Stranica 242 [242]
218 PINOCCHIO
foundered. The sailors were all saved, but the
vessel went to the bottom, and the Dog-fish,
who had an excellent appetite, after he had
swallowed me, swallowed the vessel. . . .”
" How? ”
" He swallowed it in one mouthful, and the
only thing that he spat out was the mainmast,
that had stuck between his teeth like a fish¬
bone. Fortunately for me the vessel was laden
with preserved meat in tins, biscuit, bottles of
wine, dried raisins, cheese, coffee, sugar,
candles, and boxes of wax matches. With this
providential supply I have been able to live
for two years. But I have arrived at the end of
my resources: there is nothing left in the larder,
and this candle is the last that remains... ”
" And after that?”
“ After that, dear boy, we shall both re¬
main in the dark.”
“Then, dear little papa,” said Pinocchio,
“there is no time to lose. We must think of
escaping...”
“ Of escaping?... and how?”
‘We must escape through the mouth of the
Dog-fish, jump into the sea and swim away.”
“You talk well: but, dear Pinocchio, I
don’t know how to swim.”
“What does that matter? ... I am a good
‘
?