en, it is
really kind of you to come here of your own free will, to be our slave.
Who is the funny fat person with you?"

"It is His Majesty, King Rinkitink, of the great City of Gilgad. He has
accompanied me to see that you render full restitution for all you have
stolen from Pingaree."

"Better yet!" laughed Buzzub. "He will make a fine slave for Queen Cor,
who loves to tickle fat men, and see them jump."

King Rinkitink was filled with horror when he heard this, but the
Prince answered as boldly as before, saying:

"We are not to be frightened by bluster, believe me; nor are we so weak
as you imagine. We have magic powers so great and terrible that no host
of warriors can possibly withstand us, and therefore I call upon you to
surrender your city and your island to us, before we crush you with our
mighty powers."

The boy spoke very gravely and earnestly, but his words only aroused
another shout of laughter. So while the men of Regos were laughing Inga
drove the boat we'll up onto the sandy beach and leaped out. He also
helped Rinkitink out, and when the goat had unaided sprung to the
sands, the King got upon Bilbil's back, trembling a little internally,
but striving to look as brave as possible.

There was a bunch of coarse hair between the goat's ears, and this Inga
clutched firmly in his left hand. The boy knew the Pink Pearl would
protect not only himself, but all whom he touched, from any harm, and
as Rinkitink was astride the goat and Inga had his hand upon the
animal, the three could not be injured by anything the warriors could
do. But Captain Buzzub did not know this, and the little group of three
seemed so weak and ridiculous that he believed their capture would be
easy. So he turned to his men and with a wave of his hand said:

"Seize the intruders!"

Instantly two or three of the warriors stepped forward to obey, but to
their amazement they could not reach any of the three; their hands were
arrested as if by an invisible wall of iron. Without paying any
attention to these attempts at capture, Inga advanced slowly and the
goat kept pace with him. And when Rinkitink saw that he was safe from
harm he gave one of his big, merry laughs, and it startled the warriors
and made them nervous. Captain Buzzub's eyes grew big with surprise as
the three steadily advanced and forced his men backward; nor was he
free from terror himself at the magic that protected these strange
visitors. As for the warriors, th