n h er p ai ls s he m ad e a n

e nd ea vo r t o p us h t he b ra nc he s a si de . A t h er t ou ch t he y

p ar te d a s i f b y m ag ic , b re ak in g a su nd er l ik e d ri ed





Ou r s tor y m us t n ow r et ur n t o on e of o ur c ha ra ct er s

w hom w e h av e b ee n f or ce d t o n eg le ct . T he t em pe r o f

Bi lb il t he g oat w as n ot s weet u nd er any cir cu ms tances ,

a nd w he ne ve r he ha d a gr ie va nc e he wa s i nc li ne d t o be

q ui te g ru mp y. S o, w he n h is m as te r s et tl ed d ow n i n t he

p al ac e of Ki ng Gos f or a quie t l if e wi th t he boy

P ri nce, and p as sed h is t im e i n p layi ng check er s and

eat in g and o th er wi se enj oy in g h im self , h e h ad n o u se

w hatever f or B il bi l, and s hu t t he g oat i n an u ps tair s

r oo m t o p revent h is w an deri ng t hr ou gh t he cit y and

quarreling with the citizens. But this Bilbil did not

l ik e a t a ll . H e b ec am e v er y c ro ss a nd d is ag re ea bl e a t

be ing le ft a lone a nd he di d not s pe ak ni ce ly t o t he

s er vant s w ho cam e t o b ri ng h im f oo d; t herefo re t ho se

p eo pl e d ec id ed n ot t o w ai t u po n h im a ny m or e, r es en ti ng

h is c on ve rs at io n a nd n ot l ik in g t o b e s co ld ed b y a

l ean, s cr ag gl y g oat, even t ho ug h i t b el on ged t o a

c o nq ue ro r. T he s er va nt s k ep t a wa y f ro m t he r oo m a nd

Bi lb il g rew m or e h un gr y and m or e ang ry every h ou r. H e

t ri ed t o e at t he r ug s a nd o rn am en ts , b ut f ou nd t he m n ot

a t a ll n ou ri sh in g. T he re w as n o g ra ss t o b e h ad u nl es s

h e e sc ap ed f ro m t he p al ac e.

W he n Q ue en C or c am e t o c ap tu re I ng a a nd R in ki ti nk ,





b ot h t he p ri so ne rs w er e s o f il le d w it h d es pa ir a t t he ir

o w n m is fo rt un e t hat t hey g av e n o t ho ug ht w hatever t o

t he goa t, who wa s l ef t i n hi s room . Nor di d Bi lbi l know

anything of the changed fortunes of his comrades until

h e h eard s ho ut s and b oi st er ou s l au gh ter i n t he

cou rt yard b el ow . L oo ki ng o ut o f a w in do w, w it h t he

in tent io n o f r eb uk in g t ho se w ho d ar ed t hu s t o d is tu rb

him, Bilbil saw the courtyard quite filled with

w ar ri or s a nd k ne w f ro m t hi s t ha t t he p al ac e h ad i n s om e

w ay again f al len i nt o t he h an ds o f t he enemy .

Now, although Bilbil was often exceedingly

d is ag re ea bl e t o K in g R in ki ti nk , a s w el l a s t o t he

P r in ce, and s om et im es u sed h ar sh w or ds i n add ress in g

t he m, h e wa s i nt el li ge nt e nou gh t o k now t he m t o b e h is

f ri end s, a nd t o kno w t ha t K ing Go s a nd hi s p eop le w er e

h is f oe s. I n s ud de n a ng er , p ro vo ke d b y t he s ig ht o f t he

wa rr ior s a nd t he k now le dge t ha t he wa s i n t he po we r o f

t he d an gero us m en o f R eg os , B il bi l b ut ted h is h ead

a ga ins t t he doo r of hi s r oom a nd bur st i t o pe n. T he n he

ra n t o t he he ad of the s ta irc as e a nd s aw King Gos

c om in g up t he s ta ir s f ol low ed by a l ong l ine o f hi s

chief captains and warriors.

T he g oat l ow er ed h is h ead, t remb li ng w it h r ag e and





ex ci te me nt , a nd j us t a s t he K in g r ea ch ed t he t op s ta ir

t he a ni ma l d as he d f or wa rd a nd b ut te d H is M aj es ty s o

f ie rc el y t ha t t he b ig a nd p ow er fu l K in g, w ho d id n ot

e x pe ct a n a tt ac k, d ou bl ed u p a nd t um bl ed b ac kw ar d. H is

g re at w ei gh t k no ck ed o ve r t he m an j us t be hi nd h im a nd

he in t ur n s tr uc k t he ne xt w arr ior a nd ups et hi m, s o

t ha t i n a n i ns ta nt t he wh ol e l ine o f Bi lbi l' s f oe s w as

t um bl in g h ee ls o ve r h ea d t o t he b ot to m o f t he s ta ir s,

w here t hey p il ed u p i n a h eap, s tr ug gl in g and s ho ut in g

and i n t he m ix up h it ti ng o ne ano th er w it h t heir f is ts ,

u nt il e ve ry m an o f t he m w as b ru is ed a nd s or e.

F in al ly K in g G os s cr am bl ed o ut o f t he h ea p a nd r us he d

up t he s tair s again , v er y ang ry i nd eed. B il bi l w as

r ea dy f or hi m a nd a s ec ond t im e bu tt ed t he Ki ng d own

t he s ta ir s; but no w t he goa t a ls o l os t h is b al anc e a nd

followed the King, landing full upon the confused heap

o f s ol di er s. T hen h e k icked o ut s o v icio us ly w it h h is

h ee ls t ha t h e s oo n f re ed h im se lf a nd d as he d o ut o f t he

d o or wa y o f t he p al ac e.

"Stop him!" cried King Gos, running after.

But t he go at w as now s o w il d a nd e xc it ed t ha t i t w as

not s af e f or a nyo ne t o s ta nd i n hi s wa y. No ne of t he

men wer e arme d and whe n one or two tri ed t o he ad off





" Br in g t he m h er e t o m e! " s he c ri ed s ava ge ly . " A g oo d

whipping may make them change their minds."

S o t he s la ve d ri ve r w en t t o f et ch t he r eb el li ou s o ne s

a nd Q ue en C or s at d ow n t o e at h er b re ak fa st , a n ug ly

l oo k on h er f ac e.

P ri nc e I ng a h ad b ee n o rd er ed t o s ta nd b eh in d h is n ew

m is tr es s w it h a b ig f an o f p ea co ck 's f ea th er s, b ut h e

wa s s o u nu se d t o s uc h s er vi ce t ha t h e a wk wa rd ly b ru sh ed

h er e ar w ith t he f an. A t onc e s he f le w i nt o a t err ibl e

r ag e a nd s la pp ed t he P ri nc e t wi ce w it h h er h an d- bl ow s

t ha t t in gl ed , t oo, f or he r ha nd wa s b ig a nd h ar d a nd

s he w as n ot i nc li ne d t o b e g en tl e. I ng a t oo k t he b lo ws

without shrinking or uttering a cry, although they

s tu ng hi s p ri de f ar m or e t ha n h is b od y. B ut K ing

R in ki ti nk , w ho w as a ct in g a s t he q ue en 's b ut le r a nd h ad

ju st b ro ug ht i n h er c of fe e, w as s o s ta rt le d a t s ee in g

t he y ou ng P ri nc e p un is he d t ha t h e t ip pe d o ve r t he u rn

a nd t he h ot c of fe e s tr ea me d a cr os s t he l ap of t he

Queen's best morning gown.

Co r s pr ang f rom he r s ea t w it h a s cr ea m o f a ng er a nd

p oo r R in ki ti nk w ou ld d ou bt less h av e b een g iv en a

t er ri bl e b eati ng h ad n ot t he s lave d ri ver r et ur ned at





t hi s m om en t and att ract ed t he w om an 's att en ti on . T he

o vers eer h ad b ro ug ht w it h h im all o f t he w om en s laves

f ro m P in ga re e, w ho h ad b ee n l oa de d d ow n w it h c ha in s a nd

we re s o w ea k a nd i ll t he y c ou ld s ca rc el y w al k, m uc h

l e ss w or k i n t he f ie ld s.

P ri nce I ng a' s eyes w er e d im med w it h s or ro wf ul t ears

w he n h e d is co ve re d h ow h is p oo r p eo pl e h ad b ee n a bu se d,

b ut h is o wn p li gh t w as s o h el pl es s t ha t h e w as u na bl e

t o a id t he m. F or tu na te ly t he b oy 's m ot he r, Q ue en G ar ee ,

w as no t a mon g t he se s la ve s, f or Q ue en C or ha d p la ce d

h er i n t he r oya l da ir y t o m ake but te r.

" Wh y do yo u r ef us e t o w or k? " de ma nde d C or i n a ha rs h

v o ic e, a s t he s la ve s f ro m P in ga re e s to od b ef or e h er ,

trembling and with downcast eyes.

" Be ca us e w e l ac k s tr en gt h t o p er fo rm t he t as ks y ou r

o vers eer s d em an d, " ans wered o ne o f t he w om en .

"Then you shall be whipped until your strength

r et ur ns !" exclaim ed t he Q ueen , and t ur ni ng t o I ng a, s he

co mm an ded: " Get m e t he w hi p w it h t he s ev en l as hes. "

A s t he bo y l ef t t he r oom , wo nd er ing h ow he m igh t





m anage t o s av e t he u nh ap py w om en f ro m t heir u nd es er ved

p uni shm en t, he m et a g ir l e nt er in g by t he b ac k w ay , w ho

asked:

" Ca n y ou t el l m e w he re t o f in d H er M aj es ty , Q ue en

Cor?"

" Sh e i s i n t he c ha mb er w it h t he r ed d om e, w he re g re en

d rago ns are p ai nt ed u po n t he w al ls ," r ep li ed I ng a; " bu t

s he i s i n a n a ng ry a nd u ng ra ci ou s m oo d t o- da y. W hy d o

y ou wi sh t o s ee he r? "

" I h av e h on ey t o s el l, " a ns we re d t he g ir l, w ho w as

Z el la , j us t c om e f ro m t he f or es t. " The Q ue en i s v er y

f o nd o f m y h on ey ."

" You m ay g o t o he r, i f yo u s o de si re ," s ai d t he bo y,

" bu t t ake c ar e n ot t o a nge r t he c rue l Q ue en , o r s he m ay

d o y ou a m is ch ief. "

" Wh y s ho ul d s he h ar m m e, w ho b ri ng s h er t he h one y s he

so dearly loves?" inquired the child innocently. "But I

t ha nk y ou f or y ou r w ar ni ng ; a nd I w il l t ry n ot t o a nge r

the Queen."

A s Z el la s ta rt ed t o g o, I ng a' s e ye s s ud de nl y f el l





u po n h er s ho es and i ns tant ly h e r ecog ni zed t hem as h is

ow n. F or o nl y i n P in ga re e w er e s ho es s ha pe d i n t hi s

m an ne r: h ig h a t t he h ee l a nd p oi nt ed a t t he t oe s.

" St op !" h e c ri ed i n a n e xc it ed v oi ce , a nd t he g ir l

obeyed, wonderingly. "Tell me," he continued, more

g en tl y, " wh er e d id y ou g et t ho se s ho es ?"

" My f at her b ro ug ht t hem t o m e f ro m R eg os ," s he

answered.

"From Regos!"

" Yes. A re t hey n ot p rett y?" ask ed Z el la, l oo ki ng d ow n

a t he r f ee t to a dmi re the m. "One of t hem my f athe r

f ou nd by t he p al ac e w al l, a nd t he ot he r on a n a sh- he ap.

S o h e br ou gh t t he m t o m e a nd t he y f it m e p er fe ct ly ."

B y t hi s t im e I ng a w as t remb li ng w it h eag er j oy , w hi ch

o f cou rs e t he g ir l cou ld n ot u nd er st an d.

" Wh at i s y ou r n am e, l it tl e m ai d?" h e ask ed .

" I a m c al le d Z el la , a nd m y f at he r i s N ik ob ob , t he

charcoal-burner."





and m ot her r ich and p ro sp er ou s. I nd eed, I w il l p ro mi se

to gra nt any fa vors you may ask of me," and he sat down

u pon t he f loor a nd dr ew of f t he s hoe s he wa s we ar ing

a nd h el d t he m t ow ar d t he g ir l.

" I' ll s ee i f t hey w il l f it m e, " s ai d Z el la, t ak in g

of f he r l ef t s hoe - - t he one t ha t c ont ai ne d t he Pi nk

Pe ar l - - a nd be gi nn in g t o pu t on on e of I nga 's .

J us t t he n Qu ee n Co r, a ng ry a t b ei ng m ade t o

w ai t f or h er w hi p w it h t he s ev en l as he s, r us he d

i nt o t he r oo m t o f in d I nga . S ee in g t he b oy s it ti ng

u po n t he f lo or b es id e Z el la, t he w om an s pr an g

t ow ar d h im t o b eat h im w it h h er clenched f is ts ;

bu t I nga ha d n ow s li ppe d on t he s hoe a nd t he

Q ue en 's b lo ws c ou ld n ot r ea ch h is b od y.

T he n C or e sp ie d t he w hi p l yi ng b es id e I ng a a nd

s na tc hing i t up she tr ie d t o la sh him wit h it -- al l t o

no avail.

W hi le Z el la s at h or ri fi ed b y t hi s s cene, t he P ri nce,

w ho r ea li ze d he h ad n o t ime t o w as te , r ea ch ed o ut a nd

p ul led t he r ig ht s ho e f ro m t he g ir l' s f oo t, q ui ck ly

p la ci ng i t u po n hi s o wn . T he n h e s to od u p a nd, f ac in g





t he f ur io us b ut a st on is he d Q ue en , s ai d t o h er i n a

quiet voice:

" Madam, p leas e g iv e m e t hat w hi p. "

" I w on 't !" a ns we re d C or . " I' m g oi ng t o l as h t ho se

Pingaree women with it."

T he b oy s ei zed h ol d o f t he w hi p and w it h i rr es is ti bl e

s tr en gt h d re w i t f ro m t he Q ue en 's h an d. B ut s he d re w

f ro m h er b os om a s ha rp d ag ge r a nd w it h t he s wi ft ne ss o f

l ig ht ni ng aim ed a b lo w at I ng a' s h eart . H e m er el y s to od

s ti ll and s mi led, f or t he b lade r eb ou nd ed and f el l

clattering to the floor.

T he n, a t l as t, Q ue en C or u nd er st oo d t he m ag ic p ow er

t ha t h ad t er ri fi ed h er h us ba nd b ut w hi ch s he h ad

ridiculed in her ignorance, not believing in it. She

di d n ot k now t ha t I ng a' s p ow er ha d b ee n l os t, a nd f ou nd

a ga in, but s he r ea li ze d t he b oy w as no c om mon f oe a nd

t hat u nl es s s he cou ld s ti ll m an ag e t o o ut wi t h im h er

r ei gn i n t he I sl an d o f C or eg os w as e nd ed . T o g ai n t im e,

s h e w en t b ac k t o t he r ed -d om ed c ha mb er a nd s ea te d

h er self i n h er t hr on e, b ef or e w hi ch w er e g ro up ed t he

weeping slaves from Pingaree.





g at he re d t og et he r b y t he o ve rs ee r, w er e b ro ug ht i n a nd

re st or ed t o t he ir m ot he rs , a nd t he re w as g re at

r ej oi ci ng amo ng t hem, y ou m ay b e s ur e.

" Bu t w he re i s Q ue en G ar ee , m y d ea r m ot he r? "

q ue st io ne d I ng a; b ut t he w om en d id n ot k no w a nd i t w as

s om e t im e b ef or e t he o ve rs ee r r em em be re d t ha t o ne o f

t h e s la ve s f ro m P in ga re e h ad b ee n p la ce d i n t he r oy al

da ir y. P er ha ps t hi s w as t he w om an t he b oy w as s ee ki ng .

I nga a t o nc e c om ma nde d hi m t o l ea d t he w ay t o t he

b ut te r h ou se , b ut w he n t he y a rr iv ed t he re Q ue en G ar ee

w as n ow he re i n t he p la ce , a lt ho ug h t he b oy f ou nd a s il k

s ca rf w hi ch h e r ec og ni ze d a s o ne t ha t h is m ot he r u se d

t o w ea r. T he n t he y b eg an a s ea rc h t hr ou gh ou t t he i sl an d

o f C or eg os , b ut cou ld n ot f in d I ng a' s m ot her any wh er e.

W he n t he y r et ur ne d t o t he p al ac e o f Q ue en C or ,

Ri nk it in k d is co vered t hat t he b ri dg e o f b oats h ad again

b een r em ov ed , s ep ar at in g t hem f ro m R eg os , and f ro m t hi s

t he y s us pe ct ed t ha t Q ue en C or h ad f le d t o h er h us ba nd 's

i sl an d a nd h ad t ak en Q ue en G ar ee w it h h er . I ng a w as

m uc h p er pl ex ed w ha t t o d o a nd r et ur ne d w it h h is f ri en ds

t o t he p al ac e t o t al k t he m at te r ov er .

Z el la w as n ow c ry in g b ec au se s he h ad n ot s ol d h er





h one y a nd w as u na bl e t o r et ur n t o he r p ar ent s o n t he

i sl an d o f R eg os , b ut t he b oy p ri nc e c om fo rt ed h er a nd

p ro mi se d s he s ho ul d b e p ro te ct ed u nt il s he c ou ld b e

r es to red t o h er h om e. R in ki ti nk f ou nd Q ueen C or 's

pur se , wh ic h s he h ad ha d n o t ime t o t ake wi th h er , a nd

g av e Z el la s ev er al g ol d p ieces f or t he h on ey . T hen I ng a

o rd er ed t he p al ac e s er va nt s t o p re pa re a f ea st f or a ll

th e w om en a nd c hi ld re n o f P in ga re e a nd t o p re pa re f or

t he m b ed s i n t he g re at p al ac e, w hi ch w as l ar ge e no ug h

t o accom mo date t hem all .

T he n t he b oy a nd t he g oa t a nd R in ki ti nk a nd Z el la

w en t i nt o a p ri va te r oo m t o c on si de r w ha t s ho ul d b e

d o ne n ex t.

Chapter Fourteen

T he E scape

"Our fault," said Rinkitink, "is that we conquer only

o ne of t he se t wi n i sl ands a t a t ime . W hen w e





c on qu er ed R eg os , o ur f oe s a ll c am e t o C or eg os , a nd n ow

t ha t w e h av e c on qu er ed C or eg os , t he Q ue en ha s f le d t o

Re go s. A nd e ac h t im e t he y r em ov ed t he b ri dg e o f b oa ts ,

s o t ha t w e c ou ld n ot f ol lo w t he m. "

" Wha t ha s be come of our ow n b oa t, i n wh ic h we c am e

from Pingaree?" asked Bilbil.

" We l ef t i t o n t he s ho re o f R eg os ," r ep li ed t he

P ri nc e, " but I w on de r i f w e c oul d n ot g et i t a ga in ."

" Wh y d on 't y ou ask t he W hi te P earl ?" s ug gest ed

Rinkitink.

" Th at i s a go od i de a, " r et ur ne d t he bo y, a nd a t o nc e

he dr ew t he Whi te Pe ar l fr om it s s il ke n ba g a nd he ld i t

t o hi s e ar . The n he a ske d: " Ho w m ay I r ega in ou r boa t? "

T he V oi ce of t he P ea rl r epl ie d: " Go t o t he s out h e nd

of t he I sl and of C or eg os , a nd c la p yo ur h an ds t hr ee

t ime s a nd t he boa t wi ll c om e t o you.

" Ve ry g oo d! " c ri ed I ng a, a nd t he n h e t ur ne d t o h is

c om pa ni ons a nd s ai d: " We s ha ll be a bl e t o ge t ou r b oa t

w he ne ve r w e p le as e; b ut w ha t t he n s ha ll w e d o? "





" Take m e h om e i n i t! " p lead ed Z el la.

" Com e w it h m e t o my C it y of G il ga d, " s ai d t he Ki ng ,

" w here y ou w il l b e v er y w el co me t o r em ai n f or ev er ."

" No ," a ns we re d I ng a, " I m us t r es cu e m y f at he r a nd

m ot he r, a s w el l a s m y p eo pl e. A lr ea dy I h av e t he w om en

a n d c hi ld re n of P in ga re e, bu t t he m en a re w it h m y

f at he r i n t he m in es o f R eg os , a nd m y d ea r m ot he r h as

b ee n t ak en a wa y b y Qu ee n Co r. N ot u nt il a ll a re r es cue d

wi ll I con sent t o l eave t hese i sl an ds ."

"Quite right!" exclaimed Bilbil.

"On second thought," said Rinkitink, "I agree with

y ou. I f you a re c ar ef ul t o s le ep i n y our s hoe s, a nd

ne ve r t ak e t he m o ff a ga in , I be li ev e y ou w il l be a bl e

t o p er fo rm t he t as k y ou h av e u nd er t ak en ."

T he y c ou ns el ed t og et he r f or a l on g t im e a s t o t he ir

m od e o f a ct io n a nd i t w as f in al ly c on si de re d b es t t o

m ak e t he att em pt t o l ib er at e K in g K it ti cu t f ir st o f

al l, and w it h h im t he m en f ro m P in garee. T hi s w ou ld

g i ve t he m a n a rm y t o a ss is t t he m a nd a ft er wa rd t he y

c ou ld m ar ch t o Re go s a nd c om pe l Q ue en C or t o g iv e up





t he Q ue en o f P in ga re e. Z el la t ol d t he m t ha t t he y c ou ld

g o i n t he ir b oa t a long t he s hor e of Re gos t o a po int

opposite the mines, thus avoiding any conflict with the

w ar ri or s o f K in g G os .

T hi s b ei ng c on si de re d t he b es t c ou rs e t o p ur su e, t he y

r es ol ved t o s tart o n t he f ol lo wi ng m or ni ng , as n ig ht

was even n ow app ro achi ng . T he s er vant s b ei ng all b us y

i n car in g f or t he w om en and chi ld ren, Z el la u nd er to ok

t o g et a d inn er f or I ng a a nd R in ki ti nk a nd h er se lf a nd

s oo n p re pa re d a f in e m ea l i n t he p al ac e k it ch en , f or

s he w as a g oo d l it tl e c ook a nd h ad o ft en h el pe d he r

m ot he r. T he d in ne r w as s er ve d i n a s ma ll r oo m

overlooking the gardens and Rinkitink thought the best

p ar t of i t w as t he s we et h on ey, w hi ch he s pr ea d up on

t he b is cu it s t ha t Z el la h ad m ad e. A s f or B il bi l, he

w an der ed t hr ou gh t he p al ace g ro un ds and f ou nd s om e

gr as s t ha t m ad e h im a g oo d d in ne r.

D ur in g t he eveni ng I ng a t al ked w it h t he w om en and

cheer ed t hem, p ro mi si ng s oo n t o r eu ni te t hem w it h t heir

h us ba nd s w ho w er e w or ki ng i n t he m in es a nd t o s en d t he m

b a ck t o t he ir o wn i sl an d o f P in ga re e.

Next morning the boy rose bright and early and found

t ha t Z el la h ad a lr ea dy p re pa re d a n ic e b re ak fa st . A nd





p ow er s o f t hese adv en tu rer s f ro m P in gar ee and w er e

unwilling to attack them unless their King ordered them

to.

Th e c oa st on t he w es te rn s ide o f t he I sl an d of R eg os

w as v er y u neven and Z el la, w ho k new f ai rl y w el l t he

l ocat io n o f t he m in es f ro m t he i nl an d f or es t p at h, w as

p uzzl ed t o d ecid e w hi ch m ou nt ai n t hey n ow v iewed f ro m

the se a wa s the one whe re the entr anc e t o the

u nd er gr ou nd cav er ns w as l ocat ed . F ir st s he t ho ug ht i t

w as t hi s p ea k, a nd t he n s he gu es se d i t w as t ha t; s o

considerable time was lost through her uncertainty.

T hey f in al ly d ecid ed t o l an d and exp lo re t he cou nt ry ,

t o s ee whe re the y wer e, s o Inga ra n the boa t i nto a

l it tl e r oc ky c ov e w he re t he y a ll d is em ba rk ed . F or a n

h o ur t hey s earched f or t he p at h w it ho ut f in di ng any

t ra ce of i t a nd no w Ze ll a b el ie ve d t he y ha d gone t oo

f ar t o t he n or th a nd m us t r et ur n t o a no th er m ou nt ai n

t ha t w as ne ar er t o t he c it y.

O nc e a ga in t he y e nt er ed t he b oa t a nd f ol lo we d t he

w in di ng coast s ou th u nt il t hey t ho ug ht t hey h ad r each ed

t he r ig ht p lace. B y t hi s t im e, h ow ev er , i t w as g ro wi ng

da rk , f or t he e nt ir e d ay ha d b ee n s pe nt i n t he s ea rc h

f or t he e nt ra nc e t o t he m in es , a nd Z el la w ar ne d t he m





t ha t i t w oul d be s af er t o s pe nd t he ni ght i n t he boa t

t ha n on t he l and , w he re w il d b ea st s w er e s ur e t o

d is tu rb t he m. N one o f t he m r ea li ze d a t t hi s t im e h ow

f at al t hi s da y of s ea rc h ha d be en t o t he ir p la ns a nd

p er ha ps i f I nga h ad r ea li ze d w ha t w as g oi ng o n h e w ou ld

h a ve l an de d a nd f ou gh t a ll t he w il d b ea st s i n t he

f or es t r at her t han q ui et ly r em ai n i n t he b oat u nt il

morning.

However, knowing nothing of the cunning plans of

Q ue en C or a nd K in g G os , t he y a nc hor ed t he ir b oa t i n a

little bay and cheerfully ate their dinner, finding

pl en ty of f ood a nd dr ink i n t he bo at 's l oc ke rs . I n t he

e ve ni ng t he s ta rs c ame out i n t he s ky a nd t ipp ed t he

w av es aro un d t heir b oat w it h s il ver. A ll aro un d t hem

was delightfully still save for the occasional snarl of

a b eas t o n t he n ei gh bo ri ng s ho re.

T hey t al ked t og et her q ui et ly o f t heir adv en tu res and

t heir f ut ur e p lans and Z el la t ol d t hem h er s im pl e

h is to ry a nd h ow h ar d h er p oo r f at he r w as o bl ig ed t o

w or k, b ur ni ng charcoal t o s el l f or eno ug h m on ey t o

s up po rt h is w if e a nd c hi ld . N ik ob ob m ig ht b e t he

hu mb le st m an i n a ll R ego s, b ut Z el la d ec la re d h e w as a

good m an, a nd hone st , a nd it w as not hi s fa ul t t ha t hi s





c ou nt ry wa s r ul ed by s o wi cke d a Ki ng.

T hen R in ki ti nk , t o amu se t hem, o ff er ed t o s in g a

song, and although Bilbil protested in his gruff way,

claim in g t hat h is m as ter' s v oi ce w as crack ed and

d i sagr eeab le, t he l it tl e K in g w as encou raged b y t he

o th er s t o s in g h is s on g, w hi ch h e d id .

" A r ed -h ea de d m an n am ed N ed w as d ea d;

Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do!

I n b at tl e he h ad l os t hi s he ad;

Sing fiddle-cum-faddl-cum-fi-do!

' Al as , poor Ne d,' t o hi m I s ai d,

' How di d you los e your he ad s o re d? '


" Sa id N ed : ' I f or m y c ou nt ry b le d, '


' In st ea d o f d yi ng s af e i n b ed ',


' If I h ad o nl y f le d, i ns te ad ,





d is re sp ec tf ul w or ds o f t he g oa t, f or s he h ad q ui te

enjoyed Rinkitink's singing and had been taught a

p ro per r es pect f or K in gs and t ho se h ig h i n aut ho ri ty .

But a s i t w as now g et ti ng l at e t he y de ci de d t o go t o

sleep, that they might rise early the following

m or ni ng , s o t hey all r ecli ned u po n t he b ot to m o f t he

b ig b oat and cov er ed t hems el ves w it h b lank et s w hi ch

t he y f ou nd s to re d u nd er ne at h t he s ea ts f or j us t s uc h

o ccas io ns . T hey w er e n ot l on g i n f al li ng asl eep and d id

n ot w ak en u nt il d ay br eak .

A ft er a h ur ri ed b re ak fa st , f or I ng a w as e ag er t o

l ib er at e h is f at he r, t he b oy r ow ed t he b oa t a sh or e a nd

t hey all l an ded and b eg an s earchi ng f or t he p at h. Z el la

f ou nd i t w it hi n t he n ex t h al f h ou r and d eclared t hey

mu st b e ve ry c los e t o t he e nt ra nc e t o t he m ine s; s o

t hey f ol lo wed t he p at h t ow ar d t he n or th , I ng a g oi ng

first, and then Zella following him, while Rinkitink

br ou gh t u p t he r ear r id in g u po n B il bi l' s b ack.

B ef or e l on g t he y s aw a g re at w al l o f r oc k t ow er in g

b ef or e t he m, i n w hi ch w as a l ow a rc he d e nt ra nc e, a nd o n

e it he r s id e o f t hi s e nt ra nc e s to od a g ua rd , a rm ed w it h

a s wor d a nd a spea r. The gua rds of the mi ne s we re not

s o f ie rc e a s t he w ar ri or s o f K in g G os , t he ir d ut y b ei ng

t o m ak e t he s la ve s wo rk a t t he ir t as ks a nd gu ar d t he m





f ro m e sc ap in g; b ut t he y w er e a s c ru el a s t he ir c ru el

m as te r wi sh ed t he m t o be , a nd a s c owa rd ly a s t he y w er e

cruel.

I ng a w al ke d u p t o t he t wo m en a t t he e nt ra nc e a nd

said:

" Do es t hi s op eni ng l ea d t o t he m in es o f K in g Go s? "

" It doe s," r epl ie d one of t he gua rds , "b ut n o o ne i s

a ll owe d t o p as s o ut w ho on ce g oe s i n. "

" Ne ve rt he le ss ," s ai d t he b oy , w e i nt en d t o g o i n a nd

w e s hal l come out whe never it plea ses us to do so. I am

t he P ri nc e of P inga re e, a nd I ha ve c om e t o l ibe ra te m y

p eop le, w ho m K in g G os h as ens laved. "

Now when the two guards heard this speech they looked

a t o ne a no th er a nd l au gh ed , a nd o ne o f t he m s ai d: " Th e

K ing wa s r ight , f or he s aid t he boy w as l ike ly t o c ome

he re a nd t ha t he w ou ld t ry t o s et h is p eop le f re e. Al so

t he K in g c om ma nd ed t ha t w e m us t k ee p t he l it tl e P ri nc e

i n t he m ine s, a nd s et h im t o w or k, t og et he r w it h h is

companions."





" Th en l et u s o be y t he K in g, " r ep li ed t he o th er m an .

I ng a w as s ur pr is ed a t h ea ri ng t hi s, a nd a sk ed :

" Wh en d id K in g G os g iv e y ou t hi s o rd er ?"

" Hi s M aj es ty w as h er e i n p er so n l as t n ig ht ," r ep li ed

t he ma n, " and w ent a wa y a ga in but a n hou r a go. He

s us pe ct ed y ou w er e c om in g h er e a nd t ol d u s t o c ap tu re

yo u i f w e cou ld ."

T hi s r ep or t m ad e t he b oy v er y a nx io us , n ot f or

h im se lf b ut f or h is f at he r, f or h e f ea re d t he K in g wa s

u p t o s om e m is ch ie f. S o h e h as te ne d t o e nt er t he m in es

a nd t he g ua rd s d id n ot hi ng t o o pp os e h im o r h is

c om pa ni on s, t he ir o rde rs be ing t o a ll ow h im t o g o i n

b ut not t o c ome out.

T he l it tl e g ro up o f adv en tu rers p as sed t hr ou gh a l on g

r oc ky c or ri do r a nd r ea ch ed a l ow , w id e c av er n w he re

t he y f ou nd a d oz en g ua rd s a nd a h un dr ed s la ve s, t he

l a tt er b ei ng h ar d a t w or k w it h p ic ks a nd s ho ve ls

d ig gi ng f or g ol d, w hi le t he g uard s s to od o ver t hem w it h

long whips.

I ng a f ou nd m an y o f t he m en f ro m P in garee amo ng t hese





s la ve s, b ut K in g K it ti cu t w as n ot i n t hi s c av er n; s o

t hey p as sed t hr ou gh i t and ent ered ano th er cor ri do r

t ha t l ed t o a s ec ond c av er n. H er e a ls o hu nd re ds of m en

we re w or ki ng , b ut t he b oy d id n ot f in d h is f at he r

a mo ngs t t he m, a nd s o we nt on t o a t hi rd c ave rn.

T he c or ri do rs a ll s la nt ed d ow nw ar d, s o t ha t t he

f ar th er t he y w en t t he l ow er i nt o t he e ar th t he y

de sc en de d, a nd n ow t he y f ou nd t he a ir h ot a nd c los e a nd

difficult to breathe. Flaming torches were stuck into

t he wa ll s t o g ive l igh t t o t he wor ke rs , a nd t he se a dde d

t o t he o pp re ss iv e h ea t.

Th e t hi rd a nd low es t c ave rn w as t he l as t i n the

m in es , a nd h er e w er e m an y s co re s o f s la ve s a nd m an y

gua rds t o ke ep t hem a t wor k. So f ar , none of t he guar ds

h ad p ai d a ny a tt en ti on t o I ng a' s p ar ty , b ut a ll ow ed

t he m t o p ro ce ed a s t he y w ou ld , a nd w hi le t he s la ve s

c as t c ur ious gl anc es a t t he bo y a nd gi rl a nd m an a nd

g oa t, t he y d ar ed s ay n ot hi ng . B ut n ow t he b oy w al ke d u p

t o s om e o f t he m en of Pi nga re e a nd a ske d n ews o f hi s

f at he r, t el li ng t he m n ot t o f ea r t he g ua rd s a s he w ou ld

pr ot ect t hem f ro m t he w hi ps .

T he n h e T ea me d t ha t K in g K it ti cu t h ad i nd ee d b ee n





working in this very cavern until the evening before,

w he n K in g Gos ha d c om e a nd t ake n hi m a wa y - - s ti ll

loaded with chains.

" Seem s t o m e, " s ai d K in g R in ki ti nk , w hen h e h eard

t hi s r ep or t, " th at G os h as c ar ri ed y ou r f at he r a wa y t o

R ego s, t o p re ve nt u s f ro m r es cu in g h im . H e m ay hi de

p oo r K it ti cu t i n a d un geon , w here w e can no t f in d h im ."

" Pe rh ap s y ou a re r ig ht ," a ns we re d t he b oy , " bu t I a m

determ in ed t o f in d h im , w herever h e m ay b e. "

I ng a s po ke f ir ml y a nd w it h c ou ra ge , b ut h e w as

g reat ly d is ap po in ted t o f in d t hat K in g G os h ad b een

b ef or e h im a t t he m in es a nd h ad t ak en h is f at he r a wa y.

H ow ev er , h e t ri ed n ot t o f eel d is hear tened, b el ievi ng

he woul d s uc ce ed i n t he e nd, i n s pi te of a ll

o pp os it io n. T ur ni ng t o t he g uard s, h e s ai d:

" Remo ve t he chain s f ro m t hese s laves and s et t hem

free."

T he g ua rd s l au gh ed a t t hi s o rd er , a nd o ne o f t he m

brought forward a handful of chains, saying: "His

M aj es ty h as c om ma nd ed u s t o m ak e y ou , a ls o, a s la ve ,

f or y ou a re n ev er t o l ea ve t he se c av er ns a ga in ."





g ua rd s a nd o ve rs ee rs f le d i n t er ro r a t h is a pp ro ac h,

a nd s oo n h e ha d b ro ke n a pa rt t he c ha ins of t he s la ve s

w ho h ad b ee n w or ki ng i n t ha t p ar t o f t he m in es . T he n

t hey app ro ached t he f ir s t cav er n and l ib er at ed all

there.

T he s la ve s h ad b ee n t re at ed s o c ru el ly b y t he

s er va nt s o f Ki ng G os t ha t t he y we re e age r t o pu rs ue a nd

s l ay t he m, i n r ev eng e; b ut I ng a h el d t he m b ac k a nd

f or med t hem i nt o com pani es , each com pany h av in g i ts o wn

l ea de r. T he n h e c al le d t he l ea de rs t og et he r a nd

i ns tr uc te d t he m t o m ar ch i n g oo d o rd er a lo ng t he p at h

t o t he Ci ty of Re gos , whe re he wo ul d me et t he m a nd

t el l t he m wha t t o do ne xt .

T hey r eadi ly agr eed t o o bey h im , and , arm in g

t hems el ves w it h i ro n b ar s and p ick- ax es w hi ch t hey

b ro ug ht f ro m t he m in es , t he s laves b eg an t heir m ar ch t o

the city.

Z el la a t f ir st w is he d t o b e l ef t b eh in d, t ha t s he

m ig ht m ak e h er w ay t o h er h om e, b ut n ei th er R in ki ti nk

n or I ng a t hou ght i t wa s s af e f or he r t o w ande r a lone

t hr ou gh t he f or es t, s o t he y i nd uc ed h er t o r et ur n w it h

th em t o t he c it y.





T he b oy be ac he d hi s bo at t hi s t ime a t t he s am e p la ce

a s whe n he f ir st l ande d a t Re gos , a nd whi le ma ny of t he

wa rr ior s s too d on t he s hor e a nd be fo re t he w al ls o f t he

c it y, n ot o ne o f t he m a tt em pt ed t o i nt er fe re w it h t he

b oy i n a ny w ay . I nd ee d, t he y s ee me d u ne as y a nd a nx io us ,

an d w he n I ng a m et C ap ta in B uz zu b t he b oy a sk ed i f

any th in g h ad h ap pened i n h is abs en ce.

" A g reat d eal h as h ap pened, " r ep li ed B uzzu b. " Ou r

Ki ng a nd Qu ee n ha ve r un a wa y a nd l ef t u s, a nd w e don 't

k no w w ha t t o do ."

" Ru n away! " exclaim ed I ng a. " Wh er e d id t hey g o t o?"

" Wh o k no ws ?" s ai d t he m an , s haki ng h is h ead

d es po nd en tl y. " Th ey d ep ar t ed t og et her a f ew h ou rs ago ,

i n a b oa t wi th f or ty ro we rs , a nd t he y t oo k w it h t he m

t he K in g and Q ueen o f P in garee! "

Chapter Fifteen

T he F li gh t o f t he R ul er s





Now it seems that when Queen Cor fled from her island

to Regos, she had wit enough, although greatly frightened,

to ma ke a s top at the royal dai ry, whi ch was ne ar

t o t he br idg e, a nd t o dr ag po or Q ue en G ar ee f ro m t he

b ut te r- ho us e a nd a cr os s t o R eg os w it h h er . T he w ar ri or s

o f K in g G os h ad n ev er b ef or e s ee n t he t er ri bl e Q ue en

C or f ri gh tened, and t herefo re w hen s he cam e r un ni ng

a cr os s t he b ri dg e o f b oa ts , d ra gg in g t he Q ue en o f

P in ga re e a ft er h er b y o ne a rm , t he w om an 's g re at f ri gh t

had the effect of terrifying the waiting warriors.

" Qu ic k! " c ri ed C or . " De st ro y t he b ri dg e, o r w e a re

lost."

W hi le t he m en w er e t ea ri ng a wa y t he b ri dg e o f b oa ts

t he Quee n ra n up t o t he pa la ce of Gos , whe re she me t

her husband.

" Th at b oy i s a w iz ar d! " s he g as pe d. " Th er e i s n o

standing against him."

" Oh , h av e y ou d is co vered h is m ag ic at l as t?" r ep li ed

G os , l au gh in g i n h er f ac e. " Wh o, n ow , i s t he c ow ar d? "





" Do n' t l au gh !" cri ed Q ueen C or . " It i s n o l au gh in g

m at te r. B ot h o ur i sl an ds a re a s g oo d a s c on qu er ed , t hi s

v er y m in ut e. W ha t s ha ll w e d o, G os ?"

" Co me i n, " h e s ai d, g ro wi ng s er io us , " an d l et u s t al k

it over."

So t he y w en t i nt o a r oo m of t he p al ac e a nd t al ke d

long and earnestly.

" Th e b oy i nt en ds t o l ib er at e h is f at her and m ot her,

an d a ll t he pe op le of P in ga re e, a nd t o t ak e t he m b ac k

to t he ir i sl an d, " s ai d C or . " He m ay a ls o d es tr oy o ur

pa la ce s a nd make us his sl aves . I c an se e but one way,

G os , t o p revent h im f ro m d oi ng all t hi s, and w hatever

e ls e he p le as es t o d o. "

" Wh at w ay i s t ha t? " a sk ed K in g G os .

" We m us t t ake t he bo y' s pa re nt s a wa y f ro m he re a s

q ui ck ly a s p os si bl e. I h av e w it h m e t he Q ue en o f

Pi nga re e, a nd you c an r un up t o t he mi ne s a nd ge t th e

Ki ng. Then w e wi ll ca rr y the m a wa y in a boa t and hi de

t he m wh er e t he bo y c ann ot f ind t he m, w it h a ll hi s

m ag ic . W e w il l u se t he K in g a nd Q ue en o f P in ga re e a s





n ex t m or ni ng h e car ri ed K in g K it ti cu t b ack t o R eg os .

W hi le G os w as g on e, Q ue en C or b us ie d h er se lf i n

pr ep ar in g a l ar ge a nd s wi ft b oa t f or t he j ou rn ey . S he

p la ce d i n i t s ev er al b ag s o f go ld a nd j ew el s w it h w hi ch

to b ri be t he n om es , a nd s el ec te d f or ty o f t he s tr on ge st

o ar sm en i n R eg os t o r ow t he b oa t. T he i ns ta nt K in g G os

r et ur ned w it h h is r oy al p ri so ner all w as r eady f or

d ep ar tu re. T hey q ui ckl y ent er ed t he b oat w it h t heir t wo

i mp or tant cap ti ves and w it ho ut a w or d o f exp lanati on t o

a ny o f t he ir p eo pl e t he y c om ma nd ed t he o ar sm en t o

st ar t, a nd w er e s oo n ou t o f s ig ht up on t he br oa d

e xp an se o f t he N on es ti c O ce an .

I nga a rr ive d a t t he c it y s om e hour s l at er a nd w as

m uch d is tr es sed w hen h e l earn ed t hat h is f at her and

m ot her h ad b een s pi ri ted away f ro m t he i sl an ds .

" I s ha ll f ol lo w t he m, o f c ou rs e, " s ai d t he b oy t o

R in ki ti nk , " and i f I c an no t o ve rt ak e t he m o n t he o ce an

I w il l s ea rc h t he w or ld o ve r un ti l I f ind t he m. B ut

be fo re I l ea ve he re I m us t a rr an ge t o s en d o ur pe opl e

b ack t o P in garee."





Chapter Sixteen

Nikobob Refuses a Crown

A lm os t t he f ir st p er so ns t ha t Z el la s aw w he n s he l an de d

f ro m t he s il ve r- li ne d b oa t a t R eg os w er e h er f at he r a nd

m ot her. N ik ob ob and h is w if e h ad b een g reat ly w or ri ed

when their little daughter failed to return from

C or eg os , s o t he y h ad s et o ut t o d is co ve r w ha t ha d

b ec om e o f h er . W he n t he y r ea ch ed t he C it y o f R eg os ,

t ha t v er y m or ni ng , t he y w er e a st on is he d t o h ea r n ew s o f

a ll t he s tr an ge e ve nt s t ha t h ad t ak en p la ce ; s ti ll ,

t he y f ou nd c om fo rt w he n t ol d t ha t Z el la h ad b ee n s ee n

i n t he b oa t of Pr inc e I nga , whi ch ha d gone t o t he

n or th . T hen, w hi le t hey w on dered w hat t hi s cou ld m ean,

t he s il ver- li ned b oat app eared again , w it h t heir

d aught er i n i t, a nd t he y r an d own t o t he s hor e t o gi ve

h er a w el co me and m an y j oy fu l k is ses.

I ng a i nv it ed t he g oo d p eo pl e t o t he p al ac e o f K in g

G os , w he re h e c on fe rr ed w it h t he m, a s w el l a s w it h

Rinkitink and Bilbil.





" Very w el l, " r ep li ed I ng a, " we w il l s ay n o m or e abo ut

y ou r b ei ng K in g. I m er el y w an te d t o m ak e y ou r ic h a nd

p ro sp er ou s, as I h ad p ro mi sed Z el l a. "

" Pl eas e f or get t hat p ro mi se," p lead ed t he charcoal-

b ur ner, ear nest ly ; " I h av e b een s af e f ro m m ol es tati on

f or m an y y ea rs , b ec au se I w as p oo r a nd p os se ss ed

n ot hi ng t hat any on e els e cou ld env y. B ut i f y ou m ak e m e

r i ch a nd pr os pe ro us I s ha ll a t o nc e b ec om e t he pr ey o f

t hi ev es and m ar au ders and p ro babl y w il l l os e m y l if e i n

t he att em pt t o p ro tect m y f or tu ne."

I ng a l oo ke d a t t he m an i n s ur pr is e.

" Wh at , t he n, c an I d o t o p le as e y ou ?" h e i nq ui re d.

" Not hi ng mor e t ha n t o a ll ow me to go home t o m y poor

cabin," said Nikobob.

"Perhaps," remarked King Rinkitink, "the charcoal-

bu rn er h as m or e w is do m c on ce al ed i n t ha t h ar d h ea d o f

h is t ha n we ga ve hi m c re di t f or. But l et us use t hat

wi sdom , f or t he pr es en t, t o c oun se l u s w ha t t o do i n

this emergency."

" Wh at y ou cal l m y w is do m, " s ai d N ik ob ob , " is m er el y





c om mo n s en se . I h av e n ot ic ed t ha t s om e m en b ec om e r ic h,

a nd a re s co rn ed b y s om e a nd r ob be d b y o th er s. O th er m en

b ec om e f am ous , a nd a re m oc ke d a t a nd d er id ed b y t he ir

f el lo ws . B ut t he p oo r and h um bl e m an w ho l iv es

u nn ot iced and u nk no wn escap es all t hese t ro ub les and i s

t he o nl y o ne w ho c an a pp re ci at e t he j oy o f l iv ing ."

" If I ha d a h and, i ns te ad of a c love n ho of , I 'd l ike

t o s hake h an ds w it h y ou , N ik ob ob ," s ai d B il bi l t he

g oa t. "B ut t he poor ma n mus t not ha ve a c rue l m as te r,

or h e i s u nd on e. "

D ur in g t he cou ncil t hey f ou nd , i nd eed, t hat t he

a dv ic e o f t he c ha rc oa l- bu rn er w as b ot h s hr ew d a nd

s en si bl e, and t hey p ro fi ted m uch b y h is w or ds .

I ng a g av e C ap tain B uzzu b t he com mand o f t he w ar ri or s

a nd m ad e h im p ro mi se t o k ee p h is m en q ui et a nd o rd er ly

- - i f he c oul d. T he n t he boy a ll ow ed a ll of K ing G os 's

f or me r s la ve s, e xc ep t t ho se w ho c am e f ro m P in ga re e, t o

c ho os e w ha t b oa ts t he y r eq ui re d a nd t o s to ck t he m w it h

p ro vi si on s and r ow away t o t heir o wn cou nt ri es . W hen

th es e h ad d ep ar ted, w it h g ratefu l t hank s and m an y

b le ss in gs s ho we re d u po n t he b oy P ri nc e w ho h ad s et t he m

f re e, I ng a m ad e p re pa ra ti on s t o s en d h is o wn p eo pl e





h o me , w he re t he y w er e t ol d t o r eb ui ld t he ir h ou se s a nd

t he n e re ct a ne w r oya l p al ac e. Th ey w er e t he n t o a wa it

p at ient ly t he com in g o f K in g K it ti cu t o r P ri nce I ng a.

" My g re at es t w or ry ," s ai d t he b oy t o h is f ri en ds , " is

t o k no w wh om t o a ppo in t t o t ak e c ha rge o f t hi s w or k o f

r es to ri ng P in garee t o i ts f or mer con di ti on . M y m en are

all pearl fishers, and although willing and honest,

h av e n o t al en t f or d ir ec ti ng o th er s h ow t o w or k. "

W hi le t he p repar at i on s f or d ep ar tu re w er e b ei ng m ad e,

N ik ob ob o ff er ed t o d ir ec t t he m en o f P in ga re e, a nd d id

s o i n a v er y c ap abl e m anne r. As t he i sl and ha d be en

despoiled of all its valuable furniture and draperies

and r ich clo th s and p ai nt in gs and s tatu ar y and t he

l ik e, a s w el l a s g ol d a nd s il ve r a nd o rn am en ts , I ng a

t ho ug ht i t n o m or e t ha n j us t t ha t t he y b e r ep la ce d b y

t he s po il er s. S o h e d ir ec te d h is p eo pl e t o s ea rc h

t hr ou gh t he s to re ho us es o f K in g G os a nd t o r eg ai n a ll

t he ir g oo ds a nd c ha tt el s t ha t c ou ld b e f ou nd . A ls o h e

i ns tr uc te d t he m t o t ak e a s m uc h e ls e a s t he y r eq ui re d

t o m ak e t he ir n ew h om es c om fo rt ab le , s o t ha t m an y b oa ts

w e re l oa de d f ul l o f g oo ds t ha t w ou ld e na bl e t he p eo pl e

t o r es to re P in ga re e t o i ts f or me r s ta te o f c om fo rt .

F or h is f at he r' s n ew p al ac e t he b oy p lu nd er ed t he





p al ac es o f b ot h Q ue en C or a nd K in g G os , s en di ng e no ug h

w ar es a wa y w it h h is p eo pl e t o m ak e K in g K it ti cu t' s n ew

r es id en ce as h an ds om el y f it ted and f ur ni sh ed as h ad

b ee n t he o ne w hi ch t he r ut hl es s i nv ad er s f ro m R eg os h ad

destroyed.

It was a gr eat fl ee t of boa ts tha t s et out one

bright, sunny morning on the voyage to Pingaree,

car ry in g all t he m en , w om en and chi ld ren and all t he

g oo ds f or r ef it ti ng t he ir ho me s. A s h e s aw t he f le et

d ep ar t, P ri nc e I ng a f el t t ha t h e h ad a lr ea dy

s uccess fu ll y accom pl is hed a p ar t o f h is m is si on , b ut h e

v ow ed h e w ou ld n ev er r et ur n t o P in garee i n p er so n u nt il

h e c ou ld t ake h is f at he r a nd m ot he r t he re w it h h im ;

u nl es s, i nd eed, K in g G os w ickedl y d es tr oy ed h is b el ov ed

p a re nt s, i n w hi ch c as e I ng a w ou ld b ec om e t he K in g o f

Pi nga re e a nd i t wou ld b e hi s du ty t o go t o hi s pe opl e

a n d r ul e o ve r t he m.

I t wa s w hi le t he l as t of t he boa ts we re pr epa ri ng t o

s ai l f or P in ga re e t ha t N ik ob ob , w ho h ad b ee n o f g re at

se rv ic e i n ge tt in g t he m r ea dy , c am e t o I ng a i n a

thoughtful mood and said:

" Yo ur H ig hn es s, m y w if e and m y d au gh ter Z el la h av e





b ee n u rg ing m e t o l ea ve R eg os a nd s et tl e d ow n i n y ou r

i sl an d, i n a n ew h om e. F ro m w ha t y ou r p eo pl e h av e t ol d

me , Pi nga re e i s a b et te r p la ce t o l ive t ha n Re gos , a nd

t he re a re n o c ru el w ar ri or s or s av age b ea st s t he re t o

k ee p one i n c ons ta nt f ea r f or t he s af et y o f t hos e h e

love s. T he re for e, I h ave c ome t o a sk t o go w it h m y

f am il y i n o ne o f t he b oats ."

I ng a w as m uc h p le as ed w it h t hi s p ro po sa l a nd n ot o nl y

g rant ed N ik ob ob p er mi ss io n t o g o t o P in garee t o l i ve,

b ut i ns tr ucted h im t o t ak e w it h h im s uf fi ci en t g oo ds t o

f ur ni sh h is n ew h om e i n a com fo rt ab le m an ner. I n

add it io n t o t hi s, h e app oi nt ed N ik ob ob g en er al m an ag er

o f t he b ui ld in gs and o f t he p earl f is heri es , u nt il h is

f at he r o r h e h im se lf a rr iv ed , a nd t he p eo pl e a pp ro ve d

t hi s o rd er b ec au se t he y l ik ed N ik ob ob a nd k ne w h im t o

b e j us t a nd h on es t.

S oon a s t he l as t boa t of t he g re at f lo ti ll a ha d

d is ap pe ar ed f ro m t he v ie w o f t ho se l ef t a t R eg os , I ng a

and R in ki ti nk p repared t o l eave t he i sl an d t hems el ves.

T he b oy wa s a nx io us t o o ve rt ake t he bo at of K in g G os ,

i f p os si bl e, and R in ki ti nk h ad n o d es ir e t o r em ai n i n

Regos.

B uzzu b and t he w ar ri or s s to od s il en tl y o n t he s ho re





and w at ch ed t he b lack b oat w it h i ts s il ver l in in g

depart, and I am sure they were as glad to be rid of

their unwelcome visitors as Inga and Rinkitink and

B i lb il w er e t o l eave.

T he b oy a sk ed t he W hi te P ea rl w ha t d ir ec ti on t he b oa t

o f Ki ng Gos ha d t ake n a nd t he n he f ol lowe d a ft er i t,

r ow in g h ar d and s tead il y f or eig ht d ay s w it ho ut

b ecom in g at all w eary . B ut , alt ho ug h t he b lack b oat

m ov ed v er y s wi ft ly , i t f ai led t o o vert ak e t he b ar ge

w hi ch w as r ow ed b y Q ue en C or 's f or ty p ic ke d o ar sm en .

Chapter Seventeen

T he N om e K in g

T he Ki ngd om o f t he N om es d oe s n ot b or de r o n t he

No ne st ic O ce an , f ro m w hi ch i t i s s ep ar at ed b y t he

K in gd om o f R in ki ti nk and t he C ou nt ry o f t he W heel er s,

w hi ch i s a p ar t of t he L an d o f E v. R in ki ti nk 's c ou nt ry

i s s epa ra te d f ro m t he c ou nt ry of t he N ome s by a r ow o f





h ig h and s teep m ou nt ai ns , f ro m w hi ch i t ext en ds t o t he

s ea . T he C ou nt ry of t he W he el er s i s a s an dy w as te t ha t

i s open on one s ide to t he None sti c Oce an a nd on t he

ot he r s id e h as no ba rr ie r t o s epa ra te i t f ro m t he N om e

C ou nt ry , t he re fo re i t w as o n t he c oa st o f t he W he el er s

t ha t King Cos l ande d - - in a spot qui te des ert ed by a ny

o f t he cur io us i nh ab it an ts o f t hat cou nt ry .

T he N om e C ou nt ry i s v er y l ar ge i n e xt en t, a nd i s o nl y

s ep ar at ed f ro m t he La nd o f O z, o n i ts e as te rn b or de rs ,

b y a D ea dl y D es er t t ha t c an n ot b e c ros se d b y m or ta ls ,

u nl es s t he y a re a id ed b y t he f ai ri es o r b y m ag ic .

T he n om es are a n um er ou s and m is ch ievo us p eo pl e,

living in underground caverns of wide extent, connected

o ne w it h a no th er b y a rc he s a nd p as sa ge s. T he w or d

" no me " m ea ns " on e w ho k no ws ," a nd t he se p eo pl e a re s o

c al le d b ec au se t he y k no w w he re a ll t he g ol d a nd s il ve r

a nd p re ci ou s s to ne s a re hi dde n i n t he e ar th - - a

k no wl ed ge t hat n o o th er l iv in g creat ur es s hare w it h

t hem. T he n om es are b us y p eo pl e, con st an tl y d ig gi ng u p

g ol d i n o ne p la ce a nd t ak in g i t t o a no th er p la ce , w he re

th ey s ec re tl y b ur y i t, a nd p er ha ps t hi s i s t he r ea so n

t he y a lo ne k no w w he re t o f in d i t. T he n om es w er e r ul ed ,

a t t he t ime of w hic h I wr ite , by a Ki ng na me d Ka li ko.





t he y w er e t oo w is e t o a tt em pt t o e nt er w it ho ut

ann ou ncin g t hems el ves, f or t he p as sage t o t he cav es w as

f ul l o f t ra ps a nd p it fa ll s. S o K in g G os s to od s ti ll a nd

sh ou te d, a nd i n a n i ns ta nt t he y w er e s ur ro un de d b y a

gr ou p o f c ro ok ed n om es , w ho s ee me d t o h av e s pr un g f ro m

the ground.

On e of t he se ha d ve ry l on g e ar s a nd w as c al le d T he

L on g- Eared H earer. H e s ai d: " I h eard y ou com in g ear ly

this morning."

A no th er h ad eyes t hat l oo ked i n d if ferent d ir ecti on s

a t t he s am e t im e a nd w er e c ur io us ly b ri gh t a nd

p en et ra ti ng . H e c ou ld l oo k o ve r a h il l o r a ro un d a

c or ne r a nd w as c al le d Th e Lo oko ut . Sa id he : " I s aw yo u

coming yesterday."

" Th en ," s ai d K in g G os , " perh ap s K in g K al ik o i s

expecting us."

" It i s t ru e, " r ep li ed a no th er n om e, w ho w or e a g ol d

c ol la r a ro un d h is n ec k a nd c ar ri ed a b un ch o f g ol de n

k ey s. " Th e m ig ht y N om e K in g e xp ec ts y ou , a nd b id s y ou

f ol lo w m e t o h is p resence. "

W it h t hi s he l ed t he w ay i nt o t he c ave rn s a nd Gos a nd





Cor followed, dragging their weary prisoners with them,

f or p oo r K in g K it ti cu t a nd h is g en tl e Q ue en h ad b ee n

o bl ig ed t o car ry , all t hr ou gh t he t ed io us j ou rn ey , t he

b ag s of g ol d a nd j ewe ls wh ic h w er e t o br ibe t he No me

K in g t o a cc ep t t he m a s s la ve s.

T hr ou gh s ev er al l on g p as sages t he g ui de l ed t hem and

a t l as t t he y e nt er ed a s ma ll c av er n w hi ch w as

beaut if ul ly d ecor at ed and s et w it h r ar e j ew el s t hat

f lash ed f ro m every p ar t o f t he w al l, f lo or and cei li ng .

Th is w as a w ai ti ng -r oo m f or v is it or s, and t here t heir

g ui de l ef t t hem w hi le h e w en t t o i nf or m K in g K al ik o o f

their arrival.

B ef or e l on g t he y w er e u sh er ed i nt o a g re at d om ed

chamb er , cut f ro m t he s ol id r ock and s o m ag ni fi cent

th at a ll of t he m - - t he Ki ng a nd Qu ee n of P inga re e a nd

t he K in g a nd Q ue en of R eg os a nd Co re go s - - dr ew l ong

b re at hs o f a st on is hm en t a nd o pe ne d t he ir e ye s a s w id e

a s t he y c ou ld .

I n a n i vor y t hrone sa t a l it tl e r ound ma n who ha d a

pointe d bea rd a nd ha ir tha t r os e to a ta ll c ur l on top

o f h is h ea d. H e w as d re ss ed i n s il ke n r ob es , r ic hl y

emb ro id er ed , w hi ch h ad l ar ge b ut to ns o f cut r ub ies. O n





" Th e p ri so ners ," r et ur ned K in g G os , " ar e t he K in g and

Q ue en o f P in ga re e, a s ma ll i sl an d n or th of h er e. T he y

a re v er y e vi l pe op le a nd c am e t o ou r i sl ands of Re gos

a nd C or eg os t o c on qu er t he m a nd s la y o ur p oo r p eop le .

Al so t he y i nt en de d t o p lu nd er u s o f a ll o ur r ic he s, b ut

b y go od f or tu ne w e w er e a bl e t o d ef ea t a nd c apt ur e

t he m. H ow ev er , t he y h av e a s on w ho i s a t er ri bl e w iz ar d

a nd w ho by m ag ic a rt i s t ryi ng t o f in d t hi s a wf ul K ing

a nd Qu ee n o f Pi nga re e, a nd t o s et t he m f re e, t ha t t he y

m ay con ti nu e t hei r w icked d eeds . T heref or e, as w e h av e

n o m ag ic t o d ef en d o ur se lv es w it h, w e h av e b ro ug ht t he

pr is on er s t o y ou f or s af e k eepi ng ."

"Your Majesty," spoke up King Kitticut, addressing

t he N om e K in g w it h g reat i nd ig nati on , " do n ot b el ieve

this t ale , I impl or e you. It is a ll a l ie! "

" I k no w i t, " s ai d K al ik o. " I c on si de r i t a c le ve r

l ie , t ho ug h, b ec au se i t i s w ov en w it ho ut a t hr ea d o f

t ru th . H ow ev er , t ha t i s n on e o f m y b us in es s. T he f ac t

r em ai ns t ha t m y g oo d f ri en d K in g G os w is he s t o p ut y ou

i n m y u nd er gr ou nd cav er ns , s o t hat y ou w il l b e u nabl e

t o e sc ape . And why shoul d I not pl ea se him i n t hi s

li tt le m at te r? G os i s a m igh ty K ing a nd a gr ea t





w ar ri or , w hi le y ou r i sl an d o f P in garee i s d es ol at ed and

y ou r p eo pl e s ca tt er ed . I n m y h ea rt , K in g K it ti cu t, I

s ym path ize w it h y ou , b ut as a m at ter o f b us in es s p ol icy

w e p ow er fu l K in gs m us t s tand t og et her and t ramp le t he

w ea ke r o ne s u nd er o ur f ee t. "

K in g K it ti cu t w as s ur pr is ed t o f in d t he K ing o f t he

n om es s o c andi d a nd s o we ll i nf or me d, a nd he t ri ed t o

ar gu e t ha t h e a nd h is g en tl e w if e d id n ot d es er ve t he ir

c rue l f at e a nd t ha t i t w oul d be w is er f or K al iko t o

s id e wi th t he m t ha n w it h t he e vi l K ing of R ego s. Bu t

K al ik o o nl y s ho ok h is h ead and s mi led, s ay in g:

" Th e f ac t t ha t y ou a re a p ri so ne r, m y p oo r K it ti cu t,

is e vi de nc e t ha t y ou a re we ak er t ha n K in g C os , a nd I

pr ef er t o d ea l w it h t he s tr on g. B y t he wa y, " he a dde d,

t ur ni ng t o t he K in g o f R eg os , " have t hese p ri so ners any

con nect io n w it h t he L an d o f O z?"

" Why do you a sk ?" s ai d Go s.

" Be ca us e I da re n ot o ff en d t he Oz pe op le ," w as t he

r ep ly . " I a m v er y pow er ful , a s you know , b ut Oz ma of Oz

i s f ar m or e p owe rf ul t ha n I ; t he re fo re , i f t hi s K in g

a nd Q ue en o f P in ga re e h ap pe ne d t o b e u nd er O zm a' s

pr ot ecti on , I w ou ld h av e n ot hi ng t o d o w it h t hem. "





" I a ss ur e Y ou r M aj es ty t ha t t he p ri so ne rs h av e

n ot hi ng t o d o w it h t he O z p eo pl e, " G os h as te ne d t o s ay .

A nd K it ti cu t, b ei ng q uest io ned, adm it ted t hat t hi s w as

true.

" Bu t h ow abo ut t hat w izar d y ou m en ti on ed ?" ask ed t he

Nome King.

" Oh, he i s m er el y a boy; but he is ve ry f eroc ious a nd

o bs ti na te a nd h e i s a ss is te d b y a l it tl e f at s or ce re r

called Rinkitink and a talking goat."

" Oh o! A t al ki ng g oa t, d o y ou s ay ? T ha t c er ta in ly

so un ds l ik e m ag ic ; a nd i t a ls o s ou nd s l ik e t he L and of

O z, w he re a ll t he a ni ma ls t al k, " s ai d K al ik o, w it h a

doubtful expression.

B ut K ing G os a ss ur ed h im t he t al ki ng g oa t h ad n ev er

be en t o Oz .

" As f or R in ki ti nk , w ho m y ou cal l a s or cerer, "

c on ti nue d t he N om e K in g, " he i s a n ei gh bo r o f m in e, y ou

must know, but a s we a re cut off from eac h other by

high mountains beneath which a powerful river runs, I





h av e n ev er y et m et K in g R in ki ti nk . B ut I h av e he ar d o f

hi m, a nd f rom a ll r epor ts he i s a jol ly r ogue , a nd

p er fect ly h ar ml es s. H ow ev er , i n s pi te o f y ou r f al se

statements and misrepresentations, I will earn the

t reas ur e y ou h av e b ro ug ht m e, b y k eepi ng y ou r p ri so ners

s af e i n m y cav er ns .

" Ma ke t he m w or k, " a dv is ed Q ue en C or . " Th ey a re r at he r

d el ic at e, a nd t o m ak e t he m w or k w il l m ak e t he m s uf fe r

delightfully."

" I' ll do a s I p le as e a bou t t ha t," s ai d t he No me K ing

s te rn ly . " Be c on te nt t ha t I a gr ee t o k ee p t he m s af e. "

T he b ar gain b ei ng t hu s m ad e and con cl ud ed , K al ik o

f ir st e xa mi ne d t he g ol d a nd j ew el s a nd t he n s en t i t

away t o h is r oy al s to reho us e, w hi ch w as w el l f il led

w it h l ik e t re as ur e. N ex t t he c ap ti ve s w er e s en t a wa y i n

c ha rg e o f t he n om e w it h t he g ol de n c ol la r a nd k ey s,

w hos e n ame w as K li k, a nd h e e sc or te d t he m t o a s ma ll

c av er n a nd ga ve t he m a g oo d s up pe r.

" I s ha ll l oc k your door ," s ai d Kl ik, " so the re is no

n eed o f y ou r w eari ng t ho se h eavy chain s any l on ger. " H e

t h er ef or e r em ov ed t he chain s and l ef t K in g K it ti cu t and

h is Q ue en a lon e. T hi s wa s t he f ir st t im e s in ce t he





N or th men h ad car ri ed t hem away f ro m P in garee t hat t he

go od K in g a nd Q ue en ha d be en a lo ne t oge th er a nd f re e o f

all b on ds , and as t hey emb raced l ov in gl y and m in gl ed

t h ei r t ea rs o ve r t he ir s ad f at e t he y w er e a ls o g ra te fu l

th at t he y h ad p as se d f ro m t he c on tr ol o f t he h ea rt le ss

K i ng G os i nt o t he m or e c on si de ra te c ar e o f K in g K al ik o.

T hey w er e s ti ll cap ti ves b ut t hey b el ieved t hey w ou ld

b e h ap pi er i n t he u nd er gr ou nd c av er ns o f t he n om es t ha n

i n R eg os a nd C or eg os .

M ea nt im e, i n t he K in g' s r oy al c av er n a g re at f ea st

h ad b ee n s pr ea d. K in g G os a nd Q ue en C or , h av in g

t ri um ph ed i n t he ir p lo t, w er e s o w el l p le as ed t ha t t he y

held h ig h r ev el ry w it h t he j ol ly N om e K in g u nt il a l at e

hour that night. And the next morning, having cautioned

K a li ko n ot t o r el ea se t he p ri so ne rs u nd er a ny

con si derati on w it ho ut t heir o rd er s, t he K in g and Q ueen

of R ego s a nd Co re gos l ef t t he c ave rns o f t he n om es t o

r et ur n t o t he s ho re of t he oc ea n wh er e t he y h ad l ef t

t h eir b oat .

Chapter Eighteen





T he y t ra ve le d j us t a s s lo wl y a s Q ue en C or a nd K in g

G os h ad d on e, s o w he n t he y w er e a bo ut h al fw ay t he y

d is co ve re d t he K in g a nd Q ue en c om in g b ac k t o t he ir

b oa t. T he f ac t t ha t G os a nd C or w er e n ow a lo ne p ro ve d

t hat t hey h ad l ef t I ng a' s f at her and m ot her b eh in d

t hem; s o, at t he s ug gest io n o f R in ki ti nk , t he t hr ee h id

b eh in d a h ig h r oc k un ti l t he K in g o f R eg os a nd t he

Q ue en o f C or eg os , w ho h ad n ot o bs er ve d t he m, h ad p as se d

t hem b y. T hen t hey con ti nu ed t heir j ou rn ey , g lad t hat

th ey h ad n ot a ga in b ee n f or ce d t o f ig ht o r q ua rr el w it h

their wicked enemies.

" We m ig ht h av e a sk ed t he m, h ow ev er , w ha t t he y h ad

d on e w it h y ou r p oo r p ar en ts ," s ai d R in ki ti nk .

" Never m in d, " ans wered I ng a. " I am s ur e t he W hi te

Pearl will guide us aright."

F or a t im e t he y p ro ce ed ed i n s il en ce a nd t he n

Rinkitink began to chuckle with laughter in the

p le as an t w ay h e w as w on t t o d o b ef or e h is m is fo rt un es

came u po n h im .

" Wh at amu ses Y ou r M aj es ty ?" i nq ui red t he b oy .





" Th e t ho ug ht o f h ow s ur pr is ed m y d ear s ub ject s w ou ld

be if they realized how nea r to them I am, and yet how

f ar a wa y. I ha ve a lwa ys w ant ed t o vi si t t he Nom e

C ou nt ry , w hi ch i s f ul l o f m ys tery and m ag ic and all

s or ts o f a dv en tu re s, b ut m y d ev ot ed s ub je ct s f or ba de m e

t o t hi nk o f s uc h a t hi ng , f ea ri ng I w ou ld g et h ur t o r

enchanted."

" Ar e y ou a fr ai d, n ow t ha t y ou a re h er e? " a sk ed I ng a.

" A l it tl e, b ut n ot m uc h, f or t he y s ay t he n ew N om e

King is not as wi cked as t he old King us ed to be .

S ti ll , w e are u nd er taki ng a d an gero us j ou rn ey and I

t hi nk y ou ou gh t t o p rot ec t m e b y l en di ng m e o ne o f y ou r

pearls."

I ng a t ho ug ht t hi s o ve r a nd i t s ee me d a r ea so na bl e

request.

" Wh ic h p ea rl w ou ld y ou l ik e t o h av e? " a sk ed t he b oy .

" Well , l et u s s ee," r et ur ned R in ki ti nk ; " yo u m ay n eed

s t reng th t o l ib er at e y ou r capt iv e p ar en ts , s o y ou m us t

ke ep t he B lue Pe ar l. And you w ill ne ed t he a dvi ce of

t he W hi te P ea rl , s o yo u h ad b es t k ee p t ha t a ls o. Bu t i n





c as e w e s ho ul d b e s ep ar at ed I w ou ld h av e n ot hi ng t o

pr ot ec t me f rom ha rm, s o you ough t t o l end me t he Pi nk

Pearl."

" Very w el l, " agr eed I ng a, and s it ti ng d ow n u po n a

r ock h e r em ov ed h is r ig ht s ho e and aft er w it hd rawi ng

t he c lot h f ro m t he poi nt ed t oe t oo k out t he Pi nk Pe ar l

- - t he on e w hi ch pr ot ec te d f rom a ny ha rm t he pe rs on w ho

carried it.

" Wh er e c an you p ut i t, t o ke ep i t s af el y? " he a ske d.

" In m y v es t p oc ke t, " r ep li ed t he K in g. " Th e p oc ke t

has a flap to it and I can pin it down in such a way

t ha t t he p ea rl c ann ot ge t ou t a nd b ec om e l os t. A s f or

r ob be ry , n o o ne w it h e vi l i nt en t c an t ou ch m y p er so n

w hi le I h av e t he p earl ."

S o I ng a g av e R in ki ti nk t he P in k P earl and t he l it tl e

Ki ng p la ce d i t i n t he p oc ke t o f h is r ed -a nd -g re en

b ro caded v el vet v es t, p in ni ng t he f lap o f t he p ocket

down tightly.

They now resumed their journey and finally reached

t he e nt ra nc e t o t he N om e K in g' s c av er ns . P la ci ng t he





" I s up po se y ou a re t he K in g o f G il ga d, w hi ch i s i n

the Kingdom of Rinkitink."

" Yo u' ve g uess ed i t t he f ir st t im e, " r ep li ed

Rinkitink.

" Ho w r ou nd and f at y ou are!" exclaim ed K al ik o.

" I w as j us t t hi nk in g ho w f at a nd r ou nd yo u a re ," s ai d

R in ki ti nk . " Real ly , K in g K al ik o, w e o ug ht t o b e

f ri en ds , w e' re s o m uch ali ke i n every th in g b ut

disposition and intelligence."

T he n h e b eg an t o c hu ck le , w hi le K al ik o s ta re d h ar d a t

h im , n ot k no wi ng w he th er t o a cc ep t h is s pe ec h a s a

c om pl im en t o r n ot . A nd n ow t he n om e' s e ye s w an de re d t o

B i lb il , and h e ask ed :

"Is that your talking goat?"

B il bi l m et t he N om e K in g' s g lo weri ng l oo k w it h a g aze

equally surly and defiant, while Rinkitink answered:

" It i s, Y ou r M aj es ty ."

" Can h e r eall y t al k?" ask ed K al ik o, cur io us ly .





" He c an . Bu t t he be st t hi ng h e d oe s i s t o s col d. Ta lk

to His Majesty, Bilbil."

B ut B il bi l r em ai ned s il en t and w ou ld n ot s peak .

" Do y ou alw ay s r id e u po n h is b ack?" con ti nu ed K al ik o,

questioning Rinkitink.

" Ye s, " w as t he a ns we r, " be ca us e i t i s d if fi cu lt f or a

fa t ma n t o w al k f ar , a s pe rh aps yo u k now f rom

experience.

" Th at i s t ru e, " s ai d K al ik o. " Ge t o ff t he g oa t' s b ac k

and let me ride him a while, to see how I like it.

P e rha ps I 'l l t ak e h im a wa y f ro m y ou , t o r id e t hr ou gh m y

caverns."

R in ki ti nk chu ck led s of tl y as h e h eard t hi s, b ut at

o nc e g ot o ff B il bi l' s b ac k a nd l et K al ik o g et o n. T he

No me K in g w as a l it tl e a wk wa rd , b ut w he n he w as f ir ml y

a st ri de t he s add le h e c al le d i n a l ou d v oi ce : " Gi dd ap !"

W hen B il bi l p ai d n o att en ti on t o t he com mand and

r ef us ed t o s ti r, K al ik o k icked h is h eels v icio us ly

a ga in st t he g oa t' s b od y, a nd t he n B il bi l m ad e a s ud de n





s ta rt . H e r an s wi ft ly a cr os s t he g re at c av er n, u nt il h e

h ad a lm os t r ea ch ed t he o pp os it e w al l, w he n h e s to pp ed

s o a br up tl y t ha t K in g K al ik o s ai le d o ve r h is h ea d a nd

b um pe d a ga in st t he j ew el ed w al l. H e b um pe d s o h ar d t ha t

t he poi nt s of hi s c rown we re a ll ma sh ed out of s ha pe

a nd h is h ea d w as d ri ve n f ar i nt o t he d ia mo nd -s tu dd ed

ba nd of the c rown, s o tha t it c ove red one eye a nd a

p ar t o f h is n os e. P er ha ps t hi s s av ed K al ik o' s h ea d f ro m

be in g c ra cke d a ga ins t t he r oc k w al l, but i t w as ha rd on

t h e cr ow n.

B il bi l w as h ig hl y pl ea se d a t t he s uc ce ss o f h is f ea t

and Rinkitink laughed merrily at the Nome King's

com ical app earance; b ut K al ik o w as m ut teri ng and

g ro wl in g as h e p icked h im self u p and s tr ug gl ed t o p ul l

t he b at te re d c ro wn f ro m h is h ea d, a nd i t w as e vi de nt

t ha t he w as not i n t he l ea st a mus ed. I nde ed, I nga c ou ld

se e t ha t t he Ki ng wa s v er y a ngr y, a nd t he boy kn ew t ha t

th e i ncid en t w as l ik el y t o t ur n K al ik o again st t he

entire party.

T he N om e K in g s en t K li k f or a no th er c ro wn a nd o rd er ed

hi s w or km en t o r ep ai r t he o ne t ha t w as d am ag ed . W hi le

h e w ai te d f or t he n ew c ro wn h e s at r eg ar di ng h is

v is it or s w it h a s co wl in g f ace, and t hi s m ad e I ng a m or e





u neas y t han ever. F in al ly , w hen t he n ew cro wn w as

p laced u po n h is h ead, K in g K al ik o s ai d: " Fo ll ow m e,

s tr ang er s! " a nd l ed t he w ay t o a s ma ll do or a t o ne e nd

o f t he c av er n.

Inga and Rinkitink followed him through the doorway

and f ou nd t hems el ves s tand in g o n a b al co ny t hat

o ve rl oo ke d a n e no rm ou s d om ed c av e - - s o e xt en si ve t ha t

i t s eem ed mil es t o t he othe r s ide of i t. Al l a round

this circular cave, which was brilliantly lighted from

an u nk no wn s ou rce, w er e ar ch es con nected w it h o th er

caverns.

Ka li ko t ook a go ld wh is tl e f ro m hi s po cke t a nd b le w a

s hr il l n ot e t ha t e ch oe d t hr ou gh e ve ry p ar t o f t he c av e.

I ns tant ly n om es b eg an t o p ou r i n t hr ou gh t he s id e

arches i n g reat n um bers , u nt il t he i mm en se s pace w as

pa ck ed wi th t he m a s f ar a s t he e ye c ou ld r ea ch. A ll

were armed with glittering weapons of polished silver

a nd g ol d, a nd I ng a w as a ma ze d t ha t a ny K in g c ou ld

c o mm an d s o g re at a n a rm y.

They began marching and countermarching in very

o r derl y arr ay u nt il ano th er b last o f t he g ol d w hi st le

s ent t he m s cu rr yi ng a wa y a s qu ic kl y a s t he y h ad

a ppe ar ed . A nd a s s oon a s t he g re at c ave w as a ga in e mp ty





Kali ko r et ur ned w it h h is v is it or s t o h is o wn r oy al

chamb er , w here h e o nce m or e s eated h im self u po n h is

ivory throne.

" I ha ve s hown you," s ai d he t o I nga , " a pa rt of m y

b od yg uard . T he r oy al arm ies, o f w hi ch t hi s i s o nl y a

p ar t, a re a s nu me rou s a s t he s an ds o f t he o ce an , a nd

l iv e i n m an y t ho us an ds o f m y u nd er gr ou nd cav er ns . Y ou

ha ve com e he re t hi nki ng to f or ce m e to gi ve up the

c apt ive s of Ki ng Gos and Que en Cor, and I wa nt ed t o

c onv in ce y ou t ha t m y p ow er i s t oo m ig ht y f or a ny one t o

oppose . I a m tol d t ha t you a re a wi za rd, a nd de pe nd

u po n m ag ic t o a id y ou ; b ut y ou m us t k no w t ha t t he n om es

ar e n ot m or tals , and u nd er st an d m ag ic p rett y w el l

t hems el ves, s o i f w e are o bl ig ed t o f ig ht m ag ic w it h

ma gi c t he c ha nc es a re t ha t w e a re a hu ndr ed t ime s m or e

p ow er fu l t han y ou can b e. T hi nk t hi s o ver car ef ul ly , m y

b oy, a nd t ry to r eal ize that you a re in my power. I do

n ot b el ie ve y ou c an f or ce m e t o l ib er at e K in g K it ti cu t

a nd Quee n Gar ee , a nd I know tha t you c annot c oa x me to

d o s o, f or I ha ve gi ve n m y pr omi se t o Ki ng Gos .

The re fore , a s I do not wis h t o hurt you, I a sk you t o

g o a wa y p ea ce ab ly a nd l et m e a lo ne ."

" Fo rgi ve m e i f I d o n ot a gr ee w it h yo u, K ing K al ik o, "





answered the boy. "However difficult and dangerous my

t as k m ay b e, I can no t l eave y ou r d om in io ns u nt il every

ef fo rt t o r el ea se m y p ar en ts h as f ai le d a nd l ef t m e

completely discouraged."

"Very well," said the King, evidently displeased. "I

h av e w ar ne d y ou , a nd n ow i f e vi l o ve rt ak es yo u i t i s

y ou r ow n f au lt . I 've a he ada ch e t o- da y, s o I c an no t

ent er tain y ou p ro perl y, accor di ng t o y ou r r an k; b ut

K li k w il l a tt en d y ou t o m y g ue st c ha mb er s a nd t o- mo rr ow

I w il l t al k w it h y ou again ."

Th is s ee me d a f ai r a nd c ou rt eou s w ay t o t re at on e' s

d eclared enemi es , s o t hey p ol it el y exp ress ed t he w is h

t hat K ali ko 's h ead ache w ou ld b e b et t er , an d f ol l ow ed

t h eir g ui de, K li k, d ow n a w el l- li gh ted p as sage and

through several archways until they finally reached

three nicely furnished bedchambers which were cut from

so li d g ra y r oc k a nd w el l l ig ht ed a nd a ir ed b y s om e

m ys teri ou s m et ho d k no wn t o t he n om es .

T he f ir st o f t hese r oo ms w as g iv en K in g R in ki ti nk ,

t he s ec ond wa s I ng a' s a nd t he t hi rd w as a ss ig ne d t o

B il bi l t he g oa t. T he re w as a s wi ng in g r oc k d oo r

b et we en t he t hi rd a nd s ec on d r oo ms a nd a no th er b et we en

t he s ec on d a nd f ir st , w hi ch a ls o ha d a do or t ha t op en ed





u po n t he p as s ag e. R in ki ti nk 's r oo m w as t he l arg es t , s o

i t w as he re t ha t a n e xc el le nt di nn er wa s s pr ea d by s om e

o f t he n om e s er va nt s, w ho , i n s pi te o f t he ir c ro ok ed

s ha pe s, p ro ve d t o b e w el l t ra in ed a nd c om pe te nt .

" Yo u are n ot p ri so ners , y ou k no w, " s ai d K li k; n ei th er

are y ou w el co me g ues ts , h av in g d eclared y ou r p ur po se t o

o pp os e o ur m ig ht y K in g a nd a ll h is h os ts . B ut w e b ea r

you no ill will, and you are to be well fed and cared

f or a s l on g a s y ou r em ai n i n o ur c av er ns . E at h ea rt y,

s l eep t ig ht , and p leas an t d ream s t o y ou ."

S ay in g t hi s, h e l ef t t hem alo ne and at o nce R in ki ti nk

a nd I nga b eg an t o c oun se l t og et he r a s t o t he be st m ea ns

t o l ib er at e K in g K it ti cu t a nd Q ue en G ar ee . T he W hi te

P earl ' s adv ice w as r ath er u ns ati s facto ry t o t he b oy ,

j us t now, f or a ll t ha t t he Voi ce s ai d i n a ns we r t o hi s

questions was: "Be patient, brave and determined."

R in ki ti nk s ug gest ed t hat t hey t ry t o d is co ver i n w hat

p ar t o f t he s eri es o f u nd er gr ou nd caver ns I ng a' s

p ar en ts h ad b ee n c on fi ne d, a s t ha t k no wl ed ge w as

n ec es sa ry b ef or e t he y c ou ld t ak e a ny a ct io n; s o

t og et her t hey s tart ed o ut , l eavi ng B il bi l asl eep i n h is

ro om , and m ad e t heir w ay u no pp os ed t hr ou gh m an y





s o un d t hat f il led h im w it h anx iety b ecau se h e cou ld n ot

a cc ount f or i t. I t wa s da rk i n hi s r oom, t he l ight

h avi ng di sa pp ea re d a s s oo n a s h e g ot i nt o b ed , bu t h e

ma naged to fee l his way to the door t hat led t o

Rinkitink's room and found it tightly closed and

i m mo va bl e. T he n h e m ad e h is w ay t o t he o pp os it e d oo r,

l eadi ng t o B il bi l' s r oo m, t o d is co ver t hat als o h ad

b een cl os ed an d f ast ened .

T he b oy h ad a c ur io us s en sa ti on t ha t a ll o f h is r oo m

- - t he w al ls , f lo or and cei li ng - - w as s lo wl y w hi rl in g

a s if on a pi vot , a nd i t w as s uc h a n unc omf or ta bl e

f eeli ng t hat h e g ot i nt o b ed again , n ot k no wi ng w hat

e ls e t o do . A nd a s t he g ra ti ng no is e h ad c ea se d a nd t he

r oo m n ow s eemed s tati on ar y, h e s oo n f el l asl eep again .

W he n t he b oy w ak en ed , a ft er m an y h ou rs , h e f ou nd t he

ro om again l ig ht . S o h e d ress ed h im self and d is co vered

t ha t a s ma ll t ab le , c on ta in in g a b re ak fa st t ha t w as

s mo ki ng h ot , h ad s ud de nl y a pp ea re d i n t he c en te r o f

h is r oo m. H e t ri ed t he t wo d oo rs , b ut f in di ng t ha t h e

cou ld n ot o pen t hem h e ate s om e b reak fast , t ho ug ht fu ll y

w on de ri ng w ho h ad l oc ke d h im i n a nd w hy h e h ad b ee n

m ade a pr is on er . The n he a ga in w ent t o t he do or w hi ch

h e t ho ug ht l ed t o R in ki ti nk 's chamb er and t o h is





s ur pr is e t he l at ch l if ted eas il y and t he d oo r s wu ng

open.

Be for e hi m wa s a r ude c or ri dor h ewn i n t he r oc k a nd

d i ml y l ig ht ed . I t d id n ot l oo k i nv it in g, s o I ng a clo sed

t he d oo r, p uz zl ed t o kn ow w ha t h ad be co me o f

R in ki ti nk 's r oo m a nd t he K in g, a nd w en t t o t he o pp os it e

d oo r. O pe ni ng t hi s, h e f ou nd a s ol id w al l o f r oc k

confronting him, which effectually prevented his escape

in that direction.

T he b oy n ow r ea li ze d t ha t K in g K al ik o h ad t ri ck ed

h im , a nd w hi le pr of es si ng t o r ec ei ve h im a s a g ue st h ad

p lo tt ed t o s ep ar at e h im f ro m h is c om ra de s. O ne w ay h ad

b ee n l ef t, h ow ev er , b y w hi ch h e m ig ht e sc ap e a nd h e

d ec ided to se e whe re i t l ed to.

So , go ing t o t he f ir st d oo r, he o pe ne d i t a nd

ventured slowly into the dimly lighted corridor. When

he ha d advanc ed a fe w st eps he he ard the door of his

r oom s la m s hut b ehi nd hi m. He r an b ac k a t o nc e, but t he

d oor of r oc k f it te d s o c los el y i nt o t he w al l t ha t he

f ou nd i t i mp os si bl e t o o pe n i t a ga in . T ha t d id n ot

ma tt er s o m uc h, h ow ev er , f or t he r oo m w as a p ri son a nd

t he onl y wa y o f e sc ape s ee me d a he ad o f hi m.





Al on g t he cor ri do r h e crept u nt il , t ur ni ng a

c or ne r, h e f ou nd hi ms el f i n a l ar ge d om ed c av er n t ha t

wa s e mp ty a nd d es er te d. He re a ls o wa s a d im l ig ht t ha t

p er mi tt ed h im t o s ee a no th er c or ri do r a t t he o pp os it e

s id e; s o he c ro ss ed t he r oc ky f lo or o f t he c ave rn a nd

e nt er ed a s ec on d c or ri do r. T hi s o ne t wi st ed a nd t ur ne d

i n e ve ry d ir ec ti on b ut w as n ot v er y l on g, s o s oo n t he

boy r ea che d a s ec on d c ave rn, n ot s o l ar ge a s t he f ir st .

T hi s h e f ou nd v ac an t a ls o, b ut i t h ad a no th er c or ri do r

l ea di ng out o f i t, s o I ng a e nt er ed t ha t. I t w as

s tr ai gh t a nd s ho rt a nd b ey on d w as a t hi rd c av er n, w hi ch

d i ff er ed l it tl e f ro m t he o th er s e xc ep t t ha t i t h ad a

st ro ng i ron g ra ti ng a t o ne s id e o f i t.

A ll t hr ee o f t he se c ave rn s h ad b ee n r ou gh ly h ew n f ro m

the rock and it s eeme d t he y ha d ne ve r bee n put t o us e,

a s ha d a ll t he o the r c ave rn s o f t he nom es he ha d

v is it ed . S tand in g i n t he t hi rd cav er n, I ng a s aw w hat h e

t ho ug ht w as s ti ll ano th er cor ri do r at i ts f ar th er s id e,

s o h e w al ke d t ow ar d i t. Th is op en ing wa s d ar k, a nd t ha t

f act, and t he s ol em n s il en ce all aro un d h im , m ad e h im

h es it at e f or a w hi le t o e nt er i t. U po n r ef le ct io n,

h ow ev er , h e r eali zed t hat u nl es s h e exp lo red t he p lace

to the ve ry end he c oul d not hope t o e sc ape from it , so

h e b ol dl y e nt er ed t he d ar k c or ri do r a nd f el t h is w ay





cau ti ou sl y as h e m ov ed f or ward .

S ca rc el y h ad he t ak en t wo p ac es w he n a c ra sh

r es ou nde d ba ck o f hi m a nd a he av y s he et o f s te el c los ed

t he o pe ni ng i nt o t he c av er n f ro m wh ic h h e h ad j us t

c om e. He pa us ed a mo me nt , but i t s ti ll s ee me d be st t o

pr oc ee d, a nd a s I ng a a dv an ce d i n t he d ar k, h ol di ng h is

h an ds o ut st retched b ef or e h im t o f eel h is w ay ,

handcuffs fell upon his wrists and locked themselves

w it h a s ha rp c li ck , a nd a n i ns ta nt l at er h e f ou nd h e

w as c ha in ed t o a s tou t i ron pos t s et f ir ml y i n t he r oc k

floor.

T he c ha in s w er e l on g e nou gh t o p er mi t h im t o m ove a

y ar d o r s o i n a ny d ir ec ti on a nd b y f ee li ng t he w al ls h e

f ound he wa s i n a s mal l ci rc ul ar r oom t ha t had no

o ut le t e xc ep t t he p as sa ge b y w hi ch h e h ad e nt er ed , a nd

t ha t w as no w c lo se d by t he do or of s te el . T hi s w as t he

e nd o f t he s er ie s o f c av er ns a nd c or ri do rs .

I t w as n ow t ha t t he h or ro r o f h is s it ua ti on o cc ur re d

t o t he boy wi th f ul l f or ce . B ut he r es ol ve d not t o

s ub mi t t o h is f at e w it ho ut a s tr ug gl e, and r eali zi ng

t ha t h e p os se ss ed t he B lu e P ea rl , w hi ch g av e h im

marv el ou s s tr en gt h, h e q ui ck ly b ro ke t he chain s and s et

h im self f ree o f t he h an dcuf fs . N ex t h e t wi st ed t he





s teel d oo r f ro m i ts h in ges, and creep in g alo ng t he

s h or t p as sage, f ou nd h im self i n t he t hi rd cav e.

B ut n ow t he d im l ig ht , w hi ch h ad b ef or e g ui ded h im ,

h a d v ani sh ed; y et o n p ee ri ng i nt o t he g lo om o f t he c av e

h e s aw w ha t a ppe ar ed t o be t wo r ou nd di sk s o f f la me ,

w hi ch c as t a s ub du ed g lo w o ve r t he f lo or a nd w al ls . B y

t hi s d ul l g lo w h e m ad e o ut t he f or m of a n e no rm ous m an ,

se at ed in the ce nter of the ca ve , and he s aw that the

i r on g rati ng h ad b een r em ov ed , p er mi tt in g t he m an t o

enter.

T he g iant w as u nclo th ed and i ts l im bs w er e t hi ck ly

c ov er ed w it h c oa rs e r ed h ai r. T he r ou nd d is ks o f f la me

we re i ts t wo e ye s a nd wh en i t op ene d i ts mou th t o y awn

Inga s aw t ha t i ts j aws w er e wi de e no ugh t o c rus h a

d oz en m en b et we en t he g re at r ow s o f t ee th .

P re se nt ly t he g ia nt l oo ke d u p a nd p er ce iv ed t he b oy

c ro uc hi ng a t t he o th er s id e o f t he c av er n, s o h e c al le d

o ut i n a h oa rs e, r ud e v oi ce :

" Co me h it her, m y p rett y o ne. W e w il l w rest le

to ge th er , y ou a nd I , a nd i f y ou s uc ce ed i n t hr ow in g m e

I w il l l et y ou p as s t hr oug h m y c ave ."





W he n t he g ia nt f el l, t he gl ow f ro m i ts e ye s f ad ed

a wa y, a nd a ll w as d ar k. C au ti ou sl y, f or I ng a w as n ot

s ur e t he gi an t w as de ad, t he boy f el t hi s wa y t ow ar d

t he o pe ni ng t ha t l ed t o t he m id dl e c av er n. T he e nt ra nc e

w as n ar ro w a nd t he d ar kn es s w as i nt en se , b ut , f ee li ng

br aver n ow , t he b oy s t ep ped b ol dl y f or war d. I ns t an tl y

t he f loo r b ega n t o s in k b en ea th h im a nd i n g re at a la rm

he t ur ne d a nd m ade a l ea p t ha t e na bl ed hi m t o gr as p t he

r oc ky s id es o f t he w al l a nd r eg ai n a f oo ti ng i n t he

p as s ag e t hr ou gh w hi ch h e h ad j us t com e.

S ca rc el y h ad h e o bt ai ne d t hi s p la ce o f r ef ug e w he n a

m ig ht y crash r es ou nd ed t hr ou gh ou t t he cav er n and t he

s ou nd o f a r us hi ng t or re nt c am e f ro m f ar b el ow . I ng a

f e lt i n h is p oc ke t a nd f ou nd s ev er al m at ch es , o ne o f

w hi ch h e l ig ht ed and h el d b ef or e h im . W hi le i t

fl ic ke re d h e s aw t ha t t he e nt ir e f lo or o f t he c av er n

h ad f al le n a wa y, a nd k ne w t ha t h ad h e n ot i ns ta nt ly

r eg ai ned h is f oo ti ng i n t he p as sage h e w ou ld h av e

pl un ged i nt o t he aby ss t hat l ay b en eath h im .

B y t he l ig ht o f a no the r m at ch he s aw t he op en in g a t

t he ot he r s ide o f t he c ave a nd t he t ho ught c am e t o hi m

t ha t p os si bl y h e m ig ht l ea p a cr os s t he g ul f. O f c ou rs e,

this could never be accomplished without the marvelous





s tr eng th l en t h im by t he B lu e P ea rl , b ut I ng a h ad t he

feeling that one powerful spring might carry him over

t he c ha sm i nt o s af et y. He c ou ld not s ta y w he re h e w as ,

t ha t w as c er ta in , s o he r es ol ve d t o m ak e t he a tt em pt .

H e t ook a l ong r un t hr ough t he fi rs t c ave a nd t he

s ho rt cor ri do r; t hen, exert in g all h is s tr en gt h, h e

l au nched h im self o ver t he b lack g ul f o f t he s econ d

cave. S wi ft ly h e f lew and , alt ho ug h h is h eart s to od

s ti ll w it h f ea r, o nl y a f ew s ec on ds e la ps ed b ef or e h is

f ee t t ou ch ed t he l ed ge o f t he o pp os it e p as sa ge wa y a nd

he k new h e h ad s af el y accom pl is hed t he w on derf ul f eat.

O nl y p au si ng t o d ra w o ne l on g b re at h o f r el ie f, I ng a

q ui ck ly t ra ve rs ed t he c ro ok ed c or ri do r t ha t l ed t o t he

l ast c aver n of the t hre e. But whe n he c ame i n si ght of

i t h e p au se d a br up tl y, h is e ye s n ea rl y b li nd ed b y a

g lare o f s tr on g l ig ht w hi ch b ur st u po n t hem. C ov er in g

h is f ac e w it h h is h an ds , I ng a r et re at ed b eh in d a

p r oj ecti ng cor ner o f r ock and b y g radu al ly g et ti ng h is

e ye s u se d t o t he l ig ht h e w as f in al ly a bl e t o g az e

w it ho ut b li nk in g u po n t he s tr an ge g lare t hat h ad s o

qu ickl y chang ed t he con di ti on o f t he cav er n. W hen h e

h ad p as sed t hr ou gh t hi s v au lt i t h ad b een ent ir el y

e mp ty . N ow t he f la t f loo r o f r oc k w as c ove re d

e ve ry wh er e w it h a b ed of g lo wi ng c oa ls , w hi ch s hot u p





every difficulty, which may be found by earnest

thought.

T he re w er e m an y p oi nt s a nd p ro je ct io ns o f r oc k i n t he

wa ll s o f t he c ro ok ed c or ri do r i n w hi ch I ng a s to od a nd

s om e o f t he se r oc ks h ad b ec om e c ra ck ed a nd l oo se ne d,

although still clinging to their places. The boy picked

o ut o ne l ar ge p iece, and , exert in g all h is s tr en gt h,

t or e i t a wa y f rom t he w al l. H e t he n c ar ri ed i t to t he

c av er n a nd t os se d i t u po n t he b ur ni ng c oa ls , a bo ut t en

f ee t a wa y f rom t he e nd of t he pa ss age . Th en he r et ur ne d

f or ano th er f ragm en t o f r ock, and w renchi ng i t f ree

f ro m i ts p la ce , h e t hr ew i t t en f ee t b ey on d t he f ir st

o ne , t ow ar d t he o ppo si te s id e of t he c ave . T he bo y

co nt inu ed t hi s w or k u nt il h e h ad m ad e a s er ie s o f

stepping-stones reaching straight across the cavern to

t he d ar k p as sa ge wa y b ey on d, w hi ch h e h op ed w ou ld l ea d

h im b ac k t o s af et y i f n ot t o l ib er ty .

W he n h is w or k h ad b ee n c om pl et ed , I ng a d id n ot l on g

hes it at e t o t ak e adv an tage o f h is s t ep pi ng -s t on es , f or

he kne w hi s be st c ha nc e of e sc ape l ay i n hi s c ros si ng

t he b ed o f c oa ls b ef or e t he r oc ks b ec am e s o h ea te d t ha t

t he y w oul d bur n hi s f ee t. S o he l ea pe d t o t he f ir st

r oc k a nd f ro m t he re b eg an j um pi ng f ro m o ne t o t he o th er

i n q ui ck s uc ce ss io n. A w it he ri ng w av e o f h ea t a t o nc e





e nv el op ed h im , a nd f or a t im e h e f ea re d h e w ou ld

su ff oc at e b ef or e h e c ou ld c ro ss t he c av er n; b ut h e h el d

hi s br ea th, to ke ep th e hot a ir f ro m hi s l ungs , a nd

maintained his leaps with desperate resolve.

T he n, b ef or e h e r ea li ze d i t, h is f ee t w er e p re ss in g

t he c oo le r r oc ks of t he pa ss ag e b eyo nd a nd h e r ol le d

help less u po n t he f lo or , g as pi ng f or b reat h. H is s ki n

wa s s o r ed t ha t i t r es em bl ed t he s he ll o f a bo il ed

l o bs ter, b ut h is s wi ft m ot io n h ad p revent ed h is b ei ng

b ur ne d, a nd h is s ho es h ad t hi ck s ol es , w hi ch s av ed h is

feet.

A ft er r es ti ng a f ew m in ut es , t he b oy f el t s tr on g

enough t o go on. He we nt to t he end of t he pa ss age a nd

f ou nd t ha t t he r oc k door by w hi ch he ha d l ef t hi s r oom

w as s ti ll c lo se d, s o h e r et ur ne d t o a bo ut t he m id dl e o f

t he c or ri do r a nd w as t hi nk in g w ha t h e s ho ul d d o n ex t,

w he n s ud de nl y t he s ol id r oc k b ef or e h im b eg an t o m ov e

and an o peni ng app eared t hr ou gh w hi ch s ho ne a b ri ll iant

light. Shielding his eyes, which were somewhat dazzled,

Inga sprang through the opening and found himself in

o ne o f t he N om e K in g' s i nh ab it ed cav er ns , w here b ef or e

h im s to od K in g K al ik o, w it h a b ro ad g ri n up on h is

f eat ur es , and K li k, t he K in g' s chamb er lain , w ho l oo ked





surprised, and King Rinkitink seated astride Bilbil the

g oa t, b ot h o f w ho m s ee me d p le as ed t ha t I ng a h ad

rejoined them.

Chapter Nineteen

Rinkitink Chuckles

W e w il l n ow r el at e w hat h ap pened t o R in ki ti nk and

Bilbil that morning, while Inga was undergoing his

trying experience in escaping the fearful dangers of

t h e t hr ee cavern s.

T he K in g o f G il ga d w ak en ed t o f in d t he d oo r o f I ng a' s

r oom f as t s hu t a nd l oc ke d, but he ha d no t rou bl e i n

o pe ni ng h is o wn d oo r i nt o t he c or ri do r, f or i t s ee ms

t ha t t he b oy 's r oo m, w hi ch w as t he m id dl e o ne , w hi rl ed

ar ou nd o n a p iv ot , w hi le t he adj oi ni ng r oo ms o ccup ied

by Bilbil and Rinkitink remained stationary. The little

K in g als o f ou nd a b reak fast m ag ical ly s er ved i n h is

r oom, a nd whil e he wa s ea ti ng it , Kl ik c am e t o hi m a nd

s tat ed t hat H is M aj est y, K in g K al ik o, d es ir ed h is





p resence i n t he r oy al cav er n.

S o R in ki ti nk , h av in g f ir st m ad e s ur e t hat t he P in k

Pearl was still in his vest pocket, willingly followed

K li k, wh o r an on s ome di st an ce a he ad . Bu t n o s oo ne r ha d

R in ki ti nk s et f oo t i n t he p as sa ge t ha n a g re at r oc k,

w ei gh in g a t l ea st a t on , b ec am e d is lo dg ed a nd d ro pp ed

f ro m t he r oo f d ir ec tl y o ve r h is h ea d. O f c ou rs e, i t

c ou ld not ha rm hi m, p rot ec te d a s h e w as by t he Pi nk

P ea rl , a nd i t b ou nd ed a si de a nd c ra sh ed u po n t he f lo or ,

wh er e i t w as s ha tt er ed b y i ts o wn w ei gh t.

"How careless!" exclaimed the little King, and

wa dd le d a ft er K li k, w ho s ee me d a ma ze d a t h is e sc ap e.

Presently another rock above Rinkitink plunged

d ow nw ar d, a nd t he n a no th er , b ut n on e t ou ch ed h is b od y.

K li k s eem ed m uch p er pl exed at t hese con ti nu ed es capes

and certainly Kaliko was surprised when Rinkitink, safe

a nd s ou nd , e nt er ed t he r oy al c av er n.

" Go od m or ni ng ," s ai d t he K in g o f G il gad. " Yo ur r ocks

a re g et ti ng l oo se , K al ik o, a nd y ou 'd b et te r h av e t he m

g lu ed i n p lace b ef or e t hey h ur t s om eo ne." T hen h e b eg an

t o c hu ck le : " Ho o, h oo , h oo -h ee , h ee -h ee k, k ee k, e ek !"





a nd K al ik o s at a nd f ro wn ed b ec au se h e r ea li ze d t ha t t he

l it tl e f at K in g w as p ok in g f un at h im .

" I a ske d Yo ur M aj es ty t o c om e h er e, " s ai d t he N om e

K i ng , " to s ho w y ou a c ur io us s ke in o f g ol de n t hr ea d

w hi ch m y w or km en h av e m ad e. I f i t pl ea se s y ou, I wi ll

m ake you a pr es en t of i t."

W it h t hi s h e h el d o ut a s mall s kein o f g li tt er in g

g ol d t wi ne, w hi ch w as r eall y p rett y and cur io us .

Ri nk it in k t oo k i t i n h is ha nd a nd a t o nc e t he go ld en

t hr ea d b eg an t o u nw in d - - s o s wi ft ly t ha t t he e ye c ou ld

n ot f ol lo w i ts m ot io n. A nd , as i t u nw ou nd , i t coi led

i ts el f aro un d R in ki ti nk 's b od y, at t he s am e t im e

weav in g i ts el f i nt o a n et , u nt il i t h ad env el op ed t he

l it tl e K ing f ro m h ea d t o f oo t a nd pl ac ed hi m i n a

p r is on o f g ol d.

" Ah a! " cri ed K al ik o; " th is m ag ic w or ked all r ig ht , i t

seems.

"Oh, did it?" replied Rinkitink, and stepping forward

h e w al ked r ig ht t hr ou gh t he g ol den n et , w hi ch f el l t o

the f lo or i n a t an gl ed m as s

Kaliko rubbed his chin thoughtfully and stared hard





at Rinkitink.

" I u nd er st an d a g oo d b it o f m ag ic ," s ai d , he , " bu t

Y ou r M aj es ty h as a s or t o f m ag ic t ha t g re at ly p uz zl es

m e, b ec au se i t i s u nl ik e a ny th ing o f t he s or t t ha t I

ev er m et w it h b ef or e. "

" No w, s ee h er e, K al ik o, " s ai d R in ki ti nk ; " if y ou are

tr yi ng t o ha rm m e o r m y c omp ani on s, g iv e i t up , f or y ou

w il l n ev er s uc ce ed . W e' re h ar m- pr oo f, s o t o s pe ak , a nd

yo u are m er el y w as ti ng y ou r t im e t ry in g t o i nj ur e u s.

"You may be right, and I hope I am not so impolite as

t o a rg ue w it h a g ue st ," r et ur ne d t he N om e K in g. " Bu t

you wil l par don me if I a m not yet sa ti sf ie d t ha t you

a re s tr on ge r t ha n m y f am ou s m ag ic . H ow ev er , I b eg y ou

t o b el ieve t hat I b ear y ou n o i ll w il l, K in g R in ki ti nk ;

b ut i t i s m y d ut y t o d es tr oy y ou , i f p os si bl e, b ec au se

you and that insignificant boy Prince have openly

t hr eatened t o t ak e away m y cap ti ves and h av e p os it iv el y

r ef us ed t o g o b ac k t o t he e ar th 's s ur fa ce a nd l et m e

a lo ne . I 'm v er y t en de r- he ar te d, a s a m at te r o f f ac t,

and I l ik e y ou i mm en sely , and w ou ld enj oy h av in g y ou as

a fr ie nd, but - -" Her e he pre ss ed a butt on on the a rm

o f h is t hr on e c ha ir a nd t he s ec ti on o f t he f lo or w he re





R i nk it in k s t oo d s ud denl y o pened and d is clo sed a b lack

p it b en ea th , w hi ch w as a p ar t o f ' th e t er ri bl e

Bottomless Gulf.

B ut R in ki ti nk d id n ot f al l i nt o t he p it ; h is b od y

r em ai ne d s us pe nd ed i n t he a ir u nt il h e pu t o ut h is f oo t

a n d s te pp ed t o t he s ol id f lo or , w he n t he o pe ni ng

suddenly closed again.

"I appreciate Your Majesty's friendship," remarked

R i nk it in k, as cal ml y as i f n ot hi ng h ad h ap pened, " bu t I

am getting tired with standing. Will you kindly send

f or m y goa t, Bi lbi l, tha t I ma y si t upon hi s bac k t o

rest?"

" In deed I w il l! " p ro mi sed K al ik o. " I h av e n ot y et

com pl et ed my t es t of yo ur ma gi c, a nd a s I ow e t ha t go at

a s li gh t g ru dg e f or b um pi ng m y h ead and s mash in g m y

s ec on d- be st c ro wn , I w il l b e g la d t o d is co ve r i f t he

b east can als o escap e m y d el ig ht fu l l it tl e s or ceri es ."

S o K li k w as s en t t o f et ch B il bi l a nd p re se nt ly

r et ur ne d w it h t he g oa t, w hi ch w as v er y c ro ss t hi s

m or ni ng be ca us e i t ha d no t s le pt w el l i n t he

underground caverns.





R in ki ti nk l os t n o t im e i n g et ti ng u po n t he r ed v el vet

s ad dl e w hi ch t he g oa t c on st an tl y w or e, f or h e f ea re d

th e N om e K in g w ou ld t ry t o d es tr oy B il bi l a nd k ne w t ha t

a s l ong a s hi s bo dy t ou che d t ha t o f t he goa t t he P ink

P earl w ou ld p ro tect t hem b ot h; w hereas , i f B il bi l s to od

a lo ne , t he re w as n o m ag ic t o s av e h im .

B il bi l g lared w ickedl y at K in g K al ik o, w ho m ov ed

u neas il y i n h is i vo ry t hr on e. T hen t he N om e K in g

whi spe re d a mom en t i n t he e ar of K li k, w ho no dde d a nd

l ef t t he r oo m.

" Pl ea se m ak e y ou rs el ve s a t h om e h er e f or a f ew

m in ut es , w hi le I a tt en d t o a n e rr an d, " s ai d t he N om e

K i ng , g et ti ng u p f ro m t he t hr on e. " I s hall r et ur n

p re tt y s oon , w he n I hop e t o f ind y ou p ie ce ful - - ha ,

ha , ha ! - - th at' s a j oke you c an' t a pp re ci at e now bu t

wi ll l at er . B e pi ec ef ul - - t ha t' s t he i de a. H o, h o, h o!

H ow f un ny ." T hen h e w ad dl ed f ro m t he cav er n, clo si ng

t he d oo r b eh in d h im .

"Well, why didn't you laugh when Kaliko laughed?"

de ma nd ed t he g oa t, w he n t he y w er e l ef t a lo ne i n t he

cavern.





d is ap pe ar ed a s s ud de nl y a s t he y h ad a pp ea re d.

K al ik o cau ti ou sl y s tu ck h is h ead t hr ou gh t he d oo rw ay

and f ou nd t he g oat chewi ng t he emb ro id er y o f h is r oy al

clo ak , w hi ch h e h ad l ef t l yi ng o ver t he t hr on e, w hi le

R in ki ti nk w as r eadi ng h is m an us cr ip t o n " Ho w t o b e

G oo d" and chu ck li ng o ver i ts adv ice. T he N om e K in g

s ee me d g re at ly d is ap po in te d a s h e c am e i n a nd r es um ed

h is s eat o n t he t hr on e. S ai d R in ki ti nk w it h a chu ck le:

" We'v e r eall y h ad a p eacefu l t im e, K al ik o, alt ho ug h

n ot t he p ie ce fu l t im e y ou e xp ec te d. F or gi ve m e i f I

i n du lg e i n a l au gh - - h oo , h oo , h oo -h ee , h ee k- ke ek -e ek !

A nd n ow , t el l m e; a re n' t yo u g et ti ng t ir ed o f t ry ing t o

injure us?"

" Eh - - he h," s ai d t he Nom e Ki ng . " I s ee no w t ha t your

ma gi c c an prot ec t you f rom a ll my a rts . But i s t he boy

I ng a a s, w el l pr ot ec te d a s Y ou r M aj es ty a nd t he go at ?'

" Wh y d o y ou ask ?" i nq ui red R in ki ti nk , u neas y at t he

qu es ti on b ec au se h e r em em be re d h e h ad n ot s ee n t he

little Prince of Pingaree that morning.

" Becaus e, " s ai d K al ik o, " th e b oy h as b een u nd er go in g





t ri al s f ar g re at er a nd m or e d an ge ro us t ha n a ny y ou h av e

e nc ou nt er ed , a nd i t h as b ee n h un dr ed s o f y ea rs s in ce

a ny on e h as b ee n a bl e t o e sc ap e a li ve f ro m t he p er il s o f

my Three Trick Caverns."

K in g R in ki ti nk w as m uch alarm ed at h eari ng t hi s, f or

a lt ho ug h h e k ne w t ha t I ng a p os se ss ed t he B lu e P ea rl ,

t hat w ou ld o nl y g iv e t o h im m ar velo us s tr en gt h, and

p er haps s tr eng th alo ne w ou ld n ot enabl e h im t o escape

f ro m da nge r. B ut h e wo ul d not l et Ka li ko s ee t he f ea r

he f el t f or I nga 's s af et y, s o h e s ai d i n a c ar el es s

way:

" Yo u' re a m ig ht y p oo r m ag ician, K al ik o, and I 'l l g iv e

yo u m y c ro wn i f I ng a h as n' t e sc ap ed a ny d an ge r y ou h av e

threatened him with."

" Yo ur w ho le c ro wn i s n ot w or th o ne o f t he v al ua bl e

di am on ds i n m y cro wn ," ans wered t he N om e K in g, " bu t

I' ll t ake i t. Le t us go a t onc e, ther efore , and se e

w ha t ha s be com e of t he bo y P ri nc e, f or i f h e i s not

d es tr oy ed by t hi s t im e I w il l a dm it h e c an no t b e

i nj ure d by a ny of t he ma gic ar ts whic h I ha ve a t my

command."

H e l ef t t he r oo m, a cc om pa ni ed b y K li k, w ho h ad n ow





rejoined his master, and by Rinkitink riding upon

Bilbil. After traversing several of the huge caverns

t he y e nt er ed o ne t ha t w as s om ew ha t m or e b ri gh t a nd

c he er fu l t ha n t he o th er s, w he re t he N om e K in g p au se d

b ef or e a w al l of r oc k. T he n K li k p re ss ed a s ec re t

sp ri ng a nd a s ec ti on o f t he w al l o pe ne d a nd d is cl os ed

t he cor ri do r w here P ri nce I ng a s t oo d f acin g t hem.

" Tart s and t ad po les! " cri ed K al ik o i n s ur pr is e. " Th e

boy is still alive!"

Chapter Twenty

D or ot hy t o t he R es cu e

O ne d ay w hen P ri nces s D or ot hy o f O z w as v is it in g G li nd a

t he G oo d, w ho i s O zm a' s R oy al S or ce re ss , s he w as

l oo ki ng t hr ou gh G li nd a' s G reat B oo k o f R ecor ds - -

wherein is inscribed all important events that happen

in every par t of the world - - when s he ca me upon the

r ec or d o f t he d es tr uc ti on o f P in ga re e, t he c ap tu re o f





K in g K it ti cu t a nd Q ue en G ar ee a nd a ll t he ir p eo pl e, a nd

t he c ur iou s e sc ape of I nga , t he bo y Pr in ce , a nd of K ing

R in ki ti nk and t he t al ki ng g oat. T ur ni ng o ver s om e o f

th e f ol lo wi ng p ag es , D or ot hy r ead h ow I ng a h ad f ou nd

t he M ag ic P earl s and w as r ow in g t he s il ver- li ned b oat

t o R eg os t o t ry t o r es cu e hi s pa re nt s.

T he l it tl e g ir l w as m uch i nt er es ted t o k no w h ow w el l

I ng a s uc ce ed ed , b ut s he r et ur ne d t o t he p al ac e o f O zm a

a t t he E me ra ld C it y of O z t he n ext da y a nd ot he r e ve nt s

m ad e h er f or ge t t he b oy P ri nc e o f P in ga re e f or a t im e.

H ow ev er , s he w as o ne d ay i dl y l oo ki ng a t O zm a' s M ag ic

Pi ct ur e, w hi ch s ho ws a ny s ce ne y ou m ay w is h t o s ee ,

w hen t he g ir l t ho ug ht o f I ng a and com mand ed t he M ag ic

P ic tu re t o s ho w w ha t t he b oy w as d oi ng a t t ha t m om en t.

I t w as t he t im e w hen I ng a and R in ki ti nk h ad f ol lo wed

t he K ing o f R eg os a nd Q ue en of C or eg os t o t he No me

K in g' s cou nt ry and s he s aw t hem h id in g b eh in d t he r ock

as Co r a nd Go s p as se d t he m b y a ft er h av in g p la ce d t he

K in g a nd Q ue en o f P in ga re e i n t he k ee pi ng o f t he N om e

K in g. F ro m t hat t im e D or ot hy f ol lo wed, b y m eans o f t he

M ag ic P ictu re, t he adv en tu res o f I ng a and h is f ri en d i n

t he N om e K in g' s c av er ns , a nd t he d an ge r a nd

h el pl es sn es s o f t he p oo r b oy aro us ed t he l it tl e g ir l' s

pity and indignation.





So s he we nt t o Oz ma a nd tol d t he love ly gi rl Rule r of

O z all abo ut I ng a and R in ki ti nk .

"I think Kaliko is treating them dreadfully mean,"

de cl ar ed Do rot hy, " an d I w is h yo u' d l et m e go t o t he

N om e C ou nt ry and h el p t hem o ut o f t heir t ro ub les. "

" Go, m y d ea r, i f yo u w is h t o, " r ep li ed O zm a, " bu t I

t hi nk i t w oul d be be st f or y ou t o t ake t he W iz ar d wi th

you."

" Oh , I 'm n ot a fr ai d o f t he n om es ," s ai d D or ot hy , " bu t

I 'l l b e g la d t o t ake t he W iz ar d, f or c om pa ny . An d m ay

w e u se y ou r M ag ic C ar pe t, O zm a? "

" Of c our se . Pu t t he M ag ic C ar pe t i n t he Re d W ag on a nd

ha ve t he Sa who rs e t ak e y ou a nd t he W iz ar d t o t he e dge

o f t he d es er t. W hi le y ou a re g on e, D or ot hy , I 'l l w at ch

y ou i n t he M ag ic P ic tu re , a nd i f a ny d an ge r t hr ea te ns

y ou I 'l l s ee y ou a re n ot h ar me d. "

D or ot hy t ha nk ed t he R ul er o f O z a nd k is se d h er g oo d-

b ye , f or s he w as de te rm ine d t o s ta rt a t on ce . S he f ou nd

th e W iz ar d o f O z, w ho w as p la nt in g s ho et re es i n t he





g ar den, and w hen s he t ol d h im I ng a' s s to ry h e w il li ng ly

a gr ee d t o a cc om pa ny t he l it tl e g ir l t o t he N om e K in g' s

c av er ns . T he y h ad b ot h b ee n t he re b ef or e a nd h ad

c on qu er ed t he n om es w it h e as e, s o t he y w er e n ot a t a ll

afraid.

The W iz ar d, who w as a che er y l itt le ma n wi th a ba ld

h ead and a w in ni ng s mi le, h ar nes sed t he W oo den S aw ho rs e

t o t he R ed W ag on a nd l oa de d o n O zm a' s M agi c C ar pe t.

The n h e a nd Dor ot hy c li mbe d t o t he s ea t a nd t he

S aw ho rs e s tart ed o ff and car ri ed t hem s wi ft ly t hr ou gh

t he be aut if ul La nd of O z t o t he ed ge of t he D ea dl y

Desert t hat s ep ar at ed t hei r f ai ry land f ro m t he N om e

Country.

E ven D or ot hy and t he clever W izar d w ou ld n ot h av e

da re d t o c ro ss t hi s d es er t w it hout t he a id of t he M ag ic

C ar pet, f or i t w ou ld h av e q ui ck ly d es tr oy ed t hem; b ut

w he n t he r ol l of c ar pe t ha d b ee n pl ac ed u po n t he e dge

o f t he s an ds , l eavi ng j us t eno ug h l yi ng f lat f or t hem

t o s tand u po n, t he car pet s tr aig ht way b eg an t o u nr ol l

b ef or e t he m a nd a s t he y w al ke d o n i t c on ti nu ed t o

un ro ll , u nt il t hey h ad s af el y p as sed o ver t he s tr et ch

o f D ea dl y D es er t a nd w er e on t he b or de r o f t he No me

King's dominions.





T h is j ou rn ey h ad b een accom pl is hed i n a f ew m in ut es ,

alt ho ug h s uch a d is tance w ou ld h av e r eq ui red s ev er al

da ys t ra ve l h ad t he y n ot b ee n w al ki ng o n t he M ag ic

Ca rp et . O n a rr iv in g t he y a t o nc e w al ke d t ow ar d t he

en tr an ce t o t he c av er ns o f t he n om es .

T he W izar d car ri ed a l it tl e b lack b ag con tain in g h is

t oo ls o f w iz ar dr y, w hi le D or ot hy c ar ri ed o ve r h er a rm a

c ove re d b as ke t i n wh ic h s he h ad pl ac ed a do ze n e gg s,

w it h w hi ch t o c on qu er t he n om es i f s he h ad a ny t ro ub le

with them.

E ggs ma y s ee m t o you t o be a que er we apon w it h w hi ch

t o f ig ht , b ut t he l it tl e g ir l w el l k new t heir v al ue.

T he n om es a re i mm or ta l; t ha t i s, t he y d o n ot p er is h, a s

m or ta ls d o, u nl es s t he y h ap pe n t o c om e i n c on ta ct w it h

an e gg. I f a n e gg t ou che s t he m - - e it he r t he o ut er

s he ll or th e i ns ide of t he e gg - - t he nom es l os e t he ir

charm o f p er petu al l if e and t hereaf ter are l iabl e t o

d ie t hr ou gh a cc id en t o r o ld a ge , j us t a s a ll h um an s

are.

F or t hi s r ea so n t he s igh t o f a n e gg f il ls a n om e w it h

t er ror a nd h e w il l d o a ny thi ng t o p re ve nt a n e gg f ro m

t o uchi ng h im , even f or an i ns tant . S o, w hen D or ot hy





t ook h er b as ke t o f e gg s w it h h er , s he k ne w t ha t s he w as

m or e p ow er fu ll y arm ed t han i f s he h ad a r eg im en t o f

so ld ie rs a t h er b ac k.

Chapter Twenty-One

The Wizard Finds an Enchantment

A ft er K al ik o h ad f ai le d i n h is a tt em pt s t o d es tr oy h is

g ue st s, a s h as b ee n r el at ed , t he N om e K in g d id n ot hi ng

m or e t o i nj ur e t he m b ut t re at ed t he m i n a f ri en dl y

m an ne r. H e r ef us ed , h ow ev er , t o p er mi t I ng a t o s ee o r

t o s pe ak wi th h is f at he r a nd m ot he r, or e ve n t o kno w i n

w ha t p ar t o f t he u nd er gr ou nd c av er ns t he y w er e

confined.

" You a re a bl e t o pr ot ec t yo ur l iv es a nd p er so ns , I

freely admit," said Kaliko; "but I firmly believe you

h av e n o p ow er , e it he r o f m ag ic o r o th er wi se , t o t ak e

fr om me t he c ap ti ve s I ha ve a gr ee d t o k ee p f or Ki ng

Gos."





Oz - - whi ch mea ns that she is a ter rible foe t o de al

with."

" Do es n' t s he l ik e t he n om es ?" i nq ui red t he b oy .

" It i sn 't t ha t, " s ai d K in g K al iko , w it h a g ro an, " bu t

s he i ns is ts o n t he n om es b ei ng g oo dy -g oo dy , w hi ch i s

c on tr ar y t o t he ir n at ur es . D or ot hy g et s a ng ry i f I d o

t he l ea st t hi ng t ha t i s wi cke d, a nd t ri es t o m ake m e

s to p i t, a nd t ha t n at ur al ly m ak es m e d ow nh ea rt ed . I

c an 't i ma gi ne w hy s he h as c om e h er e j us t n ow , f or I 'v e

b een b eh av in g v er y w el l l at el y. A s f or t hat W izar d o f

O z , h e' s c ho ck -f ul l o f m ag ic t ha t I c an 't o ve rc om e, f or

h e l ea rn ed i t f ro m G li nda , w ho i s t he m os t p ow er fu l

s or ce re ss i n t he w or ld . W oe i s m e! W hy d id n' t D or ot hy

a n d t he W iz ar d s ta y i n O z, w he re t he y b el on g? "

I ng a and R in ki ti nk l is tened t o t hi s w it h m uch j oy ,

for a t once the idea ca me to them both to ple ad with

D or ot hy t o h el p t hem. E ven B il bi l p ri ck ed u p h is ear s

w he n h e h ea rd t he W iz ar d o f O z m en ti on ed , a nd t he g oa t

seemed much less surly, and more thoughtful than usual.

A f ew m in ute s l ate r a nome c ame t o s ay t ha t Dor ot hy

a nd t he W iz ar d h ad a rr iv ed a nd d em an de d a dm it ta nc e, s o

K li k wa s s ent t o us he r t he m i nt o t he r oya l pr es enc e of





I w ant yo u t o s end f or t he Ki ng a nd Qu ee n of Pi nga re e

and have them brought here immejitly!"

" I w on 't ," s aid K al ik o.

" Yes, y ou w il l! " cri ed D or ot hy , s tamp in g h er f oo t at

h i m. " I w on 't h av e t ho se p oo r p eo pl e m ad e u nh ap py a ny

l on ger, o r s ep ar at ed f ro m t heir l it tl e b oy . W hy , i t' s

dr ea df ul , K al ik o, a n' I 'm s u' pr is ed a t y ou . Y ou m us t b e

m or e w icked t han I t ho ug ht y ou w er e. "

" I c an 't d o i t, D or ot hy ," s ai d t he N om e K in g, a lm os t

w ee pi ng w it h d es pa ir . " I p ro mi se d K in g G os I 'd k ee p

t h em c ap ti ve s. Y ou w ou ld n' t a sk m e t o b re ak m y p ro mi se ,

would you?"

" Ki ng Go s wa s a r obbe r a nd a n o ut la w, " s he s ai d, " and

p 'r 'a ps y ou d on 't k no w t ha t a s to rm a t s ea w re ck ed h is

bo at , w hi le he wa s go in g ba ck t o R eg os , a nd t ha t h e a nd

Q ue en C or w er e b ot h d ro wn ed ."

" Dear m e! " exclaim ed K al ik o. " Is t hat s o?"

" I s aw i t i n G li nd a' s R ec or d B oo k, " s ai d D or ot hy . " So

now y ou t ro t o ut t he K ing a nd Q ue en of Pi nga re e a s

q ui ck a s y ou c an ."





" No ," p er si st ed t he con tr ar y N om e K in g, s haki ng h is

he ad. " I won' t do i t. As k m e a nyt hi ng e ls e a nd I 'l l t ry

t o p le as e y ou , b ut I c an 't a ll ow t he se f ri en dl y e ne mi es

to t ri um ph o ver m e.

" In t hat cas e, " s ai d D or ot hy , b eg in ni ng t o r em ov e t he

c ov er f ro m h er b as ke t, " I' ll s ho w y ou s om e e gg s. "

" Eg gs !" s cr eamed t he N om e K in g i n h or ro r. " Have y ou

eg gs i n t hat b as ket?"

" A d ozen o f ' em ," r ep li ed D or ot hy .

" Then ke ep t hem t he re - - I be g - - I im plor e you! - -

and I 'l l d o any th in g y ou s ay ," p lead ed K al ik o, h is

t ee th c ha tt er in g s o t ha t h e c ou ld h ar dl y s pe ak .

" Se nd f or t he K in g a nd Q ue en o f P in ga re e, " s ai d

Dorothy.

" Go , K li k, " c om ma nd ed t he N om e K in g, a nd K li k r an

a w ay i n gr ea t ha st e, f or he wa s a lmos t a s m uc h

frightened as his master.





" Wha t w oul d b e t he u se ?" a ske d B il bi l i n a l ow v oi ce

and s ti ll r ef us in g t o l oo k u p.

"The use?" repeated Rinkitink, puzzled.

" Ye s, t ha t' s t he t ro ub le ," s ai d t he W iz ar d. " It i s

o n e o f t he m os t p ow er fu l enchant ment s ever

a cc om pl is he d, a nd t he m ag ic ia n i s n ow d ea d a nd t he

s ec re t o f t he a nt i- ch ar m l os t. E ve n I , w it h a ll m y

s ki ll , c an no t r es to re P ri nc e B ob o t o h is p ro pe r f or m.

But I t hi nk Gl inda mi ght be a ble t o do so a nd if you

w il l a ll r et ur n w it h D or ot hy a nd m e t o t he L an d o f O z,

w he re O zm a w il l m ake yo u w el co me , I w il l a sk G li nd a t o

t ry t o b reak t hi s enchant ment ."

T hi s w as w il li ng ly agr eed t o, f or t hey all w el co med

the c ha nc e t o vi si t t he f am ou s La nd o f Oz . S o t he y b ade

g oo d- by e t o K in g K al ik o, w ho m D or ot hy w ar ne d n ot t o b e

wi cke d a ny mor e i f he coul d he lp i t, a nd t he e nti re

p ar ty r et ur ne d ov er t he M agi c C ar pe t t o t he L an d of O z.

T hey f il led t he R ed W ag on , w hi ch w as s ti ll w ai ti ng f or

t hem, p rett y f ul l; b ut t he S aw ho rs e d id n' t m in d t hat

and w it h w on derf ul s peed car ri ed t hem s af el y t o t he

Emerald City.





C hapt er T went y T wo

Ozma's Banquet

O zm a h ad s ee n i n h er M ag ic P ic tu re t he l ib er at io n o f

I ng a' s p ar en ts a nd t he d ep ar tu re o f t he e nt ir e p ar ty

f o r t he E merald C it y, s o w it h h er u su al h os pi tali ty

s he o rd er ed a s pl en di d b an qu et p re pa re d a nd i nv it ed

all h er q uain t f ri en ds w ho w er e t hen i n t he E merald

Ci ty t o b e p re se nt t ha t e ve ni ng t o m ee t t he s tr an ge rs

w ho w er e t o b ec om e he r g ue st s.

G li nd a, als o, i n h er w on derf ul R ecor d B oo k h ad

l ea rne d o f t he e ve nt s t ha t ha d t ake n pl ac e i n t he

c av er ns o f t he N om e K in g a nd s he b ec am e e sp ec ia ll y

i nt er es ted i n t he enchant ment o f t he P ri nce o f

B ob ol an d. S o s he h as ti ly p re pa re d s ev er al o f h er m os t

p ow er fu l charm s and t hen s um mo ned h er f lo ck o f s ix teen

w hi te s to rk s, w hi ch s wi ft ly b or e h er t o O zm a' s p al ace.

S he a rr iv ed t he re be fo re t he R ed W ag on d id a nd w as

w ar ml y g reet ed b y t he g ir l R ul er .





R eali zi ng t hat t he cos tu me o f Q ueen G ar ee o f P in garee

m us t h av e b ec om e s ad ly w or n a nd f ra ye d, o wi ng t o h er

h ar ds hi ps and adv en tu res, O zm a o rd er ed a r oy al o ut fi t

pr epa re d f or t he g oo d Q ue en a nd h ad i t l ai d i n h er

c ha mber r ea dy f or he r t o put on a s s oon a s s he a rri ve d,

s o s he w oul d no t b e s ha me d a t t he b an que t. N ew c os tu me s

w er e als o p ro vi ded f or K in g K it ti cu t and K in g R in ki ti nk

a nd P ri nc e I ng a, a ll c ut a nd m ad e a nd e mbe ll is he d i n

t he elabo rate and b ecom in g s ty le t hen p revalent i n t he

La nd of Oz , a nd a s soon as t he par ty a rri ve d a t t he

p al ac e O zm a' s g ue st s w er e e sc or te d b y h er s er va nt s t o

t he ir r oo ms , t ha t t he y m ig ht b at he a nd d re ss

themselves.

G li nd a t he S or ce re ss a nd t he W iz ar d o f O z t oo k c ha rg e

of Bi lbi l t he goa t a nd we nt to a pr iva te r oom whe re

th ey w er e n ot l ik el y t o b e i nt er ru pt ed . G li nd a f ir st

questioned Bilbil long and earnestly about the manner

o f h is e nc ha nt me nt a nd t he c er em on y t ha t h ad b ee n u se d

by the magician who enchanted him. At first Bilbil

pr ote ste d t ha t he di d not wa nt to be r est or ed t o hi s

n at ur al s hape, s ay in g t hat h e h ad b een f or ev er

d is gr ac ed i n t he e ye s of h is pe opl e a nd of t he e nt ir e

w or ld b y b ei ng o bl ig ed t o e xi st a s a s cr aw ny , s cr ag gl y

g oa t. B ut G li nd a p oi nt ed o ut t ha t a ny p er so n w ho





i ncur red t he enm it y o f a w icked m ag ician w as l iabl e t o

s uf fer a s im il ar f at e, and ass ur ed h im t hat h is

m is fo rt un e w ou ld m ak e h im b et ter b el ov ed b y h is

s u bj ec ts w he n h e r et ur ne d t o t he m f re ed f ro m h is d ir e

enchantment.

Bilbil was finally convinced of the truth of this

a ss er ti on a nd a gr ee d t o s ub mi t t o t he e xp er im en ts o f

G li nda a nd t he Wi za rd , w ho kn ew t he y h ad a ha rd t as k

b ef or e t he m a nd we re not a t a ll s ur e t he y c ou ld

s uc ce ed . W e k no w t ha t G li nd a i s t he m os t c om pl et e

m is tr es s o f m ag ic w ho h as e ve r e xi st ed , a nd s he w as

w is e eno ug h t o g uess t hat t he clever b ut evi l m ag ician

wh o h ad e nc ha nt ed Pr in ce B ob o h ad us ed a s pe ll t ha t

w ou ld p uzzle any o rd in ar y w izard o r s or cerer t o b reak ;

t herefo re s he h ad g iv en t he m at ter m uch s hr ew d t ho ug ht

a nd h op ed s he h ad c on ce iv ed a p la n t ha t w ou ld s uc ce ed .

B ut b ec au se s he w as n ot p os it iv e o f s uc ce ss s he w ou ld

h av e n o o ne p re se nt a t t he i nc an ta ti on e xc ep t h er

a ss is ta nt , t he W iz ar d o f O z.

F ir st s he t rans fo rm ed B il bi l t he g oat i nt o a l am b,

a nd t hi s w as d on e q ui te e as il y. N ex t s he t ra ns fo rm ed

t he l am b i nt o a n os tr ic h, g iv in g i t t wo l eg s a nd f ee t

i ns te ad o f f ou r. T he n s he t ri ed t o t ra ns fo rm t he





o st ri ch i nt o t he o ri gi nal P ri nce B ob o, b ut t hi s

i ncan tati on w as an u tt er f ai lu re. G li nd a w as n ot

d i scou raged, h ow ev er , b ut b y a p ow er fu l s pell

t ra ns fo rm ed t he o st ri ch i nt o a t ot te nh ot - - w hi ch i s a

l ow er f or m o f a m an . T he n t he t ot te nh ot w as t ra ns fo rm ed

i nt o a mi fk et , whi ch wa s a gr ea t s te p i n a dva nc e a nd,

finally, Glinda transformed the mifket into a handsome

y ou ng m an , t al l and s hapely , w ho f el l o n h is k nees

b ef or e t he g reat S or cer es s and g ratef ul ly k is s ed h er

h an d, a dm it ti ng t ha t h e h ad n ow r ec ov er ed h is p ro pe r

sh ap e a nd w as i nd ee d P ri nc e B ob o o f B ob ol an d.

T hi s p ro cess o f m ag ic, s uccess fu l t ho ug h i t w as i n

t he e nd , h ad r eq ui re d s o m uc h t im e t ha t t he b an qu et w as

n ow awai ti ng t heir p res en ce. B ob o w as al ready d ress ed

i n p ri ncel y r ai ment and alt ho ug h h e s eemed v er y m uch

humbled by his recent lowly condition, they finally

persuaded him to join the festivities.

W he n R in ki ti nk s aw t ha t h is g oa t h ad n ow b ec om e a

Pr in ce , h e d id n ot k no w wh et he r t o b e s or ry o r g la d,

f or h e f el t t ha t he w ou ld m is s t he c om pa ni on sh ip o f t he

q uarr el so me ani mal h e h ad s o l on g b een accu st om ed t o

r id e u po n, w hi le a t t he s am e t im e h e r ej oi ce d t ha t p oo r

B il bi l h ad c ome t o h is o wn a ga in.





Prince Bobo humbly begged Rinkitink's forgiveness for

h av in g b een s o d is ag reeabl e t o h im , at t im es , s ay in g

t ha t t he n at ur e o f a g oa t h ad i nf lue nc ed h im a nd t he

s ur ly d is po si ti on h e h ad s ho wn w as a p ar t o f h is

enchant ment . B ut t he j ol ly K in g ass ur ed t he P ri nce t hat

h e h ad r eall y enj oy ed B il bi l' s g ru mp y s peeches and

f or gave h im r eadi ly . I nd eed, t hey all d is co vered t he

y ou ng P ri nce B ob o t o b e an exceed in gl y cou rt eo us and

pl eas an t p er s on , alt ho ug h h e w as s om ew hat r es erv ed and

dignified.

Ah, but it was a great fe ast tha t Ozma served in her

g or geou s b an qu et h al l t hat n ig ht and every on e w as as

h ap py a s c ou ld b e. T he S ha gg y M an w as t he re , a nd s o w as

J ack P um pk in head and t he T in W oo dm an and C ap 'n B il l.

B es id e P ri ncess D or ot hy s at T in y T ro t and B et sy B ob bi n,

a nd t he t hr ee l it tl e g ir ls w er e a lm os t a s s we et t o l oo k

upon as wa s Oz ma, who sa t at the he ad of he r t abl e a nd

outshone all her guests in loveliness.

King Rinkitink was delighted with the quaint people

of Oz a nd la ughe d a nd j oke d wi th t he ti n ma n a nd t he

pu mp ki n- head ed m an and f ou nd C ap 'n B il l a v er y

agr eeab le com pani on . B ut w hat amu sed t he j ol ly K in g

m os t w er e t he ani mal g uest s, w hi ch O zm a alw ay s i nv it ed





t o h er ba nqu et s a nd s ea te d a t a t ab le by t he ms el ve s,

w he re t he y t al ke d a nd c ha tt ed t og et he r a s p eo pl e d o b ut

w er e s er ve d t he s or t o f f oo d t he ir n at ur es r eq ui re d.

T he H un gr y T ig er a nd C ow ar dl y L io n a nd t he G la ss C at

w er e m uc h a dmi re d b y R ink it in k, b ut w he n he m et a m ul e

n am ed H an k, w hi ch B et sy B ob bi n h ad b ro ug ht t o O z, t he

K in g f ou nd t he c re at ur e s o c om ic al t ha t h e l au gh ed a nd

chuckled until his friends thought he would choke. Then

while the banquet was still in progress, Rinkitink

c ompos ed a nd s ang a s ong t o t he mul e a nd t he y a ll

j oi ned i n t he cho ru s, w hi ch w as s om et hi ng l ik e t hi s:

" It 's ve ry que er how b ig a n e ar

I s w or n b y M r. D on ke y;

A nd ye t I f ear he could not he ar

I f it were on a monkey.

' Ti s t hi ck a nd s tr on g a nd b ro ad a nd l on g

A n d als o v er y h ai ry ;

I t 's q ui te b ec om in g t o o ur H an k

But might disgrace a fairy!"

T hi s s on g w as r ecei ved w it h s o m uch ent hu si as m t hat

R in ki ti nk w as p revail ed u po n t o s in g ano th er . T hey g av e





hi m a l it tl e t im e t o c omp os e t he r hym e, wh ic h he

de cl ar ed wo ul d be be tt er i f he c ou ld de vot e a m on th o r

t wo t o i ts com po si ti on , h ut t he s en ti ment h e exp ress ed

w as s o a dm ir ab le t ha t n o o ne c ri ti ci ze d t he s on g o r t he

m an ner i n w hi ch t he j ol ly l it tl e K in g s an g i t.

D or ot hy w ro te d ow n t he w or ds o n a p ie ce o f p ape r, a nd

h e re t he y a re :

"We're merry comrades all, to-night,

B ecau se w e' ve w on a g al lant f ig ht

A nd c on qu er ed a ll o ur f oe s.

W e' re n ot afr ai d o f any th in g,

S o l et u s g ayl y l aug h a nd s ing

U nt il w e s ee k r ep os e.

" We'v e all o ur g ratefu l h eart s can w is h;

K ing G os h as gone t o f ee d t he f is h,

Q u ee n C or h as go ne , a s w el l;

K i ng K it ti cu t h as f ou nd h is o wn ,

P ri nc e B ob o s oo n w il l h av e a t hr on e

Relieved of magic spell.

" So l et 's f or get t he h or ri d s tr if e





T hat f el l u po n o ur p eacefu l l if e

A nd caus ed d is tr ess and p ai n;

F or ve ry s oon a cr os s t he s ea

We'll all be sailing merrily

To Pingaree again."

Chapter Twenty Three

The Pearl Kingdom

I t w as u nf or tu na te t ha t t he f am ou s S ca re cr ow - t he m os t

popula r per son in al l Oz , ne xt to Ozma -- wa s abse nt a t

t he t ime o f t he b anqu et , f or h e h appe ne d j us t t he n t o

b e m ak in g on e o f h is t ri ps t hr ou gh t he c ou nt ry ; b ut t he

S ca re cr ow h ad a c ha nc e l at er t o m ee t R in ki ti nk a nd I ng a

a nd t he K in g a nd Qu ee n o f Pi nga re e a nd P ri nc e B ob o, f or

t he p ar ty r em ai ne d s ev er al w ee ks a t t he E me ra ld C it y,

w here t hey w er e r oy al ly ent er tain ed , and w here b ot h t he

g en tl e Q ueen G ar ee and t he n ob le K in g K it ti cu t

r ecov er ed m uch o f t heir g oo d s pi r it s and com po su re and

tried to forget their dreadful experiences.





A t l as t, h ow ev er , t he K in g a nd Q ue en d es ir ed t o

r et ur n t o t he ir o wn P in ga re e, a s t he y l on ge d t o b e w it h

t he ir p eo pl e a ga in a nd s ee h ow w el l t he y h ad r eb ui lt

t h ei r h om es . I ng a als o w as anx io us t o r et ur n, alt ho ug h

he h ad b ee n v er y h ap py i n O z, a nd K in g R in ki ti nk , w ho

w as h ap py a ny wh er e e xc ep t a t G il ga d, d ec id ed t o g o w it h

h is f or me r f ri en ds t o P in ga re e. A s f or p ri nc e B ob o, h e

h ad b ecom e s o g reat ly att ached t o K in g R in ki ti nk t hat

he wa s lot h to l ea ve hi m.

O n a c er ta in d ay t he y a ll b ade g oo d- by e t o O zm a a nd

D or ot hy a nd G li nd a a nd t he W iz ar d a nd a ll t he ir g oo d

f ri end s i n O z, a nd w er e dr ive n i n t he Re d Wa gon t o t he

e d ge o f t he D ea dl y D es er t, w hi ch t he y c ro ss ed s af el y o n

t he M ag ic C ar pe t. T he y t he n m ad e t he ir w ay a cr os s t he

N om e K in gd om a nd t he W he el er C ou nt ry , w he re n o o ne

mo le st ed t he m, t o t he s ho re s o f t he N on es ti c O ce an .

T here t hey f ou nd t he b oat w it h t he s il ver l in in g s ti ll

lying undisturbed on the beach.

T here w er e n o i mp or tant adv en tu res d ur in g t he t ri p

a nd o n t he ir a rr iv al a t t he p ea rl k in gd om t he y w er e

amazed at t he b eaut if ul app earance o f t he i sl an d t hey

h ad l ef t i n r ui ns . A ll t he h ou se s o f t he p eo pl e h ad

b een r eb ui lt and w er e p ret ti er t han b ef or e, w it h g reen





l a wn s b ef or e t he m a nd f lo we r g ar de ns i n t he b ac k y ar ds .

T he m ar bl e t ow er s o f K in g K it ti cu t' s n ew p al ac e w er e

very striking and impressive, while the palace itself

p ro ve d f ar m or e m ag ni fi ce nt t ha n i t h ad b ee n b ef or e t he

w ar ri or s f ro m R eg os d es tr oy ed i t.

Nikobob had been very active and skillful in

di re ct in g a ll t hi s w or k, a nd h e h ad a ls o b ui lt a p re tt y

cot tage f or h im self , n ot f ar f ro m t he K in g' s p al ace,

and t here I ng a f ou nd Z el la, w ho w as l iv in g v er y h ap py

a nd c on te nt ed i n h er n ew h om e. N ot o nl y h ad N ik ob ob

accom pl is hed all t hi s i n a com parati vely b ri ef s pace o f

t im e, b ut h e h ad s ta rt ed t he p ea rl f is he ri es a ga in a nd

w hen K in g K it ti cu t r et ur ned t o P in garee h e f ou nd a

q uant it y o f f in e p earl s alr eady i n t he r oy al t reas ur y.

S o p leas ed w as K it ti cut w it h t he g oo d j ud gm en t,

i nd us tr y and h on es ty o f t he f or mer charcoal- bu rn er o f

R eg os , t hat h e m ad e N ik ob ob h is L or d H ig h C hamb er lain

a nd p ut h im i n c ha rge of t he p ea rl f is he ri es a nd a ll

t he b us in es s m at ters o f t he i sl an d k in gd om .

T hey all s et tl ed d ow n v er y com fo rt ab ly i n t he n ew

p al ac e a nd t he Q ue en g at he re d h er m ai ds a bo ut h er o nc e

m or e a nd s et t he m t o w or k e mb ro id er in g n ew d ra pe ri es

f o r t he r oy al t hr on e. I ng a p la ce d t he t hr ee M ag ic





T he b oy b ec am e a m ag is tr at e

A nd p ut t he ma n i n j ai l.

A s un ny d ay s ucceed s t he n ig ht ;

I t' s s um me r - - t he n i t s no ws !

R ig ht o ft g oes w ro ng and w ro ng com es r ig ht ,

A s ev' ry w is e m an k no ws ."

Chapter Twenty-Four

The Captive King

O ne m or ni ng , j us t as t he r oy al p ar ty w as f in is hi ng

b re ak fa st , a s er va nt c am e r un ni ng t o s ay t ha t a g re at

f le et o f b oa ts w as a pp ro ac hi ng t he i sl an d f ro m t he

s ou th . K in g K it ti cu t s pr an g u p a t o nc e, i n g re at a la rm ,

f or he h ad m uc h c aus e t o f ea r s tr an ge bo at s. T he ot he rs

q ui ck ly f ol lo wed h im t o t he s ho re t o s ee w hat i nv as io n

might be coming upon them.

I ng a w as t he re w it h t he f ir st , a nd N ik ob ob a nd Z el la





s oo n j oi ned t he w at ch er s. A nd p resent ly , w hi le all w er e

gazing eagerly at the approaching fleet, King Rinkitink

suddenly cried out:

" Ge t y ou r p ea rl s, P ri nc e I ng a - - g et t he m q ui ck !"

" Ar e t hese o ur enemi es , t hen?" ask ed t he b oy , l oo ki ng

w it h s ur pr is e u po n t he f at l it tl e K in g, w ho h ad b eg un

to tremble violently.

"They are my people of Gilgad!" answered Rinkitink,

wi pi ng a t ea r f rom hi s e ye . " I r ec og ni ze m y r oy al

s ta nd ar ds f ly in g f ro m t he b oa ts . S o, p le as e, d ea r I ng a,

g et o ut y ou r p ea rl s t o p ro te ct m e! "

" Wha t c an you f ea r a t t he ha nds of y our ow n

subjects?" asked Kitticut, astonished.

B ut b ef or e h is f ri gh tened g uest cou ld ans wer t he

qu es ti on P ri nce B ob o, w ho w as s t an di ng b es id e h is

f ri en d, g av e an amu sed l au gh and s ai d:

" Yo u are cau gh t at l as t, d ear R in ki ti nk . Y ou r p eo pl e

wi ll t ak e yo u ho me a ga in a nd o bl ige y ou t o r ei gn a s

King."





R in ki ti nk g ro an ed alo ud and clasp ed h is h an ds

t og et he r w it h a g es tu re o f d es pa ir , a n a tt it ud e s o

com ical t hat t he o th er s cou ld s car cely f or bear

laughing.

B ut n ow t he b oa ts w er e l an di ng u po n t he b ea ch . T he y

were fifty in number, beautifully decorated and

u ph ol st er ed a nd r ow ed b y m en c la d i n t he g ay u ni fo rm s

of t he K ing o f Gi lga d. On e s pl end ed bo at ha d a t hr one

o f g ol d i n t he c en te r, o ve r w hi ch w as d ra pe d t he K in g' s

r o yal r ob e o f p ur pl e v el vet, emb ro id er ed w it h g ol d

buttercups.

R in ki ti nk s hu dd er ed w hen h e s aw t hi s t hr on e; b ut n ow

a t al l m an , h an ds om el y d res sed, app ro ached and k nel t

u po n t he g ra ss b ef or e h is K in g, w hi le a ll t he ot he r

occup an ts o f t he b oats s ho ut ed j oy fu ll y and w av ed t heir

p lu me d h at s i n t he a ir .

" Th an ks t o o ur g oo d f or tu ne ," s ai d t he m an w ho

k neel ed , " we h av e f ou nd Y ou r M aj es ty at l as t! "

"Pinkerbloo," answered Rinkitink sternly, "I must

have you hanged, for thus finding me against my will."





d ec la re d t he m an i n a f ir m vo ic e.

"I will not."

" Bu t y ou m us t - - b eg gi ng Y ou r M aj es ty 's p ar do n f or

the contradiction."

"Kitticut," cried poor Rinkitink, "you must save me

f ro m b ei ng c ap tu re d b y t he se , m y s ub je ct s. W ha t! m us t I

r et ur n t o G il ga d a nd b e f or ce d t o r ei gn i n s pl en di d

s ta te w he n I muc h pr ef er t o e at a nd s le ep a nd s in g i n

my own quie t way? They wil l make me sit i n a throne

t hr ee h ou rs a d ay a nd l is te n t o d ry a nd t ed io us a ff ai rs

of s tat e; and I mus t sta nd up for hour s at the cour t

r ec ep ti on s, t il l I g et c or ns o n m y h ee ls ; a nd f or ev er

m us t I l is te n t o t ir es om e s pe ec he s a nd e nd le ss

petitions and complaints!"

" Bu t s om eo ne m us t d o t hi s, Y ou r M aj es ty ," s ai d

P in kerb lo o r es pect fu ll y, " an d s in ce y ou w er e b or n t o b e

o ur K in g y ou can no t escap e y ou r d ut y. "

" 'T is a h or ri d f at e! " m oaned R in ki ti nk . " I w ou ld d ie

w il li ngl y, r at he r t ha n be a K in g - - i f i t d id no t h ur t

s o t er ri bl y t o d ie."





" Yo u w il l f in d i t m uch m or e com fo rt ab le t o r ei gn t han

t o d ie, alt ho ug h I f ul ly app reci at e Y ou r M aj es ty 's

d if fi cu lt p os it io n and am t ru ly s or ry f or y ou ," s ai d

Pinkerbloo.

King Kitticut had listened to this conversation

t ho ug ht fu ll y, s o n ow h e s ai d t o h is f ri en d:

" The ma n i s r igh t, d ea r R in ki ti nk. I t i s y our d ut y t o

reign, since fate has made you a King, and I se e no

h on or ab le e sc ap e f or y ou . I s ha ll g ri ev e t o l os e y ou r

co mp an io ns hi p, b ut I f eel t he s ep ar at io n can no t b e

avoided."

Rinkitink sighed.

"Then," said he, turning to Lord Pinkerbloo, "in

t hr ee d ays I w il l d ep ar t w it h y ou f or G il ga d; b ut

d ur in g t ho se t hr ee da ys I p ro po se t o f ea st a nd m ak e

merry with my good friend King Kitticut."

T hen all t he p eo pl e o f G il gad s ho ut ed w it h d el ig ht

a nd e ag er ly s cr am bl ed a sh or e t o t ak e t he ir p ar t i n t he

festival.





T ho se t hr ee d ay s w er e l on g r em em bered i n P in garee,

fo r n ev er - - be fo re no r s in ce - - ha s s uc h f ea st in g a nd

jollity been known upon that island. Rinkitink made the

m os t o f h is t im e and every on e l au gh ed and s an g w it h h im

b y day a nd by ni ght .

T he n, a t l as t, t he h ou r o f p ar ti ng a rr iv ed a nd t he

K in g o f G il gad and R ul er o f t he D om in io n o f R in ki ti nk

w as e sc or te d b y a g ra nd p ro ce ss io n t o h is b oa t a nd

s ea te d u po n h is g ol de n t hr on e. T he r ow er s o f t he f if ty

b oats p au sed, w it h t heir g li tt er in g o ar s p oi nt ed i nt o

t he air l ik e g ig an ti c u pl if ted s ab res, w hi le t he p eo pl e

of Pi ng ar ee - - me n, w om en a nd c hi ld re n - - s too d u pon

t he s ho re s ho ut in g a r oy al f ar ew el l t o t he j ol ly K in g.

T hen cam e a s ud den h us h, w hi le R in ki ti nk s to od u p

a nd , w it h a b ow t o t ho se a ss em bl ed t o w it ne ss hi s

d epart ur e, s an g t he f ol lo wi ng s on g, w hi ch h e h ad j us t

com po s ed f o r t h e o ccas io n.

" Fa re we ll , d ea r I sl e o f P in ga re e - -

The f ai re st l an d i n a ll t he s ea !

No living mortals, kings or churls,

W ou ld s co rn t o w ea r t hy p re ci ou s p ea rl s.





"King Kitticut, 'tis with regret

I 'm f or ce d t o s ay f ar ew el l; a nd y et

A br oa d n o l on ge r c an I r oa m

W hen f if ty b oats w ou ld d rag m e h om e.

" Go od -b ye, m y P ri nce o f P in garee;

A no bl e K in g s om e t im e y ou 'l l b e

An d l on g and w is el y m ay y ou r ei gn

An d n ev er f ac e a f oe a ga in !"

T hey cheer ed h im f ro m t he s ho re; t hey cheer ed h im

f rom the boa ts; a nd t hen a ll t he oa rs of the f if ty

b oa ts s we pt d ow nw ar d w it h a s in gl e m ot io n a nd d ip pe d

t heir b lades i nt o t he p ur pl e- hu ed w at ers o f t he

Nonestic Ocean.

A s t he boa ts s hot s wi ft ly ov er t he r ip pl es of t he s ea

R in ki ti nk t ur ne d t o P ri nc e B ob o, w ho h ad d ec id ed n ot t o

d es er t h is f or me r m as te r a nd h is p re se nt f ri en d, a nd

asked anxiously:

" How di d you li ke tha t s ong, B il bi l - - I me an Bob o?

Is i t a m as te rp ie ce , d o y ou t hi nk ?"

A nd B ob o r ep li ed w it h a s mi le:





"Like all your songs, dear Rinkitink, the sentiment

f ar excel s t he p oetr y. "

T he W on derf ul O z B oo ks

b y L. Fr ank Ba um

1 The Wiz ard of Oz

2 The Land of Oz

3 Ozma of Oz

4 Do rot hy a nd t he W iz ar d i n Oz

5 The Road to Oz

6 The Eme ra ld C it y of Oz

7 T he Pa tc hwor k G ir l of Oz

8 Ti k-Tok of Oz

9 The Sc ar ec row of O z

1 0 R in ki ti nk i n O z

1 1 T he L os t P ri nc es s o f O z

12 The Ti n W oodm an of Oz

13 The Ma gic of Oz

14 Gl in da of Oz

