"These three pearls," said the King, speaking in solemn, impressive voice, "are the most wonderful the world has ever known They were gifts to one ancestors Mermaid Queen, powerful fairy whom he once had the good fortune to rescue from her enemies In gratitude favor she presented him pearls Each three possesses an astonishing power, and whoever is their owner may count himself fortunate man having the blue tint will give person who carries it strength so great that no power can resist him The one pink glow will protect its owner from all dangers threaten him, no matter from what source come The third pearl -- of pure white -- can speak, and its words are always wise and helpful "

"What , my father ! " exclaimed the Prince, amazed; " tell me that pearl can speak ? It sounds impossible "

"Your doubt is due to your ignorance of fairy powers," returned the King, gravely "Listen, my son, and know that I speak the truth "

He held the white pearl to Inga's ear Prince heard small voice say distinctly: "Your father is right Never question the truth of what you fail to understand, world is filled with wonders "

"I crave your pardon, dear father," said the Prince, "for clearly I heard the pearl speak, and its words were full of wisdom "

"The powers other pearls are even greater," resumed the King "Were I poor in all else, these gems would make me richer than monarch the world holds "

"I believe that," replied Inga, looking beautiful pearls with much awe "But tell me, my father, why fear the warriors of Regos and Coregos when these marvelous powers are yours ? "

"The powers are mine only while the pearls upon my person," answered King Kitticut, "and I dare not carry them constantly for fear lost Therefore, I keep them safely hidden recess My only danger lies chance that my watchmen might fail to discover the approach enemies and allow the warrior invaders to seize me before secure the pearls , case, be quite powerless to resist My father owned the magic pearls Great Fight, so often heard, pink pearl protected him from harm, while the blue pearl enabled him people to drive away the enemy Often have I suspected destroying storm was caused fairy mermaids, but matter no proof "

" often wondered how we managed to win that battle," remarked Inga thoughtfully "But the pearls will assist us the warriors come again, will they not ? "

" as powerful as ever," declared the King "Really, my son, little to fear from any foe But lest I die secret be lost next King, now given it into your keeping Remember pearls are the rightful heritage of all Kings of Pingaree If at taken , Inga, guard this treasure well and forget where hidden "

" forget," said Inga

Then the King returned the pearls hiding place boy went own room to ponder wonderful secret his father had that day confided care

Chapter Two

The Coming of King Rinkitink

, on bright and sunny morning breeze blew soft and sweet ocean trees waved their leaf-laden branches, the Royal Watchman, whose duty to patrol the shore, came running King with news that strange boat was approaching the island

At first the King was sore afraid and made step toward the hidden pearls, but the next moment he reflected that one boat, even if filled with enemies, powerless to injure him, so he curbed his fear and went down beach to discover who the strangers men of Pingaree assembled there also, and Prince Inga followed his father Arriving water's edge, they all stood gazing eagerly oncoming boat

quite big boat, they observed, and covered with canopy of purple silk, embroidered with gold rowed by twenty men, ten on each side As it came nearer, Inga that stern, seated upon high, cushioned chair of state, was little man who was so very fat that nearly as broad as high This man was dressed in loose silken robe of purple that fell in folds feet, while upon his head was cap of white velvet curiously worked with golden threads and having circle of diamonds sewn around the band opposite end boat stood an oddly shaped cage, and several large boxes of sandalwood were piled near the center craft

boat approached the shore the fat little man got upon his feet and bowed direction who had assembled to greet him, and as he bowed he flourished his white cap in an energetic manner His face was round as an apple and nearly as rosy When he stopped bowing he smiled sweet and happy way that Inga thought very jolly fellow

The prow boat grounded beach, stopping its speed so suddenly little man was caught unawares and nearly toppled headlong sea But he managed to catch hold chair with one hand hair of one rowers other, and so steadied himself Then, again waving his jeweled cap around his head, he cried in merry voice:

"Well, here at last ! "

"So I perceive," responded King Kitticut, bowing with much dignity

The fat man glanced at all the sober faces before him and burst into rollicking laugh Perhaps say half laughter and half chuckle of merriment, sounds he emitted were quaint and droll and tempted every hearer to laugh

"Heh, heh -- ho, ho, ho ! " he roared "Didn't expect me, Keek-eek-eek-eek ! funny -- it's really funny Didn't know coming, did you ? Hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo ! certainly amusing But I'm here, just the same "

"Hush up ! " said deep, growling voice "You're making yourself ridiculous "

Everyone looked where this voice came from; but none could guess who had uttered the words of rebuke The rowers boat were all solemn and silent and certainly no one shore had spoken But the little man seem astonished least, or even annoyed

King Kitticut now addressed the stranger, saying courteously:

" welcome Kingdom of Pingaree Perhaps deign ashore and at your convenience inform us whom the honor of receiving as guest "

"Thanks; ," returned the little fat man, waddling place boat and stepping, with some difficulty, sandy beach " King Rinkitink, City of Gilgad Kingdom of Rinkitink, and come to Pingaree the monarch who sends to my city beautiful pearls long wished to visit this island; and so, as before, here ! "

" pleased to welcome you," said King Kitticut "But why has Your Majesty so few attendants ? not dangerous King of great country distant journeys in one frail boat, and with but twenty men ? "

"Oh, I suppose so," answered King Rinkitink, with laugh "But what else could ? My subjects allow me anywhere at all, knew it So I just ran away "

"Ran away ! " exclaimed King Kitticut in surprise

"Funny, isn't it ? Heh, heh, heh -- woo, hoo ! " laughed Rinkitink, and as near as spell with letters the jolly sounds laughter "Fancy King running away own ple -- hoo, hoo -- keek, eek, eek, eek ! But I had to, don't ! "

"Why ? " asked the other King

"They're afraid I'll get into mischief They don't trust me Keek-eek-eek -- Oh, dear me ! Don't trust their own King Funny, isn't it ? "

"No harm can come island," said Kitticut, pretending not to notice the odd ways guest "And, whenever it pleases you to return to your own country, send fitting escort own people meantime, pray accompany me to my palace, where everything shall you comfortable and happy "

"Much obliged," answered Rinkitink, tipping his white cap over his left ear and heartily shaking the hand brother monarch "I'm sure me comfortable 've plenty to eat And as for being happy -- ha, ha, ha, ha ! -- why, that's my trouble I'm too happy But stop ! I've brought you some presents in those boxes Please order your men to carry them palace "

"Certainly," answered King Kitticut, well pleased, and at once his men the proper orders

"And, ," continued the fat little King, "let them also take my goat cage "

"A goat ! " exclaimed the King of Pingaree

"Exactly; my goat Bilbil I always ride him wherever I go, for I'm not at all fond of walking, being trifle stout -- eh, Kitticut ? -- trifle stout ! Hoo, hoo, hoo-keek, eek ! "

The Pingaree people started to lift the big cage boat, but just then gruff voice cried: "Be careful, you villains ! " and words seemed goat's mouth the men were so astonished dropped the cage sand with sudden jar

"There ! you so ! " cried the voice angrily "You've rubbed the skin off my left knee Why on earth didn't you handle me gently ? "

"There, there, Bilbil," said King Rinkitink soothingly; "don't scold, my boy Remember are strangers, and we their guests " Then he turned to Kitticut and remarked: " no talking goats island, I suppose "

" no goats at all," replied the King; "nor have we any animals, of any sort, able "