"Let me oars," suggested Inga " not forget our bargain "

"No, indeed," answered Rinkitink " row us to Regos, or to place, go without protest "

So the King took Inga's place stern boat boy grasped the oars and commenced to row And now, great wonder of Rinkitink -- and even to Inga's surprise -- the oars became light as feathers Prince took hold In an instant the boat began to glide rapidly water and, seeing this, the boy turned its prow toward the north know exactly where Regos and Coregos were located, but know islands lay north of Pingaree, so he decided to trust to luck guidance pearls to carry him

Gradually the Island of Pingaree became smaller view boat sped onward, until end of an hour they had lost sight of it altogether and were wholly surrounded purple waters Nonestic Ocean

Prince Inga tire labor of rowing; indeed, it seemed to him no labor at all Once he stopped long enough the poles canopy holes that made , edges boat, and to spread the canopy of silver over the poles, for Rinkitink had complained sun's heat But the canopy shut out the hot rays and rendered the interior boat cool and pleasant

" glorious ride ! " cried Rinkitink, as he lay back shade " it decided relief away dismal island of Pingaree

"It relief for short time," said Bilbil, "but going land of your enemies, probably stick your fat body full of spears and arrows "

"Oh, not ! " exclaimed Inga, distressed thought

"Never mind," said the King calmly, "a man can die but once, , and enemy kills me beg him to kill Bilbil, also, that remain together in death as in life "

" cannibals, roast and eat us," suggested Bilbil, who wished to terrify his master

"Who knows ? " answered Rinkitink, with shudder "But cheer up, Bilbil; not kill us after all, or even capture us; so not borrow trouble look so cross, my sprightly quadruped, sing to amuse you "

"Your song would make me more cross than ever," grumbled the goat

"Quite impossible, dear Bilbil You couldn't be more surly tried So famous song "

While the boy rowed steadily on boat rushed fast over the water, the jolly King, who never sad or serious for many minutes , lay back embroidered cushions and sang as follows:

"A merry maiden went to sea --

Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do ! She sat Captain's knee And looked around the sea What she , but she couldn't see me --

Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do !

"How like that, Bilbil ? "

"I don't like it," complained the goat "It reminds me alligator that tried to whistle "

"Did he succeed, Bilbil ? " asked the King

"He whistled sing "

"Ha, ha, ha, ha, heek, keek, eek ! " chuckled the King " whistled most exquisitely, eh, my friend ? "

" not your friend," returned the goat, wagging his ears in surly manner

" yours, however," King's cheery reply; "and it I'll sing you another verse "

"Don't, I beg of you ! "

But the King sang as follows:

"The wind blew off the maiden's shoe -- Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do ! shoe flew high sky so blue maiden knew 'twas new shoe, too; But she couldn't pursue the shoe, 'tis true- Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do !

"Isn't that sweet, my pretty goat ? "

"Sweet, ask ? " retorted Bilbil "I consider it as sweet as candy made from mustard and vinegar "

"But not as sweet disposition, I admit Ah, Bilbil, your temper would put honey itself to shame "

" quarrel, I beg of you," pleaded Inga "Are we not sad enough already ? "

"But jolly quarrel," said the King, "and way Bilbil and I often amuse ourselves Listen, now, last verse of all:

"The maid who shied her shoe now cried --

Sing too-ral-oo-ral-i-do ! Her tears were fried Captain's bride Who ate with pride her sobs, beside, And gently sighed 'I'm satisfied' --

Sing to-ral-oo-ral-i-do ! "

"Worse and worse ! " grumbled Bilbil, with much scorn " last verse, for another same kind might cause me to faint "

" no ear for music," said the King

" heard no music, ," declared the goat " strong imagination, King Rinkitink, consider your songs music remember the story bear that hired out for nursemaid ? "

" recall it just now," said Rinkitink, with wink at Inga

"Well, the bear tried to sing lullaby the baby to sleep "

"And then ? " said the King

"The bear was highly pleased with its own voice, but the baby was nearly frightened to death "

"Heh, heb, heh, heh, whoo, hoo, hoo ! merry rogue, Bilbil," laughed the King; "a merry rogue of your gloomy features However, if amused you, pleased myself, for exceedingly fond of good song So no more "

All the boy Prince was rowing the boat not least tired, oars he held seemed to move own accord He paid little heed conversation of Rinkitink goat, but busied his thoughts with plans of what do when he reached the islands of Regos and Coregos and confronted his enemies others finally became silent, Inga inquired

" fight, King Rinkitink ? "

" never tried," answer " of danger found it much easier to run away than the foe "

"But could you fight ? " asked the boy

" try, if no chance to escape by running proper weapon to fight with ? "

" no weapon at all," confessed Inga

"Then use argument and persuasion instead of fighting For instance, persuade the warriors of Regos to lie down, and let me step on them, crushed with ease

Prince Inga had expected little support King, so not discouraged answer After all, he reflected, conquest by battle , yet the White Pearl have advised him to Regos and Coregos had the mission been hopeless one It seemed to him, on further reflection, that rely upon circumstances to determine his actions when he reached the islands barbarians

Inga felt perfect confidence Magic Pearls It White Pearl that had given him the boat, Blue Pearl that had given him strength to row it He believed Pink Pearl would protect him from any danger that might arise; so his anxiety was not for himself, but companions King Rinkitink goat had no magic to protect them, so Inga resolved all power them from harm

For three days and three nights the boat silver lining sped swiftly over the ocean morning fourth day, so quickly had they traveled, Inga saw before him the shores two great islands of Regos and Coregos

"The pearls have guided me aright ! " he whispered to himself "Now, if wise, and cautious, and brave, I believe to rescue my father and mother and my people "

Chapter Seven

The Twin Islands

The Island of Regos was ten miles wide and forty miles long and ruled by big and powerful King named Gos Near shores were green and fertile fields, but farther back sea were rugged hills and mountains, so rocky that nothing would grow there But mountains were mines of gold and silver, which the slaves King were forced to work, being confined in dark underground passages purpose course huge caverns hollowed out slaves, they lived and slept, never seeing the light of day Cruel overseers with whips stood over these poor people, who captured in many countries raiding parties of King Cos, overseers were quite willing to lash the slaves with their whips faltered moment in their work

green shores mountains were forests of thick, tangled trees, between which narrow paths cut to lead caves mines level green meadows, not far ocean, great City of Regos built, wherein was located the palace King This city was inhabited by thousands fierce warriors of Gos, who frequently took boats and spread over the sea neighboring islands to conquer and pillage, had done at Pingaree absent on expeditions, the City of Regos swarmed and so became dangerous place for any peaceful person to live in, warriors were as lawless as their King

The Island of Coregos lay close beside the Island of Regos; so close, indeed, that one thrown stone from one shore to another But Coregos was only half the size of Regos and instead of being mountainous rich and pleasant country, covered with fields of grain The fields of Coregos furnished food warriors and citizens of both countries, while the mines of Regos made them all rich