ge
staples that held the bars in place. A thousand of their men could not
have accomplished this feat, yet the small, slight boy did it with
seeming ease. The gates burst open, and Inga advanced into the city
street and called upon King Gos to surrender.

But Gos was now as badly frightened as were his warriors. He and his men
were accustomed to war and pillage and they had carried terror into many
countries, but here was a small boy, a fat man and a goat who could not
be injured by all his skill in warfare, his numerous army and thousands
of death-dealing weapons. Moreover, they not only defied King Gos's
entire army but they had broken in the huge gates of the city--as easily
as if they had been made of paper--and such an exhibition of enormous
strength made the wicked King fear for his life. Like all bullies and
marauders, Gos was a coward at heart, and now a panic seized him and he
turned and fled before the calm advance of Prince Inga of Pingaree. The
warriors were like their master, and having thrown all their weapons
over the wall and being helpless to oppose the strangers, they all
swarmed after Gos, who abandoned his city and crossed the bridge of
boats to the Island of Coregos. There was a desperate struggle among
these cowardly warriors to get over the bridge, and many were pushed
into the water and obliged to swim; but finally every fighting man of
Regos had gained the shore of Coregos and then they tore away the bridge
of boats and drew them up on their own side, hoping the stretch of open
water would prevent the magic invaders from following them.

[Illustration]

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.

[Illustration]

Rinkitink Makes a Great Mistake

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 8

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