One morning, just as the royal party was finishing breakfast, a servant came running to
say that a great fleet of boats was approaching the island from the south. King Kitticut
sprang up at once, in great alarm, for he had much cause to fear strange boats. The others
quickly followed him to the shore to see what invasion might be coming upon them.
Inga was there with the first, and Nikobob and Zella soon joined the watchers. And
presently, while all were gazing eagerly at the approaching fleet, King Rinkitink suddenly
cried out:
"Get your pearls, Prince Inga -- get them quick!"
"Are these our enemies, then?" asked the boy, looking with surprise upon the fat little
King, who had begun to tremble violently.
"They are my people of Gilgad!" answered Rinkitink, wiping a tear from his eye. "I
recognize my royal standards flying from the boats. So, please, dear Inga, get out your
pearls to protect me!"
"What can you fear at the hands of your own subjects?" asked Kitticut, astonished.
But before his frightened guest could answer the question Prince Bobo, who was standing
beside his friend, gave an amused laugh and said:
"You are caught at last, dear Rinkitink. Your people will take you home again and oblige
you to reign as King."
Rinkitink groaned aloud and clasped his hands together with a gesture of despair, an
attitude so comical that the others could scarcely forbear laughing.
But now the boats were landing upon the beach. They were fifty in number, beautifully
decorated and upholstered and rowed by men clad in the gay uniforms of the King of
Gilgad. One splended boat had a throne of gold in the center, over which was draped the
King's royal robe of purple velvet, embroidered with gold buttercups.
Rinkitink shuddered when he saw this throne; but now a tall man, handsomely dressed,
approached and knelt upon the grass before his King, while all the other occupants of the
boats shouted joyfully and waved their plumed hats in the air.
"Thanks to our good fortune," said the man who kneeled, "we have found Your Majesty
at last!"
"Pinkerbloo," answered Rinkitink sternly, "I must have you hanged, for thus finding me
against my will."
"You think so now, Your Majesty, but you will never do it," returned Pinkerbloo, rising
and kissing the King's hand.
