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.

[Illustration]

"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, and gentle, although he did frighten all of you big warriors
so terribly."

The King scowled at this speech, not liking to be ridiculed, but he said
nothing more. He and his men returned that same day to Regos, after
restoring the bridge of boats. And they held a wild carnival of
rejoicing, both in the King's palace and in the city, although the poor
people of Regos who were not warriors were all sorry that the kind young
Prince had been captured by his enemies and could rule them no longer.

When her unwelcome guests had all gone back to Regos and the Queen was
alone in her palace, she ordered Inga and Rinkitink brought before her
and their bonds removed. They came sadly enough, knowin