 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Rinky Tink in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 8. Rinky Tink Makes a Great Mistake 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-ghosts. Not a warrior remained in all regos to oppose the triumphant three. The bridge of boats had been destroyed. Inga and his companions were free from danger, for a time at least. The jolly little king appreciated this fact and rejoiced that he had escaped all injury during the battle. How it had all happened he could not tell, nor even guess, but he was content in being safe and free to take possession of the enemy city. So as they passed through the lines of respectful civilians on their way to the palace, the king tipped his crown back on his bald head and folded his arms and sang in his best voice the following lines. Oh, here comes the army of King Rinky Tink. It isn't a big one, perhaps, you may think. But it scattered the warriors quicker than Wink. Rinky Tink, Tinky Tink, Tink. Are Bilbils a hero, and so is his king? Are foemen have vanished like birds on the wing? I guess that as fighters were quite the real thing. Rinky Tink, Tinky Tink, Tink. Why don't you give a little credit to Inga, inquired the goat. If I remember a right, he did a little of the conquering himself. So he did respond to the king, and that's the reason I'm sounding our own praise, Bilbils. Those who do the least often shout the loudest, and so get the most glory. Inga did so much that there is danger of his becoming more important than we are, and so we'd best say nothing about him. When they reached the palace, which was an immense building furnished throughout in regal splendor, Inga took formal possession and ordered the major domo to show them the finest rooms the building contained. There were many pleasant apartments, but Rinky Tink proposed to Inga that they share one of the largest bedrooms together. Four said he, We are not sure that old ghosts will not return and try to recapture his city, and you must remember that I have no magic to protect me. In any danger were I alone, I might be easily killed or captured, while if you are by my side you can save me from injury. The boy realized the wisdom of this plan and selected a big bedroom on the second floor of the palace, in which he ordered two golden beds placed and prepared for Rinky Tink and himself. Bilbils was given a suite of rooms on the other side of the palace, where servants brought the goat fresh-cut grass to eat and made him a soft bed to lie upon. That evening the boy Prince and the fat king dined in great state in the lofty dome dining-hall of the palace where forty servants waited upon them. The royal chef, anxious to win the favour of the conquerors of Rigos, prepared his finest and most savoury dishes for them, which Rinky Tink ate with much appetite, and found so delicious that he ordered the royal chef brought into the banquet hall, and presented him with a gilt button which the king cut from his own jacket. You are welcome to it, said he to the chef, because I have eaten so much that I cannot use that lower button at all. Rinky Tink was mightily pleased to live in a comfortable palace again and to dine at a well-spread table. His joy grew every moment, so that he came in time to be as merry and cheery as before Pingari was despoiled, and although he had been much frightened during Inga's defiance of the army of King Ghost, he now began to turn the matter into a joke. Why, my boy, said he, you whipped the big black-bearded king exactly as if he were a schoolboy, even though you used no war-like weapon at all upon him. He was cowed through fear of your magic, and that reminds me to demand from you an explanation. How did you do it, Inga, and where did the wonderful magic come from? Perhaps it would have been wise for the prince to have explained about the magic pearls, but at that moment he was not inclined to do so. Instead he replied, Be patient, your majesty. The secret is not my own, so please do not ask me to divulge it. Is it not enough for the present that the magic saved you from death today? Do not think me ungrateful, answered the king earnestly. A million spears fell on me from the wall and several stones as big as mountains, yet none of them hurt me. The stones were not as big as mountains, Sire, said the prince with a smile. They were, indeed, no larger than your head. Are you sure about that, asked Rinky Tink? Quite sure, your majesty. How deceptive those things are, sighed the king. This argument reminds me of the story of Tom Tick, which my father used to tell. I have never heard that story, Inga answered. Well, as he told it, it ran like this. When Tom walked out the sky to spy, a naughty gnat flew in his eye, but Tom knew not it was a gnat. He thought at first it is a cat. And then it felt so very big, he thought it surely was a pig, till standing still to hear it grunt, he cried why it's an elephant. But when the gnat flew out again, and Tom was free from all his pain, he said there flew into my eye a little teeny tiny fly. Indeed, said Inga, laughing, the gnat was much like your stones that seemed as big as mountains. After their dinner they inspected the palace, which was filled with valuable goods stolen by king ghosts from many nations. But the day's events had tired them, and they retired early to their big sleeping apartment. In the morning said the boy to Rinky Tink, as he was undressing for bed, I shall begin the search for my father and mother and the people of Pingaree, and when they are found and rescued we will all go home again and be as happy as we were before. They carefully bolted the door of their room that no one might enter, and then got into their beds where Rinky Tink fell asleep in an instant. The boy lay awake for a while, thinking over the day's adventures, but presently he fell sound asleep also, and so weary was he that nothing disturbed his slumber until he awakened next morning with a ray of sunshine in his eyes, which had crept into the room through the open window by King Rinky Tink's bed. Resolving to begin the search for his parents without any unnecessary delay, Inga at once got out of bed and began to dress himself, while Rinky Tink in the other bed was still sleeping peacefully. But when the boy had put on both his stockings and began looking for his shoes, he could find but one of them, the left shoe that containing the pink pearl was missing. Filled with anxiety at this discovery, Inga searched through the entire room, looking underneath the beds and divans and chairs and behind the draperies and in the corners and every other possible place a shoe might be. He tried the door and found it still bolted, so with growing uneasiness the boy was forced to admit that the precious shoe was not in the room. With a throbbing heart he aroused his companion. King Rinky Tink said he, do you know what has become of my left shoe? Your shoe exclaimed the king, giving a wide yawn and rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them. Have you lost a shoe? Yes, said Inga, I have searched everywhere in the room and cannot find it. But why bother me about such a small thing, inquired Rinky Tink? A shoe is only a shoe and you can easily get another one. But stay, perhaps it was your shoe which I threw at the cat last night. The cat, cried Inga, what do you mean? Why, in the night, explained Rinky Tink, sitting up and beginning to dress himself, I was waken by the mewing of a cat that sat upon a wall in the palace just outside my window. As the noise disturbed me I reached out in the dark and caught up something and threw it at the cat to frighten the creature away. I did not know what it was that I threw and I was too sleepy to care, but probably it was your shoe since it is now missing. Then, said the boy, in a despairing tone of voice, your carelessness has ruined me as well as yourself, King Rinky Tink, for in that shoe was concealed the magic power which protected us from danger. The king's face became very serious when he heard this, and he uttered a low whistle of surprise and regret. Why on earth did you not warn me of this, he demanded, and why did you keep such a precious power in an old shoe? And why didn't you put the shoe under a pillow? You were very wrong, my lad, in not confiding to me your faithful friend the secret, for in that case the shoe would not now be lost. To all this Inga had no answer. He sat on the side of his bed with hanging head, utterly disconsolate, and seeing this, Rinky Tink had pity for his sorrow. Come, cried the king, let us go out at once and look for the shoe which I threw at the cat. It must even now be lying in the yard of the palace. This suggestion roused the boy to action. He at once threw open the door, and in his stocking feet rushed down the staircase, closely followed by Rinky Tink. But although they looked on both sides of the palace wall, and in every possible crack and corner where a shoe might lodge, they failed to find it. After a half-hour's careful search, the boy said sorrowfully, Someone must have passed by as we slept, and taken the precious shoe not knowing its value. To us, King Rinky Tink, this will be a dreadful misfortune, for we are surrounded by dangers from which we have now no protection. Luckily I have the other shoe left, within which is the magic power that gives me strength, so all is not lost. Then he told Rinky Tink in a few words the secret of the wonderful pearls, and how he had recovered them from the ruins, and hidden them in his shoes, and how they had enabled him to drive King Ghosts and his men from Regos and to capture the city. The king was much astonished, and when the story was concluded he said to Inga, What did you do with the other shoe? Why, I left it in our bedroom, replied the boy. Then I advise you to get it at once, continued Rinky Tink. For we can ill afford to lose the second shoe as well as the one I threw at the cat. You are right, cried Inga, and they hastened back to their bed-chamber. On entering the room they found an old woman sweeping and raising a great deal of dust. Where is my shoe? asked the prince anxiously. The old woman stopped sweeping and looked at him in a stupid way, for she was not very intelligent. Do you mean the one odd shoe that was lying on the floor when I came in, she finally asked? Yes, yes, answered the boy. Where is it? Tell me where it is. Why, I threw it on the dust-heap outside the back gate, said she. For it being but a single shoe with no mate, it can be of no use to any one. Show us the way to the dust-heap at once, commanded the boy sternly, for he was greatly frightened by this new misfortune which threatened him. The old woman hobbled away, and they followed her, constantly urging her to hasten, but when they reached the dust-heap no shoe was to be seen. This is terrible, wailed the young prince, ready to weep at his loss. We are now absolutely ruined and at the mercy of our enemies, nor shall I be able to liberate my dear father and mother. Well, replied Rinky Tink, leaning against an old barrel and looking quite solemn, the thing is certainly unlucky any way we look at it. I suppose someone has passed along here, and seeing the shoe upon the dust-heap has carried it away. But no one could know the magic power the shoe contains, and so will not use it against us. I believe, Inga, we must now depend upon our wits to get us out of the scrape we are in. With saddened hearts they returned to the palace, and entering a small room where no one could observe them or overhear them, the boy took the white pearl from its silken bag, and held it to his ear, asking, What shall I do now? Tell no one of your loss, answered the voice of the pearl. If your enemies do not know that you are powerless, they will fear you as much as ever. Keep your secret, be patient, and fear not. Inga heeded this advice, and also warned Rinky Tink to say nothing to any one of the loss of the shoes and the powers they contained. He sent for the shoemaker of King Ghosts, who soon brought him a new pair of red leather shoes that fitted him quite well. When these had been put upon his feet, the prince, accompanied by the king, started to walk through the city. Wherever they went the people bowed low to the conqueror, although a few, remembering Inga's terrible strength, ran away in fear and trembling. They had been used to severe masters, and did not yet know how they would be treated by King Ghosts' successor. There being no occasion for the boy to exercise the powers he had displayed the previous day, his present helplessness was not suspected by any of the citizens of Rigos, who still considered him a wonderful magician. Inga did not dare to fight his way to the mines at present, nor could he try to conquer the island of Corigos, where his mother was enslaved. So he set about the regulation of the city of Rigos, and having established himself with great state in the royal palace, he began to govern the people by kindness, having consideration for the most humble. The king of Rigos and his followers sent spies across to the island they had abandoned in their flight, and these spies returned with the news that the terrible boy conqueror was still occupying the city. Therefore none of them ventured to go back to Rigos, but continued to live upon the neighboring island of Corigos, where they passed the days in fear and trembling, and sought to plot and plan ways how they might overcome the Prince of Pingaree and the Fat King of Gilgad. Now it so happened that on the same morning of that same day when the Prince of Pingaree suffered the loss of his priceless shoes, their chance to pass along the road that wound beside the royal palace a poor charcoal burner named Nicobab, who was about to return to his home in the forest. Nicobab carried an axe and a bundle of torches over his shoulder, and he walked with his eyes to the ground, being deep in thought as to the strange manner in which the powerful king ghost and his city had been conquered by a boy prince who had come from Pingaree. Suddenly the charcoal burner aspired a shoe lying upon the ground, just beyond the high wall of the palace and directly in his path. He picked it up, and, seeing it was a pretty shoe, although much too small for his own foot, he put it in his pocket. Soon after, on turning a corner of the wall, Nicobab came to a dust heap where, lying amidst a mass of rubbish, was another shoe, the mate to the one he had before found. This also he placed in his pocket saying to himself, I have now a fine pair of shoes for my daughter Zella, who will be much pleased to find I have brought her a present from the city. And while the charcoal burner turned into the forest and trudged along the path toward his home, Inga and Rinky Tank were still searching for the missing shoes. Of course they could not know that Nicobab had found them, nor did the honest man think he had taken anything more than a pair of cast off shoes which nobody wanted. Nicobab had several miles to travel through the forest before he could reach the little log cabin where his wife as well as his little daughter Zella awaited his return, but he was used to long walks and tramped along the path whistling cheerfully to beguile the time. Few people, as I said before, ever passed through the dark and tangled forests of Rigos, except to go to the mines in the mountain beyond, for many dangerous creatures lurked in the wild jungles, and King Ghost never knew when he sent a messenger to the mines whether he would reach there safely or not. The charcoal burner, however, knew the wild forest well, and especially this part of it lying between the city and his home. It was the favorite haunt of the ferocious beast Chagonmugger, dreaded by every dweller in the island of Rigos. Chagonmugger was so old that everyone thought it must have been there since the world was made, and each year of its life the huge scales that covered its body grew thicker and harder, and its jaws grew wider and its teeth grew sharper and its appetite grew more keen than ever. In former ages there had been many dragons in Rigos, but Chagonmugger was so fond of dragons that he had eaten all of them long ago. There had also been great serpents and crocodiles in the forest marshes, but all had gone to feed the hunger of Chagonmugger. The people of Rigos knew well there was no use opposing the great beast, so when one unfortunately met with it he gave himself up for lost. All this Nicobob knew well, but Fortune had always favored him in his journeys through the forest, and although he had at times met many savage beasts and fought them with his sharp acts, he had never to this day encountered the terrible Chagonmugger. Indeed he was not thinking of the great beast at all as he walked along, but suddenly he heard a crashing of broken trees and felt a trembling of the earth, and saw the immense jaws of Chagonmugger opening before him. Then Nicobob gave himself up for lost, and his heart almost ceased to beat. He believed there was no way of escape. No one ever dared oppose Chagonmugger, but Nicobob hated to die without showing the monster in some way that he was eaten only under protest, so he raised his axe and brought it down upon the red protruding tongue of the monster and cut it clean off. For a moment the charcoal burner scarcely believed what his eyes saw, for he knew nothing of the pearls he carried in his pocket, or the magic power they lent his arm. His success, however, encouraged him to strike again, and this time the huge scaly jaw of Chagonmugger was severed in twain, and the beast howled in terrified rage. Nicobob took off his coat to give himself more freedom of action, and then he earnestly renewed the attack. But now the axe seemed blunted by the hard scales and made no impression upon them whatever. The creature advanced with glaring wicked eyes, and Nicobob seized his coat under his arm and turned to flee. That was foolish, for Chagonmugger could run like the wind. In a moment it overtook the charcoal burner and snapped its four rows of sharp teeth together. But they did not touch Nicobob because he still held the coat in his grasp, close to his body, and in the coat pocket were Inga's shoes, and in the points of the shoes were the magic pearls. Finding himself uninjured, Nicobob put on his coat, again seized his axe, and in a short time had chopped Chagonmugger into many small pieces, a task that proved not only easy but very agreeable. I must be the strongest man in all the world, thought the charcoal burner as he proudly resumed his way, for Chagonmugger has been the terror of Rigo since the world began, and I alone have been able to destroy the beast. Yet it is singular that never before did I discover how powerful a man I am. He met no further adventure, and at midday reached a little clearing in the forest, where stood his humble cabin. Great news, I have great news for you, he shouted, as his wife and little daughter came to greet him. King Goose has been conquered by a boy Prince from the far island of Pingaree, and I have this day, unaided, destroyed Chagonmugger by the might of my strong arm. This was indeed great news. They brought Nicobob into the house, and set him in an easy chair, and made him tell everything he knew about the Prince of Pingaree and the fat king of Gilgad, as well as the details of his wonderful fight with mighty Chagonmugger. And now my daughter said the charcoal burner when all his news had been related for at least the third time. Here is a pretty present I have brought you from the city. With this he drew the shoes from the pocket of his coat, and handed them to Zella, who gave him a dozen kisses in payment, and was much pleased with her gift. The little girl had never worn shoes before, for her parents were too poor to buy her such luxuries, so now the possession of these, which were not much worn, filled the child's heart with joy. She admired the red leather and the graceful curl of the pointed toes. When she tried them on her feet they fitted as well as if made for her. All the afternoon as she helped her mother with the housework, Zella thought of her pretty shoes. They seemed more important to her than the coming torigos of the conquering Prince of Pingaree, or even the death of Chagonmugger. When Zella and her mother were not working in the cabin, cooking or hunting, they often searched the neighboring forest for honey, which the wild bees cleverly hid in hollow trees. The day after Nicobab's return, as they were starting out after honey, Zella decided to put on her new shoes, as they would keep the twigs that covered the ground from hurting her feet. She was used to the twigs, of course, but what is the use of having nice comfortable shoes if you do not wear them? So she danced by her mother, and presently they came to a tree in which was a deep hollow. Zella thrust her hand and arm into the space, and found that the tree was full of honey, so she began to dig it out with a wooden paddle. Her mother, who held the pail, suddenly cried in warning, Look out, Zella, the bees are coming! And then the good woman ran toward the house to escape. Zella, however, had no more than time to turn her head, when a thick bees surrounding her, angry because they had caught her stealing their honey, and intent on stinging the girl as a punishment. She knew her danger and expected to be badly injured by the multitude of stinging bees. But to her surprise the little creatures were unable to fly close enough to her to sting their dart-like stingers into her flesh. They swarmed around her in a dark cloud, and their angry buzzing was terrible to hear, yet the bees were unharmed. When she realized this, Zella was no longer afraid, but continued to ladle out the honey until she had secured all that was in the tree. Then she returned to the cabin, where her mother was weeping and bemoaning the fate of her darling child, and the good woman was greatly astonished to find Zella had escaped injury. Again they went to the woods to search for honey, and although the mother always ran away whenever the bees came near them, Zella paid no attention to the creatures but kept at her work, so that before supper time came the pails were again filled to overflowing with delicious honey. With such good fortune as we have had this day, said her mother, we shall soon gather enough honey for you to carry to Queen Cor. For it seems the wicked queen was very fond of honey, and it had been Zella's custom to go, once every year, to the city of Carigos to carry the queen a supply of sweet honey for her table. Usually she had but one pail. But now, said Zella, I shall be able to carry two pails full to the queen, who will, I am sure, give me a good price for it. True, answered her mother, and as the boy Prince may take it into his head to conquer Carigos as well as Regos, I think it best for you to start on your journey to Queen Cor. tomorrow morning. Do you not agree with me, Nicobob? she added, turning to her husband the charcoal burner, who was eating his supper. I agree with you, he replied. If Zella must go to the city of Carigos, she may as well start tomorrow morning. End of Chapter 9 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Rinky Tank in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 10. The Cunning of Queen Cor. You may be sure that the Queen of Carigos was not well pleased to have King Goess and all his warriors living in her city after they had fled from their own. They were savage-natured and quarrelsome men at all times, and their tempers had not improved since their conquest by the Prince of Pingaree. Moreover, they were eating up Queen Cor's provisions and crowding the houses of her own people, who grumbled and complained until their Queen was heartily tired. Shame on you, she said to her husband King Goess, to be driven out of your city by a boy, a roly-poly king and a billy goat. Why do you not go back and fight them? No human can fight against the powers of magic returned the king in a surly voice. That boy is either a fairy or under the protection of fairies. We escaped with our lives only because we were quick to run away. But should we return to Rigos, the same terrible power that burst open the city gates would crush us all to Adams. Bah! You are a coward, cried the Queen tauntingly. I am not a coward, said the big king. I have killed in battle scores of my enemies by the might of my sword and my good-right arm I have conquered many nations. All my life people have feared me. But no one would dare face the tremendous power of the Prince of Pingaree, boy he is. It would not be courage, it would be folly to attempt it. Then meet his power with cunning, suggested the Queen. Take my advice and steal over to Rigos at night when it is dark, and capture or destroy the boy while he sleeps. No weapon can touch his body was the answer. He bears a charmed life and cannot be injured. Does the fat king possess magic powers or the goat inquired core? I think said ghosts. We could not injure them, indeed, any more than we could the boy. But they did not seem to have any unusual strength, although the goat's head is harder than a battering ram. Well, mused the Queen, there is surely some way to conquer that slight boy. If you are afraid to undertake the job, I shall go myself. By some strategic I shall manage to make him my prisoner. He will not dare to defy a queen, and no magic and against a woman's cunning. Go ahead if you like, replied the king, with an evil grin, and if you are hung up by the thumbs or cast into a dungeon, it will serve you right for thinking you can succeed, where a skilled warrior dares not make the attempt. I am not afraid, answered the Queen. It is only soldiers and bullies who are cowards. In spite of this assertion, Queen Core was not so brave as she was cunning. For several days she thought over this plan and that, and tried to decide which was the most likely to succeed. She had never seen the boy Prince, but had heard so many tales of him from the defeated warriors, and especially from Captain Buzzub, that she had learned to respect his power. Spurred on by the knowledge that she would never get rid of her unwelcome guests until Prince Inga was overcome, and Regos regained for Kingos, the Queen of Corrigos finally decided to trust to luck and her native wit to defeat a simple-minded boy, however powerful he might be. Inga could not suspect what she was going to do, because she did not know herself. She intended to act boldly and trust to chance to win. It is evident that had the cunning Queen known that Inga had lost all his magic, she would not have devoted so much time to the simple matter of capturing him. But like all others she was impressed by the marvelous exhibition of power he had shown in capturing Regos, and had no reason to believe the boy was less powerful now. One morning Queen Cor boldly entered a boat, and taking four men with her as an escort and bodyguard, was rode across the narrow channel to Regos. Prince Inga was sitting in the palace playing checkers with King Rikitink, when a servant came to him saying that Queen Cor had arrived and desired an audience with him. With many misgivings lest the wicked Queen discover that he had now lost his magic powers, the boy ordered her to be admitted, and she soon entered the room and bowed low before him, in mock respect. Cor was a big woman, almost as tall as King Gose. She had flashing black eyes and the dark confection you see on gypsies. Her temper, when irritated, was something dreadful, and her face wore an evil expression which she tried to cover by smiling sweetly, often when she meant the most mischief. I have come, she said, in the low voice, to render homage to the noble Prince of Pingaree. I am told that your highness is the strongest person in the world, and invincible in battle, and therefore I wish you to become my friend rather than my enemy. Now Inga did not know how to reply to this speech. He disliked the appearance of the woman and was afraid of her, and he was unused to deception and did not know how to mask his real feelings. So he took time to think over his answer, which he finally made in these words. I have no quarrel with your majesty, and my only reason for coming here is to liberate my father and mother and my people, whom you and your husband have made your lives, and to recover the goods King Ghost has plundered from the island of Pingaree. This I hope soon to accomplish, and if you really wish to be my friend, you can assist me greatly. While he was speaking, Queen Cor had been studying the boy's face stealthily from the corners of her eyes, and she said to herself, he is so small and innocent that I believe I can capture him alone and with ease. He does not seem very terrible, and I suspect that King Ghost and his warriors were frightened at nothing. Then, aloud, she said to Inga, I wish to invite you, mighty prince, and your friend, the great king of Gilgad, to visit my poor palace at Corrigos, 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. 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 vice. Now Rinky Tink 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 Rinky Tink into 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 Corrigos. Great was the astonishment of King Ghost 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 cried out, hands off he is my prisoner remember, not yours. Well, Cor, what are you going to do with him, inquired King Ghost? 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 Rigos 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 Rigos 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 Rigos and the queen was alone in her palace she ordered Inga and Rinky Tink for her and their bonds removed. They came sadly enough knowing they were in serious straits and at the mercy of a cruel mistress. Inga had taken counsel of the white pearl which had advised him to bear up bravely under his misfortune, promising a change for the better very soon. With this promise to comfort him Inga faced the queen with a dignified bearing that indicated both pride and courage. Well, youngster said she in a cheerful tone because she was pleased with her success. You played a clever trick on my poor husband and frightened him badly, but for that prank I am inclined to forgive you. Hereafter I intend you to be my page, which means that you must fetch and carry for me at my will. And let me advise you to obey my every whim without question or delay for when I am angry I become ugly and when I am ugly someone is sure to feel the lash. Do you understand me? Inga bad, but made no answer. Then she turned to rinky-tank and said, As for you, I cannot decide how to make you useful to me as you are altogether too fat and awkward to work in the fields. It may be, however, that I can use you as a pin cushion. What! cried rinky-tank in horror. Would you stick pins into the king of Gilgad? Why not, returned queen core? You are as fat as a pin cushion as you must yourself admit, and whenever I needed a pin I could call you to me. Then she laughed at his frightened look and asked, By the way are you ticklish? This was the question rinky-tank had been dreading. He gave a moan of despair and shook his head. I should love to tickle the bottom of your feet with a feather, continued the cruel woman. Please take off your shoes. Oh, your Majesty pleaded poor rinky-tank. I beg you to allow me to amuse you in some other way. I can dance or I can sing a song. Well she answered, shaking with laughter. You may sing a song if it be a merry one, but you do not seem in a merry mood. I feel merry indeed your Majesty I do, protested rinky-tank, anxious to escape the tickling. But even as he professed to feel merry his round red face wore an expression of horror and anxiety that was really comical. Sing then, commanded Queen Cor, who was greatly amused. Rinky-tank gave his sigh of relief and after clearing his throat and trying to repress his sobs he began to sing this song, gently at first, but finally roaring it out at the top of his voice. Oh, there was a baby tiger lived in a menagerie. Fizzy-fizzy fuzzy they wouldn't set him free and everybody thought that he was as mental as could be. Fizzy-fizzy fuzzy baby tiger. Oh, they patted him upon his head and shook him by the paw. Fizzy-fizzy fuzzy he had a bone to gnaw, but soon he grew the biggest tiger that you ever saw. Fizzy-fizzy fuzzy what a tiger. Oh, one day they came to pet the brute and he began to fight. Fizzy-fizzy fuzzy how he did and bite. He broke the cage and in a rage he darted out of sight. Fizzy-fizzy fuzzy was a tiger. And is there a moral to the song, asked Queen Core when Rinky-tank had finished his song with great spirit. If there is, replied Rinky-tank it is a warning not to fool with tigers. The little prince could not help smiling at this shrewd answer, but Queen Core frowned and gave the king a sharp look. Oh, said she. I think I know the difference between a tiger and a lapdog, but I'll bear the warning in mind just the same. Four, after all her success in capturing them, she was a little afraid of these people who had once displayed such extraordinary powers. End of Chapter 10 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are available in the description or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Rinky-tank in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 11 Zella Goes to Corrigos The forest in which Nickabob lived with his wife and daughter stood between the mountains and the city of Rigos and a well- beaten path wound among the trees leading from the city to the mines. This path was used to capture prisoners who were also sent by this way from Rigos to work in the underground caverns. Nickabob had built his cabin more than a mile away from this path that he might not be molested by the wild and lawless soldiers of King Goes, but the family of the charcoal burner was surrounded by many creatures scarcely less dangerous to encounter, and often in the night they could hear savage animals growling and prowling about the cabin. Because he reminded his own business and never hunted the wild creatures to injure them, the beasts had come to regard him as one of the natural dwellers in the forest and did not molest him or his family. Still, Zella and her mother seldom wandered far from home, except on such errands as carrying honey to Corrigos, and at these times Nickabob cautioned them to be very careful. So when Zella set out on her journey to Queen Core with the two pales of honey in her hands, she was undertaking a dangerous adventure and there was no certainty that she would return safely to her loving parents. But they were poor and Queen Core's money, which they expected to receive for the honey would enable them to purchase many things that were needed, so it was deemed best that Zella should go. She was a brave little girl and poor people are often obliged to take chances that rich ones are spared. The passing woodchopper had brought news to Nickabob's cabin that Queen Core had made a prisoner of the conquering Prince of Pingary and that Ghosts and his warriors were again back in their city of Regos. But these struggles and conquests were matters which, however interesting, did not concern the poor charcoal burner or his family. They were more anxious over the report that the warriors had become more reckless than ever before and delighted in annoying people, so Zella was told to keep away from the beaten path as much as possible that she might not encounter any of the king's soldiers. When it is necessary to choose between the warriors and the wild beasts, said Nickabob, the beast will be found the more merciful. The little girl had put on her best attire for the journey and her mother threw a blue silk shawl over her head and shoulders. Upon her feet were the pretty red thread that had brought her from Regos. Thus prepared she kissed her parents goodbye and started out with a light heart, carrying the pales of honey in either hand. It was necessary for Zella to cross the path that led from the mines to the city, but once on the other side she was not likely to meet with any one, for she had resolved to cut through the forest and so reach the bridge of boats without entering the city of Regos, where she might be aware or to she found the walking easy enough, but then the forest which in this part was unknown to her, became badly tangled. The trees were thicker and creeping vines intertwined between them. She had to turn this way and that to get through it all, and finally she came to a place where a network of vines and branches effectually barred her further progress. Zella was dismayed at first when she encountered this obstacle, but setting down her sails she made an endeavor to push the branches aside. At her touch they parted as if by magic, breaking asunder like dried twigs and she found she could pass freely. At another place a great log had fallen across her way, but the little girl lifted it easily and cast it aside, although six ordinary men could scarcely have moved it. The child was somewhat worried at this evidence of a strength she had heretofore been confident that she possessed. In order to satisfy herself that it was no delusion, she tested her newfound power in many ways, finding that nothing was too big nor too heavy for her to lift. And, naturally enough, the girl gained courage from these experiments and became confident that she could protect herself in any emergency. When, presently, a wild boar ran toward her, grunting horribly and threatening her with its shells, she did not climb a tree to escape as she had always done before on meeting such creatures, but stood still and faced the boar. When it had come quite close and Zella saw that it could not injure her, a fact that astonished both the beast and the girl, she suddenly reached down and seizing it by one ear through the great beast far off amongst the trees, where it fell headlong to the earth, grunting louder than ever with surprise and fear. The girl laughed merrily at this incident, and picking up her pales resumed her journey through the forest. It is not recorded whether the wild boar told his adventure to the other beasts, or they had happened to witness his defeat, but certain it is that Zella was not again molested. A brown bear watched her pass without making any movement in her direction, and a great puma, a beast much dreaded by all men, crept out of her path as she reached, and disappeared among the trees. Thus everything favored the girl's journey, and she made such good speed that by noon she emerged from the forest's edge, and found she was quite near to the bridge of boats that led to Corrigos. This she crossed safely, and without meeting any of the rude warriors she so greatly feared. And five minutes later the daughter of the charcoal burner was seeking admittance at the back door of Queen Zella. End of CHAPTER XI. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Rinky Tank and Oz by L. Frank Baum, CHAPTER XII. The Excitement of Bilbil the Goat. Our story must now return to one of our characters whom we have been forced to neglect. The temper of Bilbil the Goat was not sweet under any circumstances, and whenever he had a grievance he was inclined to be quite grumpy. So when his master settled down in the palace of King Goats for a quiet life with the boy prince, and passed his time in playing checkers and eating and otherwise enjoying himself, he had no use whatever for Bilbil, and shut the goat in an upstairs room to prevent his wandering through the city and quarreling with the citizens. But this Bilbil did not like at all. He became very cross and disagreeable at being left alone, and he did not speak nicely to the servants who came to bring him food. Therefore those people decided not to wait upon him any more, resenting his conversation and not liking to be scolded by a lean, scraggly goat, even though it belonged to a conqueror. The servants kept away from the room, and Bilbil grew more hungry and more angry at the hour. He tried to eat the rugs and ornaments, but found them not at all nourishing. There was no grass to be had unless he escaped from the palace. When Queen Core came to capture Inga and Rinky Tink, both the prisoners were so filled with despair at their own misfortune that they gave no thought whatever to the goat, who was left in his room. Nor did Bilbil know anything of the changed fortunes of his comrades until the scouts and boisterous laughter in the courtyard below. Looking out of a window with the intention of rebuking those who dared thus to disturb him, Bilbil saw the courtyard quite filled with warriors, and knew from this that the palace had in some way again fallen into the hands of the enemy. Now although Bilbil was often exceedingly disagreeable to King Rinky Tink as well as to the Prince, and sometimes used harsh words against him, he was intelligent enough to know them to be his friends and to know that King Ghost and his people were his foes. In sudden anger provoked by the sight of the warriors and the knowledge that he was in the power of the dangerous men of Regos, Bilbil butted his head against the door of his room and burst it open. Then he ran to the head of the staircase and saw King Ghost coming up the stairs, followed by a long line of his chief captains and warriors. The Ghost 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 across over head to the bottom of the stairs, where they piled up in a heap, struggling and shouting and in the mix up hitting one another with their fists, until every man of them was bruised and sore. Finally King Ghost 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 Ghost also lost his balance and followed the King standing 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 Ghost, running after. But the Ghost 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 Ghost, Bilbil sent them sprawling upon the ground. Most of the warriors, however, were wise enough not to attempt to interfere with his flight. Corsing 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 Core, and seeing the gates of the courtyard standing wide open, Bilbil rushed through them without slackening his speed. End of Chapter 12 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Rinky Tink in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 13 Zella Saves the Prince The wicked queen of Corrigos 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 Core 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 peacocks' feathers, but he was so unused to such that he awkwardly brushed her ear with the fan. At once she flew into a terrible rage and slapped the prince twice with her hand. Blows that tingled too, for her hand was big and hard, and she was not inclined to be gentle. Inga took the blows without shrinking or uttering a cry, although they stung his pride far more than his body. But King Rinky Tink who was acting as the queen's butler and had just brought in her coffee was so startled at seeing the young prince punished that he tipped over the urn and the hot coffee streamed across the lap of the queen's best morning gown. Core sprang from her seat with a scream of anger, and poor Rinky Tink would doubtless have been given a terrible beating had not the slave driver returned at this moment and attracted the women's attention. The overseer had brought with him all of the women slaves from Pingary, who had been loaded down with chains and were so weak and still they could scarcely walk much less work in the fields. Prince Inga's eyes were dimmed with sorrowful tears when he discovered how his poor people had been abused, but his own plight was so helpless that he was unable to aid them. Fortunately the boy's mother, Queen Garry, was not among these slaves, for Queen Core had placed her in the royal dairy to make butter. Why do you refuse to work demanded Core in a harsh voice, as the slaves from Pingary stood before her, trembling and with downcast eyes? Because we lack strength to perform the tasks your overseer's demand answered one of the women, then you shall be whipped until your strength returns, exclaimed the queen, and turning to Inga she commanded, get me the whip with the seven lashes. As the boy left the room, wondering how he might manage to save the unhappy women from their girl entering by the back way, who asked, Can you tell me where to find her majesty, Queen Core? She is in the chamber with the red dome, where green dragons are painted upon the walls, replied Inga, but she is in an angry and ungracious mood today. Why do you wish to see her? I have honey to sell, answered the girl, who was Zella, just come from the forest. The queen is very fond of my honey. You may go to her if you so like, but take care not to anger the cruel queen, or she may do you a mischief. Why should she harm me, who brings her the honey she so dearly loves, inquired the child innocently? But I thank you for your warning, and I will try not to anger the queen. As Zella started to go, Inga's eyes suddenly fell upon her shoes, and instantly he recognized them as his own, for only in Pingari were shoes shaped in this manner, high at the heel and pointed at the toes. Stop, he cried in an excited voice, and the girl obeyed wonderingly. Tell me, he continued more gently, where did you get those shoes? My father brought them to me from Rigos, she answered. From Rigos? Yes, are they not pretty, asked Zella, looking down at her feet to admire them. One of them my father found by the palace wall, and the other on an ash heap, so he brought them to me, and they fit happily. By this time Inga was trembling with eager joy, which of course the girl could not understand. What is your name, little maid, he asked? I am called Zella, and my father is Nicobob, the charcoal burner. Zella is a pretty name. I am Inga, Prince of Pingari, said he, and the shoes you are now wearing, Zella, belong to me. They were not cast away as your father supposed, but were lost. Zella's eyes filled with tears. Must I give up my pretty shoes, then, she asked? They are the only ones I have ever owned. Inga was sorry for the poor child, but he knew how important it was that he regained possession of the magic pearls. So he said pleadingly, Please let me have them, Zella. See, I will exchange them for the shoes I now have on, which are newer and prettier than the others. The girl hesitated. She wanted to please the boy Prince, yet she hated to exchange the shoes which her father had brought her as a present. If you will give me the shoes, continued the boy anxiously, I will promise to make you and your father and mother rich and prosperous. Indeed, I will promise to grant any favors you may ask of me, and he sat down upon the floor and drew off the shoes he was wearing, and held them toward the girl. I'll see if they will fit me, said Prince, taking off her left shoe, the one that contained the pink pearl, and beginning to put on one of Inga's. Just then Queen Caw, angry at being made to wait for her whip with the seven lashes, rushed into the room to find Inga. Seeing the boy sitting upon the floor beside Zella, the woman sprang toward him to beat him with her clenched fists, but Inga had now slipped on the shoe, and the Queen's blows could not reach his body. Then Caw spied the whip, lying beside Inga, and snatching it up she tried to lash him with it, all to no avail. While Zella sat horrified by this scene, the Prince, who realized he had no time to waste, reached out and pulled the right shoe from the girl's foot, quickly placing it upon his own. Then he stood up, and facing the furious but astonished Queen, said to her in a quiet voice, Madam, please give me that whip. I won't, answered Caw, I'm going to lash those pingary women with it. The boy seized hold of the whip, and with irresistible strength drew it from the Queen's hand, but she drew from her bosom a sharp dagger, and with the swiftness of lightning aimed a blow at Inga's heart. He merely stood still and smiled, for the blade rebounded and fell clattering to the floor. Then at last Queen Caw understood the magic power that horrified her husband, but which she had ridiculed in her ignorance, not believing in it. She did not know that Inga's power had been lost and found again, but she realized the boy was no common foe, and that unless she could still manage to outwit him, her reign in the island of Corrigos was ended. To gain time she went back to the red-domed chamber, and seated herself in her throne, before which were grouped the weeping slaves from Pingary. Inga had taken Zella's hand and assisted her to put on the shoes he had given her in exchange for his own. She found them quite comfortable and did not know she had lost anything by the transfer. Come with me, then, said the boy prince, and led her into the presence of Queen Caw, who was giving Rinky Tink a scolding. To the overseer Inga said, Give me the keys which unlock these chains, that I may set these poor women at liberty. Don't you do it, screamed Queen Caw. If you interfere, madam, said the boy, I will put you into a dungeon. By this Rinky Tink knew that Inga had recovered his magic pearls, and the little fat king was so overjoyed that he danced and capered all around the room. But the queen was alarmed at the threat, and the slave driver, fearing the conqueror of Rrigos, tremblingly gave up the keys. Inga quickly removed all the shackles from the women of his country, and comforted them, telling them they should work no more, but would soon be restored to their homes in Pingari. Then he commanded the slave driver to go and get all the children who had been made slaves, and to bring them to their mothers. The man obeyed and left at once to perform his errand. While Queen Caw, growing more and more uneasy, suddenly sprang from her throne, and before Inga could stop her, had rushed through the room and out into the courtyard of the palace, meaning to make her escape. Rinky Tink followed her, running as fast as he could go. It was at this moment that Bilbil, in his mad dash from Rrigos, turned in at the gates of the courtyard, and as he was coming one way and Queen Caw was going the other, they 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 Rinky Tink, who was chasing after Queen Caw. They rolled over one another a few times, and then Rinky Tink 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 Rinky Tink. 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 Rinky Tink, 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 Pingari, 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 Gary, my dear mother? Inga? But the women did not know, and it was some time before the overseer remembered that one of the slaves from Pingari 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 Butterhouse, but when they arrived there Queen Gary was nowhere in the place, although the boy found a silk scarf which he recognized as one that his mother used to wear. Inga was on the island of Karygos, but could not find Inga's mother anywhere. When they returned to the palace of Queen Khor, Rinky Tink discovered that the bridge of boats had again been removed, separating them from Rigos, and from this they suspected that Queen Khor had fled to her husband's island and had taken Queen Gary with her. Inga was much perplexed what to do, and returned with his friends to the palace to talk the matter over. Inga was now crying because she had not sold her honey, and was unable to return to her parents on the island of Rigos, but the boy prince comforted her and promised she should be protected until she could be restored to her home. Rinky Tink found King Khor's purse which she had no time to take with her, and gave Inga several gold pieces for the honey. Then Inga ordered the palace servants to prepare a feast for all the women and children of Pingari and to prepare for them beds in the great palace, which was large enough to accommodate them all. Then the boy and the goat and Rinky Tink and Zella went into a private room to consider what should be done next. End of Chapter 13 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Rinky Tink in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 14 The Escape Our fault, said Rinky Tink, is that we conquer only one of these twin islands at a time. When we conquered Rigos, our foes all came to Corrigos, and now that we have conquered Corrigos the queen has fled to Rigos, and each time they remove the bridge of boats so that we could not follow them. What has become of our own boat in which we came from Pingari, we left it on the shore of Rigos replied the prince, but I wonder if we could not get it again. Why don't you ask the white pearl, suggested Rinky Tink. That is a good idea, returned the boy, and at once he drew the white pearl from its silken bag and held it to his ear. Then he asked, how may I regain our boat? The voice of the pearl replied, go to the south end of the island of Corrigos and clap your hands three times, and the boat will come to you. Very good, cried Inga, and then he turned to his companions and said, we shall be able to get our boat whenever we please, but what then shall we do? Take me home in it, pleaded Zella. Come with me to my city of Gilgad, said the king, where you will be very welcome to remain forever. No, answered Inga, I must rescue my father and mother as well as my people. I have the women and children of Pingari, but the men are with my father in the mines of Rigos, and my dear mother has been taken away by Queen Cor, not until all are rescued will I consent to leave these islands. Quite right, exclaimed Bilbil. On second thought, said Rinky Tink, I agree with you. If you are careful to sleep in your shoes and never take them off again, I believe you will be able to perform the task you have undertaken. They counseled together for a long time as to their motive action, and it was finally considered best to make the attempt to liberate King Kitakut first of all, and with him the men from Pingari. This would give them an army to assist them, and afterward they could march to Rigos and compel Queen Cor to give up the queen of Pingari. Zella told them that they could go in their boat along the shore of Rigos to a point opposite the mines, thus avoiding any conflict with the warriors of King Ghost. This being considered the best course to pursue, they resolved to start on the following morning as night was even now approaching. The servants being all busy and caring for the women and children, Zella undertook to get a dinner for Inga and Rinky Tink and herself, and soon prepared a fine meal in the palace kitchen, for she was a good little cook and had often helped her mother. The dinner was served in a small room overlooking the gardens, and Rinky Tink thought the best part of it was the sweet honey, which he spread upon the biscuits that Zella had made. As for Bilbil, he wandered through the palace grounds, and found some grass that made him a good dinner. During the evening Inga talked with the women and cheered them, promising soon to reunite them with their husbands, who were working in the mines, and to send them to Hungary. Next morning the boy rose bright and early and found that Zella had already prepared a nice breakfast, and after the meal they went to the most southern point of the island, which was not very far away. Rinky Tink riding upon Bilbil's back, and Inga and Zella following behind them hand in hand. When they reached the water's edge, the boy advanced and clapped his hands together three times, as the white pearl had told her. And in a few moments they saw in the distance the black boat with the silver lining, coming swiftly toward them from the sea. Presently it grounded on the beach, and they all got into it. Zella was delighted with the boat, which was the most beautiful she had ever seen, and the marvel of its coming to them through the water without anyone to row it, made her a little afraid of the fairy craft. But Inga picked up the oars and at once the boat shot swiftly in the direction of Rigos. They rounded the point of that island where the city was built, and noticed that the shore was lined with warriors who had discovered their boat but seemed undecided whether to pursue it or not. This was probably because they had received no commands what to do, or perhaps they had learned to fear the magic powers of these adventurers from Pingari, and were unwilling to attack them unless their king ordered to. The coast of the western side of the island of Rigos was very uneven, and Zella who knew fairly well the location of the mines from the inland forest path was puzzled to decide which mountain they now viewed from the sea was the one where the entrance to the underground caverns was located. First she thought it was this peak and then she guessed it was that, so considerable time was lost through her uncertainty. They finally decided to land and explore the country to see where they were, so Inga ran the boat into a little rocky cove where they all disembarked. For an hour they searched for the path without finding any trace of it, and now Zella believed they had gone too far to the north and must return to another mountain that was nearer to the city. Once again they entered the boat and followed the winding coast south until they thought they had reached the right place. By this time however it was growing dark, for the entire day had been spent in the search for the entrance to the mines, and Zella warned them that it would be safer to spend the night in the boat than on the land where wild beasts were sure to disturb them. None of them realized at this time how fatal this day of search had been to their plans, and perhaps if Inga had realized what was going on he would have landed and fought all the wild beasts in the forest rather than quietly remain in the boat until morning. However knowing nothing of the cunning plans of Queen Core and King Ghost they anchored their boat in a little bay and cheerfully ate their dinner finding plenty of food and drink in the boat's lockers. In the evening the stars came out in the sky and tipped the waves around their boat with silver. All around them was delightfully still saved for the occasional snarl of a beast on the neighboring shore. They talked together quietly of their adventures and their future plans and Zella told them her simple history and how hard her poor father was obliged to work, burning charcoal to sell for enough money to support his wife and child. Nicobab might be the humblest man in all regos, but Zella declared he was a good man and honest, and it was not his fault that his country was ruled by so wicked a king. Then Rinky Tink to amuse them offered to sing a song and although Bilbo protested in his gruff way, claiming that his master's voice was cracked and disagreeable, the little king was encouraged by the others to sing his song, which he did. A red-headed man named Ned was dead. Sing, fiddle-come, fiddle-come, fiddle. In battle he had lost his head. Sing, fiddle-come, fiddle-come, fiddle. A last poor Ned to him I said, How did you lose your head so red? Sing, fiddle-come, fiddle-come, fiddle. Said Ned, I, for my country, had lost my head. Said Ned, I, for my country, bled. Sing, fiddle-come, fiddle-come, fiddle. Instead of dying safe in bed, sing, fiddle-come, fiddle-come, fiddle. If I had only fled instead, I then had been ahead ahead. Sing, fiddle-come, fiddle-come, fiddle. I said to Ned, Do stop your majesty, pleaded Bilbo. You're making my head ache. But the song isn't finished, replied Rinky Tink. And as for your head aching, think of poor Ned, who hasn't any head at all. I can think of nothing but your dismal singing, retorted Bilbo. Why didn't you choose a cheerful subject instead of telling how a man who was dead lost his red head? Really, Rinky Tink, I'm surprised at you. I know a splendid song about a live man, said the king. Then don't sing it, begged Bilbo. Zella was both astonished and grieved by the disrespectful words of the goat, for she had quite enjoyed Rinky Tink's singing. And had been taught a proper respect for kings and those high in authority. But as it was now getting late, they decided to go to sleep, that they might rise early the following morning. So they all reclined upon the bottom of the big boat, and covered themselves with blankets which they found stored underneath the seats for just such occasions. They were not long and falling asleep and did not waken until daybreak. After a hurried breakfast, For Ingo was eager to liberate his father, the boy rode the boat ashore, and they all landed and began searching for the path. Zella found it within the next half-hour and declared they must be very close to the entrance to the mines. So they followed the path toward the north, Ingo going first, and then Zella following him, while Rinky Tink brought up the rear riding upon Bilbo's back. Before long they saw a great wall of rock towering before them, in which was a low arched entrance and on either side of this entrance stood a guard armed with a sword and a spear. The guards of the mines were not so fierce as the warriors of King Ghost's. Their duty being to make the slaves work at their tasks and guard them from escaping, but they were as cruel as their cruel master wished them to be, and as cowardly as they were cruel. Ingo walked up to the two men at the entrance and said, Does this opening lead to the mines of King Ghost's? It does replied one of the guards, but no one is allowed to pass out who once goes in. Nevertheless said the boy, we intend to go in, and we shall come out whenever it pleases us to do so. I am the Prince of Pingaree, and I have come to liberate my people whom King Ghost's has enslaved. Now when the two guards heard this speech they looked at one another and laughed, and one of them said the King was right, for he said the boy was likely to come here and that he would try to set his people free. Also the King commanded that we must keep the little Prince in the mines, and set him to work together with his companions. Then let us obey the King replied the other man. Ingo was surprised at hearing this and asked, When did King Ghost give you this order? His Majesty was here in person last night replied the man, not away but an hour ago. He suspected you were coming here and told us to capture you if we could. This report made the boy very anxious, not for himself but for his father, for he feared the King was up to some mischief, so he hastened to enter the mines and the guards did nothing to oppose him or his companions, their orders being to allow him to go in but not to come out. The little group of adventurers went through a long rocky corridor and reached a low wide cavern where they found a dozen guards and a hundred slaves, the latter being hard at work with picks and shovels, digging for gold, while the guards stood over them with long whips. Ingo found many of the men from Pingaree among these slaves but King Kitakut was not in this cavern, so they passed through it and entered another corridor that led to a second cavern. They were working but the boy did not find his father amongst them and so went on to a third cavern. The corridors all slanted downward so that the farther they went the lower into the earth they descended and now they found the air hot and close and difficult to breathe. Flaming torches were stuck into the walls to give light to the workers and these added to the oppressive heat. The third and lowest cavern was the last in the mines and here were many scores of slaves and many guards to keep them at work. So far none of the guards had paid any attention to Inga's party but allowed them to proceed as they would and while the slaves cast curious glances at the boy and girl and man and goat they dared say nothing but now the boy walked up to some of the men of Pingaree and asked news of his father telling them not to fear the guards as he would protect them from the whips. Then he learned that King Kittcut had indeed been working in this very cavern until the evening before when King Ghost had come and taken him away still loaded with chains. Seems to me said King Rinky Tink when he heard this report that Ghost has carried your father away to Regos to prevent us from rescuing him. He may hide poor Kittcut in a dungeon where we cannot find him. Perhaps you are right answered the boy but I am determined to find him wherever he may be. Inga spoke firmly and with courage but he was greatly disappointed to find that King Ghost had been before him at the mines and had taken his father away. However he tried not to feel disheartened believing he would succeed in the end in spite of all opposition. Turning to the guards he said remove the chains from these slaves and set them free. The guards laughed at this order and put forward a handful of chains saying His Majesty has commanded us to make you also a slave for you are never to leave these caverns again. Then he attempted to place the chains on Inga but the boy indignantly seized them and broke them apart as easily as if they had been cotton cords. When a dozen or more of the guards made a dash to capture him the Prince swung the end of the chain like a whip and drove them into a corner where they cowered and begged for mercy. Stories of the marvelous strength of the boy Prince had already spread to the mines of Regos and although King Ghost had told them that Inga had been deprived of all his magic power the guards now saw this was not true so they deemed it wise not to attempt to oppose him. The chains of the slaves had all been riveted fast to their ankles and wrists but Inga broke the bonds of steel with his hands and set the poor men free not only those from Pingari but all who had been captured in the many wars and raids of King Ghost. They were very grateful as you may suppose and agreed to support Prince Inga in whatever action he commanded. He led them to the middle cavern where all the guards and overseers fled in terror at his approach and soon he had broken apart the chains of the slaves who had been working in that part of the mines. Then they approached the first cavern and liberated all there. The slaves had been treated so cruelly by the servants of King Ghost that they were eager to pursue and slay them in revenge but Inga held them back and formed them into companies each company having its own leader then he called the leaders together and instructed them to march in good order along the path to the city of Regos where he would meet them and tell them about the next. They readily agreed to obey him and, arming themselves with iron bars and pickaxes which they brought from the mines, the slaves began their march to the city. Zella at first wished to be left behind that she might make her way to her own home but neither Rinky Tink nor Inga thought it was safe for her to wander alone through the forest so they induced her to return with them to the city. This time at the same place as when he first landed at Regos and while many of the warriors stood on the shore and before the walls of the city, not one of them attempted to interfere with the boy in any way. Indeed they seemed uneasy and anxious and when Inga met Captain Buzb the boy asked if anything had happened in his absence. A great deal has happened replied Buzb, our king and queen have run away and left us and we don't know what to do. Runaway exclaimed Inga where did they go to? Who knows, said the man, shaking his head despondently. They departed together a few hours ago in a boat with forty rowers and they took with them the king and queen of Pingari. End of chapter 14 This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Rinky Tink in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 15 The Flight of the Rulers Now it seems that when Queen Kaur fled from her island to Rigos she had wit enough although greatly frightened to make a stop at the royal dairy which was near to the bridge and to drag poor Queen Giri from the Butterhouse and across to Rigos with her. The warriors of King Gose had never before seen the terrible Queen Kaur frightened and therefore when she came running across the bridge of boats dragging the queen of Pingari after her by one arm the woman's great fright had the effect of terrifying the waiting warriors. Quick cried Kaur destroy the bridge or we are lost. While the men were tearing away the bridge of boats the queen ran up to the palace of Gose where she met her husband. That boy is a wizard she gasped there is no standing against him. Oh have you discovered his magic at last replied Gose laughing in her face who now is the coward? Don't laugh cried Queen Kaur it is no laughing matter both our islands are as good as conquered this very minute what shall we do Gose come in he said growing serious and let us talk it over so they went into a room of the palace and talked long and earnestly the boy intends to liberate his father and mother and all the people of Pingari and to take them back to their island said Kaur he may also destroy our palaces and make us his slaves I can see but one way Gose to prevent him from doing all this and whatever else he pleases to do what way is that asked King Gose we must take the boys parents away from here as quickly as possible I have with me the queen of Pingari and you can run up to the mines and get the king then we will carry them away in a boat and hide them where the boy cannot find them with all his magic we will use the king and queen of Pingari as hostages and send word to the boy wizard that if he does not go away from our islands and allow us to rule them undisturbed in our own way we will put his father and mother to death also we will say that as long as we are let alone safe although still safely hidden I believe Gose that in this way we can compel Prince Inga to obey us for he seems very fond of his parents it isn't a bad idea said Gose reflectively but where can we hide the king and queen so that the boy cannot find them in the country of the gnome king on the mainland away at the south she replied the gnomes are our friends and they possess magic powers to protect the prisoners from discovery if we can manage to get the king and queen of Pingari to the gnome kingdom before the boy knows what we are doing I am sure our plot will succeed Gose gave the plan considerable thought in the next five minutes and the more he thought about it the more clever and reasonable it seemed so he agreed to do as queen core suggested and at once hurried away to the mines where he arrived before Prince Inga did the next morning he carried King Kitakut back to Regos while Gose was gone queen core busied herself in preparing a large and swift boat for the journey she placed in it several bags of gold and jewels with which to bribe the gnomes and selected forty of the strongest oresmen in Regos to row the boat the instant King Gose returned with his royal prisoner all was ready for departure they quickly entered the boat with two important captives and without a word of explanation to any of their people they commanded the oresmen to start and were soon out of sight upon the broad expanse of the gnostic ocean Inga arrived at the city some hours later and was much distressed when he learned that his father and mother had been spirited away from the islands I shall follow them of course said the boy to rinky tink and if I cannot overtake them on the ocean I will search the world over until I find them but before I leave here I must arrange to send our people back to Pingaree End of Chapter 15 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Rinky Tink in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 16 Almost the first persons that Zella saw when she landed from the silver lined boat at Rigos were her mother and father Nicobab and his wife had been greatly worried when their little daughter failed to return from Corrigos so they had set out to discover what had become of her When they reached the city of Rigos that very morning they were astonished to hear news of all the strange events that had taken place Still they found comfort when told what had been seen in the boat of Prince Inga which had gone to the north Then, while they wondered what this could mean the silver lined boat appeared again with their daughter in it and they ran down to the shore to give her a welcome and many joyful kisses Inga invited the good people to the palace of King Ghost where he conferred with them as well as with Rinky Tink and Bilbil Now that the king and queen of Rigos and Corrigos have run away he said There is no one to rule these islands so it is my duty to appoint a new ruler and as Nicobab Zella's father is an honest and worthy man I shall make him the king of the twin islands Me! cried Nicobab astounded by this speech I beg your highness on my bended knees not to do so cruel a thing as to make me king Why not, inquired Rinky Tink? I'm a king and I know how it feels I assure you, good Nicobab that I quite enjoy my high rank although a jeweled crown is rather heavy to wear in hot weather With you, noble sir, it is different, said Nicobab for you are far from your kingdom and its trials and worries may do as you please but to remain in Rigos as king over these fierce and unruly warriors would be to live in constant anxiety and peril and the chances are that they would murder me within a month as I have done no harm to anyone and have tried to be a good and upright man I do not think that I should be condemned to such a dreadful fate Very well replied Inga we will say no more about your being king I merely wanted to make you rich and prosperous as I had promised Zella Please forget that promise pleaded the charcoal burner earnestly I have been safe from molestation for many years because I was poor and possessed nothing that anyone else could envy but if you make me rich and prosperous I shall at once become the prey of thieves and marauders and probably will lose my life in the attempt to protect my fortune Inga looked at the man in surprise What then can I do to please you? he inquired Nothing more than to allow me to go home to my poor cabin, said Nicobab Perhaps remarked King Rinky Tink The charcoal burner has more wisdom concealed in that hard head of his than we gave him credit for But let us use that wisdom for the present to counsel us what to do in this emergency What you call my wisdom, said Nicobab is merely common sense I have noticed that some men become rich and are scorned by some and robbed by others Other men become famous and are mocked at and derided by their fellows But the poor and humble man who lives unnoticed and unknown escapes all these troubles and is the only one who can appreciate the joy of living If I had a hand instead of a clove and hoof I'd like to shake hands with you, Nicobab, said Bill Bill the goat But the poor man must not have a cruel master or he is undone During the council they found indeed that the advice of the charcoal burner was both shrewd and sensible and they profited much by his words Inga gave Captain Buzzub the command of the warriors and made him promise to keep his men quiet and orderly if he could Then the boy allowed all of King Ghosa's former slaves except those who came from Pingaree to choose what boats they required and to stock them with provisions and row away to their own countries When these had departed with grateful thanks and many blessings upon the boy prince who had set them free Inga made preparations to send his own people home where they were told to rebuild their houses and then erect a new royal palace They were then to await patiently the coming of King Kitakat or Prince Inga My greatest worry, said the boy to his friends is to know whom to appoint to take charge of this work of restoring Pingaree to its former condition My men are all pearlfishers and although willing and honest have no talent for directing others how to work While the preparations for departure were being made Nicobab offered to direct the men of Pingaree and did so in a very capable manner as the island had been despoiled of all its valuable furniture and draperies and rich cloths and paintings and statuary and the like as well as gold and silver and ornaments Inga thought it no more than just that they'd be replaced by the spoilers So he directed his people to search through the storehouses of King Ghost and to regain all their goods and chattels that could be found Also he instructed them to take as much else as they required to make their new homes comfortable so that many boats were loaded full of goods that would enable the people to restore Pingaree to its former state of comfort For his father's new palace the boy plundered the palaces of both Queen Core and King Ghost sending enough wares away with his people to make King Kitakat's new residence as handsomely fitted and furnished as had been the one which the ruthless invaders from Regos had destroyed It was a great fleet of boats that set out one bright sunny morning on the voyage to Pingaree carrying all the men, women and children and all the goods for refitting their homes As he saw the fleet depart Prince Inge felt that he had already successfully accomplished a part of his mission but he vowed he would never return to Pingaree in person until he could take his mother and father there with him unless indeed King Ghost wickedly destroyed his beloved parents in which case Inge would become the King of Pingaree and it would be his duty to go to his people and rule over them It was while the last of the boats were preparing to sail for Pingaree that Nicobab, who had been of great service in getting them ready, came to Inge in a thoughtful mood and said, Your Highness, my wife and my daughter Zella have been urging me to leave Regos and settle down in your island in a new home From what your people have told me Pingaree is a better place to live than Regos and there are no cruel warriors or savage beasts there to keep one in constant fear for the safety of those he loves Therefore I have come to ask to go with my family in one of the boats Inge was much pleased with this proposal and not only granted Nicobab permission to go to Pingaree to live but instructed him to take with him sufficient goods to furnish his new home in a comfortable manner In addition to this he appointed Nicobab general manager of the buildings and of the pearl fisheries until his father or he himself arrived and the people approved this order because they liked Nicobab and knew him to be just and honest As soon as the last boat of the great flotilla had disappeared from the view of those left at Regos Inge and Rinky Tink prepared to leave the island themselves The boy was anxious to overtake the boat of King Goose if possible and Rinky Tink had no desire to remain in Regos Buzub and the warriors stood silently on the shore and watched the black boat with its silver lining depart and I am sure they were as glad to be rid of their unwelcome visitors as Inge and Rinky Tink and Bilbil were to leave The boy asked the white pearl what direction the boat of King Goose had taken and he followed after it rowing hard and steadily for eight days without becoming at all weary But although the black boat moved very swiftly it failed to overtake the barge which was rowed by Queen Cors forty-picked oarsmen End of Chapter 16 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Rinky Tink in Oz by L. Frank Baum Chapter 17 The Gnome King The Kingdom of the Gnomes does not border on the Nynestic Ocean from which it is separated by the Kingdom of Rinky Tink and the Country of the Wheelers which is a part of the Land of Ev Rinky Tink's Country is separated from the Country of the Gnomes by a row of high and steep mountains from which it extends to the sea The Country of the Wheelers is a sandy waste that is open on one side to the Nynestic Ocean and on the other side has no barrier to separate it from the Gnome Country Therefore it was on the coast of the Wheelers that King Ghost landed in a spot quite deserted by any of the curious inhabitants of that Country The Gnome Country is very large in extent and is only separated from the Land of Oz on its eastern borders by a deadly desert that cannot be crossed by mortals unless they are aided by the fairies or by magic The Gnomes are a numerous and mischievous people living in underground caverns of wide extent and one with another by arches and passages The word Gnome means one who knows and these people are so called because they know where all the gold and silver and precious stones are hidden in the earth a knowledge that no other living creatures share with them The Gnomes are busy people constantly digging up gold in one place and taking it to another place where they secretly bury it and perhaps this is the reason they alone know where to find it The Gnomes were ruled at the time of which I write by a king named Calico King Ghost had expected to be pursued by Inga in his magic boat so he made all the haste possible urging his forty rowers to their best efforts night and day To his joy he was not overtaken but landed on the sandy beach of the wheelers on the morning of the eighth day The forty rowers were left with the boat King Cor and King Ghost with their royal prisoners who were still chained began the journey to the Gnome King It was not long before they passed the sands and reached the rocky country belonging to the Gnomes but they were still a long way from the entrance to the underground caverns in which lived the Gnome King There was a dim path winding between stones and boulders over which the walking was quite difficult as the path led up hills that were small mountains and then down steep and abrupt slopes where any misstep might mean a broken leg Therefore it was the second day of their journey before they climbed halfway up a rugged mountain and found themselves at the entrance of the Gnome King's caverns On their arrival the entrance seemed free and unguarded but Ghosts and Cor had been there before It was too wise to attempt to enter without announcing themselves for the passage to the caves was full of traps and pitfalls So King Ghost stood still and shouted and in an instant they were surrounded by a group of crooked gnomes who seemed to have sprung from the ground One of these had very long ears and was called the long-eared hearer He said, I heard you coming early this morning Another had eyes that looked in different directions at the same time and were curiously bright and penetrating He could look over a hill or around a corner and was called the look-out Said he, I saw you coming yesterday Then said King Ghosts, perhaps King Calico is expecting us It is true, replied another gnome who wore a gold collar around his neck and carried a bunch of golden keys The mighty gnome king expects you and bids you follow me to his presence With this he led the way into the caverns and Ghosts and Cor followed dragging their weary prisoners with them For poor King Kiddecutt and his gentle queen had been obliged to carry all through the tedious journey the bags of gold and jewels which were to bribe the gnome king to accept them as slaves Through several long passages the guide led them and at last they entered a small cavern which was beautifully decorated and set with rare jewels that flashed from every part of the wall, floor, and ceiling This was a waiting room for visitors and there their guide left them while he went to inform King Calico of their arrival Before long they were ushered into a great domed chamber cut from the solid rock and so magnificent that all of them the king and queen of Pingaree and the king and queen of Rigos and Carrigos drew long breaths of astonishment and opened their eyes as wide as they could In an ivory throne sat a little round man who had a pointed beard and hair that rose to a tall curl on top of his head He was dressed in silken robes, richly embroidered which had large buttons of cut rubies On his head was a diamond crown and in his hand he held a golden scepter with a big jeweled ball at one end of it This was Calico the king and ruler of all the gnomes He nodded pleasantly enough to his visitors and said in a cheery voice Well, Your Majesties, what can I do for you? It is my desire, answered King Ghosts, respectfully to place in your care two prisoners whom you now see before you They must be carefully guarded to prevent them from escaping for they have the cunning of foxes and are not to be trusted In return for the favour I am asking you to grant I have brought Your Majesties valuable presents of gold and precious gems He then commanded Kitakut and Gery to lay before the Gnome King the bags of gold and jewels and they obeyed, being helpless Very good said King Calico nodding approval for like all the gnomes he loved treasures of gold and jewels But who are the prisoners you have brought here and why do you place them in my charge instead of guarding them yourself? They seem gentle enough, I am sure The prisoners returned King Ghosts are the king and queen of Pingaree a small island north of here They are very evil people and came to our islands of Rigos and Corrigos to conquer them and slay our poor people Also they intended to plunder us of all our riches but by good fortune we were able to defeat and capture them However they have a son who is a terrible wizard and who by magic art is trying to find this awful king and queen of Pingaree and to set them free that they may continue their wicked deeds Therefore as we have no magic to defend ourselves with we have brought the prisoners to you for safekeeping Your Majesty spoke of King Kitakut addressing the Gnome King with great indignation Do not believe this tale I implore you it is all a lie I know it said Calico I consider it a clever lie though because it is woven without a thread of truth However that is none of my business The fact remains that my good friend King Ghosts wishes to put you in my underground caverns so that you will be unable to escape and why should I not please him in this little manner Ghosts is a mighty king and a great warrior while your island of Pingaree is desolated and your people scattered In my heart King Kitakut I sympathize with you but as a matter of business policy we powerful kings must stand together and trample the weaker ones under our feet King Kitakut was surprised to find the King of the Gnome so candid and so well informed and he tried to argue that he and his gentle wife did not deserve their cruel fate and that it would be wiser for Calico to side with them than with the evil king of Rigos but Calico only shook his head and smiled saying the fact that you are a prisoner my poor Kitakut is evidence that you are weaker than King Ghosts and I prefer to deal with the strong by the way he added turning to the King of Rigos have these prisoners any connection with the land of Oz why do you ask said Ghosts because I do not offend the Oz people was the reply I am very powerful as you know but Osma of Oz is far more powerful than I therefore if this King and Queen of Pingaree happen to be under Osma's protection I would have nothing to do with them I assure your majesty that the prisoners have nothing to do with the Oz people Ghosts hasten to say and Kitakut being questioned admitted this was true but how about the wizard you mentioned asked the Gnome King oh he is merely a boy but he is very ferocious and obstinate and he is assisted by a little fat sorcerer called Rinkitink and a talking goat oh oh a talking goat do you say that certainly sounds like magic and it also sounds like the land of Oz where all the animals talk said Calico with a doubtful expression but King Ghosts assured him the talking goat had never been to Oz as for Rinkitink whom you call a sorcerer continue the Gnome King he is a neighbor of mine you must know but as we are cut off from each other by high mountains beneath which a powerful river runs I have never yet met King Rinkitink but I have heard of him and from all reports he is a jolly rogue and perfectly harmless however in spite of your false statements and misrepresentations I will earn the treasure you have brought me by keeping your prisoners safe in my caverns make them work, advise Queen Core they are rather delicate and to make them work will make them suffer delightfully I'll do as I please about that said the Gnome King sternly be content that I agree to keep them safe the bargain being thus made and concluded Calico first examined the gold and jewels and then sent it away to his royal storehouse which was well filled with like treasure thus the captives were sent away in charge of the Gnome with the golden collar and keys whose name was Klick and he escorted them to a small cavern and gave them a good supper I shall lock your door said Klick so there is no need of your wearing those heavy chains any longer he therefore removed the chains and left King Kitakut and his Queen alone this was the first time since the Northmen had carried them away from Pingari that the good King and Queen had been alone together and free of all bonds and as they embraced lovingly and mingled their tears over their sad fate they were also grateful that they had passed from the control of the heartless King Ghost into the more considerate care of King Calico they were still captives but they believed they would be happier in the underground caverns of the Gnomes than in Rigos and Corrigos meantime in the King's royal cavern a great feast had been spread King Ghost and Queen Core having triumphed in their plot were so well pleased that they held high revelry with the Jolly Gnome King until a late hour that night and the next morning having cautioned Calico not to release the prisoners under any consideration without their orders the King and Queen of Rigos and Corrigos left the caverns of the Gnomes to return to the shore of the ocean where they had left their boat