The rowers of the boat were all solemn and silent and certainly no one on the shore had spoken.

But the little man did not seem astonished in the least, or even annoyed.
King Kitticut now addressed the stranger, saying courteously: "You are welcome to the Kingdom of Pingaree.

Perhaps you will deign to come ashore and at your convenience inform us whom we have the honor of receiving as a guest." "Thanks; I will," returned the little fat man, waddling from his place in the boat and stepping, with some difficulty, upon the sandy beach.
"I am King Rinkitink, of the City of Gilgad in the Kingdom of Rinkitink, and I have come to Pingaree to see for myself the monarch who sends to my city so many beautiful pearls.

I have long wished to visit this island; and so, as I said before, here I am!" "I am pleased to welcome you," said King Kitticut.

"But why has Your Majesty so few attendants?
Is it not dangerous for the King of a great country to make distant journeys in one frail boat, and with but twenty men ?" "Oh, I suppose so," answered King Rinkitink, with a laugh.