mphed in their plot, were so well pleased
that they held high revelry with the jolly Nome King until a late hour
that night. And the next morning, having cautioned Kaliko not to release
the prisoners under any consideration without their orders, the King and
Queen of Regos and Coregos left the caverns of the nomes to return to
the shore of the ocean where they had left their boat.

Inga Parts With His Pink Pearl

[Illustration]

CHAPTER 18

The White Pearl guided Inga truly in his pursuit of the boat of King
Gos, but the boy had been so delayed in sending his people home to
Pingaree that it was a full day after Gos and Cor landed on the shore of
the Wheeler Country that Inga's boat arrived at the same place.

There he found the forty rowers guarding the barge of Queen Cor, and
although they would not or could not tell the boy where the King and
Queen had taken his father and mother, the White Pearl advised him to
follow the path to the country and the caverns of the nomes.

Rinkitink didn't like to undertake the rocky and mountainous journey,
even with Bilbil to carry him, but he would not desert Inga, even though
his own kingdom lay just beyond a range of mountains which could be seen
towering southwest of them. So the King bravely mounted the goat, who
always grumbled but always obeyed his master, and the three set off at
once for the caverns of the nomes.

They traveled just as slowly as Queen Cor and King Gos had done, so when
they were about halfway they discovered the King and Queen coming back
to their boat. The fact that Gos and Cor were now alone proved that they
had left Inga's father and mother behind them; so, at the suggestion of
Rinkitink, the three hid behind a high rock until the King of Regos and
the Queen of Coregos, who had not observed them, had passed them by.
Then they continued their journey, glad that they had not again been
forced to fight or quarrel with their wicked enemies.

"We might have asked them, however, what they had done with your poor
parents," said Rinkitink.

"Never mind," answered Inga. "I am sure the White Pearl will guide us
aright."

For a time they proceeded in silence and then Rinkitink began to chuckle
with laughter in the pleasant way he was wont to do before his
misfortunes came upon him.

"What amuses Your Majesty?" inquired the boy.

"The thought of how surprised my dear subjects would be if they realized
how near to them I am, and yet how far away