At last, however, the King and Queen desired to return own Pingaree, longed with their people again how well they had rebuilt their homes Inga also was anxious to return, although he very happy in Oz, and King Rinkitink, who was happy anywhere except at Gilgad, decided former friends to Pingaree As for prince Bobo, he had become so greatly attached to King Rinkitink that loth to leave him

On certain day they all bade good-bye to Ozma and Dorothy and Glinda Wizard and all their good friends in Oz, and were driven Red Wagon edge Deadly Desert, which they crossed safely Magic Carpet They then made their way across the Nome Kingdom Wheeler Country, where no one molested them, shores Nonestic Ocean There they found the boat silver lining still lying undisturbed beach

There were no important adventures during the trip and on their arrival pearl kingdom they were amazed beautiful appearance island they had left in ruins All the houses people rebuilt and were prettier than before, with green lawns before them and flower gardens back yards The marble towers of King Kitticut's new palace were very striking and impressive, while the palace itself proved far more magnificent than it warriors from Regos destroyed it

Nikobob very active and skillful in directing all this work, and he had also built pretty cottage for himself, not far King's palace, and there Inga found Zella, who was living very happy and contented in her new home had Nikobob accomplished all this in comparatively brief space , but he had started the pearl fisheries again and when King Kitticut returned to Pingaree quantity of fine pearls already royal treasury

So pleased was Kitticut good judgment, industry and honesty former charcoal-burner of Regos, that Nikobob his Lord High Chamberlain and put him in charge pearl fisheries and all the business matters island kingdom

They all settled down very comfortably new palace Queen gathered her maids about her once more and set them to work embroidering new draperies royal throne Inga placed the three Magic Pearls in their silken bag and again deposited them secret cavity under the tiled flooring banquet hall, where be quickly secured if danger ever threatened the now prosperous island

King Rinkitink occupied royal guest chamber built especially use and seemed in no hurry to leave his friends in Pingaree The fat little King had to walk wherever he went and so missed Bilbil more and more; but he seldom walked far and so fond of Prince BoBo that he never regretted Bilbil's disenchantment

Indeed, the jolly monarch was welcome to remain forever in Pingaree, if to, merry disposition set smiles faces of all his friends and made everyone near him as jolly as himself When King Kitticut was not too busy with affairs of state he loved to join his guest and listen brother monarch's songs and stories For Rinkitink , with all his careless disposition, shrewd philosopher, and in talking over their adventures one day the King of Gilgad said:

"The beauty of life is its sudden changes No one knows going to happen next, and so constantly being surprised and entertained The many ups and downs discourage us, for down, that change is coming and go up again; while those up are almost certain down My grandfather had song which well expresses this and listen sing it "

" listen to your song," returned Kitticut, " impolite not to "

So Rinkitink sang his grandfather's song:

"A mighty King once ruled the land -- But now he's baking pies pauper, other hand, Is ruling, strong and wise

tiger once in jungles raged -- But now he's in zoo; lion, captive-born and caged, Now roams the forest through

man once slapped poor boy's pate And made him weep and wail The boy became magistrate And put the man in jail

sunny day succeeds the night; It's summer -- then it snows ! Right oft goes wrong and wrong comes right, As ev'ry wise man knows "

Chapter Twenty-Four

The Captive King

One morning, just royal party was finishing breakfast, servant came running that great fleet of boats was approaching the island south King Kitticut sprang up at once, in great alarm, for he had much cause to fear strange boats The others quickly followed him shore what invasion coming upon them

Inga was there first, and Nikobob and Zella soon joined the watchers And presently, while all were gazing eagerly approaching fleet, King Rinkitink suddenly cried out:

"Get your pearls, Prince Inga -- get them quick ! "

"Are these our enemies, then ? " asked the boy, looking with surprise fat little King, who had begun to tremble violently

" my people of Gilgad ! " answered Rinkitink, wiping tear eye "I recognize my royal standards flying boats So, please, dear Inga, get out your pearls to protect me ! "

"What fear hands of your own subjects ? " asked Kitticut, astonished

But before his frightened guest could answer the question Prince Bobo, who was standing beside his friend, gave an amused laugh and said:

" caught at last, dear Rinkitink Your people will take you home again and oblige you to reign as King "

Rinkitink groaned aloud and clasped his hands together with gesture of despair, an attitude so comical others could scarcely forbear laughing

But now the boats were landing beach They were fifty in number, beautifully decorated and upholstered and rowed by men clad gay uniforms King of Gilgad One splended boat had throne of gold center, over draped the King's royal robe of purple velvet, embroidered with gold buttercups

Rinkitink shuddered when this throne; but now tall man, handsomely dressed, approached and knelt grass before his King, while all the other occupants boats shouted joyfully and waved their plumed hats air

"Thanks to our good fortune," said the man who kneeled, " found Your Majesty at last ! "

"Pinkerbloo," answered Rinkitink sternly, " you hanged, for thus finding me against my will "

" so now, Your Majesty, but never ," returned Pinkerbloo, rising and kissing the King's hand

"Why won't I ? " asked Rinkitink

"Because much too tender-hearted, Your Majesty "

"It -- it ," agreed Rinkitink, sadly " one greatest failings But what chance brought you here, my Lord Pinkerbloo ? "

" searched everywhere, sire, and all the people of Gilgad in despair since you so mysteriously disappeared appoint new King, because know but that you still lived; so we set out you, dead or alive After visiting many islands Nonestic Ocean we at last thought of Pingaree, from where come the precious pearls; and now our faithful quest rewarded "

"And what now ? " asked Rinkitink

"Now, Your Majesty, come home , like good and dutiful King, and rule over your people," declared the man in firm voice

" "

"But -- begging Your Majesty's pardon contradiction "

"Kitticut," cried poor Rinkitink, " save me from being captured , my subjects What ! must I return to Gilgad and be forced to reign in splendid state when I much prefer to eat and sleep and sing in my own quiet way ? make me sit in throne three hours day and listen to dry and tedious affairs of state; and stand up for hours court receptions, till I get corns on my heels; and forever must I listen to tiresome speeches and endless petitions and complaints ! "

"But someone must , Your Majesty," said Pinkerbloo respectfully, "and since you were born our King escape your duty "

"'Tis horrid fate ! " moaned Rinkitink " die willingly, rather than be King -- hurt so terribly to die "

" it much more comfortable to reign than to die, although I fully appreciate Your Majesty's difficult position and am truly sorry ," said Pinkerbloo

King Kitticut had listened conversation thoughtfully, so now friend:

"The man is right, dear Rinkitink your duty to reign, since fate you King, and no honorable escape grieve to lose your companionship, but the separation avoided "

Rinkitink sighed

"Then," said he, turning to Lord Pinkerbloo, "in three days depart for Gilgad; but during those three days I propose to feast and make merry with my good friend King Kitticut "

Then all the people of Gilgad shouted with delight and eagerly scrambled ashore their part festival

Those three days were long remembered in Pingaree, for never -- before nor since -- has such feasting and jollity been known upon that island Rinkitink made the most time and everyone laughed and sang by day and by night

Then, at last, the hour of parting arrived King of Gilgad and Ruler Dominion of Rinkitink was escorted by grand procession boat and seated upon his golden throne The rowers fifty boats paused, with their glittering oars pointed air like gigantic uplifted sabres, while the people of Pingaree -- men, women and children -- stood shore shouting royal farewell jolly King

Then came sudden hush, while Rinkitink stood up and, with bow assembled to witness his departure, sang the following song, which he had just composed occasion

"Farewell, dear Isle of Pingaree -- The fairest land in all the sea ! No living mortals, kings or churls, Would scorn to wear thy precious pearls

"King Kitticut, 'tis with regret I'm forced farewell; and yet Abroad no longer can I roam When fifty boats would drag me home

"Good-bye, my Prince of Pingaree; noble King you'll be And long and wisely may you reign And never face foe again ! "

They cheered him shore; they cheered him boats; and then all the oars fifty boats swept downward with single motion and dipped their blades purple-hued waters Nonestic Ocean

boats shot swiftly over the ripples sea Rinkitink turned to Prince Bobo, who had decided not to desert his former master present friend, and asked anxiously:

"How did you like that song, Bilbil -- I mean Bobo ? masterpiece, ? "

And Bobo replied with smile:

"Like all your songs, dear Rinkitink, the sentiment far excels the poetry "

The Wonderful Oz Books by L Frank Baum

1 The Wizard of Oz
2 The Land of Oz
3 Ozma of Oz
4 Dorothy Wizard in Oz
5 The Road to Oz
6 The Emerald City of Oz
7 The Patchwork Girl of Oz
8 Tik-Tok of Oz
9 The Scarecrow of Oz
10 Rinkitink in Oz
11 The Lost Princess of Oz
12 The Tin Woodman of Oz
13 The Magic of Oz
14 Glinda of Oz