When Queen Cor came to capture Inga and Rinkitink, both the prisoners were so filled with despair at their own misfortune gave no thought whatever goat, who was left room Nor did Bilbil know anything changed fortunes comrades until he heard shouts and boisterous laughter courtyard below Looking out of window, intention of rebuking those who dared thus to disturb him, Bilbil saw the courtyard quite filled with warriors and knew palace had in some way again fallen hands enemy

Now, although Bilbil was often exceedingly disagreeable to King Rinkitink, Prince, and sometimes used harsh words in addressing them, intelligent enough them his friends, and that King Gos people were his foes In sudden anger, provoked sight warriors knowledge that power dangerous men of Regos, Bilbil butted his head against the door room and burst it open Then he ran head staircase and saw King Gos coming up the stairs followed by long line chief captains and warriors

The goat lowered his head, trembling with rage and excitement, and just King reached the top stair the animal dashed forward and butted His Majesty so fiercely big and powerful King, who expect an attack, doubled up and tumbled backward His great weight knocked over the man just behind him and he in turn struck the next warrior and upset him, in an instant the whole line of Bilbil's foes was tumbling heels over head bottom stairs, where they piled up in heap, struggling and shouting and mixup hitting one another with their fists, until every man was bruised and sore

Finally King Gos scrambled heap and rushed up the stairs again, very angry indeed Bilbil was ready for him and second time butted the King down the stairs; but now the goat also lost his balance and followed the King, landing full confused heap of soldiers Then he kicked out so viciously heels that he soon freed himself and dashed doorway palace

"Stop him ! " cried King Gos, running after

But the goat was now so wild and excited not safe for anyone to stand way men were armed and when tried to head off the goat, Bilbil sent them sprawling ground Most warriors, however, were wise enough not to attempt to interfere flight

Coursing down the street, Bilbil found himself approaching the bridge of boats and without pausing where it might lead him he crossed over and proceeded way later great stone building blocked his path It palace of Queen Cor, and seeing the gates courtyard standing wide open, Bilbil rushed through them without slackening his speed

Chapter Thirteen

Zella Saves the Prince

The wicked Queen of Coregos was in very bad humor , of her slave drivers had come fields that number of slaves had rebelled and work

"Bring them here ! " she cried savagely "A good whipping may make them change their minds "

So the slave driver went to fetch the rebellious ones and Queen Cor sat down to eat her breakfast, an ugly look on her face

Prince Inga ordered to stand behind his new mistress with big fan of peacock's feathers, but so unused to such service that he awkwardly brushed her ear fan At once she flew into terrible rage and slapped the Prince twice with her hand-blows that tingled, too, for her hand was big and hard and she was not inclined gentle Inga took the blows without shrinking or uttering cry, although they stung his pride far more than his body But King Rinkitink, who was acting queen's butler and had just brought in her coffee, was so startled at seeing the young Prince punished that he tipped over the urn hot coffee streamed across the lap Queen's best morning gown

Cor sprang from her seat with scream of anger and poor Rinkitink would doubtless given terrible beating the slave driver returned moment and attracted the woman's attention The overseer had brought all women slaves from Pingaree, who loaded down with chains and were so weak and ill scarcely walk, much less work fields

Prince Inga's eyes were dimmed with sorrowful tears when he discovered how his poor people abused, but his own plight was so helpless that unable to aid them Fortunately the boy's mother, Queen Garee, was not slaves, for Queen Cor had placed her royal dairy butter

"Why refuse to work ? " demanded Cor in harsh voice, slaves from Pingaree stood before her, trembling and with downcast eyes

"Because we lack strength to perform the tasks your overseers demand," answered women

"Then you shall be whipped until your strength returns ! " exclaimed the Queen, and turning to Inga, she commanded: "Get me the whip seven lashes "

boy left the room, wondering how he might manage to save the unhappy women from their undeserved punishment, he met girl entering back way, who asked:

" tell me where Her Majesty, Queen Cor ? "

" chamber red dome, where green dragons are painted walls," replied Inga; "but in an angry and ungracious mood to-day Why wish her ? "

" honey ," answered the girl, who was Zella, just come forest "The Queen is very fond honey "

" go to her, so desire," said the boy, "but take care not to anger the cruel Queen, or she may mischief "

"Why should she harm me, who brings her the honey she so dearly loves ? " inquired the child innocently "But I warning; try not to anger the Queen "

As Zella started , Inga's eyes suddenly fell upon her shoes and instantly he recognized them as his own For only in Pingaree were shoes shaped manner: high heel and pointed toes

"Stop ! " he cried in an excited voice, girl obeyed, wonderingly "Tell me," he continued, more gently, "where did you get those shoes ? "

"My father brought them from Regos," she answered

"From Regos ! "

"Yes Are they not pretty ? " asked Zella, looking down at her feet to admire them " my father found palace wall, other on an ash-heap So he brought them fit me perfectly "

Inga was trembling with eager joy, which the girl understand

" , little maid ? " he asked

" called Zella, and my father is Nikobob, the charcoal-burner "

"Zella is pretty name Inga, Prince of Pingaree," said he, " shoes now wearing, Zella, belong They cast away, father supposed, but were lost let me have them again ? "

Zella's eyes filled with tears

"Must up my pretty shoes, then ? " she asked " the only ones ever owned "

Inga was sorry poor child, but how important it he regain possession Magic Pearls So , pleadingly:

"Please let me have them, Zella See ! exchange the shoes I now have on, which are newer and prettier others "

The girl hesitated She wanted the boy Prince, yet she hated to exchange the shoes which her father had brought her as present

" the shoes," continued the boy, anxiously, " promise you and your father and mother rich and prosperous Indeed, promise to grant any favors ask of me," and he sat down floor and drew off the shoes wearing and held them toward the girl

"I'll see if fit me," said Zella, taking off her left shoe -- the one that contained the Pink Pearl -- and beginning on one of Inga's

Just then Queen Cor, angry at being made to wait for her whip seven lashes, rushed room Inga Seeing the boy sitting floor beside Zella, the woman sprang toward him to beat him with her clenched fists; but Inga had now slipped shoe Queen's blows reach his body

Then Cor espied the whip lying beside Inga and snatching it up she tried to lash him with it -- all to no avail

While Zella sat horrified scene, the Prince, who realized he had no time to waste, reached out and pulled the right shoe girl's foot, quickly placing it upon his own Then he stood up and, facing the furious but astonished Queen, said to her in quiet voice:

"Madam, please that whip "

"I won't ! " answered Cor "I'm going to lash those Pingaree women with it "

The boy seized hold whip and with irresistible strength drew it Queen's hand But she drew from her bosom sharp dagger and swiftness of lightning aimed blow at Inga's heart He merely stood still and smiled, blade rebounded and fell clattering floor

Then, at last, Queen Cor understood the magic power that had terrified her husband but which she had ridiculed in her ignorance, not believing She know that Inga's power lost, and found again, but she realized the boy was no common foe unless still manage to outwit him her reign Island of Coregos was ended To gain time, she went back red-domed chamber and seated herself in her throne, before which were grouped the weeping slaves from Pingaree

Inga had taken Zella's hand and assisted her shoes he had given her in exchange own She found them quite comfortable and know she had lost anything transfer

"Come with me," then said the boy Prince, and led her presence of Queen Cor, who was giving Rinkitink scolding overseer Inga said

" the keys which unlock these chains, that set these poor women at liberty "

"Don't it ! " screamed Queen Cor

" interfere, madam," said the boy, " put you into dungeon "

Rinkitink knew that Inga had recovered his Magic Pearls little fat King was so overjoyed that he danced and capered all around the room But the Queen was alarmed threat slave driver, fearing the conqueror of Regos, tremblingly gave up the keys