prevent the magic invaders
from following them.

The humble citizens and serving people of Regos, who had been terrified
and abused by the rough warriors all their lives, were not only greatly
astonished by this sudden conquest of their masters but greatly
delighted. As the King and his army fled to Coregos, the people
embraced one another and danced for very joy, and then they turned to
see what the conquerors of Regos were like.

Chapter Eight

Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake

The fat King rode his goat through the streets of the conquered city
and the boy Prince walked proudly beside him, while all the people bent
their heads humbly to their new masters, whom they were prepared to
serve in the same manner they had King Gos.

Not a warrior remained in all Regos to oppose the triumphant three; the
bridge of boats had been destroyed; Inga and his companions were free
from danger--for a time, at least.

The jolly little King appreciated this fact and rejoiced that he had
escaped all injury during the battle. How it had all happened he could
not tell, nor even guess, but he was content in being safe and free to
take possession of the enemy's city. So, as they passed through the
lines of respectful civilians on their way to the palace, the King
tipped his crown back on his bald head and folded his arms and sang in
his best voice the following lines:

"Oh, here comes the army of King Rinkitink!
It isn't a big one, perhaps you may think,
But it scattered the warriors quicker than wink--
Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink!

Our Bilbil's a hero and so is his King;
Our foemen have vanished like birds on the wing;
I guess that as fighters we're quite the real thing--
Rink-i-tink, tink-i-tink, tink!"

"Why don't you give a little credit to Inga?" inquired the goat. "If I
remember aright, he did a little of the conquering himself."

"So he did," responded the King, "and that's the reason I'm sounding
our own praise, Bilbil. Those who do the least, often shout the loudest
and so get the most glory. Inga did so much that there is danger of his
becoming more important than we are, and so we'd best say nothing about
him."

When they reached the palace, which was an immense building, furnished
throughout in regal splendor, Inga took formal possession and ordered
the majordomo to show them the finest rooms the building contained.
There were many pleasant apartments, but Rinkitink proposed to Inga
t