s chief captains and warriors.

The goat lowered his head, trembling with rage and excitement, and just
as the King reached the top stair the animal dashed forward and butted
His Majesty so fiercely that the big and powerful King, who did not
expect an attack, doubled up and tumbled backward. His great weight
knocked over the man just behind him and he in turn struck the next
warrior and upset him, so that in an instant the whole line of Bilbil's
foes was tumbling heels over head to the bottom of the stairs, where
they piled up in a heap, struggling and shouting and in the mixup
hitting one another with their fists, until every man of them was
bruised and sore.

Finally King Gos scrambled out of the heap and rushed up the stairs
again, very angry indeed. Bilbil was ready for him and a second time
butted the King down the stairs; but now the goat also lost his balance
and followed the King, landing full upon the confused heap of soldiers.
Then he kicked out so viciously with his heels that he soon freed
himself and dashed out of the doorway of the palace.

"Stop him!" cried King Gos, running after.

But the goat was now so wild and excited that it was not safe for
anyone to stand in his way. None of the men were armed and when one or
two tried to head off the goat, Bilbil sent them sprawling upon the
ground. Most of the warriors, however, were wise enough not to attempt
to interfere with his flight.

Coursing down the street, Bilbil found himself approaching the bridge
of boats and without pausing to think where it might lead him he
crossed over and proceeded on his way. A few moments later a great
stone building blocked his path. It was the palace of Queen Cor, and
seeing the gates of the courtyard standing wide open, Bilbil rushed
through them without slackening his speed.

Chapter Thirteen

Zella Saves the Prince

The wicked Queen of Coregos was in a very bad humor this morning, for
one of her slave drivers had come from the fields to say that a number
of slaves had rebelled and would not work.

"Bring them here to me!" she cried savagely. "A good whipping may make
them change their minds."

So the slave driver went to fetch the rebellious ones and Queen Cor sat
down to eat her breakfast, an ugly look on her face.

Prince Inga had been ordered to stand behind his new mistress with a
big fan of peacock's feathers, but he was so unused to such service
that he awkwardly brushed her ear with the fan.