Queen Cor lived in her own City of Coregos, which lay side of her island facing Regos, and her slaves, who were mostly women, were made to plow the land and to plant and harvest the grain

From Regos to Coregos stretched bridge of boats, set close together, with planks laid across their edges for people to walk upon easy from one island other and in times of danger the bridge quickly removed

The native inhabitants of Regos and Coregos consisted warriors, who did nothing but fight and ravage, trembling servants who waited on them King Gos and Queen Cor were at war with all the rest world Other islanders hated and feared them, for their slaves were badly treated and absolutely no mercy was shown weak or ill

boats that had gone to Pingaree returned loaded with rich plunder and host of captives, much rejoicing in Regos and Coregos King and Queen gave fine feast warriors who had accomplished so great conquest This feast was set warriors grounds of King Gos's palace, while great throne room all the captains and leaders fighting men were assembled with King Gos and Queen Cor, who had come from her island to attend the ceremony Then all the goods that stolen King of Pingaree were divided according to rank, the King and Queen taking half, the captains quarter, rest being divided amongst the warriors

The day following the feast King Gos sent King Kitticut and all the men of Pingaree to work mines under the mountains, having first chained them together so escape The gentle Queen of Pingaree and all her women, together captured children, were given to Queen Cor, who set them to work in her grain fields

Then the rulers and warriors dreadful islands thought they had done forever with Pingaree Despoiled of all its wealth, its houses torn down, its boats captured and all its people enslaved, what likelihood was there that ever again hear desolated island ? So the people of Regos and Coregos were surprised and puzzled when one morning they observed approaching their shores direction south black boat containing boy, fat man and goat The warriors asked one another who these , and where they had come from ? No one ever came islands own accord, that was certain

Prince Inga guided his boat south end Island of Regos, the landing place nearest city, and warriors saw this action they went down shore to meet him, being led by big captain named Buzzub

"Those people surely mean us no good," said Rinkitink uneasily boy "Without doubt they intend to capture us and make us their slaves "

" fear, sir," answered Inga, in calm voice "Stay quietly boat with Bilbil until spoken men "

He stopped the boat dozen feet shore, and standing up place made grave bow multitude confronting him Said the big Captain Buzzub in gruff voice:

"Well, little one, you be ? And how dare you come, uninvited and all alone, Island of Regos ? "

" Inga, Prince of Pingaree," returned the boy, "and come here to free my parents and my people, whom wrongfully enslaved "

heard this bold speech mighty laugh arose band of warriors, and when it had subsided the captain said:

"You love to jest, my baby Prince, joke is fairly good But why did you willingly thrust your head lion's mouth ? were free, why did you not stay free ? know we had left single person in Pingaree ! But since you managed to escape us then, really kind of you here of your own free will, our slave the funny fat person ? "

" His Majesty, King Rinkitink, great City of Gilgad He has accompanied me that you render full restitution for all stolen from Pingaree "

"Better yet ! " laughed Buzzub " make fine slave for Queen Cor, who loves to tickle fat men, them jump "

King Rinkitink was filled with horror when he heard this, but the Prince answered as boldly as before, saying:

" frightened by bluster, believe me; nor are we so weak imagine magic powers so great and terrible that no host of warriors can possibly withstand us, and therefore I call upon you to surrender your city and your island , before we crush you mighty powers "

The boy spoke very gravely and earnestly, but his words only aroused another shout of laughter So while the men of Regos were laughing Inga drove the boat we'll up onto the sandy beach and leaped out He also helped Rinkitink out, and goat had unaided sprung sands, the King got upon Bilbil's back, trembling little internally, but striving to look as brave as possible

bunch of coarse hair goat's ears, and this Inga clutched firmly The boy knew the Pink Pearl would protect himself, but all whom he touched, from any harm, and as Rinkitink was astride the goat and Inga had his hand animal, the three injured by anything the warriors could do But Captain Buzzub know this, little group of three seemed so weak and ridiculous that he believed their capture easy So he turned men and with wave hand said:

"Seize the intruders ! "

Instantly warriors stepped forward to obey, but amazement reach any three; their hands were arrested by an invisible wall of iron Without paying any attention attempts at capture, Inga advanced slowly goat kept pace And when Rinkitink saw that safe from harm one big, merry laughs, and it startled the warriors and made them nervous Captain Buzzub's eyes grew big with surprise three steadily advanced and forced his men backward; nor was he free from terror himself magic that protected these strange visitors As warriors, they presently became terror-stricken and fled in panic up the slope toward the city, and Buzzub was obliged to chase after them and shout threats of punishment before halt them and form them into line of battle

All the men of Regos bore spears and bows-and-arrows, and officers had swords and battle-axes; so Buzzub ordered them to stand their ground and shoot and slay the strangers approached This they tried Inga being in advance, the warriors sent flight of sharp arrows straight boy's breast, while others cast their long spears at him

It seemed to Rinkitink little Prince must surely perish as he stood facing this hail of murderous missiles; but the power Pink Pearl desert him, and arrows and spears had reached to within an inch body they bounded back again and fell harmlessly at his feet Nor were Rinkitink or Bilbil injured least, although they stood close beside Inga

Buzzub stood for moment looking boy in silent wonder Then, recovering himself, he shouted in loud voice:

"Once again ! All together, my men No one shall ever defy our might and live ! "

Again flight of arrows and spears sped toward the three, and since many more warriors of Regos had joined their fellows, the air was for moment darkened deadly shafts But again all fell harmless power Pink Pearl, and Bilbil, who growing very angry attempts to injure him party, suddenly made bolt forward, casting off Inga's hold, and butted line of warriors, who were standing amazed at their failure to conquer

Taken by surprise goat's attack, dozen big warriors tumbled in heap, yelling with fear, and their comrades, not knowing what had happened but imagining that their foes were attacking them, turned about and ran city as hard as go Bilbil, still angry, had just time to catch the big captain as he turned his men, and Buzzub first sprawled headlong ground, then rolled over times, and finally jumped up and ran yelling after his defeated warriors This butting goat was very hard upon King Rinkitink, who nearly fell off Bilbil's back shock of encounter; but the little fat King wound his arms around the goat's neck and shut his eyes and clung on with all his might not until he heard Inga say triumphantly, " won the fight without striking blow ! " that Rinkitink dared open his eyes again Then the warriors rushing City of Regos and barring the heavy gates, and relieved sight

"Without striking blow ! " said Bilbil indignantly " quite true, Prince Inga fight, I admit, but I struck couple of times to good purpose, and I claim conquered the cowardly warriors unaided "

"You and I together, Bilbil," said Rinkitink mildly "But the you make charge, please warn me , dismount and all the credit attack "

There being no one now to oppose their advance, the three walked gates city, which closed against them The gates were of iron and heavily barred, and top high walls city host warriors now appeared armed with arrows and spears and other weapons For Buzzub had gone straight palace of King Cos and reported his defeat, relating the powerful magic boy, the fat King goat, and had asked what next

The big captain still trembled with fear, but King Gos helieve in magic, and called Buzzub coward and weakling At once the King took command men personally, and he ordered the walls manned with warriors and instructed them to shoot to kill if any three strangers approached the gates

, neither Rinkitink nor Bilbil knew how they protected from harm and so at first they were inclined to resent the boy's command three must always keep together and touch one another at all times But when Inga explained that his magic otherwise save them from injury, they agreed to obey, for they had now seen enough them Prince was really protected by some invisible power

came gates another shower of arrows and spears descended upon them, and as before not single missile touched their bodies King Gos, who was wall, was greatly amazed and somewhat worried, but he depended strength gates and commanded his men shooting until all their weapons were gone

Inga let them shoot wished, while he stood great gates and examined them carefully

"Perhaps Bilbil can batter down the gates, suggested Rinkitink

"No," replied the goat; "my head is hard, but not harder than iron "

"Then," returned the King, " stay outside; especially 't get in "

But Inga was not at all sure get in The gates opened inward, and three heavy bars were held in place of stout staples riveted sheets of steel The boy told power Blue Pearl would enable him to accomplish any feat of strength, and he believed was true