All this time the boy Prince was rowing. the boat. He
was not in the least tired, for the oars he held seemed
to move of their own accord. He paid little heed to the
conversation of Rinkitink and the goat, but busied his
thoughts with plans of what he should do when he
reached the islands of Regos and Coregos and confronted
his enemies. When the others finally became silent,
Inga inquired.

"Can you fight, King Rinkitink?"

"I have never tried," was the answer. "In time of
danger I have found it much easier to run away than to
face the foe."

"But could you fight?" asked the boy.

"I might try, if there was no chance to escape by
running. Have you a proper weapon for me to fight
with?"

"I have no weapon at all," confessed Inga.

"Then let us use argument and persuasion instead of
fighting. For instance, if we could persuade the
warriors of Regos to lie down, and let me step on them,
they would be crushed with ease.

Prince Inga had expected little support from the