"You must have a strong imagination, King Rinkitink, if you consider your songs music.
Do you remember the story of the bear that hired out for a nursemaid ?" "I do not recall it just now," said Rinkitink, with a wink at Inga.
"Well, the bear tried to sing a lullaby to put the baby to sleep." "And then ?" said the King.
"The bear was highly pleased with its own voice, but the baby was nearly frightened to death." "Heh, heb, heh, heh, whoo, hoo, hoo! You are a merry rogue, Bilbil," laughed the King; "a merry rogue in spite of your gloomy features.
However, if I have not amused you, I have at least pleased myself, for I am exceedingly fond of a good song.

So let us say no more about it." 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.