Page:The adventures of Pinocchio (Cramp 1904).djvu/214

 shorter. In fact, he could not swim much longer and the shore could not be seen.

He swam until he had no more breath. Then he turned his head toward Geppetto and said in broken tones, “Help me, Papa, or I shall die.”

The father and the boy were nearly drowned when they heard a voice, like a guitar out of tune, saying, “Who is going to die?”

“My papa and I.”

“I recognize that voice. You are Pinocchio.”

“Exactly; and who are you?”

“I am Tunny, your companion in the Dogfish’s stomach.”

“How did you escape?”

“I followed your example. You taught me the way; and after I saw you go, I went also.”

“Oh, my friend, you have come just in time! I pray you, for the love you bear your little tunny fishes, to help us, or we are lost.”

“With all my heart! Get on my back and in a few minutes we shall reach land.”

As you may easily imagine, Geppetto and Pinocchio quickly accepted the invitation.

“Are we too heavy?” asked Pinocchio.

“Heavy? Why, you are like two shadows. It seems to me that I have two small shells on my back.”