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112 PINOCCHIO
The four polecats thinking themselves safe
repaired to the poultry-yard, which was close
to the kennel, and having opened the wooden
gate with their teeth and claws, they slipped in
one by one. But they had only just passed
through when they heard the gate shut behind
them with great violence.
It was Pinocchio who had shut it; and for
greater security he put a large stone against it
to keep it closed.
He then began to bark, and he barked
exactly like a watch-dog: bow-wow, bow-wow.
Hearing the barking the peasant jumped
out of bed, and taking his gun he came to the
window and asked:
“What is the matter? ”
“There are robbers!’ answered Pinocchio.
- Where are they?”
“In the poultry-yard.”
“TI will come down directly.”
In fact, in less time than it takes to say
Amen, the peasant came down. He rushed
into the poultry-yard, caught the polecats, and
having put them into a sack, he said to them in
a tone of great satisfaction:
" At last you have fallen into my hands!
I might punish you, but I am not so cruel. I
will content myself instead by carrying you
in the morning to the innkeeper of the neigh¬