Part 4 (1/2)

”Farewell and many thanks,” answered the stubborn marionette, and forthwith stepped into the sea.

”The water is like ice this morning. No wonder it makes me feel cold; but I know how to get rid of a chill. A good swim, and I am as warm as ever.” Out shot his arms and he plunged into the water. The journey to Africa had begun.

At noon he still swam on. It grew dark and on he swam. Later the moon arose and grinned at him. He kept on swimming, without a sign of fatigue, of hunger, or of sleepiness. A marionette can do things that would tire a real boy, and to Pinocchio swimming was no task at all.

11. Pinocchio Lands On A Rock

THE moon grinned again and disappeared behind a cloud. The night grew dark. Pinocchio continued to swim through the black waters. He could see nothing ahead. He swam, swam, swam into the dark. Suddenly he felt something sc.r.a.pe his body, and he gave a start.

”Who goes there?” he cried. No one answered. ”Perhaps it is my old friend the shark, who has recognized me,” thought he; and he rapidly swam on to get away from the spot which reminded him of that terrible monster.

He had not gone more than fifty yards when his head ran against something rough and hard. ”Oh!” cried the marionette, and he raised his hand to the injured part.

Then, as he noticed a large rock standing out of the water, he cried joyously; ”I have arrived! I am in Africa!”

He got up on his feet and began to feel of himself all over, his ribs, his stomach, his legs. Everything was in order.

”Nothing broken!” he said. ”The rocks on the way have been very kind. However, I hope that day will break soon, for I have no matches, and it seems to me that I am very hungry.”

Then he began to move on carefully. First he put down one foot and then the other, and thus crept along till he found a comfortable spot.

”I seem to be very tired and sleepy also,” he said.

With that, he lay down and went off in to a deep slumber.

When he awoke it was daylight. The sun shone red and hot. There was nothing to be seen but rocks and water.

”Is this Africa?” said the marionette, greatly troubled. ”Even at dawn it seems to be very warm. When the sun gets a little higher I am likely to be baked.” And he wiped the sweat from his brow on his coat sleeve. Presently clouds began to rise out of the water. They grew darker and darker, and the day, instead of being bright, gradually became gloomy and overcast.

The sun disappeared.

”This is funny!” said Pinocchio. ”What jokes the sun plays in these parts! It s.h.i.+nes for a while and then disappears.”

Poor marionette! It did not occur to him at first that he had slept the whole day, and that instead of the rising he saw the setting of the sun.

12. The First Night In Africa

”AND now I must pa.s.s another night here alone on these bare rocks!”

he thought.

The unhappy marionette began to tremble. He tried to walk, but the night was so dark that it was impossible to see where to go. The tears rolled down his wooden cheeks. He thought of his disobedience and of his stubbornness. He remembered the warnings his father had given him, the advice of his teacher, and the kindly words of the good Fairy. He remembered the promises he had made to be good, obedient, and studious.

How happy he had been! He recalled the day when his father's face beamed with pleasure at his progress. He saw the happy smile with which his protecting Fairy greeted him. His tears fell fast, and sobs rent his heart.

”If I should die, here in this gloomy place! If I should die of weariness, of hunger, of fear! To die a marionette without having had the happiness of becoming a real boy!”

He wept bitterly, and yet his troubles had scarcely begun. Even while his tears were flowing down his cheeks and into the dark water, he heard prolonged howls. At the same time he saw lights moving to and fro, as if driven by the wind.

”What in the world is this? Who is carrying those lanterns? asked Pinocchio, continuing to sob.

As if in answer to his questions, two lights came down the rocky coast and drew nearer to him.