led up in a heap, struggling and shouting and in the mix-up
hitting one another with their fists, until every man of them was
bruised and sore.

Finally King Gos scrambled out of the heap and rushed up the stairs
again, very angry indeed. Bilbil was ready for him and a second time
butted the King down the stairs; but now the goat also lost his balance
and followed the King, landing full upon the confused heap of soldiers.
Then he kicked out so viciously with his heels that he soon freed
himself and dashed out of the doorway of the palace.

"Stop him!" cried King Gos, running after.

But the goat was now so wild and excited that it was not safe for anyone
to stand in his way. None of the men were armed and when one or two
tried to head off the goat, Bilbil sent them sprawling upon the ground.
Most of the warriors, however, were wise enough not to attempt to
interfere with his flight.

Coursing down the street, Bilbil found himself approaching the bridge of
boats and without pausing to think where it might lead him he crossed
over and proceeded on his way. A few moments later a great stone
building blocked his path. It was the palace of Queen Cor, and seeing
the gates of the courtyard standing wide open, Bilbil rushed through
them without slackening his speed.

[Illustration]

Zella Saves the Prince

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 13

The wicked Queen of Coregos was in a very bad humor this morning, for
one of her slave drivers had come from the fields to say that a number
of slaves had rebelled and would not work.

"Bring them here to me!" she cried savagely. "A good whipping may make
them change their minds."

So the slave driver went to fetch the rebellious ones and Queen Cor sat
down to eat her breakfast, an ugly look on her face.

Prince Inga had been ordered to stand behind his new mistress with a big
fan of peacock's feathers, but he was so unused to such service that he
awkwardly brushed her ear with the fan. At once she flew into a terrible
rage and slapped the Prince twice with her hand--blows that tingled,
too, for her hand was big and hard and she was not inclined to be
gentle. Inga took the blows without shrinking or uttering a cry,
although they stung his pride far more than his body. But King
Rinkitink, who was acting as the queen's butler and had just brought in
her coffee, was so startled at seeing the young Prince punished that he
tipped over the urn and the hot coffee streamed across th