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