" splendid song about live man, said the King

"Then don't sing it," begged Bilbil

Zella was both astonished and grieved disrespectful words goat, for she had quite enjoyed Rinkitink's singing and taught proper respect for Kings and those high in authority But as now getting late they decided to sleep, that rise early the following morning, so they all reclined bottom big boat and covered themselves with blankets which they found stored underneath the seats for just such occasions They long in falling asleep and waken until daybreak

After hurried breakfast, for Inga was eager to liberate his father, the boy rowed the boat ashore all landed and began searching path Zella found it next half hour and declared very close entrance mines; so they followed the path toward the north, Inga going first, and then Zella following him, while Rinkitink brought up the rear riding upon Bilbil's back

Before long they saw great wall of rock towering before them, in low arched entrance, and on either side entrance stood guard, armed with sword and spear The guards mines so fierce warriors of King Gos, their duty being to slaves work at their tasks and guard them from escaping; but they were as cruel as their cruel master wished them , and as cowardly were cruel

Inga walked two men entrance and said:

"Does this opening lead mines of King Gos ? "

"It does," replied guards, "but no one is allowed out who once goes in "

"Nevertheless," said the boy, we intend in and come out whenever it pleases us the Prince of Pingaree, and come to liberate my people, whom King Gos has enslaved "

Now two guards heard this speech they looked at one another and laughed, and said: "The King was right, for the boy was likely here try to set his people free Also the King commanded that keep the little Prince mines, and set him to work, together companions "

"Then obey the King," replied the other man

Inga was surprised at hearing this, and asked:

"When did King Gos this order ? "

"His Majesty was here in person last night," replied the man, "and went away again but an hour ago He suspected you were coming here and told us to capture you "

This report made the boy very anxious, not for himself but father, for he feared the King was some mischief So he hastened to enter the mines guards did nothing to oppose him or his companions, their orders being to allow him in but not out

The little group of adventurers passed through long rocky corridor and reached low, wide cavern where they found dozen guards and hundred slaves, the latter being hard at work with picks and shovels digging for gold, while the guards stood over them with long whips

Inga found men from Pingaree slaves, but King Kitticut was not cavern; so they passed through it and entered another corridor that led to second cavern Here also hundreds of men were working, but the boy find his father amongst them, and so went on to third cavern

The corridors all slanted downward, so farther they went the lower earth they descended, and now they found the air hot and close and difficult to breathe Flaming torches were stuck walls light workers, and these added oppressive heat

The third and lowest cavern last mines, and here were many scores of slaves and many guards them at work , guards had paid any attention to Inga's party, but allowed them as , and while the slaves cast curious glances boy and girl and man and goat, they dared say nothing But now the boy walked men of Pingaree and asked news father, telling them not to fear the guards as protect them whips

Then he Teamed that King Kitticut had indeed been working very cavern until the evening before, when King Gos had come and taken him away -- still loaded with chains

"Seems ," said King Rinkitink, when he heard this report, "that Gos has carried your father away to Regos, us from rescuing him hide poor Kitticut in dungeon, where find him "

"Perhaps right," answered the boy, "but determined him, wherever "

Inga spoke firmly and with courage, but greatly disappointed that King Gos before him mines and had taken his father away However, he tried not disheartened, believing succeed end, of all opposition Turning guards, :

"Remove the chains slaves and set them free "

The guards laughed order, and brought forward handful of chains, saying: "His Majesty has commanded us you, also, slave, are never to leave these caverns again "

Then he attempted the chains on Inga, but the boy indignantly seized them and broke them apart as easily as cotton cords When dozen or more guards made dash to capture him, the Prince swung the end chain like whip and drove them into corner, where they cowered and begged for mercy

Stories marvelous strength boy Prince had already spread mines of Regos, and although King Gos had told them that Inga deprived of all his magic power, the guards now saw not true, so they deemed it wise not to attempt to oppose him

The chains slaves had all been riveted fast ankles and wrists, but Inga broke the bonds of steel hands and set the poor men free -- those from Pingaree but all who captured many wars and raids of King Gos They were very grateful, suppose, and agreed to support Prince Inga in whatever action he commanded

He led them middle cavern, where all the guards and overseers fled in terror at his approach, and soon he had broken apart the chains slaves who working part mines Then they approached the first cavern and liberated all there

The slaves treated so cruelly servants of King Gos were eager to pursue and slay them, in revenge; but Inga held them back and formed them into companies, each company having its own leader Then the leaders together and instructed them to march in good order along the path City of Regos, where meet them and tell them what next

They readily agreed to obey him, and, arming themselves with iron bars and pick-axes which they brought mines, the slaves began their march city

Zella at first wished left behind, that she might make her way to her home, but neither Rinkitink nor Inga thought safe for her to wander alone forest, so they induced her to return city

The boy beached his boat same place as when he first landed at Regos, and while warriors stood shore and walls city, not attempted to interfere boy in Indeed, they seemed uneasy and anxious, and when Inga met Captain Buzzub the boy asked if anything had happened absence

"A great deal has happened," replied Buzzub "Our King and Queen have run away and left us, and we don't know what "

"Run away ! " exclaimed Inga "Where did they go to ? "

"Who knows ? " said the man, shaking his head despondently "They departed together few , in boat with forty rowers, took the King and Queen of Pingaree ! "

Chapter Fifteen

The Flight Rulers

Now it seems that when Queen Cor fled from her island to Regos, she had wit enough, although greatly frightened, stop royal dairy, near bridge, and to drag poor Queen Garee butter-house and across to Regos with her The warriors of King Gos had never before seen the terrible Queen Cor frightened, and therefore when she came running across the bridge of boats, dragging the Queen of Pingaree after her by one arm, the woman's great fright had the effect of terrifying the waiting warriors

"Quick ! " cried Cor "Destroy the bridge, or lost "

While the men were tearing away the bridge of boats the Queen ran palace of Gos, where she met her husband

"That boy is wizard ! " she gasped " no standing against him "

"Oh, discovered his magic at last ? " replied Gos, laughing in her face "Who, now, coward ? "

"Don't laugh ! " cried Queen Cor " no laughing matter Both our islands are as good as conquered, this very minute What shall , Gos ? "

"Come in," , growing serious, " talk it over "

So they went into room palace and talked long and earnestly

"The boy intends to liberate his father and mother, and all the people of Pingaree, and them back island," said Cor " also destroy our palaces and make us his slaves but , Gos, him from doing all this, and whatever else he pleases "

"What way ? " asked King Gos

" boy's parents away from here as quickly as possible with me the Queen of Pingaree, and run mines and get the King Then carry them away in boat and hide them where the boy cannot find them, with all his magic use the King and Queen of Pingaree as hostages, and send word boy wizard that if go away islands and allow us to rule them undisturbed, own way, put his father and mother to death Also say that as long let alone his parents safe, although still safely hidden I believe, Gos, that compel Prince Ingato obey us, for he seems very fond parents "

"It isn't bad idea," said Gos, reflectively; "but where can we hide the King and Queen, so boy cannot find them ? "