mother, and my people, whom you and
your husband have made your slaves, and to recover the goods King Gos
has plundered from the Island of Pingaree. This I hope soon to
accomplish, and if you really wish to be my friend, you can assist me
greatly."

While he was speaking Queen Cor had been studying the boy's face
stealthily, from the corners of her eyes, and she said to herself: "He
is so small and innocent that I believe I can capture him alone, and
with ease. He does not seem very terrible and I suspect that King Gos
and his warriors were frightened at nothing."

Then, aloud, she said to Inga:

"I wish to invite you, mighty Prince, and your friend, the great King
of Gilgad, to visit my poor palace at Coregos, where all my people
shall do you honor. Will you come?"

"At present," replied Inga, uneasily, "I must refuse your kind
invitation."

"There will be feasting, and dancing girls, and games and fireworks,"
said the Queen, speaking as if eager to entice him and at each word
coming a step nearer to where he stood.

"I could not enjoy them while my poor parents are slaves," said the
boy, sadly.

"Are you sure of that?" asked Queen Cor, and by that time she was close
beside Inga. Suddenly she leaned forward and threw both of her long
arms around Inga's body, holding him in a grasp that was like a vise.

Now Rinkitink sprang forward to rescue his friend, but Cor kicked out
viciously with her foot and struck the King squarely on his stomach--a
very tender place to be kicked, especially if one is fat. Then, still
hugging Inga tightly, the Queen called aloud:

"I've got him! Bring in the ropes."

Instantly the four men she had brought with her sprang into the room
and bound the boy hand and foot. Next they seized Rinkitink, who was
still rubbing his stomach, and bound him likewise.

With a laugh of wicked triumph, Queen Cor now led her captives down to
the boat and returned with them to Coregos.

Great was the astonishment of King Gos and his warriors when they saw
that the mighty Prince of Pingaree, who had put them all to flight, had
been captured by a woman. Cowards as they were, they now crowded around
the boy and jeered at him, and some of them would have struck him had
not the Queen cried out:

"Hands off! He is my prisoner, remember not yours."

"Well, Cor, what are you going to do with him?" inquired King Gos.

"I shall make him my slave, that he may amuse my idle hours. For he is
a pretty boy,