Rinkitink didn't like to undertake the rocky and mountainous journey, even with Bilbil to carry him, but desert Inga, even though his own kingdom lay just beyond range of mountains which seen towering southwest So the King bravely mounted the goat, who always grumbled but always obeyed his master, three set off at once caverns nomes

They traveled just as slowly as Queen Cor and King Gos had done, so were about halfway they discovered the King and Queen coming back boat The fact that Gos and Cor were now alone proved had left Inga's father and mother behind them; so, suggestion of Rinkitink, the three hid behind high rock until the King of Regos Queen of Coregos, who observed them, had passed them by Then they continued their journey, glad again been forced to fight or quarrel with their wicked enemies

" asked them, however, what they had done with your poor parents," said Rinkitink

"Never mind," answered Inga " the White Pearl will guide us aright "

For time they proceeded in silence and then Rinkitink began to chuckle with laughter pleasant way wont before his misfortunes came upon him

"What amuses Your Majesty ? " inquired the boy

"The thought of how surprised my dear subjects realized how near , and yet how far away always wanted to visit the Nome Country, full of mystery and magic and all sorts of adventures, but my devoted subjects forbade me thing, fearing get hurt or enchanted "

" afraid, now that here ? " asked Inga

"A little, but not much, for they say the new Nome King as wicked old King used Still, undertaking dangerous journey and you ought to protect me by lending me one of your pearls "

Inga thought this over and it seemed reasonable request

"Which pearl would you like ? " asked the boy

"Well, ," returned Rinkitink; " need strength to liberate your captive parents, so keep the Blue Pearl And need the advice White Pearl, so you had best keep that also But separated nothing to protect me from harm, so you ought to lend me the Pink Pearl "

" ," agreed Inga, and sitting down upon rock he removed his right shoe and after withdrawing the cloth pointed toe took out the Pink Pearl -- the one which protected from any harm the person who carried it

"Where put it, it safely ? " he asked

"In my vest pocket," replied the King "The pocket has flap and pin it down pearl cannot get out and become lost As for robbery, no one with evil intent can touch my person while the pearl "

So Inga gave Rinkitink the Pink Pearl little King placed it pocket red-and-green brocaded velvet vest, pinning the flap pocket down tightly

They now resumed their journey and finally reached the entrance Nome King's caverns Placing the White Pearl ear, Inga asked: "What shall now ? " Voice Pearl replied: "Clap your hands together four times and call aloud the word 'Klik ' Then allow yourselves conducted Nome King, now holding your father and mother captive "

Inga followed these instructions and when Klik appeared in answer summons the boy requested an audience Nome King So Klik led them presence of King Kaliko, who was suffering from severe headache, due revelry the night before, and therefore was unusually cross and grumpy

" what you've come for," said he, before Inga could speak " the captives from Regos away from me; but 't , so you'd best go away again "

"The captives are my father and mother, and I intend to liberate them," said the boy firmly

The King stared hard at Inga, wondering at his audacity Then he turned to look at King Rinkitink and said:

"I suppose the King of Gilgad, Kingdom of Rinkitink "

"You've guessed it the first time," replied Rinkitink

"How round and fat ! " exclaimed Kaliko

" just thinking how fat and round ," said Rinkitink "Really, King Kaliko, we friends, we're alike in everything but disposition and intelligence "

Then he began to chuckle, while Kaliko stared hard at him, not knowing whether to accept his speech as compliment or not And now the nome's eyes wandered to Bilbil, and he asked:

" your talking goat ? "

Bilbil met the Nome King's glowering look with gaze equally surly and defiant, while Rinkitink answered: " , Your Majesty "

"Can he really talk ? " asked Kaliko, curiously

" But the best thing is to scold Talk Majesty, Bilbil "

But Bilbil remained silent and speak

" always ride upon his back ? " continued Kaliko, questioning Rinkitink

"Yes," answer, "because difficult for fat man to walk far, as perhaps from experience

" true," said Kaliko "Get off the goat's back and let me ride him while, how I like it Perhaps I'll take him away , to ride through my caverns "

Rinkitink chuckled softly as he heard this, but at once got off Bilbil's back and let Kaliko get on The Nome King was little awkward, but when firmly astride the saddle in loud voice: "Giddap ! "

When Bilbil paid no attention command and refused to stir, Kaliko kicked his heels viciously against the goat's body, and then Bilbil made sudden start He ran swiftly across the great cavern, until he had almost reached the opposite wall, when he stopped so abruptly that King Kaliko sailed over his head and bumped against the jeweled wall He bumped so hard points crown were all mashed out of shape head was driven far diamond-studded band crown, so covered one eye and part nose Perhaps this saved Kaliko's head from being cracked against the rock wall, but hard crown

Bilbil was highly pleased success feat and Rinkitink laughed merrily Nome King's comical appearance; but Kaliko was muttering and growling as he picked himself up and struggled to pull the battered crown head, and evident that not least amused Indeed, Inga King was very angry, boy knew incident was likely Kaliko against the entire party

The Nome King sent Klik for another crown and ordered his workmen to repair the one that was damaged While he waited new crown he sat regarding his visitors with scowling face, and this made Inga more uneasy than ever Finally, new crown was placed upon his head, King Kaliko said: "Follow me, strangers ! " and led the way to small door at one end cavern

Inga and Rinkitink followed him doorway and found themselves standing on balcony that overlooked an enormous domed cave -- so extensive seemed miles other side of it All around this circular cave, brilliantly lighted from an unknown source, were arches connected with other caverns

Kaliko took gold whistle pocket and blew shrill note that echoed through every part cave Instantly nomes began to pour in side arches in great numbers, until the immense space was packed as far eye could reach All were armed with glittering weapons of polished silver and gold, and Inga was amazed that any King could command so great an army

They began marching and countermarching in very orderly array until another blast gold whistle sent them scurrying away as quickly had appeared And great cave was again empty Kaliko returned visitors own royal chamber, where he once more seated himself upon his ivory throne

" shown you," said he to Inga, "a part bodyguard The royal armies, only part, are as numerous sands ocean, and live in many thousands underground caverns come here thinking to force me up the captives of King Gos and Queen Cor, and you that my power is too mighty for anyone to oppose told that wizard, and depend upon magic to aid you; but know nomes mortals, and understand magic pretty well themselves, so obliged to fight magic with magic the chances are that hundred times more powerful than Think this over carefully, my boy, and try to in my power believe force me to liberate King Kitticut and Queen Garee, and that coax me , for my promise to King Gos Therefore, as wish to hurt you, I away peaceably and let me alone "

"Forgive me if agree , King Kaliko," answered the boy "However difficult and dangerous my task , leave your dominions until every effort to release my parents has failed and left me completely discouraged "

" ," said the King, evidently displeased " warned you, and now if evil overtakes you your own fault I've headache to-day, so entertain you properly, according to your rank; but Klik will attend you to my guest chambers and to-morrow talk again "

This seemed fair and courteous way to treat one's declared enemies, so they politely expressed the wish that Kaliko's headache better, and followed their guide, Klik, down well-lighted passage and through several archways until they finally reached three nicely furnished bedchambers which were cut from solid gray rock and well lighted and aired by some mysterious method known nomes