...chapter twelve of Rinkitink in Oz...previous...next...
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 Gos 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 every 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 Cor came to capture Inga and Rinkitink, 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 he heard shouts 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
Rinkitink, as well as to the Prince, and sometimes used harsh words in
addressing them, he was intelligent enough to know them to be his friends,
and to know that King Gos 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 Gos coming up the stairs followed by a long line of his chief
captains and warriors.
The goat 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 heels over
head to the bottom of the stairs, where they piled up in a heap, struggling
and shouting and in the mixup hitting one another with their fists, until
every man of them was bruised and sore.
Finally King Gos 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 goat also lost his balance and
followed the King, landing 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 Gos, running after.
But the goat 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 goat, Bilbil sent them sprawling upon the ground. Most
of the warriors, however, were wise enough not to attempt to interfere with
his flight.
Coursing 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 Cor, and seeing the gates of
the courtyard standing wide open, Bilbil rushed through them without
slackening his speed.
...chapter twelve of Rinkitink in Oz...previous...next...