protect me from danger,' said Inga, and removing the shoe from his left foot he carefully placed the pearl in the hollow toe. This, also, he secured in place by means of a strip torn from his handkerchief.
Having put on the second shoe and laced it up, the boy drew from the silken bag the third pearl – that which was pure white – and holding it to his ear he asked.
'Will you advise me what to do, in this my hour of misfortune?'
Clearly the small voice of the pearl made answer:
'I advise you to go to the Islands of Regos and Coregos, where you may liberate your parents from slavery.'
'How could I do that?' exclaimed Prince Inga, amazed at receiving such advice.
'To-night,' spoke the voice of the pearl, 'there will be a storm, and in the morning a boat will strand upon the shore. Take this boat and row to Regos and Coregos.'
'How can I, a weak boy, pull the boat so far?' he inquired, doubting the possibility.
'The Blue Pearl will give you strength,' was the reply.
'But I may be shipwrecked and drowned, before ever I reach Regos and Coregos,' protested the boy.
'The Pink Pearl will protect you from harm,' murmured the voice, soft and low but very distinct.
'Then I shall act as you advise me,' declared Inga, speaking firmly because this promise gave him courage, and as he removed the pearl from his ear it whispered:
'The wise and fearless are sure to win success.'
Restoring the White Pearl to the depths of the silken bag, Inga fastened it securely around his neck and buttoned his waist above it to hide the treasure from all prying eyes. Then he slowly climbed down from the tree and returned to the room where King Rinkitink still slept.
The goat was browsing upon the grass but looked cross and surly. When the boy said good morning as he passed, Bilbil made no response whatever. As Inga entered the room the King awoke and asked:
'What is that mysterious secret of yours? I've been dreaming about it, and I haven't got my breath yet from tugging at those heavy blocks. Tell me the secret.'
'A secret told is no longer a secret,' replied Inga, with a laugh. 'Besides, this is a family secret, which it is proper I should keep to myself. But I may tell you one thing, at least: We are going to leave this island to-morrow morning.'
The King seemed puzzled' by this statement.
'I'm not much of a swimmer,' said he, 'and, though I'm fat enough to float upon the surface of the water, I'd only bob around and get nowhere at all.'
'We shall not swim, but ride comfortably in a boat,' promised Inga.
'There isn't a boat on this island!' declared Rinkitink, looking upon the boy with wonder.
'True,' said Inga. 'But one will come to us in the morning.' He spoke positively, for he had perfect faith in the promise of the White Pearl; but Rinkitink, knowing nothing of the three marvelous jewels, began to fear that the little Prince had lost his mind through grief and misfortune.
For this reason the King did not question the boy further but tried to cheer him by telling him witty stories. He laughed at all the stories himself, in his merry, rollicking way, and Inga joined freely in the laughter because his heart had been lightened by the prospect of rescuing his dear parents. Not since the fierce warriors had descended upon Pingaree had the boy been so hopeful and happy.
With Rinkitink riding upon Bilbil's back, the three made a tour of the island and 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.
Chapter Six
The Magic Boat
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 the bottom of the boat were two shining oars, and overhead, but rolled back now, was a canopy of silver cloth to ward off the heat of the sun.
It is no wonder the boy was delighted with the appearance of this beautiful boat; but on reflection he feared it was too large for him to row any great distance. Unless, indeed, the Blue Pearl gave him unusual strength.
While he was considering this matter, King Rinkitink came waddling up to him and said:
'Well, well, well, my Prince, your words have come true! Here is the boat, for a certainty, yet how it came here – and how you knew it would come to us – are puzzles that mystify me. I do not question our good fortune, however, and my heart is bubbling with joy, for in this boat I will return at once to my City of Gilgad, from which I have remained absent altogether too long a time.'
'I do not wish to go to Gilgad,' said Inga.
'That is too bad, my friend, for you would be very welcome. But you may remain upon this island, if you wish,' continued Rinkitink, 'and when I get home I will send some of my people to rescue you.'
'It is my boat, Your Majesty,' said Inga quietly.
'May be, may be,' was the careless answer, 'but I am King of a great country, while you are a boy Prince without any kingdom to speak of. Therefore, being of greater importance than you, it is just and right that I take, your boat and return to my own country in it.'
'I am sorry to differ from Your Majesty's views,' said Inga, 'but instead of going to Gilgad I consider it of greater importance that we go to the islands of Regos and Coregos.'
'Hey? What!' cried the astounded King. 'To Regos and Coregos! To become slaves of the barbarians, like the King, your father? No, no, my boy! Your Uncle Rinki may have an empty noddle, as Bilbil claims, but he is far too wise to put his head in the lion's mouth. It's no fun to be a slave.'
'The people of Regos and Coregos will not enslave us,' declared Inga. 'On the contrary, it is my intention to set free my dear parents, as well as all my people, and to bring them back again to Pingaree.'
'Cheek-eek-eek-eek-eek! How funny!' chuckled Rinkitink, winking at the goat, which scowled in return. 'Your audacity takes my breath away, Inga, but the adventure has its charm, I must, confess. Were I not so fat, I'd agree to your plan at once, and could probably conquer that horde of fierce warriors without any assistance at all – any at all – eh, Bilbil? But I grieve to say that I am fat, and not in good fighting trim. As for your determination to do
