hey bumped into each other with great force.
The woman sailed through the air, over Bilbil's head, and landed on the
ground outside the gates, where her crown rolled into a ditch and she
picked herself up, half dazed, and continued her flight. Bilbil was also
somewhat dazed by the unexpected encounter, but he continued his rush
rather blindly and so struck poor Rinkitink, who was chasing after Queen
Cor. They rolled over one another a few times and then Rinkitink sat up
and Bilbil sat up and they looked at each other in amazement.

"Bilbil," said the King, "I'm astonished at you!"

"Your Majesty," said Bilbil, "I expected kinder treatment at your
hands."

"You interrupted me," said Rinkitink.

"There was plenty of room without your taking my path," declared the
goat.

And then Inga came running out and said: "Where is the Queen?"

"Gone," replied Rinkitink, "but she cannot go far, as this is an island.
However, I have found Bilbil, and our party is again reunited. You have
recovered your magic powers, and again we are masters of the situation.
So let us be thankful."

Saying this, the good little King got upon his feet and limped back into
the throne room to help comfort the women.

Presently the children of Pingaree, who had been gathered together by
the overseer, were brought in and restored to their mothers, and there
was great rejoicing among them, you may be sure.

"But where is Queen Garee, my dear mother?" questioned Inga; but the
women did not know and it was some time before the overseer remembered
that one of the slaves from Pingaree had been placed in the royal dairy.
Perhaps this was the woman the boy was seeking.

Inga at once commanded him to lead the way to the butter house, but when
they arrived there Queen Garee was nowhere in the place, although the
boy found a silk scarf which he recognized as one that his mother used
to wear. Then they began a search throughout the island of Coregos, but
could not find Inga's mother anywhere.

When they returned to the palace of Queen Cor, Rinkitink discovered that
the bridge of boats had again been removed, separating them from Regos,
and from this they suspected that Queen Cor had fled to her husband's
island and had taken Queen Garee with her. Inga was much perplexed what
to do and returned with his friends to the palace to talk the matter
over.

Zella was now crying because she had not sold her honey and was unable
to return to her parents on the i