so often heard, and the pink pearl
protected him from harm, while the blue pearl enabled him and his people
to drive away the enemy. Often have I suspected that the destroying
storm was caused by the fairy mermaids, but that is a matter of which I
have no proof."

"I have often wondered how we managed to win that battle," remarked Inga
thoughtfully. "But the pearls will assist us in case the warriors come
again, will they not?"

"They are as powerful as ever," declared the King. "Really, my son, I
have little to fear from any foe. But lest I die and the secret be lost
to the next King, I have now given it into your keeping. Remember that
these pearls are the rightful heritage of all Kings of Pingaree. If at
any time I should be taken from you, Inga, guard this treasure well and
do not forget where it is hidden."

"I shall not forget," said Inga.

Then the King returned the pearls to their hiding place and the boy went
to his own room to ponder upon the wonderful secret his father had that
day confided to his care.

[Illustration]

The Coming of King Rinkitink

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 2

A few days after this, on a bright and sunny morning when the breeze
blew soft and sweet from the ocean and the trees waved their leaf-laden
branches, the Royal Watchman, whose duty it was to patrol the shore,
came running to the King with news that a strange boat was approaching
the island.

At first the King was sore afraid and made a step toward the hidden
pearls, but the next moment he reflected that one boat, even if filled
with enemies, would be powerless to injure him, so he curbed his fear
and went down to the beach to discover who the strangers might be. Many
of the men of Pingaree assembled there also, and Prince Inga followed
his father. Arriving at the water's edge, they all stood gazing eagerly
at the oncoming boat.

It was quite a big boat, they observed, and covered with a canopy of
purple silk, embroidered with gold. It was rowed by twenty men, ten on
each side. As it came nearer, Inga could see that in the stern, seated
upon a high, cushioned chair of state, was a little man who was so very
fat that he was nearly as broad as he was high. This man was dressed in
a loose silken robe of purple that fell in folds to his feet, while upon
his head was a cap of white velvet curiously worked with golden threads
and having a circle of diamonds sewn around the band. At the opposite
end of the boat stood an