moment that Bilbil, mad dash from Regos, turned in gates courtyard, and as coming and Queen Cor was going the other they bumped into with great force The woman sailed air, over Bilbil's head, and landed ground outside the gates, where her crown rolled into ditch and she picked herself up, half dazed, and continued her flight Bilbil was also somewhat dazed unexpected encounter, but he continued his rush rather blindly and so struck poor Rinkitink, who was chasing after Queen Cor They rolled over one another and then Rinkitink sat up and Bilbil sat up looked at in amazement

"Bilbil," said the King, "I'm astonished at you ! "

"Your Majesty," said Bilbil, "I expected kinder treatment at your hands "

"You interrupted me," said Rinkitink

" plenty of room without your taking my path," declared the goat

And then Inga came running out and said "Where Queen ? "

"Gone," replied Rinkitink, "but go far, an island However, found Bilbil, party is again reunited recovered your magic powers, and again masters situation So be thankful "

Saying this, the good little King got upon his feet and limped back throne room to help comfort the women

Presently the children of Pingaree, who gathered together overseer, were brought in and restored mothers, and great rejoicing among them,

"But where is Queen Garee, my dear mother ? " questioned Inga; but the women know and overseer remembered that slaves from Pingaree placed royal dairy Perhaps the woman the boy was seeking

Inga at once commanded him to lead the way butter house, but arrived there Queen Garee was nowhere place, although the boy found silk scarf which he recognized as one that his mother used to wear Then they began search island of Coregos, but find Inga's mother anywhere

returned palace of Queen Cor, Rinkitink discovered bridge of boats had again been removed, separating them from Regos, and they suspected that Queen Cor had fled to her husband's island and had taken Queen Garee with her Inga was much perplexed what and returned friends palace the matter over

Zella was now crying because she sold her honey and was unable to return to her parents island of Regos, but the boy prince comforted her and promised she protected until be restored to her home Rinkitink found Queen Cor's purse, which she had had no time with her, and gave Zella several gold pieces honey Then Inga ordered the palace servants feast for all the women and children of Pingaree and beds great palace, large enough to accommodate them all

Then the boy goat and Rinkitink and Zella went into private room to consider what next

Chapter Fourteen

The Escape

"Our fault," said Rinkitink, " we conquer twin islands When we conquered Regos, our foes all came to Coregos, and now that conquered Coregos, the Queen has fled to Regos And they removed the bridge of boats, follow them "

"What has become own boat, we came from Pingaree ? " asked Bilbil

"We left it shore of Regos," replied the Prince, "but I wonder if get it again "

"Why don't you White Pearl ? " suggested Rinkitink

" good idea," returned the boy, and at once he drew the White Pearl from its silken bag and held it ear Then he asked: "How may I regain our boat ? "

The Voice Pearl replied: "Go south end Island of Coregos, and clap your hands three times boat will come

" ! " cried Inga, and then he turned companions and said: " our boat whenever we please; but what then shall ? "

"Take me home ! " pleaded Zella

"Come with me to my City of Gilgad," said the King, "where very welcome to remain forever "

"No," answered Inga, " rescue my father and mother, as my people Already the women and children of Pingaree, but the men are with my father mines of Regos, and my dear mother taken away by Queen Cor Not until all are rescued will I consent to leave these islands "

"Quite right ! " exclaimed Bilbil

"On second thought," said Rinkitink, "I agree careful to sleep in your shoes, and never take them off again, I believe to perform the task undertaken "

They counseled together as mode of action and finally considered best to attempt to liberate King Kitticut first of all, and the men from Pingaree give them an army to assist them and afterward march to Regos and compel Queen Cor up the Queen of Pingaree Zella told them that go in their boat along the shore of Regos to point opposite the mines, thus avoiding any conflict warriors of King Gos

This being considered the best course to pursue, they resolved to start following morning, as night was even now approaching The servants being all busy in caring women and children, Zella undertook dinner for Inga and Rinkitink and herself and soon prepared fine meal palace kitchen, for she was good little cook and had often helped her mother The dinner was served in small room overlooking the gardens and Rinkitink thought the best part of it sweet honey, which he spread biscuits that Zella had made As for Bilbil, he wandered palace grounds and found some grass that made him good dinner

During the evening Inga talked women and cheered them, promising soon to reunite them with their husbands who were working mines and to back own island of Pingaree

Next morning the boy rose bright and early and found that Zella had already prepared nice breakfast And meal they went most southern point island, not very far away, Rinkitink riding upon Bilbil's back and Inga and Zella following behind them, hand in hand

reached the water's edge the boy advanced and clapped his hands together three times, White Pearl had told him And in they saw distance the black boat silver lining, coming swiftly toward them sea Presently it grounded beach all got

Zella was delighted boat, the most beautiful she had ever seen, marvel coming water without anyone to row it, made her little afraid fairy craft But Inga picked up the oars and began to row and at once the boat shot swiftly direction of Regos They rounded the point island where the city was built and noticed shore was lined with warriors who had discovered their boat but seemed undecided whether to pursue it or not probably because they had received no commands what , or perhaps they had learned to fear the magic powers adventurers from Pingaree and were unwilling to attack them unless their King ordered them to

The coast western side Island of Regos was very uneven and Zella, who knew fairly well the location mines inland forest path, was puzzled to decide which mountain they now viewed sea one where the entrance underground caverns was located First she thought it peak, and then she guessed it ; so considerable time was lost through her uncertainty

They finally decided to land and explore the country, where they were, so Inga ran the boat into little rocky cove where they all disembarked For an hour they searched path without finding any trace of it and now Zella believed they had gone too far north and must return to another mountain that was nearer city

Once again they entered the boat and followed the winding coast south until they thought they had reached the right place , however, growing dark, entire day spent search entrance mines, and Zella warned them safer the night boat than land, where wild beasts to disturb them realized how fatal this day of search plans and perhaps if Inga had realized going on landed and fought all the wild beasts forest rather than quietly remain boat until morning

However, knowing nothing cunning plans of Queen Cor and King Gos, they anchored their boat in little bay and cheerfully ate their dinner, finding plenty of food and drink boat's lockers evening the stars came out sky and tipped the waves around their boat with silver All around them was delightfully still save occasional snarl of beast neighboring shore

They talked together quietly adventures and their future plans and Zella told them her simple history and how hard her poor father was obliged to work, burning charcoal for enough money to support his wife and child Nikobob the humblest man in all Regos, but Zella declared good man, and honest, and not his fault that his country was ruled by so wicked King

Then Rinkitink, to amuse them, offered to sing song, and although Bilbil protested gruff way, claiming that his master's voice was cracked and disagreeable, the little King was encouraged others to sing his song, which

"A red-headed man named Ned was dead;

Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do ! In battle he had lost his head;

Sing fiddle-cum-faddl-cum-fi-do ! 'Alas, poor Ned,' to him , 'How did you lose your head so red ? '

Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do !

"Said Ned: 'I country bled,'

Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do ! 'Instead of dying safe in bed',

Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do ! 'If I had only fled, instead, I then head ahead '

Sing fiddle-cum-faddle-cum-fi-do !

" to Ned --"

"Do stop, Your Majesty ! " pleaded Bilbil "You're making my head ache "

"But the song isn't finished," replied Rinkitink, "and as for your head aching, think of poor Ned, who hadn't any head at all ! "