" ! " exclaimed King Kitticut " pleasant afternoon, ," and he blew out the candles

Then he stood moment motionless, turned to stone, for terrible cry from without the palace reached his ears -- cry so full of fear and horror King's heart almost stopped beating Immediately scurrying of feet as palace, filled with dismay, rushed outside what had happened even fat little Rinkitink sprang chair and followed his host others arched vestibule

After many years the worst fears of King Kitticut were realized

Landing beach, but few steps palace itself, were hundreds of boats, filled with throng of fierce warriors They sprang land with wild shouts of defiance and rushed King's palace, waving aloft their swords and spears and battleaxes

King Kitticut, so completely surprised that bewildered, gazed approaching host with terror and grief

" the men of Regos and Coregos ! " he groaned " , indeed, lost ! "

Then he bethought himself, first time, wonderful pearls Turning quickly, he ran back palace and hastened hall where the treasures were hidden But the leader warriors had seen the King enter the palace and bounded after him, thinking he meant to escape Just King had stooped to press the secret spring tiles, the warrior seized him rear and threw him backward floor, same time shouting men to fetch ropes and bind the prisoner This very quickly and King Kitticut soon found himself helplessly bound and power enemies sad condition lifted warriors and carried outside, good King looked upon sorry sight

The Queen and her maidens, the officers and servants royal household and all who had inhabited this end Island of Pingaree seized invaders and bound with ropes At once they began carrying their victims boats, tossing them in as unceremoniously as bales of merchandise

The King looked around son Inga, but failed the boy prisoners Nor fat King, Rinkitink, seen anywhere about

The warriors were swarming over the palace like bees in hive, seeking anyone in hiding, and search prolonged for the leader asked impatiently: " find anyone else ? "

"No," his men told him " captured them all "

"Then," commanded the leader, "remove everything of value palace and tear down its walls and towers, not one stone remains upon another ! "

While the warriors were busy task return boy Prince, who, fog lifted sun came out, wakened sleep and began to climb down perch tree But the terrifying cries people, mingled shouts rude warriors, caused him to pause and listen eagerly

Then he climbed rapidly up the tree, far above his platform, topmost swaying branches This tree, which Inga called his own, was somewhat taller other trees that surrounded it, and when he had reached the top he pressed aside the leaves and saw great fleet of boats shore -- strange boats, with banners that he had never seen before Turning to look upon his father's palace, it surrounded by horde of enemies Then Inga knew the truth: that tile island invaded barbaric warriors north He grew so faint terror of it all that fallen had he not wound his arms around limb and clung fast until the dizzy feeling passed away Then sash he bound himself limb and again ventured to look out leaves

The warriors were now engaged in carrying King Kitticut and Queen Garee and all their other captives down boats, where they were thrown in and chained one to another dreadful sight Prince to witness, but he sat very still, concealed sight of anyone below bower of leafy branches around him Inga knew that do nothing to help his beloved parents, if down only be forced to share their cruel fate

Now procession Northmen passed boats palace, bearing the rich furniture, splendid draperies and rare ornaments the royal palace robbed, together food and other plunder as lay their hands upon , the men of Regos and Coregos threw ropes around the marble domes and towers and hundreds of warriors tugged ropes until the domes and towers toppled and fell in ruins ground Then the walls themselves were torn down, till little remained beautiful palace but vast heap of white marble blocks tumbled and scattered ground

Prince Inga wept bitter tears of grief as he watched the ruin home; yet powerless to avert the destruction palace demolished, warriors entered their boats and rowed along the coast island, while the others marched in great body down the length island itself They were so numerous formed line stretching from shore to shore destroyed every house they came to and took every inhabitant prisoner

The pearl fishers who lived lower end island tried to escape in their boats, but they were soon overtaken and made prisoners, like the others Nor was there any attempt to resist the foe, sharp spears and pikes and swords invaders terrified the hearts defenseless people of Pingaree, whose sole weapons were their oyster rakes

When night fell the whole Island of Pingaree conquered men North, and all its people were slaves conquerors Next morning the men of Regos and Coregos, being capable of no further mischief, departed scene triumph, carrying their prisoners and taking also every boat found island boats they had filled with rich plunder, with pearls and silks and velvets, with silver and gold ornaments and all the treasure that had made Pingaree famed as richest kingdoms hundreds of slaves they had captured set to work mines of Regos grain fields of Coregos

So complete victory Northmen no wonder the warriors sang songs of triumph hastened back homes Great rewards were awaiting them showed the haughty King of Regos terrible Queen of Coregos the results ocean raid and conquest

Chapter Four

The Deserted Island

All terrible night Prince Inga remained hidden tree morning he watched the great fleet of boats depart for their own country, carrying his parents countrymen , as everything of value the Island of Pingaree had contained

Sad, indeed, were the boy's thoughts last boats had become mere speck distance, but Inga dare leave his perch of safety until all craft invaders had disappeared beyond the horizon Then down, very slowly and carefully, for weak from hunger long and weary watch, as he tree for twenty-four hours without food

The sun shone beautiful green isle as brilliantly no ruthless invader had passed and laid it in ruins The birds still chirped trees butterflies darted from flower to flower as happily as land was filled with prosperous and contented people

Inga feared that only left of all his nation Perhaps obliged his life there alone starve, sea would give him oysters and fish, trees fruit; yet the life that confronted him was far from enticing

The boy's first act was to walk over to where the palace had stood and search the ruins until some scraps of food that overlooked enemy He sat upon block of marble and ate , and tears filled his eyes as he gazed desolation around him But Inga tried to bear up bravely, and having satisfied his hunger he walked over well, intending to draw bucket of drinking water

Fortunately, this well overlooked invaders bucket was still fastened chain that wound around stout wooden windlass Inga took hold crank and began letting the bucket down well, when suddenly startled by muffled voice crying out:

"Be careful, up there ! "

The sound words seemed to indicate voice came bottom well, so Inga looked down Nothing seen, on account darkness

"Who ? " he shouted

"It's I -- Rinkitink," came the answer, depths well echoed: "Tink-i-tink-i-tink ! " in ghostly manner

" well ? " asked the boy, greatly surprised

"Yes, and nearly drowned I fell in while running from those terrible warriors, and I've been standing damp hole , with my head just above the water It's lucky the well was no deeper, for had my head been under water, instead of above it -- hoo, hoo, hoo, keek, eek ! -- under instead of over, -- why, then I wouldn't be talking now ! Ha, hoo, hee ! " well dismally echoed: "Ha, hoo, hee ! " which imagine was laugh half merry and half sad

"I'm awfully sorry," cried the boy, in answer "I wonder the heart to laugh at all But how am I you out ? "