Page 168 [168]
OCR
XXVIII PINOCCHIO IS IN DANGER OF BEING FRIED IN A FRYING-PAN LIKE A FISH } ; \ HERE came a moment in this desperate race—a terrible moment when Pinocchio thought himself lost: for you must know that Alidoro—for so the mastiff was called—had run so swiftly that he had nearly come up with him. The puppet could hear the panting of the dreadful beast close behind him; there was not a hand’s breadth between them; he could even feel the dog’s hot breath. Fortunately the shore was close and the sea but a few steps off. As soon as he reached the sands the puppet made a wonderful leap—a frog could have done no better—and plunged into the water. Alidoro, on the contrary, wished to stop himself; but carried away by the impetus of the race he also went into the sea. The unfortunate dog could not swim, but he made great efforts to keep himself afloat with his paws; but the more he struggled the farther he sank head downwards under the water. When he rose to the surface again his eyes were rolling with terror, and he barked out: “Tam drowning! I am drowning!” 150
