human
Quick! cried Cor.
gpt
Destroy the bridge, or we are lost.
human
That boy is a wizard! she gasped.
gpt
There is no standing against him.
human
Oh, have you discovered his magic at last? replied Gos, laughing in her face.
gpt
Who, now, is the coward?
human
Don't laugh! cried Queen Cor.
gpt
It is no laughing matter. Both our islands are as good as conquered, this very minute. What shall we do, Gos?
human
Come in, he said, growing serious,
gpt
The boy intends to liberate his father and mother, and all the people of Pingaree, and to take them back to their island, said Cor.
human
He may also destroy our palaces and make us his slaves. I can see but one way, Gos, to prevent him from doing all this, and whatever else he pleases to do.
gpt
What way is that?
human
We must take the boy's parents away from here as quickly as possible. I have with me the Queen of Pingaree, and you can run up to the mines and get the King. Then we will carry them away in a boat and hide them where the boy cannot find them, with all his magic. We will use the King and Queen of Pingaree as hostages, and send word to the boy wizard that if he does not go away from our islands and allow us to rule them undisturbed, in our own way, we will put his father and mother to death. Also we will say that as long as we are let alone his parents will be safe, although still safely hidden. I believe, Gos, that in this way we can compel Prince Ingato obey us, for he seems very fond of his parents.
gpt
It isn't a bad idea, said Gos, reflectively;
human
In the country of the Nome King, on the mainland away at the south, she replied.
gpt
The nomes are our friends, and they possess magic powers that will enable them to protect the prisoners from discovery. If we can manage to get the King and Queen of Pingaree to the Nome Kingdom before the boy knows what we are doing, I am sure our plot will succeed.