RINKITINK IN OZ

Wherein is recorded the Perilous Quest of Prince Inga of Pingaree and King Rinkitink Magical Isles that lie beyond the Borderland of Oz

By L Frank Baum "Royal Historian of Oz"

Introducing this Story

story with boy hero, and boy of whom never before heard girls story, too, including our old friend Dorothy, and characters wander good way Land of Oz all assemble Emerald City part in Ozma's banquet Indeed, this story quite different other histories of Oz, but not like it the less account

If permitted to write another Oz book tell of some thrilling adventures encountered by Dorothy, Betsy Bobbin, Trot Patchwork Girl right Land of Oz, and how they discovered some amazing creatures that never existed outside fairy-land an idea that reading this story of Rinkitink writing that story of Adventures in Oz

Don't fail to write me often and your advice and suggestions, which I always appreciate I get letters from my readers, but is joy and I answer them find time

"OZCOT" at HOLLYWOOD in CALIFORNIA, 1916

L FRANK BAUM Royal Historian of Oz

LIST OF CHAPTERS
1 The Prince of Pingaree
2 The Coming of King Rinkitink
3 The Warriors North
4 The Deserted Island
5 The Three Pearls
6 The Magic Boat
7 The Twin Islands
8 Rinkitink Makes Great Mistake
9 Present for Zella
10 The Cunning of Queen Cor
11 Zella Goes to Coregos
12 The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat
13 Zella Saves the Prince
14 The Escape
15 The Flight Rulers
16 Nikobob Refuses Crown
17 The Nome King
18 Inga Parts Pink Pearl
19 Rinkitink Chuckles
20 Dorothy Rescue
21 The Wizard Finds an Enchantment
22 Ozma's Banquet
23 The Pearl Kingdom
24 The Captive King

Chapter One

The Prince of Pingaree

map Land of Oz handy, great Nonestic Ocean washes the shores Kingdom of Rinkitink, between which Land of Oz lies strip country Nome King and Sandy Desert The Kingdom of Rinkitink isn't very big and lies close ocean, all the houses King's palace being built near the shore The people live much water, boating and fishing, wealth of Rinkitink is gained from trading along the coast and islands nearest it

Four days' journey by boat north of Rinkitink Island of Pingaree, and as our story begins here tell you something island north end of Pingaree, where widest, the land is mile from shore to shore, but south end scarcely half mile broad; thus, although Pingaree is four miles long, from north to south, it called very big island exceedingly pretty, however, and gulls who approach it sea it must resemble huge green wedge lying waters, for its grass and trees give it the color of an emerald

The grass came edge sloping shores; the beautiful trees occupied all the central portion of Pingaree, forming continuous grove where the branches met high overhead and just space beneath them cosy houses inhabitants These houses were scattered everywhere island, no town or city, unless the whole island called city The canopy of leaves, high overhead, formed shelter from sun and rain, dwellers grove could all look past the straight tree-trunks and across the grassy slopes purple waters Nonestic Ocean

big end island, north, stood the royal palace of King Kitticut, the lord and ruler of Pingaree beautiful palace, built entirely of snow-white marble and capped by domes of burnished gold, King was exceedingly wealthy All along the coast of Pingaree were found the largest and finest pearls whole world

These pearls grew shells of big oysters, people raked the oysters from their watery beds, sought out the milky pearls and carried them dutifully King Therefore, once every year His Majesty was able to send six boats, with sixty rowers and many sacks valuable pearls, Kingdom of Rinkitink, where city called Gilgad, King Rinkitink's palace stood on rocky headland and served, with its high towers, as lighthouse to guide sailors harbor In Gilgad the pearls from Pingaree were purchased King's treasurer, boats went back island laden with stores of rich merchandise and such supplies of food people royal family of Pingaree needed

The Pingaree people never visited land but that of Rinkitink, and so there were few other lands that knew such an island southwest was an island called the Isle of Phreex, where the inhabitants had no use for pearls And far north of Pingaree -- six days' journey by boat, said -- were twin islands named Regos and Coregos, inhabited by fierce and warlike people

Many years before this story really begins, ten big boatloads fierce warriors of Regos and Coregos visited Pingaree, landing suddenly north end island There they began to plunder and conquer, as was their custom, but the people of Pingaree, although neither so big nor so strong as their foes, were able to defeat them and drive them all back sea, where great storm overtook the raiders from Regos and Coregos and destroyed them and their boats, not single warrior returning own country

This defeat enemy seemed the more wonderful because the pearl-fishers of Pingaree were mild and peaceful in disposition and seldom quarreled even among themselves Their only weapons were their oyster rakes; yet the fact remains drove their fierce enemies from Regos and Coregos from their shores

King Kitticut was only boy remarkable battle was fought, and now his hair was gray; but he remembered the day well and, during the years that followed, his one constant fear was of another invasion enemies He feared send more numerous army island, both for conquest and revenge, there little hope of successfully opposing them

This anxiety of King Kitticut led him sharp lookout for strange boats, one men patrolling the beach constantly, but too wise to allow any fear him or his subjects unhappy good King and lived very contentedly fine palace, fair Queen Garee and their one child, Prince Inga

The wealth of Pingaree increased year by year; happiness people increased, too Perhaps no place, outside the Land of Oz, where contentment and peace were more manifest than pretty island, hidden besom Nonestic Ocean Had these conditions remained undisturbed, there no need of Pingaree story

Prince Inga, the heir to all the riches kingship of Pingaree, grew up surrounded by every luxury; but manly little fellow, although somewhat too grave and thoughtful, and never bear idle single minute where the finest oysters lay hidden along the coast and was as successful in finding pearls as any men island, although so slight and small He had little boat own and rake for dragging up the oysters and very proud indeed when carry big white pearl father

no school island, people of Pingaree were far removed state of civilization that gives our modern children such advantages as schools and learned professors, but the King owned several manuscript books, the pages being made of sheepskin Being man of intelligence, able to teach his son something of reading, writing and arithmetic

When studying his lessons Prince Inga used grove near his father's palace and climb branches of tall tree, where he had built platform with comfortable seat to rest upon, all hidden canopy of leaves There, with no one to disturb him, pore over the sheepskin were written the queer characters Pingarese language

King Kitticut was very proud little son, , and he soon felt high respect for Inga's judgment and thought that worthy taken confidence father in many matters of state He taught the boy the needs people and how to rule them justly, for some day that Inga King place One day his son side and said to him:

"Our island now seems peaceful enough, Inga, and happy and prosperous, but forget those terrible people of Regos and Coregos My constant fear send fleet of boats to search race whom we defeated many , and whom the sea afterwards destroyed warriors come in great numbers unable to oppose them, people are little trained to fighting at best; they surely would cause us much injury and suffering "

"Are we, then, less powerful than in my grandfather's day ? " asked Prince Inga

The King shook his head thoughtfully

" that," said he "That fully understand that marvelous battle, confide to, you great secret in my possession three Magic Talismans, which ever guarded with utmost care, keeping the knowledge existence from anyone else But, lest die, secret be lost, decided you what these talismans are and where hidden Come with me, my son

He led the way rooms palace until they came great banquet hall There, stopping center room, he stooped down and touched hidden spring tiled floor At once tiles sank downward King reached cavity and drew out silken bag