"Why not ride horse ? " asked King Kitticut

" 't climb upon his back, being rather stout; that's why Kee, kee, keek, eek ! -- rather stout -- hoo, hoo, hoo ! " He paused to wipe the tears of merriment eyes and then added: "But get on and off Bilbil's back with ease "

He now opened the cage goat deliberately walked out and looked about him in sulky manner rowers brought boat saddle made of red velvet and beautifully embroidered with silver thistles, which he fastened goat's back The fat King put his leg over the saddle and seated himself comfortably, saying:

"Lead on, my noble host, and follow "

"What ! Up that steep hill ? " cried the goat "Get off my back at once, Rinkitink, or I won't budge step

"But-consider, Bilbil," remonstrated the King "How am I up that hill unless I ride ? "

"Walk ! " growled Bilbil

"But I'm too fat Really, Bilbil, I'm surprised at you Haven't I brought you all this distance so see something world and enjoy life ? And now so ungrateful refuse to carry me ! Turn about is fair play, my boy The boat carried you shore, because 't swim, and now carry me up the hill, because 't climb Eh, Bilbil, isn't that reasonable ? "

"Well, well, well," said the goat, surlily, "keep quiet and I'll carry you But you make me very tired, Rinkitink, with your ceaseless chatter "

After making this protest Bilbil began walking up the hill, carrying the fat King upon his back with no difficulty whatever

Prince Inga father and all the men of Pingaree were much astonished to overhear this dispute between King Rinkitink goat; but they were too polite critical remarks presence guests King Kitticut walked beside the goat Prince followed after, the men coming last boxes of sandalwood

neared the palace, the Queen and her maidens came out to meet them royal guest was escorted in state splendid throne room palace Here the boxes were opened and King Rinkitink displayed all the beautiful silks and laces and jewelry they were filled courtiers and ladies received handsome present, King and Queen had many rich gifts and Inga not few Thus the time passed pleasantly until the Chamberlain announced that dinner was served

Bilbil the goat declared that he preferred eating sweet, rich grass that grew abundantly palace grounds, and Rinkitink said beast could never bear being shut up in stable; so they removed the saddle back and allowed him to wander wherever he pleased

During the dinner Inga divided his attention between admiring the pretty gifts he had received and listening jolly sayings fat King, who laughed when not eating and ate when not laughing and seemed to enjoy himself immensely

"For four days lived narrow boat," said he, "with no other amusement than to watch the rowers and quarrel with Bilbil; so on land again friendly and agreeable people "

" us great honor," said King Kitticut, with polite bow

"Not at all -- not at all, my brother This Pingaree wonderful island, for its pearls are the admiration of all the world; nor will I deny the fact that my kingdom poor one without the riches and glory it derives trade in your pearls So wished for many years here you, but my people said: 'No ! Stay at home and behave yourself, or we'll know the reason why '"

"Will they not miss Your Majesty from your palace at Gilgad ? " inquired Kitticut

" not," answered Rinkitink " , one clever subjects parchment entitled 'How Good,' and I believed it would benefit me to study it, as I consider the accomplishment of being good fine arts I had just scolded severely my Lord High Chancellor for coming to breakfast without combing his eyebrows, and was so sad and regretful at having hurt the poor man's feelings that I decided to shut myself up in my own room and study the scroll until how good -- hee, heek, keek, eek, eek ! -- good ! Clever idea, that, wasn't it ? Mighty clever ! And I issued decree that no one should enter my room, under pain royal displeasure, until ready out They're awfully afraid royal displeasure, although not bit afraid of me Then I put the parchment in my pocket and escaped back door to my boat -- and here Oo, hoo-hoo, keek-eek ! Imagine the fuss there in Gilgad subjects knew where this very minute ! "

" like that parchment," said the solemn-eyed Prince Inga, "for indeed teaches one good it worth its weight in pearls "

"Oh, it's fine essay," said Rinkitink, "and beautifully written with goosequill Listen : You'll enjoy it -- tee, hee, hee ! -- enjoy it "

pocket scroll of parchment tied with black ribbon, and having carefully unrolled it, he proceeded to read as follows:

"'A Good Man is One Never Bad ' How's that, eh ? Fine thought, what ? 'Therefore, Good, avoid those Things which are Evil ' Oh, hoo-hoo-hoo ! -- how clever ! When I get back the man who wrote that royal hippolorum, for, beyond question, he wisest man in my kingdom -as he has often told me himself " , Rinkitink lay back chair and chuckled his queer chuckle until he coughed, and coughed until he choked and choked until he sneezed And he wrinkled his face jolly, droll way that few could keep from laughing , and even the good Queen was forced to titter behind her fan

When Rinkitink had recovered fit of laughter and had wiped his eyes upon fine lace handkerchief, Prince Inga said to him:

"The parchment speaks truly "

"Yes, true beyond doubt," answered Rinkitink, "and if persuade Bilbil to read it much better goat than now another selection: 'To avoid saying Unpleasant Things, always Speak Agreeably ' hit Bilbil, to dot And one that applies , my Prince: 'Good Children are seldom punished, reason deserve no punishment ' Now, neatly put, and shows the author deep thinker But the advice that has impressed me the most is following paragraph: ' not find it as Pleasant Good as it Bad, but Other People it more Pleasant ' Haw-hoo-ho ! keek-eek ! 'Other people it more pleasant ! ' -- hee, hee, heek, keek ! -- 'more pleasant ' Dear me -- dear me ! Therein lies noble incentive good, and whenever I get time I'm surely going it "

Then he wiped his eyes again lace handkerchief and, suddenly remembering his dinner, seized his knife and fork and began eating

Chapter Three

The Warriors North

King Rinkitink was pleased Island of Pingaree that he continued his stay day after day and week after week, eating good dinners, talking with King Kitticut and sleeping Once in while read scroll "For," said he, "whenever I return home, my subjects anxious if learned 'How Good,' and not disappoint them "

The twenty rowers lived small end island, pearl fishers, and seemed not to care whether they ever returned Kingdom of Rinkitink or not Bilbil the goat wandered over the grassy slopes, or trees, and passed his days exactly as he pleased His master seldom cared to ride him Bilbil was rare curiosity islanders, but since little pleasure in talking goat they kept away This pleased the creature, who seemed well satisfied left own devices

Once Prince Inga, wishing courteous, walked goat and said: "Good morning, Bilbil "

"It isn't good morning," answered Bilbil grumpily " cloudy and damp, and looks like rain "

" contented kingdom," continued the boy, politely ignoring the other's harsh words

"I'm not," said Bilbil "I'm never contented; so it doesn't matter whether I'm in your kingdom or in some other kingdom Go away -- ? "

"Certainly," answered the Prince, and rebuff again try friends with Bilbil

Now King, his father, was occupied royal guest, Inga was often left to amuse himself, for boy allowed part conversation of two great monarchs He devoted himself studies, therefore, and day after day he climbed branches favorite tree and sat for hours "tree-top rest," reading his father's precious manuscripts and thinking upon what he read

not think that Inga was molly-coddle or prig, because so solemn and studious Being King's son and heir to throne, play other boys of Pingaree, and he lived society King and Queen, and was so surrounded pomp and dignity of court, that he missed all the jolly times that boys usually have that had he been able to live as other boys do, he much like other boys; as , subdued by his surroundings, and more grave and thoughtful than one years

Inga was tree one morning when, without warning, great fog enveloped the Island of Pingaree The boy could scarcely see the tree next he sat, but the leaves above him prevented the dampness from wetting him, so he curled himself up seat and fell fast asleep

All that forenoon the fog continued King Kitticut, who sat palace talking merry visitor, ordered the candles lighted, that able one another The good Queen, Inga's mother, found too dark to work at her embroidery, so she called her maidens together and told them wonderful stories of bygone days, away the dreary hours