d found in the central part some bushes and trees bearing ripe
fruit. They gathered this freely, for--aside from the fish which Inga
caught--it was the only food they now had, and the less they had, the
bigger Rinkitink's appetite seemed to grow.

"I am never more happy," said he with a sigh, "than when I am eating."

Toward evening the sky became overcast and soon a great storm began to
rage. Prince Inga and King Rinkitink took refuge within the shelter of
the room they had fitted up and there Bilbil joined them. The goat and
the King were somewhat disturbed by the violence of the storm, but Inga
did not mind it, being pleased at this evidence that the White Pearl
might be relied upon.

All night the wind shrieked around the island; thunder rolled, lightning
flashed and rain came down in torrents. But with morning the storm
abated and when the sun arose no sign of the tempest remained save a few
fallen trees.

[Illustration]

The Magic Boat

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 6

Prince Inga was up with the sun and, accompanied by Bilbil, began
walking along the shore in search of the boat which the White Pearl had
promised him. Never for an instant did he doubt that he would find it
and before he had walked any great distance a dark object at the water's
edge caught his eye.

"It is the boat, Bilbil!" he cried joyfully, and running down to it he
found it was, indeed, a large and roomy boat. Although stranded upon the
beach, it was in perfect order and had suffered in no way from the
storm.

Inga stood for some moments gazing upon the handsome craft and wondering
where it could have come from. Certainly it was unlike any boat he had
ever seen. On the outside it was painted a lustrous black, without any
other color to relieve it; but all the inside of the boat was lined with
pure silver, polished so highly that the surface resembled a mirror and
glinted brilliantly in the rays of the sun. The seats had white velvet
cushions upon them and the cushions were splendidly embroidered with
threads of gold. At one end, beneath the broad seat, was a small barrel
with silver hoops, which the boy found was filled with fresh, sweet
water. A great chest of sandalwood, bound and ornamented with silver,
stood in the other end of the boat. Inga raised the lid and discovered
the chest filled with sea-biscuits, cakes, tinned meats and ripe, juicy
melons; enough good and wholesome food to last the party a long time.

Lying upon