Rinkitink In Oz | Page 8

it would be fine to have a talking goat, with whom I could converse as I
rode about my city on his back; but -- keek-eek-eek-eek! -- the rascal
treats me as if I were a chimney sweep instead of a King. Heh, heh, heh,
keek, eek! A chimney sweep-hoo, hoo, hoo! -- and me a King! Funny,
isn't it?" This last was addressed to Prince Inga, whom he chucked
familiarly under the chin, to the boy's great embarrassment.
"Why do you not ride a horse?" asked King Kitticut.
"I can't climb upon his back, being rather stout; that's why. Kee, kee,

keek, eek! -- rather stout -- hoo, hoo, hoo!" He paused to wipe the tears
of merriment from his eyes and then added: "But I can get on and off
Bilbil's back with ease."
He now opened the cage and the goat deliberately walked out and
looked about him in a sulky manner. One of the rowers brought from
the boat a saddle made of red velvet and beautifully embroidered with
silver thistles, which he fastened upon the goat's back. The fat King put
his leg over the saddle and seated himself comfortably, saying:
"Lead on, my noble host, and we will follow."
"What! Up that steep hill?" cried the goat. "Get off my back at once,
Rinkitink, or I won't budge a step.
"But-consider, Bilbil," remonstrated the King. "How am I to get up that
hill unless I ride?"
"Walk!" growled Bilbil.
"But I'm too fat. Really, Bilbil, I'm surprised at you. Haven't I brought
you all this distance so you may see something of the world and enjoy
life? And now you are so ungrateful as to refuse to carry me! Turn
about is fair play, my boy. The boat carried you to this shore, because
you can't swim, and now you must carry me up the hill, because I can't
climb. Eh, Bilbil, isn't that reasonable?"
"Well, well, well," said the goat, surlily, "keep quiet and I'll carry you.
But you make me very tired, Rinkitink, with your ceaseless chatter."
After making this protest Bilbil began walking up the hill, carrying the
fat King upon his back with no difficulty whatever.
Prince Inga and his father and all the men of Pingaree were much
astonished to overhear this dispute between King Rinkitink and his goat;
but they were too polite to make critical remarks in the presence of
their guests. King Kitticut walked beside the goat and the Prince
followed after, the men coming last with the boxes of sandalwood.

When they neared the palace, the Queen and her maidens came out to
meet them and the royal guest was escorted in state to the splendid
throne room of the palace. Here the boxes were opened and King
Rinkitink displayed all the beautiful silks and laces and jewelry with
which they were filled. Every one of the courtiers and ladies received a
handsome present, and the King and Queen had many rich gifts and
Inga not a few. Thus the time passed pleasantly until the Chamberlain
announced that dinner was served.
Bilbil the goat declared that he preferred eating of the sweet, rich grass
that grew abundantly in the palace grounds, and Rinkitink said that the
beast could never bear being shut up in a stable; so they removed the
saddle from his back and allowed him to wander wherever he pleased.
During the dinner Inga divided his attention between admiring the
pretty gifts he had received and listening to the jolly sayings of the fat
King, who laughed when he was not eating and ate when he was not
laughing and seemed to enjoy himself immensely.
"For four days I have lived in that narrow boat," said he, "with no other
amusement than to watch the rowers and quarrel with Bilbil; so I am
very glad to be on land again with such friendly and agreeable people."
"You do us great honor," said King Kitticut, with a polite bow.
"Not at all -- not at all, my brother. This Pingaree must be a wonderful
island, for its pearls are the admiration of all the world; nor will I deny
the fact that my kingdom would be a poor one without the riches and
glory it derives from the trade in your pearls. So I have wished for
many years to come here to see you, but my people said: 'No! Stay at
home and behave yourself, or we'll know the reason why.'"
"Will they not miss Your Majesty from your palace at Gilgad?"
inquired Kitticut.
"I think not," answered Rinkitink. "You see, one of my clever subjects
has written a parchment entitled 'How to be Good,' and I believed it
would benefit me to study it, as I consider the accomplishment of being

good one of the