il's head. When all was
ready the boy seized the rope and helped the goat to pull; yet, strain
as they might, the huge block would not stir from its place. Seeing
this, King Rinkitink came forward and lent his assistance, the weight
of his body forcing the heavy marble to slide several feet from where
it had lain.

But it was hard work and all were obliged to take a long rest before
undertaking the removal of the next block.

"Admit, Bilbil," said the King, "that I am of some use in the world."

"Your weight was of considerable help," acknowledged the goat, "but if
your head were as well filled as your stomach the task would be still
easier."

When Inga went to fasten the rope a second time he was rejoiced to
discover that by moving one more block of marble he could uncover the
tile with the secret spring. So the three pulled with renewed energy
and to their joy the block moved and rolled upon its side, leaving Inga
free to remove the treasure when he pleased.

But the boy had no intention of allowing Bilbil and the King to share
the secret of the royal treasures of Pingaree; so, although both the
goat and its master demanded to know why the marble blocks had been
moved, and how it would benefit them, Inga begged them to wait until
the next morning, when he hoped to be able to satisfy them that their
hard work had not been in vain.

Having little confidence in this promise of a mere boy, the goat
grumbled and the King laughed; but Inga paid no heed to their ridicule
and set himself to work rigging up a fishing rod, with line and hook.
During the afternoon he waded out to some rocks near the shore and
fished patiently until he had captured enough yellow perch for their
supper and breakfast.

"Ah," said Rinkitink, looking at the fine catch when Inga returned to
the shore; "these will taste delicious when they are cooked; but do you
know how to cook them?"

"No," was the reply. "I have often caught fish, but never cooked them.
Perhaps Your Majesty understands cooking."

"Cooking and majesty are two different things," laughed the little
King. "I could not cook a fish to save me from starvation."

"For my part," said Bilbil, "I never eat fish, but I can tell you how
to cook them, for I have often watched the palace cooks at their work."
And so, with the goat's assistance, the boy and the King managed to
prepare the fish and cook them, after which they were eaten with good
appetite.

That night, after Rinkitink