Inga's heart sank within him as he realized the terrible obstacle placed cunning Nome King between him safety other caverns no turning back, impossible for him again to leap over the gulf second cave, the corridor side being so crooked that get no run before he jumped Neither could he leap over the glowing coals cavern that faced him, for much larger middle cavern dilemma he feared his great strength would avail him nothing and he bitterly reproached himself for parting Pink Pearl, which preserved him from injury

However, not nature of Prince Inga to despair for long, his past adventures having taught him confidence and courage, sharpened his wits and given him the genius of invention He sat down and thought earnestly means of escape danger and at last clever idea came mind way ideas: never to let adverse circumstances discourage you, but way out of every difficulty, found by earnest thought

There were many points and projections of rock walls crooked corridor Inga stood and rocks had become cracked and loosened, although still clinging places The boy picked out one large piece, and, exerting all his strength, tore it away wall He then carried it cavern and tossed it burning coals, about ten feet away end passage Then he returned for another fragment of rock, and wrenching it free from its place, he threw it ten feet beyond the first one, toward the opposite side cave The boy continued this work until he had made series of stepping-stones reaching straight across the cavern dark passageway beyond, which he hoped would lead him back to safety to liberty

When his work completed, Inga long hesitate advantage stepping-stones, for his best chance of escape lay crossing the bed of coals rocks became so heated that burn his feet So he leaped first rock and from there began jumping from one other in quick succession withering wave of heat at once enveloped him, and for time he feared suffocate before cross the cavern; but he held his breath, the hot air lungs, and maintained his leaps with desperate resolve

Then, before he realized it, his feet were pressing the cooler rocks passage beyond and he rolled helpless floor, gasping for breath His skin was so red resembled the shell of boiled lobster, but his swift motion had prevented his being burned, shoes had thick soles, which saved his feet

After resting , the boy felt strong enough on He went end passage and found rock door he had left his room was still closed, so he returned to middle corridor and was thinking what do next, when suddenly the solid rock before him began to move and an opening appeared through which shone brilliant light Shielding his eyes, which were somewhat dazzled, Inga sprang opening and found himself in Nome King's inhabited caverns, where before him stood King Kaliko, with broad grin upon his features, and Klik, the King's chamberlain, who looked surprised, and King Rinkitink seated astride Bilbil the goat, both of whom seemed pleased that Inga had rejoined them

Chapter Nineteen

Rinkitink Chuckles

now relate what happened to Rinkitink and Bilbil that morning, while Inga was undergoing his trying experience in escaping the fearful dangers three caverns

The King of Gilgad wakened the door of Inga's room fast shut and locked, but he had no trouble in opening his own door corridor, seems boy's room, the middle one, whirled around on pivot, while the adjoining rooms occupied by Bilbil and Rinkitink remained stationary The little King also found breakfast magically served room, and while eating it, Klik came to him and stated that His Majesty, King Kaliko, desired his presence royal cavern

So Rinkitink, having first made sure Pink Pearl was still vest pocket, willingly followed Klik, who ran on some distance ahead But no sooner had Rinkitink set foot passage than great rock, weighing ton, became dislodged and dropped roof directly over his head , it harm him, protected as Pink Pearl, and it bounded aside and crashed floor, where shattered by its own weight

"How careless ! " exclaimed the little King, and waddled after Klik, who seemed amazed at his escape

Presently another rock above Rinkitink plunged downward, and then another, but none touched his body Klik seemed much perplexed continued escapes and certainly Kaliko was surprised when Rinkitink, safe and sound, entered the royal cavern

"Good morning," said the King of Gilgad "Your rocks are getting loose, Kaliko, and you'd better have them glued in place hurt someone " Then he began to chuckle: "Hoo, hoo, hoo-hee, hee-heek, keek, eek ! " and Kaliko sat and frowned because he realized little fat King was poking fun at him

"I asked Your Majesty here," said the Nome King, "to show you curious skein of golden thread which my workmen pleases you, make you present of it "

he held out small skein of glittering gold twine, really pretty and curious Rinkitink took it hand and at once the golden thread began to unwind -- so swiftly eye follow its motion And, as it unwound, it coiled itself around Rinkitink's body, same time weaving itself into net, until it had enveloped the little King from head to foot and placed him in prison of gold

"Aha ! " cried Kaliko; "this magic worked all right, it seems

"Oh, did it ? " replied Rinkitink, and stepping forward he walked right golden net, which fell floor in tangled mass

Kaliko rubbed his chin thoughtfully and stared hard at Rinkitink

"I understand good bit of magic," said ,he, "but Your Majesty has sort of magic that greatly puzzles me, because unlike anything sort that I ever met with before "

"Now, see here, Kaliko," said Rinkitink; " trying to harm me or my companions, give it up, for never succeed We're harm-proof, so , and merely wasting your time trying to injure us

" right, and not so impolite argue with guest," returned the Nome King "But pardon me if not yet satisfied that stronger than my famous magic However, I beg you that I bear you no ill will, King Rinkitink; but my duty to destroy you, if possible, because you insignificant boy Prince have openly threatened away my captives positively refused back earth's surface and let me alone I'm very tender-hearted, as matter of fact, and I like you immensely, and would enjoy having you as friend, but --" Here he pressed button arm throne chair section floor where Rinkitink stood suddenly opened and disclosed black pit beneath, part of 'the terrible Bottomless Gulf

But Rinkitink fall pit; his body remained suspended air until he put out his foot and stepped solid floor, opening suddenly closed again

"I appreciate Your Majesty's friendship," remarked Rinkitink, as calmly nothing had happened, "but getting tired with standing kindly send goat, Bilbil, that sit upon his back to rest ? "

"Indeed ! " promised Kaliko " completed my test of your magic, and as I owe that goat slight grudge for bumping my head and smashing my second-best crown, I to discover beast can also escape my delightful little sorceries "

So Klik was sent to fetch Bilbil and presently returned goat, very cross because it slept well underground caverns

Rinkitink lost no time in getting red velvet saddle which the goat constantly wore, for he feared the Nome King would try to destroy Bilbil and knew that as long as his body touched that goat the Pink Pearl would protect them both; whereas, if Bilbil stood alone, no magic to save him

Bilbil glared wickedly at King Kaliko, who moved uneasily ivory throne Then the Nome King whispered moment ear of Klik, who nodded and left the room

"Please make yourselves at home here , while I attend to an errand," said the Nome King, getting up throne " return pretty soon, when you pieceful -- ha, ha, ha ! -- that's joke 't appreciate now but will later Be pieceful -- that's the idea Ho, ho, ho ! How funny " Then he waddled cavern, closing the door behind him

"Well, why didn't you laugh when Kaliko laughed ? " demanded the goat, were left alone cavern

"Because he means mischief of some sort," replied Rinkitink, "and we'll laugh danger is over, Bilbil There's an old adage that says: 'He laughs best who laughs last,' only way to laugh last is the other fellow chance Where did that knife come from, I wonder "

For long, sharp knife suddenly appeared air near them, twisting and turning from side to side and darting here and there in dangerous manner, without any support whatever Then another knife became visible -- and another and another -- until all the space royal cavern seemed filled Their sharp points and edges darted toward Rinkitink and Bilbil perpetually and nothing saved them from being cut to pieces except the protecting power Pink Pearl As , not knife touched them and even Bilbil gave gruff laugh failure of Kaliko's clever magic

The goat wandered here and there cavern, carrying Rinkitink upon his back, and neither paid the slightest heed knives, although the glitter hundreds of polished blades was rather trying eyes Perhaps for ten minutes the knives darted in bewildering fury; then they disappeared as suddenly had appeared