sland of Regos, but the boy Prince
comforted her and promised she should be protected until she could be
restored to her home. Rinkitink found Queen Cor's purse, which she had
had no time to take with her, and gave Zella several gold pieces for the
honey. Then Inga ordered the palace servants to prepare a feast for all
the women and children of Pingaree and to prepare for them beds in the
great palace, which was large enough to accommodate them all.

Then the boy and the goat and Rinkitink and Zella went into a private
room to consider what should be done next.

[Illustration]

The Escape

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 14

"Our fault," said Rinkitink, "is that we conquer only one of these twin
islands at a time. When we conquered Regos, our foes all came to
Coregos, and now that we have conquered Coregos, the Queen has fled to
Regos. And each time they removed the bridge of boats, so that we could
not follow them."

"What has become of our own boat, in which we came from Pingaree?" asked
Bilbil.

"We left it on the shore of Regos," replied the Prince, "but I wonder
if we could not get it again."

"Why don't you ask the White Pearl?" suggested Rinkitink.

"That is a good idea," returned the boy, and at once he drew the White
Pearl from its silken bag and held it to his ear. Then he asked: "How
may I regain our boat?"

The Voice of the Pearl replied: "Go to the south end of the Island of
Coregos, and clap your hands three times and the boat will come to you."

"Very good!" cried Inga, and then he turned to his companions and said:
"We shall be able to get our boat whenever we please; but what then
shall we do?"

"Take me home in it!" pleaded Zella.

"Come with me to my City of Gilgad," said the King, "where you will be
very welcome to remain forever."

"No," answered Inga, "I must rescue my father and mother, as well as my
people. Already I have the women and children of Pingaree, but the men
are with my father in the mines of Regos, and my dear mother has been
taken away by Queen Cor. Not until all are rescued will I consent to
leave these islands."

"Quite right!" exclaimed Bilbil.

"On second thought," said Rinkitink, "I agree with you. If you are
careful to sleep in your shoes, and never take them off again, I believe
you will be able to perform the task you have undertaken."

They counseled together for a long time as to their mode of action and
it was finally considered best to make the at