But Gos was now as badly frightened as were his warriors He men were accustomed to war and pillage had carried terror into many countries, but here was small boy, fat man and goat be injured by all his skill in warfare, his numerous army and thousands of death- dealing weapons Moreover, they defied King Gos's entire army but they had broken huge gates city -- as easily as made of paper -- and such an exhibition of enormous strength made the wicked King fear life Like all bullies and marauders, Gos was coward at heart, and now panic seized him and he turned and fled calm advance of Prince Inga of Pingaree The warriors were like their master, and having thrown all their weapons over the wall and being helpless to oppose the strangers, they all swarmed after Gos, who abandoned his city and crossed the bridge of boats Island of Coregos desperate struggle cowardly warriors over the bridge, and many were pushed water and obliged to swim; but finally every fighting man of Regos had gained the shore of Coregos and then they tore away the bridge of boats and drew them up on their own side, hoping the stretch of open water would prevent the magic invaders from following them

The humble citizens and serving people of Regos, who terrified and abused rough warriors all their lives, only greatly astonished sudden conquest masters but greatly delighted King army fled to Coregos, the people embraced one another and danced for very joy, and then they turned what the conquerors of Regos were like

Chapter Eight

Rinkitink Makes Great Mistake

The fat King rode his goat streets conquered city boy Prince walked proudly beside him, while all the people bent their heads humbly new masters, whom they were prepared same manner they had King Gos

Not warrior remained in all Regos to oppose the triumphant three; the bridge of boats destroyed; Inga companions were free from danger -- for time,

The jolly little King appreciated this fact and rejoiced that he had escaped all injury during the battle How it had all happened tell, nor even guess, but content in being safe and free possession enemy's city So, passed lines of respectful civilians on their way palace, the King tipped his crown back bald head and folded his arms and sang best voice the following lines:

"Oh, here comes the army of King Rinkitink ! It isn't big one, perhaps think, But it scattered the warriors quicker than wink --

Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink ! Our Bilbil's hero and so is his King; Our foemen have vanished like birds wing; I guess that as fighters we're quite the real thing --

Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink ! "

"Why don't you give little credit to Inga ? " inquired the goat "If I remember aright, little conquering himself "

"So ," responded the King, " 's the reason I'm sounding our own praise, Bilbil Those who least, often shout the loudest and so get the most glory Inga did danger becoming more important than , and so we'd best say nothing about him "

reached the palace, an immense building, furnished throughout in regal splendor, Inga took formal possession and ordered the majordomo to show them the finest rooms the building contained There were many pleasant apartments, but Rinkitink proposed to Inga share largest bedrooms together

"For," said he, " sure that old Gos will not return and try to recapture his city, and remember that no magic to protect me In any danger, were I alone, easily killed or captured, while by my side save me from injury "

The boy realized the wisdom plan, and selected fine big bedroom second floor palace, he ordered two golden beds placed and prepared for King Rinkitink and himself Bilbil was given suite of rooms other side palace, where servants brought the goat fresh-cut grass to eat and made him soft bed to lie upon

That evening the boy Prince fat King dined in great state lofty-domed dining hall palace, where forty servants waited upon them The royal chef, anxious to win the favor conquerors of Regos, prepared his finest and most savory dishes , which Rinkitink ate with much appetite and found so delicious that he ordered the royal chef brought banquet hall and presented him with gilt button which the King cut own jacket

" welcome ," said he chef, "because eaten that use that lower button at all "

Rinkitink was mightily pleased to live in comfortable palace again and to dine at well spread table His joy grew every moment, as merry and cheery as before Pingaree was despoiled And, although he much frightened during Inga's defiance army of King Gos, he now began the matter into joke

"Why, my boy," said he, "you whipped the big black- bearded King exactly he were schoolboy, even though you used no warlike weapon at all upon him cowed through fear of your magic, reminds me to demand an explanation How did it, Inga ? And where did the wonderful magic come from ? "

Perhaps it wise Prince explained magic pearls, but moment not inclined Instead, he replied:

"Be patient, Your Majesty The secret my own, so please ask me to divulge it not enough, , magic saved you from death to-day ? "

" think me ungrateful," answered the King earnestly "A million spears fell on me wall, and several stones as big as mountains, yet hurt me ! "

"The stones as big as mountains, sire," said the Prince with smile "They were, indeed, no larger than your head "

" sure ? " asked Rinkitink

" , Your Majesty "

"How deceptive those things are ! " sighed the King "This argument reminds me story of Tom Tick, which my father used "

" never heard that story," Inga answered

"Well, as it, it ran like this:

"When Tom walked out, the sky to spy, naughty gnat flew eye; But Tom knew not gnat -- He thought, at first, cat

"And then, it felt so very big, He thought it surely was pig Till, standing still to hear it grunt, He cried: 'Why, it's an elephunt ! '

"But -- gnat flew out again And Tom was free from all his pain, : 'There flew into my eye leetle, teenty-tiny fly '"

"Indeed," said Inga, laughing, "the gnat was much like your stones that seemed as big as mountains "

After their dinner they inspected the palace, filled with valuable goods stolen by King Gos from many nations But the day's events had tired them retired early big sleeping apartment

" morning," said the boy to Rinkitink, as undressing for bed, " begin the search father and mother people of Pingaree And, are found and rescued, all go home again, and be as happy were before "

They carefully bolted the door room, that no one might enter, and then got into their beds, where Rinkitink fell asleep in an instant The boy lay awake for while thinking over the day's adventures, but presently he fell sound asleep also, and so weary was he that nothing disturbed his slumber until he awakened next morning with ray of sunshine eyes, which had crept room open window by King Rinkitink's bed

Resolving the search parents without any unnecessary delay, Inga at once got out of bed and began to dress himself, while Rinkitink, other bed, was still sleeping peacefully But boy had put on both his stockings and began looking shoes, find but The left shoe, that containing the Pink Pearl, was missing

Filled with anxiety discovery, Inga searched entire room, looking underneath the beds and divans and chairs and behind the draperies and corners and possible place shoe He tried the door, and found it still bolted; so, with growing uneasiness, the boy was forced to admit precious shoe was not room

With throbbing heart he aroused his companion

"King Rinkitink," said he, " what has become left shoe ? "

"Your shoe ! " exclaimed the King, giving wide yawn and rubbing his eyes the sleep " lost shoe ? "

"Yes," said Inga " searched everywhere room, and cannot find it "

"But why bother me about such small thing ? " inquired Rinkitink "A shoe is only shoe, and easily get another one But, stay ! Perhaps your shoe which I threw cat last night "

"The cat ! " cried Inga "What ? "

"Why, night," explained Rinkitink, sitting up and beginning to dress himself, " wakened mewing of cat that sat upon wall palace, just outside my window noise disturbed me, I reached out dark and caught up something and threw it cat, to frighten the creature away know what it I threw, and too sleepy to care; but probably your shoe, since now missing "

"Then," said the boy, in despairing tone of voice, "your carelessness has ruined me, as yourself, King Rinkitink, for shoe was concealed the magic power which protected us from danger "

The King's face became very serious when he heard this and he uttered low whistle of surprise and regret

"Why on earth did you not warn me ? " he demanded "And why did you keep such precious power in an old shoe ? And why didn't you put the shoe under pillow ? You were very wrong, my lad, in not confiding , your faithful friend, the secret, for case the shoe now be lost "