"King Gos was robber and an outlaw," she said, "and p'r'aps you don't know that storm at sea wrecked his boat, while going back to Regos, he and Queen Cor were both drowned "

"Dear me ! " exclaimed Kaliko " so ? "

" it in Glinda's Record Book," said Dorothy "So now you trot out the King and Queen of Pingaree as quick "

"No," persisted the contrary Nome King, shaking his head "I won't Ask me anything else and I'll try you, but 't allow these friendly enemies to triumph over me

" case," said Dorothy, beginning to remove the cover from her basket, "I'll show you some eggs "

"Eggs ! " screamed the Nome King in horror " eggs basket ? "

"A dozen of 'em," replied Dorothy

"Then keep them there -- I beg -- I implore you ! -- and I'll do anything you say," pleaded Kaliko, his teeth chattering hardly speak

"Send King and Queen of Pingaree," said Dorothy

"Go, Klik," commanded the Nome King, and Klik ran away in great haste, for almost frightened as his master

an affecting scene unfortunate King and Queen of Pingaree entered the chamber and with sobs and tears of joy embraced their brave and adventurous son All the others stood silent until greetings and kisses exchanged and Inga had told his parents in few words vain struggles to rescue them and how Princess Dorothy had finally come assistance

Then King Kitticut shook the hands friend King Rinkitink and thanked him for so loyally supporting his son Inga, and Queen Garee kissed little Dorothy's forehead and blessed her for restoring her husband and herself to freedom

The Wizard standing near Bilbil the goat and now surprised to hear the animal say:

"Joyful reunion, isn't it ? But it makes me tired grown people cry like children "

"Oho ! " exclaimed the Wizard "How does it happen, Mr Goat, that you, never been Land of Oz, are able ? "

"That's my business," returned Bilbil in surly tone

The Wizard stooped down and gazed fixedly animal's eyes Then , with pitying sigh: " ; under an enchantment Indeed, I believe you Prince Bobo of Boboland "

Bilbil made no reply but dropped his head ashamed

" great discovery," said the Wizard, addressing Dorothy others party "A cruel magician transformed the gallant Prince of Boboland into talking goat, and this goat, being ashamed condition, ran away and was never after seen in Boboland, country far south of here but bordering Deadly Desert, opposite the Land of Oz I heard story and know that diligent search made enchanted Prince, without result But well assured that, animal you call Bilbil, discovered the unhappy Prince of Boboland "

"Dear me, Bilbil," said Rinkitink, "why never told me this ? "

"What the use ? " asked Bilbil in low voice and still refusing to look up

"The use ? " repeated Rinkitink, puzzled

"Yes, that's the trouble," said the Wizard " powerful enchantments ever accomplished, magician is now dead secret anti-charm lost Even I, with all my skill, cannot restore Prince Bobo proper form But Glinda able and all return with Dorothy and me Land of Oz, where Ozma will make you welcome, ask Glinda to break this enchantment "

willingly agreed to, for they all welcomed the chance to visit the famous Land of Oz So they bade good-bye to King Kaliko, whom Dorothy warned not wicked any more if help it, entire party returned over the Magic Carpet Land of Oz They filled the Red Wagon, still waiting , pretty full; but the Sawhorse didn't mind that and with wonderful speed carried them safely Emerald City

Chapter Twenty Two

Ozma's Banquet

Ozma had seen in her Magic Picture the liberation of Inga's parents departure entire party Emerald City, so with her usual hospitality she ordered splendid banquet prepared and invited all her quaint friends who were then Emerald City present that evening to meet the strangers who were her guests

Glinda, also, in her wonderful Record Book had learned events that had taken place caverns Nome King and she became especially interested enchantment Prince of Boboland So she hastily prepared several of her most powerful charms and then summoned her flock of sixteen white storks, which swiftly bore her to Ozma's palace She arrived there Red Wagon did and was warmly greeted girl Ruler

Realizing costume of Queen Garee of Pingaree become sadly worn and frayed, owing to her hardships and adventures, Ozma ordered royal outfit prepared good Queen and had it laid in her chamber ready for her on she arrived, so she shamed banquet New costumes were also provided for King Kitticut and King Rinkitink and Prince Inga, all cut and made and embellished elaborate and becoming style then prevalent Land of Oz, and party arrived palace Ozma's guests were escorted by her servants rooms, that bathe and dress themselves

Glinda the Sorceress Wizard of Oz took charge of Bilbil the goat and went to private room where they likely interrupted Glinda first questioned Bilbil long and earnestly manner enchantment ceremony that used magician who enchanted him At first Bilbil protested that want restored natural shape, saying that he forever disgraced eyes people and entire world by being obliged to exist as scrawny, scraggly goat But Glinda pointed out that any person who incurred the enmity of wicked magician was liable to suffer similar fate, and assured him that his misfortune would make him better beloved by his subjects when he returned freed dire enchantment

Bilbil was finally convinced truth assertion and agreed to submit experiments of Glinda Wizard, who knew they had hard task before them and at all sure succeed that Glinda most complete mistress of magic who has ever existed, and she was wise enough to guess clever but evil magician who had enchanted Prince Bobo had used spell puzzle any ordinary wizard or sorcerer to break; therefore she had given the matter much shrewd thought and hoped she had conceived plan succeed But because she was not positive of success she no one present incantation except her assistant, the Wizard of Oz

First she transformed Bilbil the goat into lamb, and this quite easily Next she transformed the lamb into an ostrich, giving it two legs and feet instead of four Then she tried to transform the ostrich original Prince Bobo, but this incantation was an utter failure Glinda was not discouraged, however, but by powerful spell transformed the ostrich into tottenhot -- lower form of man Then the tottenhot was transformed into mifket, great step in advance and, finally, Glinda transformed the mifket into handsome young man, tall and shapely, who fell knees great Sorceress and gratefully kissed her hand, admitting that he had now recovered his proper shape and was indeed Prince Bobo of Boboland

This process of magic, successful though end, had required time banquet was now awaiting their presence Bobo was already dressed in princely raiment and although humbled by his recent lowly condition, they finally persuaded him to join the festivities

When Rinkitink saw that his goat had now become Prince, know whether sorry or glad, for that miss the companionship quarrelsome animal he had been accustomed to ride upon, while same time he rejoiced that poor Bilbil had come own again

Prince Bobo humbly begged Rinkitink's forgiveness for having been so disagreeable to him, at times, saying nature of goat had influenced him surly disposition he had shown was part enchantment But the jolly King assured the Prince that he had really enjoyed Bilbil's grumpy speeches and forgave him readily Indeed, they all discovered the young Prince Bobo an exceedingly courteous and pleasant person, although somewhat reserved and dignified

Ah, but great feast that Ozma served in her gorgeous banquet hall that night and everyone was as happy as The Shaggy Man was there, and so was Jack Pumpkinhead Tin Woodman and Cap'n Bill Beside Princess Dorothy sat Tiny Trot and Betsy Bobbin, three little girls were almost as sweet to look upon as was Ozma, who sat head of her table and outshone all her guests in loveliness

King Rinkitink was delighted quaint people of Oz and laughed and joked tin man pumpkin-headed man and found Cap'n Bill very agreeable companion But what amused the jolly King most were the animal guests, which Ozma always invited to her banquets and seated at table , where they talked and chatted together as people do but were served the sort of food their natures required The Hungry Tiger and Cowardly Lion Glass Cat were much admired by Rinkitink, but when he met mule named Hank, which Betsy Bobbin had brought to Oz, the King found the creature so comical that he laughed and chuckled until his friends thought choke Then while the banquet was still in progress, Rinkitink composed and sang song mule all joined chorus, something like this:

"It's very queer how big an ear Is worn Donkey; And yet hear were on monkey

'Tis thick and strong and broad and long And also very hairy; It's quite becoming to our Hank But might disgrace fairy ! "

This song was received with enthusiasm that Rinkitink was prevailed upon to sing another They gave him little time to compose the rhyme, which he declared better if devote month or two to its composition, hut the sentiment he expressed was so admirable that no one criticized the song or the manner jolly little King sang it

Dorothy wrote down the words on piece of paper, and here :

"We're merry comrades all, to-night, Because we've won gallant fight And conquered all our foes We're not afraid of anything, So gayly laugh and sing Until we seek repose

"We've all our grateful hearts can wish; King Gos has gone to feed the fish, Queen Cor has gone, ; King Kitticut has found his own, Prince Bobo soon throne Relieved of magic spell

"So let's forget the horrid strife That fell upon our peaceful life And caused distress and pain; For across the sea We'll all be sailing merrily To Pingaree again "

Chapter Twenty Three

The Pearl Kingdom