King Gos had expected pursued by Inga magic boat, so all the haste possible, urging his forty rowers best efforts night and day joy not overtaken but landed sandy beach Wheelers morning eighth day

The forty rowers were left boat, while Queen Cor and King Cos, with their royal prisoners, who were still chained, began the journey Nome King

not long passed the sands and reached the rocky country belonging nomes, but they were still long way entrance underground caverns lived the Nome King dim path, winding between stones and boulders, over which the walking was quite difficult, especially path led up hills that were small mountains, and then down steep and abrupt slopes where any misstep might mean broken leg Therefore it second day journey climbed halfway up rugged mountain and found themselves entrance Nome King's caverns

On their arrival, the entrance seemed free and unguarded, but Gos and Cor there before, were too wise to attempt to enter without announcing themselves, passage caves was full of traps and pitfalls So King Gos stood still and shouted, and in an instant they were surrounded by group of crooked nomes, who seemed sprung ground

had very long ears and was called The Long-Eared Hearer : "I heard you coming early "

Another had eyes that looked in different directions same time and were curiously bright and penetrating look over hill or around corner and was called The Lookout Said he: " you coming yesterday "

"Then," said King Gos, "perhaps King Kaliko is expecting us "

" true," replied another nome, who wore gold collar around his neck and carried bunch of golden keys "The mighty Nome King expects you, and bids you follow me presence "

he led the way caverns and Gos and Cor followed, dragging their weary prisoners , for poor King Kitticut gentle Queen obliged to carry, all tedious journey, the bags of gold and jewels which were to bribe the Nome King to accept them as slaves

Through several long passages the guide led them and at last they entered small cavern beautifully decorated and set with rare jewels that flashed from every part wall, floor and ceiling waiting-room for visitors, and there their guide left them while he went to inform King Kaliko arrival

Before long they were ushered into great domed chamber, cut solid rock and so magnificent that all -- the King and Queen of Pingaree King and Queen of Regos and Coregos -- drew long breaths of astonishment and opened their eyes as wide as

In an ivory throne sat little round man who had pointed beard and hair that rose to tall curl on top head dressed in silken robes, richly embroidered, which had large buttons of cut rubies head was diamond crown and hand he held golden sceptre with big jeweled ball at one end of it Kaliko, the King and ruler of all the nomes He nodded pleasantly enough visitors and said in cheery voice:

"Well, Your Majesties, what can ? "

" my desire," answered King Gos, respectfully, " in your care two prisoners, whom you now see carefully guarded, them from escaping, for the cunning of foxes and trusted In return favor asking you to grant, brought Your Majesty valuable presents of gold and precious gems

He then commanded Kitticut and Garee to lay Nome King the bags of gold and jewels, obeyed, being helpless

" ," said King Kaliko, nodding approval, for like all the nomes he loved treasures of gold and jewels "But the prisoners brought here, and why place them in my charge instead of guarding them, yourself ? They seem gentle enough, I'm sure "

"The prisoners," returned King Gos, "are the King and Queen of Pingaree, small island north of here very evil people and came to our islands of Regos and Coregos to conquer them and slay our poor people Also they intended to plunder us of all our riches, but by good fortune we were able to defeat and capture them However, son terrible wizard and who by magic art is trying this awful King and Queen of Pingaree, and to set them free, may continue their wicked deeds Therefore, as no magic to defend ourselves with, brought the prisoners for safe keeping "

"Your Majesty," spoke up King Kitticut, addressing the Nome King with great indignation, " believe this tale, I implore you all lie ! "

" it," said Kaliko "I consider it clever lie, though, because woven without thread of truth However, none business The fact remains that my good friend King Gos wishes you in my underground caverns, unable to escape And why should I not please him little matter ? Gos is mighty King and great warrior, while your island of Pingaree is desolated and your people scattered In my heart, King Kitticut, I sympathize , but as matter of business policy we powerful Kings must stand together and trample the weaker ones under our feet "

King Kitticut was surprised the King nomes so candid and informed, and he tried to argue that he gentle wife deserve their cruel fate it wiser for Kaliko to side than evil King of Regos But Kaliko only shook his head and smiled, saying:

"The fact that prisoner, my poor Kitticut, is evidence that weaker than King Cos, and I prefer to deal strong ," he added, turning King of Regos, "have these prisoners any connection Land of Oz ? "

"Why ask ? " said Gos

"Because I dare not offend the Oz people," reply " very powerful, , but Ozma of Oz is far more powerful than I; therefore, King and Queen of Pingaree happened under Ozma's protection, nothing "

"I assure Your Majesty prisoners have nothing Oz people," Gos hastened And Kitticut, being questioned, admitted was true

"But how wizard you mentioned ? " asked the Nome King

"Oh, merely boy; but very ferocious and obstinate and assisted by little fat sorcerer called Rinkitink and talking goat "

"Oho ! talking goat, say ? That certainly sounds like magic; and it also sounds like the Land of Oz, where all the animals talk," said Kaliko, with doubtful expression

But King Gos assured him the talking goat had never been to Oz

"As for Rinkitink, whom you call sorcerer," continued the Nome King, " neighbor , know, but cut off from by high mountains beneath which powerful river runs, never yet met King Rinkitink But heard of him, and from all reports jolly rogue, and perfectly harmless However, of your false statements and misrepresentations, earn the treasure brought me, by keeping your prisoners safe in my caverns

"Make them work," advised Queen Cor " rather delicate, and them work will make them suffer delightfully "

"I'll do as I please ," said the Nome King sternly "Be content that I agree them safe "

The bargain being thus made and concluded, Kaliko first examined the gold and jewels and then sent it away royal storehouse, well filled with like treasure Next the captives were sent away in charge nome golden collar and keys, whose name was Klik, and he escorted them to small cavern and gave them good supper

" lock your door," said Klik, "so no need of your wearing those heavy chains any longer " He therefore removed the chains and left King Kitticut Queen alone the first time Northmen had carried them away from Pingaree good King and Queen alone together and free of all bonds, and embraced lovingly and mingled their tears over their sad fate they were also grateful had passed control heartless King Gos more considerate care of King Kaliko They were still captives but they believed happier underground caverns nomes than in Regos and Coregos

Meantime, King's royal cavern great feast spread King Gos and Queen Cor, having triumphed in their plot, were pleased held high revelry jolly Nome King until late hour that night next morning, having cautioned Kaliko not to release the prisoners under any consideration without their orders, the King and Queen of Regos and Coregos left the caverns nomes to return shore ocean where they had left their boat

Chapter Eighteen

Inga Parts Pink Pearl

The White Pearl guided Inga truly pursuit boat of King Gos, but the boy so delayed in sending his people home to Pingaree full day after Gos and Cor landed shore Wheeler Country that Inga's boat arrived same place